Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Sunday Night Newsletter 7-17-22

In This Newsletter:

New Arrival Special Feature:
Henri Richard

New Week – New Arrivals

Staff Pick: Benton-Lane Pinot Noir

Nifty & Thrifty

New Review for Crowley Wines

Collector’s Corner:
2018 Bordeaux

New Arrival Special Feature:

Henri Richard

You’d be forgiven for not having heard of Domaine Henri Richard – the rare bottles that leave Beaune and Paris cross the Channel, not the Atlantic. It’s located in Gevrey-Chambertin, just past the legendary Domaine Trapet. Founded in 1938 by former cooper, Jean Richard, today the 4th generation manages the estate’s operations with holdings in the Grand Crus of Charmes-Chambertin and Mazoyères-Chambertin. Farming organically since the year 2000 and using practically no new oak in all of their bottlings, the Richards craft some of the finest examples of terroir in the appellation. Thanks to the selection of vintages that we’ve secured, this is your chance to experience the chameleonic quality of Pinot Noir as time works its magic.

Newly Arrived Exclusive Bottlings from Domaine Henri Richard:

Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees 2013 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Burgundy Report “A slightly tighter nose. But this is big, flavourful wine in the mouth. A little more structured but very silky on the gums. Good wine here. A fine extra burst of flavour in the finish too. Just a lovely wine.”

Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Burgundy Report “Deep, beautiful fruit. A wide and slightly lush palate with good depth of flavour. Excellent material here – very lovely wine.”

Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees 2011 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees 2012 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Corvees 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 6 bottles in stock now

Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Les Tuileries’ 2014 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Burgundy Report “This cuvée exists since 2013 and reflects the old name of the house. It’s made from vines of one soil type which has a high component of millerandes. Despite only being planted in 1980s the quality is excellent, though delivers only 25-30 hl – so they keep more whole clusters here to augment the fermentation volume. A similar aromatic to the Aux Corvées, but with more flowers, indeed accented with whole-cluster roses. A wide, almost chalky texture, lovely flavour – very yum indeed. Super length, really fine and long this wine.”

Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Les Tuileries’ 2015 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Domaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Les Tuileries’ 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 6 bottles in stock now

Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Burgundy Report “A little more discreet, yet still a pretty aromatic. Relatively masculine structure for Charmes, but the fruit is pure Charmes with a little griotte in the mix – yum! An extra weight of flavour too – very long. Yum again! The most unready wine so far, but tons of potential – faintly oaky in the finish.”

Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Domaine Henri Richard Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles in stock now

“About one hectare of vines but with two very different soil types and multiple planting ages.” –Burgundy Report
Domaine Henri Richard Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Burgundy Report “Deep – a gorgeous nose – really a beauty. More intensity, more weight, a leading edge of salinity too – very lovely indeed. There’s also some minerality, here. Excellent.”

Domaine Henri Richard Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Domaine Henri Richard Mazoyeres-Chambertin Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 3 bottles in stock now

Shop the complete selection of Domaine Henri Richard wines here!

We’re Open for In-Store Shopping!

10 AM – 6 PM Daily

Masks are no longer mandatory
But they are appreciated, thanks!
We also offer Curbside Pickup & Shipping

Order Online / By Phone / By Email

Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!

Be well & drink well.

New Week – New Arrivals

Rosé

Domaine Migot Cotes de Toul Vin Gris, Moselle, France 2021 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Vom Boden importer note “The Mosel River begins in Alsace but spends most of its time running north through the Lorraine, the ignored little-brother of Alsace. This is the homeland of rosé, here called “Vin Gris.” For those looking for wines of finesse and delicacy, this is a thrilling region and there is no one better than the young Camille Migot: all hand-harvested, certified organic, all wild-yeast fermentations, NO chaptalization. SERIOUS. The Vin Gris is the calling card of the region, layered rosé that carries the nervous energy of the north.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Bastide du Claux Luberon Poudriere Rosé, Rhoné, France 2021 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchant importer note “Côtes du Luberon Rosé: is a real standout, offering the ethereal pale salmon color and bright salty snap we’ve come to love about Provençal rosé, but without the confected, “commercial,” overly aromatically exuberant character that sometimes mars those wines. Sylvain picks all of the grapes at “rosé ripeness,” aiming for balancing acidity and brightness rather than sun-drenched ripeness. It’s composed of 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 10% each Carignan and Syrah, from vines between 25 and 60 years of age. All of the grapes are pressed directly, and the majority undergo no maceration, with a portion of Grenache and Cinsault spending six or so hours on their skins after the pressing. Everything is done in cement, and the wine ferments naturally. This is a non-flashy rosé of great mineral character, showing its soil influence clearly, and offering subtle red fruits and vigorous acidity on the palate.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Oregon

Cameron White Oak Orchard Cidre, (Ribbon Ridge) 2021 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 24 bottles in stock now

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Ovum “Rare Form – Day Moon” Sparkling Riesling Brut Nature, Oregon NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Day Moon is inspired by aged Blanc de Blanc Champagne. Striking straw gold color with a modest, fine mousse. An inviting nose of fresh brioche with a small pad of salted butter and lemon confit. Dried wildflower, straw and ginger follow. Pure energy races as the palate unfolds elegant layers of dried flowers and minerals. The restrained mousse is in harmony with the noticeably long, nutty finish. Native fermentation is completed in amphora, where it is then racked to age in neutral French oak for 1-2 years. Ksenija uses Riesling juice to build a yeast population that she will use to tirage the base wine at a specific atmosphere of pressure designed to match the vinosity of the wine (Day Moon: 3 bar). Minimum 18 months of bottle age on less, additional 6 months age post disgorgement. Brut Nature – 2gL dosage made from aged Riesling. *No added sulfites.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Ovum “Rare Form – For Love Nor Money” Riesling, Oregon 2020 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “White gold in the glass, it’s aromas of ripe Bartlett pears and golden delicious apple are deceiving. Under the fresh fruit layer sits a brooding sea of herbs – lemon verbena, eucalyptus, sage. There’s even notes of bittering agents like wormwood and cassia bark, yet they’re not present on the palate. A lightning bolt of acidity strikes your palate upon first taste, and then begins the cascading flavors of salted lemon and white pineapple soaked in chamomile tea. The finish is dry, and layered with dried herbs as the wine warms in the glass. Biodynamic. 1970’s own rooted Riesling, grown at 400 feet on a South facing slope. The Ana vineyard has produced notoriously complex wines for decades. Nestled in the heart of the Dundee Hills, this site collects additional heat units that allow for even ripeness, while the volcanic soils help to maintain salty acidity.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Washington

K Vintners The Boy Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 special, 21 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “A lovely grenache with ripe strawberry, white pepper and hints of hazelnut on both the nose and palate. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a spicy finish. 100% whole cluster. No new oak. So yummy. Drink now or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Gorgeous framboise and ripe strawberry fruits as well as spice, herbes de Provence, and wildflower notes emerge from the 2018 Grenache The Boy Powerline Vineyard, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, elegant texture and outstanding length. This is another thrilling Grenache from this team that does everything right. It’s hard to resist today yet should keep for 10-12 years in cold cellars.”

K Vintners ‘M.C.K. Motor City Kitty’ Syrah, Washington 2019 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “Layered aromas of plums, black cherries, leather, bark and iron. Full-bodied with a lot of nuance. Firm, gripping tannins. Dried roses and crushed blackberries mix with dark, mineral complexity, leaving a buzz on the palate. A clear note of cocoa powder comes through. Concentrated and dynamic. Superb. Best after 2024.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “I always seem to love this cuvée and the 2019 Syrah Motor City Kitty is no exception. Coming all from a single block in the Boushey Vineyard, it was not destemmed, spent a full 47 days on skins, and was raised 21 months in 25% new French oak. It has a great nose of darker, gamey black fruits as well as iron, ground pepper, black olives, and violets. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this balanced, rich, gamey, Northern Rhône-like beauty is terrific today and will be terrific in 8-10 years as well.”

K Vintners The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Currants, savory spices, dried flowers, charcoal, and loamy earth all emerge from the 2018 Syrah The Deal, which comes from the Sundance Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. Showing plenty of more savory, earthy notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a rounded, expansive texture, and ripe, polished tannins. It shows the more elegant, streamlined style of the vintage, yet I love its balance. It’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 10-12.”

Italy – Piedmont

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($599.95) $479 special (that’s only $39.92/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Packaged in its distinctive brown paper label, the Produttori del Barbaresco 2018 Barbaresco is a beautifully lean and luminous expression of Nebbiolo, and that pretty color should remain intact over time. The aromas are bold and ripe with dark and purple fruit, but the bouquet shows interesting twists with earth, truffle, licorice and grilled herb. As the wine opens in the glass, you begin to notice heavier aromas of raisin and dried apricot. It wears a warm-vintage signature for sure, and for that reason, I would suggest a shorter drinking window for the 2018. With an ample 300,000 bottles made, you get a great value with this bottle.”
James Suckling 93 points “Lovely barbaresco, with all the typical nebbiolo characteristics, such as red berries, mushrooms and dried leaves, as well as hints of bitter orange peel and spice. All this follows through to the medium-to full-bodied palate, where fine, lightly firm tannins add a little grip and additional focus. Compact, but bursting with flavor. Delicious now, but give it a year or two. It will only get better.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2018 Barbaresco is an attractive, open-knit wine to drink now and over the next 10-15 years, maybe more. In 2018 the Produttori did not bottle their Riservas. Instead, all of the best lots of those grapes went into the straight Barbaresco bottling, another in a long string of successes from this historic house. Dark cherry, cedar, tobacco and spice fill out the layers. There is good depth and a good deal of tannin too, just not the complexity or nuance of the very best years.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Italy – Tuscany

Felsina Berardenga Vin Santo Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2009 375ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2009 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is a jewel of a wine. Rich and sumptuous, but not at all heavy, the 2009 offers up a beguiling mélange of orange peel, honey, dried flowers and candied almond. For readers who want to know what Vin Santo should be, this is it. Amazingly, the mother for the Vin Santo dates back to at least the 1950s!”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “Opening to a dark amber color and syrupy rich concentration, the Fèlsina 2009 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (packaged in a 375-milliliter bottle) is another beautiful dessert wine that captures the unique spirit of Tuscany. Toasted chestnut, caramel, apricot and honey peel off the enormous and far-reaching bouquet. The acidity is spot-on and totally cancels out any residual heaviness you might expect. This is another traditional Vin Santo that is totally out of this world.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A complex mix of grilled almond, shortbread, butter and spice flavors are driven by the bracing acidity. Balanced and long, with an aftertaste of honey, spice and almond. Drink now through 2030. 1,167 cases made. — BS”

Raul Perez Ultreia Saint Jacques, Bierzo 2019 750ML ($27.95) $19.90 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 points “The nose of the 2019 Ultreia Saint Jacques is nothing short of spectacular. It shows the varietal character and the juicy and round style of the Valtuille vineyards. It’s harmonious, clean and expressive. They are using more and more stems with long macerations, malolactic in tanks and aging in 30% oak vats (he purchased from Alión) and 70% of the wine in used 225-liter oak barrels for one year. There is only one master blend, which is put into oak vats and bottled by 25,000- to 30,000-bottle lots. In 2019 he produced 110,000 bottles of this wine.”

Staff Pick: Benton-Lane Pinot Noir

Xavier:
Located on the original site of a historic sheep ranch, Benton-Lane winery’s sustainable farming has been producing carefully crafted pinot noirs in the Southern Willamette Valley since the late 1980’s. I have particularly enjoyed their 2019 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Typically aged in French oak at least 12 months, Benton-Lane Pinot Noirs are fresh, expressive and reflect the uniqueness of their terroir. Blue fruit, plum and herbal aromatics describe their 2019 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Easily approachable, it also pairs well with grilled meats.

Benton-Lane Winery Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Benton-Lane Winery Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($359.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “Aromas of flowers and lightly green flower stems follow through to a medium body with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Medium, fine tannins. Best after 2024.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $26

Nifty & Thrifty

Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee, Alexander Valley 2019 750ML ($41.95) Was $36, Now $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2019 Angeli Zinfandel has a medium ruby color and elegant perfume of white peaches, white pepper, tea leaves, licorice and wild berries. The palate balances intense, ultra-perfumed fruit with loads of lift, and it finishes long and full of flavor. This is notable for its stellar price-to-quality ratio.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Red, California NV 750ML ($17.95) Was $14, Now $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “Old Vine Red is a proprietary red wine made to replicate the field blends of many of the old vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Predominantly comprised of Zinfandel, Old Vine Red combines pure fruit, a supple mouth feel and a rich, solid structure. A groundbreaking combination of varietals and multiple vintages first produced in 1982, this wine has blazed the path for red blends for decades. With a historic underground following, it is one of the longest lasting and best known red blends produced today.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Vaglio Wines Aggie Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina 2019 750ML ($21.95) Was $18, Now $16.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Vaglio Wines Aggie Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina 2019 750ML ($249.95) Was $199, Now $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!) ***In-store pick up only
James Suckling 94 points “Such beautiful aromas of blackberries and minerals with chalk and salt. It’s medium-bodied with fine, integrated tannins and a pretty finish. Refined, silky texture. Drink or hold.”

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

Oyster Bay Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2019 750ML ($21.95) Was $14.50, Now $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand 2019 750ML ($249.95) Was $159, Now $128 special (that’s only $10.67/bottle!) ***In-store pick up only
James Suckling 91 points “Attractive pinot noir with strawberry, smoke and spice aromas and flavors. Medium body, firm and lightly chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Real pinot character. Drink now.”

Pago Casa Gran ‘Casa Benasal’ Rosado, Valencia, Spain 2020 750ML ($14.95) Was $11.90, Now $9.90 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Staff pick! Our favorite vintage yet.
Winery note “Refreshing wine, young and dry. It’s pleasant with enough body to sustain it. Great acidity. 60% Monastrell and 40% Syrah.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Chateau de Manissy ‘La Belle Etoile’ Rose, Rhone, Vin de France 2020 750ML ($14.95) Was $11.90, Now $9.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Pale orange-pink. Lively and focused on the nose, displaying fresh strawberry, white peach and orange zest scents, with floral and mineral nuances. Red berry and pit fruit flavors show sharp detail and a bracing hint of juicy acidity. The floral note repeats on the tight finish, which lingers with good tenacity.”
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache. Clay & limestone. Tasting note: Crushed stone, pressed flowers and white cherries. Medium body with a long finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

New Review for Crowley Wines

A mostly-restaurant release, this has ample tannins and juicy fruit. An amped up Crowley wine that’s delicious now!

Crowley Wines “Dh” Pinot Noir Willamette Valley MV 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Michael Alberty, Oregonian/OregonLive “This juice was originally going to be Tyson Crowley’s 2018 “Entre Nous,” Pinot Noir, which sells for just under $40 a bottle. Then COVID and wildfires hit, so Crowley held the wine in neutral French oak barrels until he could figure out what would happen next. It was recently bottled and labeled “dh” as a tip of the cap to the Dundee Hills. The fruit aromas of black cherry and blackberries are joined by a savory quality that had me craving something meaty from the backyard grill. The flavors of smoky blackberries, orange pekoe tea and ginger are dazzling. This is an incredible wine that you could age for several more years.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Collector’s Corner:

2018 Bordeaux

In spite of challenging weather conditions, the 2018 Bordeaux vintage is considered excellent and possibly exceptional by some. After an extremely wet spring that lingered into June, the unusually hot summer temperatures created highly concentrated fruit, elevated sugar levels and therefore higher alcohol. As a result, one might expect pronounced tannins and high alcohol from 2018 Bordeaux wines, but they are surprisingly “aromatically intense, deep, dark wines that beautifully marry fruit intensity with structure,” as described by Antonio Galloni of Vinous.

2018 Bordeaux Highlights In Stock Now:

Chateau de Chantegrive Blanc, Graves 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Editor’s Choice. This ripe wine shows yellow fruits as well as layers of citrus. The rich texture gives weight and brings out a buttery element. This wine will age well and should not be drunk before 2021. -Roger Voss”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Chateau Fieuzal L’Abeille de Fieuzal Blanc, Pessac Leognan 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “The estate has made a reputation for its white wines. This second wine reflects the equilibrium and ripeness of the top white while having a lighter, more instantly accessible character. With judicious wood aging, it will be ready from 2022. -Roger Voss”
Importer note “Fieuzal’s historic terroir – known for exceptional whites – produces spectacularly balanced and structured wines with critical acclaim – and relative value. Fieuzal has converted entirely to organic practices, in short becoming a completely sustainable ‘working wine farm’. This very well-made second wine, ‘L’Abeille’ comes from the same estate fruit as the Grand Vin, albeit with slightly different cepage. (54% Sauv Blanc, 46% Semillon) Abeille transports us into summertime with aromas of lime, dill, straw, acacia, white flowers and flint. Richly textured, with fine balance and a touch of salinity on the finish.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

“some of the most profound 2018s emerge from these pristine vineyards [in Saint-Emilion]…” –Antonio Galloni

Chateau Puy Blanquet, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “Deeply colored, the 2018 Château Puy-Blanquet checks in as 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon from a 20-hectare parcel of clay and limestone soils. Beautifully ripe and sexy, with a massive bouquet of blackcurrants, macerated black cherries, and smoked earth, it’s full-bodied, opulent, and layered on the palate, with serious fruit. This brilliant wine will be approachable in its youth yet also evolve gracefully for 15 years or more. It should also be an incredible value.”
Antonio Galloni 90-93 points “The 2018 Puy-Blanquet is a rich, creamy and sensual wine with tremendous near and medium term appeal. In 2018, Puy-Blanquet is especially lush, almost shockingly so, for a Saint-Émilion that is usually quite classic in feel. Inky red and purplish berry fruit, spice, rose petal and mint build as this silky, pliant Saint-Émilion shows off its racy, inviting personality. Don’t miss it.”

“one of the wines of the vintage” –Antonio Galloni
Chateau La Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 9 bottles in stock now
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!”

Chateau Belair-Monange, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “Very intense blackberries, black olives, blueberries and dried flowers. Stony minerality. Even some pine. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and ultra fine tannins that are intense and polished. The finish is so long and delivers so much flavor, from wet earth to blackberry again. Seamless palate. Try after 2026.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98 points “Made from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Belair Monange rolls effortlessly out of the glass with gregarious scents of black cherry preserves, stewed plums and boysenberries, plus suggestions of Indian spices, rose oil, Ceylon tea and garrigue, with a waft of tilled soil. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is laden with black fruit preserves and exotic spice layers, framed by velvety tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. Wonderfully hedonic and conceivably drinkable now, give it 4-5 years in the cellar to allow the earthy/savory nuances to fully emerge from within the fruit and drink it over the next 25 years or more.”

Chateau Trotanoy, Pomerol 2018 750ML ($469.95) $399 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Another heavenly Pomerol in the vintage, the 2018 Château Trotanoy checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in (I suspect) lots of new French oak (although it’s certainly not apparent). Revealing a dense purple hue as well as a smorgasbord-like bouquet of blackcurrants, dried flowers, cured meats, violets, tobacco, and chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a sexy, seductive texture, building yet sweet tannins, and just a rich, concentrated, yet flawless profile on the palate that’s already impossible to resist. Nevertheless, a good 7-8 years of bottle age are warranted, and this magical elixir is going to evolve for 40 years or more.”
Antonio Galloni 99 points “The 2018 Trotanoy is a bold, powerful wine. In this vintage, some of the imposing structure that is such a Trotanoy signature has been replaced by super-expressive aromatics and striking detail. Dried herbs, iron, gravel and crushed rose petals all lend gorgeous savory nuance to a core of potent red berry fruit. Trotanoy is a Pomerol for those who can be patient. The 2018, though, is extraordinarily beautiful right out of the gate.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2018 Trotanoy is composed of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it slowly unfurls to reveal a jaw-dropping perfume of Black Forest cake, black raspberries, blackberry pie and kirsch, followed by hints of cast-iron pan, violets, woodsmoke, Chinese five spice and eucalyptus, with a waft of tree bark. The full-bodied palate explodes with exotic spice and mineral fireworks, grounded by a concentrated, black and red berry preserves core and framed by firm, grainy tannins, finishing with epic length and depth. It will need a good five years in bottle to tame some of the youthfully overt, showy fruit and allow the mineral and earth nuances to emerge, then it should easily cellar another 35 years or more.”

“Pauillac is littered with superb wines, across all price points. Readers will find plenty to like in some of the appellation’s less prestigious châteaux. These properties, which are often in less favored microclimates that can produce leaner wines, actually benefitted from the extra kick of richness from the summer heat.” –Antonio Galloni

#2 Wine Spectator – Wine of the Year In 2021
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac 2018 750ML ($299.95) $279 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “The 2018 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande is a monster of a wine with an almost Château Latour-like stature and structure, offering deep, backward, slightly reductive notes of blackcurrants, crushed stone, scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, and tobacco leaf. Based largely on Cabernet Sauvignon mixed with 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, it’s full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful on the palate, with masses of tannins, beautiful mid-palate density, and a great finish. As I’ve commented previously, the up-front, sexy style of the past (due to the larger Merlot content, I believe) has been replaced by a more regal, at times austere profile. Nevertheless, it’s still its own wine and very Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in style. This 2018 is going to need 5-7 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40+ years.”
Wine Spectator 98 points “Offers a deep well of dark currant, blackberry paste and plum preserves fruit that needs time to unwind fully, as it’s shrouded in warm earth, tobacco, singed cedar, sweet bay leaf and savory notes. A ramrod of graphite adds to the strident, structured feel. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2050. 13,000 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusaist 98 points “Cellar Selection. This famous estate at the southern end of Pauillac has produced a powerful wine. Packed blackberry fruits, laced with acidity, are just starting out on a long journey along with the tannins. The wine’s elegance is beautifully preserved within the structure. With considerable potential, the wine should not be drunk before 2027. -Roger Voss”

Chateau de Pez, Saint-Estephe 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Chateau de Pez, Saint-Estephe 2018 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “From the team of Nicolas Glumineau at Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, the 2018 Château De Pez is a gorgeous 2018 that should be on every Bordeaux lover’s radar (and should be a great value as well). Notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, candied violets, and graphite define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, rockingly polished tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish. It’s terrific and is going to have 15-20 years or more of longevity. The blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Under the same Rouzaud family ownership as Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, this estate has produced a structured wine. It offers dense and solid tannins, rich with a firm texture and black currant fruits. The wine has weight and density that need aging. Drink from 2026. -Roger Voss”

New 2018 Bordeaux Offers Arriving in August:

Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2018 Grand-Puy-Lacoste is fabulous, just as it was from barrel. Strong Cabernet inflections soar out of the glass, giving the wine a compelling aromatic profile laced with the essence of graphite, dried herbs, menthol and dark fruit. One of the most classic (for lack of a better word) wines in the Left Bank in 2018, Grand-Puy-Lacoste is super-impressive right out of the gate. Grand-Puy-Lacoste is ultimately a wine of tremendous class that remains restrained and aristocratic in breeding. Don’t miss it.”

Chateau Giscours, Margaux 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special, 16 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Always a significant wine, this latest release with powerful while also stylish black fruits fits into a well-regarded tradition. The density and broad fruitiness of the wine make fine foils for each other. It is firmly structured and set for aging. Drink this wine from 2027. -Roger Voss”

“Léoville-Barton… [wines…] are …superb and well worth considering.” –Antonio Galloni
Chateau Léoville-Barton, Saint-Julien 2018 750ML ($149.95) $135 pre-arrival special, 24 bottles available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Cassis, crushed plum and steeped blackberry fruit is all packed into this wine, along with tar, violet and roasted apple wood notes, plus a terrific tug of warm earth. Shows lots of energy in reserve, with a tightly knit finish pulling everything together. Cellaring required. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2026 through 2040. 11,600 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Editor’s Choice. In this wine, fine and rich tannins partner with powerful black-plum and black-currant fruits. Densely textured while also having swathes of rich fruits, the wine shows both a firm side and one that offers total deliciousness. As it matures, both these aspects will come together. Drink from 2027. -Roger Voss”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2018 Léoville-Barton is a gorgeous, exotic wine. Crème de cassis, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves race out of the glass. The 2018 marries the natural opulence of the year with a pretty classic sense of structure, making for one of the more compelling wines of the year. I would give this a good decade in the cellar. There is much to look forward to. I especially admire the energy and poise here.”
Decanter 96 points “Well-polished blackcurrant, cassis and bilberry, everything pretty silky and firm. Not fully showing its generosity at this point but no question that it is going to get there soon. Clear charcoal, graphite and woodsmoke as it opens up. A ton of life ahead, and an appealing sense of mint freshness. Lives up to its en primeur promise – this is Léoville Barton at its most confident. Drinking Window 2026 – 2040.”

Shop our complete selection of red Bordeaux on our web store now!

Friday Night Newsletter 7-15-22

In This Newsletter:

New Weeks – New Arrivals

Staff Pick: Torre dei Beati Rosé

Rare Wine Spotlight:
Jacky Truchot

Trending

New Rosé Reviews from Vinous

Collector’s Corner:
Sine Qua Non

New Weeks – New Arrivals

Rosé

Le Galantin Bandol Rosé, Provence 2021 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Portland’s favorite rosé is also one of the earliest to arrive from France, so stock up quick for your summertime needs before it’s gone!

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Oregon

Quaintrelle Brick House Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Brick House’s assistant winemaker, Savannah Mills, just released this two block blend and we were stunned by the quality. It has all the seriousness of a Brick House bottling with a radiant and delicate touch. Bravo!
Winemaker’s note “From the first vintage in 2014, Quaintrelle has been a combination of Dijon 115 and Pommard clones grown according to Demeter BioDynamic standards at Brick House Vineyards. In 2018, I began to manage a small block of vines in the Northwest corner of the property to farm for this bottling. This wine is intended to be a lighter bodied, food friendly and flirtatious expression of Pinot Noir.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

France – Champagne

Paul Bara Grand Millesime Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Candied apricot, dried flowers, chamomile and spice give the 2014 Brut Grand Millésime a real sense of exoticism that is impossible to miss. Ample and creamy, the 2014 possesses terrific resonance and plenty of depth, all in a style that can be enjoyed with minimal, if any, cellaring. Disgorged: July, 2019.” [Disgorgement date may vary]

France – Bordeaux

Chateau L’Eglise-Clinet ‘La Petite Eglise’, Pomerol 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Denis Durantou’s 2015 La Petite Eglise is just as compelling from bottle as it was from barrel. Classy, polished and super-refined in every way, the Petite Eglise is all class. The bright red cherry, hard candy, mint and rose petal notes are beautifully delineated throughout. Even with all of its obvious fruit density, the 2015 remains light on its feet and gracious. There is no question Petite Eglise is one of the best second wines in 2015. Actually, Petite Eglise is not really a terrific second wine, it is simply a gorgeous Pomerol. That’s all there is to it.”
Decanter 93 points “Maybe you don’t want to wait for eight years before opening the bottle, or maybe you’ve got a bit of money in your pocket and you want to see what all the fuss is about with this Durantou guy in Pomerol – well here you go. This wine has his precision, his deft spinning-the-decks, magician-like ability to measure out tannins, fruit, freshness and sheer joy. It’s a second wine in name only, and although the finish is shorter than l’Eglise Clinet, that is setting the bar pretty high. Drinking Window 2020 – 2032.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “The second wine of Eglise Clinet, the 2015 La Petite Eglise is a pretty, elegant, even Burgundian, 2015 that opens up beautifully with time in the glass, Ripe red currants, cherries, sandalwood, cedary spice, and dried floral notes all emerge from this medium-bodied 2015 that has fine tannin and a great finish. It’s certainly not a blockbuster but excels on its finesse and elegance. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to taste the top cuvee from this estate.”

This is the only listing in the USA today for the 750ml!

Italy – Piedmont

Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Barbaresco, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($679.95) $599 special, only 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “This tightly wound red is dense with black cherry, black currant, plum, tar and iron flavors as well as tannins. Shows a lot of power and persistence, with all the components in the right proportion, ending with a long, resonant aftertaste. Needs time. Best from 2024 through 2048. 300 cases imported. — BS”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2017 growing season saw a couple of violent hail events in the Barbaresco appellation, and this celebrated vineyard suffered some damage during a storm that hit on July 19th. Yields were reduced, but the wine holds its own thanks to the careful fruit selection process put in place by the Gaja family. Their 2017 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo is a shade richer in terms of flavor concentration, as is always the case with fruit from this slightly warmer growing site. However, like the other two single-vineyard Barbaresco expressions, this wine reveals a thin, sharp and nervous personality that is driven in large part by tannic firmness and acidity. Sorì San Lorenzo adds lots of dark mineral definition to cassis, wild cherry, rose and Provence herbs. Like the other wines, it needs extra cellar aging time.”
Decanter 95 points “This is generally the most austere of the three Gaja single-vineyard wines, and it has also been described as ‘wilder’. In this vintage the nose does seem to have more weight than Sori Tildin, with rich raspberry and cherry aromas. It’s sumptuous, full-bodied and concentrated, with considerable density and weight. Despite its youthful chewiness, it’s still polished and balanced, with a very long finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2042.”

Gaja Conteisa, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, only 11 bottles available
Wine & Spirits 98 points “From the La Morra side of the Cerequio MGA, the 2015 is deeply resonant, its dark fruit tones layered with notes of cedar, tobacco and porcini. The Gaja family has worked extensively on canopy management since the warm 1997 and 2003 vintages, and this shows in the pleasantly tart flavors of black cherry and strawberry they achieved in the warm, dry 2015 growing season. The flavors weave together in a suave, seamless texture, expanding with air while maintaining precision and freshness. —S.J.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2015 Barolo Conteisa is a heady, exotic wine, and also one of the most complete, alluring Conteisas I have ever tasted. Conteisa is usually a wine of grace and understatement. The 2015, on the other hand, is a bold, sweeping Barolo that saturates the palate with stunning depth and volume. Even with all of its intensity, the 2015 remains vibrant. This is such a complete, harmonious wine.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “A big, beefy Barolo, the 2015 Barolo Conteisa comes from a site near La Morral and was first made in 1996. It takes plenty of air to come together but offers a complex bouquet of bright cherry and currant fruit interwoven with classic licorice, tar, sappy flowers, and even hints of iron. It shows a touch more minerality with time in the glass, but this is classic, full-bodied, powerful Nebbiolo with plenty of ripe tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. Give this structured, tight 2015 upwards of a decade of cellaring, and it’s going to keep for 30 years or more.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The large shoulders of this warm 2015 vintage contrast sharply with the delicate nuances of the 2016 Barbarescos also released now from Gaja. The 2015 Barolo Conteisa is intense, with a background chorus of plum, prune, herb, mint and wild cherry. It’s a very balanced Barolo. The Cerequio vineyard that provides this fruit often suffers from hail damage because the vineyard is located along the corridor of bad weather that comes over the hill from La Morra. There was some damage in mid-August, but fruit in the 2016 vintage suffered much more extensively in comparison. In fact, so little fruit was saved that Gaia Gaja is pretty sure this wine will not be produced next vintage. She tells me that they are now experimenting with anti-hail netting at this site—an eyesore they had long hoped to avoid.”

Gaja Darmagi Cabernet Sauvignon Langhe, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($299.95) $259 special, only 1 bottle available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Darmagi loves a warm vintage. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Darmagi embraces the summer warmth like a happy sponge. This wine is faithfully true to the variety, with intensely dark fruit followed by dried cassis, exotic spice and green laurel leaf. There is a point of succulent sweetness in the mouth that is uniquely specific to this hot vintage. The wine is seamless and smooth in texture with solid structure on the close. The vines suffered from stripe disease (GLSD). This reduced the capacity of the plant’s foliar system. Gaia Gaja tells me they were able to harvest from the healthy parts of the vines to make this beautiful wine.”

Staff Pick: Torre dei Beati Rosé

Xavier:
My current favorite for an easy drinking refreshing wine choice during these hot summer days! The “Cerasuolo” rosé offers a nice departure from conventional European or domestic rosé wines. As the rich color suggests, this unique Abruzzo rosé, made from Montepulciano grapes, surprises your palate with a refreshing and bright medley of cherry and cranberry highlighted with light floral tones. It makes a terrific summer cocktail wine and also pairs well with fish, white meats or tomato based pasta dishes.

New Vinous review!
Torre dei Beati ‘Rosa-ae,’ Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2021 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 92+ points “The color of the 2021 Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rosa-ae is stunning; a deep translucent red with violet shades, as a vivid mix of wet stones, strawberries and dusty rose form it’s compelling bouquet. It enters the palate with an initial burst of ripe wild berries, yet quickly gains in tension, as zesty acids and citrus tones reverberate throughout. The Rosa-ae finishes with an amazing persistence of purple- and blue-tinted florals all over a coating of salty minerals and the slightest tug of sweet tannin. This is a beauty today, yet it will also excel over the next year or two in a cold cellar. Well done.”
Winery note “‘Cerasuolo’ is the cherry colour of this very traditional Italian rose, that combines the freshness of a rose to the body of a light red. This unusual combination makes this wine very eclectic in matching food, ranging from antipasti, all’italiana, to ‘paste e fagioli’, to the typical ‘chitarra’ noodles with tomato sauce and little meatballs, to fish dishes like the celebrated Adriatic ‘brodetto'”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Rare Wine Spotlight:

Jacky Truchot

“After twenty-six vintages (twenty-two of them, thankfully, having been sold in the U.S., which became his largest market), and with no heirs, 68-year-old Jacky Truchot is retiring. Even the portion of Clos Sorbe behind the hulking family manor (familiar to Burgundy lovers from the old photograph on his label) is for sale with the house. Truchot’s wines could rightly be called ‘old-fashioned’, which made them all the more exceptional and coveted in recent years. As Robert Parker wrote of them in these pages in 1991, ‘as light … as they appear, they often possess stunning fragrances and amazing richness and character.’ The expression ‘grown, not made’ has never been truer than of these wines of a farmer bonded with his vines, and they offer terrific values. Truchot expressed relief at having bowed out on a high note and especially at having missed out on 2006!” –David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate, writing in 2007 on the 2005 releases

Jacky Truchot Aux Combottes Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2005 750ML ($2,599.95) $1,999 special, only 1 bottle available

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Trending

“Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with ripe black and red fruits and wonderful earthy/spicy accents…” -Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($89.95) Was $66, Now $59, 22 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Pale yellow-gold. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying intense citrus and orchard fruit scents complemented by suggestions of toasty lees, iodine and sweet butter. Sappy, penetrating and seamless in texture, offering concentrated pear nectar, peach, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors that deepen slowly on the back half while maintaining energy. Finishes with repeating pear and floral notes, with a late jolt of dusty minerality pulling things together.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2016 Sequitur Chardonnay has a gregarious nose of spiced, baked yellow apples and warm pineapple with notes of toast, honey, hazelnut and hay. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm orchard and tropical fruits accented by nuances of baking spice, nuts and honey, with a touch of creaminess to the texture, juicy acidity and a long, mineral-laced finish. 85 cases produced.”

One of the great pillars of classical Rioja
Marques de Murrieta Reserva Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Marques de Murrieta Reserva Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “Incredible depth and intensity on the nose with chocolate, walnut, blackberry and wet-earth aromas. Some iodine, too. All this follows through to a full body with very silky tannins that give the wine depth and length. It’s really framed beautifully. Reserved and tight at the finish. A terrific wine for the cellar. Give this three to five years to open.”
Decanter 94 points “A great classic, with a unique Rioja character, bursting with chewy red fruits, counterpointed by minerality. Reconciling power and finesse, pleasure and style. Warm and intense. Benchmark for wines of style, high-end brands. Leaves a vibrant memory.”
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 93 points “The red 2017 Rioja Reserva is their flagship wine, of which they produce 900,000 bottles exclusively from grapes from their 300 hectares of estate vineyards. It’s a blend of 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo (Cariñena) and 2% Garnacha and has the character of the vintage, ripe and warm but without excess. The varieties fermented separately, even different plots fermented separately, and they also aged in barrel on their own. The blend is done at the end, after 20 months in American oak barrels. 2017 was a challenging year that they still consider a better vintage than 2018, as they see more concentration and power. The wine is quite lactic and creamy, still showing very young. It does feel undeveloped and in need of some time in bottle. The wine has concentration and clout, and I always consider it an ultimate example of an updated classical Reserva from Rioja. 2017 was the earliest harvest (started and finished in September), a warm and dry year when the Ygay estate miraculously escaped the terrible frost that decimated most of Europe. The challenge for this wine was to contain the ripeness and power, and they have done it. This will be released in spring 2021, so it should be a lot more integrated by then. This is always a sure value. Volumes are lower this year.”

“Silky with medium-bodied weight, ushering in a dense and textural mix of apricot and mineral-tinged pear” -Eric Guido-Vinous
Torre dei Beati ‘Bianchi Grilli per la Testa’ Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2019 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “The 2019 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Bianchi Grilli Per la Testa pulls you close to the glass with a display of spiced yellow apple and geranium, evolving into a mix of curry leaf, crushed stone and almond paste. This is silky with medium-bodied weight, ushering in a dense and textural mix of apricot and mineral-tinged pear. There’s so much going on here and so much more to come, as this tapers off long, staining the senses with a nutty richness under an air of honeysuckle and sage. The Bianchi Grilli Per la Testa spends eleven months on the lees in a combination of stainless steel, neutral tonneaux and acacia wood barrels. It’s quite a wine.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

“The Perricone [grape], or the so-called pignatello, had been the undisputed leader of the red grapes in western Sicily. Rich with red fruits…Wine of great power and harmony while expressing…fresh and lively character”-Winery notes
Caruso & Minini ‘Naturalmente Bio’ Perricone Terre Siciliane IGT Sicily 2019 750ML ($21.95) Was $18, Now $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $21

“Fresh cherry fruit, Mediterranean herbs and a…mineral finish. The tannins are fine-grained with refreshing and balanced acidity” -Jeb Dunnuck
La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2016 Brunello is lifted with dried raspberry, orange peel, thyme, and dusty earth. The palate is medium-bodied with fresh cherry fruit, Mediterranean herbs, and a saline mineral finish. The tannins are fine-grained with refreshing and balanced acidity. This red opened up and stayed fresh for days. Enjoy over the next 15 years, 2021-2036.”
James Suckling 95 points “A lovely, polished young Brunello with black cherries and floral, orange-peel and some mineral notes. It’s full-bodied and very fine-tannined with a long, focused finish. Give it two or three years to open. Better after 2022.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “La Poderina’s 2016 Brunello di Montalcino shows a lot of charm and grace, with a bouquet that is defined not so much by the ripeness of its fruit but by the many nuances hidden directly under the surface. The fruit shows lifted red tones with cherry and dried raspberry, but it also offers very precise minerality with crushed limestone and chalk that adds points of dustiness or dryness to the bouquet (and ultimately subtracts from the density of the mouthfeel). These lithe background tones shape what is fundamentally a very elegant, streamlined and pretty Brunello. I am very happy to recommend this new release (with 65,000 bottles to hit the market in March 2021) from La Poderina.”

“This is a gorgeously fruity and stimulating Riesling… A round, only gently sweet Riesling with clear lemon fruit,… a silky texture” -Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Weingut Donnhoff Estate Riesling, Nahe 2020 750ML ($26.95) $20.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “Sourced in Oberhausen and Niederhausen (so from weathered slate and volcanic stones), the Dönnhoff estate 2020 Riesling is pure and refreshingly mineral on the nose that shows clear, bright and spicy fruit with crunchy slate aromas. Virtually a classic Kabinett, this is a round, only gently sweet Riesling with clear lemon fruit, a silky texture and very elegant, ripe and piquant acidity. This is a gorgeously fruity and stimulating Riesling to start with after a long night if you don’t have fresh fruit on the table. “We have to be careful that it doesn’t get too good for the price range,” says Helmut Dönnhoff, and he is right, because this is a Nahe classic or, as Dönnhoff puts it, “This is the light, pure optimism, a children’s choir. That is joie de vivre.” 10.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”

“These vines are located in five communes in the most famous part of the Alsatian vineyard, in the Grands Crus sector… The word Agapé comes from the Greek for unconditional love and it sums up perfectly the winery’s philosophy” -Winery notes
Domaine l’Agapé Cremant d’Alsace NV 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Wet chalk, tender apple and lot of lemon freshness appear on the nose of this wine. These notions are bound up on the palate in a mellow creaminess. It’s understated and elegant, with lots of fine fruit. The finish is dry and very moreish in its rounded way. -Anne Krebiehl MW”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

“Bürgergarten … refers to a garden situated on a hill. The very deep soil…has been used for wine production for centuries” -Winery notes
Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten ‘Im Breumel’ Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz GG 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points Very floral with pretty herbal undertones, ranging from coriander to dill to mint. The flowers range from jasmine to honeysuckle to almond blossom. Understated and elegant from the outset. The palate has a very chalky feel to the texture with overlapping, firm lines of acidity and dainty citrus fruit. Immaculately ironed-out edges and well-defined, linear crease. Drink now or hold.
Winery Note “The age-worthy Riesling wines from this prime section of the Haardt Bürgergarten are characterised by the optimal balance between a concentrated Riesling fruit, lingering minerality, a delicate elegance and an elaborately interwoven, long finish – Riesling to perfection.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $70.99!!

New Rosé Reviews from Vinous

Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina, Spain 2021 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Pale orange. Finely etched red berry, citrus zest and floral aromas, along with building herb and mineral flourishes. Taut and nervy in the mouth, offering sappy strawberry, cherry and tangerine flavors that show fine delineation and spicy lift. Closes firm and right, with persistent red fruit notes and a refreshingly bitter edge.”

Bedrock Wine Co. ‘Ode to Lulu’ Rosé of Mourvedre, Sonoma Valley, USA 2021 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Limpid orange-pink. Incisive, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh red berries, nectarine and citrus zest are complemented by steadily building floral and succulent herb notes. Silky and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated white peach, strawberry and tangerine flavors that show fine delineation and firm tension. Deepens steadily on a long, mineral-driven finish that leaves a repeating floral note behind.”

Chateau la Mascaronne Quat’Saisons Rosé, Cotes de Provence, France 2021 750ML ($29.95) $27 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Bright salmon-skin color. Fresh pit fruits, red berries and a hint of orange pith on the incisive nose. Tight and sharply focused on the palate, offering vibrant strawberry, white peach and tangerine flavors that put on weight as the wine opens up. Shows fine clarity and spicy cut on the persistent finish, which features a late floral nuance.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Peyrassol ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence, France 2021 750ML ($41.95) $38 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Translucent orange. White peach, strawberry, mango and a touch of honey on the highly fragrant nose. Offers fleshy red berry and pith fruit flavors, along with hints of lavender, fennel and orange zest. Closes long, smooth and gently spicy, with the peach and floral notes repeating.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $42

Peyrassol ‘Cuvee des Commandeurs’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence, France 2021 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant salmon skin color. Fresh and focused on the nose, displaying vibrant strawberry, nectarine and melon scents and a spicy touch of white pepper. Silky and open-knit, showing good depth and energy to its juicy pit fruit and red berry flavors. A hint of orange zest lends bite to the juicy finish, which hangs on with very good tenacity.”

Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rosé, Burgundy, France 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Vivid orange-pink. Fresh red berries, candied rose and a dusty mineral nuance on the fragrant nose. Gently chewy and tightly wound on entry, then more fleshy in the mid-palate, displaying juicy cherry and tangerine flavors that turn sweeter on the back half. The floral note repeats on a long, focused finish that leaves a refreshingly bitter suggestion of cherry pit behind.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaines Ott ‘By.Ott’ Rose, Cotes de Provence, France 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Bright, peach skin color. Fresh pit fruit and red berry scents are complemented by building floral and orange pith nuances. Smooth and open knit, showing good breadth and depth to its juicy strawberry, tangerine and white peach flavors. The floral note recurs on the nicely persistent finish, which features a subtle hint of fennel.”

Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose, Provence, France 2021 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Light, bright orange. Vibrant pomegranate, blood orange and pit fruit qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with building mineral and floral accents. Taut and focused in the mouth, nicely concentrated red berry, orange zest and lavender flavors are supported by an undercurrent of chalky minerality. Finishes floral and long, with repeating mineral and citrus fruit notes.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Arriving Friday, July 22nd

Peyrassol ‘Le Clos’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence, France 2021 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid onion skin color. A highly perfumed and complex bouquet evokes fresh citrus and pit fruits, strawberry and pungent flowers, along with building mineral and succulent herb elements. Shows excellent clarity and depth to its juicy red fruit, nectarine and mango flavors, which are sweetened by a background of vanilla note. Finishes impressively long and silky, with the mineral and floral note resonating. “

Domaines Ott Chateau de Selle Rosé, Cotes de Provence, France 2021 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Limpid orange. A sharply focused, mineral-accented bouquet evokes fresh red berries and pit fruits, citrus pith and pungent flowers. Silky and penetrating on the palate, offering tangy redcurrant, pomegranate and blood orange flavors and a hint of honeysuckle. The floral note builds steadily through an impressively long, nervy finish that echoes the citrus and mineral notes.”

Arriving Late July

Thibaud Boudignon Rosé de Loire, France 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Limpid orange. Vibrant, mineral- and spice tinged strawberry and orange zest aromas show fine definition and a building floral nuance. Shows firm tension and cut on the palate, offering intense citrus fruit and red berry character and a suggestion of botanical herbs. Finishes very long and precise, with the floral and mineral notes repeating.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Collector’s Corner:

Sine Qua Non

Sine Qua Non is one of the rarest cult producers in California. Their bottlings are so in demand they are sold exclusively through a mailing list and are almost never seen on the retail market. These are some of the most profound expressions of Californian wine in how they encapsulate developed richness with verve and lift at the same time. Shop our recent new arrivals below:

Sine Qua Non ‘The Inaugural’ Syrah, Sta Rita Hills 2003 750ML ($2,799.95) $1,799 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 100 points “The mind-boggling 2003 The Inaugural Syrah is an emotional experience to taste as well as drink. Aged 38 ½ months in French oak, it was fashioned entirely from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard, which is planted with Syrah clones #470, 174, and the Estrella River and Alban field selections. This stunning Syrah boasts a magnificent bouquet of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, charcoal, licorice, and roasted meats. It hits the palate with remarkable intensity, purity, and full-bodied power, but it somehow manages to dance across the taste buds with the gracefulness of a ballerina. Awesomely long, I still tasted this wine 60 seconds after I had spit it out – no easy task, even for a professional. This majestic Syrah should be a modern day legacy for Sine Qua Non, ranking alongside the other stunning Syrahs they have produced, such as the two 2002 cuvees, Just For The Love Of It and Heart Chorea. This is a nuanced, complex wine, whereas the 2004 Poker Face is more exuberant and flamboyant. It should age beautifully for 10-15+ years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $1,920

Sine Qua Non ‘The Inaugural’ Eleven Confessions Vineyard Grenache, Sta Rita Hills 2003 750ML ($4,299.95) $3,499 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck-Wine Advocate 100 points “In addition to these new releases, I was also able to taste through a number of older vintages, including the 2001 Albino, 2006 Hoodoo Man, 2003 The Inaugural, 2004 Ode to E, 1998 E Raised, 2001 On Your Toes, 2005 Nail in My Cranium and 2007 Syrah Dangerous Birds. To say I came away impressed would be an understatement. Anyone who claims this big, rich style can-t age needs to taste these wines. I opted to just list my scores for the older releases as I find Bob’s initial write-ups spot on.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $5,999.99

Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!

Wednesday Newsletter 7-13-22

In This Newsletter:

Staff Pick: Aubry Champagne

California Treasure Trove

Elvio Cogno’s Iconic Barolo

Gaja, The One and Only

ABCDEFGHIJ
K Vintners

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Staff Pick: Aubry Champagne

Xavier:
Aubry Champagne is one of my absolute favorite champagnes. If you have had the chance to enjoy one of their Premier Cru Brut in the past, it might be time for you to get reacquainted. If not, it is a remarkable blend of predominantly Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blended with three rare indigenous white grapes of the Champagne region: Fromenteau, Petit Meslier and Arbanne.

Pierre and Philippe Aubry, descendants of a line of winegrowers since 1790, have engaged in a real work of memory by bringing back to life some of the old and lost grape varieties, formerly cultivated in Champagne. They replanted what had been considered the “lost grape varieties” of Champagne: Fromenteau, Petit Meslier and Arbanne in the 1990’s and started incorporating them in their Cuvées.

Approachable traditional round mouthfeel with bright minerality. White flowers, brioche and citrus fruit.
Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The NV Brut from Aubry is such a pretty wine. Medium in body and understated, the Brut captures all the sophistication that is typical of these Champagnes. Hints of orchard fruit, spice, chamomile, tangerine oil and almond develop over time, but it is the wine’s balance that comes through. The heavy presence of red grapes is felt in both the flavor profile and overall weight. Best of all, the Brut is a fabulous value.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Firm and tightly-knit, with a fine, zesty mousse and a subtle vein of smoky minerality layered accompanied by flavors of Mandarin orange peel, steeped apricot, lemon thyme and salted almond. Disgorged February 2021. Drink now. — AN”
Disgorged March 2021

Shop our complete selection of Grower to Grand Marque Champagnes on our webstore now!

California Treasure Trove

We’re opening the vault of California gold!

Bond Estates Vecina, Napa Valley 2001 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 96+ points “The most backward, earthy, muscular/masculine wine of the group is the 2001 Vecina. Still quite tightly knit, with loads of rugged tannins as well as distinctive notes of graphite and earth reminiscent of a St.-Estephe such as Chateau Montrose, the wine displays sweet, earthy blueberry and blackberry fruit, but then the tannins kick in. This full-bodied, massive wine needs a good 5-7 years of cellaring at the minimum, and whether it ever approaches the seamless/flawless perfection of a St. Eden or Melbury remains to be seen.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $420

Bond Estates St. Eden, Napa Valley 2001 750ML ($699.95) $499 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 100 points “Utterly perfect, another wine that seems to have taken on a first-growth Pauillac-like character (think Mouton-Rothschild) is the 2001 St. Eden. With a remarkably perfumed nose of crushed rocks, subtle barbecue smoke, and again, cedar wood intermixed with creme de cassis and blackberry, this wine displays a phenomenally concentrated mouthfeel, full-bodied opulence, voluptuous texture, and of this trio, is certainly the closest to its apogee of full maturity. Nevertheless, it will still benefit from another 5-10 years of cellaring and keep for an additional 25-30.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $545

Bond Estates Melbury, Napa Valley 2001 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Melbury (a dead ringer for Pauillac) has an opaque blue/purple color and an extraordinarily sweet nose of charcoal, lead pencil shavings, cedar wood, black currants, licorice and spice box. Full-bodied, with great intensity, purity and texture, this is a wonderfully dense, full-throttle wine that is still an adolescent and likely to stay one for at least another 5-7 years. Look for it to age gracefully well past 20-30+ years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $415

Sine Qua Non Into The Dark Grenache, Sta Rita Hills 2004 750ML ($699.95) $599 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Sine Qua Non Into The Dark Grenache, Sta Rita Hills 2004 1.5L ($1,699.95) $1399 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Wine Advocate 99 points “More up-front and open-knit, the 2004 Into the Dark (Grenache) checks in as a blend of 84% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah and 1% Viognier that comes mostly from Manfred’s 11 Confessions Vineyard, yet includes small portions from Alban (10%) and Alta Mesa (9%) Vineyard. Reminding me of Clos Saint-Jean’s Sanctus Sanctorum with its incredible bouquet of sweet kirsch, licorice, dried baking spices, graphite and ground pepper, this beauty flows onto the palate with impeccable purity, perfect integration of its fruit, tannin and acidity, and blockbuster length. As is common with this estate’s wine, it’s the purity paired with serious richness that sets it apart. While still youthful and benefiting from a healthy decadence, I think it’s drinking at point and would aim to drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years. It will evolve gracefully for longer, but I see no reason to hold off.-JD”
Robert Parker 99 points “2004 Into the Dark: This absolutely magnificent wine is a blend of 84% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah and 1% Viognier, with most of it emerging from the estate’s 11 Confessions Vineyard. It still has a very opaque ruby/purple color, along with a sweet nose of graphite, wood smoke, spice box, white chocolate, kirsch and creme de cassis. Still quite infantile in terms of its development, the wine is full-bodied, with a 45- to 50-second finish. Another 2-3 years of cellaring will be beneficial, and it is certainly capable of lasting 10 or more years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Levy & McClellan Red (Cabernet Sauvignon), Napa Valley 2006 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 95 points “The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon displays beautifully sweet blue and black fruits intermixed with espresso roast, smoked meats, chocolate, and scorched earth. Dense purple in color, deep, rich, broad, with plenty of tannin and concentration as well as noticeable oak, this wine is a massive Cabernet meant for long-term cellaring. I wouldn’t touch a bottle for 6 to 8 years, then watch it unfold over the following 25-30.”
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “(includes bits of cabernet franc and petit verdot) Deep red-ruby. Complex, inviting aromas of cassis, graphite, menthol and sexy new oak. Very ripe but bright and classic, with terrific lift to the cassis, mineral and dark chocolate flavors. This boasts remarkably deep fruit for seven-year-old vines and finishes with very sweet, suave tannins and superb length. Husband-and-wife team Bob Levy and Martha McClellan, who are also responsible for making Harlan, Bond, Blankiet and Sloan, consider their 2005 to be a bit more layered and complex, but this one is also a star of its vintage.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $799 (ouch!)

Sine Qua Non ‘The Inaugural’ Syrah, Sta Rita Hills 2003 750ML ($2,799.95) $1,799 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 100 points “The mind-boggling 2003 The Inaugural Syrah is an emotional experience to taste as well as drink. Aged 38 ½ months in French oak, it was fashioned entirely from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard, which is planted with Syrah clones #470, 174, and the Estrella River and Alban field selections. This stunning Syrah boasts a magnificent bouquet of spring flowers, blueberries, blackberries, charcoal, licorice, and roasted meats. It hits the palate with remarkable intensity, purity, and full-bodied power, but it somehow manages to dance across the taste buds with the gracefulness of a ballerina. Awesomely long, I still tasted this wine 60 seconds after I had spit it out – no easy task, even for a professional. This majestic Syrah should be a modern day legacy for Sine Qua Non, ranking alongside the other stunning Syrahs they have produced, such as the two 2002 cuvees, Just For The Love Of It and Heart Chorea. This is a nuanced, complex wine, whereas the 2004 Poker Face is more exuberant and flamboyant. It should age beautifully for 10-15+ years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $1,920

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $5,999.99

Hundred Acre ‘Kayli Morgan Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2004 750ML ($699.95) $549 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 98 points “The wild man of Napa Valley, Jayson Woodbridge, has turned out one of the superstars of 2004, with the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan. His wines always tend to be gorgeous young, offering up an impression that they’re not going to last. But his first vintage, 2000, seems to get better and better, even though it was spectacular when released. The 2004, which was harvested in September, shows an almost Pomerol-like sweet mocha, kirsch, black currant and deeply fruited mouthfeel. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but the clay soils of his vineyard seem to give a sweetness of tannin and a voluptuous character to the texture. This wine oozes rich, concentrated fruit, is light on its feet and has gorgeous purity, a multidimensional mouthfeel and a stunning finish. Silky black currant, kirsch, licorice, mocha and caramelized fruit make for a stunningly full-throttle, brilliant 2004 to enjoy over the next 15 or more years.” RP

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Hundred Acre ‘Kayli Morgan Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2007 750ML ($899.95) $699 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “[Tasted Dec 2018] The deep garnet colored 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard features gorgeous crushed plums, spicy blackberries, crème de cassis and Chinese five spice with potpourri and nuances of dried herbs, lavender, black tea and loads of crushed rocks, tilled soil and underbrush accents. Full-bodied and absolutely laden with earth and spice accents, it has a firm and grainy texture with exhilarating yet seamless freshness, finishing very long.”

Elvio Cogno’s Iconic Barolo

Elvio Cogno was instrumental in putting the Ravera cru on the map. Born and raised in Novello, the village associated with the famous vineyard, he left his partnership with Marcarini in his sixties to start his namesake winery in 1990. He purchased Cascina Nuova, an underperforming but historic estate, and started making classically-styled wines under his own name from the Ravera cru.

The resulting stupendous wines prompted a rush on land in Novello (and Ravera in particular), but no wineries have surpassed the original master and his son-in-law (winemaker since ’96 Valter Fissore—who is arguably even more talented than Elvio). From their entry level “Cascina Nuova” Barolo up to his Riservas from the choicest parts of his holdings, these are wines that will appeal to every lover of Barolo.

Italian specialists Antonio Galloni of Vinous, Monica Larner of Wine Advocate, and Kerin O’Keefe of Wine Enthusiast all agree: this is a classical estate that over delivers. Year in, year out, these reviewers offer consistently high praise for the wines across multiple vintages and price levels.

In Stock Now:

Elvio Cogno Bricco Pernice, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $99 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Bricco Pernice, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($719.95) $559 special (that’s only $93.17/bottle!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. Enticing scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry and an earthy whiff of truffle shape the fragrant nose on this dazzling wine. The delicious, full-bodied palate boasts structure and a weightless elegance, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, cherry compote, cinnamon and star anise. Taut polished tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and an elegant structure. It’s already irresistible but will also age well for years. Drink 2022–2035.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Elvio Cogno 2015 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice delivers the depth, richness and concentration that are a hallmark of this pretty vintage. This wine is a pure expression of the productive Lampia clone of Nebbiolo. Generous layers of blackberry, wild cherry, rose hip, ferrous earth and campfire ash are neatly folded together to build the wine’s intensity. Like the other wines from this estate, the tannic management is spot-on. You are aware of the wine’s youthful structure, but it is delivered without hard edges or sharp points. A mere 4,000 bottles were produced.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Barolo Bricco Pernice is an exotic, beguiling wine. Blood orange, mint, sweet red cherry, star anise and a range of spice notes give the Bricco Pernice striking aromatic and flavor complexity. Medium in body, refined and super-expressive, the 2015 has so much to offer. Best of all, it will drink well with just a few years in bottle. It is such an effortless, gracious wine. Very polished, nuanced and elegant, this silky Barolo has a ton of structure but is also impeccable in its balance.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Aromas of camphor and sweet pipe tobacco give way to cherry, tar and wild scrub flavors in this densely structured red, which is elegant and sinewy, with a lingering, chewy finish. Best from 2023 through 2045.”

Elvio Cogno Cascina Nuova, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Cascina Nuova, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Rose, woodland berry and baking spice shape the nose along with crushed mint notes on this fragrant red. The savory, polished palate boasts succulent raspberry, ripe strawberry and white pepper before taut tannins and bright acidity reveal a firm, elegant structure. Star anise lingers on the finish. Drink 2023–2036.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Of the four Elvio Cogno Baroli out on the market now, this wine is the most immediate and accessible of the bunch. Production is an ample 20,000 bottles. The 2016 Barolo Cascina Nuova is a terrific wine with impeccable balance. The bouquet offers dark fruit aromas, licorice, smoke, tar and spice. These aromatic pieces slide together with precision to create an intriguing and multifaceted puzzle. It shows good fruit weight and concentration, reinforced by firm tannins, freshness and a silky mouthfeel. This is a terrific go-to Barolo from a classic vintage. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then ages for two years in botte grande made with Slavonian oak. “
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Cogno’s 2016 Barolo Cascina Nuova is absolutely gorgeous. Pliant and expressive on the palate, the 2016 has a touch more mid-palate sweetness and texture than in the past, when the wine has been more nervous in feel. Sweet red cherry, blood orange, mint, wild flowers, cedar, sweet tobacco and anise all open up effortlessly. Silky tannins add to its considerable immediacy and appeal. This is such a pretty wine in its peer group and also a terrific example of how attractive more modestly priced Barolos are in 2016.”

Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points “This is a terrific Piedmont red to pair with a classic quiche Lorraine. The Elvio Cogno 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli is a delicate and fragile expression with bright accents of chopped mint and medicinal herb that hover over a core of wild cherry and dried raspberry. The wine delivers soft and smooth aromas that define the character of this pretty wine. Dusty tannins and some lingering mineral notes frame a polished finish. A portion of the wine sees whole-cluster fermentation, and winemaking is straightforward in stainless steel. Some 10,000 bottles were released.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $39

Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2017 Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli is a very pretty wine. The warm, dry vintage has give Cogno’s Nebbiolo an extra kick of richness, but without robbing the wine of its personality. Sweet dried cherry, mint, tobacco, crushed flowers and anise all flesh out in an expansive, inviting Nebbiolo that will drink nicely for at least a number of years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Shop our complete selection of Barolo on our webstore now!

Gaja, The One and Only

Gaja is a name that requires no context—like Latour or DRC, it’s understood which estate is meant and it is one of the most respected names in the world of wine. And Sori San Lorenzo is an icon in Barbaresco.

Arriving Friday from Gaja:

Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Barbaresco, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($679.95) $599 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “This tightly wound red is dense with black cherry, black currant, plum, tar and iron flavors as well as tannins. Shows a lot of power and persistence, with all the components in the right proportion, ending with a long, resonant aftertaste. Needs time. Best from 2024 through 2048. 300 cases imported. — BS”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2017 growing season saw a couple of violent hail events in the Barbaresco appellation, and this celebrated vineyard suffered some damage during a storm that hit on July 19th. Yields were reduced, but the wine holds its own thanks to the careful fruit selection process put in place by the Gaja family. Their 2017 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo is a shade richer in terms of flavor concentration, as is always the case with fruit from this slightly warmer growing site. However, like the other two single-vineyard Barbaresco expressions, this wine reveals a thin, sharp and nervous personality that is driven in large part by tannic firmness and acidity. Sorì San Lorenzo adds lots of dark mineral definition to cassis, wild cherry, rose and Provence herbs. Like the other wines, it needs extra cellar aging time.”
Decanter 95 points “This is generally the most austere of the three Gaja single-vineyard wines, and it has also been described as ‘wilder’. In this vintage the nose does seem to have more weight than Sori Tildin, with rich raspberry and cherry aromas. It’s sumptuous, full-bodied and concentrated, with considerable density and weight. Despite its youthful chewiness, it’s still polished and balanced, with a very long finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2042.”

Gaja Conteisa, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special, only 11 bottles available
Wine & Spirits 98 points “From the La Morra side of the Cerequio MGA, the 2015 is deeply resonant, its dark fruit tones layered with notes of cedar, tobacco and porcini. The Gaja family has worked extensively on canopy management since the warm 1997 and 2003 vintages, and this shows in the pleasantly tart flavors of black cherry and strawberry they achieved in the warm, dry 2015 growing season. The flavors weave together in a suave, seamless texture, expanding with air while maintaining precision and freshness. —S.J.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 points “The 2015 Barolo Conteisa is a heady, exotic wine, and also one of the most complete, alluring Conteisas I have ever tasted. Conteisa is usually a wine of grace and understatement. The 2015, on the other hand, is a bold, sweeping Barolo that saturates the palate with stunning depth and volume. Even with all of its intensity, the 2015 remains vibrant. This is such a complete, harmonious wine.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “A big, beefy Barolo, the 2015 Barolo Conteisa comes from a site near La Morral and was first made in 1996. It takes plenty of air to come together but offers a complex bouquet of bright cherry and currant fruit interwoven with classic licorice, tar, sappy flowers, and even hints of iron. It shows a touch more minerality with time in the glass, but this is classic, full-bodied, powerful Nebbiolo with plenty of ripe tannins, a stacked mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. Give this structured, tight 2015 upwards of a decade of cellaring, and it’s going to keep for 30 years or more.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The large shoulders of this warm 2015 vintage contrast sharply with the delicate nuances of the 2016 Barbarescos also released now from Gaja. The 2015 Barolo Conteisa is intense, with a background chorus of plum, prune, herb, mint and wild cherry. It’s a very balanced Barolo. The Cerequio vineyard that provides this fruit often suffers from hail damage because the vineyard is located along the corridor of bad weather that comes over the hill from La Morra. There was some damage in mid-August, but fruit in the 2016 vintage suffered much more extensively in comparison. In fact, so little fruit was saved that Gaia Gaja is pretty sure this wine will not be produced next vintage. She tells me that they are now experimenting with anti-hail netting at this site—an eyesore they had long hoped to avoid.”

Gaja Darmagi Cabernet Sauvignon Langhe, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($299.95) $259 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Darmagi loves a warm vintage. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Darmagi embraces the summer warmth like a happy sponge. This wine is faithfully true to the variety, with intensely dark fruit followed by dried cassis, exotic spice and green laurel leaf. There is a point of succulent sweetness in the mouth that is uniquely specific to this hot vintage. The wine is seamless and smooth in texture with solid structure on the close. The vines suffered from stripe disease (GLSD). This reduced the capacity of the plant’s foliar system. Gaia Gaja tells me they were able to harvest from the healthy parts of the vines to make this beautiful wine.”

In Stock Now from Gaja:

Gaja Darmagi Cabernet Sauvignon Langhe, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94+ points “The 2017 Darmagi (Cabernet Sauvignon) is gorgeous. Ample, silky and voluptuous to its core, Darmagi offers tons of immediacy and sheer appeal. Today, the 2017 is all about fruit richness and texture. Readers who prefer to see a full range of Cabernet aromatics should plan on cellaring the 2017 for at least a few years. Hints of blackberry jam, mocha, licorice and spice linger, but more than anything else, the 2017 is all about flamboyance. This is an especially strong vintage.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “While a base Langhe release, the 2017 Darmagi is stunning stuff, offering a killer bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, hot asphalt, spring flowers, tobacco, and a touch of rocky, earhty minerality. With a rich, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, a more supple, upfront style, and sweet tannins, it already offers loads of pleasure, yet its solid spine of tannins and acidity make me believe it will still be drinking nicely in 15-20 years.”

Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Langhe-Barbaresco, Piedmont 2009 750ML ($449.95) $399 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 97 points “[Translated] Deeply colored, sparkling ruby with a light garnet border. Precise and tight nose showing adundant ripe wild black raspberries, some plum, truffles and spice in the background. Earth and substantial tannin unfolds.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Gaja’s 2009 Sori San Lorenzo, on the other hand, is much more typical in its expression. Layers of juicy dark cherries, menthol, spices, tar, licorice and graphite flow across the palate as this powerful, masculine wine opens up in the glass. Balsamic infused aromas and flavors develop in the glass, adding considerable complexity and the signature of this great terroir, indisputably one of Piemonte’s very finest. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039.”
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 95 points “Silky and gracious on the palate, the 2009 Sorì San Lorenzo looks to be a wine that will drink well with just a few years of cellaring. This is a decidedly floral, lifted yet radiant wine with terrific balance and plenty of the sexiness that defines the very best wines of the year.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 95 points “Good full red. Pungent aromas of maraschino cherry, minerals, smoke and camphor; the most Barolo-like of Gaja’s 2009s from the Barbaresco zone. The thickest and most concentrated too, sweet and mouthfilling but very backward. The combination of sheer stuffing and medicinal reserve along with fine-grained, dusty tannins and outstanding persistence suggests that this plump but youthful wine will age slowly and well.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Gaja Sori Tildin Langhe-Barbaresco, Piedmont 2008 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 97 points “[Translated] Bright, intense ruby-garnet. A playful and multi-layered nose shows notes of ripe cherries, some orange peel, cardamom and fresh plums. Presents on the palate as a unified whole showing lots of tightly packed tannins and a rich depth. Builds in many layers. Has plenty of elegance and suppleness on the finish.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2008 Sori Tildin is impressive. I confess I wasn’t quite prepared for the assault of fruit and tannins here. Sori Tildin is so often a graceful, elegant wine, but that is not the case in 2008. That’s not to say elegance is missing, but this is a big, big wine with tons of intensity and richness, all woven together beautifully. It’s tough to find a comparison with a previous vintage, as this is a singular Tildin. The flavors are familiar if a touch on the dark side, but the structure is closer than that of Sori San Lorenzo. Flowers, tar, leather and licorice wrap around the palate. This is a fabulous showing and a great wine in the making. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.”

ABCDEFGHIJ

K Vintners

Arriving Friday

Big on character and low in price, these are wines that perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the regions production. Much like Washington State wine in general, the portfolio is Syrah heavy with guest appearances by Grenache and Chardonnay.

K Vintners The Boy Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “A lovely grenache with ripe strawberry, white pepper and hints of hazelnut on both the nose and palate. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a spicy finish. 100% whole cluster. No new oak. So yummy. Drink now or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Gorgeous framboise and ripe strawberry fruits as well as spice, herbes de Provence, and wildflower notes emerge from the 2018 Grenache The Boy Powerline Vineyard, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a seamless, elegant texture and outstanding length. This is another thrilling Grenache from this team that does everything right. It’s hard to resist today yet should keep for 10-12 years in cold cellars.”

K Vintners ‘M.C.K. Motor City Kitty’ Syrah, Washington 2019 750ML ($44.95) $38 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 98 points “Layered aromas of plums, black cherries, leather, bark and iron. Full-bodied with a lot of nuance. Firm, gripping tannins. Dried roses and crushed blackberries mix with dark, mineral complexity, leaving a buzz on the palate. A clear note of cocoa powder comes through. Concentrated and dynamic. Superb. Best after 2024.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “I always seem to love this cuvée and the 2019 Syrah Motor City Kitty is no exception. Coming all from a single block in the Boushey Vineyard, it was not destemmed, spent a full 47 days on skins, and was raised 21 months in 25% new French oak. It has a great nose of darker, gamey black fruits as well as iron, ground pepper, black olives, and violets. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, this balanced, rich, gamey, Northern Rhône-like beauty is terrific today and will be terrific in 8-10 years as well.”

K Vintners The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Currants, savory spices, dried flowers, charcoal, and loamy earth all emerge from the 2018 Syrah The Deal, which comes from the Sundance Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope. Showing plenty of more savory, earthy notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a rounded, expansive texture, and ripe, polished tannins. It shows the more elegant, streamlined style of the vintage, yet I love its balance. It’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 10-12.”

In Stock Now from Charles Smith:

Substance Chardonnay, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 89 points “Lots of pure honeycomb, white flowers, and honeyed citrus notes emerge from the 2019 Chardonnay Ch, a medium-bodied, supple, nicely textured, balanced Chardonnay. I wouldn’t push the aging curve too much, yet it’s going to benefit from 6-12 months of bottle age and have at least 2-3 years of prime drinking.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Charles Smith ‘Royal City’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “The flagship release, the 2016 Syrah Royal City is all from the Stoneridge Vineyard on the Royal Slope (not far from the Frenchman Hills). It was not destemmed and spent 27 months in 60% new French oak. Offering a sensational bouquet of blackcurrants, baking chocolate, beef blood, toasted spice, and loamy earth, it builds slowly, with full-bodied richness, silky tannins, beautiful power and elegance, and a great, great finish, it’s another magical wine from this team. 572 cases.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Substance ‘Cs’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Juicy blue fruits, leafy tobacco, violets, and orange blossom notes all emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Cs and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a beautifully balanced, fruit-forward style, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s no simple fruit bomb and has notable structure, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It reminds me of a top Cru Bourgeois from Bordeaux and represents a stunning value. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.”

Substance ‘Bx’ Klein Vineyard Bordeaux Blend, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Lastly, the 2016 Klein BX Vineyard Collection checks in as 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 28% Cabernet Franc, all of which was co-fermented and aged 27 months in French oak. Coming from a 3-acre parcel in the vineyard, it’s a monster of a wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, cassis, chocolate, spice box, tobacco, and scorched earth. It’s not for the faint of heart and is full-bodied, super rich, concentrated, and structured, yet it stays balanced, has a seamless texture, and is remarkably elegant for a wine of this size. It’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years in cold cellars.”

Shop our complete selection of wines from Washington and Walla Walla!

Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!

Stay safe, be well, & drink well.

Sunday Night Newsletter 7-10-22

In This Newsletter:

Jump Start Offer:
2018 Produttori Normale

New Week – New Arrivals

Trending

Domaine la Remejeanne

Weingut Prinz:
A Johannes Selbach Selection

Domaine Forey:
Still Under the Radar, For Now…

Collector’s Corner:
Diamond Creek – Napa’s Original Icon

Jump Start Offer:

2018 Produttori Normale

When the stars don’t quite align in Barbaresco, when even just one vineyard of the Cooperative’s line up doesn’t quite, well, line up, Produttori del Barbaresco uses all of its renowned and glorious fruit in its normale bottling. In 2018, instead of bottling the single vineyard Riservas: Rabaja, Montestefano, Ovello and friends, all of the best (and rigorously selected) fruit went into their straight Barbaresco bottling. This is an incredible opportunity that collectors in the know jump on. For you, this means the top notch grapes are available at more every day pricing. Added bonus? This wine doesn’t need two decades in the cellar to shine.

Arriving Friday, July 15th:

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($599.95) $479 pre-arrival special (that’s only $39.92/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Packaged in its distinctive brown paper label, the Produttori del Barbaresco 2018 Barbaresco is a beautifully lean and luminous expression of Nebbiolo, and that pretty color should remain intact over time. The aromas are bold and ripe with dark and purple fruit, but the bouquet shows interesting twists with earth, truffle, licorice and grilled herb. As the wine opens in the glass, you begin to notice heavier aromas of raisin and dried apricot. It wears a warm-vintage signature for sure, and for that reason, I would suggest a shorter drinking window for the 2018. With an ample 300,000 bottles made, you get a great value with this bottle.”
James Suckling 93 points “Lovely barbaresco, with all the typical nebbiolo characteristics, such as red berries, mushrooms and dried leaves, as well as hints of bitter orange peel and spice. All this follows through to the medium-to full-bodied palate, where fine, lightly firm tannins add a little grip and additional focus. Compact, but bursting with flavor. Delicious now, but give it a year or two. It will only get better.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2018 Barbaresco is an attractive, open-knit wine to drink now and over the next 10-15 years, maybe more. In 2018 the Produttori did not bottle their Riservas. Instead, all of the best lots of those grapes went into the straight Barbaresco bottling, another in a long string of successes from this historic house. Dark cherry, cedar, tobacco and spice fill out the layers. There is good depth and a good deal of tannin too, just not the complexity or nuance of the very best years.”

Don’t miss our massive selection of Produttori del Barbaresco crus in stock now from 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017!

Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!

Be well & drink well.

New Week – New Arrivals

Rosé

Torre dei Beati ‘Rosa-ae’ Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2021 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “‘Cerasuolo’ is the cherry colour of this very traditional Italian rose, that combines the freshness of a rose to the body of a light red. This unusual combination makes this wine very eclectic in matching food, ranging from antipasti, all’italiana, to ‘paste e fagioli’, to the typical ‘chitarra’ noodles with tomato sauce and little meatballs, to fish dishes like the celebrated Adriatic ‘brodetto'”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Oregon

Ovum ‘Old Love’ White Blend, Oregon 2021 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now

This is the only listing in the USA today!

There’s a lovely rich butteriness to this distinctively Oregon wine with a crisp acidity and saline minerality that keeps the wine fresh and food friendly.
Irvine & Roberts Vineyards Chardonnay, Rogue Valley 2019 750ML ($35.95) $31.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A beautiful aromatic profile opens with apricot and cantaloupe, quickly expanding into key lime, white flowers, wildflower honey, and notes of fresh sea mist. The mouthfeel is smooth and bright, with pretty acidity, graceful tannins, and vibrant movement through the length of the palate.”

Twill Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($24.95) $22.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winemaker’s note “Deep, savory notes of red raspberries, sea salt, pressed cranberries, blackberries and breakfast tea. Waves of continuing aromatics reveal sage, cola, dried rose petals, and blood orange. Flavors are revealed in similar fashion, with further hits of espresso and cacao. On release, this bottling is vibrant, tethered, brooding red and with air, tranquil and revealing. Vineyards: Bracken (Eola-Amity Hills) – 28%, Stormy Morning (Tualatin Hills) – 25%, Johan (Van Duzer C) – 20%, Vojtilla (Chehalem M.) – 20%, Molly’s (N.WV) – 7%.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

France – Champagne

Louis Roederer Collection 242 Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Decanter 97 points “Fresh, vibrant nose displaying aromas of orange, lime peel, almond, honey and brioche with ripe quince and sweet pear undertones. Great focus and length on the palate, seriously harmonious, joyful and unforced. Wines of the Year 2021: the top Classic wines. Drinking Window: 2022-2040.”

France – Rhône

Delas Freres Condrieu La Galopine, Rhône 2019 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe, flattering style, with a brioche frame around the mix of mirabelle, creamed peach, nectarine, acacia and lemon curd notes. Everything knits nicely through the unctuous finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,500 cases made, 50 cases imported. –JM”

Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes-Marquise de la Tourette Blanc, Rhône 2020 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2020 Hermitage Domaine Des Tourettes Blanc showed brilliantly and is one of the finest vintages of this cuvée I can recall. Gorgeous quince, pineapple, and grilled peach as well as flowers and obvious salty minerality emerge from the glass, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, perfect balance, and a great finish, where the wine shows an incredible sense of crushed stone and green almond nuances. It’s beautiful today but won’t hit maturity for a decade and should have 30 years or more of overall longevity.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is a very pure and restrained version, featuring white peach, yellow apple, quinine, honeysuckle and verbena notes stretching out together through a finish that sports a light kiss of brioche at the very end. Approachable now, with charm and elegance. Marsanne and Roussanne. Drink now through 2030. 475 cases made, 16 cases imported. — JM”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $95.99

Trending

Cameron Ramato is a consistent staff favorite for its ageability, nuance and consistency year after year. Ramato is a style of rose production native to the Friuli region that utilizes Pinot Grigio grapes and extended skin contact. This is a beautifully layered rose featuring nectarine, meyer lemon curd, and a slight spice on finish and a touch of tannin evocative of peach skin. This is only made in limited quantities and is highly allocated, so stock up now!

Cameron Winery Pinot Gris Ramato Dundee Hills 2021 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Pinot Gris that spent time on its skins, contributing the barest hint of tannin, a dollop of color and a completely different interpretation of the classic Oregon varietal.
Winery note “Rame: Italian for copper, ramato: copper-colored. Ramato is a copper-colored Pinot grigio made in the tradition of north-eastern Italy. A very tricky wine to pull off. Very limited production.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $39

“This cuvée is assembled by Peter Weygandt, of Weygandt-Metzler, at the domaine with the talented help of Stéphane Bourret, the winemaker, and the Bronzo family. This is delicious and very rewarding dry pink wine and, selling at almost half the price of Tempier’s Bandol Rosé, it is a real bargain!” –Kerry Winslow, Grapelive

Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose, Provence 2021 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “[Translated] Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette and Ugni blanc from clay-limestone and gravelly soils. 28-year-old vines. Intensely colored rosé. Notes of citron, Sichuan pepper, and dried apricot on the complex nose, mixing floral and spicy notes. Ample, dense and structured mouth with complex aromatics (pomelo, peony, pepper).”
Weygandt-Metlzer Wine importer note “Rosé wine. Provence, France. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault. Organic. An absolute beauty of a rosé at this price point. Mouthwatering aromas of strawberry cream on the nose, followed by a silky, refined palate with delicate but distinct flavors of melon and peach. A relatively light wine for a southern French rosé, but with a texture and character of impressive weight and substance.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $28

Sherry is one of the most underappreciated wine styles in the entire world and one of the best buys in the market as a result! The dominant soil type albariza is composed almost entirely of chalk, which imparts a distinctive, pervasive and saline minerality to the finished wine. Due to the inherent saline minerality, these are incredibly food friendly, particularly the light, dry, unoxidized style known as Fino. The traditional pairing of paella or charcuterie or even something along the lines of sushi, oysters in half shell or lobster. Given the fortification that Sherry undergoes, it is also perfect suited for slowly enjoying over the course of a week and will continue to evolve in your refrigerator.

Emilio Lustau ‘3 En Rama’ Fino de Jerez de la Frontera Sherry Andalucia 2021 500ML ($27.95) $24 special, 26 bottles in stock now

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

The beautiful (and beautifully packaged) Perrier Jouët Belle Epoque radiates elegance, with a fine mousse and delicate flavors and aromas. It’s always one of the smartest and most welcoming buys in Tete de Cuvée Champagnes.

Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Millésime Brut, Champagne 2011 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Always a light, ethereal style of wine, this is also very fresh and still young. It will age with its taut minerality from the Chardonnay in the blend. A softer background will become toasty over the next few years. The vintage date on this bottle is 200 years after the foundation of this producer. Drink from 2021.”

Domaine la Remejeanne

What do some of the hardest to find cult Champagne producers (Prevost, Bereche, Dehu & Cedric Bouchard), top names in Loire (Boudignon, Collier & Gerard Boulay), and super-scorer Vincent Paris of Cornas have in common? These are producers brokered by Thomas Calder. If you’ve tried any of the aforementioned estates (and we hope you have), you owe it to yourself to explore the estate he represents in the Southern Rhone: Domaine la Remejeanne. The domaine’s wines represent an absolute bargain (topping out at under $30/bottle) and capture all the elegance and complexity you’d expect from a Calder selection.

Run by a father-son team Remy and Oliver Klein in the high elevation village of Sabran, they farm a visually stunning estate of 86 acres directly facing Mount Ventoux and entirely organic to boot. This proximity to the mountain puts the domaine right in the path of the Mistral wind, which cools the air and creates grapes of greater intensity while retaining freshness and acidity.

We’ve expanded our offering for this year to include two of their whites and their oldest vine Syrah from their top site. While they fly under the radar of American reviewers, they are well loved in their home country. We adore this estate and know you will, too.

“This estate always punches well above its simple Côtes-du-Rhône appellation and are worth seeking out.” –Matt Walls, contributor for Decanter Magazine

“All our work is animated by a quest for finesse, elegance and freshness. So our wines constantly reveal ever more and more of the essential characteristics of our terroir.” –Domaine la Remejeanne

Domaine la Remejeanne In Stock Now:

Domaine la Remejeanne Les Arbousiers Blanc, Cotes du Rhône 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Certified organic. 25% Roussanne, 25% Viognier, 25% Clairette, 13% Marsanne, 12% Bourbolenc. 25+ year old vines. Owned by the dynamic Oliver Klein, this certified organic domaine is located in the small high altitude village of Sabran, nestled in dramatic hills divided between forests of green oak and sun-soaked vineyards. All of the vines at the estate are found at high altitudes between 200 and 280 meters. This results in a cooler climate than most of the Southern Rhone, and endows the wines with a freshness and liveliness not often encountered in the region. Klein is an extremely conscientious winemaker, using very traditional methods to maintain the highest quality of wine. All the grapes are hand-harvested, undergoing long, slow fermentations with indigenous yeasts before being aged in concrete or older wood. This hands off approach creates wines of elegance and class.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine la Remejeanne Un Air de Remejeanne Rouge, Cotes du Rhône 2019 750ML ($19.95) $15.75 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Owned by the dynamic Oliver Klein, this certified organic domaine is located in the small high altitude village of Sabran, nestled in dramatic hills divided between forests of green oak and sun-soaked vineyards. All of the vines at the estate are found at high altitudes between 200 and 280 meters. This results in a cooler climate than most of the Southern Rhone, and endows the wines with a freshness and liveliness not often encountered in the region. Klein is an extremely conscientious winemaker, using very traditional methods to maintain the highest quality of wine. All the grapes are hand-harvested, undergoing long, slow fermentations with indigenous yeasts before being aged in concrete or older wood. This hands off approach creates wines of elegance and class.”
Winery note “A wine with a lively, light ruby color. The nose has an explosion of red fruits with notes of wild strawberries and violets. Crunchy, fresh and fine, this is a very drinkable wine.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine la Remejeanne Les Chevrefeuilles, Cotes du Rhône 2018 750ML ($21.95) $16.50 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Importer note “70% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan, 5% Marselan. Grown on loess over limestone and sandstone on southeast-facing slopes at 250m of altitude.”
Winery note “Ruby red with a nose of fresh fruit, red and black berries, and hints of minty chocolate. On the palate, it is an elegant wine with fine aromas. It is supple with velvety tannins. The freshness gives the wine a delicious and fruity balance.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine la Remejeanne Les Eglantiers, Cotes du Rhône Villages 2016 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 2 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: 50+ year old syrah vines grown organically at 700 ft elevation.
Winery note “Intensely purple. The nose is explosive and smoky. It evolved into aromas of Morello cherries with delicate woody notes on the finish. On the palate, the wine is fresh, suave, and full of tensions thanks to the Syrah. The very fine and subtle style of the nose is enhanced by notes of fresh cade wood. Its exceptional structure makes it a wine for long aging. It pairs well with traditional dishes, grilled red meats and cheese. It is made from a selection of old vines exclusively composed of: Syrah (100%) for color, aromas, tannins, freshness and suitability for aging. It comes from old vines (50 years and over) with a very low yield: 20hl / ha.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Arriving This Summer:

Domaine la Remejeanne Les Chevrefeuilles Blanc, Cotes du Rhône 2021 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Winery note “[Translated and edited for clarity] This wine shows a clear and limpid color. It presents a fresh and lemony nose. Delicate aromas of white fruits (pear, etc) emerge. On the palate, it opens with a saline note from the Clairette, which brings great vivacity to the Roussanne and Granache Blanc.”
Importer Note “Certified organic. Chèvrefeuille [pronounced: shev-ruh-foy] is French for honeysuckle, the perfume of which you cannot escape during springtime in the southern Rhône. The Klein family is widely respected for their supple and aromatic Côtes du Rhône rouges, and under the tutelage of Olivier Klein the Domaine’s white wines are now reaching the same heights. The prevalence of limestone in the Sabran vineyards certainly helps in this regard, preserving freshness.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz:

A Johannes Selbach Selection

Prinz was originally started as a “Garagiste” or home winemaker operation in 1991 as a hobby for the founder Fred Prinz. The critics were immediately enamored and an invitation to join the legendary VDP consortium followed in 2005. Their estate vineyards are farmed organically, with a house style that aims for “minerality, elegance, finesse and ageing ability and they reflect their origins perfectly”.

With holdings in the Rheingau that are relatively high elevation they’re able to produce a full range of Riesling’s including the rarest style of them all: Eiswein. Eiswein is among the hardest wines to make on the entire planet, and is becoming rarer as climate change advances. This is on account of the time the Riesling grapes must spend on the vine as decreed by German law. There’s an endless list of things that could go wrong for the selected clusters during this time. Between the risks of rotting, not freezing sufficiently (it must reach at least -7 degrees Celsius), or simply eaten by hungry birds you can see why production quantities are minuscule to say the least.

Johannes Selbach, winemaker-owner of Selbach-Oster and tastemaker extraordinaire of German wines (he helped Terry Theise launch his portfolio and connect to new producers), was kind enough to connect us with the winery, so these releases are near-exclusive to our humble shop.

Weingut Prinz Wines in stock now:

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 93 points “Still a bit closed, but this has serious depth and quite some weight for 12.5% alcohol. Complex mint, tarragon and candied-lime aromas, married to fine tannins and crisp acidity. Intense, but quite austere finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hendelberg Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Quite funky nose that needs some air to open up, then ripe-quince, apricot and lilac notes develop. Excellent structure behind the ripeness and creaminess, the herbal and mineral notes cascading over the palate at the firm, dry finish. From organically grown grapes.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Jungfer Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “A stunning Kabinett that’s brimming with red apple, white peach and pomegranate. Very tense interplay of fruit, racy acidity and mountain-stream freshness. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Give yourself a holiday and forget all your cares! This super fine Spätlese has a stunning floral-honey, white-currant and dried-herb nose. Very succulent and concentrated with super bright acidity that interlocks beautifully. At the very mineral finish it’s almost dry. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Wurzgarten Riesling Eiswein, Rheingau 2016 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Check out our 525 different German Rieslings available now including Dönnhoff, Muller-Catoir and Molitor!

Domaine Forey:

Still Under the Radar, For Now…

Domaine Forey is one of those “overnight success after 25 years” types of Burgundy domaines. The wines have been stunning for years, but exist in a (blessed) medium place of collectability—quantities are extremely scarce because of the size of the domaine, but somehow they aren’t yet a “name” in the sense of a Coche or Roumier. The result is that we actually get to offer the wines to you, however briefly.

The 2018 vintage is, of course, a great year and more importantly it’s a year that plays into the style of the house. These look to be monumental wines that have Forey’s usual power, coupled with a sense of refinement and polish that’s been growing over the last 7-10 years here.

In Stock Now from Domaine Forey:

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “This has a very attractively complex nose with spiced red cherry, blueberry, orange peel and biscuit spices all intertwined. The palate has a very fresh, deeply fruited feel with rich red and dark-cherry flavors, wrapped in spice, sarsaparilla and earthy notes. All here. Off the climats of Les Treux and Clos Saint Denis. Try from 2023.”
Rosenthal Note “Forey owns 0.3 hectares in this exalted cru, in the climats of Les Treux and Clos Saint-Denis, flanked by the grand cru Grands-Echezeaux to the north and Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots to the south. All but a small recently replanted portion of the holdings are between 40 and 65 years old, and Forey always wrests a wine of refined power from these old vines. 70% whole clusters.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 3 bottles in stock now

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Very well presented aromas of fresh red cherries, stones, blueberries and sweetly fragrant spices, as well as orange peel and bergamot. The palate has a long, lithe and sleek arrangement of tannin. Very crisp, fresh red-cherry flavors hold sappy and succulent into the spicy, cola-laced finish. Best from 2024.”
Rosenthal Note “Clos de Vougeot is the defensive lineman to the Echezeaux’s running back—massively scaled and more squarely built. Regis works a third of a hectare of 40-to-45-year-old vines here, and this is, appropriately, the densest and most currently inscrutable wine of the lineup. Still, at its core is a certain elegance, which imbues this broad-shouldered wine with a real sense of refinement. 60% whole clusters.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $226

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Les Perrieres, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Note “Regis works a 0.42-hectare parcel of 75-to-80-year-old vines in this vaunted cru, and this 2018 —vinified with 30% whole clusters—is an immediate leap forward in complexity from the previous wines. All its elements present with greater force: juicier fruit, firmer yet more fully enrobed tannins, and a more intense earth-mineral interplay.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Morey-Saint-Denis, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 19 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 91 points “This has an earthy, savory edge with ripe red-cherry and blueberry-pastry notes. Lightly spicy. The palate has a firm core of internal tannin that carries flanks to red-cherry flesh. From Clos Solon and Les Crais. Drink or hold.”
Neal Rosenthal “Forey’s village-level Morey-Saint-Denis consists of two minuscule holdings of vines between 30 and 50 years of age (one in Clos Solon and one in Les Crais.). Fermented with 70% whole clusters and aged in demi-muids like the Bourgogne above, the 2017 displays impressive density on its otherwise lithe and energetic frame.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Nuits-Saint-Georges, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 91 points “This has attractive red florals and sappy red plums, as well as cherries. The palate has good depth, chew and succulence with ripe red-cherry flavors holding fresh. From two lieu dits: Plantes Aux Barons and Charbonnieres. Vine age is 60-plus years. Drink over the next five years.”
Neal Rosenthal “A villages-level wine of considerable depth, Forey’s Nuits-Saint-Georges comprises a hectare’s worth of 60-year-old vines in the lieux-dits of Charbonnières and Plantes Aux Barons. Despite its relative wildness and a glimmer of that classic Nuits-Saint-Georges rambunctiousness, it offers a similarly alert freshness to the Morey above and displays terrific poise. Regis employed 30% whole clusters during the vinification here.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $78

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Vosne-Romanee, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Quite seductive, rose and pot pourri-like fragrance with fresh red cherries and subtle, leafy notes, too. The palate has a smooth and supple feel with ample, fleshy ripe-cherry flavor. An amalgam of 14 separate parcels, the oldest planted in 1942. Good value. Drink over the next seven years.”
Neal Rosenthal “As one would expect from the appellation, this 2017 Vosne-Romanée is notably silkier and more elegant than its village-level cousins above. Produced from fourteen small parcels planted between 1942 and 1974, mostly in the northern sector of the appellation, it was aged in a combination of demi-muids and smaller barrels. What it lacks in flesh it more than compensates for in its mineral drive, and its tight-grained tannins counterbalance the fruit’s suaveness with an appealing hint of austerity. 40% whole clusters.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Shop our complete selection of red Côte de Nuits Burgundies on our web store now!

Collector’s Corner:

Diamond Creek – Napa’s Original Icon

Diamond Creek invented much of what we think of California Cabernet. The single vineyard, small lot wines made from the first suitcase Cabernet vines (taken with permission from two Bordeaux First Growth estates) are as iconic as ever—monuments to the greatness of their Napa terroir.

Stylistically, these are powerful Cabernets. Although there are distinct differences between the three vineyards, the wines show a common vein of Diamond Mountain ruggedness—an intensity of flavor and minerality that’s unique to the AVA. Diamond Creek manages to harness it to produce wines that dazzle with their complexity and age-worthiness; wines that rival the finest in Bordeaux. These are wines that are destined to stand the test of time as modern classics of Napa Valley.

In Stock Now:

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $269 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5% Merlot, 8.7% Malbec and 2.8% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts with vibrant scents of wild blueberries, chocolate-covered cherries and boysenberries with hints of sassafras, fragrant earth, vanilla pod and underbrush, plus a waft of crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers fantastic purity and depth, offering firm, grainy tannins to support the bags of earth-laced black fruits, finishing long and mineral laced. 791 cases were made.”
Winery notes “Volcanic Hill is comprised of 8 acres of south facing hillside vineyard. It is the warmest of all our micro-climates. The color of the soil is gray, and the consistency is that of fluffy, volcanic ash, originally deposited from the eruption of Mt. Konocti 8 million years ago. Volcanic Hill is the longest lived of our wines. Our winemaker describes these wines as “full bodied, loaded with intense ripe berry fruit, cassis, violets and a smoky richness, finishing with good length and firm tannins. The Volcanic Hill bottling includes a small amount of the extra-ordinary Petit Verdot grape.”

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $259 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is a blend of 78.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.4% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 5.1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slips effortlessly from the glass, singing of ripe black cherries, black raspberries and cassis, plus hints of red currants, roses, cinnamon stick and garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers lovely freshness, offering bags of perfumed black fruits in the mouth, beautifully supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long with lots of soft-spoken floral and mineral whispers. This perfumed beauty wears the 2018 vintage stamp well, presenting a more delicate expression of this vineyard—one that I love! 647 cases were made.”
Winery notes “Our second coolest micro-climate is our five-acre Gravelly Meadow vineyard. Originally a pre-historic river bed, this stony, gravelly soil drains rapidly and the vines struggle for moisture. Gravelly Meadow is our lowest yielding vineyard. The wines are described as “earthy, cedary, jammy and ripe blackberry with a spicy expansive finish.”

Shop our selection of fine Cali Cabs on our web store now!

Friday Night Newsletter 7-8-2022

In This Newsletter:

The Return of a Legend:
2013 Burlotto Monvigliero

Featured New Arrival:
Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé

New Weekend – New Arrivals

New Review for Hamilton Russell’s South African Project

Get the Insider Scoop
With Wine Spectator Insider
New Reviews for Cayuse’s Horsepower Wines

Trending

La Ca’ Nova

Roagna’s Stunning 2015 Barbaresco

The First Growth of Hochheim:
New Kunstler Arriving in September

Open Daily

10 AM – 6 PM

Masks are no long mandatory, but are appreciated
We also offer Curbside Pickup
Order Online / By Phone / By Email

The Return of a Legend:

2013 Burlotto Monvigliero

“A wine that will leave readers weak at the knees”

Burlotto is not the first name on many people’s lips when thinking of Barolo, and it’s a shame since G.B. Burlotto was considered among the absolute greatest winemakers in the world for the seventy plus years he was at the helm. After his passing in 1927, the winery and his hometown of Verduno slipped into obscurity. Now Fabio Alessandria, the great-great-grandson has taken over and Burlotto regained the place it deserves among the best small producers in the Piedmont.

Tradition is first and foremost for Fabio, going so far as to use gentle crushing by foot followed by a sixty day maceration period, once common but now virtually unheard of in Barolo. The technique is used for the home vineyard of Monvigliero and the soft touch develops a wine of remarkable character with notes of cedar, olives in herbs, and something rich – like truffles – the feel is structurally powerful, but so elegant as to be shimmery. All seems to going in the right direction for Burlotto, including a perfect 100 from Galloni on the 2013 Monvigliero, which we were able to secure for you today.

In Stock Now:

G. B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($799.95) $599 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 100 points “Burlotto’s 2013 Barolo Monvigliero is simply magnificent. In many vintages, a young Monvigliero can come across as disjointed, especially in the aromatics and the pungent, savory notes can be overpowering. Not in 2013. All the elements are in perfect balance. A wine of soaring aromatic intensity, pedigree and class, the 2013 is thrilling from the very first taste. Rose petal, lavender, violet, spice, orange peel, white pepper and cinnamon are some of the many notes that infuse the super-expressive finish. All of Burlotto’s 2013 Barolos are exceptional. But the Monvigliero, well, it enters the realm of the deeply moving. It is a wine that will leave readers weak at the knees.”

“In 2013, a cool growing season and late harvest produced gorgeous Barolos with striking aromatics, silky tannins, sculpted, vibrant fruit and mid-weight structures. Readers will find a number of thrilling, utterly captivating wines that speak to the pedigree and class that are the signatures of the best Barolo vintages… Overall, the 2013s are Barolos that speak to finesse above all else. These are wines that will hold considerable appeal to readers who enjoy classically built wines.” –Antonio Galloni

Featured New Arrival:

Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $27

New Weekend – New Arrivals

Oregon

Holocene Memorialis Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “Lots of wild strawberries, peppery herbs, mulberries, candied orange, and exotic floral notes emerge from the 2019 Pinot Noir Memorialis. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a terrific sense of purity, ripe, building tannins, and a focused, elegant style that’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate yet also evolve for a decade.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $63

California

Winery cellared release!
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($699.95) $619 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-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.”
Antonio Galloni 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.”
William Kelley-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 Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2019 1.5L ($799.95) $649 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown- The Wine Independent 100 points “Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Dominus was harvested from September 29 to October 10. It was aged in 40% new oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, the nose slowly unfurls to unveil beguiling floral notes of candied violets and rose oil over a core of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, and plum preserves, giving way to notions of licorice, Indian spices, iron ore, and crushed rocks. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with taut, muscular black fruit layers, intertwined with gorgeous floral and exotic spice accents, and framed by firm, finely grained tannins with seamless freshness, finishing long and mineral-laced. Tightly coiled with so much latent energy waiting to explode, this is a spectacular expression of the vintage and Napanook vineyard. Still tightly coiled, give it a good 6-7 years in the cellar before broaching, and allow it a few hours in a decanter if consumed before 2032.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2019 Dominus is blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc, aged in 40% new French oak. Impressively dark-hued in the glass, it yields scents of cherries and cassis on the nose—or is it black cherries and redcurrants? Subtle notes of mocha, pencil shavings and almost Graves-like earthiness wind through the concentrated, medium to full-bodied palate, giving it a sense of savory gravitas, while the finish is silky and long, leaving a lingering residue of soft tannins and mouthwatering freshness.”

France – Champagne

Louis Roederer Cristal Vinothèque Edition Brut Millesime, Champagne 1999 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,245 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “The nose has such beautiful, autolysis character with brown-mushroom and toasted-almond aromas. The nose has still-fresh lemons and oyster shell. Very smooth, pastry-like texture on the palate with even layers and a core of fresh lemons and peaches. The striking thing here is the balance and melted-together complexity. In a very great place. This spent seven years sur latte, seven sur pointe and was disgorged in 2014. Drink now.” [Reviewed 2019]
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Roederer’s 1999 Cristal Vinothèque is endowed with tremendous power and concentration, especially for a Champagne of its age. Palate staining minerals, chalk, white pepper, mint, citrus and orchard fruit soar out of the glass. Tasted next to the Rosé the Blanc has a slightly more toasty character along with more body and a stronger presence of the mousse, which in this wine wraps around the fruit. At the time, Cristal was made from 37 parcels. The Pinots were a blend from Aÿ (where the wines are naturally riper) and Verzenay, Verzy and Beaumont-sur-Vesle, (where Pinots are nervy and taut), while the Chardonnay was sourced from Avize, Mesnil and Cramant. Dosage is 7-8 grams per liter.” [Reviewed 2020]
Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews

This is the only listing in the USA today for the 750ml!

France – Bordeaux

#2 Wine Spectator – Wine of the Year in 2021
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac 2018 750ML ($299.95) $279 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “The 2018 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande is a monster of a wine with an almost Château Latour-like stature and structure, offering deep, backward, slightly reductive notes of blackcurrants, crushed stone, scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, and tobacco leaf. Based largely on Cabernet Sauvignon mixed with 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, it’s full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful on the palate, with masses of tannins, beautiful mid-palate density, and a great finish. As I’ve commented previously, the up-front, sexy style of the past (due to the larger Merlot content, I believe) has been replaced by a more regal, at times austere profile. Nevertheless, it’s still its own wine and very Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in style. This 2018 is going to need 5-7 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40+ years.”
Wine Spectator 98 points “Offers a deep well of dark currant, blackberry paste and plum preserves fruit that needs time to unwind fully, as it’s shrouded in warm earth, tobacco, singed cedar, sweet bay leaf and savory notes. A ramrod of graphite adds to the strident, structured feel. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2030 through 2050. 13,000 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusaist 98 points “Cellar Selection. This famous estate at the southern end of Pauillac has produced a powerful wine. Packed blackberry fruits, laced with acidity, are just starting out on a long journey along with the tannins. The wine’s elegance is beautifully preserved within the structure. With considerable potential, the wine should not be drunk before 2027. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2018 Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande is a blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot with a pH of 3.85, an IPT (total polyphenol index) of 87 and 14% alcohol. The grand vin represents 50% of the crop this year. Deep garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with bold scents of baked plums, ripe blackcurrants and wild blueberries, followed by hints of cedar chest, pencil lead, bouquet garni and charcuterie, plus a waft of lilacs. The medium-bodied palate is beautifully crafted with its seamless freshness and firm, grainy tannins supporting the compelling, finely knit black fruits and savory nuances, finishing on a lingering fragrant-earth note. This will need a good 5 years to come around and should easily cellar for another 30 years or more.”

Chateau La Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 14 bottles in stock now
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!”

New Grapelive Review:

Hamilton Russell’s South African Project

Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2020 750ML ($54.95) $44 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94 points “The impeccably made and beautifully balance Hamilton Russell Chardonnay, a longtime favorite, especially this 2020 vintage marries lush New World style concentration and opulence with Old World flavor and stony elegance… Everything folds nice together in mouth and goes on and on, after this Chard comes up to drinking temp, be sure not to serve it too cold and it really benefits from food. It is less an aperitif or cocktail wine, rather a wine that shows its full character and class with a meal, with some substance and flesh being best, like swordfish, lobster and roast poultry dishes bringing out its most rewarding charms. This part of the Cape has become an excellent source of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, these are some of South Africa’s most desirable wines, in particular I have been thrilled by what this world famous winery has done with these classic Burgundian varietals over the years . This vintage really shines, I highly recommend this one…”

Shop our South African selections in stock now including:

Hamilton Russell Ashbourne Pinotage, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “For those who are sceptical of the ability of Pinotage to make fine wine, this is an eye-opener. From a 1.3ha single-vineyard, planted in 1996, this is an ultra-classy wine. There’s a hint of smoke on the nose and the palate is full of juicy, ripe, dark-berry fruit with fine acidity and a graphite driven dryness to finish. A hint of oak is evident, imparting extra layers of fine tannins and density to the palate. Drinking Window 2020 – 2025.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

The wines of Morgenster are definitively South African, with a clear nod to Giulio’s Italian heritage and Bertrand’s winemaking know how. The 2014 delivers layers of blackcurrant, cassis, fynbos and tarragon with a deep minerality that’s evocative of warm earth, cinnamon and antique wood. The years in bottle have paid off tremendously with the acid, tannins and body featuring picture-perfect integration. Delightful as a solo act, and compatible with a variety of cuisines.

Morgenster Lourens River Valley Stellenbosch 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 92 points “The 2014 Lourens River Valley is a Bordeaux blend that offers light blackberry, tobacco and smoky scents on the nose; a hint of hickory develops with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and ripe, with supple tannins and a pinch of sour cherry and balsamic toward the finish. Quite mellow, so much so that you almost overlook the concentration here. Excellent.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Cinsault is rapidly becoming one of the top red varietals in South Africa and the world on account of it’s drought tolerance and ability to retain acidity during heat waves. As a single varietal there is often a spectrum of blue and red fruits with high acidity and perfumed aromatics. Cinsault pairs beautifully with various cuisines including Nigerian, Lebanese, Greek and BBQ on account of the fruit tea-esque tannins and refreshing acidity.

Mother Rock ‘Force Majeure – Force Celeste’ Cinsault Swartland 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer note “A medium-bodied red with ripe tannins, depth and drinkability from whole bunch fermentation. A great addition to the Force Majeure range.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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New Reviews for Cayuse’s Horsepower Wines

Horsepower Vineyards Fiddleneck Vineyard, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s a lot going on in this red, which is explosively expressive with notes of wild game, smoked pepper, blackberry and garrigue that lead to multilayered and richly textured flavors, building polish and intensity toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032. —T.F.”

Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Impressive for its bold expression yet elegant complexity, this red explodes with raspberry, smoky bacon, garrigue, crushed stone and black olive flavors that soar on the rich and polished finish. Drink now through 2032. —T.F.”

Shop our complete selection of Cayuse, Horsepower Vineyards, and No Girls wines now!

Trending

Cameron produces some of the best wines of the Dundee Hills from fun and silly Italian-esque wines to serious and ageworthy Pinots and Chards. Transcending varietal, price and vintage there is something to be enamored by in every bottling in the way they express terroir and John Paul’s winemaking mastery. Each bottling represents a different facet of Oregon’s terroir with a thorough line of elegance, and the same is true in cans.

Cameron Winery Spritz Rose Willamette Valley NV 250ML CAN ($9.95) $7 special, 36+ cans in stock now

This is the only listing in the USA today!

The considerable altitude of the volcano Mt Etna in Sicily contributes to some of the largest diurnal temperature variations in the world, creating juxtaposition of ripe fruit and prominent acids. I Custodi capitalizes on this in their rosé bottling especially by sourcing from the two red indigenous varietals: Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio. Following traditional practices to the letter, I Custodi grows their vines in the traditional bushvine of Sicily called Alberello and makes their rosato by performing a gentle pressing and racking of the wines. The high elevation of the vineyard and marginal growing conditions of Etna create a zippy yet still juicy rose that delivers fruit punch, sumac and rosemary in spades.

I Vigneri I Custodi delle Vigne dell’Etna ‘Alnus’ Etna Rosato Sicily 2020 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “Alnus is the wine we dedicate to hundreds of generations of Etnean winegrowers that have built what we are preserving. The original plan was to make a rosé. But it would be disparaging to just put this wine into a category. It is fresh and sharp-edged like a great white, and at the same time full and comforting as only a good red Etna can be. Only a few thousand bottles to share: too little for a rosé that is no rosé.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $26

Sette Ponti makes some of the finest Super Tuscans out there. While they’re best known for Oreno, their top-end bottling, the wine of note in most years is their value-priced Crognolo. Made with every bit the same care as the flashier Oreno, Crognolo’s Sangiovese dominant blend provides a beautiful drink-now option at less than half the price of the flagship wine.

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT Tuscany 2019 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT Tuscany 2019 750ML ($219.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “Sweet berries, flowers and cedar on the nose. Some leather, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with lightly chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Shows tension and brightness. Excellent structure. Drinkable now, but better in 2023.”

Nin-Ortiz is probably best known for their “Nit de Nin” single vineyard bottling, however their ‘Planetes’ releases are also excellent. Stylistically they are gentler and more elegant, perfect for drinking now. And unlike the estate’s top wines you don’t have to spend a lot to enjoy some of the most exciting wines coming out of Spain today.

Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 subscriber special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($299.95) $279 subscriber special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($579.95) $539 subscriber special (that’s only $44.92/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-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.”

From the low to the high end, everything Matthieu Baudry makes is beautiful, expressive and delicious. At the higher end are his single vineyard bottlings (Croix Boissee, Clos Guillot and Grezeaux) which are all ageworthy and delicious. His entry-level wine, Les Granges, is a wonderful value bottling.

Bernard Baudry Chinon Les Granges 2020 750ML ($25.95) $20.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 89 points “Sourced from a single block on the valley floor, where the vines have their feet in free-draining sandy/gravel soils, the 2020 Chinon Les Granges is made a lighter, fruit-driven style with a fine-grained tannic profile. This flows easily with no sense of anything being forced. It’s full of bright raspberry, violets and a hint of blackberries and cream; there’s a mere whiff of reduction on opening, so give it a little bit of air. Easy to like, bright and fresh and can be enjoyed in youth.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $23

Produttori del Barbaresco is revered for producing classically-styled Barbaresco and Riservas of uncompromising quality and transparency. It’s a miracle that these wines are still affordable and available, especially when compared to the skyrocketing prices of Barolo.

Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $39.83/bottle!)
Decanter 96 points “Aromatic notes of dried sage and rosemary combined with juicy, ripe red cherries, tar and red roses. Silky, ripe, approachable, with a great fine-grained tannic structure. Nominated by Justin Knock MW. Wines of the Year 2021: the top Classic wines. Drinking Window 2022 – 2040.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barbaresco shows just how appealing this vintage can be. In 2017, the warm, dry growing season gave the Barbaresco an extra kick of richness that fills out its frame and adds so much immediacy. Sweet red berry fruit, cinnamon, rose petal and mint are open in the glass, but it is the wine’s seductive radiance that wins the day. Pora, Ovello, Montestefano, Muncagota and Rio Sordo are the main vineyards used for the straight Barbaresco. The 2017 is such an inviting and expressive wine. Don’t miss it!”
Wine & Spirits 94 points “The Produttori del Barbaresco lost about 20 percent of their crop in the 2017 growing season due to frost and hail in the spring and a long drought in the summer, but what remained gave a fresh and exuberant wine packed with flavors of vibrant red cherry and zesty notes of orange peel. The Produttori typically offer one of the best quality-price ratios for Barbaresco, and the exciting 2017 version is no exception.”

La Ca’ Nova

“La Ca’ Nova has been one of the hottest wineries in all of Piedmont over these last few years… Stated simply, I can’t recommend these wines highly enough, especially for readers who enjoy deep, classically structured Barbarescos.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous

In Stock Now from La Ca’ Nova:

La Ca’ Nova Loreto Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2018 Barbera d’Alba shows the mid-weight, restrained style of the year nicely. Silky, aromatic and understated, the Barbera is a winner. Raspberry, spice, mint and leather linger beautifully.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

La Ca’ Nova Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 88 points “The 2019 Dolcetto d’Alba is an attractive mid-weight wine with a super-classic profile of blue/purplish fruits, cloves and licorice, and that slightly bitterish note that is typical of Dolcetto.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $19.99

La Ca’ Nova Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Montefico balances the structural framework typical of this site with the radiance of the year so well. Powerful and intensely mineral, the Montefico is a bit wild in its first approach, yet it has so much character. Bright red berry fruit, chalk, mint, sage and white pepper give the Montefico a brilliant upper register to play off its natural cut. I would plan on cellaring the 2017 for at least a few years.”

La Ca’ Nova Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina is fabulous. Most producers would dream of making a wine like this in a strong vintage, much less one that presented so many challenges. Rose petal, goudron, lavender, spice and blue/purplish fruit open first. The 2018 is relatively soft and supple, but that is not a bad thing for a wine from Montefico, where the Barbarescos are often searing in intensity. The 2018 finishes with real weight and intensity.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Ripe berry and dark spice aromas come to the forefront along with earthy truffle notes. On the savory, elegant palate, firm, refined tannins support raspberry compote, mature cherry and baking spice. It’s nicely balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink through 2030. -Kerin O’Keefe”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $46

Roagna’s Stunning 2015 Barbaresco

Roagna has joined the very upper echelon of Piedmont producers over the past decade and a half. These resolutely traditional, benchmark wines hail from some of the best parcels in Paje and Pira (a Roagna monopole), plus recently acquired vineyards including Albasani. Perennial staff favorites, the entire lineup is absolutely brilliant.

In Stock Now:

Roagna Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “A combination of spicy cherry, iron, tobacco and tar aromas and flavors are woven into the dense tannins in this sinewy red. There’s an essence of ripe fruit, yet this requires time to reconcile its gripping structure. Best from 2024 through 2043. 218 cases made. — BS”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Albesani is gracious, floral and lifted, which is not common in Albesani, where the wines tend to be more powerful. Bright acids and lively tannins give the 2015 its shape and energy. This translucent, inviting Barbaresco has so much to offer.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $128

Roagna Faset, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “This red shows some breadth and muscle, with lively cherry, strawberry, iron, tobacco and earth flavors. Taut yet balanced, with plenty of sweet fruit offsetting the tannins on the finish. Combines grace with power. Best from 2022 through 2040. 172 cases made. — BS”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Roagna La Pira, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Supple and polished, featuring the essence of cherry and strawberry fruit, accented by menthol, mineral and sage flavors. This shows intensity, with a tightly wound structure that is so well-integrated you don’t notice it at first. Plays out on the linear profile with echoes of fruit, mineral and Langhe scrub. Best from 2022 through 2045. 148 cases made. — BS”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $126

The First Growth of Hochheim:

New Kunstler Arriving in September

While the Mosel Valley captures the majority of press about German wine, the Rheingau was once the face of the entire country’s production with production and prestige dating back to the Roman era. The topographic isolation provided by confluence of the Taunus Mountains and Rhein River creates an oasis for growing Riesling. In contrast to other growing regions that feature a high percentage of slate, the Rheingau is characterized by high proportions of sandstone and quartzite.

Kunstler makes fabulous Rheingau Riesling of grace and openness that “are very pure, clean and precise, without tasting as though they’ve been sanitized and had the character stripped out of them. They are detailed and meticulous, but also delicious and satisfying,” to borrow more from Theise. Kunstler’s best wines reminds us of the days when ‘hock’ wine was prized above Bordeaux.

Kunstler Wines Arriving in September:

Kunstler Hochheimer Holle Im Neuenberg Riesling Erste Lage, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott 95 points “Enormous concentration and power for just 12.5% alcohol, the ripe peach, apricot and mirabelle aromas still restrained. Then comes the full-bodied, densely packed palate that is still so clean. So much depth at the spectacular, wide-screen finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “The Riesling trocken 2020 Hochheimer Hölle Im Neuenberg VDP. Erste Lage opens with a deep, rich, intense, elegant and yeasty scented bouquet of ripe and dense but coolish Riesling fruits intertwined with earthy notes. Remarkably fine, fresh and elegant on the palate for a Hölle Riesling, this is a medium rather than full-bodied wine with refreshing, vivacious and finely racy acidity. Good grip on the mouthwatering finish. 12.5% stated alcohol.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Kunstler Hochheimer Holle Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott 98 points “The deep, peach and apricot nose leads you into this enormously concentrated yet graceful dry riesling that’s got the stature to stand next to almost any Grand Cru white Burgundy. Enormously long, beautifully balanced finish that pulls your hand magnetically back to the glass. Drink or hold.”

Weingut Kunstler Hochheim Kirchenstuck Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Stuart Pigott 96 points “Very complex nose of white chocolate, white peaches and fresh herbs. Sleek and very finely delineated, this is a super-elegant dry Rheingau riesling with a long, cool finish that ripples with notes of fennel and parsley. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Künstler’s 2020 Hochheim Kirchenstück GG VDP. Grosse Lage opens clear, pure and fresh with an intense white fruit bouquet that is still more reductive than many of the other crus, though. Lush and refined on the palate, this is an elegant, vibrantly fresh, finely textured and balanced Kirchenstück that reveals an uplifting, persistent, saline and juicy finish that indicates great aging potential, even though it’s already a great pleasure drinking the 2020 today. Also from its moderate weight and its lingering salty purity, this is a rather classic Hochheim Riesling despite the warm vintage. 12.5% stated alcohol.”

Weingut Kunstler Kostheimer Weiss Erd Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Weingut Kunstler Kostheimer Weiss Erd Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($359.95) $279 pre-arrival special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott 97 points “A masterpiece from an almost unknown vineyard site. The cool and deep nose pulls you into this very concentrated and supple dry riesling GG that has so much power, packed into a sleek silhouette. Long, silky and chalky finish. Drink or hold.”

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