Monday Newsletter 11-8-21

In This Newsletter:

Top Tuscany Value: Tenuta Marsiliana

New Week – New Arrivals

Party Picks
Case buy deals for holiday entertaining


Champagne Extravaganza!
New Offers from:
Camille Saves, Joseph Perrier, 
Jose Dhondt & more!


Domaine Servin
 
Conterno Fantino



Featured New Arrival

Top Tuscany Value: Tenuta Marsiliana


Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate gushes over Tenuta Marsiliana. Grab this incredible deal before our limited stock sells out for good!
 
“I tasted these wines with Duccio Corsini at his beautiful Villa Le Corti estate in San Casciano Val di Pesa in the Chianti Classico appellation. Prince Corsini has a large land holding in Maremma (mostly used as a hunting reserve), extending over 2,800 hectares with 20 hectares of vines. Those vines are approximately 12 kilometers inland from the sea and were planted in 1996.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

Principe Corsini Tenuta Marsiliana ‘Marsiliana’ Toscana IGT 2015 750ML ($47.95) $36 special
Case-6 Principe Corsini Tenuta Marsiliana ‘Marsiliana’ Toscana IGT 2015 750ML ($269.95) $199 special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points
“Described as the “grand vin” of this estate, the 2015 Marsiliana is remarkable for its precision and definition. This limited-release Tuscan red is a well-structured blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. The forest and floral notes are some of the fine details mirroring the vineyards of limestone earth nestled among the Maremma pines. Black fruit is matched seamlessly to savory nuances. The vintage is still young, as this wine is built for the long haul.”
James Suckling 94 points “Beautiful clarity on the nose with tangerine peel, citrus, licorice, herbs and Chinese spices. Full-bodied and tight. Yet, there are caressing tannins and a mineral finish which carries itself long and succulent. Drink in 2020.”

Browse all of our Tuscan wines on our web store now!


New Week – New Arrivals

Oregon

We adore Chris Dickson’s solid and subtle Syrahs, crafted from fruit sourced from two dry-farmed vineyards. 
Twill Cellars Syrah, Oregon 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
VinopolNote:
25-30% Stormy Morning vineyard, with the remainder from Steelhead Vineyard. 85% whole cluster aged 20 months. Unfined and unfiltered.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


France – Champagne

Vilmart is perhaps the grandest grower Champagne we sell—offering the region’s most powerful and intense expression of their terroir. These are wines that are vinified to be both lithe and powerful—a sinewy bolt to the palate of intense Champagne terroir. They age beautifully, holding onto their acidity and freshness, and developing an almond-creamy brioche quality that’s so prized. We recommend holding onto all of the wines— down to the “basic” NV—for at least a few years and are excited to offer them again.

Vilmart & Cie ‘Cuvee Rubis’ Brut Rose NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Lovely aromas of lilac and star anise waft from the glass of this graceful rosé Champagne, but there’s a pleasing tautness imparted by the backbone of fresh acidity, well-meshed with flavors of ripe and fleshy white cherry and apricot fruit, pink grapefruit sorbet and pickled ginger. Fine, satiny finish. -AN”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Generous and expressive, the latest rendition of Vilmart’s NV Brut Premier Cru Cuvée Rubis is showing very well, bursting with aromas of red berries, plums, blood orange and dried flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a sapid core of fruit, a pillowy mousse and a lively, delicately phenolic finish, it’s already drinking well. This is based on the 2017 vintage, with reserve wines from the 2016 and 2015 vintages, and it was disgorged with nine grams per liter dosage.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “A blend of the 2015, ’16 and ’17 vintages and 90 percent pinot noir, this is a tense wine, roseate pink, with sour cherry and woodland strawberry flavors. Between the minerality of the acidity and the light tannic austerity, it has the structure of a red wine, suited to age for several years, or to serve now with roast game birds.”
Skurnik Imports note “Cépage: 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay (15% vin rouge of Pinot Noir). Village/vyd: Rilly-la-Montagne 1er Cru & Villers-Allerands 1er Cru, clay and limestone. Malo: no. Elevage: 10 months in large foudre, sur latte 30+ months.”
Disgorged June 2019.

Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Wine & Spirits 94 points
“Laurent Champs grows this fruit at his vineyards in Rilly-la-Montagne, a premier cru village in the Montagne de Reims. He farms his estate without any chemical inputs. Blending 70 percent chardonnay with pinot noir, he ages the base wine in large neutral-oak vessels, then leaves it for 30 months on the lees, in bottle. The wine’s limestone minerality reminded several tasters of white Burgundy, a firm structure balanced by sweet notes of honey and puff pastry. Dense, floral and layered in its complexity, this would be delicious decanted with a salmon soufflé.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Toasty hints of brioche, coffee liqueur and vanilla bean on the nose are more subtle on the palate of this plush-textured Champagne, where flavors of persimmon, yellow peach, blanched almond and Mandarin orange peel are underscored by minerally saline and chalk. Shows lovely balance and length. -AN”
Skurnik Imports note “Cépage: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir. Village/vyd: Rilly-la-Montagne 1er Cru, Hautes Grèves. Clay and limestone. Malo: no. Elevage: 10 months in large foudre, sur latte 30+ months.”
Disgorged November 2019.

Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier d’Or Premier Cru Brut 2015 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points
“Disgorged in June 2019 with seven grams per liter dosage, the 2015 Brut Premier Cru Grand Cellier d’Or reveals inviting aromas of golden orchard fruit, pear, freshly baked bread and citrus zest. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with racy acids, chalky extract and a long, penetrating finish, the vintage has imparted additional generosity, but the house’s chiseled, serious style remains very much intact.”
Disgorged November 2019.

Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews.


France – Burgundy

Domaine William Fevre Chablis, Burgundy 2019 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points
“Subtle zestiness insinuates itself on the subtle cornmeal notes of this wine’s nose. More air reveals fresh green-pear peel. The palate comes in with ripeness and pervasive citrus freshness. Bright and juicy, the wine has gentle but zesty concentration and fresh resonance. -Anne Krebiehl MW”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “A sleeper of the vintage, Fèvre’s 2019 Chablis Village opens in the glass with notes of citrus oil, white flowers, crisp green apple and oyster shell. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and chiseled, it’s taut and concentrated, with racy acids and a long, chalky finish. Produced from some 40 hectares of vineyards, averaging around 50 years old, this was cropped at yields of 43 hectoliters per hectare. Unusually intense and structured, readers willing to give this cuvée a bit of bottle age will be rewarded.”

Domaine Moreau-Naudet Montmains, Chablis Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($69.95) $58.50 special
Decanter 93 points
“Virginie Moreau-Naudet sources her Montmains from two parcels, ageing the result in one third new wood. Since the passing of her husband, Stéphane, three years ago she has continued the tradition of making rich, leesy, complex wines with subtle oak, layers of wax and cream and fresh, focused acidity. Commendable stuff. Drinking Window 2020 – 2026.”
Antonio Galloni 89-92 points “The 2018 Chablis Montmains 1er Cru is lifted, weightless and airy, and yet there is plenty of power that emerges from thee glass Citrus and floral notes come together in this elegant style of wine. A whole range of floral and citrus notes add character. The 2018 is understated today, but also appears to be holding back much of its potential.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Moreau-Naudet Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($69.95) $58.50 special
Antonio Galloni 90-93 points
“The 2018 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru is another wine in this range with quite a bit of promise. Exotic and tropical, with terrific depth, the 2018 has a lot to offer, even if it is clearly an adolescent today.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


France – Rhone

“Always one of my favorite tastings in the Rhône is with Château de Saint Cosme’s Louis Barruol and this feisty, talented, and passionate vigneron makes some of the best wines in France. The estate is located just outside the village of Gigondas and the lineup has been simplified today to include a classic Gigondas and three single vineyards. The wines are all made in the same fashion, with no destemming and aging in just about 100% used barrels, so what you get is a clean expression of each of the vineyards. Looking at the 2018s, these are undoubtedly more plush, soft, charming wines, yet they are still going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and should evolve beautifully. The 2019s look to be on another level, and my money is on this being another truly special vintage from this estate. These are gorgeous wines across the board, and I certainly have plenty in my personal cellar.” –Jeb Dunnuck

Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Case-6 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2019 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $39.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Dark and winey, this structured offering packs red and black currant paste flavors together with threads of charcoal, warm stone, bay leaf and savory, ending with a long tug of cast iron through the finish. A blue chip for cellaring. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035.”.—J.M.
Matt Walls-Decanter 94 points “Great sense of concentration and vibrancy with acidity that is marked for the vintage and the oak well integrated. Extremely vibrant, dark fruited this year, damson, shot through with very fine tannins. All whole bunch fermented in concrete with natural yeasts, then aged in concrete, recently used barriques and some new ones (around 20%).”
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “Starting off the 2019 barrel samples, the 2019 Gigondas reveals a deeper ruby/plum color to go with a rich, powerful, medium to full-bodied and concentrated style that carries lots of classic dark fruits, ground pepper, and scorched earth-like aromas and flavors. This rich, dense 2019 will reward 3-5 years of bottle age and have two decades of prime drinking.”

The average price is $57

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides Rhone 2019 750ML ($129.95) $119 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points
“Lastly, the 2019 Gigondas Hominis Fides is another wine that’s going to flirt with perfection. Deep purple/ruby hued, with a stunning bouquet of crème de cassis, kirsch liqueur, scorched earth, and loads of violet and floral nuances, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building tannins, no hard edges, and one hell of a great finish. There is certainly no shortage of tannins and this needs 4 to 5 years of bottle age, but it will be one of the longest-lived of wines in the vintage.”
Matt Walls-Decanter 97 points “A seriously upright and skybound style, so much energy and very long. It’s a seriously tannic wine this year, but elegant with it – and such freshness. Little spicy note in the background accentuates its natural freshness and pep. Grenache planted in 1902 on Miocene calcareous sand. Single vineyard. No destemming. 12 months maturation in French oak barriques: 30% new, 30% one-year-old, 30% two-year-old. Unfiltered.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A brick house, this brims with cassis, blackberry reduction and fig preserve flavors supported by a strong spine of cast iron notes and laced throughout with bay, dried garrigue and racy chalky minerality. Muscular and rugged in temperament through the finish, but the well-defined pieces are in. Some patience is all that’s needed. Best from 2024 through 2040. —J.M.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux Rhone 2019 750ML ($129.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 97 points
“This is packed together, with taut iron cables providing a platform for mouthwatering bitter plum, cassis and blackberry reduction flavors. Sage, bay tobacco and warm earth notes play equally important roles, adding superior range and depth. Everything pulls together through the finish, though the end point takes some time to reach. Best from 2025 through 2040. —J.M.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points “Also all Grenache from a single vineyard just down from the estate, the 2019 Gigondas Le Claux offers more minerality as well as structure and is another 2019 that’s going to benefit from bottle age. A complex bouquet of redcurrants, loamy soil and dried garrigue, camphor, and licorice emerges from the glass, and this beauty has building tannins, flawless balance and a great, great finish.”
Decanter 96 points “Very dense, somewhat earthbound for now with an extremely dense tannic structure. Great energy and salinity, very vibrant with a lovely acid structure. Will take a long time to come round but will be good. Organically grown Grenache planted in 1870, planted on Miocene marls and yellow clay. Fermented in concrete, no destemming, indigenous yeasts, and matured 100% in barriques; 30% new, 30% second use, 30% third use.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste Rhone 2019 750ML ($149.95) $139 special
Wine Spectator 98 points
“A stunner from the start, with a piercingly pure and beautiful display of violet and cherry purée aromas and flavors taking center stage, supported by ultra-refined chalky minerality and fine beaded acidity. Lacy rooibos tea, garrigue and lavender accents drape the finish, adding a beguiling note at the very end. Beautiful wine. Best from 2025 through 2040. —J.M.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points “As always, the 2019 Gigondas Le Poste is a more elegant, ethereal, and Burgundian styled wine that has incredible purity in its aromas and flavors of black and blue fruits, spring flowers, crushed rock, and Provençal garrigue. This is never the biggest or richest wine in the lineup, yet it just might be the most complex, as well as nuanced, and this beauty builds with time in the glass, is full-bodied, has a stacked mid-palate, and a finish that won’t quit. It’s going to flirt with perfection on release and evolve for 20 to 25 years.”
Matt Walls-Decanter 97 points “Extraordinary tannic structure for a 100% Grenache, with intensity of fruit, salinity and great driving freshness throughout. Extraordinary depth and floral on the finish, violets. Grenache planted on limestone marl. Single vineyard. No destemming. 12 months maturation in French oak barriques: 20% new, 50% one-year-old, 30% two-year-old. Unfiltered.”

Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2019 750ML ($34.95) $27 special
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points
“Pure, classic Northern Rhône notes of spiced blackberry fruits, peppery herbs, bacon fat, and some gamey, bouquet garni-like nuances all emerge from the 2019 Crozes-Hermitage. and it’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and unevolved. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following decade or more. It’s a smoking good Crozes-Hermitage.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Nicely rendered, with a mix of juicy red cherry and dark plum fruit flavors backed by black tea, warm stone and sanguine accents. Focused and pure, iron-edged finish leaves a mouthwatering feel, while the finish is unencumbered by any toast. Lovely. Drink now through 2028. 1,000 cases made, 267 cases imported.  –JM”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2019 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Very stylish, with perfumed red and black cherry coulis notes infused with dried rose petal, sanguine, sandalwood and white pepper. Silky and fresh through the finish, with lingering minerality. A wine of nuance. Drink now through 2030. 250 cases imported”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “More granite-like aromas and flavors emerge from the 2019 Saint Joseph, which offers impressive depth of fruit, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and bright, focused acidity. With lots of smoked game, red and blue fruits, obvious minerality, and outstanding length, you could do much worse than having a case of this in the cellar.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


France – Dessert

Chateau Raymond-Lafon, Sauternes 2006 750ML ($49.95) $38 special
Wine Spectator 91 points
“Unctuous, sporting apricot, glazed pear and creamed melon flavors, with a lush coconut-tinged finish. A nice floral hint weaves in and out, adding length and vivacity, too. Drink now through 2020. 2,165 cases made. — JM”


Italy – Piedmont

Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($99.95) $69 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“Grasso’s 2011 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera captures the essence and personality of the year in its inviting, radiant personality. Bright red stone fruits, crushed rocks, pine, mint and flowers are all lifted and aromatically expressive in the glass. The Gavarini is already quite open and inviting. I imagine it will offer a wide window of pure drinking pleasure over the next 20 years or so. This is a striking Barolo from the Grasso family.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2011 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera shows a terrific level of balance and harmony despite the warmer-than-average growing conditions in 2011. The bouquet here is generous and rich with shapely tones of spice, dark fruit, grilled herbs and dried flowers. It also excels in terms of its textural richness that is powerful and elegant at the same time. The wine should continue its bottle evolution over the next ten years.”
Kerin O’Keefe Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Dark berry, tobacco, leather and a balsamic note are some of the aromas you’ll find on this stunning wine. The firm, full-bodied palate delivers ripe black cherry, black pepper, licorice and chopped mint alongside youthfully assertive but refined tannins that need time to unwind. Drink 2021–2031. “

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Vinopolis Shipping Alert:

Have wine on hold waiting for cooler weather?

Now’s the time to schedule your shipment!

Reply to this
email or call to schedule.


Party Picks

Case buy deals for holiday entertaining!

“Nice sense of maturity and complexity”
Scharffenberger Cellars Brut Excellence Mendocino County NV 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock now 
Case- 12 Scharffenberger Cellars Brut Excellence Mendocino County NV 750ML ($249.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!) ***In-store pick up only available for the case special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points
“A well-rounded, supple texture surrounds attractive toast and nut flavors in this suave and mouthfilling wine. Notes of biscuit, peach and toasted bread give it a nice sense of maturity and complexity. -Jim Gordon”
Wine & Spirits 91 points “[Reviewed 8/2021] This is clean and crisp with rich undertones of brioche and lemon custard. It offers a balance of the soft and the lively, a refreshing sparkling wine to kick off a dinner party. —J.G.”

The crown jewel of Yohan Lardy’s estate is an inherited parcel that was planted in 1903. Hand farmed and without any synthetic inputs whatsoever, this is an incredibly transparent example of Moulin a Vent’s terroir. The heat waves of the vintage were considered worrisome for younger vine parcels, but older vines were able to cope and ripen to unprecedented levels. The result in Lardy’s bottling is a “Cabernet Lover’s Gamay” with a persistently jammy and candied fruit character. Still persistently granitic and juicy, there are alternating layers of red and black fruits that make it aromatically mesmerizing. Black raspberry, blueberry, cinnamon dusted strawberry, Morello and Bing cherry abound with violet, anise flower and granite on the finish. The medium body and tannin have a slight edge over the acid, making this incredibly food friendly for heartier meals.        

Yohan Lardy Moulin-a-Vent Vieilles Vignes de 1903 Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Yohan Lardy Moulin-a-Vent Vieilles Vignes de 1903 Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($219.95) $175 special (that’s only $29.17/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points
“Saturated magenta. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe, spice-tinged red and dark berries, licorice, violet and smoky minerals. Palate-staining black raspberry, bitter cherry, blueberry, floral pastille and succulent herb flavors turn sweeter as the wine opens up. Shows impressive power and sharp definition on the subtly tannic finish, which leaves cherry pit, allspice and floral notes behind.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. Exceptional in its density, this wine comes from 116-year-old vines that yield small berries with concentration. The wine is dark and firm, with a great structure, packed black fruits and spice from the wood aging. Drink from 2023. -Roger Voss”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Malborough and New Zealand are synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc production but did you know that Aotearoa is famous for red wine production as well? The alluvial soils, intense sunshine and frigid evenings marry together to create a veritable paradise for French varietals especially, including Pinot Noir. The 2019 vintage has been lauded as one of the best in recent memory, with the Pinot Noir especially delivering buckets of richness and structure. After an additional year in the fruit character is still exuberant and rich, with a finish that speaks to its proximity to the ocean. The Oyster Bay offers a fantastic introduction to New Zealand’s style of Pinot, which typically promises darker fruit character, a mineral driven finish often evocative of basalt or flint and a fabulous aging trajectory. 

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir Marlborough 2019 750ML ($21.95) $14.50 special
Case- 12 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir Marlborough 2019 750ML ($249.95) $159 special (that’s only $13.25/bottle!)
James Suckling 91 points
“Attractive pinot noir with strawberry, smoke and spice aromas and flavors. Medium body, firm and lightly chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Real pinot character. Drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Vineyard sources for the Sandhi lineup include the legendary cool climate Bien Nacido, best known by the single vineyard bottlings produced by the Bien Nacido estate, Au Bon Climat, and Qupe Winery, and the world-classic, historic Sanford & Benedict. This Chardonnay is a barrel selection from these illustrious vineyards. It was crafted with the wine director at one of SF’s finest restaurants, Zuni Café, so you know it will provide the perfect frame for any meal. Fans of Evening Land will be dazzled by the beauty and elegance through a Californian lens, fans of Sandhi will be impressed by the price.

Sandhi Zuni Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2019 750ML ($34.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Sandhi Zuni Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2019 750ML ($399.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Winery note
“If you’ve ever sat at San Francisco’s iconic Zuni Café with a plate of oysters in front of you while you wait for the iconic whole roast chicken, you may have had a glass or two of this collaboration between longtime friends Rajat Parr of Sandhi and Zuni wine director Thierry Lovato.  The wine is a barrel selection from some of Sandhi’s iconic Sta. Rita Hills sites, (think Mt. Carmel, Sanford & Benedict) with enough own-rooted, 1973 Wente selection Bien Nacido Chardonnay blended in to warrant a Santa Barbara County designation.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Charles Smith is best known for his K Vintners Syrahs. But this Cab Sauv is no slouch and its medium to full-body makes it a fab choice at table. It won’t overwhelm food, and it sure won’t underwhelm you. 

Substance ‘Cs’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Substance ‘Cs’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($239.95) $156 special (that’s only $13/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points
“Juicy blue fruits, leafy tobacco, violets, and orange blossom notes all emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Cs and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a beautifully balanced, fruit-forward style, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s no simple fruit bomb and has notable structure, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It reminds me of a top Cru Bourgeois from Bordeaux and represents a stunning value. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.”
 
Bold, brash spice to jazz up ham and roasts. This wine segues great into a fruit & cheese course or pair with dark chocolate for a hearty finish.
Les Vignerons de Tautavel Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex France 2017 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Les Vignerons de Tautavel Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex France 2017 750ML ($159.95) $136 special (that’s only $22.67/bottle!)
Case-12 Les Vignerons de Tautavel Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex France 2017 750ML ($319.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points
“The 2017 Cotes Du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex might end up matching (or even surpassing) the 2016. The same 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Carignan brought up in tank, it offers a ripe, medium to full-bodied, straight-up sexy style to go with complex notes of kirsch, black olives, black licorice, and dried garrigue. It’s a powerful yet elegant red that has tons of potential.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan from old vines, the 2017 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex is partly aged in barrel and part in tank. It delivers just enough cedar on the nose to let you know there’s barrel influence, without overwhelming the terroir-derived hints of crushed stone or the varietal notes of dark berries. Full-bodied, concentrated and supple, it’s a terrific bottle of Roussillon wine, with a long, elegant finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!



Champagne Extravaganza! 

While other shops are running low on all things bubbly, we’ve upped the game and expanded our selections to over 250 on hand and arriving this holiday season. Explore these producers arriving in November!

Camille Saves – Bouzy

Importer note “Champagne Camille Savès was established in the 1894 by Eugène Savès, an early proponent of making and selling his own wine.  The Domaine has since been passed down generationally, and is now headed by Hervé Savès. At 10 total hectares, the Domaine is comprised of only Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. Hervé does not use herbicides or pesticides in his vineyards and follows certified organic and biodynamic practices. Vineyard management is meticulous with yield control, de-budding and sorting… [and] the wines are vinified in enamel tanks. Malolactic fermentations are systematically blocked. Each wine is left on the lees for 36 to 60 months prior to disgorgement. The dosages at Savès vary from 4 to 9 g/l. They are done with traditional liqueur. After disgorgement, the wines rest another six months before they are released.”

Camille Saves Carte Blanche Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points
“[Review for 2020 release] Pretty floral and nut aromas waft through the flavors of poached pear and ripe black currant fruit, toast point and candied lemon peel in this sleek, mouthwatering Champagne. Creamy in texture, with a salty, mineral-laced finish. Disgorged May 2019. Drink now through 2023. 3,000 cases made.  –AN”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Camille Saves Carte d’Or Grand Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Grand Cru vines in Bouzy. Aged in stainless steel and 20% old oak barrels. 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Camille Saves Bouzy Grand Cru Extra Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Grand Cru vines in Bouzy. Aged in stainless steel and 20% old oak barrels. 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Joseph Perrier – Hautvillers & Cumieres

Winery note “The House was founded in 1825 by the father & son duet François-Alexandre and Joseph Perrier. Joseph turned the establishment on “avenue de Paris” into a House of knowledge and expertise. His signature has been carried on by six generations from the same family, each one marking the House’s history and destiny differently.”

This is the House’s calling card Champagne. 
Joseph Perrier Cuvee Royale Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Winery note
“The Cuvée Royale Brut is a superbly intense, light-golden yellow sparkled with copper. The initial aroma is discreet, fine and wonderfully complex. A bouquet of apples, pears and white peaches evolves alongside elegant, more tropical flavours of pineapple. Lively, yet supple in the mouth, combining complexity, lightness, body and freshness. The floral notes of white flowers give way to the fruity ones of vine peaches towards the end, with a pleasantly tangy finish.”

Joseph Perrier Cuvee Royale Brut 2008 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points
“Cellar Selection. The latest vintage release from this producer based in Châlons-en-Champagne is very much in the house style with its crisp acidity and tight texture. It is towards the dry end of Brut with apple and citrus flavors and little sign yet of aging. Although this textured wine is ready to drink, it will be better from 2018. -Roger Voss”

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


Serveaux et Fils – Passy sur Marne

With a special focus on the Pinot Meunier grape, Serveaux Fils crafts crowd-pleasing and exotically flavored Champagnes to delight any palate.

Serveaux et Fils Cuvee Meunier Blanc de Noirs Brut NV 750ML ($79.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points
“[Reviewed 2017] This small production wine showcases the qualities of Pinot Meunier. It’s rich and smooth, with plenty of white fruit and an intense streak of lime crispness. Having already had time to mature, it hints at toastiness on the finish. Drink now. -Roger Voss”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Serveaux et Fils Carte d’Or Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir. Partial malolactic fermentation. 
Winery note “This cuvee with its pale color has a beautifully mature bouquet. In the mouth, the delicacy of the Chardonnay rubs shoulders with the ample, mineral Meunier and the overall impression is enhanced by a structure marked by the Pinot Noir.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Serveaux et Fils Carte Noire Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 90 points
“[Reviewed 2020] A lithe and mouthwatering Champagne, with a light plushness to the mousse as it carries well-knit notes of melon, raspberry and chopped almond. Hints of chalk and spice play on the lively finish. Disgorged November 2019. Drink now through 2022. 2,000 cases made, 170 cases imported.  –AN”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Charles Ellner – Epernay

Importer note “Champagne Charles Ellner, in the heart of Epernay, was and is a family business. At the end of the 19th century, Charles Emile Ellner, the founder of the House, began acquiring small vineyards in Epernay while also starting his career as a professional ‘riddler’. In 1905, he first released Champagne under his own name…. The House of Ellner possesses about 50 hectares of vineyards, located across more than 15 villages in the Champagne region. The Ellner vineyards produce about 50% of the total grape crop. None of Charles Ellner’s wines see malolactic fermentation. All are fermented in stainless-steel tanks to preserve fresh fruit flavors (only the Chardonnay blended into the vintage wines spends a few months in giant oak barrels between primary fermentation and bottling). They are then left to sit on their lees for a minimum of 4 years (the law is only 18 months) to allow the wines to soften a bit, fill out, and become beautifully drinkable upon release yet ageable at the same time.”

Charles Ellner Carte Blanche Brut NV 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Importer note
“This elegant and subtle blend offers an attractive freshness. On the palate, it is fruity and round with floral hints and citrus notes.”

Charles Ellner Grande Reserve Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points
“[Reviewed 2016] Deliciously balanced, this wine is on the dry side while keeping its fruitiness up front. A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, it has both minerality and rich apple and pear fruits with a tangy texture. It is ready to drink. -Roger Voss”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Charles Ellner Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points
“[Reviewed 2016] Editor’s Choice. As its name indicates, this is a blend of premier cru wines. Holding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it is ripe with yellow fruit and apple flavors tinged attractively with touches of toastiness. This rich Champagne is ready to drink. -Roger Voss”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Charles Ellner Brut Rose NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Charles Ellner Brut Rose NV 375ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Winery note
“Soft pink: an invitation to the eyes, strong on the nose with hints of strawberry, this champagne offers intensive fruity aromas. The chardonnay that represents half of the blend gives freshness, but also longevity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $44.50 for the 750ml

Charles Ellner Seduction Brut 2006 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points
“This rich, opulent prestige cuvée lives up to the Séduction name, instantly appealing with its ripe yellow fruit and generous texture. It is just approaching maturity, with hints of toast. Drink now or, even better, from 2017. -Roger Voss”
Winery note “Mature, expressive nose opening up to candied figs and dried fruits with pastry aromas in the background. A wonderful vinosity on the palate, balanced by a beautiful freshness and fine delicate bubbles.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Jose Dhondt – Oger

Jose Dhondt is a tiny producer in the Cote des Blancs village of Oger with some holdings in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. He rubs shoulders with other growers such as Pierre Gimonnet (who also produces a lovely Oger bottling at almost twice the price) and Pierre Peters (in Le Mesnil). 

Importer note “Domaine José Dhondt is comprised of 5 hectares of vineyards, mostly in the Grand Cru villages of Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, but also some small holdings in the Côte de Sézanne village of Saudoy. Third-generation winemaker José Dhondt, whose grandfather immigrated from Belgium in 1924, has been managing the estate and making the wine since 1976. The domaine is farmed according to the precepts of lutte raisonée, a system of vine cultivation that is essentially organic and non-interventionist. Dhondt gently presses his fruit in a traditional Coquard vertical press and, following a débourbage of 12-24 hours, decants the must into small (25hl, 58hl, 82hl) thermo-regulated stainless steel vessels for a 3 week controlled fermentation over selected CIVC yeasts, followed by malolactic fermentation. Dhondt doses with traditional liqueur.”

Jose Dhondt Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points
“[Reviewed 2021] Ripe nectarine and melon flavors are backed by a firm spine of acidity in this graceful blanc de blancs. It’s plush and creamy in texture, with accents of smoked almond, candied ginger, preserved lemon and spun honey riding adding complexity to the juicy fruit profile. Disgorged January 2021. Drink now through 2024. 2,000 cases made, 250 cases imported.  –AN”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Jose Dhondt Mes Viellies Vignes Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2014 750ML ($99.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Hints of toasted hazelnut and fleur de sel are enmeshed with a ripe, juicy mix of melon, baked white cherry, candied ginger and verbena in this lovely blanc de blancs. Vibrant and mouthwatering, but impeccably balanced, wrapping the vivid acidity in the fine, silky mousse, ending with a long, minerally finish. Disgorged January 2021. Drink now through 2034. 550 cases made.  –AN”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Jose Dhondt Rose de Saignee Brut NV 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points
“[Reviewed 2021] An understated version, with a waft of pretty cherry blossom and spice notes on the nose drawing you into the glass, where a backbone of chiseled acidity is aligned with flavors of ripe red apple and raspberry fruit, pickled ginger and an underpinning of chalky mineral. Fine and vibrant in texture, this expands slowly, so give it time. Disgorged January 2021. Drink now through 2025. 200 cases made, 70 cases imported.  –AN”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Jeaunaux-Robin – La Vallee du Petit Morin

Importer note “Truly a found treasure, this tiny family domain was founded in 1964 by Michel and Marie-Claude Jeaunaux, now run by husband and wife Cyril & Clémence Jeaunaux-Robin. The estate is only 5.7 hectares (the family’s backyard) in the village of Talus-Saint-Prix in La Vallée du Petit Morin. Vines are approximately 40 years of age (considered ancient by Champagne standards) on flint-rich, silex soil. The farming is meticulous, currently undergoing organic certification and practicing biodynamic viticulture.”

Jeaunaux-Robin ‘Instinct Meunier’ Brut Nature NV 750ML ($99.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Biodynamic. 100% Pinot Meunier. A rare Champagne produced from the nearly 60 year old vineyard Le Grand Morceau. 

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Delamotte

Arriving Late November

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Vintage Brut 2007 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points
“The standout in the lineup was the 2007 Brut Blanc De Blancs Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger which is 100% Chardonnay all from grand cru vineyards. It offers a ripe, sexy, full-bodied style as well as classic notes of baked apples, brioche, buttered citrus, and hazelnut. With roughly 70-80% of the blend going through full malolactic fermentation, this powerful, concentrated beauty is drinking terrific today, yet will certainly keep for another 10-15 years.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “Disgorged in May 2015, Delamotte’s white-golden colored 2007 Blanc de Blancs (dosage Brut) opens with a pure, fresh, intense and smoky/chalky bouquet with white fruit aromas, orange/lemon, brioche, nut and toffee flavors. Pure, fresh and elegant on the palate, this is a concentrated, complex and juicy yet finessed and tensioned Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. It is tight but creamy and harmonious and reveals concentrated lemon juice flavors in the long, mineral finish.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Delamotte’s 2007 Blanc de Blancs is an excellent choice for drinking now and over a handful of years because of its immediacy and welcoming, open-knit personality. Yellow orchard fruit, brioche, vanilla and spices flesh out, along with pretty tropical-inflected notes that appear later. The rich, creamy finish only adds to the wine’s considerable allure today. The Delamotte vintage Champagne is a blend of fruit from four villages: Le Mesnil, Oger, Avize and Cramant, as is rendered with full malolactic fermentation, which gives the wine its soft contours and overall resonance.”

Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews.

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Domaine Servin

Arriving Late November


Domaine Servin is one of the oldest and most prestigious estates in Chablis, with 32 hectares of vines spread throughout the region and much of it in top vineyards. The Servin family has been in Chablis since 1654 and involved in the wine industry for much of that time. Today, Francois Servin runs the domaine with the assistance of his Australian brother-in-law, Mark Cameron.

François, while appreciating the great traditions that are very important to the Servin family, strives to modernize and improve the estate. He has resumed hand harvesting of grapes over most of the Premier Cru and all of the Grand Cru vineyards. Where necessary, he has replanted with improved Chardonnay vines. The wines are aged in a mix of stainless steel and wooden barrel, depending on the cuvée, and bottled without filtration—this is an estate that has made a wholesale commitment to quality and it shows in the wines.

Arriving Late November from Domaine Servin:

Domaine Servin Butteaux, Chablis Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin-Vinous 94 points
“The 2019 Chablis Butteaux 1er Cru might well possess the finest aromatics among Servin’s Premier Crus this vintage, leaping out of the glass with vivacious lemon zest, Granny Smith apple and crushed stone notes, and then becoming more floral with aeration. The palate is well balanced with a slightly reduced opening that works in its favor. There is wonderful purity to this Butteaux, and although a little oak still needs to be assimilated with bottle age, give it a couple of years and it will be positively singing.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Servin Montee de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin-Vinous 93+ points
“The 2018 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru shows more structure and power than the other premiers crus in this range. Phenolic and savory, the 2018 is endowed with a real sense of energy and richness. The 2018 was bottled just two weeks before this tasting and is showing some element of angularity. Even so, it is impressive.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Servin Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Neal Martin-Vinous 95 points
“The 2019 Chablis Les Preuses Grand Cru has an exquisite bouquet that is a little fuller and feels riper than the Bougros, hints of orange blossom and apricot infusing the citrus fruit, the flintiness only becoming more apparent with aeration. The palate is extremely well balanced, delivering the tension that you expect from a Chablis. Spicier notes of ginger and lemongrass surface toward the very cohesive finish, which feels a tad sweeter than Servin’s other Grand Crus this vintage. Superb.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2019 Chablis Grand Cru Les Preuses is superb, bursting with aromas of orange oil, oyster shell, white flowers and wet stones. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and precise, it’s concentrated and vibrant, concluding with a long, sapid finish. As usual, this is one of the high points in the Servin range.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

In Stock Now from Domaine Servin:

Domaine Servin Blanchot, Chablis Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($74.95) $59 special, 13 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points
“The 2016 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchots is also a success, offering up aromas of preserved peach, lemon confit and fresh citrus zest. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, textural and saline, with excellent purity and length. It’s a gourmand but elegant Blanchots that retains plenty of site personality.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2016 Chablis Blanchots Grand Cru has a clean and precise, quite granitic bouquet, tightly wound but focused. The palate is well balanced with good depth, quite primal at the moment with a terse, saline finish. It just needs to loosen-up by the time of bottling.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Servin Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 12 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points
“Scents of citrus oil, peach, honeycomb and flowers preface the 2019 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros, a full-bodied, layered and concentrated wine that’s rich and satiny, with an ample core of fruit and a somewhat heady, oak-inflected finish. While it possesses plenty of weight and substance, it isn’t my favorite grand cru bottling chez Servin this year. I suspect, however, that it will calm down with bottle age.”

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Conterno Fantino

“Founded in1982 by in laws Guido Fantino and Claudio Conterno, this carefully remodeled and refurbished estate is located atop one of the highest hills in Monforte d’Alba. From a glass lookout point in the winery, you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the town’s church steeples and skyline. The property includes 26 hectares of vine (Conterno Fantino does not buy fruit) for a production of 140,000 bottles per year. Some 25,000 bottles are Barolo. Starting in 2014, wines will be certified organic. It does not produce a ‘base’ Barolo, choosing instead to focus on its Langhe Nebbiolo.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

“I was so impressed with these 2017 Barolos from Conterno-Fantino. Quite simply, these are some of the most convincing wines of the year. Moreover, the overall level is pretty much on par with 2016, which is remarkable and points to the level of seriousness found at this reference point estate perched in this hills outside the Monforte town center.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Arriving Early December

Conterno Fantino Mosconi, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Decanter 96 points
“Among the 27 hectares of Conterno Fantino is Vigna Ped, an east-facing cru within the Mosconi MGA. Similar to Ginestra, in 2017 it seems to be a bit rounder and less austere. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation naturally in the spring. It displays intense leafy lightness with wild strawberry puree and liquorice root, but also whiffs of truffle and cocoa powder. The attack is firm and assertive, with both acidity and tannins – which are large, grainy and ripe. The structure is well balanced by fruit concentration, vibrancy and complexity. Despite its meatiness, it’s not ready to drink yet. For the long haul. Drinking Window 2022 – 2040.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Mosconi Vigna Ped is deep, resonant and expansive, as wines from this site tend to be. In this tasting, the Mosconi is wonderfully deep. Its stature alone is compelling. And yet there is so much to the Mosconi. Readers will find a Barolo that melds together a rich, racy expression of fruit with plenty of structure that wraps everything together. Rich red fruit, blood orange, tar, spice and cedar build as the 2017 gains volume through to the finish.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Mosconi Vigna Ped sources its fruit from a small vineyard plot measuring less than one hectare that is composed of sand, silt and clay soils. This special wine shows dark fruit with cherry and blackcurrant, all followed by spice, tar and earth. The hot and dry growing conditions in 2017 make for extra intensity and concentration, with firm tannins that hold it all together. The cooling altitudes at 360 to 380 meters above sea level and the general conditions of Monteforte d’Alba mean that this wine shows good integration. 6,424 bottles were released.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Conterno Fantino ‘Ginestrino’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Conterno Fantino ‘Ginestrino’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($299.95) $236 pre-arrival special (that’s only $39.33/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The Conterno Fantino 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo Ginestrino opens to fragrant and delicate aromas straight from the Nebbiolo playlist. The wine opens to pretty aromas of wild cherry, rose, blood orange and iron ore. Winemaking starts with stainless steel and concludes with 10 months in French oak. The vines are planted in clay soils, and when you study the bouquet in depth, you do perceive a tad more structure and concentration as a result. Production is an ample 35,500 bottles.”
Importer note “Made from the Michet and Lampia Nebbiolo sub-varieties grown in a young vineyard in Monforte d’Alba, in sand and clay soil about 200 to 450 meters (656 to 1,476 feet) above sea level. Vineyards are south-, southwest- and southeast-facing, on a 25%-40% gradient. Made from the same clones as the winery’s Barolos, the vines are younger – ranging up to fifteen years of age – and produce elegant wines with a lighter structure and all the freshness and crisp primary fruity and floral aromas a young Nebbiolo is known for.”

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Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!

Be well & drink well.