Monday Newsletter 5-31-21

In This Newsletter:

Final Arrival Special Feature:
2016 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco 


New Week – New Arrivals

Rosé of the Day:
Terra Nere Rosado


Trending

Cayuse / Horsepower / No Girls / Champagne Christophe Baron


New Grapelive Review

First Offer:
Isole e Olena




We will be open on Memorial Day (May 31st)
with regular business hours (10:00AM-6:00PM)




Final Release:

2016 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco 

The perfect marriage of a storied vintage and producer! 


Though Cantina Del Pino has only been producing since 1997, the Vacca family, and their estate vineyard, have been a part of Italian winemaking for over 100 years. Domizio Cavazzo established the vineyard in 1894, becoming one of the first winemakers to produce Nebbiolo under the name Barbaresco. Keep in mind this was 72 years before the creation of the official appellation in 1966. An advocate for Langhe farmers, Cavazzo’s vineyard was well known, recognizable by the large Mediterranean pine tree he planted on the day his first son was born. In 1912, the Vacca family took over the estate and have worked the land for four generations, becoming known for world class wines from the historic vineyard. They use the pine tree as inspiration for their label, giving the vineyard the name Cantina Del Pino, or ‘winery of the pine’. Like Wine Advocate will tell you, year after year “Cantina del Pino is a great source for top-notch wines from Barbaresco.” 2016 is no different, with critics and growers alike both waxing poetically at length about the vintage’s perfection. 

Marked by a perfect confluence of timely rain, consistently low humidity, and no heat spikes, this is a vintage for the history books on its meteorological factors alone. When one considers the exacting practices in both the vineyard and cellar, this is a staple for anyone’s cellar. The most standout feature of this wine is the exceptionally developed fruit character, which ordinarily plays second fiddle to the tannins (especially when young). Serving heaps of black and sour cherries, black and red raspberries that finish with a beautifully long finish implicative of Piedmontese black truffle. The tannins are subtle and ambrosial in how they gently balance and emphasize the fruit while still making their presence known.

Final Release Newly Arrived:

Cantina del Pino Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($47.95) $44 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points
“The 2016 Barbaresco is a knock-out. And it is, for lack of a better word, the entry-level wine in this range. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon, red berry fruit and orange zest are some of the notes that lift from a Barbaresco that is all class. There is plenty of structure, but the purity of the fruit is so striking that the tannins are not especially noticeable. The 2016 is a stunning wine, that’s all there is to it.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Cantina del Pino 2016 Barbaresco offers a classic portrait of the Nebbiolo grape. This winery always releases its Barbaresco wines one year later than its peers (who are now selling 2017). That extra year of aging serves to further polish and sharpen pretty aromas of wild berry, licorice, camphor ash and dried orange peel. Like the other wines from this terrific portfolio, this Barbaresco is defined by its energy and electric personality. You can drink it now, or put this wine in your cellar for longer aging. It performs beautifully either way. Some 12,000 bottles were made.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Plump and permeated by rose, cherry, raspberry, iron, tar and tobacco flavors, this red has power and intensity. Assertive tannins emerge on the finish, yet this has plenty in reserve. Shows a fine purity and harmony. Best from 2024 through 2042. —B.S.”

Shop our complete selection of Cantina del Pino wines on our web store or browse all 236 of our Piedmont offerings!
 


New Week – New Arrivals

Washington

(K Vintners) Substance Chardonnay, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14.50 special
Case-12 (K Vintners) Substance Chardonnay, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($219.95) $158 special (that’s only $13.17/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Jeb Dunnuck 89 points
“Lots of pure honeycomb, white flowers, and honeyed citrus notes emerge from the 2019 Chardonnay Ch, a medium-bodied, supple, nicely textured, balanced Chardonnay. I wouldn’t push the aging curve too much, yet it’s going to benefit from 6-12 months of bottle age and have at least 2-3 years of prime drinking.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $16

“Winemaker Chris Peterson continues to fashion some of the most impressive wines in the State. These are always more classical in style and show plenty of acidity and structure in their youth, yet they blossom with just short term cellaring and are brilliant wines.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Avennia Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah, Yakima Valley 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“The 2018 Syrah Arnaut Boushey Vineyard is all varietal and was 85% destemmed and aged 16 months in 15% new French oak. Offering an Hermitage-like meatiness as well as lots of black and blue fruits, full-bodied richness, a round, expansive texture, and beautiful violet, floral, and gamey aromas and flavors, it’s brilliant, concentrated red delivering notable ripeness as well as a plenty of underlying structure and tannins. Again, a comparison to a top Hermitage comes closest in comparison. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 10-15 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. Coming from one of the state’s top Syrah vineyards, the aromas explode from the glass, with notes of iron, bacon, earth and whiffs of orange peel along with blue and black fruit. Dense, intense rich fruit and savory flavors follow, showing weight and volume. But it’s the exquisite balance that most impresses on this standout wine. Best after 2024. -Sean P. Sullivan”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Avennia Sestina Red, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points
“A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sestina comes from the Red Willow, Dionysus, and Bacchus vineyards and spent 20 months in 48% new French oak barrels. A beautiful, Saint-Julien-like bouquet of blackcurrants, cassis, violets, tobacco, and cedar gives way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, structured wine that builds incrementally on the palate, with ripe, velvety tannins, a stunning mid-palate, and a blockbuster of a finish. It’s beautifully done, and while it drinks well today given its balance, purity, and texture, it’s going to develop additional complexity with 3-5 years of bottle age and will have 20-25 years of overall longevity.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Avennia Gravura Red, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($44.95) $36.50 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points
“Checking in as a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Gravura gives up a big, rich, Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated nose of darker currants, leafy herbs, graphite, and damp earth. It shows more floral and sappy herb notes with time in the glass and is wonderfully complex. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has sweet tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a charming, undeniably delicious, and ready-to-go profile that should still keep for a decade.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Charles Smith K Vintners Rock Garden Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points
“Coming from a great site in the Rocks District of Walla Walla, the 2018 Syrah Rockgarden Vineyard has an incredibly smoky, meaty nose that carries lots of red and black fruits, notes of charcoal and graphite, medium-bodied richness, and a balanced, slightly more narrow, firm style that will hopefully open up with 2-3 years of bottle age. It’s another wine that’s not up to prior vintages yet still brings lots of character and is unquestionably an outstanding wine.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $54

Charles Smith K Vintners Milbrandt Vineyard Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2018 750ML ($31.95) $27 special
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points
“Another ripe, sexy wine from this estate, the 2018 Syrah Milbrandt has a lifted bouquet of ripe plums, candied violets, chocolate, and gamey, peppery herb nuances. Rich, round, and mouth-filling on the palate, this full-bodied Syrah packs a punch yet stays fresh, balanced, and incredibly drinkable. It will benefit from a year or three in the cellar and drink well for over a decade.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


France – Burgundy

Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Vieilles Vignes, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Rosenthal Wine note
“Chablis Vieilles Vignes: This cuvée is sourced from vines the age of which is between 45 and 70 years. A wine of exceptional concentration for a village level appellation, this wine is always a true expression of the kimmeridgian soils that make Chablis so distinctive. Aged for thirty months before release, Defaix’s old vines Chablis is richly dense with a classic “pierre a fusil” bouquet and long mineral-infused finish.”
“A genial gourmet, Daniel-Etienne Defaix is one of Chablis’s personalities, and his wines are no less characterful. He releases his sapid, gourmand expressions of Chablis at maturity… These are textural, complex wines that evoke the white Burgundies of yesteryear, and they may confuse consumers habituated to the tart, brittle, processed wines that are often passed off as expressions of region’s “terroir.” Their potential to develop in bottle and their capacity to pair with a thrilling variety of foods, however, make them fascinating, at least to this writer.  Much of the production is sold to France’s best restaurants, but what reaches the export market is well worth seeking out. ” –William Kelley, Wine Advocate, writing on the 2017 releases in general. No reviews available for the 2017 Vieilles Vignes.

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!


France – Loire

Phillipe Tessier has become one of the landmark ‘natural wine’ producers in the Loire valley. He turns out a number of exceptional renditions of Chevery and its satellites, all bright, fresh and impressively full of life. The Cour-Cheverny Blanc is made from the rare grape Romorantin and has the razors edge of acidity you’d expect. His reds are fantastic as well, made from a blend of a number of grapes (Pinot, Gamay, Franc, Côt depending) and have the fresh juiciness that you want out of a natural producer. What sets Tessier apart, though, is his craftsmanship—these are wines that are consistently excellent without much bottle variation. They are funky, but only a touch so, and are absolutely fantastic values. 

Domaine Philippe Tessier Cheverny Rouge, Loire 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Importer Note
“60% Gamay; 30% Pinot Noir; 10% Cot. Clay and limestone soils. Hand harvest, 15 days of carbonic maceration for the gamay, 30% of destemmed grapes for Pinot noir, destemmed grapes for Cot. Fermented separately in tank.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $29.25

Domaine Philippe Tessier Cour-Cheverny Blanc, Loire 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Importer Note
“Tessier’s Cheverny blanc is a blend of 80% Sauvignon, 15% Chardonnay and 5% de Orbois. Aged primarily in tank with some very neutral barrels.”VinopolNote “Mostly Sauvignon Blanc with Chardonnay and de Orbois (Arbois an obscure Loire varietal). From 20 year old vines grown in sandy/poor clay soil. Natural primary and malolactic fermentation. Aged in tank for 6 months.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Italy – Tuscany

Casanova di Neri is one of Italy’s truly elite modern producers—an icon of Brunello. Their “normale” Brunello is one of our most-requested bottles each vintage and the Tenuta Nuova and Cerretalto are sought after by collectors. These are normally highly-sought after wines, but the quality of the 2015 and 2016 vintages takes their desirability to a new level. The Tenuta Nuova is stunning in 2016—a year that has elegance and classicism married to richly-textured fruit. 

Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97+ points
“This is one of my sweetheart wines from Montalcino. The Casanova di Neri 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova offers a long list of aromas on an ever-shifting and fluid bouquet. You get bright cherry, rose potpourri, black truffle, caramel, butterscotch, sandalwood, road pavement and chalky mineral. In fact, each time I come back to this wine, that mineral element seemed to grow in intensity and scope. The wine offers a grounded fruit side that is contrasted nicely against a grounded oak component. The mouthfeel is creamy and long, and the wine shows terrific tannic integration. When you come back hours later, you might find black olive, bresaola and licorice.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova drawing you in with a display of exotic brown spice, mint and cedar dust. Further coaxing unlocks depths of cherry, plum, hints of dark chocolate and roses. It coasts along a medium-bodied frame with velvety richness, complemented by polished red and black fruits while contrasted by brisk acids and hints of sour citrus. This coats the teeth in concentration, as if you can feel the pulp, seeds and skins of its fruit, while a layer of fine tannin slowly grounds you back to earth. The Tenuta Nuova already has so much to give, yet it will be many years before it reaches its apex. Wow. Thinking back to my tasting of the 2015, I can’t say that the 2016 is necessarily a better wine, just a little less immediate. Either way, both wines are beautiful expressions of vintage.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2016 Tenuta Nuova has layered aromatics of black raspberry, menthol, baking spice and cedar. The palate is intensified and has another gear, with mouth-filling cherry fruit, tobacco, and a balanced but powerful structure. Enjoy a couple of the 2016 Brunello while you wait for this one in the cellar for 3-5 years and drink 2025-2041.”


Australia

Barossa Valley Estate E & E Black Pepper Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2016 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Dense and muscular, showing appealing focus to the dark chocolate, blackberry paste, sage and huckleberry flavors, with espresso notes weaving in and out. Cigar box aromas emerge on the finish, where thick tannins offer a dense backbone and a touch of rusticity. Drink now through 2036. 396 cases made, 180 cases imported. — MW”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $62



Rosé of the Day:

Terra Nere Rosado

An eruption of flavor from the legendary Mt. Etna!

Coming from parcels of younger Nerello Mascalese vines planted to the north of Mt. Etna, or Mongibello as the locals call it, this is a unique rosado that features both the legendary volcanic terroir and the beauty of Sicily’s indigenous varietals (on an island famous for still reds and Marsala, no less). This is not your mother’s white zinfandel by a country mile, and was brilliantly described by the winemaker as having “The body of a white but the soul of a red; A wine that is joyful without frivolity and bright without being superficial”. Farmed organically without any synthetic input at high elevation, there is a fabulous purity to this wine that speaks to the meticulous practices of Terra Nere. The Rosado delivers a full spectrum of fresh white peach and assorted oranges ranging from Blood, Cara-Cara and Dekopon with a subtle note of hibiscus and papaya with a finish of valerian flower. Perfect for a warm day and even more so paired with something crunchy like, wakame, caprese or a green salad.        
    
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosato Etna, Sicily 2019 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “The 2019 Terre Nere Etna Rosato is actually quite savory, and especially alluring in the glass, pulling me closer with notes of raw almond, dusty dried flowers, smoky tangerine and marine-inspired minerals. It’s silky with fleshy ripe melon and white orchard fruits, but also a salty character that mixes with its vibrant acids to create tension and poise, resonating on residual acids and inner florals.”
James Suckling 90 points “Medium-bodied with lots of cherry and citrus character, light tannins and a fruity finish. Fun and structured. Drink now.”
Wine & Spirits 90 points “Delicate floral scents introduce this wine; then racy acidity draws its flavors of juicy peach and soft red berries together in a graceful, refined finish.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Shop our complete selection of Terre Nere wines on our web store!






Trending

Ameztoi Primus Txakoli di Getaria Hondarribi Zuri Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Ameztoi Primus Txakoli di Getaria Hondarribi Zuri Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($179.95) $135 special (that’s only $22.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Ameztoi Primus Txakoli di Getaria Hondarribi Zuri Getariako Txakolina 2019 750ML ($359.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Winery note
“[Edited for clarity] A white wine from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape. Naturally lightly sparkling. Pale with a touch of green, its bright tone has fine and elegant bubbles. Has a delicate and sophisticated fragrance, reminiscent of green apples and grapes, with a minty note. Opens dry, and is harmonious in the mouth. It has a broad and aromatic finish, which is cheerful because of its bubbles.”
Note on the 2018 vintage by Luis Gutierrez (provided for reference) “The white 2018 Primus is 100% Hondarribi Zuri and was selected with the idea of aging potential. It has 11% alcohol and seven grams of acidity balanced by three grams of sugar, which resulted from fermenting the must in stainless steel at low temperature and keeping the wine with the lees at zero degrees to preserve the dissolved gas. This has a more traditional style with quite a lot of gas, closer to the light, sharp and citrus style, finishing dry with notable tart acidity.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Chateau Grand Corbin Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Chateau Grand Corbin Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $39.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Chateau Grand Corbin Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($599.95) $449 special (that’s only $37.42/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points
“Attractive dark-stone aromas with graphite and ripe dark berries sit fresh on the nose. The palate has a riper feel with very rich, dense fruit presence and a heavier, tannin line weight. Full body. Try from 2022.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2016 Grand Corbin has grown into a powerful, dense Saint-Émilion. This is a fairly rich, bombastic style, and yet all the elements fall into place. I would give the 2016 a few years in bottle to allow the tannins to soften, but there is good depth and plenty of potential. A rush of chocolate, leather, licorice, smoke and black cherry meld into the potent finish. Tasted three times with consistent notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Tenuta Fanti Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $17.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Tenuta Fanti Rosso di Montalcino Tuscany 2018 750ML ($249.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points
“The extroverted 2018 Fanti Rosso di Montalcino is showing masses of ripe strawberry, sweet spices and exotic florals with grounding notes of worn leather and hints of undergrowth. Silky textures meld into tart red berries with a peppery-herbal twist, in a soft and easygoing effort that’s energized by bright acids that only come forward toward the finale. A mix of red fruits resonates on the finish, along with wild herbs and florals, punctuating the experience on a Rosso that is very easy to like.”

Sourced from old vines in the Montestefano sub-commune of Barbaresco, and coming from a spectacular vintage this is a Barbaresco for the books. This offering from Giordano is on a Barolo-esque level of density across the fruits, tannins and acid with the color saturation more in line with Barbaresco. Structured, red fruited profile of cherries, summer strawberry and wild raspberry with lifted aromatics of fresh grated cinnamon, Beirut rose, frankincense and campfire smoke make this an exceptional example of the region.     
Luigi Giordano Montestefano, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points
“A beam of cherry, strawberry and rose aromas and flavors permeates this vibrant red. Hints of thyme, menthol and tar add depth as this builds to a long, resonant finish. Shows fine energy and intensity on a slim frame. Best from 2023 through 2042. 500 cases made, 150 cases imported. — BS”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2016 Barbaresco Montestefano offers all of the breadth that distinguishes this site while retaining its classic, mid-weight feel. Darker shades of Nebbiolo emerge in the black cherry, plum, lavender, licorice, sage and spice flavors. Like all of these Barbarescos, the Montestefano is super intriguing. The potential here is evident.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $58

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($17.95) $12.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019. 2018 review provided for reference.
Grapelive 90 points
“Vajra’s Langhe Rosso blend is primarily the classic varietals Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera, but also has an interesting addition of Albarossa, Freisa and even a touch of Pinot Noir all of which makes for a unique Piedmonte red that shows silky tannins, tangy vibrant fruits including brandied cherries, plum, cranberry, grilled citrus (Moro orange) and tart red currant along with wild herbs, delicate rustic notes, floral elements, mineral and savory spices….Giuseppe Vajra continues the traditions of his father Aldo, who was a big advocate for organic and holistic farming and promoted a sense of lightness in the wines always searching out vineyard sites thought to be too cold and too high up to ripen, but as history shows he was spot on and Vajra’s high elevation Barolo is one of the most prized wines in the world. The Vajra Rosso is mostly all stainless steel fermented with each lot and varietal done separately and blended before an early bottling to preserve fresh brightness, which this dark ruby/blue hued 2018 shows with lovely transparent clarity. This 2018 opens up nicely with air adding pipe tobacco, black tea, cola bean and dried rose petals, but the minty zesty tartness remains until the finish, in fact it is really nice with a bit of chill and with a picnic spread and or pasta dishes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $16

Marqués de Murrieta is one of the great pillars of classical Rioja—a titan of the region that’s responsible for some of the greatest wines ever produced in Spain. They resemble more polished, powerful versions of López de Heredia while sharing their age-worthiness. However they also offer a distinctly more fruit driven profile in their youth. Murrieta’s wines have always been favorites amongst critics and consumers alike.
Marques de Murrieta Reserva (Finca Ygay), Rioja DOCa 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93-94 points
“I also tasted an unbottled sample of the 2016 Rioja Reserva, which should be bottled in a couple of months, before the summer. What I tasted was the final blend, and it represents the year—2016 was a cooler year, and the wine also goes in that direction. 2016 saw a large crop, and the grapes for this cuvée were harvested at the end of September, going toward more finesse and subtleness, combined with the natural power. There was a change in the winery in 2016 that was finalized in 2018 with the new winery. The wine is textured and fine, and it’s more elegant than the 2015 I tasted next to it. The detail and texture on the palate is different, and the quality of the tannins is completely different. This should be released in early 2020. There will be almost 1.1 million bottles of this, which is remarkable, as they have managed to increase quality and quantity.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is very structured and powerful with a dense and rich palate of ripe fruit and hints of toasted oak. Full and layered. Structured. Released February 2020. Needs a few years of bottle age. Try after 2021.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Brilliant violet. Red and black currant, cherry, fresh flowers and baking spices on the highly perfumed nose, along with hints of vanilla and pipe tobacco. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering bitter cherry, cassis, spicecake and cola flavors that turn sweeter through the midpalate. Successfully blends power and delicacy and finishes very long, smoky and smooth, with fine-grained tannins adding gentle grip.”
Wine & Spirits 93 points “This is a blend of tempranillo (87 percent), graciano, mazuelo and garnacha grown at the Finca Ygay, Murrieta’s estate in the hills above Logroño. Aged in American oak for 18 months, it developed a hint of mintiness over its silken black-currant and tobacco flavors (think menthol cigarette smoked with aristocratic nonchalance in Monaco). Bright and somber, tense and refined, this wine’s limestone edges carry the essence of Rioja in a healthy wine that seems to get its style directly from the ground.”
 


Cayuse /
Horsepower /
No Girls /
Champagne Christophe Baron


We stock one of the largest selections of wines from famed winemaker Christophe Baron, including selections from Cayuse, Horsepower, No Girls, and his eponymous Champagne estate. Browse the 77 bottles below and shop on our web store!




New Grapelive Review
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion, Rhone 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion, Rhone 2018 1.5L ($49.95) $39 special, 20 magnums in stock now
Grapelive 94 points
“The incredible and ultra-affordable Chateau grown bottling of Cotes du Rhone, Les Deux Albion, is a classic full bodied and meaty Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre blend from Louis Barroul at the famous Chateau de Saint Cosme. This 2018 is a vintage with impressive wow factor, coming at a Chateauneuf-like 15% natural alcohol and with wonderful fruit density. This GSM will confidently drink with wines three to five times the price! This 2018 starts with a heady peony and violet perfume along with some Syrah and Mourvedre earthy/leathery notes as well as thick black and red berries before opening up to an opulent mouth filling palate of boysenberry, pomegranate, damson plum and kirsch as well as tar, licorice, sticky lavender, sandalwood and peppery spices. The weight is well concealed within the graceful texture and inner vibrancy of this delicious Cotes du Rhone. This wine really compares well with the estate’s Gigondas, a legendary wine, especially in this vintage, making it an exceptional value. I’m glad I bought myself a few bottles of this gorgeous and complex Les Deux Albion. It should drink nicely for a decade or more!”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $24

Shop our complete selection of Saint Cosme / Chateau du Rouanne wines on our web store!




First Offer

Isole e Olena

 
No winery symbolizes the modern quality of Tuscany like Isole e Olena. Since the arrival of Paolo de Marchi in 1976, Isole e Olena has been a quality leader in the region. Stylistically, Isole e Olena occupies a place that is at once traditional and modern. Their Chianti Classico and flagship Cepparello are both firmly rooted in the primacy of Sangiovese and the idea of Tuscan typicity. Elegance wedded to power, both wines show the nuance and bright fruit you’d expect from a classic wine of the region combined with the density and complexity of top tier, noble wines.

Arriving ETA September from Isole e Olena:

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $28

Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $114.99

Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Chardonnay Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Can’t Wait? 
In Stock Now from Isole e Olena:




Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!

Be well & drink well.