In This Newsletter:
New Reviews from Evesham Wood
New Week – New Arrivals
Multitude of Magnums
New Saint Cosme Offer
New Arrivals On Sale ‘Til Tuesday AM!
New Week – New Arrivals
New Reviews from Evesham Wood
New Week – New Arrivals
Multitude of Magnums
New Saint Cosme Offer
New Arrivals On Sale ‘Til Tuesday AM!
After working with the original owner and founder, Russ (Raney), for several years, Erin Nuccio took over Evesham Wood in 2010. Under Erin’s stewardship, the already topnotch winery has continued to improve, showcasing the profound terroir of the land as the vines mature.
The estate vineyard, Le Puits Sec, is planted on an east facing slope with iron-rich soils overlooking the Willamette River. It is certified organic and, as a founding member of the Deep Roots Coalition, is dry farmed. The winery is certified organic, too.
The Evesham Wood wines tend toward elegance and expressive examples abound from the (all dry-farmed) vineyards. Erin’s aim is to continue in the style of minimal intervention at optimal (not over-) ripeness and reduced yields to allow vineyards to express themselves. Erin Nuccio is doing something harder than founding a revered wine label: keeping and improving the standards that made Evesham Wood famous.
We’re proud to carry an extensive lineup from this benchmark estate, on sale now until Tuesday morning!
Newly Arrived & On Sale Now Through Monday Morning:
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $21.90, that’s $20.81 at 5% off and $19.71 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “The 2023 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is understated and coy, with an enticing bouquet of dusty rose, crushed cherries and autumnal spice filling the glass. Silken and polished, it offers radiant red berry fruits and a gentle tug of crunchy minerals for balance. This 2023 finishes with excellent length and leaves a cascade of inner florals to fade slowly. (Drink between 2025-2028).”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Cortell Rose Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Both Evesham Wood and sibling winery Haden Fig debuted a Cortell Rose single vineyard Pinot Noir in 2023–we think that highly of Jessica Cortell’s farming. Fermented with our house “J” yeast in contrast to the spontaneous-fermented Haden Fig seems to have yielded an especially pretty, elegantly silky beauty; yes, we’re quite fond of it! Fascinatingly, it also shows brighter, higher tones than its darker, more rustic Haden Fig sibling. There’s only one way to settle which is your favorite: try them side-by-side.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Mahonia Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “It’s early in this wine’s existence but even at this youthful stage, ‘23 Mahonia reminds us of 2015 Mahonia–quite likely the greatest vintage of Mahonia, until now. In that way, Mahonia epitomizes what we’ve said about the 2023s: they remind us of the 2015s in their structure and classic Pinot Noir profiles, but they’re more extroverted. We sure see that in ‘23 Mahonia, which is wildly seductive, balancing crushably delicious layers of dark red fruit with porcini mushroom, rosemary, and brown spices. We are big fans of this wine, we bottled a mere 61 cases, and thus we encourage you to claim yours with urgency.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Sojeau Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2023 Pinot Noir Sojeau Vineyard, tasted from barrel, is darkly floral, with depths of crushed blackberry and cherry complicated by citrusy spice. It is round and soothing, mixing saline mineral tones with tart wild berry fruit over a stream of brisk acidity. The finish is perfumed and long, with lasting concentration and crunchy tannins that add form. A gorgeous wine in the making. (Drink between 2028-2038).”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93-95 points “The 2023 Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Vineyard, tasted from barrel, is spicy to the core as peppery rose and licorice give way to wild berries. Beautifully balanced, it offers silken depths of floral-infused red berry fruit and a hint of citrus that gently curls the tongue. Harmony persists to the very end with lovely length and rounded tannins that add perfectly poised punctuation. (Drink between 2026-2038).”
The estate vineyard, Le Puits Sec, is planted on an east facing slope with iron-rich soils overlooking the Willamette River. It is certified organic and, as a founding member of the Deep Roots Coalition, is dry farmed. The winery is certified organic, too.
The Evesham Wood wines tend toward elegance and expressive examples abound from the (all dry-farmed) vineyards. Erin’s aim is to continue in the style of minimal intervention at optimal (not over-) ripeness and reduced yields to allow vineyards to express themselves. Erin Nuccio is doing something harder than founding a revered wine label: keeping and improving the standards that made Evesham Wood famous.
We’re proud to carry an extensive lineup from this benchmark estate, on sale now until Tuesday morning!
Newly Arrived & On Sale Now Through Monday Morning:
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $21.90, that’s $20.81 at 5% off and $19.71 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “The 2023 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is understated and coy, with an enticing bouquet of dusty rose, crushed cherries and autumnal spice filling the glass. Silken and polished, it offers radiant red berry fruits and a gentle tug of crunchy minerals for balance. This 2023 finishes with excellent length and leaves a cascade of inner florals to fade slowly. (Drink between 2025-2028).”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Cortell Rose Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Both Evesham Wood and sibling winery Haden Fig debuted a Cortell Rose single vineyard Pinot Noir in 2023–we think that highly of Jessica Cortell’s farming. Fermented with our house “J” yeast in contrast to the spontaneous-fermented Haden Fig seems to have yielded an especially pretty, elegantly silky beauty; yes, we’re quite fond of it! Fascinatingly, it also shows brighter, higher tones than its darker, more rustic Haden Fig sibling. There’s only one way to settle which is your favorite: try them side-by-side.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Mahonia Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “It’s early in this wine’s existence but even at this youthful stage, ‘23 Mahonia reminds us of 2015 Mahonia–quite likely the greatest vintage of Mahonia, until now. In that way, Mahonia epitomizes what we’ve said about the 2023s: they remind us of the 2015s in their structure and classic Pinot Noir profiles, but they’re more extroverted. We sure see that in ‘23 Mahonia, which is wildly seductive, balancing crushably delicious layers of dark red fruit with porcini mushroom, rosemary, and brown spices. We are big fans of this wine, we bottled a mere 61 cases, and thus we encourage you to claim yours with urgency.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Sojeau Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2023 Pinot Noir Sojeau Vineyard, tasted from barrel, is darkly floral, with depths of crushed blackberry and cherry complicated by citrusy spice. It is round and soothing, mixing saline mineral tones with tart wild berry fruit over a stream of brisk acidity. The finish is perfumed and long, with lasting concentration and crunchy tannins that add form. A gorgeous wine in the making. (Drink between 2028-2038).”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93-95 points “The 2023 Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Vineyard, tasted from barrel, is spicy to the core as peppery rose and licorice give way to wild berries. Beautifully balanced, it offers silken depths of floral-infused red berry fruit and a hint of citrus that gently curls the tongue. Harmony persists to the very end with lovely length and rounded tannins that add perfectly poised punctuation. (Drink between 2026-2038).”
New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Resonance Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2023 750ml $34.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “The French-owned winery’s most widely available pinot noir is fragrant in rose petals, cedar and potpourri, then delicious black and blue fruit flavors on a medium body. Moderate tannins and a cool, balanced texture carry the flavors to a lingering finish. Drink now.”
California
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Massican ‘Annia’ White Blend, Napa Valley 2023 750ml $28 special, 8 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “In its 15th vintage, Massican is the only solely white wine producer in Napa Valley. This light-bodied blend of tocai friulano, ribolla gialla and chardonnay is inspired by Friuli in Italy and offers brisk mineral, citrus and floral aromas. Light-bodied, nicely tart and laden with stony, chalky elements and bitter lemon nuances. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Massican Pinot Grigio, Napa Valley 2024 750ml $24.50 special, 8 bottles in stock now
No reviews for 2024. 2023 provided for reference.
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “This wine is lively, with aromas of guava, papaya, citrus and dried apricot on the nose. The flavors on the palate are apricot, orange cream and pink grapefruit zest, interwoven with dried herbs, white tea and a dry, mouthwatering finish. Pair with steamed clams.”
Massican Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2024 750ml $26.50 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Vinepair 95 points “Massican is winemaker Dan Petroski’s way of saying refreshing, high-acid white wine can be made in a place like Napa Valley. The nose is waxy with aromas of fresh citrus, lemongrass, and sea spray. The palate is rich, leaning more into a tropical fruit profile with bright acidity. A beautiful wine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Shafer Vineyards Relentless Syrah, Napa Valley 2022 750ml $99 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Powerful and compact with aromas of blackberry liqueur, dark plums, smoked meats, peppercorn and graphite. Full-bodied and deeply structured with dense dark fruit, savory spices and muscular tannins that build across the palate. Intense and age-worthy with a long, powerful finish. Made from 90% syrah and 10% petite sirah.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2024 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Watson Ranch Vineyard is perched on a steep hillside overlooking the San Pablo Bay at the southernmost end of the Napa Valley. The ranch was named after early Napa attorney, Augustus Watson, who owned the property in the early 1900s. The adjacent property is an abandoned limestone quarry which historically employed over 300 people, mining material to make portland cement used to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. Exposed and unprotected from the elements, this wind-whipped site was planted in 1993 by the talented Napa Valley veteran grower Salvador Ramos. Soils at Watson Ranch are composed of calcareous clay over limestone. This soil type is extremely rare on the North Coast but shows itself in a narrow fin at the tail end of the Vaca Mountains in Southern Napa County. This fractured, well-drained calcareous soil, coupled with organic farming and cool windy conditions, imbue this parcel with great potential to produce world-class Chardonnay. The fruit we harvest each year from Watson is consistently textural and vibrant with underpinnings of ample natural acidity and salinity.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Randle Hill Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Yorkville Highlands 2024 750ml $36 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The gnarled old Sauvignon Blanc vines at the Randle Hill Vineyard were planted in 1982 in the Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County. This rugged and remote site is farmed organically on a steep hillside of eroding shale, situated at 1,100’ elevation, where it enjoys warm days and cool nights. We love the mineral driven Sauvignon Blancs of France’s Loire Valley and have long hoped we would find a site here in California that could grow Sauvignon Blanc that leaned in that direction. We knew that vine age, clone, elevation, soil, and farming all had to be right for us to achieve that expression and this vineyard met all the criteria. The resulting wine exhibits mineral and saline flavors balanced with a hint of herbaceous and floral aromatics.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Trousseau, North Coast 2024 750ml $36 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “We began making Trousseau in 2009, when we discovered the variety growing at the Luchsinger Vineyard, situated at 1,400’ elevation in the Big Valley AVA of Lake County. The vines here are planted in rocky volcanic alluvium on the remains of an ancient riverbed, and Trousseau thrives in the warm days and cool nights characteristic of this area. The remainder of the blend came from a new addition to our vineyard sources, Las Cimas Vineyard. Situated at 800’ elevation in the western hills overlooking the Russian River Valley, the soils here are made up of fractured sandstone dotted with quartz and schist. The vines are thriving in the combination of ample sun and daily cooling breezes from the Russian River Valley below. We appreciate this unique variety for its ability to make a wine that is light in color but packed with flavor, and we feel it is an extremely versatile wine that will pair well with a wide variety of foods and occasions.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arnot-Roberts Gamay Noir, El Dorado 2024 750ml $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “We first began working with Gamay in 2011 as a collaborative effort with our friend Rajat Parr under the RPM label, until the final vintage for the RPM project in 2015. The original sources were Barsotti and Witters vineyards grown in the granitic soils of the Sierra Foothills, situated at around 3000’ elevation. In 2022 we were fortunate to begin working with Gamay from the Ascona Vineyard high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 2,500′ elevation. We employ the carbonic maceration technique where the uncrushed grapes are sealed up for several days, allowing the berries to begin fermentation from the inside out. This method is used by many of our favorite Beaujolais producers and adds a spicy fruitiness that infuses freshness and energy in the resulting wines.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel, Mokelumne River 2024 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “In the spring of 2012, our friends Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua purchased an incredible old vineyard east of Lodi in the tiny town of Victor, California named Kirschenmann. The site is located on an oxbow of the Mokelumne River, which over centuries has deposited loads of fine, sandy, granitic loam from erosion of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the East. The vineyard was planted in 1915 on its own roots and is primarily Zinfandel, with a little Carignane, Cinsault and Mondeuse Noir spread throughout the block. The old, twisted, dry-farmed vines are thriving under the watchful eye of Tegan, one of the foremost experts on old vines in California. Tegan also produces his own wine under the Sandlands label and is the current winemaker for Turley Vineyards in Napa. We are lucky to be offered one ton of this fruit per year allowing us to vinify just 2-3 barrels annually.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 2024 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Watson Ranch Vineyard is perched on a steep hillside overlooking the San Pablo Bay at the southernmost end of the Napa Valley. The ranch was named after early Napa attorney, Augustus Watson, who owned the property in the early 1900s. The adjacent property is an abandoned limestone quarry which historically employed over 300 people, mining material to make portland cement used to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. Exposed and unprotected from the elements, this wind-whipped site was planted in 1993 by the talented Napa Valley veteran grower Salvador Ramos. Soils at Watson Ranch are composed of calcareous clay over limestone. This soil type is extremely rare on the North Coast but shows itself in a narrow fin at the tail end of the Vaca Mountains in Southern Napa County… In 2014 we grafted 1.8 acres of a Loire valley clone of Cabernet Franc adjacent to the Chardonnay. We enjoy drinking Cabernet Franc from France’s Loire Valley, and we felt the unique weather and soil at this site was perfectly suited to convey the cold-climate character of the grape. The wines we have made from this planting are vibrantly aromatic and loaded with spicy, briary fruit, offering a unique expression of the variety in the Napa Valley.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arnot-Roberts Syrah, Sonoma Coast 2024 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “This cuvée exemplifies cold-climate Syrah grown on the rugged Sonoma Coast and is one of our hallmark bottlings. A blend of four amazing sites grown on the coast: Clary Ranch, Que Syrah, Baker Lane and Solas vineyards. Syrah is well suited for life on the Sonoma Coast as the loose clusters and thick skins manage the cool, windy and often damp growing conditions well. The long slow growing season near the edge of the continent provides complete ripeness at low sugar levels, resulting in a wine of deep color that has intense fruit character loaded with an undercurrent of earth and spice. The vineyards are each harvested and fermented separately without destemming, then blended together for aging. This is the Syrah to enjoy in its youth while our single vineyard Syrahs mature in the cellar.”
Rosé
Back in stock!
Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose, Provence 2024 750ml $29.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer Note “No estate expresses the salt-kissed limestone-driven terroir of the idyllic Provençal seaside village of Cassis like Domaine du Bagnol, and the current generation, Sébastien Genovesi, crafts a rosé of scintillating energy, chiseled calcareous musculature, and gleaming red fruits. Comprising 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 20% Mourvèdre, Bagnol’s Cassis Rosé is pressed directly and rapidly (in under two hours) to extract as little color as possible, and the bottled wine (certified organic) contains only 20 milligrams per liter of total sulfur—a factor which contributes to its gorgeous purity of texture and intense evocation of limestone soil.”
Back in stock!
Domaines Ott Château Romassan Bandol Rosé, Provence 2024 750ml $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Billy Norris-Vinous 94 points “The 2024 Rosé Château Romassan is a wine of supreme textural finesse and elegance. Beautifully weighted, broad and nearly opulent, yet in no way heavy, the 2024 drapes a blanket of floral-inflected orchard fruit across the tongue, coating every corner of the mouth through the long, focused finish. Rosewater, orange confit and a tickle of sea salt last well after the wine has exited the stage. This issuch an intentional Rosé made with the highest level of craftsmanship. I wouldn’t hesitate to age this Bandol for a few years to allow even further complexity to develop. Bravo.”
France
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau le Puy Cuvee Emilien, Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 2022 750ml $49.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Le Puy’s main-production wine “Emilien” is comprised of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Carmenère. After spontaneous fermentation in cement vats, it is transferred to 50-hectoliter foudres for one year, then to old 225-liter barriques for an additional year, before being bottled without fining or filtering. There is a harmony of elements in the wines of Le Puy–a weaving together of acid, fruit, tannin, mineral and earth–that is spellbinding. The “Emilien” offers a succulence of sappy red fruit as well as a driving, tunneling palate of remarkable energy. A subtle but irresistible umami pervades the palate and grounds some of the wine’s higher tones with its savory pull.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2023 750ml $51.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famously the strongest, most powerful, and longest-lived wine of the southern Rhône. Louis Barruol’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape from contracted growers is a classic expression of the region with aromas and flavors of cherry, thyme, lavender, truffle, and olives.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2023 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 89-91 points “The 2023 Saint-Joseph makes an entrance with vivid violet, grapefruit, ripe raspberry and black cherry notes. Built around ripe tannins that provide gentle structure, the expressive 2023 is shaping up to be a juicy, neatly concentrated Saint-Joseph.”
Italy
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cantina del Pino Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2021 750ml $49.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Cantina del Pino 2021 Barbaresco (with 12,000 bottles made) is perfumed and nuanced with pretty fruit tones of cassis and dried cherry and an equally important floral side with rose potpourri and iris root. The wine starts fermentation in both stainless steel and oak vats, and it matures in large oak casks for 24 months before going into bottle. It glides over the palate with polished tannins and a lean to mid-weight mouthfeel. I’d give this vintage a little more bottle age to allow it to flesh out further.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2021 750ml $64.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is the wine that best captures the spirit of Cantina del Pino. The 2021 Barbaresco Ovello draws its fruit from nearby the winery at 300 meters in elevation on limestone marl and silt. Aged in large oak casks for a long 24 months, it shows delicate fruit tones of cassis and dried cherry with blue flower and grilled herb. This mid-weight vintage delivers a higher alcohol content at 15%. Production is 5,400 bottles.”
Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 750ml $14 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 1.5L $21.90 special, 12 magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “The 2022 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo opens with a savory mix of wild herbs, cedar shavings and dried black cherries. It impresses with its silken textures and a solid core of tart wild berry fruits elevated by a tinge of zesty acidity toward the close. Violet inner florals combine with blood orange as the 2022 finishes long and gently tannic yet still relatively fresh.”
Spain
Bodegas Ilurce Rio Madre Graciano, Rioja DOCa 2022 750ml $14 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Joaquín Hidalgo-Vinous 91 points “The 2022 Graciano Rio Madre, sourced from Alfaro in Rioja Oriental, aged for six months in used French oak barrels. This intense purple wine reveals aromas of ripe cherry and plums, accompanied by balsamic, candied fruit and hard candy notes. Dry with a medium body, the polished, supple tannins and mild acidity lead to a clingy, lasting texture. A flavorful red, the 2022 lingers with high extract.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Resonance Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2023 750ml $34.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “The French-owned winery’s most widely available pinot noir is fragrant in rose petals, cedar and potpourri, then delicious black and blue fruit flavors on a medium body. Moderate tannins and a cool, balanced texture carry the flavors to a lingering finish. Drink now.”
California
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Massican ‘Annia’ White Blend, Napa Valley 2023 750ml $28 special, 8 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “In its 15th vintage, Massican is the only solely white wine producer in Napa Valley. This light-bodied blend of tocai friulano, ribolla gialla and chardonnay is inspired by Friuli in Italy and offers brisk mineral, citrus and floral aromas. Light-bodied, nicely tart and laden with stony, chalky elements and bitter lemon nuances. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Massican Pinot Grigio, Napa Valley 2024 750ml $24.50 special, 8 bottles in stock now
No reviews for 2024. 2023 provided for reference.
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “This wine is lively, with aromas of guava, papaya, citrus and dried apricot on the nose. The flavors on the palate are apricot, orange cream and pink grapefruit zest, interwoven with dried herbs, white tea and a dry, mouthwatering finish. Pair with steamed clams.”
Massican Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2024 750ml $26.50 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Vinepair 95 points “Massican is winemaker Dan Petroski’s way of saying refreshing, high-acid white wine can be made in a place like Napa Valley. The nose is waxy with aromas of fresh citrus, lemongrass, and sea spray. The palate is rich, leaning more into a tropical fruit profile with bright acidity. A beautiful wine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Shafer Vineyards Relentless Syrah, Napa Valley 2022 750ml $99 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Powerful and compact with aromas of blackberry liqueur, dark plums, smoked meats, peppercorn and graphite. Full-bodied and deeply structured with dense dark fruit, savory spices and muscular tannins that build across the palate. Intense and age-worthy with a long, powerful finish. Made from 90% syrah and 10% petite sirah.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2024 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Watson Ranch Vineyard is perched on a steep hillside overlooking the San Pablo Bay at the southernmost end of the Napa Valley. The ranch was named after early Napa attorney, Augustus Watson, who owned the property in the early 1900s. The adjacent property is an abandoned limestone quarry which historically employed over 300 people, mining material to make portland cement used to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. Exposed and unprotected from the elements, this wind-whipped site was planted in 1993 by the talented Napa Valley veteran grower Salvador Ramos. Soils at Watson Ranch are composed of calcareous clay over limestone. This soil type is extremely rare on the North Coast but shows itself in a narrow fin at the tail end of the Vaca Mountains in Southern Napa County. This fractured, well-drained calcareous soil, coupled with organic farming and cool windy conditions, imbue this parcel with great potential to produce world-class Chardonnay. The fruit we harvest each year from Watson is consistently textural and vibrant with underpinnings of ample natural acidity and salinity.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Randle Hill Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Yorkville Highlands 2024 750ml $36 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The gnarled old Sauvignon Blanc vines at the Randle Hill Vineyard were planted in 1982 in the Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County. This rugged and remote site is farmed organically on a steep hillside of eroding shale, situated at 1,100’ elevation, where it enjoys warm days and cool nights. We love the mineral driven Sauvignon Blancs of France’s Loire Valley and have long hoped we would find a site here in California that could grow Sauvignon Blanc that leaned in that direction. We knew that vine age, clone, elevation, soil, and farming all had to be right for us to achieve that expression and this vineyard met all the criteria. The resulting wine exhibits mineral and saline flavors balanced with a hint of herbaceous and floral aromatics.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Trousseau, North Coast 2024 750ml $36 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “We began making Trousseau in 2009, when we discovered the variety growing at the Luchsinger Vineyard, situated at 1,400’ elevation in the Big Valley AVA of Lake County. The vines here are planted in rocky volcanic alluvium on the remains of an ancient riverbed, and Trousseau thrives in the warm days and cool nights characteristic of this area. The remainder of the blend came from a new addition to our vineyard sources, Las Cimas Vineyard. Situated at 800’ elevation in the western hills overlooking the Russian River Valley, the soils here are made up of fractured sandstone dotted with quartz and schist. The vines are thriving in the combination of ample sun and daily cooling breezes from the Russian River Valley below. We appreciate this unique variety for its ability to make a wine that is light in color but packed with flavor, and we feel it is an extremely versatile wine that will pair well with a wide variety of foods and occasions.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arnot-Roberts Gamay Noir, El Dorado 2024 750ml $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “We first began working with Gamay in 2011 as a collaborative effort with our friend Rajat Parr under the RPM label, until the final vintage for the RPM project in 2015. The original sources were Barsotti and Witters vineyards grown in the granitic soils of the Sierra Foothills, situated at around 3000’ elevation. In 2022 we were fortunate to begin working with Gamay from the Ascona Vineyard high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 2,500′ elevation. We employ the carbonic maceration technique where the uncrushed grapes are sealed up for several days, allowing the berries to begin fermentation from the inside out. This method is used by many of our favorite Beaujolais producers and adds a spicy fruitiness that infuses freshness and energy in the resulting wines.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel, Mokelumne River 2024 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “In the spring of 2012, our friends Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua purchased an incredible old vineyard east of Lodi in the tiny town of Victor, California named Kirschenmann. The site is located on an oxbow of the Mokelumne River, which over centuries has deposited loads of fine, sandy, granitic loam from erosion of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the East. The vineyard was planted in 1915 on its own roots and is primarily Zinfandel, with a little Carignane, Cinsault and Mondeuse Noir spread throughout the block. The old, twisted, dry-farmed vines are thriving under the watchful eye of Tegan, one of the foremost experts on old vines in California. Tegan also produces his own wine under the Sandlands label and is the current winemaker for Turley Vineyards in Napa. We are lucky to be offered one ton of this fruit per year allowing us to vinify just 2-3 barrels annually.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 2024 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Watson Ranch Vineyard is perched on a steep hillside overlooking the San Pablo Bay at the southernmost end of the Napa Valley. The ranch was named after early Napa attorney, Augustus Watson, who owned the property in the early 1900s. The adjacent property is an abandoned limestone quarry which historically employed over 300 people, mining material to make portland cement used to rebuild San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. Exposed and unprotected from the elements, this wind-whipped site was planted in 1993 by the talented Napa Valley veteran grower Salvador Ramos. Soils at Watson Ranch are composed of calcareous clay over limestone. This soil type is extremely rare on the North Coast but shows itself in a narrow fin at the tail end of the Vaca Mountains in Southern Napa County… In 2014 we grafted 1.8 acres of a Loire valley clone of Cabernet Franc adjacent to the Chardonnay. We enjoy drinking Cabernet Franc from France’s Loire Valley, and we felt the unique weather and soil at this site was perfectly suited to convey the cold-climate character of the grape. The wines we have made from this planting are vibrantly aromatic and loaded with spicy, briary fruit, offering a unique expression of the variety in the Napa Valley.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arnot-Roberts Syrah, Sonoma Coast 2024 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “This cuvée exemplifies cold-climate Syrah grown on the rugged Sonoma Coast and is one of our hallmark bottlings. A blend of four amazing sites grown on the coast: Clary Ranch, Que Syrah, Baker Lane and Solas vineyards. Syrah is well suited for life on the Sonoma Coast as the loose clusters and thick skins manage the cool, windy and often damp growing conditions well. The long slow growing season near the edge of the continent provides complete ripeness at low sugar levels, resulting in a wine of deep color that has intense fruit character loaded with an undercurrent of earth and spice. The vineyards are each harvested and fermented separately without destemming, then blended together for aging. This is the Syrah to enjoy in its youth while our single vineyard Syrahs mature in the cellar.”
Rosé
Back in stock!
Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose, Provence 2024 750ml $29.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer Note “No estate expresses the salt-kissed limestone-driven terroir of the idyllic Provençal seaside village of Cassis like Domaine du Bagnol, and the current generation, Sébastien Genovesi, crafts a rosé of scintillating energy, chiseled calcareous musculature, and gleaming red fruits. Comprising 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 20% Mourvèdre, Bagnol’s Cassis Rosé is pressed directly and rapidly (in under two hours) to extract as little color as possible, and the bottled wine (certified organic) contains only 20 milligrams per liter of total sulfur—a factor which contributes to its gorgeous purity of texture and intense evocation of limestone soil.”
Back in stock!
Domaines Ott Château Romassan Bandol Rosé, Provence 2024 750ml $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Billy Norris-Vinous 94 points “The 2024 Rosé Château Romassan is a wine of supreme textural finesse and elegance. Beautifully weighted, broad and nearly opulent, yet in no way heavy, the 2024 drapes a blanket of floral-inflected orchard fruit across the tongue, coating every corner of the mouth through the long, focused finish. Rosewater, orange confit and a tickle of sea salt last well after the wine has exited the stage. This issuch an intentional Rosé made with the highest level of craftsmanship. I wouldn’t hesitate to age this Bandol for a few years to allow even further complexity to develop. Bravo.”
France
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau le Puy Cuvee Emilien, Francs Cotes de Bordeaux 2022 750ml $49.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Le Puy’s main-production wine “Emilien” is comprised of 85% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Carmenère. After spontaneous fermentation in cement vats, it is transferred to 50-hectoliter foudres for one year, then to old 225-liter barriques for an additional year, before being bottled without fining or filtering. There is a harmony of elements in the wines of Le Puy–a weaving together of acid, fruit, tannin, mineral and earth–that is spellbinding. The “Emilien” offers a succulence of sappy red fruit as well as a driving, tunneling palate of remarkable energy. A subtle but irresistible umami pervades the palate and grounds some of the wine’s higher tones with its savory pull.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2023 750ml $51.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Châteauneuf-du-Pape is famously the strongest, most powerful, and longest-lived wine of the southern Rhône. Louis Barruol’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape from contracted growers is a classic expression of the region with aromas and flavors of cherry, thyme, lavender, truffle, and olives.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2023 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 89-91 points “The 2023 Saint-Joseph makes an entrance with vivid violet, grapefruit, ripe raspberry and black cherry notes. Built around ripe tannins that provide gentle structure, the expressive 2023 is shaping up to be a juicy, neatly concentrated Saint-Joseph.”
Italy
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cantina del Pino Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2021 750ml $49.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Cantina del Pino 2021 Barbaresco (with 12,000 bottles made) is perfumed and nuanced with pretty fruit tones of cassis and dried cherry and an equally important floral side with rose potpourri and iris root. The wine starts fermentation in both stainless steel and oak vats, and it matures in large oak casks for 24 months before going into bottle. It glides over the palate with polished tannins and a lean to mid-weight mouthfeel. I’d give this vintage a little more bottle age to allow it to flesh out further.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2021 750ml $64.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is the wine that best captures the spirit of Cantina del Pino. The 2021 Barbaresco Ovello draws its fruit from nearby the winery at 300 meters in elevation on limestone marl and silt. Aged in large oak casks for a long 24 months, it shows delicate fruit tones of cassis and dried cherry with blue flower and grilled herb. This mid-weight vintage delivers a higher alcohol content at 15%. Production is 5,400 bottles.”
Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 750ml $14 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 1.5L $21.90 special, 12 magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “The 2022 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo opens with a savory mix of wild herbs, cedar shavings and dried black cherries. It impresses with its silken textures and a solid core of tart wild berry fruits elevated by a tinge of zesty acidity toward the close. Violet inner florals combine with blood orange as the 2022 finishes long and gently tannic yet still relatively fresh.”
Spain
Bodegas Ilurce Rio Madre Graciano, Rioja DOCa 2022 750ml $14 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Joaquín Hidalgo-Vinous 91 points “The 2022 Graciano Rio Madre, sourced from Alfaro in Rioja Oriental, aged for six months in used French oak barrels. This intense purple wine reveals aromas of ripe cherry and plums, accompanied by balsamic, candied fruit and hard candy notes. Dry with a medium body, the polished, supple tannins and mild acidity lead to a clingy, lasting texture. A flavorful red, the 2022 lingers with high extract.”
Multitude of Magnums:
Some of our favorites from around the world that are in-stock now!
In Stock Now:
Château Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 2016 1.5L $899 special, 10 magnums in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.”
Benanti Serra della Contessa ‘Particella No. 587’ Etna Rosso Riserva, Sicily, Italy 2016 1.5L $249 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa Particella No. 587 Riserva is dark and savory in the glass, grumbling up with notes of crushed rocks and ash that evolve further to reveal musky black currants, hints of licorice and dried violets. This is velvety-smooth, yet not weighty in feel. Instead, the 2016 seems to glide effortlessly across the palate, yet what it leaves behind is a saturation of primary fruit and mineral tones, as well as silky tannins that penetrate deeply. The Serra della Contessa finishes structured yet long and unexpectedly fresh, with balsam herbs and a touch of salted licorice that slowly fades. This Etna Rosso is a powerhouse, but it is in need of cellaring to reveal all of its charms.”
Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut, Champagne, France 2015 1.5L $419 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “Bollinger’s 2015 Brut Grand Année is an intriguing wine in that is clearly reflects the decision to pick on the later side in order to avoid vegetal notes derived from the mismatch of alcoholic and phenolic ripeness. “Balance was hard to achieve in 2015,” Chef de Cave Denis Bunner notes. “At 10% in sugar, the fruit was simply not ripe. We had to wait to reach the optimal window of ripeness.” Bunner also opted to increase the Chardonnay, so the blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, as opposed to the more typical 70/30 blend, with more Verzenay than Aÿ in the Pinots. Dried citrus peel, sage, menthol, sage, tangerine peel and spice build with some coaxing. Light tropical overtones develop with aeration. There’s real density and textural richness here. This will be a fascinating vintage to follow. Stylistically, it is the complete opposite from the much more linear 2014 that precedes it. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 2023. Drink: 2028-2040.”
Delas Freres Cote-Rotie La Landonne, Rhone, France 2019 1.5L $549 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Decanter 97 points “Immediately this has the darkness and aromatic austerity of La Landonne. Very full-bodied, expansive on the palate with mouthcoating flavour and tannin but not heavy. This is seriously tannic, but it’s not tough. Great character, great power and perfect balance. Alcohol is just a little raised, but this is a blockbuster. Around 3,000 bottles made. Fermented in open-top concrete tanks for 20 days, then matured in new and one-year-old barrels for 14 months. Drinking Window 2026 – 2035.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe, Germany 2022 1.5L $228 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 99 points “The restrained beauty of the peachiness in the nose is hard to describe, but easy to be overwhelmed by! On the compact palate this has staggering concentration yet still manages to be very light on its feet. The finish is blade-runner sharp, but the blade also flashes in the sun. Breathtaking drive and energy for the very warm and dry vintage. Then comes the remarkable wet-stone minerality and you can’t wait for the next sip. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Dow’s Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 1.5L $219 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 98 points “The 2017 Dow’s Vintage Port showed a slight reduction and required more time to really open in the glass. Typical of Dow’s it has a more backward and introspective bouquet compared to its peers, scents of blackberry, clove, wild mint, cassis and vanilla, gradually gaining more intensity with aeration. The palate is simply glorious. It is built around a compelling tannic frame that seems finer than any Dow’s I have encountered apart from the ethereal 2011. There is so much energy coiled up in this Port, a sense of symmetry that is enthralling and yet you just know that it needs to be cellared for 15-20 years for it to reveal its full potential. For serious Port-lovers. One of the vintages most cerebral offerings. Total production is 5,250 cases.”
Envinate ‘Lousas’ Vina de Aldea, Galicia, Spain 2023 1.5L $99 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “I tasted a very promising barrel sample of the 2023 Lousas Viñas de Aldea, cropped from a more Atlantic, cooler and rainier year (especially when compared with the super warm and dry 2022). Right now, it’s super primary (the blend will have some 40% to 45% wine from concrete), and they are slowly introducing larger oak foudres (3,000 liters) and lowering the impact of the oak in the wine. This has very good freshness, purity and elegance, reminiscent of past vintages like 2021 or 2016. It has terrific balance. There will be around 32,000 bottles that should be filled in November 2024.”
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy 2018 1.5L $128 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2018 Fontalloro is bright, floral and full of energy. In most vintages, Fontalloro is quite open, but the 2018 is especially nervy and taut. That won’t be an issue in time, of course, but readers should plan on being patient. Sangiovese is so expressive here. A whole range of floral and savory accents lingers on the close.”
Foradori ‘Fuoripista’ Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy 2020 1.5L $119 special, 4 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “…So much caramelized-orange aroma, plus pomegranate, oolong tea and rose-petal character. Bone-dry and incredibly lively, this makes you feel glad to be alive! From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy 2021 1.5L $625 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98+ points “The 2021 Le Pergole Torte is a real stunner. Rich, deep and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2021 is captivating from the very first taste. In bottle, this is quite a bit more reticent than it was as a barrel sample, which, in my view, is a positive. Even so, readers should be prepared to cellar the 2021 for a number of years at a minimum.
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling, Wachau, Austria 1997 1.5L $569 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 98 points “Welcome to the wine time machine! Although there are deep, mature aromas that range from an old library to quince paste and beeswax, after a little aeration some remarkably fresh citrus character emerges. Great concentration and restrained power on the wonderfully harmonious palate. Very long, bone-dry finish. Bottled in early 2022 after 25 years maturing in a large barrel of neutral oak. The barrel name, Fass Severin, is on the label. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.”
Domaine Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Rouge, Cote de Nuits, France 2022 1.5L $119 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 88-90 points “The 2022 Marsannay Rouge is a mixture of Domaine and négoce wines (from Pataille’s father). Initially, it is a little timid, but it opens nicely with aeration, bringing flinty black fruit with the 80% whole bunches imparting a light pepperiness. The palate is medium-bodied with granular tannins, fresh and vibrant, finishing with a touch of black olive.”
Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé, Provence, France 2024 1.5L $69 special, 3 magnums in stock now
VinePair Review “Château Pradeaux is a historic estate located on the outskirts of the town of Saint Cyr-sur-Mernear on the Mediterranean coast that has been making Bandol wines since the 18th century. This cuvée is a 50-50 blend of Mourvèdre and Cinsault, lending to a well-structured, medium- bodied palate. It has concentrated flavors of blood orange, watermelon, and strawberries, with subtle savory hints. A truly age-worthy expression of rosé.”
Autumn Savings Wine!
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG, Italy 2019 1.5L Was $179, Now $169 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is powerful, savory and intensely linear, in classico Ovello style, and yet it appears to have enough fruit behind its imposing tannins to develop well over the coming years. In this tasting, the Ovello feels pretty closed post bottling, but its inherent balance and qualities are there. Clean saline notes extend the finish in promising fashion.”
Rhys Vineyards Horseshoe Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, California 2018 1.5L $279 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Matthew Luczy-Wine Advocate 96+ points “As is consistent at this site, the 2018 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard is aromatically slow to open but unstoppable once it starts. After coaxing, the nose combines captivating aromas of cured meat, brown sugar, spice box and truffle. The palate is svelte and generous, coating the palate with a core of polished fruit flavors, silky texture and mouthwatering acidity. The finish features precise, powerful tannins and a refined frame, concluding this beautifully complex wine and urging the taster to start again. While I found this surprisingly accessible at this stage, it will undoubtedly continue to pay dividends to those who avoid the temptation to pull corks.”
Frederic Savart Expression Premier Cru Brut Nature, Champagne, France 2018 1.5L $475 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Importer Note “Savart’s “Expression” is Fred’s most limited wine with only 400 bottles produced. It is made from 100% old-vine Pinot Noir from the lieux-dits of Aillys, Chaillots derriere, Moutier, and Gillys where the soils are argilo-calcaire. These vineyards are not far from Le Mont des Chretiens. It is fermented in 500L barrels and ages for 10 months sur lie. It is always a single vintage and zero dosage.”
Autumn Savings Wine!
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone, France 2021 1.5L Was $99, Now $89 special, 32 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Powerful, with steeped plum and cherry coulis merging with potpourri and charred garrigue on a ripe, lush palate. Packs a wall of iron that provides a ballast for the ripe fruit, while refined tannins build in intensity. Long and complex, with a gorgeous expression of place. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2040”
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge Cuvee La Tourtine, Provence, France 2022 1.5L $179 special, 6 magnums in stock now
La Revue du Vin de France 96 points “With its mineral delicacy and perfect concentration, La Tourtine is surprisingly appealing for its age: let’s bet it will close down again. Less powerful, more elegant than usual, it testifies to a vinification that took into account the warmth of the vintage to get the best out of a perfectly ripe Mourvèdre, extracted with finesse.”
Yohan Lardy Moulin-a-Vent Vieilles Vignes de 1903, Beaujolais, France 2022 1.5L $69 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 96 points “Still very youthful, this powerful and highly structured Moulin-a-Vent has excellent freshness for the very hot and dry vintage. In fact it still needs some time to open up and reveal its rich treasures. Ripe cherries and a touch of Damson plums on the nose, also a wealth of spicy nuances. Compact core of fine tannins, which drive the very long finish, where there’s a wonderful mineral freshness. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.”
Château Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, France 2016 1.5L $899 special, 10 magnums in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.”
Benanti Serra della Contessa ‘Particella No. 587’ Etna Rosso Riserva, Sicily, Italy 2016 1.5L $249 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa Particella No. 587 Riserva is dark and savory in the glass, grumbling up with notes of crushed rocks and ash that evolve further to reveal musky black currants, hints of licorice and dried violets. This is velvety-smooth, yet not weighty in feel. Instead, the 2016 seems to glide effortlessly across the palate, yet what it leaves behind is a saturation of primary fruit and mineral tones, as well as silky tannins that penetrate deeply. The Serra della Contessa finishes structured yet long and unexpectedly fresh, with balsam herbs and a touch of salted licorice that slowly fades. This Etna Rosso is a powerhouse, but it is in need of cellaring to reveal all of its charms.”
Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut, Champagne, France 2015 1.5L $419 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “Bollinger’s 2015 Brut Grand Année is an intriguing wine in that is clearly reflects the decision to pick on the later side in order to avoid vegetal notes derived from the mismatch of alcoholic and phenolic ripeness. “Balance was hard to achieve in 2015,” Chef de Cave Denis Bunner notes. “At 10% in sugar, the fruit was simply not ripe. We had to wait to reach the optimal window of ripeness.” Bunner also opted to increase the Chardonnay, so the blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, as opposed to the more typical 70/30 blend, with more Verzenay than Aÿ in the Pinots. Dried citrus peel, sage, menthol, sage, tangerine peel and spice build with some coaxing. Light tropical overtones develop with aeration. There’s real density and textural richness here. This will be a fascinating vintage to follow. Stylistically, it is the complete opposite from the much more linear 2014 that precedes it. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 2023. Drink: 2028-2040.”
Delas Freres Cote-Rotie La Landonne, Rhone, France 2019 1.5L $549 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Decanter 97 points “Immediately this has the darkness and aromatic austerity of La Landonne. Very full-bodied, expansive on the palate with mouthcoating flavour and tannin but not heavy. This is seriously tannic, but it’s not tough. Great character, great power and perfect balance. Alcohol is just a little raised, but this is a blockbuster. Around 3,000 bottles made. Fermented in open-top concrete tanks for 20 days, then matured in new and one-year-old barrels for 14 months. Drinking Window 2026 – 2035.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe, Germany 2022 1.5L $228 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 99 points “The restrained beauty of the peachiness in the nose is hard to describe, but easy to be overwhelmed by! On the compact palate this has staggering concentration yet still manages to be very light on its feet. The finish is blade-runner sharp, but the blade also flashes in the sun. Breathtaking drive and energy for the very warm and dry vintage. Then comes the remarkable wet-stone minerality and you can’t wait for the next sip. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Dow’s Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 1.5L $219 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 98 points “The 2017 Dow’s Vintage Port showed a slight reduction and required more time to really open in the glass. Typical of Dow’s it has a more backward and introspective bouquet compared to its peers, scents of blackberry, clove, wild mint, cassis and vanilla, gradually gaining more intensity with aeration. The palate is simply glorious. It is built around a compelling tannic frame that seems finer than any Dow’s I have encountered apart from the ethereal 2011. There is so much energy coiled up in this Port, a sense of symmetry that is enthralling and yet you just know that it needs to be cellared for 15-20 years for it to reveal its full potential. For serious Port-lovers. One of the vintages most cerebral offerings. Total production is 5,250 cases.”
Envinate ‘Lousas’ Vina de Aldea, Galicia, Spain 2023 1.5L $99 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “I tasted a very promising barrel sample of the 2023 Lousas Viñas de Aldea, cropped from a more Atlantic, cooler and rainier year (especially when compared with the super warm and dry 2022). Right now, it’s super primary (the blend will have some 40% to 45% wine from concrete), and they are slowly introducing larger oak foudres (3,000 liters) and lowering the impact of the oak in the wine. This has very good freshness, purity and elegance, reminiscent of past vintages like 2021 or 2016. It has terrific balance. There will be around 32,000 bottles that should be filled in November 2024.”
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy 2018 1.5L $128 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2018 Fontalloro is bright, floral and full of energy. In most vintages, Fontalloro is quite open, but the 2018 is especially nervy and taut. That won’t be an issue in time, of course, but readers should plan on being patient. Sangiovese is so expressive here. A whole range of floral and savory accents lingers on the close.”
Foradori ‘Fuoripista’ Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy 2020 1.5L $119 special, 4 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “…So much caramelized-orange aroma, plus pomegranate, oolong tea and rose-petal character. Bone-dry and incredibly lively, this makes you feel glad to be alive! From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy 2021 1.5L $625 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98+ points “The 2021 Le Pergole Torte is a real stunner. Rich, deep and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2021 is captivating from the very first taste. In bottle, this is quite a bit more reticent than it was as a barrel sample, which, in my view, is a positive. Even so, readers should be prepared to cellar the 2021 for a number of years at a minimum.
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling, Wachau, Austria 1997 1.5L $569 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 98 points “Welcome to the wine time machine! Although there are deep, mature aromas that range from an old library to quince paste and beeswax, after a little aeration some remarkably fresh citrus character emerges. Great concentration and restrained power on the wonderfully harmonious palate. Very long, bone-dry finish. Bottled in early 2022 after 25 years maturing in a large barrel of neutral oak. The barrel name, Fass Severin, is on the label. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.”
Domaine Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Rouge, Cote de Nuits, France 2022 1.5L $119 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 88-90 points “The 2022 Marsannay Rouge is a mixture of Domaine and négoce wines (from Pataille’s father). Initially, it is a little timid, but it opens nicely with aeration, bringing flinty black fruit with the 80% whole bunches imparting a light pepperiness. The palate is medium-bodied with granular tannins, fresh and vibrant, finishing with a touch of black olive.”
Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé, Provence, France 2024 1.5L $69 special, 3 magnums in stock now
VinePair Review “Château Pradeaux is a historic estate located on the outskirts of the town of Saint Cyr-sur-Mernear on the Mediterranean coast that has been making Bandol wines since the 18th century. This cuvée is a 50-50 blend of Mourvèdre and Cinsault, lending to a well-structured, medium- bodied palate. It has concentrated flavors of blood orange, watermelon, and strawberries, with subtle savory hints. A truly age-worthy expression of rosé.”
Autumn Savings Wine!
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG, Italy 2019 1.5L Was $179, Now $169 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is powerful, savory and intensely linear, in classico Ovello style, and yet it appears to have enough fruit behind its imposing tannins to develop well over the coming years. In this tasting, the Ovello feels pretty closed post bottling, but its inherent balance and qualities are there. Clean saline notes extend the finish in promising fashion.”
Rhys Vineyards Horseshoe Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, California 2018 1.5L $279 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Matthew Luczy-Wine Advocate 96+ points “As is consistent at this site, the 2018 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard is aromatically slow to open but unstoppable once it starts. After coaxing, the nose combines captivating aromas of cured meat, brown sugar, spice box and truffle. The palate is svelte and generous, coating the palate with a core of polished fruit flavors, silky texture and mouthwatering acidity. The finish features precise, powerful tannins and a refined frame, concluding this beautifully complex wine and urging the taster to start again. While I found this surprisingly accessible at this stage, it will undoubtedly continue to pay dividends to those who avoid the temptation to pull corks.”
Frederic Savart Expression Premier Cru Brut Nature, Champagne, France 2018 1.5L $475 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Importer Note “Savart’s “Expression” is Fred’s most limited wine with only 400 bottles produced. It is made from 100% old-vine Pinot Noir from the lieux-dits of Aillys, Chaillots derriere, Moutier, and Gillys where the soils are argilo-calcaire. These vineyards are not far from Le Mont des Chretiens. It is fermented in 500L barrels and ages for 10 months sur lie. It is always a single vintage and zero dosage.”
Autumn Savings Wine!
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone, France 2021 1.5L Was $99, Now $89 special, 32 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Powerful, with steeped plum and cherry coulis merging with potpourri and charred garrigue on a ripe, lush palate. Packs a wall of iron that provides a ballast for the ripe fruit, while refined tannins build in intensity. Long and complex, with a gorgeous expression of place. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2040”
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge Cuvee La Tourtine, Provence, France 2022 1.5L $179 special, 6 magnums in stock now
La Revue du Vin de France 96 points “With its mineral delicacy and perfect concentration, La Tourtine is surprisingly appealing for its age: let’s bet it will close down again. Less powerful, more elegant than usual, it testifies to a vinification that took into account the warmth of the vintage to get the best out of a perfectly ripe Mourvèdre, extracted with finesse.”
Yohan Lardy Moulin-a-Vent Vieilles Vignes de 1903, Beaujolais, France 2022 1.5L $69 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott-James Suckling 96 points “Still very youthful, this powerful and highly structured Moulin-a-Vent has excellent freshness for the very hot and dry vintage. In fact it still needs some time to open up and reveal its rich treasures. Ripe cherries and a touch of Damson plums on the nose, also a wealth of spicy nuances. Compact core of fine tannins, which drive the very long finish, where there’s a wonderful mineral freshness. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.”
Saint Cosme Arriving This Month
Considered a benchmark in its home town of Gigondas, Saint Cosme is a historical gem. Its winemaking records dating back as far as 1416 (though the winery wasn’t founded until 1570). Saint Cosme somehow combines affordability, luxury, and over 600 years of history into some of the most remarkable wines in the Southern Rhône.
These new releases arrive early this month!
Arriving in Early October:
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Saint Cosme Condrieu, Rhone 2023 750ml $69 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 92 points “Bottled in July 2024, the 2023 Condrieu unfurls with vivid orange blossom, apricot, ripe peach and a touch of quince. Lemon flesh adds more nuance. Medium- to full-bodied and creamy textured, the generous 2023 boasts sufficient freshness to keep it all in check. It closes with a resonant echo on the complex finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Hominis Fides Blanc 2023 750ml $69 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Yohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “One of the most fervent supporters of the Clairette and the new appellation of Gigondas Blanc, Louis Barruol, from Chāteau de Saint Cosme, crafted an intense, complex and lively inaugural 2023 Hominis Fides Blanc, revealing aromas of white fruits, herbs, pear, spices and chalk. Medium to full-bodied, delicately juicy and round, framed by bright acids and a chalky spine, it’s perfectly balanced, with a fresh, ethereal and mouthwatering finish. Crafted from Clairette planted in 2016 in the lieu-dit Hominis Fides on sandy, chalky soils, it was vinified and matured for 10 months on the lees. Kudos.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2023 750ml $36 pre-arrival special, 36+ bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 89-91 points “Juicy blackberries and red fruits intermixed with pepper, violets, and a touch of bacon fat all emerge from the 2023 Crozes-Hermitage. Medium-bodied and supple on the palate, with charming fruit and soft tannins, this pleasure-bent effort will deliver the goods over the coming 7-8 years. Drink 2025-2033.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2023 750ml $79 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2023 Côte-Rôtie shows well, displaying intense violets, pencil shaving, dried herbs and peppery traces on its articulate aromatic profile. Built around ripe and sleek tannins, the concentrated 2023 is a distinctively juicy Côte-Rôtie, closing with a zesty slice of blood orange on the complex finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides Rouge, Rhone 2023 750ml $119 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 93-95 points “Compared to the Le Claux of the same vintage, the 2023 Gigondas Hominis Fides is more restrained on the nose, featuring red fruit and prominent spice notes. On the palate, it delivers considerable flavor concentration within a full-bodied frame, tightly structured by firm tannins. While this Hominis Fides shows promise, I doubt if it will reach the heights of its 2022 predecessor. Let’s see whether further élevage can alter its prospect.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhone 2023 750ml $129 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 94-96 points “The sexy 2023 Gigondas Le Claux impresses with redolent crushed violets, orange rind, raspberry compote and spice-box aromas. The tannic structure subtly frames this delightful Le Claux without overpowering it, allowing for a round, seamless mouthfeel complemented by a refreshing lift. I’m already looking forward to tasting the bottled version next year.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste, Rhone 2023 750ml $129 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 93-95 points “Fresh violets, black cherry, orange rind, ripe raspberry and minty subtleties introduce the 2023 Gigondas Le Poste. Concentrated, layered and multifaceted, it is seamlessly structured and carries spot-on balance. Finishing savory and persistent, the 2023 Le Poste is a promising rendition of this cuvée worth keeping an eye on.”
These new releases arrive early this month!
Arriving in Early October:
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Saint Cosme Condrieu, Rhone 2023 750ml $69 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 92 points “Bottled in July 2024, the 2023 Condrieu unfurls with vivid orange blossom, apricot, ripe peach and a touch of quince. Lemon flesh adds more nuance. Medium- to full-bodied and creamy textured, the generous 2023 boasts sufficient freshness to keep it all in check. It closes with a resonant echo on the complex finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Hominis Fides Blanc 2023 750ml $69 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Yohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “One of the most fervent supporters of the Clairette and the new appellation of Gigondas Blanc, Louis Barruol, from Chāteau de Saint Cosme, crafted an intense, complex and lively inaugural 2023 Hominis Fides Blanc, revealing aromas of white fruits, herbs, pear, spices and chalk. Medium to full-bodied, delicately juicy and round, framed by bright acids and a chalky spine, it’s perfectly balanced, with a fresh, ethereal and mouthwatering finish. Crafted from Clairette planted in 2016 in the lieu-dit Hominis Fides on sandy, chalky soils, it was vinified and matured for 10 months on the lees. Kudos.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2023 750ml $36 pre-arrival special, 36+ bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 89-91 points “Juicy blackberries and red fruits intermixed with pepper, violets, and a touch of bacon fat all emerge from the 2023 Crozes-Hermitage. Medium-bodied and supple on the palate, with charming fruit and soft tannins, this pleasure-bent effort will deliver the goods over the coming 7-8 years. Drink 2025-2033.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2023 750ml $79 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2023 Côte-Rôtie shows well, displaying intense violets, pencil shaving, dried herbs and peppery traces on its articulate aromatic profile. Built around ripe and sleek tannins, the concentrated 2023 is a distinctively juicy Côte-Rôtie, closing with a zesty slice of blood orange on the complex finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides Rouge, Rhone 2023 750ml $119 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 93-95 points “Compared to the Le Claux of the same vintage, the 2023 Gigondas Hominis Fides is more restrained on the nose, featuring red fruit and prominent spice notes. On the palate, it delivers considerable flavor concentration within a full-bodied frame, tightly structured by firm tannins. While this Hominis Fides shows promise, I doubt if it will reach the heights of its 2022 predecessor. Let’s see whether further élevage can alter its prospect.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhone 2023 750ml $129 pre-arrival special, 36 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 94-96 points “The sexy 2023 Gigondas Le Claux impresses with redolent crushed violets, orange rind, raspberry compote and spice-box aromas. The tannic structure subtly frames this delightful Le Claux without overpowering it, allowing for a round, seamless mouthfeel complemented by a refreshing lift. I’m already looking forward to tasting the bottled version next year.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste, Rhone 2023 750ml $129 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 93-95 points “Fresh violets, black cherry, orange rind, ripe raspberry and minty subtleties introduce the 2023 Gigondas Le Poste. Concentrated, layered and multifaceted, it is seamlessly structured and carries spot-on balance. Finishing savory and persistent, the 2023 Le Poste is a promising rendition of this cuvée worth keeping an eye on.”
Shop our Saint Cosme selections!
Don’t miss our sale going on now:
Evesham Wood and Haden Fig
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Evesham Wood &/or Haden Fig
10% off any 6+ or more in-stock bottles of Evesham Wood &/or Haden Fig
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Evesham Wood and Haden Fig sale ends Tuesday, October 7th at 9 am Pacific.