Monday Newsletter 6-15-20

In This Newsletter:

New Arrival Special Feature
Envinate:
At The Forefront of “New Spain”


New Arrival Special Feature #2:
White Rose Estate


New Week – New Arrivals

Trending


Fondreche’s Ventoux Stunners


New Arrival Special Feature

Envinate:

At The Forefront of “New Spain”

Envinate is a small group of winemaking friends (Alfonso Torrente, José Ángel Martínez, Laura Ramos, and Roberto Santana) that seek to highlight the individual terroirs of the Canary Islands and Ribeira Sacra. The friends produce wines of purity with low-intervention winemaking and vineyard management using ancient vineyards.  

Envintage wines are highly sought after as authentic expressions of their terroirs and forerunners of the “New Spanish” wine movement. To quote wine writer Megan Krigbaum of Punch Magazine, “While winemaking driven by these ideals [of old-school and low-intervention management in the vineyard and winery] is commonplace in many parts of Italy and France—where the natural wine movement is manifest—Spain has been slower to adopt a less-is-more aesthetic over the ‘Big Flavor’ (i.e. ripe, excessively oaked) wines that came to define its wine culture. Envínate, for many buyers, is today’s best representation of the alternative. The wines have an undeniable transparency.” These wines have found fans among professional reviewers, too, such as Luis Gutierrez of the Wine Advocate. Although most of the new 2018s are not reviewed, he heaped well-deserved praise on the 2017s for their transparency, minerality, focus, and potential.

Despite being warm, tropical islands, the Canaries are home to several wine-growing regions, particularly along the foggy cliffs and slopes that line the Atlantic Ocean along the northern coastline on the main island, Tenerefe. Roberto Santana takes the lead for Envinate here, having consulted with Suertes del Marques and having extensive knowledge of the ancient vines, terroir, and local varieties. We are featuring today new arrivals from two sub-regions within Tenerefe: Taganan in the northeast and Valle de la Orotava in the north. In Taganan, the friends work with local growers that farm a collection of wild and scattered vineyards across this rugged terrain. These are ancient vines planted in the volcanic rock along the steeply terraced cliffs that run along ocean. The Orotava Valley wines, Palo Blanco and Migan, represent a cooler region along the northern slope of the Teide volcano. Here the Listan Blanco (white, also known as Palomino) and Listan Negro (red) vines are trained in the traditional “cordon trenzado” style of braiding the vines along the rows. 

These are fascinating, age-worthy expressions of the Canary Islands not to be missed by fans of elegant and authentic wines.

Newly Arrived from Envinate:

Envinate ‘Taganan’ Blanco, Canary Islands 2018 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“Taganan Blanco  This cuvee is made from many different white grape varieties native to the Canary Islands, some of them unidentified, but include Listan Blanco, Albillo Criollo, Marmajuelo, Gual, and Malvasia.  The parcels are very old and planted in between 75-300 meters elevation right on the Atlantic Ocean and are farmed by 15 different families and Envínate. The viticulture in the Taganan area of Tenerife is very old-fashioned: the vines grow untrained, the soil is worked by hand, and no chemicals are used. The wine is fermented with wild yeasts by parcel, with some parcels getting a bit of skin contact, and then raised on the lees in steel vats and barrels for around 8 months. This is an intense vino blanco with lots of personality and notes of nuts, smoke, and sea salt – to pair with a wide variety of tapas, especially head on prawns with olive oil and sea salt or Jamón Iberico.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Envinate ‘Taganan’ Parcela Campanario, Canary Islands 2018 750ML ($69.95) $61.90 special, 3 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote:
An incredibly rare white bottling from a single parcel in Taganan. Vines are over 100 years old grown on sandy soils. A blend of Gual, Forastera Gomera, Verdelho, and Listan Blanco.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Envinate ‘Taganan’ Tinto, Canary Islands 2018 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“Taganan Tinto  This cuvee is made from many different red grape varieties native to the Canary Islands, some of them unidentified, but include Listan Negro, Listan Gaucho, Malvasia Negro.  The parcels are very old and planted in between 75-300 meters elevation right on the Atlantic Ocean and are farmed by 15 different families and Envínate.  The viticulture in the Taganan area of Tenerife is very old-fashioned: the vines grow untrained, the soil is worked by hand, and no chemicals are used.  The wine is wild yeast fermented with 30% whole grape clusters in open plastic tubs and concrete tanks; Raised in small tanks and used 225 and 500 liter barrels for around 8 months.  This is a fresh and aromatic vino tinto with notes of spice, smoky minerals, and dark fruits – to pair with roasted meats, spicy foods, wild game, and the Canaries’ own red mojo.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Envinate ‘Taganan’ Parcela Margalagua, Canary Islands 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“Táganan Parcela Margalagua Margalagua, or “Mother of the Water”, is the name of a small single parcel organically farmed by viticultor José Angel Alonso and Envinaté.  This treacherously steep vineyard site sits in between 150-250 meters elevation just above the Atlantic Ocean, on the north side of Tenerife.  As was tradition with the very old vineyards on Tenerife, Margalagua is mix planted with many different indigenous grape varieties (too many to be named here) such as Listan Negro, Listan Prieto, Baboso, Negramoll, Malvasia Negra, etc.  The vines are at least 100 years old, untrained (they grow wild on the ground), and planted on their own roots, as is typical of the phylloxera-free Canary Islands.  This wine was fermented in old 500 liter barrels with the whole grape clusters included, and then raised in neutral 500 liter French oak barrels for 11 months.  Parcela Margaelagua is nothing short of profound – pungently aromatic with wonderful deep umami notes, high-toned citrus, spice, sea salt, and flowers.  A vertical wine to drink now or hold in your cellar.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Envinate ‘Palo Blanco’ Valle de la Orotava, Canary Islands 2018 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“Palo Blanco this cuvee is sourced from a 1.5ha vineyard of centenarian cordon trenzado (braided vines) Listan Blanco at 600m elevation, and is named for the area where it’s planted. The grapes are hand-harvested, pressed full cluster into large concrete tank off the skins and fermented without malolactic occurring, then raised in two Friulian 2500L oval foudres for 10 months. Bottling is without fining or filtration. Palo Blanco is a volcanic island wine: high-toned, linear, saline and electric.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $53

Envinate ‘Migan’ Tinto Valle de la Orotava, Canary Islands 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“Migan this cuvee is sourced from two very old parcels of cordon trenzado (braided vines) Listan Negro. 60% comes from the La Habanera plot on volcanic sand at the highest elevation (600m) in the area, and 40% comes from the older San Antonio plot, lower on the slope (350m) and with more clay. The plots were hand-harvested, foot-trodden and fermented separately (La Habanera with 100% whole clusters, San Antonio 15% whole cluster) in large concrete vats, then into 228 & 600L old French barrels for malolactic and aging for 11 months. Bottling is without fining or filtration. Migan is a volcanic mountain wine, high-toned and vibrant, with smoky strawberry fruit balanced with fine tannins and refreshing acidity. Pair it with roasted meats and full-flavored seafood dishes.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $52

Newly Reviewed & In Stock Now from Envinate:

Envinate ‘Lousas’ Vina de Aldea, Ribeira Sacra 2018 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Envinate ‘Lousas’ Vina de Aldea, Ribeira Sacra 2018 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94+ points
“The regional red from Ribeira Sacra 2018 Lousas Viñas de Aldea sets the tone for the portfolio in a cool and rainy vintage that has resulted in very fresh wines with great purity and definition. This mixes origins (Amandi, Bibei and Ribeiras del Sil), soils (but mostly gneiss, slate and granite), altitudes (400 to 600 meters) and exposures. It also mixes grape varieties—it’s mostly Mencía with some 20% other grapes, including Merenzao, Brancellao, Caíño, Sousón, Mouratón, Alicante, Godello and Palomino, etc.—and comes from vines ranging between 15 and 60 years of age to represent the region and vintage. For Envínate, this 2018 is in line with previous cooler years like 2014 and 2016, but with lots of rain in June and July that resulted in mildew and especially black rot, which reduced yields by about 30%, and in some places whole parcels were lost. September was much drier, and they were able to harvest slowly and with the precision needed for each plot. The different plots fermented in concrete or open plastic bins with 70% to 100% full clusters. Thirty percent of the volume matured in concrete and the rest in used barriques with the lees and without racking for 11 months. They only used a little sulfur at bottling time. The backbone comes from Ribeiras del Sil, a zone that delivers vertical wines and adds freshness. It’s perfumed with notes of violets, expressive and open, with lots of fruit, a spicy twist and the complexity of mixing different origins and soils. The palate is pungent and more powerful than it seems, with very fine minerality. Incredible for the price. 18,000 bottles and 205 magnums produced. It was bottled in December 2019.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


New Arrival Special Feature #2:

White Rose Estate


Specializing in producing high quality, limited release runs of Pinot highlighting whole cluster fermentation, White Rose Estate wines are always highly sought after and gorgeously expressive. The White Rose Vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA was originally planted to own-rooted Pommard clones in the late 70s and early 80s. Owner Greg Sanders has since expanded his holdings and developed partnerships with other quality-minded vineyards to produce single-vineyard bottlings from Anderson Family Vineyard and Guillen Vineyard, two notable, if under-the-radar, dry-farmed sites. Don’t miss the newly released and arrived 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot:

White Rose Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 750ML ($39.95) $28 special
Case-6 White Rose Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 750ML ($219.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Case-12 White Rose Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 91 points
“Expressive violet and cherry aromas open to well-structured red plum, clove and savory tea flavors that finish with refined tannins. Drink now through 2024. 525 cases made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $33.75
 
Shop all 25 White Rose Estate bottlings in stock now on our web store!
 





New Week – New Arrivals

Rosé

Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose, Provence 2019 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Importer note
“The Rosé is produced from several parcels that comprise slightly less than 7 hectares of vineyards. The vineyards are clay and limestone, situated on a gentle slope with a north – northwest exposure. The blend is Grenache (55%), Mourvedre (31%) and Cinsault (14%). This Rosé is vinified by “pressurage direct, the must is chilled to 12 degrees Celsius, the wine ferments at 18 degrees Celsius until it is completely dry; then, the wine is bottled during the first three months of the following year after a light filtration. Production tops out at about 40,000 bottles per annum; approximately 6000 bottles are allocated to the US market.”

Domaine du Gour de Chaule Gigondas Amour de Rose, Rhone 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Importer note
“Gigondas Rosé: The Rosé at Gour de Chaulé is made from the direct press method. The juice is quickly drawn off the skins (6 to 9 hours of contact), then fermented. A cold stabilization follows. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation and is bottled in the early spring of the year following harvest. The Rosé is composed of Cinsault (50%), Grenache, and Mourvedre. This is a brilliantly colored wine with hues of pink and rose accompanied by flavors and a bouquet dominated by the impression of freshly crushed strawberries. Again, a limited amount of this wine is produced annually, only enough for us to have 1200 bottles per year for the US market.”

Chateau La Rame Rose, Bordeaux 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Importer note
“Chateau La Rame Bordeaux Rosé: This wine is a relatively recent addition to the range of wines produced at La Rame. The grapes are sourced from a two hectare parcel of younger vines (20 years of age as of 2011) that are on the flanks of a hill that descends towards the Garonne River in the village of Sainte Croix du Mont. The wine is produced via the direct-press method and is fermented in temperature-controlled vats for six months before it is bottled and released in the spring following the harvest. The grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) and Merlot (20%). About 15,000 bottles are produced annually and we reserve 4200 for our use in the USA.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Chateau Soucherie Rose de Loire Cuvee L’Astree, Loire 2019 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Importer note
“Rosé de Loire: This dry, mineral-driven Rosé is produced from Grolleau (70%) and Gamay (30%). The vines are planted to clay, sandstone and schist soils. The wine is a product of the direct press method of vinification and the elevage is in cuve with bottling occurring usually in April of the spring following harvest. We purchase approximately 7800 bottles for the US market.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Only six bottles available!
Chateau Pradeaux ‘Vespree’ Rose, Vin de France 2018 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
Importer note
“Vesprée: “Vespree,” meaning evening in Provençal and Occitan, presents a full, swaggering nose of quince paste, white pepper, and coarse-ground Indian spices, and the big, richly textured palate possesses a structural tension that heavily underlines its potential for aging—though it is fresh, tense, and very delicious right in its youth. It is exceedingly difficult to find rosé of this caliber and character, even from Bandol—and, in a twist of irony, this wine which is so purely and deeply Bandol to its very core was denied appellation status on three separate occasions, and is thus labeled a “Vin de France.” But, in an appellation that has seen production shift from 70% red wine to 85% rosé over the years in response to market trends, this is perhaps more depressing than surprising. In any event, we are proud of the wine, and proud to work with such a courageous and iconoclastic family—and we know “Vespree” will delight those who appreciate Pradeaux’s ruggedly uncompromising sensibility.”

Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2018 1.5L ($49.95) $21.90 special
Ian D’Agata 90 points
“Bright straw-pink. Fresh easygoing strawberry and spice aromas and flavors are long, rich and nicely focused. Sneaky concentration here.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average listed price for a 750ml is $18

Proprieta Sperino ‘Rosa del Rosa’ Rosato Coste della Sesia, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18.80 special
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points
“The 2019 Sperino Rosa del Rosa is stunning, opening to reveal depths of ripe peach and strawberry, with hints of cumin, ginger, dried orange, and roses. It floods the palate with silky textures, tugging at the cheeks as zesty acids settle in, then soothing through sweet liquid florals and ripe fruit. The finish is long, showing a hint of fine tannins, yet not austere; instead tactile, perfectly balanced with a hint of savory spice and just begging me to take another sip. This is a blend of Nebbiolo and Vespolina, which is gorgeous right now, but it may even get better with a little time in the cellar. Frankly, it was hard to put the glass down.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $20


Oregon

Love & Squalor Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note
“In 2014 we added Gamay noir to our line up and it has proven to be a wonderful addition to our Love & Squalor line up!  While it is not widely planted in the Willamette Valley, Gamay noir seems the perfect candidate. It is a cousin of Pinot noir and is found planted alongside it in Burgundy, our touchstone region. There are older plantings of Gamay in Oregon dating to 1987, and there have been additional plantings in every decade since. It is currently finding wider popularity among growers and winemakers, and we expect there will be a healthy supply of Gamay noir grapes in the near future.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Italy

Sorelle Bronca Brut Prosecco Superiore Valdobbiadene DOCG, Veneto NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Winery notes
“A sparkling wine with a fine and persistent perlage. The fragrance is clear and intense with fresh hints of citrus fruit. The flavour is dry so this Brut can be enjoyed throughout the meal. The bouquet is filled with floral hints, most noticeably of wisteria and acacia flower as well as fruity notes of green apple. Fresh and elegant. Very pleasant, harmonious and characterised by balanced acidity and tanginess.”

Ronchi di Pietro Friulano Friuli Colli Orientali, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2017 750ML ($19.95) $14 special
Winery note
“Yellow-straw colour with beautiful greenish tinges. Its intense aroma recalls wild flowers, hay and almond. Fine, delicate, and full-bodied, with a remarkable scent of bitter almond.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $45 special
James Suckling 94 points
“This has a lifted, toffee quality to it with hearty Christmas spices, spearmint tea, dried boysenberries and strawberry jam. The full-bodied palate has stocky, robust tannins that coat the mouth in layers of nearly overripe fruit and sweeping alcohol. But a dash of acidity on the finish reins in this powerful Brunello. Drink from 2023.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “Peppery overtones, cranberry and tart cherries define the bouquet of the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino from La Poderina, as notes of olive, leather, pine resin, cumin and crushed stone develop in the glass. On the palate, notes of herbal-tinged black cherry and crushed violets, along with cooling acids and minerals keep things lively. The finish is remarkably long, resonating on the same peppery top notes found on the bouquet, yet with the added kick of zesty spices, brisk acids, and a hint of youthful tannin that lingers on. This is a singular expression of Brunello, which is hard to place within the region or its terroir, but there’s an attractive quality to its unique profile that I enjoy quite a bit.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $54

Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Enthusiast 97 points
“EDITOR’S CHOICE. Rose, red berry and star anise aromas align with earthy whiffs of forest floor and new leather. The full-bodied, delicious palate doles out succulent Morello cherry, black raspberry, licorice and chopped mint set against a backbone of firm but refined tannins. It’s already gorgeous but will be even better with just a few more years of bottle age. Drink 2022–2030.”
Decanter 94 points “The southeast-facing Muncagota vineyard catches the morning sun, giving this wine a slightly lighter character. This 2015 has delicious red berry and cherry flavours and scents. The tannins are slightly more rustic, perhaps, and it’s the least full-bodied wine here, but its earthy elegance makes this a refreshing change for a Riserva. 13,000 bottles produced. Drinking Window 2022 – 2036.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Just as it did over the summer, the 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota continues to impress. Bold and ample on the palate, with terrific fruit density, the 2015 offers a heady concoction of dark cherry, plum, licorice, smoke, spice and leather that flesh out in the glass. This is a terrific showing for the Muncagota, usually one of the less complex wines in the Produttori’s range of nine Riservas.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points
“Underbrush, wild herb and dark-skinned-berry aromas form the nose along with a whiff of camphor. On the firm, structured palate, tightly knit but noble tannins offset dried Marasca cherry, cranberry, orange zest and star anise. Tense and youthfully austere, it needs a few years to unwind. Drink 2022–2027.”
Decanter 94 points “Pora is one of Barbaresco’s largest vineyards, situated on a southwest-facing slope close to the river where the soils are relatively fertile and loose. Produttori has made a wine from Pora since 1967, and today around 16,500 bottles are produced in vintages when it’s made. This 2015 still has a pronounced woody aroma, and while it’s mouthilling it manages to retain some elegance. It’s obviously youthful: the vanilla- and spice-infused wood flavours dominate and hold your attention, the fruit unable as of yet to punch through. It does have plenty of promise, however, and you could expect the succulent and ripe fruits to hold more sway over the next decade as the wood integrates. Drinking Window 2024 – 2040.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is just as radiant and seductive as it was a few months ago. Plush and sumptuous in the glass, the 2015 Pora captures all of the natural intensity of the year. Even with all of its lush fruit, the Pora has plenty of structural underpinnings beneath. Succulent dark cherry, plum, espresso, menthol and licorice notes flesh out in this forward, wonderfully inviting Riserva from the Produttori. In 2015, the Pora is a real overachiever. Best of all, it should drink well with minimal cellaring.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2015 750ML ($89.95) $59 special
Wine Enthusiast 96 points
“Dark-skinned berry, camphor, rose and crushed stone aromas shape the nose along with a whiff of pipe tobacco. The aromas carry on to the structured, full-bodied palate along with juicy Marasca cherry and licorice. Firm, fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink 2022–2030.”
Decanter 94 points “At the southern end of the commune of Barbaresco lies Rio Sordo, known for producing powerful wines. First produced by Produttori in 1978, this is right on the mark, with a denseness and muscularity that makes it stand out in the lineup. It has an inky, meaty depth which seems to have absorbed the wood into it so that it’s not so pronounced, overlaid with plenty of complex, savoury damp earth character. This is less pure and ripe in feel that the Pora, and although the acidity still has presence, it’s softer, more gentle. This is a smooth, dense, intense wine that you will want to sink into. 10,000 bottles produced. Drinking Window 2022 – 2038.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo comes across as quite powerful and dense today. A few months ago it was more refined, but today I get the impression of a wine that is growing in bottle. As always, the Rio Sordo is a Barbaresco of textural suaveness and early appeal, relative to the more structured wines in this range. Spice, new leather, tobacco and cedar meld into the supple, resonant finish.”


Spain

Familia Montana Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($24.95) $16 special
Josh Raynolds 90 points
“(raised for 18 months in new and used French and American oak barriques) Brilliant ruby-red. Dried cherry, vanilla and a hint of pipe tobacco on the smoke-accented nose. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering gently sweet dark fruit flavors along with suggestions of coconut and candied licorice. Closes broad, supple and long, with smooth tannins coming in late to add gently grip to the wine’s pliant black and blue fruit.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Ferrer Bobet is one of the hottest names in Priorat, producing some of the most impactful wines in the region.  
Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($74.95) $36 special
Case-12 Ferrer Bobet Vinyes Velles, Priorat DOCa 2015 750ML ($699.95) $389 special (that’s only $32.42/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points
“The old vine 2015 Vinyes Velles checks in as a Carignan-dominated blend from vines just outside the village of Porrera that includes one-third Grenache, all of which spent over a year in French oak. It’s a bigger, riper, sexier wine than the Ferrer Bobet cuvée and boasts a deep purple color as well as rocking notes of black plums, black licorice, ground pepper, violets, and new leather. Ripe and full-bodied, with moderate acidity and terrific balance, it’s a seamless Priorat to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years or so.”
James Suckling 94 points “This really captures the freshness of the carignan grape with its bright cherry character. Medium-to full-bodied with spice from the grenache and excellent vitality on the long, crisp finish. Drink or hold.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The average listed price for all vintages is $58
 





Trending

We secured the final allocation of this crushable white from John Paul. It’s the perfect picnic wine for this time of year!
Cameron Winery ‘Giovanni’ Pinot Bianco, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) $17.70 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Winery Note
“The Italian side of our clan (the Cameronis) also influences part of our white wine program. In this case the wines of Friuli and Alto Adige offer a model that works exquisitely with much of our fruit. The Pinot Bianco (given the nomer “Giovanni”) is fermented in stainless steel, typically in 3 different lots with appropriate aromatic yeasts, and bottled in its exuberant youth in the early Spring.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today! 
The average price is $19

There’s a reason Merlot is such a widely planted grape and this is killer value.
Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Merlot, Yakima Valley 2015 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Case-12 Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Merlot, Yakima Valley 2015 750ML ($249.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Winery note
“This new bottling of Sharecropper’s Merlot shows aromas of cranberry, tart cherry, violet and spice. Dazzling flavors of black cherry, currant, plum and hints of pepper are nicely balanced with bright acidity and firm tannins, finishing with a hint of baking cocoa. Vineyard Sources- Elerding, Outlook, Red Willow and Union Gap. Barrel aged in 14% new oak for 10 months.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $18.99

Excellent Cote de Blancs Champagne that way over delivers for the price.
Diebolt-Vallois Brut Tradition, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points
“Bright, with citrusy acidity, this harmonious Champagne offers a creamy mousse and a minerally underpinning layered with flavors of apricot, honeysuckle, salted almond and biscuit. A crowd-pleaser. Drink now through 2020. 125 cases imported.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

A classic rosé of Burgundy
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rose, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Importer note
“Pinot Noir from clay & limestone soils. Sustainable. Ripe pomegranate, strawberries and raspberries. Medium body.”
VinopolNote: Marsannay is the only village in Burgundy that permits rosé bottled under its AOC.  As you might expect, the rosé from the village is outstanding stuff and Domaine Collotte’s offers excellent value (just like their reds, for what that’s worth).  Made from 100% Pinot Noir, the Marsannay rosé shows the dry and serious side of the genre, while managing to be delicious and fresh at the same time.  If you love Pinot rosé from the Willamette Valley, you owe it to yourself to try the original.
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

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Fondreche’s Ventoux Stunners

If you love big, powerful red wines and you’ve never had the top wines of Domaine de Fondreche, you need to rectify that situation soon.  These are some of the gutsiest, most expressive wines in the Rhone, with incredible critical praise and a price tag that’s equivalent to mid-tier CdP.  From their mostly Syrah “Divergente,” which puts a lot of $80 Hermitage to shame, to their “Il Etait Une Fois,” a Chateauneuf destroyer, their wines represent excellent values and compelling drinking experiences. Because of the obscurity of Ventoux, these aren’t as expensive as they probably should be, despite a multitude of scores in the high 90’s for their wines (case in point, 97 and 95 for the pair today)

When you read the words “Southern Rhone” you probably think of Chateauneuf du Pape: rocky fields or hills that are warm and produce big, rich wines.  What if we told you there was an unexplored area of the Rhone which looked different but also produced powerful wines which were undervalued because of their home turf?

The Ventoux is a massive swath of the Rhone, east of the river and on the other side of the Dentelles from Gigondas.  It sits between the heart of the Southern Rhone and Provence, and the wines have that wild, slightly untamed character that you often find in wines from the mountainous regions of Provence.  Furthermore, Ventoux is attracting some top-tier talent because of the affordability of its vineyard land.  Old vines on interesting soils are still available here, so young, driven winemakers are increasingly leaving Chateauneuf and Gigondas to striking out on their own in Ventoux. A prime example? The incredible, powerful wines of Domaine de Fondreche.

In 15 years, we think we’ll look back on these the way we do now with Gigondas, Cornas and other formerly sleeping giants of the Rhone—the pricing will seem unbelievable.  These powerful wines are only going to get more attention and acclaim and their window of affordability won’t last much longer.

In Stock Now:

Domaine de Fondreche Ventoux Divergente, Rhone 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“Reminding me of one of the Sélections Parcellaires Hermitage from Michel Chapoutier, the 2016 Ventoux Divergente is 90% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre that was mostly destemmed and brought up in foudre. Crème de cassis, black raspberries, peppered meats, graphite, and liquid rock notes all flow to a fat, unctuous, sexy Syrah that has beautiful acidity, fine tannin, and a huge finish. It’s a true “Wow” wine that needs to be tasted to be believed. Put this in a blind lineup of top Hermitage and shock all your friends.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Less immediately showy and approachable than the 2016 Persia, the 2016 Ventoux Divergente is tight and focused, deserving of a couple of years in the cellar. Smoke, black olive and plum notes dominate this full-bodied wine, picking up hints of espresso on the long, tannic finish.-JC”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Domaine de Fondreche Ventoux Il Etait une Fois, Rhone 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points
“The flagship is the 2016 Ventoux Il Etais Une Fois, which is mostly Grenache with tiny amounts of Syrah and Mourvèdre brought up all in foudre. Violets, red and black fruits, spice, and dried earth/limestone minerality all give way to an elegant, medium to full-bodied Grenache that gains depth, freshness, and purity with time in the glass. It has fine, building tannin, a seamless texture, and a great, beautiful finish. Over the previous few years, the quality of this cuvée has soared, and this is one of the finest to date.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Coming in at the top end of the range I projected for it last year, the stunning 2016 Ventoux Il Etait Une Fois is a blend of 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah. It’s a voluptuous, full-bodied mix of black cherries and subtle spice notes, all carried by a seamless, plush, creamy-textured palate through a long, concentrated finish. Wow.-JC”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

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Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.

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