Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Racines June Sale 6-18-24

In This Newsletter:

Racines
&
Vinopolis Featurette: Spreitzer

Racines

Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now

When one of the preeminent names in Burgundy, Étienne de Montille of Domaine de Montille, sought out land on the West Coast of America to craft Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a Burgundian sensibility, it was only natural that he focused on the Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County. (It’s a region that seems to pull at French hearts, as it did with the late Philippe Cambie and his joint project with Adam Lee of Siduri, named Beau Marchais.)

And draw more French folk, it did. Étienne shared the news with his friend Rodolphe Péters of Champagne’s top-class grower estate, Pierre Péters, who quickly signed on and became the sparkling wine consultant for the project. Étienne partnered with Santa Barbara-area native and winegrower Justin Willett of Tyler Vineyards to manage the project on site.

The results? Exquisite and poised, these are wines that even wowed stodgy British palates with their complexity. To quote Beaune Imports, “the cool coastal climate and mineral based soils give [the project’s co-founders] confidence in light of global warming and it’s clear that Justin’s winemaking style would be at home in either Burgundy or Champagne.”

5% off any 3-5 in-stock wines from Racines
10% off any 6 or more in-stock wines from Racines

Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

Sale ends Friday, June 21st at 9 am Pacific.

We offer nine wines from Racines, including:

Racines Grand Reserve Sparkling Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills NV 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Decanter 96 points “This is the best American sparkling wine I’ve ever tasted. The 2019 vintage base also includes 25% reserve wines from the 2017 and 2018 harvests. This Grand Reserve Chardonnay made from the cool Sta Rita Hills is crafted with a Champagne pedigree, and it shows. This Blanc de Blancs from across renowned Sta Rita Hills vineyards has undeniable Old World charm and sophistication. The aromatics boast ample toasted biscuit notes and great yeasty complexity from the 30 months on lees. The palate has a fantastic depth of fruit, spiced pear, cardamom, nutmeg and bruised apples. There is a subtlety of savoury biscuits and hints of almond cream. Elegant, yet bold and wildly delicious.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The NV Sparkling Wine Grand Reserve is the first release in Racines’ sparkling wine project, done in collaboration with Rodolphe Peters. The first thing about the Grand Reserve readers Central Coast need to know is that it is a serious wine that greatly benefits from aeration. In fact, it only improved over the several days I followed it in bottle. My initial impression, however, was far less positive. So patience is key. Rich, ample and creamy with air, the Grand Reserve shows the rich, phenolic, mineral side of Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay to great effect. Moreover, it has all the elements that are so often missing in the new wave of California sparkling wines, namely a fine mousse, good mid-palate depth and a long finish. The Racines sparkling wine is a work in progress, but the debut release is hugely promising.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Racines ‘Sta. Rita Hills Cuvee’ Chardonnay 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $55, that’s $52.25 at 5% off and $49.50 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “A wonderfully complex wine with ample texture. The Sta Rita Hills Cuvée is sourced from some of Santa Barbara’s top Chardonnay sites. The wine sees very little new oak and, as a result, shines forth with delicate brilliance—classically cool climate Chardonnay aromatics of soft white florals, crushed chalk and a touch of mint. The palate has verve and energy with savoury petrichor-driven minerality coming to the fore, followed on by bruised apples, a touch of cardamom and honey to finish adding depth and complexity along the way.”

Racines Wenzlau Family Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points “Beguiling complexity, depth and beauty mark this outstanding Chardonnay from the Wenzlau Family Vineyard in the Sta Rita Hills. In a year when so many of California’s wine regions were devastated by smoke, this wine shows a fresh, airy poise—delicate and precise aromas of crushed chalk, petrichor, sweet white flower pollen and hints of seaspray. The palate is exquisite; a sophistication of flavours and textures collide. A savoury, briny minerality outlines apricot skin, early-season nectarine and subtle hints of bee pollen. The finish is fine, filigreed and fresh.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2020 Chardonnay Wenzlau Family Vineyard is one of the highlights in this range from Racines. Bright and dynamic, the 2020 is fresh, complex and also quite structured, making for a wonderfully complete wine that captures the essence of this rugged Sta. Rita Hills site. Readers should expect an intensely mineral, savory Chardonnay. I loved it.”

Racines Bentrock Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2020 Chardonnay Bentrock Vineyard shows the crystalline purity and energy this site is known for, along with an extra kick of richness from the late season heat that gives the Bentrock more early appeal than is typical. Lemon peel, white flowers, slate, crushed rocks and mint all run through this delineated, vibrant Chardonnay from Racines.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Racines Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points “The historic Chardonnay parcel of original and own-rooted plantings dates back to 1971. These Chardonnay vines are the oldest vines in the Sta. Rita Hills Racy, yet richly textured and effusively aromatic, this wine shows a serious old vine complexity and the coastal influence of Santa Barbara county terroir. Aromatics of bruised apples and petrichor are punctuated by notes of sea foam and smoke. The palate is energised by savoury briny citrus and crushed chalk. Electric acidity amplifies the wines mineral character with hints of smoke and crushed limestone with hints of grilled lime and green mango. A revelatory California Chardonnay.”

Racines ‘Sta. Rita Hills Cuvee’ Pinot Noir 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “Racines is a collaboration between Tyler Winery’s Justin Willett, Domaine de Montille’s Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve, and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne Pierre Péters, working with entirely Sta. RIta Hills fruit. For the most part, the entire lineup levels-up the intensity and structure of the Tyler wines, as is the case with their Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Sourced from multiple sites across the appellation with a backbone of La Encantada Vineyard. Meaty, dense, and reminiscent of a damp forest on the nose and palate, with a balanced, dark-fruited, saline-heavy finish.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $60

Racines ‘Sta. Rita Hills Cuvee’ Pinot Noir 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2020 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Cuvée is a terrific introduction to the range. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, spice, rose petal and a touch of whole cluster savoriness are all beautifully delineated. This is suh a gorgeous and expressive Pinot.”

Racines ‘Sainte Rose’ Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “From organic vineyards along the Santa Rosa Road corridor, this Pinot Noir from Racines is a straightforward cooler site Pinot Noir from Sta Rita Hills. Aromas of strawberry fruit leather give way to notes of turned earth and crushed black basalt. The palate is savoury, with underlying dried fruit flavours. Montmorency cherries, garden soil and clove, evolve into notes of savoury herbs and streaks of graphite minerality.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $85

Racines Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $115, that’s $109.25 at 5% off and $103.50 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “From organic vineyards along the Santa Rosa Road corridor, this Pinot Noir from Racines is a straightforward cooler site Pinot Noir from Sta Rita Hills. Aromas of strawberry fruit leather give way to notes of turned earth and crushed black basalt. The palate is savoury, with underlying dried fruit flavours. Montmorency cherries, garden soil and clove, evolve into notes of savoury herbs and streaks of graphite minerality.”

Shop our nine selections from Racines on sale now on our webstore!

Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:

Spreitzer’s Rheingau Beauties

Spreitzer is one of the unsung heroes of German Riesling, making beautiful wines that are typical of the lyric side of the Rheingau. At a time when most of the great old names of the Rheingau have been resting on their laurels, Spreitzer has turned themselves into a truly must-buy producer. These have the classic aristocracy of the Rheingau, but with beautiful fruit and lively personalities that make them very easy to drink. Rich, decadent, and delicious, these Spatlesen are just entering their prime drinking window.

In Stock Now:

Weingut Josef Spreitzer ‘303’ Oestricher Lenchen Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2018 750ml Was $49, Now $39, 5 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “Mango, pink grapefruit, pear, lychee, honeysuckle and lily combine for a headily exotic and almost overripe nose. Luscious, almost gaudy ripeness and perfume are the inner-mouth story as well, backed by gloss and considerable sweetness – though not the excessive sweetness that this bottling at one time tended to exhibit. The lingering finish displays real vibrancy, no doubt in large part owing to the wine’s harboring vintage-atypically high acidity of 10 grams. And that in turn is almost certainly a result of light desiccation of healthy fruit, which is also what gives this bottling its Auslese-like aura. (Drink between 2021-2035).”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Concentrated, with peach, orange peel and spice aromas and flavors set on a velvety texture. Nicely structured, showing complexity, focus and length due to the acidity, which will help this age gracefully. Best from 2022 through 2036. 50 cases imported.”
Terry Theise note “The cadaster is called Eiserberg (iron hill), from which a record-setting wine of 303º Oechsle was gathered back in the 1920s. The record’s since been broken but come on; this is the climate-change era. This ’18 has a blatant fragrance of iron, white flowers and pickled ginger and a mass of pulverized mineral; it’s as sleek as the 2004 and yet as rich as the 2015, and if there’s any botrytis it’s clean and discreet. The sweetness is taut and buzzing. The most exciting vintage in many years! What is this wine, though? It’s somewhat too rich and intense for a typical Spätlese and too buoyant for a typical Auslese, and so it becomes a wine that’s oblique to the notion of “utility,” how it might be used. This can drive you crazy unless you can somehow cherish the whole idea of a wine existing merely because it is beautiful. OK, yes, that’s all well and good, but at some point we decide to open it, and then what, when, why, how? My only answer would be, that we contrive the occasion for the wine to be like a painting on your wall; you look at it and are happier and richer. It doesn’t have to “perform” in any way. It simply returns your life to you as a finer and deeper matter. And if a painting can do this, why not a wine?”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Weingut Josef Spreitzer Winkeler Jesuitengarten Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2018 750ml Was $28, Now $24, 9 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “This bottling incorporates a selection of those bunches that appeared to (and did) harbor higher acidity than the ones that were picked for the corresponding halbtrocken bottling, but it also reflects some fruit of higher must weight and more advanced ripeness… Scents of pear and peach come close to overripeness, accompanied by suggestions of faded violets and decadent lilies. But along with that come anticipations of the grapefruit and lime that enhance juiciness and enliven a silken palate featuring heady inner-mouth perfume. The subtly brown-spiced and mouthwateringly salted finish is ultra-luscious, rendering the next sip irresistible. (Drink between 2021-2030)”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Bright and succulent, featuring notes of yellow apple, peach and floral. Offers a light-bodied frame but remains very flavorful, with high acidity providing balance and support. Best from 2022 through 2032. 100 cases imported.”
Terry Theise note “There were two options. A drier one is classic, upholstered, earthy and dense with just an edge of sweetness, rural and with a fragrance of leaf-decay. The “sweeter” wine ran to the usual violet and lavender but showed a sweet finish, and yet the wine’s more playful. You guessed it; we blended them and enjoyed much of the best of both worlds, though Andi will keep at it until he gets the exact one he wants. I want this wine to be earnest and Jesuitical and also delicious. Tall order, but Andi’s a pretty tall guy.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

We offer 198 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now. Shop the sale on our webstore now!

Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:

BOND

5% off any 1-2 in-stock bottles of BOND Estates
10% off any 3 or more in-stock bottles of BOND Estates

Farewell to Spring Champagne Sale

5% off any mix of 3-5 bottles or
10% off any mix of 6+ bottles of
in-stock Champagnes from:
Marie Courtin, Prevost, Gosset, Paul Bara, and/or Valentin Leflaive

Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

BOND sale ends Wednesday, June 19th at 9 am Pacific. Farewell to Spring Champagne sale ends on the summer solstice on Thursday, June 20th at 9 am Pacific.

Vinopolis Newsletter 6-17-24 PM

In This Newsletter:

New Arrivals
Delmas, 4 Monos, Agusti Torello, Grosjean, Domaine Pattes Loup, and more!

MADL To Last
The Stellar sparkling wines of Christian Madl

Collector’s Corner
Three 100 Point Stunners from California

Walla Walla Wines that Rock

Delmas Wines.

The name has been passed from mother to daughter for generations in Brooke Delmas Roberts’ family. A project intended to mine the possibilities of Rhône varietals in Walla Walla, Brooke is the Cal-Poly educated and Napa experienced viticulturist responsible for sustainably guiding this family-owned estate from one generation to the next. Alongside Steve Robertson, Brooke’s father and Delmas’ chief vintner, the focus is on direct management of the vineyards, a “boots-in-the-rows” approach that has paid off with rave reviews from critics like Eric Guido and Steven Tanzer of Vinous Media.

All of their wines are produced from their “SJR Vineyard,” located on the corner of Lower Dry Creek and County Road in Milton-Freewater, Oregon at the SW corner of ‘The Rocks District.

Delmas ‘SJR’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2019 750ml $69 special, 12 bottles available
Vinous 97 Points “This is now the third opportunity I have had to review the utterly stunning 2019 Syrah SJR Vineyard – a wine that is actually showing better than when I first tasted it. Initially more reticent and Burgundian, this polished Syrah was aged in 60% new French oak before bottling. The wine shows beautiful red rose petals, nori, smoldering stones and orange blossom. The palate is exceedingly elegant with silky tannins and a light dusting of white pepper and salinity. Ripe strawberry, pomegranate seed and orange rind flavors combine with wet stone and rose water undertones. Make sure to give this beautiful Syrah at least one hour of air if consuming in its youth.”

Delmas ‘SJR’ Vineyard Field Blend Red, Walla Walla Valley, USA NV (20/21) 750ml $69 special, 6 bottles available
Owen Bargreen 95 Points “The nose is very high-toned and spicy with exotic spices, guava and shades of smoldering stones. The palate shows a beautiful purity of red fruits, with salty and stony undertones alongside kumquat rind and Asian spices. There is quite simply nothing like this.”
Winery Notes “86% Grenache, 6%Syrah, 4% Mourvedre, 4% Cinsault from SJR Vineyard. The inaugural release of the Delmas Field Blend is Grenache dominant with smaller percentages of additional Rhône Reds. The multi-vintage FB21 exudes precise aromatics of kirsch, garrigue, white pepper, lavender, and licorice. Rich and multi-dimensional on the palate with notes of kirsch, pomegranate, forest floor, lavender, white chocolate, cracked peppercorns, and bacon fat. The signature minerality and umami notes of SJR vineyard shine brilliantly on the very long finish.”

New Arrivals

STAFF PICK Agusti Torello Mata Cava Brut Rosat 2021 750ml $24.50 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Notes “Pale pink with aromatic notes of strawberry, ripe plum and pastry, to make a different cava with character. It has a very well integrated carbonic acid and it is elegant on the palate. Good companion of appetizers and desserts or semi-mature cheeses and meats.”
“From 30 year old organic Trepat vines from the Obach Estate in Mediona, located 800m high with clay and slate soils that allow for great concentration. The vineyards are maintained with vegetable coverings to maintain a humidity and sponginess of the soil, thus establishing a natural balance of the vine. No chemical pesticides or fungicides.”

Faraone Le Vigne Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2019 750ml $19 special, 12 bottles available

Grosjean Gamay Vallee d’Aoste 2022 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Notes “A Burgundian native, Grosjean’s Valdôtain Gamay comes from the valley’s steep, south-facing upper slopes in the villages of Quart, Saint Christophe and Villeneuve. As a single varietal wine it is balanced, bright ruby red with a fruity bouquet that has a pronounced strawberry scent. It is delicate but also complex and intense with fresh, delicate tannins. An excellent partner to charcuterie boards. Four to five days of maceration followed by aging in stainless steel.”

Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2020 750ml $46 special, 12 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 90 Points “The 2020 Chablis Vent d’Ange has a light bouquet with lemon verbena, and citrus peel touches, just slightly smudged at first but gaining clarity with aeration. The palate is well-balanced with a slightly reduced entry, fine depth, plenty of extract, and a saline finish. Moderate length. Just a hint of blackcurrant leaf on the finish. Fine.”

Christian Madl

The “Madlad” did it!

Christian Madl is making revolutionary Sekt that dazzles the senses, offering a refreshingly unique take on sparkling wine.

These are all vintage-dated Estate wines, featuring hand harvested fruit only. Then, they only use the first part of the must, ensuring focus and purity. The wines are then bottle aged in his Cellar and hand riddled for up to 8 years before disgorgment. His wines, obviously take their inspiration Champagne, but they tell an Austrian story featuring grapes like Gruner Veltliner and Riesling in addition to more traditional grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

It is no surprise then that Falstaff, Austria’s most trusted Wine Journal, has voted them Best of Austria on five occasions!

Christian Madl Brut Nature 2018 750ml $49 special, 4 bottles available
Falstaff 92 Points (translated from German) “Bright yellow-green, silver reflections, lively, fine mousse. Delicate yellow fruit nuances, a hint of mango and passion fruit, floral touch, some pineapple. Tight, light-footed and lively, lemony nuances, mineral-salty finish, an animating style, suitable for use both as an aperitif and as a food accompaniment.”
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.”

Christian Madl “Cuvee Special” Brut 2015 750ml $59 special, 5 bottles available
Falstaff 93 Points (translated from German) “Light green-yellow, silver reflections, lively, fine mousse. Yellow tropical fruit, zest, some baked goods, red berry nuances, some cherries, multifaceted bouquet. Juicy, good complexity and mineral nuances, fine fruit, saline nuances, balanced, delicate sweetness on the finish, has length and development 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.”

Christian Madl Von Den Weissen Brut 2016 750ml $49 special, 3 bottles available
Winery Note “Fine-aromatic hay flowers meet elegant pear. Méthode Traditionnelle. Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner & Riesling on lees since 2017.”

Christian Madl Von Den Weissen Brut Oenothek 2014 750ml $69 special, 6 bottles available
Falstaff 93 Points (translated from German) “Delicate yeast note, white fruit nuances of peach and fresh apple, floral aspects, underlined with lime zest. Firm, tight-knit, fine extract sweetness, integrated acidity, fine-rayed and very youthful, mineral aftertaste, animating aperitif.”
Importer’s Note “Having just been tasting in Champagne, we were floored by how good these wines were. They were the very best sparkling wines we’d tasted outside of France. They’re unique, exciting and full of energy… Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, Riesling.”

Featured Close-outs

De Venoge.

De Venoge was established in Champagne in the first part of the 19th century by Swiss born Henri-Marc de Venoge and his son Joseph. Today the House has a strong following in Europe for good reason—they source from some of the best vineyards in Champagne and produce prestige cuvées of immense quality, built on long lees aging. The Louis XV, for instance, is sourced exclusively from Grand Cru villages such as Verzenay, Bouzy, Avize, and Le Mesnil. The resulting wines capture the essence of classical Champagne and are in high demand in Europe’s top restaurants.

WAS $79
De Venoge Brut Millesime, Champagne, France 2002 750ml $69 special, only 4 bottle left!!!
Wine Spectator 93 Points “A core of mineral-accented smoke, spice and honey notes is wrapped with flavors of glazed apricot, lemon preserves and candied ginger in this vibrant and well-balanced version. Creamy, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2025. 3,000 cases made.”

WAS $189
De Venoge Louis XV Brut Millesime, Champagne, France 2006 750ml $169 special, 12+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 Points “The assemblage of the 2006 Louis XV Brut Millésimé is about the same as the 1995 and 1996—composed of 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from grand cru villages. The only difference is that the Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (10% of the assemblage) spent 12 months in oak barrels. Disgorged in January 2017 (dosage: six grams per liter), the 2006 has a golden color and opens with a deep, ripe, elegant and vinous bouquet with toasty and chalky lemon and fresh white fruit flavors. On the palate, this is an intense, round, fresh and complex Louis XV with great purity and finesse … The 2006 shows a lot of Chardonnay features right now and drinks perfectly today; however, it can be kept under perfect conditions for decades.”

WAS $249
De Venoge Louis XV Brut Millesime, Champagne, France 2008 750ml $219 special, 12+ bottles available
James Suckling 95 Points “This is really punchy and broad-shouldered with muscular structure and citrusy undertones. Full body. Lightly tannic and a fresh and vivid finish. This is the first vintage without malolactic fermentation ever. One for the cellar. Better in 2022.”

WAS $189
De Venoge Louis XV Extra Brut Rose Millesime, Champagne, France 2002 750ml $159 special, 12+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 Points “Harmonious, with fine intensity, offering rich notes of spice cake, toasted almond, dried cherry, grilled plum and smoky mineral. Almost velvety in texture, with juicy acidity that brings you back for another sip. Delicious. Drink now through 2022. 54 cases made.”

Collector’s Corner

Quintessa Red Rutherford 2019 750ml $219 special, 7 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 100 Points “Cellar Selection. This is a winemaker’s master class in blending and understanding of a long-standing site. Dried herb, cedar and pencil shavings accent lifted red fruit and brilliant acidity on the palate, with a supple yet still youthfully grippy texture that is framed by structured, graceful tannins. Enjoy from 2029–2039. -Virginie Boone”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points “I was blown away by the 2019 Red Blend from Quintessa, which is up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Carmenère, this full-bodied beauty has a perfectly balanced, seamless, yet expansive and classic 2019 style as well as gorgeous aromatics of cassis, flowers, chalky minerality, and integrated oak. It’s hard to resist already, but I have no doubt this will evolve for 20 years if stored properly.”

Verite La Muse 2018 750ml $375 special, 5 bottles available
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 100 Points “A blend of 90% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec, the 2018 La Muse was matured 16 months in 100% new French oak barrels. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the nose delivers a powerful perfume of cherry pie, blackberry preserves and baked plums, followed by suggestions of red roses, cast-iron pan, underbrush and unsmoked cigars, plus wafts of licorice and oolong tea. Medium to full-bodied, the black fruit and exotic spice layers flow so gracefully over the palate, textured by plush tannins and lifted with seamless freshness, finishing epically long and achingly fragrant. The intensity and complexity of aromas and flavors—all waltzing in captivating harmony—cannot fail to make your head spin in the best possible way. Electrifying!”

Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Mt Veeder 2019 750ml $489 special, 3 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points “Another riveting wine, the 2019 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon has a Château Latour-like stature and regalness, with full-bodied richness and incredible concentration, as well as structure, on the palate. Cassis, blueberry liqueur, lead pencil shavings, crushed stone, and graphite notes all define the nose, and it hits the palate with incredible power and opulence, yet stays pure, flawlessly balanced, and has a finish that won’t quit. This is as brilliant as Cabernet gets, and Carpenter is clearly playing with the best in the business. Give bottles 4-5 years if you can and it will cruise for 30-40 years.”

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Farewell to Spring Sale 6-17-24

In This Newsletter:

Farewell to Spring Sale on Prevost, Marie Courtin, Gosset Champagne and more!
&
Vinopolis Featurette:
Baron de Montfaucon

Farewell to Spring Champagne Sale

Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now

Send off spring with a pop!

We’re slashing prices on Champagnes from some of the top names in Champagne, from leading light of the Aube, Marie Courtin, to Jerome Prevost, one of the most sought-after growers in Champagne, to Gosset, an esteemed Grande Marques, and more.

Shop all the options below or jump right on over to the webstore before someone else does…

5% off any mix of 3-5 bottles or
10% off any mix of 6+ bottles of
in-stock Champagnes from:
Marie Courtin, Prevost, Gosset, Paul Bara, and/or Valentin Leflaive

Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

Sale ends on the summer solstice on Thursday, June 20th at 9 am Pacific.

Pick from ten in stock & on sale now Champagnes:

Dominique Moreau founded Marie Courtin in 2005, naming the house after her grandmother who she describes as a “woman of the earth”. In honor of her, Moreau has set out to produce single-vineyard, single varietal, single vintage Champagnes from biodynamically-grown grapes, using indigenous yeasts and no dosage. Courtin’s wines demonstrate a fruity plushness offset by an incomparable mineral-driven tension that drives the somms in Portland, and her growing fanbase, wild.

A non-sparkling wine from the Champagne region
Marie Courtin Le Blanc du Tremble, Coteaux Champenois 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Review is for the NV version, reviewed in November 2023. Provided for reference.
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The NV Coteaux Champenois Le Blanc du Tremble shows good depth and phenolic intensity. Pear, apricot, white flowers and lightly tropical notes all grace this wonderfully deep and expressive Coteaux. Blanc du Tremble is 100% Pinot Noir from 35-40-year-old vines, aged in clay and sandstone amphorae. Terrific.”

Marie Courtin Efflorescence Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Marie Courtin Efflorescence Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 91 points “The 2017 Extra Brut Efflorescence (100% Pinot Noir) displays good depth texturally and lovely persistence, but I would like to see more focus on the aromatics. Then again, this is a 2017. A slightly forgiving palate is required to fully appreciate this. Zero dosage. Disgorged in March of 2023. (Drink between 2023-2029)”

“Readers should do whatever they can to taste these fabulous wines.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Marie Courtin Eloquence Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2018 Extra Brut Eloquence is magnificent. Elegant and layered, the 2018 is ripe, pure and very vinous in feel. It shows a hint of reduction, reminiscent at times of a great still white wine. The long, pure finish is a thing of beauty. Eloquence is 100% Chardonnay from a single vineyard site in Polisot on clay-limestone soils. Zero dosage.”
Decanter 96 points “An immediate sense of fragrance and presence – a smoky, struck match note of reduction. A breezy meadow and forest aroma. It’s funny how Dominique Moreau’s wines often smell of the countryside you think you just left outside. The silky texture is arresting then calms the palate, caressing. Creamy fruit pulp shot through with gentle citrus. Such a long finish. Deluxe. 60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Blanc, 5% Arbanne. Biodynamic. Organic yeasts. From the single parcel Tremble. Made in sandstone amphora and held 11 months on lees before bottling. Zero dosage.”

Marie Courtin Resonance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne (2020) NV 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The NV (2020) Extra Brut Resonance is so bright and focused for a Pinot Noir. Lime, jasmine, crushed rocks and chalk abound. Site seems to dominate over variety in this exotic, strongly chalky offering. All expectations for what Pinot Noir is supposed to be are turned upside down. Bright saline notes support the intensity of aromatics and palate. Sourced from a single vineyard in Polisot, this saw native yeast fermentation in stainless steel. Zero dosage.”

No one makes Pinot Meunier Champagnes like Jerome Prevost. They are exquisite, showcasing the inherent fruit of the variety alongside crunchy minerality and a quiet, soulful undertone you have to experience to believe.

Jerome Prevost La Closerie ‘&’ Extra Brut LC21, Champagne 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Negociant cuvee from Prevost. Made in the same spirit as his other cuvees. The only difference from Les Beguines (other than the lieu-dit) is that the grapes are purchased. The domaine works in close consultation with the vigneron and makes decisions about harvest date and selections.”

Jerome Prevost La Closerie Grand Cru Extra Brut LC21, Champagne 750ml Displayed Price: $449, that’s $426.55 at 5% off and $404.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Cult wine from Jerome Prevost, one of Champagne’s most celebrated producers. The wine is 100% grand cru Pinot Meunier from the man who helped put single varietal Pinot Meuniers on the map. Made exclusively from 50-year-old vines. Very, rare. Don’t miss out this chance!

Base in the Grand Cru village of Aÿ, Gosset makes elegant yet expressive Champagnes. Their combination of extended lees aging and non-malo gives the wines poise, tension, and a long drinking window.

Gosset Grand Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne NV 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A finely textured Chardonnay, this is ripe and crisp with acidity, minerality and hints of nuttiness from bottle age. From the Côte des Blancs, the fruit in this Champagne has given a pure line of acidity and total textured freshness. Drink the bottling now.”

Gosset Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A mouthwatering Champagne, with a delicate, lacy mousse, this offers an expressive, well-meshed range of black currant and apricot fruit, pink grapefruit pith and grated ginger accents, plus hints of oyster shell and chalk. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Drink now through 2028. 3,750 cases imported.”

A grower-producer from the Grand Cru village of Bouzy, Champagne Paul Bara crafts structured, elegant Champagnes that offer an incredible mélange of spice, floral, and orchard fruit notes. This 2016 is charming and full of energy, ready to knock your socks off today.

Paul Bara Grand Millesime Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer notes “Non-vintage, entry level Champagne tends to sing best all by itself, or perhaps with just some simple appetizers. Vintage bottles on the other hand have more grip and a bit of weight than their blended counterparts and often have their best moments at table. The 2016 Brut Grand Cru from Bara is one such wine. Don’t just pair with classic white wine dishes, but stretch your imagination and try with lighter red wine pairings—roasted bird, pork chops or tenderloin, or hearty vegetable dishes.”
No reviews for the 2016 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “Candied apricot, dried flowers, chamomile and spice give the 2014 Brut Grand Millésime a real sense of exoticism that is impossible to miss. Ample and creamy, the 2014 possesses terrific resonance and plenty of depth, all in a style that can be enjoyed with minimal, if any, cellaring.”

Crafted by Burgundy house Olivier Leflaive, this Champagne is all Chardonnay hailing from one of Champagne’s finest villages: Le Mesnil Sur Oger. Full of finesse, this wine shows the serious side of terroir through a Burgundian lens.

Valentin Leflaive Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Sur Oger Grand Cru Extra Brut (2015) NV 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Importer notes “This airy Champagne has light emerald reflections with precise nose with lime and tangerine notes with subtle minerality. On the palate, the champagne is fresh and harmonious with tones of flint and chalk. The long and salivating finish is punctuated by pleasant and fine salinity… Le Mesnil sur Oger Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Valentin Leflaive is composed exclusively of Chardonnay from one of the most prized Grand Crus in the Côte des Blancs. Le Mesnil sur Oger Grand Cru is the heart of Côte des Blancs that shows Chardonnay at its very best. Vinification 100% manual harvest. Fractional pressing with pressure level (the first juices are separated from the rest and are eliminated). Vinified in thermoregulated stainless steel vats. Aged on the lees for over 40 months.”

Shop our ten selections from Marie Courtin, Prevost, Gosset, Paul Bara, and Valentin Leflaive on sale now on our webstore!

Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:

Montfaucon

Rodolphe des Pins of Chateau de Montfaucon has a lot in common with his good friend Louis Barruol of Chateau de Saint Cosme. Des Pins took over his family’s ancient estate of Chateau de Montfaucon in 1995, just a couple of years after Barruol took over his estate. The Chateau is aptly named, being located in the village of Montfaucon, and was constructed in the 11^th century in what is now the region of Lirac: historic, much like Chateau de Saint Cosme. Des Pins’ family took over the estate (vineyards, castle and all) in the 18^th century. They’ve since converted to organic and hold multiple parcels of century-old vines.

Much like his friend, des Pins was not satisfied with just making wine in his home village. His obsession is with more obscure grapes such as Clairette, which are the majority of his oldest vines, Aubun, and Vaccarèse. Most recently, he expanded into Châteauneuf-du-Pape. This is not new territory for him; he’s worked for the esteemed Vieux Telegraphe estate. He purchased the historic Clos Bimard The vineyard lies in the southwest and is planted with old Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre vines. The second cuvée on our Close-Out Sale, simply identified as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, hails from an 80-year-old parcel in the Les Escondudes lieu-dit next to the La Crau plateau. The name of the lieu-dit derives from Spanish and means “hidden,” in reference to the valley.

These are both beloved by critics, frequently receiving rave reviews. Though newish to Des Pins’ portfolio, these show the cut and nuance of an expert and will stun at table.

In Stock Now:

Baron de Montfaucon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Bimard 2020 750ml Was $49, Now $41.90, 23 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “A distinctive, soulful wine, with beautiful character, offering mulled plum and cherry flavors that join herbs, smoke and salty graphite on the palate. Highlighted by potent aromatics and ripe fruit, this showcases a broader spectrum overall, with flashes of mocha on the well-integrated, persistent close. Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2030.”
Falstaff Magazine 93 points “Dark ruby in colour with purple reflections and subtle brightening on the rim. On the nose, herbal spiced aromas with fine toasted nuances, ripe plum, a hint of fig and candied orange zest. The palate is juicy and sweetly textured, with ripe, supporting tannins, notes of black cherry and some nougat on the finish. A wine with substance and length, and the potential for further ageing.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Baron de Montfaucon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2020 750ml Was $43.50, Now $36, 31 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “A seductive red marked by smoked plum and smoldering incense, shored up by cast iron minerality and a fresh kick of black pepper. This wine’s textural purity is spot-on, with generous dried garrigue details and fine tannins gently keeping the reins.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

We offer 198 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now. Shop the sale on our webstore now!

Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:

Provençal Rosés

5% off any 4-8 in-stock Provençal Rosés
10% off any 9 or more in-stock Provençal Rosés

BOND

5% off any 1-2 in-stock bottles of BOND Estates
10% off any 3 or more in-stock bottles of BOND Estates

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Provençal Rosé sale ends Tuesday, June 18th at 9 am Pacific. BOND sale ends Wednesday, June 19th at 9 am Pacific.

Provence Rosé Sale Starts Now 6-15-24

Provençal Rosés

Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now

The sheer joyfulness and summertime vibe captured in a glass of Provençal can easily charm us into forgetting the seriousness and history of the region. For nearly 3,000 years, Provence has been a winemaking region. These fragrant lands have been planted to vines since before the Roman Empire, heck since before even the Roman Republic was established.

Provence roses on table

So, what has captivated the palates of 26 centuries of wine drinkers? Why do we still care year after year after year after year? What siren’s song draws wine makers and drinkers from around the globe just to make, of all things, rosé?

Could it be the affordability? Much like in Oregon, great bottles rarely top $100 and the vast majority still haven’t breached the $30 mark. Could it be the grape varieties? Cinsault, Mourvèdre, and the indigenous Tibouren seem to blossom with energy when made pink. Could it be the land itself? Those untamed fields of scrubby garrigue end in jaw-dropping cliffs that overlook the azure sea.

Is it the occasion, the evocation of vacation, the call to grill and chill? Is it the paradox of ephemeral wines from forever vineyards that turns us to these flights of fancy? Maybe, after 2,600 years, these Provençal vines have simply learned to speak to us through our senses. They implore us to slow down. And it’s a call we want to hear, inciting us to just relax in the pleasure of time with friends and family.

I can’t quite say. Can you?

5% off any 4-8 in-stock Provençal Rosés
10% off any 9 or more in-stock Provençal Rosés

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Sale ends Tuesday, June 18th at 9 am Pacific.

We offer 33 Provençal rosés, including:

Château Les Mesclances “Cuvée Romane” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $19, that’s $18.05 at 5% off and $17.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
“The 2020 Cotes de Provence Rose Romane is a blend of 42% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 18% Syrah. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, it’s a predictable pale salmon-hued wine, with vibrant notes of lime zest, alpine strawberries and hints of peach and melon. Medium-bodied, it’s crisp, clean and impeccably made, with a lasting finish. For the price, it’s a solid value.” -Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Rosenthal Wine note ““Romane” Côtes de Provence Rosé From 20 year-old vines at the base of the hill overlooking the estate, the Romane is made up of 70% Grenache, along with Cinsault and Mourvedre, the latter of which provides a point of amertume (a fresh, bitter note) and a salinity that quickly draws one back to the wine. The Grenache spends a few hours macerating with the skins, providing an extra layer of depth and structure to this classic wine.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaines Ott “By.Ott” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 27 bottles in stock now
Winery Notes “Pale and pretty in crystal-clear pink with orange undertones. The nose is delicate and fruity with notes of white peach and apricot mixed with passion fruit and mango. The taste is full, fresh and crisp with echoes of the fruity aroma amplified by citrus zest and sweet spices (cinnamon and cardamom). All of the great Domaines Ott* tradition in a friendly and elegant wine.”

Domaines Ott Clos Mireille Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93+ points “The 2022 Rosé Clos Mireille Cru Classé is dreamy, wafting up with a perfumed blend of nectarine, sweet white flowers and white strawberry. Like pure silk on the palate, this soothes with its ripe orchard fruits, which are gently contrasted by a bitter tinge of sour citrus as juicy acidity adds fleshy depths. The 2022 cleans up beautifully as inner florals and confectionary spice echo throughout. This is a gorgeous Rosé today, yet it should evolve beautifully for years. Drink: 2023-2026. (May 2023)”

Domaines Ott Chateau Romassan Bandol Rosé, Provence 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $51.90, that’s $49.31 at 5% off and $46.71 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2022 Rosé Château Romassan wafts up from the glass with a pretty blend of stone dust and savory herbs accentuating wild strawberry hints. It’s silky and pliant on the palate, showing crisp orchard fruits, sour citrus and minerals that add a more tactile feel toward the close. This finishes potent and with admirable length. Young peach and sage hints slowly fade.”

Domaines Ott Chateau de Selle Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “The 2022 Rosé Château de Selle Cru Classé opens with a striking bouquet, blending dusty dried flowers with ginger, a spritz of lemon and crushed apples. It’s supple and soothing to the senses, with a textural wave of white strawberry, candied orange and sweet inner florals. A core of brilliant acidity maintains a fantastic balance as this tapers off long and potent. A mineral staining and citrus hints tease the taste buds. Please pour me another.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Smoothly textured, this wine with its classic dominance of Grenache and Cinsault is rich. It has a lively backdrop to the ripe red berry fruits that are freshened with orange zest. Drink the wine now. Organic.”

Peyrassol “Château Peyrassol” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $38, that’s $36.10 at 5% off and $34.20 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Translucent orange. White peach, strawberry, mango and a touch of honey on the highly fragrant nose. Offers fleshy red berry and pith fruit flavors, along with hints of lavender, fennel and orange zest. Closes long, smooth and gently spicy, with the peach and floral notes repeating.”
Importer note “50% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre, 4% Tibouren, 3% Rolle and Ugni Blanc. Very pale, lychee pink in color. The nose is fine and elegant. Complex, releasing white fleshed fruit and citrus fruits aromas, along with white floral notes. The palate is straightforward and clean. Fine and silky, it is soft, delicate and lively. The freshness of the finish is balanced with a subtle hint of saltiness.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Peyrassol “Château Peyrassol” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $41.90, that’s $39.81 at 5% off and $37.71 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Peyrassol “Château Peyrassol” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2022 1.5L Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 4 magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Rosé opens with a savory bouquet, blending dusty dried flowers with ginger, cardamom and a touch of dried peaches. This washes across the palate with opulent textures while remaining remarkably fresh and light on its feet. Sweet spices and ripe orchard fruit swirl throughout. The Château Peyrassol cleans up beautiful, pure, fresh and perfumed. It ends on a salty flourish.”
Importer note “Very pale, lychee pink in color. The nose is fine and elegant. Complex, releasing white fleshed fruit and citrus fruits aromas, along with white floral notes. The palate is straightforward and clean. Fine and silky, it is soft, delicate and lively. The freshness of the finish is balanced with a subtle hint of saltiness.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Peyrassol “Le Clos” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid onion skin color. A highly perfumed and complex bouquet evokes fresh citrus and pit fruits, strawberry and pungent flowers, along with building mineral and succulent herb elements. Shows excellent clarity and depth to its juicy red fruit, nectarine and mango flavors, which are sweetened by a background of vanilla note. Finishes impressively long and silky, with the mineral and floral note resonating.”
Wine & Spirits 93 points “In 2021, Petrassol credits the micro climate at their estate for the late budbreak that evaded late-April frosts, also escaping a fire (merci, le mistral), a hailstorm in nearby Pignan *blocked by hills) and flooding. More than a vintage survivor, this wine is chewy and immediately pleasurable; it captured our panel’s attention in the sweetness of its fruit. Its substantial weight would work well with a range of dishes, or stand as a meal on its own, letting it saturate your mouth, cherry-blossom accents peeking out around the edges of the finish. Its complexity is subtle but present, like a carefully-measured craft cocktail.”

Peyrassol “Le Clos” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $77, that’s $73.15 at 5% off and $69.30 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “The 2022 Rosé Le Clos Peyrassol keeps the glass in constant motion. Swirling unlocks depths of dried apricot and peaches, complicated by sweet smoke and mint. This is deeply textural, creamy yet lively all the same, with tantalizing acidity and vividly ripe orchard fruits perfectly contrasted by ginger. Cooling and poised, yet still juicy on the palate, the 2022 finishes with admirable length, leaving green melon and inner florals to fade slowly.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé, Provence 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $36.50, that’s $34.68 at 5% off and $32.85 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Not bottled yet at the time of my spring visit to the region, the 2021 Bandol Rose nevertheless showed exceptional promise in my blind tasting. A blend of 80% Mourvèdre and 20% Cinsault, it’s a coppery flamingo-pink in color, with more extraction and tannin than your typical Bandol rosé. It’s round and ripe on the palate, medium to full-bodied, with cherry and lime notes and a long, softly dusty finish. The 2020 version, tried at the estate, is still going strong and might be even a little bit better. Don’t skip it just because it’s not called out on this list.”
Rosenthal Wine Merchant importer note “The Bandol Rosé from Pradeaux is perhaps the most serious wine in this category. Robust, rich, and complex with an ability to age gracefully, Etienne Portalis insists that the Domaine’s rosé is a gastronomic experience, not just an easy-drinking wine. We could not agree more, and tastings at Château Pradeaux have repeatedly demonstrated the graceful, profound future this wine encounters if not swallowed in its infancy.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Château Pradeaux Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $22.50, that’s $21.38 at 5% off and $20.25 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “A bold and formidable style that leans to the savory side, showing a strapping mix of grilled peach flavors and a lashing of grilled herbs. A serious rosé, with great texture and serious depth. Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache. Drink now through 2028. 553 cases imported.”

Shop our 33 selections from Provençal rosés on sale now on our webstore!

Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:

Tan Fruit

5% off any 4-8 in-stock wines from Tan Fruit
10% off any 9 or more in-stock wines from Tan Fruit

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Tan Fruit sale ends Sunday, June 16th at 9 am Pacific.

Vinopolis Newsletter 6-14-24 PM

In This Newsletter:

New Arrivals
Turley, Alain Graillot, K Vintners, Espectacle, Peyrassol, and much more!

Arriving Late June
Classic Barolos from Domenico Clerico

New Arrivals

CALIFORNIA

Turley Wine Cellars.

Turley Wine Cellars White Zinfandel, Napa Valley, USA 2023 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “We select a few of our Zinfandel vines to pick early (at 19 brix) to make this vivid, dry rosé. Pale rose petals and fraise du bois with a touch of petrichor on the nose. The palate is high in acid, low in alcohol, well-structured and thoroughly refreshing. Fermented in stainless steel, then aged only in used French barriques. Though akin to Provençal rosés in the way it’s made, this wine is distinctly Californian. White Zinfandel has a good heart but a bad reputation; hopefully we can help change that.”
Wine Advocate “The 2023 White Zinfandel (Rose) is as expressive as one could expect for the style, sourced from 60-year-old head-trained vines in Lodi. It is medium to deep salmon-pink in color, bursting from the glass with preserved stone fruit and tropical fruit aromas that include grilled yellow peaches, guava and touches of dried herbs and flowers. The palate is light-bodied and straightforward, with gently textural ripe fruit flavors that transition to a short but refreshing, spice-tinged finish.”

Turley Wine Cellars Cedarman Vineyard Zinfandel, Howell Mountain, USA 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94+ Points “Blended with 22% Petite Sirah, the 2022 Zinfandel Cedarman hails from Rattlesnake Ridge and Dragon Vineyards high atop Howell Mountain. Medium to deep ruby in the glass, the nose combines extremely ripe black fruits and loamy earth with botanical, herbal notes that meld with floral top notes after time in the glass. The palate follows the fruit-laden foreshadowing of the nose with massive saturation and intensity and transiting to a chewy, sinewy finish lined with juicy acidity nestled into a long, detailed finish. Lovers of a sumptuous style will find much to love upon release, although a few years in the cellar could provide an additional layer of nuance.”

Turley Wine Cellars Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel, Lodi, USA 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ Points “Owned by winemaker Tegan Passalacqua since 2012, this site was planted in 1915 on white sand soils on limestone bedrock. The 2022 Zinfandel Kirschenmann Vineyard opens with a slight reduction that gives way to ripe wild berries, dried orange peel, potpourri and tea leaves after significant aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, plump and quite generous at this stage, leading to an elegant, sweet-fruited and floral finish that begins on an evasive note but swells and builds in amplitude over time. Given the initial reduction and performance of the finish, this should benefit significantly from 2-3 years in bottle. It includes Mondeuse Noire, Carignan and Cinsault.”

Turley Wine Cellars Pesenti Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles, USA 2022 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 Points “Medium ruby in the glass, the 2022 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard is refined and pure on the nose, leading with varietally classic aromas of yellow peach, wild red berry jam, touches of woodsmoke and tomato leaves and a mix of earth-driven, evergreen aromas. The palate clearly shows its warm-climate origins with its rich, concentrated, explosively perfumed red fruit flavors. It admirably retains precision despite this massive frame and is lined with fine-grained, generous tannins. The finish is led by peachy, fruit-driven perfume with just enough tangy acidity to prop up the long, juicy finish that calls you back to the glass.”

Rutherford Hill.

Fermented and matured in a mix of new and used oak barrels and stainless steel, this Sauvignon Blanc represents Rutherford’s first bottling of Sauvignon Blanc from their most recent acquisition, the “Anthony J. Terlato” Estate Vineyard.
Rutherford Hill A.J.T. Collection Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, USA 2022 750ml $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 Points “Stunning, this exuberant, generous version shows notes of passion fruit, Key lime, dried pineapple and orange blossoms, along with grated ginger. Reveals a hint of sea salt minerality on the long, expressive finish, where toasted herb accents linger.”

Lowest price in the USA!

HDV Hyde de Villaine ‘Belle Cousine’ Carneros Red, Napa Valley, USA 2020 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles available
James Suckling 94 Points “Blended from 65% cabernet sauvignon and 35% merlot, this elegant, balanced wine offers red fruit, racy tannins, minerality and fresh and crunchy blackcurrants on a full body. Fine-grained tannins enhance the wine’s cool and compact character. Drink or hold.”

HDV Hyde de Villaine Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros, USA 2021 750ml $89 special, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 Points “The 2021 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard is fabulous. Rich and dramatic, with tremendous textural intensity, the 2021 possesses remarkable depth. Tangerine oil, mint, white flowers, honey and hazelnut are all amplified. This mind-blowing, dynamic Chardonnay is an absolute stunner. Give it a year or two to come together. (Drink between 2023-2031)”

WASHINGTON

Charles Smith K Vintners ‘The Boy’ Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2021 750ml $44.50 special, 30 bottles available
James Suckling 99 Points “Super smooth and mouth-filling but also lacy and filigreed, the wine combines powerful, broad and ripe strawberries, red plums and cedar on a full body blanketed in soft tannins but with fresh acidity. Aged 18 months on the lees in neutral, large-format barrels. Drink now or hold.”

Lowest price in the USA!

SPAIN

Clos Mogador.

Clos Mogador ‘Nelin’, Priorat DOCa, Spain 2021 750ml $75 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 Points “Marking the 20th anniversary of this white wine, the 2021 Nelin was produced with Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo, Xarel.lo and Picapoll white and Cariñena Blanca … It’s balsamic, eminently Mediterranean and ripe … and notes of hay and straw, aromatic herbs and waxy apples. It has volume and density but with the freshness from a cooler year. It’s approachable but should develop a lot more complexity with time in bottle.”

Clos Mogador Vinya Classificada, Priorat DOCa, Spain 2021 750ml $99 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 98 Points “The eponymous red 2021 Clos Mogador fermented with some 30% full clusters trying to give it more freshness (but without noticing the stems) with a long maceration (40 to 50 days) and (almost) no punching down, with less extraction. There’s been a progressive change in the vineyard (they removed the south-facing Cabernet Sauvignon), and they increased Cariñena (around 30%), which in the future will be almost as much as Garnacha. It has aromatic complexity and a beautiful texture. It matured in 2,000-liter oak foudres and a small part in barrel and later in concrete … The tannins are also a lot more elegant, and the wine comes through as very balanced.”

Rothchild y Vega Sicilia Macan.

Rothchild y Vega Sicilia Macan Rioja DOCa, Spain 2018 750ml $99 special, 10 bottles available
Luis Gutierrez Wine Advocate 94+ Points “The wine is serious and harmonious, which was a challenge, and winemaker Gonzalo Iturriaga told me that they had to be very careful and sort and select the grapes. It’s textured and elegant, a style that follows the path of the 2016; it’s elegant but with depth, managing the élevage in foudre better, which was a learning process they started in 2016.”

Rothchild y Vega Sicilia Macan Rioja DOCa, Spain 2019 750ml $99 special, 12 bottles available
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 94 Points “2019 was a more concentrated and powerful year that was warmer and drier … The wine is very powerful and dense, with a big structure and plenty of tannins. The oak is still noticeable in the aromatics. Give it some more time in bottle, and enjoy with powerful food.”

Lowest listed price in the USA!

Espectacle del Montsant.

Espectacle del Montsant, Montsant, Spain 2021 750ml $119 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 Points “As 2021 was a much cooler year, the wine is more elegant than ever (following the cooler years like 2014), textured and with very fine tannins. It has an intoxicating nose of red fruit and blood orange, violets and a spicy twist with pungent flavors and a finish that is dominated by violet pastille and is pungent, intense, clean and very long. It’s multi-layered, precise, nuanced and ever-changing in the glass. It has to be one of the most elegant and finest vintages of Espectacle, with the natural freshness from the year. Bravo!”

Lowest listed price in the USA!

FRANCE

Alain Graillot.

Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Rhone, France 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles available
No reviews for the 2022 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Decanter 93 Points “Very clean and neat on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied. Good sense of purity, and fresher and neater than the vintage might suggest. Touch of lanolin on the finish, lightly nutty. Very drinkable, very well balanced.”

Domaine Alain Graillot Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France 2021 750ml $44.50 special, 24 bottles available
John Gilman 93 Points “The 2021 Crozes-Hermitage from Domaine Alain Graillot is a superb wine (as always) … On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very elegant in profile, with an excellent core of black fruit, fine mineral drive and grip, fine-grained tannins and a long, complex well balanced and peppery finish. First class Crozes that deserves at least a handful of years in the cellar to soften up its backend tannins a bit. This is my favorite Graillot straight Crozes since the beautiful 1989 version!”

Domaine Alain Graillot Saint-Joseph Rouge, Rhone, France 2021 750ml $59 special, 6 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points “The 2021 Saint Joseph is classic stuff, offering perfumed, peppery aromatics of black raspberries, bouquet garni, and spring flowers. These carry to the palate, where it’s medium-bodied and has a lively, elegant mouthfeel, a distinct sense of minerality, and a good finish.”

Château Peyrassol.

Chateau Peyrassol Rouge, Cotes de Provence, France 2020 750ml $51.90 special, 11 bottles available
Importer Note “60% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Grenache. With its purple tints, this wine gives off notes of ripe Syrah from the first nose: licorice, pepper, and peony then give way to a beautiful procession of small red and black fruits. The palate is beautifully mature, supported by velvety tannins and smooth acidity. Intense flavors of red fruit, blackberry, and spices caress the palate until the round, fleshy finish. A vintage of fine balance and noble elegance.”

Chateau Peyrassol Rose, Cotes de Provence, France 2023 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Importer note “Varietal Composition: 55% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 5% Mourvedre, 5% Tibouren. Very pale lynchee pink color. The nose is fine and elegant. Complex, it releases long aromas of white-fleshed fruit, citrus fruit and white flowers. The palate is straightforward and clean: fine and silky, it is at once tender, delicate and lively. The freshness of the finish underpins the measured volume and a touch of salinity harmonises the whole.”

…also newly arrived from France:

Domaine de l’Idylle Gamay, Vin de Savoie, France 2023 750ml $17.50 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “Beautiful ruby red color, lively, fresh nose. Bouquet of red fruits, easy to drink and fruity on the palate.”

This is the only listing in the USA

Domaine Montrose Solis Lumen Orange, France 2023 750ml $17.50 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “Comprised of 90% Muscat petits grains and 10% grenache gris, this Orange wine’s rich aromas and tannins will perfectly complement your aperitifs with friends, Asian cuisine and cheese platters.”

La Bastide des Oliviers ‘Cuvee Classique’ Rose, Coteaux Varois, France 2023 750ml $16 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “Hailing from the Coteaux Varois in Provence, this Rose is Cinsault and Grenache driven, complemented with Carignan and Syrah. Organically farmed and harvested by hand, it is made with great artisanal care. Both bright and generous with stone fruit flavors, it is the perfect ‘summer all year round’ wine.”

ITALY

Tenimenti Angelini Val di Suga Poggio al Granchio, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy 2019 750ml $89 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 Points “A deep well of blackberry, black currant and cherry fruit marks this succulent red, with accents of wild rosemary and mineral. Well-delineated and complex, echoing the fruit and savory notes on the long finish. Shows superb balance and harmony.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 Points “The 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Poggio al Granchio pulls the taster close to the glass to take in its beguiling aromatics. Rose and clove aromas give way to cinnamon-dusted red currants and a lifting hint of camphor. It’s elegant in style with silken textural depths and ripe wild berry fruits that saturate, all balanced by a stream of brisk acidity. Saline minerals stain the palate as the 2019 finishes long and structured. It holds its power in reserve as a pleasantly bitter tinge mingles with fine-grained tannins to create a youthfully tense sensation. This is a Poggio al Granchio for the ages. Bury your bottles deep.”

Faraone ‘Le Vigne di Faraone’ Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Italy 2023 750ml $19 special, 12 bottles available
Not reviewed yet, 2021 rating provided for reference
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “A dark Cerasuolo that could be easily mistaken for a light red: 48 hours on the skins is enough time for the anthocyanin-rich Montepulciano to release Nebbiolo-like shades. The hearty aromas of dark cherry, smoke, liquorice and rust lead to a full-bodied palate loaded with luscious flavours of pomegranate and bramble. A mineral tang underpins the structure and extends the deep, tactile and slightly earthy finish.”

Fidora ‘Monte Tabor’ Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy 2019 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “Revealing a pretty and lifted nose, this wine pops with classic cherry aromas intertwined with mixed herbs and subtle hints of bitter cocoa. The lush palate boasts a core of fruit, complemented by a touch of coffee, as well as tobacco and savory spice. Fine tannins underscore its solid structure.”

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staff pick Loredan Gasparini Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto, Italy 750ml $16 special, 24 bottles available
CS-12 Loredan Gasparini Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG 750ml $168 special, 2 cases available
James Suckling 92 Points “[Reviewed Oct 2021] Lots of initial froth here, which takes a while to subside and allow the lovely lemon and lemon blossom aromas to rise out of the glass. There are hints of licoricy chalk here, too. On the rather dense palate, the chalk turns to fresh cream and the lemon is absorbed into the creamy mineral texture with enough fizz to keep the sparkle up. Lovely, enduring and creamy yet biting finish. This is very fine Prosecco. Drink now.”

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HUNGARY

Royal Tokaji ‘Mezes Maly’ (Great 1st Growth) Furmint Dry, Tokaj, Hungary 2022 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Importer Tasting Note “Mézes Mály Furmint is a sleek, concentrated wine with elegance and a subtle floral character – hints of spice, and plenty of white peach and apricot fruit all balanced by refreshing, crisp acidity and a lingering finish.”
Winery Note “Mézes Mály is one of just two vineyards classified as a Great First Growth. Its volcanic bedrock is overlaid with deep loess soil, giving elegance, finesse and floral notes to its wines. Royal Tokaji owns 11 of its 19 hectares, facing south with views to the Great Plain in the distance. Mézes Mály Furmint is a sleek, concentrated wine with elegancy and a subtle floral character, hints of spice, and plenty of white peach and apricot fruit all balanced by refreshing, crisp acidity and a lingering finish.”

Royal Tokaji Urgaya (1st Growth) Dry Furmint, Tokaj, Hungary 2022 750ml $39 special, 6 bottles available
Importer Note “Úrágya, means “God’s bed”. The vineyard sits in a dip between two extinct volcanoes to the west of Mád. Viewed from our village it is where we see the sun “go to sleep” every night. 2022 was an early vintage with good balance, elegance and power in the dry wines, and creamy richness in the sweets. Drought conditions through the vintage and relatively higher temperatures conducted to an early harvest – from the end of August until mid-September. We achieved high quality by picking our grapes at the optimum moment, enabling perfect balance. The unique volcanic soil builds the structure, backbone and minerality of this delicious dry wine. Maturation in oak barrels adds further complexity and roundness.”

Arriving Late June

Domenico Clerico.

“Among all these new releases from 2020 in this report, Domenico Clerico has been among the most successful in terms of interpreting the vintage.” – Moncia Lerner The Wine Advocate, April 2024

“This year’s tasting of Domenico Clerico’s releases was exhilarating and full of surprises. Winemaker Oscar Arrivabene and winery owner Giuliana Viberti Clerico have made an important decision in terms of winemaking that has radically changed the taste profile of these wines for the better. They have abandoned small oak barrique for the most part and embraced more reductive 5,000-liter oak botti instead. The change is immediately identifiable, as the seamless quality of the oak integration is apparent upon your first sip. Other little tweaks to maintain freshness have also been made.” –Wilson Daniel’s, Importer.

HOT DEAL! Clerico Barolo del Comune di Monforte d’Alba 2020 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 Points “Spiced cranberry and blood orange peel off the top of the Domenico Clerico 2020 Barolo del Comune di Monforte d’Alba. This vintage is open and front-loaded overall; however, it does touch on all the main elements atop the Nebbiolo playlist. The wine is lean with young tannins. All said and done, the oak is graciously underplayed, and all the wine needs is another year or two in bottle to allow the fruit to flesh out. It ages in large oak casks with about 10% in barrique.”

Domenico Clerico Aeroplan Servaj, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $125 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97+ Points “The 2020 Barolo Aeroplan Servaj offers a bright and elegant fruit profile with tart fruit, blackcurrant, spice, cola, licorice and candied orange peel. It feels ironed out and smooth, folding softly over the palate initially yet ending with firm structure and framing. This wine normally represents a selection of fruit from Baudana in Serralunga d’Alba (planted in 1994), but the big change this year is that Aeroplan Servaj only sees fruit picked in the coolest parts of the vineyard.”

Domenico Clerico Barolo Bricotto, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $149 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97+ Points “This wine stands out for its elegance and ephemeral personality. The Domenico Clerico 2020 Barolo Bussia Bricotto has a pretty fruit profile with cherry cola, dried strawberry and a fragrant floral character of rose or hibiscus. The fruit takes center stage, and there is some light spice with shadings of cinnamon stick and nutmeg. The wine has good acidity and structure. This was the first vineyard purchased by the late Domenico Clerico in 1976, and this is the new, restyled version.”

Domenico Clerico Ciabot Mentin Ginestra, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $119 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 Points “The Domenico Clerico 2020 Barolo Ginestra Ciabot Mentin shows really great balance in terms of the oak integration. For the first time, the estate has decided to use large oak casks (removing the barrique entirely), and the results are extraordinary. There is a lot of dark fruit, like cranberry and currant, that holds tight and defines the wine throughout. There is black tea and spice, but these tones work with the fruit not against it. It finishes smooth, with glossy tannins, pretty acidity and a much brighter and lighter overall personality.”

Domenico Clerico Pajana, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $108 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 Points “The Domenico Clerico 2020 Barolo Ginestra Pajana shows great balance between dark fruit and integrated spice from increasingly hands-off oak aging. The results are impeccably smooth, and the fruit remains bright, very vibrant. It closes dry with smoky tar and licorice. However, the Pajana holds a big fruit profile, and it carries throughout. The combination of fruit and tannins roll over the palate, making this an important, age-worthy Barolo. These vineyards were planted in 1971 with about half re-planted in 1991. This vintage represents the first time that the Clerico team has worked exclusively with 5,000-liter oak botti, and this important tweak brings beautiful results.”

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