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How much would you pay for a piece of Oregon wine history? In the early 1990’s, David Polite, first trained as a lawyer, 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!
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Category Archives: Newsletter Archive
Newsletter 6/13/23
In This Newsletter:
Arrivals
Patricia Green, La Fortuna, Colene Clemens, and more!
Arrivals
Patricia Green, La Fortuna, Colene Clemens, and more!
Focus On Furmint
The dry wines of Royal Tokaji
Close Out Sales
Napa Cabernet and Grand Cru Champagne
3 Day Sale
De Venoge Champagnes
The dry wines of Royal Tokaji
Staff Pick
Manissy Tavel
Manissy Tavel
Napa Cabernet and Grand Cru Champagne
3 Day Sale
De Venoge Champagnes
June Sale- Spanish Wines
Savings from Navarre to La Rioja
Collector’s Corner
California Cabs we live for
California Cabs we live for
New Arrivals
Oregon
JK Carriere Provocateur Pinot Noir 2021 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note: “The color is red ruby. The nose presents cherry-raspberry-guava with a hint of warm tan oak spice. The palate portrays movement, starting as fully ripe, seductive cherry-peach and moving to darker savory grilled meats, soy and graham. It’s substantial with a medium-plus attack, good acid linearity, a sweet fruit core and finishing on particularly refined polished tannins. A village level wine playing well above its fighting weight. All our vineyards are dry-farmed.”
Colene Clemens Pinot Noir Dopp Creek 2021 750ml $28 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 Points “Slowly unfurls, opening with taut raspberry and stony mineral, then drawing in a rich and plush texture that glides toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2030.”
Eyrie Estate Chardonnay 2021 750ml $39 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 Points “The 2021 Chardonnay Estate offers exotic aromas of ripe peaches, honey, pie crust, tangerine oil and musky floral perfume. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with an impressively concentrated core of spicy fruit. Its broad, mouth-coating texture is balanced by fireworks of fresh acidity, and it has a long, spicy finish with flavor that goes on and on.”
“Patricia Green”
Patricia Green Sauvignon Blanc 2022 750ml $21.90 special, 12 bottles available
Winery note “This has high-toned and heavily fruited aromatics along with the tinge of straw and minerals which is what ripe Sauvignon Blanc should have as its varietal typicity. The strength of the aromatics resounds in the glass as the wine is deeply fruited with citrus notes at the entry giving way to tropical fruit with extremely crisp acidity on the finish. The wine is bright and fresh but retains an enormous amount of texture and richness without being heavy or taking away from its “summertime drinking” sort of nature. This will pair easily with a very wide range of food ranging from summer salads to denser white fish, sushi rolls and nigiri to spicier Asian influenced dishes, risottos with summer vegetables to chicken and pork done on the grill (and while grilling).”
Patricia Green Reserve Pinot Noir 2021 750ml $26 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “This bottling allows us to accomplish two things that are very important to us as a winery. The first thing is that it allows us to be incredibly detailed about the barrels we select for our vineyard designated wines, so they true expressions of the site on a year in and year out basis. The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir bottling ‘Reserve’ is almost entirely made up of barrels that simply were not included in a more prestigious bottling, which allows us to choose from larger sections of our diverse vineyards. Secondly, it allows us to create a blended wine that has a degree of consistency to it each vintage that is of incredibly high-quality and will retail for under $30.”
Patricia Green Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 750ml $33 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “Made up nearly entirely from vines with 12-24 years in vine age, with a large amount being right at 22 years. We have discovered that at around 25 years of vine age we often see a change in the vines’ nature as they become bigger and healthier plants with deep root systems. Before this happens, the vines tend to produce fruit that is bigger, bolder, plumper and more succulent at a young age than the older vines’ wines. Therefore the Estate bottling is the richest and most precocious of all our Estate Vineyard Pinot Noirs. The fruit will have a black/blue tinge to it, the mid-palate should be generous and supple and the finish should have some structure in a fairly generous manner.”
Patricia Green Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir 2019 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
“The Estate Vineyard, Old Vine bottling is the flagship wine of Patricia Green Cellars. It exists because it is both delicious and unique, but also because it shows a particular aspect of this vineyard and the Ribbon Ridge AVA as a whole. This bottling is made up nearly entirely from vines with 24-38 years in vine age, with a large amount being right at 32 years. We have discovered that at around 25 years of vine age we often see a change in the vines’ nature as they become bigger and healthier plants with deep root systems. Once this happens the fruit and resulting wines shift from the darker fruit spectrum to a brighter, redder style. The wine gains length and a wonderful counterbalance of austerity to its rich texture. As well there is a sense of minerality intermingling with the long chain tannins that draw the wine out and provide exceptional length.”
Winery note “This has high-toned and heavily fruited aromatics along with the tinge of straw and minerals which is what ripe Sauvignon Blanc should have as its varietal typicity. The strength of the aromatics resounds in the glass as the wine is deeply fruited with citrus notes at the entry giving way to tropical fruit with extremely crisp acidity on the finish. The wine is bright and fresh but retains an enormous amount of texture and richness without being heavy or taking away from its “summertime drinking” sort of nature. This will pair easily with a very wide range of food ranging from summer salads to denser white fish, sushi rolls and nigiri to spicier Asian influenced dishes, risottos with summer vegetables to chicken and pork done on the grill (and while grilling).”
Patricia Green Reserve Pinot Noir 2021 750ml $26 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “This bottling allows us to accomplish two things that are very important to us as a winery. The first thing is that it allows us to be incredibly detailed about the barrels we select for our vineyard designated wines, so they true expressions of the site on a year in and year out basis. The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir bottling ‘Reserve’ is almost entirely made up of barrels that simply were not included in a more prestigious bottling, which allows us to choose from larger sections of our diverse vineyards. Secondly, it allows us to create a blended wine that has a degree of consistency to it each vintage that is of incredibly high-quality and will retail for under $30.”
Patricia Green Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 750ml $33 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “Made up nearly entirely from vines with 12-24 years in vine age, with a large amount being right at 22 years. We have discovered that at around 25 years of vine age we often see a change in the vines’ nature as they become bigger and healthier plants with deep root systems. Before this happens, the vines tend to produce fruit that is bigger, bolder, plumper and more succulent at a young age than the older vines’ wines. Therefore the Estate bottling is the richest and most precocious of all our Estate Vineyard Pinot Noirs. The fruit will have a black/blue tinge to it, the mid-palate should be generous and supple and the finish should have some structure in a fairly generous manner.”
Patricia Green Estate Old Vine Pinot Noir 2019 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
“The Estate Vineyard, Old Vine bottling is the flagship wine of Patricia Green Cellars. It exists because it is both delicious and unique, but also because it shows a particular aspect of this vineyard and the Ribbon Ridge AVA as a whole. This bottling is made up nearly entirely from vines with 24-38 years in vine age, with a large amount being right at 32 years. We have discovered that at around 25 years of vine age we often see a change in the vines’ nature as they become bigger and healthier plants with deep root systems. Once this happens the fruit and resulting wines shift from the darker fruit spectrum to a brighter, redder style. The wine gains length and a wonderful counterbalance of austerity to its rich texture. As well there is a sense of minerality intermingling with the long chain tannins that draw the wine out and provide exceptional length.”
France
Andre Clouet Brut Nature Silver NV 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 92+ Points “[Reviewed Apr 2021] Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2020 750ml $149 special, 12 bottles available
Italy
Cordero Montezemolo Barolo Monfalleto 2018 750ml $54.50 special, 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 Points “A certified organic wine, the Cordero di Montezemolo 2018 Barolo Monfalletto has some candied cherry, pressed violet and earthy or ferrous notes that create a long and very polished finish. This wine is made with a selection of fruit from La Morra with vineyards that extend under a towering cedar of Lebanon that has become a symbol of Barolo over its long lifespan. Black licorice appears on the close.”
“La Fortuna”
The history of this winery dates back to 1907, when a young sharecropper won 4 hectares of vineyard land in Montalcino at a gambling table… hence the name. It became one of the first five founding wineries of the local governing body, the Consorzio del Vino di Brunello di Montalcino. These wines do not see as much distribution in the states as some of their younger neighbors, which is too bad– these are elegant, classic expressions of Brunello. Don’t miss this opportinuty!
La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino 2017 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 Points “The mid-weight 2017 Brunello di Montalcino shows a smooth approach with cherry fruit and cassis. No part of this wine is overblown, and in fact, this Brunello maintains a silky personality overall. The alcohol is high at 15% in this hot vintage, although it feels relatively well tucked into the subtle fiber of this accessible Brunello. Production is 30,000 bottles.”
La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino 2017 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 Points “The mid-weight 2017 Brunello di Montalcino shows a smooth approach with cherry fruit and cassis. No part of this wine is overblown, and in fact, this Brunello maintains a silky personality overall. The alcohol is high at 15% in this hot vintage, although it feels relatively well tucked into the subtle fiber of this accessible Brunello. Production is 30,000 bottles.”
Only listing in the USA
La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino 2018 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 Points “This wine opens to dark and savory aromas that complement its mid-weight appearance. The La Fortuna 2018 Brunello di Montalcino shows blackberry and wild plum, and it also delivers lots of spice, toast and campfire ash. Five years of aging brings out oak nuances and the complexity of the aged fruit. There is some oak bitterness that should soften with time, but I wouldn’t wait too long because you also want to catch this wine while the fruit is still fresh. I suggest a moderate 10-year drinking window for this 33,000-bottle release.”
Wine Advocate 93 Points “This wine opens to dark and savory aromas that complement its mid-weight appearance. The La Fortuna 2018 Brunello di Montalcino shows blackberry and wild plum, and it also delivers lots of spice, toast and campfire ash. Five years of aging brings out oak nuances and the complexity of the aged fruit. There is some oak bitterness that should soften with time, but I wouldn’t wait too long because you also want to catch this wine while the fruit is still fresh. I suggest a moderate 10-year drinking window for this 33,000-bottle release.”
Only listing in the USA
La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2013 750ml $99 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 Points “Fluid and fruity, supported by a matrix of dense tannins, this features a fine texture and structure, offsetting the saturated flavors of cherry, red berry, leather, iron and tar. Stays focused while cruising to a lingering finish. Really youthful, intense and long. Best from 2022 through 2045. 330 cases made, 200 cases imported.”
James Suckling 95 Points “Very attractive and intense aromas of ripe black cherries and plums, leading to a palate that has a quite firm tannin core and finishes with a convincing serving of rich, ripe darker plums and berries. Drink or hold.”
Only listing in the USA
La Fortuna Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2016 750ml $99 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 Points “The La Fortuna 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a wine of pretty Sangiovese purity. This Riserva (with 9,000 bottles produced) shows a darkly saturated color with plump and intense aromas of wild cherry, crushed flowers, fresh plums, spice and ferrous earth. Balsam herb and rosemary-like aromas round off the finish. There is great freshness, some oak tannins, a drying finish and lots of rich fruit fiber. This is a terrific wine from La Fortuna (although I need to point out the high 15.5% alcohol).”
Only listing in the USA
Re-Arrivals
Gasparini Prosecco Superiore NV $16 special, 36 bottles available
James Suckling 92 Points “Lots of initial froth here, which takes a while to subside and allow the lovely lemon and lemon blossom aromas to rise out of the glass. There are hints of licoricy chalk here, too. On the rather dense palate, the chalk turns to fresh cream and the lemon is absorbed into the creamy mineral texture with enough fizz to keep the sparkle up. Lovely, enduring and creamy yet biting finish. This is very fine Prosecco. Drink now.”
Domaine La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose 2022 750ml $26 special, 32 bottles available
Importer’s Note “The 2022 is fresh, typical Bandol with more spices this year than in previous years. 78% Mourvedre, 18% Grenache, 4% Cinsault. Limestone soil, hand-harvested. Certified Organic. A lot of character, less dark – classic. Lower yields than last 2 vintages, so more substance but great acidity. Partial malo and maceration of the Cinsault and Mourvèdre.”
Focus On Furmint
The Dry Wines of Royal Tokaji
Why aren’t more people drinking Furmint? That’s the first thing I think every time I open a bottle of this Hungarian delight. Bright, citrusy, herbal and a tad smoky, it’s a crackerjack food pairing wine, yet it’s not a varietal that’s seen much in the United States apart from hip wine menus written by geeked out sommes.
Maybe that’s all about to change. Hugh Johnson, one of the most influential wine writers since Pliny the Elder co-founded Royal Tokaji with a group of European investors to revive the storied but almost forgotten furmint-based Tokaj dessert wines of Hungary. Once known as the “Wine of Kings,” Tokaji is a botyritized dessert wine that has been enjoyed by the likes of Catherine the Great and Louis the 14th.
Although most acclaimed for their dessert wines, they also produce some of the finest dry Furmint in the market, including single varietal offerings from some of the finest and oldest vineyards in Hungary. These are serious, high-toned wines that stand on their own.
(Click here to see Hugh talk Tokaji with the Academie Vin du Library)
Royal Tokaji “The Oddity” Dry Furmint 2019 750ml $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery Note “The Grapes for this Dry Furmint are primarily from the “Mád “commune. Whole bunches were gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks and some Hungarian oak barrels, seperated by different vineyard lots. During vinification, malolactic fermentation is avoided to preserve the wine’s natural acidity. The wine is matured in a combination of stainless-steel tanks and Hungarian Zemplen oak barrels. The wine is kept on fine lees for 4-5 months to achieve roundness and structure.”
Royal Tokaji “Urgaya” Dry Furmint 1st Growth 2021 750ml $39 special, 16 bottles available
Winery Note “Úrágya, means “God’s bed”. The vineyard sits in a dip between two extinct volcanoes to the west of Mád. Viewed from our village it is where we see the sun “go to sleep” every night. Our vines are on the western slope in the higher parts of the vineyard. The unique volcanic soils build the structure, backbone and minerality of this delicious dry wine. Maturation in oak barrels adds further complexity and roundness.”
Royal Tokaji Dry Mezes Maly Great 1st Growth 2021 $39 special, 16 bottles available
Winery Note “Mézes Mály is one of just two vineyards classified as a Great First Growth [in Hungary]. Its volcanic bedrock is overlaid with deep loess soil, giving elegance, finesse and floral notes to its wines. Royal Tokaji owns 11 of its 19 hectares, facing south with views to the Great Plain in the distance.”
Importer’s Note “Mézes Mály (MAIZE-esh my) is arguably the world’s original “superstar” vineyard. The first classification of the already legendary vineyards of Tokaji took place in the 1730’s, the earliest of any wine region, and Mézes Mály was designated as a “Great First Growth” – one of only two vineyards with that classification. Royal Tokaji and Hugh Johnson jointly own this vineyard, which is the winery’s only vineyard with deep loess topsoil over volcanic bedrock. Vine age ranges from 20 to 60 years old.”
Royal Tokaji Fry Szt. Tomas 1st Growth 2018 750ml $34.50 special, 1 bottle available
Importer’s Note “Tokaji Vineyard Classification: In the 1730’s, 28 villages and their vineyards in Tokaj became the first European vineyards to be classified. This classification remains in effect today and was verified by the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture in 2013. Szt. Tamás 1st growth is one of the most expensive and celebrated vineyard hills in the region. Royal Tokaji owns parcels totaling 16 hectares of this southwest facing vineyard with vine age ranging from 20 to 60 years. The soil is rich, red, clay interspersed with indigo and purple volcanic rocks on and below the surface.”
Staff Pick
Tavel
Tavel
Manissy Tavel Cuvee Des Lys Rose 2022 750ml $17 special, 30 bottles available
What is it that makes a Tavel a Tavel? When we think about French Rosé wines, most people think of the light and crisp style from Provence, but Tavel is a different beast altogether. Whereas most French rosés are made in either the vin gris or saignee method, Tavels are vinified in part with the crushed grape skins, imparting more structure, spice, and a darker hue. This wine is a red lover’s rosé, grippier and earthier than average pink wines and a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats.
What is it that makes a Tavel a Tavel? When we think about French Rosé wines, most people think of the light and crisp style from Provence, but Tavel is a different beast altogether. Whereas most French rosés are made in either the vin gris or saignee method, Tavels are vinified in part with the crushed grape skins, imparting more structure, spice, and a darker hue. This wine is a red lover’s rosé, grippier and earthier than average pink wines and a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats.
Close Out Sales
“Ulysses Vineyard”
From Christian Moueix of Chateau La Fleur-Petrus and Chateau Trotanoy in Pomerol as well as Dominus Estates in Yountville, Ulysses is Moueix’s expression of Oakville terroir- a wine that rivals cult producers like Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estates in quality.
Ulysses Vineyard Cabernet Oakville Napa 2018 750ml WAS $169 NOW $145 12+ bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points “Just about pure perfection and the finest wine I’ve tasted from this address, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon yet includes smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all from a site just north of Dominus. This deep, inky hued beauty offers up a beautiful, full-bodied, richly textured, and incredibly concentrated style that carries ample black and blue fruit as well as notes of crushed stone, scorched earth, graphite, and lead pencil. It has the focused, structured style of the 2018 vintage and is going to benefit from 4-6 years (if not a decade) of bottle age and will be a 30+ year wine.”
James Suckling 98 Points “Aromas of terra cotta, chocolate and hazelnut with iron and ink. Dusty. Full-bodied and round. Layered. Flamboyant and juicy. Rather soft and gorgeous. Some walnut and chocolate at the end. Persistent. Always there. Drinkable now, but will age wonderfully.”
Antonio Galloni 97 Points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is the best wine off Christian Moueix’s Oakville ranch so far. Deep, creamy and generous, the 2018 captures the unqiue blend of fruit in a savoriness that is typical of the southern sector of Oakville where cooling winds from the south lend palpable freshness and vivacity to the vines. Black fruit, chocolate, spice, lavender and new leather are some of the many notes that build into the sumptuous finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 99 Points “Just about pure perfection and the finest wine I’ve tasted from this address, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon yet includes smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, all from a site just north of Dominus. This deep, inky hued beauty offers up a beautiful, full-bodied, richly textured, and incredibly concentrated style that carries ample black and blue fruit as well as notes of crushed stone, scorched earth, graphite, and lead pencil. It has the focused, structured style of the 2018 vintage and is going to benefit from 4-6 years (if not a decade) of bottle age and will be a 30+ year wine.”
James Suckling 98 Points “Aromas of terra cotta, chocolate and hazelnut with iron and ink. Dusty. Full-bodied and round. Layered. Flamboyant and juicy. Rather soft and gorgeous. Some walnut and chocolate at the end. Persistent. Always there. Drinkable now, but will age wonderfully.”
Antonio Galloni 97 Points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is the best wine off Christian Moueix’s Oakville ranch so far. Deep, creamy and generous, the 2018 captures the unqiue blend of fruit in a savoriness that is typical of the southern sector of Oakville where cooling winds from the south lend palpable freshness and vivacity to the vines. Black fruit, chocolate, spice, lavender and new leather are some of the many notes that build into the sumptuous finish.”
“Waris-Hubert”
A Champagne house that was born from the marriage of Stéphanie Hubert and Olivier Waris, two fourth generation vignerons from the Grand Cru-classified village of Avize in the Côte des Blancs. They vinify each parcel according to terroir and vintage, focusing on a house style that combines freshness and drinkability with minerality and refined structure. These are Champagnes that both the novice and the experienced taster will enjoy!
Waris-Hubert Blanche Blanc De Blanc Millesime Extra Brut 2012 750ml WAS $79 Now $69 special, 24 bottles available
Importer note “To the eye, a luminous champagne, wrapped in a yellow robe with pronounced golden highlights. The first scents encompass the universe of herbal and garrigue flowers like lime blossom, eucalyptus and mint. Then, they give way to exotic fruits: pineapple, lychee and mango. On the palate the wine is tender and voluptuous. This gives it a silky, full-bodied dimension, thanks to yellow peach and apricot flavors. It is a profound wine with fine harmony and perfect balance. The heady complexity of the 2012 vintage is perfectly expressed in this 2012 Blanche Millésime Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from Waris-Hubert.”
Waris-Hubert Blanche Blanc De Blanc Millesime Extra Brut 2012 750ml WAS $79 Now $69 special, 24 bottles available
Importer note “To the eye, a luminous champagne, wrapped in a yellow robe with pronounced golden highlights. The first scents encompass the universe of herbal and garrigue flowers like lime blossom, eucalyptus and mint. Then, they give way to exotic fruits: pineapple, lychee and mango. On the palate the wine is tender and voluptuous. This gives it a silky, full-bodied dimension, thanks to yellow peach and apricot flavors. It is a profound wine with fine harmony and perfect balance. The heady complexity of the 2012 vintage is perfectly expressed in this 2012 Blanche Millésime Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from Waris-Hubert.”
Lowest Price in the USA– $85 Elsewhere
Waris-Hubert Grand Cru Blanc De Blanc Brut Albescent NV 750ml WAS $59 Now $49 special, 20 bottles available
Importer Note “It has the finesse and exceptional potential of the Chardonnay Grand Cru of Côte des Blancs. To the eye, a pale golden robe with discrete green highlights. The wine’s aromas announce its extreme purity, airy dimension and elegance. Timid at first. Then hazelnut and almond characterize the rich, creamy dimension of this cuvee. The mouthfeel is just as elegant as the aromas: one begins with lemon zest and white fruits’ aromas and tastes. Chrystalline, with barley sugar accents, it highlights our preferred grape variety, Chardonnay. An excellent dinner and aperitif wine.”
Waris-Hubert Grand Cru Blanc De Blanc Lilayle NV 750ml WAS $59 Now $49 special, 21 bottles available
Importer note: “Pale golden colour with intense glints of emerald green. Fine and lively effervescence; lasting beads of bubbles. The aromas are elegant and expressive with a floral and springlike tone. Notes of lime blossom, mint and freshly mown grass develop, which evolve to white fruit and fresh Mirabelle plum. The scent of Viennese pastries and brioche fill the senses. The palate is full and with a rich attack. Firm and powerful. Dense in the evolution phase with lively lemon flavors, complimented by minerality and hints of wild citrus fruits. It’s the purity, and elegance of the chardonnay grand cru of the Côte des Blancs. Elegant and expressive.”
“Guy Charlemagne”
Champagne Guy Charlemagne is situated in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, in the small village of Mesnil sur Oger. Strictly a family affair, the winery has been passed from father to son since 1892, exclusively harvesting and vinifying grapes from the estate vineyards.
Guy Charlemagne Brut Mesnillesime Grand Cru 2014 750ml WAS $119 Now $99 special, 36+ bottles
Winery Note “A Grand Champagne with character from the Côte des Blancs terroir, specifically from Le Mesnil sur Oger (limestone parcels averaging 60 years of age). This champagne produced from first press of Le Mesnil sur Oger Grand Cru juices, highlights the exact characteristic of our village. Jewel of the Charlemagne house, this vintage wine combines both authenticity and the search for perfect quality. Elegantly presented with exceptional labelling, this Mesnillesime cuvee is produced with rigorous vinification, partially in oak barrels without malolactic fermentation, and a very light dosage of 4 grams per liter. Matured for 6 years in our chalk underground cellars, this cuvee highlights the excellence of our production. Chardonnay, the only grape here, shows what balance, harmony and purity can mean. A rare champagne for unforgettable moments. Pale yellow with green hues. Persistent mousse with very fine bubbles. Powerful yet elegant nose dominated by acacia honey eventually shows notes of candied lemon, smoke and a blend of pepper. Unctuous, lightly oaked and complex on the palate, candied fruit and citrus aromas pave the way to a fresh, vanilla finish.”
Guy Charlemagne Brut Nature NV 750ml WAS $49 Now $41.90, 32 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “Produced from grapes grown in the Côte de Sézanne, south of Epernay, this blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is properly dry. With acidity, the crispest white fruits and a taut, edgy texture, this bottling is young and will develop well as it matures, bringing out toastiness. Drink from 2020.”
Winery Note “For lovers of pure sensation, we have created this Brut Nature, Champagne without sugar, a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. This champagne, clean and fresh, reveals all the expression of the terroir and grapes from Sézanne Straw yellow colour. Steadily rising bubbles. Floral (white flowers) and fresh nose with light, intense and rising fruit aromas. Rich smooth with grapefruit aromas. Very good length that ends on a fresh note. Ideal aperitif wine or with seafood and fishes.”
Guy Charlemagne Brut Rose Nv 750ml WAS $59 Now $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Enthusiast “A beautifully balanced wine, this has great freshness from the red-currant flavors along with a tight, zesty texture and finishes with great acidity. This bottling is ready to drink now.”
Winery note “This Champagne is made with our vineyards from Mancy and Cuis, with a chalky-clay soil. It is produced 100% from Pinot Noir. Its color is obtained by macerating the grapes with the juice, giving it the colour typical of « rosé de saignée ». Its nose is particularly marked by red berry notes. Elaborated in thermo regulated stainless steel and matured 2 years in our underground cellars, the Brut rosé with its subtle 8 grams per liter dosage is the fruit of a rigorous vinification. It is the ideal wine with which to celebrate the most beautiful emotions… A fine stream of bubbles underline a deep rose colour. The warm nose shows ripe berry aromas (blackberries) and cherries in alcohol. Its’ elegant mouth is dominated by cassis, blackberry and strawberry jam notes.”
Guy Charlemagne Brut Mesnillesime Grand Cru 2014 750ml WAS $119 Now $99 special, 36+ bottles
Winery Note “A Grand Champagne with character from the Côte des Blancs terroir, specifically from Le Mesnil sur Oger (limestone parcels averaging 60 years of age). This champagne produced from first press of Le Mesnil sur Oger Grand Cru juices, highlights the exact characteristic of our village. Jewel of the Charlemagne house, this vintage wine combines both authenticity and the search for perfect quality. Elegantly presented with exceptional labelling, this Mesnillesime cuvee is produced with rigorous vinification, partially in oak barrels without malolactic fermentation, and a very light dosage of 4 grams per liter. Matured for 6 years in our chalk underground cellars, this cuvee highlights the excellence of our production. Chardonnay, the only grape here, shows what balance, harmony and purity can mean. A rare champagne for unforgettable moments. Pale yellow with green hues. Persistent mousse with very fine bubbles. Powerful yet elegant nose dominated by acacia honey eventually shows notes of candied lemon, smoke and a blend of pepper. Unctuous, lightly oaked and complex on the palate, candied fruit and citrus aromas pave the way to a fresh, vanilla finish.”
Guy Charlemagne Brut Nature NV 750ml WAS $49 Now $41.90, 32 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “Produced from grapes grown in the Côte de Sézanne, south of Epernay, this blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is properly dry. With acidity, the crispest white fruits and a taut, edgy texture, this bottling is young and will develop well as it matures, bringing out toastiness. Drink from 2020.”
Winery Note “For lovers of pure sensation, we have created this Brut Nature, Champagne without sugar, a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. This champagne, clean and fresh, reveals all the expression of the terroir and grapes from Sézanne Straw yellow colour. Steadily rising bubbles. Floral (white flowers) and fresh nose with light, intense and rising fruit aromas. Rich smooth with grapefruit aromas. Very good length that ends on a fresh note. Ideal aperitif wine or with seafood and fishes.”
Guy Charlemagne Brut Rose Nv 750ml WAS $59 Now $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Enthusiast “A beautifully balanced wine, this has great freshness from the red-currant flavors along with a tight, zesty texture and finishes with great acidity. This bottling is ready to drink now.”
Winery note “This Champagne is made with our vineyards from Mancy and Cuis, with a chalky-clay soil. It is produced 100% from Pinot Noir. Its color is obtained by macerating the grapes with the juice, giving it the colour typical of « rosé de saignée ». Its nose is particularly marked by red berry notes. Elaborated in thermo regulated stainless steel and matured 2 years in our underground cellars, the Brut rosé with its subtle 8 grams per liter dosage is the fruit of a rigorous vinification. It is the ideal wine with which to celebrate the most beautiful emotions… A fine stream of bubbles underline a deep rose colour. The warm nose shows ripe berry aromas (blackberries) and cherries in alcohol. Its’ elegant mouth is dominated by cassis, blackberry and strawberry jam notes.”
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3 Day Sale
De Venoge Champagnes
Sale ends June 15th at 6pm… the best selection is NOW!
Buy 1-2 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 3 or more bottles for a 10% discount
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.
It is our pleasure to offer these wines from one of the most exclusive Champagne houses in France. Founded in 1825 by Henri-Marc de Venoge, a Swiss immigrant to the region, these wines are still made in a traditional style rarely seen in modern Champagnes. While most champagnes these days are made in a crisp and fresh style, the champagnes of De Venoge undergo Malolactic fermentation, resulting in a rounder, fatter, elegant style that can age for decades. Luckily, the winery has done the hard work already (resisting the temptation to pop the cork) and aged these wines for immediate consumption.Most bottles produced by De Venoge never leave their country of origin. This is a rare opportunity to drink a wine with a longer history than many countries!
De Venoge Tour Eiffel 130th anniversary NV 750ml $79 special, 1 bottle in stock
Vinoplnote: Produced in honor of the anniversary of the 1899 world’s fair in which De Venoge was served as the official champagne of the Eiffel Tower.
De Venoge Cordon Bleu Brut 2002 750ml $79 special, 9 bottles in stock
Wine Spectator 93 points “A core of mineral-accented smoke, spice and honey notes is wrapped with flavors of glazed apricot, lemon preserves and candied ginger in this vibrant and well-balanced version. Creamy, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2025.” Only 3,000 cases made.
De Venoge Louis XV Brut 2006 750ml $189 special, 19 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 96 points “The assemblage of the 2006 Louis XV Brut Millésimé is about the same as the 1995 and 1996—composed of 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from grand cru villages. The only difference is that the Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (10% of the assemblage) spent 12 months in oak barrels … the 2006 has a golden color and opens with a deep, ripe, elegant and vinous bouquet with toasty and chalky lemon and fresh.”
De Venoge Louis XV Brut 2008 750ml $249 special, 21 bottles in stock
James Suckling 95 points “This is really punchy and broad-shouldered with muscular structure and citrusy undertones. Full body. Lightly tannic and a fresh and vivid finish. This is the first vintage without malolactic Fermentation ever. One for the cellar. Better in 2022.“
De Venoge Louis XV Brut Rose 2002 750ml $189 special, 22 bottles in stock
Wine Spectator 93 points “Harmonious, with fine intensity, offering rich notes of spice cake, toasted almond, dried cherry, grilled plum and smoky mineral. Almost velvety in texture, with juicy acidity that brings you back for another sip. Delicious. Drink now through 2022.” Only 54 cases made.
Vinoplnote: Produced in honor of the anniversary of the 1899 world’s fair in which De Venoge was served as the official champagne of the Eiffel Tower.
De Venoge Cordon Bleu Brut 2002 750ml $79 special, 9 bottles in stock
Wine Spectator 93 points “A core of mineral-accented smoke, spice and honey notes is wrapped with flavors of glazed apricot, lemon preserves and candied ginger in this vibrant and well-balanced version. Creamy, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2025.” Only 3,000 cases made.
De Venoge Louis XV Brut 2006 750ml $189 special, 19 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 96 points “The assemblage of the 2006 Louis XV Brut Millésimé is about the same as the 1995 and 1996—composed of 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from grand cru villages. The only difference is that the Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (10% of the assemblage) spent 12 months in oak barrels … the 2006 has a golden color and opens with a deep, ripe, elegant and vinous bouquet with toasty and chalky lemon and fresh.”
De Venoge Louis XV Brut 2008 750ml $249 special, 21 bottles in stock
James Suckling 95 points “This is really punchy and broad-shouldered with muscular structure and citrusy undertones. Full body. Lightly tannic and a fresh and vivid finish. This is the first vintage without malolactic Fermentation ever. One for the cellar. Better in 2022.“
De Venoge Louis XV Brut Rose 2002 750ml $189 special, 22 bottles in stock
Wine Spectator 93 points “Harmonious, with fine intensity, offering rich notes of spice cake, toasted almond, dried cherry, grilled plum and smoky mineral. Almost velvety in texture, with juicy acidity that brings you back for another sip. Delicious. Drink now through 2022.” Only 54 cases made.
These are the lowest prices in the USA
June Sale- All Spanish Wines
All of your favorite Riojas
All of your favorite Riojas
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.
Muga Anden La Estacion Rioja Crianza 2018 750ml $19 special, 36+ bottles availableVinous 90 Points “Dark ruby. Ripe red fruits, vanilla and pipe tobacco on the nose, with spice and woodsmoke nuances emerging as the wine stretches out. Gently sweet and supple on the palate, offering juicy cherry liqueur and spicecake flavors braced by a spine of tangy acidity. Smooth tannins add shape and subtle grip to the persistent finish, which leaves a warm red fruit preserve note behind. Drink: 2022-2027.”
Casa Castillo Las Gravas Jumilla 2017 750ml $30.50 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 Points “The 2017 Las Gravas is surprisingly floral and ethereal, perfumed and elegant. Syrah has disappeared from the blend of this wine—it now has 20% Garnacha to complement the Monastrell—and they think this is going to be the blend that stays in this wine, which has seen more changes in its life than the rest of the portfolio. This is for sure the most elegant vintage for this bottling; the wine matured in 500-liter barrels and then spent four months in 5,000-liter vats after the blend was done. There are no aromas of oak whatsoever, and the wine is surprisingly fresh, as if the Garnacha helps to contain the power of Monastrell on the gravel soils, adding texture and perfume. This is beautiful. 26,500 bottles were filled in March 2019.”
Daniel Landi Las Uvas De La Ira 2018 750ml $31.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 Points “The red 2018 Las Uvas de la Ira has been produced with Garnacha from the same five vineyards since the initial vintage (2012) in the village of El Real de San Vicente, which is one of the villages from Méntrida (Toledo) that are part of the Gredos Mountains. The vines range between 40 and 65 years of age, and they are located at around 750 meters in altitude on sandy granite soils with lots of silt. The different vineyards are fermented separately in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a very gentle vinification, one-third with very long macerations to provide structure and depth, one-third with a very short maceration to provide fragrance, and the remaining third finished the fermentation without skins (like a white) to add juiciness. The élevage is in oak foudres of different sizes, from 1,500 to 4,000 liters.
Nin-Ortiz Planetes Classic 2017 750ml $49 special, 15 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.”
Lopez Heredia Tondonia Reserva Rioja 2009 750ml $59 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 Points “As with many wines this time, I had two vintages to taste of the Reserva from the Tondonia vineyard, 2009 and 2008, two very different, almost opposite vintages. The 2009 Viña Tondonia Reserva, a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Mazuelo and Graciano, matured in used American oak barrels for six years. It has some toasted character, with ripe fruit, black rather than red, denoting a warm year but more restrained than the Bosconia Reserva from the same vintage. 2009 is a year of ripeness, concentration and tannin; the wines are powerful, but here you see the finesse of Tondonia in comparison to the more rustic Viña Bosconia. 220,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2017.”
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.”
Collecter’s Corner
California Cabs We Live For
“Tod Mostero remarks that, having crafted the 2013 Dominus, he can die happy as a winemaker.”
-Decanter Magazine
Dominus Estate Napa 2013 750ml $619 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 100 Points “The 2013 Dominus is, to my way of thinking, one of the most profound wines Christian Moueix has yet made in his rather brilliant winemaking history, both in France and in Napa Valley. This wine, with very low yields of only 3,500 cases and a final blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, offers up notes of cedar wood, forest floor, loamy soil and oodles of blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. Very opaque purple in color, super-pure and intense, this wine has low acidity, but ripe, noticeable tannins. This is a 30- to 40-year wine and a profound effort from this famous vineyard in Yountville. Drink it over the next 40+ years.”
Vinous 100 Points “The 2013 Dominus overwhelms all the senses with its magnificent overall balance and towering intensity. Deep and nearly impenetrable in the glass, the 2013 boasts off the charts dry extract and overall power. Violets, smoke, black cherries, menthol, incense, crème de cassis and dark spices are some of the many signatures that take shape in the glass. Even better in bottle than it was in barrel, the 2013 is utterly magnificent. This is a remarkably vivid, nuanced wine considering its sheer size.”
Decanter 100 Points “A captivating bouquet of violets, lilac, black fruit, blood orange and meaty soil tones is striking for its extravagent range and amplitude; and on the palate, the wine is three-dimensional, sophisticatedly savoury, and massive but refined. Tod Mostero remarks that, having crafted the 2013 Dominus, he can die happy as a winemaker. Selection here was especially rigorous, as the team wanted to realise the vintage’s unparalleled potential as fully as possible, so only 3,500 cases were produced. A special label commemorates the 30th anniversary of Dominus Estate.”
Dominus Estate Napa 2018 750ml $419 special, 8 bottles available
Dominus Estate Napa 2018 375ml $219 special, 19 bottles available
WINE SPECTATOR #1 WINE OF THE YEAR 2021!
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points “The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot brought up in 40% new French oak. With an essence of Cabernet-like character in its darker currants, green tobacco, cedar, graphite, and floral aromas and flavors, this gorgeous wine is full-bodied and has bright yet integrated acidity, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s just gorgeously put together and a magical, flawless wine. It’s going to take a decade to hit maturity but will evolve for 40-50 years in cold cellars. It is as good as it gets in classic, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon!”
-Decanter Magazine
Dominus Estate Napa 2013 750ml $619 special, 5 bottles availableWine Advocate 100 Points “The 2013 Dominus is, to my way of thinking, one of the most profound wines Christian Moueix has yet made in his rather brilliant winemaking history, both in France and in Napa Valley. This wine, with very low yields of only 3,500 cases and a final blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, offers up notes of cedar wood, forest floor, loamy soil and oodles of blackberry and blackcurrant fruit. Very opaque purple in color, super-pure and intense, this wine has low acidity, but ripe, noticeable tannins. This is a 30- to 40-year wine and a profound effort from this famous vineyard in Yountville. Drink it over the next 40+ years.”
Vinous 100 Points “The 2013 Dominus overwhelms all the senses with its magnificent overall balance and towering intensity. Deep and nearly impenetrable in the glass, the 2013 boasts off the charts dry extract and overall power. Violets, smoke, black cherries, menthol, incense, crème de cassis and dark spices are some of the many signatures that take shape in the glass. Even better in bottle than it was in barrel, the 2013 is utterly magnificent. This is a remarkably vivid, nuanced wine considering its sheer size.”
Decanter 100 Points “A captivating bouquet of violets, lilac, black fruit, blood orange and meaty soil tones is striking for its extravagent range and amplitude; and on the palate, the wine is three-dimensional, sophisticatedly savoury, and massive but refined. Tod Mostero remarks that, having crafted the 2013 Dominus, he can die happy as a winemaker. Selection here was especially rigorous, as the team wanted to realise the vintage’s unparalleled potential as fully as possible, so only 3,500 cases were produced. A special label commemorates the 30th anniversary of Dominus Estate.”
Dominus Estate Napa 2018 750ml $419 special, 8 bottles available
Dominus Estate Napa 2018 375ml $219 special, 19 bottles available
WINE SPECTATOR #1 WINE OF THE YEAR 2021!
Jeb Dunnuck 100 Points “The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot brought up in 40% new French oak. With an essence of Cabernet-like character in its darker currants, green tobacco, cedar, graphite, and floral aromas and flavors, this gorgeous wine is full-bodied and has bright yet integrated acidity, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s just gorgeously put together and a magical, flawless wine. It’s going to take a decade to hit maturity but will evolve for 40-50 years in cold cellars. It is as good as it gets in classic, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon!”
| Vintage | Wine | Vintage | Price and Availability |
| 2019 | Anakota Helena Dakota Cabernet 750ml | Wine Advocate 99 Points | $169 special, 4 bottles available |
| 2019 | Anakota Helena Montana Cabernet 750ml | James Suckling 99 Points | $169 special, 6 bottles available |
| 2019 | Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Montecillo Vyd Sonoma 750ml | Vinous 98 Points | $125 special, 1 bottle available |
| 2003 | Bond Estates Melbury Napa 750ml | Robert Parker 97 Points | $449 special, 6 bottles available |
| 2010 | Bond Estates Melbury Napa 1.5L | Robert Parker 98+ Points | $849 special, 1 bottle available |
| 2003 | Bond Estates Pluribus Napa 750ml | Robert Parker 98 Points | $399 special, 4 bottles available |
| 2003 | Bond Estates Vecina Napa 750ml | Robert Parker 96+ Points | $379 special, 5 bottles available |
| 2018 | Cardinale Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml | Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points | $299 special, 3 bottles available |
| 2018 | Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet 750ml | Wine Advocate 97 Points | $259 special, 1 bottle available |
| 2019 | Dominus Estate Napa 750ml | The Wine Independent 100 Points | $319 special, 14 bottles available |
| 2017 | Harlan Estate Napa Valley Red 750ml | Wine Advocate 97+ Points | $1099 special, 1 bottle available |
| 2006 | Levy & Mcclellan Red Cabernet 750ml | Robert Parker 95 Points | $599 special, 2 bottles available |
| 2019 | To Kalon Highest Beauty Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml | James Suckling 98 points | $199 special, 2 bottles available |
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Newsletter 6/09/23
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Newsletter 6/07/23
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Newsletter 06/05/23
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