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Category Archives: Newsletter Archive
Arnot-Roberts 4-23-24
On Sale Now
At the forefront of the “New California” are small, pioneering producers such as Arnot-Roberts. Started by childhood friends Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts in 2001, they’ve quickly established themselves as some of the best producers of restrained and elegant small-parcel wines. In 2013 the San Francisco Chronicle named them “Winemakers of the Year” in recognition of the quality and consistency of the wines they’re producing, and they’ve racked up professional accolades ever since.
The wines show spunk and backbone, nothing soft and fruity. The acidity and tannin evoke the great wines of France over their plusher peers. These are serious wines that are built to age—which is how they’ve developed such a following. Given a couple years in the cellar, these blossom into wines that rival the best in the world. We get painfully small allocations every year, only a couple of barrels are made of each wine, but wanted to share the love. So hop on over to our webstore while these on to our three-day sale.
“Duncan Arnot and Nathan Roberts presented an absolutely stellar collection of wines this year. The 2021s are simply magnificent from top to bottom… Readers will also want to check out the new Red Wine California, a special bottling that hopefully will become part of the permanent lineup. I can’t think of too many winemakers who are equally skilled at making gorgeous wines from so many different varieties. This was an unforgettable tasting.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“Arnot-Roberts has become a leading force in producing understated, charming wines from some of California’s most prized vineyard sources.” –Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate
The wines show spunk and backbone, nothing soft and fruity. The acidity and tannin evoke the great wines of France over their plusher peers. These are serious wines that are built to age—which is how they’ve developed such a following. Given a couple years in the cellar, these blossom into wines that rival the best in the world. We get painfully small allocations every year, only a couple of barrels are made of each wine, but wanted to share the love. So hop on over to our webstore while these on to our three-day sale.
“Duncan Arnot and Nathan Roberts presented an absolutely stellar collection of wines this year. The 2021s are simply magnificent from top to bottom… Readers will also want to check out the new Red Wine California, a special bottling that hopefully will become part of the permanent lineup. I can’t think of too many winemakers who are equally skilled at making gorgeous wines from so many different varieties. This was an unforgettable tasting.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“Arnot-Roberts has become a leading force in producing understated, charming wines from some of California’s most prized vineyard sources.” –Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Arnot-Roberts
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Arnot-Roberts
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Friday, April 26th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Arnot-Roberts
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Friday, April 26th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer five options from Arnot-Roberts on sale now, including:
Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Chardonnay Watson Ranch shows lovely textural depth and resonance. Dried pear, spice, menthol, dried flowers and herbs fill out the layers nicely. The balance here is sublime. This is an especially savory, earthy Chardonnay, with fruit pushed into the background. The 2022 is all class.”
Winemaker’s note “Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Chardonnay is from one of the southernmost vineyards in Napa Valley AVA. The vines were planted in 1993 and dry farmed in clay over limestone with a view of San Pablo Bay. The grapes were whole cluster pressed, fermented in stainless steel by native yeasts, and the wine was aged in neutral French oak barrels.”
Arnot-Roberts Vare Vineyard Ribolla Gialla, Napa Valley 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $47, that’s $44.65 at 5% off and $42.30 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2020 Ribolla Gialla Vare Vineyard is super-elegant, savory and nuanced. In 2020, the Ribolla has a bit more edginess than in most years, probably a combination of the natural character of Ribolla, early bottling and the early personality of the year. I like the aromatics quite a bit, though. This needs time in bottle. There is plenty of energy.”
Arnot-Roberts Red, California 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95+ points “The 2021 Red Wine California is a new Bordeaux-based red wine that Duncan Arnot and Nathan Roberts made initially to take the place of the 2020 Cabernets that would have been released around this time but were compromised by smoke. The Red Wine was initially intended to be a fun project, but Arnot and Roberts may have stumbled into what is really a pretty serious red with real potential. The 2021 is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, and 20% Merlot. A powerful, old-school wine, the 2021 is going to need a few years to shed some tannin. I loved it.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Syrah, California 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $41.90, that’s $39.81 at 5% off and $37.71 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “One of the highlights in this range, the 2020 Syrah (California) is bright, punchy and explosive. Inky dark fruit, spice, licorice and leather are all kicked up in this juicy, exuberant Syrah. In 2020, a large percentage of the fruit is from Santa Maria, hence the broader California designation this year. Floral and savory accents linger. The 2020 is flat-out delicious.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Syrah, California 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Syrah (California) is bold, rich and explosive. As is so often the case, the Syrah is flat-out gorgeous. In this vintage, the Arnot-Roberts Syrah used the broader California appellation. All the elements are so well balanced. Juicy dark cherry, plum, sage, menthol, new leather and lavender build into the dense, textured finish.”
Winery note “This cuvée exemplifies cold-climate Syrah grown on the rugged Sonoma Coast and is one of our hallmark bottlings. A blend of four amazing sites grown on the coast: Clary Ranch, Que Syrah, Baker Lane and Solas vineyards. Syrah is well suited for life on the Sonoma Coast as the loose clusters and thick skins manage the cool, windy and often damp growing conditions well. The long slow growing season near the edge of the continent provides complete ripeness at low sugar levels, resulting in a wine of deep color that has intense fruit character loaded with an undercurrent of earth and spice. The vineyards are each harvested and fermented separately without destemming, then blended together for aging. This is the Syrah to enjoy in its youth while our single vineyard Syrahs mature in the cellar.”
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
Dal Forno
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Dal Forno
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Dal Forno
Kruger-Rumpf
5% off any 3-5 in-stock Kruger-Rumpf wines
10% off any 6 or more in-stock Kruger-Rumpf wines
Bründlmayer
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Bründlmayer
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Bründlmayer
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Dal Forno sale ends Tuesday, April 23rd at 9 am Pacific. Kruger-Rumpf sale ends Wednesday, April 24th at 9 am Pacific. Bründlmayer sale ends Thursday, April 25th at 9 am Pacific.
Bründlmayer 4-22-24
On Sale Now
We feel fortune to offer such an incredible selection of top Austrian wines. It’s both a blessing and a curse.
The blessing is obvious: these are some of the greatest wines made anywhere in the world. They include such luminaries as FX Pichler, Gobelsburg, and Nikolaihof. Somms and Austrian wine fans get EXCITED when they see our selections. That joy is what we live for.
The curse side…well, let’s just say that the wines don’t always get the attention they deserve. If these wines came from France, those biodynamic, single-vineyard, Grand Cru, food-friendly, and ridiculously underpriced gems from thousand-year-old wineries would they be three times as expensive. These are the source of the best value high end whites in the world.
The Kamptal region in Austrian is the slightly less famous brother to the Wachau. As a result, the best wines are somehow an even better value. The quality is on par, so the wines from the likes of Bründlmayer end up being the best deals across the Old World. (The bottlings from the Heiligenstein vineyard, likely the Kamptal’s most famous, are in a class by themselves.)
Bründlmayer’s wines are somewhere in the middle between the fruit-forward style of Hirsch and the heft and contemplative nature of Gobelsburg. These are probably the most subtle when young, but blossom with age. The wines reward attention and aging in spectacular ways.
In a world where the market (outside of sommeliers) realized how good these were, we’d be sold out. The reality is that they’re somehow on our shelves, so we’ll nudge you their way with our three-day sale.
The blessing is obvious: these are some of the greatest wines made anywhere in the world. They include such luminaries as FX Pichler, Gobelsburg, and Nikolaihof. Somms and Austrian wine fans get EXCITED when they see our selections. That joy is what we live for.
The curse side…well, let’s just say that the wines don’t always get the attention they deserve. If these wines came from France, those biodynamic, single-vineyard, Grand Cru, food-friendly, and ridiculously underpriced gems from thousand-year-old wineries would they be three times as expensive. These are the source of the best value high end whites in the world.
The Kamptal region in Austrian is the slightly less famous brother to the Wachau. As a result, the best wines are somehow an even better value. The quality is on par, so the wines from the likes of Bründlmayer end up being the best deals across the Old World. (The bottlings from the Heiligenstein vineyard, likely the Kamptal’s most famous, are in a class by themselves.)
Bründlmayer’s wines are somewhere in the middle between the fruit-forward style of Hirsch and the heft and contemplative nature of Gobelsburg. These are probably the most subtle when young, but blossom with age. The wines reward attention and aging in spectacular ways.
In a world where the market (outside of sommeliers) realized how good these were, we’d be sold out. The reality is that they’re somehow on our shelves, so we’ll nudge you their way with our three-day sale.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Bründlmayer
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Bründlmayer
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Thursday, April 25th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Bründlmayer
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Thursday, April 25th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer seven options from Bründlmayer on sale now, including:
Weingut Bründlmayer Ried Steinberg Chardonnay 1ÖTW, Kamptal, Kamptal 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Falstaff 95 points “Light golden yellow, silver reflections. Fine wood spice, a touch of caramel, blossom honey and orange peel, vanilla echo as well as some papaya and spicy nuances. Juicy, elegant, salty, white tropical fruit, tobacco finish, mineral echo, very good persistency, reductive finish, will benefit from bottle age.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Bründlmayer Ried Käferberg Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal DAC 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 96 points “What a lovely nose of apricots, lemons, nutmeg, orange zest and white chocolate. It’s creamy and medium- to full-bodied, with zesty acidity cutting through. Fantastic balance, length and intensity. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 94 points “The 2021 Grüner Veltliner Ried Käferberg is from an east-facing site at 330 meters of elevation on calcareous gravels with a loess cover, picked from vines that are around 35 years old. It was made in large used barrel and stayed on gross lees until the following September, then for another year in stainless steel, finally bottled in spring 2023. The nose has just a touch of fir honey, verging into a slight waxiness, with a notion of hazelnut and smoke. The palate is immediately fresh, full, contoured and generous but absolutely outlined by freshness—poised and serene. On the mid-palate, ripe lemon brightness teases out zestiness and yeasty savoriness, with gentle after-tones of mossy freshness and expansive resonance where that lovely smoky flavor returns. (Bone-dry).”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Bründlmayer Ried Steinmassl Riesling 1ÖTW, Kamptal 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $37, that’s $35.15 at 5% off and $33.30 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points “At once intense and mellow, which is a weird thing to write, but this is a special wine. Delicate white-fruit aromas. Excellent structure and racy minerality make this really exciting. Very long, crystalline finish that promises a very long life. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2019 Ried Steinmassel 1ÖTW Kamptal Riesling opens clear, intense and snappy on the nose, quite open and with floral fruit aromas but also a very ripe and dried raisin aroma intermingled with crystalline (para-gneiss and amphibolite) and black pepper notes. Dense and juicy on the palate, this is a concentrated, firmly structured, crystalline, very elegant and tensioned Riesling with a dried stone fruit aroma and very firm phenolics. A wine to age for at least 5-6 years. There are crunchy tannins on the finish that might come from the reduction rather than the pressing, which was whole clusters and pressed at 6 p.m. when they started to fill at 11 a.m. Picked on October 17th. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted at Schloss Gobelsburg in June 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Bründlmayer Ried Steinmassl Riesling 1ÖTW, Kamptal 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $37, that’s $35.15 at 5% off and $33.30 at 10% off, 20 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Eye-poppingly fresh nose of ferns and savory notes with underlying, lemony fruit. Very tightly wound and energetic, this is a radically racy dry riesling for Austria. Very long, whiplash finish that will either turn you off or drive you wild, like us. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “From a south-southeast-facing cru on Gföhler gneiss soils and ranging from 240 to 340 meters in altitude, the 2021 Riesling Ried Steinmassl 1ÖTW was picked on October 18 and 19, then macerated and fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine shows a clear and intense, pure and elegant nose with ripe and elegant fruit aromas intertwined with spicy and saline notes. Crystalline and savory on the palate, this is a medium-bodied yet supple and tightly structured Steinmassl with clear, defined fruit and fine tannins intermingled with the saline acidity. Very long and complex finish. It’s still on its way but very promising. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in October 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Bründlmayer Ried Zöbinger Heiligenstein Riesling 1ÖTW, Kamptal 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Buddleia, lemon blossom and ocean spray rush from the glass, then provide alluring inner-mouth perfume and mineral nuance on a luscious, surprisingly buoyant palate saturated with ripe white peach and lime. This finishes with vibrant tingling of crystalline mineral impingements, an invigoratingly reductive hint of struck flint, seductive liquid floral perfume and saliva-drawing salinity. 2017-2028.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Bründlmayer Ried Zöbinger Heiligenstein Riesling 1ÖTW, Kamptal 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Although this is still very young it begins dramatically with an intensely herbal and white fruits nose. Mineral power kicks in on the palate and drives it forward at a brisk clip. A slightly austere finish, but one that’s full of stony character and is very long and bright. Drink now.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92-93 points “Sourced from the younger, 15- to 35-year-old vines, the 2016 Ried Zöbinger Heiligenstein 1ÖTW Riesling has a super clear, deep and flinty bouquet of super precise and well concentrated citrus fruits. Fermented in stainless steel and bottled without any further movements, this is a highly elegant, gorgeously fresh and finessed dry Heiligensten that is pure, mineral and salty as well as intense and long, with lovely marjoram flavors. A great dry Riesling!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Bründlmayer Ried Zöbinger Heiligenstein Riesling 1ÖTW, Kamptal 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 96 points “The 2022 Riesling Heiligenstein is from core parcels of the site, where cool Waldviertel air meets the warm Pannonian influence. This 2022 vintage is the first where the Lyra- and Guyot-trained vines were co-harvested and co-fermented. The nose has a subtle note of cypress, with a touch of smokiness and a suspicion of green citrus peel. The palate adds a riper notion of juicy white peach, but remains framed with tingling citrus. Both elements together result in immense juiciness, showing a svelte exuberance that, for now, skips over stony minerality, which will take time to reveal itself. This is beautiful, taut, long and serene. (Bone-dry).”
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “Enticingly nose with complex aromas of fresh garden flowers and dried flowers, also dried and fresh pear. Racy and driving with an exciting cassis freshness on the very focused palate. Very stony finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Shop our seven selections on sale now on our webstore!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
Dal Forno
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Dal Forno
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Dal Forno
Kruger-Rumpf
5% off any 3-5 in-stock Kruger-Rumpf wines
10% off any 6 or more in-stock Kruger-Rumpf wines
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Dal Forno sale ends Tuesday, April 23rd at 9 am Pacific. Kruger-Rumpf sale ends Wednesday, April 24th at 9 am Pacific.
Dal Forno: 4-20-24
On Sale Now
Go bold.
Go bold.
In a few wine regions throughout the world, there exists one individual or family that defines the style of the region. When it comes to Valpolicella, the Dal Forno family does just that, crafting deeply concentrated expressions for over thirty years.
Established in 1983 by Romano Dal Forno, the estate vaulted to the heights of perfection in the Venato. The family employs traditional winemaking techniques, such as extended drying of the grapes before pressing, to craft their serious and seriously concentrated wines.
Vines hail from the foothills at around 1,000 feet above sea level. Here, the family’s 65 acres are planted to indigenous varieties such as Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, grown and pruned according to ancient traditions.
So, what’s a wine lover to do? Our suggestion: embrace the concentration and richness inherent in Venato wines. For no one matches the sheer hedonistic bombast of Dal Forno. Quintarelli? Bah, that speaks to finesse. Nor should you be satisfied by the mere saccharine fruit bombs that paw anxiously at your palate. Crave impact. EXPERIENCE power. Seek wines that whisper of the Old and Ancient mysteries of this world. Demand Dal Forno.
“The Dal Forno production is always an artful expression, as these are wines that can be made in no other hands. This is because of the unique qualities of the Lodoletta Vineyard, which has alluvial clay soils, and the proprietary technology used during fermentation and winemaking.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
“Romano Dal Forno took control of his family’s 25ha in 1980, aged 22, quickly turning to Amarone maestro Giuseppe Quintarelli for advice and tutorship. Dal Forno focussed on a dramatic reduction of yields, replacing the oxidation-prone Molinara grape with the rare Oseleta, and set about introducing a system of manual sorting to remove less than perfect grapes. It takes nine vines to create one bottle of Dal Forno’s Amarone, with a drying period of three months leading to 15 days of fermentation in temperature-controlled steel tanks. Ageing takes place in new oak for 36 months, followed by another 24 months in bottle.” -Decanter Magazine
Established in 1983 by Romano Dal Forno, the estate vaulted to the heights of perfection in the Venato. The family employs traditional winemaking techniques, such as extended drying of the grapes before pressing, to craft their serious and seriously concentrated wines.
Vines hail from the foothills at around 1,000 feet above sea level. Here, the family’s 65 acres are planted to indigenous varieties such as Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, grown and pruned according to ancient traditions.
So, what’s a wine lover to do? Our suggestion: embrace the concentration and richness inherent in Venato wines. For no one matches the sheer hedonistic bombast of Dal Forno. Quintarelli? Bah, that speaks to finesse. Nor should you be satisfied by the mere saccharine fruit bombs that paw anxiously at your palate. Crave impact. EXPERIENCE power. Seek wines that whisper of the Old and Ancient mysteries of this world. Demand Dal Forno.
“The Dal Forno production is always an artful expression, as these are wines that can be made in no other hands. This is because of the unique qualities of the Lodoletta Vineyard, which has alluvial clay soils, and the proprietary technology used during fermentation and winemaking.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
“Romano Dal Forno took control of his family’s 25ha in 1980, aged 22, quickly turning to Amarone maestro Giuseppe Quintarelli for advice and tutorship. Dal Forno focussed on a dramatic reduction of yields, replacing the oxidation-prone Molinara grape with the rare Oseleta, and set about introducing a system of manual sorting to remove less than perfect grapes. It takes nine vines to create one bottle of Dal Forno’s Amarone, with a drying period of three months leading to 15 days of fermentation in temperature-controlled steel tanks. Ageing takes place in new oak for 36 months, followed by another 24 months in bottle.” -Decanter Magazine
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Dal Forno
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Dal Forno
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, April 23rd at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Dal Forno
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Tuesday, April 23rd at 9 am Pacific.
We offer eight options from Dal Forno on sale now, including:
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2007 750ml Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2007 Valpolicella Superiore from the celebrated Monte Lodoletta vineyard is rock-tight with a midnight black appearance and aromas that emerge with fierce determination. The fascinating aromatic medley includes dark spice, prune, Spanish cedar, tar, black licorice, balsam herb and blackberry tart. The mouthfeel is plush and rich with super-tight tannins that grip nervously to the finish. It has only started its bottle evolution and requires more time to soften and develop. Drink 2017-2035.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Romano Dal Forno applies the same stringent quality standards on his so-called base wine as he does his top-tier Amarone. But referring to this Valpolicella Superiore as a “base wine” couldn’t be more incorrect. In fact, this singular expression occupies its very own category in which the utmost attention is paid to the smallest details. It opens with dark, inky concentration and amazing intensity, with black cherry, barbecue spice, leather and tobacco.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2008 750ml Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “A dark, super-ripe wine, the 2008 Valpolicella Superiore is fabulous in this vintage. Smoke, tar, incense, licorice and blackberry jam hit the palate in a massive, intense Valpolicella loaded with class and personality. Even with all of the concentration, the 2008 is quite a bit less tannic than some recent vintages have been, which makes it accessible even today, especially if given a little air. There is a lot to admire in this drop-dead gorgeous Valpolicella from Romano Dal Forno.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2008 Valpolicella Superiore hails from the famed Monte Lodoletta cru and immediately struts its stuff: It opens to huge intensity, an inky appearance and tight tannic astringency. Great care is taken to transform each berry of fruit into this dense, syrupy wine that is redolent of bitter chocolate, dried fruit, blackberry preserves, baking spice and toasted herbs. The oak tannins dry every last drop of moisture from your mouth. The blend is 70% Covina and Corvinone, 20% Rondinella, 5% Oseleta and 5% Croatina aged 36 months in barrique. This wine has a long, long way to go. Don’t even think of popping the cork for five years or more. Drink 2018-2035.”
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2009 750ml Displayed Price: $135, that’s $128.25 at 5% off and $121.50 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Built like a tank, the 2009 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is a masterful achievement. This wine shows so beautifully, especially in a warm but balanced vintage like 2009. The fruit is expressive and articulate with deep layers of blackberry preserves, dried cherry, dark chocolate, espresso bean, mesquite smoke and soy sauce. The mouthfeel is super rich and concentrated as the Dal Forno signature style would dictate. The tannic bite is still strong and this wine needs a few more years to stretch out its muscular build. I’d suggest drinking it after 2018.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta is intense, with a captivating bouquet that blends cedar shavings, savory herbs and balsamic spices with rum-soaked cherries, sweet lavender and dark chocolate. This sweeps across the palate with silken textures, delivering masses of tart red and black fruits along with hints of espresso bean. Crunchy mineral tones and zesty acidity add dramatic lift. The 2016 tapers off long and staining, sporting a pleasantly bitter tinge of cocoa as grippy tannins resonate. The 2016 is a well-muscled dancer yet still youthfully coiled.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “…a wine of characteristically dark intensity and rich extraction. If there’s one thing this estate knows, it’s making big wines with soaring intensity that strike a balance and have complexity all the while… This classic vintage reveals black fruit, olive, dark tar, mahogany and sweet barbecue spice. The wine is soft and rich in terms of texture with tight tannins, but it finishes relatively dry with a contained 14% alcohol content. The blend is 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella, 5% Croatina and 5% Oseleta, aged in new French and American barrels for 24 months.”
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $138, that’s $131.10 at 5% off and $124.20 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Pungent nose of violets, amarena cherries, dried figs and lightly charred oak. Some toffee notes emerge with air, together with more pressed flowers. Not so much full-bodied as full-flavored, with silky, fine and polished tannins. Very young and driven at the moment. Lacks the depth and complexity of more fortunate vintages, but still shows exceptional quality. Try from 2024.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “Taking in the 2017 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta reminds me of all of the desserts spices and confections experienced on Christmas day. An array of medicinal cherries plum sauce ginger cookies cloves cinnamon and dried roses captivate. There’s tremendous depth here but it maintains fantastic freshness. This is wildly spicy and intense yet deep with brilliant acidity adding energy seldom found in Valpolicella which enlivens the crunchy red fruits and pretty inner florals within. The 2017 finishes dramatically long and perfumed resonating on sour blackberries currants and a bitter hint of cocoa. This goes far beyond the expectation of Valpolicella with the power and aromatics of an Amarone but with a liveliness that will allow it to excel at the dinner table.”
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2012 750ml Displayed Price: $379, that’s $360.05 at 5% off and $341.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “A decadent nose of treacle tart, chocolate, tar, tons of black fruit such as blackberries and mulberries and even ash and licorice. A dense, layered mouthfeel makes for a full-bodied palate that’s explosive yet somehow so refined and pretty all at the same time. The finish goes on and on. Incredible now, but better to wait for this giant to settle well into 2020.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “…a beautifully complete wine, even at this young stage in its life. You feel the youth of the wine in the tightness of the tannins and in the finely knit texture of its concentrated flavor profile. The big surprise is the wine’s fresh acidity that has been carefully safeguarded despite the heat of the vintage and the drying process so deftly executed at this landmark estate. The wine shows no sign of oxidation or evolution, not yet. There is intricate fruit layering with cherry, blackberry, spice and mesquite delivered with such precision, that level of detail defies the very bold and opulent essence of the wine. It has only just started its evolutionary journey.”
Decanter 96 points “Exuberant, dense and chewy with peppery black fruit flavours, while showing some delicacy of aroma. Intense and will develop further, perhaps offering more power than grace…”
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “There is a massive amount of pleasure to be found in [here]. It blends elegance with power while contrasting rich dark fruits against sweet herbal tones and spices to create a seductive expression from start to finish… All of that said, the endnote here is remarkably fresh, as the 2012 never becomes tiring. This is firing on all cylinders yet with medium-term cellaring potential – but good luck keeping your hands off of it today.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A velvety, full-bodied version, loaded with blackberry coulis, baked black cherry and tar-tinged smoke flavors that ripple across the palate. Offers lovely accents of dried mint, tobacco, iron and anise that echo on the firm finish. A powerhouse, with plenty in reserve. Best from 2022 through 2032. 250 cases imported. — AN”
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $399, that’s $379.05 at 5% off and $359.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “This is black as pitch in the glass and, yes, there’s a light, tarry edge to the super-concentrated prune, date and currant fruit. But even more interesting are the complex notes of bitter-orange liqueur, aged balsamic, fresh roasting herbs, cinnamon, roasted chestnuts, black tea and licorice. The more you decant in advance, the more nuances will emerge. It’s full-boded with huge concentration and lots of chewy tannin that is managing to hold the fruit back for now. This needs plenty of time to develop in the bottle. Just superb. One of the greatest Dal Forno’s ever.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The ultimate statement wine from northern Italy… Monte Lodoletta is always incredibly high in terms of fruit weight and tannins, but this edition from 2015 appears more integrated in terms of concentration and softer in terms of structure; it’s not that the wine is more accessible. It will hold the line for years and decades to come and promises to age gracefully. This vintage is instead more fleshed out and open-knit. The bouquet peels back with thick layers of black fruit, spice, campfire embers and toasted coffee bean. It’s an expensive bottle for collectors, but you get lots of bang for your buck.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A rich red, with good tension and energy, displaying tightly meshed flavors of blackberry preserves, fig cake, espresso crema and singed sage coiled around a core of dense but fine tannins. Tea leaf, smoky earth and mineral notes chime on the long and chewy finish. Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta and Croatina. Best from 2025 through 2045. 1,350 cases made, 250 cases imported. — AN”
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $449, that’s $426.55 at 5% off and $404.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “The current release. A tour de force, despite the sheer morass of palate-staining fruit. The malty oak is evident, yet operates as a welcome adjunct to corral and compress the swashbuckle of coffee grinds, beef bouillon, mint, leather varnish and saturated dark cherry liqueur, into a sheath of tension as much as sheer power. Grapes are dried for 70-80 days. This may seem obvious initially, but as one works it out in the glass and across the inner gums, the multitudinous layers become evident. A wine that shape-shifts and beguiles, as much it wrestles with the senses. Excellent. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 97 points “This is dark, sultry and almost animalistic in nature, as crushed fall leaves and earth tones open the experience, giving way to masses of macerated black cherries, cedar shavings, spiced cookies, and a lifting hint of camphor. It floods the palate with velvety textures while maintaining fantastic energy, as stimulating acidity adds unexpected vibrancy, and tart wild berries slowly saturate. While structured, the tannins are sweet, and the wine remains remarkably fresh, almost crunchy, as an air of inner rose and balsam herbs slowly fades.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A dark, brooding red that effortlessly marries a lovely range of kirsch, blackberry paste, dried mint and eucalyptus flavors with fine, sculpted tannins and a rich streak of minerality, showing lots of smoke, fresh earth and iron. This offers concentration and power, revealing even greater detail and expression as it opens in the glass, but at the same time this is an exercise in balance and restraint. Corvina, Rondinella, Oseleta and Croatina. Drink now through 2035.”
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Bedrock
5% off any 3-8 in-stock bottles of Bedrock
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of Bedrock
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Bedrock sale ends Sunday, April 21st at 9 am Pacific.
Vinopolis Newsletter – Friday 4-19-24
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