|
In This Newsletter:
Arrivals La Jota, Le Flaive, D’Angelo, Peyrassol, and more! Special Pre-Arrival Sale
Red wines that shine for under 20 dollars Staff Pick Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Kabinett 3 Day Sale The Rocking Rhônes of Chateau de Rouanne Close Out Sales
Maximin Grunhauser and Proprieta Sperino June Sale- Spanish Wines
Last Week To Take Advantage Of These Spanish Savings!Collector’s Corner 97 Points (Or More) For Under 99 Dollars  New Arrivals California La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2018 $128 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 Points “A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain was aged for 22 months in oak barrels, 84% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes from the glass with bombastic black currants, black cherries and boysenberries notes plus underlying hints of violets, dark chocolate and tobacco leaf. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and fragrant.”
James Suckling 96 Points “Aromas of pine needles, asphalt, graphite and black fruit follow through to a full-bodied and chewy palate with so much tannin, giving this real Howell Mountain character. It goes on and one. Muscular and in need of time in the bottle to soften. Better after 2024.” France “Domaine Leflaive” Domaines Leflaive Macon-Solutre 2021 750ml $89 special, 4 bottles available
Vinopolnote “Planted in 1999 in Limestone Clay soils, the Solutre spends 6 months in vats, then 12 months in French Oak Barrels before undergoing a very light filtration. Expect richness and concentration, with light toast and a hint of smoke.” Domaines Leflaive Macon-Verze 2021 750ml $79 special, 4 bottles available Vinopolnote “The Mâcon-Verzé is a wine of great purity, both floral and mineral, expressing a lively energy, ready to be enjoyed earlier than the wines of Puligny-Montrachet.” Domaines Leflaive Macon-Verze Les Chenes 2022 750ml $99 special, 4 bottles available
Vinopolnote “Hand harvested from 85 year old vines, sorted and pressed in Mâcon, the wine is decanted overnight and then brought back to Puligny for both fermentation and aging at the Domaine. Fermented 55% in stainless steel vats, 42% in cement vats and 3% in new oak barrels. After racking the wine is further aged on fine lees for 6 months. Complex and full bodied.” Champagne
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference. James Suckling 95 Points “Fantastic nose of candied ginger, dried flowers, orange blossom, grapefruit peel, salted butter and biscuits. Creamy and silky on the palate, with vibrant acidity and a beautiful interplay of sharp citrus, spice and cinnamon pastry. Lengthy, too. Almost velvety. 75% pinot noir and 25% chardonnay. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Disgorged in February 2022. Dosage 0g/L. Delicious now.” Best Price in The USA… Over $50 Elsewhere
Denis Chaput Noir De Jade BDN Extra Brut NV 750ml $45 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Note “Pale golden yellow colour with silvery grey highlights, this cuvée presents fine, very persistent bubbles. The nose is dominated by aromas of smoked limestone, iodine sea spray, blackcurrant, grapefruit, liquorice, blackberry, pomegranate and elderberries. On the palate, the attack is clean and fresh, with a soft, creamy effervescence. Fruity, full-bodied and crisp, the mid-palate is enhanced by a grapefruity acidity and a marly minerality that gives this champagne breadth and salinity. The finish is fresh, stony and juicy.” Bereche Ambonnay Grand Cru 2017 750ml $179 special, 6 bottles available Bereche Mailly-Champagne Grand Cru 2017 750ml $199 special, 6 bottles available Italy Wine Spectator #49 – TOP 100 WINE OF 2022 “Compact and fresh, this medium- to full-bodied red reveals macerated black raspberry fruit accented by notes of dried sage, graphite, fig cake and mineral, with firm, dusty tannins. Let this open in the glass or decant ahead of time. Best from 2023 through 2029.” “Rocca Di Montegrossi” Vinous 92 Points “The 2020 Chianti Classico is striking. Bright, punchy and vibrant, the 2020 possesses terrific energy from start to finish. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, blood orange, spice and incense are front and center. The 2020 screams with character. Once again, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi has crafted an exceptional Chianti Classico that punches well above its weight.” Montegrossi San Marcellino Gran Selezione 2017 $59 special, 12 bottles available Vinous 94 Points “The 2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino is potent, but also shockingly closed for this dry, warm year. Readers will have to be patient with the 2017 as it needs quite a bit of time to be at its best. Succulent dark cherry, plum, mocha, cloves and licorice all build into the huge, explosive finish. There’s tremendous substance here, not to mention tons of sheer character.” “Siro Pacenti”
Siro Pacenti Rosso Di Montalcino 2021 750ml $36 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 Points “The 2021 Rosso di Montalcino drinks more like a Brunello than it does a Rosso. The wine shows dark but vibrant fruit with blackberry and blackcurrant. There is earthy spice, cola and smoke. The wine is powerful and full throttle (with a 15% alcohol content that you can’t overlook) with a rich, medium-weight mouthfeel. It also shows good structure and young tannins. Production is 15,000 bottles.” Siro Pacenti Brunello Pelagrilli 2018 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles available 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.” Siro Pacenti Brunello Vecche Vigne 2018 750ml $99 special, 12 bottles available Vinous 94 Points “The 2018 Brunello di Montalcino Vecchie Vigne opens with hauntingly dark florals and balsamic tones, as swirling bring about hints of black currant and crushed stone. This is supremely soft-textured, yet lifted by cooling minerality and bright acidity that guides its crunchy wild berry fruits across the palate. It tapers off with amazing length and potency, drenching the senses with primary concentration, as a framework of fine tannins gently tug at the cheeks. The 2018 Vecchie Vigne is a radiant Brunello in need of cellaring to fully blossom. That said, I don’t remember ever tasting a VV from Siro Pacenti with this much energy. I’m very eager to taste this again with some bottle age.” Austria
Birgit Wiederstein Rosé 2022 750ml $17.50 special, 24 bottles availableVinopolnote: “A fun and fresh rose made from Zweigelt, Blaufrankisch, Merlot, and Pinot Noir.” Pre-Arrival Sale  Arriving 6/30/23
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount* Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount Ends Thursday 10am Chateau Peyrassol Provence Rose 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Chateau Peyrassol Provence Rose 2022 1.5L $99 special, 6 bottles available Importer’s Note “Very pale, lychee pink in color. The nose is fine and elegant. Complex, releasing white fleshed fruit and citrus fruits aromas, along with white floral notes. The palate is straightforward and clean. Fine and silky, it is soft, delicate and lively. The freshness of the finish is balanced with a subtle hint of saltiness.” Peyrassol Le Clos Peyrassol Rosé 2022 750ml $77 special, 12 bottles available Importer’s Note With an extremely pale pink color, this emblematic cuvée cultivates elegance, finesse and concentration. Aromas of white cherry blossom, citrus, and white fruits such as peach and pear. The fresh and generous palate immediately delivers a complexity typical of great wines. The aromas are gradually released and intermingle to offer all the expression of the grape varieties of Provence from their favorite terroirs. Built around the acidity of the fruit, and very long on the palate, this wine is elegantly prolonged by bitterness and dosed salinity. *Note: Magnums will require a seperate shipment from 750ml bottle Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card. 20 Under 20 Red Wines That Shine For Under $20
Staff Pick Germany  Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Kabinett Green 2018 $24 special, 23 bottles available
This is a truly obsession worthy producer. One night, with Thai food leftovers waiting for me at home, I finally decided to see what all the fuss was over this cult Riesling. I was not prepared for how focused and deep the flavors would be, how well the wine would play off food and vice-versa. Great acidity, refreshing citrus notes, and a lingering sweetness like ripe, red apples. This wine was my entry into the world of fine Rieslings and I haven’t looked back since. -Tracy 3 Day Sale
The Rocking Rhônes of Chateau de Rouanne
 Although the vines in this old Vinsobres estate were planted in the 1960’s, the viticultural history of the site dates back to Gallo-Roman times built upon limestone marl soils originating in the Pliocene era. Spread between 72 hectares it is also the site of three lieu dits: “Guerin,” “Les Cotes,” and “Les Crottes.” A long-time admirerer of the finesse and elegance of Chateau de Rouanne’s wines Louis Barruol, the 14th generation owner of the Rhone’s own Saint Cosme winery, purchased it in 2019 and has been crafting wines of undeniable power and terroir since. Vinsobres has been underrated wine region for decades, but with people like Barruol investing their money and know-how, it is finally beginning to get its due. Look for beauty and elegance in the “Guerin,” bold power in “Les Cotes,” and richness and intensity in the “Les Crottes.” Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount*
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres 2019 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “Looking at the reds, the 2019 Vinsobres is unquestionably outstanding and has lots of Syrah character in its dark, meaty fruits, peppery herb, violet, and chalky mineral-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, nicely textured, and balanced, it has plenty of structure and will keep for 8-10 years.” Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres “Les Cotes” 2019 750ml $59 special, 23 bottles available Wine Spectator 93 points “Winey and muscular, with cassis and bitter plum reduction notes leading the way, while baker’s chocolate, tobacco and warm humus fill in behind. Grippy and dark on the finish, with an old-school edge lingering. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Best from 2023 through 2030. 350 cases made, 200 cases imported.” Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres “Les Crottes” 2019 750ml $69 special, 28 bottles available Wine Spectator 93 points “Rich and well-built, this offers up a serious dark core of black currant and plum reduction flavors supported by graphite, humus and cast iron notes, with sweet bay leaf, violet and tobacco notes filling in the background. A wine with a smoldering intensity. Grenache and Syrah. Best from 2023 through 2032. 350 cases made, 200 cases imported.” Jeb Dunnuck 91+ points “Lastly, the 2019 Rouanne Et Les Crottes is the same 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah, not destemmed, and brought up in demi-muids. It’s more straight, structured, and tannic, with lots of black fruits and chalky minerality. Fresh, focused, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will have 10-15 years of overall longevity.” Chateau de Rouanne Vinsobres “Guerin” 2019 750ML $59 special, 12 bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “The Grenache-dominated single vineyard 2019 Vinsobres Lieu-Dit Guerin is brilliant as well. Concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and opulent, it has lots of red and black fruits, plenty of peppery herbs and meaty nuances, terrific balance, and outstanding length. It’s another gorgeous wine from this talented winemaker, and this is an estate to watch.” *Sale ends Thursday at 10AM. Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card.
Close Out Sales
“Maximin Grunhauser” Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Auslese 24 VDP 2015 750ml WAS $69 NOW $59 special, 6 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 95 Points “This offers gorgeous scents of peach and herbs on the nose. Star anise, ginger and coconut join the flavors on the creamy yet racy palate and leave a superbly racy, cassis and mint-infused feel in the long finish. What a beauty! 2025-2050.” Wine Advocate 94+ Points “The 2015 Maximin Grünhauser Abtsberg Riesling Auslese 24 is super clear and very intense on the bright and concentrated nose. Fresh and piquant on the palate, with a good mineral grip and complexity, this is a highly finessed, intense and piquant Auslese of great class and with a distinctive character. The berries were shrivelled to raisins without a noble rot, says Carl von Schubert.” Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Superior 2014 750ml WAS $39 NOW $35 special, 8 bottles available Wine Advocate 94 Points “Very clear and smoky on the still discreet and yeasty-flavored, dense nose, the 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling Superior is a very elegant and round, finesse-full and persistent Riesling; it has a long and salty, very complex but beautifully fine, yet firmly structured and great finish. Impressive Riesling for the next 25 or 30 or more years.” Maximin Grunhauser Riesling Alte Reben 2017 750ml WAS $27 NOW $22.50 special, 6 bottles available Mosel Fine Wines 91 Points “The 2017er Maximin Grünhäuser Alte Reben was made from fruit harvested in the Abtsberg and fermented down to dry-tasting levels (11 g/l of residual sugar). It develops a beautiful even if still rather restrained nose of slate, mirabelle, herbs, peach and spices. The wine is superbly balanced on the palate, where ripe flavors of fruits are nicely balanced out by some juicy acidity. It is still slightly on the rough and unfinished side of life in the finish but will blossom in a few years. 2022-2037.” Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Auslese 2015 750ml WAS $27 NOW $39 special, 7 bottles available Mosel Fine Wines 94 Points “This offers some grapefruit, melon, pear and minty herbs on the nose. The wine has some creamy pear at first which gives way to racy cassis and spices. The finish is elegant and to die for as mouth-watering minerals play with one’s senses. This will enter its maturity window in a good decade and will then prove a great expression of “feine Auslese.” 2025-2040” Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Kabinett 2017 750ml WAS $27 NOW $21.90 special, 14 bottles available Mosel Fine Wines 92 Points “The 2017er Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Kabinett was made from fruit harvested at refreshingly modest, Kabinett conform sugar levels (Oechsle degrees in the low 80s). It develops a beautiful nose of cassis, peach and herbs. The wine displays great finesse and elegance on the palate and leaves a beautifully vibrant feel in the long and intense finish. This is a gorgeous wine in the making! 2022-2037” “Proprieta Sperino”
Proprieta Sperino Lessona 2016 750ml WAS $79 NOW $69 special, 10 bottles available
Tasting Notes: “Lessona is comprised of 100% Nebbiolo, sourced from what Luca De Marchi says would be the two Grand Cru vineyards in the region (if a classification ever occurs), Covà and Monfalcone. After rigorous selection of fruit, the grapes were de-stemmed and pressed softly to favor the aromatic profile of perfectly ripe Nebbiolo in this excellent vintage.On the palate, the wine is powerful, but with a silken finesse, with a core of succulent red and black fruit flavors that echo the nose, all of which is seasoned by a persistent mineral acidity that carries the flavors through a seemingly endless finish.” Proprieta Sperino L’franc Bandit 2016 750ml WAS $119 NOW $99 special, 12 bottles available
Tasting Notes “100% Cabernet Franc. Chocolate and earthy notes on the nose, followed by cassis, tobacco and plum flavours on the palate. This elegant, medium-bodied wine is beautifully balanced with supple tannins and a long elegant finish.” Or you can buy it from our only competitor for $799
(Stunning but true) We’ve marked down select wines from top brands like Borgogno, Conterno, Caiarosso, Guy Charlegmagne, Vajra Want To See All 48 Of Our Deeply Discounted Close-Out Wines? Click here!
Or go to our website and search for “Close-out.” In store look for our yellow close-out price tags or ask a sales associate June Sale- All Spanish Wines
FINAL WEEK! SALE ENDS FRIDAY AT 6PM!
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount*
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount Vinedos Paganos El Puntido Rioja Gran Reserva 2008 750ml $69 special, 16 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 Points “I was greatly impressed by the 2008 El Puntido Gran Reserva, a wine with a more traditional profile than the majority of wines from the Eguren family. At age 14, the wine is glorious, still young and with a mixture of primary and more developed notes. It goes more in the direction of the old wines, with balsamic notes of incense and cedarwood, mushrooms and some berries and herbs. It’s complex and elegant, with fully resolved tannins. This was bottled back in May 2011, so it’s been in bottle for over a decade, and the texture shows it. It has 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.55. This matured in brand-new French oak barrels for 28 months, and the wine has absorbed the oak completely.” Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga 2019 750ml $108.50 special, 23 bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points “The 2019 Torre Muga is always a more powerful, ripe expression of Rioja that never loses its sense of place. Deep ruby/purple, with a glorious bouquet of cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and crushed stone, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a deep, pure, multi-dimensional texture, building tannins, and good acidity. It’s young, unevolved, yet oh, so promising. Hide bottles for 7-8 years if you can, and it will cruise for 20-30 years. The blend is 80% Tempranillo and the balance Mazuelo and Graciano, aged 18 months in French oak.” Espectacle Del Montsant 2018 750ml $119 special, 17 bottles available Wine Spectator 98 Points “As with other wines, I also tasted the 2018 Espectacle del Montsant next to the 2017 to catch up, as I last tasted the region some 16 months ago. 2018 was a cooler year of slow ripeness, and the grapes achieved an amazing 16% alcohol. The wine is truly spectacular, true to its name. It has tons of violet notes and aromatic herbs, the palate is gentler, and the tannins are rounder, polished and elegant. It has full body but isn’t heavy. There is a lot of complexity, and the wine developed slowly in the glass, showing nuances of cereals, kirsch, orange peel and lots of spices and herbs. It’s opulent and full, deep and complex. Amazing in its style. Some 6,500 bottles produced.” Cuentavinas Cdvn Garnacha 2020 750ml $69 special, 16 bottles available Guia Penn 94 Points “Style: taut;Colour: bright cherry;Aroma: complex, expressive, spicy, mineral, red berry notes, balsamic herbs;Flavour: elegant, full-bodied, long, great length;” Winemaker Notes “Hundred-year-old Garnacha vineyard native to the upper Najerilla area, cultivated in clay-ferrous soil that confers the land its reddish hue. Cuentaviñas CDVIN Garnacha represents the most Atlantic interpretation of one of the areas with the highest concentration of centenary Grenache, established at the foot of the Sierrade la Demanda in which these Ferrous Clay soils balance the vegetative cycle of the plant and show that purity of fresh and meaty fruit.” Bodegas Muga Aro 2019 750ml $349 special, 3 bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Pure magic, the 2019 Aro is 70% Tempranillo and 30% Graciano from a plant by plant selection of the Muga family’s oldest vines of Tempranillo, blended with a substantial portion of Graciano. This dense purple behemoth has a primordial bouquet of pure cassis, graphite, crushed stone, lead pencil, new leather, and hints of spring flowers. Building incrementally on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a huge mid-palate, and ripe, velvety tannins, this is one heavenly Rioja that deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and will age like a First Growth from Bordeaux. Hats off to the team at Muga for another incredible wine.”
*Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or case discounts. Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card. This is a small sample of our Spanish wines. Shop for brands such as Muga Artuke Breca Lopez Heredia Palacio Pingus Vega Sicilia and many more on our website! Collector’s Corner
97 points (or more) for under 99 Dollars Carl Loewen Herrenberg “1896” Riesling 2020 750ml $99 special, 6 bottles available James Suckling 99 Points “A moment of stillness in the midst of a crazy world. Take only a quick sip and you’ll understand rather little. But if you allow yourself to sink into this deep riesling chasm, you’ll discover an underworld of mineral fascination, married to super-ripe stone fruit. Enormously long and refined finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2023.” Clos Des Papes Chateauneuf Du Pape 2019 750ml $99 special, 12 bottles available Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points “Tasted out of bottle, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a stunning example of this estate as well as the vintage. Gorgeous kirsch, flowery incense, spice box, and garrigue-like notes define the nose, and it hits the palate with classic Clos des Papes elegance and finesse backed up by a great mid-palate, fabulous concentration, and a monster of a finish. Don’t miss this beauty. It can be enjoyed today with incredible pleasure or cellared for two decades.” Clos Des Papes Chateauneuf Du Pape 2020 750ml $95 special, 18 bottles available Decanter 98 Points “A very Clos des Papes vintage,’ says Vincent Avril, and I know what he means – a vintage that naturally delivers the kind of fresh, elegant wines that this estate is famous for. A tasting of several foudres point to a wine with natural, easy balance. The Mourvèdre is excellent here this year, and adds great depth to the fresh and delightful Grenache that has notes of black tea, black cherry and iron. Elegant and very fine. Drinking Window: 2023-2042” Dal Forno Romano Valpolicella Superiore 2013 $94.50 special, 3 bottles available Decanter 97 Points “From one of the most iconic wineries in the Orientale, this is aged for two years in oak and a further three in bottle. A proper meditation wine, great with game, strong cheeses or a cigar. It has a huge nose of stewed red fruits, ethereal bramble forest fruits and blackberry jam. Generous, with spicy, bitter cherry-stone freshness. Full-bodied with a rich, intense, spicy undertone.” Bibi Graetz Testamatta Toscana IGT 2019 750ml $89 special, 16 bottles available James Suckling 97 Points “Very attractive combination of dried fruit and spices with black cherries and plums. Aromas of flowers and sandalwood, too. Full-bodied and very refined, yet intense, with plush, velvety tannins that are wonderfully integrated and intertwined with the fruit. Ripe center palate. Tight at the end, suggesting the need for some serious bottle age. Very structured. Try after 2025.” Graham Vintage Port 2017 750ml $99 special, 12+ available Decanter 98 Points “Based on Touriga Franca from south-facing slopes at Quinta dos Malvedos, with Touriga Nacional from quintas Vila Velha and Vale de Mealhadas (both predominantly north-facing), topped out with fruit from old vines at Quinta da Tua and 10% Sousão. It’s a very deep blue-black colour with an expressive, super-ripe nose of plum, mint and bergamot which springs from the glass. The palate is rich, velvety and voluptuous in typical Graham’s style. The initial richness makes the tannins, which show up on the ripe, broad, mouthwatering finish. Wonderful purity and definition. A real wow of a wine!” La Gaffeliere Saint Emilion 2018 750ml $99 special, 7 bottles available Antonio Galloni 99 Points “The 2018 La Gaffelière is hands down one of the wines of the vintage. Towering in its stature and vertical lift, the 2018 dazzles right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit, mocha, spice, licorice and leather all run through this deep, wonderfully pliant Saint-Émilion. The 2018 is rich, deep and beautifully resonant, with tremendous depth and tons of stature that builds, all framed by beams of supporting minerality that confer vibrancy. La Gaffelière is distinctive, alluring and arresting right out of the gate. It is another magnificent showing from this reborn estate. The blend is 63% Merlot and 37% Cabernet Franc. Magnifique!” Pahlmeyer Merlot Napa Valley 2019 750ml $99 special, 2 bottles available James Suckling 97 Points “Ripe plums and blueberries with slate, sweet tobacco and bark, Full-bodied, yet very fresh, with firm, layered tannins and a rich finish. Spices at the end. Juicy. Better in two or three years. Try after 2025.” Mazzei Castello Di Fonterutoli Siepi 2016 750ml $99 special, 8 bottles available James Suckling 98 Points “What a beautiful nose of elderberries, freshly picked blackcurrants, citrus, herbs, licorice and crushed stones, amidst a backdrop of coffee beans, cedar and vanilla. Full-bodied and very subtle and refined with tightly wound tannins and an impressive balance of fruit and acidity. Long, grainy and elegant on the finish. A masterpiece. Drink in 2020.” San Polino Brunello Di Montalcino 2016 750ml $66 special, 11 bottles available James Suckling 97 Points “Attractive aromas of cherry, dark mushroom, bark and walnut follow through to a full body with lots of ripe cherry and berry character in the center palate. Firm, chewy tannins draw you down the palate. Extremely long. From organically grown grapes. Better than the superb 2015? Drink after 2023 and onwards.” San Polino Helichrysum Brunello Di Montalcino 2016 $79 special, 26 bottles available James Suckling 98 Points “Wow. This is really complex on the nose with black cherries, mushrooms, dried flowers and cedar. Some crushed stone and dry earth or tile. This is full-bodied and very layered with wonderful depth of fruit and creamy tannins. It’s focused and serene. Better than 2015. From organically grown grapes. Try in 2024 and onwards.” We’re open 10 AM – 6 PM daily
|
Category Archives: Newsletter Archive
Newsletter 6/23/23
|
|
|
Newsletter 6/21/23
|
In This Newsletter:
Arrivals Bergstrom, Peter William, and more! Newly Reviewed
Clos Cibonne Tibouren Staff Pick Francois Villard St Joseph Maison Pierre Bouree Close Out Sales
Aldo Conterno The Wines of Simon Beze June Sale- Spanish Wines
Priorat: All About The GarnachaSpecial Collector’s Arrival Les Forts De Latour Special Arrival
Friday Bergstrom Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir 2021 750ml $39.50 special, 36 bottles
Wine Advocate 95 Points “Medium ruby-purple, the 2021 Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve offers generous aromas of cranberry sauce, floral potpourri, blood orange and wafts of dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate is youthfully gregarious and focused on generous allspice flavors, although its chalky, tensile frame and long, latent finish suggest this has more to give with additional time in bottle.”
Best Price In The United States!
Arriving June 23rd
Oregon “Peter William Vineyard: Looking South in Oregon Wine Country”
Since 2013, husband and wife team Peter Adesman and Robin Miller have been making their estate wines in Medford, Oregon. Focusing on varietals better adapted to the heat of Southern Oregon than the climate of the Willamette, their Rhone and Spanish varietals are finally beginning to see national recognition.
Peter William Grenache 2019 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available Gold Medal Winner! Oregon Wine Experience 2022 Competition Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “Editor’s Choice. This is an exquisite example of the variety. The aromas pop, with pure notes of raspberry, orange twist and white pepper. Plump, pillowy fruit flavors follow. The purity is captivating. It’s an outrageous value.” Peter William GSM 2018 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available Wine Enthusiast 91 Points “There are principally estate-grown grapes in this blend, which is driven by the G and the S with just a hint of the M. It’s chewy and toasty, with ample tannins setting it up against mulberry and plum fruit. The wine comes into focus in the back of the palate, extending the flavors through a full-bodied and clean finish.” Peter William Malbec 2019 750ml $30.90 special, 24 bottles available Winery Note “Our only Bordeaux Varietal, most often seen on its own from Argentina. This is a big, bold mouth-filling wine of great depth.” Peter William Extravagance PWV Reserve Red 2018 750ml $39 special, 24 bottles available Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “This is a 50-50 blend of Tempranillo and Syrah from the estate vineyard. Showcasing what are arguably the top two red grapes from the Rogue, this does not shy away from new oak (50% for 22 months) but has the muscle and fruit to stand up to it. Toasty, dark and tannic, it’s loaded with black cherry, mocha and smoky cedar flavors. It’s a big, bold red that’s ready for anything you put on the smoker.” Peter William Rose Grenache 2022 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available Winery Note: “The wine shows bright, pretty strawberry & light cherry fruit on the nose and palate. Ample acid brightens the fruit flavors and will allow this wine to hold up in the bottle.” Peter William Syrah Lot B-42 2018 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “Briary black fruits are backed by a toasted cashew note in this rich red. The overall balance is spot-on, with ample acidity and tannins but nothing dominating. Drink this supple and tasty wine through 2026.” Peter William Tempranillo “Lot W” 2017 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available Wine Enthusiast 91 Points “Editor’s Choice.” France
“Bereche Et Fils” Bereche Ambonnay Grand Cru 2017 750ml $179 special, 6 bottles available
Bereche Brut Reserve NV 3L $399 special, just 1 bottle available Bereche Brut Reserve NV 1.5L $149 special, 3 bottles available Wine Advocate 92 Points “Disgorged in July 2020 with seven grams per liter dosage, the NV Brut Réserve (2018 base) is the latest rendition of this wine. Bursting with aromas of orange oil, crisp orchard fruit and fresh bread, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with tangy acids and an enveloping, pillowy profile.” Bereche Le Cran Champagne 2015 750ml $135 special, 6 bottles available Bereche Le Cran Premier Cru Brut 2015 1.5L $299 special, just 1 bottle available Winery Note “Le Cran is equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the best sites in Ludes. Planted with old vines in two lieux-dits at the village’s chalky mid-slope “sweet spot.” Magically intense and rich, yet not heavy, is Le Cran’s expression of Ludes that it is made every year as “a true picture of the terroir” in that particular growing season.” Bereche Mailly-Champagne Grand Cru 2017 750ml $199 special, 6 bottles available Vinopolnote: “One hundred percent Pinot Noir from Bereche’s first Grand Cru vineyard in a small grand cru Village named Mailly.” “Must Have 2022 Rosés”
Aphillanthes Cotes Du Rhone Rose Nymphea 2022 750ml $14 special, 24 bottles available
Berangeraie Tu Bois Coa Malbec Rose 2022 750ml $14 special, 24 bottles available Importer Note: “Rosé wine. Cahors, France. Organic. 100% Malbec. Lurid pink. Ripe cherry and raspberry aromas and flavors are sharpened by a suggestion of white pepper. Broad and fleshy in style, but lively as well, thanks to a core of juicy acidity. Finishes smooth and broad, featuring repeating red berry character and good cling. 10g/l residual sugar so it’s a touch sweet!”
Domaine Charvin Cotes Du Rhone Rose 2022 750ml $19.50 special, 24 bottles available
St Damien Gigondas Rose 2022 750ml $26 special, 36 bottles available
Recently Reviewed “Clos Cibonne: Cru Rosé” Clos Cibonne Tibouren Provence Rose Tradition 2021 $39 special, 7 bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 Points “Rich and full, this intensely savory rosé is texturally very pure and integrated, with a beguiling mix of sea salt–coated pink grapefruit, rose petal and tangerine flavors. Notes of chamomile tea and a green herbal thread add complexity through the succulent, penetrating finish. Tibouren and Grenache” Staff Pick Northern Rhone
 Francois Villard St Joseph Mairlant Rouge 2018 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles available
Do you want to barbeque outside? Do you want a red wine? Drink this 100% Syrah from Francois Villard. Emphasizing optimum ripeness, this wine will hold up to most things you throw at it from the grill. Balancing ripe fruit and savory spice with lots of whole cluster. -Trevor Feature
Maison Pierre Bouree et Fils  “Introducing our least known best Burgundies…” In the latter years of the nineteenth century, Pierre Bourée took over a wine business in Gevrey-Chambertin and gave it his name. In 1922, his son, Bernard, succeeded him and renamed the house as Pierre Bourée Fils. In 1945, Bernard Bourée began to train his nephew, Louis Vallet, who eventually became director of the house, assisted by his brother, François. Today, Bernard and Jean-Christophe Vallet run the house alongside their sons, Pierre and Louis Henry. This winery represents everything that we are proud to be associated with: attention to detail, careful selection of the best grapes, and above all a passion for making superb wines. All Pierre Bourée wines are vinified in their cuverie in Chambolle-Musigny, and are then matured in their cellars at Gevrey-Chambertin. Pierre Bourée et Fils is keen to work in an as environmentally friendly method as possible, using techniques such as regular maintenance of the soil by ploughing, applying the minimum of phytosanitary treatments and the controlling of vine vigor and yields through careful pruning. The Vallets tend their vines very traditionally and advancements in the vineyards have been limited: for example, only manure has been used as fertilizer for the last half a century which has encouraged wild asparagus to grow amongst the vines. Harvesting is manual, as the family is opposed to the use of mechanical techniques.
Close Out Sales
Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia 2017 750ml WAS $89 NOW $79 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 Points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia shows a dark but busy quality of fruit that speaks more to the power of this hot vintage than it does the nuanced side of Nebbiolo. In this respect, the wine is quite typical of the 2017 growing season. It takes a while before the wine finds focus in the glass, but it does slowly come together to reveal broad layers of dark cherry, cassis and plum. There is some tannic tightness that leads to sour berry. A bit awkward at this young stage, it needs a few more years of cellar age to flesh out and reach balance.” Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 2017 750ml WAS $179 NOW $149, 10 bottles available Wine Spectator 95 Points “A solid, powerful style, this expressive red is well-marked by new oak, with plum, cherry, cigar box, menthol and sun-kissed hay flavors. Balanced and lively, with refined tannins and a long, spice-infused finish. Best from 2025 through 2042.” Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 2017 750ml WAS $179 NOW $149, 11 bottles available Wine Advocate 94+ Points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Colonnello shows good focus, structure and a sharper character that is often the distinguishing factor in this wine. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. This is not the first time that Colonnello is my favorite wine in this lineup, and I suspect it won’t be the last.” Wine Spectator 94 Points “Offering plum, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and black pepper aromas and flavors, this broad red has absorbed the oak treatment pretty well already, with a dense matrix of tannins and lively acidity. Balanced and long, ending with elements of mineral and spice. Best from 2025 through 2043.” Want To See All Of Our Deeply Discounted Close-Out Wines? Click here!
Or go to our website and search for “Close-out.” In store look for our yellow close-out price tags or ask a sales associate 3 Day Sale
The Wines of Simon Bize 
Beginning with Simon Beze in 1880, this domaine has been producing diverse and refined Burgundy in the Beaune for generations. Passed from father to son for three generations, the Domaine is now managed by the late Patrick Beze’s Wife Chesa and sister Marielle. A top quality wine that’s increasingly focused on organic and sustainable viticulture to ensure many generations to come.
Buy 6-11 bottles and receive a 5% discount Buy 12+ bottles and receive a 10% discount Ends Friday the 24th at 10am
This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand. Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or case discounts. Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card. New Arrivals
Past Arrivals
June Sale- All Spanish Wines
Priorat: All About The Garnacha
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount Ends June 30th at 6pm… the best selection is NOW! This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand. Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or case discounts. Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card. Wine Advocate 94 Points “The regional 2019 Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes was produced with a blend of grapes from 80 plots in eight villages from Priorat, 82% Garnacha with 17% Cariñena and 1% white grapes, a year unusually high in Garnacha and unusually low in Cariñena that suffered a lot from the heat… I think there might be a change toward more Garnacha and elegance in the wines from Álvaro Palacios in Priorat, as this is brighter and less rustic than this wine used to be, more polished, perfumed and fine. The year of heat and drought. 101,600 bottles produced.” Clos Erasmus Priorat 2019 750ml $228 special, 15 bottles available Wine Advocate 98+ Points “The serious and powerful 2019 Clos Erasmus feels quite classical Priorat, with notes of graphite, black fruit and licorice; it’s a solid Priorat with weight, concentration and clout. There are still some smoke, toast and spice notes from the élevage—100% in barrel, some 40% of them new, for around 18 months—and the wine always needs a little bit of time in bottle. Despite the 15.5% alcohol, the wine comes through as balanced and with freshness, there is no heat or sensation of alcohol; you need the tannins and acidity to counterbalance the alcohol, and they are doing that here. This is more balsamic, aromatic and exuberant. It’s showy, hedonistic and rich, a solid Erasmus. The tannins are still quite present and need some more time to be resolved. 3,300 bottles were filled in May 2020.” Clos Erasmus Priorat 2020 750ml $289 special, 9 bottles available Clos Erasmus Priorat 2020 1.5L $599 special, 1 bottle available Wine Advocate 100 Points “The still young and primary 2020 Clos Erasmus feels very floral and ethereal (within Priorat and Clos Erasmus); it’s a fresher and lighter expression but without being weak. It’s still a baby that needs to burn the baby fat (there are still some lactic notes from the malolactic in barrel) … This is really beautiful. It’s a very special vintage of Erasmus that unfurls incredible complexity and tantalizing aromas with time in the glass—blood orange (talk about freshness!), curry and cassis. It has great purity, complexity, elegance and finesse… A very different Clos Erasmus. Bravo! There are some 3,600 bottles. It was bottled in May 2022.” Clos Erasmus Laurel 2018 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles available Clos Erasmus Laurel Priorat 2018 1.5L $149 special, 3 bottles available Wine Advocate 96 Points “The second wine here and one that is easier to drink, the 2018 Laurel was produced with fruit from the younger vines, a couple of barrels that are declassified from Clos Erasmus and the Cabernet Sauvignon, more or less 70% Garnacha and 15% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon … It’s a bright translucent ruby color and has a perfumed and delicate nose with notes of orange peel and flowers; this is the most elegant and ethereal vintage of Laurel as far as I can remember, with red rather than black fruit and a kind of cranberry quality. The palate is medium-bodied, textured and fluid, with subtleness, balance and very fine tannins. The oak is perfectly integrated, and the wine is easy to drink, approachable and very pleasurable right now. It’s a fresh vintage with energy and finesse, quite different from previous vintages. I love it. 22,825 bottles and 515 magnums produced. It was bottled in May 2020.” Clos Erasmus Laurel Priorat 2020 750ml $51.90 special, 18 bottles available Wine Advocate 96 Points “2020 was a challenging year that gave them a lot of work in the vineyard, but it it paid off. The 2020 Laurel feels very elegant, balanced and fresh, a little lighter perhaps, with perfectly ripe tannins, a little in line with 2016 or 2013. It might be a little unusual for the house style or perhaps a slight change, as they are gradually going for softer vinifications; you don’t really need to extract in Priorat, because the wines are powerful enough on their own … This has to be one of the finest vintages of Laurel so far. After some time in the glass, the aromatics of the Syrah (which was perhaps a little more this year, some 12% versus 8% in 2019) made an appearance—violets, smoked bacon. Daphne Glorian told me that everything was easy, that the wine was expressive and open from day one and that the fermentations were smooth. There are some 19,000 bottles of this.” Ferrer Bobet Priorat 2016 750ml $49 special, 3 bottles available James Suckling 97 Points “Such purity of ripe blackberries and dark cherries, as well as redder, cherry notes, really makes a striking impression on the nose. The fresh florals and leafy nuances are followed by such pure berries and red plums. The tannins are stunning, so polished and perfectly formed, holding super long and fresh. Wow. Drink or hold.” Mas Alta Vilella Alta Black Slate Priorat 2019 750ml $24 special, 16 bottles available Importer Note “Eric Solomon, Bixente Oçafrain, and Philippe Cambie collaborate to create Black Slate La Vilella Alta by selecting Garnacha and Carinyena grown on both licorella and clay-limestone soils. A blend of old and young-vine fruit and small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, La Vilella Alta is a dense and intensively flavored wine fermented in tank and aged in French oak barrels, of which 30% are new.” Nin-Ortiz Planetes Classic 2017 750ml $49 special, 36+ bottles available Wine Advocate 95 Points “The 2017 Planetes de Nin comes from the four hectares of 20-year-old Garnacha and 11-year-old Cariñena in the Planetes vineyard in Porrera at 450 meters in altitude. It’s 60% Garnacha (some of it Peluda) and the rest Cariñena, harvested early. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in 3,200-liter oak vats and one 1,000-liter amphora for 17 months. It has depth and harmony, and the vines are getting older and seem to be better and better balanced. This is not that different from the 2016; it feels quite stable and has its style and character, especially since the 2015 vintage. 9,704 bottles were filled in April 2019.” Nit De Nin La Coma D’en Romeu Priorat 2017 750ml $149 special, 2 bottles available Wine Advocate 98+ Points “The 2017 Nit de Nin La Coma d’en Romeu is from an extremely dry and early harvest that delivered just five hectoliters per hectare! That means they only produced 1,330 bottles from the 1.5 hectares of Garnacha on those slate terraces at 350 meters in altitude. It was bottled in April 2019. It has a beautiful and subtle nose that’s very spicy (cloves and cumin, curry and pink pepper) and floral, with a palate that feels light but has great depth and inner power, with pungent flavors and subtle minerality.” Nit De Nin Mas D’en Cacador Priorat 2017 750ml $99 special, 36+ bottles available Wine Advocate 97+ Points “The 2017 Nit de Nin Mas d’en Caçador is a vintage they talk about like this: “We will remember this vintage as one of the most extreme of the decade, along with that of 2012. It is in years like these that the work we do in the field is rewarded. In spite of the climatic exceptionality, we have acidity and pH that seem like a miracle to us. Our vines did not suffer the severe frosts of this 2017.” The wine has lower alcohol than the 2016 but the same pH of 3.3; insultingly young and tender, it doesn’t feel like the wine had a long élevage in oak. 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. 1,440 bottles were filled in April 2019.” Special Collector’s Arrival: Château Latour
“A Glorious Find Indeed!”
“It has a glorious bouquet with stupendous delineation: blackberry, cedar, mint and a touch of pot pourri. The palate has a tannic entry, the Cabernet Sauvignon is very pronounced with cedar, tobacco, and pencil lead. Very classic and very pure, symmetrical towards the finish. Great focus and length. Superb.” – Neal Martin, Wine Journal Les Forts De Latour Paulliac 2010 750ml $379 special, 6 bottles available— Arriving Friday
Robert Parker 97 points “Bizarre as it may sound, the 2010 Les Forts de Latour is also the finest I have ever tasted from this selection, which comes from specific vineyards, not really so much a second wine as just another wine from estate holdings. A blend of 72.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27.5% Merlot that represents 40% of the production, this astonishing wine hit 14.3% natural alcohol. Extremely ripe and rich, it reminds me of the 1982 on steroids (and that wine is still drinking great 30 years after the vintage). Sensational notes of graphite, crushed rocks, black fruits, camphor and damp forest notes are present in this expansive, savory, full-throttle wine, which is better than many vintages of the great Latour itself from the past. (That may be a heretical statement, but it’s the truth as I see it.) This wine needs a good 5-6 years of cellaring and should age for three decades at minimum, given the fact that the 1982 is in terrific form and wasn’t this concentrated or prodigious.” James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of currants, blueberries and blackberries with a dark chocolate undertone. Perfumes and beautiful. Full body, with velvety tannins that are fine-tuned and tentative. It lasts for minutes. Gorgeous fruit and richness. Perhaps the greatest Les Fort ever? Try in 2018. “ Only Inventory on the West Coast!
More Top Shelf Bordeaux In Stock Now: Angelus Saint Emilion 2016 1.5L $899 special, 12+ magnum bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 100 Points “Top 100 cellar selection in 2019. This is a rich, perfumed wine, with dense tannins and intense layers of black plum and spice. The palate is firmly built yet broadened out by plump dark-fruit tones and honed by a solid, dry core. Drink from 2025.” Wine Advocate 98+ Points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.” Chateau Canon St. Emilion 2015 750ml $349 special, 12+ bottles available James Suckling #1 Wine of the Year Vinous 100 Points “From the very beginning, the 2015 Canon has made an eloquent case for itself as one of the wines of the vintage. Multiple tastings from bottle only confirm what several early tastings hinted at: the 2015 Canon is simply extraordinary in every way. Sumptuous and exotic, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 grabs hold of all the senses and never lets up. A rush of red fruit intermingled with floral notes, spice and smoke notes effortlessly runs up the wine’s vertical structure as the 2015 thrills with every twist and turn. The 2015 Canon is a rare wine that is both hedonistic and intellectual – well, maybe it is a bit more hedonistic-leaning. It doesn’t matter. Don’t miss it. This 2015 is masterpiece from General Manager Nicolas Auderbert and his team at Canon.” Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2010 750ml $1199 special, 1 bottle available Decanter 100 Points “Smoked grilled tar on the nose, it feels both very 2010 and supremely Mouton – accomplished and confident. A more glamorous, enticing edge than the other Pauillac Firsts at this 10 year window. There are plentiful tannins but they are lined with air, and the overall feel is of plush, plumped fruits, like being rolled-up in luxurious sheets. It is very different in character to the other two Pauillac Firsts, but no less enjoyable. It feels higher in alcohol, more Cos than Lafite in terms of personality, in the way that Pichon Baron is more Latour than Comtesse, but it is nuanced and clever and surprising. Drinking Window 2025 – 2050.” Wine Spectator 99 Points “This remains the stunner, a battleship of a wine, brimming with cassis, blackberry and fig fruit that has melded together now, with the backdrop of alder, bay leaf and menthol starting to emerge a bit more. The long finish is loaded with grip, pulling the fruit and other components together. And then there’s that flash of iron at the very end. Awesome wine. Best from 2025 through 2060.” Chapelle D’ausone St Emilion 2009 750ml $249 special, 1 bottle available James Suckling 96 Points “This is always made with the young vines. Full-bodied, with super velvety tannins and gorgeous mineral, dark berry and spice character. Lovely velvet texture. Amazing quality for a second wine.” Clinet Pomerol 2010 750ml $189 special, 12+ bottles available Decanter 97 Points “The definition of poised and confident, this has pretty much consistently delivered since the very first taste during En Primeur. Deeply layered, textured, confident and powerful, both very Pomerol and very 2010. Coffee beans and bitter chocolate are the dominant flavours alongside cassis and blackberry autumnal berry fruits. Both gourmet and restrained. Just about ready to go but will hugely benefit from three to four hours in carafe first, and will further improve over the next few years, and indeed over the decades to come” Cos D’estournel Saint Estephe 2016 750ml $299 special, 5 bottle available Wine Advocate 100 Points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavors that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Just. Magic.” Vinous 100 Points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel was a bona fide showstopper out of barrel, the best that I had encountered in over 20 years of visiting the estate during en primeur, so my expectations were piled high when I returned to find out how it performs in bottle. Deep, almost opaque in color, it sports a very intense but broody bouquet with fathomless deep black fruit tinged with blueberry and violet. The aromas almost seem to envelop the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannin that I have never witnessed in any other vintage of Cos d’Estournel. There is a beguiling symmetry to this Saint-Estèphe, as well as unerring mineralité. The persistent, tobacco-tinged finish can be felt 60 second after the wine has departed. This is a monumental, benchmark Cos d’Estournel that will give not years but decades of pleasure, though I suspect it will close down for a period in its youth, hence my drinking window. 13.07% alcohol.” We’re open 10 AM – 6 PM daily
|
Newsletter 6/19/23
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
In the early 1990’s David Polite purchased a small plum orchard in Yamhill-Carlton with a mind towards converting it to a vineyard but with no experience whatsoever. The going wisdom at the time, he says, was that the best vineyards in Oregon had South and South-west facing slopes, which made his own Eastern facing slopes sub-optimal. However, after making the acquaintance of Willlamette greats like David Lett and Dick and Nancy Ponzi, he came to understand that his own vineyard shared the same aspect as many of the great vineyards in Burgundy!
Newsletter 6/16/23
|
|