Featured December Sales: Salon 2004 Magnum, Two Hands Lily’s Garden & Castello di Ama; Featured New Arrivals: Veuve/Ruinart/Gimonnet Vintage, Pierre Peters/Aubry/Marie-Courtin NV – and many more!; New Week – New Arrivals; New December Sale Wines: Corsican Waves – Antoine Arena; Magnums: The Life of the Party; Orin Swift: More Machete & New Releases Arriving Tomorrow; Auction Action: New Subscriber-Only Sale on German Auction Wines Arriving Tomorrow; J Christoffel Jr – Cellar Treasures, Arriving Wednesday; December Sales Recap
Vinopolis Wine Shop
Will Be Closed on Christmas Day, December 25th
Re-opening 10 am December 26th for our regularly scheduled hours
Our website is always open: www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2004 1.5L ($1,499.95) Was $1,190, Now $989, 2 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2004 Salon has been superb each time I have tasted it over the last year or so. Bright, tense and crystalline, with all of the energy that is typical of both Salon and the vintage in the Côte des Blancs, the 2004 bristles with superb precision and cool, pulsating minerality. The 2004 spent a dozen years on its lees. Over the last six months or so, it has gradually begun to open up, but it is very much a wine for the cellar. Two thousand four is remembered as a vintage with record high yields. Salon (and Delamotte) did a terrific job in keeping the vines well balanced. Production was just 46,000 bottles, as opposed to the 60,000 or so that is more typical. Chef de Caves Michel Fauconnet opted for a low dosage of just 4 grams per liter. This is a tremendous showing.”
Lily’s Garden, a 100% Shiraz from the perpetual-favorite collaboration between Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, is a lush celebration of the coastal region McLaren Vale and we’re offering it for the by-far best price in the USA:
Two Hands Wines Lily’s Garden Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2014 750ML ($69.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles available
#71 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2016
Wine Spectator 94 points “Notes of espresso and toasted hazelnut are rich and thick, with mocha-accented tannins that lend a velvety backdrop to the polished blackberry, licorice and black cherry flavors, lingering generously on the long finish. Drink now through 2030.”
The next best price is $57.95
Castello di Ama ‘San Lorenzo’, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2011 750ML ($57.95) Was $41.90, Now $29, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “This has a dusty character on the nose with soil, dried fruit and blueberry. Flowers too. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh finish. Tight and structured. Shows wonderful depth of fruit and beauty. Chewy. Better in 2016.” JS
The average price is $45See more new December sale wines below!
Holiday Shipping Note
There may be 5 shopping days left until Christmas & Hanukkah…
But there’s only four shipping days left!
Don’t delay!
To get your gifts on time, order right now to ship today
Plan Ahead Now / Toast Your Forethought Later
No UPS shipping services on December 24th, 25th and 26th.
No UPS shipping services on December 31st, January 1st and January 2nd.
Featured New Arrivals:
Champagne!
Without looking at a calendar, it’s obvious to us that it must be the holiday season by the mountain of Champagne arriving in the store in the last few weeks. We already had an amazing selection (with more amazing prices) and then this set of wines rolled in this week!
Check out what came in, and go to our website to see all 101 Champagnes we have in stock: www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 14 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Very elegant, this is chiseled by racy acidity that’s swathed in the refined, creamy mousse and flavors of crème de cassis, preserved lemon, biscuit and dried apricot. Long and lacy on the smoke-tinged, minerally finish.”
Gilbert & Gaillard 93 points “Light yellow. Refined nose showing subtle notes of stone fruits and brioche. Lovely refined texture and bubbles, ethereal freshness and a tense profile on the palate. Precise yet streamlined. A beautiful rendition of minimalist elegance.”
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Rose, Champagne 2008 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 14 bottles available
Gilbert & Gaillard 97 points “Coppery orange-pink. The nose is shy on first pour then delivers delicate red fruit, dried fruit and mild spice notes after swirling. Fleshy attack, fine bubbles and superb freshness. A tense, elegant ros?. Hugely successful, almost a foregone conclusion.”
Krug Brut, Champagne NV 1.5L ($499.95) $399 special, 6 magnums available
Wine Spectator 97 points “This is all about balance and the integration of power and finesse, with finely honed acidity supporting flavors of quince paste, dried black cherry, spun honey and candied orange zest, while rich notes of roasted walnut, coffee liqueur and toasted cardamom resonate on the finish. Hard to stop sipping. Drink now through 2028.” WS
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($149.95) $112 special, 26 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Bright and graceful, this seamlessly knits a subtle streak of smoke-tinged minerality with flavors of almond financier, poached pear, candied kumquat and crème de cassis, focused by vibrant acidity and a refined, creamy mousse. Drink now through 2030.”
The average listed price for this wine is $154
Gilbert & Gaillard 94 points “Light yellow-gold. The nose displays splendid minerality then reveals pastry and almond notes. The palate shows seductive precision. Refined texture and mouth-filling freshness. Well-structured, strict and elegant. A stellar Champagne with a real sense of place.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2008 Oenophile Extra Brut offers an invitingly clear, bright and fresh bouquet of crisp apples, lemons, brazil nuts and grated hazelnuts along with some hints of herbs and flowers. On the palate this is a very elegant, firm, fresh and minerally accentuated Champagne of with a good grip and an animating citric finish. It is a crisp, elegant, refined and a really stimulating aperitif on a really high level. Beautifully structured and mineral, I just can’t get enough!” WA
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2004 Dom Ruinart is just as brilliant and viscerally thrilling as it has always been. If anything, the 2004 has shut down considerably over the last six months. Tightly coiled and exceptionally beautiful, the 2004 boasts fabulous intensity, class and pedigree. The flavors are vibrant, chiseled and crystalline in their precision. Time in bottle is doing wonders for the 2004. This is a tremendous showing.”Perrier-Jouet Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Lively and mouthwatering, with flavors of black currant, graphite, candied lemon zest and smoky mineral, supported by a creamy mousse. A balanced crowd-pleaser. Drink now through 2018.”
Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($479.95) $399 special, 1 case available (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Wine & Spirits 92 points “This tastes of pure, pale white limestone transformed into crisp yellow apple. It’s appetite inducing in its zesty freshness, bright white floral notes and clean, lively length of flavor, especially if there are oysters nearby. The Aubry brothers maintain a reserve wine blend composed of vintages going back to 1998; that blend provides 50 percent of this Brut, with the other half from 2013. The varietal composition is also distinctive: pinot Meunier makes up 45 percent, with chardonnay and pinot noir each providing 25 percent and the remaining five percent made up of traditional local varieties including arbanne, petit meslier and fromenteau.”
Terry Theise Note: “Deg 1/2015, 50% 2012 and 50% the “perpetual reserve” that goes back to 1998. Still 45% Meunier, 25% CH, 25% PN and 5% “other.” (This was done one year when there was more “other” than could fill a tank, so the excess was put into the NV, and they liked it, not to mention it’s the only NV Brut in Champagne with Arbanne and Petit Meslier in the mix.) Meunier expresses here as barley, rusks, crackers, and so the wine is rusky, saline, iodé, mineral and appetizing. That’s the paradigm, at any rate. The fragrance of this years edition is back in form, or mostly—the little bit of ’11 in the reserve wine is, let’s say, not invisible. But the ripeness of ’12 nearly blankets it; otherwise it’s the briny coppery wine we know and love.”
Marie Courtin Resonance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 34 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The (2013) Extra Brut Resonance, is wonderfully fleshy, open-knit and expressive. Creamy and ample the Resonance boasts impeccable balance in this vintage. The Resonance, one of Marie Courtin’s 100% Pinot Noir Champagnes, can at times be angular and austere upon release. Happily, that is not the case here at all. Hints of smoke, slate, dried pear and red stone fruits built into the expressive, open-knit finish. The 2013 Resonance is one of the most impressive and complete young Champagnes I have tasted from proprietor Dominique Moreau. Disgorged: January 2016.”
Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $48 special, 18 bottles available
Case-12 Pierre Peters Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV ($579.95) $519 special, 1 case available (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “Fragrant, with floral and mineral accents, this vibrant blanc de blancs shows tropical hints of passion fruit and guava layered with salted almond and honey notes. Finely knit, featuring a lasting, delicate finish.”
Wine Advocate 91+ points “The NV Cuvée de Réserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut is a blend of 60 parcels in the Côte des Blancs, so 100% Chardonnay. The newest disgorgement from November 2015 is based on 2013, which was “a great year for Chardonnay,” according to Rodolphe Péters. There were “102 or 103 instead of the normal 90 to 93 days between flowering, and harvest simply caused another, a better ripeness,” he adds. Fifty percent of the blend is based on 2013, the other 50% come from the perpetual réserve, which is stored in stainless steel, cement and oak vats. The wine has a brilliant color, is very clear, precise and complex on the nose, displaying fresh lemon fruit aromas. Intense and complex as well as super fresh and clear on the palate, this elegant wine is still very young, but offers a stunning fruit intensity and a firm and mineral structure; there is a long and complex finish with a refreshing grip. Very promising. The Cuvée de Réserve has been in the markets since April. Dosage is 6.7 grams.”
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 10 bottles available
Gilbert & Gaillard 92 points “Light yellow with green tints. Delicate nose opening up to notes of white flowers, fresh hazelnut and a subtle menthol touch. Wonderful fresh, silky attack leading into a very refined mid-palate then a mineral finish. Extremely pure style.”
Winery note “Westrey Wine Company was founded in 1993 by co-winemakers Amy Wesselman and David Autrey, along with David’s father, Robert Autrey, in Oregon’s burgeoning Willamette Valley. Amy and David focus on crafting elegant Pinot Noir wines, fruit-driven Burgundian-style Chardonnay and crisp, refreshing Pinot Gris. The wines are designed to be balanced and ageworthy, always complementing and enlivening the food with which they are served.”
Winery note “Twenty five year old un-grafted Wadensville vines, dry farmed in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA are handpicked for this wine. From 3 acres, each clone is fermented separately with native yeasts in small lots, typically with 50-60% whole-clusters. The wine is aged in 0%-40% new French oak barrels for 18-21 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered. There is intensity at Bishop Creek, with deep, dark toned fruit, a spicy floral edge and savory tones with acidity and length.”Brick House Vineyards ‘Les Dijonnais’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Brilliant red. A highly perfumed and incisive bouquet evokes fresh red berries, Asian spices and candied rose, along with a zesty mineral overtone. Juicy, focused and light on its feet, especially in the context of the vintage, offering intense strawberry, cherry and blood orange flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. Clings with strong tenacity on the finish, leaving a suave floral pastille note behind.”
Brick House Vineyards ‘Cuvee du Tonnelier’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($59.95) $44 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “(30 percent new French oak) Vivid ruby-red. Complex aromas of ripe red and blue fruits, candied rose, cola and oak spices. Sweet and broad on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors that are given spine and sharpened by a jolt of zesty acidity. Round, even tannins shape the sweet, velvety finish, which hangs on with impressive tenacity.”
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Dark red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes fresh red fruits, incense and Asian spices, along with bright mineral and floral overtones. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering alluringly sweet raspberry preserve, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out slowly with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and elegance, finishing with silky, harmonious tannins and excellent clarity and floral-driven persistence.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Broad and generous, open-textured and inviting, with cherry, currant and red plum flavors that swirl enticingly around the fine-grained tannins and creamy oak on the finish. Drink now through 2018.”
California
Failla Keefer Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Keefer Ranch is juicy, flavorful and open, all qualities that are typical of the Russian River. Orange blossom, apricot jam, mint, dried herbs and chamomile meld together. Drink this forward, voluptuous Chardonnay over the next few years. The Keefer Ranch is never especially complex, but it is delicious.”
Failla Chuy Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 93-95 points “Failla’s 2014 Chardonnay Chuy, from a dry-farmed site planted in 1964, is one of the most overt wines in this range. Orange jam, marmalade, smoke, dried flowers and honeyed notes meld together in an oily, viscous Chardonnay loaded with class and personality. The Chuy Vineyard is located on the Sonoma side of Mount Veeder. Rarely are the wines here anything less than compelling.”
Ramey Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2007 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Robert Parker 92 points “A stunning yet reasonably priced, high end Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. The final bottling from the extraordinary Larkmead Vineyard, it boasts a dense purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of blueberry and black currant fruit intertwined with licorice, bay leaf, cedar and fruitcake notes. Full-bodied and opulent, this precocious 2007 is drinkable now and should evolve for another 15+ years.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “(includes 5% merlot, 4% malbec and 2% each of cabernet franc and petit verdot) Inky ruby. Intensely perfumed bouquet of red- and blackcurrant, dark chocolate and anise, with mounting spiciness. More open-knit and accessible than last year’s tasting suggested it would be, offering sweet dark fruit and cherry flavors and building tannins. The fruit takes over on the finish, which echoes the spice and cherry notes. This has turned out better than I expected, perhaps because all of the Larkmead fruit went into this wine in this vintage.”
The average price is $80
Ramey Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2008 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon impresses for its layers of dark, plush fruit. Hints of cassis, grilled herbs, tobacco and cedar develop in the glass, adding further complexity and depth. Firm tannins frame the long finish. This is a very classic and beautiful Cabernet. In 2008 the blend is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot, sourced from a number of sites, including Somerston, DeSantis, Lamoreaux and Snowden.”
Eisele Vineyard (Araujo) Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 375ML ($299.95) $259 special
Robert Parker 100 points “Both 2013s are clearly the finest Eisele wines made under the administration of François Pinault and his top lieutenant, Frédéric Engerer, who also runs the show at Château Latour. The utterly compelling 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon in this vintage and 1,800 cases were made. The wine is off-the-charts great, with an opaque bluish/purple color to the rim, an aroma of pen ink, graphite, blackberry and blueberry fruit, a hint of licorice, camphor and incense. The wine is full-bodied, with extraordinary concentration, remarkable equilibrium and noticeable, but sweet, well-integrated tannin. This is a large-scaled Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, but flawless and with no edges. It is an amazing effort and a great achievement from this incredible terroir. Drink it over the next 30-40 years…Readers should note that the relatively new owners of what was formerly known as the Araujo Estate have finally changed the name to the Eisele Vineyard.”
France – Champagne
See our special feature on twelve new Champagne arrivals above!
France – Burgundy
Domaine Ramonet Bouzeron, Cote Chalonnaise 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
100% Aligote from the third-generation Chassagne legend, delicious & approachable young but well worth cellaring!
Burghound 90 points “There is just enough wood to merit mentioning to the ripe and notably floral nose that combines notes of apple, essence of pear and discreet citrus and tea hints. There is fine richness to the generously proportioned and succulent medium-bodied flavors that possess good mid-palate concentration on the clean and moderately dry finale. This is really quite pretty and while it’s less mineral-inflected than the En Remilly it offers just a hair more depth. A qualitative choice. Note that this is already drinking well and won’t need much cellar time.”
France – Loire
Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
Importer note “The grapes come from younger vines in Clos des Carmes and Clos de Guichaux, and older vines on the bottom of the hill of Brézé. Pruning method is Guyau Val de Loire. 5,500 vines are planted per hectare. Maximum average yield is 45 hl per hectare. Pressing of whole clusters, indigenous yeast fermentation in tank. Aging on fine lees in tank, light filtration. Organic.”
Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Rouge 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
VinopolNote: This entry-level Cab Franc red from Guiberteau hails from three parcels of silt and sand over limestone from vines planted between 1955 and 1957. The wine sees a similar treatment as the single-vineyard: careful attention in the vineyard, dense plantings with low yields all the way through the long maceration and natural yeast fermentation. This wine is aged in tank for 6 months before release, resulting in a fresh & more forward wine.
Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Rouge Cuvee Les Motelles 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
VinopolNote: Located in Montreuil-Bellay, this vineyard was planted to Cabernet Franc in 1955. The soils here are clay under a layer of sand and gravel. The grapes are grown organically with a local pruning technique known as Guyau Val de Loire. At harvest, the grapes are completely destemmed before macerating for up to two months. The wine is fermented with natural yeasts before being aged for 12 months in 2-3 year old oak barrels.
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Clos Romans Blanc 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 8 year old vines. Soil is sand, clay, and Senonien limestone.”
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 8 year old vines. Soil is clay and active limestone with limestone outcroppings.”Thierry Germain & Michel Chevre Saumur Blanc Le Clos du Moulin 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 80 year old vines. Soil is sand, clay, and Senonien limestone.”
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur L’Echelier Blanc 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Importer note “100% Chenin Blanc from 70 year old vines. Soil is sand, clay, and Turonien Superieur limestone.”
France – Rhone
Matthieu Barret Domaine du Coulet Cornas Billes Noires 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Coming from the upper part of Cornas and seeing 24 months in 400-500 Liter barrels (none new), the 2012 Cornas Domaine du Coulet Billes Noires is an incredible effort that’s up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Its inky purple color is followed by an awesome bouquet of cassis, bacon fat, olive, peppered meat and iron, with additional minerality coming through with air. Classic in every way, with full-bodied richness, stunning purity and integrated acidity, it’s a big, brooding and concentrated effort that’s reasonably approachable now due to its fruit and texture, yet won’t hit prime time until 6-7 years after the vintage and will have two decades of longevity.”
Matthieu Barret Domaine du Coulet Cornas Brise Cailloux 2012 750ML ($69.95) $41.90 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “More elegant and streamlined than the meaty, concentrated Billes Noires, the 2012 Cornas Brise Cailloux has a beautiful perfume of peppery herbs, beef blood, crushed rock and sweet dark fruits. Rounded, rich and layered, with serious minerality as well, enjoy this medium to full-bodied, lengthy and beautifully put together Cornas over the coming decade.”
Rayas Chateau des Tours Vacqueyras Reserve 2006 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Light, bright red. Sexy, high-pitched aromas of candied red berries, potpourri and Asian spices, along with a subtle smoky topnote. Juicy, focused and pure, offering vibrant raspberry and cherry flavors that show surprising depth. This lithe wine packs a serious punch and finishes with gentle tannins and lingering sweetness.”
Rayas Chateau des Tours Vacqueyras Reserve 2007 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Robert Parker 92 points “Perhaps the finest Vacqueyras Des Tours has produced since the 1989 and 1990 is the 2007. This powerhouse boasts stunning levels of kirsch, garrigue, pepper and framboise, a big, full-bodied mouthfeel and super freshness, purity and overall equilibrium. It will benefit from another several years of bottle age and keep for 12-15 years. At his home estate, Emmanuel Reynaud (who has been producing the Rayas wines since 1997) has nearly 100 acres of vineyards from which he makes a wonderful array of value-priced reds and whites.”
Henri Bonneau Les Rouliers, Vin de France 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
VinopolNote: Made from a vineyard worked by Henri Bonneau’s son in the Gard (west of Chateauneuf on the western side of the Rhone River) and so sometimes contains declassified Chateauneuf from Bonneau’s own vineyards. Has all the hallmarks of a great Chateauneuf with astonishing freshness, depth and complexity with a floral spice lift that belies its age. This is a wine that most Chateauneuf producers would be happy to their ‘regular’ Chateauneuf, however this is anything but ‘regular’.
France – Sauternes/ Barsac
Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes 2003 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 97 points “Very, very intense aromas of dried apricot and lemon. Honey, syrup and Golden Delicious. Full-bodied, viscous and very sweet. Pour it on pancakes. Love it. And drink it. Who can wait? Best after 2010.”
Chateau de Myrat, Barsac 2007 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Darker in color than most 2007 Sauternes, showing intense aromas of dried apricot, with toffee notes and an almost smoky character. Full-bodied and very sweet, with a full-blown dried fruit and raisin flavor. Long and superbly rich. Best after 2014.”
Italy – Piedmont
Paolo Saracco Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2015 Moscato d’Asti shows sweet sensations of honey, white flower and citrus. The wine is fresh and buoyant with herbs and chopped sage at the back. Light effervescence adds to the wine’s intensity and momentum. There is enormous softness here with creamy vanilla and tangy orange twist. This is a delicious Moscato d’Asti that is best consumed within the next 12 months.”
Paolo Saracco Pinot Nero, Monferrato 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “I loved the 2013 Piemonte Pinot Nero. This is a fragrant and articulate wine that puts a high priority on freshness and varietal purity. The bouquet delivers vibrant aromas of wild berry, blue violet and candied cherry. The aromas are crisp and absolutely pristine. It’s worth mentioning the cooling menthol notes that wholly complete this very pretty picture. I would suggest a near-term drinking window just because the wine’s inner energy is so irresistible now.”
Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Rennina, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2004 750ML ($199.95) $179 special
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Good deep red. Powerful yet elegant nose shows more berries and minerals and less oak than the Sugarille; this is downright Musigny-like. Then silky, suave and graceful on the palate, with compelling inner-mouth floral perfume and a wonderfully pliant texture. If anything, this wine is even more intense on the suavely tannic, extremely long finish than in the middle, as its underlying minerality gives it outstanding grip and finesse. This is made from a blend of sites while Sugarille is from a single vineyard, but it was this wine that spun my head around when I tasted the two bottles side by side.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points – Cellar Selection “This drop-dead gorgeous Brunello (from Angelo Gaja’s estate in Montalcino) boasts the beauty and charm of a vineyard that is blossoming with quality and intensity of fruit. You’ll get traditional notes of black licorice and cherry liqueur backed by elegant notes of spice and earth”
Spain
La Tercera Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special
Robert Parker 93 points “A sensational Rioja made from 90% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano and 5% Grenache, the 2010 Reserva was aged 30 months in French oak. A classic, traditional Rioja, it exhibits notes of lead pencil shavings, unsmoked cigar tobacco, black cherries, blackcurrants and subtle oak in the background. This dense ruby/plum/purple-colored 2010 is medium-bodied, elegant and pure with a lovely texture and lushness. Already revealing secondary nuances as well as considerable appeal, it should drink well for 4-5 years, possibly longer.”
Olivier Riviere ‘El Cadastro’, Arlanza 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2012 Viñas del Cadastro is a blend of four vineyards in the village of Covarrubias (Burgos), planted with old Tempranillo vines; and as with all old vineyards there are some other varieties interplanted in the field, in this case some 5% Garnacha. 50% of full clusters were used for the vinification in open plastic bins with indigenous yeasts. In 2012, Rivière did a lighter extraction, as the grapes had enough tannins, and what you needed was to get a balanced juice. The different plots were matured in 300- and 600-liter French oak casks separately, then blended after almost two years and kept in vat for five-six months before being bottled. The characteristic of this wine is always a floral, exuberant and expressive nose (a character that Rivière think comes for a plot called La Tizona), but with volume, nice acidity and much finer tannins than in previous vintages, which makes it approachable yet powerful. There are fine spices and something earthy, a little mealy and malty, really showy and expressive. This is an elegant, really impressive Arlanza, drinkable now and with the stuffing, balance and acidity to develop nicely in bottle. This is the finest and better balanced Viñas del Cadastro so far. This is an incredible value for money.”
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2004 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2004 Viña Tondonia Reserva is a completely different story. It is a worthy follower of the 2001, the greatest of the Viña Tondonia Reservas of recent times. It has the usual blend and usual levels of alcohol and acidity, bottled after six years in oak barrels. The nose feels savory (if that’s possible–umami?) and developed, with tertiary aromas and good balance between spices, leathery notes, cherries and balsamic notes of cigar box and incense. The palate is both round and crisp, with refined tannins. It has very good balance with subtle acidity and very good persistence.”
Numanthia Termes, Toro 2012 750ML ($27.95) $16 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Since its inception, Numanthia has never once bottled a disappointing Termes. Aromas of lemon peel and orange rind mix with blackberry and cassis notes. This feels tight and tannic, but structured and appropriate. Dark-berry and chocolate flavors finish tannic but healthy. This is true-to-form Toro.”
Robert Parker 90 points “The 2012 Termes is pure Tinta de Toro (aka Tempranillo) from a number of vineyards on sandy and stony soils aged in 30% new barrels for 12 to 15 months. There are some savory aromas mixing cured meat with the classical Tempranillo black raspberries, and some lactic and spice aromas (cola nut), with hints of granite and licorice. The palate shows good freshness within the ripe and powerful style of the zone; it has good balance between tannins, alcohol and acidity. This is the more drinkable of the three.”
Numanthia Termes, Toro 2013 750ML ($27.95) $16 special
VinopolNote: No reviews yet. 100% Tinta de Toro from sandy and stony vineyards. Aged for 12-15 months in 30% new barrels.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
We offer 81 red Spanish options – available here now! To see the full selection, visit our web store: www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Germany
Weingut Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese** White Kapsule, Mosel 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Compared to the dry Sonnenuhr Spätlese, the dry 2013 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** is significantly more refined and detailed in its subtle, slightly fumy mineral flavors on the nose, but as clear and healthy in its citrus aromatic, which is completed by delicate pineapple flavors. The wine is absolutely elegant and delicate on the palate and the concentration has nothing to do with power or richness here, but with purity, finesse, complexity and length. The mineral or slate taste is remarkably fine and densely woven which gives this Auslese a great elegance and the finish of a world-class Riesling. The finish is not only very persistent but also aromatic, piquant and salty plus full of needles. This is a great wine made for decades and there is perhaps just one competitor in the Mosel and that’s Markus’ own 2013 Auslese ***. ”
Weingut Alfred Merkelbach Kinheimer Rosenberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Terry Theise: “The numbers are the Fuder numbers, to distinguish multiple bottlings, though in this case there’s just one Kin-Ros-Kab. Yet it is known as Fuder number 4 because that’s how intimately these things are known. The wine is perfect; angular, salty, solid yet lissome, piquant and not very sweet, but large-scaled with an impact of slate that doesn’t yield an inch. Wonderful and pure.”
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “An expressive nose of fresh fruits including pineapple, grapefruit and peach leads to a mouth-coating feel on the palate and a lively and energetic structure in the zesty finish. The grapefruit and citrus driven finish is full of freshness and lightness. This is a superb Spätlese in the making. 2023-2035.”
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “This offers a ripe nose of pink grapefruit, yellow peach, pineapple, pear and banana. Ripe expressive fruits lead to a juicy, well-structured and intense spicy wine on the palate. The smooth and long finish delivers dried spices, bergamot and a touch of power in the background. This is quite a powerful Auslese in the making which will be best enjoyed earlier than later. 2020-2030.”
Let them!
We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.
Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.
Vinopolnote: From a miniscule, half-hectare vineyard of clay and limestone soils planted in the late-90’s. Bianco Gentile is an ancient varietal which Arena had discovered and had genetically tested; the wine is rich, complex, tangy, and broad. Salty sea air and peach fruit qualities make for great concentration and a long, lingering finish – this would be fantastic with rich seafood dishes!
Wine Spectator 91 points “A rich and refined white, with concentrated flavors of dried pear, white peach, apricot and guava that are supported by ample acidity. Well-structured, featuring loads of minerality and a lingering, pure-tasting finish. Vermentino. Drink now through 2018.”
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $54.99
Domaine Antoine Arena Patrimonio Grotte di Sole Blanc, Corsica 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $24, Now $21.90, 16 bottles available
Vinopolnote: 100% Vermentinu from a one-hectare vineyard planted sixty years ago in clay-limestone soil. Rich and structured, it’s quintessentially Corsican and deserving of placement alongside the fresh catch of the day!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
For the complete list of December Sale Wines, see the bottom of this newsletter!
Ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but nothing looks cooler on a table or at a party that a big bottle of killer wine. As much as we like to pretend that showing up with a few smaller bottles is also cool, let’s face it—everyone remembers the person who walked in with the bottle that weighed ten pounds. You want to be that person.
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Blanc d’Argile Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne 2012 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special, 8 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Vouette & Sorbée NV (2012) Extra-Brut Blanc d’Argile is superb. Deep, rich and powerful, the 2012 shows just how compelling Champagnes can be. A Champagne of baritone depth and intensity, the 2012 flows effortlessly throughout the mid-palate as the flavors and textures crescendo on the expressive finish. Readers who enjoy rich, vinous Champagnes will adore the 2012.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “This is all about balance and the integration of power and finesse, with finely honed acidity supporting flavors of quince paste, dried black cherry, spun honey and candied orange zest, while rich notes of roasted walnut, coffee liqueur and toasted cardamom resonate on the finish. Hard to stop sipping. Drink now through 2028.” WSKapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 1.5L ($799.95) $699 special, 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2012 1.5L ($799.95) $699 special, 2 magnums available
Robert Parker 98 points “The 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2012 Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard is, once again, flirting with perfection. A stunning nose of chocolate fudge intermixed with coffee bean, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit is intense, and followed by a full-bodied, gorgeously textured, opulent style of wine with stunning richness and purity. This is a brilliant wine and only represents 12% of the production, as only 300 cases were produced. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2012 Roberta’s Reserve (Merlot) is another drop-dead gorgeous wine from Kapcsándy. Mocha, black cherries, plums, licorice and menthol meld together in an effortless, seamless wine endowed with sublime grace and class. Lovely savory and mineral notes support the pliant finish. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of rose petal, blueberry and lemon peel. Full body with firm, silky tannins and a long, flavorful finish. This is tight and precise. A beauty. Made from biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
We offer 103 wines in magnum available here now. To browse our entire inventory visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Shipping Promos:
Welcome to the club, Colorado!
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
–Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
Orin Swift Wines
A Short Wait for These Weighty Wines
Re-Arriving Tomorrow, December 20th
Orin Swift Machete, California 2014 750ML ($49.95) $44 re-arrival special
#6 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2016
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2014 Proprietary Red Blend Machete finished at 15.7% natural alcohol and is a blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache aged 10 months in 40% new French oak. This wine, at 15,500 cases, is telltale opaque bluish/purple with a super nose of barbecue meat and herbs, blackberries, blueberries, white flowers and sweet, dark raspberries in the background. The wine has fabulous texture, great intensity, full-bodied power (15.7%), and a long, long finish. It is a killer effort and like the Abstract, probably best drunk in its first 5-6 years of life because of its charm.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Generous and expressive, big and brawny, offering a mouthful of tannins but also brimming with flavors and aromas, including Earl Grey tea, dark chocolate, dried violet and toasted gingerbread. Rich notes of plum and black cherry are balanced by forest floor and earthy accents, lingering on the long finish. Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2030.”
The average price is $50Arriving Tomorrow, December 20th
Robert Parker 92 points “One of his most popular wines is the creatively packaged 2014 Chardonnay Mannequin. The label alone would draw plenty of interest. This wine, primarily Chardonnay with a few percent of Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Muscat and Roussane, was aged sur lie for nine months in 40% French oak. It is no shy wine at 15.5% alcohol and there is plenty of it – 8,073 cases, which is good because it is a hot-selling wine to say the least. This wine offers notes of brioche, white peach, honeysuckle and citrus oil in a full-bodied intense style, but with terrific acidity and rather restrained oak. The wine is rich, ripe and impressive. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.”
The average price is $30
Orin Swift Abstract Red, California 2015 750ML ($37.95) $27 pre-arrival special
No Reviews For the 2015 Yet
2014 Review– Robert Parker 94 points “The absurdly delicious 2014 Proprietary Red Blend Abstract comes from multiple AVAs: Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Amador and El Dorado and is a blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah aged 10 months in 30% new French oak. This is a beauty and a great price for a wine of this quality. There are 26,547 cases, and the wine has an opaque ruby/purple color, gorgeous nose of creosote, kirsch liqueur and cassis with a touch of licorice, Provençal herbs and pepper. Delicious, full-bodied, unctuously textured, thick and juicy, this mouth-filling, big wine cuts a broad swath across the palate, but is never hot or awkward. Best drunk in its first 5-6 years. It finished at 15.7% natural alcohol.”
Orin Swift Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($119.95) $106.60 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 96 points “A spectacular wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Mercury Head is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Taplin and Morisoli vineyards and several Atlas Peak vineyards, aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. There are 5,461 cases of this wine. The wine is a classic, broad-shouldered, compelling Cabernet Sauvignon with beautiful blueberry and crème de cassis fruit, Christmas fruitcake, cedar wood, white chocolate notes and a hint of graphite and background toast. It is ripe, full-bodied, pure, multidimensional and a mouthful of succulent Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 20+ years.”
The average price is $122
Orin Swift Papillon Red, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 94 points “The 2014 Bordeaux Proprietary Blend Papillion (15,748 cases) was aged 16 months in 40% new French oak. Fairly priced for what the consumer gets, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc (15.1% alcohol) exhibits notes of forest floor, graphite, blackcurrant, blackberry fruit and spring flowers followed by a full-bodied, unctuously textured, deep, rich pure wine to drink over the next 10-15+ years.”
Special and Rare
German Riesling Auction Action
Arriving December 20th
Subscriber Xmas Special
Buy 6-11 bottles – 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles – 10% discount
Discount offer ends December 25th
Subscriber-only discount will not appear in the online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
We’re offering nine wines arriving Tuesday Dec 20. Below is a recently reviewed bottling from Dr. Crusius:
Dr. Crusius Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Beerenauslese Goldkapsel 2015 375ML ($179.95) $159 pre-arrival special, ETA December 20th
Mosel Fine Wines 98 points “Harvested at a full-on 153° Oechsle (i.e. sugar levels technically qualifying for TBA), this auction BA starts off on the primary and discreet side at first before rapidly exhibiting huge finesse, complexity and depth with honeyed notes of apricot, pineapple, mango, vanilla cream and other exotic fruits. The botrytis gives the wine a great exotic, luscious and unctuous texture with plenty of juice, creamy viscosity and smoothness on the palate. The wine is, of course, still very sweet at this stage (it has no less than 229 g/l of residual sugar), but the interplay with some gorgeously playful acidity makes for a superbly clean and focused feel in the long finish. The only drawback of this little masterpiece of a BA is that it is still a good decade away from maturity. Patience is required! 2030-2085.”
Subscriber Xmas Special
Buy 6-11 bottles – 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles – 10% discount
Discount offer ends December 25th
Subscriber-only discount will not appear in the online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
J. Christoffel JrWinery-Cellared Treasures
Arriving Wednesday, December 21st
The world is lucky to have J. Christoffel Jr historic wines for their cellars… but the Christoffel cellar is running dry. We drained many a ’99 and ’04 earlier this year, so now we’re proud to top up our selections with more from a multitude of vintages. Few wines were individually reviewed, so we’ve included the vintage reviews from Wine Spectator as a guide.
Explore the full list below!
1976 Vintage: Wine Spectator 96 points “Ripe, powerful; plenty of botrytis.”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Graacher Domprobst Riesling Beerenauslese 1976 700ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Beerenauslese 1976 700ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
2003 Vintage: Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe, opulent wines; best in Mosel, Nahe and Rheingau. Terrific BA and TBA, though not much botrytis.”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese *** 2003 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese *** 2003 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese *** 2003 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
2005 Vintage: Wine Spectator 98 points “Lush, ripe Rieslings at all quality levels; acidity, though low in some, balances richness in most.”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Beerenauslese 2005 375ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Beerenauslese 2005 750ML ($179.95) $133 pre-arrival special
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese *** 2005 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Joel B. Payne –Vinous 90 points “Pale golden yellow. Smoky aromas of peach pit, honeysuckle and nut oil waft over a hint of brown-spice botrytis. The delicately creamy palate is marked by apricot and exotic spices.Crisp, clean finish balances sweetness with a refreshing citrus acidity.”
2007 Vintage: Wine Spectator 95 points “Classically proportioned, with ripe, complex fruit and mineral flavors; density with elegance.”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese *** 2007 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Joel B. Payne –Vinous 93 points “Pale golden yellow. Rich aromas of pear nectar, mint and sassafras waft over a hint of honeyed botrytis. The decidedly creamy yet delicate palate is marked by apricot, brown spices and mineral salts. Nut oils join the slate on the long finish.”
2009 Vintage: Wine Spectator 97 points “Warm, dry weather at harvest; exceptionally balanced wines, with plenty of pure fruit, minerality and creaminess.”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese *** 2009 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Joel B. Payne –Vinous 92 points “Golden yellow. Rich bouquet of mango, pineapple and nut oil, with a hint of honeyed botrytis. Unctuous apricot flavor shows a flattering creaminess, with elegant minerality providing shape. Deceptively suave finish shows a nice touch of brown spice.”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese *** 2009 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Joel B. Payne –Vinous 92 points “Pale golden yellow. Exalted aromas of papaya, passion fruit and clove. The rich, creamy papaya fruit is laced with a fine saline minerality. Elegant in spite of its depth. But this wine is still quite closed, even austere.”
New Releases
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese ***GK 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 96 points “A Slightly reduced nose of grilled pineapple, citrus and grapefruit gives way to fresh flavors of anise, flowers and coconut. The wine starts off on the compact side of things as ripe and exotic fruits greet one on the palate. The finish proves deliciously creamy and gains in presence and energy as a joyful touch of acidity come through. This is a very delicate and hugely complex Prälat in the making, which only needs to be left alone for more than a decade in order to blossom. 2030-2065.”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese Feinherb 2015 750ML ($34.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This off-dry Riesling was fermented to “only” 8.5% of alcohol and exhibits 29 g/l of residual sugar. The first nose is quite captivating as it offers fresh and zesty flavors of citrus, white peach, flowers, mint and herbs all wrapped up in some spicy fermentation notes and reduction. The wine is light as fresh water and dances on the palate. The whole structure is light and airy. At the moment, the finish is rather smooth and delicate but will gain in precision and depth in a few years’ time. 2020-2035”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese Trocken 2015 750ML ($34.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 89 points “This offers a very fine and nicely perfumed bouquet driven by flowers, vineyard peach, orange blossom and citrus. The palate is full of finesse and smoke with a mouth-coating mid-palate fruity structure. The finish is at first smooth before some refined smoky and herbal flavors come through in the dry after-taste. 2017-2023”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92+ points “A rather restrained nose hints at more than exhibits some delicate flowers, smoke and a touch of toffee at first. The wine develops more presence and intensity on the juicy palate as juicy yellow peach comes through. The finish proves juicy as grapefruit acidity brings focus and adds depth and freshness in the after-taste. There is plenty of upside potential in this Auslese in disguise. 2025-2045”
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese*** GK 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 94 points “This proves very delicate and rather restrained on the nose as scents of anise, yellow peach, smoke (bacon) and bergamot emerge from the glass. The wine only really reveals its intensity and complexity on the palate after some airing. Yet the finish is airy, light and pure. This terrify effort should develop into a great subtle Auslese in a decade or two. 2025-2050.”
Read reviews and browse the full selection of sale wines by searching for “December Sale” on our web store – we’re also happy to talk you through the offerings if you email us at info@vinopoliswineshop.com or call 503-223-6002.
Thank you for reading!