Monday Newsletter 2-23-15

February 23, 2015
Jump Start SaleLarge Format Subscriber Sale
Newsletter Subscribers Only
Limited Time Sale
Buy 4.1/2 – 8.1/2 liters any mix of Magnums or Larger Format Bottles, and we’ll take 5% off
Buy 9+ liters, any mix of Magnums or Larger Format Bottles, and we’ll take 10% off

Sale Ends Wednesday at 11:59 PM, February 26th

Selections from our over 75+ Large Format Bottles


Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear Reserve Napa Valley 2010 1.5 Liter ($399.95) $149 special ($134.10 after 10% discount) 12+ magnums available
Vinopolnotes-
Jack Nicklaus Wines, a line of handcrafted, limited-production wines from California’s famed Napa Valley is a partnership between Terlato Wines and golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his family. The Golden Bear Reserve Commemorative Series was inspired by the 50th anniversary of Jack’s first major championship. Each year for the next 18 years, Nicklaus wines will release a single limited-edition 1.5-liter bottle Napa Valley red blend to celebrate each one of Nicklaus’ major championships. Produced by Terlato Wine Group, each release will be limited to 1,000 bottles and each bottle will be packaged in an individual wooden display box and accompanied by a letter from Jack that includes his reflections on that major victory.Rene Geoffroy Extra Brut 2002 1.5 Liter ($319.95) $279 special ($251.10 after 10% discount) 3 magnums available
Josh Raynolds 94 points
“Light, bright gold. Peach nectar, poached pear, passion fruit, smoky lees and white flowers on the perfumed nose. Chewy orchard and pit fruit flavors are broad and palate-staining, with a late note of Meyer lemon adding lift and cut. Finishes with lingering honey, lees and vanilla notes and excellent clarity.” JR

A. Margaine Blanc De Blancs 2006 1.5 Liter ($159.95) $137 special ($123.30 after 10% discount) 4 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points
“Light gold.  White peach, pear, smoky minerals and buttered toast on the sexy, highly perfumed nose.  At once rich and lithe, with crackling minerality giving lift and verve to the wine’s intense pit and orchard fruit flavors.  Sappy, fine-grained and pure, finishing long and precise, with hints of licorice and iodine.”

Nikolaihof Riesling Vom Stein Smaragd 2010 1.5 Liter ($139.95) $119 special ($107.10 after 10% discount) 2 magnums available
Terry Theise notes:
“Almost rugged and gnarly-that’s ’10 baby. Flowering fields aroma doesn’t specifically signal “Riesling,” but the stretchy sinewy palate scratches that very itch; it’s the sting of mint without the mint of mint.”

JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 2013 1.5 Liter ($149.95) $119 special ($107.10 after 10% discount) 7 magnums available

JL Chave Hermitage Blanc 2011 1.5 Liter ($549.95) $499 special ($449.10 after 10% discount) 3 magnums available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Still a bit reserved aromatically, with hints of orange blossom and crème anglaise peeking out, this features a captivating display of racy quinine, honeysuckle and white peach flavors inlaid into a rich core of brioche, Cavaillon melon, white truffle, smoked almond and heather honey. Incredibly long. Hard to resist now, but ideal for when your toddler graduates college. Best from 2019 through 2030.” WS
Wine Advocate 96 points “Just bottled, the 2011 Hermitage Blanc also shows the richer side of Hermitage with its full-bodied, voluptuously textured and up-front profile. Honeysuckle, licorice, toast, citrus oil and liquid mineral-like qualities all emerge from this beauty, and it stays beautifully fresh and focused on the palate. A blend of mostly Marsanne, yet with roughly 20% Roussanne, from the l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, this substantial white should be consumed over the coming 2-4 years, or forgotten for a decade or more. It will have over two decades of longevity.”

Chester-Kidder Red Columbia Valley 2007 1.5 Liter ($149.95) $119 special ($107.10 after 10% discount)  4 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points
“Medium red.  Lovely Old World earthiness on the nose, along with brown spices and red rose.  Then fresh, suave and layered in the mouth, with enticing floral lift to the dark berry, licorice, mocha and mineral flavors.  This really spreads out to saturate the palate, but with perfume rather than weight.  Finishes very long, with broad tannins, harmonious acidity and hints of mocha and pepper.  A beauty.  Chester-Kidder is the project of resident Long Shadows winemaker Gilles Nicault.”

Kapcsandy Endre Napa Valley 2009 1.5 Liter ($279.95) $159 special ($143.10 after 10% discount) 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 91 points
“The 2009 Endre is a major step up in quality from the 2008 I tasted alongside it. The wine reveals lovely fleshiness and depth in its dark fruit, tobacco and spices. I especially like the way the Endre fleshes out on the finish. The 2009 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.”

Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 1.5 Liter ($249.95) $219 special ($197.10 after 10% discount) 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is big, dark and juicy. There is an element of wildness that runs through the wine. Graphite, licorice, tar and smoke are just some of the nuances that add complexity. The 2006 boasts superb purity from start to finish. Elements of fleshiness give the impression the 2006 might drink well relatively early, until the massive tannins set in. Floral notes add freshness on the finish. This is another fabulous wine from Randy Dunn. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036.”

Noellat Romanee St Vivant Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2007 1.5 Liter ($999.95) $599 special ($539.10 after 10% discount) 3 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points
“Good medium red. Highly perfumed nose combines raspberry, strawberry, cocoa powder, white pepper, blood orange and a resiny headshop spiciness. Pungent, complex and weightless; a wonderfully lively, delicate wine with sneaky intensity and superb penetrating energy and lift. Finishes dry and understated. Suave rather than large. My recorked bottle lost some verve with 24 hours, suggesting that this wine is probably best for mid-term drinking-say, beginning in five years. But that brilliant nose can’t be duplicated anywhere outside the northern C o te de Nuits. Van Canneyt told me he doesn’t consider 2007 to be a great year for this domain and that he prefers the 2008s for their depth of fruit and texture.”

Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetiers Premier Cru 2011 1.5 Liter ($249.95) $119 special ($107.10 after 10% discount) 3 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer 92 (+?) points
“Bright medium red with a palish rim.  Lovely floral lift to the aromas of cherry pit, rose petal, mint and sexy new oak.  Densely packed and silky, offering good size but a light touch.  Red fruit, bitter chocolate, floral and mineral flavors display terrific precision.  Finishes pure, gripping and long, with a firm underpinning of dusty but sweet tannins and a lingering floral quality.  This one should evolve gracefully.”

Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2011 1.5 Liter ($649.95) $499 special ($449.10 after 10% discount) 2 magnums available
Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2011 3LITER ($1799.95) $1399 special ($1,259.10 after 10% discount) 1 double-magnum available
Wine Advocate 96-98 points
“The 2011 Hermitage (also still in barrel), in comparison, is more focused and straight, with a slightly more serious feel to its tannin profile and overall structure. All of the samples (again, tasted in individual components) were beautifully perfumed, with the Les Bessards (which will make up the bulk of the blend) showing surprising density and concentration in a vintage that generally produced more up-front and supple wines. A serious 2011 that will certainly be one of the stars of the vintage, it should be reasonably approachable on release and have an easy two decades of longevity.” WA
Wine Spectator 96 points “A grippy, mouthwatering style, with solid, briary tannins inlaid with finely beaded acidity, all of which meld into the core of anise, blackberry paste and fig sauce flavors. Shows terrific energy on the singed apple wood-filled finish. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2030.”

Usseglio Chateauneuf Du Pape Mon Aieul 2010 1.5 Liter ($249.95) $219 special ($197.10 after 10% discount) 5 magnums available
Robert Parker 97 points
“The 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de Mon Aieul (cropped at 12-16 hectoliters per hectare) comes from the estate’s finest vineyards in the southern part of the appellation (Les Grandes Serres), the eastern sector (the famed La Crau) and the northern sector (Guigasse). The wine is aged primarily in stainless steel tanks with a small percent (less than 20%) kept in 600-liter demi-muids. Despite the 16.5% natural alcohol, there is not a trace of heat in this wine. It is stunningly concentrated with great intensity as well as classic blueberry, peppery, incense, camphor, fig and licorice characteristics. Rich and full-bodied with slightly more freshness than their profound 2007, the 2010 Mon Aieul should age effortlessly for two decades.”

Delas Freres Hermitage Tourette 2009 1.5 Liter ($279.95) $219 special ($197.10 after 10% discount) 8 magnums available
Robert Parker 98 points
“The magnificent 2009 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes boasts a black/purple color as well as a wonderful nose of creosote, incense, charcoal, blackberry jam, acacia flowers, white chocolate and a hint of espresso roast. Full-bodied and unctuously textured with low acidity and magnificent density, this 2009 can be drunk in 5-6 years or cellared for 30-50 years.”

Chateau De Bellevue Lussac St Emilion 1998 3LITER ($219.95) $149 special ($134.10 after 10% discount) 1 double-magnum available
Chateau De Bellevue Lussac St Emilion 1999 3LITER ($219.95) $139 special ($125.10 after 10% discount) 1 double magnum available

Leoville Poyferre Saint Julien 2009 3LITER ($1799.95) $1499 special ($1,349.10 after 10% discount) 6 double magnums available
Robert Parker 100 points “One of the more flamboyant and sumptuous wines of the vintage, this inky/purple-colored St.-Julien reveals thrilling levels of opulence, richness and aromatic pleasures. A soaring bouquet of creme de cassis, charcoal, graphite and spring flowers is followed by a super-concentrated wine with silky tannins, stunning amounts of glycerin, a voluptuous, multilayered mouthfeel and nearly 14% natural alcohol. Displaying fabulous definition for such a big, plump, massive, concentrated effort, I suspect the tannin levels are high even though they are largely concealed by lavish amounts of fruit, glycerin and extract. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040”

Clerico Langhe Rosse Arte 2011 1.5 Liter ($89.95) $69 special ($62.10 after 10% discount) 12+ magnums available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points
“(90% nebbiolo and 10% barbera; aged for 18 months in new French oak):  Good medium red.  Perfumed aromas and flavors of plum, redcurrant, tobacco and spices.  Intense and vibrant, with lovely inner-mouth aromatic lift.  Very classy, delineated wine.”

Vietti Barolo DOCG Brunate 2006 1.5 Liter ($399.95) $319 special ($287.10 after 10% discount) 2 magnums available
Vietti Barolo DOCG Brunate 2006 3LITER ($829.95) $699 special ($629.10 after 10% discount) 1 double-magnum available
Wine Enthusiast 97 points
“Bravo! The Brunate cru has awarded Vietti with a stellar product: a wine that is unusually dark and plush with impressive intensity and crafted aromas of black fruit, spice, earth, licorice, balsam and gianduia chocolate-hazelnut spread. The soft, velvety texture is seductively delicious and the wine will age many long, glorious years.” WE
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Good medium red. Perfumed aromas of camphor, brown spices and menthol. Silky-sweet and aromatic in the mouth, with lovely class and a light touch for a wine with such a plush texture-no doubt due to a mineral element that reminded me of Musigny. Very intensely flavored, suave Brunate with an impressive rising finish. A superb showing: this has the structure for a slow evolution in bottle but the complexity to give it considerable early appeal.”

Giacosa Barolo DOCG Le Rocche Del Falletto 2005 1.5 Liter ($499.95) $419 special ($377.10 after 10% discount) 5 magnums available
Wine Advocate 96+ points, Wine Spectator & Stephen Tanzer 95 points
“The 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto is a massive, towering Barolo loaded with tons of rich, primary fruit. The wine remains powerful, dense and muscular with superb length even if it is a smaller-scaled Barolo compared to previous great vintages. That said, when I came back to the wine after it had been in the glass for an hour or so, I found that the wine had grown remarkably. While the 2005 doesn’t have the explosive personality of the 2004, it remains an awesome achievement in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.”WA

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2009 1.5 Liter ($249.95) $189 special ($170.10 after 10% discount) 6 magnums available
Wine Spectator 96 points
“This gorgeous wine deftly balances polished cassis, dark cherry reduction and blueberry notes on a compact frame. Structured, with silky tannins lining the long finish that lingers on with hints of apple wood, spice box and underbrush. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2014 through 2020.”

There’s more where that came from
To see our full collection of Large Format Bottles
Visit Us In-Store or Online at
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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New Arrival Special Feature
Burgundy Collector’s Corner


William Fevre Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2007 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Burghound 89-92 points –Outstanding
–“This is almost as ripe as the Mont de Milieu with a fruit compote nose that displays a hint of exoticism that merges into extremely rich, full, frank and overtly powerful flavors that possess excellent volume, punch and vivacity on the exceptionally pure and driving finish. The acid backbone is firm and despite the ripeness of the fruit, this finishes quite dry and with a seductive texture.” BHDomaine Buisson-Charles Bouches-Cheres, Meursault Premier Cru 2008 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Burghound 93 points –Sweet Spot Outstanding
–“As elegant as the Goutte d’Or is, the Bouchères goes it one better with its mélange of white peach, spiced pear and dried rose petal aromas that slide gracefully into precise yet quite densely textured flavors that brim with dry extract and superb length. This is an explosive wine that finishes bone dry and manages to combine impressive power with balance and focus. I actually prefer the delivery of this to the Goutte d’Or but at present at least, it doesn’t quite have the same degree of complexity. A qualitative choice but both are worth considering.” BH

Domaine Buisson-Charles Bouches-Cheres, Meursault Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Burghound 93 points –Sweet Spot Outstanding–
“Here the nose is slightly more elegant with a pretty array of saline, citrus, floral and spiced pear aromas that are in keeping with the lightly mineral-inflected, textured and ultra-pure middle weight flavors that culminate in a linear and driving finish. This is extremely dry, indeed it is unusually dry for the vintage and while it will undoubtedly put on weight and flesh as it ages, it could at present pass for a fine Chablis.” BH

Domaine Dupont-Tisserandot Les Cazetieres, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2008 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Spectator 92 points
“A dark, almost brooding red, whose plum, black cherry and black currant fruit is sweet and permeating. Rich and supple, this picks up spice and mineral notes as it glides to the long finish. Best from 2012 through 2024.” WS

Domaine Faiveley Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2002 750ML ($19.95) $179 special
Burghound 93 points
“A moderately expressive nose features just the barest hint of secondary development along with an elegant and softly perfumed mix of earth, underbrush and spice nuances that add breadth to the red and dark pinot fruit aromas. As is usually the case with a fine example of Latricières the minerality is quite pungent and adds even more lift to the vibrant and intense medium-bodied flavors that culminate in a beautifully well-delineated, saline and impressively lingering finish. I very much like this and while it could certainly be drunk now with pleasure, to my taste there is still enough upside potential remaining to recommend waiting a few more years first.” BH

Domaine Henri Gouges Les Vaucrains, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 special
Burghound–Outstanding 93 points
“Extremely primary yet multi-dimensional black fruit and earthy aromas introduce rich, full and massive flavors that are powerful, robust and muscled with so much mid-palate sap that the extremely firm tannic spine is almost, if not completely masked. However, as it always does, the tannins will come out with time and I expect that this will always have a certain chewy quality and will require more than a decade of time in bottle to really begin to round out. Wonderful potential but for the very patient.” BH

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This Week’s New Arrivals


OREGON
Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 750ML ($31.95) $28 special

Wine Spectator“Firm in texture, with fine tannins around a lean core of dark berry and roasted tomato flavors, persisting on the grainy finish. Best from 2017 through 2020.”Andrew Rich Vintner ‘Prelude’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 91 points
“Fresh and expressive, with pretty plum and currant fruit at the core, shaded by hints of cream and spice as the finish lingers delicately. This has presence and delicacy. Drink now through 2022.” WS

WASHINGTON
Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
Winery note
“Smells like: dark fruit, blueberry cobbler, dusty cedar; tastes like: currant, asian spice, black licorice; mouthfeel: perfectly balanced, full-bodied with bright acidity, lengthy finish.”

Reininger Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Chuck Reininger, Winemaker
“Dark ruby red in color with spirited aromatics of black cherry, currant, plum, a suggestion of rose bud and a breath of baking spice. Its lively palate plays with road stand fresh red cherries, black raspberries, figs and black currants, with interplaying telltales of herb, loamy minerals, and graphite. The wine’s vivacious character is perfectly balanced by very fine tannins that extend long into the finish of buoyant cherry fruit.”

CALIFORNIA
Guarachi Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 special

FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Suenen Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne 2007 750ML ($79.95) $59 special

FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Serafin Pere & Fils Les Baudes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($199.95) $149 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points
“The 2009 Les Baudes flows across the palate with ripe red cherries, flowers and spices, showing remarkable depth and precision. This is a firm, structured style of Chambolle that needs at least a few more years in bottle. Insistent tannins frame the long, explosive finish. The Baudes should be a jewel once the tannins melt away a touch and the fruit begins to emerge.” AG

Serafin Pere & Fils Les Corbeaux, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 91-93 points
“The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Corbeaux comes from 0.45-hectares of vines planted in 1968 by Christian’s father adjacent to Mazis-Chambertin. It has a precocious bouquet compared to the Vieilles Vignes, with scents of mulberry, dark plum and luscious black fruit that are tightly controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly grainy entry. This is showing the oak a little more than the Vieilles Vignes at the moment, but there is sufficient concentration to absorb that with time. The linear finish, crisp and taut, bodes well for the future.” WA

FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Daniel Bouland Chiroubles 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
John Gilman 92+ points 
“Daniel Bouland is rightly recognized for the outstanding quality of his Morgon bottlings, but his Chiroubles is one of the finest examples produced from this lovely appellation and the 2013 is stellar. The bouquet is a complex and vibrant red fruity mélange of sappy cherries, quince, violets, a touch bonfire, orange peel and a pure and classy signature of soil tones. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and tangy, with a sappy core, just a touch of tannin, bright acids and outstanding focus and grip on the very, very long and very transparent finish. This is great juice! 2014-2030.” JG

FRANCE-LOIRE
Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Cote 2012 750ML ($49.95) $38 special
Joel B. Payne 92 points (International Wine Cellar)
: “[$53 list] Pale yellow color. Inviting aromas of nectarine, lime zest and white flowers. Juicy and taut, with a vibrant herbal acidity and a distinctly saline character. Sweet notes of pear, ginger and iodine emerge on the back palate. Finishes with excellent clarity and depth and noteworthy stony persistence. This is the most immediately appealing of the four single-vineyard bottlings in 2012.”

FRANCE-RHONE
Domaine Alary Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Domaine Alary Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 90 points
“The Grenache dominated 2012 Cairanne Vieilles Vignes (which also incorporates some Carignan and Syrah) spent 12 months in concrete tanks prior to bottling. It’s another outstanding effort and offers loads of currants, leather, licorice and herbed meat aromas and flavors, with the Carignan component showing more and more with air. Medium-bodied, nicely concentrated and with notable tannin, drink it through 2020.” WA

FRANCE-OTHER
Domaine de la Ramaye Le Grand Tertre, Gaillac 2010 750ML ($41.95) $36 special

75 % Prunelard and 25 % Braucol

ITALY-TUSCANY
Avignonesi Rosso di Montepulciano 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Antonio Galloni 90 points
“(96% sangiovese and 4% other varieties): Bright medium red. High-pitched aromas of red cherry, peppermint, licorice and fresh herbs, plus a whiff of minerality. Juicy, spicy and lean, with almost tart acidity providing precision to the flavors of red cherry, raspberry and mint. Not a fleshy wine but boasts lovely vibrancy and easy quaffability. It’s really not quite complex or layered enough for an outstanding score, but it’s so irresistible I’ll be generous. And the price is a winner too.” ID

Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT 2008 750ML ($299.95) $179 special
Antonio Galloni 96 points
“The 2008 Redigaffi is impeccable in its elegance and polish. Dark cherries, licorice, espresso and mocha meld together beautifully in this textured, fleshy wine. Despite its sophisticated personality, there is plenty of tannin lurking underneath to provide support. This is a beautifully round, opulent, yet impeccably balanced wine of the highest level. Smoke, minerals, licorice and tar wrap around the intense finish. Redigaffi remains a unique and powerful expression of Merlot from the Tuscan coast. ”
Wine Spectator 94 points “A flamboyant wine that reminds me of California, with lots of ripe berries and toasty oak. Full and opulent, with raspberry sauce and coconut oak flavors. Needs time to come together. Pure Merlot. Best after 2013. ”
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “(100% merlot) Bright, deep ruby. Exhilarating nose combines wild berries, smoky plum, sage and flowers. Wonderfully dense and sweet, with a captivating light touch to the flavors of ripe black and red fruits, coffee and sweet spices. The wine’s oak-derived vanilla is a bit more present today than in most young vintages of Redigaffi, but the terrific core of ripe acidity really extends the finish and contributes lift. The tannins are extremely smooth and fine-grained. Much less herbal than the ’07, this is a great vintage for Redigaffi.”

Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($129.95) $109 special
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT 2011 1.5L ($299.95) $239 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points
“A vivid, beautiful wine, the 2011 Pergole Torte is superb. Warm, early-maturing harvests often attenuate the differences between sites, but not here. The old vines weathered the heat better, resulting in a wine that is very much in line with the past, but with more body, amplitude and resonance. Rose petals, bright red stone fruits and mint are some of the many notes that grace the super-expressive finish. The 2011 spent one year in French oak barrels and a second year in cask.” AG

ITALY-SICILY
Masseria Setteporte Etna Rosso 2012 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Importer note
“(95% Nerello Mascalese/5% Nerello Cappuccio) The fruit was macerated for five days before fermentation and again for 2-3 days post-fermentation with pump overs. The wine matured for eight months in French oak and six months in bottle.”

AUSTRIA
Weingut Leo Alzinger Durnsteiner Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2013 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Terry Theise notes: “A soft-voiced murmur draws you into its cool green poetry; every sweet green leaf, like mid-winter spinach when it’s frost-bitten and the leaves are incredibly sweet; grows more expressive and determined as it sits in the glass; an exegesis of chlorophyll.  If you’re evaluating or “scoring” this wine, humor me a second. Pour it, taste it and score it, and leave the rest in the glass. Ten minutes later taste it and score it again. If you’re a 100-pointer I guarantee you’ll have five points more with that second sip.”

Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Smaragd Gruner Veltliner, Wachau 2010 1.5L ($149.95) $89 special

Weingut Bernhard Ott ‘Am Berg’ Gruner Veltliner, Wagram 2013 750ML $24.95) $18 special
Terry Theise notes: “Core List Wine. Bernhard’s entry-level GV is ludicrously good in 2013, partly because of the vintage but also because he controlled all the grape-sellers vineyards for the first time, and picked them by hand with his own team. It’s sensationally juicy and rich, not in ripeness but in substance. I found I couldn’t spit it, however manfully I tried.”

Weingut Bernhard Ott Fass 4 Gruner Veltliner, Wagram2013 750ML ($34.95) $27 special
Terry Theise notes
: “Salty and herbal pork crackling or the skin of the roast; rose hips and rhubarb; the plus is for sheer torque and force, and the wine has the absurd happiness of a great rock song.”

Weingut Bernhard Ott Engabrunner Stein Gruner Veltliner Erste OTW Lage, Wagram 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 91 points
“The Engabrunner 2013 Grüner Veltliner Stein is Ott’s one and only Veltliner from the adjacent Kamptal. It comes from terraces on gravel and gneiss soils which are covered by a big loess layer and bewitches with very ripe aromas of apples and stone fruits highlighted by fresh and delicately mineral and herbal flavors. The palate is intense and elegant, very juicy and stimulatingly salty what makes this full-bodied ad powerful Stein a harmonious and well balanced Veltliner which is already accessible but can be drunk for the eight years.”

AUSTRALIA
John Duval Wines Entity Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2012 750ML ($39.95) $36 special
Decanter Magazine 96 points
“Australia’s best reds–from the superlative 2012 vintage: For me, the best edition of this well-crafted Shiraz. The nose is ripe and mellow, with layers of rich blackberry and plum. There’s a wealth of spice and soulful, earthy depth and a smoky, tarry edge too. The palate is smoothly honed, with a dense mid-palate that offers bright blackberry and plum flavours. Deceptively sturdy tannins carry hauntingly throughout and merit considerable cellaring if you can manage to keep your hands off it.” DM


Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25

These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.

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Lopez de Heredia Rioja
Arriving June 2015

“Perhaps no winery in the world guards it’s traditions as proudly and steadfastly as López de Heredia does,…it is paradoxically a winery in the vanguard, its viticulture and wine-making a shining, visionary example for young, forward-thinking producers all over the world…At López de Heredia, there is serenity that comes with adherence to core principles…”
– Eric Asimov
Bosconia Vineyard
The Lopez de Heredia estate was founded by Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta in the 19th century.  He was inspired by French negociants that were visiting the region looking for alternative sources of grapes during the phylloxera epidemic.  The winery he designed and constructed is the oldest in Haro, the center for winemaking in the Rioja Alta.  Today, the winery is operated by his great-granddaughters Maria José and Mercedes Lopez de Heredia with the assistance of their father, Pedro and brother, Julio César.  It is well-respected for its traditional winemaking and its lengthy ageing of both its reds and whites.  In a region where Gran Reserva wines can be released after six years, Lopez de Heredia sets a high standard by oak ageing its wines for eight before cellaring in their high humidity cellars for almost a decade more.  The result is wines of exquisite complexity, maturity, and ability to drink upon release or age longer at a fraction of the price of other classic wine regions.
The family is proud of their history of exclusively using their own estate-grown grapes from traditionally farmed vineyards untouched by modern machinery or chemicals.  Today, they four vineyards: Viña Tondonia, Viña Cubillo, Viña Bosconia (El Bosque) and Viña Gravonia (Zaconia).  Many of their vines date back to the period of replanting after phylloxera hit Spain in the beginning of the 20th century.  They are in the traditional bush shape that produces low yields and protects against wind damage.  Their most famous vineyard, Viña Tondonia, was founded in 1913 by Don Rafeal.  It is on the right bank of the Ebro River in a shell-like depression and produces silky and elegant wines.  Viña Bosconia produces richer wines with more earthiness and power, which are typically aged for one less year in wood.All of the estate’s red and whites wines are fermented in cask before they undergo extended oak ageing in Bordeaux barrels.  The oak flavor is integrated into the wine and softened during the lengthy bottle ageing.  All of the wines are aged in bottle for extended periods in their cellar that is naturally temperature controlled and high in humidity, which is regulated by the naturally occurring mold.

We are pleased to present several of their unique and well-aged wines for your enjoyment. 
Newest Releases: Arriving June 2015
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2003 750ML ($47.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Case-12 R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2003 ($499.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2004 750ML ($47.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points

“The 2004 Vina Bosconia Reserva is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the remaining 5% Mazuelo and Graciano aged for five years in used barrels, racked twice per year and fined with egg whites before being bottled unfiltered. Dark ruby-colored, with notes of beef blood, iron, antique shop, incense, blood orange and a touch of volatile acidity, the palate is very fresh, with good concentration, clear flavors and enough grip and fruit to age gracefully. A perfumed and feminine great Rioja. The Bosconia vineyard wines are the only ones from Lopez de Heredia bottled in Burgundy bottles. Drink now-2024.” WA

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Flash Sales

The Lowest Listed Prices in the USA!
All In Stock and Available Here Now

Limited to Stock Onhand
Sale Ends Wednesday at 11:59 PM, February 26th


Benoit Lahaye Brut Essentiel Grand Cru NV 750ML ($69.95) $49 special 22 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points
“(90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, from Bouzy and Ambonnay; 6 g/l dosage): Pale yellow-gold. Ripe Meyer lemon and strawberry aromas are complemented by suggestions of toasted brioche and anise. Sappy and precise on the palate, offering vibrant red berry and blood orange flavors that are given spine and lift by a zesty mineral quality. Closes minerally and long, with a sexy floral note lingering. Eighty percent of this fruit came from Ambonnay and the rest from Bouzy.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is over 25% higher at $63 / bottle

JJ Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Spatlese 2008 750ML ($49.95) $33 special 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 92 points
“Lime, mint, and dark cherry village-typically dominate the Prum 2008 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese, with impingements of orange zest, fresh ginger, and wet stone adding further interest on a palate that manages in 2008-specific fashion to both sooth and invigorate. This finishes with an intensity that goes beyond that of the corresponding Kabinett, yet preserves the same sense of uncanny buoyancy. Look for three decades of satisfying evolution here.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The next best listed price is $42.99 / bottle

Forman Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008 750ml ($89.95) $59 special 33 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Tightly wound, firm, dense and concentrated, with a core of dark berry, plum, roasted herb, game meat, graphite, road tar and lead pencil, ending with chewy tannins. Should reward cellaring. Best from 2012 through 2022.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The next best listed price is $79.99 / bottle
The average listed price is over 45% higher at $86 / bottle
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Staff Picks

Lassaigne Le Cotet Blanc De Blancs NV 750ML ($79.95) $69 special 9 bottles available
“This Extra Brut from Lasasigne does not lack for vigor. A rich beginning, with biscuit and almond aromas and a slight buttery quality, that finishes with a lingering chalky-ness. Full and expressive aromas and body make this an excellent sipper, and a slightly vinous quality that would pair well with any appetizers.”
-Afton
Grands Bois Cairanne Maximilian 2012 750ML($21.95) $18 special 3+ cases available
“The Domain originally established in 1920, however, Mireille Besnardeau, a descendent of the original owners, bought the domain in 1994. Primarily Grenache (50%), 35% Mourvedre, and 25% Syrah. Very approachable with ripe dark fruit, some cassis and hints of iron based minerality, and soft, balanced tannins. Nice finish and well balanced. Great price @ $18, or buy a case for $189, for a price of $15.75!”
-Troy
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What a difference a year makes
Vintage Champagne

Vintage Champagne is a beautiful rarity. A “Vintage” Champagne is when 100% of the grapes come from one particular Vintage (year), but that is only the beginning of what makes Vintage Champagne stand out from its blended counterpart. Often only made three to four times in every decade, producers themselves declare the vintage for the house (there is no “regional announcement” or vintage decree), further guaranteeing their product. In great vintages you
will see a vintage from almost every house, even rarer still are those houses that, even on “off” vintages such as 2003, will have escaped the bad weather and produced a product worthy of vintage designation.Producer guarantee is not the only reason to be confident in the quality of these aged wines. As the Champagne houses don’t release them until they’ve aged properly, you can expect a richer, more complex style. Vintage Champagne must spend a minimum three years on its lees whereas some of the premier champagne houses keep their wines for upwards of five to ten years. In order to successfully tolerate such aging, vintage Champagne starts out its life with more stuffing. The base wine is always made, not only from grapes raised in a particularly fine season, but also from those of higher-quality, better-tended vineyards and sites. All of this — the better beginning, the longer aging — conspires to create a wine that sports more nuance, greater layering of flavor, increased complexity and greater aging potential than non-vintage Champagne. If you’re looking to celebrate a particular year, or if you have a penchant for richer-style fizz, then vintage Champagne is the answer.

Below is a Selection of Vintage Champagnes Currently in Stock Now
To see our full collection of over 50 different vintage Champagnes
Visit us in-store or online
at
www.vinopoliswineshop.com

Fleury Brut Nature Symphonie D’europe 1990 1.5 Liter ($379.95) $299 special 3 magnums available (and a 5%-10% discount under the terms of our large format sale)
Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 1990 Extra Brut Symphonie d’Europe (Pinot Noir) opens with the most extraordinary bouquet. Smoke, graphite, apricot jam and honeysuckle all burst from the glass. Floral notes develop later, adding lift and freshness, but this remains a rich, full-bodied wine endowed with stunning power and plenty of unbridled intensity. Honey, almonds and flowers are some of the many nuances that are wrapped into the layered, textured finish. This is yet another great showing from Fleury.”

Alfred Gratien Millesime 1997 750ML ($199.95) $149 special 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points
“Gratien’s 1997 Brut Millesime impresses for its direct, frank personality and huge fruit. An infant today, the 1997 is surprising for its youth. The aromas and flavors remain quite primary in this rich, vibrant Champagne. Frankly, I am amazed the 1997 is so backward. I would never have expected it. Readers should drink the 1999 and 1998 before looking to the 1997 for pleasure. I can’t wait to see how the 1997 develops. Today it is flat-out striking. The 1997 is 66% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2025. ”

Alfred Gratien Millesime 1998 750ML ($199.95) $159 special 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points
“A relatively rich, broad shouldered wine, the 1998 Brut Millesime is showing beautifully. Here the aromas and flavors have begun to develop the early hints of tertiary complexity, making the 1998 a great choice for drinking today. Suggestions of white truffles, apricot jam, hazelnuts, hard candy and dried flowers wrap around the gorgeous, striking finish. The 1998 is 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.”

Dom Perignon Plenitude P2 1998 750ML ($399.95) $299 special 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 98 points
“Offers precision and finely detailed form, powered by an expansive palate of flavor. The layers of ripe crushed blackberry and glazed apricot fruit complement the saline-tinged minerality and oyster shell notes, graced by hints of pastry, honeycomb and exotic spice. Mouthwatering and persistent on the zesty finish. Drink now through 2030.” WS
James Suckling 97 points “A P2 release indicating it has been matured to the 2nd Plenitude, the middle stage of Dom Perignon’s three-phase life as defined by Richard Geoffroy. This is a wine with some real tension between complexity and freshness that makes for incredibly engaging drinking. The nose offers up a little white peppery edge from the pinot; oyster shell saline freshness, red florals, sweet smelling woody spices and brioche, spiced biscuits and subtle roasted coffee notes – impressively complex. The phenolics register on the palate as a discreetly mineral, saline character, there’s sorbet-like texture through the middle before finishing with comet-like line and length.”

Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rose 1998 750ML ($319.95) $219 special 6 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Exotic notes of toasted coconut and rum spice accent this fresh and elegant rosé, while flavors of macerated cherry and plum, pastry and pomegranate ride the delicate texture. Graceful, with a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2020.”

Dom Perignon 1999 750ML ($219.95) $189 special 17 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer & Antonio Galloni 93 points
“Green-tinted gold. Tightly wound lime and pink grapefruit aromas open slowly to reveal a gently smoky mineral and floral character, with a light kiss of green cardamom adding interest. Very fresh on the palate, with youthful citrus and green apple flavors giving way to slightly riper blood orange and pear. Finishes firm and dry, with serious grip. This only hints at its potential, and I’d advise anyone drinking it for what’s in the bottle rather than on the label to stash it away for at least another five years, minimum.”

Deutz Cuvee William Deutz 2000 750ML ($145.95) $99 special 34 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points
“Deutz’s top cuvée is as good as ever. Bottle aging has helped it to throw off its youthful awakwardness and develop a rounded, ripe style that is now a pleasure to drink. Pear and apricot flavors are still vibrant, along with a hint of toast. Finely structured and elegant, it’s wonderful to drink now, but it will be good at least until 2018. ”

Philipponnat Clos Des Goisses Brut 2000 750ML ($219.95) $189 special 2 bottles available
Gilbert & Gaillard 99 points
“Deep gold. Intense nose deploying notes of stone fruits, dried fruits and toasted undercurrents after swirling. The palate combines abundant fullness, vinosity and magnificent freshness. Already nicely open, this 2000 is at its peak. Excellent.”

Philipponnat Clos Des Goisses Brut 2002 750ML ($279.95) $249 special 2 bottles available
John Gilman 97 points, Wine Advocate 96 points
“The flagship 2002 Brut Clos des Goisses is simply stunning in this vintage. Seamless, ripe and beguiling, the 2002 is pure harmony in the glass. Dried pears, apricots, flowers, red berries and spices are some of the many notes that inform this towering, aristocratic wine. At once vertical yet endowed with serious length, the 2002 stands out for its breathtaking balance and overall sense of harmony. Layers of fruit built to the huge, creamy finish. This is a great showing from Philipponnat.” WA

Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut 2002 750ML ($399.95) $333 special 7 bottles available
James Suckling 99 points
“Super fresh, this is striking given the 10 years in the cellars; it has a fine citrus nose – plenty of lemon, grapefruit, yellow chalky notes, some lighter floral elements too. The palate is super dry (dosage at 3-4g) and there’s a silky, sherbet-like texture, smooth, fine and long. The citrus flavours give way to the driving surging acidity, thunderous acidity, really driving and powerful. The finish twists very slowly through to light-toasted cashew fruit flavours, but lemon citrus prevails. This is thrilling Champagne.”

Deutz Cuvee William Deutz 2002 750ML ($149.95) $119 special 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Sleek and elegant, with a fine, creamy bead supporting flavors of blackberry pie, clover honey, ground cardamom and glazed apricot. A smoke-tinged, minerally underpinning echoes on the finish. Drink now through 2027.”

Pol Roger Brut Sir Winston Churchill 2002 750ML ($279.95) $249 special 18 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous Media 94 points
“Light yellow-gold. Deeply pitched aromas of poached pear, fresh fig, orange custard and honey, with smoky mineral and buttered toast nuances adding complexity. Stains the palate with ripe citrus and orchard fruit flavors that are given spine and focus by juicy acidity. Closes taut, sappy and extremely long, with an echo of toastiness and wonderful clarity. All Grand Cru fruit.”

Dom Perignon Rose Brut 2003 750ML ($349.95) $219 special 14 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points
“The whole is greater than the sum of the parts in this harmonious version. A delicate bead caresses the mouth, while flavors of currant pâte de fruit, dried apricot, pastry and pickled ginger expand on the palate. Subtly floral, with a fine frame of acidity driving this to the mouthwatering finish of smoky mineral and dried fruit. Drink now through 2030.”

Fleury Champagne Brut Cepages Blanc 2004 750ml ($99.95) $89 special 26 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points
“Another gorgeous wine, the 2004 Brut Cepages Blancs (Chardonnay) is stunningly beautiful. Rich, deep and layered, the 2004 comes alive in the glass. Lemon, dried flowers and hazelnuts wrap around the palate as this complex, utterly beguiling wine shows off its considerable personality and pedigree. Chalky notes frame the finish. This is without question one of the very best wines I have ever tasted from Fleury.”

Dom Perignon Metamorphosis Brut 2004 750ML ($219.95) $149 special 25 bottles available
Iris Van Herpen Edition, Antonio Galloni 96 points
“The 2004 Dom Pérignon continues to develop beautifully. A vibrant, focused Champagne, the 2004 clearly reflects the personality of the year. Freshly cut flowers, white peaches and pears are woven together in a Champagne that impresses for its focus and energy. Chiseled saline note support the crystalline finish. I imagine the 2004 will always remain relatively bright and linear, but at the same time, each time I have tasted it over the last two years the 2004 seems to have a little more body and broader shoulders. The 2004 will appeal most to readers who find the 2002 and 2003 too exuberant. There is a lot to like in the glass.”

Jacquesson Brut Dizy Corne Bautray 2004 750ML ($279.95) $219 special 4 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points
“The 2004 Brut Dizy Corne Bautray is remarkable for many reasons. One of those is just how vivid the flavors are. An utterly seamless wine, the 2004 Corne Bautray impresses for its exceptional overall balance. Almonds, lemon oil, chalk, sage and light pastry notes develop as this utterly beguiling Champagne shows off its superb pedigree. The 2004 was bottled with no dosage, but that isn’t even evident in the least. A wine of notable vibrancy and energy, the 2004 is a wine built on focus and persistence.”

Philipponnat Clos Des Goisses Brut 2004 750ML ($279.95) $219 special 10 bottles available
John Gilman 95+ points
“The 2004 Clos des Goisses is one of the very few vintages here that has undergone malolactic fermentation, as the wine undertook this decision on its own, and the malo took place in bottle while the wine was resting on its lees and awaiting its dosage for the secondary fermentation. Given the raciness of the 2004 vintage in general, the full malo here is hardly to be noticed, and without Charles Philipponnat having told me about this, I doubt that I would have ever noticed. The wine has opened up a bit since I last tasted it at the domaine at the end of March, and this is destined to be a great vintage of Clos des Goisses in the fullness of time. The superb bouquet shows off outstanding depth and nascent complexity in its constellation of apple, tart orange, a touch of cranberry, complex, youthful minerality, plenty of smokiness and early signs of the wine’s classic nuttiness already emerging in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with outstanding focus and grip, very refined mousse and simply superb length on the poised and perfectly balanced finish. I did not know 2004’s telltale touch of herbacité here in New York that I noted in Mareuil in March, and I now think that this element was more a function of its relatively recent disgorgement (only four months previous when I first tasted it), rather than a signature in this vintage of Clos des Goisses. This will be a great wine. 2020-2070.”

Taittinger Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes De Champagne 2005 750ML ($179.95) $149 special 12 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points
“With just a touch of bottle age giving a toasty character, this impressive wine is already showing some maturity. That said, the apple and citrus character, the mineral tight texture and crisp acidity promise some aging. The wine conveys a sense of elegance, intensity and richness. Drink now, but the wine will also age.” WE
Wine Spectator 94 points “Shows lovely balance, with a chinalike backbone of acidity, finely meshed with a creamy mousse and rich and toasty flavors of roasted hazelnut, creamed apple, lemon parfait and spun honey. A vein of smoky minerality echoes on the finish. Drink now through 2028.”

Vilmart Coeur De Cuvee Brut 2005 750ML ($179.95) $119 special 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer & Wine Advocate 93 points
“(made from a blend of 80% chardonnay and 20% pinot noir; aged on its less for 78 months and disgorged in December 2012):  Bright yellow.  Sexy, smoke-tinged aromas of ripe citrus fruits, poached pear and candied ginger.  Spicy, penetrating and pure, offering intense Meyer lemon and bitter pear skin flavors plus hints of honeysuckle and chamomile.  Shows impressive urgency and focus on the finish, with the floral note echoing.” ST

Vilmart Coeur De Cuvee Brut 2006 750ML ($179.95) $129 special 2 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points
“Explosive and powerful to the core, Vilmart’s 2006 Brut Coeur de Cuvée is once again superb. Rich, textured flavors abound in a Champagne that impresses for its resonance and depth. The flavor profile leans very much towards the brighter, Chardonnay side of the spectrum, while the Pinot is felt in the wine’s pliancy and overall depth. Readers who can find the 2006 are in for a real treat. This is a dazzling showing from Vilmart. The Coeur de Cuvée is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot from Les Blanches Voies Hautes in Rilly-la-Montagne”

JL Vergnon Extra Brut Expression Blanc de Blancs 2006 750ML ($79.95) $69 special 24 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points
“Vivid yellow.  Mineral-driven pear skin, jasmine and anise scents are given depth and power by notes of yellow plum and buttered toast.  The palate offers intense, deeply concentrated citrus and orchard fruit flavors, with suggestions of brioche and orange pith gaining strength with air.  The mineral quality adds definition to the finish, which clings with excellent persistence and a lingering floral quality.”

Christophe Mignon Brut Nature Pur Meunier 2006 750ml ($79.95) $59 special 3+ cases available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points
“Pale onion skin color. Musky aromas of yellow plum, blood orange and nectarine, with toast and sweet butter accents building with air. Lush and expansive on the palate, offering ripe orchard and pit fruit flavors that develop a honeyed character with air. A touch of bitter orange zest adds bite to the long, smoky finish, which shows impressive energy and cut.”

Deutz Blanc De Blancs 2007 750ML ($84.95) $69 special 6 bottles available
Deutz Blanc De Blancs 2007 1.5 Liter ($159.95) $139 special 2 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points
“Light, bright straw.  Lemon zest, green apple and chalky minerals on the fragrant nose.  Dry and precise, offering energetic citrus and orchard fruit flavors that pick up anise and honeysuckle nuances with air.  Closes stony and long, with lingering floral and iodine notes.”

JL Vergnon Extra Brut Confidence Blanc de Blancs 2008 750ML ($119.95) $99 special 12 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous Media 93 points
“Light yellow. Lively aromas of orange zest, pear and nectarine, with suave mineral and floral qualities adding complexity. Racy and precise on the palate, offering vivid citrus and orchard fruit flavors braced by chalky minerals and a hint of white pepper. Becomes deeper toward the finish, with the mineral element gaining strength and adding cut to a lingering note of bitter pear skin.”

Jean Milan Terres Noel VV Brut Blanc de Blancs 2009 750ML ($99.95) $75 special 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points
“(made from a single plot of 72-year-old vines and aged for around 40 months on its lees; disgorged June, 2013):  Light yellow-gold.  Highly perfumed lemon, orange and toasted nut scents are complicated by a suave floral quality.  Smoky and dry, offering intense lemon pith, orange and buttered toast flavors and a hint of hazelnut.  Becomes creamier with air and finishes with excellent clarity and smoky persistence.”

Vilmart Brut Grand Cellier D’or 2009 750ML ($99.95) $79 special 12 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous Media 93 points
“Green-tinged straw. Pungent, mineral-laced aromas of fresh pear, honey, jasmine and anise. Densely packed orchard and citrus fruit flavors are sharpened by a jolt of zesty minerality, picking up iodine and leesy elements with aeration. Refreshingly bitter and focused on the finish, with the mineral and floral notes repeating.” JR

Vilmart Grand Cellier D’or Rubis Brut 2009 750ML ($179.95) $149 special 14 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous Media 95 points, Antonio Galloni 94 points
“Bright orange. Racy, mineral-accented aromas of strawberry, blood orange and tea rose, plus a subtle note of toasty lees. Bitter berry skin and citrus pith flavors give way to deeper raspberry in the middle, with chalky minerality adding spine and cut. Dry, focused and concentrated, finishing with superb power and length and lingering mineral and floral notes.” JR

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Arriving Soon!

Arriving Thursday Feb 26
T. Liger Belair Nuits Les Saint Georges 2012 750ML($179.95) $159 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points
“(just 11 barrels produced from two hectares in 2012; vinified with 20% whole clusters and aging in 45% new oak): Good deep red. Slightly reduced aromas of black and red fruits, leather and minerals. Dense and thick, with terrific sappy intensity and complex soil character. At another level of complexity in the way it combines deeply pitched earth tones and high-pitched flowers and minerals. Wonderfully tactile wine with an explosive finish. This was the last to finish its malolactic fermentation, at the end of September. Liger-Belair is one of the leaders of an ongoing effort to have this vineyard elevated to grand cru status, and this wine could make his point.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The next best listed price is $174.95 / bottle
The average price is $185 / bottle

T. Liger Belair Richebourg 2012 750ML ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95-97 points
“A drop-dead gorgeous beauty, the 2012 Richebourg takes hold of all the senses with a kaleidoscope of aromas and flavors that is truly breathtaking. This is a gracious Richebourg that adds considerable finesse to all of the structure one expects to find. Violets, cloves, new leather and black fruit are all supported by veins of cool, incisive minerality. The flavors are intense and resonant, with tons of mineral drive and pure energy. What a magnificent wine this is. Liger-Belair vinified the Richebourg with fully destemmed fruit.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The next best listed price is $541.69 / bottle
The average listed price is $576 / bottle
Arriving Friday Feb 27
Montes Folly Syrah 2005 750ML ($79.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Dense and layered, with lots of fig, black currant paste, mocha and black licorice flavors, all supported by a muscular structure. The long, dark finish has lots of power in reserve, but shows fine harmony already. The best-balanced vintage so far of this powerful Syrah. Drink now through 2013.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is $77 / bottle

Montes Folly Syrah 2006 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 2006 Folly is a world class Syrah (not only because of the superb Ralph Steadman label). It is sourced from a ridiculously steep vineyard in Apalta and aged for 18 months in new French oak. Inky black in color, it reveals a super-expressive nose of toasty new oak, pepper, lavender, game, incense, and blueberry. Voluptuous on the palate but not heavy, it has gobs of sweet fruit, layers of flavor, a firm structure, and 5-7 years of aging potential. Drink this impeccably balanced, lengthy effort from 2015 to 2026.” WA
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich and lush, but with superb poise, this offers a huge core of crushed plum, raspberry ganache and macerated currant fruit that easily absorbs its dark, coffee-tinged toast and muscular, loamy undertow. The finish is powerful, but well-knit. Should age nicely. Syrah. Best from 2010 through 2014.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is $77 / bottle

Montes Folly Syrah 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points
“The 2011 Folly Syrah is pure Syrah from the upper slopes of the Montes vineyard in the Apalta Valley. It has a serious, somehow closed, backward nose, and it takes time to show the aromas of ripe plums, olives and raspberries as they are also covered by the notes of the wood, but the palate seems to have the stuffing to balance the wood tannins and improve in bottle. It’s quite full-bodied, with good freshness and focused varietal flavors. Give it some more time; this is a very good Syrah that requires some patience. Drink 2015-2020. “

This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is $82 / bottle
Arriving March 6th
Philippe Charlopin Gevrey-Chambertin ‘La Justice’ 2012 ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Supple and spicy, this red exudes macerated cherry, wood smoke, spice and a hint of bacon fat. Firmly structured and persistent on the long, mouthwatering finish. Best from 2017 through 2028.”Philippe Charlopin Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Morceaux’ V.V. 2012 ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Exhibits fine purity to the cherry, berry and floral aromas and flavors. Elements of tobacco and earth add depth and the silky texture is backed by harmonious acidity and tannins. Excellent length. Best from 2017 through 2028.”

Philippe Charlopin Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 ($279.95) $225 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92-95 points
“One of the more beautiful wines in the cellar, the 2012 Charmes-Chambertin graces the palate with silky red berries, rose petals, spices and cinnamon, all backed up by firm yet well integrated tannins. All the elements come together quite nicely in a wine that impresses for its overall balance. Charlopin’s Charmes is a blend of fruit from Mazoyères and Charmes proper, vinified together.”

Philippe Charlopin Clos-St-Denis Grand Cru 2012 ($279.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “
The 2012 Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru, limited to one barrel courtesy of 0.17-hectares, is adorned with a beautiful, floral bouquet that has wonderful mineralite, and there is a crescendo of aromas in the glass as the aromatics seem to gain confidence. The palate is medium-bodied with a succulent, almost honeyed opening. There is great depth and substance here, perhaps not quite as tense as the Echezeaux ’12, but very convincing on its precocious, lascivious finish. This is very impressive.”

Philippe Charlopin Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 ($349.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points
“The 2012 Chambertin Grand Cru comes from 0.21-hectares of vine close to those of Domaine Armand Rousseau. Deep in color, it has a vibrant, almost boisterous bouquet with dark cherry, bergamot and orange rind scents all vying for attention. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent dark berry fruit, impressive mineralite and a sturdy structure towards the tightly wound finish. Perhaps it does not quite possess the persistency of other Chambertin 2012s, but remains a delicious, complex grand vin.” Neal Martin

Philippe Charlopin Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2012 1.5 LITER ($479.95) $399 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93-95 points
“The 2012 Clos de Vougeot is alive and vibrant in the glass. Powerful yet also beautifully delineated, the 2012 impresses for its balance and poise. Mint, anise, smoke and a host of blue/black fruits flow through to the finish. This is an intense Clos Vougeot that captures both the concentration and energy of the vintage.”

Arriving Early March 2015

Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2010 ($799.95) $648 pre-arrival special (that’s only $54/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 98 points
“Leather, balsamic herbs, black fruit and spice aromas lead the nose. The delicious palate delivers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice, cinnamon, black pepper and carob notes, balanced by bold but noble tannins and vibrant acidity. It needs years to fully develop and will age for decades. Drink 2020–2040. Cellar Selection.” WE
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2010 Barolo Bricco Boschis is the flagship wine from this historic estate in Castiglione Falletto. The personality here is dark and brooding with savory aromas of cured meat and smoked bacon in a leading role. The intensity is bright and vibrant and the longer you contemplate the wine, the more it offers. Following a few swirls of the glass, you encounter sweet cherry, white almond skin, licorice and pressed rose. Still young, the wine shows enormous complexity. Its balanced structure and acidity would pair next to succulent lamb chops or any number of sophisticated meat recipes. Drink: 2016-2026.” WA
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Time to Say Goodbye

 
Oregon/ Washington and Grand Cru Chablis Sale Ends Today!
Don’t Miss out on the Great Deals!
Many of our wines are already at the lowest price in the country, but purchase today and you will receive even further discounts. The lowest possible prices, just for being a loyal reader!

Sale Ends Monday, February 23rd
Limited to Stocks on Hand
Only Purchases completed prior to end of day Monday will receive sale specials