In This Newsletter:ArrivalsClos Erasmus, Domaine Simon Beze, Siro Paccenti, and moreStaff Pick
Prinz Jungfer Riesling Kabinett
3 Day Sale
Weingut Selbach-Oster
May Sale- Rhone WinesFinal Week!June Sale- Spanish WinesPriorat, Rioja, and more!Collector’s CornerBarbaresco and Barolo
Arriving May 26th
Spain
Clos Erasmus Laurel Priorat 2020 750ml $51.90 special, 30 bottles availableWine Advocate 96 Points “2020 was a challenging year that gave them a lot of work in the vineyard, but it it paid off. The 2020 Laurel feels very elegant, balanced and fresh, a little lighter perhaps, with perfectly ripe tannins, a little in line with 2016 or 2013. It might be a little unusual for the house style or perhaps a slight change, as they are gradually going for softer vinifications; you don’t really need to extract in Priorat, because the wines are powerful enough on their own. It’s still extremely young and has a lactic touch (that blows off with a bit of time in the glass); it was only bottled at the end of May 2022, three months before I tasted it. Even if it’s the second wine here, it’s a wine that needs a little bit of time and improves in the bottle. Having said that, the 2020s feel more open, expressive and approachable than the 2019s, which are more tannic and powerful while the 2020s feel a little more Burgundian if you like. This has to be one of the finest vintages of Laurel so far. After some time in the glass, the aromatics of the Syrah (which was perhaps a little more this year, some 12% versus 8% in 2019) made an appearance—violets, smoked bacon. Daphne Glorian told me that everything was easy, that the wine was expressive and open from day one and that the fermentations were smooth. There are some 19,000 bottles of this.” Clos Erasmus Priorat 2020 750ml $289 special, 9 bottles availableClos Erasmus Priorat 2020 1.5L $599 special, 1 bottle availableWine Advocate 100 Points “The still young and primary 2020 Clos Erasmus feels very floral and ethereal (within Priorat and Clos Erasmus); it’s a fresher and lighter expression but without being weak. It’s still a baby that needs to burn the baby fat (there are still some lactic notes from the malolactic in barrel). The wine is always around 3.2 or 3.3 pH and has some 15% to 15.5% alcohol, but the sensation this year is of a much fresher, more balanced and elegant wine. This should make an elegant bottle of mature Priorat with a decade in bottle, and I guess it will be long lived. Glorian mentioned that a small lot that normally goes to Laurel was added to the blend of Erasmus, resulting in a lot of added freshness and a note of orange blossom, which makes sense to me with the floral character of the wines and the extra freshness I perceived. This is really beautiful. It’s a very special vintage of Erasmus that unfurls incredible complexity and tantalizing aromas with time in the glass—blood orange (talk about freshness!), curry and cassis. It has great purity, complexity, elegance and finesse… A very different Clos Erasmus. Bravo! There are some 3,600 bottles. It was bottled in May 2022.”
Wine Advocate 95 Points “The 2017 Las Gravas is surprisingly floral and ethereal, perfumed and elegant. Syrah has disappeared from the blend of this wine—it now has 20% Garnacha to complement the Monastrell—and they think this is going to be the blend that stays in this wine, which has seen more changes in its life than the rest of the portfolio. This is for sure the most elegant vintage for this bottling; the wine matured in 500-liter barrels and then spent four months in 5,000-liter vats after the blend was done. There are no aromas of oak whatsoever, and the wine is surprisingly fresh, as if the Garnacha helps to contain the power of Monastrell on the gravel soils, adding texture and perfume. This is beautiful.”
These wines are subject to our month-long sale on all Spanish wines
France
“Domaine Marcoux”
Over the last 12 years, the biodynamically farmed vineyard has risen to the top of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s quality hierarchy. The two red wines produced have been stunning, with the regular cuvée of Châteauneuf-du-Pape one of the finest in the appellation, and the limited production Cuvée Vieilles Vignes one of the world’s truly magnificent wines. -Robert Parker”
Wine Spectator 94 Points “Rich and ripe but fresh and light on its feet, with a seductive, silky texture to the mix of cherry puree, raspberry reduction and mulled plum flavors. Shows anise, black tea and incense notes that lend a perfumed air all the way through the warm earth-tinged finish. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Best from 2023 through 2038.” Torre Beati Cerasuolo Rosa 2022 750ml $19.50 special, 36+ bottles availableVinopolnote “Maraschino, strawberry, and tangerine. This 100% Montepulciano wine is a fresh and lively rosato that is perfect for seafood of all types- including sushi. Whole cluster pressed, vinified in 100% stainless steel.”
California
“Soon to be your favorite too”
Wine Advocate 97 Points “The 2021 MFN Blanc Chardonnay is very ripe in style with scents of banana chip, apple pie, jasmine, allspice and brown sugar. The full-bodied palate is packed with ripe, spicy fruits and plenty of refreshing acidity, and it finishes long with a satiny, mouth-coating texture. It’s an old-school style reminiscent of Napa that fans of ripe, oaked Chardonnays will enjoy”.
Lowest Price in the USA
Arriving June
“Domaine Simon Bize Et Fils”
 Domaine Simon Bize is a substantial estate by Burgundian standards, with 22 hectares mainly in the appellation of Savigny Lès Beaune including six very diverse 1ers Crus and two fine Grands Crus parcels in Corton Charlemagne and Latricières Chambertin. Just like DRC, the domaine has continued the traditional practice of working with whole bunches during the vinification. “For the Brunello fans”
La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino 2017 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles availableWine Advocate 93 Points “The mid-weight 2017 Brunello di Montalcino shows a smooth approach with cherry fruit and cassis. No part of this wine is overblown, and in fact, this Brunello maintains a silky personality overall. The alcohol is high at 15% in this hot vintage, although it feels relatively well tucked into the subtle fiber of this accessible Brunello. Production is 30,000 bottles.” La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino 2018 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles availableWine Advocate 93 Points “The mid-weight 2017 Brunello di Montalcino shows a smooth approach with cherry fruit and cassis. No part of this wine is overblown, and in fact, this Brunello maintains a silky personality overall. The alcohol is high at 15% in this hot vintage, although it feels relatively well tucked into the subtle fiber of this accessible Brunello. Production is 30,000 bottles.” La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2013 750ml $99 special, 24 bottles availableWine Spectator 95 Points “Fluid and fruity, supported by a matrix of dense tannins, this features a fine texture and structure, offsetting the saturated flavors of cherry, red berry, leather, iron and tar. Stays focused while cruising to a lingering finish. Really youthful, intense and long. Best from 2022 through 2045. 330 cases made, 200 cases imported.” James Suckling 95 Points “Very attractive and intense aromas of ripe black cherries and plums, leading to a palate that has a quite firm tannin core and finishes with a convincing serving of rich, ripe darker plums and berries. Drink or hold.” La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2016 750ml $99 special, 36 bottles availableWine Advocate 95 Points “The La Fortuna 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a wine of pretty Sangiovese purity. This Riserva (with 9,000 bottles produced) shows a darkly saturated color with plump and intense aromas of wild cherry, crushed flowers, fresh plums, spice and ferrous earth. Balsam herb and rosemary-like aromas round off the finish. There is great freshness, some oak tannins, a drying finish and lots of rich fruit fiber. This is a terrific wine from La Fortuna (although I need to point out the high 15.5% alcohol).” Siro Pacenti Rosso Di Montalcino 2021 750ml $36 special, 36 bottles availableWine Advocate 92 Points “The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino drinks more like a Brunello than it does a Rosso. The wine shows dark but vibrant fruit with blackberry and blackcurrant. There is earthy spice, cola and smoke. The wine is powerful and full throttle (with a 15% alcohol content that you can’t overlook) with a rich, medium-weight mouthfeel. It also shows good structure and young tannins. Production is 15,000 bottles.” Siro Pacenti Brunello Pelagrilli 2018 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles availableWine Advocate 94 Points “In an elegantly designed bottle, the Siro Pacenti 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli delivers lots of dark fruit and blackberry, and the quality of the fruit is bold, fresh and still very much alive. The house style prizes concentration and oak spice, but the detailed-minded winemaking is impeccable. The wine is structured and firm and stands apart in a crowd, but alas, it does show an unfortunate 15% alcohol content. This is a 23,000-bottle release.” Siro Pacenti Brunello Vecche Vigne 2018 750ml $99 special, 12 bottles availableVinous 94 Points “The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne opens with hauntingly dark florals and balsamic tones, as swirling bring about hints of black currant and crushed stone. This is supremely soft-textured, yet lifted by cooling minerality and bright acidity that guides its crunchy wild berry fruits across the palate. It tapers off with amazing length and potency, drenching the senses with primary concentration, as a framework of fine tannins gently tug at the cheeks. The 2018 Vecchie Vigne is a radiant Brunello in need of cellaring to fully blossom. That said, I don’t remember ever tasting a VV from Siro Pacenti with this much energy. I’m very eager to taste this again with some bottle age.”
Staff PickRheingau
Prinz Jungfer Riesling Kabinett 2020 750ml $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available“True story: Prinz is the winery that really got me thinking of riesling as something more than a handy wine for food pairing. Their whole range of wines have an incredible amount of concentration, with bright fruit flavors and crackling acidity. They are always pulling the palette in different directions but remain focused and harmonius. This kabinett is a fantastic wine with just enough sweetness to complement the brighter tones and deeply structured minerality.” -Tracy
3 Day Sale
Selbach Riesling
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount
Ends May 30th at 10am
Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card.This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand.
So what is the Selbach’s secret? If you’ve tried any of the Selbach family’s wines you know they’re among the most distinguished and consistently excellent wineries in Mosel.
The family has deep roots having made wine from their dramatic, beautifully sloped vineyards for over 400 years. Today, Johannes Selbach and his wife Barbara, with the help of son Sebastian, manage their vineyards and winery with passion and respect for the estate’s long held traditions. Johannes has continued the use of 1000 liter oak fuder in his cellar, bringing in new large casks every few years. Vinification is carried out in a combination of fuder and stainless steel, in a hands-off manner with no fining, and with wild yeasts. The focus is on meticulous work in the vineyard (organic and sustainable farming) with the aim to produce and bring home perfect fruit.
Because their approach in winemaking is minimal, Johannes and Sebastian will allow wines to ferment naturally, as slow or as complete as manifest, resulting in more dry wines in some vintages and more fruity wines in others.
Selbach-Oster Bern Badstube Riesling Auslese* 2019 $45 special, 21 bottles availableWine Advocate 96 Points “The 2019 Bernkastler Badstube Riesling Auslese * is deep and concentrated on the still reductive, flinty and stony nose. Piquant, racy, dense and rich on the palate, this is a laser-sharp, salty-piquant and crunchy Auslese with concentrated lemon chutney notes and lingering salinity and grip. It is stunningly precise and like an ice wine because everything is concentrated due to the perfectly clear and clean botrytis. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.” Mosel Fine Wines 95 Points “The 2019er Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese * comes from a parcel of old un-grafted vines in the Bernkasteler Graben situated next to the Bernkasteler Doktor and was fermented down to noble-sweet levels of residual sugar (117 g/l). It offers a superbly attractive and complex nose of grapefruit, yellow peach, honeyed pear, spices, flowers, and mint. The wine coats the palate with ample juicy and yellow honeyed fruits, almond cream, and a touch of nut paste and leaves one with a sense of herbal flavors reminiscent of great Doktor wines in the crystal clear and very long finish. The after-taste of this truly magnificent Auslese feels sweet rather than noble-sweet. 2029-2059.” Selbach-Oster Schlossberg Beerenauslese* 2005 375ml $89 special, 10 bottles availableWine Spectator 98 Points “Sweet and backed by a vibrant structure, this is elegant and detailed, with concentrated red berry, lime and nectarine. One of the few BAs to show a mineral component. Terrific balance and harmony, ending with a long, slate-tinged aftertaste. Drink now through 2040.”
| Vintage |
Wine |
Points |
Price/Quantity |
| 2019 |
J.h. Selbach Zelt Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 750ml |
|
$16 special, 36+ bottles available |
| 2019 |
Selbach-Oster Estate Riesling Feinherb 750ml |
|
$18 special, 15 bottles available |
| 2013 |
Selbach-Oster Zelting Sonnenuhr Auslese** 375ml |
Wine Advocate 94 Points |
$24 special, 10 bottles available |
| 2019 |
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Riesling Kab Trocken 750ml |
Mosel Fine Wines 90 Points |
$24 special, 33 bottles available |
| 2019 |
Selbach-Oster Zelt Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett 750ml |
Wine Advocate 93 Points |
$26 special, 36+ bottles available |
| 2019 |
Selbach-Oster Bern Badstube Riesling Spatlese 750ml |
Wine Advocate 93 Points |
$31.90 special, 36+ bottles available |
| 2019 |
Selbach-Oster Pinot Blanc Reserve 750ml |
Wine Advocate 93+ Points |
$33 special, 7 bottles available |
| 2019 |
Selbach-Oster Zelt Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 750ml |
Wine Advocate 95 Points |
$39 special, 20 bottles available |
| 2020 |
Selbach-Oster Graach Domprobst Riesling GG 750ml |
Stuart Pigott 95 Points |
$45 special, 14 bottles available |
| 2017 |
Selbach-Oster Zelt Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese** 750ml |
Wine Advocate 96 Points |
$54.50 special, 35 bottles available |
May Sale- All Rhone Wines
Final week!
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount
Ends May 31st at 6pm… the best selection is NOW!
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or case discounts.
Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card.Each 1.5L (Magnum) bottle will be counted as 2 bottles when applied to the discount.
Each 3.0L bottle will be the equivalent of 4 bottles.
6.0L bottles will be counted as 8 bottles.This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand.
Chapoutier Ermitage L’ermite $249 special, 15 bottles availableWine Spectator 97 Points “Sleek, with mouthwatering flavors of red currant, raspberry and cherry preserves forming the core, while a dusting of cocoa, a snap of red licorice and a long, lingering iron spine complete the picture. Very pure and focused. The minerality wins out in the end. Best from 2019 through 2032. 29 cases imported.” Clape Le Vin Des Amis Rouge 2020 750ml $59 special, 4 bottles availableDecanter 91 Points “Fragrant style of Syrah, with violets and liquorice, a touch of acetone and blueberry. Thirst-quenching, with good acidity, there’s plenty of space in the wine, while the finish is dry and refreshing.” Yves Cuilleron Cote Rotie Madiniere 2015 1.5L $139 special, 2 bottles availableVinous 93 Points “Lurid ruby. Pungent, mineral-laced black and blue fruit preserve, olive and incense scents on the deeply perfumed nose. Shows serious depth as well as surprising vivacity, offering sweet boysenberry and cherry compote flavors that become spicier with air. Supple and broad, delivering a very long, sweet finish that shows excellent clarity, harmonious tannins and lingering floral and spicecake nuances.” E. Darnaud Crozes Hermitage Au Fil Du Temps 2018 750ml $49 special, 24 bottlesWine Advocate 94 Points “Marked by intense aromas of licorice and seared beefsteak, Darnaud’s 2018 Crozes Hermitage Au Fil du Temps backs those up with notes of blueberries and black olives. Full-bodied, richly concentrated and tannic—but supple and ripe—with a bright, refreshing and lengthy finish, it’s a beauty of a Crozes to drink over the next decade.”
We have dozens more Rhone wines to choose from on our website
June Sale- All Spanish Wines
Get a jump on next month’s savings!!!
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount
Ends June 30th at 6pm… the best selection is NOW!
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or case discounts.
Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card.This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand. Clos Erasmus Priorat 2019 750ml $228 special, 15 bottles availableWine Advocate 98+ Points “The serious and powerful 2019 Clos Erasmus feels quite classical Priorat, with notes of graphite, black fruit and licorice; it’s a solid Priorat with weight, concentration and clout. There are still some smoke, toast and spice notes from the élevage—100% in barrel, some 40% of them new, for around 18 months—and the wine always needs a little bit of time in bottle. Despite the 15.5% alcohol, the wine comes through as balanced and with freshness, there is no heat or sensation of alcohol; you need the tannins and acidity to counterbalance the alcohol, and they are doing that here. This is more balsamic, aromatic and exuberant. It’s showy, hedonistic and rich, a solid Erasmus. The tannins are still quite present and need some more time to be resolved. 3,300 bottles were filled in May 2020.” Lopez Heredia Tondonia Reserva Rioja 2005 750ml $69 special, 24 bottles availableDecanter 96 Points “Traditional Rioja at its ageworthy best, the Tondonia red is a cuvée of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo. Leafy, gamey and sweet, with tangy acidity and a volatile lift.” Vinous 94 Points “Bright red. Vibrant, spice-tinged red currant and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of pipe tobacco, vanilla and incense, and a spicy nuance gains volume with air. Sweet and seamless on the palate, offering energetic red fruit and spicecake flavors that pick up a hint of smokiness on the back half. Concentrated yet lively, showing impressive delineation and a sexy floral quality on the extremely long, seamless finish. While this wine is quite seductive right now, I’ve little doubt that it will cruise along nicely for at least another decade or more, and probably quite a bit longer.” Espectacle Del Montsant 2018 750ml $119 special, 17 bottles availableWine Spectator 98 Points “As with other wines, I also tasted the 2018 Espectacle del Montsant next to the 2017 to catch up, as I last tasted the region some 16 months ago. 2018 was a cooler year of slow ripeness, and the grapes achieved an amazing 16% alcohol. The wine is truly spectacular, true to its name. It has tons of violet notes and aromatic herbs, the palate is gentler, and the tannins are rounder, polished and elegant. It has full body but isn’t heavy. There is a lot of complexity, and the wine developed slowly in the glass, showing nuances of cereals, kirsch, orange peel and lots of spices and herbs. It’s opulent and full, deep and complex. Terroir Al Limit Les Tosses Priorat 2014 750ml $219 special, 7 bottles availableWine Advocate 98 Points “Already bottled in June 2016, slightly earlier as it usually spends two years in foudre to avoid excessive fatigue because of too much oxygen in the wine, the 2014 Les Tosses is pure Cariñena from an old vineyard on slate soils at some 650 meters altitude. There is none of the rusticity I often link to the grape, this is extremely floral and perfumed, with plenty of violets, a little earthy too. The palate is extremely balanced, and I don’t remember tannins as elegant as these in a Cariñena before. There is length, freshness and a very, very long finish. This might very well be the best vintage of Les Tosses so far.”
Collector’s Corner
The Piedmont Princes: Barbaresco and Barolo
Barbareso
Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Barbaresco 2017 750ml $599 special, 3 bottles availableWine Spectator 96 PointsWine Spectator 96 Points “This tightly wound red is dense with black cherry, black currant, plum, tar and iron flavors as well as tannins. Shows a lot of power and persistence, with all the components in the right proportion, ending with a long, resonant aftertaste. Needs time. Best from 2024 through 2048.” Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili 2019 750ml $289 special, 6 bottles availableJames Suckling 98 Points “Sweet and succulent aromas of tangerines, freshly cut ripe strawberries, cherries and flowers follow through to a full-bodied palate with sleek and dense tannins that run the length of the wine and then fan out into a dense, vivid finish of fruit. It’s chewy and seriously structured with finesse and energy. Silky texture. This needs at least four or five years to come together and open. Try after 2027.” Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Rabaja 2017 750ml $249 special, 3 bottles availableWine Advocate 95 Points “The Bruno Giacosa 2017 Barbaresco Rabajà is a fine and delicate wine that throws a curveball at our expectations of this notoriously hot and dry vintage. The wine is exceedingly generous when it comes to its fruit, especially its blackcurrant and plum, but what steals the show is that elegant mineral note that so seamlessly cedes to spice, licorice and cinnamon. Rabajà is one of the most distinctive growing sites in Barbaresco, thanks to its white stony soils that leave such a strong imprint on its wines. The wine is remarkable for its nicely linear and delicate style, but it ultimately proves its power and determination on the palate over many long minutes”.
Barolo
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 2018 750ml $399 special, 6 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 98 Points “This wine is just stunning, starting with aromas of fragrant blue flower, red berry, camphor, dark spice and underbrush. Reflecting the aromas, the smooth, delicious palate delivers raspberry compote, ripe cherry, and licorice accompanied by polished tannins while fresh acidity offers youthful tension. Drink 2024–2038.” Cavallotto Barolo Riserva San Guiseppe 2016 1.5L $399 special, 5 bottles availableWine Advocate 98 Points “A certified organic wine, the Cavallotto 2016 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is born in vineyards on a beautiful ridge in Castiglione Falletto with wide views of both the sunrise and the sunset. From this magical site at the heart of the Barolo appellation comes a wine that represents the very best of vintage and territory. Dark fruit, dried cherry, wild plum, rose and iron ore meet a perfect intersection that gives this Barolo a beautiful sense of balance and inner energy. Fruit comes from a 2.4-hectare plot with southwest-facing vines that are 60 years old. After destemming, the grapes see 28 days of skin contact (semi-submerged caps) in steel tanks. Secondary fermentation occurs in cement in the spring following the harvest. The wine is aged in Slavonian oak for 60 months. Production is 8,794 bottles and other larger formats.” Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia 2012 750ml $889 special, 6 bottles availableWine Spectator 95 Points “The earthy, woodsy aromas show some evolution in this red, with just a hint of white truffle, yet there’s still a hefty dose of spicy oak to be resolved. Rich and sumptuous midpalate, showing plum, cherry, tar and tobacco flavors shaded by vanilla and toasty spices, with firm, dusty tannins laying a grip on the long finish. Give this another year or two in the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2042.” Giacomo Conterno Barolo Arione 2018 750ml $235 special, 9 bottles availableWine Advocate 94-96 Points “Tasted from barrel, the 2018 Barolo Arione still has another year in botte and time in bottle before its commercial release. However, the wine shows a distinct personality that is immediately gentle and open-knit despite its very young age. With fruit from Serralunga d’Alba, there is ethereal softness here, but this characterization is relative considering the ample power and depth always associated with this site. It feels like this 2018 vintage is still warming up and is slowly putting on volume and weight. Its metamorphosis is far from complete. However, what you can read into the wine now is the quality of its fruit and its classic Nebbiolo aromas of wild berry, pressed violet, rust and blood orange.” Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cerretta 2018 1.5L $599 special, 1 bottles availableWine Advocate 95-97 Points “Tasted from barrel, the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Cerretta is shaping up to be a beauty. What stands out most at this very young stage is the quality and the elegant tightness of the tannins. Cerretta fruit from Serralunga d’Alba makes for powerful, structured and concentrated Nebbiolo that is delivered with naked clarity and outstanding purity. These qualities are clearly linked to the vineyard site and less to the conservative efforts executed at the winery. You taste the crunch or the nervous quality of the grape skins and pulp with dark and purple berry nuances and rusty or mineral overtones that hint at the more significant presence of clay in these soils” Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia 2018 3L $1349 special, 1 bottles availableVinous 95+ Points “The 2018 Barolo Francia is powerful, deep and also a touch austere. It shows the edginess of all the 2018s, but also has a feeling of textural creaminess that adds tons of character. Spice, menthol, leather and a whole range of balsamic overtones build into the deep, imposing finish. Roberto Conterno decided to forego his Barolo Monfortino in 2018, opting instead to blend all the casks into his Francia bottling. When that happens, Francia often surprises down the road. That could very well turn out to be the case here.” Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia 2018 750ml $249 special, 8 bottles availableVinous 95+ Points “The 2018 Barolo Francia is powerful, deep and also a touch austere. It shows the edginess of all the 2018s, but also has a feeling of textural creaminess that adds tons of character. Spice, menthol, leather and a whole range of balsamic overtones build into the deep, imposing finish. Roberto Conterno decided to forego his Barolo Monfortino in 2018, opting instead to blend all the casks into his Francia bottling. When that happens, Francia often surprises down the road. That could very well turn out to be the case here.” Gaja Conteisa Barolo Docg 2015 750ml $249 special, 9 bottles availableWine & Spirits 98 Points “From the La Morra side of the Cerequio MGA, the 2015 is deeply resonant, its dark fruit tones layered with notes of cedar, tobacco and porcini. The Gaja family has worked extensively on canopy management since the warm 1997 and 2003 vintages, and this shows in the pleasantly tart flavors of black cherry and strawberry they achieved in the warm, dry 2015 growing season. The flavors weave together in a suave, seamless texture, expanding with air while maintaining precision and freshness.” Vinous 97 Points “The 2015 Barolo Conteisa is a heady, exotic wine, and also one of the most complete, alluring Conteisas I have ever tasted. Conteisa is usually a wine of grace and understatement. The 2015, on the other hand, is a bold, sweeping Barolo that saturates the palate with stunning depth and volume. Even with all of its intensity, the 2015 remains vibrant. This is such a complete, harmonious wine.” Oddero Barolo Vigna Rionda 2007 1.5L $369 special, 1 bottle availableJames Suckling 96 Points “This is drinking wonderfully now with so much depth of fruit and lots of juicy character. Full body, layered and intense. Plenty of dark berry and chocolate. Fantastic. Drink or hold.” Vietti Barolo Cerequio 2018 750ml $219 special, 7 bottles availableVinous 97 Points “The 2018 Barolo Cerequio is a new wine in this range. Soaring aromatics and bright, red-toned fruit give the Cerequio its effusive personality. Nuanced and deep, with tremendous complexity and tons of character, the Cerequio is dazzling. This is everything a great Barolo from Cerequio should be. In other words: textbook. More over, it’s one of the best wines of this very uneven vintage.” Vietti Barolo Rocche Di Castiglione 2018 750ml $219 special, 3 bottles availableWine Advocate 97+ Points “This is one of my sweetheart wines from Castiglione Falletto. The Vietti 2018 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is beautifully etched and sharp with an especially delineated quality that is uncommon in this vintage. Fruit comes from a small 8,000-square-meter parcel, and like the other wines in this cru series from Vietti, it ages in oak casks for two years. The wine’s texture is beautifully smooth and polished thanks to the carefully integrated tannins. Only 3,693 bottles were made.”
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