In This Newsletter:
Salon: The Apex of Champagne
New Week – New Arrivals
Andre Clouet Arriving Tomorrow
Trending
Worthy Wines from Unexpected Places
Salon: The Apex of Champagne
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2004 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection in 2016. Salon’s releases are rare and signify a great vintage—the last release was the 2002. Coming from grand cru vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, this 2004 is complex and concentrated, capturing the essence of Chardonnay in Champagne. Intense minerality and ripe apple and citrus fruits accompany the purity and crisp texture that are part of its ability to age. The wine can continue for many years, certainly to 2025 and beyond. -Roger Voss”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2004 Salon (Edition 2019) is fabulous. That is hardly a surprise, as the 2004 has always been magnificent. Subtle, nuanced and classy to the core, the 2004 shows the more refined side of Salon. In that sense, it shares a good bit stylistically with both the 2007 and 2008, but much less so than with the 2006. Sweet floral notes add lift to a core of crystalline, mineral-infused Chardonnay fruit in a Salon that is precise, light on its feet and buffered by enough energy to drink well for decades to come. Disgorged: January, 2019.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2004 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is another rather structured, tensile wine from a generally rather open vintage. Wafting from the glass are scents of citrus rind, crisp green apple, preserved citrus, fresh bread and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, tangy and chiseled, with fine depth at the core and a long, chalky finish, it’s complemented by a pillowy pinpoint mousse. Unlike many wines from 2004, this Salon (tasted from a bottle disgorged in January 2019) still has potential to improve with further bottle age.”
Decanter 95 points “Almost deceptively silky and soft for Salon. One expects this blanc de blancs, fermented in tank without malolactic conversion, to show slightly livelier acidity. Here the wine is deliciously drinkable – almost too much so – with ripe apple, citrus and floral notes and a supple, approachable texture that is somewhat lacking in tension, consistent with the conditions of the year: a big crop, swollen slightly with summer rains that needed until the final week of September to ripen fully.”
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “#11 Cellar Selection in 2017. This new release from a great vintage for Chardonnay in Champagne is a perfect blanc de blancs, showing a wealth of intensity from the crisp, chalky, mineral tones to the perfumed apple notes. The aromas hint at developing toastiness that adds depth and complexity. The wine is still young and it will age for years. Drink from 2020. -Roger Voss”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2006 Salon is a very rich wine, almost uncharacteristically so. Deep and exotic the 2006 exudes richness in all of its dimensions, with myriad inflections of sumptuous fruit that fill out its ample, large-scaled frame. Today, the 2006 is surprisingly accessible for a young Salon, but it needs time to shed some baby fat. At times, the 2006 recalls the 2002, but it appears to have more phenolic intensity and overall structure. Even with all of its flamboyance and pure volume, the 2006 retains quite a bit of energy and freshness. I imagine it will be a fascinating, utterly compelling Champagne to follow over the next several decades.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2006 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is quite tangy and reserved by the standards of this sunny, demonstrative vintage. Offering up aromas of smoke, toasted bread, orange oil, mocha and confit lemon, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with racy acids and a concentrated, surprisingly structured mid-palate. Concluding with a long and gently empyreumatic finish, this is a fine success. This bottle was disgorged in January 2019.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “The creamy mousse of this graceful Champagne caresses the palate like cashmere, carrying a beautiful range of glazed nectarine, chopped almond, pastry and candied ginger flavors framed by vivid acidity. Seamless, with a long, lasting finish accented by minerally chalk and saline notes. Drink now through 2031. –AN”
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2007 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 99 points “This legendary Champagne, only produced in exceptional years, comes from the village of Le Mesnil in the Côte des Blancs. It is made from 100% Chardonnay and aged for many years before release. Its minerality, concentration and beautiful fruit are still astonishingly young and deserve further aging. Drink from 2020.”
Wine & Spirits 97 points “This latest release of Salon announces itself with energy and leaves with freshness. It comes from a vintage marked by a cool, cloudy August that delayed ripening; after the vines recovered in September, they yielded this delicate chardonnay, completely saturated with flavor. It comes from 20 parcels in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, a selection established by the founder, Aimé Salon, in the early 1900s, including one estate parcel of 2.5 acres. Other than exclaiming on the wine’s delicious flavors, our panel was seduced by its texture, describing it in variations of silk, satin or chalk and velvet whiteness. It has a presence—a remarkable infusion of chalk soil—that sets it apart.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2007 Salon is gorgeous. Weightless, delicate and understated, the 2007 is all class. Today, the 2007 reminds me of the 2004 in its bright, citrus and floral-infused profile, but with a bit more creaminess, mid-palate depth and softer contours, all of which will make the 2007 easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Next to the 2006, the 2007 is quite a bit fresher and more delineated, with none of exuberance, power of tropically-leaning overtones found in its younger sibling. At this stage, the 2007 is a bit inward and closed in on itself. Then again, it is Salon. This is another terrific showing from Salon and the team headed by President Didier Depond. Dosage is 5 grams per liter.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “…the weightless and delicate 2007 is a coolish, elegant and smoky gentleman dressed in a white tie and silk hat… The performance on the palate is pure yet concentrated, fresh and linear, very elegant and perfectly balanced, but most of all, it is extremely fine and stimulating!…The radiant 2007 Salon is one of the greatest champagnes I have had from this vintage…”
Don’t miss our December Burgundy sales:
Pierre Gelin
Pierre Bouree &
Francois Gay
Shop the sales on our web store!
New Week – New Arrivals
Italy – Tuscany
Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana IGT 2016 750ML ($949.95) $735 special, 5 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Easily the rarest Sangiovese in the world, Soldera has become world famous for its uncompromising standards, spectacular quality, and a murder mystery’s worth of intrigue. Coming from the spectacular 2016 vintage, this is one of the last bottlings personally attended to by the legendary Gianfranco Soldera before his unexpected passing in 2019. These are cult wines based on the personality of Gianfranco, and absolute treasures when you consider how few bottles are ever made every vintage. In previous years, these were labeled as Brunello Di Montalcino and would sell out without any “Pre-season” reviews by wine press. This momentum continued even after Soldera’s explosive falling out with the Consorzio di Brunello di Montalcino in 2012.
Iconic Rosso – more stock just arrived!
Montevertine Toscana IGT Tuscany 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Montevertine Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Montevertine is fabulous. Bright and translucent in the glass, the 2018 is elegant and light on its feet like few, if any, vintages I can remember. Rose petal, mint, lavender and bright red/purplish berry fruit linger. The 2018 is one of the most refined, understated Montevertines ever. Silky, elegant and gracious, the 2018 is an absolute winner.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This wine celebrates 100 years of family legacy connected to Montevertine’s legendary founder Sergio Manetti. The bottle shows a little logo on the front label to commemorate the anniversary. The 2018 Montevertine follows the traditional blending formula of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino that goes through a simple winemaking process that starts off in cement and continues into oak casks for 24 months. Keeping in with the well-established house style, the wine delivers enormous quality and clarity of fruit with bright cherry, rose, cassis and fragrant potting soil. These elegant results capture the promise of Sangiovese.”
Italy’s answer to Bordeaux is back in stock.
Tenuta Argentiera ‘Argentiera’ Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Argentiera is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, and the Cabernet Sauvignon logically feels and tastes most prominent. This is a dark and penetrating Tuscan red that is beautifully elevated, thanks to the extremely elegant and buoyant quality of the aromas. They lift gracefully from the glass with light-footed, almost fleeting character. However, don’t underestimate the power and the concentration of the wine, because this vintage delivers both with abundance. I’ve had my eye on this estate since the vineyards were first planted some 20 years ago, and there is no doubt that this vintage brings Tenuta Argentiera into a new era as a Bolgheri protagonist. Some 80,000 bottles were made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italy – Piedmont
Cordero di Montezemolo, in Barolo, was founded in 1340. We’ll let that sink in for a second. That’s a long time, by any measure, and when you have one family, in the same place, farming the same land, generation after generation, they are bound to become really good at it. That’s very true here. The Montezemolo wines have always been really wonderful, classic examples of Piedmontese wines in their respective categories. With reviews off the charts for the 2017, now’s the time to stock up, especially since our pricing beats the competition out of the park!
Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($579.95) $512 special (that’s only $85.33/bottle!)
Case-12 Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($1489.95) $969 special (that’s only $80.75/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Made with certified organic grapes, the 2017 Barolo Enrico VI represents a selection of fruit from a two-hectare parcel in Villero (Castiglione Falletto). Enrico VI steps down with power and an especially robust footprint in this hot and dry vintage that produced thickly concentrated fruit. The power overlaps and maybe masks some of the complexity of the fruit, especially at this young age. The wine presents aromas of dark plum and spice that are slightly soft and sweet and do not repeat the extremest focus that we saw in the previous 2016 vintage. It needs a little extra time.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Enrico VI, from the Villero cru, is striking. In 2017, the Villero shows a level of translucence I don’t remember seeing in this wine for as long as I have followed the domaine. Whether that is a reflection of the year or a move towards organic farming will only become evident in future vintages. Dark cherry, spice, new leather, menthol and licorice all run through this wonderfully transparent Barolo from Cordero di Montezemolo.”
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of ripe berries with dark mushrooms, wet earth and some tar. It’s full-bodied with creamy and chewy tannins that are polished and rather bold, but still held back. The finish is very long and caressing, if a little austere. From organically grown grapes. Needs four or five years to soften. Try in 2025.”
Though Cantina Del Pino has only been producing since 1997, the Vacca family and their estate vineyard have been a part of Italian winemaking for over 100 years. Domizio Cavazzo established the vineyard in 1894, becoming one of the first winemakers to produce Nebbiolo under the name Barbaresco. Keep in mind this was 72 years before the creation of the official appellation in 1966. An advocate for Langhe farmers, Cavazzo’s vineyard was well known, recognizable by the large Mediterranean pine tree he planted on the day his first son was born. In 1912, the Vacca family took over the estate and have worked the land for four generations, becoming known for world class wines from the historic vineyard. They use the pine tree as inspiration for their label, giving the vineyard the name Cantina Del Pino, or ‘winery of the pine’. Like Wine Advocate will tell you, year after year “Cantina del Pino is a great source for top-notch wines from Barbaresco.”
Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Considering the untimely passing of Renato Vacca in March of 2020, there is a lot of emotion coming back to this wine: It has always been an expression of Barbaresco nostalgia and romanticism, even when its creator was alive and well, working in these vines located directly under his family house. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Ovello bears his winemaking imprint with balance and elegance that never misses a beat. This vintage offers more density and concentration for sure, and the positioning of the Ovello cru overlooking the Tanaro River Valley sets the wine up for open-knit characteristics and suave softness. Those impressions are amplified in this vintage but are not overblown.”
Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Fruit from Albesani shows nice sharpness and a compact or complete profile that is typical of Nebbiolo. This site has fared well in this hot and dry vintage with intact aromas of wild berry, mineral and blue violets. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Albesani turns in a strong showing in terms of aromas but tapers out a bit in the palate. In this release of 3,000 bottles, the wine is driven largely by the textural and structural power of the vintage, and the fruit is a bit leaner on the finish right now. It will likely flesh out with time.”
La Spinetta Vursu Vigneto Starderi Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($139.95) $99 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi rounds out this series of Barbarescos from La Spinetta in grand style. I don’t think the Starderi has ever been so elegant or refined as it is in 2015. Medium in body and translucent, the 2015 possesses remarkable purity and nuance in its red-toned fruit and floral aromatics. The oak needs time to fully integrate, but readers should not be planning on opening bottles anytime soon, as the youthful tannins are also imposing. Bright citrus and floral notes add the closing flourishes.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is decadent and very rich with plum and caramel character, as well as fresh flowers. Medium-bodied, tight and focused with a pretty center palate of dark fruit and linear, chewy tannins. Drink in 2020.”
Portugal – Port
Quinta do Infantado 10 Year Old Tawny Port Portugal 375ML ($29.95) $26 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “[Reviewed Apr 2019] Fresh, with a high-pitched feel to the dried cherry, cedar and sandalwood notes. A light hazelnut husk hint shows on the finish. A dry and focused style. Drink now. 350 cases imported.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This well-balanced wine is full of both acidity and fruitiness, the two characters a 10-Year-Old tawny should have. It is dry, showing the wood aging subtly with an aftertaste that brings back the excellent balance.”
Quinta do Infantado Late Bottled Vintage Port Portugal 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “An LBV Port is a vintage Port kept four to six years in wood before being bottled. Once in the bottle, it ages for at least three more years before release. The label always displays the harvest year and bottling year. The fruit was hand harvested, partly destemmed and fermented exclusively in lagar. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV wine brandy. The wine is aged for four to six years in a variety of tonel and baseiro, the name for tall wooden casks from 3,000-60,000 liters with thick staves that slow down oxidation.”
Quinta do Infantado Ruby Port Portugal NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in a variety of tonel and balseiro, the names for tall wooden tanks from 3,000-60,000 liters with thick staves that slow down oxidation. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 70 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Ruby Ports. The average age in bottle is two to three years.”
Quinta do Infantado Tawny Port Portugal NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in very old pipas. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 84 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Tawny Ports. The average age in bottle is four to five years.”
Austria
Malat Gruner Veltliner Kremstal 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points “Malat’s 2020 Furth Kremstal Grüner Veltliner is brighter in color and finer on the nose than the corresponding Riesling, offering a clear, fresh and subtle bouquet of white fruits along with spicy and floral notes. Round and structured by a fine acidity/tannin complex, this is an intense, dense and sustainable Grüner with stimulating grapefruit bitters on the finish. 12% alcohol. Tasted at Schloss Gobelsburg in June 2021.”
Lebanon
Domaine des Tourelles Rouge Bekaa Valley 2019 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 vintage review provided for reference.
Decanter 93 points “Mediterranean-like character with lots of vibrant redcurrant, raspberry and herbal notes. Floral, restrained and quite finely textured on the palate. Drinking Window 2021 – 2026.”
Australia
With a varietal character that’s inky purple to black, full bodied, exuberantly aromatic and loaded with secondary notes this is a “Cabernet lover’s Syrah”. True to his name, the Black Pepper by E&E delivers spades of spice like vanilla, cloves, coconut husk, nutmeg, cinnamon, licorice root and dark chocolate. Sourced from a collection of old vines with an average age of 60 years and aged entirely in oak this is just starting to come into young adulthood from an aging perspective with plenty more to go.
Barossa Valley Estate E & E Black Pepper Shiraz Barossa Valley 2016 ($69.95) $49 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dense and muscular, showing appealing focus to the dark chocolate, blackberry paste, sage and huckleberry flavors, with espresso notes weaving in and out. Cigar box aromas emerge on the finish, where thick tannins offer a dense backbone and a touch of rusticity. Drink now through 2036.
Andre Clouet’s
Silver Label Brut Nature Champagne
Arriving Tomorrow, December 21st
Sometimes finding a great value Champagne is all the reason you need to open a bottle of bubbles. Andre Clouet’s Silver Label is produced with 100% Pinot Noir from Grand Cru vineyards in the exalted Champagne village of Bouzy. Jean-Francois’s is committed to making wines that reflect the rich history of the region. His wines do just that, while representing some of the best values available.
“The Andre Clouet Champagne house is run by Jean-François Clouet, who was born and raised in Bouzy and still lives in the 18th century village house built by his ancestors. [He] strives to continue the region’s tradition, but still is driven to elevate the quality levels here. Clouet farms some incredible Grand Cru plots around his home village of Bouzy as well as in the famous and very coveted middle slopes of Ambonnay with many vines in the best lieux-dits in the Champagne region. While great for celebrating events and special occasions, this Andre Clouet Silver Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, with its beautiful and vivid mouse, goes sublimely well with food and makes for a noble companion with any meal. I am always impressed by Clouet’s lineup of Champagne(s), but especially so this stylish zero dosage Blanc de Noirs, which I highly recommend!” –Kerry Winslow, Grapelive
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $36 pre-arrival special, arriving Tuesday!
Case-6 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($249.95) $206 pre-arrival special, arriving Tuesday! (that’s only $34.33/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Case-12 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($499.95) $389 pre-arrival special, arriving Tuesday! (that’s only $32.42/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 1.5L ($119.95) $89 special, 9 magnums in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 3L ($349.95) $279 special, 20 double-magnums in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 6L ($699.95) $599 special, 2 six liter bottles in stock now ***In store pick up only. Shipping not available.
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “[Reviewed Apr 2021] Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”
Grapelive 92 points “The beautiful ‘Silver’ Andre Clouet 100% Pinot Noir non-vintage Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs is one of the best values in Champagne. This recent disgorgement is stunning and luxurious bubbly to enjoy almost guilt free. The Silver is a no dosage Brut Nature, meaning it is exceptional dry and vibrant in style, in a more grower-producer style, but still with regal richness and complexity with plenty of leesy brioche notes and a dense mouth feel showing lemon curd, quince, apple, wet stones, clove spice and hazelnut…”
Shop our incredible selection of 170+ Champagnes in stock now on our web store!
Trending
Sourced from 40+ year old vines, biodynamically farmed from the creator of the appellation. It’s refreshingly pretty. And, while you could compare it to Champagne for its quality, lees character, and length, its aromatics are decidedly Spanish: leaning more towards floral and spice than Champagne.
Staff favorite!
Raventos I Blanc ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Espumoso Conca del Riu de Arnoia, Catalonia 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Pepe Raventós adds depth and a touch of color to this estate-grown sparkler with fruit from monastrell vines planted in 1974. That addition lays a smoky note and red-fruit hints over a base of xarel-lo, macabeo and parellada. You could contemplate the narcissus scents, the peach fuzz, the brisk clarity of flavor for hours if you had some oysters, and if you didn’t immediately race through the bottle, as its elegance is hard to resist.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Pale, green-tinged yellow. Lively, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruits and succulent flowers on the nose, along with fennel and ginger accents that build as the wine stretches out. Sharply focused and lively on the palate, offering intense Meyer lemon, pear skin and honeysuckle flavors underscored by a smoky mineral quality. Shows impressive energy and minerally thrust on the finish, which hangs on with strong tenacity.”
“Domaine Huet’ means ‘I make the best damn Chenin Blanc on the planet’…” – Mike Steinberger, Wine Diarist
#6 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Demi-Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “This tilts toward the flattering side of off-dry, showing a plump feel to the core of creamed pear, white peach and yellow apple fruit. Lovely verbena, honeysuckle and mineral accents keep this balanced and driven, with a long finish that lets the fruit echo. Drink now through 2032.”
“Few growers can match Raphaël Bérêche’s enthusiasm. That energy comes through in wines that faithfully capture the purest essence of vintage, variety and site…” Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve NV, Champagne 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Disgorged June 2021. L18
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve NV, Champagne 1.5L ($149.95) $138 special, 2 magnums in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Disgorged in July 2020 with seven grams per liter dosage, the NV Brut Réserve (2018 base) is the latest rendition of this wine. Bursting with aromas of orange oil, crisp orchard fruit and fresh bread, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with tangy acids and an enveloping, pillowy profile. [Review is for prior disgorgement of the same base year.]”
Domaine Alary Cairanne La Font d’Estevenas Rhone 2018 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Normally a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 2018 Cairanne L’Estevenas continues the successful run for this cuvée, even though it might be more like 60% Syrah. The volume produced was about half of normal. It combines peppery-herbal notes with violets and blueberries on the nose, then adds raspberries on the medium to full-bodied palate. Supple and almost creamy in texture, it finishes with terrific length and vitality. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
“The most recent releases include the long-awaited 2015 Riserva Pipparello, a wine that is typically released before the Sagrantino Pagliaro (which came out in early 2020) but was held back until now. This blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Sagrantino has become a perennial favorite of mine. It’s typically a wine of power yet also grace, with the potential to mature for well over a decade, and the 2015 is no different.” –Eric Guido
Paolo Bea Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva, Umbria 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “Leave it to Bea to create a perfectly poised, structured and classic wine in such a warm vintage. The 2015 Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva takes time to blossom in the glass, showing little more than dusty roses, hints of white smoke and cranberry at first. However, with coaxing, it grows in richness and volume, displaying crushed black cherry giving way to clove, lavender, sage, mint leaf and air-dried meats. All the while, there’s a fresh and feminine character, following through to the silky, almost creamy textures, which never feel weighty or cloying. Ripe red fruits and inner florals cascade across a core of spice and minerals as a layer of fine tannin begins to penetrate deeply, drying the senses and creating a sour twang. The palate aches under the Pipparello’s massive structure, and notes of tart citrus and concentrated wild berry fruit linger long. It’s going to take some time for the 2015 to mature into a more pleasurable expression, but it will be worth the wait. This is composed of 60% Sangiovese, 25% Montepulciano and 15% Sagrantino, all matured in large neutral barrels and released significantly later than most other producers’ wines.”
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Worthy Wines from Unexpected Places
Bold, brash spice to jazz up ham and roasts. This wine segues great into a fruit & cheese course or pair with dark chocolate for a hearty finish.
Coop Terres Plurielles “Les Vignerons de Tautavel” Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex France 2017 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Coop Terres Plurielles “Les Vignerons de Tautavel” Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex France 2017 750ML ($159.95) $136 special (that’s only $22.67/bottle!)
Case-12 Coop Terres Plurielles “Les Vignerons de Tautavel” Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex France 2017 750ML ($319.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “The 2017 Cotes Du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex might end up matching (or even surpassing) the 2016. The same 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Carignan brought up in tank, it offers a ripe, medium to full-bodied, straight-up sexy style to go with complex notes of kirsch, black olives, black licorice, and dried garrigue. It’s a powerful yet elegant red that has tons of potential.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan from old vines, the 2017 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex is partly aged in barrel and part in tank. It delivers just enough cedar on the nose to let you know there’s barrel influence, without overwhelming the terroir-derived hints of crushed stone or the varietal notes of dark berries. Full-bodied, concentrated and supple, it’s a terrific bottle of Roussillon wine, with a long, elegant finish.”
Situated near the base of Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, the estate is a veritable paradise surrounded by a panorama of mountains and fynbos you can practically taste in the glass.
Morgenster Lourens River Valley Stellenbosch 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 92 points “The 2014 Lourens River Valley is a Bordeaux blend that offers light blackberry, tobacco and smoky scents on the nose; a hint of hickory develops with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and ripe, with supple tannins and a pinch of sour cherry and balsamic toward the finish. Quite mellow, so much so that you almost overlook the concentration here. Excellent.”
“In the hilly amphitheater of Tuscany’s Maremma region, above an ancient coastal lake called Prelius, a vineyard organically farmed by the Stianti Mascheroni family flourishes. This vineyard, also called Prelius, is the first venture outside of Chianti Classico for the Stianti Mascheroni family, leaders in Tuscany’s organic viticultural movement.” –Wilson Daniels note
Castello di Volpaia ‘Prelius’ Cabernet Sauvignon Maremma Toscana, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
James Suckling 92 points “Blueberry and currant character with a hint of vanilla. Medium to full body. Chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs time to soften. Better after 2020.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Made with organically grown grapes, this Cabernet Sauvignon opens with inviting aromas of cassis, underbrush and mint. The savory, polished palate features black currant, licorice and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2026. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Made in partnership with the winemakers of Comando G, Dani Landi and Fernando Garcia.
Comando G Granito del Cadalso Garnacha Sierra de Gredos, Madrid 2017 750ML ($17.95) $14.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Comando G Granito del Cadalso Garnacha Sierra de Gredos, Madrid 2017 750ML ($199.95) $156 special (that’s only $13/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “From a co-op in the Sierra de Gredos and all old-vine Grenache, the 2017 Granito De Cadalso comes from granite soils, was destemmed, and brought up all in concrete tanks. This Pinot Noir-like beauty offers notes of wild strawberries, rose hips, violets, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, with remarkable purity and vibrancy, it still has ample power and richness. This is a fabulous expression of Grenache that’s almost too good to be true.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Limpid ruby-red. High-pitched red fruit, floral and mineral qualities on the intensely perfumed nose. Juicy and appealingly sweet, offering energetic raspberry, lavender pastille and white pepper flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. Weighty yet lithe as well, showing a seamless quality on a long, red-fruit-dominated finish framed by subtle, even tannins. All concrete.”
Importer note “The village of Cadalso de los Vidrios is situated at the foot of the Sierra de Gredos. For centuries workshops here made glass windows for the palaces of Spain from the granitic sands of the region. Ancient, head-pruned vines of Garnacha planted in these same soils make for equally transparent wine. Garnet in color with vibrant flavors of red fruits, laurel and orange peel, Granito del Caldalso is made under the guidance of famed winemakers Dani Landi and Fernando Garcia.”
Worthy Wines from Unexpected Places
Salon: The Apex of Champagne
A wholly unique house in that they produce a single wine and only during the most exceptional growing years. Sourced from 20 parcels in the center of Le Mensil-Sur-Oger with their first vintage in 1905, this is one of the rarest wines in the entire world and the apex of Chardonnay, with razor sharp austerity requiring extensive bottle age before enjoyment.
2008 is known throughout the world as the “Vintage of the Century” with producers bringing in exceptionally small harvests of highly concentrated fruit. Salon was no exception, with harvest volumes in 2008 being down 75%. This triggered the decision to bottle the vintage exclusively in magnum, resulting in only 8,000 bottles from the vintage.
Each vintage is attributed with its own personality and showing. The house describes the vintages in their set as “A Dream in 2008, Luminosity in 2007, Romance in 2006 and Serenity in 2004”. All of the bottles on offer were disgorged in 2019, a tribute to what extended aging can do.
Arriving Late December:
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2008 1.5L ($5,999.95) $4,199 pre-arrival special, only 2 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 100 points “The 2008 Salon is simply extraordinary. Sadly, there will only be 8,000 magnums for the world, as President Didier Depond took the unusual and dramatic decision to bottle the entire 2008 harvest in magnum only, which is a huge decrease over the typical production (when Salon is made) of closer to 60,000 bottles. In the glass, the 2008 is simply extraordinary. Soft and silky, with breathtaking finesse, the 2008 dazzles with a stunning interplay of bright Chardonnay fruit, soaring perfume and crystalline precision. A kaleidoscope of aromas, flavors and textures captivates all the senses. The 2008 remains young and austere, but like so many wines in this great vintage, Salon has an extra dimension of textural depth that keeps it from being austere. It is quite simply one of the most magnificent Champagnes I have ever tasted.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 100 points “Disgorged in January 2019 with six grams per liter dosage, Salon’s 2008 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil is a striking wine, unwinding in the glass with scents of citrus oil, fresh bread, crisp green apple, white flowers, smoke and oyster shell. Full-bodied, layered and incisive, it’s deep and concentrated, with a tightly coiled core of fruit that’s underpinned by a racy spine of acidity. Seamless and unerringly precise, it concludes with a long and penetratingly mineral finish. Immense though its potential for aging is, its intensity and balance make it pleasurable as well as persuasive, even today. Given the eye-watering price of this magnum-only release, I was determined to hold the wine to the highest possible standards, but it surpasses even the prodigious 1996 and surely ranks as the finest Salon since at least the 1970s. In short, this is a Blanc de Blancs that admits no argument.”
Decanter 100 points “Some highly anticipated releases have a way of disappointing after raising expectations to an unrealistic level. Fortunately, that is not the case here. Production was limited to 8,000 magnums, sold only in assorted cases with two bottles each of 2004, 2006, and 2007. The aromas initially showcase ripe apple, lemon peel and chalky minerality touched with a hint of brioche from the decade spent on the lees. Despite the time in the cellar, the wine remains intensely youthful, with a texture that is vibrant and crisp and a substantial, creamy feel that suggests near-perfect balance. This Champagne is among the greatest wines Salon has ever produced and should age gracefully for decades to come. Disgorged January 2019. Dosage: 5g/L. Drinking Window 2021 – 2070.”
2008 is known throughout the world as the “Vintage of the Century” with producers bringing in exceptionally small harvests of highly concentrated fruit. Salon was no exception, with harvest volumes in 2008 being down 75%. This triggered the decision to bottle the vintage exclusively in magnum, resulting in only 8,000 bottles from the vintage.
Each vintage is attributed with its own personality and showing. The house describes the vintages in their set as “A Dream in 2008, Luminosity in 2007, Romance in 2006 and Serenity in 2004”. All of the bottles on offer were disgorged in 2019, a tribute to what extended aging can do.
Arriving Late December:
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2008 1.5L ($5,999.95) $4,199 pre-arrival special, only 2 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 100 points “The 2008 Salon is simply extraordinary. Sadly, there will only be 8,000 magnums for the world, as President Didier Depond took the unusual and dramatic decision to bottle the entire 2008 harvest in magnum only, which is a huge decrease over the typical production (when Salon is made) of closer to 60,000 bottles. In the glass, the 2008 is simply extraordinary. Soft and silky, with breathtaking finesse, the 2008 dazzles with a stunning interplay of bright Chardonnay fruit, soaring perfume and crystalline precision. A kaleidoscope of aromas, flavors and textures captivates all the senses. The 2008 remains young and austere, but like so many wines in this great vintage, Salon has an extra dimension of textural depth that keeps it from being austere. It is quite simply one of the most magnificent Champagnes I have ever tasted.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 100 points “Disgorged in January 2019 with six grams per liter dosage, Salon’s 2008 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil is a striking wine, unwinding in the glass with scents of citrus oil, fresh bread, crisp green apple, white flowers, smoke and oyster shell. Full-bodied, layered and incisive, it’s deep and concentrated, with a tightly coiled core of fruit that’s underpinned by a racy spine of acidity. Seamless and unerringly precise, it concludes with a long and penetratingly mineral finish. Immense though its potential for aging is, its intensity and balance make it pleasurable as well as persuasive, even today. Given the eye-watering price of this magnum-only release, I was determined to hold the wine to the highest possible standards, but it surpasses even the prodigious 1996 and surely ranks as the finest Salon since at least the 1970s. In short, this is a Blanc de Blancs that admits no argument.”
Decanter 100 points “Some highly anticipated releases have a way of disappointing after raising expectations to an unrealistic level. Fortunately, that is not the case here. Production was limited to 8,000 magnums, sold only in assorted cases with two bottles each of 2004, 2006, and 2007. The aromas initially showcase ripe apple, lemon peel and chalky minerality touched with a hint of brioche from the decade spent on the lees. Despite the time in the cellar, the wine remains intensely youthful, with a texture that is vibrant and crisp and a substantial, creamy feel that suggests near-perfect balance. This Champagne is among the greatest wines Salon has ever produced and should age gracefully for decades to come. Disgorged January 2019. Dosage: 5g/L. Drinking Window 2021 – 2070.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $4,999.95
The average price is $6,022
The next best price is $4,999.95
The average price is $6,022
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2004 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection in 2016. Salon’s releases are rare and signify a great vintage—the last release was the 2002. Coming from grand cru vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, this 2004 is complex and concentrated, capturing the essence of Chardonnay in Champagne. Intense minerality and ripe apple and citrus fruits accompany the purity and crisp texture that are part of its ability to age. The wine can continue for many years, certainly to 2025 and beyond. -Roger Voss”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2004 Salon (Edition 2019) is fabulous. That is hardly a surprise, as the 2004 has always been magnificent. Subtle, nuanced and classy to the core, the 2004 shows the more refined side of Salon. In that sense, it shares a good bit stylistically with both the 2007 and 2008, but much less so than with the 2006. Sweet floral notes add lift to a core of crystalline, mineral-infused Chardonnay fruit in a Salon that is precise, light on its feet and buffered by enough energy to drink well for decades to come. Disgorged: January, 2019.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2004 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is another rather structured, tensile wine from a generally rather open vintage. Wafting from the glass are scents of citrus rind, crisp green apple, preserved citrus, fresh bread and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, tangy and chiseled, with fine depth at the core and a long, chalky finish, it’s complemented by a pillowy pinpoint mousse. Unlike many wines from 2004, this Salon (tasted from a bottle disgorged in January 2019) still has potential to improve with further bottle age.”
Decanter 95 points “Almost deceptively silky and soft for Salon. One expects this blanc de blancs, fermented in tank without malolactic conversion, to show slightly livelier acidity. Here the wine is deliciously drinkable – almost too much so – with ripe apple, citrus and floral notes and a supple, approachable texture that is somewhat lacking in tension, consistent with the conditions of the year: a big crop, swollen slightly with summer rains that needed until the final week of September to ripen fully.”
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “#11 Cellar Selection in 2017. This new release from a great vintage for Chardonnay in Champagne is a perfect blanc de blancs, showing a wealth of intensity from the crisp, chalky, mineral tones to the perfumed apple notes. The aromas hint at developing toastiness that adds depth and complexity. The wine is still young and it will age for years. Drink from 2020. -Roger Voss”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2006 Salon is a very rich wine, almost uncharacteristically so. Deep and exotic the 2006 exudes richness in all of its dimensions, with myriad inflections of sumptuous fruit that fill out its ample, large-scaled frame. Today, the 2006 is surprisingly accessible for a young Salon, but it needs time to shed some baby fat. At times, the 2006 recalls the 2002, but it appears to have more phenolic intensity and overall structure. Even with all of its flamboyance and pure volume, the 2006 retains quite a bit of energy and freshness. I imagine it will be a fascinating, utterly compelling Champagne to follow over the next several decades.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2006 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut is quite tangy and reserved by the standards of this sunny, demonstrative vintage. Offering up aromas of smoke, toasted bread, orange oil, mocha and confit lemon, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with racy acids and a concentrated, surprisingly structured mid-palate. Concluding with a long and gently empyreumatic finish, this is a fine success. This bottle was disgorged in January 2019.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “The creamy mousse of this graceful Champagne caresses the palate like cashmere, carrying a beautiful range of glazed nectarine, chopped almond, pastry and candied ginger flavors framed by vivid acidity. Seamless, with a long, lasting finish accented by minerally chalk and saline notes. Drink now through 2031. –AN”
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2007 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 99 points “This legendary Champagne, only produced in exceptional years, comes from the village of Le Mesnil in the Côte des Blancs. It is made from 100% Chardonnay and aged for many years before release. Its minerality, concentration and beautiful fruit are still astonishingly young and deserve further aging. Drink from 2020.”
Wine & Spirits 97 points “This latest release of Salon announces itself with energy and leaves with freshness. It comes from a vintage marked by a cool, cloudy August that delayed ripening; after the vines recovered in September, they yielded this delicate chardonnay, completely saturated with flavor. It comes from 20 parcels in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, a selection established by the founder, Aimé Salon, in the early 1900s, including one estate parcel of 2.5 acres. Other than exclaiming on the wine’s delicious flavors, our panel was seduced by its texture, describing it in variations of silk, satin or chalk and velvet whiteness. It has a presence—a remarkable infusion of chalk soil—that sets it apart.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2007 Salon is gorgeous. Weightless, delicate and understated, the 2007 is all class. Today, the 2007 reminds me of the 2004 in its bright, citrus and floral-infused profile, but with a bit more creaminess, mid-palate depth and softer contours, all of which will make the 2007 easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Next to the 2006, the 2007 is quite a bit fresher and more delineated, with none of exuberance, power of tropically-leaning overtones found in its younger sibling. At this stage, the 2007 is a bit inward and closed in on itself. Then again, it is Salon. This is another terrific showing from Salon and the team headed by President Didier Depond. Dosage is 5 grams per liter.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “…the weightless and delicate 2007 is a coolish, elegant and smoky gentleman dressed in a white tie and silk hat… The performance on the palate is pure yet concentrated, fresh and linear, very elegant and perfectly balanced, but most of all, it is extremely fine and stimulating!…The radiant 2007 Salon is one of the greatest champagnes I have had from this vintage…”
Don’t miss our December Burgundy sales:
Pierre Gelin
Pierre Bouree &
Francois Gay
Shop the sales on our web store!
New Week – New Arrivals
Italy – Tuscany
Case Basse di Gianfranco Soldera Toscana IGT 2016 750ML ($949.95) $735 special, 5 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Easily the rarest Sangiovese in the world, Soldera has become world famous for its uncompromising standards, spectacular quality, and a murder mystery’s worth of intrigue. Coming from the spectacular 2016 vintage, this is one of the last bottlings personally attended to by the legendary Gianfranco Soldera before his unexpected passing in 2019. These are cult wines based on the personality of Gianfranco, and absolute treasures when you consider how few bottles are ever made every vintage. In previous years, these were labeled as Brunello Di Montalcino and would sell out without any “Pre-season” reviews by wine press. This momentum continued even after Soldera’s explosive falling out with the Consorzio di Brunello di Montalcino in 2012.
Iconic Rosso – more stock just arrived!
Montevertine Toscana IGT Tuscany 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Montevertine Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Montevertine is fabulous. Bright and translucent in the glass, the 2018 is elegant and light on its feet like few, if any, vintages I can remember. Rose petal, mint, lavender and bright red/purplish berry fruit linger. The 2018 is one of the most refined, understated Montevertines ever. Silky, elegant and gracious, the 2018 is an absolute winner.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This wine celebrates 100 years of family legacy connected to Montevertine’s legendary founder Sergio Manetti. The bottle shows a little logo on the front label to commemorate the anniversary. The 2018 Montevertine follows the traditional blending formula of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Canaiolo and 5% Colorino that goes through a simple winemaking process that starts off in cement and continues into oak casks for 24 months. Keeping in with the well-established house style, the wine delivers enormous quality and clarity of fruit with bright cherry, rose, cassis and fragrant potting soil. These elegant results capture the promise of Sangiovese.”
Italy’s answer to Bordeaux is back in stock.
Tenuta Argentiera ‘Argentiera’ Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Argentiera is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, and the Cabernet Sauvignon logically feels and tastes most prominent. This is a dark and penetrating Tuscan red that is beautifully elevated, thanks to the extremely elegant and buoyant quality of the aromas. They lift gracefully from the glass with light-footed, almost fleeting character. However, don’t underestimate the power and the concentration of the wine, because this vintage delivers both with abundance. I’ve had my eye on this estate since the vineyards were first planted some 20 years ago, and there is no doubt that this vintage brings Tenuta Argentiera into a new era as a Bolgheri protagonist. Some 80,000 bottles were made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italy – Piedmont
Cordero di Montezemolo, in Barolo, was founded in 1340. We’ll let that sink in for a second. That’s a long time, by any measure, and when you have one family, in the same place, farming the same land, generation after generation, they are bound to become really good at it. That’s very true here. The Montezemolo wines have always been really wonderful, classic examples of Piedmontese wines in their respective categories. With reviews off the charts for the 2017, now’s the time to stock up, especially since our pricing beats the competition out of the park!
Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($579.95) $512 special (that’s only $85.33/bottle!)
Case-12 Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($1489.95) $969 special (that’s only $80.75/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Made with certified organic grapes, the 2017 Barolo Enrico VI represents a selection of fruit from a two-hectare parcel in Villero (Castiglione Falletto). Enrico VI steps down with power and an especially robust footprint in this hot and dry vintage that produced thickly concentrated fruit. The power overlaps and maybe masks some of the complexity of the fruit, especially at this young age. The wine presents aromas of dark plum and spice that are slightly soft and sweet and do not repeat the extremest focus that we saw in the previous 2016 vintage. It needs a little extra time.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Enrico VI, from the Villero cru, is striking. In 2017, the Villero shows a level of translucence I don’t remember seeing in this wine for as long as I have followed the domaine. Whether that is a reflection of the year or a move towards organic farming will only become evident in future vintages. Dark cherry, spice, new leather, menthol and licorice all run through this wonderfully transparent Barolo from Cordero di Montezemolo.”
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of ripe berries with dark mushrooms, wet earth and some tar. It’s full-bodied with creamy and chewy tannins that are polished and rather bold, but still held back. The finish is very long and caressing, if a little austere. From organically grown grapes. Needs four or five years to soften. Try in 2025.”
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Though Cantina Del Pino has only been producing since 1997, the Vacca family and their estate vineyard have been a part of Italian winemaking for over 100 years. Domizio Cavazzo established the vineyard in 1894, becoming one of the first winemakers to produce Nebbiolo under the name Barbaresco. Keep in mind this was 72 years before the creation of the official appellation in 1966. An advocate for Langhe farmers, Cavazzo’s vineyard was well known, recognizable by the large Mediterranean pine tree he planted on the day his first son was born. In 1912, the Vacca family took over the estate and have worked the land for four generations, becoming known for world class wines from the historic vineyard. They use the pine tree as inspiration for their label, giving the vineyard the name Cantina Del Pino, or ‘winery of the pine’. Like Wine Advocate will tell you, year after year “Cantina del Pino is a great source for top-notch wines from Barbaresco.”
Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Considering the untimely passing of Renato Vacca in March of 2020, there is a lot of emotion coming back to this wine: It has always been an expression of Barbaresco nostalgia and romanticism, even when its creator was alive and well, working in these vines located directly under his family house. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Ovello bears his winemaking imprint with balance and elegance that never misses a beat. This vintage offers more density and concentration for sure, and the positioning of the Ovello cru overlooking the Tanaro River Valley sets the wine up for open-knit characteristics and suave softness. Those impressions are amplified in this vintage but are not overblown.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Fruit from Albesani shows nice sharpness and a compact or complete profile that is typical of Nebbiolo. This site has fared well in this hot and dry vintage with intact aromas of wild berry, mineral and blue violets. The Cantina del Pino 2017 Barbaresco Albesani turns in a strong showing in terms of aromas but tapers out a bit in the palate. In this release of 3,000 bottles, the wine is driven largely by the textural and structural power of the vintage, and the fruit is a bit leaner on the finish right now. It will likely flesh out with time.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
La Spinetta Vursu Vigneto Starderi Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($139.95) $99 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi rounds out this series of Barbarescos from La Spinetta in grand style. I don’t think the Starderi has ever been so elegant or refined as it is in 2015. Medium in body and translucent, the 2015 possesses remarkable purity and nuance in its red-toned fruit and floral aromatics. The oak needs time to fully integrate, but readers should not be planning on opening bottles anytime soon, as the youthful tannins are also imposing. Bright citrus and floral notes add the closing flourishes.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is decadent and very rich with plum and caramel character, as well as fresh flowers. Medium-bodied, tight and focused with a pretty center palate of dark fruit and linear, chewy tannins. Drink in 2020.”
Portugal – Port
Quinta do Infantado 10 Year Old Tawny Port Portugal 375ML ($29.95) $26 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “[Reviewed Apr 2019] Fresh, with a high-pitched feel to the dried cherry, cedar and sandalwood notes. A light hazelnut husk hint shows on the finish. A dry and focused style. Drink now. 350 cases imported.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This well-balanced wine is full of both acidity and fruitiness, the two characters a 10-Year-Old tawny should have. It is dry, showing the wood aging subtly with an aftertaste that brings back the excellent balance.”
Quinta do Infantado Late Bottled Vintage Port Portugal 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “An LBV Port is a vintage Port kept four to six years in wood before being bottled. Once in the bottle, it ages for at least three more years before release. The label always displays the harvest year and bottling year. The fruit was hand harvested, partly destemmed and fermented exclusively in lagar. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV wine brandy. The wine is aged for four to six years in a variety of tonel and baseiro, the name for tall wooden casks from 3,000-60,000 liters with thick staves that slow down oxidation.”
Quinta do Infantado Ruby Port Portugal NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in a variety of tonel and balseiro, the names for tall wooden tanks from 3,000-60,000 liters with thick staves that slow down oxidation. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 70 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Ruby Ports. The average age in bottle is two to three years.”
Quinta do Infantado Tawny Port Portugal NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in very old pipas. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 84 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Tawny Ports. The average age in bottle is four to five years.”
Austria
Malat Gruner Veltliner Kremstal 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points “Malat’s 2020 Furth Kremstal Grüner Veltliner is brighter in color and finer on the nose than the corresponding Riesling, offering a clear, fresh and subtle bouquet of white fruits along with spicy and floral notes. Round and structured by a fine acidity/tannin complex, this is an intense, dense and sustainable Grüner with stimulating grapefruit bitters on the finish. 12% alcohol. Tasted at Schloss Gobelsburg in June 2021.”
Lebanon
Domaine des Tourelles Rouge Bekaa Valley 2019 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 vintage review provided for reference.
Decanter 93 points “Mediterranean-like character with lots of vibrant redcurrant, raspberry and herbal notes. Floral, restrained and quite finely textured on the palate. Drinking Window 2021 – 2026.”
Australia
With a varietal character that’s inky purple to black, full bodied, exuberantly aromatic and loaded with secondary notes this is a “Cabernet lover’s Syrah”. True to his name, the Black Pepper by E&E delivers spades of spice like vanilla, cloves, coconut husk, nutmeg, cinnamon, licorice root and dark chocolate. Sourced from a collection of old vines with an average age of 60 years and aged entirely in oak this is just starting to come into young adulthood from an aging perspective with plenty more to go.
Barossa Valley Estate E & E Black Pepper Shiraz Barossa Valley 2016 ($69.95) $49 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dense and muscular, showing appealing focus to the dark chocolate, blackberry paste, sage and huckleberry flavors, with espresso notes weaving in and out. Cigar box aromas emerge on the finish, where thick tannins offer a dense backbone and a touch of rusticity. Drink now through 2036.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Andre Clouet’s
Silver Label Brut Nature Champagne
Arriving Tomorrow, December 21st
Sometimes finding a great value Champagne is all the reason you need to open a bottle of bubbles. Andre Clouet’s Silver Label is produced with 100% Pinot Noir from Grand Cru vineyards in the exalted Champagne village of Bouzy. Jean-Francois’s is committed to making wines that reflect the rich history of the region. His wines do just that, while representing some of the best values available.
“The Andre Clouet Champagne house is run by Jean-François Clouet, who was born and raised in Bouzy and still lives in the 18th century village house built by his ancestors. [He] strives to continue the region’s tradition, but still is driven to elevate the quality levels here. Clouet farms some incredible Grand Cru plots around his home village of Bouzy as well as in the famous and very coveted middle slopes of Ambonnay with many vines in the best lieux-dits in the Champagne region. While great for celebrating events and special occasions, this Andre Clouet Silver Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, with its beautiful and vivid mouse, goes sublimely well with food and makes for a noble companion with any meal. I am always impressed by Clouet’s lineup of Champagne(s), but especially so this stylish zero dosage Blanc de Noirs, which I highly recommend!” –Kerry Winslow, Grapelive
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $36 pre-arrival special, arriving Tuesday!
Case-6 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($249.95) $206 pre-arrival special, arriving Tuesday! (that’s only $34.33/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Case-12 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($499.95) $389 pre-arrival special, arriving Tuesday! (that’s only $32.42/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 1.5L ($119.95) $89 special, 9 magnums in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 3L ($349.95) $279 special, 20 double-magnums in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 6L ($699.95) $599 special, 2 six liter bottles in stock now ***In store pick up only. Shipping not available.
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “[Reviewed Apr 2021] Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”
Grapelive 92 points “The beautiful ‘Silver’ Andre Clouet 100% Pinot Noir non-vintage Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs is one of the best values in Champagne. This recent disgorgement is stunning and luxurious bubbly to enjoy almost guilt free. The Silver is a no dosage Brut Nature, meaning it is exceptional dry and vibrant in style, in a more grower-producer style, but still with regal richness and complexity with plenty of leesy brioche notes and a dense mouth feel showing lemon curd, quince, apple, wet stones, clove spice and hazelnut…”
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Sourced from 40+ year old vines, biodynamically farmed from the creator of the appellation. It’s refreshingly pretty. And, while you could compare it to Champagne for its quality, lees character, and length, its aromatics are decidedly Spanish: leaning more towards floral and spice than Champagne.
Staff favorite!
Raventos I Blanc ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Espumoso Conca del Riu de Arnoia, Catalonia 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Pepe Raventós adds depth and a touch of color to this estate-grown sparkler with fruit from monastrell vines planted in 1974. That addition lays a smoky note and red-fruit hints over a base of xarel-lo, macabeo and parellada. You could contemplate the narcissus scents, the peach fuzz, the brisk clarity of flavor for hours if you had some oysters, and if you didn’t immediately race through the bottle, as its elegance is hard to resist.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Pale, green-tinged yellow. Lively, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruits and succulent flowers on the nose, along with fennel and ginger accents that build as the wine stretches out. Sharply focused and lively on the palate, offering intense Meyer lemon, pear skin and honeysuckle flavors underscored by a smoky mineral quality. Shows impressive energy and minerally thrust on the finish, which hangs on with strong tenacity.”
“Domaine Huet’ means ‘I make the best damn Chenin Blanc on the planet’…” – Mike Steinberger, Wine Diarist
#6 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Demi-Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “This tilts toward the flattering side of off-dry, showing a plump feel to the core of creamed pear, white peach and yellow apple fruit. Lovely verbena, honeysuckle and mineral accents keep this balanced and driven, with a long finish that lets the fruit echo. Drink now through 2032.”
“Few growers can match Raphaël Bérêche’s enthusiasm. That energy comes through in wines that faithfully capture the purest essence of vintage, variety and site…” Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve NV, Champagne 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Disgorged June 2021. L18
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve NV, Champagne 1.5L ($149.95) $138 special, 2 magnums in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Disgorged in July 2020 with seven grams per liter dosage, the NV Brut Réserve (2018 base) is the latest rendition of this wine. Bursting with aromas of orange oil, crisp orchard fruit and fresh bread, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with tangy acids and an enveloping, pillowy profile. [Review is for prior disgorgement of the same base year.]”
Domaine Alary Cairanne La Font d’Estevenas Rhone 2018 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Normally a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 2018 Cairanne L’Estevenas continues the successful run for this cuvée, even though it might be more like 60% Syrah. The volume produced was about half of normal. It combines peppery-herbal notes with violets and blueberries on the nose, then adds raspberries on the medium to full-bodied palate. Supple and almost creamy in texture, it finishes with terrific length and vitality. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
“The most recent releases include the long-awaited 2015 Riserva Pipparello, a wine that is typically released before the Sagrantino Pagliaro (which came out in early 2020) but was held back until now. This blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Sagrantino has become a perennial favorite of mine. It’s typically a wine of power yet also grace, with the potential to mature for well over a decade, and the 2015 is no different.” –Eric Guido
Paolo Bea Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva, Umbria 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “Leave it to Bea to create a perfectly poised, structured and classic wine in such a warm vintage. The 2015 Pipparello Montefalco Rosso Riserva takes time to blossom in the glass, showing little more than dusty roses, hints of white smoke and cranberry at first. However, with coaxing, it grows in richness and volume, displaying crushed black cherry giving way to clove, lavender, sage, mint leaf and air-dried meats. All the while, there’s a fresh and feminine character, following through to the silky, almost creamy textures, which never feel weighty or cloying. Ripe red fruits and inner florals cascade across a core of spice and minerals as a layer of fine tannin begins to penetrate deeply, drying the senses and creating a sour twang. The palate aches under the Pipparello’s massive structure, and notes of tart citrus and concentrated wild berry fruit linger long. It’s going to take some time for the 2015 to mature into a more pleasurable expression, but it will be worth the wait. This is composed of 60% Sangiovese, 25% Montepulciano and 15% Sagrantino, all matured in large neutral barrels and released significantly later than most other producers’ wines.”
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Worthy Wines from Unexpected Places
No winery symbolizes the modern quality of Tuscany like Isole e Olena. Since the arrival of Paolo de Marchi in 1976, Isole e Olena has been a quality leader in the region.
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Chardonnay Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2019 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a real achievement, especially in its natural ability to showcase varietal purity and textural importance in equal measure. The wine is fermented in oak and spends some time on the fine lees with frequent stirring. Aromas of poached pear, honey and stone fruit segue to a glossy note of latex or natural rubber that I personally find very attractive. The bouquet shows very light toast with some sweet nuttiness and almond paste. Drying mineral tones add a touch of linearity and extra elegance on the close.”
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Chardonnay Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2019 Chardonnay Collezione Privata is a real achievement, especially in its natural ability to showcase varietal purity and textural importance in equal measure. The wine is fermented in oak and spends some time on the fine lees with frequent stirring. Aromas of poached pear, honey and stone fruit segue to a glossy note of latex or natural rubber that I personally find very attractive. The bouquet shows very light toast with some sweet nuttiness and almond paste. Drying mineral tones add a touch of linearity and extra elegance on the close.”
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Bold, brash spice to jazz up ham and roasts. This wine segues great into a fruit & cheese course or pair with dark chocolate for a hearty finish.
Coop Terres Plurielles “Les Vignerons de Tautavel” Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex France 2017 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Coop Terres Plurielles “Les Vignerons de Tautavel” Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex France 2017 750ML ($159.95) $136 special (that’s only $22.67/bottle!)
Case-12 Coop Terres Plurielles “Les Vignerons de Tautavel” Cotes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex France 2017 750ML ($319.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “The 2017 Cotes Du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex might end up matching (or even surpassing) the 2016. The same 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Carignan brought up in tank, it offers a ripe, medium to full-bodied, straight-up sexy style to go with complex notes of kirsch, black olives, black licorice, and dried garrigue. It’s a powerful yet elegant red that has tons of potential.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan from old vines, the 2017 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Tautavel Silex is partly aged in barrel and part in tank. It delivers just enough cedar on the nose to let you know there’s barrel influence, without overwhelming the terroir-derived hints of crushed stone or the varietal notes of dark berries. Full-bodied, concentrated and supple, it’s a terrific bottle of Roussillon wine, with a long, elegant finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Situated near the base of Helderberg Mountain in Stellenbosch, the estate is a veritable paradise surrounded by a panorama of mountains and fynbos you can practically taste in the glass.
Morgenster Lourens River Valley Stellenbosch 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 92 points “The 2014 Lourens River Valley is a Bordeaux blend that offers light blackberry, tobacco and smoky scents on the nose; a hint of hickory develops with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied, fleshy and ripe, with supple tannins and a pinch of sour cherry and balsamic toward the finish. Quite mellow, so much so that you almost overlook the concentration here. Excellent.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
“In the hilly amphitheater of Tuscany’s Maremma region, above an ancient coastal lake called Prelius, a vineyard organically farmed by the Stianti Mascheroni family flourishes. This vineyard, also called Prelius, is the first venture outside of Chianti Classico for the Stianti Mascheroni family, leaders in Tuscany’s organic viticultural movement.” –Wilson Daniels note
Castello di Volpaia ‘Prelius’ Cabernet Sauvignon Maremma Toscana, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
James Suckling 92 points “Blueberry and currant character with a hint of vanilla. Medium to full body. Chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs time to soften. Better after 2020.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Made with organically grown grapes, this Cabernet Sauvignon opens with inviting aromas of cassis, underbrush and mint. The savory, polished palate features black currant, licorice and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2026. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Made in partnership with the winemakers of Comando G, Dani Landi and Fernando Garcia.
Comando G Granito del Cadalso Garnacha Sierra de Gredos, Madrid 2017 750ML ($17.95) $14.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Comando G Granito del Cadalso Garnacha Sierra de Gredos, Madrid 2017 750ML ($199.95) $156 special (that’s only $13/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “From a co-op in the Sierra de Gredos and all old-vine Grenache, the 2017 Granito De Cadalso comes from granite soils, was destemmed, and brought up all in concrete tanks. This Pinot Noir-like beauty offers notes of wild strawberries, rose hips, violets, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, with remarkable purity and vibrancy, it still has ample power and richness. This is a fabulous expression of Grenache that’s almost too good to be true.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Limpid ruby-red. High-pitched red fruit, floral and mineral qualities on the intensely perfumed nose. Juicy and appealingly sweet, offering energetic raspberry, lavender pastille and white pepper flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. Weighty yet lithe as well, showing a seamless quality on a long, red-fruit-dominated finish framed by subtle, even tannins. All concrete.”
Importer note “The village of Cadalso de los Vidrios is situated at the foot of the Sierra de Gredos. For centuries workshops here made glass windows for the palaces of Spain from the granitic sands of the region. Ancient, head-pruned vines of Garnacha planted in these same soils make for equally transparent wine. Garnet in color with vibrant flavors of red fruits, laurel and orange peel, Granito del Caldalso is made under the guidance of famed winemakers Dani Landi and Fernando Garcia.”
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop located in Portland, Oregon that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.
Thank you for reading and for your continuing support!
Stay safe, be well, & drink well.
Thank you for reading and for your continuing support!
Stay safe, be well, & drink well.
Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($69.95) 
Kelley Fox Wines ‘Mirabai’ Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2019 750ML ($49.95) 
Charles Ellner Grande Reserve Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) 
Sandhi Zuni Chardonnay Santa Barbara County 2019 750ML ($34.95) 
Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($39.95)