You’ve heard of Concha Y Toro and their work establishing Chile as a major wine hub but did you know that they have one of the most awarded Chilean wines in their portfolio as well? Don Melchor is their top cuvee from the Puente Alto region, a high elevation growing area at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Sourced from 30 year old vines (Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon) planted in alluvial runoff from the latter mountains, this is a perfect snapshot of Chile’s best terroir. If that wasn’t enough, the 2018 vintage is considered one of the best in recent memory, with no adverse weather and ideal conditions throughout the season. With an élevage entirely in French Oak (75% new) this is a collector’s item built for the long haul.     

Don Melchor in stock now: 

Concha y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto 2018 ($139.95) $108 special, 27 bottles in stock now
100 points james suckling “This is amazing. The vibrancy and energy in this wine is stunning. The complexity of aromas are breathtaking with flowers, blackcurrants, raspberries and peaches. Full-bodied, yet ever so refined and polished with impeccable texture and beauty. The length is marvelous. This is a testimony to balance, harmony and transparency in a great red. Drink after 2023.”
 

Looking for Biondi-Santi? How about the vineyard next door for a fraction of the cost? Coming from a single vineyard neighboring the Biondi-Santi estate, this is already a steal before you consider farming practices and vintage conditions. The juice from this high-density, high-elevation (almost 4,000 feet above sea level), organically farmed estate, is vinified by Roberto Cipresso. Even if the name doesn’t ring a bell, you may be familiar with his work. He is perhaps best known for his Argentine label Achaval-Ferrer. But he also famously created a papal cuvée for His Holiness John Paul II, and crafted the Sesquicentennial Anniversary Cuvée commissioned by the Italian Republic to celebrate 150 years of unification.

This is a Brunello built for long-term aging, given the ripe fruit profile and richly developed tannins from the 2015 vintage. La Fiorita means “flowery” in Italian and this certainly comes through in the wine with notes of rose petal, rosemary and flowering oregano. These qualities have already been harmonizing during the additional time in vat and bottle required by the Riserva classification. Expect this wine to continue improving for at least 10 years, as even La Fiorita’s entry-level Brunello is famously austere. But if you can’t wait that long, a few hours in a decanter will have it singing.

La Fiorita in stock now: 

La Fiorita Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2015 Tuscany ($119.95) $89 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “Highly Recommended. This rich red is energetic and balanced, saturated with black cherry, plum and mineral flavors. Accents of wild rosemary and sage chime in as this remains fresh and long on the iron and underbrush aftertaste. Best from 2024 through 2045. 310 cases made, 100 cases imported.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $99.98
 

Love Tuscany? We have over 165 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Castell’in Villa, Fèlsina, Fontodi and more, on our web store now.

 

 

Cantalupo:

The Count of Monte Rosa  
 

You’ve heard of sister regions Barolo and Barbaresco but did you know that there is a third sibling that also specialized in Nebbiolo? Alto Piemonte as it’s known by the locals is located at the base of the Italian Alps. These mountains were formed during the shift of the African and European tectonic plates, creating one of the most diverse mix of soils in the world. 

You see everything from prehistoric marine sediment, schist, fractured limestone, granite and even sandstone. There is so much complexity that only the locals have dared to try classifying the contents of their soil, with Alberto Arlunno of Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo leading the charge. The area has been inhabited since the Neolithic period according to archeological digs conducted, with winemaking occurring before the incursion of the Roman Empire. The Arlunno family has been farming in their home village of Ghemme since the 16th century, with their vineyards located primarily in Monte Rosa. The high elevation, varying soil types and ancestral knowledge of the site delivers a wholly unique interpretation of Spanna, the local name for Nebbiolo. 

The marginal growing conditions combined with the naturally high acid and tannin of Nebbiolo makes these among the most long lived wines in all of Italy. These climactic conditions are also conducive to weathering climate change, with warm vintages still displaying a perfect balance between ripeness and acidity. Cantalupo especially is a master of delivering fruit driven Nebbiolo that’s still loaded with secondary characteristics like botanicals, earth, minerals and truffles. Cantalupo was among the first in the area to label their wines vineyard specifically, not unlike how the Riserva line of Produttori in Barbaresco is classified. 

These are benchmark wines that are critically undervalued…for now. As climate change advances Alto Piemonte is considered to be the “Next Barolo” as balance becomes harder and harder to achieve with Nebbiolo’s famous precociousness.  

Cantalupo wines in stock now: 

Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Ghemme DOCG 2012 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 7 bottles in stock now
“The 2012 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a powerful, dark potent wine. Wild cherry, spice, tobacco and menthol contribute to its brooding, somber rustic personality. The 2012 is very big and dense.” -Antonio Galloni
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae Ghemme DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $55 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae Ghemme DOCG 2013 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 15 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Ghemme Collis Breclamae is fabulous. Deep, dark and also translucent, the 2013 possesses magnificent clarity as well as structure. Black cherry, lavender, truffle, mint, spice and new leather all develop in an ample, resonant Ghemme that hits all the right notes. A rich, substantial finish rounds things out in style. The 2013 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring, but it also has the pedigree to develop in the cellar for many years to come. Each time I come back to the 2013 it is more impressive.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Love wines from Alto Piemonte? We carry a number of producers from the area including Ar.Pe.Pe, Proprieta Sperino, and Nervi
 

Based on local chronicles, it seems likely that vines have been planted on the San Polino farmstead for over a millennium. Preserved records date back to the 16th century. Today the property pairs ancient wisdom with modern knowledge, inviting geologists, botanists and other experts to the property, all in hopes of better understanding their vineyards and the surrounding ecosystem. The resulting grapes offer a level of balance and harmony that can only be achieved through this level of painstaking attention.

In the cellar, the wines are crafted with a modern palate in mind. Fruit-forward and full-bodied, these delicious Brunellos offer plenty of lush youthful delight, but enough structure to age gracefully as well. We’ve been singing the praises of Tuscany’s 2016s for some time, and San Polino’s high-scoring wines are everything we love about that legendary vintage. James Suckling summed it up best in describing the 2016 Helichrysum: “Wow.”


San Polino wines in stock now: 

San Polino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 28 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Attractive aromas of cherry, dark mushroom, bark and walnut follow through to a full body with lots of ripe cherry and berry character in the center palate. Firm, chewy tannins draw you down the palate. Extremely long. From organically grown grapes. Better than the superb 2015? Drink after 2023 and onwards.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

San Polino Helichrysum, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “Wow. This is really complex on the nose with black cherries, mushrooms, dried flowers and cedar. Some crushed stone and dry earth or tile. This is full-bodied and very layered with wonderful depth of fruit and creamy tannins. It’s focused and serene. Better than 2015. From organically grown grapes. Try in 2024 and onwards.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Made with certified organic fruit, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Helichrysum opens to full-bodied richness and concentration. It reveals a dark and velvety side to Sangiovese, and it shows the latitude of the grape, thanks to its fresh acidity and tannic structure. This special selection (with 6,000 bottles made) will benefit from more years in the cellar, but among these new Brunello releases from 2016, this wine should also perform nicely in a near or medium-term drinking scenario, maybe at your favorite Italian restaurant with ravioli in wild boar sauce.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “Exotic, spicy, enticing, sultry; these are just a few of the words that come to mind while taking in the bouquet of the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Helichuyrum. Sour cherries mix with mint, sage, cedar dust and white smoke to form a seductive display. It’s velvety in texture with ripe polished fruits that seem to come in waves, each time building more and more tension as minerals and fine tannins slowly saturate. The sheer density here nearly masks its structural heft, which is not to say that this lacks balance; in fact, the 2016 Helichuyrum is in perfect form. Lavender, blackberry and a hint of licorice linger long through the dark and dramatic finale.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

 

Did you know that Cru Barbaresco comes in more shades than red? Sourced from three estate vineyards in the legendary Ovello, Cars and Ronchi Cru’s this is a spectacular value on its pedigree alone. There are buckets of fresh strawberries, cranberries and red cherry, with a slightly minty-spicy finish redolent of Anise Hyssop. The aromas are equally as expressive, with a whole bouquet of elderflower, lemon blossom and orange zest rounding out the exuberance of the fruit.    
In a nutshell: explosively fruity and highly aromatic, yet still medium bodied with a slightly tannic and refreshing finish. This would be perfect garden party wine that’s compatible with anything from watercress sandwiches to gumbo.      

Luigi Giordano Vino Rosato Alba Piedmont 2020 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Importer note “100% Nebbiolo from family parcels inside Barbaresco crus of Ovello, Ronchi & Cars. Hand-picked in September. Soft pressing followed by 3-hour maceration. 
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

One of the most beloved producers amongst the staff, Stein makes incredible wines from abandoned vineyards in the Mosel river valley. Among these sites, Dr. Stein discovered one of the oldest plantings of Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in the entire valley and currently uses them as the backbone for his Rose program. 

These are fascinating examples of terroir featuring the ethereal body, slatey minerality and exceptionally long finish of a classic Mosel wine re-interpreted through red varietals. If that’s not enough it’s even sparkling! Fermented in tank so as not to alter the flavors with autolysis, it’s almost too drinkable with notes of cherry juice, fresh cranberries, nasturtium, and rose water with a mineral finish. 

In stock and available now: 

Wein-Erbhof Stein Secco Sparkling Rose Mosel 2020 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Steep slate soils. Second fermentation in tank. Pinot Noir with approximately 20% Cabernet and Merlot, élevage all stainless.” Sparkling wine.  
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

“The National drink of Swabia, Now available in pink”
Known more by its Italian name Schiava, Trollinger is the most planted varietal in the German region called Swabia and nicknamed the areas “National Drink”. Vinified by local celebrity winemaker Jochen Beurer with a biodynamic field blend of other red grapes including Pinot Noir, Zwigelt, and Portugieser; this is the epitome of easy drinking rose. Made from the saignée method with no filtering or sulfur added, the rose walks the line between fleshy and fresh. With a medium body and a plethora of fruits, citrus and herbs that reminds one of maraschino cherry, fresh squeezed orange juice, and basil. The finish is refreshing and incredibly food friendly, to the point where you don’t want to share.

In Stock Now

Beurer Rose Trocken Wurttemberg 2020 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 10 bottles in stock now
A saignée blend of Trollinger, Portugieser, Zweigelt and Spätburgunder in an eye-popping bottle. Certified biodynamic.
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Comprised of Chenin Blanc and Pinotage sourced from a single farm. Grown at over 1,000 feet above sea level, the wine is bottled before fermentation completes, creating bubbles from the last of the remaining sugars. Pinotage takes on a spectrum of blue, black and purple fruits underscored by a tertiary plethora of smoke and earth, with the Chenin contributing beeswax, honeysuckle, chamomile, quince and yellow apple. If one had to summarize the wine in a word: Crushable.

Mother Rock Pet-Nat Rose in stock now:
 
Mother Rock ‘Force Majeure – Force Celeste’ Cuvee PN Pet Nat Swartland  2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “A Pet-Nat that puts Pinotage in the spotlight. South Africa’s native grape is best known for its bright fruit and deep earthy character, which translate beautifully in this joyful rosé fizz. Slightly hazy salmon-pink in the glass, with aromas of raspberries, blood orange and earthy rhubarb. Fresh in the mouth, with crunchy cranberry fruit and a savoury edge. Delicious and dangerously drinkable at only 11%!”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the world today!

The high elevation, intense sunshine and marginal soils create an incredible expression of rose Organically farmed Nerello Mascalese without any synthetic inputs, delivering fabulous purity to this wine that speaks to the meticulous practices of Terra Nere. The Rosado delivers a full spectrum of fresh white peach and assorted oranges you find with the varietal; ranging from Blood, Cara-Cara and Dekopon with a subtle note of hibiscus and papaya and valerian flower. The acid is the leading element as you could expect, with a volcanic minerality on the finish that speaks to the stark growing conditions. The character of the wine draws comparisons to Bandol Rose, at a fraction of the price Tempier is selling for these days! 

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosato Etna Sicily 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Lightly hued, this refined, onion-colored rosato, made with organically grown Nerello Mascalese grapes, has delicate aromas suggesting Mediterranean scrub and wild berries. The dry, savory palate offers pomegranate, peach and citrus before a tangy mineral finish suggesting oyster shell. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2020 Etna Rosato lifts up wonderfully fresh and perfumed, offering notes of sweet peach and white smoke backed by honeyed florals and wedges of candied lime. It’s silky-smooth and round yet spry, washing nuances of ripe pear and nectarine across a core of saturating saline-minerality. There’s simply so much going on here for a Rosato as the 2020 punches well above its class, finishing incredibly long yet juicy, and fizzling out to hints of sour citrus and cheek-puckering green apple.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

 

In the classic novel and subsequent film, From Russia with Love, James Bond famously says “I’ll take Taittinger blanc de blancs….. It is not well known, but it is the best champagne in the world” when asked for his drink order. Representing the top selection from the Tattinger estate vineyards, it is entirely Chardonnay (The favorite grape of the house) and aged for a minimum of 10 years before disgorgement.

Taittinger describes the house style as emphasizing “Lightness and natural, elegant wines expressive of their origin” with as little dosage added as possible to allow the fullest character of their fruit to come through in the finished product. The house has some of the largest estate holdings of grapevines in all of Champagne, the majority of them predominantly in the illustrious Cote Des Blancs. . The dominance of Chardonnay from the Cotes de blancs combined with the extended time en tirage (on the lees) makes for an incredibly nuanced expression of the varietal, terroir and house. With a lean fruit profile, layers of tertiary character and an electrifying minerality; this is a liquid work of art.

2007 was the first vintage that saw the Tattinger family resuming complete control over the operations of the house after repurchasing controlling interest. The vintage itself was noteworthy enough to make the Comtes de Champagne Rosé in addition to the standard bottling. 


Comtes de Champagne in stock now: 

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne 2004 750ML ($349.95) $279 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “I am thrilled with the way the 2004 Comtes de Champagne continues to evolve in bottle. A few years ago, the 2004 was quite focused and linear, in the style of the vintage, but more recently, the wine has begun to fill out beautifully. The 2004 remains bright, with a full range of citrus, white flower and mineral nuances that dance on the palate. A brisk, saline-infused finish rounds things out beautifully in a Comtes that impresses for its crystalline purity. I expect the 2004 will always remain a bit cool next to the more opulent 2002, but it is still drop-dead gorgeous.”
Decanter 96 points “It was a dry vintage up to August, which turned exceptionally wet and cool. September saved the vintage with the ideal weather conditions – low rainfall and cool nights. The graceful nose opens to white flowers, ripe apricot and citrus hints. It is tense and refined, with a vivid mineral core balanced by pristine acidity and some toasted notes on the finish. It’s not the most expressive today, but wait for it to awaken. This is built for cellaring. Drinking Window 2025 – 2040.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A rich and enticing aroma of roasted hazelnut heralds this elegant blanc de blancs, with flavors of pastry, poached apple, crystallized honey and candied ginger riding the finely detailed mousse. This is a touch smoky, presenting a resonant minerality on the finish. Drink now through 2029. 500 cases imported. — AN”

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Brut Rose Champagne 2007 750ML ($299.95) $239 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2007 Comtes de Champagne Rosé is a total knock-out. Racy and exuberant in the glass, the 2007 wraps around the palate with stunning textural depth and resonance. The 15% still Pinot adds structure and persistence to a creamy, inviting Rosé Champagne that will leave readers weak at the knees. Hints of rose petal, dried cherry, cinnamon and dried flowers meld into the sublime finish. This is about as good as it gets. Wow!”
Decanter 97 points “The Comtes de Champagne Rosé is composed of 30% Chardonnay (Grands Crus from Côtes de Blancs), 70% Pinot Noir (Grands Crus from Montagne de Reims, including 15% Pinot Noir from Bouzy, vinified as red wine). It has strawberry, mint, rose petal and cherry notes on the exuberant nose. The palate is racy and creamy, very compact and fresh, with a delicate salty note on the finish.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “This bottle of Taittinger’s just-released 2007 Brut Comtes de Champagne Rosé was disgorged in December 2018, and it’s showing brilliantly, unfurling in the glass with a complex bouquet of blood orange, minty raspberries, red plums, dried flowers and warm brioche. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, chalky and tensile, sharing a racy, chiseled profile with its Blanc de Blancs cousin. Deep, concentrated and tightly wound, the wine concludes with a long, sapid finish. This is an intense, racy Comtes Rosé with a long future ahead of it. As has been the norm chez Taittinger for several years now, the blend is based upon 70% Pinot Noir and includes 15% still red wine from Bouzy.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This harmonious rosé Champagne offers quiet grace, with a pleasing juiciness to the sleek acidity, framing finely knit flavors of raspberry, peach, brioche and candied pink grapefruit zest. Showing a raw silk–like texture, this caresses the palate through to the fresh, ginger-laced finish. Drink now through 2027. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 550 cases imported. — AN”
James Suckling 99 points The light rust and amber color is enticing. Aromas of dried rose petals, cinnamon and nutmeg. Hints of dried meat, smoke and sage. Orange peel, too. Full-bodied with a compact, creamy texture. So fine and delicious. Great, subtle and complex flavors. More like a lightly aged, premier-cru Volnay, but with the magic of Champagne. Drink now.
 

Much like German wine in general, the Rheinhessen is in the midst of a wine renaissance. While being credited with the first established vineyard in the entire country dating back to the Roman era, the majority of the area was previously too cold to produce Riesling at a satisfying level of ripeness. As a result, the region became largely devoted to bulk wine production post-WW II (most notably the infamous Liebfraumilch). That has all changed largely due to Weingut Schatzel, a family producer that has been growing wine grapes since 1304. The vineyards managed by Schatzel in the Roter Hang (Red Slope) have been compared to the terraces of Côte-Rôtie and the Mosel due to their steepness and distinctive soil. Composed of bright red slate and quartzite that reflects and absorbs heat to assist in ripening, this is the “Grand Cru” of the Rheinhessen. 

In order to express the varietal character as well as the terroir differences, Schatzel bottles their wines by vineyard. Encompassing over five separate vineyards within the Rhineterasse, the resulting wines walk a tightrope of minerality between fleshy and austere fruit expression, encompassing a spectrum of flavor ranging from passionfruit, lemon curd, ginger juice and peaches. The cornucopia of jasmine, valerian flower, lavender stem, wet slate, crushed nutmeg and charred grapefruit aromas challenge you to not finish the glass in record time. In spite of drinking beautifully now, these are built to age and should only get more ethereal. These are fabulous examples of why Riesling is considered one of the rare “universal pairing” wines of the world.


Schatzel wines in stock now: 


Weingut Schätzel Hipping Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 94 points “Could a white wine be fresher than this? Fabulous white-peach and herbal character with lots of mineral power at the complex, racy finish.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Schatzel Nierstein Riesling Kabinett Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 92 points “So much freshness and energy with tons of elderflowers and white fruit. Super-crisp and very clean palate and a breathtaking finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Weingut Schätzel Nierstein Silvaner, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Honeydew melon, white fruits and earthy undertones. Slightly reductive, herbal, nutty and mineral character. Bone dry and juicy on the palate. Extremely complex for 11% vol.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Schätzel Olberg Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling 94 points “Considering this has only 11.5 per cent alcohol, there is extraordinary depth and vitality. The long finish is sleek and fine-grained, without any hint of edginess. Attractive white-fruit aromas, too. Drink or hold.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Schätzel Pettenthal Riesling Kabinett Grosses Gewächs, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 15 bottle in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling 95 points “Forget the rules, pack your bag, grab this bottle and leave your old life behind! Savage mineral beauty, combined with light body and enormous brightness. Drink or hold.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Weingut Schätzel Reinschiefer Riesling, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 92 points “Delicate white-fruit character and a delightful lightness of touch make this rather charming, in spite of its slightly eccentric personality. Long, lemon and mineral finish. A blend of wines from the top sites in Hipping, Ölberg and Pettentha. Screw cap.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 

 

Collector’s Corner

Elite and Ancient Sherry
 

The thrill of celebrating with a truly old bottle of wine is unmatched in the world of wine.  There’s something so magical about drinking wine that has aged for as long as or longer than you. It’s a feeling that’s impossible to get any other way—you know that this bottle has wine in it that’s been around through war and peace, good times and bad and now, finally, it’s going to get opened.  

Bodegas Toro Albalá had its start in 1844 at the helm of Antonio Sánchez Prieto. Winemaking began in a small village called La Noria, with a focus on fino sherries, and moved to an out-of-commission electric power station in 1922. Since its founding, the Bodegas has produced Pedro Ximenez, and now focuses almost exclusively on this treasured dessert wine. There is still a cask from 1844 sitting in the cellar, though we doubt it will ever get past the Albalá family’s dinner table. Even so, we’re fortunate to possess some vintage Pedro Ximénez from Toro Albalá with quite a bit of age. These dark, unctuous sherries are released in tiny quantities, and we rounded out our collection of vintage and aged elite sherries with bottlings pre-dating the Spanish Civil War.

Bodegas Toro Albalá in stock now: 

Bodegas Toro Albala Don PX Convento Seleccion, Montilla-Moriles 1929 750ML ($459.95) $299 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points “The extreme 1929 Don PX Convento Selección is a thick, dense and unusual, rare sweet beast. It is very dark with a green border, dense, oily and serious full-bodied palate with the profile of a PX from Jerez. With 500 grams of residual sugar per liter, it is a little monolithic, a little heavy and not so easy to drink. Still it is an impressive, very sweet wine that is really unique”

Bodegas Toro Albala Don PX Convento Seleccion, Montilla-Moriles 1955 750ML ($379.95) $299 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “One more single-harvest, old sweet wine, the 1955 Don PX Convento Selección was bottled in September 2014 and it had been aged slowly in very old American oak barrels and getting thick and concentrated through evaporation. Its 320 grams of sugar are (partially) compensated by 6.5 grams of acidity. It has a nose and palate of chocolate-covered candied orange, spices, molasses. I’d say the dominant aromas in the nose are dark chocolate. It’s very dense, developing notes of very concentrated licorice and balsamic, mint, camphor and evolving notes of petrol with time. Complex, rare and unique.”

Very few estates can count winemaking generations in the double digits. Like Louis Barruol of Saint Cosme, siblings Emmanuel and Laurie Caslot are the 14th generation to helm their family’s ancient estate (their sister, Stéphanie Caslot, passed away in 2021). They craft profound examples of Cabernet Franc that are intimately tied to the land they farm biodynamically. 

“This little-known domaine makes some of the best Cabernet Franc wines in the world.” – Rajat Parr and Jordan Mackay, The Sommelier’s Atlas of Taste

Arriving Friday, May 6th:

Domaine de la Chevalerie Bourgueil Bretêche, Loire 2015 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Winery note “An explosion of fruity deliciousness with very pure aromas of cherries, red currants and black currants. Of energy and great pleasure. A chalky and crunchy mouth effectively supported by lovely bitter and smoky notes. A wine that loudly proclaims where it comes from given a few hours in the carafe. “
Importer note “Bretêche is an old word referring to a window or entrance to a fortified building, often above a gate to enable defenders to rain arrows or what have you upon attackers. It can also refer to entrances and exits in general, and this particular vineyard grows on the edge of the Restigné commune, where a road comes in. Pierre Caslot planted his parcel between 1988 and 1992 after his wife inherited the rights to rent it from her family. They farm just over 13 acres here. The soils are young limestone and a little clay, and this makes for a long, more linear wine than Galichets or Chevalerie, one with evident stony aromatics, lift and focus given by the limestone.”

Domaine de la Chevalerie Bourgueil Galichets, Loire 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2015, which is the current release, offers up a superb, precise bouquet of red and black cherries, cigar wrapper, a touch of tree bark, a beautiful base of gravelly soil tones, a hint of juniper berry and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, complex and full-bodied, with a rock solid core of fruit, excellent mineral drive, ripe, buried tannins and a long, vibrant and complex finish. I love the “cool fruit” profile of this wine, which even in the hot summer of 2015 comes in at a svelte thirteen percent octane. This is simply an outstanding young Bourgueil!”
Importer note “A 25-acre vineyard heading down the terrace toward the river that is planted on stony, sandy clay soils (the limestone bedrock is at least three feet below the surface and typically more). The oldest vines in Galichets date from 1934. A part of that plantation was replanted in the 1970s and 80s, with yet another small section replanted in the 1990s. The siblings are beginning to replant some of the oldest vines now, bringing the average age of this vineyard to 35-40 years of age. Galichets tends to make the domain’s spiciest and fruitiest wine, underpinned by a dark sappiness.”

The “bistro” wine of the bunch, easy-drinking with crushed berry notes. Serve lightly chilled with just about any food you can think of. Like all of the estate’s wines, this is farmed biodynamically.
Domaine de la Chevalerie Bourgueil ‘Diptyque’, Loire 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Winery note “From alluvial terraces, a supple and sweet wine, giving soft tannins. A wine to share, a wine of friendship, ‘A sporty wine’, to be tasted anytime, anywhere. Quite simply a wine to give pleasure.”
Importer note “This is the domain’s vin de soif, made from vines growing in gravelly, sandy, and clay-sandy soils. The élevage is a short four to six months in concrete vats with, sometimes, a small proportion done in older barrels. Light maceration—the intent is to have an easy, supple wine. Diptyque is ancient Greece referring to two panels linked together. In painting, this is two panels linked; in music, an oeuvre in two parts. Here, with wine, it is a cuvée made with sun and soil.”

 

We now carry Saké! Our offering encapsulates a range of styles from some of the most lauded production regions of Japan. For those unfamiliar with Saké let us provide some context. Fundamentally different in production and classification than the wines that we carry, Saké is produced from milled rice that is then fermented with yeasts and fungi (known as kōji). This process leads to higher levels of residual sugar on average, with lactic acid providing movement on the palate and lessening the perception of sweetness. The higher alcohol content of 16-20% also creates a dryer perception, making the majority of Saké taste off-dry.   
Kōji is ubiquitous in East Asian food production and plays a role in everything from soy sauce to miso production due to the fungi’s ability to convert starch and other carbohydrates into sugars. Because rice doesn’t contain juice like winegrapes water is also added, oftentimes from mountain runoff or underground spring water. The primary variables that lend to the difference of flavors, aromas and sugar range from the constitution of the water used, yeast cultivar, rice varietal and most importantly: the polishing ratio or amount of milling that occurs prior to fermentation.  

Saké in stock now: 

Ozeki Taruzake Sake Japan 300ML ($13.95) $10.90 special, 
Cedar aged
Vinpol Note: “Founded in 1711 Ozeki roughly translates to “Master” in Japan’s national sport: Sumō and is the highest rank one can achieve without regularly competing. Based in Hyogo Prefecture the house’s biggest asset is their access to the regions legendary mineral water, called miyamizu. A type of hard water containing a variety of minerals it’s one of the most prized in sake brewing for the additional flavors that are imparted due to the aforementioned mineral content. The flavors of the saké are taken to the next level with élevage in Yoshino cedar barrels (A Traditional medium dating back centuries when sake was sold by the cask).The resulting sake is highly mineral driven with notes of woodsy spice though not as aromatically dominant as incense cedar that many associate with the cultivar. Additional characteristics include lemon pith and honeydew melon with a fuller body and off dry level of sweetness.”   
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Ama No To ‘Heaven’s Door’ Tokubetsu Junmai Sake Japan 720ML ($39.95) $33 special, 
Vinpol Note: “Ama No To is A “Grower Saké” (Made by the farmers who grew the rice since the brewery’s founding in 1917) from Akita Prefecture, one of the most northerly areas of the Japanese Mainland. Translating to “Heaven’s Door” the name and magatama on the label is derived from Shinto scriptures regarding Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and patron of rice cultivation. Tasting notes include dried chamomile, Arabian Jasmine, cloves, golden apple and white miso with an off dry level of sweetness and light body.”

Akishika Omachi Yamahai Nama Genshu Sake Japan  720ML ($54.95) $44 special, 
Region: Osaka. Rice Variety: Omachi. Type: Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu. Ingredients: rice, water, koji. Brewing: Yamahai slow ferment, unpasteurized, undiluted, unfiltered. Serving Temperature: lightly chilled to lightly warmed.
Vinpol Note: “One of the few Biodynamic growers of Saké rice in the world, the house specializes in Heritage varietals, primarily Omachi (Of which most modern varietals descend from). Founded in 1886 and based in Osaka Prefecture, the brewery is considered a cult producer within Japan. Eschewing any additives or post-industrial practices the idea is to present a highly traditional sake as seen in centuries past. Slow fermented to dryness and bottled without any pasteurization, dilution or filtration the resulting Saké is earthy, weighty and loaded with umami with additional tasting notes of huángchá tea, grapefruit rind, and lily flower.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

 

 

 

Drink Pink:  
 
Rose Champagne for Mother’s Day

 

Feudo Montoni is an outlier in the world of Sicilian wine. Nestled on a high elevation site on Mt. Cammarata this features a dramatically cooler season than others in production, contributing to some of the most layered and nuanced iterations of Nero d’Avola. The high elevation and high proportion of volcanic sand make the site inhospitable for the Phylloxera louse, with the vines being over 120 years old and planted on their original rootstock. Their other holdings and winery are based in the village of Cammarata, widely considered the breadbasket of the country with a wide range of agricultural products under their spade.   

Vrucara features incredible depth at play with high tannins and acid that hollows the palate with a long finish of rosemary and Mexican chocolate. It’s rare to find a wine this multidimensional and storied for less than $100, let alone under $50. Highly ageworthy and will reward decanting or extensive cellaring. From the first pour there are exuberant aromas of oregano, anise, ripe strawberry, redcurrant and blackberries intermingled with a lingering copal resin and myrrh element that fills the glass. Full of verve, and whipsawing fruit character that begins in black raspberries before a metamorphosis into spiced Italian plums and espresso. 

In addition to the Vrucara offering Feudo Montoni also makes a passito wine made from Nero D’Avola and Perricone. In this style of wine the grapes are laid out on straw mats to dry in the Sicilian Sun, concentrating their sugars and tannins before a slow barrel fermentation. The use of exclusively red grapes balances out the sugars as a result of the tannin inclusion, not unlike how ports can taste dry in spite of having residual sugar.

Feudo Montoni Wines in stock now: 

Feudo Montoni ‘Vrucara’ Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT Sicily 2015 ($59.95) $49 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Tasted from magnum, the 2015 Sicilia Nero d’Avola Vrucara is a dark and penetrating wine with a chiseled and pungent side that delivers dried cherry and blackberry preserves. There is a point of ripeness, maybe even jammy cherry with lots of inky dark fruit. I knocked off a point or two compared to the previous edition because I am less a fan of that ripeness. You get cherry liqueur or cherry syrup sweetness on the close. However, this remains one of the benchmark bottles for Sicily’s banner grape Nero d’Avola.“
Ian D’agata-Vinous 93+ points “Good full ruby-red. Aromas and flavors of red/dark berries, plum, smoke, coriander and herbs. Juicy, taut and precise, with musky notes that extend onto the long, very smooth back end.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Feudo Montoni Passito Rosso Sicilia IGT Sicily NV 375ML ($39.95) $33 special, 17 half-bottles in stock now 
Ian D’agata-Vinous 94 points “Bright deep red with an orange rim. The nose really opens with aeration to offer sweet red plum, dehydrated red cherry, cinnamon and raisins. Then similar flavors to the aromas lifted by juicy, harmonious acidity. Finishes very long and suave with saline nuances and repeating notes of raisins. Lovely, light on its feet dessert wine that seems less sweet than it really is thanks to its piercing acidity. One of the best sweet wines I have tasted so far this year. This is a blend of air-dried Nero d’Avola and Perricone aged in wood barrels for seven months and then twelve months in bottle prior to going on sale.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 

France – Champagne 

Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte Anne Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($51.95) $44 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 90+ points “The current release of Alexandre Chartogne’s Cuvée Ste. Anne non-vintage Brut is from the base year of 2017. The vins clairs were raised in a combination of both stainless steel and oak and the wine was not bottled up for secondary fermentation until July of 2018. The cépages is its customary blend of nearly equal parts of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier and the wine was disgorged in February of 2020, with a finishing dosage of just over five grams per liter. The wine offers up a vibrant bouquet of apple, white peach, a fine base of soil tones, brioche, gentle smokiness and a topnote of white flowers. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a good core, elegant bubbles, fine balance and grip and a long, zesty and quite classy finish. This seems a touch longer on the backend to me than the last couple of iterations of this bottling that I have tasted and is first class, non-vintage Brut. But, this is still a fairly young wine and I would be inclined to give it some bottle age to let it start to blossom properly. 2022-2040.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “The latest release of Chartogne’s NV Brut Sainte Anne is based on the 2017 vintage, complemented by 40% reserve wines. Disgorged in September 2020 with five grams per liter dosage, it opens in the glass with aromas of crisp yellow orchard fruit, white flowers and fresh pastry. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, it’s elegantly textural, bright and precise, with a seamless, harmonious profile.”
Importer note “60% 2017 base, 40% from 2016 & 2015.”  Disgorgement date may vary from reviews.
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Non-Dose Champagne 2014 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 9 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Disgorged in January 2020, the 2014 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Terre de Vertus is a fine follow-up to the excellent 2013 and 2012 renditions. Unwinding in the glass with scents of white flowers, citrus oil, crisp orchard fruit, fresh pastry and almonds, it’s full-bodied, layered and vinous, with more richness and mid-palate amplitude than the tauter 2013, underpinned by racy acids and chalky structuring extract.”

Larmandier-Bernier Vieilles Vignes du Levant Grand Cru Extra Brut Champagne 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 9 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97 points “Revisited from the June 2019 disgorgment, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2011 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vieille Vigne du Levant continues to drink superbly, bursting from the glass with aromas of pear, peach, toasted almonds, white flowers, fresh bread and oyster shell. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it’s deep and fleshy, with superb concentration, racy acids and a long, saline finish. I have previously contended that Pierre Larmandier produced Champagne’s wines-of-the-vintage in 2011, and every bottle I open seems to confirm that. Indeed, if one were to taste only his wines, along with those produced by a small handful of other growers, one could easily think very differently about this unheralded year.”
Decanter 95 points “This masterful Champagne comes from the superb Bourron du Levant vineyard, whose oldest vines were planted more than 80 years ago. Brown butter, hazelnut and brioche lead the initial attack, but this never loses sight of freshness and purity, with a crystalline depth and harmonious balance. Fermented in cask with eight years on the lees, this should last for decades. Drinking Window 2020 – 2050.”

France- Bordeaux

Chateau Palmer Margaux 2016 750ML ($499.95) $419 special, only 10 bottles in stock now 
Antonio Galloni 100 points “Technical Director Thomas Duroux and his team made one of the most brilliant wines of the 2016 vintage. Palmer is simply exceptional. Rich and dramatically sweeping in the glass, the 2016 is breathtaking. All the elements simply fall into place in a wine of mesmerizing beauty. The counterpoint of dark, sumptuous fruit and floral notes makes for an utterly compelling Palmer that will take its place among the estate’s finest vintages. Dark cherry, lavender, spice and mocha are some of the many notes that build into a deep, substantial finish that is truly unforgettable. In a word: magnificent!”
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The finest vintage I’ve ever tasted from this estate, surpassing the 2009 and 2010, the 2016 Château Palmer is a blend of 47% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Petit Verdot, all of which was brought up in 65% new French oak. This magical effort reveals a saturated purple color as well as a huge nose of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed rocks, and spring flowers, and it develops beautifully with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, incredibly concentrated and powerful, it nevertheless just glides over the palate with flawless purity and balance, present, ripe tannins, and a finish that just won’t quit. This is Bordeaux at its most regal and classic. It will be drinkable with just 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for half a century.”
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “#27 Cellar Selection in 2019 Powerful tannins and hugely rich fruit balance together in this superb wine. The velvet texture belies the power behind the concentrated, ripe black-fruit flavor, with vibrant acidity giving ample lift. The wine’s structure will ensure aging for many years. Drink from 2024. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2016 Palmer is a blend of 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Opaque garnet-purple colored, it slowly glides out of the glass with compelling notes of blueberry compote, warm cassis and kirsch with emerging hints of violets, cigar box, black tea, sandalwood and Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, wonderfully rich, concentrated and packed with latent energy, the palate literally grows in the mouth, revealing layer upon layer of black, blue and red fruits and tons of floral sparks, framed by super ripe, incredibly fine-grained tannins and finishing with epic length. It’s a wine that makes you wanna drape yourself languidly over a chaise lounge, glass of Palmer in hand, sighing with deep satisfaction, ‘This is so wonderfully Palmer.’”
Decanter 98 points “As is always the case with Palmer, the richness, depth and silkiness is just so impressive. Sophisticated and well constructed, with a vertical lift-off, there’s a creamy richness on the palate which supports pencil-lead, liquorice, damson, black cherry and slate. I love the smoky cocoa bean finish. Like the Alter Ego, it’s a different style this year but no less impressive, displaying width, heft and incredible persistency. It’s a wine that’s going to age far into the future and is extremely easy to recommend. The highest ever proportion of grand vin was produced in 2016. Drinking Window 2025 – 2042.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 98 points “The 2016 Palmer has a generous, slightly lactic bouquet of opulent red fruit infused with touches of dark chocolate, although it calms down and gains more grace with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and well-judged acidity. Very harmonious, revealing cedar and mint toward the extraordinarily persistent finish. This is another classy, persistent Margaux with a long future ahead. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.”
James Suckling 98 points “Such attractive fruit and alluring ripeness that it draws you in from the get-go. The discreet power here is delivered with a very astute touch. Assorted dark-berry aromas, as well as red plums, abound on the nose. The richness and depth in the mouth is stunning. The tannins are super polished and layered and they draw pristine dark fruit flavors deep into the finish in effortless mode. This is a star of the vintage. A blend of 47 per cent merlot, 47 per cent cabernet sauvignon and six per cent petit verdot. Try from 2024.”

Chateau Palmer Historical XIXth Century Blend Vin de France  ($499.95) $419 special, 10 bottles in stock now arriving 
“In fact, seeing a bottle of 19th century Lafite Hermitagé, as it is described on the label, gave me an idea, and from 2004 we produced a small quantity of what we call Historical 19th Century Wine. It’s Palmer plus 15% Syrah from the northern Rhône. It’s labelled as vin de table, so no one would ever mistake it for Palmer.” – Palmer’s director-general Thomas Duroux
The 19th Century practice in Bordeaux of ‘hermitaging’ their ‘claret’ was abandoned with the installation of the AOC regulations. Over the past decade however the always acclaimed Chateau Palmer decided to utilize some of their classifed Margaux to reincarnate the traditition. Those 19th Century Clarets needed the boost of power and structure. Palmer’s Margaux has no such need. Palmer’s ‘hermitaged’ margaux in its early years will be somewhat more fruit forward. After a decade rolls by you might detect a slight difference in flavor but be need to be a gifted taster to describe. The “Historical’ is made to honor the past, not to alter the wine and its future.
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Italy- Brunello di Montalcino 

Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 750M ($62.95) $54.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “The complexity and beauty to this is really something with cherry, walnut, tobacco and cigar-box character. Sweet cherries. It’s full-bodied and deep with super intensity and power. Layered and beautiful. Really refined tannins. Some whole-berry fermentation gives this added character. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2025.”
Decanter 97 points “We were lucky enough to have a splendid entry from Brunello di Montalcino this year, as this zone’s other Gold and Platinum medals testify, drawing on both the superb 2015 (Reserva) and 2016 vintages. Much effort went into scrutinising these wines to find a worthy candidate for our Best In Show collection — and here it is. Translucent black-red in colour, shading to a glowing garnet rim, with refined, artfully composed scents of subdued berry fruits, warm summer forest, dried mushrooms and soft suede. The wine is intense, deep, perfectly pitched in structural terms between lively, well-rounded acidity and brisk, sober tannins: a dignified, grave yet rewarding wine for a fine dinner. It is fully accessible now, yet the quality of its fruit and its balance suggest many years’ ageing potential, too.”
Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino really stands out with its vivid display of crushed raspberries, lavender and clove. Further depths are found with each swirl, adding mentholated herbs and flowery undergrowth. It’s dense and dark-fruited, enveloping the palate with notes of black cherry, plum, exotic savory spice and minerals. This is soothing and pliant in spite of the 2016’s youthful state, balancing brisk acids and fine tannins to create a push and pull of structural tension. The symmetry here is spellbinding, and everything is in the right place for a long and fruitful evolution over the next ten to fifteen years. Tasted twice with consistent results.”

Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2015 750ML ($54.95) $45 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink in 2022.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Lingua Franca has made quite the name for itself in a very short period of time and has spared no expense in pursuit of quality. Founded by the legendary sommelier Larry Stone, the winery has become emblematic of the Willamette Valley’s exceptional quality. The Estate wines hail from the heart of the Eola-Amity hills (and right next to famed sites like Seven Springs).  Like its neighbors, the vineyard shows classic Eola-Amity structure, perfume and concentration. Much like their neighboring estates the wines feature long aging trajectories, particularly in cooler vintages like 2019 with the appellation being a mainstay in any collector’s cellar. 

Lingua Franca wines arriving Friday, 04-29-2022: 

Lingua Franca Mimi’s Mind Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Highly perfumed aromas of ripe red and dark fruits, incense and potpourri, along with an exotic spice nuance and a hint of smoky minerality. Palate-staining black raspberry, cherry and fruitcake flavors show sharp definition and deepen steadily as the wine stretches out. Deftly plays richness off elegance and finishes impressively long and chewy, with repeating cherry and floral character and building tannins adding final grip. 8% whole clusters and 26% new French oak.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $99

Lingua Franca ‘The Plow’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Deep magenta. Expansive red and dark berry and floral aromas are complemented by hints of star anise, sassafras and cola. Sappy, seamless and fleshy on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, cherry cola, candied lavender and mocha flavors underscored by a vein of smoky minerality. Seductive in character, finishing with powerful thrust and supple tannins that meld smoothly with the sappy, persistent fruit.”
Wine & Spirits 95 points “Lingua Franca’s The Plow is taken from blocks 1 and 2 at the top of Larry Stone’s estate vineyard, set on relatively shallow Gelderman and not so shallow Jory soils. Those volcanics yield a wine of pure velvet, firmly planted but silky and sensuous in the mouth. This leads with scents of horhound, sassafras, red and black cherry, a hint of plum and tobacco, all of it firmly expressed, growing more layered and complex over the course of several days. Give it time in the cellar to develop before serving with something substantial, like roast beef.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Lingua Franca Tongue’n Cheek Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Tongue ’n Cheek is blended from two blocks with shallow soil at the estate’s hilltop, on a soil series known as Gelderman (drawn from Jory with additional basalt gravels). Of the four Lingua Franca pinots in 2018, this might be the tightest, with the most bound tension and reserved intensity. While it’s still years from peak expression, there is a propulsive energy and power that opens the dark fruit to a hint of red-tinged, cranberry brightness. Give it time. —P.J.C.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Deep garnet. Expansive cherry and red currant scents, along with hints of botanical herbs and candied flowers. Juicy and penetrating in the mouth, offering black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that take a sweeter turn through the back half. Finishes very long and subtly chewy, with repeating florality and sneaky, framing tannins. All destemmed fruit; 20% new French oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A mix of Pommard and Calera clones, this is a blend that attempts to forge a common ground between sweetly spicy pie-cherry fruit and the more herbal, tannic, austere nature of the Calera fruit. All the parts are there to build a complete and interesting wine. Just add some bottle age—another two or three years at least. -Paul Gregutt”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 

Have you ever heard of the varietal called Grolleau? Named after the black color the grapes develop as they ripen, it was the most popular rose in France for nearly a century both domestically and abroad. It was so famous as a style that it was codified in the original James Bond novel Goldfinger; with Bond preferring to drink it over Dom Perignon! 

Grolleau is still used to make rose today, usually in conjunction with its gray skinned mutation, Grolleau Gris. We can’t get enough of Mourat’s iteration, which is grown just 12 miles away from the Atlantic Ocean on the far western part of the Loire Valley called “Fiefs Vendeens”. This appellation is special not only for its historic patronage by Cardinal Richelieu, but also for having one of the highest percentages of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards in all of France.  

The appellation receives almost as much sunlight as Provence, with the temperature being mitigated by the ocean breeze from the Atlantic. These factors marry together to feature both ripe fruit notes like fresh melon, strawberries and peaches in addition to a lifted, peppery finish. The soils of the appellation are primarily quartzite with schist, creating a nuanced, mineral underpinning. Mourat is lucky enough to have a unique site that is predominantly purple schist, which further emphasizes a mineral driven spine in both his Rose and Red bottlings.  

The Ovni is a rare offering in that it is entirely composed of Grolleau Gris, in stark contrast to the rest of the appellation which are field blends. With an average vine age of 25 years old, this is a multidimensional rose that is applicable pretty much anytime, anywhere. We also carry another rose by Mourat, featuring a field blend of grapes that are traditional to the region. The rarest of his bottlings is his rouge, which is entirely sourced from 80 year old plantings of Negrette. Characterized by supple texture, dark fruited character and violet accentuations in the aromas this is definition of a “Sunshine red”  

Mourat wines arriving June 2022:

J. Mourat O.V.N.I. Rose IGP Val de Loire 2021 750ML ($21.95) $17 pre-arrival special 
100% Grolleau Gris
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

J. Mourat Collection Rose, Fiefs Vendeens Mareuil  2021 750ML ($19.95) $17.70 pre-arrival special
Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Negrette & Pinot Noir      

J. Mourat Collection Rouge Fiefs Vendeens Mareuil 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24.50 pre-arrival special
80 year old Negrette vines
 

It’s no secret that we love Pinot Noir and Burgundian varietals as a whole here at Vinopolis. While Oregon holds our hearts, there’s something to be said about what our siblings in Aotearoa (New Zealand) are doing across the Pacific. 

North Canterbury has especially caught our eye with their reputation for cool-climate experimentation, and a hotbed of new winemaking talent. “The coolest little wine region in the country” as the region bills is home to clay-limestone soils that are a dead ringer for top tier Burgundy, and a climate particularly conducive to bright and ageworthy wines. Hermit Ram is taking the wine world by storm with their field blends and Pinot Noir, hybridizing traditional Burgundian practices with “New wave” techniques like low intervention in the cellar, amphora for fermentation and stem inclusion over new oak. 

The Pinot Noir is beautifully structured and derives its tannins entirely from skin, stems and seeds as opposed to new oak. This combined with the marginal growing conditions seen in North Canterbury creates a plethora of flavors ranging from Assamese black tea, fresh rhubarb, black raspberry, lavender and redcurrants. Beyond the fruit and floral components there is also a mineral component redolent of crushed stone and turned loam.  

Hermit Ram wines in stock now: 

The Hermit Ram Whole Bunch Zealandia Pinot Noir North Canterbury 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Winery Note: “This Pinot Noir comes from two vineyards, one a small close planted vineyard on the Omihi slopes and the other on the valley floor. The soil in Omihi is predominantly clay with bands of limestone and iron oxide, and the valley floor has glacial gravels with layers of silt and the odd bit of broken limestone dispersed throughout the profile. The clay parcel brings a richness and flesh to this wine whilst the gravel site adds spice and finesse. The use of whole bunches helps to add floral aromatics and length to balance out these textures and to knit the whole wine together. The structural elements and aroma gained from using whole bunches in Pinot Noir from North Canterbury also serves to promote longevity in the wine. It’ll make for fascinating drinking over the coming years. This wine has approximately 50% whole bunches in the ferment. It was fermented with indigenous yeasts. It underwent natural malolactic fermentation. It has no Sulphur added until bottling. It is unfined and unfiltered. 20 ppm SO2 Total.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

The Hermit Ram Field Blend Rose North Canterbury 2020 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Riesling/Pinot Noir/Cab Sauv/Gewurz
Winery note “The act of fermenting which ever varieties are planted in your vineyard together is intriguing and the results can be delicious and a really unique picture of a particular vineyard site and region. This wine is a field blend of Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewurztraminer. It comes from one of North Canterbury’s earliest planted vineyards. It presents itself like a delicate pinot with insane aromatics. The fruit was picked on the proportions it grows in the vineyard. It was destemmed and naturally fermented on skins for 6 weeks. Pressed off in to Amphora and allowed to go through a natural malolactic ferment. This wine was bottled with no fining, filtration or Sulphur.”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 
The Hermit Ram Amphora Salty White North Canterbury 2020 750ML ($44.95) $38 special
Julia Harding MW 17 points “Slightly cloudy very pale gold. Intensely citrus with a light herbal quality. Sour apricot and dried grasses are very subtle. This is complex, creamy, extremely salty. Great complexity and a lovely blend with nothing dominating. Dry, finely tannic, the best flavours of Sauvignon at the core, citrus and herbal and finally green fruits like greengage. Deep, long, salty, a wine for the evening. Good value. Drink 2021–2024”

Love Natural wine? We carry producers from around the world including Ovum, Daterra Lorenzo and Chateau Musar

 

 

 

Looking for the meticulous quality of French wine but at German pricing? Check out Alsace, a region famous for her syncretism. Alsace features some of the most diverse soils in the wine world, ranging from fossilized limestone, granite, alluvial sand and even clay marl. Primarily growing white wines, the wines of Alsace are famous for their structure and texture. Ranging from bone dry to lusciously sweet, there’s something for every palate and cuisine.

The primary grapes of the area combine the winemaking traditions of Germany and France, with Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer being standouts. The latter two are widely considered to reach their magnum-opus in Alsace, offering years of development in the bottle and an expression unlike anywhere else in the world.     

Alsatian Wines in stock now:

Domaines Schlumberger Pinot Gris Les Princes Abbes Alsace 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
James Suckling 92 points “With plenty of floral-honey, caramelized-pear and some melon aromas, medium-full body and a creamy texture, this is a very classic Alsace pinot gris. But it is drier than most with a nice touch of positive tannin at the clean finish. Rather food-friendly. Drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Les Princes Abbes Alsace 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Notes of ripe lemon have a honeyed, herbal lift, with a hint of candied lemon peel. The palate of this wine comes with concentration and a lemon freshness that radiates ripeness, brightness and intensity in equal measure. The finish is long, lemony, waxy and dry. Lovely now the wine is certain to evolve. Drink now–2030. -Anne Krebiehl MW”

Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Clos des Capucins Alsace 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “A light-bodied version, with snappy acidity creating a lively frame for the flavors of nectarine, Asian pear, rose petal and spicy mineral. A hint of almond shows on the juicy finish. Drink now. 300 cases imported.  –AN”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Cuvee Sainte Catherine, Alsace 2019 750ML ($69.95) $45 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “A compact version, creamy and light- to medium-bodied, with a spine of sleek acidity enlivening the finely knit flavors of apricot, green almond and star fruit. Hints of pink grapefruit zest and ground ginger play on the stony, mineral-driven finish. Drink now through 2019. 100 cases imported.  –AN”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Weinbach Riesling Cuvee Theo, Alsace 2019 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 89 points “A lively, balanced Riesling, with ripe and snappy Honeycrisp apple, peach skin and honeysuckle notes and a mouthwatering, stone-tinged finish. Drink now through 2024. 150 cases imported.  –AN”

Schoffit Pinot Blanc Auxerrois Vieilles Vignes Alsace 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91 points
Importer note “A well-balanced, old vines Pinot Blanc blend generally offering, depending on the vintage, around 5g/L residual sugar and 6g/L natural acidity.  Entirely hand-harvested, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks     .”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Schoffit Pinot Gris Cuvee Tradition Alsace 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Grown in the vineyards of Colmar, the capital of Alsatian wines, the Pinot Gris is a grape varietal with a thousand facets that gives drastically different wines depending on the conditions in which it grows and the hand of the winemaker. In this case, Schoffit made a choice to create a dry, gastronomic Pinot Gris that has as little as 3g/L residual sugar and high 8g/L acidity for the 2014 vintage. Those who prefer a more velvety touch will still enjoy this dry-styled Pinot Gris in other vintages that usually contain around 12g/L residual sugar for about 6g/L natural acidity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Schoffit Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos Saint-Theobald 2019 Alsace Grand Cru 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 10 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 93 points
Importer note “Known all over Europe at least since the 12th century, the Rangen vineyard was first exploited by the monks of the church of Saint-Théobald, an important place of pilgrimage at that time.  Rangen is a mountain of volcanic schiste, ideal for Riesling.  Its stunning volcanic terroir, unique in Alsace, makes it a magical Grand Cru. But, among all of the Alsatian Grands Crus, it is also the southern most, has the highest elevation (culminating at 450m), is the steepest (up to 55 degrees), and everything contributes to heighten its powerful and mysterious aura. Incredibly hard to work, it is a very demanding terroir that has to be earned all year long. But when it receives the appropriate level of affection, it gives as a reward some of the top Riesling of the world: smoky, stony, mineral. Depending on the vintage, the final balance is usually around 7g/L residual sugar and 7g/L acidity, but its unique personality is always captivating.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Domaine l’Agape Emotion Cremant d’Alsace France  NV 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
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” bottles in stock now

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine l’Agape Expression Pinot Gris Alsace 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Produced from owned plots in Riquewhir dominated by granite soils. The vines vary from 15-33 years old. Aged in large wood barrels to allow for aeration. This rich and honeyed, barely off-dry Pinot Gris is draws the very best out of this grape. Apricot notes and orange peel combine with earth and spices. (normally 50% stainless, 50% wood). Approx 500 cases produced annually.”
Importer note “Domaine Agape was founded a decade ago by fourth-generation Alsatian winemaker Vincent Sipp.  The domaine comprises approximately 10 hectares spread across some of Alsace’s top vineyard sites, including over three hectares of grand crus.  Sipp’s winemaking philosophy emphasizes sustainable, organic methods in the vineyard and true expression of Alsace’s native varietals, with the entire domaine converting to Bio-Organic methods in 2017.  All of Domaine Agape’s wines are made from estate-grown grapes and are authentic representations of Alsace’s varied terroirs.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine l’Agape Expression Riesling Alsace 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 21 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points “The reine-claude plum and mirabelle aromas pull you into this charming, light and bright Alsace dry riesling that’s so refreshing and has the balance to be an all-rounder with lighter dishes. Drink now.”
Importer note “Domaine Agape was founded a decade ago by fourth-generation Alsatian winemaker Vincent Sipp.  The domaine comprises approximately 10 hectares spread across some of Alsace’s top vineyard sites, including over three hectares of grand crus.  Sipp’s winemaking philosophy emphasizes sustainable, organic methods in the vineyard and true expression of Alsace’s native varietals, with the entire domaine converting to Bio-Organic methods in 2017.  All of Domaine Agape’s wines are made from estate-grown grapes and are authentic representations of Alsace’s varied terroirs.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

 

If you’re a fan of opulent Italian reds that are perfect for the table today but also worthy of cellaring, we have just the recent arrival for you. Azienda Santa Barbara’s 2017 Pathos is everything we look for in a Super Tuscan, offering generous fruit with oak polish. But since Pathos hails from the less famous region of Marche, it’s a steal when compared to its $100+ Super Tuscan peers. It’s this combination of quality and affordability that make it a no-brainer for any admirer of modern Italian reds.

In Stock Now:

Santa Barbara Stefano Antonucci ‘Pathos’ Marche Rosso IGT 2017 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “A dense and rich red with crushed-berry and chocolate character and hints of cedar and sandalwood. Medium to full body. Firm tannins. Extremely polished and opulent. One for the cellar but hard not to drink now.”

 

The DO Rias Baixas is famous for her exquisite seafood and spectacular vistas of where mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean. Consisting of several growing regions, the Val do Salnes is the closest to the sea out of the five sub-appellations. Some of the biggest contributors to the terroir of Salnes are the granitic mountains and blankets of sea fog found throughout the area, creating the building blocks for an invigorating and savory wine with surprising aging potential.

These features also have a meteorological effect, creating an exceptionally cool and oftentimes wet growing season with the average temperature being 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result of these challenges, there has been very little deviation from the traditional growing practices. The winemaker for Leirana named Rodrigo Mendez exemplifies this in spades, farming ancestral plots just as his family has done for five consecutive generations. Previous vintages have garnered worldwide attention, with the New York Times naming the 2012 vintage the best in the entire region!

With the average planting date being in 1967 the influence from the granitic bedrock is evident from first pour. Vinified in a combination of steel and neutral foudre, there’s a plethora of highly aromatic fruit and floral elements underscored by a saline and mineral finish. The fruit character ranges from green pineapple, papaya and guava with a topknot of geranium, honeysuckle and ‘ōhi‘a lehua. The extended hang time practiced by Rodrigo pays off in a richer texture than your standard Rias Baixas without overstaying or being cloying.

Forjas De Salnes in stock now: 

Bodegas Forjas del Salnes Leirana Albarino Rias Baixas 2020 750ML ($39.95) $26.60 special
Case-12 Bodegas Forjas del Salnes Leirana Albarino Rias Baixas 2020 750ML ($479.95) $299 special, (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 94 points “The vibrant 2020 Leirana was produced with a blend of 60% wine matured in used oak foudre and the rest stainless steel, as the wine has very high acidity (9 to 9.5 grams with a pH of 2.99!) and doesn’t go through malolactic; so, it is very sharp, and the higher percentage of oak makes it a little rounder. It’s powerful and pungent, serious and with granite minerality, showcasing the serious style of the whites from 2020. It has moderate alcohol (12.9%) and an electric palate that is clean and tasty, with a stony finish.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Other Albarino in stock now: 

Nanclares y Prieto ‘Crisopa’ Branco Tradicional Galicia 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 94 points “The completely unusual “orange” wine is a bright amber Albariño macerated with skins during the fermentation. The 2018 Crisopa, produced with grapes from the same vineyard as Soberrivas, has a completely different nose and a brighter and deeper color than any previous vintage. Perhaps the grapes were smaller and there might be more skins for the juice, and the wine underwent malolactic (at least partially). There are notes of apple liqueur, pollen and beeswax, and the palate is finely tannic. Here, the process overpowers the variety and place. It has lower acidity than most of the wines from the winery, but this is one of the finest examples of the type. It should develop nicely in bottle. 636 bottles were filled in August 2019.”
Importer note “Crisopa Branco Tradicional comes from the same parcel as “Soverribas” (Paraje Manzaniña) but is picked one day earlier to select the best bunches. After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. The grapes were foot-trodden in open plastic vats with 100% whole-clusters, and then skin-fermented for 20 days in a steel vat. After a vertical press the wine is racked into a used 500L French oak cask, where it rests for 11 months on the lees with battonage for first 3 months, before being bottled on Aug. 21st (fruit day) without clarification, filtration and only modest amounts of SO2. A fascinating and extremely textured Vinho Branco made in the style of the ancients!”
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Nanclares y Prieto ‘A Grana’ Galicia 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2020 A Graña has a more fruit-driven nose and a round palate, perhaps because it has retained some five grams of residual sugar and the wine has less acidity. It might have had some partial malolactic. 1,200 bottles were produced. It feels like a 2020 nose and a 2019 palate.”

Nanclares y Prieto ‘Dandelion’ Albarino Rias Baixas 2020 750ML ($29.95) $23.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Importer note “100% Albarino from 15 organically farmed inland plots of 24-45-year-old Albarino vines in the Val do Salnes, planted on sandy, decomposed granite soils. 2020 was a warm vintage in Rias Baixas: the winter was rainy and warm, which continued into April and May.”

 

Did you know that the Rheingau was once the face of Germany’s wine production? The topographic isolation provided by confluence of the Taunus Mountains and Rhine River creates an oasis for growing Riesling. The region’s wines were once priced higher than Burgundy, with Queen Victoria sparking a proclivity for German Riesling across the British Empire after a visit to the Rheingau in 1850. In contrast to other growing regions that feature a high percentage of slate, the Rheingau is characterized by high proportions of sandstone and quartzite, lending a crystallized pineapple, quince and yellow daffodil character to the finished wines. 

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. During the extended hang time the grapes will freeze and thaw multiple times, further concentrating the sugars and acids. 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 enough to be harvested as eiswein or simply eaten by passing birds and deer you can see why production quantities are minuscule to say the least.

Weingut Prinz Wines in stock now: 

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Eiswein Rheingau 2016 375ML ($149.95) $119 special
 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Riesling Trocken Rheingau 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
James Suckling 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
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
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
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!

Check out our 531 different German Rieslings available now including Dönnhoff, Mueller-Catoir and Molitor!

You’ve heard of sister regions Barolo and Barbaresco but did you know that there is a third sibling that also specialized in Nebbiolo? The Italian Alps are home to some of the most ethereal and mineral driven expressions of wine in the entire world. Naturally insulated from the rest of the country due to the topography, the villagers practice winemaking exactly as they have for centuries. Alto Piemonte as it’s known by the locals was formed during the shift of the African and European tectonic plates millions of years ago, creating one of the most diverse mix of soils in the world. 

You see everything from prehistoric marine sediment, schist, fractured limestone, granite and even sandstone. There is so much complexity that only the locals have dared to try classifying the contents of their soil. Located near the Italian-Swiss border Arpepe does exactly that, producing Chiavennasca (The local name for Nebbiolo) from terraced vineyards that have been in their family for generations. Known as a benchmark producer for the regions expression of nebbiolo , Ar.Pe.Pe. is a fantastic introduction to the particular stylings of Chiavennasca. Their style draws comparisons to Barolo and Barbaresco of years past. Considering the advancement of climate change these wines are well on their way to becoming the next hotbed for Nebbiolo in Italy, as freshness and elegance become more elusive further south. We’ve also just secured our allocation for their late harvest wine, the Ultimi Raggi. A true rarity in that most examples of the style are perceptibly dry due to the varietals high tannins and acidity. Arpepe takes this artistry to the next level by allowing the grapes to dry on the vine, allowing for even more sugar accumulation and further ripeness in the flavors. The site’s high altitude at over 2,000 feet elevation maintains acidity and wild botanical character. 

Arpepe arriving Eta May 2022: 

Ar.Pe.Pe. Ultimi Raggi     Valtellina Superiore Sassella 2009 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2009 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Ultimi Raggi is beguiling, rich, dense and powerful. Cinnamon, dried dark cherry, leather, smoke and licorice come together in a full-bodied, somewhat rustic wine with no shortage of character. The Ultimi Raggi is made from the last fruit on the vine to ripen, and is therefore sweeter and richer through the mid-palate, with more palate weight and overall density than is found in most of these wines. I loved it.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2009 Valtellina Superiore Sassella Ultimi Raggi is beguiling, rich, dense and powerful. Cinnamon, dried dark cherry, leather, smoke and licorice come together in a full-bodied, somewhat rustic wine with no shortage of character. The Ultimi Raggi is made from the last fruit on the vine to ripen, and is therefore sweeter and richer through the mid-palate, with more palate weight and overall density than is found in most of these wines. I loved it.”

Arpepe wines in stock now: 

Ar.Pe.Pe. Buon Consiglio Riserva Valtellina Superiore Grumello DOCG 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “One of two late-release wines from Ar. Pe. Pe., the 2013 Valtellina Superiore Grumello Riserva Buon Consiglio is a beautifully light and delicate expression of Nebbiolo with a lean, ruby-tinged appearance. The wine ages to silkiness and extreme suppleness, and I cannot help but notice the unique aromas of toasted hazelnut, mountain flower and balsam herb that rise so delicately from the bouquet. These results are exquisite and ultra delicate, giving the wine a lithe or ethereal personality. What a beauty. Only 6,000 bottles were released.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “A perfumed red, exuding aromas and flavors of crushed raspberry and pureed strawberry, exotic spice and graphite, dried marjoram and thyme. It’s finely knit, with silky tannins and mouthwatering, citrus peel acidity. A graceful version with a lasting, mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2028. 500 cases made, 175 cases imported.  –AN”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Camphor, wild rose and botanical herbs mingle with a whiff of wet granite. On the elegantly structured, still youthfully austere palate, tight, refined tannins lithely support sour cherry, orange zest and star anise. It’s vibrant and balanced, with bright acidity. Drink 2023–2033. -Kerin O’Keefe”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Ar.Pe.Pe. Sesto Canto Riserva Valtellina Superiore Inferno DOCG 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “There’s a lovely juiciness to the crushed black raspberry and strawberry fruit on display in this elegant, medium- to full-bodied red, yet sleek tannins are well-integrated and provide fine definition. Fragrant notes of tea leaf, pomegranate and hot stone chime on the silky finish. Drink now through 2033. 500 cases made, 175 cases imported.  –AN”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Ar.Pe.Pe. Vigna Regina – Nuova Regina Riserva Valtellina Superiore Sassella DOCG 2013 750ml ($119.95) $99 Special, 22 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Loaded with finesse and energy and still youthfully austere, this linear, structured red offers tart cranberry, blood orange and star anise sensations. A vein of salty mineral provides the backdrop while fine-grained tannins provide elegant structure and support. Racy acidity keeps it balanced. Give it time to fully develop and blossom into even more of a beauty. Drink 2025–2035. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “A release of about 6,000 bottles, the Ar. Pe. Pe. 2013 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Sassella Nuova Regina draws its fruit from terraced vineyards delineated by rocky drywalls. The vines are at least 50 years old and planted in friable metamorphic rock or gneiss shaped by glaciers. This wine is made in a highly traditional manner with extended skin maceration in oak casks, and all the harvest work is done by hand. This is a true beauty with enormous finesse and a deep well of aromatic nuances that center around wild berries, blue flowers and iron ore. The wine is carefully aged with fine and silky tannins. It tastes great, so if you have a bottle you can drink it now or wait longer if that is your pleasure.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Ar.Pe.Pe. ‘Il Pettirosso’ Valtellina Superiore DOCG 2016 750ML ($54.95) $45 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Il Pettirosso, or ‘robin redbreast’, is a dedication to Ar Pe Pe’s founder, Arturo who first created this bottling in 1997. A selection of casks ready to be bottled after relatively minimal ageing, it brings together parcels in the subzones of Sassella and Grumello. Piercing pure rose, cherry blossom and tobacco lead the way to a nucleus of sweet raspberry, red cherry and subtle flintiness. It’s fine-boned in frame and zesty in acidity, with silky-smooth tannins that glide effortlessly across the palate. The epitome of elegance. Drinking Window 2021 – 2028.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2016 Valtellina Superiore Il Pettirosso is a terrific choice for readers who want to explore the Ar.Pe.Pe. wines before delving into some of the more pricey bottlings. Dried autumn leaves, cedar, pipe tobacco, herbs and licorice are some of the many notes that grace this wonderfully expressive, super-classic Valtellina Nebbiolo. Aging in cask brings out the nuances of these old vines so well. The transparency of Nebbiolo comes through beautifully.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “Here’s a beautiful wine with a great human story behind it. Fruit from 50-year-old vines planted in friable granitic mountain soils is carried down to the winery in small cassettes on the hearty shoulders of the harvesters. With some 24,000 bottles made, the Ar. Pe. Pe. 2016 Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo Il Pettirosso is perfumed with rosebud, wild berry, sour cherry and crushed stone. All that backbreaking human labor leads to a soft and gently polished red wine to pair with a classic buckwheat pasta from this ski-loving region.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Bright and tangy, this fragrant wine offers head scents of red rose, pine forest, wet flint and Alpine herb. Vibrant and savory, the racy palate has lovely mineral energy and tension, doling out juicy Marasca cherry, ground clove and a hint of hazelnut alongside taut, refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink through 2026. -Kerin O’Keefe”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Ar.Pe.Pe. Grumello Rocca de Piro Riserva Valtellina Superiore Grumello DOCG 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special,  12 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Fruit for this wine comes from the high altitudes of the Rhaetian Alps, where decomposed granite soils make for a dark contrast against brilliant white ice and snow falls. The Ar. Pe. Pe. 2015 Valtellina Superiore Nebbiolo Grumello Rocca de Piro reveals a long succession of dried raspberry, cassis, pressed violets, iron ore and crushed stone. This wine promises to make a terrific pairing with a simple plate of thinly sliced Valtellina bresaola. Some 30,000 bottles were made.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Initially shy, the subtle nose eventually reveals new leather, Alpine herb and wild berry. The savory palate has an understated elegance, offering Marasca cherry, pomegranate and graphite alongside refined tannins. Drink through 2027. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Wine Spectator 92 points “An elegant light- to medium-bodied red, with fine tannins creating a supple frame for flavors wild strawberry, black tea leaf and a ferrous, minerally underpinning. It’s fresh and focused, with a lingering, lightly spiced finish. Drink now through 2030. –AN

When discussing the Grenache Revolution in Spain, you have to mention the work of Daniel Landi. One of the two founders of the cult label “Comando G” he has built his career around elevating Grenache to new heights. Originally hailing from Méntrida, a rural village in the Castille-La-Mancha Daniel Landi has been surrounded by Grenache practically from birth. With en masse wine production dating back to the 15th century, there are vineyards everywhere you look.

The historical prevalence of viticulture extends into the Sierra de Gredos Mountains, where Daniel sources his best fruit. Planted amongst the granite boulders and scrub vegetation, vines are 50 years old at the youngest and farmed biodynamically. The mineral rich soil, high elevation and extensive root networks make irrigation unnecessary and for one of the most compelling iterations of Grenache you’ll ever find. With the exception of his entry level cuvee, every wine that Daniel Landi makes is a single-vineyard expression to highlight the nuance of each parcel.  

Daniel Landi Wines in stock now: 

Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi ‘Las Uvas de la Ira’ Garnacha Mentrida 2018 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The red 2018 Las Uvas de la Ira has been produced with Garnacha from the same five vineyards since the initial vintage (2012) in the village of El Real de San Vicente, which is one of the villages from Méntrida (Toledo) that are part of the Gredos Mountains. The vines range between 40 and 65 years of age, and they are located at around 750 meters in altitude on sandy granite soils with lots of silt. The different vineyards are fermented separately in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a very gentle vinification, one-third with very long macerations to provide structure and depth, one-third with a very short maceration to provide fragrance, and the remaining third finished the fermentation without skins (like a white) to add juiciness. The élevage is in oak foudres of different sizes, from 1,500 to 4,000 liters. This is a little less aromatic and more austere but very focused and bright, from a village where the wines are serious and have a chalky texture, less floral but more citrus, a bit more backward. It has a compact palate, with very fine tannins and a more chalky finish. It’s interesting to taste it next to wines from other villages, as you clearly see the difference. 18,700 bottles produced. It was bottled in August 2019.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 

Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi ‘Cantos del Diablo’ Mentrida 2017 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The single-vineyard 2017 Cantos del Diablo was produced with the grapes from 0.35 hectares in the village of El Real de San Vicente (Toledo), the highest vineyard in the Méntrida appellation. It’s a north-facing plot at 900 meters in altitude that was planted some 70 years ago on sandy granite soils rich in silt and is worked biodynamically. The grapes, with all the stems, fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats, and the wine matured in a 1,200-liter oak foudre for 12 months. This was one of the few villages from Gredos that escaped the hail and frost, and it was a dry year, so harvesting was early (10 to 15 days earlier compared with a “normal” vintage!). It’s aromatic and floral but has the austerity of the wines from El Real de San Vicente as well as a texture like liquid chalk and very fine, powdery tannins. It’s clean and ripe without excess, with a nice combination of fruit and minerality, really balanced, with intensity and finesse. Excellent 2017! 1,362 bottles were filled in March 2019.”
 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi ‘Cantos del Diablo’ Mentrida 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The single-vineyard 2018 Cantos del Diablo was produced with the grapes from 0.35 hectares of 70-year-old Garnacha in the village of El Real de San Vicente (Toledo) at 900 meters in altitude, the highest vineyard in the Méntrida appellation. It’s a north-facing plot on sandy granite soils with lots of silt that deliver chalky tannins and a citrus freshness in the wine. The whole clusters fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats with a long maceration followed by an élevage in a 1,400-liter oak foudre for 12 months. This was extremely closed, even after a long time in the glass. It’s a vineyard that delivers more reductive wines (matchstick) with a strict palate and a strong mineral sensation. 1,620 bottles were filled in March 2020.”z