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Category Archives: Newsletter Archive
Domaine Huet Sale 5-13-24
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Vouvray: one of the world’s most complex, age-worthy, terroir-driven, aromatically intense, and praised white wines. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more wildly expressive and flexible grape than the Chenin Blanc that composes practically all white wines from Vouvray. Chenin from Vouvray is esteemed for its profundity at all sweetness levels, from bone-dry (Sec), lightly- to medium-sweet (Demi-Sec), and dessert style (Moelleux and above).
Granted AOC status in 1936, this commune in the Loire Valley is home to a landmark estate that has endured since those early days, producing wonderful and empirically age-worthy wines not to be overlooked: Domaine Huet.
Domaine Huet is the most sought-after Vouvray producer, at least according to Wine-Searcher data. This is one of France’s pioneers in biodynamic viticulture, modernizing only in the most conscientious way. Today, horses still plough between the rows of their three vineyards, considered some of the greatest in all of the Loire. These vineyards have very distinct personalities worth exploring. Essentially, wines from Le Haut-Lieu are their most approachable, offering softer and younger-drinking wines. Le Mont wines are dense, chock-full of minerals (or should we say chalk-full?), and the most age-worthy, per insiders. Clos du Bourg wines lie somewhere in between the others in terms of youthful approachability and minerality. Gaston Huet, the estate’s famous winemaker for 55 years, considered Clos du Bourg to be the greatest vineyard in Vouvray.
In the winery, the recipe remains relatively simple. Fermentation takes place half in stainless steel, half in old oak, without malolactic fermentation. After only six months, the wines are bottled and then laid to age in a cellar dug from tuffeau rock, no air conditioning required. From here the Huet work is done: the rest is up to nature, and what eventually tastes like divine intervention. Few producers anywhere in the world make better off-dry to sweet white wines than Domaine Huet.
Granted AOC status in 1936, this commune in the Loire Valley is home to a landmark estate that has endured since those early days, producing wonderful and empirically age-worthy wines not to be overlooked: Domaine Huet.
Domaine Huet is the most sought-after Vouvray producer, at least according to Wine-Searcher data. This is one of France’s pioneers in biodynamic viticulture, modernizing only in the most conscientious way. Today, horses still plough between the rows of their three vineyards, considered some of the greatest in all of the Loire. These vineyards have very distinct personalities worth exploring. Essentially, wines from Le Haut-Lieu are their most approachable, offering softer and younger-drinking wines. Le Mont wines are dense, chock-full of minerals (or should we say chalk-full?), and the most age-worthy, per insiders. Clos du Bourg wines lie somewhere in between the others in terms of youthful approachability and minerality. Gaston Huet, the estate’s famous winemaker for 55 years, considered Clos du Bourg to be the greatest vineyard in Vouvray.
In the winery, the recipe remains relatively simple. Fermentation takes place half in stainless steel, half in old oak, without malolactic fermentation. After only six months, the wines are bottled and then laid to age in a cellar dug from tuffeau rock, no air conditioning required. From here the Huet work is done: the rest is up to nature, and what eventually tastes like divine intervention. Few producers anywhere in the world make better off-dry to sweet white wines than Domaine Huet.
5% off any 4-8 bottles of in-stock Huet wines
10% off any 9+ bottles of in-stock Huet wines
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your card.
Discount ends Thursday, May 16th at 9 am Pacific
10% off any 9+ bottles of in-stock Huet wines
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your card.
Discount ends Thursday, May 16th at 9 am Pacific
We offer 28 in-stock wines from Domaine Huet, including:
Sec/Dry:
Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut Lieu 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $36, that’s $34.20 at 5% off and $32.40 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut Lieu 2022 375ml Displayed Price: $21.90, that’s $20.81 at 5% off and $19.71 at 10% off, 10 half-bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The 2022 Vouvray “le Haut Lieu” Sec from Domaine Huët is an absolute classic. The bouquet is pure, precise and beautifully discreet out of the blocks, offering up a complex blend of pear, quince, refined chalky soil tones, white flowers, incipient notes of beeswax and a whisper of the orange peel tones that will become more apparent with bottle age. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and classy, with a superb core of fruit, lovely soil inflection, zestyacids and superb length and grip on the still nascently complex finish. This is fairly ripe for this bottling, coming in at 13.5 percent octane in 2022, but shows nothing but a classical profile on both the nose and palate. I suspect it will close down for a period of hibernation a few years down the road, so either drink a bottle or two now, or let it rest comfortably for the next decade and then leisurely drink it over the ensuing sixty or seventy years! Great juice. 2023-2085”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Mont 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $46, that’s $43.70 at 5% off and $41.40 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 95 points “The 2022 Le Mont Sec is a parcel of Chenin planted on clay with scattered flint, giving a certain tension to the style you certainly don’t find in the come-hither Clos du Bourg. Its supple, concentrated core of fruit sits within a framework of structure. Both acidity and phenolics add tension and sinew. While some natural residual sugar remains (5.5g/L residual sugar), this rounds out the palate and brings balance – it’s near-as-dammit dry in its impression and technically dry under Vouvray’s rules. I’d like to see this with a little more bottle age as, compared with, say, Clos du Bourg, this isn’t yet ready to approach but should blossom. Drink: 2024-2038.”
Demi-Sec:
Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Haut-Lieu 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “This delivers a beautiful display of purity and grace, with creamed Jonagold apple, star fruit, white peach and chamomile notes flowing seamlessly, backed by wet stone and fresh verbena accents. Subtle but persistent energy ripples through the very long finish. Drink now through 2035.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Haut-Lieu 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “This broad, striking white is elegant and rich with complexity, featuring green melon, yellow fig, ginger and verbena notes, underscored with heather, stone, flint and spice details. Offers great energy and tension, showcasing expert craftsmanship. Drink now through 2036. 4,100 cases made. –GS”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Clos du Bourg 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Gorgeous, with creamy-edged nectarine, yellow and green apple, pear and quince flavors that are brightly defined from start to finish, flecked with verbena and honeysuckle hints and backed by a off-dry edge on the finish. Stays fresh and pure throughout. Tempting now but there’s no rush. Drink now through 2032.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Clos du Bourg 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 97 points “Drinking the 2020 Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec is like taking your shoes off at the end of a long day of walking and soaking them in warm water: there’s just satisfaction and relaxation. The 2020 has a sense of volume but not weight, filling the mouth with depths of pure fruit before the acid pours forth like a canal lock being opened. You can expect a hint of spice and crème caramel alongside apple and florals. I am utterly seduced.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Demi-Sec Le Mont 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 31 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec is deep, rich and flinty on the nose, with caramel and vegetable flavors indicating a great complexity. Full-bodied, dense and powerful, this is highly complex and persistent, yet refreshing and transparent Chenin with a juicy fruit and lots of grip, energy and tension. Rather demure at the moment, this enormously structured wine has a great aging potential and I recommend to store it for 6-10 years, at least.”
Moelleux:
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Le Haut-Lieu 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Gorgeous crystallized ginger, dried quince, glazed pear and warm persimmon notes are seamlessly interwoven here, gliding through a lengthy finish that picks up a lilting green tea accent. Frankly off-dry but wonderfully pure. Drink now through 2035.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Le Haut-Lieu 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $44, that’s $41.80 at 5% off and $39.60 at 10% off, 26 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 96 points “It might be delicate but the 2020 Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux is also rather succulent, coating the mouth with its sweet embrace. A combination of white flowers and nectarine creates an appealing perfume. There’s a sense of energy that runs through the wine, providing a sense of direction and purpose. The core of sweetness (50–60g/L) doesn’t tip over into lushness but is held together by its acidity and structure.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Clos du Bourg 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 32 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “A stunner, with beautiful pear, green fig, yellow apple and quince notes that are creamy and flirtatiously sweet, yet seamless and refined in feel. The extremely long finish lets honeysuckle and verbena notes dance throughout, with a light echo of white ginger at the very end. Best from 2020 through 2040.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Le Mont 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “Bright, even exuberant in feel, with a parade of Jonagold apple, green melon, Bosc pear and quince flavors streaming through, gilded with heather, honeysuckle and verbena notes on the long, lithe finish. Remarkably elegant despite the off-dry style. Drink now through 2035.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Le Mont 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $46, that’s $43.70 at 5% off and $41.40 at 10% off, 21 bottles in stock now
Decanter 96 points “Here is a masterful sweet wine endowed with 49g/L of residual sugar that offers an almost unprecedented delicacy for the estate that contrasts with its powerful aromatics resonating with pineapple, passionfruit and apricot, along with a seductive floral component. On the palate, the rich liqueur character retains impressive balance and restrained power, combining unctuousness and chalky acidity. Best to cellar for 10 to 40 years.”
Moelleux Première Trie (“First Selection”):
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Première Trie Le Haut-Lieu 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 96 points “The 2020 Le Haut Lieu Moelleux Première Trie is pretty gorgeous with its sweet embrace (71g/L residual sugar) caressing the palate like a silky-smooth velouté. It sits calmly in the mouth, showing the typical fruit-forward character of the site, all oranges, chamomile and violets. The deeply satisfying finish provides the merest of grips, and fresh acid makes your mouth water. Already delicious in its youth, this wine has the concentration, acidity and sweetness to age gracefully, as Huet fans will know well.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Première Trie Clos du Bourg 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is ripe and broad, taking a slightly more power-driven approach, with a mix of tropical mango and papaya fruit, backed by orchard fruit accents of yellow apple and peach. The long, heather honey–accented finish has light piecrust and crystalized ginger hints. Best from 2020 through 2035.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Première Trie Clos du Bourg 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 97 points “Succulent yet refined, the 2020 Clos du Bourg Première Trie Moelleux offers elegance and focus despite its sweetness. There’s no sense of heaviness nor unctuosity (yet there’s 93g/L residual sugar). Expect pineapple and smoky notes, florals and apple strudel, along with masses of concentration and impeccable balance. A real delight that has plenty of drinkability even in infancy but will evolve over the coming decades. Finished sample.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Première Trie Le Mont 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2016 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie opens with a very clear, deep and flinty/herbal bouquet of ripe concentrated stone fruits intermixed with chalky/smoky aromas, very complex and truly exciting! Light, fresh and tensioned on the palate, that is very pure and salty but also tight and concentrated. The 2016 Le Mont reveals crystalline acidity, delicate but serious tannin grip and a long, complex, stimulating finish. This is Chenin Blanc full of energy and aging potential, provided with concentration, lingering salinity and vibrancy. This is a fascinating Le Mont, surely the top wine of Huet’s excellent 2016 series. Bottled with 92 grams of residual sugar, it tastes less sweet than the corresponding Clos du Bourg. Tasted February 2018.”
Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Première Trie Le Mont 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97-98 points “The intensely yellow colored 2020 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie is highly concentrated and complex on the nose that exhibits candied lemon zest and chutney aromas along with calcareous and walnut notes. Sweet (really sweet!) yet refined and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich and generous yet piquant and firmly structured, greatly tensioned and salty 1ère Trie with pineapple flavors on the finely tannic and energetic, very sustainable finish. The 2020 has great aging potential, and I would never serve it too young. When will it really start to show its best? I don’t know, but you can’t go wrong to check the wine again after 10 years. Tasted as a final sample shortly before bottling in May 2021.”
Shop our 28 selections on sale now on our webstore!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Saint-Emilion and Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of wine from Saint-Emilion and Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of wine from Saint-Emilion and Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
Tempier
5% off any 4-8 in-stock bottles of wine from Tempier
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of wine from Tempier
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your card.
Saint-Emilion sale ends Tuesday, May 14th at 9 am Pacific. Tempier sale ends Wednesay, May 15th at 9 am Pacific.
Our Vinopolis Close-Out Sale never ends.
Shop the 211 marked-down selections here!
Temporary Tempier Sale! 5-12-24
You saw the title and now you’re upset. You have every right to be. But I just want you to know that it’s much harder than you think to come up with a tag line that works with Tempier. Btw for those that have always read it as “temp” like in “temperature”…..hate to break it to you….but it’s pronounced “tahhmp”.
There are few producers and wines that have been written about so passionately and fervently. The love affair that Kermit Lynch acquired for this domaine is the stuff of legend and a seriously long chapter within Adventures on the Wine Route. The Peyraud family and the timeless impression of the quieter France they embody are perhaps what so many romantic wine drinkers are searcher for every time they pour and raise a glass. The story is as strong and rich as the liquid that it rests in. The wines themselves are spectacular, and display an excellent potential to age well beyond a typical Provencal red. As the mourvedre matures it begins to open up the meaty, herb filled aromas that rest just beneath the surface of the younger bottlings. You’ll feel like you’re literally drinking picnic side in a field of garrigue and Riviera sunlight.
On offer we have a few vintages of the blanc and both 2020 and 2021 examples of all the top rouge bottlings. The individuals vineyard sites express themselves in magnifyingly unique ways if you’re able to taste them side by side (which is the greatest way to taste btw).. The whites are an exquisite blend of varietals you don’t see in your glass every day: Clairette, Ugni Blanc, Rolle (Vermentino), Bourboulenc etc..Complex and salty citrus flavors rest on a mineral rich palate. For the reds, mourvedre is of course the star, making up usually over 55% of the blend and supported by cinsault and grenache.
“Through their passion, pioneering, and advocacy for Bandol, the Peyrauds have become legendary. We are fortunate to have their wines serve as the flagship of our portfolio, and even more grateful to have the Peyrauds and their extended family as cherished friends. If any wine can be said to have soul, it’s Tempier.”
– Kermit Lynch
– Kermit Lynch
These are wines that true wine lovers seek to possess. To relive the fading dream of a rural France and to taste the essence of one of its most distinctive terroirs is the compelling opportunity that Tempier provides. With our discount pricing below you’ll be drinking and saving these wines for less than you can find almost anywhere in the USA. Roast some lamb, prep the garlic aoili, and pop open a bottle of this Provencal paragon and……live happy.
Buy any 4-8 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy any 9+ bottles for a 10% discount
Discounts will be applied after orders are received.
Offer ends on Wednesday May 15th at 9AM PST
Available Bottlings of Tempier:
Domaine Tempier Bandol Blanc 2021 750ml $49 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Primarily Clairette (60%) and Ugni Blanc (30%), with bits of Bourboulenc, Marsanne and Rolle, the 2021 Bandol Blanc was still in tank when I visited early last year. It presents a striking juxtaposition of ripe pears and honeyed richness with brighter notes of fresh lime juice on the nose and medium-bodied palate, finishing with a sense of plush richness balanced by mouthwatering citrus zest and brine.”
Domaine Tempier Bandol Blanc 2022 750ml $49 special, 10 bottles available
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge 2020 750ml $56 special, 17 bottles available
THE LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN THE USA!
Wine Advocate 91-92 points “Tasted from foudre, the 2020 Bandol Cuvee Classique had been blended the week before my visit. Already showing classic notes of tree bark and truffle layered against cherries and raspberries and a touch of olive, it looks relatively precocious. In the mouth, it’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with a long, plush finish.”
Domaine Tempier Bandol Blanc 2021 750ml $49 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Primarily Clairette (60%) and Ugni Blanc (30%), with bits of Bourboulenc, Marsanne and Rolle, the 2021 Bandol Blanc was still in tank when I visited early last year. It presents a striking juxtaposition of ripe pears and honeyed richness with brighter notes of fresh lime juice on the nose and medium-bodied palate, finishing with a sense of plush richness balanced by mouthwatering citrus zest and brine.”
Domaine Tempier Bandol Blanc 2022 750ml $49 special, 10 bottles available
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge 2020 750ml $56 special, 17 bottles available
THE LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN THE USA!
Wine Advocate 91-92 points “Tasted from foudre, the 2020 Bandol Cuvee Classique had been blended the week before my visit. Already showing classic notes of tree bark and truffle layered against cherries and raspberries and a touch of olive, it looks relatively precocious. In the mouth, it’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with a long, plush finish.”
Domaine Tempier La Migoua Bandol Rouge 2020 750ml $81.80 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2020 Bandol la Migoua—tasted from foudre—is a bit tarry and rubbery (expected, to some degree, in young Mourvèdre-based wines) but opens up to reveal seductive, ripe notes of blackberries and mulberries. A blend of approximately 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault, 15% Grenache and 5% Syrah, it’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, concentrated but silky in feel and elegant on the long finish.”
Domaine Tempier La Tourtine Bandol Rouge 2020 750ml $89 special, 33 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Mainly Mourvèdre (85%), with Cinsault and Grenache, the 2020 Bandol la Tourtine was still in foudre at the time of my visit last year. Scents of cola, smoke and red berries provide ample complexity on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated and almost creamy in texture while remaining fresh and dynamic on the lengthy finish.”
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge 2021 750ml $59 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2020 Bandol la Migoua—tasted from foudre—is a bit tarry and rubbery (expected, to some degree, in young Mourvèdre-based wines) but opens up to reveal seductive, ripe notes of blackberries and mulberries. A blend of approximately 55% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault, 15% Grenache and 5% Syrah, it’s medium to full-bodied on the palate, concentrated but silky in feel and elegant on the long finish.”
Domaine Tempier La Tourtine Bandol Rouge 2020 750ml $89 special, 33 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Mainly Mourvèdre (85%), with Cinsault and Grenache, the 2020 Bandol la Tourtine was still in foudre at the time of my visit last year. Scents of cola, smoke and red berries provide ample complexity on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is concentrated and almost creamy in texture while remaining fresh and dynamic on the lengthy finish.”
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rouge 2021 750ml $59 special, 24 bottles available
THE LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE ANYWHERE IN THE USA!
Domaine Tempier La Migoua Bandol Rouge 2021 750ml $84.50 special, 12 bottles available
Domaine Tempier La Tourtine Bandol Rouge 2021 750ml $84.50 special, 12 bottles available
Domaine Tempier Cuvee Cabassaou Bandol Rouge 2021 750ml $119 special, 6 bottles available
Domaine Tempier La Tourtine Bandol Rouge 2021 750ml $84.50 special, 12 bottles available
Domaine Tempier Cuvee Cabassaou Bandol Rouge 2021 750ml $119 special, 6 bottles available
| TEMPIER WINES AVAILABLE NOW | VWS PRICE | AVAILABLE | LINK |
| TEMPIER BANDOL BLANC 2021 | $49.00 | 3 | Link |
| TEMPIER BANDOL BLANC 2022 | $49.00 | 10 | Link |
| TEMPIER BANDOL CABASSAOU 2021 | $119.00 | 6 | Link |
| TEMPIER BANDOL LA MIGOUA 2020 | $81.80 | 24 | Link |
| TEMPIER BANDOL LA MIGOUA 2021 | $84.50 | 12 | Link |
| TEMPIER BANDOL LA TOURTINE 2020 | $89.00 | 33 | Link |
| TEMPIER BANDOL LA TOURTINE 2021 | $84.50 | 12 | Link |
| TEMPIER BANDOL ROUGE 2020 | $56.00 | 17 | Link |
| TEMPIER BANDOL ROUGE 2021 | $59.00 | 24 | Link |
Bordeaux’ St-Emilion 3 Day Sale & Screaming Eagle’s “The Flight” 5-11-24
In This Newsletter:
St-Emilion
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Screaming Eagle’s “The Flight”
Saint-Emilion & Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
Bordeaux’ Queens of Merlot
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
St-Emilion
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Screaming Eagle’s “The Flight”
Saint-Emilion & Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
Bordeaux’ Queens of Merlot
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
One of the world’s most famous appellations for Merlot-based wines is Saint-Emilion. The region boasts innumerable treasured estates such as Cheval Blanc, Angelus, and Pavie. Heralded for centuries, it can be easy to forget how and why these wines are so stunning. Here, the soils are rich in clay and chalk, ideal for the approachable yet mineral-laced and refined Merlots. The area is notably cooler, too, than the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated Left Bank appellations, helping the grapes retain acidity and depth of flavors.
We boast a wide selection of estates, all Grand Cru (with one bonus producer from the satellite region of Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion), which means they adhere to stricter production requirements, ensuring they represent the finest wines Saint-Emilion has to offer. As a whole, the wines are silky and approachable young, but boast fine tannins and decades of aging potential. Stock up now to fill your cellar for years to come during our three-day sale, starting now.
We boast a wide selection of estates, all Grand Cru (with one bonus producer from the satellite region of Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion), which means they adhere to stricter production requirements, ensuring they represent the finest wines Saint-Emilion has to offer. As a whole, the wines are silky and approachable young, but boast fine tannins and decades of aging potential. Stock up now to fill your cellar for years to come during our three-day sale, starting now.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of wine from Saint-Emilion and Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of wine from Saint-Emilion and Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your card.
Discount ends Tuesday, May 14th at 9 am Pacific
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of wine from Saint-Emilion and Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your card.
Discount ends Tuesday, May 14th at 9 am Pacific
We offer seventeen in-stock wines from Saint-Emilion and its satellites, including:
Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Cellar Selection in 2019
Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L Displayed Price: $899, that’s $854.05 at 5% off and $809.10 at 10% off, 14 magnums in stock now
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 100 points “This is a rich, perfumed wine, with dense tannins and intense layers of black plum and spice. The palate is firmly built yet broadened out by plump dark-fruit tones and honed by a solid, dry core. Drink from 2025. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.”
Duffau-Lagarrosse Chateau Beausejour, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $149, that’s $141.55 at 5% off and $134.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) prances out of the glass with energetic notes of crushed black and red plums, black cherries and black raspberries plus wafts of potpourri, oolong tea and lavender. The medium-bodied palate is oh-so-pretty with bags of fragrant fruit and a firm, plush frame, finishing long and perfumed.”
Chateau Belair-Monange, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “Very intense blackberries, black olives, blueberries and dried flowers. Stony minerality. Even some pine. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and ultra fine tannins that are intense and polished. The finish is so long and delivers so much flavor, from wet earth to blackberry again. Seamless palate. Try after 2026.”
Chateau Canon, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010 750ml Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96+ points “[Reviewed in 2020] Deep garnet colored, the 2010 Canon features wonderfully expressive notes of dried mulberries, stewed plums and baked black cherries with hints of mocha, bay leaves and fallen leaves. Full-bodied, opulent and super spicy, it has a plush texture with a racy line supporting the hedonic fruit, finishing with jaw-dropping persistence.”
Chateau Canon, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $349, that’s $331.55 at 5% off and $314.10 at 10% off, 34 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 100 points “From the very beginning, the 2015 Canon has made an eloquent case for itself as one of the wines of the vintage. Multiple tastings from bottle only confirm what several early tastings hinted at: the 2015 Canon is simply extraordinary in every way. Sumptuous and exotic, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 grabs hold of all the senses and never lets up. A rush of red fruit intermingled with floral notes, spice and smoke notes effortlessly runs up the wine’s vertical structure as the 2015 thrills with every twist and turn. The 2015 Canon is a rare wine that is both hedonistic and intellectual – well, maybe it is a bit more hedonistic-leaning. It doesn’t matter. Don’t miss it. This 2015 is masterpiece from General Manager Nicolas Auderbert and his team at Canon.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 100 points “The 2015 Canon was a benchmark wine that seemed to revitalize this historic estate. I was crossing my fingers that it would not disappoint in bottle and I am glad to say that it delivers the goods. It has a very intense bouquet (just as it showed out of barrel) with laser-like precision offering wild strawberry, raspberry preserve, wet limestone and hints of truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, clean and fresh with pure black and red fruit whose every atom appears infused with minerals. The mouth is tingling long after the wine has exited and your brain is thinking…when is the next sip coming? It is frankly heads and shoulders above almost every Saint Émilion this vintage, to reaffirm, a benchmark for this historic estate that will give pleasure to many over the coming years. Astonishing.”
James Suckling 100 points “Seductive. The nose draws you in deep: It’s like staring into a well of pristine dark cherries, dark plums, blackberries and mulberries. All the oak is perfectly subsumed. The palate’s flawless with immense depth and power and it’s so balanced as to appear to float. Immaculate fresh dark-berry and plum flavors. Silky and deep, ribbon-like finish. Perfect. Best from 2022.”
Chateau des Laurets, Puisseguin-Saint-Emilion 2005 1.5L Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
VinopolNote: From the right bank of Bordeaux, this merlot dominant blend is full of red and purple fruit, with secondary notes of earthiness and leather. The oak creates a smooth and full body structure. Open and decant; this wine is ready to drink now!
Chateau Laforge, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ml Displayed Price: $75, that’s $71.25 at 5% off and $67.50 at 10% off, 18 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 96 points “From proprietor Jonathan Maltus, this blend of three terroirs, two on sand and one on gravel, is a blend of 92% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. About 2,000 cases are produced, and the prodigious 2009 is the finest vintage to date. Inky blue/purple, with notes of licorice, camphor, black truffle, blackberry and blueberry, this full-bodied wine has massive concentration yet at the same time displays elegance and harmony. The equilibrium and 60+-second length make for a huge, massive, but incredibly well-balanced wine, like a shadow of the proprietor himself. Drink it over the next 15 or more years.”
Chateau Larcis Ducasse, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “The aromas here are so spellbinding with shitake mushrooms, wet earth and moss, as well as tree bark and, finally, dark fruit. The palate is incredible as it builds and grows with full body, but always tight and reserved. It shows so much depth and complexity. Please try not to touch this until 2025.”
Chateau Troplong Mondot, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $149, that’s $141.55 at 5% off and $134.10 at 10% off, 21 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98+ points “The 2017 Troplong Mondot is stunning, just as it was en primeur. Rich and ample, yet endowed with striking energy as well, the 2017 is the first vintage made by new CEO Aymeric de Gironde and consulting winemaker Thomas Duclos. The 2017 takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. All of the power that is typical of this site is evident, it seems to come so naturally, and yet picking earlier and then using a lighter hand in the cellar yielded a Troplong of uncommon energy and vibrancy. The 2017 has been nothing short of thrilling on the four occasions I have tasted it from bottle so far. What a wine!”
Chateau Clos de Sarpe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2003 1.5L Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “Medium garnet-brick colored, the 2003 Clos de Sarpe has quite an opulent nose with notes of powdered cinnamon, cloves and fenugreek over a core of baked cherries and dried mulberries with a waft of dusty soil. Medium-bodied, finely crafted and surprisingly elegant, it has a chewy frame and loads of perfumed fruit, finishing long and refreshing.”
Chateau Clos de Sarpe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 26 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “An off-the-hook Saint-Emilion, the inky colored 2016 Chāteau Clos de Sarpe is mostly Merlot but includes 15% Cabernet Franc. A beautiful, floral character gives way to more blueberry, raspberry, spice, and cedar notes, and it’s medium to full-bodied, fresh, and elegant on the palate, with thrilling purity of fruit. It’s still tight and reserved at the moment, with a focused feel on the palate, but has tons of potential. Give bottles 5-7 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 15+.”
Chateau Clos de Sarpe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2019 Clos de Sarpe is off the charts gorgeous. Black cherry, leather, licorice, spice and chocolate are all dialed up. As always, Clos de Sarpe is unabashedly opulent, but in recent years there has been a touch more focus, a bit more delineation to balance things out. The 2019 is positively stunning. That’s all there is to it. Tasted two times.”
Chateau La Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 99 points “The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. Magnifique!”
La Mondotte, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2012 750ml Displayed Price: $189, that’s $179.55 at 5% off and $170.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 95 points “From the luxury, 12-acre boutique outpost of the Neipperg family, the 2012 La Mondotte (generally 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc) has an inky/purple color, sweet mulberry, black cherry and cassis note, stunning purity and full-bodied texture. The wine’s opulence and voluptuous character compare to its greatest vintages, such as 1998, 2000, 2005, 2009 and 2010. Its great terroir (clay and limestone soils) shines through with a stunning effort in the vintage. Drink it over the next 10-15 years.”
Chateau Pavie Macquin, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “Possibly the finest vintage of this cuvée to date, the 2016 Château Pavie Macquin comes from a cooler, later terroir on the upper plateau and checks in as 82% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 50% new oak. This deep, inky-colored effort boasts a rock star bouquet of blackcurrants, black cherries, white truffle, graphite, and spice. Deep, rich, and powerful on the palate, yet also balanced, elegant, and seamless, with ultra-fine tannins, this seamless beauty needs a decade of cellaring and will keep for 4-5 decades.”
Shop our 17 selections on sale now on our webstore!
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Screaming Eagle’s “The Flight”
Swoop In on Savings
A darling of the critics soars with this Merlot-based wine. Swoop in for your allocation today!
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Screaming Eagle ‘The Flight’, Napa Valley 2019 750ml Was $1,099, Now $999 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “Extremely floral and aromatic with violets and lavender throughout. Black olives, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine-grained tannins that run the length of the wine. Goes on for minutes. A greenish undertone comes out at the end with some spearmint, green tea and green olive. About two-thirds merlot. Best after 2028, but already stunning.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2019 The Flight, the estate’s Merlot-based wine, is dark, powerful and brooding in demeanor, almost shockingly so. The natural concentration of a year with low yields and small berries is very much in evidence. A rush of black cherry, plum, graphite, lavender and blue/purplish fruit builds as this virile, explosive wine shows off its arresting beauty. In a word: impressive.”
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Screaming Eagle ‘The Flight’, Napa Valley 2019 750ml Was $1,099, Now $999 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “Extremely floral and aromatic with violets and lavender throughout. Black olives, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine-grained tannins that run the length of the wine. Goes on for minutes. A greenish undertone comes out at the end with some spearmint, green tea and green olive. About two-thirds merlot. Best after 2028, but already stunning.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2019 The Flight, the estate’s Merlot-based wine, is dark, powerful and brooding in demeanor, almost shockingly so. The natural concentration of a year with low yields and small berries is very much in evidence. A rush of black cherry, plum, graphite, lavender and blue/purplish fruit builds as this virile, explosive wine shows off its arresting beauty. In a word: impressive.”
Don’t miss our Vinopolis Close-Out
We offer 211 wines on our close-out sale, including gems from the California producer Bedrock, Beaujolais producer Domaine du Vissoux, and German producer Molitor. Shop the list here!
Vinopolis Newsletter 5-10-24
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In This Newsletter:
New Arrivals: Vietti, Domaine Cibonne, Crowley Wines, Ovum, and more! Plus “a rarity in Chablis” arriving Friday, May 17th from Pattes Loup. –also– … a 100 point wine with roots in France and Napa coming soon.  New Arrivals OREGON
 “Established in 2011 by Ksenija and John House, Ovum was founded in hopes of producing Oregon wines that are honest reflections of time and place. Our low intervention production method is a commitment to letting the vintage and vineyard shine, not the vintner. Fruit comes first – our top priority is finding farmers that share our beliefs, and then getting out of the way so their hard work can be tasted.” -Ovum Winery STAFF PICK Ovum ‘Big Salt’ Orange, Oregon, USA 2023 750ml $19 special, 12 bottles available VinopolPick “Fans of Big Salt and Orange wines are in for a treat. This is one of our favorite Oregon skin-contact wines and it’s such a bargain you cannot miss it!” Ovum ‘Big Salt’ White, Oregon, USA 2023 750ml $18 special, 36 bottles available Winery Notes “2023 Big Salt is dry, aromatic and zippy. Lemon peel, mandarin and pineapple leap out of the glass. An earlier than expected harvest gave the palate a lightness at just 12.0% abv. In it’s youth, Big Salt continues to be Muscat forward, but we find as it ages into summer that Gewurz comes to the forefront, while oceanic citrusy Riesling shines after a year in the bottle. Not that anyone is aging Big Salt, but you’ll be rewarded if you do!” Ovum Gewurztraminer Love O Love, Rogue Valley, USA 2022 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available Winery Notes “White grapefruit and peach waft from the glass. The classic rose and lychee aromats are faintly in the background. The bone dry palate offers a light bodied, shockingly high acid wine, with an unusual length and minerality.” Ovum ‘Memorista’ Riesling, Oregon, USA 2021 750ml $27 special, 24 bottles available Winery Notes “Ocean foam, purple plum, poppy seed, dried iris. Apricot pit begins to smack your nose around after the wine sees 30+ minutes of air, which always makes me giddy with delight because it’s akin to our favorite wines of the Wachau. Plenty of textural weight on the mid-palate, which is tightened up on the nervy, purple/blue finish.” Tyson Crowley creates some of the most charming and disarmingly delicious wines in the Valley. Though the wines are rarely reviewed, he has, as the late and great Josh Raynolds put it, a “loyal following.” We’re happy to include ourselves in that group. His wines combine both delicious upfront fruit with a bright acidity and a keen sense of terroir. And the wines age beautifully – we’ve been fortunate enough to taste several late releases with five to ten years of bottle age on them. That’s a notable achievement for a winemaker whose first release was in 2006! Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $24 special, 36 bottles available Winery Notes “As soon as this wine hits the glass, sparkling clarity meets the eye. A nose of morning mist, bright green moss and honeydew melon are layered over notes of fluffy clotted cream. On the palate, chalky vitimins frame a firm fruit core of kiwi, lemon and tart lychee.” Crowley Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $26 special, 38 bottles available Winery Notes “2022 was a return to cool vintage for Oregon, and the wines have benefitted greatly. Entre Nous has a touch of new oak that we just can’t get enough of, and it frames a palate of crunchy red flesh apple light maple candy that lead to a long umami finish.” Crowley Entre Nous Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $36 special, 36 bottles available Winery Notes “Eye catching clarity meets garnet edges mixed with crimson. Lucid and fresh, the nose displays crunchy aromatics, cranberry and pomegranate mixed with herb and citrus.” FRANCE  Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Cuvee Tradition Rose, France 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles availableYohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 92 Points “A blend of 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache, all matured in ancient barrels (some are over 100 years old), the 2022 Cotes de Provence Rose Tibouren Cuvee Tradition evokes aromas of tangerine, exotic fruits, rose petal, lychee, sweet spices, thyme, ginger and a delicate touch of licorice. Medium to full-bodied, with a succulent entry, the wine is perfectly balanced, fleshy and juicy on the palate, with a long, salty, mouthwatering finish.” Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Tibouren Cuvee Speciale des Vignettes Rose, France 2022 750ml $59 Special, 12 Bottles Available
No reviews for the 2022 vintage. 2021 review provided for reference. Yohan Castaing 94 Points “The 2021 Cotes de Provence Rose Cuvee Speciale des Vignettes was produced with the oldest Tibouren vines of Clos Cibonne and matured in old barrels. It has a delicate, refined bouquet with aromas of spring flowers, garrigue, red berries, tonca bean and iodine as well as delicate oaky hints. Medium to full-bodied, lively and delicate, it has a lively, fine acidity structure and perfectly well-integrated oaky notes. Perfectly ripe, it will offer a broad drinking window.” HOT DEAL! Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Tentations Rose, France 2023 750ml $21.90 special, 36 bottles available
Importer’s Note “Cibonne Tentations offers an accessible, high-quality entry-point into authentic Côtes de Provence Rosé. Tentations is made with exceptional ingredients, including fruit from young tibouren vines at Clos Cibonne, as well as grenache, cinsault, and syrah grown by farmers in prime spots in the villages of La Crau and Carqueiranne … Offering immediate and unpretentious enjoyment, it is fantastic as an aperitif, and also has the complexity to compliment diverse flavors at the table.” R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut Rose, Champagne, France NV 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles availableWinery Notes “Our cuvee Rose express fineness and elegance due to a higher proportion of Chardonnay in the blend. It is brisk, fresh and full of energy, the Rosé offers a striking interplay of Ambonnay richness and verve. Dried flowers, cranberry, mint and blood orange.”
Domaine de Montille Monthelie Nature, Cote de Beaune, France 2020 750ml $49 special, 28 bottles available Importer’s Notes “De Montille’s Monthélie terroir offers up a fresh, light and finesseful wine of pure pleasure. WIth zero sulfur in vinfication, De Montille believes it is even more approachable than if it had been made in a more tradtional way. In Etienne’s words, “this wine taught us how to manage sulfur for all of our other wines.” Domaine Romy Bourgogne Blanc Clos de la Chapelle, Burgundy, France 2021 750ml $21.90 special, 36 bottles available
Winery Note “This young, wood-aged wine is full of creamed apples and delicious acidity. These come together with a mineral texture, freshness and tangy orange and citrus aftertaste.” Pierre Paillard Terres Roses Bouzy Rose Xbrut NV 750ml $62.50 special, 12 bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points “Composed of 65% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Grand Cru Bouzy Les Terres Roses (5% red wine) pours a bright pale pink hue and reveals aromatics of ripe strawberry, fresh bread dough, and candied roses. Juicy and inviting, with a fluffy mousse, it’s full-bodied and has a clean, supple, fruity texture. It’s fresh and savory on the palate, with salty lift and a note of orange zest that leaves a mouthwatering finish. Drink 2024-2040.” ITALY Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG, Italy 2018 750ml $49 special, 29 bottles available Wine Advocate 95 Points “Very true to the Nebbiolo grape, the Cantina del Pino 2018 Barbaresco Albesani reveals an especially bright and lifted character with tart berry fruit and crushed roses. Poised for long cellar aging, the wine is coiled tight in terms of tannins and texture at this young stage in its drinking window. Give it ample time to unwind.” Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont, Italy 2019 750ml $48.50 special, 36 bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 94-95 Points “There is a more pronounced mineral and delicately spiced character to the 2019 Barbaresco, with notes of wet asphalt and kirsch and vibrant purity. It has elegant concentration, with fine coiled tannins in its hints of tea leaves, bergamot, and ripe wild raspberry, and has a more pronounced structure, this is a fantastic expression. Drink 2024-2040.” Vietti Castiglione, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $59 special, 35 bottles available James Suckling 94 Points “Racy and focused. I like the aromas of lavender, violet and white roses alongside strawberry, cranberry and stone. Medium body, with firm and fine tannins that are long and succulent. It’s fine and polished.” Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 Points “Fragrant, polished and vibrant right out of the gate, the 2020 Barolo Castiglione displays beautifully-lifted notes of crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, mint, white pepper and orange peel. This classically built, mid-weight Barolo is classy to the core. Like all the 2020s here, it will benefit from time in bottle or a good decant.” NEW ZEALAND New Zealand’s largest certified organic vineyard. Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2023 750ml $24 special, 36 bottles available Vinous 93 Points “Initially the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc needs a few moments to get itself together much like we all do after waking up from our slumber. It wears a rather reductive overcoat, but under that flintiness you find concentrated, pure fruit flavors. It’s light in body but dense in concentration thanks to low yields, displaying both focus and punch. It’s almost silvery in color and restrained thanks to hand-picking, leading to pure grapefruit and passion fruit flavors alongside a hint of nectarine. The finish is long, precise and sinewy.”
“Domaine Pattes Loup is one of the most exciting estates to emerge from Chablis in recent years. Thomas Pico started his tiny estate in Courgis in 2005, just outside of the village of Chablis, under the wings of his friends and fellow organic Chablisiens, Alice and Olivier de Moor. He inherited 2.4 hectares of vines from his family’s estate, which historically produced correct, but uninspiring wines. Motivated to take a qualitative leap in a new direction, and against the wishes of his father, Thomas immediately began a program of strict yield control and a conversion to organic viticulture. This is a rarity in Chablis and a feat of extreme diligence in this often inhospitable vinegrowing region.” -Skurnik Importers Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis, Burgundy, France 2021 750ml $49 special, 36 bottles available Importer’s Note “Thomas Pico is a rising star in the appellation and is taking great risks to farm organically in an inhospitable growing climate. The wines are concentrated and opulent, yet racy and intensely saline. Vent d’Anges means wind of the angel. Mise Tardive refers to the wine undergoing a longer elevage with extended lees ageing.” …also arriving from Thomas Pico:
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis, Burgundy, France 2020 750ml $46 special, 24 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.” Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Les Beauregards, Chablis Premier Cru, France 2019 750ml $95 special, 12 bottles available No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2017 review provided for reference. Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 Points “The 2017 Chablis Beauregard 1er Cru is a deep, viscous wine built on textural richness and volume. Dried apricot, almond, chamomile, spice, mint and lightly honeyed notes build in a dense, layered Chablis loaded with class and personality. The 2017 is silky, persistent, and exceptionally beautiful with a very saline, delicate finish.” Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Butteaux, Chablis Premier Cru, France 2019 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles available Neal Martin-Vinous 91 Points “… It has a very poised, slightly reductive bouquet that takes time to open in the glass. Plenty of energy here, impressive for this vintage. The palate is well-balanced with a good concentration, fine acidity, and again, sporting a subtle reduction that doesn’t impede the hints of lemongrass emerging on the finish. Excellent.” Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru, France 2019 750ml $95 special, 12 bottles available No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference. Neal Martin-Vinous 91 Points “The 2018 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru, which is Pico’s only cuvée from purchased grapes, is raised in barrel and vat, and bottled a little earlier, after 21 months. It has an attractive bouquet of lemon curd, patisserie and touches of chai tea, the “mineralité” surfacing after 10 minutes in the glass. The rather straightforward palate is well balanced with lime and orange zest on the entry and subtle bitterness developing toward the finish. Very fine.” Dominus Estate. Christian Moueix’s storied career began with some of the most well-regarded Chateaus in Bordeaux including, among many others, Belair-Monange, Château La Fleur-Pétrus, and Château Trotanoy. Dominus Estates was Christian’s first California project, started on a recommendation from Robert Mondavi himself. The winery has received top marks from some of the world’s most prestigious and influential wine critics, including 4 perfect 100 point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
Dominus Estate Napa 2021 750ml $359 special, 12+ bottles available Dominus Estate Napa 2021 1.5L $789 special, 3 magnums available Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points “One of the legendary Dominus, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is unquestionably in the same league as the 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2010, and 1991, and to my mind, wine simply doesn’t get any better. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as an incredible perfume of blackcurrants, crushed stone, cedar pencil, smoke tobacco, and baking spices, it’s rich, full-bodied, and voluptuously textured, with ripe yet building tannins. It reminds me slightly of the 2010 (maybe the 2013), and I suspect it will have a similar evolution. Hide bottles for 7-8 years, and it will evolve gracefully for 30+ years. Hats off to the team of Christian Moueix and director Tod Mostero.” James Suckling 99 Points “The purity of the cabernet fruit is so enticing, with blackcurrant, rose petals, nettles and subtle graphite. Touches of terra cotta and licorice. Full-bodied with super integrated tannins that are wonderfully polished, giving a cashmere texture that is really luxurious to taste at this early stage. It is quenching and so delicious already. 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. Needs three to four years to come around but already a joy to taste.” Wine Spectator 96-99 Points “This shows density on par with the ’18, with a core of cassis and plum notes still tucked away a bit behind a wall of structure, while singed toast and licorice hints peek in throughout. The youthfully backward aspect shows on the finish as well, where this throws a chunk of tannins to the fore. Very concentrated and with serious tension, this is a strapping young wine that shows what a warm and very dry vintage feels like.” |
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In This Newsletter:
New Arrivals: Vietti, Domaine Cibonne, Crowley Wines, Ovum, and more! Plus “a rarity in Chablis” arriving Friday, May 17th from Pattes Loup. –also– … a 100 point wine with roots in France and Napa coming soon. New Arrivals OREGON
“Established in 2011 by Ksenija and John House, Ovum was founded in hopes of producing Oregon wines that are honest reflections of time and place. Our low intervention production method is a commitment to letting the vintage and vineyard shine, not the vintner. Fruit comes first – our top priority is finding farmers that share our beliefs, and then getting out of the way so their hard work can be tasted.” -Ovum Winery STAFF PICK Ovum ‘Big Salt’ Orange, Oregon, USA 2023 750ml $19 special, 12 bottles available VinopolPick “Fans of Big Salt and Orange wines are in for a treat. This is one of our favorite Oregon skin-contact wines and it’s such a bargain you cannot miss it!” Ovum ‘Big Salt’ White, Oregon, USA 2023 750ml $18 special, 36 bottles available Winery Notes “2023 Big Salt is dry, aromatic and zippy. Lemon peel, mandarin and pineapple leap out of the glass. An earlier than expected harvest gave the palate a lightness at just 12.0% abv. In it’s youth, Big Salt continues to be Muscat forward, but we find as it ages into summer that Gewurz comes to the forefront, while oceanic citrusy Riesling shines after a year in the bottle. Not that anyone is aging Big Salt, but you’ll be rewarded if you do!” Ovum Gewurztraminer Love O Love, Rogue Valley, USA 2022 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available Winery Notes “White grapefruit and peach waft from the glass. The classic rose and lychee aromats are faintly in the background. The bone dry palate offers a light bodied, shockingly high acid wine, with an unusual length and minerality.” Ovum ‘Memorista’ Riesling, Oregon, USA 2021 750ml $27 special, 24 bottles available Winery Notes “Ocean foam, purple plum, poppy seed, dried iris. Apricot pit begins to smack your nose around after the wine sees 30+ minutes of air, which always makes me giddy with delight because it’s akin to our favorite wines of the Wachau. Plenty of textural weight on the mid-palate, which is tightened up on the nervy, purple/blue finish.” Tyson Crowley creates some of the most charming and disarmingly delicious wines in the Valley. Though the wines are rarely reviewed, he has, as the late and great Josh Raynolds put it, a “loyal following.” We’re happy to include ourselves in that group. His wines combine both delicious upfront fruit with a bright acidity and a keen sense of terroir. And the wines age beautifully – we’ve been fortunate enough to taste several late releases with five to ten years of bottle age on them. That’s a notable achievement for a winemaker whose first release was in 2006! Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $24 special, 36 bottles available Winery Notes “As soon as this wine hits the glass, sparkling clarity meets the eye. A nose of morning mist, bright green moss and honeydew melon are layered over notes of fluffy clotted cream. On the palate, chalky vitimins frame a firm fruit core of kiwi, lemon and tart lychee.” Crowley Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $26 special, 38 bottles available Winery Notes “2022 was a return to cool vintage for Oregon, and the wines have benefitted greatly. Entre Nous has a touch of new oak that we just can’t get enough of, and it frames a palate of crunchy red flesh apple light maple candy that lead to a long umami finish.” Crowley Entre Nous Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $36 special, 36 bottles available Winery Notes “Eye catching clarity meets garnet edges mixed with crimson. Lucid and fresh, the nose displays crunchy aromatics, cranberry and pomegranate mixed with herb and citrus.” FRANCE Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Cuvee Tradition Rose, France 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles availableYohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 92 Points “A blend of 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache, all matured in ancient barrels (some are over 100 years old), the 2022 Cotes de Provence Rose Tibouren Cuvee Tradition evokes aromas of tangerine, exotic fruits, rose petal, lychee, sweet spices, thyme, ginger and a delicate touch of licorice. Medium to full-bodied, with a succulent entry, the wine is perfectly balanced, fleshy and juicy on the palate, with a long, salty, mouthwatering finish.” Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Tibouren Cuvee Speciale des Vignettes Rose, France 2022 750ml $59 Special, 12 Bottles Available
No reviews for the 2022 vintage. 2021 review provided for reference. Yohan Castaing 94 Points “The 2021 Cotes de Provence Rose Cuvee Speciale des Vignettes was produced with the oldest Tibouren vines of Clos Cibonne and matured in old barrels. It has a delicate, refined bouquet with aromas of spring flowers, garrigue, red berries, tonca bean and iodine as well as delicate oaky hints. Medium to full-bodied, lively and delicate, it has a lively, fine acidity structure and perfectly well-integrated oaky notes. Perfectly ripe, it will offer a broad drinking window.” HOT DEAL! Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Tentations Rose, France 2023 750ml $21.90 special, 36 bottles available
Importer’s Note “Cibonne Tentations offers an accessible, high-quality entry-point into authentic Côtes de Provence Rosé. Tentations is made with exceptional ingredients, including fruit from young tibouren vines at Clos Cibonne, as well as grenache, cinsault, and syrah grown by farmers in prime spots in the villages of La Crau and Carqueiranne … Offering immediate and unpretentious enjoyment, it is fantastic as an aperitif, and also has the complexity to compliment diverse flavors at the table.” R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut Rose, Champagne, France NV 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles availableWinery Notes “Our cuvee Rose express fineness and elegance due to a higher proportion of Chardonnay in the blend. It is brisk, fresh and full of energy, the Rosé offers a striking interplay of Ambonnay richness and verve. Dried flowers, cranberry, mint and blood orange.”
Domaine de Montille Monthelie Nature, Cote de Beaune, France 2020 750ml $49 special, 28 bottles available Importer’s Notes “De Montille’s Monthélie terroir offers up a fresh, light and finesseful wine of pure pleasure. WIth zero sulfur in vinfication, De Montille believes it is even more approachable than if it had been made in a more tradtional way. In Etienne’s words, “this wine taught us how to manage sulfur for all of our other wines.” Domaine Romy Bourgogne Blanc Clos de la Chapelle, Burgundy, France 2021 750ml $21.90 special, 36 bottles available
Winery Note “This young, wood-aged wine is full of creamed apples and delicious acidity. These come together with a mineral texture, freshness and tangy orange and citrus aftertaste.” Pierre Paillard Terres Roses Bouzy Rose Xbrut NV 750ml $62.50 special, 12 bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points “Composed of 65% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Grand Cru Bouzy Les Terres Roses (5% red wine) pours a bright pale pink hue and reveals aromatics of ripe strawberry, fresh bread dough, and candied roses. Juicy and inviting, with a fluffy mousse, it’s full-bodied and has a clean, supple, fruity texture. It’s fresh and savory on the palate, with salty lift and a note of orange zest that leaves a mouthwatering finish. Drink 2024-2040.” ITALY Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG, Italy 2018 750ml $49 special, 29 bottles available Wine Advocate 95 Points “Very true to the Nebbiolo grape, the Cantina del Pino 2018 Barbaresco Albesani reveals an especially bright and lifted character with tart berry fruit and crushed roses. Poised for long cellar aging, the wine is coiled tight in terms of tannins and texture at this young stage in its drinking window. Give it ample time to unwind.” Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont, Italy 2019 750ml $48.50 special, 36 bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 94-95 Points “There is a more pronounced mineral and delicately spiced character to the 2019 Barbaresco, with notes of wet asphalt and kirsch and vibrant purity. It has elegant concentration, with fine coiled tannins in its hints of tea leaves, bergamot, and ripe wild raspberry, and has a more pronounced structure, this is a fantastic expression. Drink 2024-2040.” Vietti Castiglione, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $59 special, 35 bottles available James Suckling 94 Points “Racy and focused. I like the aromas of lavender, violet and white roses alongside strawberry, cranberry and stone. Medium body, with firm and fine tannins that are long and succulent. It’s fine and polished.” Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 Points “Fragrant, polished and vibrant right out of the gate, the 2020 Barolo Castiglione displays beautifully-lifted notes of crushed red berry fruit, rose petal, mint, white pepper and orange peel. This classically built, mid-weight Barolo is classy to the core. Like all the 2020s here, it will benefit from time in bottle or a good decant.” NEW ZEALAND New Zealand’s largest certified organic vineyard. Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2023 750ml $24 special, 36 bottles available Vinous 93 Points “Initially the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc needs a few moments to get itself together much like we all do after waking up from our slumber. It wears a rather reductive overcoat, but under that flintiness you find concentrated, pure fruit flavors. It’s light in body but dense in concentration thanks to low yields, displaying both focus and punch. It’s almost silvery in color and restrained thanks to hand-picking, leading to pure grapefruit and passion fruit flavors alongside a hint of nectarine. The finish is long, precise and sinewy.”
“Domaine Pattes Loup is one of the most exciting estates to emerge from Chablis in recent years. Thomas Pico started his tiny estate in Courgis in 2005, just outside of the village of Chablis, under the wings of his friends and fellow organic Chablisiens, Alice and Olivier de Moor. He inherited 2.4 hectares of vines from his family’s estate, which historically produced correct, but uninspiring wines. Motivated to take a qualitative leap in a new direction, and against the wishes of his father, Thomas immediately began a program of strict yield control and a conversion to organic viticulture. This is a rarity in Chablis and a feat of extreme diligence in this often inhospitable vinegrowing region.” -Skurnik Importers Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis, Burgundy, France 2021 750ml $49 special, 36 bottles available Importer’s Note “Thomas Pico is a rising star in the appellation and is taking great risks to farm organically in an inhospitable growing climate. The wines are concentrated and opulent, yet racy and intensely saline. Vent d’Anges means wind of the angel. Mise Tardive refers to the wine undergoing a longer elevage with extended lees ageing.” …also arriving from Thomas Pico:
Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis, Burgundy, France 2020 750ml $46 special, 24 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.” Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Les Beauregards, Chablis Premier Cru, France 2019 750ml $95 special, 12 bottles available No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2017 review provided for reference. Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 Points “The 2017 Chablis Beauregard 1er Cru is a deep, viscous wine built on textural richness and volume. Dried apricot, almond, chamomile, spice, mint and lightly honeyed notes build in a dense, layered Chablis loaded with class and personality. The 2017 is silky, persistent, and exceptionally beautiful with a very saline, delicate finish.” Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Butteaux, Chablis Premier Cru, France 2019 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles available Neal Martin-Vinous 91 Points “… It has a very poised, slightly reductive bouquet that takes time to open in the glass. Plenty of energy here, impressive for this vintage. The palate is well-balanced with a good concentration, fine acidity, and again, sporting a subtle reduction that doesn’t impede the hints of lemongrass emerging on the finish. Excellent.” Thomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru, France 2019 750ml $95 special, 12 bottles available No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference. Neal Martin-Vinous 91 Points “The 2018 Chablis Vaillons 1er Cru, which is Pico’s only cuvée from purchased grapes, is raised in barrel and vat, and bottled a little earlier, after 21 months. It has an attractive bouquet of lemon curd, patisserie and touches of chai tea, the “mineralité” surfacing after 10 minutes in the glass. The rather straightforward palate is well balanced with lime and orange zest on the entry and subtle bitterness developing toward the finish. Very fine.” Dominus Estate. Christian Moueix’s storied career began with some of the most well-regarded Chateaus in Bordeaux including, among many others, Belair-Monange, Château La Fleur-Pétrus, and Château Trotanoy. Dominus Estates was Christian’s first California project, started on a recommendation from Robert Mondavi himself. The winery has received top marks from some of the world’s most prestigious and influential wine critics, including 4 perfect 100 point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate.
Dominus Estate Napa 2021 750ml $359 special, 12+ bottles available Dominus Estate Napa 2021 1.5L $789 special, 3 magnums available Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points “One of the legendary Dominus, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is unquestionably in the same league as the 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2010, and 1991, and to my mind, wine simply doesn’t get any better. Sporting a dense purple hue as well as an incredible perfume of blackcurrants, crushed stone, cedar pencil, smoke tobacco, and baking spices, it’s rich, full-bodied, and voluptuously textured, with ripe yet building tannins. It reminds me slightly of the 2010 (maybe the 2013), and I suspect it will have a similar evolution. Hide bottles for 7-8 years, and it will evolve gracefully for 30+ years. Hats off to the team of Christian Moueix and director Tod Mostero.” James Suckling 99 Points “The purity of the cabernet fruit is so enticing, with blackcurrant, rose petals, nettles and subtle graphite. Touches of terra cotta and licorice. Full-bodied with super integrated tannins that are wonderfully polished, giving a cashmere texture that is really luxurious to taste at this early stage. It is quenching and so delicious already. 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. Needs three to four years to come around but already a joy to taste.” Wine Spectator 96-99 Points “This shows density on par with the ’18, with a core of cassis and plum notes still tucked away a bit behind a wall of structure, while singed toast and licorice hints peek in throughout. The youthfully backward aspect shows on the finish as well, where this throws a chunk of tannins to the fore. Very concentrated and with serious tension, this is a strapping young wine that shows what a warm and very dry vintage feels like.” |