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Andre Clouet’s Dreamiest Champagnes: On Sale Now! 3-4-24

Andre Clouet’s Dreamiest Champagnes:

On Sale Now!


Searching for that rich and yeasty, brioche-like Champagne of your dreams? Look no further than the stunningly well-priced line up from Andre Clouet: the Dream Vintages.
 
Andre Clouet is a small-but-mighty Champagne House headed by the somewhat-eccentric Jean-François Clouet. The House is known for many things, including crafting some of the best values in their Grand Cru village of Bouzy. The wines are fantastic, from their base non-vintage blend all the way through the prestige “1911” cuvee, which is perpetually one of the best under $100 Champagnes out there.
 
The wines, on the whole, tend to be Pinot Noir-based. Chardonnay is a bit of a rarity in this village. The Dream Vintage line, though, is 100% Chardonnay. Like everything else they make, it’s a steal for the price. Made with Grand Cru fruit from Bouzy, of course, but also from the ultimate Blanc de Blancs village in all of Champagne: Le Mesnil, the village where dreams, Salon, Pierre Peter’s Les Chetillons, and Krug’s Clos du Mesnil, are made… er, grown.
 
These Champagnes are bottled a year after vintage and then disgorged to order. To. Order. Seriously. We’re talking aged on the lees for close to two decades in the case of the oldest vintage in our offer. (Good luck finding a bottle of Bollinger R.D. or Dom P2 for under $100.)
 
The only catch? Well, as one of the smaller Champagne Houses, these wines aren’t bottled by the millions like those of a certain starry-eyed monk. The quantities available are tiny, though you wouldn’t guess when glancing at our backstock. We stock up as much as possible every year to give you access to the sweet satisfaction of late-disgorged, Grand Cru, budget-friendly Champagne year-round, and now on our three-day sale.
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock bottles of Andre Clouet Dream Vintage
10% off any 12 or more in-stock Andre Clouet Dream Vintage

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

 
Discount ends Thursday, March 7th at 9 am Pacific
 
“André Clouet is one of my favorite small domaines in Champagne. At their best, proprietor Jean-François Clouet’s wines are distinctive and full of character.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous
 
In Stock and On Sale Now:
 
Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut 2006 750ml Displayed Price: $75, that’s $71.25 at 5% off and $67.50 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “A rich and almost opulent champagne for lovers of mature chardonnay. As much melted butter as candied-lemon and orange character. Glides over the palate into the very silky finish, the touch of salinity creating a wonderful tension with the creaminess. 100% chardonnay. Drink or hold.”
 
Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut 2008 750ml Displayed Price: $85, that’s $80.75 at 5% off and $76.50 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points
“Such a classic Blanc de Blancs champagne with the special elegance, brilliance and minerality of the 2008 vintage. Very well structured, but without the austere acidity structure that some 2008s have. Long and very clean finish that sends you back to the glass. 100% chardonnay. Drink or hold.”
Tyson Stelzer-The Champagne Guide 95 points “Sourced from a grower as a swap for pinot noir, the union of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Bouzy chardonnay is perhaps an unlikely marriage, but it works to delightful effect. The tension, minerality and presence of Le Mesnil is bolstered by the body and richness of Bouzy, softening the mineral tension of the village and the scintillating acid cut that defines 2008. Layered with spice, grapefruit and white peach of effortless poise, it propels upward with epic length and seamless line.”
 
Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut 2009 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points
“The 2009 Brut Dream Vintage is a very pretty, expressive Champagne. Hazelnut, dried flowers, spices, mint, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes are all wonderfully laced together. Medium in body, radiant and quite open, the 2009 will drink well upon release.”
 
Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut 2013 750ml Displayed Price: $53.50, that’s $50.83 at 5% off and $48.15 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2013, which is a vintage Antonio Galloni of Vinous describes as “extremely challenging, yet resulting in Chardonnays, “Particularly in the Côte des Blancs” that are “drop-dead gorgeous.”
 
Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $54.50, that’s $51.78 at 5% off and $49.05 at 10% off, 27 bottles in stock now
Again, no reviews here, but 2016 vintage in general is notable for its early-drinking appeal. An open and effusive vintage, with top wines showing “lovely aromatics, good balance and plenty of near-term appeal,” per Antonio Galloni of Vinous.
 
 
 
 
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
 
Felsina
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock Felsina wines
10% off any 12 or more in-stock Felsina wines

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

 
Felsina sale ends Wednesday March 6th at 9 am Pacific

Marietta: California’s Best Value 3-2-24

Chris Bilbro was one of California wine’s unsung heroes. He founded Marietta Cellars in 1978 and grew the winery into one of the preeminent producers of excellent value, honestly made California wine. Chris sadly passed away in 2019, and today his son, Scot Bilbro, runs the winery. The lineup is as good as it’s ever been: full of delicious, gutsy wines that overdeliver at all prices.
 
The Marietta wines have been customer favorites at the shop for some time, from their sub-$20 Zinfandel-based old vine blend (which defined the category for California), all the way up to their Gibson Block Syrah, which hails from a parcel planted in the 1880s. Their entire range routinely receives the type of critical praise you’d expect from much more expensive wines. We’ve just added a new case discount on our already lowest-in-the-country price on their spicy and fragrant rosé, so we thought it the perfect time to remind you of the incredible value and drinkability of this excellent range of Marietta wines in stock now.
 
“Scot Bilbro has the magic touch when it comes to crafting wines that deliver superb quality for the money across the various tiers in this range.” — Antonio Galloni, Vinous
 

“The relatively cool 2021 growing season was a much-needed reprieve from the heat spikes and droughts of previous vintages, and growers leaned into the easygoing season to craft particularly pure, expressive wines—some of my favorites include Rochioli, Joseph Phelps, Marietta and Paul Hobbs.” — Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
 
In Stock Now from Marietta:
 
New case discount on our already lowest-in-the-country price!
Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Rose, California 2022 750ml $14.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Rose, California 2022 750ml $156 special (that’s only $13/bottle!)
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 points
“A blend of 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache Noir and 25% Grenache Gris, the 2022 Old Vine Rosé has a medium cherry-pink color and pretty scents of peach, dried herbs and charcuterie. The light-bodied palate is bright and refreshing with a deep core of fruit, a touch of anchoring texture and a long, spicy finish. It drinks well on its own, although it will pair widely at the table.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $18
 
“One of California’s finest value wineries, Marietta Cellars has been receiving favorable reviews in this publication for many years. My fondness for the non-vintage blend of many vintages and grapes goes back to when I first reviewed the Old Vine Red Lot 14. Production has soared since then, but the consistency in quality has remained remarkably high. These are terrific offerings from this value-priced winery.” — Robert M. Parker, Wine Advocate
 
Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Red Lot 74, California NV 750ml $18 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The NV Old Vine Red Lot 74 is primarily Zinfandel, with some Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan, Grenache and Barbera. Spicy and easy to drink, it has aromas of red and black cherries, mint, bitter chocolate and allspice with earthy undertones. The medium-bodied palate is finely chalky and refreshing, with spicy fruit and an easygoing finish. This will be enjoyable with almost any dish at the table and, as always, overdelivers for the price.”
 
Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee, Alexander Valley 2021 750ml $38 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 96 points
“Grapes for the 2021 Angeli Zinfandel are picked in three passes. Proprietor Scot Bilbro notes that Zinfandel’s naturally varying levels of ripeness can lead to raisiny flavors if all the grapes are picked at a higher brix. “If you bring Zinfandel in over 25 brix, that means the juice inside is at 25, but the skins have a lot more sugar, and the level will go up to 28 or more,” he explains. “So, we pick at 23, 24 and just shy of 25. You can enable the wine to show off layers with those different picks.” This strategy led to a gorgeous Angeli in 2021 that is incredibly expressive and perfumed. Blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry give way to wafts of graphite, gobs of violet and even touches of tangerine. The medium to full-bodied palate explodes with concentrated fruit and expansive layers of floral perfume and spice. It has a powdery frame, bursts of mouthwatering acidity and a very long, nuanced finish.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $42
 
Marietta Cellars ‘Armé’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast 2021 750ml $26 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The 2021 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 10% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It has pretty tones of blueberries and black cherries with nuances of lavender, thyme and underbrush. The palate is medium-bodied, chalky and refreshing, with surprising depth of crunchy fruit and floral sparks across the long, juicy finish.”
 
Marietta Cellars ‘Christo’ Estate Blend, North Coast 2021 750ml $21.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The 2021 Christo is a blend of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 8% Petite Sirah and 4% Viognier. The nose features fresh blackcurrant and blueberry aromas with tones of cast iron, violet, sagebrush and conifer. The full-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with restrained, mineral-driven fruit and a long, perfumed finish. Give it 2-3 years in bottle or a couple hours in a decanter.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $24
 
Marietta Cellars ‘Game Trail’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Yorkville Highlands 2019 750ml $39 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94 points
“Medium ruby-purple, the 2019 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon features scents of blackcurrant and blackcurrant bud, chocolate, star anise, iron and violet. Powerful yet fresh, the full-bodied palate has loads of grainy tannins and bright sparks of acidity highlighting its floral perfume. It has mineral-streaked fruits and a long, layered finish with singular wafts of incense.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $42
 
Marietta Cellars Gibson Block Syrah, McDowell Valley 2019 750ml $39 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95 points
“Deep ruby-purple, the 2019 Gibson Block Syrah has a core of cassis and soaring violet perfume with accents of coffee beans, dark chocolate, aniseed and mint. The full-bodied palate is powerful and concentrated with broody, iron-laced fruits, pleasantly chewy tannins and bright freshness elevating floral perfume on the finish.”
 
Marietta Cellars ‘Román’ Estate Zinfandel, North Coast 2021 750ml $24 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2021 Román Zinfandel is juicy, alluring and easy to drink without sacrificing complexity, offering tremendous quality for its modest price. Blended with 4% Petite Sirah and 4% Barbera, the nose is bursting with kaleidoscopic yellow peaches, strawberries and raspberries plus nuances of sage, aniseed and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate has a finely chalky frame, fireworks of fresh acidity and generous layers of spicy fruit that call you back for another sip.”
 
 
 
Don’t miss our sale going on now:
 
Leap Year Close-Out Sale
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock Vinopolis Close-Out wines
10% off any 12 or more in-stock Vinopolis Close-Out wines

 
Including picks from Aldo Conterno, Cameron Winery, Donnhoff, Markus Molitor, Paitin, Selbach-Oster, Vatan, and dozens more!
 
Discount does not combine with other current sales,
but it DOES apply to Close-Out case skus.
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Discount ends Sunday, March 3rd at 9 am Pacific

Vinopolis Newsletter – Friday 3-1-24

 In This Newsletter:

Special Arrivals
Scorching hot wines from the “Land of volcanoes”
New Arrivals
Charles Heidsick, Kelley Fox, Lingua Franca, 4 Monos, Il Poggione, and much more!
Pre-Arrivals
Coming later this month: Bereche, William Fevre, and Produttori
“California Dreaming”
Collectable cult wines from Screaming Eagle and Sine Qua Non
Leap Year Close-Out Sale- ENDS SUNDAY

Save up to 10% extra on close-out wines from across the globe!

Bodega Los Bermejos

Scorching hot wines from the “land of volcanos”
 

Lanzarote, the easternmost of the Canary Islands, received its famous, dark soils from a series of volcanic eruptions in the 1700’s earning it a reputation as the “land of Volcanos” along with volcanic soils that naturally limit grape growth, concentrating the vines and producing elegant, sparkling wines.
 
AVAILABLE NOW
 
Bodegas Los Bermejos Diego Seco Ecologico, Lanzarote, Spain 2022 750ml $33 special, 6 bottles available
Importer Notes “100% Diego, a variety endemic to Lanzarote and La Palma that is high-acid and mineral-driven. Fermented in stainless steel and aged three months in tank sur lie.”
John Gilman-View from the Cellar 91 Points “The 2022 vintage of Diego Seco from Bodega Los Bermejos is another superb wine from this consistently excellent producer. The bouquet delivers a fine blend of tart orange, breadfruit, lemongrass, volcanic minerality, a touch of sea salt and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is focused, complex and full-bodied, with a lovely core, good soil undertow, sound acids and fine balance on the long and vibrant finish. This is not quite as complex as the winery’s Malvasia Volcánica bottling, but it is very close in quality and a lovely wine. 2023-2033.”
 
Bodegas Los Bermejos Malvasia Volcanica Seco, Lanzarote, Spain 2022 750ml $29.50 special, 6 bottles available
Importer Notes “100% tank-aged Malvasía Volcanica, a grape that is truly indigenous to the Canary Islands, a crossing of Marmajuelo (an indigenous peach-skinned white grape) and Malvasía Aromatica.”
John Gilman-View from the Cellar 92+ Points “The 2022 Malvasia Volcánica from Bermejo is a fine, fine follow-up to the excellent 2021 version. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a vibrant and complex blend of tangerine, peach, lime blossoms, a lovely base of volcanic minerality, a touch of wild fennel and a lovely array of other floral tones in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and zesty, with a superb core of fruit, excellent mineral drive and grip, lovely balance and a long, complex and very classy finish. This is superb wine. 2023-2035.”
 
Bodegas Los Bermejos Listan Negro Maceracion Carbonica, Lanzarote, Spain 2022 750ml $29.50 special, 6 bottles available
Importer Notes “100% Listán Negro that gets a full carbonic maceration treatment. An extremely fresh and bright wine meant to drink young and with a chill.”
 
These are the only listings on the West Coast today!
 
ARRIVING MID MARCH
 
Los Bermejos Listan Negro Rosado 2023 750ml $31.90 special, 12 bottles available
Importer Notes “A hard year for growers in Lanzarote with extremely low yields due to severe droughts. The little wine that was produced continues to stun with its minerality, salinity, and elegance. Made from direct press.”

Los Bermejos Espumoso Brut Nature 2019 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Importer Notes “100% sparkling Malvasía Volcanica (from a single vintage), made using méthode Champenoise and aged at least 18 months sur lie. The prise de mousse used to start the second fermentation is made with Malvasía must rather than sugar. Zero dosage.”

Los Bermejos Espumoso Rosado Brut Nature 2022 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Importer Notes “The base wine is 100% Listán Negro from a single vintage. The grapes are very gently pressed in a pneumatic press, resulting in a very pale salmon-hued wine. Aged 15 months sur lie and made using Méthode Champenoise. Zero dosage.”
 
New Arrivals
 
CHAMPAGNE
 
Charles Heidsieck Brut Millesime, Champagne 2006 750ml $119 special, 30 bottles available
Decanter 94 Points “For those who like their champagne delicate, with the smile of a warm summer, this is the vintage to go for. Fine-drawn and elegant, It has a nice structure and well-defined flavours of red fruits, quince and a touch of apricot, accompanied by a subtle spiciness. The one criticism aimed at 2006 is that the wines can lack acidity – but not this one. Ready to drink now, maybe with blinis. Disgorged in 2017.”
Wine Advocate 93 Points “The 2006 Brut Millésimé spent nine years on the lees and was disgorged in 2017 with ten grams per liter dosage. The wine expresses the sunny vintage, exhibiting generous aromas of mirabelle plum, crisp yellow orchard fruit, confit citrus, toasted nuts and dried white flowers. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and mouthfilling, with a youthfully boisterous but elegant mousse, a fleshy core of fruit and a rich, expansive finish. This is a gourmand vintage of Heidsieck’s vintage Brut, and it will be best enjoyed at table; it will age more on its concentration and extract than its acidity. The blend is a classic 59% Pinot Noir and 41% Chardonnay.”
 

OREGON
 
Kelley Fox
 
“The wine from these vines leads me to imagine a beautiful threshold of Earth and stars, and its essence and mystery is this living edge.” –Kelley Fox
 
Kelley Fox Wines Maresh Vineyard Liminal Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2022 750ml $89 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Notes “The Maresh bottling is one I feel very deeply entrained with each year, and more so with each vintage. These vines planted on their own roots in 1970. This time spent each year working in these blocks has changed me. I have the utmost love and respect for these plants of great and sometimes mischievous character.”
Winery Tasting Notes “The Maresh Liminal is a medium, youthful and rich blue-red with that is full of light-flickering transparency. It is ethereal and light of being-and beautifully disarming. Of course, the nose is full of Hood strawberries with the cool freshness of rain and the Pacific Ocean in the spring air, along with spices and other delicious notes that are ineffable. This wine has both depth and a soaring nature. The energy is still in the most alive way-and serene. This Liminal has a long, beautiful, silky finish and it’s just the beginning.”
 
Lowest price on the west coast
 
Analemma

Certified organic and biodynamic wines from the Columbia Gorge!
 
Analemma Blanc de Noir, Columbia Gorge 2018 750ml $75 special, 6 bottles available
Winery Notes “A true Méthode Champenoise from a single variety, single vintage, and single vineyard, aged 51 months sur lie…”
 
Analemma Oakridge Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge 2018 750ml $39 special, 7 bottles available
Winery Notes “This multi-vintage expression combines youthful fruity aromas with concentration that comes from extra time in the cellar…”
 
These are the lowest prices in the USA
 
Lingua Franca
 
Lingua Franca Avni Chardonnay 2021 750ml $31.90 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Notes “The 2021 Chardonnay AVNI is a total pleasure on the nose. Perfumed, it blends crushed stone mineral tones with crisp green apples and suggestions of fresh mint. This flows across the palate with silky textures and medium-bodied weight traversing both savory and sweet, with a saline tinge developing toward the close. It finishes with a lingering sour lime twang, potent with a cheek-puckering sensation.”
 
Lingua Franca Avni Pinot Noir 2021 750ml $31.90 special, 12 bottles available
Vinous 92 Points “The 2021 Pinot Noir AVNI is distinctly savory and earthy, blending flowery underbrush and dusty sage with dried black cherries and a lifting hint of mint. This is racy and sleek, with vividly ripe red and blue fruits energized by vibrant acidity. Tactile mineral tones and rosy inner florals emerge as the 2021 finishes incredibly long with youthful tension, and a tart wild berry tinge lingers on and on. 20% whole clusters and 25% new French oak.

Benton Lane
 
 Hot Deal!  Benton Lane Estate Grown Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2022 750ml $21.90 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Notes “Vibrant ripe cherry, cranberry, and raspberry nose unfold into dried blueberries, plum, and lively summer herbs. Full, plush, and balanced textures with fine grained tannins and a gentle, bright acidity. This wine is complex and layered, with ripe, fresh flavors and elegance.:Vibrant ripe cherry, cranberry, and raspberry nose unfold into dried blueberries, plum, and lively summer herbs. Full, plush, and balanced textures with fine grained tannins and a gentle, bright acidity. This wine is complex and layered, with ripe, fresh flavors and elegance.”
 
Benton Lane First Class Chardonnay 2019 $21.90 special, 26 bottles available
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate “The 2019 Chardonnay First Class has a nose of baked apples, cream, banana and toast. The medium-bodied palate is creamy and yeasty, with some bitterness on the finish.”
 
FRANCE
 
Domaine Arlaud Les Ruchots, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 2014 750ml $119 special, 22 bottles available
Winery Tasting Notes  “The wines from this plot are ethereal, smooth. The aromas remember the grenade, gooseberry. This premier Cru is strait forward and easy drinking.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92-94 Points “Bright red-ruby. Sexy iron and fresh blood notes on the reduced nose. Rich, broad and mouthfilling without any heaviness, thanks to strong minerality. The wine’s red fruit flavors are under wraps today but show enough power and depth to support the serious, ripe tannins. For all its volume, this premier cru boasts terrific spine and energy. Arlaud told me that this cru “both eats and showcases the vintage,” by which he means that it can mask a vintage’s more obvious traits while presenting it to best advantage.”
 
Lowest price in the USA
Average price is $179!
 
Domaine de la Vougeraie Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2013 750ml $189 special, 15 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 91-94 Points “(tasted from cuvee; 50% new oak; 75% vendange entier; a blend of two parcels–0.3 hectare in the bottom middle section of the Clos and 1.2 hectares at the top, in front of the entrance to the castle): Healthy bright red. Musky aromas of dark cherry, wild herbs and smoky minerality. Concentrated and sweet, with pronounced soil tones to the strawberry and game flavors. Finishes juicy and very long, with building but fully ripe tannins. Since 2009 this cuvée has had a healthy level of acidity thanks to organic farming, noted Vincent. The estate’s two parcels of Clos-Vougeot were blended just a week before my visit. Highly promising.”
 
Lowest price in the USA
Average price is $256!
 
CALIFORNIA
 
My Favorite Neighbor Blanc (Chardonnay) 2020 750ml $33 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 Points “The Chardonnay-based 2020 Blanc has lush tropical fruits on the nose with accents of toast, almonds and sweet spice. The palate offers generous fruits, a sleek, polished texture, youthful new oak spices and expansive flavors on the long finish. Super classy!”
 
ITALY
 
“Sophisticated and eminently drinkable, especially at this price point.”
 Hot Deal!  Il Poggione Toscana Rosso 2020 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 90 Points “New leather, cocoa, strawberries and cherries are on the nose of this Sangiovese blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with hints of tar and roses as it opens up. The palate is crisp and precise, with fresh, crunchy cherries, snappy new leather and the mineral edge of a wet rock. Sophisticated and eminently drinkable, especially at this price point.”
 
SPAIN
 
Descendientes de J. Palacios ‘Petalos’, Bierzo 2021 750ml $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ Points “2021 is clearly the finest vintage of the trio of 2020, 2021 and 2022, and the bottled 2021 Pétalos delivers what the unbottled samples promised: a wine with lower alcohol than ever (13.5%), lighter, a little narrower but with the juiciness of Mencía that seems to come back after some time in bottle. It has lots of notes of aromatic herbs, with some similar aromas to the La Faraona. It’s quite expressive and showy, very pleasant and easy to drink, very gourmand, with a velvety mouthfeel and very fine tannins.”

GERMANY
 
Weingut Donnhoff ‘Felsenturmchen’ Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $199 special, 3 magnums available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 Points “Ripe and concentrated, but also quite austere with stacks of spice and grapefruit character; everything from the juice to the pith and zest! A seriously dry riesling, but with moderate acidity. Long crushed rock finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
 
Lowest price on the west coast
 
Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2022 1.5L $199 special, 1 magnum available
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 97 Points “What a dramatic wine this is, at once ripe and austere, super-stony and super-herbal with a touch of peppermint. Compact core in spite of the sleek and very focused body. Electric freshness at the vibrant finish although the acidity is anything but dominant. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
 
 
NON-ALCOHOLIC WINE
 
For in store pickup only!
“Hollow Leg” Non-Alcoholic Albarino Rias Baixis NV $18 special, 12 bottles available
Non-alcoholic still Albarino. Price includes 10 cent OR deposit. Shipping not available.
Winery Note: “A gentle, fresh aroma of green apple leads to a bright, dry and crunchy palate that finishes with a deliciously clean elderflower and apple drop flavour.”
 
Pre-Arrivals
 
Arriving Late March
 
CHAMPAGNE
 
Raphael et Vincent Bereche ‘Cote’ Grand Cru Extra-Brut Millesime, Champagne 2016 750ml $149 special, 30 bottles available
New wine from one our favorite Champagne houses! Featuring Bereche et Fils ‘Cote’ cuvee is sourced Grand Cru vineyards like d’Avize, du Mesnil, de Vertus.
 
FRANCE
 
William Fevre Bougros, Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ml $99 special, 18 bottles available
Jasper Morris-Inside Burgundy 94 Points “This is not the legendary Côte de Bouguerots bottling, but the regular Bougros – which still stood out alongside its peers. The fruit shows grand cru weight and the sunshine quality of the vintage, juicy but well balanced, while the crystalline purity of the finish sets this wine apart.”
James Suckling 94 Points “Aromas of aniseed and lemon rind with dried apple and pear follow through to a full body. Yet, it’s tight and layered with a compact palate and plenty of fruit. Needs time to open. Try after 2023.”
 
ITALY

“There are few producers making Barbaresco in the same class as the wines of the Produttori, but none who surpasses them.” – Sheldon Wasserman

Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 1.5L $169 special, 6 bottles  available

Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 Points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is darkly concentrated and among the richest wines in this series of single-vineyard Riservas. Montestefano is angular, textured and bold with dark fruit aromas, dried blackberry, toasted almond and cured tobacco. With this vintage, you get an age-worthy wine that offers brawn and power for drinking in the medium term, but it will become increasingly silky and slender with time. Dusty tannins and crushed stone appear on the long finish. There were 14,486 bottles produced.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ Points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is a potent, savory wine. Today, the fruit is very much in the background. A brooding, backward Barbaresco, the Montestefano clearly needs time, it is a somber, imposing Barbaresco. Dark plum, earthiness, cloves, menthol and licorice infuse the finish with notable gravitas. There’s plenty of Montestefano breadth and resonance.
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello 2017 1.5L $179 special, 6 bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ Points “One of the bigger productions (with 17,744 bottles) in the Produttori del Barbaresco’s portfolio is the 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello. All of the Riservas in this vintage are characterized by especially exuberant and bold aromas, and this bottle is a prime example. Cassis, wild cherry, tobacco, rusty nail and licorice build intensity. The wine is tapered and silky in texture, but it also offers a good amount of power (and 15% alcohol) to carry it through the aging process.”
Antonio Galloni 94 Points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a heady, explosive wine. I don’t think I have ever tasted an Ovello from the Produttori with this much heft. The strong mineral and saline accents typical of this site are present, but they are matched pound for pound by notable mid-palate richness and intensity in its fruit. The 2017 is a brooding powerhouse that needs time to unwind.”
 
Produttori Del Barbaresco Rabaja 2017 1.5L $189 special, 6 bottles available
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.”
Wine Spectator 95 Points “Dense, featuring fruit flavors of plum, cherry and raspberry, with accents of tar, eucalyptus and iron. A powerful red that needs time to resolve the muscular tannins, with plenty of ripe fruit coursing underneath. Best from 2026 through 2043. —B.S.”
Re-Arrivals 
 
4 Monos
 
Started by 4 wine loving friends in 2010 (Javier García, Laura Robles, David Velasco and David Moreno) who were awestruck by the beauty and wines of the Sierra de Gredos mountains, located west of Madrid.
 
The high altitude influence of the region and its relatively wild and “scrubby” landscape has attracted some of Spain’s hottest natural winemakers. These new single vintage bottlings are produced from old vines with extended maceration periods.

 
4 Monos Viticultores ‘Aguja del Fraile’ Sierra de Gredos, Madrid, Spain 2020 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 Points “I only tasted the 2020 Aguja del Fraile because there is not a single bottle of the 2019 in their cellar. This is their village red that contains around 5% Cariñena that fermented together with the Garnacha using full clusters and a longer maceration of 54 days. They also added some new plots in the paraje of La Isilla in this bottling. It has 14.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.29 coupled with 6.35 grams of acidity. This 2020 fermented in an oak vat (it used to be stainless steel and plastic bins in the past), and that seems to have given it an extra dimension. There’s more fruit and an earthy character, and it has the Italian tannins from Cadalso. It’s more structured than the wines from Cenicientos, wines that develop very nicely in bottle. This is seriously built, with an electric freshness.”
 
Lowest price in the USA
 
4 Monos Viticultores ‘Cien Lanzas’ Cenicientos Sierra de Gredos, Madrid, Spain 2020 750ml $33 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2020 Cien Lanzas was produced with Garnacha (and around 5% Cariñena and Garnacha Blanca) from four plots in Cenicientos. It is fermented in concrete and oak vat with a long maceration, and it matured for five months in oak vats and 500-liter barrels and then in a 4,800-liter foudre for another 12 months. It has 14.5% alcohol but doesn’t show it. The expressive nose is very floral coupled with good freshness and mellow acidity. The tannins are similar to previous vintages, but the nose has gained in detail and refinement, which also comes back on the finish. This is the best vintage so far for this bottling.”
 
Lowest price in the USA
 
Also available from 4 Monos…
 
4 Monos Viticultores ‘GR10’ Vino Blanco de la Sierra de Gredos, Spain 2021 750ml $26.50 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91+ Points “The regional white 2021 GR-10 Blanco was produced with 60% Albillo Real and 15% Viura, with the remaining 25% composed of a mixture of varieties including Moscatel and Chelva Rosa from different vineyards in Cadalso de los Vidrios and San Martín de Valdeiglesias. It’s a little lighter than the wines produced with pure Albillo, with 13.5% alcohol. It’s a refreshing white with good balance and acidity. This is fermented in a mixture of barrels and stainless steel and matured in used barrels for six months. The varietal mix changes here quite a lot, and so does the character of the wine. This feels fresher (it does have less alcohol), but the effect of the skin contact is also more noticeable; it’s a little cloudier and feels a bit wilder, and the chalky sensation is also stronger (it did have more skin contact than the 2020). It also comes through as a little funkier (but I like it!).”
 
Lowest price on the West Coast
 
4 Monos Viticultores ‘GR10’ Vino de la Sierra de Gredos, Spain 2020 750ml $24.50 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 Points “The 2020 GR-10 Tinto was produced with 92% Garnacha and 8% Cariñena from different vineyards in the villages of San Martin de Valdeiglesias, Cenicientos and Cadalso de los Vidrios. It fermented with full clusters and matured for nine months in barrels of different sizes and one 4,200-liter oak vat. It has 13.5% alcohol and very good freshness, but it’s a little darker than the 2021 I tasted next to it. It also comes through as riper, as it was a slow-ripening year that allowed them to wait for rounder tannins.”
 
Lowest price in the USA
 
“California Dreaming”
 
Arriving in Early March



 
The Eagle is landing! The original Napa cult winery, Screaming Eagle’s quality was already a poorly kept secret among oenophiles before a perfect 100 point review by Robert Parker launched its reputation into the stratosphere.
 
Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2021 750ml $2,699 special, 3 bottles available
Vinous 98-100 Points “The 2021 The Flight is magnificent. The aromatics alone are utterly beguiling. Crushed flowers, mint and red/purplish berry fruit make a strong opening statement. Medium in body and supremely gracious, the Flight possesses silky tannins that wrap it all together in style, with bright acids that punctuate the finish. Readers will find a wine of supreme elegance and class. This is a phenomenal showing. I loved it.”
 
Lowest price in the USA
Average price is $3,066!
 
 
 
Sourcing fruit from a wide variety of growers from year to year, and increasingly from their own vineyards has caused the winery to never make exactly the same wine twice, of which winemaker  Manfred Krankl has said, “People buy Sine Qua Non. They don’t seem to give a toot where it’s from.” Krankl is unique among European winemakers turned American winery owners as he did not start in the wine industry until after relocating to America. A man of assuredness and many talents, Manfred is famous for not only his wines but the original artwork that adorns each new bottling he produces.
 
Sine Qua Non Distenta “III” Grenache, California 2021 750ml $289 special, 2 bottles available
Vinous 96-99 Points “The 2021 Grenache Distenta III is one of the most refined wines I have tasted from Sine Qua Non. Floral aromatics make a strong first impression. There’s plenty of SQN richness, but also less overt opulence than most vintages. I tasted this from a tank sample just prior to bottling. The 2021 is simply magnificent. I can’t wait to taste it from bottle.”
Wine Advocate 96-98 Points “Because my visit was scheduled for July 6, just two weeks after bottling on June 22, I tasted the 2021 Grenache Distenta III as a precise blend from barrel. It comes mostly from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard (71%) and The Third Twin (23%) with the balance from the Cumulus Vineyard. It is a blend of 79% Grenache, 8.4% Syrah, 7.4% Mourvèdre, 3.2% Petite Sirah, 1.6% Petit Manseng and 0.4% Muscat. The Distenta III was vinified using about 35% whole Grenache clusters, and it matured in 42% new French oak of various sizes for around 23 months. It has a medium to deep ruby color and is incredibly fragrant at this stage. Wild berry jam aromas are accented by tones of wildflower, tar, tangerine and coffee beans. The full-bodied palate is concentrated yet lively, bursting with crunchy, floral fruit and surprisingly energetic acidity. It has detailed, grainy tannins and a long, lifted finish that wears its alcohol well.”
 
Sine Qua Non Distenta “III” Syrah, California 2021 750ml $289 special, 2 bottles available
Erin Brooks- Wine Advocate 98-100 Points “I tasted the 2021 Syrah Distenta III as a precise blend from barrel on July 6—it’s due to be bottled in August. It comes from three estate vineyards: The Third Twin (51%), Cumulus (26%) and 23% Eleven Confessions (23%). The Syrah is blended with 11.3% Grenache, 3.3% Mourvèdre, 2.1% Petite Sirah, 0.9% Petit Manseng and 0.7% Muscat and was vinified using 21% whole clusters. It matured around 23 months in 53% new French oak, 43% one- to three-year-old barrels and 4% concrete. Opaque ruby-purple in the glass, the Distenta III’s aromatic complexity requires plenty of patience, as a singular truffle, earth and coffee bean character gives way to electric streaks of crème de violette, blueberry liqueur and peppermint patty. The palate is medium to full-bodied and exceptionally light on its feet. It glides silkily through the mouth with fireworks of freshness, and its floral fruit is tempered by graphite tones.”
Vinous 95-98 Points “The 2021 Syrah Distenta III continues the theme seen in the Grenache Distenta III, namely a theme of elegance, finesse and nuance to play off the natural richness these wines always have. Black/purplish fruit, new leather, spice, licorice and chocolate saturate the 2021 with tons of depth.”
 
Sine Qua Non Distenta “III” White, California 2021 750ml $219 special, 2 bottles available
Not yet reviewed, previous review provided for reference
Erin Brooks- Wine Advocate 98 Points (2020 vintage) “Drinking the White Distenta II is an omakase-like experience, an unexpected journey that begins with naturally bitter phenolics, blossoms into soaring perfume and finishes with dessert-like honeyed tones. On day one, the wine is overt and bold, while day two reveals a fresher, livelier white with finer detail, as if the wine is coming into focus. In the mouth, it’s expansive and luxuriously satiny. Despite its powerful style and unabashed ripeness, it carries its 15.8% alcohol expertly and maintains a focused streak of tangy acidity. The finish is especially unique, offering touches of butterscotch that complement its perfumed fruit—a rare combination of aromatic grape varieties and classy new wood that works surprisingly well! If you’re a fan of aromatic, textural whites, purchase as many bottles as you can so that you can follow what’s sure to be unique savory development in bottle over the next 10 to 15+ years.”
 
Lowest price in the USA
 
Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions Vineyard Grenache, Sta. Rita Hills 2020 750ml $399 special, 3 bottles available
Not yet reviewed, previous review provided for reference
Erin Brooks Wine Advocate 97 Points (2019 vintage) “Deep ruby-purple in color, it takes significant time to open and is mostly coiled and shy on day one. On day two, its aromas unfurl: cherry pie and wild berry jam scents are layered with tones of cured meat, peppercorn, bergamot and wildflowers. The full-bodied palate is seamless and ultra powdery in texture, with balancing bursts of juicy acidity that highlight pretty spice and floral tones that fan across the long finish. It deserves generous cellar time and will be long lived. 922 cases and 240 magnums were made.”
 
Only listing in the United States!
 
Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions Vineyard Grenache, Sta Rita Hills  2020 750ml $399 special, 3 bottles available
Not yet reviewed, previous review provided for reference
Erin Brooks Wine Advocate 99 Points (2019 vintage) “This gorgeous Syrah opens over several days and never seems to diminish. It offers pure aromas of crème de cassis, tar, salami and ringing tones of violet. The full-bodied palate is incredibly velvety in texture, and despite its concentration and powerful style, it manages noticeable freshness and detail, with that magical violet perfume echoing across the long finish. This will develop gracefully in the cellar over the next two decades or more.”

Leap Year Close-Out Sale
 
We’re offering an additional discount on our already slashed price!
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock Vinopolis Close-Out wines
10% off any 12 or more in-stock Vinopolis Close-Out wines

 
Discount does not combine with other current sales,
but it DOES apply to Close-Out case skus.
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice
before processing your charge.

 
Discount ends Sunday, March 3rd at 9 am Pacific

We have over 240 wines to choose from! Click here to browse for all of them!
 
AUSTRALIA
 
Was $39
Barr-Eden Estate ‘Dreams of Gold’ Mengler’s Hill Shiraz, Eden Valley 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and 29.70 at 10% off, 36+ bottles available
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 90 Points “…Aged in older French oak, it boasts scents of “Eden Valley garrigue”—notes that suggest eucalyptus, bay leaf and wild thyme—set against a backdrop of blueberries … suave and silky in feel, with a clean, mouthwatering finish and a soft dusting of tannins…”
 
FRANCE
 
Was $79
Stephane Robert Domaine du Tunnel Cornas, Rhone 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 18 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 Points “Readers looking for the essence of Cornas would do well to pick up a case of the 2018 Cornas … a balanced, classy texture, building yet polished tannins, and a great finish … It’s a winner…”
 
GERMANY
 
Was $99
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 24 bottles available
James Suckling 98 Points “…Compact and concentrated, but the more important things are the coolness and gracefulness of this moderately sweet Auslese that turns in a dark, “earthy” direction at the powerful finish…”
 
ITALY
 
Was $179
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ Points “…shows good focus, structure and a sharper character that is often the distinguishing factor in this wine … This is not the first time that Colonnello is my favorite wine in this lineup…”
 
SPAIN
 
Was $99
Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Nit de Nin’ Mas d’en Cacador, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 24 bottles available
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 97+ Points “… It has kept very good freshness and great balance. It’s tasty, pungent and long, with power and elegance and all the components to develop nicely in bottle…”
 
Wine Enthusiast 96 Points “A top bottling of the variety, this small-production wine is structured and strong, opening reductively, with elements of tobacco leaf, oak and sage. The savory character persists in the form of leather and black pepper, allowing just a touch of sharp red fruit to enter and complement.”
 
Was $133
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 23 bottles available
Jeb Dunnick 94+ Points “…medium to full-bodied richness, a nicely balanced, layered mouthfeel, and ripe tannins that emerge on the finish. I like its concentration, and its tannins are polished and beautifully integrated…”

Vinopolis’ Leap Year Close-Out Sale 2-29-24



 
We’re offering an additional discount on our already slashed prices.
 
Over 240 wines to choose from!
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock Vinopolis Close-Out wines
10% off any 12 or more in-stock Vinopolis Close-Out wines
 
Discount does not combine with other current sales,
but it DOES apply to Close-Out case skus.
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice
before processing your charge.

 
Discount ends Sunday, March 3rd at 9 am Pacific
Walla Walla
 
Was $133!
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94+ points
“Tight and closed, with notions of bloody blue fruits, iodine, rose petals, and cedarwood, the 2020 Impulsivo hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a nicely balanced, layered mouthfeel, and ripe tannins that emerge on the finish. I like its concentration, and its tannins are polished and beautifully integrated, but this is in need of a solid 4-5 years of bottle age to show its full potential. It should have 20-25 years of overall longevity when all is said and done.”
Skurnik Wines importer notes “100% Tempranillo. En Chamberlin Vineyard (Walla Walla Valley AVA). Planted in 1998. 10′ by 4′ planting density. 6.1 acres planted. 12-18” of silty loam and basalt cobblestone soils. 875 ft. elevation.”
 
France
 
Was $54.50/bottle and $299/case-6!
Domaine du Clos des Fees Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 12+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine du Clos des Fees Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $279, that’s $265.05 at 5% off and $251.10 at 10% off
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 96 points
“Eighteen months in new French oak barrels has given the 2015 Côtes du Roussillon Villages le Clos des Fées a certain tightness and discipline lacking in the Vieilles Vignes bottling. There’s still massive fruit and buried complexity, full body and rich tannins, but there’s also firmness of structure that shows the serious, age-worthy side of Bizeul’s winemaking. Vanilla and baking spices accent deep, dark cherries and plums, ending in a long, velvety finish.”
 
Italy
 
Was $88!
Caiarossa Rosso di Toscana IGT 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points
“The 2016 Caiarossa will be released in September. This wine is a blend of seven grapes—42% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 15.5% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4.5% Sangiovese and 1% Alicante. This vintage sees a slightly higher percentage of Cabernet Franc than usual, but I am told that the 2018 edition will see more Syrah instead. The bouquet presents a beautiful first wave of dark fruit that pushes the limits of ripeness but remains safely within the realm of elegance. The aromas are balanced and focused with blackberry, cassis, and light touches of salty or rusty mineral. The wine is not too constructed or big in the mouth, rather is shows a delicate level of elegances that absolutely seals the deal.”
 
Was $85!
Castello di Volpaia Balifico, Tuscany 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $74.50, that’s $70.78 at 5% off and $67.05 at 10% off, 23 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.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Alluring violet, black currant and black cherry fruit introduces this seductive red, with firm, pointed tannins and vivid acidity providing structure as this glides to a lingering, detailed finish. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2037.”
 
Was $249!
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $219, that’s $208.05 at 5% off and $197.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96+ points
“The 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, essentially a selection of the best barrels of Cepparello, is a gorgeous wine. More than anything, the 2015 is remarkable considering the challenges of a growing season in which rain during harvest created significant challenges. Nevertheless, Paolo De Marchi coaxed all of the potential out of his vines in 2015, adding a good dollop of Petit Verdot to the Sangiovese in crafting the Gran Selezione. Dense, powerful and beautifully textured, with intense underpinnings of saline minerality. The 2015 has a brilliant future, but it won’t see the light until fall 2020 at the very earliest.”
 
Was $59!
Siro Pacenti PS Pelagrilli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points
“In an elegantly designed bottle, the Siro Pacenti 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli delivers lots of dark fruit and blackberry, and the quality of the fruit is bold, fresh and still very much alive. The house style prizes concentration and oak spice, but the detailed-minded winemaking is impeccable. The wine is structured and firm and stands apart in a crowd, but alas, it does show an unfortunate 15% alcohol content. This is a 23,000-bottle release.”
 
Was $99!
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“Rich and round, here is a red full of macerated plum and cherry flavors, with almond, leather, spice and earth accents. Firms up on the finish, where the vibrant fruit echoes. Best from 2025 through 2050. 500 cases made, 280 cases imported. — BS”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The La Gerla 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is a softly textured and fleshed out wine that shows darker and deeper fruit (compared to the 2016 Brunello that I tasted at the same time). This wine makes a great first impression, mostly thanks to that sense of quiet balance. As it opens in the glass, I notice the pretty ripeness of the vintage with dark cherry and summer plum. In all, this Riserva gives us an accessible and rich expression that will perform nicely upon release. Production is 8,560 bottles, and this wine will hit the market in April 2021.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “New leather, forest floor and ripe woodland-berry aromas make their way to the forefront together with whiffs of violet and pipe tobacco. Full bodied and firmly structured, the palate offers finesse and concentrated flavors including crushed raspberry, morello cherry, licorice and truffle framed in tightly knit, polished tannins. Drink 2023–2030.”
 
Germany
 
Was $41.90!
Weingut Emrich-Schonleber Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
David Schidknecht-Vinous 93 points
“Lightly poached pear and white peach gain a welcome bit of brightness from fresh lime, so that an effusively ripe and soothingly creamy Riesling still delivers animation and refreshment. At the same time, there is a sense of lift and delicacy here that goes beyond what was exhibited by this year’s Kabinett, and which perfectly fits the floral perfume that wafts through this wine’s entire performance. A bittersweet hint of cassis and subtle piquancy of fruit pit add counterpoint to the complexly layered, bell-clear finish. The grapes for this came in during the first days of October. Picking under the right conditions for Spätlese was just as challenging this year as picking for Kabinett, opined Schönleber, who admitted to having simply “missed the window” for doing so in the Frühlingsplätzchen. “More and more,” he said, noting the irony, “Spätlese is going to signify anything but ‘late-harvest.’””
 
Was $89!
Markus Molitor Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese *** Gold Capsule, Mosel 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98+ points
“The 2015 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) offers a very clear, deep, intense and complex stone fruit aroma with some very discreet toast and crushed stone flavors. Full-bodied, rich and powerful but enormously racy-piquant and mineral so that you don’t taste its sweetness, this is a great, expressive terroir wine with a huge inner concentration that comes from the soils rather than dried berries. It is based on grapes with dry raisins due to perfect botrytis combined with healthy berries that deliver the tremendous freshness in this gorgeous Auslese that also reveals some fine tannins from the aging partly in small oak.”
 
Spain
 
Was $1,199!
Dominio de Pingus ‘Pingus’, Ribera del Duero 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $1,049, that’s $996.55 at 5% off and $944.10 at 10% off, 3 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 99 points
“I tasted the bottled 2019 Pingus two weeks after bottling. Even at this early stage and after the operation, the wine is super harmonious and elegant. They really outdid themselves here and produced an amazingly fresh, aromatic and harmonious wine in a warm vintage. It’s incredibly textured, with refined, very fine-grained and chalky tannins. It’s very balanced, and there’s no excess of anything; it has 14% alcohol, perfect ripeness and a velvety mouthfeel. It gets more floral with time in the glass, getting nuanced and really interesting. It delivers what the barrel sample promised one year ago, when the wine already surprised me. I think the word that best describes this wine is precision—it’s clean, focused, balanced and delineated. Bravo! 7,900 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2021.”
James Suckling 99 points “Ripe-berry, black-cherry, black-mushroom and violet aromas. Some stone and dry-earth undertones. Full-bodied and very long with and extremely fine, silky texture and a finish that goes on for minutes. The depth and texture of this wine is truly breathtaking. Another world-class Pingus. Try after 2025, when the tannins will have softened and the wine will be opening up.’
 
Argentina
 
Was $16/bottle and $169/case-12!
Vaglio Wines Chacra Malbec, Agrelo 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $14, that’s $13.30 at 5% off and $12.60 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Vaglio Wines Chacra Malbec, Agrelo 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $149, that’s $134.10 at 10% off
James Suckling 93 points
“A dense, compact malbec with intense, blackberry and wet-earth character. Full body. Creamy texture. Tangy and delicious on the finish. Ends with green tobacco and tar. Excellent. Drink now.”
Brazos Wines importer note “This is 100% hand harvested Malbec is from a single vineyard in Agrelo, Lujan de Cuyo. The wine is dark with notes of dark fruits like plum, raisin and blackberry pie. The supple tannins and hint of oak lead to a round, smooth finish wrapped in caramel and walnuts.”
 
Shop the sale on our webstore now, including picks from Caiarossa, Domaine Leflaive, GD Vajra, Paolo Scavino, Vietti, and dozens more!
 
 
 Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:

Muller-Catoir Sale

5% off any 1-5 bottles of in-stock Muller-Catoir wines
10% off any 6 or more bottles of in-stock Muller-Catoir wines


Remelluri Sale
 
5% off any 6-11 bottles of in-stock Remelluri wines
10% off any 12 or more bottles of in-stock Remelluri wines


Gigondas Sale
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock Gigondas wines
10% off any 12 or more in-stock Gigondas wines


 Discounts do not combine with other sales.
Discounts will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Remelluri and Muller-Catoir sales end Friday, March 1st at 9 am Pacific. Gigondas sale ends Saturday, March 2nd at 9 am Pacific.

Gigondas 2-28-24

On Sale Now!
 
The Rhône is among the most storied and distinctive wine regions in the world. Here were some of the first regions to produce cult wines. In the village of Gigondas in the Southern Rhône, known best for its powerful reds, the wines (and vineyards, too) are by law composed of at least 50% Grenache. Most producers include some portion of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with final blending proportions often determined by the quality of the grapes of each variety.

Gigondas is the finest source of affordable luxury wines. The top estates deliver wines that compete with the very best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but at prices that are a fraction of their competition.
 
If there is a single producer in the Rhône that embodies the region, it is Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas. Considered a benchmark in Gigondas, Saint Cosme is a historical gem. The estate was founded in the 1500s and is helmed by the talented Louis Barroul. He is the 14th generation of his family to oversee this storied estate. The wines he makes are rich and powerful, with undeniable terroir signatures. To highlight these varying terroirs, the estate bottles a handful of single-vineyard Gigondas, which are the most interesting and coveted wines in the portfolio. It’s no wonder that Saint Cosme has been our most popular Rhône producer for some time, and we’re always thrilled to feature their wines.
 
While browsing our three-day Gigondas sale, don’t miss our selections from Saint Damien. What they lack in centuries of history and breadth of portfolio is a head-turning, traditionally-styled wine experience. With a “magnificently mustachioed Joël Saurel at the helm,” to quote Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate, this humble, family-owned domain creates captivating old-vine Grenache-based blends. The wines show deep, earthy flavors and excellent style due to their intensely rigorous quality standards and exceptionally old vines.
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock Gigondas wines
10% off any 12 or more in-stock Gigondas wines

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

 
Discount ends Saturday, March 2nd at 9 am Pacific
 
Highlights In Stock and On Sale Now from Gigondas:
 
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rosé 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $26, that’s $24.70 at 5% off and $23.40 at 10% off, 29 bottles in stock now
Winemaker notes
“Organically farmed. From the lieu dit “La Moutte” this tiny production rosé is from mostly 45 year old Cinsault planted in 1970, and 10-15 year old Mourvèdre and Syrah. Cold maceration for 6 hours in the press and slow pneumatic pressing. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with occasional lees stirring. Rose petal, honeydew melon, lychee, pineapple and garrigue. Surprisingly rich mouth feel. Hint of pepper and crushed rock on the finish.” Blend: 70% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre
 
In 2021, the single-vineyard bottlings were not released and instead included in the VV.
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.78 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Vinous 93-95 points
“Vivid ruby. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes candied red fruits, smoky minerals and lavender; a spicy nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, juicy raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors show good heft, seamless texture and real energy. It finishes spicy and impressively long, with sneaky tannins adding a final grip. This is shaping up to be a highly impressive entry-level bottling, which is not surprising given that this is the only Gigondas that will be bottled this year, so all the juice from the Louisiane and Souteyrades is going into this wine. Get it, lots of it, if you can. Raised in neutral, 50 hectoliter oak foudres.”
Jeb Dunnuck 91 points “The only cuvée released in 2021, the 2021 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a beautiful, elegant red displaying the charming, supple, layered style of the vintage. Offering notes of Provençal herbs, pepper, and spicy red and black fruits, it’s medium-bodied, has ripe, integrated tannins, and a great finish. It’s going to drink brilliantly over the coming 7-8 years or so.
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2020 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 19 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“This has a beautiful texture, harmoniously blending plum sauce, raspberry preserves, charred alder and floral perfume with an invigorating, fresh dusting of white pepper and crushed dried herbs. Delivers an intense undercurrent of mineral, incense and lavender notes that course through the finish, which goes on and on. Delicious. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035. —J.M.”
Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 points “Leading off the Gigondas, the base 2020 Gigondas has lots of black raspberry, ground pepper, and violets notes as well as a round, supple, silky style on the palate. It should be approachable on release, yet it has plenty of mid-palate depth as well as tannins, and I have no doubt it will evolve for 20 years if properly stored.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $45, that’s $42.75 at 5% off and $40.50 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 12 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Powerful, with steeped plum and cherry coulis merging with potpourri and charred garrigue on a ripe, lush palate. Packs a wall of iron that provides a ballast for the ripe fruit, while refined tannins build in intensity. Long and complex, with a gorgeous expression of place. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2040”
Vinous 92-94 points “Deep magenta. High-toned cherry and blackberry aromas show veyr good clarity with black pepper and smoky mineral accents. Shows firm tension and a spicy cut to its gently sweet red and dark berry, bitter chocolate and succulent herb flavors. Youthfully gripping tannins lend framework to a long, smoky finish that echoes the spice and floral notes. This is textbook Gigondas, raised in a combination of one-third concrete tanks and two-thirds large oak barrels, 20% of those new.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97-100 points
“At the moment, the 2020 Gigondas Hominis Fides looks to be the standout of the three single vineyards, although all three are beautiful wines in the making. It certainly offers the most power and concentration, with lots of ground pepper, Provençal garrigue, violets, and loamy soils notes, as well as a darker cassis and berry-driven core of fruit. It builds beautifully on the palate, with ample structure, incredible balance, and a great, great finish.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A rich, velvety red, showing both power and grace, this is introduced with heady steeped cherry and incense. Reveals raspberry coulis and charred plum flavors that race alongside black licorice and iron. The supple palate is quickly hemmed in by fine-grained tannins, with singed herbs and white pepper notes dancing through the long finish. Best from 2024 through 2035. —B.S.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“A showstopper, this is chewy, smoky and broad-shouldered in the best possible way. Reveals layers of blackberry and plum matched by pronounced charred iron, dried thyme and black pepper. Shows serious mineral intensity and refined yet muscular tannins, which provide the framework and energy, while forest floor, tobacco and an intriguing menthol note mark the long finish. Best from 2025 through 2040.”
Vinous 95-97 points “Deep, vivid ruby-red. Intensely perfumed, mineral-tinged scents of medicinal cherry, redcurrant and cassis are complemented by suggestions of star anise, white pepper and pungent flowers. It offers densely packed bitter cherry, red berry liqueur, lavender and licorice flavors that open up very slowly with air. Extremely primary but highly promising, with a long, spice- and mineral-tinged finish shaped by youthfully firming tannins. Made with 100% whole clusters; raised in barriques, one-third of them new.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95-97 points
“Everything about the all-Grenache 2018 Gigondas le Claux is big. From the huge black cherry and blackberry fruit, to the insane levels of concentration, the rich, velvety tannins and the never-ending, licorice-tinged finish, this beauty should evolve positively for at least a decade and a half.-JC”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Quite ripe, with waves of warmed plum sauce and blackberry preserves rolling through, wrapped liberally with licorice root, sage and lavender notes. Iron minerality runs through the finish, letting the fruit and savory notes meld wonderfully. Built for the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2035.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 28 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 98 points
“Opaque red. Sharply defined red fruit, floral and Moroccan spice aromas, along with intense mineral, garrigue and cola nuances. Shows superb depth as well as vivacity on the palate, offering juicy red and blue fruit, floral pastille and spicecake flavors and an exotic hint of blood orange. Finishes impressively long and precise with firm tension, discreet tannins and reverberating red fruit and floral notes.”
Decanter 96 points “Beautifully fragrant nose of star anise, cedar and cigar tobacco. Full-bodied, rounded and seductively plump and juicy, showing clarity, precision and focus on the palate, the fruit melds well with the considerable oak element, and it finishes long, tight and saline. Best Gigondas of the vintage. Very old vines, all whole-cluster fermented in concrete, no destemming, indigenous yeasts, and matured 100% in barriques; one third new, one third second use, and the rest third use. Drinking Window 2028 – 2038.”

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 32 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Opulent and broad, with a generous cascade of ripe plum and winey cassis notes wrapped in talc-fine yet sturdy tannins. Chewy, with strappy black licorice and cast iron moving in. A seductive, concentrated Gigondas, with impressive harmony as every element hums along toward the seemingly endless finish. Outstanding. Best from 2025 through 2040.
Vinous 95-97 points “Brilliant violet color. Displays pungent, mineral- and spice-accented cherry, black raspberry, potpourri and licorice aromas, along with hints of savory herbs, vanillo and incense. Chewy and tightly focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry, dark berry and Moroccan spice flavors that unfurl slowly through the back half. It closes with firm tension, chewy tannins and excellent tenacity, leaving resonating cherry and floral notes behind. All barriques, a third of them new.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“A behemoth of a wine, with dense layers of sweet, ripe plum sauce and mulled cherry that take a dark, savory turn on the palate, coated in melted iron, black licorice, balsamic reduction and singed herbs. Despite its massive power and coiled energy, this is surprisingly delicious now, with beautiful harmony to the texture and structure. A wine to savor and contemplate. Drink now through 2040.—B.S.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 points “More camphor, dried garrigue, flowers, and savory red and black fruits emerge from the 2020 Gigondas Le Poste, a medium to full-bodied red with a rich, concentrated mouthfeel, building tannins, and no shortage of length on the finish. The cellar will be your friend on this one, but it’s another wine that ranks with the crème de la crème of the vintage.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Densely packed and incredibly complex, with layers of sappy raspberry, dusty earth, black pepper, olive tapenade and singed rosemary. Shows tannins that are chalky-fine in feel, yet muscular enough to support a core of rich fruit, all grounded by cast iron underpinnings. Needs time to unfurl. Best from 2025 through 2040”
Vinous 95-97 points “Deep magenta. Expansive, spice- and mineral-tinged black raspberry, kirsch and boysenberry aromas are complicated by suggestions of incense, lavender and smoky minerals. Alluringly sweet and focused in the mouth, offering densely packed red and blue fruit preserve, floral pastille and exotic spice flavors that smoothly balance weight and finesse. This wine shows superb finishing clarity and mineral lift on the penetrating and impressively long finish, which features polished tannins and resonating fruit, floral and mineral notes.”
 
 
 
 Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:

Fontodi Sale

5% off any 3-6 bottles of in-stock Fontodi wines
10% off any 7 or more bottles of in-stock Fontodi wines

Muller-Catoir Sale


5% off any 1-5 bottles of in-stock Muller-Catoir wines
10% off any 6 or more bottles of in-stock Muller-Catoir wines


Remelluri Sale
 
5% off any 6-11 bottles of in-stock Remelluri wines
10% off any 12 or more bottles of in-stock Remelluri wines


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Fontodi sale ends Thursday, February 29th at 9 am Pacific.
Remelluri and Muller-Catoir sales end Friday, March 1st at 9 am Pacific.