In This Newsletter:
Subscriber Sale:
Delas’s 2015 St Joseph
Paolo Bea Sale
Bereche & Fils Champagne
New Releases Arriving in November
Von Winning
New Releases Arriving in November
Subscriber Sale:
Delas’s 2015 St Joseph
Known for crafting some of the Northern Rhone’s most powerful wines, Delas is a signature producer in a region with no shortage of legendary names. It is thanks to their significant holdings throughout the region that allow Delas to not only produce some of the region’s finest expressions, including their Hermitage Les Bessards, but also some of its best values. Wines like the St Joseph Francois de Tournon prove that world-class Northern Rhone wines don’t necessarily have to break the bank.’
With consistently strong scores from some of the world’s most respected critics, including a perfect score on their 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, Delas’ wines no longer fly under the radar. However, even with the recent acclaim, Delas has kept their pricing reasonable. So, for those looking to experience what ambition tastes like in the Northern Rhone today, without the sticker shock, look no further.
Their best value might be the St. Joseph Francois de Tournon bottling. It’s a hidden gem in the Northern Rhone—more proof that there are truly great wines made outside of Cote Rotie, Hermitage and Cornas. As an appellation, St. Joseph is too large to be expensive across the board, but the best vineyards can rival Hermitage and Cote Rotie in quality (witness the pricing for Gonon in recent years). Delas’ Tournon is a prime argument for the quality that’s attainable in St. Joseph, but because of the name on the label, it’s a deal vs. Hermitage.
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($44.95) Was $36, Now $31.90 special, 150+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Inky and concentrated, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon is no easy-drinking Saint-Joseph. It’s smoky, herbal and ashy all at once, yet it’s buoyed by ample black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity. This medium to full-bodied Syrah has plenty of tannins, but they’re ultimately silky and most apparent on the long, licorice-tinged finish. This is approachable now but should be even better in 3 years and should drink well for at least another 10 after that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Both Saint Joseph releases are brilliant in 2015. The 2015 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes vines around Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion, and is always destemmed and aged in 30% new barrels. This full-bodied, rounded, sexy beauty shows the power and fruit of the vintage. With classic notes of black and blue fruits, violets, incense and pepper, drink this textured, expansive, terrific Saint Joseph over the coming 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Dark ruby. High-pitched red and dark berry and violet aromas show excellent focus and pick up hints of cracked pepper and sandalwood with air. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering fresh black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of candied licorice. Turns sweeter on the penetrating, impressively long finish, which features smooth, even tannins and lingering boysenberry and floral qualities.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $52
Paolo Bea Sale
Paolo Bea is an iconic producer—a virtual one-winery symbol of Umbrian wine and it’s potential. No winery in the region produces wines as profound, interesting and delicious as the Italian masters (son Giampero is the winemaker these days).
If you’ve had these before, keep scrolling to check out the sale prices—if not, pay attention. These are wines that capture the wildness of Umbrian wine and its signature grape, Sagrantino, in a way that captivates even the most jaded palates. They’re naturally made, but have classical proportions, with an almost savage ferocity to the flavors (and in the Sagrantino, the tannins as well). They’ve become quite hard to acquire in recent years (we guess the word’s gotten out), but we’re dropping our prices even lower for our email subscribers.
In Stock Now:
Paolo Bea Arboreus Bianco Umbria IGT 2012 750ML ($74.95) Was $66, Now $59 Subscriber Special, 2 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Arboreus, Umbria Bianco Arboreus: is made from a Trebbiano clone known as Trebbiano Spoletino which is trained so that the fruit hangs high above the ground. The vineyards are planted in the low hills between Trevi and Montefalco at an elevation of 650 to 700 feet with a range of parcels facing both to the east and to the southwest. The soil is essentially clay and gravel. Harvest generally occurs during the first two weeks of October. The wine is left in contact with the skins for up to three weeks or more and is then aged in stainless steel tanks for at least two years prior to bottling. Sulfur is never added. Annual production is in the range of 3000 bottles.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $66
Paolo Bea Arboreus Bianco Umbria IGT 2013 750ML ($74.95) Was $66, Now $59 Subscriber Special, 4 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “One of the early success stories in the modern-day revival of skin-macerated white wines, Bea’s beloved “Arboreus” originates from exceedingly old Trebbiano vines (up to 150 years of age) in the village of Spoleto, halfway between Bea’s home village of Montefalco and nearby Trevi. A striking instance of non-standard training, these ancient vines wrap themselves around the trunks and branches of trees (hence the wine’s name), growing and ripening high above the ground. Bea picks the fruit quite ripe and conducts an extended skin maceration (in the case of the 2014, 25 days), after which he leaves the wine on its gross lees for the better part of a year—a technique that nourishes the wine and ensures its ultimate expressive depth, but one which requires total confidence in the quality of one’s raw materials. Standing as the only wine Giampiero produced in the arduous, downy-mildew-affected 2013 vintage, this version is a particularly nimble, mineral-driven rendition of “Arboreus,” with notes of quinine, citrus zest, and fresh almonds atop a particularly lithe and delicate frame. The wine certainly does not lack for power, but its overall impression is less juicily tannic than in more typical vintages—and, at the end of the day, it’s a wine only Giampiero Bea could produce. User’s note: “Arboreus” must be served no cooler than cellar temperature to appreciate its full spectrum of aromas and flavors.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $67
Paolo Bea ‘Lapideus’ Bianco Umbria IGT 2016 750ML ($79.95) Was $66, Now $59 Subscriber Special, 8 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Giampiero acquired a parcel of 80-year-old Trebbiano Spoletino in the town of Pigge di Trevi several years back, and 2016 marks just the third vintage of this exciting new addition to the Bea lineup. Arising from a cooler microclimate than the “Arboreus” above, “Lapideus” spent a month on it skins [before] pressing, followed by over 200 additional days on the gross lees—a similar vinification to “Arboreus,” yet one that yielded markedly different results. “Lapideus” has a leaner, racier carriage than the broad-shouldered “Arboreus,” with a more precise sense of acidity; it emphasizes drive over density, and its underlying salinity is not a far cry from the spellbinding wines we import from Paolo Vodopivec in the Carso—incidentally, a dear friend of Giampiero and a fellow ViniVeri administrator. A subtle note of honeyed sweetness at the wine’s core speaks of its warm-climate origins, and Bea’s propensity for wildness reveals itself in a fascinating but ephemeral cheese-rind whisper in its aromatics. Only 745 bottles were produced, the vast majority of which are destined for the US market.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paolo Bea Rosso de Veo Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($89.95) Was $79, Now $69 Subscriber Special, 17 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Since the 2005 vintage, Bea’s “Rosso de Veo” (“Veo” is the way the family’s name is pronounced in the old Umbrian dialect) is pure Sagrantino sourced from younger vines around the property and from parcels that do not quite make Giampiero’s rigorous cut for “Pagliaro,” “Pipparello,” and “Cerrete.” This 2015 is Mike Tyson in his prime: potent, assertive, brazen, and making no concessions to polite society. Monstrous in its tannins, it nonetheless presents them in such a multifaceted way as to almost transcend their viselike grip; the tannins themselves have layers, offering classic sandalwood spice on one level, mineral-saturated depth-charge stoniness on another, and—most thrillingly—a direct, naked evocation of crunching into dripping-ripe berries. Four years of élévage did nothing to blunt this astonishing wine’s unmitigated expression of freshly plucked grapes, and this is a monumental “Rosso de Veo” that should live for a very, very long time.”
Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) Was $119, Now $99 Subscriber Special, 4 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Bea produces perhaps his most renowned wine from pure Sagrantino grown on the prized hilltop site of Pagliaro, situated at 1300 feet above sea level in Montefalco proper. Following the example of the “Rosso de Veo” above, this 2015 is absolutely jaw-dropping in its intensity and presence. Bea’s wines at their best offer a panoply of spices so intoxicating, so far-reaching, and so evocative, as to nearly defy belief. The only wines that approach Bea’s in that regard are perhaps the most un-sculpted Syrah-based wines of the Northern Rhône, but even those feel as if they have governors on their accelerators in comparison to top vintages of “Pagliaro.” Similarly large in scale to the “Rosso de Veo,” this actually presents with greater precision and nuance, its overall attack more subtle but ultimately no less impactful—direct evidence of a great terroir translated with consummate skill.”
Paolo Bea San Valentino Rosso Umbria IGT, Umbrai 2014 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49 Subscriber Special, 8 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2014 Montefalco Rosso San Valentino is the result of a very difficult vintage for Paolo Bea, though you’d never know it. Here I’m finding an exotic, layered expression, as rosy florals and peppery herbs give way to sweet, crushed strawberries with smoky minerals, hints of soy and rich brown spices. Soft textures effortlessly wash across the senses with feminine weight, displaying pure red and blue fruits, and giving way to a coating of liquid florals and saturating minerals. The finish is long and grippier than expected, yet purity is the name of the game, as pretty berry fruits resonate over a gentle twang of youthful tannin. Giampiero’s vineyards were hit hard by downy mildew in 2014, and all of the fruit he saved went into this year’s San Valentino. While it’s not on the same level as recent vintages, it’s still a very special wine that delivers a lot of pleasure, and at only 12.5% alcohol.”
Importer Note “The 2014 version of Bea’s beloved “San Valentino” is a bit of an outlier. Given the difficulties of the 2014 growing season—the second in a row in which downy mildew exerted enormous pressure—Giampiero was only able to produce a single red wine, constituting the scant viable bunches from his entire range of vineyard holdings. Composed of 40% Sagrantino, 40% Sangiovese, and 20% Montepulciano, the 2014 “San Valentino” offers a classic Bea nose of subtle balsamic notes, brooding spices, and boisterous black fruits, yet it possesses a less massive structure than usual. Calling a Bea red “elegant” is a stretch, and in fact does a slight disservice to the exuberant wildness that is one of Giampero’s wines’ calling cards, but this version of “San Valentino” is indeed fairly light on its feet without exactly being polite. Like its tough-vintage counterpart “Arboreus” above, this 2014 is both somewhat atypical for its category yet unmistakably Bea at its core, and longtime fans of the estate will revel in its idiosyncratic nature as well as its pure deliciousness.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $56
Bereche & Fils Champagne
Arriving in November
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $61
Bereche et Fils Campania Remensis Extra Brut Rose, Champagne (2016) NV 750ML ($99.95) $75 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: A very bright, crisp, and pale rose. Red-berry, spice & citrus notes. Classically Bereche with a rosé twist.
No reviews for the current release. Most recent review provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Disgorged in May 2019 with 4.5 grams per liter dosage, the 2015 Brut Rosé Campania Remensis is showing brilliantly. From a south-facing site characterized by sandy soils over limestone bedrock, it wafts from the glass with a beautiful bouquet of pear, red apple, fresh mint and pastry cream. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, pillowy and charming, with a crisp core of fruit, a delicate mousse and fine-boned structure. This is one of the finest rosé wines I’ve tasted from Bérêche.”
Peter Liem note “This comes entirely from the village of Ormes, blended from all three varieties and aged under cork.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $96
Bereche et Fils Reflet d’Antan Brut, Champagne (2015) NV 750ML ($179.95) $125 pre-arrival special
Bereche et Fils Reflet d’Antan Brut, Champagne (2015) NV 1.5L ($399.95) $319 pre-arrival special, only 6 magnums available
No reviews for the current release. Most recent review provided for reference.
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The NV Reflet d’Antan is weightless, airy and gracious. Graphite, crushed rocks, petrol, smoke and licorice infuse this super-refined, polished Champagne. Intensely mineral, chalky and savory, Reflet d’Antan is a model of total precision. The current release is based on the 2013 vintage, with 30% perpetual reserve wines. Reflet d’Antan is 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. I tasted two bottles of the same wine; the first aged on crown seal and the second (the commercial release) aged on cork. The version aged on cork was noticeably more complex, and that is for a wine that had just been disgorged about a month before this tasting. Disgorged February 2018. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.”
Peter Liem note “Perhaps the most unusual wine in the cellar is the Reflet d’Antan, composed of equal parts of all three varieties and made by a perpetual blending system. Started in 1985, this is stored in 600-liter demi-muids, with two-thirds of the wine removed each year and replaced with wine from the new harvest—in effect, a sort of “solera”, without criaderas. Historically, the Reflet d’Antan has shown a more ample, more richly burnished style than the other wines in the range, veering towards an oxidative character from its long aging in barrel. However, in recent years Bérêche has sought to bring more freshness and energy to this cuvée, slightly increasing the emphasis on the younger wine, and while it still retains its mature, compellingly anachronistic character, it now feels noticeably more lively and refined.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
The next best price is $141.99 for the 750ml
The next best price is $335 for the 1.5L
In Stock Now from Bereche:
Bereche et Fils Ambonnay Grand Cru Millesime, Champagne 2014 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, 1 bottle in stock now
A single parcel Champagne of 100% Pinot Noir. Aged sur lattes for 54 months.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Bereche et Fils Mailly-Champagne Grand Cru, Champagne 2014 750ML ($199.95) $189 special, 2 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “Due for release this year, the 2014 Grand Cru Mailly-Champagne is also showing very well indeed, revealing a more exuberantly fruit-driven bouquet than its 2013 sibling, featuring aromas of citrus oil, green pear, fresh pastry, beeswax and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, chalky and incisive, it’s long and concentrated, with a resonant, saline finish.”
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2016) NV 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Disgorged 10/2019. 2016-base.
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The NV Brut Réserve (2016 base, disgorged December 2018) is especially finessed on this release, with a bit more floral lift from the Chardonnay than is often the case, and also slightly higher dosage, all of which works very well. Lemon confit, white flowers and mint add to the wine’s decidedly bright profile. This is a fabulous edition of the Brut Réserve. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: December, 2018.” [Disgorgement dates vary]
Bereche et Fils Reflet d’Antan Brut, Champagne (2014) NV 1.5L ($299.95) $279 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Importer Note “Arguably the most original of all in this lineup of singular Champagnes is the Reflet d’Antan, one-third each of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, drawn from a perpetual reserve of 600-liter barrels begun by Jean-Pierre in 1985. Every year two-thirds of the wine in each barrel is drawn off and replaced with that from the latest vintage. After 4 years on the lees, the result is a rivetingly complex Champagne that seamlessly marries richness, texture and depth and with startling freshness and lift. Each parcel of vines is vinified and aged separately in barrel with its ambient yeasts. Raphaël and Vincent make certain that the wines do not go through malolactic to balance their richness and depth with bright acidity. And aging en tirage is under cork for the enhanced development of character and aromatic complexity that this brings to the wines. Finally, each bottle is disgorged by hand and minimally dosed to preserve the purity of its expression.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
We offer 110 Champagnes in stock now.
Shop the selection on our web store!
Subscriber Sale:
Delas’s 2015 St Joseph
Paolo Bea Sale
Bereche & Fils Champagne
New Releases Arriving in November
Von Winning
New Releases Arriving in November
Subscriber Sale:
Delas’s 2015 St Joseph
Known for crafting some of the Northern Rhone’s most powerful wines, Delas is a signature producer in a region with no shortage of legendary names. It is thanks to their significant holdings throughout the region that allow Delas to not only produce some of the region’s finest expressions, including their Hermitage Les Bessards, but also some of its best values. Wines like the St Joseph Francois de Tournon prove that world-class Northern Rhone wines don’t necessarily have to break the bank.’With consistently strong scores from some of the world’s most respected critics, including a perfect score on their 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, Delas’ wines no longer fly under the radar. However, even with the recent acclaim, Delas has kept their pricing reasonable. So, for those looking to experience what ambition tastes like in the Northern Rhone today, without the sticker shock, look no further.
Their best value might be the St. Joseph Francois de Tournon bottling. It’s a hidden gem in the Northern Rhone—more proof that there are truly great wines made outside of Cote Rotie, Hermitage and Cornas. As an appellation, St. Joseph is too large to be expensive across the board, but the best vineyards can rival Hermitage and Cote Rotie in quality (witness the pricing for Gonon in recent years). Delas’ Tournon is a prime argument for the quality that’s attainable in St. Joseph, but because of the name on the label, it’s a deal vs. Hermitage.
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($44.95) Was $36, Now $31.90 special, 150+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Inky and concentrated, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon is no easy-drinking Saint-Joseph. It’s smoky, herbal and ashy all at once, yet it’s buoyed by ample black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity. This medium to full-bodied Syrah has plenty of tannins, but they’re ultimately silky and most apparent on the long, licorice-tinged finish. This is approachable now but should be even better in 3 years and should drink well for at least another 10 after that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Both Saint Joseph releases are brilliant in 2015. The 2015 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes vines around Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion, and is always destemmed and aged in 30% new barrels. This full-bodied, rounded, sexy beauty shows the power and fruit of the vintage. With classic notes of black and blue fruits, violets, incense and pepper, drink this textured, expansive, terrific Saint Joseph over the coming 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Dark ruby. High-pitched red and dark berry and violet aromas show excellent focus and pick up hints of cracked pepper and sandalwood with air. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering fresh black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of candied licorice. Turns sweeter on the penetrating, impressively long finish, which features smooth, even tannins and lingering boysenberry and floral qualities.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $52
Paolo Bea Sale
Paolo Bea is an iconic producer—a virtual one-winery symbol of Umbrian wine and it’s potential. No winery in the region produces wines as profound, interesting and delicious as the Italian masters (son Giampero is the winemaker these days).If you’ve had these before, keep scrolling to check out the sale prices—if not, pay attention. These are wines that capture the wildness of Umbrian wine and its signature grape, Sagrantino, in a way that captivates even the most jaded palates. They’re naturally made, but have classical proportions, with an almost savage ferocity to the flavors (and in the Sagrantino, the tannins as well). They’ve become quite hard to acquire in recent years (we guess the word’s gotten out), but we’re dropping our prices even lower for our email subscribers.
In Stock Now:
Paolo Bea Arboreus Bianco Umbria IGT 2012 750ML ($74.95) Was $66, Now $59 Subscriber Special, 2 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Arboreus, Umbria Bianco Arboreus: is made from a Trebbiano clone known as Trebbiano Spoletino which is trained so that the fruit hangs high above the ground. The vineyards are planted in the low hills between Trevi and Montefalco at an elevation of 650 to 700 feet with a range of parcels facing both to the east and to the southwest. The soil is essentially clay and gravel. Harvest generally occurs during the first two weeks of October. The wine is left in contact with the skins for up to three weeks or more and is then aged in stainless steel tanks for at least two years prior to bottling. Sulfur is never added. Annual production is in the range of 3000 bottles.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $66
Paolo Bea Arboreus Bianco Umbria IGT 2013 750ML ($74.95) Was $66, Now $59 Subscriber Special, 4 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “One of the early success stories in the modern-day revival of skin-macerated white wines, Bea’s beloved “Arboreus” originates from exceedingly old Trebbiano vines (up to 150 years of age) in the village of Spoleto, halfway between Bea’s home village of Montefalco and nearby Trevi. A striking instance of non-standard training, these ancient vines wrap themselves around the trunks and branches of trees (hence the wine’s name), growing and ripening high above the ground. Bea picks the fruit quite ripe and conducts an extended skin maceration (in the case of the 2014, 25 days), after which he leaves the wine on its gross lees for the better part of a year—a technique that nourishes the wine and ensures its ultimate expressive depth, but one which requires total confidence in the quality of one’s raw materials. Standing as the only wine Giampiero produced in the arduous, downy-mildew-affected 2013 vintage, this version is a particularly nimble, mineral-driven rendition of “Arboreus,” with notes of quinine, citrus zest, and fresh almonds atop a particularly lithe and delicate frame. The wine certainly does not lack for power, but its overall impression is less juicily tannic than in more typical vintages—and, at the end of the day, it’s a wine only Giampiero Bea could produce. User’s note: “Arboreus” must be served no cooler than cellar temperature to appreciate its full spectrum of aromas and flavors.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $67
Paolo Bea ‘Lapideus’ Bianco Umbria IGT 2016 750ML ($79.95) Was $66, Now $59 Subscriber Special, 8 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Giampiero acquired a parcel of 80-year-old Trebbiano Spoletino in the town of Pigge di Trevi several years back, and 2016 marks just the third vintage of this exciting new addition to the Bea lineup. Arising from a cooler microclimate than the “Arboreus” above, “Lapideus” spent a month on it skins [before] pressing, followed by over 200 additional days on the gross lees—a similar vinification to “Arboreus,” yet one that yielded markedly different results. “Lapideus” has a leaner, racier carriage than the broad-shouldered “Arboreus,” with a more precise sense of acidity; it emphasizes drive over density, and its underlying salinity is not a far cry from the spellbinding wines we import from Paolo Vodopivec in the Carso—incidentally, a dear friend of Giampiero and a fellow ViniVeri administrator. A subtle note of honeyed sweetness at the wine’s core speaks of its warm-climate origins, and Bea’s propensity for wildness reveals itself in a fascinating but ephemeral cheese-rind whisper in its aromatics. Only 745 bottles were produced, the vast majority of which are destined for the US market.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paolo Bea Rosso de Veo Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($89.95) Was $79, Now $69 Subscriber Special, 17 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Since the 2005 vintage, Bea’s “Rosso de Veo” (“Veo” is the way the family’s name is pronounced in the old Umbrian dialect) is pure Sagrantino sourced from younger vines around the property and from parcels that do not quite make Giampiero’s rigorous cut for “Pagliaro,” “Pipparello,” and “Cerrete.” This 2015 is Mike Tyson in his prime: potent, assertive, brazen, and making no concessions to polite society. Monstrous in its tannins, it nonetheless presents them in such a multifaceted way as to almost transcend their viselike grip; the tannins themselves have layers, offering classic sandalwood spice on one level, mineral-saturated depth-charge stoniness on another, and—most thrillingly—a direct, naked evocation of crunching into dripping-ripe berries. Four years of élévage did nothing to blunt this astonishing wine’s unmitigated expression of freshly plucked grapes, and this is a monumental “Rosso de Veo” that should live for a very, very long time.”
Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) Was $119, Now $99 Subscriber Special, 4 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Bea produces perhaps his most renowned wine from pure Sagrantino grown on the prized hilltop site of Pagliaro, situated at 1300 feet above sea level in Montefalco proper. Following the example of the “Rosso de Veo” above, this 2015 is absolutely jaw-dropping in its intensity and presence. Bea’s wines at their best offer a panoply of spices so intoxicating, so far-reaching, and so evocative, as to nearly defy belief. The only wines that approach Bea’s in that regard are perhaps the most un-sculpted Syrah-based wines of the Northern Rhône, but even those feel as if they have governors on their accelerators in comparison to top vintages of “Pagliaro.” Similarly large in scale to the “Rosso de Veo,” this actually presents with greater precision and nuance, its overall attack more subtle but ultimately no less impactful—direct evidence of a great terroir translated with consummate skill.”
Paolo Bea San Valentino Rosso Umbria IGT, Umbrai 2014 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49 Subscriber Special, 8 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2014 Montefalco Rosso San Valentino is the result of a very difficult vintage for Paolo Bea, though you’d never know it. Here I’m finding an exotic, layered expression, as rosy florals and peppery herbs give way to sweet, crushed strawberries with smoky minerals, hints of soy and rich brown spices. Soft textures effortlessly wash across the senses with feminine weight, displaying pure red and blue fruits, and giving way to a coating of liquid florals and saturating minerals. The finish is long and grippier than expected, yet purity is the name of the game, as pretty berry fruits resonate over a gentle twang of youthful tannin. Giampiero’s vineyards were hit hard by downy mildew in 2014, and all of the fruit he saved went into this year’s San Valentino. While it’s not on the same level as recent vintages, it’s still a very special wine that delivers a lot of pleasure, and at only 12.5% alcohol.”
Importer Note “The 2014 version of Bea’s beloved “San Valentino” is a bit of an outlier. Given the difficulties of the 2014 growing season—the second in a row in which downy mildew exerted enormous pressure—Giampiero was only able to produce a single red wine, constituting the scant viable bunches from his entire range of vineyard holdings. Composed of 40% Sagrantino, 40% Sangiovese, and 20% Montepulciano, the 2014 “San Valentino” offers a classic Bea nose of subtle balsamic notes, brooding spices, and boisterous black fruits, yet it possesses a less massive structure than usual. Calling a Bea red “elegant” is a stretch, and in fact does a slight disservice to the exuberant wildness that is one of Giampero’s wines’ calling cards, but this version of “San Valentino” is indeed fairly light on its feet without exactly being polite. Like its tough-vintage counterpart “Arboreus” above, this 2014 is both somewhat atypical for its category yet unmistakably Bea at its core, and longtime fans of the estate will revel in its idiosyncratic nature as well as its pure deliciousness.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $56
Bereche & Fils Champagne
Arriving in November
Poll the staff at Vinopolis, and everyone will mention Bereche as a top three favorite Champagne producer (we can’t agree on the rest!) As a direct import into Oregon, we’re able to offer some of the sharpest pricing, broadest selection, and deepest inventory of these remarkable Champagne releases from Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche. But we never take these wines for granted, and nor should you. The Brut Reserve is always the first Champagne we sell out of, so secure your stock tonight with a case or two.
“I’ve been following the wines of brothers Vincent and Raphaël Bérêche since my student days, and it’s been thrilling to watch them go from strength to strength. Their recent releases are some of their best to date: whether it’s their ever-more precise and concentrated lieu-dit bottlings, their exquisitely ethereal Campania Remensis Rosé, or the fresher, tightly wound Reflet d’Antan. In short, everything here comes warmly recommended. As readers will know, the Bérêche brothers cultivate their soils and don’t use herbicides or pesticides. Most of the vins clairs are vinified in barrel, and tirage is under cork rather than crown cap.” –William Kelley, Wine Advocate
“Few growers can match Raphaël Bérêche’s enthusiasm. That energy comes through in wines that faithfully capture the purest essence of vintage, variety and site… As good as the higher end wines are in this range, I often find myself reaching for the NV Brut Réserve, which is reliably one of the very finest Champagnes in its peer group.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
Arriving in November from Bereche et Fils:
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $45 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne NV 750ML ($349.95) $256 pre-arrival special (that’s only $42.67/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Case-12 Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne NV 750ML ($679.95) $489 pre-arrival special (that’s only $40.75/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The latest release of the NV Brut Réserve was disgorged in October 2019 with seven grams per liter dosage, and it’s based on the 2017 vintage. Exhibiting a glass bouquet of citrus oil, oyster shell, fresh peach and toasted nuts, it’s medium to full-bodied, racy and tensile, with lovely depth and concentration, fine energy and a long, penetrating finish.”
Peter Liem note “The range begins with the Brut Réserve, a non-vintage brut that usually contains about 25 percent chardonnay, 25 percent meunier and 20 percent pinot noir from the base vintage, along with 30 percent of reserve wines, also from the three varieties.”
“I often find myself reaching for the NV Brut Réserve, which is reliably one of the very finest Champagnes in its peer group” –Antonio Galloni, writing on the previous disgorgement
Base vintage subject to change by the importer without notice.
“I’ve been following the wines of brothers Vincent and Raphaël Bérêche since my student days, and it’s been thrilling to watch them go from strength to strength. Their recent releases are some of their best to date: whether it’s their ever-more precise and concentrated lieu-dit bottlings, their exquisitely ethereal Campania Remensis Rosé, or the fresher, tightly wound Reflet d’Antan. In short, everything here comes warmly recommended. As readers will know, the Bérêche brothers cultivate their soils and don’t use herbicides or pesticides. Most of the vins clairs are vinified in barrel, and tirage is under cork rather than crown cap.” –William Kelley, Wine Advocate
“Few growers can match Raphaël Bérêche’s enthusiasm. That energy comes through in wines that faithfully capture the purest essence of vintage, variety and site… As good as the higher end wines are in this range, I often find myself reaching for the NV Brut Réserve, which is reliably one of the very finest Champagnes in its peer group.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
Arriving in November from Bereche et Fils:
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $45 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne NV 750ML ($349.95) $256 pre-arrival special (that’s only $42.67/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Case-12 Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne NV 750ML ($679.95) $489 pre-arrival special (that’s only $40.75/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The latest release of the NV Brut Réserve was disgorged in October 2019 with seven grams per liter dosage, and it’s based on the 2017 vintage. Exhibiting a glass bouquet of citrus oil, oyster shell, fresh peach and toasted nuts, it’s medium to full-bodied, racy and tensile, with lovely depth and concentration, fine energy and a long, penetrating finish.”
Peter Liem note “The range begins with the Brut Réserve, a non-vintage brut that usually contains about 25 percent chardonnay, 25 percent meunier and 20 percent pinot noir from the base vintage, along with 30 percent of reserve wines, also from the three varieties.”
“I often find myself reaching for the NV Brut Réserve, which is reliably one of the very finest Champagnes in its peer group” –Antonio Galloni, writing on the previous disgorgement
Base vintage subject to change by the importer without notice.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $61
Bereche et Fils Campania Remensis Extra Brut Rose, Champagne (2016) NV 750ML ($99.95) $75 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: A very bright, crisp, and pale rose. Red-berry, spice & citrus notes. Classically Bereche with a rosé twist.
No reviews for the current release. Most recent review provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Disgorged in May 2019 with 4.5 grams per liter dosage, the 2015 Brut Rosé Campania Remensis is showing brilliantly. From a south-facing site characterized by sandy soils over limestone bedrock, it wafts from the glass with a beautiful bouquet of pear, red apple, fresh mint and pastry cream. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, pillowy and charming, with a crisp core of fruit, a delicate mousse and fine-boned structure. This is one of the finest rosé wines I’ve tasted from Bérêche.”
Peter Liem note “This comes entirely from the village of Ormes, blended from all three varieties and aged under cork.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $96
Bereche et Fils Reflet d’Antan Brut, Champagne (2015) NV 750ML ($179.95) $125 pre-arrival special
Bereche et Fils Reflet d’Antan Brut, Champagne (2015) NV 1.5L ($399.95) $319 pre-arrival special, only 6 magnums available
No reviews for the current release. Most recent review provided for reference.
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The NV Reflet d’Antan is weightless, airy and gracious. Graphite, crushed rocks, petrol, smoke and licorice infuse this super-refined, polished Champagne. Intensely mineral, chalky and savory, Reflet d’Antan is a model of total precision. The current release is based on the 2013 vintage, with 30% perpetual reserve wines. Reflet d’Antan is 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. I tasted two bottles of the same wine; the first aged on crown seal and the second (the commercial release) aged on cork. The version aged on cork was noticeably more complex, and that is for a wine that had just been disgorged about a month before this tasting. Disgorged February 2018. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.”
Peter Liem note “Perhaps the most unusual wine in the cellar is the Reflet d’Antan, composed of equal parts of all three varieties and made by a perpetual blending system. Started in 1985, this is stored in 600-liter demi-muids, with two-thirds of the wine removed each year and replaced with wine from the new harvest—in effect, a sort of “solera”, without criaderas. Historically, the Reflet d’Antan has shown a more ample, more richly burnished style than the other wines in the range, veering towards an oxidative character from its long aging in barrel. However, in recent years Bérêche has sought to bring more freshness and energy to this cuvée, slightly increasing the emphasis on the younger wine, and while it still retains its mature, compellingly anachronistic character, it now feels noticeably more lively and refined.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
The next best price is $141.99 for the 750ml
The next best price is $335 for the 1.5L
In Stock Now from Bereche:
Bereche et Fils Ambonnay Grand Cru Millesime, Champagne 2014 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, 1 bottle in stock now
A single parcel Champagne of 100% Pinot Noir. Aged sur lattes for 54 months.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Bereche et Fils Mailly-Champagne Grand Cru, Champagne 2014 750ML ($199.95) $189 special, 2 bottles in stock nowWilliam Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “Due for release this year, the 2014 Grand Cru Mailly-Champagne is also showing very well indeed, revealing a more exuberantly fruit-driven bouquet than its 2013 sibling, featuring aromas of citrus oil, green pear, fresh pastry, beeswax and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, chalky and incisive, it’s long and concentrated, with a resonant, saline finish.”
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2016) NV 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Disgorged 10/2019. 2016-base.
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The NV Brut Réserve (2016 base, disgorged December 2018) is especially finessed on this release, with a bit more floral lift from the Chardonnay than is often the case, and also slightly higher dosage, all of which works very well. Lemon confit, white flowers and mint add to the wine’s decidedly bright profile. This is a fabulous edition of the Brut Réserve. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: December, 2018.” [Disgorgement dates vary]
Bereche et Fils Reflet d’Antan Brut, Champagne (2014) NV 1.5L ($299.95) $279 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Importer Note “Arguably the most original of all in this lineup of singular Champagnes is the Reflet d’Antan, one-third each of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, drawn from a perpetual reserve of 600-liter barrels begun by Jean-Pierre in 1985. Every year two-thirds of the wine in each barrel is drawn off and replaced with that from the latest vintage. After 4 years on the lees, the result is a rivetingly complex Champagne that seamlessly marries richness, texture and depth and with startling freshness and lift. Each parcel of vines is vinified and aged separately in barrel with its ambient yeasts. Raphaël and Vincent make certain that the wines do not go through malolactic to balance their richness and depth with bright acidity. And aging en tirage is under cork for the enhanced development of character and aromatic complexity that this brings to the wines. Finally, each bottle is disgorged by hand and minimally dosed to preserve the purity of its expression.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
We offer 110 Champagnes in stock now.
Shop the selection on our web store!
Von Winning
Arriving in November
We’re enamored with Von Winning wines. These are serious, dry wines with a sense of presence and precision reminiscent of Vilmart’s Champagnes. They offer incredible complexity from entry level to the top wines, including their rare Sauvignon Blanc bottlings.Von Winning makes some of the most profound Riesling on the planet. The combination of incredible vineyard sites, meticulous winemaking and a commitment to producing only the finest wines yields exactly what you’d hope: Riesling of depth and complexity, with grace and mineral power. These wines are dry, as the top producers of the Pfalz are wont to focus on, and unlike some of their neighbors, powerful fruit isn’t the goal here. No, the Von Winning wines speak the language of the floral and mineral flavors that are both intense and furtive and also seemingly unable to be coaxed out of these vineyards by anyone else.
They also make some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world—rich, textural examples that move beyond varietal characteristics and into unique territory. Their closest comparison is probably the top Sauvignon of Friuli (eg, Miani, Ronco del Gnemiz) or the very best estates in Austria (in Styria). These, too, are not to be missed (plus there’s a really delicious, excellent value bubbly in the mix, as well).
“The fact that this estate is crafting some of the very best dry wines in Germany is no fluke, rather a result of nearly obsessive winemaker Stephan Attman’s commitment to both dedicated cultivation of Deidesheim and Forst’s best sites and meticulous work in the cellar. Von Winning maintains some of the oldest parcels in Grosses Gewächs vineyards smattered across Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg. Attman’s every decision is informed by great enthusiasm and experiences at estates in the Cote d’Or and abroad.” –Skurnik Wines
New Releases Arriving in November
Von Winning Estate Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19 pre-arrival specialStephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91-92 points “The 2019 Deidesheimer Riesling is a picture-book Riesling for this commune that gives ripe and aromatic Rieslings with pleasant fruit. Von Winning’s “Ortswein” opens with a clear, aromatic and slightly flinty bouquet of white peaches and yellow plums. The wine is round and lush on the palate, with a piquant and mouthwateringly salty finish. This is a highly attractive Riesling with great balance. If you have emptied the Dragon Riesling, this is the one to proceed to the beach or garden party with. White peach aromas on the aftertaste. Tasted as a sample in May 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $22
Von Winning Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2019 750ML ($36.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-93 points “The 2019 Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten Riesling is very fine and sublime as well as complex on the deep, multi-layered and coolish, terroir-driven and slightly flinty nose that is really spectacular for this price point. It comes from vines grown on the eastern slope of the 1er cru (an extension of the Langenmorgen Grand Cru) on deep, calcareous loam and red sandstone. This is an elegant, juicy, very fine and salty-piquant Riesling with a core of white stone fruits and notes of peach stone. The finish is long and intense and is carried by vivacious, structuring acidity. The aftertaste reveals flavors of white vineyard peach. This is a beautiful wine and by far the best Paradiesgarten I have tasted from this producer. Tasted as a sample in May 2020.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Von Winning Deidesheimer Kalkofen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available!
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Kalkofen GG “VDP. Grosse Lage” is intense and toasty on the ripe, pure and chalky nose with its lime aromas. Concentrated, very intense and persistent on the palate, this is a pretty sweetish as well as tannic Riesling with vivacious acidity and a long and intense, well-structured mineral finish. Impressive but still young. Tasted in Deidesheim, December 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $78
Von Winning Ungeheuer Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special, only 18 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “Pure, clear, fresh and oaky on the deep, intense and elegant nose, von Wininng’s 2018 Ungeheuer GG “VDP. Grosse Lage” is sweetish, round and all too charming for my personal tastes, but it’s elegant, refined and persistently long on the complex and promising finish. Fine tannin grip and orange peel flavors on the finish. Tasted in Deidesheim, December 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $72
Von Winning ‘II’ Sauvignon Blanc Trocken, Pfalz 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19.50 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points “Tasted for the second time in May this year, von Winning’s 2019 Sauvignon Blanc II offers a clear and refreshing Sancerre-like bouquet of white and green fruits along with herbaceous and flinty aromas. Round and fruity on the palate, with good freshness and a silky texture, this is a medium-bodied, very elegant, stimulatingly salty and grippy Sauvignon Blanc with a mouthwatering finish. It is much better this time than when tasted soon after the bottling half a year ago.”
Von Winning ‘500’ Sauvignon Blanc, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 92 points “This has attractive, flinty aromas with lime, lemon and lemon-blossom notes. The palate has impressive layering and the oak treatment here adds clever depth and savory complexity to the long finish. Drink now.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc 500 offers a deep, complex and flinty bouquet of ripe but fresh fruits, biscuits and crushed stones. Lush, fresh and elegant, with remarkable finesse and salinity as well as phenolic notes, this is a noble, elegant and balanced Sauvignon with good freshness and grip on the finish. Vinified in new and used tonneaux, this is Sauvignon between two worlds, Loire and Bordeaux, so definitely Pfalz. The wine has fine salinity on the pure finish but perhaps lacks the power and intensity and full ripeness. Tasted in May 2020.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for any vintage!
Can’t Wait? Check out this staff pick: a bubbly from Von Winning that has subtle varietal aromatics with all the refined poise of a blanc de blancs Champagne. Try decanting before service.
Von Winning Riesling Sekt Extra Brut, Pfalz NV 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 89 points “A creamy version, backed by lively acidity, this offers notes of currant, licorice and sea salt. Refined in build, with the minerality gaining momentum on the persistent, savory finish. Drink now. 199 cases imported.”
Terry Theise note “A pre-disgorgement sample based on 2017, to be disgorged “when we need it,” yet this feels quite complete and stylish; a super-pretty Pfalz Riesling aroma, angular and herbal but creamy and warm like sunny flowering meadows; this is actually outstanding and I hope it persists after disgorging.”
Importer note “100% Riesling Grown on a selection of different vineyards in and around Deidesheim on chalky, loess-clay soils and red sandstone.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $26
Bonus November Arrival!
Carl Loewen’s deliciously drinkable Kabinett from 100+ year old vines
Weingut Carl Loewen Longuicher Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “Excellent ripeness and structure for Kabinett, but also the lightness and finesse that this category should have. Very long, crisp and mineral finish. Drink or hold.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2019er Longuicher Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett is made from grapes harvested at 83° Oechsle on over 100-year-old un-grafted vines situated high up the hill, and was fermented down to barely fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (42 g/l). This white-hay colored wine offers a deep and delicately broad nose made of white peach, gooseberry, smoky slate, and residual scents from its spontaneous fermentation. It proves superbly balanced on the palate, where gorgeous flavors of succulent white peach, minerals, and fine spices are delivered with Spätlese intensity and presence. The finish is beautifully balanced, vibrating and yet remarkably refined. While this gorgeous fruity-styled wine is dangerously easy to knock down now, it will only really reveal its full beauty in a decade or so. What a great success! 2029-2049”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love German Wines? We’ve already published our offer on the 2019 Donnhoff & 2019 Willi Schaefer wines, also arriving in November.
Quite a few of these wines are going fast, so order now to lock in your allocation!
Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team at Vinopolis!
Stay safe, be well & drink well.