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Category Archives: Newsletter Archive
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, Delas – King of the Hill… Of Hermitage 8-31-24
Delas
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Delas makes some of the most powerful, intense wines in the Northern Rhône at prices that make them one of the superior values in the region. Drawing from their extensive holdings in every major region, they craft dense and rich impactful wines. We turn to them for big, bold wines that show well young yet reward tenfold in the cellar—a remarkable combination for French wines.
One of the leading Champagne Houses, Louis Roederer, purchased Delas in the 1990s. Their team brought much needed renewal to the brand. Since then, quality has been nearly unrivaled. But for whatever reason, the market has yet to catch up. Just look at Jamet, Guigal, and Chapoutier prices in comparison, not to mention the heights of Bordeaux, Napa, and even once humble Priorat.
As the Northern Rhône becomes one of the hottest markets in the wine world, finding value becomes more and more difficult. Not here. At least, not yet. With the quality of recent vintages and the scores involved, we definitely see it happening soon, though, so if you love these wines our three-day sale is the time to back up the truck.
One of the leading Champagne Houses, Louis Roederer, purchased Delas in the 1990s. Their team brought much needed renewal to the brand. Since then, quality has been nearly unrivaled. But for whatever reason, the market has yet to catch up. Just look at Jamet, Guigal, and Chapoutier prices in comparison, not to mention the heights of Bordeaux, Napa, and even once humble Priorat.
As the Northern Rhône becomes one of the hottest markets in the wine world, finding value becomes more and more difficult. Not here. At least, not yet. With the quality of recent vintages and the scores involved, we definitely see it happening soon, though, so if you love these wines our three-day sale is the time to back up the truck.
5% off any 1-3 in-stock bottles of Delas
10% off any 4 or more in-stock bottles of Delas
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, September 3rd at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 4 or more in-stock bottles of Delas
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, September 3rd at 9 am Pacific.
We offer fifteen Delas wines on our three-day sale now, including:
Delas Freres Cornas Chante Perdrix 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 34 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “A core of juicy red currant and bitter plum pāte de fruit flavors is brought into nice focus by a racy, chalk-edged structure and an iron spine, while subtle savory and dark olive accents dart in the background. Best from 2022 through 2034. 1,083 cases made, 60 cases imported. –JM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “Powerful, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of ripe black/blue fruits, candied flowers, olive and allspice. Supple and energetic on the palate, offering bitter cherry, blueberry and fruitcake flavors that tighten up slowly with air and show fine delineation. The cherry note drives a long, spicy finish that’s given shape by fine-grained, even tannins. There’s a quite graceful quality here that defies the old stereotype of Cornas being necessarily rustic.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Freres Cornas Chante Perdrix 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-95 points “Inky ruby. Assertive, smoke-accented aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, candied flowers, olive and exotic spices show excellent clarity and mineral lift. Sweet, pliant and lush on the palate, offering concentrated blackberry, cherry liqueur, smoky bacon and violet pastille flavors that show a peppery note on the back half. The impressively long, youthfully tannic finish shows fine detail and leaves behind repeating smoke and floral notes.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Freres Côte-Rôtie La Landonne 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $549, that’s $521.55 at 5% off and $494.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Decanter 97 points “Immediately this has the darkness and aromatic austerity of La Landonne. Very full-bodied, expansive on the palate with mouthcoating flavour and tannin but not heavy. This is seriously tannic, but it’s not tough. Great character, great power and perfect balance. Alcohol is just a little raised, but this is a blockbuster. Around 3,000 bottles made. Fermented in open-top concrete tanks for 20 days, then matured in new and one-year-old barrels for 14 months. Drinking Window 2026 – 2035.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is dark and still a bit reticent, with a cast iron cloak around the core of dark currant, plum and blackberry paste flavors, showing lots of sweet bay leaf, anise and singed apple wood notes in the background. There’s serious grip through the finish. For the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2038. 267 cases made, 40 cases imported. –JM”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Freres Côte-Rôtie Seigneur de Maugiron 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-95 points “Saturated ruby-red. Deeply pitched dark berry, cherry liqueur, licorice and woodsmoke scents show fine clarity and acquire oak spice and floral pastille qualities with air. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering intense blackberry, cherry-vanilla, fruitcake and salty olive flavors that are sharpened by a jolt of spicy cracked pepper. Shows excellent depth and power; finishes smoky and very long, with youthfully gripping tannins sneaking in late.”
Delas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Sleek and refined, with a smoldering bay and cast iron hints along the edges of a core of dark cherry and plum preserve notes. Juicy, yet restrained, iron-tinged finish. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases made, 83 cases imported. –JM”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, only 4 bottles remaining in stock now
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Delas Frères owns 24 acres on the Hermitage hill, including some small parcels of marsanne planted in 1912 and 1918. Since 2013, Jacques Grange has been converting the farming here and in the domaine’s other vineyards to organic, a move he says he’s found to increase the energy in the wines. The performance of the wines we tasted for this issue gives credence to his impression, with this wine a standout example. The vintage was a difficult one, replete with heat waves, hail storms and drought, and yet the wine feels radiant. Fermented with ambient yeasts, it opens gradually, the initial wood tones fading as the wine grows golden and opulent in flavor. Honeysuckle scents and lemony acidity play around the juicy Cavaillon melon flavors, adding delicacy to the wine, while bitter-almond and mineral notes add a deep savor. It’s glorious now, but deserving of another decade in the cellar to harmonize.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, only 11 bottles remaining in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe, fresh, bright and pure, with a racy-edged mix of plum sauce, cherry preserves and blackberry paste flavors underscored with mouthwatering anise, apple wood and sweet tobacco notes. The long finish flows nicely, and this flirts with approachable already, but there’s no rush. Drink now through 2034. 2,083 cases made, 175 cases imported. — JM”
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-96 points “Inky ruby. Smoke- and mineral-accented black and blue fruits, violet, licorice and an olive nuance on the deeply perfumed nose. Stains the palate with intense cherry, blueberry and fruitcake flavors that are sharpened by a spicy touch of cracked pepper. Youthfully chewy tannins frame an impressively long, penetrating finish that leaves candied dark berry and floral pastille notes behind. These are still young days for this wine but, as usual, it already screams “Hermitage”.
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $219, that’s $208.05 at 5% off and $197.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $449, that’s $426.55 at 5% off and $404.10 at 10% off, 4 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “My favorite release from this estate is consistently their Les Bessards Hermitage, and their 2019 is no exception. Coming from the western part and pure broken granite soils on the west side of this magical hill, it sports a dense purple hue to go with a brilliant perfume of cassis, graphite, scorched earth, burning embers, spring flowers, and peppery herbs. Incredibly complex, layered, and nuanced, with classic Hermitage characteristics, it still stays firmly planted in the ripe, sunny, sexy vintage. Full-bodied, concentrated, and structured on the palate, it has a wealth of tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is pure Hermitage magic that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will evolve for 20-30 years in cold cellars. Hats off to the team at Delas for another incredible wine.”
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 97-98 points “Inky violet. Displays assertive aromas of blackcurrant, cherry-cola and violet, along with olive, smoked meat and vanilla nuances that gain strength with aeration. Vibrant, focused and appealingly sweet, offering intense, mineraldriven black and blue fruit, floral pastille and smoky bacon flavors that become deeper and spicier as the wine opens up. The floral note comes back strong on the impressively long, penetrating finish, which features youthfully chewy.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Grandes Vignes ‘Ligne de Crete’ 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $299, that’s $284.05 at 5% off and $269.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Grandes Vignes ‘Ligne de Crete’ 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $619, that’s $588.05 at 5% off and $557.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96-98 points “Powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black/blue fruit liqueur, licorice, olive and potpourri are complemented by an exotic suggestion of incense. Stains the palate with intense boysenberry, cherry, cassis and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily through the midpalate. Shows a suave blend of power and delicacy and betrays no rough edges. Youthfully chewy tannins add shape to an extremely long, mineral-driven finish that delivers outstanding clarity and floral thrust.”
Decanter 96 points “Plum, damson and blackberry coulis. Dense fruit, very fine tannins and a seamless texture. The alcohol here is quite high, but it’s a very impressive wine nonetheless, with great concentration and length, not to mention fine tannins and balanced acidity. An authentic expression of the Hill. There is some cinnamon and cola oak spice running through it and the fruit can take it, it’s well balanced. From lieu-dit Les Grandes Vignes, the highest plot on the hill of Hermitage, a new cuvée first made in 2015. Drinking Window 2026 – 2038.”
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Sainte-Epine 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 28 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “This flows beautifully, with a ripe, pure and steady beam of cassis and dark cherry preserves that shows good brightness and delineation through the finish, picking up light floral and mineral accents along the way. Seductive in style, with a lovely mouthfeel and sneaky length. Best from 2022 through 2032. 500 cases made, 155 cases imported. –JM”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, only 3 bottles remaining in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “Powerfully scented aromas of fresh black/blue fruits, potpourri, licorice and smoked meat show excellent clarity and vibrant mineral lift. Concentrated boysenberry, cassis and violet pastille flavors are joined by a salty olive note that sneaks in as the wine opens up. Finishes smooth, focused and very long, with broad, fleshy tannins, a hint of smokiness and lingering florality.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Shop our fifteen Delas selections on sale now on our webstore!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
End of August Close-Out Sale
5% off any 4-8 in-stock Close-Out Sale wines
10% off any 9 or more in-stock Close-Out Sale wines
Need ideas? We offer 262 wines on our Close-Out Sale, including top-rated picks from BOND Estates, Dal Forno, Domaine Leflaive, Donnhoff, and more!
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Sunday, September 1st at 9 am Pacific.
Vinopolis Newsletter 8-30-24
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End of August Close-Out Wine Sale 8-29-24
End of August Close-Out Sale
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
We’ve added dozens of new selections to our Close-Out Sale, only to drop the prices further for you during our three-day sale!
5% off any 4-8 Close-Out Sale bottles
10% off any 9 or more Close-Out Sale bottles
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Sunday, September 1st at 9 am Pacific.
We offer 263 Close-Out Sale wines on our three-day sale now, including:
New Close-Out Sale Wine Alert!
“This magnificent Essencia that will outlast you and I” -Neal Martin, Vinous
“Should live longer than any of us!” -James Suckling
“This magnificent Essencia that will outlast you and I” -Neal Martin, Vinous
“Should live longer than any of us!” -James Suckling
The most concentrated and one of the rarest wines in the world, this liquid gold has a finish that lasts nearly forever…
Royal Tokaji Essencia, Tokaj, Hungary 2009 375ml Was $999, Displayed Price: $899, that’s $854.05 at 5% off and $809.10 at 10% off, 6 half-bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 99 points “The 2009 Tokaji Essencia comes in 1,386 individual red lacquer hand-crafted boxes containing a 375ml bottle and an obligatory hand-blown glass spoon, which is not there for decorative purposes. It does enhance imbibement, allowing that enormous hit of sucrosity to land straight on the tongue instead of clinging to the sides of your mouth or gums. It has a surprisingly bashful nose for the first 12 hours. Whereas some burst from the glass, this chooses to unfurl and only as if toying with you, gradually reveals scents of fresh fig, Medjool dates, Seville orange marmalade and Clementines. I notice that the aromatics blossom on the second day as it deftly slips into fifth gear. The palate also meliorates, obviously unctuous and yet paradoxically weightless thanks to that acidity. Again, fig features prominently allied with marmalade, demerara and quince, more desiccated orange peel and syrup towards the harmonious finish. Wonderful precision throughout, this magnificent Essencia that will outlast you and I.”
James Suckling 99 points “Wine does not get more concentrated, dense and viscous than this Tokaji Essencia, but alongside the unctuous sweetness, it also has extraordinary freshness. The fruit aromas range from blood to quince jelly, but there’s also a slew of spices and notes of flowers and forest honey. Although it barely has 2% alcohol, it is much more vinous than that figure suggests. Titanic brulee character at the huge finish. Just 1,386 half-bottles were made. Should live longer than any of us! Drink or hold.”
Decanter 96 points “… Amber in colour, it has an intoxicating bouquet of orange rind, dried apricot and mango, citrus blossom, figs, acacia honey and marmalade with a touch of herbal freshness. With sugar levels reaching as high as 581.3 g/l, the Essencia 2009 is by no means heavy and cloying on the palate. With bright citrus acidity at 11.8 g/l leading the way, lemon zest, maple syrup, more dried yellow and red fruits unravel and linger on. A rare treat that still has decades ahead.”
Royal Tokaji Essencia, Tokaj, Hungary 2009 375ml Was $999, Displayed Price: $899, that’s $854.05 at 5% off and $809.10 at 10% off, 6 half-bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 99 points “The 2009 Tokaji Essencia comes in 1,386 individual red lacquer hand-crafted boxes containing a 375ml bottle and an obligatory hand-blown glass spoon, which is not there for decorative purposes. It does enhance imbibement, allowing that enormous hit of sucrosity to land straight on the tongue instead of clinging to the sides of your mouth or gums. It has a surprisingly bashful nose for the first 12 hours. Whereas some burst from the glass, this chooses to unfurl and only as if toying with you, gradually reveals scents of fresh fig, Medjool dates, Seville orange marmalade and Clementines. I notice that the aromatics blossom on the second day as it deftly slips into fifth gear. The palate also meliorates, obviously unctuous and yet paradoxically weightless thanks to that acidity. Again, fig features prominently allied with marmalade, demerara and quince, more desiccated orange peel and syrup towards the harmonious finish. Wonderful precision throughout, this magnificent Essencia that will outlast you and I.”
James Suckling 99 points “Wine does not get more concentrated, dense and viscous than this Tokaji Essencia, but alongside the unctuous sweetness, it also has extraordinary freshness. The fruit aromas range from blood to quince jelly, but there’s also a slew of spices and notes of flowers and forest honey. Although it barely has 2% alcohol, it is much more vinous than that figure suggests. Titanic brulee character at the huge finish. Just 1,386 half-bottles were made. Should live longer than any of us! Drink or hold.”
Decanter 96 points “… Amber in colour, it has an intoxicating bouquet of orange rind, dried apricot and mango, citrus blossom, figs, acacia honey and marmalade with a touch of herbal freshness. With sugar levels reaching as high as 581.3 g/l, the Essencia 2009 is by no means heavy and cloying on the palate. With bright citrus acidity at 11.8 g/l leading the way, lemon zest, maple syrup, more dried yellow and red fruits unravel and linger on. A rare treat that still has decades ahead.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Oregon
Evesham Wood La Grive Bleue Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2022 750ml Was $41.90, Displayed Price: $36, that’s $34.20 at 5% off and $32.40 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery Note “While more savory than the Eola-Amity Hills Cuvee, this wine offeres fresh flowers (running from violets and jasmine to roses) atop cosmic crisp apples and blueberry compote. The very discrete fruits are balanced by fine tannins nicely punctuated with acid.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2021 750ml Was $51.90, Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 30 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “What a beauty! The 2021 Pinot Noir Le Puits Sec blossoms in the glass with a gorgeous mix of dusty violets and roses complemented by autumnal spice, giving way to citrus-tinged wild berries. This sweeps across the palate with finesse, lifted and ethereal, with shades of blue and purple inner florals accentuating dark red fruits. It finishes long and hauntingly floral with a tactile mineral crunch and coating of gently grippy tannins. For lovers of old-school Oregon Pinot, the 2021 is dreamy.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Ovum Rare Form ‘Day Moon’ Brut Nature Sparkling, Dundee Hills NV 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 94 points “From a vineyard in the Dundee Hills, this is organically grown riesling fermented in amphorae and aged in old barrels for a year, then two years in bottle. It’s a thought-provoking wine, subtle in a variety of ways—subtle lees notes, subtle oxidative notes, the flavors hinting at lemon, apple, Georgian savor. this stayed fresh for five days despite the intentional low pressure of its bubbles. It’s a wine to ponder with a grand plateau.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Rhone
Duclaux Cote Rotie Maison Rouge 2018 750ml Was $79, Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 96 points “From arguably the most famous lieu-dit in the southern portion of the appellation, the Duclaux brothers’ 2018 Cote Rotie Maison Rouge is a showstopper. Scents of violets, stone fruit, anise-like spice and mixed berries combine to create a complex nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated yet supremely silky, smooth and charming, ending long and elegant. It’s a superb example of the generally softer, more elegant style found around Tupin et Semons.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine du Tunnel Cornas 2018 750ml Was $79, Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 points “Readers looking for the essence of Cornas would do well to pick up a case of the 2018 Cornas. Deep purple, with a heavenly bouquet of blueberries, raspberries, crushed violets, olives, ground pepper, and gamey meats, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a balanced, classy texture, building yet polished tannins, and a great finish. It’s a winner.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2018 750ml Was $55, Displayed Price: $45, that’s $42.75 at 5% off and $40.50 at 10% off, 25 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Brilliant violet. Pungent red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by emerging floral and succulent herb nuances. Alluringly sweet and juicy on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry and candied lavender flavors that deepen through the back half. Finishes supple, spicy and long, with lingering floral and cherry notes and gentle tannic grip.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $57.98
The next best price is $57.98
Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph 2021 750ml Was $39, Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “Exudes a graceful profile, with litheness to the red cherry, potpourri, plum and licorice notes, underscored by a charming terroir signature and white pepper. Gains definition from a vein of salt and minerality, while the silky palate is propped up by cashmere-fine tannins. Drink now through 2028. 250 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph 2020 750ml Was $39, Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 36 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 points “A step up, the 2020 Saint Joseph comes all from the northern part of the Northern Rhône, and it’s medium-bodied and elegant, with good ripeness in its darker berry, violet, flower, and wet granite-like nuances. It’s another balanced, seamless red from Louis, and the 2019 vintage is a beauty for the Northern Rhône.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2018 1.5L Was $199, Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 11 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Traditionally dominated by clairette (45%) and grenache blanc (30%), then roussanne and bourboulenc. The vines average 50+ years and there’s a very restrained nose with dialed-back white-pear and chalk aromas with dried flowers, too. The palate has a super fresh, zippy feel and a long, juicy and attractive core of fresh, salty minerals. The balance is innate and very fluid. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $213
The next best price is $213
Italy
Caruso & Minini ‘Naturalmente Bio’ Perricone Terre Siciliane IGT 2019 750ml Was $19, Displayed Price: $16, that’s $15.20 at 5% off and $14.40 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The Perricone [grape], or the so-called pignatello, had been the undisputed leader of the red grapes in western Sicily. Rich with red fruits…Wine of great power and harmony while expressing…fresh and lively character.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Horus ‘Corda Pazza’ Rosso Sicilia 2020 750ml Was $29, Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “‘La Corda Pazza’ was the title of a book published in 1970 by Leonardo Sciascia, a Sicilian by birth who was an influential critic, public intellectual, and playwright. It is an in-depth exploration of Sicily’s unique history and culture, one made more exceptional (and insular) due to its island geography ‘a crazy chord,’ or corda pazza, of influences exerted by generations of invaders and colonizers. What the wine version of La Corda Pazza is meant to express is a proud, inimitable Sicilian-ness, or what Sciascia called Sicilitudine. So, that’s our word of the day, friends: Sicilitudine (see-chee-lee-TU-dee-nay). It means Sicilian first, Italian second, and, despite the presence of Syrah in the blend, “international” a very distant third. It’s a wine that, like the essay it’s named for, dives deep into what it means to be Sicilian. Giuseppe used a third each of Nero d’Avola, Frappato, and Syrah and aged the wine only in tank to preserve its freshness and soil character. For those accustomed to bigger, darker, sappier expressions of Nero d’Avola (many in the ’90s and 2000s aimed for Shiraz-level intensity), this will be a revelation: It is medium-bodied, silky, and bright, more Burgundian in scale but resolutely Mediterranean in its flavor profile.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Santa Barbara ‘Pathos’ Marche Rosso IGT 2017 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 30 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “A dense and rich red with crushed-berry and chocolate character and hints of cedar and sandalwood. Medium to full body. Firm tannins. Extremely polished and opulent. One for the cellar but hard not to drink now.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Austria
Weingut Franz Hirtzberger Rotes Tor Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2018 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “The nose here has a very restrained and rocky feel with such intense aromas of ripe citrus fruit, pepper and pears. The palate is dry, sheer and linear with good, fresh acidity drive and a smoothly rendered finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Pichler-Krutzler Loibenberg Grüner Veltliner, Wachau 2021 750ml Was $49, Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 18 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2021 Loibner Grüner Veltliner Ried Loibenberg shows an intense yellow color and opens with a pure yet intense and slightly lactic (?) or yeasty bouquet of ripe and lush, yellow fruits intertwined with notes of crushed, crystalline stones and dark flinty notes. Round and mouth-filling on the palate, this an elegant, intense and textured, savory and finely tannic Loibenberg with a sustainable saline and crystalline finish. This is a fine and elegant, finely textured and fruit-intense Veltliner that fermented longer than the other wines (until the end of January), then aged in a 1,200-liter stück barrel and was bottled at the end of August this year with 13.5% stated alcohol. The wine doesn’t have the precision and finesse of the other Veltliners at this early stage, but it will find itself after years on the bottle. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pichler-Krutzler Pfaffenberg Alte Reben Gruner Veltliner, Kremstal 2019 750ml Was $69, Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “Vinified in a new, untoasted 900-liter oak vat, the 2019 Ried Pfaffenberg Alte Reben Grüner Veltliner was only bottled in spring this year. The intensely citrus-colored wine shows a flinty, precise, fine and fresh bouquet with ripe stone fruit aromas and spices of crunchy crystalline stones. Creamy textured, ripe, lush and very elegant, with some attractive oak notes but fine tannins, this is a sensual, well-balanced and perfectly round Pfaffenberg that has to be marketed as Kremstal Reserve because the oak influence was too dominant for the DAC tasters in Krems. There is 14.5% alcohol, which you don’t feel due to the mineral freshness and elegance. Tasted at the domain in June 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pichler-Krutzler Kellerberg Riesling, Wachau 2021 750ml Was $69, Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 21 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2021 Dürnsteiner Riesling Ried Kellerberg is extremely concentrated and deep on the finely flinty and substantial nose. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich and savory, finely tannic and grippy Kellerberg with ripe and concentrated fruit but also a firm and saline finish. The acidity is enormous here (9.4 grams per liter), and the piquancy is well interwoven here with the extract. This is a wine to be cellared for at least 3-4 years. 13.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pichler-Krutzler Loibenberg Riesling, Wachau 2021 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “Picked between October 16 and 18, the 2021 Loibner Riesling Ried Loibenberg opens with a spectacularly pure, fresh, precise and flinty as well as dense and perfectly ripe stone fruit aroma intermingled with lemon notes. On the palate, this is a salty, saline and savory Loibenberg with an elegant, intense and persistently saline finish with tension, salt and grip. 13.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Sektkellerei Christian Madl Brut Nature, Weinviertel 2018 750ml Was $49, Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 92 points “Light greenish yellow with silver reflections and a delicate, fine bubbly mousse. A hint of tobacco underpins aromas of yellow apple and pear fruit, meadow herbs and lime zest. Medium complexity on the palate, with green apple and some pineapple fruit, fresh acidity, a fine minerality and a lemony touch on the finish. Typical Grüner Veltliner nuances and a pleasant aperitif.”
Winery Note “Unsulfured! For lovers of a puristic style, smells like a fluffy brioche, rustic, markedly dry, bready on the palate. 100 % Grüner Veltliner on lees since 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Sektkellerei Christian Madl Cuvee Special Brut, Weinviertel 2015 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 93 points “Pale green yellow, silver reflections, lively, fine mousse. Yellow tropical fruit, zest, some baked goods, nuances of red berries, a hint of currants, a multi-faceted bouquet. Juicy, good complexity and mineral nuances, delicately fruity, saline nuances, balanced, delicate sweetness on the finish, has length and development, certain ageing potential. “
Winery Note “White bread and brioche, rich and corpulent with depth, fine mousseux, creamy with a straight substance. Méthode Traditionnelle. Chardonnay 53 % & Pinot Noir 47 % on lees since 2016.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sektkellerei Christian Madl ‘Von den Weissen’ Brut, Weinviertel 2016 750ml Was $49, Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Fine-aromatic hay flowers meet elegant pear. Méthode Traditionnelle. Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner & Riesling on lees since 2017.”
No reviews for the 2016 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Falstaff Magazine 93 points “Pale yellow green, silver reflections, delicate, lively mousse. Fine yellow apple fruit nuances, some pear and herbs, lime zest underneath. Medium complexity, vivid fruit sweetness, some peach, fine acidity, good balance, mineral-salty finish, shows length, good certain ageing potential.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Sektkellerei Christian Madl ‘Von den Weissen Oenothek’ Brut, Weinviertel 2014 750ml Was $69, Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
A blend of Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling with over 60 months en tirage.
Review is for the early release version of this wine, not the extended tirage:
Falstaff Magazine 93 points “Light yellow green, silver reflections. Lively, fine mousse, delicate yeasty note, white fruit nuances of peach and fresh apple, some blossom, and backed by lime zest. Taut, tightly meshed, fine sweet fruit, integrated acidity, finely radiant and very youthful, with a mineral finish. It is a stimulating aperitif.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner:
California
BOND St. Eden, Napa Valley 2002 750ml Was $549, Displayed Price: $499, that’s $474.05 at 5% off and $449.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Robert M. Parker Jr.-Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2002 St. Eden, which comes from a valley floor vineyard in the Oakville corridor, is unreal. I had given the 2001 a perfect score, but the 2002 (made by the brain trust of on-site winemaker Bob Levy and outside French consultant Michel Rolland) is showing incredible elements of cedarwood, licorice, chocolate and creme de cassis as well as exquisite texture, full-bodied intensity, and unbelievable purity and length. It is only the second vintage for this vineyard, leased by Bill Harlan for several decades, and it has turned out to be a killer Cabernet Sauvignon and a great classic of Napa. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
BOND Melbury, Napa Valley 2002 750ml Was $599, Displayed Price: $499, that’s $474.05 at 5% off and $449.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Robert M. Parker Jr.-Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2002 Melbury, which comes from a hillside vineyard site near Lake Hennessey, is showing even better than it did in its youth. Probably years away from full maturity, the wine has an extraordinary aromatic profile of smoky meats intermixed with blackberry, crème de cassis, charcoal, lead pencil shavings and espresso. Dense, opulent and full-bodied, with terrific fruit, this is a showcase style of vintage for a wine of such great ripeness and massive intensity. This extraordinary effort displays oodles of glycerin and fabulous purity, while the oak has been completely absorbed. The cooler hillside climate of blue fruits and spring flowers is also present as the wine aerates in the glass. This wine has at least another 15-30 years of potential ahead of it.”
BOND Melbury, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Was $649, Displayed Price: $599, that’s $569.05 at 5% off and $539.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The more time passes, the more I think Melbury may turn out to be one of the most complete wines in the BOND range. The 2016 and 2015 both make a very strong case for that view. Tasted from bottle, the 2015 is exceptionally beautiful and vivid. Blood orange, mint and floral notes add nuance to an unbelievably polished, refined Cabernet Sauvignon. Put simply, the 2015 Melbury is a total stunner and every bit as captivating as it was last year.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
BOND Quella, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Was $649, Displayed Price: $599, that’s $569.05 at 5% off and $539.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The Quella is somber and brooding in 2015. Dark cherry, plum smoke, tobacco, leather, spice and scorched earth give the 2015 distinctive baritone inflections. There is quite a bit of density and textural resonance, but at the same time, the Quella is not particularly expressive. Perhaps bottling has affected the Quella more than it has the other wines in the range, as it was quite showy from barrel. I have seen Quella go through a period of reticence after bottling, so I won’t be at all surprised if all it needs is time.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
BOND St. Eden, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Was $699, Displayed Price: $599, that’s $569.05 at 5% off and $539.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Moving to the 2015s tasted from bottle, this is an incredible vintage for this estate and there are two perfect wines in the lineup. First up, the 2015 St. Eden, from a hillside of red volcanic soils near Oakville, boasts a saturated purple color and heavenly notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, and huge crushed rock-like minerality. It’s full-bodied, deep, and layered on the palate, with incredible concentration, yet it stays seamless, pure, and perfectly balanced. It’s a magical wine to drink over the coming 2-3 decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Champagne
Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche “Côte” Oger Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Millesime 2016 750ml Was $135, Displayed Price: $124, that’s $117.80 at 5% off and $111.60 at 10% off, 30 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Oger is a tiny, Grand Cru village in the Côte des Blancs region of Champagne. It is often mistaken for Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, given the similarity in name. In Peter Liem’s book, “Champagne” Rodolphe Péters of Pierre Péters describes it as producing wines with “delicate with aromas of red fruit and tangerine.” Liem goes on to describe the village as producing riper and more fragrant wines than Mesnil due to the east-facing bowl that captures sunlight. Wine from the village is also used as the basis for Charles Heidsieck’s Grand Cru Côte des Blancs blends.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut Rosé Millesime 2004 750ml Was $249, Displayed Price: $219, that’s $208.05 at 5% off and $197.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “This is a new release and shows wonderful finesse and beauty. You know that the moment you see the pale-amber color. It’s medium bodied with freshness and energy and a long, vivid finish. A joy to taste. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Burgundy
Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Burgundy 2021 750ml Was $999, Displayed Price: $749, that’s $711.55 at 5% off and $674.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “More brooding than the Clos Saint-Denis, Dujac’s 2021 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru opens in the glass with aromas of dark berries, cherries, sweet forest floor and baking spices. Full-bodied, layered and muscular, with impressive concentration and a long, rose-inflected finish, it’s another of the range’s high-points.”
Domaine Dujac Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru, Burgundy 2021 750ml Was $899, Displayed Price: $749, that’s $711.55 at 5% off and $674.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94-95 points “The 2021 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru is brilliant, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, summer fruit compote, sweet spices, licorice, peony and coniferous forest floor. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it’s fleshy and textural, its satiny attack segueing into a deep, seamless mid-palate and a perfumed, penetrating finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Dujac Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Burgundy 2019 1.5L Was $1,449, Displayed Price: $1,199, that’s $1,139.05 at 5% off and $1,079.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 95-97 points “The 2019 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has an airy and generous bouquet with lifted black fruit, hoisin and light roasted chestnut aromas, all well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a beautiful line of acidity, svelte and harmonious with a slightly grainy-textured finish. I adore the discrete crescendo in this Grand Cru and the unimposing but long aftertaste. “It’s been growing in stature over the last 10 to 15 years,” remarked Alex Seysses. Proof of that is evident by tasting this superb Charmes-Chambertin.”
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Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru, Burgundy 2021 750ml Was $799, Displayed Price: $699, that’s $664.05 at 5% off and $629.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2021 Bātard-Montrachet Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with aromas of pear, confit orange, lemon zest, white flowers, crisp green apple and buttery pastry. Full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, it’s rich but chiseled, with chalky structuring extract and a long, expansive finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Montrachet Grand Cru, Burgundy 2019 750ml Was $1,699, Displayed Price: $1,599, that’s $1,519.05 at 5% off and $1,439.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Jasper Morris 96-99 points “The 2019 production consists of one normal 228l barrel and one of 285 litres neither, brand new. There are some toasty notes from the wood while the detailed elements of fruit remain covered by the intensity. This wine is sitting back on its haunches, really promising. There is a huge sweetness of fruit through the middle, a very proper toastiness, a fine acidity. This massive Montrachet still retains enough lightness on its feet despite the majesty of the vineyard. Long too. Of course!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Italy
Poderi Aldo Conterno Granbussia, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2012 750ml Was $889, Displayed Price: $789, that’s $749.55 at 5% off and $710.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine 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. From Italy. —B.S.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Bartolo Mascarello Barolo DOCG 2007 750ml Was $399, Displayed Price: $369, that’s $350.55 at 5% off and $332.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “[Reviewed 2016] Mascarello’s 2007 Barolo shows just how compelling this vintage can be, even now. Sensual, layered and totally voluptuous in the glass, the 2007 shows the more flamboyant side of Barolo. I find the wine’s voluptuous, engaging personality impossible to resist. Sure, 2007 is not a classic vintage, but when a wine is this good, I say: Who cares?”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ml Was $599, Displayed Price: $497, that’s $472.15 at 5% off and $447.30 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “You will notice the dedication printed below the label of the wine label. It reads: “Dedicato a Franco Biondi Santi.” Indeed, the Biondi-Santi 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is the last vintage made by the towering father figure of Brunello whom most everyone referred to as the “gentleman of Montalcino.” Il Dottore, as he was also respectfully addressed, died at age 91 in April 2013, and he was very active in the winery as this magnificent wine took shape. This Riserva is a true work of beauty. It is released one year later than usual. The wine reflects the natural heft and power of the 2012 vintage, and it also shows that distinctive open-knit and accessible personality that characterizes this warm and sunny growing season. Il Dottore’s magic touch is revealed in the level of fine detail and precision that transcends vintage, grape and territory. That extreme focus is an achievement of this estate alone located in the celebrated Il Greppo property. This Brunello pours from the bottle with a magnificent garnet color, and it evolves in the glass with dark fruit, candied orange peel, spice, licorice, anise seed, cola and balsam herb. The aromas are magical and ethereal, albeit slightly ripe and soft as expected of this vintage.”
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Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2013 750ml Was $599, Displayed Price: $499, that’s $474.05 at 5% off and $449.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “The Biondi-Santi 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a stunning wine from all points of view. Seamless integration and elegant complexity are what stand out, and it’s worth dedicating a few extra lines to the aromatic depth that is put so beautifully on display as the wine slowly unfolds. The bouquet starts off with wild cherry, earth, wet ash, crème de cassis and pruny chocolate. With extra time, there are hints of dried tobacco leaf, sandalwood and mossy forest floor. These lead to a fine tail of dried herb, bay leaf and a touch of rusty nail. The Riserva comes in numbered bottles, and I opened number 04277. To the palate, the wine is streamlined and silky with smooth tannins and a well-managed 13.5% alcohol content. The oak presence is reduced to a minimum, offering mild hints of spice and the delicate sandalwood or dried fig aroma I described above. Fresh acidity is the glue that gives the wine buoyancy and staying power. At this young stage, this 2013 vintage could be considered a bit shy or slow to start, but this will play out to great advantage in the long term as the wine continues its bottle evolution.”
Gaja Darmagi Cabernet Sauvignon, Piedmont 2015 750ml Was $259, Displayed Price: $219, that’s $208.05 at 5% off and $197.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Darmagi loves a warm vintage. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Darmagi embraces the summer warmth like a happy sponge. This wine is faithfully true to the variety, with intensely dark fruit followed by dried cassis, exotic spice and green laurel leaf. There is a point of succulent sweetness in the mouth that is uniquely specific to this hot vintage. The wine is seamless and smooth in texture with solid structure on the close. The vines suffered from stripe disease (GLSD). This reduced the capacity of the plant’s foliar system. Gaia Gaja tells me they were able to harvest from the healthy parts of the vines to make this beautiful wine.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Gaja Darmagi Cabernet Sauvignon, Piedmont 2017 750ml Was $249, Displayed Price: $219, that’s $208.05 at 5% off and $197.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94+ points “The 2017 Darmagi (Cabernet Sauvignon) is gorgeous. Ample, silky and voluptuous to its core, Darmagi offers tons of immediacy and sheer appeal. Today, the 2017 is all about fruit richness and texture. Readers who prefer to see a full range of Cabernet aromatics should plan on cellaring the 2017 for at least a few years. Hints of blackberry jam, mocha, licorice and spice linger, but more than anything else, the 2017 is all about flamboyance. This is an especially strong vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Spain
Dominio de Pingus ‘Pingus’, Ribera del Duero 2020 750ml Was $1,099, Displayed Price: $949, that’s $901.55 at 5% off and $854.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 99 points “The bottled 2020 Pingus has settled, and the strong Mediterranean accent that was quite strong early on seems to have calmed down. The wine shows more of the serious Pingus character and is harmonious, balanced and elegant, perhaps because of the time it spent in oak vat (starting this year, it is not only in barrique). It feels very complete and intense but without weight or heaviness, and the fruit shows very clean and focused. Peter Sisseck compared it with the 2000, a wine that for him transcends the vintage; it showcases the balance (wines like 1996, 2000, 2012, 2016 and 2018). The quality of the tannins is stunning, which make the wine very elegant and balanced, and it has good freshness (even some red fruit!). This is exceptionally good, but somehow my heart didn’t beat like with the wines he compared them with… 7,500 bottles were filled in July 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Vinopolis Newsletter 8-30-24
In This Newsletter:
Arriving Friday
From the Ashes of Etna: a Volcanic Triumph for Wine Lovers
The New World, Elevated
Southern Edition
Staff Pick
We couldn’t believe this wine cost less than $25
Arriving Friday
Tenuta Delle Terre Nere
Tenuta Delle Terre Nere
“The Etna is the Burgundy of the Mediterranean,” says the man whose career as an importer of fine Italian wines is legendary. Marc De Grazia is one of the original ‘Barolo Boys,’ and his beloved Tenuta delle Terre Nere was more than 20 years in the making. Today, he farms 29 parcels on the northern flank, and his portfolio of wines is the gold standard for Etna wine.” -Wine Advocate
Really, the fact that Etna is a wine producing region at all is miraculous. So dramatic and imposing was the oft-smoking, lava spewing, village destroying active volcano that towers above their vineyards that ancient Greeks thought it home of the fire god Hephaestus. But as unfortunate as the volcano has been for generations of Sicilians, it has been an absolute boon to their wine industry.
In fact, Etna’s unique terroir, combining volcanic soils, a Mediterranean climate, and vineyards up to 3,000 feet above sea level, result in high-toned wines with punchy minerality and an elegant balance that is the envy of wine producers the world over.
Thanks to Marc De Grazia, we don’t even need to brave the danger of Mount Etna to experience its beauty. We can tour the region through Terre Nere’s ultra-expressive and transportive wines. De Grazia was the first Etna winemaker to offer single-vineyard bottlings, and the hyper-focused nature of these parcels, leads me to believe I would love to visit Caldera Sottana or San Lorenzo, for example, any time of the year. I’ve grown pretty attached to them over time. That may sound strange, but if you’ve been drinking these wines for a while, you’ll understand what I mean.
Let’s dig in to these soon-to-be arrivals, offered today at the lowest prices on the West Coast:
Terre Nere Calderara Sottana Rosso Etna, Sicily, Italy 2022 750ml $69 Special, 12 Bottles Available
Vinous 95 Points “The 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana is intense and spicy in the glass. Crushed ashen stones and grilled herbs give way to dried black cherries and spiced orange peels. Luxuriously smooth up front, this finds a lovely lift through a core of tantalizing acidity as saline minerals and the onset of grippy tannins firm up its ripe wild berry fruits. This tapers off with tremendous length and concentration, leaving a youthfully structured feel and a pleasantly tart sensation that lingers on and on.”
Terre Nere ‘Dagala di Bocca d’Orzo’ Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy 2022 750ml $138 special, 5 bottles available
Vinous 95 Points “The 2022 Etna Rosso Dagala di Bocca d’Orzo elicits an official “wow” from the first tilt of the glass, smoldering up with a blend of plum sauce, grilled herbs, violet-laced blackberries and hints of dark chocolate. This is nearly velvety in feel, with a burst of sweet spice up front complementing a core of ripe wild berries as candied citrus tones resonate toward the close.”
Terre Nere ‘Feudo di Mezzo’ Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy 2022 750ml $49 special, 15 bottles available
Vinous 93 Points “Rosy and perfumed, the 2022 Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo opens with a lovely bouquet that blends dried flowers with crushed strawberries and hints of lavender. This displays textures of pure silk with a lifted and finessed feel. Tart wild berry fruits add a lovely inner tension.”
Terre Nere ‘Moganazzi’ Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy 2022 750ml $49 special, 6 bottles available
Vinous 94 Points The 2022 Etna Rosso Moganazzi is dusty, floral and lifted, with an air of confectionery spices and chalk dust that gives way to dried black cherries. This is round and supple, with a lavender-laced blend of red and blue fruits that swirl across a stream of brisk acidity. Grippy tannins come forward through the finale as the 2022 tapers off long and perfumed. A dusting of violet candies punctuates the experience beautifully.
Terre Nere Prephylloxera ‘La Vigna di Don Peppino’ Rosso, Sicily, Italy 2022 750ml $165 special, 12 bottles available
Vinous 96 Points “Darkly alluring and youthfully background, the 2022 Prephylloxera ‘La Vigna di Don Peppino’ Calderara Sottana smolders up with a blend of with a spices, dusty violat and ash, giving way to dried black cherries, sage and cloves. This is velvety yet finssed, with a polished wave of ripe red and blue fruitthat flows across a juicy steam of acidity. Hints of sour citrus add contrast toward the close. It finishes remarkably fresh and energetic, still tanic but lively as crunchy tannis resonate and an air of lavender slowly fades. This an elegent and genuinely harmonious edition of this cuvee. Simply stunning.”
Terre Nere ‘San Lorenzo’ Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy 2022 750ml $49 special, 10 bottles available
Vinous 95 Points “Remarkably pretty, the 2022 Etna Rosso San Lorenzo wafts up with an array of dried flowers, cloves and lavender. Lifted and finessed, this opens with a hint of candied orange that enlivens its core of tart wild berries. Brisk acidity keeps the experience fresh throughout. Staining the palate in concentration, the San Lorenzo tapers off gently tannic and crunchy in feel, leaving gorgeous floral perfumes to linger on. This is the understated darling of the Terre Nere portfolio, and I expect that cellaring will bring even more complexity.”
The New World, Elevated
South American Edition
The view from Altos Las Hormigas’ vineyards. Not Bad.
Last week we took a look at some of North America’s highest altitude wineries and vineyards. We topped out at 1800 feet above sea level. In Mendoza Argentina, however, where vineyards are planted at the foothills of the Andes mountains, grapes can be found thriving at up to 4,500 feet above sea level. It’s pretty incredible to comprehend.
Argentina
Altos Las Hormigas, Gaultallary
With a focus on minimalist winemaking, Altos Las Hormigas, a winery built on the idea (revolutionary in 1995) that Argentine Malbec could be just as important for terroir exploration as Pinot Noir in Burgundy. Pulling grapes for this wine from biodynamic vineyards in Gaultallary, at the foothills of the Andes, these wines are taken from vineyards up to 4,300 feet above sea-level. A standout sub-region of the Uco Valley, Gualtallary’s limestone soils and harsh climate create focused, high-toned, and precise reds.
Altos Las Hormigas Malbec, Argentina 2021 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles available
Patricio Tapia-Guida Descorchados 96 Points “Appellation comes from a small parcel of just under a hectare planted on soils rich in limestone … And what they’ve obtained is a vibrant floral red wine marked by acidity and sharp tannins that’s clearly a much more austere, more controlled approach in comparison with the exuberance of other wines from the area.”
Lowest Price on the West Coast
Bodega Cuvelier Los Andes, Vista Flores
The family behind Bordeaux’s Grand Cru Classe winery Leoville-Poyferre and Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnal Château Le Crock travelled to the top of the world to produce this bio-dynamic red blend. Harvested from Vista Flores in the Uco Valley, the estate’s vineyards grow at 3,300 feet above sea-level, near the Chilean Border.
Bodega Cuvelier Los Andes Grand Vin, Vista Flores, Argentina 2016 750ml $36 special, 36+ bottles available
Steven Tanzer-Vinous Points 91+ “Bright medium ruby Blackberry, cassis, licorice, herbs and complementary oak spices on the nose, plus a violet high note. Densely packed and smooth, with its brooding flavors of crushed dark berries currently carrying strong oak notes of licorice and bitter chocolate, not to mention the firm herbal edge of the vintage. Quite pungent–even peppery–after the 2015 Colección, finishing with dusty tannins and a penetrating quality that augurs well for improvement in bottle. This blend will need at least a couple years to reveal its full personality.”
Winery Notes “Grand Vin is our “First Label”. We like to introduce our Grand Vin as the Argentinean cousin of Château Léoville-Poyferré, 2nd Grand Cru Classé from Saint-Julien, our family’s most renowned Estate in Bordeaux, France. Grand Vin is an exceptional Bordeaux-style blend, with an impressive tannic structure from our best Malbec, rounded, balanced and completed with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot.”
Lowest Price in the United States
Zorzal, Tupungato
Tupungato, one of the tallest mountains in South America, is home to the highest elevation winery in the Mendoza region of Argentina (at 4,500 feet). Although situated at a proximity to the equator that would normally prohibit fine wine grape production due to excessive heat, the Mendoza region lies at such an extreme elevation that it remains cool enough to do so.
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato, Argentina 2019 750ml $24 special, 14 bottles available
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 Points “This wine is never about the grape variety, and it’s like liquid chalk, even more so in 2019. It matured in concrete eggs for 10 months. This is always produced from a limestone-rich plot in the Tupungato Winelands. Half of the wine fermented with the skins, but it doesn’t have any “orange” characteristics. It’s sharp and super tasty. Amazing value.“
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2017 750ml $24 special, 37 bottles available
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 Points “The mouthfeel of the 2017 Eggo Tinto de Tiza was like biting into a piece of chalk (“tiza” is the Spanish word for chalk), the texture provided by the limestone-rich soils from Gualtallary, especially in the higher part of this large region. This wine is not about the varieties (it’s a blend to start with) but about the place, the soils, the local vegetation, the austerity and the wilderness.”
Staff Pick
Ok, so we had some weather in Portland recently. Within the space of a few hours, we witnessed a sunny PNW afternoon turn cold, dark, and foreboding… it was like a scene from one of those Scandinavian murder mystery shows. Rain and hail pelted the windows near me and a volley of thunderclaps sent my animals under the bed. As for me, I had not a care in the world. My secret, you ask? A bottle of Fullerton’s Rocks District Syrah to keep me warm.
This scrumptious Syrah opens with savory notes of black pepper and fresh roasted coffee. Swirl it in the glass a little bit and whiffs of dusty, iron enriched earth and wet river bank emerge, with high-toned black cherry on the palette as well.
This is a very giving and complex wine, nurturing through the darkest of winter nights and lithe enough to pair with seared steelhead, roasted lamb, and rich tomato sauces. The fact that we have this wine, a Rock’s district Syrah, for under 25 dollars is an absolute coup… you will not find this wine for under 50 dollars elsewhere. Stock up while you still can, this will be a rewarding bottle for many dark days and storms ahead.
Fullerton Rocks District Syrah, Walla Walla, USA 2020 750ml $21.90 special, 35 bottles available
Audrey Frick-Jebdunnuck.com 93 Points “Pouring a deep but transparent purple, the 2020 Syrah Rocks District Of Milton-Freewater is elegant with balanced aromas of primary blackberry fruit, pencil shavings, toasted black pepper, and fresh violets. Supple and full-bodied, though weightless and elegant, it delivers a silky, chocolaty texture, sweet tannins, and a hint of charcuterie. It is in a great spot now, and I like where this is going over the next 6-8 years.”