In This Newsletter:
 
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino
 &
Volnay: Three-Day Sale
 


Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
 
Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino

Part of our three-day Italian Close-Out Sale on 750mls that’s ending tomorrow, April 28th at 9 am Pacific!

Need a Super Tuscan to warm your spring night? Check out this Sangiovese/Cab Sauv/Merlot blend from the superb 2016 vintage. Loaded with character and notes of black & purple fruits, this spicy little number will elevate any weeknight and impress the pickiest of your friends & family.

Right now, we’re offering an additional sale on all 750ml bottles of wines from Italy that are part of our Close-Out Sale. Buy any mix of six 750ml bottles of Italian wines on our Close-Out Sale and we’ll take an additional 5% off. If you select twelve bottles or more, we’ll take 10% off. That’s 47 options to choose from, including this Super Tuscan!

Italian Close-Out Wines: Three-Day Sale
 
5% off any 6-11 750ml Italian Close-Out Wines
10% off any 12 or more 750ml Italian Close-Out Wines

Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Italian Close-Out Wines (750ml) sale ends TOMORROW

 
In Stock & On Sale Now:

Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino Do ut des Toscana IGT 2016 750ml Was $49, Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino Do ut des Toscana IGT 2016 750ml Was $269, Displayed Price: $219, that’s $208.05 at 5% off and $197.10 at 10% off
James Suckling 95 points “The fruit here really takes your breath away with its intensity, as well as purity. Blackberry crumble, pressed violets, ink, iodine, charcoal, vanilla and resin. It’s the polish of the tannins that really makes this wine, carrying itself effortlessly over a shimmer of electric acidity to the long finish. Drink in 2023. Made from organically grown grapes.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Do Ut Des (a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a generous and expansive personality that hits the palate like a warm embrace from a favorite friend. This is a succulent and smooth red wine with thick layers of bold cherry, dried blackberry, leather, rose hip and scorched earth. In the mouth, the wine proceeds with medium- to full-bodied texture and elegantly contoured fruit flavors.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Sleek and focused, with black currant, black cherry, plum, iron and tobacco flavors coursing through from start to finish. Tightly wound and vibrant, this lingers with subtle licorice and spice elements. Shows fine harmony and length. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036. 1,650 cases made, 200 cases imported. — BS”

 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
We offer 219 wines on our close-out sale, including gems from the Walla Walla producer Cayuse, Champagne producer Charles Ellner, and German producer Emrich-Schonleber. Shop the list here!


 
Volnay:
 
Beguiling Pinots On Sale Now

“Often compared to the muscley Pinot Noirs of its neighbor Pommard, Volnay produces smooth-structured, perfumed wines of surprising longevity – the archetypal “iron fist in a velvet glove”.” – Wine Searcher
 

In the Côte de Beaune region of Burgundy lies a village adored for its elegant Pinot Noirs: Volnay. While its sister-village, Pommard, turns heads with its muscle and punch, the seductive wines of Volnay are beguiling for their silky-smoothness and age-ability. Enchanting, entrancing, and hypnotically delicious, we love these wines for their whisper-light touch. Though no Grand Cru vineyards are found with the village, you’ll be more than impressed by the Premier Cru vineyards, which cover more than half of the acreage. Within those crus, one finds limestone-rich soils kissed by long, sunny days.
 

Fall in love all over again with Burgundy by joining us in our three-day sale on all things Volnay.
 

5% off any 3-5 in-stock wines from Volnay
10% off any 6 or more in-stock wines from Volnay
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Tuesday, April 30th at 9 am Pacific.

 
We offer 15 Volnay options on sale now, including:
 
Catherine et Claude Marechal Volnay 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Jancis Robinson 16/20 “Drink 2024-2032.”
Claude Kolm, The Fine Wine Review “Claude Maréchal is a prime example of how the producer should be your first and most important focus in selecting wines. He has but a single premier cru, Les Lavières in Savigny-les-Beaune; other holdings are either Côte de Beaune village or regional appellations, yet he consistently produces wines of outstanding quality.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Domaine des Comtes Lafon Volnay 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $138, that’s $131.10 at 5% off and $124.20 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “This village Volnay is produced from the younger vines in Lafon’s superb, 4ha holding in Santenots-du-Milieu. The bunches are destemmed and macerated, prior to being fermented with as many whole berries as possible in stainless and aged for two winters in cask, one-third new. The result has a fragrant, plummy fruit and a super-rich texture, with plenty of substance and a delightfully lively freshness. (Drink between 2024-2039) “

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Taillepieds, Volnay Premier Cru 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “One of the more muscular wines in the range is the 2019 Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered wine evocative of plums, woodsmoke and spices. This stands out as one of the finest cuvées in this tasting.”
 
Domaine Bernard & Thierry Glantenay Volnay Vieilles Vignes 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2020 Volnay Village wafts from the glass with aromas of cherries, dark berries, sweet spices and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and succulent, with melting tannins and a saline finish, it includes roughly one-third premier cru fruit.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Domaine des Comtes Lafon Volnay Santenots-du-Milieu, Volnay Premier Cru 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 97 points “A monumental wine, with super-ripe black cherry and currant fruit accented with rose petals, liquorice, smoke and minerals. Dense and full-bodied in texture, yet vibrantly fresh and superbly long- a marvel. Anyone who thinks Lafon is only about white wine is missing this epic experience. Volnay Santenots is arguably among the top red wines of the Côte de Beaune, and Santenots-du-Milieu is the best portion of it (Lafon owns nearly half of this appellation). He destems the fruit, does a cold soak and punches down regularly before ageing in cask (one-third new). Drinking Window: 2025-2060. (Nov 2021).”
 
Dominique Lafon Les Lurets, Volnay Premier Cru 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $149, that’s $141.55 at 5% off and $134.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Aromas of dark berries, rich spices, loamy soil and rose petals preface the 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Les Lurets, a medium to full-bodied, deep and nicely concentrated wine built around chalky tannins and tangy acids. It’s turning out very nicely.”
 
Domaine Faiveley Fremiets, Volnay Premier Cru 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Perhaps this warm and generous wine, with a pronounced rooty character, is not the most charming Volnay out there, but it has very good depth and excellent harmony, thanks to the fine tannins. The generous finish pulls you back for more. Drink or hold.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Domaine Faiveley Volnay-Santenots, Volnay Premier Cru 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dark and concentrated, displaying blackberry, black cherry, tar and charred oak flavors. Feels rustic yet there is a solid core of fruit that emerges on the finish, along with a sweetness. Best from 2023 through 2038.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Domaine Pierre Morey Santenots, Volnay Premier Cru 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $149, that’s $141.55 at 5% off and $134.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2018 Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru, matured with around 50% new oak, has a lovely, lilting bouquet of blueberry, raspberry and light cassis fruit, floral tones developing with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple but quite firm, Pommard-like tannins, and blessed with disarming purity of fruit and just the right amount of spiciness toward the finish to beckon you back for another sip. This will be wonderful once in bottle.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “More reserved than the exuberant Volnay Pitures from Maison Morey-Blanc, the domaine’s 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots unwinds to reveal notes of cherries, plums, burning embers, sweet soil tones and spices. Medium to full-bodied, it’s muscular and nicely concentrated, with powdery tannins and chalky grip on the finish.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Domaine Pierre Morey Santenots, Volnay Premier Cru 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $139, that’s $132.05 at 5% off and $125.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 89-91 points “The 2019 Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru has a really beautiful bouquet of pure dark cherry and boysenberry fruit that bursts from the glass. The palate is tight and less expressive than the nose, but there is certainly good depth and grip. The muscular finish suggests that this will need 3–4 years in bottle.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Domaine Pierre Morey Santenots, Volnay Premier Cru 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Importer note “From 48-year-old biodynamically-farmed vines from the lieu-dit ‘Les Pétures’ in the north of Meursault, purchased by the domaine in 2003. This parcel is in the center of the slope and is well protected from wind, and the soils are shallow, fine red clay. This is a more powerful Volnay. The grapes are fully destemmed and fermented in open vats with native yeasts. Aged for 15-20 months with a significant percentage of new wood.”
 
Bernard & Thierry Glantenay’s wines, from old vines in Pommard and Volnay, have a purity and class that immediately mark them as absolutely top tier. As William Kelley put it in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, “I was compelled to return a week later to verify that I hadn’t been imagining things, and that so serious a producer could really be so little known.”
 
Domaine Bernard & Thierry Glantenay Les Brouillards, Volnay Premier Cru 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Les Brouillards is promising, mingling aromas of cherries, berries and plums with hints of rose petals, orange rind and spices. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, it’s lively and seamless, with powdery tannins and a saline finish.”
 
Domaine Bernard & Thierry Glantenay Clos des Chenes, Volnay Premier Cru 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Aromas of dark fruits, licorice, cherry preserves, sweet soil tones, petals and spices introduce Glantenay’s 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes, a full-bodied, rich and concentrated wine that’s the fleshiest and ripest of any cuvée in the cellar this year. For power and texture, it stands out, even if it can’t quite match the finesse and incipient complexity of the Regions and Caillerets.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2020 Volnay Clos des Chênes 1er Cru has a backward, quite Pommard-like bouquet initially, opening with more red fruit to accompany the black, hints of Kalamata olive and sous-bois. I admire the precision of this Volnay. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannins, quite spicy with firm grip, plenty of substance towards the finish that has tremendous length. This will joust with the Les Rugiens as Glantenay’s best 2020.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Domaine Bernard & Thierry Glantenay Les Santenots, Volnay Premier Cru 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “One of the more structured cuvées in the cellar is the 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots, a broad-shouldered wine that offers up aromas of ripe plums, raspberries, orange rind and warm spices. It has a medium to full-bodied and ripe but lively palate, its fleshy core of fruit framed by youthfully chewy tannins. This will require some patience, but it’s promising.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2018 Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru sees around 30% new oak. It has a generous bouquet, a mixture of black and red fruit laced with pressed iris flowers and violets, certainly more flattering than the Les Brouillards at this stage. The palate is underpinned by fine tannins and crisp acidity. Full of energy, with a finish so floral that it could only come from Volnay. This comes recommended.”
 
Domaine Bernard & Thierry Glantenay Les Santenots, Volnay Premier Cru 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Glantenay has been paying very close attention to timing the date of harvest for this bottling, and the results really show in the 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots, a medium to full-bodied, velvety wine evocative of cherries, blackberries, rose petals, sweet soil tones and burning embers. Layered and lively, it’s seamless and complete, numbering among the high points of this year’s portfolio.
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2020 Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru, which was the first vineyard that Glantenay picked, shows a little more class and sophistication vis-à-vis the Les Brouillards – more cohesion here. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, quite chalky in texture, the limestone terroir underlying the finish that shows fine delineation and plenty of freshness. Excellent.”

 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Shop our 15 Volnay selections on sale now on our webstore!

In This Newsletter:
 
Italian Close-Out Wines: Three-Day Sale
 &
Italian Magnum Three-Day Sale
 

 
Italian Close-Out Wines

Three-Day Sale
 

We’re offering you an additional discount on all of our 750ml Italian wines that are on our Close-Out Sale — that’s 47 options to choose from!
 

5% off any 6-11 750ml Italian Close-Out Wines
10% off any 12 or more 750ml Italian Close-Out Wines
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Sunday, April 28th at 9 am Pacific.

 
View the full list here or browse below for highlights!

 
We offer 47 750ml Italian Close-Out Wine options on sale now, including:
 
From Piedmont:
 
Was $59!
Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Fruit from Albesani shows nice sharpness and a compact or complete profile that is typical of Nebbiolo. This site has fared well in this hot and dry vintage with intact aromas of wild berry, mineral and blue violets. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Albesani turns in a strong showing in terms of aromas but tapers out a bit in the palate. In this release of 3,000 bottles, the wine is driven largely by the textural and structural power of the vintage, and the fruit is a bit leaner on the finish right now. It will likely flesh out with time.”
 

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!

 
Was $135!
Elvio Cogno Ravera Bricco Pernice, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is a medium-bodied Nebbiolo from a hot vintage with a ruby-tinged appearance. The 2017 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice shows generous inner fiber and richness with dried cherry, blackberry, plum and dark spice. Fruit for this wine comes from a beautiful amphitheater of vines with the perched town of Novello high up on the skyline. I love the especially smooth and soft quality to what is a powerful and lasting wine. Only 3,500 bottles were made.”
 

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!

 
Was $79!
Luigi Baudana Cerretta, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2018 Barolo Cerretta is a potent, searing wine, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. Scorching tannins wrap around a core of dark red/black fruit, gravel, smoke, crushed rocks, menthol, licorice and game. The 2018 is going to need a number of years to come around and for those formidable tannins to soften.”
 

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!

 
Was $41.90!
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serraboella’, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $38, that’s $36.10 at 5% off and $34.20 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This wine draws its fruit from across the Serraboella vineyard in Neive with vines of various ages. The 2018 Barbaresco Serraboella has a broad reach, thanks to its balanced aromas of wild berry, dried cherry, crushed roses and violets. The wine spreads cleanly over the palate, thanks to the extra volume offered by its earthy and delicately mineral flavors. Like other releases from Paitin, the standout feature here is the silky nature of the mouthfeel.”
 

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!

 
Was $89!
Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 18 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is another gorgeous wine in the line up from the Scavino family. Readers will find a Barolo that is more nuanced and less bombastic than in the past. Bric del Fiasc has plenty of power on its own, so this style works so well. Dried rose petal, mint, spice, kirsch and iron all blossom with a bit of coaxing. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
From Tuscany:
 
Was $59!
Rocca di Castagnoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione “Stielle” 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Stielle is a beautiful and distinctive wine, but it also needs time to come together. Sangiovese bristles with energy and cut as this nervy, tightly wound wine shows off its personality. The combination of a high altitude site and whole clusters in fermentation yields a Chianti Classico endowed with notable power and intensity.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Was $125!
Mastrojanni Vigna Loreto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $115, that’s $109.25 at 5% off and $103.50 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Mastrojanni 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows a creamy and robust constitution with loads of black fruit and spice. If you are looking for a soft and more contemporary expression of Sangiovese, this will fit the bill. It offers profound richness and texture that is laced with black fruit, spice and tobacco. This wine moves one step beyond the comforting boundaries of Brunello in terms of both richness and extraction. If you are going to go big, you might as well do so in style. Only 8,000 bottles were released in January 2020.”
 

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!

 
Was $199!
Salvioni La Cerbaiola Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino La Cerbaiola grows in intensity in the glass, with delicate aromas that are especially floral and light in character. Instead of blackberry or blackcurrant, this elegant wine delivers cassis and cranberry. Instead of overt spice, you get licorice, balsam herb and camphor ash. The Salvioni house style is ethereal and light, and although that extra vintage ripeness and concentration does register on the palate, farming and winemaking at this estate puts an emphasis on acidity over power or structure. These choices were particularly important in 2017.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

 
Was $79!
Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “Here is a high performance wine from Stefano Frascolla and his family. The 2015 Giusto di Notri is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wine is contemporary, complex and gorgeous from tip to toe. You get a lot of power here and generous oak-driven tones of sweet espresso, chocolate and spice that surround a succulent core of dark fruit and candied cherry. All these elements appear even bigger and bolder in this warm vintage.”
 

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!

 
Was $85!
Castello di Volpaia Balifico 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $74.50, that’s $70.78 at 5% off and $67.05 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2018 Balifico, Volpaia’s Sangiovese/ Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is fabulous. Rich and inky, the 2018 offers up a compelling mélange of dark berry fruit, dark spice, licorice and espresso. I especially admire the wine’s textural richness. I imagine the 2018 will drink well for many, many years to come. In this tasting it is a total knock-out.”
 
And Beyond:
 
Was $19!
Caruso & Minini ‘Naturalmente Bio’ Perricone Terre Siciliane IGT 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $16, that’s $15.20 at 5% off and $14.40 at 10% off, 25 bottles in stock now
“The Perricone [grape], or the so-called pignatello, had been the undisputed leader of the red grapes in western Sicily. Rich with red fruits…Wine of great power and harmony while expressing…fresh and lively character” -Winery notes
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Was $59!
Santa Barbara Stefano Antonucci ‘Pathos’ Marche Rosso IGT 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “A dense and rich red with crushed-berry and chocolate character and hints of cedar and sandalwood. Medium to full body. Firm tannins. Extremely polished and opulent. One for the cellar but hard not to drink now.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 

Shop our 47 selections on sale now on our webstore!
 
We offer 219 wines on our close-out sale, including gems from the German producer Molitor, Spanish producer Nit-Ortiz, and French producer de Venoge. Shop the sale here!

 
We couldn’t leave out magnums!
 
Italian Magnum Sale
 
Starting Now
 

We’re deeply discounting all of our in-stock Italian magnums – that’s 35 options to choose from!
 

5% off any 2-4 in-stock Italian magnums
10% off any 5 or more in-stock Italian magnums
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Sunday, April 28th at 9 am Pacific.

 
We offer 32 Italian magnum options on sale now, including:
 
From Sicily:
 
Benanti Serra della Contessa ‘Particella No. 587’ Etna Rosso Riserva, Sicily 2016 1.5L Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 6 magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa Particella No. 587 Riserva is dark and savory in the glass, grumbling up with notes of crushed rocks and ash that evolve further to reveal musky black currants, hints of licorice and dried violets. This is velvety-smooth, yet not weighty in feel. Instead, the 2016 seems to glide effortlessly across the palate, yet what it leaves behind is a saturation of primary fruit and mineral tones, as well as silky tannins that penetrate deeply. The Serra della Contessa finishes structured yet long and unexpectedly fresh, with balsam herbs and a touch of salted licorice that slowly fades. This Etna Rosso is a powerhouse, but it is in need of cellaring to reveal all of its charms.”
 

This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!

 
From Piedmont and Alto Piemonte:
 
Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2013 1.5L Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 11 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “The 2013 Ghemme Collis Breclamae is fabulous. Deep, dark and also translucent, the 2013 possesses magnificent clarity as well as structure. Black cherry, lavender, truffle, mint, spice and new leather all develop in an ample, resonant Ghemme that hits all the right notes. A rich, substantial finish rounds things out in style. The 2013 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring, but it also has the pedigree to develop in the cellar for many years to come. Each time I come back to the 2013 it is more impressive.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Domenico Clerico Arte Rosso Langhe 2011 1.5L Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 33 magnums in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 91 points “(90% nebbiolo and 10% barbera; aged for 18 months in new French oak): Good medium red. Perfumed aromas and flavors of plum, redcurrant, tobacco and spices.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $289, that’s $274.55 at 5% off and $260.10 at 10% off, 5 magnums in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2015 Barolo Villero offers richness and darkness with fruit from Castiglione Falletto, and it’s one of the more intense wines I tasted within this selection. The Villero is a balanced and polished Barolo that opens to nicely integrated fruit and spice tones, expertly interwoven and united. The wine has a beautiful entry to the palate. Indeed, this pretty wine presented a united front, with seamless and graceful integration.”
 
Giacomo Conterno ‘Cerretta’, Barolo DOCG 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $599, that’s $569.05 at 5% off and $539.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Tasted from barrel, the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Cerretta is shaping up to be a beauty. What stands out most at this very young stage is the quality and the elegant tightness of the tannins. Cerretta fruit from Serralunga d’Alba makes for powerful, structured and concentrated Nebbiolo that is delivered with naked clarity and outstanding purity. These qualities are clearly linked to the vineyard site and less to the conservative efforts executed at the winery. You taste the crunch or the nervous quality of the grape skins and pulp with dark and purple berry nuances and rusty or mineral overtones that hint at the more significant presence of clay in these soils.”
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $189, that’s $179.55 at 5% off and $170.10 at 10% off, 6 magnums in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96+ points “The Produttori del Barbaresco 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is another spectacular release from this cooperative winery that hits it out of the ballpark with each set of new releases. That impressive track record includes this wine that delivers extreme focus, depth and integrity. The bouquet is very clear cut with dark cherry, tart plum, spice and blood orange, but it is also complex and fluid. It offers new perspectives with each swirl of the glass. From a hot vintage, the Rabajà is smooth, powerful and balanced. I would bet on long aging for this bottle. 14,438 bottles were produced.”
 
From Tuscany:
 
Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 11 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2018 Fontalloro is bright, floral and full of energy. In most vintages, Fontalloro is quite open, but the 2018 is especially nervy and taut. That won’t be an issue in time, of course, but readers should plan on being patient. Sangiovese is so expressive here. A whole range of floral and savory accents lingers on the close.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “To my palate, the 2018 vintage sometimes feels a little too ripe or baked. I was reminded of those characteristics when tasting the Fèlsina 2018 Fontalloro. There is plenty of dark fruit at its core, but this wine also reveals dry tones of jarred oregano, grilled Mediterranean herb, crushed aspirin and graham cracker. The mouthfeel is pleasantly lean and silky, and perhaps the wine delivers more in terms of length than it does weight or texture. A little more bottle age should help flesh out and soften these results.”
 
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 10 magnums in stock now
Decanter 93 points “It is strange to see a bright red wine, and to smell ripe pinky-yellow peach. But I am told that peach is not such an unusual note for the Sangiovese from this hillcrest, along which the great estates Isole e Olena, Paneretta and Monsanto sit, looking out towards the Tyrrhenian sea. Winemaker Paolo de Marchi is a great fan of the native Canaiolo Nero and blends in 15%, contributing a black/violet colour, breadth, softness and spice to balance the austerity of Sangiovese. A consistently excellent wine.’
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Montevertine Rosso Toscana IGT 2020 1.5L Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2020 Montevertine shows a generous, open-knit presentation with dark fruit, blue flower and delicate mineral highlights. The wine is 90% Sangiovese with small additions of Canaiolo and Colorino. It shows a medium-rich core of fruit but also offers a filigree of background nuances that renders it all the more enticing and interesting. The is a true beauty, showing the subtleties and nuances that can be achieved with native Tuscan grapes in a warm vintage.”

           
Shop our 32 selections on sale now on our webstore!

In This Newsletter:
 
New Close-Out Sale Wines from De Venoge
 &
Schätzel: Three-Day Sale
 

 
New Close-Out Sale Wines

From Champagne House de Venoge
 

De Venoge is an old-school Champagne House that’s relatively unknown in the United States, a fact that means even their finest and rarest wines continue to be undervalued relative to their peers. This is no better exemplified than their prestige cuvee, the LXV bottling. Named after Louis the 15th, who first authorized the bottling of Champagne, it sees extensive aging on its lees and is a true monument of vintage champagne. 

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

De Venoge prestige cuvée is an outstanding wine for lovers of truly mature Champagne in all its glory, offering a rich, creamy texture from the extended lees aging married to surprisingly fresh, mineral personalities. There’s a reason this House has such a following overseas: they produce stunning aged wines that are ready to go, so consumers can enjoy the magic on release. Now’s your chance to try them for yourself! These are perfect “occasion” wines that make for memorable birth year and anniversary gifts.  
 
In Stock & On Sale Now from De Venoge:
 
De Venoge “Cordon Bleu” Brut, Champagne 2002 750ml Was $79, Now $69, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “A core of mineral-accented smoke, spice and honey notes is wrapped with flavors of glazed apricot, lemon preserves and candied ginger in this vibrant and well-balanced version. Creamy, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2025. 3,000 cases made.”
 

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $165

 
De Venoge Louis XV Brut Millésimé, Champagne 2006 750ml Was $189, Now $169, 30 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The assemblage of the 2006 Louis XV Brut Millésimé is about the same as the 1995 and 1996—composed of 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from grand cru villages. The only difference is that the Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (10% of the assemblage) spent 12 months in oak barrels. Disgorged in January 2017 (dosage: six grams per liter), the 2006 has a golden color and opens with a deep, ripe, elegant and vinous bouquet with toasty and chalky lemon and fresh white fruit flavors. On the palate, this is an intense, round, fresh and complex Louis XV with great purity and finesse. The wine opens on the palate like a soufflé, coating the whole palate without any pressure or weight—gorgeous! This is a delicate and fresh yet well-structured and persistent Louis XV whose intense and long but weightless finish reveals lovely, almost juicy fruit concentration with perfectly integrated freshness and lasting minerality that seems to give additional structure. The 2006 shows a lot of Chardonnay features right now and drinks perfectly today; however, it can be kept under perfect conditions for decades. Just keep it in the box, because the bottle is white and nothing makes a Champagne age faster than exposure to daylight. (Tasted in November 2017 from Lot LL15067017BT.)-SR”
 

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $190.33

 
De Venoge Louis XV Brut Millésimé, Champagne 2008 750ml Was $249, Now $219, 33 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “This is really punchy and broad-shouldered with muscular structure and citrusy undertones. Full body. Lightly tannic and a fresh and vivid finish. This is the first vintage without malolactic fermentation ever. One for the cellar. Better in 2022.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The straw-yellow/white-golden colored 2008 Louis XV Brut Millésimé blends 50% Chardonnay (20 % from Avize, 15% from Oger and 15% from Mesnil) with 50% Pinot Noir (41.5% from Verzenay and 8.5% from Bouzy). Disgorged in January 2018 with a dosage of six grams per liter, the 2008 displays a clear, pure, fresh, chalky-tinged and vinous nose with lemon, white fruits, brioche, hazelnuts, white blossoms and some caramel notes. Pure, lean, fresh and elegant on the palate, with a lingering hazelnut flavor, this is a straight yet complex cuvée with grip and a long, well-structured and textured finish. This 2008 is still terribly fresh and should benefit from further bottle aging. For the moment, I am missing the mouth-filling generosity of the 2006 and 1995. Mind that this is the first vintage of de Venoge’s prestigious Louis XV where the base wines didn’t undergo malolactic fermentation! Total production: 10,326 bottles. Tasted October 2018.”
 
De Venoge Louis XV Extra Brut Rosé Millésimé, Champagne 2002 750ml Was $189, Now $159, 21 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Harmonious, with fine intensity, offering rich notes of spice cake, toasted almond, dried cherry, grilled plum and smoky mineral. Almost velvety in texture, with juicy acidity that brings you back for another sip. Delicious. Drink now through 2022. 54 cases made.”

 
This is the only listing in the USA today!

Shop all four selections on our webstore!
 
We offer 219 wines on our close-out sale, including gems from the German producer Donnhoff, Spanish producer Pingus, and Napa producer Ulysses. Shop the sale here!
 

 
Schätzel On The Rise
 
& On Sale Now
 

Though the Rheinhessen fell out of favor post-WWII when most producers shifted to bulk wine production to make a quick & easy buck, Schätzel was one of the few families to hold to tradition. They kept the candle of quality burning, so to speak, until attitudes, climate, and renewed interest in Riesling returned. (Having been Rheinhessen Riesling wine makers for 650 years, the family understand patience.) Kai Schätzel is the current family member to head the estate (what generation that makes him is practically too high to estimate).
 
Talented, ambitious, and a member of the VDP, Schätzel makes compelling wines from some of the finest vineyards in the Rheinhessen. As owner and winemaker, Kai Schätzel works in a reductive, mineral-driven style, growing fruit from vineyards top vineyards such as Hipping and Pettenthal. These top-class wines are age-worthy and profound—well capable of holding their own with other top echelon producers in Germany. He’s a humble artist, though. In one recent interview, he described himself as a translator of nature, albeit with an accent.
 
There’s a wide variety of styles on display at Weingut Schätzel, all deftly executed, from intense and powerful GG’s to pretty, off-dry Kabinetts and Spatlesen. The capacity of the wines to age sets Schätzel apart from so many little-known producers in the region. And we have the 2017s in stock, giving you an early look at their near bullet-proof nature.
 
Kai Schätzel takes some queues from Burgundy into his winemaking philosophy. Whenever he speaks about his wines, he emphasizes the microclimates, terroir, and sustainable growing techniques (all vineyards are certified organic). So, pop a bottle of ancient, steadfast history. We know you’ll want to listen in, accent or no.
 
“Schätzel’s results with Riesling in 2017 perpetuate his justifiably growing reputation as a master of profoundly flavorful wines that are delightfully low in alcohol (meaning 10–11.5% in his dry bottlings and, less shockingly, 7–8% in the overtly sweet, Prädikat-designated Rieslings)…” –David Schildknecht, Vinous
 
“Schätzel is one of the most exciting Riesling producers along the Rhine River and even if you don’t like his firmly structured and straightforward Rieslings and gorgeous Sylvaners when young, you will be impressed by their mouth-filling and structured character after a couple of years… Riesling lovers have to check out this domaine.” –Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
 
Sadly, due to high demand in Germany, very little is imported to the USA, per David Schildknecht, so this may be your only opportunity to enjoy these wines!
 

5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Schatzel
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Schatzel
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Saturday, April 27th at 9 am Pacific.

 
We offer six options from Schätzel on sale now, including:
 
Weingut Schätzel Hipping Riesling Trocken 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Could a white wine be fresher than this? Fabulous white-peach and herbal character with lots of mineral power at the complex, racy finish.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 90 points “There is a lemonade-limeade sense of sweet-sour tension to this exercise in delicacy and sugar/acid interaction. For all of this wine’s alcoholic levity, the palate evinces a not just vivid but almost pulpy impression of fresh fruit. Happily, there is an invigoratingly tingling sense of stony impingement to the impressively persistent finish. I suspect that greater complexity and harmony will emerge after this has had some time in bottle.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Schätzel Nierstein Riesling Kabinett 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Steven Spurrier-Decanter 92 points “This Riesling, from red slate soil on ultra-steep, south-facing slopes, ferments and matures in a 670-year-old cellar to produce a floral, fresh and pure vineyard wine, with just 7.5% abv, the 42g/l sugar and 11.5g/l acidity in perfect balance. Quite lovely.”
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 92 points “So much freshness and energy with tons of elderflowers and white fruit. Super-crisp and very clean palate and a breathtaking finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Weingut Schätzel ReinSchiefer Riesling 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “Like so many other Schätzel wines, this 10.5% alcohol cuvée, sourced from steep slopes in Hipping, Ölberg, Pettenthal and Schloss Schwabsburg, is legally Trocken, just not labeled as such. Zesty, bright lemon, lime and grapefruit are strikingly compatible with a silken texture, while white peach, marjoram and musky paperwhite narcissus add intrigue on the nose. Smoky, stony inflections contribute to the invigoration and complexity of a vibrant, soaring and consummately refreshing finish.”
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 92 points “Delicate white-fruit character and a delightful lightness of touch make this rather charming, in spite of its slightly eccentric personality. Long, lemon and mineral finish. A blend of wines from the top sites in Hipping, Ölberg and Pettentha. Screw cap.”

Weingut Schätzel Nierstein Silvaner 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $24, that’s $22.80 at 5% off and $21.60 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 90 points “This legally dry bottling essentially represents the Silvaner from Hipping that served as a major component of Schätzel’s “Naturweiss” cuvée. The nose is subtly inflected by the mineral and cereal notes that subsequently achieve prominence on the palate, but there are also hints of iris and lemon zest. Buoyant (at 11% alcohol) and caressingly polished, the wine brims with pear fruit and bittersweet inner-mouth floral perfume, accented by oregano, lemon peel, milled wheat and a characteristic Nierstein red slope smoky sense of stone suffusion. There is more than enough freshness and primary juiciness to the lingering finish, if marginally less sense of animation than displayed by Schätzel’s Querkopf Silvaner bottling sourced from ancient vines in the Nackenheimer Rotenberg.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Weingut Schätzel Ölberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 94 points “At 11.5% alcohol, this mid-August bottling leads with hauntingly musky, bittersweet suggestions of iris, peony and narcissus, allied to whiffs of lemon and tangerine. The silken palate brims with peach and citrus, billowing with persistent floral perfume and proving strikingly transparent to the mineral nuances that supply smoky, stony and mouthwateringly saline complexity to a vibrant, delicate, umami-laden and sensationally persistent finish. Schätzel attributes his Ölberg’s animation and sheer juiciness and its immediate appeal to the fact that this site is relatively well-watered and moisture-retentive in comparison with other portions of Nierstein and Nackenheim’s famed Roter Hang.”
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Considering this has only 11.5 per cent alcohol, there is extraordinary depth and vitality. The long finish is sleek and fine-grained, without any hint of edginess. Attractive white-fruit aromas, too. Drink or hold.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
Weingut Schätzel Pettenthal Riesling Kabinett “S” 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “Forget the rules, pack your bag, grab this bottle and leave your old life behind! Savage mineral beauty, combined with light body and enormous brightness. Drink or hold.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “The ‘S’ here references south-facing slopes in the Pettenthal (whereas previous Schätzel Pettenthal Kabinetts have come from a portion of Pettenthal – arguably predestined for Kabinett – that turns north up against the Brudersberg). Pungent kumquat and tangerine on the nose translate into downright sizzling zest and grip on this wine’s alcoholically ultra-light yet concentrated and almost lushly fruity palate. A vibrantly sustained finish carries Pettenthal-typical smokiness as well as saliva-inducing salinity. High residual sugar – as reflected in a mere 7.5% alcohol – manages to engender only an engaging and supportive sense of sweetness.”

 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Shop our six selections on sale now on our webstore!