In This Newsletter:
New Review Roundup:
Hundred Suns
Paolo Bea
Daniel-Etienne Defaix
Thibaud Boudignon:
Chenin Mastery
New Arrivals from Burgundy:
Hubert Lignier
Ghislaine Barthod
Marc Colin
Rosé Region of the Day:
Southern Rhone
Vermouth Feature
Collector’s Corner:
Get Schisty with Clos Erasmus
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Also In Stock Now from Hundred Suns:
Hundred Suns ‘Bednarik Vineyard’ Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Aromas of cherries, raspberries, plum stones and baking spices. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and bright acidity. Mineral and juicy with plenty of fruit on the palate. Flavorful finish with excellent length. Drink now or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Suns Sequitur Vineyard Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($59.95) $48 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “A perfumed nose of raspberries, plums, earth, orange peel and dried flowers. It’s medium-bodied with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Transparent and layered with plum and herbal tones on the mid-palate. Supple, long finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($31.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A bright nose of red plums, wild berries, dried herbs and spices. It’s medium-bodied with crunchy tannins. Juicy and plush with structure and bright acidity. Flavorful, vibrant finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Hundred Suns ‘Tualatin Estate’ Gamay Noir Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vintage & Vinification: A cool and lengthy growing season gave us wines of modest alcohol and incredible flavor. Once harvested our Gamay was divided into three lots. The first 100% de-stemmed, the second 50% whole cluster and the third 100% whole cluster Carbonic. Aged in a combination of Amphora and neutral oak for 11 months. This bottling is filled with juicy red fruit, crunchy textures and refined acidity. Bottled Unfined and Unfiltered. Vineyard: This historic estate was established in the early 1970s by pioneer Bill Fuller. Our parcel of Gamay (in fact, the only gamay planted at the site) came from a hidden corner of the vineyard and was uncovered by our friend, Evan Martin, who offered us a one-acre piece of this amazing site planted on marine sedimentary soils.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Shop our full selection of 210+ Oregon wines, including new releases from staff favorite Crowley, library releases from Belle Pente, and exclusive deals from Sequitur!
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
“The most recent releases include the long-awaited 2015 Riserva Pipparello, a wine that is typically released before the Sagrantino Pagliaro (which came out in early 2020) but was held back until now. This blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Sagrantino has become a perennial favorite of mine. It’s typically a wine of power yet also grace, with the potential to mature for well over a decade, and the 2015 is no different.” –Eric Guido
Paolo Bea Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva, Umbria 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “Leave it to Bea to create a perfectly poised, structured and classic wine in such a warm vintage. The 2015 Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva takes time to blossom in the glass, showing little more than dusty roses, hints of white smoke and cranberry at first. However, with coaxing, it grows in richness and volume, displaying crushed black cherry giving way to clove, lavender, sage, mint leaf and air-dried meats. All the while, there’s a fresh and feminine character, following through to the silky, almost creamy textures, which never feel weighty or cloying. Ripe red fruits and inner florals cascade across a core of spice and minerals as a layer of fine tannin begins to penetrate deeply, drying the senses and creating a sour twang. The palate aches under the Pipparello’s massive structure, and notes of tart citrus and concentrated wild berry fruit linger long. It’s going to take some time for the 2015 to mature into a more pleasurable expression, but it will be worth the wait. This is composed of 60% Sangiovese, 25% Montepulciano and 15% Sagrantino, all matured in large neutral barrels and released significantly later than most other producers’ wines.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $87
Paolo Bea Rosso de Veo Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “The 2015 Rosso de Veo is monstrously intense yet wonderfully balanced, showing masses of crushed black cherry, balsamic spice, stone dust and wild, exotic florals on the nose. Velvety textures give way to ripe red and blue berries with a spicy-citrus twang, backed by stimulating acids, as saline-minerality saturates under a coating of liquid violets. This finishes long, staining the palate with fruit concentrate and grippy tannins, yet considering how structured this is, there’s a balance here that provides plenty of pleasure already. This is simply gorgeous and has a very bright future ahead of it.”
Paolo Bea San Valentino Rosso Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($64.95) $52.50 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “The 2015 is the current release of the zesty and potent Montefalco Rosso San Valentino. It’s composed of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Montepulciano, all from 50-year-old vines within the San Valentino vineyard. Also worth mentioning is that this doesn’t spend any time in wood; instead, maturation takes place over three years in stainless steel tank. That said, the intense mix of wild berry, cherry, clove, sweet mineral, violet and dusty rose that forms the bouquet is all terroir, varietal and vintage. It makes its presence known with tart red fruits, sour citrus and spice, as nervous acids force the mouth to water, adding further sweetness and thrust. The expression suddenly turns feminine and perfumed, with a mix of gorgeous inner florals resonating above a tug of subtle tannin. The 2015 is a seductive, eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-your-head expression of San Valentino.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $59
New Defaix Review
From William Kelley of the Wine Advocate
New Review Roundup:
Hundred Suns
Paolo Bea
Daniel-Etienne Defaix
Thibaud Boudignon:
Chenin Mastery
New Arrivals from Burgundy:
Hubert Lignier
Ghislaine Barthod
Marc Colin
Southern Rhone
Vermouth Feature
Get Schisty with Clos Erasmus
Hundred Suns: New Grapelive Review
Grant Coulter is one of the Pacific Northwest’s rising stars. The former managing winemaker at Beaux Frères (under tutelage of the legendary Mike Etzel), Grant’s made a name for himself as Flâneur’s Head Winemaker, as well as with his own label: Hundred Suns. Anyone who loves the Beaux Frères or Flâneur wines needs to be paying attention to what Grant is doing.
Named for the number of days between flowering and harvest, the Hundred Suns Pinots drink like a love letter to the Willamette Valley. You can taste the Beaux Freres-inspired style, but these are wines that are uniquely Grant, from an assortment of some of the most interesting vineyards in the Willamette Valley.
Newly Reviewed & In-Stock Now from Hundred Suns:
Hundred Suns Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “One of my favorite Oregon wines, the Hundred Suns Shea Pinot is a knockout… This dark ruby hued Pinot Noir bursts from the glass with bright red fruit intensity, spices and floral tones which leads to a firmly detailed medium bodied palate of black cherry, bramble berry, tart plum, lingonberry and pomegranate fruits as well as a touch of whole cluster pop with mineral, fennel, blood orange, a touch of stony saline and black tea notes. Winemaker Grant Coulter, the ex-Beaux Freres star, started [the] label Hundred Suns in 2015 with Renée Saint-Amour, with a focus on small lot Pinots of which the Shea Vineyard is one of the signature wines… As Hundred Suns notes, the Shea Vineyard was planted in the late 1980s, by Dick [Shea] and it is now one of Willamette Valley’s most esteemed and iconic vineyards having provided grapes some legendary wines, including some made by Ken Wright, Mike Etzel of Beaux Freres, and even Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non, to name a few. Hundred Suns gets fruit from a one acre block at Shea which is 100% Dijon Clone 777 on a parcel that sits at about 450 feet above sea level on a south/southwest hillside slope. This warm site in Yamhill-Carlton AVA, as Coulter explain is planted on marine sedimentary soils and is well drained allowing for a deep concentration of flavors and a beautifully dark color, but still full of energy and structured, making for a Pinot that can really age. In this vintage, the Shea saw close to 40% whole cluster, will a lot done all de-stemmed… The ferments are done with all native yeasts and the wine was raised in 100% used French oak, with an elevage of 10 months in the neutral wood and bottled with low sulfur and unfined. Coulter says 2019 vintage was a return to familiar Oregon years, noting they dodged rainstorms to pick in late September and adds that by keeping yields low the grapes reached full ripeness, I am seriously impressed with what was achieved, this is a beautiful and elegant version to drink over the next 5 to 10 years. The Hundred Suns lineup continues to impress, the Pinots are all standout offerings…”
Named for the number of days between flowering and harvest, the Hundred Suns Pinots drink like a love letter to the Willamette Valley. You can taste the Beaux Freres-inspired style, but these are wines that are uniquely Grant, from an assortment of some of the most interesting vineyards in the Willamette Valley.
Newly Reviewed & In-Stock Now from Hundred Suns:
Hundred Suns Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “One of my favorite Oregon wines, the Hundred Suns Shea Pinot is a knockout… This dark ruby hued Pinot Noir bursts from the glass with bright red fruit intensity, spices and floral tones which leads to a firmly detailed medium bodied palate of black cherry, bramble berry, tart plum, lingonberry and pomegranate fruits as well as a touch of whole cluster pop with mineral, fennel, blood orange, a touch of stony saline and black tea notes. Winemaker Grant Coulter, the ex-Beaux Freres star, started [the] label Hundred Suns in 2015 with Renée Saint-Amour, with a focus on small lot Pinots of which the Shea Vineyard is one of the signature wines… As Hundred Suns notes, the Shea Vineyard was planted in the late 1980s, by Dick [Shea] and it is now one of Willamette Valley’s most esteemed and iconic vineyards having provided grapes some legendary wines, including some made by Ken Wright, Mike Etzel of Beaux Freres, and even Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non, to name a few. Hundred Suns gets fruit from a one acre block at Shea which is 100% Dijon Clone 777 on a parcel that sits at about 450 feet above sea level on a south/southwest hillside slope. This warm site in Yamhill-Carlton AVA, as Coulter explain is planted on marine sedimentary soils and is well drained allowing for a deep concentration of flavors and a beautifully dark color, but still full of energy and structured, making for a Pinot that can really age. In this vintage, the Shea saw close to 40% whole cluster, will a lot done all de-stemmed… The ferments are done with all native yeasts and the wine was raised in 100% used French oak, with an elevage of 10 months in the neutral wood and bottled with low sulfur and unfined. Coulter says 2019 vintage was a return to familiar Oregon years, noting they dodged rainstorms to pick in late September and adds that by keeping yields low the grapes reached full ripeness, I am seriously impressed with what was achieved, this is a beautiful and elegant version to drink over the next 5 to 10 years. The Hundred Suns lineup continues to impress, the Pinots are all standout offerings…”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Also In Stock Now from Hundred Suns:
Hundred Suns ‘Bednarik Vineyard’ Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Aromas of cherries, raspberries, plum stones and baking spices. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and bright acidity. Mineral and juicy with plenty of fruit on the palate. Flavorful finish with excellent length. Drink now or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Suns Sequitur Vineyard Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($59.95) $48 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “A perfumed nose of raspberries, plums, earth, orange peel and dried flowers. It’s medium-bodied with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Transparent and layered with plum and herbal tones on the mid-palate. Supple, long finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($31.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A bright nose of red plums, wild berries, dried herbs and spices. It’s medium-bodied with crunchy tannins. Juicy and plush with structure and bright acidity. Flavorful, vibrant finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Hundred Suns ‘Tualatin Estate’ Gamay Noir Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vintage & Vinification: A cool and lengthy growing season gave us wines of modest alcohol and incredible flavor. Once harvested our Gamay was divided into three lots. The first 100% de-stemmed, the second 50% whole cluster and the third 100% whole cluster Carbonic. Aged in a combination of Amphora and neutral oak for 11 months. This bottling is filled with juicy red fruit, crunchy textures and refined acidity. Bottled Unfined and Unfiltered. Vineyard: This historic estate was established in the early 1970s by pioneer Bill Fuller. Our parcel of Gamay (in fact, the only gamay planted at the site) came from a hidden corner of the vineyard and was uncovered by our friend, Evan Martin, who offered us a one-acre piece of this amazing site planted on marine sedimentary soils.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Shop our full selection of 210+ Oregon wines, including new releases from staff favorite Crowley, library releases from Belle Pente, and exclusive deals from Sequitur!
New Reviews for Paolo Bea
From Eric Guido – Vinous
From Eric Guido – Vinous
Paolo Bea is an iconic producer—a virtual one-winery symbol of Umbrian wine and its potential. No winery in the region produces wines as profound, interesting and delicious as the Italian master’s (son Giampero is the winemaker these days).
If you’ve had these before, keep scrolling to check out our current inventory—if not, pay attention. These are wines that capture the wildness of Umbrian wine and its signature grape, Sagrantino, in a way that captivates even the most jaded palates. They’re naturally made, but have classical proportions, with an almost savage ferocity to the flavors (and in the Sagrantino, the tannins as well). They’ve become quite hard to acquire in recent years (we guess the word’s gotten out), but we have several in stock now and we’re thrilled to feature them once again today.
“Giampiero and Giuseppe Bea continue to work their five hectares of vineyards by hand, choosing to use only one-third of their 15-hectare property for grape production even though they could easily continue planting to expand. Their vineyards occupy the higher elevations of Montefalco terroir, reaching up to 500 meters above sea level. The Beas don’t label themselves organic or biodynamic; they simply farm the way their family did long before herbicides and pesticides were developed, depending on biodiversity and Mother Nature’s fertilizers to deliver a transparent representation of each vintage…” -Eric Guido, Vinous Media
Newly Reviewed & In Stock Now from Paolo Bea:
Paolo Bea Santa Chiara Bianco Umbria IGT 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “The 2017 Santa Chiara is a deep golden color in the glass, wafting up with a layered and musky display of dried apricots and nectarines that give way to honeyed white flowers, wet stone and hints of sour melon. It’s soft and juicy in feel, with a noticeable inner sweetness contrasted by zesty citrus, tongue-curling mineral tones and notes of green apple. Tension remains high through the cheek-puckering finale as the 2017 becomes incredibly floral and tapers off to hints of ginger. If opening the Santa Chiara today, I recommend a short decanting or opening an hour or more before serving.”
If you’ve had these before, keep scrolling to check out our current inventory—if not, pay attention. These are wines that capture the wildness of Umbrian wine and its signature grape, Sagrantino, in a way that captivates even the most jaded palates. They’re naturally made, but have classical proportions, with an almost savage ferocity to the flavors (and in the Sagrantino, the tannins as well). They’ve become quite hard to acquire in recent years (we guess the word’s gotten out), but we have several in stock now and we’re thrilled to feature them once again today.
“Giampiero and Giuseppe Bea continue to work their five hectares of vineyards by hand, choosing to use only one-third of their 15-hectare property for grape production even though they could easily continue planting to expand. Their vineyards occupy the higher elevations of Montefalco terroir, reaching up to 500 meters above sea level. The Beas don’t label themselves organic or biodynamic; they simply farm the way their family did long before herbicides and pesticides were developed, depending on biodiversity and Mother Nature’s fertilizers to deliver a transparent representation of each vintage…” -Eric Guido, Vinous Media
Newly Reviewed & In Stock Now from Paolo Bea:
Paolo Bea Santa Chiara Bianco Umbria IGT 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “The 2017 Santa Chiara is a deep golden color in the glass, wafting up with a layered and musky display of dried apricots and nectarines that give way to honeyed white flowers, wet stone and hints of sour melon. It’s soft and juicy in feel, with a noticeable inner sweetness contrasted by zesty citrus, tongue-curling mineral tones and notes of green apple. Tension remains high through the cheek-puckering finale as the 2017 becomes incredibly floral and tapers off to hints of ginger. If opening the Santa Chiara today, I recommend a short decanting or opening an hour or more before serving.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
“The most recent releases include the long-awaited 2015 Riserva Pipparello, a wine that is typically released before the Sagrantino Pagliaro (which came out in early 2020) but was held back until now. This blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Sagrantino has become a perennial favorite of mine. It’s typically a wine of power yet also grace, with the potential to mature for well over a decade, and the 2015 is no different.” –Eric Guido
Paolo Bea Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva, Umbria 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “Leave it to Bea to create a perfectly poised, structured and classic wine in such a warm vintage. The 2015 Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva takes time to blossom in the glass, showing little more than dusty roses, hints of white smoke and cranberry at first. However, with coaxing, it grows in richness and volume, displaying crushed black cherry giving way to clove, lavender, sage, mint leaf and air-dried meats. All the while, there’s a fresh and feminine character, following through to the silky, almost creamy textures, which never feel weighty or cloying. Ripe red fruits and inner florals cascade across a core of spice and minerals as a layer of fine tannin begins to penetrate deeply, drying the senses and creating a sour twang. The palate aches under the Pipparello’s massive structure, and notes of tart citrus and concentrated wild berry fruit linger long. It’s going to take some time for the 2015 to mature into a more pleasurable expression, but it will be worth the wait. This is composed of 60% Sangiovese, 25% Montepulciano and 15% Sagrantino, all matured in large neutral barrels and released significantly later than most other producers’ wines.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $87
Paolo Bea Rosso de Veo Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “The 2015 Rosso de Veo is monstrously intense yet wonderfully balanced, showing masses of crushed black cherry, balsamic spice, stone dust and wild, exotic florals on the nose. Velvety textures give way to ripe red and blue berries with a spicy-citrus twang, backed by stimulating acids, as saline-minerality saturates under a coating of liquid violets. This finishes long, staining the palate with fruit concentrate and grippy tannins, yet considering how structured this is, there’s a balance here that provides plenty of pleasure already. This is simply gorgeous and has a very bright future ahead of it.”
Paolo Bea San Valentino Rosso Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($64.95) $52.50 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “The 2015 is the current release of the zesty and potent Montefalco Rosso San Valentino. It’s composed of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Montepulciano, all from 50-year-old vines within the San Valentino vineyard. Also worth mentioning is that this doesn’t spend any time in wood; instead, maturation takes place over three years in stainless steel tank. That said, the intense mix of wild berry, cherry, clove, sweet mineral, violet and dusty rose that forms the bouquet is all terroir, varietal and vintage. It makes its presence known with tart red fruits, sour citrus and spice, as nervous acids force the mouth to water, adding further sweetness and thrust. The expression suddenly turns feminine and perfumed, with a mix of gorgeous inner florals resonating above a tug of subtle tannin. The 2015 is a seductive, eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-your-head expression of San Valentino.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $59
We’re Open for In-Store Shopping!
10 AM – 6 PM Daily
Local mandates require masks for all regardless of vaccination status.
We also offer Curbside Pickup & Shipping
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
10 AM – 6 PM Daily
Local mandates require masks for all regardless of vaccination status.
We also offer Curbside Pickup & Shipping
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
New Defaix Review
From William Kelley of the Wine Advocate
“The inimitable Daniel-Etienne Defaix was in fine form when I dropped by his winery in Milly. As I’ve written before, Defaix releases his sapid, gourmand expressions of Chablis at maturity—that’s to say, some 15 years after everyone else in the region. The wines reviewed in this report [2006s] are thus current releases. Gentle pressing followed by fermentation in stainless steel and élevage for as long as 30 months, with the lees kept in suspension, are the rudiments of his approach, and it results in wines that amply reward bottle age. At many addresses, the 2006 white Burgundies have evolved rapidly, but that isn’t the case here, as these just-released premiers crus are in the plenitude of early maturity. As ever, Defaix’s characterful wines come warmly recommended.” –William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Cote de Lechet, Chablis Premier Cru 2006 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 29 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2006 Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet is a superb example of the vintage, offering up aromas of citrus oil, beeswax and oyster shell complemented by subtle hints of clear honey. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive, its textural attack segues into a bright, chiseled mid-palate, concluding with a mouthwatering, intensely saline finish. More chiseled and tightly wound than its 2005 counterpart, this is a 2006 with a long future ahead of it, transcending the vintage’s limitations.”
Shop our complete selection of 38 in-stock Chablis wines on our web store now!
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Cote de Lechet, Chablis Premier Cru 2006 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 29 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2006 Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Léchet is a superb example of the vintage, offering up aromas of citrus oil, beeswax and oyster shell complemented by subtle hints of clear honey. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive, its textural attack segues into a bright, chiseled mid-palate, concluding with a mouthwatering, intensely saline finish. More chiseled and tightly wound than its 2005 counterpart, this is a 2006 with a long future ahead of it, transcending the vintage’s limitations.”
Shop our complete selection of 38 in-stock Chablis wines on our web store now!
Thibaud Boudignon:
Chenin Mastery
You’ve heard of Boulay and Dagueneau’s history making Sauvignon Blanc but the Loire has another varietal amongst her crown jewels: Chenin. Cultivated in the Loire valley since 845, it’s known for being one of the most versatile on the planet, producing benchmark examples of still, sweet and sparkling wines with incredible longevity in the bottle. Across these styles you find an entire spectrum of orchard fruit flavors, that can resemble green apples at their leanest to Honeycrisp and quince at their most developed with an unshakable core of acid not unlike a well-made Riesling out of Germany.
Originally from Bordeaux, Thibaud Boudignon made a name for himself working in Burgundy at the legendary house, Philippe Charlopin. This tutelage is clearly evident in his current work, which features a purity of varietal character and mineral spine rarely seen outside of Burgundy.
After producing exemplary work at Chateau Soucherie, he purchased a small vineyard and initiated biodynamic conversion. His seminal vintage was in 2009 and immediately put him on the map in France, and he’s only gotten better since! His devotion to meticulous farming under biodynamic standards in addition to his masterful technical skill as a winemaker have made him a cult figure almost overnight. We only are able to source small quantities of his wines every year, so buy them while you can.
In Stock Now from Thibaud Boudignon:
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc, Loire 2019 750ML ($47.95) $44 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc, Loire 2019 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 3 magnums in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
Jason Wilson – Vinous 92 points “Quiet, elegant nose of beeswax, ripe pear and smoke. Rambunctious, lively and textured in the mouth, bursting with grilled lemon and green apple plus notes of salt and smoke, all underpinned by smooth stoniness. A cool, youthful wine that is full of energy.”
Importer note “With a tight core of saline terroir enveloped within ripe medium bodied fruit, this chenin blanc delivers a focused example of Thibaud’s style of ripe fruit matched with elegance and precision.”
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc ‘a Francoise…’ Loire 2019 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Cut like a diamond with clean lines and explosive fruit. Long detailed finish that fans out with a touch of creaminess. Still evolving and will reward the one who has patience. A worthy homage to his mother and grandfather.”
Importer note “Made from his finest plots in Anjou. The wine is named after his late mother, who tragically passed away from cancer when Thibaud was 17 years old. He makes this wine in her honor, without any compromise. If he feels the wine does not live up to his mother’s name, he won’t make it.”
Originally from Bordeaux, Thibaud Boudignon made a name for himself working in Burgundy at the legendary house, Philippe Charlopin. This tutelage is clearly evident in his current work, which features a purity of varietal character and mineral spine rarely seen outside of Burgundy.
After producing exemplary work at Chateau Soucherie, he purchased a small vineyard and initiated biodynamic conversion. His seminal vintage was in 2009 and immediately put him on the map in France, and he’s only gotten better since! His devotion to meticulous farming under biodynamic standards in addition to his masterful technical skill as a winemaker have made him a cult figure almost overnight. We only are able to source small quantities of his wines every year, so buy them while you can.
In Stock Now from Thibaud Boudignon:
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc, Loire 2019 750ML ($47.95) $44 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc, Loire 2019 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 3 magnums in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
Jason Wilson – Vinous 92 points “Quiet, elegant nose of beeswax, ripe pear and smoke. Rambunctious, lively and textured in the mouth, bursting with grilled lemon and green apple plus notes of salt and smoke, all underpinned by smooth stoniness. A cool, youthful wine that is full of energy.”
Importer note “With a tight core of saline terroir enveloped within ripe medium bodied fruit, this chenin blanc delivers a focused example of Thibaud’s style of ripe fruit matched with elegance and precision.”
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc ‘a Francoise…’ Loire 2019 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Cut like a diamond with clean lines and explosive fruit. Long detailed finish that fans out with a touch of creaminess. Still evolving and will reward the one who has patience. A worthy homage to his mother and grandfather.”
Importer note “Made from his finest plots in Anjou. The wine is named after his late mother, who tragically passed away from cancer when Thibaud was 17 years old. He makes this wine in her honor, without any compromise. If he feels the wine does not live up to his mother’s name, he won’t make it.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $69
Thibaud Boudignon Savennières Clos de Frémine, Loire 2019 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW – Vinous 95 points “An elegant and pure style that offers a delightful silken texture. The 2019 Clos de Frémine floats delicately, almost as if you are tasting a cloud, despite containing plenty of intensity in its focused core of fruit. There’s a burst of fresh acidity and a bristle of fine-grained texture; whether that’s the tannin or the soil, it’s there on the finish. I could tell you it tastes of apples and citrus, but this is a wine that seems to care less about fruit descriptors and more about the essence of its place.”
Importer note “Just across a small road from Clos de la Hutte, in the hamlet of Poissonnière, Clos Frémine is an exciting addition to Thibaud’s stunning Savennières lineup. Just like it’s famed neighbor, the vineyard sits on pure schist that is found only 20cm below the surface. There is a bit more sand at the base of this site, which provides the wine with a delicate lift and added layer of elegance.”
Thibaud Boudignon Savennières La Vigne Cendrée, Loire 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Importer note “La Vigne Cendrée is the smallest parcel of the domaine, 0.5 hectares, in the commune of Savennières. In spite of its small surface area there is an exceptional mosaic of terroir : purple schist, granite and clay silt. Because of the clay and the southern exposition, this wine is naturally richer. Half is aged in 226 liter burgundy barrels and half in foudre, with no new wood, for 12 months, this wine is very ‘burgundian.’ La Vigne Cendrée offers a combination of generosity and mineral tension under a noble reduction.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Thibaud Boudignon Savennières Clos de la Hutte, Loire 2018 750ML ($119.95) $95 special, 17 bottles in stock now
No reviews available for the 2018 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
Rebecca Gibb MW – Vinous 97 points “The 2019 Clos de la Hutte is the site that spoke to Boudignon when he arrived in Savennières. Once the site of a monastery, it’s not yet a religious experience drinking this, but it’s not got far to go: there’s a sense of expansion in the mouth, followed by impressive structure, showing its serious intentions and a sense that it’s good enough to eat. There’s an intriguing white floral note alongside pear, followed up with energetic acidity. Excellent texture and sapidity on the finish, providing length and structure. This wine has it all: delicacy and power, structure and refinement. Unfortunately, frosts in 2019 were not kind so there is very little of it to go around.”
Importer note “[A new] addition to Thibaud’s range of Chenin Blanc comes from a half hectare plot within the Clos de la Hutte (1.5ha) lieu-dit. The vines are young but the wine is profound. There is a long history to this site and Thibaud is channeling every bit of it here. The volumes are miniscule – 1000 bottles released. Clos de la Hutte is situated in the commune of La Poissonnière; the Clos de la Hutte is an ancient religious site of 7 hectares, of which 2.6 are planted with vines. At the heart of this ancient monastery are vines produced from a massal selection of Chenin Blanc coming from the best domaines of the Loire. 5 different varieties of Chenin were planted together so as to best express the intensity and singularity of this special place. 50% vinified in oval demi muid, 25% in 320 liter cigars, and 25% in 500 liter. The ageing last one year in wood and a minimum of 3 months in stainless steel. The Clos de la Hutte seduces with its aromatic finesse and the intense minerality in the mouth.”
Shop our 110+ Loire Valley wines!
Trending
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut Champagne 2008 750ML ($159.95) $138 pre-arrival special, arriving Tuesday!
Decanter 97 points “Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus. Drinking Window 2020 – 2048.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “An elegant Champagne, powered by a sculpted frame of acidity and minerality, this wears the refined, lacy mousse and well-meshed flavors of black currant, lemon curd, toast and marzipan like finely tailored clothing. Fresh and lasting, with hints of spice and smoke on the finish. Disgorged August 2016. Drink now through 2033. “
Wine & Spirits 95 points “This is a sunny and delicious 2008, with brightness infusing the wine, from its platinum color to its mineral intensity, transforming its richness and power into cool elegance. Notes of agave and cassia bark add depth, suggesting the complexity this will develop with further bottle age.”
Peter Liem 3*/3* “Starting with this vintage, the proportion of pinot noir in La Grande Dame has been significantly increased, and in fact, the 2008 is almost a blanc de noirs, with 92 percent pinot noir and just 8 percent chardonnay (historically the blend was typically 50 to 60 percent pinot noir). While it displays the deep resonance and dark concentration of fruit that’s characteristic of the vintage, it remains elegant and fine, with a silky texture and a lively, elongated structure. It finishes with terrific length and poise, showing a complex and authoritative depth of flavor, yet it’s also still notably youthful and tightly wound even twelve years after the vintage, and it seems to indicate a long and slow development ahead of it. Patience, though, will undoubtedly be rewarded, and this feels as if it could turn out to be one of the finest examples of this cuvée in a long time.”
Domaine Faiveley Corton ‘Clos des Cortons Faiveley’ Monopole Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2016 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 95-98 points “Bright ruby. Fruit-driven aromas of crushed black cherry and dark raspberry convey outstanding pungent lift. Incredibly concentrated, sappy and primary, conveying outstanding juicy purity and compelling thickness to its dark fruit and violet flavors. At once hugely powerful and utterly seamless, this wine finishes with great spicy length and lift. A real essence of Burgundy–and likely to evolve gracefully for 25 years or more.”
A benchmark producer like no other.
Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico DOCG Tuscany 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now, more arriving Friday!
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico opens with a burst of sweet red berry fruit, spice and wild flowers. Exuberant and racy, the 2018 is endowed with tremendous energy and tons of personality. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s inner sweetness and radiance, with a closing flourish of red flowers. This is a fabulous wine for the money. Don’t miss it.”
Wine & Spirits 93 points “Winter rains in 2018 brought welcome relief from the drought of the previous year, according to Rocca di Montegrossi’s proprietor, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi, and while many areas of Tuscany suffered from humid conditions during the summer, his estate’s position in the high, well-ventilated hills of Gaiole kept his grapes healthy. The result is a dark and savory wine packed with rich black-cherry flavors and subtle spice notes, all underlined by firm, slatey tannins. It shows formidable substance and ripeness compared to some of the lighter wines coming out of this vintage and will develop well over the next several years.”
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 15 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The Produttori’s 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is all power, tension and nerve. Even so, the 2013 is remarkably civilized and much less austere than young Ovello Barbarescos usually are. Scents of cranberry, white pepper and mint give the wine its signature high-toned aromatics. The Ovello has a Volnay-like purity to its fruit, with Nebbiolo tannins and structure, of course. If that sounds appealing, well, it is. Vivid, sculpted and impossibly beautiful, the Ovello is simply magnificent.”
Decanter 97 points “Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus. Drinking Window 2020 – 2048.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “An elegant Champagne, powered by a sculpted frame of acidity and minerality, this wears the refined, lacy mousse and well-meshed flavors of black currant, lemon curd, toast and marzipan like finely tailored clothing. Fresh and lasting, with hints of spice and smoke on the finish. Disgorged August 2016. Drink now through 2033. “
Wine & Spirits 95 points “This is a sunny and delicious 2008, with brightness infusing the wine, from its platinum color to its mineral intensity, transforming its richness and power into cool elegance. Notes of agave and cassia bark add depth, suggesting the complexity this will develop with further bottle age.”
Peter Liem 3*/3* “Starting with this vintage, the proportion of pinot noir in La Grande Dame has been significantly increased, and in fact, the 2008 is almost a blanc de noirs, with 92 percent pinot noir and just 8 percent chardonnay (historically the blend was typically 50 to 60 percent pinot noir). While it displays the deep resonance and dark concentration of fruit that’s characteristic of the vintage, it remains elegant and fine, with a silky texture and a lively, elongated structure. It finishes with terrific length and poise, showing a complex and authoritative depth of flavor, yet it’s also still notably youthful and tightly wound even twelve years after the vintage, and it seems to indicate a long and slow development ahead of it. Patience, though, will undoubtedly be rewarded, and this feels as if it could turn out to be one of the finest examples of this cuvée in a long time.”
Domaine Faiveley Corton ‘Clos des Cortons Faiveley’ Monopole Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2016 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 95-98 points “Bright ruby. Fruit-driven aromas of crushed black cherry and dark raspberry convey outstanding pungent lift. Incredibly concentrated, sappy and primary, conveying outstanding juicy purity and compelling thickness to its dark fruit and violet flavors. At once hugely powerful and utterly seamless, this wine finishes with great spicy length and lift. A real essence of Burgundy–and likely to evolve gracefully for 25 years or more.”
A benchmark producer like no other.
Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico DOCG Tuscany 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now, more arriving Friday!
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico opens with a burst of sweet red berry fruit, spice and wild flowers. Exuberant and racy, the 2018 is endowed with tremendous energy and tons of personality. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s inner sweetness and radiance, with a closing flourish of red flowers. This is a fabulous wine for the money. Don’t miss it.”
Wine & Spirits 93 points “Winter rains in 2018 brought welcome relief from the drought of the previous year, according to Rocca di Montegrossi’s proprietor, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi, and while many areas of Tuscany suffered from humid conditions during the summer, his estate’s position in the high, well-ventilated hills of Gaiole kept his grapes healthy. The result is a dark and savory wine packed with rich black-cherry flavors and subtle spice notes, all underlined by firm, slatey tannins. It shows formidable substance and ripeness compared to some of the lighter wines coming out of this vintage and will develop well over the next several years.”
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 15 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The Produttori’s 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is all power, tension and nerve. Even so, the 2013 is remarkably civilized and much less austere than young Ovello Barbarescos usually are. Scents of cranberry, white pepper and mint give the wine its signature high-toned aromatics. The Ovello has a Volnay-like purity to its fruit, with Nebbiolo tannins and structure, of course. If that sounds appealing, well, it is. Vivid, sculpted and impossibly beautiful, the Ovello is simply magnificent.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $79
Dry Riesling from one of the most sought-after producers
Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 750ML ($89.95) Was $66, Now $59 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 2 magnums in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The 2018 Felsenberg GG is also absolutely outstanding this year. The bouquet is impressively expressive at this early stage, soaring from the glass in a blaze of pear, tart orange, a beautiful base of slate minerality, wild yeasts, a touch of fleur de sel and a potpourri of floral scents in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and seamless, with outstanding mid-palate depth, powerful mineral drive and great cut and grip on the long, perfectly balanced and youthful finish. This will be show stopping juice in the fullness of time. 2028-2070. 94.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Bottled in July, just two days before I tasted the 2018 Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling trocken –GG– for the first time, the nose was ripe and generous but fine and flinty-mineral. Lush and salty-piquant, this is a full-bodied, rich and powerful yet vital Riesling with lots of body But also tension, purity and grip. Tasted again in August 2019.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Huckleberry, crushed coriander seed and zesty lemon on the nose anticipate the piquancy, pungency and citricity that dominate on a firm, full, glossy palate. Stony and alkaline notes tug in an austere direction, though the gripping, penetrating finish conveys ample refreshing juiciness as well as an uncanny sense of energy. “Whatever might be your favorite from among these vintage 2018 Grosse Gewächse,” remarked Dönnhoff, “you can recognize the [taste of the] site, and that’s the goal.””
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $75
New Arrivals from Burgundy
Hubert Lignier is one of the finest names in Burgundy. The wines have been a core of the Neal Rosenthal portfolio since the 1978 vintage and have always been one of its jewels. These are some of the defining wines of Morey-St. Denis, different from Dujac stylistically but no less profound.
Newly Arrived from Domaine Hubert Lignier:
Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($579.95) $519 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 1.5L ($1299.95) $1049 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Decanter 96 points “Laurent Lignier uses 0.8ha of his two holdings in the climats of Les Fremières and Monts Luisants to produce this refined expression of Clos de la Roche. Savoury and sweet, with 30% whole clusters adding aromatic spices and extra structure in 2018, this is graceful, subtle and concentrated with palate-caressing summer berry fruit and refreshing palate length. Drinking Window 2026 – 2036.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Revisited in bottle, Lignier’s 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru lives up to its fine performance in barrel, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and orange rind mingled with truffle, espresso roast, loamy soil and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, concentrated and seamless, it’s layered and vibrant, with a deep core of pure fruit that largely conceals impressive reserves of fine, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long and saline finish, it will merit and reward at least a dozen years’ patience, likely hitting its stride around age 20.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 94-96 points “The 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru comprises one-third whole bunch and 30% new oak. The nose is uncharacteristically backward, though with coaxing it offers enticing dark cherries, blackberry, sous-bois and pine aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit and a fine bead of acidity. Taut and linear, leading to a very precise, persistent finish that is a pure joy. Divine.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru MCMLV, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($1249.95) $1049 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 96-98 points “The 2018 Clos de la Roche Cuvée MCMLV comes from a 0.25-hectare parcel that Laurent’s grandmother said never frosted over. It has a crystalline bouquet of vibrant red cherry and wild strawberry fruit laced with crushed limestone. The palate is silky-smooth on the entry, with perfect acidity and pure blueberry and cassis fruit fanning out toward the sumptuous finish. It feels long and languid, perhaps more modern in style than the regular cuvée but with greater density and finesse.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The second iteration of a new cuvée for the domaine is the 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée MCMLV, a bottling that evokes that date this parcel in Monts Luisants—purchased with inherited money and despite family skepticism by Laurent Lignier’s grandmother, who chose it because it never frosted—was planted with an old massale sélection. Lignier produced two barrels, using the fruit of vines from the original planting that yielded a mere 17 hectoliters per hectare. A magical bottle in the making, for anyone able to find one, the wine offers up a deep bouquet of cassis, wild blueberries and cherries, complemented by hints of smoked meats, peonies and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it’s both more intense and livelier than the domaine’s regular—and formidable—Clos de la Roche, structured around rich, powdery tannin and concluding with a long, mineral finish.”
Led by Ghislaine Barthod; a legacy winemaker of herculean talent with family holdings based in the village of Chambolle-Musigny, is single handedly credited with the domaine’s worldwide fame. This is on account of her commitment to native fermentation, organic farming practices and minimal use of new oak. Blessed with sites comprised almost entirely of gravel and limestone, these are among the boldest expressions of Pinot Noir in all of Côte de Nuits. If this wasn’t good enough, these are also considered some of the most ageworthy in the entire region, requiring at least 5 years to begin shedding their baby fat. Sourcing from 10 separate sites in the village, her portfolio offers a snapshot of how radically a Pinot Noir can taste depending on its vine age, soil aspect and vinification.
Newly Arrived from Domaine Ghislaine Barthod:
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Bourgogne Les Bons Batons Rouge, Burgundy 2018 750ML ($64.95) $56 special, 11 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2018 Bourgogne Les Bons Bâtons wafts from the glass with a lovely bouquet of cherries, raspberries and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, it’s fleshy and succulent, with powdery tannins and an ample core of mouthwatering fruit. As usual, this derives from a parcel in Gilly-lès-Cîteaux, one of the finest locations classified at the regional level. Readers should note that Barthod produces only one Bourgogne, but in some markets it’s labelled without the lieu-dit name Les Bons Bâtons.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($134.95) $119 special, 7 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Village is showing beautifully, offering up aromas of cherries, raspberries and blood orange mingled with rich soil tones and hints of raw cocoa. Medium to full-bodied, succulent and lively, its ample core of beautifully succulent fruit is built around ripe, fine-grained tannins.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Baudes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 1 bottle in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Baudes was showing especially well, revealing aromas of cherries, cassis, grilled squab and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional palate that’s muscular and concentrated, carrying an abundance of ripe tannin and underpinned by lively acids. This is one of the broader-shouldered wines in the cellar, and one senses its proximity to Bonnes Mares. Of course, that also means that it will require patience.”
Newly Arrived from Domaine Hubert Lignier:
Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($579.95) $519 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 1.5L ($1299.95) $1049 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Decanter 96 points “Laurent Lignier uses 0.8ha of his two holdings in the climats of Les Fremières and Monts Luisants to produce this refined expression of Clos de la Roche. Savoury and sweet, with 30% whole clusters adding aromatic spices and extra structure in 2018, this is graceful, subtle and concentrated with palate-caressing summer berry fruit and refreshing palate length. Drinking Window 2026 – 2036.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Revisited in bottle, Lignier’s 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru lives up to its fine performance in barrel, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries and orange rind mingled with truffle, espresso roast, loamy soil and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, concentrated and seamless, it’s layered and vibrant, with a deep core of pure fruit that largely conceals impressive reserves of fine, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long and saline finish, it will merit and reward at least a dozen years’ patience, likely hitting its stride around age 20.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 94-96 points “The 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru comprises one-third whole bunch and 30% new oak. The nose is uncharacteristically backward, though with coaxing it offers enticing dark cherries, blackberry, sous-bois and pine aromas that gain intensity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit and a fine bead of acidity. Taut and linear, leading to a very precise, persistent finish that is a pure joy. Divine.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru MCMLV, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($1249.95) $1049 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 96-98 points “The 2018 Clos de la Roche Cuvée MCMLV comes from a 0.25-hectare parcel that Laurent’s grandmother said never frosted over. It has a crystalline bouquet of vibrant red cherry and wild strawberry fruit laced with crushed limestone. The palate is silky-smooth on the entry, with perfect acidity and pure blueberry and cassis fruit fanning out toward the sumptuous finish. It feels long and languid, perhaps more modern in style than the regular cuvée but with greater density and finesse.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The second iteration of a new cuvée for the domaine is the 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Cuvée MCMLV, a bottling that evokes that date this parcel in Monts Luisants—purchased with inherited money and despite family skepticism by Laurent Lignier’s grandmother, who chose it because it never frosted—was planted with an old massale sélection. Lignier produced two barrels, using the fruit of vines from the original planting that yielded a mere 17 hectoliters per hectare. A magical bottle in the making, for anyone able to find one, the wine offers up a deep bouquet of cassis, wild blueberries and cherries, complemented by hints of smoked meats, peonies and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it’s both more intense and livelier than the domaine’s regular—and formidable—Clos de la Roche, structured around rich, powdery tannin and concluding with a long, mineral finish.”
Led by Ghislaine Barthod; a legacy winemaker of herculean talent with family holdings based in the village of Chambolle-Musigny, is single handedly credited with the domaine’s worldwide fame. This is on account of her commitment to native fermentation, organic farming practices and minimal use of new oak. Blessed with sites comprised almost entirely of gravel and limestone, these are among the boldest expressions of Pinot Noir in all of Côte de Nuits. If this wasn’t good enough, these are also considered some of the most ageworthy in the entire region, requiring at least 5 years to begin shedding their baby fat. Sourcing from 10 separate sites in the village, her portfolio offers a snapshot of how radically a Pinot Noir can taste depending on its vine age, soil aspect and vinification.
Newly Arrived from Domaine Ghislaine Barthod:
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Bourgogne Les Bons Batons Rouge, Burgundy 2018 750ML ($64.95) $56 special, 11 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2018 Bourgogne Les Bons Bâtons wafts from the glass with a lovely bouquet of cherries, raspberries and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, it’s fleshy and succulent, with powdery tannins and an ample core of mouthwatering fruit. As usual, this derives from a parcel in Gilly-lès-Cîteaux, one of the finest locations classified at the regional level. Readers should note that Barthod produces only one Bourgogne, but in some markets it’s labelled without the lieu-dit name Les Bons Bâtons.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($134.95) $119 special, 7 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Village is showing beautifully, offering up aromas of cherries, raspberries and blood orange mingled with rich soil tones and hints of raw cocoa. Medium to full-bodied, succulent and lively, its ample core of beautifully succulent fruit is built around ripe, fine-grained tannins.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Baudes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 1 bottle in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Baudes was showing especially well, revealing aromas of cherries, cassis, grilled squab and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional palate that’s muscular and concentrated, carrying an abundance of ripe tannin and underpinned by lively acids. This is one of the broader-shouldered wines in the cellar, and one senses its proximity to Bonnes Mares. Of course, that also means that it will require patience.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $204
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Aux Beaux Bruns, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 94 points “Aux Beaux Bruns is one of the lower Chambolle Premiers Crus located on deep red clay soils and often seems to produce a wine with correspondingly rich colour chez Barthod. Picked first to retain acidity in 2018, this is fleshy, sweet and nicely textured with black cherry and raspberry fruit, aromatic 25% new oak and a crunchy, tangy finish. Drinking Window 2024 – 2030.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Chatelots, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “Chatelots sits below Les Feusselottes on clay-limestone soils close to the village of Chambolle-Musigny. Showing a little more oak influence from 25% new wood than most of Ghislaine Barthod’s reds, but it has the structure and tannic backbone to cope. Bright cassis and cranberry fruit are embellished by chalky minerality. Needs time to lose its slight reduction. Drinking Window 2025 – 2032.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Mingling notions of cherries, plums and red fruit compote with sweet soil tones and spices, the 2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Chatelots is medium to full-bodied, lively and precise, its bright spine of acidity and powdery tannins cloaked in an incipiently textural core of fruit. Barthod elected to include only the fruit from the domaine’s old vines in this cuvée, declassifying the rest into the Chambolle-Musigny Village.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Les Chatelots 1er Cru is matured in 20% new oak. It has a splendid bouquet of dark berry fruit and sous-bois aromas, plus a pinch of sage in the background. The palate is grippy and more sinewy than the Combottes, with fine salinité toward the persistent finish. It might lack a little finesse at this stage, but I suspect it will age well.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Aux Combottes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 1 bottle in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “A pure and expressive bouquet of cherries, ripe red berries and violets introduces Barthod’s 2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Aux Combottes, a medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping wine that’s elegantly fleshy and nicely concentrated, underpinned by succulent acids and ripe tannins. From a precocious site, this nicely balanced wine vindicates the decision to pick early.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “There are just two used barrels of the 2018 Chambolle-Musigny Aux Combottes 1er Cru. It has a fragrant, precise bouquet of dark cherries, bergamot, bay leaf and light sous-bois aromas that gently unfold in the glass. The palate is linear and structured, delivering gentle grip and dark berry fruit laced with iodine and a hint of hoisin toward the finish. Good potential, but it will need several years in bottle.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Cras, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($299.95) $219 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Cras, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2018 1.5L ($649.95) $479 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Decanter 96 points “Les Cras is situated in the upper part of Chambolle-Musigny close to Les Fuées on very poor, white, chalk-dominated soils. Racked last in 2018, it was one of the tighter, tauter wines in the cellar when I tasted it, but has enormous vitality and focus. Crunchy red cherry and pomegranate flavours lead you into a finish that combines notes of vanilla spice, lacy tannins and refreshing minerality. Drinking Window 2025 – 2032.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2018 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras may well prove to be the highpoint of a magical portfolio chez Barthod, and it will be worth a special effort to seek out. Unwinding in the glass with scents of dark berries, raspberries, exotic spices, sweet soil tones and peonies, it’s medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, with a textural attack that segues into a deep and layered mid-palate, underpinned by bright acids and ripe tannins, before concluding with a long, perfumed and exquisitely mineral finish.”
You would be hard pressed to find a more quintessential St. Aubin producer than Marc Colin. Founded in 1970 and working with family holdings that have been in the family for over a century, they have since expanded from their home village of St. Aubin and now farm over 36 acres across Burgundy.
Newly Arrived from Domaine Marc Colin:
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Case-12 Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy 2018 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Winery note: From vines planted in 1998 and 1972 in clayey soil in Puligny-Montrachet.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Aligote, Burgundy 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Decanter 91 points “Siblings Damien and Caroline are now making wine at their father’s domaine and this 2018 is a blend of three parcels of old Aligoté vines in Puligny, Chassagne and St Aubin. Complex and distinctive, with nutty, creamy, savoury aromatics plus a fresh note of lemon thyme. There’s a touch of salinity to the fresh, well balanced palate, with notes of candied peel and nuts. Crisp juicy citrus bite to the finish, with a lingering savoury edge. A really interesting wine for food pairing. Drinking Window 2020 – 2024.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Les Vides Bourses, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2018 Chassagne-Montrachet Les Vides Bourses 1er Cru, which lies just below the Grand Crus in Puligny, has a more distant bouquet than the Chenevottes, a little aloof at the moment but opening nicely with aeration to reveal scents of citrus peel, dry straw and a touch of lemongrass. The palate is taut and fresh, with a fine line of acidity, and quite rich in style. The slightly honeyed, almond-tinged finish needs to muster more mineralité. Otherwise this is a fine Chassagne that should give 15–20 years of pleasure.”
Burghound 90-93 points “Outstanding. There is a whiff of the exotic to the fresh and ripe mix of white and yellow orchard fruit aromas that exhibit subtle spice and petrol wisps. Once again there is fine volume to the exceptionally rich medium weight plus flavors that are both seductive and generously proportioned, all wrapped in a sappy, balanced and complex finale. This is very Vide Bourse in basic character.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “Aromas of pear, fresh peach, honeycomb and pastry cream introduce the 2018 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Vide Bourse, a medium to full-bodied, textural and enveloping wine that’s rich and unctuous, concluding with a mouthwateringly saline finish. This is one of the more dramatic, riper wines in the cellar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Les Castets, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($74.95) $59 special
Burghound 91 points “Outstanding Top Value. Wafting aromas of petrol, white flowers and citrus give way to markedly intense and delineated middle weight flavors that brim with minerality while delivering excellent length on the clean, dry and focused finale. I like the balance as well as the depth and this should amply reward mid-term keeping. Worth checking out.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91 points “The 2018 Saint-Aubin Les Castets 1er Cru has a very compelling, stony, terroir-driven bouquet that contains plenty of energy. The palate is well balanced with plenty of weight, fine salinity with a touch of stem ginger towards the finish. You could almost drink this now although I would prefer to wait another 12 months.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “Scents of citrus oil, almond paste and white flowers introduce the 2018 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Castets, a medium-bodied, open and expressive but precise wine, derived from a south-facing site characterized by poor, stony soils.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Les Combes, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2018 Saint-Aubin les Combes comes from more clayey soils in a small dip, as indicated by its name. It has a complex, engaging bouquet of Golden Delicious apples mixed with lemon thyme, menthol and crushed stone. The palate is fresh and taut on the entry. This has real bite and tension, great poise and salinity and an edgy, harmonious finish that lingers in the mouth. An awesome Saint-Aubin that should age with style.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2018 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Combes offers up notes of green apple, pear, white flowers and clear honey, followed by a medium to full-bodied, elegantly textural palate that’s lively and precise. This hails from a parcel situated in a combe planted in 1985.”
Burghound 90 points “Top Value. Here there is no reductive funk as the nose is fresh, bright and ripe with its layered array of white orchard fruit, and in particular pear, along with wisps of citrus, wood and floral hints. There is again fine volume and intensity with a lovely minerality on the rich and sappy finale. This needs to add more overall depth but it’s already very pretty.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils En Montceau, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2018 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Montceau is also performing well from bottle, mingling aromas of pear, pomelo, orange oil, fresh bread and ginger. Medium to full-bodied, racy and tensile, with fine depth at the core but a more open, giving profile than the 2017 vintage, this will offer a broad drinking window.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding. Like the Charmois, the nose is presently dominated by residual sulfur though the underlying fruit does seem fresh and ripe. Otherwise there is almost painful intensity to the solidly dense and serious middle weight flavors that ooze minerality on the youthfully austere and beautifully chiseled finish. This excellent effort seems to be constructed from liquid rock and is really quite impressive. Note well though that in contrast to some of the prior wines, this is one that’s going to need patience so buy accordingly.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2018 Saint-Aubin en Montceau 1er Cru has a more northerly exposure with less limestone but more marn soils, which tend to ripen later than the other cuvées. This feels much more primal and lacks the harmony of Colin’s other cuvées; perhaps it is going through an awkward stage in its barrel maturation. The palate is a little reduced at the moment but demonstrates fine weight and a slightly waxy texture, almost as if there was a splash of Aligoté on the finish. Not bad at all, but it’s difficult to see how it will develop once in bottle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Santenay Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Beaune 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Neal Martin-Vinous 90-92 points “The 2018 Santenay Vieilles Vignes comes from 115-year-old vines, which must be some of the oldest in the region, yielding only around 20hl/ha. It has a lovely, very pure black currant and raspberry bouquet full of nascent joie-de-vivre. The medium-bodied palate matches fine-grained tannins with a bead of acidity; this is all about elegance and purity. The caressing finish is tinged with cassis and iodine. A gorgeous Santenay from Damien and Caroline Colin.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “Offering up aromas of red berries, cassis, orange rind and rose petals, the 2018 Santenay Vieilles Vignes is medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated, its powdery tannins concealed by a layered core of fruit. This may well prove to be a sleeper of the vintage.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Rosé Region of the Day:
Southern Rhone
The Southern Rhone is best known for full bodied reds and powerful whites, but have you tried a rosé made from the same grapes? The villages surrounding Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape that comprise the Cotes du Rhone have similar terroir and grapes as their more famous siblings, but feature cooler growing seasons in comparison. This works out perfectly for rosé production, as it allows for more acidity to remain as the grapes ripen.
Domaine les Aphillanthes has vineyard holdings in three villages of Cotes du Rhone, with soils that are largely composed of iron rich sand with veins of limestone and a smattering of Galets, or “pudding stones” Certified biodynamic and plowing exclusively by horse for over 10 years, the owners Daniel and Hélène Boulle suspect that the roots of their grapevines go 100 feet underground.
Their rose is the same blend as their red with Grenache leading followed by Cinsault, Mourvedre and Counoise. Expect an entire spectrum of fruits including raspberries, Bing cherry, redcurrant and watermelon. From an aromatic perspective there’s a symphonic combination of rose petals, freshly ground espresso and cinnamon apples.
Domaine Les Aphillanthes ‘Nymphea’ Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Counoise. Biodynamic. Gailloux/Galets Roules over clay & limestone. Tasting note: Red fruit and bright acidity. Full body with a long and balanced finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Check out our additional Southern Rhone rosé in stock now:
Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Light orange-pink. Mineral-driven red berry and pit fruit aromas are complemented by a suave floral topnote. Seamless and energetic on the palate, offering fresh strawberry, blood orange and nectarine flavors that deepen with air. Shows fine definition and spicy cut on the persistent finish, which leaves repeating pit fruit and floral notes behind.”
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Grenache, Cinsault. Organic. Clay, galets roules & sand. Tasting note: Crushed strawberry, Bing cherry with hints of grapefruit and crushed stone. Medium body with a long finish.”
Chateau de Manissy Cuvee des Lys Tavel Rosé, Rhone 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant orange color. Mineral-accented red berry and citrus fruit aromas are complemented by a sexy floral nuance. Concentrated and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy redcurrant, cherry and candied rose flavors that slowly turn sweeter on the mid-palate. The mineral and floral notes echo on a penetrating finish that hangs on with very good tenacity. Drink 2020 – 2023.”
Importer note “Grenache, Clairette & Syrah from clay, river rock and sandy soils. Biodynamic. Juicy raspberry, watermelon, crushed minerals and burnt sugar. Full body with a long finish… Entirely hand-harvested. Maceration of 12-24 hours to extract primary aromas. Fermentation with only indigenous yeasts at a very low temperatures over 2 days, then increased in temperature to 25°C for 7 days in order to increase the fruity taste. Aged in concrete tanks and stainless steel. Natural balanced acidity of about 3.6hg/L and PH of 3.5mg/L with less than 1gr/L residual sugar. This cuvée comes from a plot of 10 hectares that is enclosed by a forest.”
Domaine les Aphillanthes has vineyard holdings in three villages of Cotes du Rhone, with soils that are largely composed of iron rich sand with veins of limestone and a smattering of Galets, or “pudding stones” Certified biodynamic and plowing exclusively by horse for over 10 years, the owners Daniel and Hélène Boulle suspect that the roots of their grapevines go 100 feet underground.
Their rose is the same blend as their red with Grenache leading followed by Cinsault, Mourvedre and Counoise. Expect an entire spectrum of fruits including raspberries, Bing cherry, redcurrant and watermelon. From an aromatic perspective there’s a symphonic combination of rose petals, freshly ground espresso and cinnamon apples.
Domaine Les Aphillanthes ‘Nymphea’ Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Counoise. Biodynamic. Gailloux/Galets Roules over clay & limestone. Tasting note: Red fruit and bright acidity. Full body with a long and balanced finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Check out our additional Southern Rhone rosé in stock now:
Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rosé 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Light orange-pink. Mineral-driven red berry and pit fruit aromas are complemented by a suave floral topnote. Seamless and energetic on the palate, offering fresh strawberry, blood orange and nectarine flavors that deepen with air. Shows fine definition and spicy cut on the persistent finish, which leaves repeating pit fruit and floral notes behind.”
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Grenache, Cinsault. Organic. Clay, galets roules & sand. Tasting note: Crushed strawberry, Bing cherry with hints of grapefruit and crushed stone. Medium body with a long finish.”
Chateau de Manissy Cuvee des Lys Tavel Rosé, Rhone 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant orange color. Mineral-accented red berry and citrus fruit aromas are complemented by a sexy floral nuance. Concentrated and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy redcurrant, cherry and candied rose flavors that slowly turn sweeter on the mid-palate. The mineral and floral notes echo on a penetrating finish that hangs on with very good tenacity. Drink 2020 – 2023.”
Importer note “Grenache, Clairette & Syrah from clay, river rock and sandy soils. Biodynamic. Juicy raspberry, watermelon, crushed minerals and burnt sugar. Full body with a long finish… Entirely hand-harvested. Maceration of 12-24 hours to extract primary aromas. Fermentation with only indigenous yeasts at a very low temperatures over 2 days, then increased in temperature to 25°C for 7 days in order to increase the fruity taste. Aged in concrete tanks and stainless steel. Natural balanced acidity of about 3.6hg/L and PH of 3.5mg/L with less than 1gr/L residual sugar. This cuvée comes from a plot of 10 hectares that is enclosed by a forest.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chateau de Manissy ‘La Belle Etoile’ Rosé Rhone VdF 2020 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Pale orange-pink. Lively and focused on the nose, displaying fresh strawberry, white peach and orange zest scents, with floral and mineral nuances. Red berry and pit fruit flavors show sharp detail and a bracing hint of juicy acidity. The floral note repeats on the tight finish, which lingers with good tenacity.”
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache. Clay & limestone. Tasting note: Crushed stone, pressed flowers and white cherries. Medium body with a long finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vermouth Feature
Did you know Vermouth was originally invented to be a medicinal product? The product we associate with modern vermouth was first made in Italy around 1786 by Antonio Carpano. The original formulation was derived from infusing wormwood and white wine together, with later formulations being what we now know as Carpano Antica and marketed as a general curative. In the centuries since there are now vermouths made all over the world, including Oregon, Spain, and France! We carry a vast array of styles in house from rich and spicy, light and botanical, and from syrupy sweet to bone dry.
Easily the most popular Vermouth amongst the staff, this iteration is made from a blend of coriander, rose petals, hibiscus, Nepalese peppercorn and gentian. Blended in Lake Garda, Italy by a sommelier and herbalist this is perfection right out of the bottle, but also right at home in blackthorns or mixed with tonic water. Medium bodied, with a pop of red fruit and botanicals that are rounded out by a pleasant finish of spice and rooibos.
Liquore delle Sirene ‘Americano Rosso’ Aperitivo Italy NV 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 special
Distributor note “Natural red aperitif made by somm Elisa Carta, inspired by the Venetian heritage. Handmade in small batches, blending wines from the Lake Garda area and single botanical macerations. The natural color is extracted from Hibiscus and Monarda flowers. Not artificial colors or flavorings.”
Credited with being the first white vermouth seen on the market, Comoz debuted in 1881 and was based in the alpine village of Chambéry, France. Comprised of wines and botanicals foraged on site the alpine character is evident in the cool finish and textured body. This was the original white vermouth used in the seminal 1915 cocktail bible, Manual del Cantinero and was used in drinks like the El Presidente.
Comoz Vermouth Blanc de Chambery Savoie NV 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Importer note “Established in 1856, Comoz was the second-oldest of Chambéry vermouth producers after Dolin, and was the first to produce in a crystal-clear style. (Dolin preceded with a sweet pale, rather than crystal clear, blanc vermouth.) Introduced in 1881, Comoz Vermouth Blanc expressed Claudius Comoz’s selection of wines, plants and fruits, many of which come from the hills above Chambéry. Comoz came to fame as the essential vermouth in the El Presidente cocktail in Cuba. Comoz is less sweet than other vermouth blanc, with notes of stone fruits, alpine flowers and a deep, resonant undercurrent of wormwood. This deeper profile marries with whiskey better than any other pale vermouth.”
Have you ever had vermouth that’s sourced from 100 year old vines? Our Monterosa vermouth is exactly that, being comprised of mostly Nebbiolo (Or spanna as it’s called in the Italian Alps) with a splash of Vespolina. With botanicals grown either on the same estate or foraged in the Alps, this is a benchmark example of the style. Intensely aromatic with a full body, there’s an unmistakable alpine quality that makes it both refreshing and intriguing. Sour cherries, fresh peppermint, black tea and antique wood make this one of the most dimensional vermouth’s I’ve ever tried. Incredibly versatile in terms of applications, from aperitivo’s to negroni preparation.
Monterosa Rosso Extra Dry Vermouth Italy NV 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special
Importer note “Ingredienti / Ingredients: red wine, alcohol, sugar, herbs, spices, citrus rinds. Denominazione vino / wine Appellation: 90% Alto Piemonte – Colline Novaresi and 10% Coste della Sesia. Vitigni / Varieties: 40% Nebbiolo, 40% Croatina, and 20% Uva Rara and Vespolina. Annata del vino / Wine vintage: 90% 2016 and 10% 2009. Vinification / vinification: Temperature-controlled fermentation at 25°C with regular pump-overs, with 7 – 10 days on the skins. Affinamento vino / Wine élevage: 90% in cement tanks and 10% in barriques. Erbe / Herbs: wormwood, genepi from Monterosa valley (locally called erba muttolina), orange peels, gentiana, Damask rose petals, knapweeds, star anise, cinnamon, cinchona, dried cloves, licorice, angelica, cardamom, coriander, …and many more.”
Easily the most popular Vermouth amongst the staff, this iteration is made from a blend of coriander, rose petals, hibiscus, Nepalese peppercorn and gentian. Blended in Lake Garda, Italy by a sommelier and herbalist this is perfection right out of the bottle, but also right at home in blackthorns or mixed with tonic water. Medium bodied, with a pop of red fruit and botanicals that are rounded out by a pleasant finish of spice and rooibos.
Liquore delle Sirene ‘Americano Rosso’ Aperitivo Italy NV 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 special
Distributor note “Natural red aperitif made by somm Elisa Carta, inspired by the Venetian heritage. Handmade in small batches, blending wines from the Lake Garda area and single botanical macerations. The natural color is extracted from Hibiscus and Monarda flowers. Not artificial colors or flavorings.”
Credited with being the first white vermouth seen on the market, Comoz debuted in 1881 and was based in the alpine village of Chambéry, France. Comprised of wines and botanicals foraged on site the alpine character is evident in the cool finish and textured body. This was the original white vermouth used in the seminal 1915 cocktail bible, Manual del Cantinero and was used in drinks like the El Presidente.
Comoz Vermouth Blanc de Chambery Savoie NV 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Importer note “Established in 1856, Comoz was the second-oldest of Chambéry vermouth producers after Dolin, and was the first to produce in a crystal-clear style. (Dolin preceded with a sweet pale, rather than crystal clear, blanc vermouth.) Introduced in 1881, Comoz Vermouth Blanc expressed Claudius Comoz’s selection of wines, plants and fruits, many of which come from the hills above Chambéry. Comoz came to fame as the essential vermouth in the El Presidente cocktail in Cuba. Comoz is less sweet than other vermouth blanc, with notes of stone fruits, alpine flowers and a deep, resonant undercurrent of wormwood. This deeper profile marries with whiskey better than any other pale vermouth.”
Have you ever had vermouth that’s sourced from 100 year old vines? Our Monterosa vermouth is exactly that, being comprised of mostly Nebbiolo (Or spanna as it’s called in the Italian Alps) with a splash of Vespolina. With botanicals grown either on the same estate or foraged in the Alps, this is a benchmark example of the style. Intensely aromatic with a full body, there’s an unmistakable alpine quality that makes it both refreshing and intriguing. Sour cherries, fresh peppermint, black tea and antique wood make this one of the most dimensional vermouth’s I’ve ever tried. Incredibly versatile in terms of applications, from aperitivo’s to negroni preparation.
Monterosa Rosso Extra Dry Vermouth Italy NV 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special
Importer note “Ingredienti / Ingredients: red wine, alcohol, sugar, herbs, spices, citrus rinds. Denominazione vino / wine Appellation: 90% Alto Piemonte – Colline Novaresi and 10% Coste della Sesia. Vitigni / Varieties: 40% Nebbiolo, 40% Croatina, and 20% Uva Rara and Vespolina. Annata del vino / Wine vintage: 90% 2016 and 10% 2009. Vinification / vinification: Temperature-controlled fermentation at 25°C with regular pump-overs, with 7 – 10 days on the skins. Affinamento vino / Wine élevage: 90% in cement tanks and 10% in barriques. Erbe / Herbs: wormwood, genepi from Monterosa valley (locally called erba muttolina), orange peels, gentiana, Damask rose petals, knapweeds, star anise, cinnamon, cinchona, dried cloves, licorice, angelica, cardamom, coriander, …and many more.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This unusual pick sold out shortly after landing Friday. We’ve secured another parcel, but this is extremely limited… Don’t wait!
Mancino ‘Sakura’ Vermouth Italy 500ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Winery note “The limited edition of Mancino Vermouth with cherry blossoms from Kyoto and Italian Viola flowers, reveals Giancarlo’s culinary infatuation with Japan and Italy. A perfect blend of 20 botanicals based on Italian white wines with a distinct bitter taste on the palate given by the wormwood and a sweetness given by the flowers. This magical harmony with Japan is celebrated with the production of only 4000 bottles per year. 18% Vol.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $50
Collector’s Corner:
Get Schisty with Clos Erasmus
Priorat, or Tarraconensis as it was once called, has cultivated wine grapes since the Roman Empire first occupied the area, but it was Clos Erasmus and their colleagues who transformed Priorat from sleepy backwater to a global wine powerhouse in the 1980’s and 90’s. Farming biodynamically since their inception Clos Erasmus has maintained very low production throughout the stratospheric rise of the region, and rarely exceeds 140 cases per year from their 25 acres in production. Limited does not begin to describe the scarcity of these wines, with these bottles being the crown jewel of wine lists around the world.
In Stock Now from Clos Erasmus:
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L ($699.95) $579 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Wine Advocate Luis Gutierrez 99 points “A blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah, 2018 Clos Erasmus comes from a year with good yields and enough rain for good ripeness of the grapes. The vines are now 36 years old on average, and the grapes fermented after a cold soak in 1,000-, 1,500- and 2,000-liter oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a five-week maceration. It matured in new and second use Burgundian 228-liter oak barrels, with around 40% new oak. This is a very elegant and perfumed vintage for Clos Erasmus, a wine that reveals a bright ruby color and a exotic nose that mixes flowers with tons of sweet spices. It is still very young and influenced by the élevage in oak, with something herbal and fresh, reminiscent of pine needles. The palate is textured and velvety, lace and dust, with fine-grained tannins that bring back the memories of the slate rocks; it is pure and detailed and has terrible balance, focus, inner strength, filigree and subdued minerality. I’d wait a little bit for the oak to get integrated before pulling the cork. It has the ingredients, stuffing and balance to develop nicely in bottle for a long time. 3,319 bottles and 100 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.”
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’ Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’ Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The second wine here and one that is easier to drink, the 2018 Laurel was produced with fruit from the younger vines, a couple of barrels that are declassified from Clos Erasmus and the Cabernet Sauvignon, more or less 70% Garnacha and 15% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has good ripeness and still a pH of 3.3. It fermented mostly in oak vats and 2,000-liter concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and matured for 18 months in 20,000-liter oak and concrete vats, second use barriques and some clay amphorae. It’s a bright translucent ruby color and has a perfumed and delicate nose with notes of orange peel and flowers; this is the most elegant and ethereal vintage of Laurel as far as I can remember, with red rather than black fruit and a kind of cranberry quality. The palate is medium-bodied, textured and fluid, with subtleness, balance and very fine tannins. The oak is perfectly integrated, and the wine is easy to drink, approachable and very pleasurable right now. It’s a fresh vintage with energy and finesse, quite different from previous vintages. I love it. 22,825 bottles and 515 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.”
Shop our Priorat selections, including picks from perennial favorite Black Slate, trendy Ferrer Bobet, esteemed Terroir al Limit and more on our web store!
In Stock Now from Clos Erasmus:
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L ($699.95) $579 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Wine Advocate Luis Gutierrez 99 points “A blend of 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah, 2018 Clos Erasmus comes from a year with good yields and enough rain for good ripeness of the grapes. The vines are now 36 years old on average, and the grapes fermented after a cold soak in 1,000-, 1,500- and 2,000-liter oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a five-week maceration. It matured in new and second use Burgundian 228-liter oak barrels, with around 40% new oak. This is a very elegant and perfumed vintage for Clos Erasmus, a wine that reveals a bright ruby color and a exotic nose that mixes flowers with tons of sweet spices. It is still very young and influenced by the élevage in oak, with something herbal and fresh, reminiscent of pine needles. The palate is textured and velvety, lace and dust, with fine-grained tannins that bring back the memories of the slate rocks; it is pure and detailed and has terrible balance, focus, inner strength, filigree and subdued minerality. I’d wait a little bit for the oak to get integrated before pulling the cork. It has the ingredients, stuffing and balance to develop nicely in bottle for a long time. 3,319 bottles and 100 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.”
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’ Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’ Priorat DOCa 2018 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The second wine here and one that is easier to drink, the 2018 Laurel was produced with fruit from the younger vines, a couple of barrels that are declassified from Clos Erasmus and the Cabernet Sauvignon, more or less 70% Garnacha and 15% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has good ripeness and still a pH of 3.3. It fermented mostly in oak vats and 2,000-liter concrete vats with indigenous yeasts and matured for 18 months in 20,000-liter oak and concrete vats, second use barriques and some clay amphorae. It’s a bright translucent ruby color and has a perfumed and delicate nose with notes of orange peel and flowers; this is the most elegant and ethereal vintage of Laurel as far as I can remember, with red rather than black fruit and a kind of cranberry quality. The palate is medium-bodied, textured and fluid, with subtleness, balance and very fine tannins. The oak is perfectly integrated, and the wine is easy to drink, approachable and very pleasurable right now. It’s a fresh vintage with energy and finesse, quite different from previous vintages. I love it. 22,825 bottles and 515 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.”
Shop our Priorat selections, including picks from perennial favorite Black Slate, trendy Ferrer Bobet, esteemed Terroir al Limit and more on our web store!
Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.