Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Vinopolis Newsletter 6-12-24 PM

 In This Newsletter:

Pre-Arrival
Paolo Scavino

New Reviews
Great scores for local fave Hundred Suns Winery
Arriving Late June
 
 
Paolo Scavino.


“Enrico Scavino, along with his daughters Enrica and Elisa, hit it out of the park in both 2019 and 2020. These are some of the most impressive wines I tasted on my fall trip to Piedmont.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media.
 
These are the only bottle listings for these wines on the West Coast Today!
 
 Hot Deal  Paolo Scavino Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy 2020 750ml $41.90 special, 18 bottles available
Vinous 91 Points “The 2020 Barolo is seriously beautiful. Pliant and creamy, with terrific depth, the 2020 impresses with its bold, open-knit personality. A burst of dark red cherry/plum fruit, rose petal, mint and spice lend notable character to this decidedly exuberant Barolo from the Scavino family.”
 
Paolo Scavino Bricco Ambrogio, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $59 special, 18 bottles available
Vinous 95 Points “The 2020 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is a complex, alluring wine. Dried herbs, menthol, licorice, sage, mocha and lavender play off a core of purplish/black fruit. Dark and sensual, but not at all heavy, the 2020 has a ton to offer in a plush, immediate style. This is a very sexy Barolo.”
 
Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles available
Vinous 94 Points “The 2020 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a powerful, tannic wine. Then again, it is Bric del Fiasc. Iron, dried herbs, white pepper, geranium, orange peel and red-toned fruit are all delineated, framed by sinewy, nervous tannins that give the wine its shape. This driving, taut Barolo will need at least a few years to hit its stride. It’s a bit compacted today.”
 
Paolo Scavino Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $79 special, 12 bottles available
Vinous 93 Points “Scavino’s 2020 Barolo Monvigliero is bright and aromatically effusive, as Barolos from this site tend to be, but on the palate, it is quite a bit more reserved… Dried fruit, tobacco, mint and worn-in leather linger. Ideally, I would like to see more Monvigliero sensuality here.
 
Paolo Scavino Prapo, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $79 special, 6 bottles available
Vinous 95 Points “The 2020 Barolo Prapò is another impressive wine from the Scavino family in this vintage. Dark and somber, with plenty of Serralunga tannin, the 2020 impresses with its superb balance and class. Dark fruit, iron, leather, menthol and espresso build as this dramatic, wonderfully resonant Barolo shows off its stylish personality. Elegance and power.”
 
Paolo Scavino Ravera, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $79 special, 12 bottles available
Vinous 94+ Points “The 2020 Barolo Ravera is sleek, elegant and polished. It offers a captivating mix of the savory/mineral intensity of this site and the slightly smaller-scaled structure of the year. Black cherry, lavender, sage, coffee, mint and gravel abound. Elisa Scavino has done a terrific job softening the potent Ravera tannins. I can’t wait to see how this ages.”
 
Founded by Grant Coulter and Renee Saint-Amour, two young professionals bit by the wine bug and relocated from California to Oregon to begin their winery. First, Grant cut his teeth working as a wine maker for Beaux Freres, one of the Willamette’s top wineries, while Renee worked full-time as a high school teacher. Finally in 2015 they made an all-or-nothing moonshot, purchasing the property in Willamette they turned into their vineyard and winery. Their dedication goes beyond passion. As they say ” From winemaking, to label design, website building, and even wax dipping bottles by hand, every aspect of this process has our fingerprints on it because it is just the two of us.”
 
We’ve long been fans of this Winery and we’re always happy to hand sell these bottles to anyone who comes into Vinopolis. Really, the wines sell themselves, as anyone who has tasted them will vouch for, but it’s always nice to have the scores and reviews to back us up.
 
These raves are coming from the International Wine Review, always a fantastic resource for Willamette Wines. All too often the biggest wine Magazines only review already famous, legacy wineries from Oregon and neglect the great up-and-coming wineries like Hundred Suns.
 
PINOT NOIR
 
From the under-recognized Tualatin AVA, this is a lighter hued wine, best drunk slightly below cellar temp and made in a lighter style reminiscent of Côte de Beaune vs Côte de Nuit.
 Staff Pick  Hundred Suns Bednarik Vineyard Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2021 750ml $49 special, 7 bottles available
Jeremy Young- International Wine Report 96 Points “Grown on own-rooted stock planted in 1988, it’s aged for 11 months in French oak barrels and showcases a light purple core with a bluish rim. Interesting dust, earth, and spice notes pop from the glass and compliment the black raspberry and cherry fruits that play second fiddle. The impecabble balance between the luscious fruit, the peppery spice, and the rounded but firm tannins, produce a Pinot Noir that I highly recommend and one that should cellar for over a decade without a problem. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.”
 
Lowest price on the West Coast
 
…and in typical Vinopolis fashion, we have the lowest listed prices for these wines in the country:
 
A crowd-pleaser of crowd pleasers… this is the current 2022 Willamette wine to beat according to our tastings and it’s one of the most impressive bottlings that Hundred Suns has ever produced, period!
Hundred Suns ‘Own-Rooted’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $69 special, 6 bottles available
Jeremy Young- International Wine Report 97 Points “The enchanting 2022 Own Rooted Pinot Noir from Hundred Suns comes from three different vineyards of own-rooted vineyards, all from the original rootstock. A captivating, shining medium ruby core with a watery rim in the glass, it delivers bountiful dried and fresh floral notes to start. Incredibly elegant and well-rounded, it offers serious amounts of crushed red cherries, sweet strawberries, cedary herbs, and earthy undertones without being overpowering. With expansive texture and good overall freshness, it finishes with a sweet vanilla and blue plum note on the mid-palate. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.”
 
Hundred Suns Carson Phillips Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $56.50 special, 20 bottles available
Jeremy Young- International Wine Report 97 Points “With a glimmering ruby-blue core with a light pink rim, the tantalizing 2022 Carson Phillips Vineyard Pinot Noir from Hundred Suns rested in French oak barrels for 11 months. Broad and expansive across the palate, it boasts notes of Bing cherries, crushed ripe red raspberries, white tea, freshly cut roses, and subtle spice notes of grated cardamon pods. I kept coming back to this wine over the course of an hour, and it kept getting better and better with time. Tannins are a bit grippy but with a few years of bottle age, it’s going to be perfect. A small production of 154 cases was crafted. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.”
 
Hundred Suns ‘Lone Feather’ Pinot Noir, McMinnville, USA 2022 750ml $55.60 special, 18 bottles available
Jeremy Young- International Wine Report 96 Points “Partially fermented with whole cluster fruit, the 2022 Lone Feather Pinot Noir from Hundred Suns gifts a medium ruby-purple core with a bright neon red rim. Fragrant on the nose with black cherry candy, violet flowers, lemon verbena, citrus zest, and whole clove aromas. Wonderfully balanced and elegant with no rough edges, the tannins are present but not overpowering. Acidity is perfectly incorporated alongside the bitter herb and blueberry finish. Highly recommended.”
 
The most structured of Hundred Sun’s current offerings, which is no surprise considering its provenance. This is drinking wonderfully right now with some decanting, but we can’t help but feel it will improve significantly with some extra bottle age. Either way, this is a truly impressive wine, one of the strongest wines of the vintage so far.
 Collector’s Pick  Hundred Suns Sequitur Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 750ml $61.90 special, 29 bottles available
Jeremy Young- International Wine Report 96 Points “Sporting a glistening medium to dark ruby core and a neon pink rim in the glass, and saw 35% whole cluster used during fermentation and then aged for 11 months in French oak. It’s a richer and more serious Pinot Noir from Hundred Suns that gifts notes of boysenberry, blue plum skin, hoisin sauce, Asian spices, tilled earth, and black tea. Well-balanced, with no rough edges, it seems nothing is out of place in this Pinot. I loved the blue and black fruit finish and the peppery note you get on the front palate. Highly recommended.”
 
Hundred Suns Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 30 bottles available
Jeremy Young- International Wine Report 95 Points “The 2022 Eola-Amity Pinot Noir from Hundred Suns saw 11 months in neutral French oak barrels and was fermented with a combination of destemmed fruit, partial whole cluster, and whole cluster. Gifting a light to medium ruby core with a neon blue rim, the juicy core of mountain wild blueberries, sliced rhubarb, milk chocolate, sweet cloves, and black tea is everything you want from a bottle of Pinot Noir. Grippy tannins and racy acidity create a finish that goes on and on. Just 255 cases produced.”
 
Hundred Suns Old Eight Cut Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2022 750ml $31.90 special, 17 bottles available
Jeremy Young- International Wine Report 94 Points “Fermented with native yeast and 30% whole cluster, Winemaker Grant Coulter knocked it out of the park again with another stunning Pinot Noir that boasts notes of boysenberry, mountain sagebrush, dried blueberry, red plum skin, cedary herbs, and fresh vanilla bean. Wonderfully balanced with no rough edges, it’s a perfect combination of tannin, fruit, earth, spice, and yumminess. This is a killer wine for the price point if you can find it.”
 
GAMAY
 
Hundred Suns Willamette Valley Gamay 2022 750ml $33 special, 9 bottles available
Jeremy Young- International Wine Report 94 Points “Hundred Suns makes some of the top Gamay coming out of the Willamette Valley. This 2022 rested in 80% neutral French Oak and 20% Amphora and saw 33% whole clusters during the carbonic maceration. With a light to medium glistening ruby core with a bright neon pink rim, it’s beautiful to behold and to taste. Red cranberries, sweet lilac flowers, red currants, and pink peppercorn aromas spill from the glass. More complex and interesting than you would expect from a bottle of Gamay, the natural wine notes add complexity and depth, and I love it. What an incredible bottle of wine.”
 
CHARDONNAY
 
Hundred Suns Old Eight Cut Chardonnay 2022 750ml $31.90 special, 7 bottles available
Jeremy Young- International Wine Report 93 Points “I wish Hundred Suns would make more Chadonnays because what they do, even with their entry-level bottles, is phenomenal. The 2022 Old Eight Cut Chardonnay sports a light lemon core with a silvery rim. It starts off a bit reductive on the nose with hints of flint and grilled lemon and then moves to lovely notes of bitter herbs, sliced red apple, and apricot peel. Lush across the palate, it finishes with a volcanic rock and bitter herb note on the back of the palate. Only 217 cases made. Best Buy.”
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Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.

Tan Fruit Sale – Jim Maresh – Oregon Chard – 6-13-24

Tan Fruit
 

Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
 
As the third-generation in his family to make wine, Jim Maresh knows a thing or two about crafting Grand Cru-level Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. From the winery’s prized position in the Dundee Hills, he releases what critics praise as “are some of the most impressive wines I’ve tried anywhere—not just in the US”, per Erin Brooks of the Wine Advocate.
 
Tan Fruit is Jim’s experimental Chardonnay side project first launched in late 2021. Now, you could assume that the wines are throwaway gags not meant to see the light of day, but leave it to Jim to make his side project a points-sweeping EVENT. Wine Advocate gushed over the first releases from 2019, granting the wines top marks for Oregon whites in the vintage. The second set of releases from the 2021 vintage were just as breathlessly adored.
 
These are stunning releases offer even more exploration of Oregon, sourcing from a mixture of vineyards, including new sites with each release. Stock up during our three-day sale and make sure to watch this space!
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock wines from Tan Fruit
10% off any 9 or more in-stock wines from Tan Fruit

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

 
Sale ends Sunday, June 16th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer six wines from Tan Fruit, including:
 
Tan Fruit Fairview Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2021 Chardonnay Fairview Vineyard is scented of red apples and quince with nuances of mushroom, matchstick, hay and acacia flowers. The light-bodied palate is energetic and focused with a youthfully coiled core of savory fruit and a long, mineral-driven finish. Offer it 3-5 years or more in bottle to unwind.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Tan Fruit bottlesTan Fruit Maresh Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points
“The 2021 Chardonnay Maresh Vineyard has pure aromas of red apples, pie crust, almonds and jasmine blossoms with top notes of salty lemon. The medium-bodied palate is generous yet balanced, with a concentrated core of savory fruit tempered by streaks of matchstick and spice. It has seamless, energetic acidity and a long, nuanced finish and will benefit from 3-5 more years in bottle.”
 
Tan Fruit Oak Grove Vineyard Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points
“The 2021 Chardonnay Oak Grove Vineyard, from vines situated on sedimentary soil, is energetic and mineral-driven this vintage. Barrel fermented and finished in stainless steel, it opens with streaks of matchstick that give way to a core of red apples, yogurt, pie spice and lemon peel. The light-bodied palate has a silky texture and is buzzing with bright acidity and flinty nuance. It has a concentrated core of ripe citrus and a very long, mineral-driven finish. The Oak Grove’s salty, tangy character, reminiscent of Chablis, makes it impossible to put down!”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Tan Fruit Sophie’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Umpqua Valley 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The 2021 Chardonnay Sophie’s Vineyard comes from an isolated vineyard near the town of Yoncalla in the Umpqua Valley, planted in the late 1970s with Draper and Wente selections. Matured in oak and finished with four months in stainless steel, it has fresh scents of green pear, quince and citrus blossom with undertones of almonds, flint and honey. The light-bodied palate is creamy and plush with gently nutty fruits and a long, refreshing finish.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Tan Fruit ‘Tank Fruit’ Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 26 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points
“The 2021 Chardonnay Tank Fruit is composed of fruit from the White Walnut Vineyard, a relatively new vineyard comprising eight acres planted around 2015 in the Dundee Hills. “The genetics that produced this is rare,” winemaker Jim Maresh explains, noting that the diverse clonal material in this vineyard includes 10 different heritage selections. The White Walnut Vineyard cuvée was fermented in oak and finished in stainless steel—the opposite of this 2021 Chardonnay Tank Fruit, which also comes from the White Walnut Vineyard but is fermented in stainless steel and finished in oak—although both wines offer singular exoticism. The Tank Fruit is bursting with intense aromas of peaches, fruit cocktail, lemongrass and orange oil with streaks of spice and herbs. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and seamless, gaining amplitude in the mouth as it releases wave after wave of concentrated fruit. It has a soft frame of flinty accents, and its fresh acidity calls you in for another sip on the long finish.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
“Jim Maresh, proprietor of his family winery, Arterberry Maresh, and the winemaker behind some of the most exciting Chardonnays in the Willamette Valley today… He made six cuvées this initial vintage, and unsurprisingly, they are some of the best Chardonnays of 2019.” -Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate

Tan Fruit Vojtilla Vineyard Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $56.50, that’s $53.68 at 5% off and $50.85 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points
“Vojtilla is a small, four-acre vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains that sits at around 500 to 600 feet in elevation and, says Jim Maresh, is influenced by the nearby Willamette River. Harvested in October this vintage, the 2019 Chardonnay Vojtilla Vineyard comes from Dijon clone vines planted in 1991, and it was matured in about 25% new Damy barrels. It has a stunning perfume of quince paste and mushrooms, pastry and flowers, and the palate is satiny, plush and pure, with a seamless tangy streak and long, powerful finish.”
 
Shop our six selections from Tan Fruit on sale now on our webstore!
 

 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
 
Eric et Joël Durand
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock wines from Eric et Joël Durand
10% off any 9 or more in-stock wines from Eric et Joël Durand
 
Domaine Tempier
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock wines from Domaine Tempier
10% off any 9 or more in-stock wines from Domaine Tempier

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

 
Molitor in Graach sale ends Friday, June 14th at 9 am Pacific. Durand sale ends Saturday, June 15th at 9 am Pacific.

Eric et Joël Durand Sale 6-12-24

Eric et Joël Durand
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Clemens Busch
 

 
Eric et Joël Durand
 
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now


It’s hard to find Northern Rhône wines that combine soul and polish—it seems as if most of the new wines we taste are either hyper glossy or very rustic. To hit that sweet spot, crafting wines that speak very loudly of place but are elegant, drinkable and age-worthy—that’s special indeed. The brothers Eric and Joël of Domaine Durand do just that with their excellent offerings from Cornas.
 
Durand brothersDelivering ripe fruit, savory minerality and lifted aromatics, the meticulous work by these brothers is evident from first pour. The estate owns select parcels throughout Cornas. The plots are steeply terraced and worked exclusively by hand. The parcels are composed of mostly old-vines that thrive even in ripe vintages, such as the recent trio of 2018, 2019, and 2020.
 
Of the wines, the Saint-Joseph is the most immediate, offering ripe aromatics and a fleshy mouthfeel. It offers an excellent look into the vintage and is rewarding now. From Cornas, the brothers produce three wines from just shy of 24 acres: the Prémices, Empreintes, and Confidence. Prémices is sourced from the youngest vines that produce velvety wines full of fruits and spices. Empreintes is a bottling of select plots with granite soils. The wines offer powerful aromatics and a tightly tannic core. Worthy of a hearty decant, these wines will cellar well for over a decade. The top bottling on offer is the Confidence, crafted from vines at least thirty-years-old. This is the most complex and concentrated of wines, offering up dark fruit, spice, and mineral aromatics. Powerful, this wine could cellar for quite some time but is rewarding in its youth with grippy tannins that beg to be paired with winter braises and fatty meats.
 
We’ve adored this estate and stocked up on their wines over several vintages because we know you’ll love them, too. So, stock up during our sale and enjoy the wines for years to come.
 
“One of my favorite estates in Cornas (although the domaine is in Châteaubourg), Domaine Durand is run with incredible talent and passion by Eric and Joël Durand… These are terrific wines that offer pleasure in their youth yet also age gracefully… while the winemaking is relatively modern, these are classic, pure, beautifully made wines that speak clearly to their region and terroir.” – Jeb Dunnuck
 
“Among the under-the-radar producers in the northern Rhône, this 20-hectare domaine has been run by brothers Eric and Joël Durand since 1996. It’s a shame because the wines warrant more attention while pricing is quite friendly given the quality delivered. Domaine Durand produces a collection of generous, fruit-driven and polished wines that’s led by four Cornas bottlings consistently among the most approachable of the appellation…” – Josh Raynolds, Vinous
 
“Located in the tiny village of Châteaubourg, Joël and Eric Durand are quietly turning out some impressive wines from their family holdings in Saint-Joseph and Cornas.” – Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock wines from Eric et Joël Durand
10% off any 9 or more in-stock wines from Eric et Joël Durand

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

 
Sale ends Saturday, June 15th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer nine wines from Eric et Joël Durand, including:
 
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Confidence 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 33 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points
“One of my favorite Cornas, the 2018 Cornas Confidence comes from pure granite soils and was partially destemmed and brought up in 30% new French oak. The 2018 is a head-turner, revealing a dense purple color as well as sensational notes of crème de cassis, smoked bacon, graphite, bouquet garni, and liquid rock-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, with sweet tannins, this is one sexy Cornas that’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 10-15 years in cold cellars.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Confidence 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 30 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“Lastly, the 2019 Cornas Confidence is all Syrah that was 70% destemmed and spent 18 months in 30% new barrels. A classic wine from this estate, it brings tons of richness and depth in a pure, clean, quasi-modern style while still being pure Cornas to the core. Dark fruits, ground pepper, game, violets, and spice all give way to a full-bodied, wonderfully textured, balanced 2019 with the texture and balance to offer pleasure today yet also evolve for two decades.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points
“The 2018 Cornas Empreintes offers a riper, more concentrated style, delivering lots of plum and darker currant fruits intermixed with notions of smoked herbs, ground pepper, violets, lavender, and spice box. It’s rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, yet the tannins here are more present, and it has a closed, angular style that’s going to benefit from bottle age. Give bottles 3-4 years at a minimum and it should have a solid decade of longevity after that.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Durand Empreintes bottleDomaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 34 bottles in stock now
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 7 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points
“Iron, peppered game, smoked black and blue fruits, and new leather notes emerge from the 2019 Cornas Empreintes, and it’s medium to full-bodied and wonderfully balanced, with ripe tannins and one hell of a great finish. It’s another pure, balanced, fruit-loaded beauty from this estate that has tons of character. This cuvée comes from hillside parcels (a mix of granite and limestone) and 30-year-old vines. It was 75% destemmed and spent a year in 20% new barrels.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95 points “Sure, the 2019 Cornas Empreintes is lightly cedary up front, but those notes are more than balanced by crushed stone, salted licorice, and bold cassis and blueberry flavors. Full-bodied and concentrated, this is a rock-solid Cornas with a long, dusty finish, capable of aging and improving up to two decades. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
 
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points
“More density and depth, as well as precision, emerge from the 2020 Cornas Empreintes, a smaller production cuvée from 30-year-old vines. Its deep purple hue is followed by a beautiful perfume of black and blue fruits, bloody meat, pepper, and spring flowers. I love its focus and length on the palate, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with plenty of tannins, a great mid-palate, and a salty, bloody finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It’s a “wow” Cornas for sure.”
 
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Premices 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.78 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“This is packed with dark fig and blackberry paste flavors that roll through slowly but steadily, unveiling extra dark olive, sweet bay leaf, singed alder and juniper accents along the way. There’s buried minerality that should rise to prominence with cellaring. Best from 2023 through 2035. 900 cases made, 140 cases imported. –JM”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Premices 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Juicy and youthfully compact, with a core of red and black currant fruit that will need a little time to unfurl. Boasts a backdrop of dried anise and sweet tapenade, along with a refined iron note and a nicely poised finish. Best from 2024 through 2034. 900 cases made, 140 cases imported.”
 
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Les Coteaux 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
“The 2021 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux showed well, with a medium-bodied, juicy, refreshing style that’s very much in the mold of the vintage. Ripe black and some blue fruits, plenty of minerality, notes of peppery herbs and violets, and nicely integrated acidity all define this focused, elegant 2021.” -Jeb Dunnuck

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast! 
 
Shop our nine selections from Durand on sale now on our webstore!
 

 
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
 
Clemens Busch


Clemens Busch has always been ahead of his time, focusing on organic farming, dry wines, and low sulfur levels long before it was fashionable.  That restless spirit, coupled with one of the most dramatically steep vineyards in the Mosel (the Pündericher Marienburg), lead to his current status as a true icon of the Mosel.
 
These are brilliant bottlings that are tautly mineral and yet expressive and aromatic.  These are wines that are tributes to old, well-farmed, weathered slate vineyards from which they hail.
 
In Stock Now:
 
Weingut Clemens Busch Rothenpfad Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 375ml Was $59, Now $49, 5 half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The 2014 Riesling Auslese Rothenpfad displays a lovely, clear and slate-like bouquet, with herbal and tropical fruit flavors. Sweet and piquant on the palate, this is a rich and very elegant, well balanced Riesling with a great delicacy, and fruit-intense and piquant finish. Very stimulating. The residual sugar of 135 grams per liter is almost blown away by the acidity and minerality.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Clemens Busch Fahrlay Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 375ml Was $59, Now $49, 2 half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 2014 Riesling Auslese Fahrlay is a very juicy and fruity, piquant and delicate Riesling with fine acidity and sensual sweetness. The wine is extremely sappy and its sweetness is countered by the piquant and racy acidity. This is a gorgeous Auslese with great aging potential.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Clemens Busch Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2022 750ml Was $24, Now $21.90, 17 bottles in stock now
Winemaker Notes
“Pear, grapefruit and white peach on the nose, and a zesty energy on the palate. The fruit for this elegant and perfumed Riesling comes from across Clemens’ plots to make an estate Riesling of unusually superior quality.”
 
We offer 199 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:
 
Molitor in Graach
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock Molitor selections from Graach
10% off any 9 or more in-stock Molitor selections from Graach
 
Domaine Tempier
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock wines from Domaine Tempier
10% off any 9 or more in-stock wines from Domaine Tempier

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

 
Domaine Tempier sale ends Thursday, June 13th at 9 am Pacific. Molitor in Graach sale ends Friday, June 14th at 9 am Pacific.

Molitor in Graach Sale 6-11-24

Your Three-Day Discount on Molitor’s Graach Wines Starts Now
 
Ambition and drive define Markus Molitor and his incredible wines. After 35 years at the helm of the family business, Markus remains one of the most respected winemakers in the world. Let’s explore his estate and his wines from Graach!
 
As a towering figure in the Mosel, with an impressive, modern winery and holdings in almost every important vineyard in the region, Molitor crafts dozens of wines each year. He believes that every single sub-parcel and selective pick should be vinified to its utmost potential. He not only keeps specific vineyard blocks separate, but also vinifies specific passes through the vineyard separately. What results is a somewhat confusing, especially to those unfamiliar with German labeling conventions, but deeply rewarding portfolio of wines to explore.
 
Whether white capsule (dry), green capsule (off-dry), or gold capsule (fruity to nobly sweet), Markus’ wines represent some of the Mosel’s best. And thanks to his extensive holdings, Molitor offers German Riesling lovers with a passport to explore many of the region’s most important vineyards.
 
It’s no secret that we’ve long adored these wines, having stocked every bottle available since the 2015 vintage. And that’s excellent news for you: that means we can offer this massive array at rock-bottom prices. How to choose? Let us guide you through the wines village-by-village as we explore this excellent producer on our three-day sale!
 
Just north of our previously explored village of Bernkastel, is Graach. This is home to multiple Grosse Lage vineyards (First Growth), including Domprobst and Himmelreich. Graacher Domprobst rests just above the village of Graach and has weathered Devonian slate and clay soil with a southwestern exposure. The stony slate soil retains heat, and the vineyards situation shelters it from the cold and winds, resulting in wines that are powerful and ripe. Willi Schaefer describes the resulting wines as “more wild, earthy and spicy than the ones from Himmelreich.”
 
Graacher Himmelreich is an incredibly steep site with soils of blue slate and clay. Wines are known for their deep minerality and ageability, utterly charming in their youth, the wines blossoms into elegance with time.
 
We’re offering all of our Molitor wines from the village of Graach on our three-day sale. Stock up and explore the terroir-driven wines from one of German’s most famous winemakers!
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock Molitor selections from Graach
10% off any 9 or more in-stock Molitor selections from Graach

 
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Sale ends Friday, June 14th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer eleven Molitor wines from Graach, including:
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett Trocken (White Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $21.90, that’s $20.81 at 5% off and $19.71 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points
“The 2018 Riesling Graacher Domprobst Kabinett (White Capsule) is deep and flinty on the terroir-driven, dark and smoky nose. Full, round and juicy on the palate, this is a rich yet pure and slatey Domprobst with crunchy grip and fruity intensity. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett Trocken (White Capsule) 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $26, that’s $24.70 at 5% off and $23.40 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points
“The 2019 Graacher Domprobst Kabinett (White Capsule) is deep, elegant and flinty on the perfectly ripe and typically Graach-fruity nose with its lush and ripe stone-fruit aromas. Water matters in a dry year such as 2019, and the Domprobst has lots of it. Dense, piquant and mouth-filling on the palate, the wine reveals an edgy slate structure that will soften with bottle age. I recommend cellaring the wine for at least another year. The finish is vibrantly fresh and salty yet still tannic. 10.5% alcohol. Tasted in May 2021.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese Trocken (White Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $28, that’s $26.60 at 5% off and $25.20 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points
“Here, the first notion is not of fruit but of slate. That lovely, reduced, stony precision that could not hail from anywhere else in the world. Bit by bit apple starts shining through and takes over with bright, apple-scented, citrus-edged luminosity. This sits at a most lovely junction of ripeness where fully ripe fruit was captured at just the right moment, so it brings vivid but ripe freshness that strikes a natural, unforced beautiful balance. Texture, concentration and that tangy slateyness combine to make this irresistible. Long citrus finish.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese ** Trocken (White Capsule) 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points
“A deep, coolish, flinty and complex nose opens the 2019 Graacher Domprobst Auslese ** (White Capsule). Full-bodied, crystalline, enormously salty and piquant on the palate, this is a rich and round yet dramatic, refined and linear Domprobst with fine tannins and a long, intense and aromatic finish. Tasted in May 2021.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese Feinherb (Green Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points
“The stunning aromas of cassis, fresh garden herbs and Amalfi lemons make this a very expressive, mid-weight wine that’s barely off-dry and extremely food-friendly. Great interplay of tannins, minerals and live-wire acidity at the very long finish. Drink or hold.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese *** Feinherb (Green Capsule) 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points
“The 2017 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese *** (Green Capsule) is intensely yellow in color and, straight from the bottle, still has prominent smoky oak aromas but also highly intense yet refined fruit on the nose as it opens. This aromatic bouquet combines perfectly ripe and concentrated Riesling scents with the crunchy-coolish slate notes of the Himmelreich and, after a couple of days of aeration, adds concentrated lemon zest and pink grapefruit aromas. Rich and lush but highly elegant on the palate, this is a precise, finessed, nobly textured and juicy Himmelreich with very fine tannins and a long, complex and elegant finish. This is a nearly perfect, nearly dry Auslese, and the seamless texture makes this highly concentrated and refined Riesling flow down your throat without any effort. Give it air, give it time, give it years! This Auslese just flows. And one day, it will stay in your memories forever. Fabulous. Divine. Unforgettable. Tasted three times in April 2019.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Graach Wine: Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Auslese bottleMarkus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese *** Feinherb (Green Capsule) 2016 750ml Was $89, Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points
“The 2016 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese *** (Green Capsule) is deep and complex on the nose, though discreet in its fruit expression straight from the bottle. However, the fruit is beautifully flinty, fresh and really fine. Lush and round on the palate, this is a full-bodied, ripe and intense yet well-balanced and elegant Himmelreich whose sweetness of roughly 30 grams per liter is still prominent at this young age. However, the wine is intense, long, firmly structured, very mineral and provided with serious tannins and a lot of stones. I am tasting it far too early (and straight after the three-starred Rosenberg Auslese), but it’s a highly promising Riesling from a great vintage for the Mosel. Bottled in September 2017; tasted March 2018.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese *** Feinherb (Green Capsule) 2018 750ml Was $125, Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points
“Typically bright and open on the nose, with crunchy and flinty slate aromas, the coolish and precise 2018 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese *** (Green Capsule) is a very fine and elegant, crystalline, fresh and precise, very long and salty Riesling with sweet and concentrated fruit and a long, intense and tightly structured finish. This is a laser-sword Riesling that needs about a decade to refine, yet it will deliver for sure. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese *** Feinherb (Green Capsule) 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points
“The 2019 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese *** (Green Capsule) opens enormously deep, intense and complex on the nose that immediately indicates the wine is in an exceptional class on its own. Only with lots of aeration does the wine become more and more pure and fresh and develop a flinty lemon note with the finest perfume. On the palate, this is a rich, round and complex, sweet, wide and mouth-filling, very generous, free and easy-flowing Himmelreich of exceptional finesse and beauty. The finish is so stimulating, salty, pure and crunchy in its slate character, whereas the crater dug by the piquancy is filled in by the perfectly ripe and healthy fruit with lush intensity. The 2019 Himmelreich Auslese *** is sensational and the finest I have ever tasted from Markus Molitor. Tasted from AP 1 20 in May 2021.”
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese ** (Gold Capsule) 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The golden-yellow colored 2019 Graacher Domprobst Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) is intense yet very clear and fresh with lemon juice aromas and dark-toned notes of crushed flint stone. Lush and refined on the vivacious and remarkably finessed palate, this is a light, round and fleshy, textured and mouth-filling Domprobst with very fine tannins, delicate mineral acidity and lingering salinity. Promising and with stimulating, crystalline grip but still far too young. Tasted from AP 92 20 in May 2021.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese ** (Gold Capsule) 2019 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points
“The yellow-golden 2019 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) is brilliantly clear yet also intense and concentrated on the pure, fresh, finely raisined and herbal (rosemary), slightly honeyed nose that is complex and ambitious. Dense and juicy, with a vivacious purity and great finesse, this is a concentrated, vibrantly fresh and tightly structured Auslese with a remarkably digestible finish. There might be some percentage of botrytis that gives this Auslese a lush texture that is otherwise terribly clear and vital. I’d keep it for at least 7 years and up to 40, if only I could. Attention, though, the wine has serious acidity. Tasted from AP 39 20 in May 2021.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Shop our eleven Molitor wines from Graach on sale now on our webstore!
 

 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
 
Domaines Ott
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock wines from Domaines Ott
10% off any 9 or more in-stock wines from Domaines Ott
 
Domaine Tempier
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock wines from Domaine Tempier
10% off any 9 or more in-stock wines from Domaine Tempier

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

 
Domaines Ott sale ends Wednesday, June 12th at 9 am Pacific. Domaine Tempier sale ends Thursday, June 13th at 9 am Pacific.

Vinopolis Newsletter 6-10-24 PM

 In This Newsletter:

Special Arrival
The Rogue’s Progress: Fantastic new wines from Peter William Vineyard

New Arrivals
Bow & Arrow, Cameron Winery, Domaine du Bagnol, Chateau Pradeaux, and more!

Staff Picks
Chillable Local Reds and Pithy French Roses
Special Arrival
 
 
Peter William Vineyard.

 

Have you caught the Southern Oregon wine buzz yet? Oregon’s Rogue Valley AVA has been quietly building in reputation for years and with wineries like Peter William producing high quality Rhône influenced reds at fantastic prices, it’s primed to explode in popularity.
 
Since 2013, husband and wife team Peter Adesman and Robin Miller have been making their single vineyard focused estate wines in Medford, Oregon. It’s already common knowledge that areas like Milton-Freewater in Eastern Oregon are producing some of the best Rhône varietals outside of the Rhône, now Southern Oregon is finally getting its due, even seeing national recognition in publications like Wine Enthusiast.
 
These wines have kept satisfied Vinopolis customers coming back for more and we are selling them at the lowest prices in the USA!
 
Peter William Vineyard ‘Lot W’ Syrah, Rogue Valley, USA 2018 750ml $19 special, 36 bottles available
Norm Roby-WineReviewonline.Com 94 Points “This small batch Syrah is made from estate grown grapes which are vinified by winemaker Eric Weisinger, who is the “W” referenced on the label. The end result is a compact, powerful expression of Syrah that may be one of the best values around these days. It is pure, ripe Syrah beginning with its dark color and earthy, leathery, black pepper aromatics. It evolves in the glass and is full of black fruits and spices delivered in a compact, medium full bodied style.”
 
$24 elsewhere!
 
Peter William Vineyard Grenache, Rogue Valley, USA 2020 750ml $24 special, 13 bottles available
Michael Alberty-Wine Enthusiast 91 Points “After 10 months in neutral French oak, this Grenache is eager to make friends. Its dark chocolate and meaty aromas will make you crave pork mole. The flavors are a tangy combination of boysenberry and orange zest, with bits of tobacco and ginger. Boisterous acidity intersects with firm tannins.”
 
Peter William Vineyard GSM, Rogue Valley, USA 2019 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available
Michael Alberty-Wine Enthusiast 91 Points “This GSM, made with fruit from Peter William and Folin Vineyards, spent 20 months in French oak, 50% new and 50% neutral. It is lithe and lean, with aromas of poppies and lavender melding with blackberry tea. Raspberry and tart cherry flavors are flanked by bacon fat and cardamom.”
 
Peter William Vineyard Tempranillo, Rogue Valley, USA 2018 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast “A distinctly earthy nose features interesting notes of crushed black-walnut shells, smoked cherries and a touch of mint. The flavors of ripe black cherries, leather and almond extract are encircled by a wall of grippy tannins. Decanting is recommended.”
 
Peter William Vineyard Daisy Creek Vineyard Viognier, Rogue Valley, USA 2022 750ml $24 special, 21 bottles available
Michael Alberty-Wine Enthusiast 93 Points “The Daisy Creek Viognier is consistently one of the best white wine values in Oregon. This year’s model starts off with pear, butterscotch and talc aromas. Blazing acidity shines through as flavors like grilled pineapple, Thai basil and blood orange sorbet sashay across the palate.”
 
New Arrivals
 
 
OREGON
 
Always a fantastic value! Bow & Arrow is keeping it real in the Willamette Valley with an eye toward Loire Valley varietal expressions. This is a great wine to bring with you to dinner parties and BBQs.
Bow & Arrow Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $21.90 special, 24 bottles available
Staff Notes “Farmed and made organically with minimal intervention, this Oregon pinot is bright, light, and juicy with tons of aromatic red berry fruits showing on the nose and palate. There is great acidity showing throughout the palate that resolves into a dry finish.”
 
This is the best value of the vintage so far… And it’s in contention for best Pinot Noir of 2022, period.
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml 
$34.50 special, 36 bottles available
Winery Note “The ‘22 Dundee Hills blend includes fruit from Abbey Ridge and La Colina vineyards and punches well above its weight. Clean, dark and red fruit aromas and notes of black tea, earth, and allspice pair with subtle tannins and balanced acidity. This wine has a pleasant, round mouthfeel that may be thoughtfully quaffed or heartily slurped depending on the needs of the meal or the consumer.”
 

FRANCE

Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose, Provence, France 2023 750ml $26.50 special, 12 bottles available
Importer’s Note “No estate expresses the salt-kissed limestone-driven terroir of the idyllic Provençal seaside village of Cassis like Domaine du Bagnol, and the current generation, Sébastien Genovesi, crafts a rosé of scintillating energy, chiseled calcareous musculature, and gleaming red fruits. Comprising 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 20% Mourvèdre, Bagnol’s Cassis Rosé is pressed directly and rapidly (in under two hours) to extract as little color as possible, and the bottled wine (certified organic) contains only 20 milligrams per liter of total sulfur—a factor which contributes to its gorgeous purity of texture and intense evocation of limestone soil.”
 
Chateau Pradeaux Cotes de Provence Rose, France 2023 750ml $21.90 special, 36 bottles available
Not Reviewed Yet, Previous vintage provided for reference
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.”
 
Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rose, Provence, France 2023 750ml $31.90 special, 18 bottles available
Not yet Reviewed, 2021 Vintage provided for reference
Robert Parker’s 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.”
 
This is the best price on the West Coast
 
Mas de Valeriole ‘Ve’ Rose, IGP Mediterranee, France 2023 750ml $14.50 special, 36 bottles available
Distributor’s Note “‘Vé’a local Provençal expression meaning “Look at that!”– is a blend of 80% Caladoc (a crossing of Grenache and Malbec) and 20% Merlot and Syrah (2023 marks the first vintage a splash of Syrah is included), from soils of sand and loam, pressed directly without maceration. Clocking in at a modest 12.5% alcohol, it offers bright, salt-tinged flavors of raspberry and ripe citrus fruits, with a sneakily long finish given its modest price.”
 
This is the Lowest listed price in the USA!
 
The Wines of Taurasi
 
 
Delectable, Underrated Italian Reds. No Bull.
 
“Taurasi is potentially one of the world’s, not just Italy’s, greatest red wines, but it hasn’t always been given a chance to showcase all that it can really be. And yet the Aglianico grape variety is truly a noble one, with very little to envy Nebbiolo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero and Sangiovese.” – Ian D’Agata, writing for Terroir Sense Wine Review
 
Cantine Lonardo.
 
 

Featuring long Maceration times and extended again periods, the Aglianico wines of Cantine Lonardo represent a classic style of Taurasi that is made for aging, dissecting, and savoring for decades. Before 1998 the Lonardo family sold their grapes exclusively to the local commune, but Sandro Lonardo decided to take his family’s business in a dramatic new direction. Since then, these estate bottlings have become a major player in the region, attracting collectors and critics alike, winning accolades from the likes of Decanter and Vinous’ Ian D’Agata.

Aglianico, specifically from regions like Taurasi, are consistently among the most underrated of Italy’s wines, and one of the few great opportunities left to purchase aged European reds at good prices. Speaking of which…
 
These are the lowest prices for these wines on the West Coast:
 
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG, Campania, Italy 2016 750ml $41.90 special, 5 bottles available
Vinopolnote “Bold, slightly tannic with mild acidity. Loaded with luscious dark fruit notes; perfect for rich saucy pastas and roasted red meats.”
 
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Coste, Taurasi DOCG, Italy 2011 750ml $69 special, 30 bottles available
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 94+ Points “Deep ruby. Floral nuances complicate the red and dark berry, ink, sweet spice and flinty aromas and flavors. Dense and seamless, showing a multilayered personality and remarkable complexity of flavor. Finishes very long and with repeating, lingering hints of ink and flint.”
 
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Vigne d’Alto, Taurasi DOCG, Italy 2011 750ml $69 special, 8 bottles available
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 94+ Points “Deep ruby with a purple tinge. Reticent nose at first, only hinting at dark cherry, sassafras and sandalwood. Then very concentrated and dense, displaying almost opulent, sweet nuances of oaky torrefaction to the coffee, cocoa and dark cherry flavors. This outstanding Taurasi finishes extremely long, rich and seamless. It’s virtually impossible to pick between Lonardo’s two crus in 2011, and both will have many admirers.”
 
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Vigne d’Alto, Taurasi DOCG, Italy 2012 750ml $59 special, 6 bottles available
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 Points “Perfumed and loaded with finesse, this single-vineyard wine opens with enticing scents of violet, ripe black-skinned fruit, new leather and baking spice. Made with 60- to 100-year-old plants, the smooth, delicious palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, plum, licorice and nutmeg framed in velvety tannins, making it one of the more elegant expressions of Taurasi out there. A mineral note energizes the lingering finish. Drink through 2032.”
 
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Taurasi Riserva DOCG, Campania, Italy 2011 750ml $119 special, 22 bottles available
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 Points “The 2011 Taurasi Riserva pulls you close and holds your attention firm with its deeply alluring bouquet of crushed black cherries, plum sauce, autumnal spices, woodland herbs and hints of animal musk. This fills the palate with rich, pliant textures and ripe red and blue berries, as nervous acidity maintains wonderful freshness, and sweet notes of cinnamon, clove and tobacco form toward the close … Make no mistake, this is a full-throttle expression of Taurasi, but it will win the hearts of collectors who enjoy a bigger and old-school style.”
 
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG, Campania, Italy 2012 750ml $119 special, 12 bottles available
Importer Note “The new T31 is from 100+ year old ungrafted vines on a mix of limestone and volcanic soils, elevage 3 years in tonneau with another 5 years aging in bottle.”
 
Staff Picks

 
Chillable Local Reds and Pithy French Roses

Coquina Trousseau, Eola-Amity Hills, USA 2022 750ml $21.90 special, 16 bottles available
Beth “Coquina has been making a shop-favorite favorite Pinot Gris for a while now, so we were beyond excited when this Trousseau landed—the label’s first ever red wine. Winemakers Dana and Nicole nailed it with this playful and refreshing red. It’s lighter in body, yet layered, with a silky mouthfeel and an elegant, dry finish. Bright red cherry and cranberry fruit notes are balanced with a soft acidic pang and a little dance of peppery earthiness. We like this light red served chilled, and would pair great with a lush charcuterie spread. If you aren’t already certain that easy-drinking wines can also be complex and delicate, this will convince you.”
 
This is the lowest price in the USA!
Average Price is $34
 
Chateau de Manissy Tavel Cuvee des Lys Rose, Rhone, France 2023 750ml $18 special, 34 bottles available
Tracy “When we think about French Rosé wines, most people think of the light and crisp style from Provence, but Tavel is a different beast altogether. Whereas most French rosés are made in the vin gris or saignee method, Tavels are vinified in part with the crushed grape skins, imparting more structure, spice, and a darker hue. The Manissy Tavel is a red lover’s rosé, deeply hued with a greater focus on savory Garrigue notes than fruit. It is also grippier than most pink wines and makes a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats.”
 
This is the lowest price on the West Coast!
 
Le Galantin Bandol Rose, Provence, France 2023 750ml $20.50 special, 20 bottles available
Beth “Like its label suggests, this wine feels like basking in the sun raining down on rolling Provencal hills. Made with a classic French blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault and 25% Grenache, this wine is bursting with the fresh, crisp citrus notes we expect from Provence style roses, plus a little extra heft. The acidity is bolstered with weightier notes of dark berries and stone fruits like nectarines. It has a light, slightly bitter finish that reminds me of a squeeze of a grapefruit rind. It’s an approachable, happy medium between a crisp Provence rose and a weightier Bandol.”
 
This is the lowest price on the West Coast!
Average Price is $23
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