In This Newsletter:


New Week New Arrivals 

Staff Picks: Top 10 of 2021:
Suzanne

Merkelbach’s Old-School Mosel Riesling
 
Champagne Spotlight:
New Decanter Reviews

Decanter’s Top NV & MV Champagnes
     
Italian Rose for all Seasons


Bordeaux to Bekka: Chateau Musar’s Journey


Collector’s Corner:
Aldo Conterno: The Sultans of Serralunga

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New Week-New Arrivals 

Oregon

The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($24.95) $17.70 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “2019 was perhaps the most “Burgundian” growing season we have yet had. Typically the Willamette Valley features wet winters and dry summers, whereas Burgundy distributes its rain evenly throughout the year. In 2019 we had a more Burgundian pattern, with rain and cooler days scattered throughout the summer. Vines make sugar from air, sunlight, and water. 2019s well-timed rains increased sweetness while still retaining acidity – which leads to some of the best qualities a wine can have: refreshing and food friendly when young, but with superb cellar potential. 2019 is remarkable for another reason. This vintage was our 50th pick, and our 55th year growing grapes. On September 24th, 1970, with the help of friends, the first generation of Letts picked their very first harvest. The second generation started our pick in 2019 on September 24th as well, a fitting call-back on which to enter our 6th decade of winemaking.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “The tawny gold color belies the youth of this wine, and sure enough it’s moved ahead on the aging curve to where it is already in a prime drinking window. Full-bodied, chewy and tannic, it’s a potent wine with an assortment of herb, citrus and tree fruit elements all in a pleasing tangle. Drink through 2030. -Paul Gregutt”

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California

Dominus Estate Napanook Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 14 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Gorgeous aromas of plums and currants with some wet earth, mushroom, bark and incense undertones. Woody. Medium-to full-bodied with such beautiful depth and length. So subtle and long. Fabulous harmony. One of the best I have ever tasted. Drink or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2018 Napanook showed incredibly well, with fabulous crème de cassis, spring flowers, graphite, and green tobacco aromas and flavors. With terrific ripeness, medium to full body, and ripe, yet polished tannins, this beauty should be snatched up by savvy readers. It should evolve for 15 years or more. The blend is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot, aged in 20% new French oak.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 93+ points “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Napanook leaps from the glass with vivacious scents of fresh blueberries, black cherries, crushed blackcurrants and redcurrant jelly with hints of pencil shavings, red roses and dusty soil plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium-bodied, the palate is very tightly wound, allowing glimpses at loads of mineral and savory nuances among the taut black and red fruit notes, supported by fine-grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a compelling herbal lift.”


France- Champagne 

Gaston Chiquet Special Club Grand Cru Brut Millesime, Champagne 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Chiquet’s 2013 Brut Spécial Club Millesime is superb. Rich, ample and super-expressive, the 2013 boasts tremendous richness and breadth. All of the natural intensity of the year comes through in this striking, multi-dimensional Champagne. Tangerine oil, dried flowers, chamomile, almond and spice add complexity, but it is the wine’s presence that stands out most. There is so much to like about the 2013. It’s a fabulous wine.”

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Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($319.95) $289 special, 18 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “Notes of crisp yellow orchard fruit, white flowers, blanched almonds and warm brioche introduce the 2013 Cristal, a full-bodied, layered and incisive wine that’s taut and chiseled but also notably exuberant in a vintage that I admire immensely but which can sometimes present an austere side. Deep, concentrated and penetrating, it’s complemented by a pinpoint mousse and concludes with a long, saline finish. Less introverted than its 2012 predecessor, readers won’t regret trying a bottle of the 2013 Cristal young—even if I’d recommend forgetting some for a decade too.”
Decanter 96 points “The peak of drinkability is between 15 and 20 years from the harvest; so says Jean-Baptiste, but he has not spared the taster the wondrous early impression of perfection in the making. A soft gold with glistening highlights, like the river meadow at dawn; the nose effortlessly marries a panoply of flavours, the citric grip nodding to hints of passion fruit and Mirabelle plum, with hazelnut and almond signalling the grace of development. Texturally generous, yet tightly wound, taut and flinty yet ripe and open, the wine faithfully underlines the vigneron’s philosophy, every nuance of its template deftly rehearsed and charmingly enacted. Disgorged: autumn 2020. Dosage: 7.5g/L. Drinking Window 2021 – 2033.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “I think the 2013 Cristal checks in behind the 2008, but it’s nevertheless a beautiful wine. Lots of ripe orchard fruits, toasted bread, brioche, and chalky mineral notes define the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a layered, nicely concentrated, tight, inward style, beautiful precision and purity, and a great finish. It needs a good 5-7 years of bottle age to hit its stride and will keep for two decades or more.”

Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Rose Millesime, Champagne 2012 750ML ($699.95) $599 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “This is a great vintage for Cristal Rosé. The pinot noir finds a band of power and expressiveness. The power here is impressive, very assertive and rich, really mouth-filling and super deep. This is exceptional and has intense, chalky and fresh, white-peach and nectarine aromas, underpinning red flowers and pink fruit. The palate has a scintillating blend of flesh and mineral cut, packed with such sweet, pristine, white-strawberry flavor and texture. This has such incredible potential. So exciting. Will take another two or threw years to resolve. Look out for this! Drink from 2025.”
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “Just about as good as it gets, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a magical effort based on 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay. It’s a powerful, medium to full-bodied, incredibly textured rosé offering a huge amount of salty, chalky minerality as well as awesome notes of white cherries, orange blossom, caramelized apples, and toasted bread. It shows the ripe, rounded richness of the 2012 vintage yet has bright, racy acidity, perfect balance, and a great, great finish. It opens up nicely with air and will ideally be given 2-4 years of bottle age, and it should evolve for 2-3 decades.”
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2012 Cristal Rosé is magnificent. When Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon started to move Roederer towards organically farmed fruit, he started with Cristal Rosé, Roederer’s smallest production cuveé. Because of that, Cristal Rosé is the wine in this range that shows the current Roederer style in its fullest expression. Rich, vivid and crystalline in the glass, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a Champagne of tremendous gravitas. Chalk, white flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and blood orange are all beautifully delineated. The 2012 is 55% Pinot from Ay and 45% Chardonnay from Mesnil and Avize. The Pinot fruit gets a 7-10 day cold soak an is the infused into the fermenting Chardonnay musts. Readers who can find the 2012 should not hesitate, as it is truly magical. Dosage is 8 grams per liter.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2012 Cristal Rosé is showing brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with a beautiful bouquet of fresh peach, bergamot, strawberries, tangerine and blanched almonds that’s still quite reserved. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and strikingly complete, its vinous attack segueing into a multidimensional core that exemplifies the ideal of power without weight, built around a racy but integrated spine of animating acidity and complemented by an exquisitely refined mousse. All the concentration of the 2012 vintage is on display, but it’s rendered with terrific finesse. Decidedly youthful and introverted—indeed, I spent several hours with a bottle to compose this note—the 2012 will really come into its own with five or six years in the cellar and displays all the attributes necessary for considerable longevity. It’s a blend of 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay that saw no malolactic fermentation, and it was disgorged with eight grams per liter dosage.”
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Years in the making, this is the first fully biodynamic Cristal rosé. The very fine 2012 vintage is a good starting point for this new era. The Champagne is just right, beautifully rich and showing some maturity while also having tension and crispness from the golden-apple and spice flavors. The wine could be drunk now but its future is assured. Organic and biodynamic. -Roger Voss.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “An elegant rosé Champagne, starting quietly with a subtle range of white cherry, Marcona almond, pink grapefruit zest and saffron flavors that gain momentum and volume as they expand, gliding across the palate’s fine, raw silk–like texture. This is mouthwatering and minerally, the symphony concluding with accents of oyster shell and chalk that echo on the finish. Drink now through 2032. — AN”

Dom Perignon Brut, Champagne 2010 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “A firm and vivid Champagne with a precise, focused palate. Full-bodied and dry. It’s very layered and bright with light pineapple, peach, praline, cooked-apple and stone aromas and flavors. It’s very subtle and focused at the end. Integrated with richness and high acidity. Good depth. Reminds me of the 1995. Very clean. Solid. Lovely to drink already, but will age nicely.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A graceful Champagne, featuring fragrant notes of toasted brioche and grilled nut that are more subtle on the palate, with a rich underpinning layered with a pure chime of tangerine and accents of candied ginger, toasted saffron and lime blossom. This bundles a lot of concentrated flavor into a lithe frame, with the fine mousse caressing the palate through to the lasting finish. Drink now through 2035. — AN”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “The new release of this iconic Champagne shows its richness to perfection. The floral aromas lead to a wine that has weight and density as well as a balance that encompasses ripe fruits that have now matured to reveal nuttiness, toast and a tight salinity at the end. Drink through 2028. -Roger Voss”
John Gilman 95 points “The 2010 vintage of Dom Pérignon is a beautiful wine, and rather uncharacteristically for this long-distance runner of a Tête de Cuvée, the wine is quite flattering to drink out of the blocks, as its customary steely structure is more giving than usual at such a young age. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a very refined blend of apple, lime, menthol, chalky minerality, gentle smokiness, a delightful touch of DP’s signature botanicals and a topnote of citrus peel. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a fine core of fruit, excellent mineral drive, bright, bouncy acids and a very long, very complex and surprisingly wide open finish. This is the rare vintage of Dom Perignon that drinks well out of the blocks, and of all the recent vintage releases of this wine, the 2010 is unequivocally the one I would choose for drinking over the next decade! That said, it is also very well-balanced and may well surprise us with how well it ages! 2021-2050.”

Krug Grande Cuvee 169eme Edition Brut NV 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “A vivid Champagne, with a chiseled frame of acidity and a chalky underpinning cloaked in a fine mousse that caresses the palate with its gossamer-like texture. Lovely aromas of coffee liqueur, anise and verbena accent the layered flavors of tangerine, Macadamia nut, brioche and ripe plum, a profile that expands on the long, mouthwatering finish. There’s power and expressive character to this, with a delicacy to its fine integration and length. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged winter 2020. Drink now through 2030. — AN”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Based on the 2013 vintage and complemented by some 40% reserve wines dating back to 2000, Krug’s newly released NV Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition is showing very nicely, unfurling in the glass with notes of citrus oil, buttered toast, dried apricot, warm biscuits and marmalade. Medium to full-bodied, deep and incisive, it’s a tauter, more chiseled rendition of Grande Cuvée by comparison with the richer, more textural and more demonstrative 168ème Édition (based on the 2012 vintage) that preceded it; but its bright spine of acidity is nicely cloaked in fruit. Concluding with a long and sapid finish, this is a very classically balanced Champagne that will reward bottle age”
Decanter 96 points “Great intensity and drive combine with a rich and complex palate, where truffle and woody notes develop as the wine breathes. This feels very youthful and, although it is non-vintage and designed to be drunk on release, I think this will gain more complexity with some extra time in bottle. Powerful yet refined – a very fine Krug based on the 2013 vintage, utilising wines from 11 different years, of which the oldest is 2000. Drinking Window 2022 – 2024.”
 
Doyard Cuvee Vendemiaire Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 11 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “The NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Vendémiaire (2014 base) Doyard’s latest release. It was disgorged in February 2020 with four grams per liter dosage after 89 months on the lees. Wafting from the glass with aromas of honeycomb, yellow orchard fruit, dried citrus peel, warm bread and toasted almonds. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy but incisive, it’s elegantly layered and racy, with a pinpoint mousse and a long, sapid finish.”  

Doyard ‘Revolution’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Non-Dose NV 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 8 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Based on the 2014 vintage and disgorged in March 2020 without dosage, the latest rendition of Doyard’s NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Non Dosé Révolution offers up aromas of lemon oil, white flowers, mandarin, golden orchard fruit and buttered toast. Full-bodied, layered and muscular, it’s tangy and incisive, with a satiny attack that segues into a generous core of fruit, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish.”  

Gaston Chiquet Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs d’Ay Brut NV 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points “One of the hidden gems in this range, the Brut Blanc de Blancs d’Aÿ is striking. It is also pretty tightly wound, so a year or two of cellaring is absolutely essential. Citrus peel, white flowers, mint and crushed rocks abound. I have to say, I am pretty surprised how taut the Blanc de Blancs is. Time in the glass releases attractive tropical accents that add character and also provide some hints as to where the wine is headed. More than anything else, the texture and persistence are so alluring. As always, the NV Blanc de Blancs d’Aÿ, is in reality a vintage wine, in this case 2014. Disgorged: November, 2019.”  

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Hebrart Cuvee Reserve Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $44.50 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 93 points “Mostly pinot noir (82 percent), the balance chardonnay, this underwent its primary fermentation in glass-lined stainless steel. Jean-Paul Hébrart based this blend on the 2017 vintage (45 percent), with contributions from 2014 through ’16, all of the fruit from his parcels in the Marne Valley. It’s a powerful wine, almost astringent in its spice notes of coriander and its mineral notes of chalk. But the texture overrides any sensation of tannins, as does the ripe apple freshness, making it compelling to drink.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “There’s a subtle chalkiness to this mouthwatering Champagne. A minerally edge is enmeshed with flavors of Asian pear, white cherry, honeycomb and pickled ginger as they ride the fine, creamy mousse. Disgorged June 2020. Drink now through 2024. — AN”

Hebrart Special Club Brut Millesime 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Skurnik Imports note “Cépage: 100% Chardonnay. Village/vyd: 50% Oiry Grand Cru, Chouilly Grand Cru, and Avize Grand Cru; 50% from Dizy 1er Cru. Elevage: stainless steel. Sur latte: 36+ months.”

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Marie Courtin Resonance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut (2018) 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 8 bottles in stock now

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Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs ‘Millesime de Collection Vieilles Vignes de Chardonnay’ 2008 1.5L ($249.95) $289 special, 2 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Released only in magnum, the 2008 Brut Millésime de Collection Vieilles Vignes is the same wine as Gimonnet’s Special Club, bit it sees more than 10 years sur lattes before disgorgement. Unwinding in the glass with a deep and complex bouquet of pear, green apple, citrus zest, oyster shell, smoke and pastry cream, it’s full-bodied, chalky and incisive, with terrific depth at the core, promising reserve and a long, resonant finish.”


France- Rhone 

Saint Cosme Les Deux Albion Blanc IGP Vaucluse Principaute d’Orange 2020 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 36 bottles in stock now

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Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Le Poste Blanc Rhone 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Rhone 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Specator 95 points “Dark and winey, this structured offering packs red and black currant paste flavors together with threads of charcoal, warm stone, bay leaf and savory, ending with a long tug of cast iron through the finish. A blue chip for cellaring. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035.”.—J.M.
Matt Walls-Decanter 94 points “Great sense of concentration and vibrancy with acidity that is marked for the vintage and the oak well integrated. Extremely vibrant, dark fruited this year, damson, shot through with very fine tannins. All whole bunch fermented in concrete with natural yeasts, then aged in concrete, recently used barriques and some new ones (around 20%).”
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “Starting off the 2019 barrel samples, the 2019 Gigondas reveals a deeper ruby/plum color to go with a rich, powerful, medium to full-bodied and concentrated style that carries lots of classic dark fruits, ground pepper, and scorched earth-like aromas and flavors. This rich, dense 2019 will reward 3-5 years of bottle age and have two decades of prime drinking.”

Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion Rhone 2019 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion Rhone 2019 750ML ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)

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Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion Rhone 2019 1.5L ($59.95) $45 special, 12 magnums in stock now

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Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone 2018 750ML ($54.95) $45 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Brilliant violet. Pungent red berry and cherry aromas are complemented by emerging floral and succulent herb nuances. Alluringly sweet and juicy on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry and candied lavender flavors that deepen through the back half. Finishes supple, spicy and long, with lingering floral and cherry notes and gentle tannic grip.”

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Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone France 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone France 2020 2020 1.5L ($37.95) $29 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “The deep purple/blue/garnet 100% Syrah Cotes du Rhone from Saint Cosme is without question one of the world’s greatest values and this 2019 vintage is thrillingly delicious with wonderful purity and layers of boysenberry, black cherry, plum and blueberry coulis along with some spicy accents, a hint of earth, graphite and salty melted black licorice. Louis Barruol’s Chateau de Saint Cosme is one of the Rhone’s finest producers, most famous for the estate’s classic Gigondas bottlings from his ancient and historic cellars at the site of a Gallo-Roman villa from the 1400s….The latest vintage of Saint Cosme’s Co^tes du Rho^ne Rouge was crafted using Syrah grapes that were partially de-stemmed with some whole cluster from vines set on sandy limestone, red clay and pebbles on Villafranchian terraces and it was fermented and aged solely in tank. This 2019 is concentrated and impressive in the mouth adding pretty touches of violets and wild sage to its array of opulent dark fruits and lingering creme de cassis, this little Cotes du Rhone is simply outstanding, as goes without saying it’s a steal at the price. Even Barruol is saying the 2019 is one of the best versions he’s made, rivaling his 2010, and I couldn’t agree more, this is a vintage you’ll want to stock up on. Known as a Grenache specialist, Barruol is quite handy with Syrah, he also has made some fantastic Northern Rhone wines from purchased grapes, these include a brilliant collection of Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, Cote-Rotie and Crores-Hermitage bottlings, all which are worth searching out. Most recently, Barruol added the Cha^teau de Rouanne in Vinsobres to his lineup and this property is very exciting, with the first efforts here showing amazing potential. There’s so to admire in Saint Cosme’s latest set it’s hard to stay focused, but this edition of their Cotes du Rhone deserves a lot of attention, be sure not to miss it!”
Importer Note “Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône is produced from 100% Syrah and is from the rocky and cool vineyards of Vinsobres and the stony Villafranchian terraces of the Gard. Vinsobres brings freshness and complexity while the terraced vineyards of the Gard contribute color and power. The wine is partially destemmed, fermented with natural yeasts, and vinified in concrete vats. Syrah requires a warm climate to fully ripen but enough moderating effect to produce intense, aromatic wines that are not overwhelmed by sweetness and alcohol. This Syrah grows in ideal terroirs of the southern Rhône and shows the varietal’s typical spicy notes of sandalwood, violets, and black pepper.”


Argentina- Mendoza 

Casarena Owen’s Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Agrelo 2016 750ML ($31.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92 Points “(from 90-year-old vines on pergolas in sand and clay soil, with rocky subsoil allowing for good drainage): Bright red-ruby. Pungent aromas of cassis, licorice and minerals, along with a whiff of smoky reduction. Juicy, penetrating wine with lovely energy and concentration to its sharply delineated flavors of redcurrant, raspberry and savory minerality. Very suave and firmly built, with no rough edges. Finishes with a fine dusting of tannins and rising floral perfume. A lovely soil-driven Cabernet Sauvignon with the energy of the vintage. At $30, this wine is a bargain compared to most Napa Valley Cabernets–and I suspect that most drinkers would find this more food-friendly.”

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Staff Picks: Top 10 of 2021

The staff at Vinopolis is curating their top 10 lists of wine in 2021. We’re selecting our favorite wines of 2021, no ties to points, price or prestige, but rather wines we simply enjoyed the most this year. 

Suzanne:

Budget-Friendly Sparkler:

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.
 
Raventos I Blanc ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Espumoso Conca del Riu de Arnoia Catalonia 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 18 bottles in stock now
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.”

Budget-Friendly Champagne:

Diebolt-Vallois was a favorite discovery a couple of years ago. Their quality is astounding for the price point, up and down the line. As a fan of Blanc de Blancs in particular, my go-to is the NV. 

Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut NV, Champagne 750ML ($49.95) $37.70 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut NV, Champagne 375ML ($31.95) $24 special, 14 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Rich aromas and flavors of poached apricot, melon, tangerine and hazelnut are enlivened by vibrant acidity in this well-knit Champagne, with a creamy finish of graphite and spice. Disgorged December 2019. Drink now through 2023. 6,250 cases made, 650 cases imported. — AN”

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New Champagne Producer:

A somm friend in NYC first recommended this estate when the importer began working in Oregon. No regrets here. The 2018-base NV is a riot of flavors, bringing to mind a Bollinger-like experience minus the toast. Would cellar beautifully for the next few years, or pop a bottle this NYE. You won’t be disappointed.
R. Pouillon & Fils Reserve Brut (2018) NV, Champagne 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Each year this is a blend of crus from all of Pouillon’s holdings and is composed of roughly 65% pinot noir, 20% pinot meunier, and 15% chardonnay. This cuvée has evolved over time and improved in quality to better reflect the evolution of the domaine at large. Today the “Réserve” Brut is fermented with native yeasts, half in neutral barrique and half fermented in enameled tank. Elevage continues a minimum of 6-8 months before the wine is is blended with the previous vintage and the “perpetual cuvée” to be refermented in bottle. Variety: Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir. Appellation: Vallée de la Marne, Montagne de Reims. Soil: Argile-calcaire. Farming Practice: Biodynamic. Vinification: 50% neutral barrique, 50% enameled tank.”

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The average price is $65

Must Have:

I will always have a few bottles of this in my cellar. Aside from aging like it’s bottled at the fountain of youth, this is always delicious at any point in its maturity. Of particular note: this is 2018-base. This vintage looks incredibly promising, with a crunchy mineral texture up front and oodles of fruit on the back end. Those looking to stock their cellar with Champagne should keep an eye out.
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve NV, Champagne 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Disgorged June 2021. L18
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.]”

New Winery:

A regular recommended I check out this estate, and many thanks to him for the suggestion. I adore classically-styled Mosel wines (think JJ Prum, Willi Schaefer and Merkelbach). The wines can age for decades and are food friendly. This Juffer Kab stood out of those I tried for its zippy acidity and length.  To quote Stephan Reinhardt, “This is a great Mosel Riesling indeed.” (Those looking for a more decedent experience should try the Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kab.) 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Mostly from very old vines (80 to 90 years old) and vinified partly (one-third) in stainless steel, the 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett offers a fine, flinty, super sensual, mind-blowing bouquet of perfectly ripe but coolish, precise and even quartzite-like aromas. On the palate, the wine is wide, pure, elegant and energetic—a powerhouse but in the most delicious and delicate way. The palate is complex, opening wide but always precise and very, very long, with great mineral grip and tension but also lush and sensual features. This is a great Mosel Riesling indeed. Tasted from the cask in March 2019.”

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The average price nationally is $27

Cellar Pick:

Boudignon first caught my eye as a Thomas Calder Selection – this is the same broker that works with some of my favorite Champagne producers, such as Bereche and Prevost. The wine is bright and minerally, like one wants in a dry Chenin, with class and potential. I’ll be checking in on my bottles in 5-6 years to let the hint of oak incorporate. 
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc, Loire 2019 750ML ($47.95) $44 special, 28 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
Jason Wilson-Vinous 92 points “Quiet, elegant nose of beeswax, ripe pear and smoke. Rambunctious, lively and textured in the mouth, bursting with grilled lemon and green apple plus notes of salt and smoke, all underpinned by smooth stoniness. A cool, youthful wine that is full of energy.”
Importer note “With a tight core of saline terroir enveloped within ripe medium bodied fruit, this chenin blanc delivers a focused example of Thibaud’s style of ripe fruit matched with elegance and precision.”
    
Cider:

Did you know that Vermont and New Hampshire make some of the finest ciders in the country? This is partly in thanks to Eden Ciders and Poverty Lane Orchards. Eden works with Poverty Lane’s incredible variety of heirloom cider apples (they make their own cider under the name Farnum Hill) as well as sourcing cider apples and herbs from their estate. Widely considered two of the best cideries in New England, I adore their “Orleans Herbal” aperitif: an aromatic blend of minty anise hyssop, basil and lightly sweet cider. Enjoy chilled (or frozen)… it’s wicked good.
Eden Specialty Ciders Orleans Herbal Cider, Vermont NV 750ML ($29.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Cidery note “Perfect over ice by itself, or split 50/50 with your favorite sparkling white wine with a squeeze of lime, this bright and perfumed aperitif is defined by the apples and herbs that make it. Basil is a classic culinary herb from the family of Lamiceae, or mint, and originally from the tropical regions of central Africa to Southeast Asia. Sometimes, the leaves so pungent with essential oils, are reminiscent of the sweet smell of anise. In folk medicine, basil is thought to be useful for digestive health and to ease headaches and anxiety. Agastache foeniculum, commonly called Anise Hyssop is also in the mint family. The plant is native to much of north-central and northern America. It is tolerant of deer and drought, and also is a beacon to hummingbirds, butterflies, bumblebees, honeybees, and night flying moths. Anise Hyssop is in the same family as Hyssop, but not closely related. Hyssop hails from the Mediterranean. Anise Hyssop was used medicinally by American Indian tribes for coughs, fever and wounds, as well as digestion. The leaves can be used as a tea or in salad. The purple flower is attractive to honeybees who make a fragrant honey from the nectar. Winner: 2017 GLINTCAP First in Class + Gold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $28

Oregon Pinot:

We love, adore and admire John Paul’s wines. Full of as much energy as the man himself, these are always top tier Oregon wines. I especially love them in vintages that read a bit cool, such as 2019. This is highly concentrated with zippy acidity, and one of the finest releases to date. 
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now

Oregon Pinot:

I saw it every year: Tyson Crowley’s wines are somehow both rank among the best Oregon has to offer and they still manage to get better every release. The 2019 La Colina, a favorite in my cellar, is no exception. I prefer the darker mineral, forest, and cherry aromatics found in the La Colina to the saline and strawberry notes in the Four Winds, but that’s just a personal preference. Want to see how well these wines age? We have two bottles of the 2012 in stock! 
Crowley La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Our La Colina bottling is a pure expression of this corner of the Dundee Hills. We have been working with this site since our first vintage in 2005. A nose of tangerine, spicy sativa and ripe cherry weave into an airy palate layered with ripe pomegranate and wild mushrooms.”

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Aperitif:

If you look at our vermouth selection, you can tell someone (cough, cough) is a little obsessed with the category. I wouldn’t be caught dead without a bottle or two in my fridge for when I want something to sip. Liquore delle Sirene was the discovery of the year in the category hands-down. It’s rich and concentrated, perfectly balanced between bitter and sweet, and loaded with spicy and spiced aromatics. Enjoy over ice with a splash of soda.

Liquore delle Sirene Americano Rosso Aperitivo, Piedmont 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Distributor note “Natural red aperitif made by somm Elisa Carta, inspired by the Venetian heritage. Handmade in small batches, blending wines from the Lake Garda area and single botanical macerations. The natural color is extracted from Hibiscus and Monarda flowers. Not artificial colors or flavorings.”

Merkelbach’s Old-School Mosel Riesling
 

We adore the wines that Rolf and Alfred Merkelbach make, irrationally and perhaps more than any other grower in the Mosel. These are wines that are as old-school as you can find for the region (the brothers are in their 80s and haven’t changed styles since they started) and they capture the delicacy and etherealness of Riesling like few other wines we’ve tried. Terry Theise, their importer, describes their wines as “like VAPING Mosel Riesling.”

They have a charm and an energy that’s unlike almost any other wine we’ve tasted. In fact, their closest comparison might not be in the Mosel at all, but rather with Truchot’s wines in Burgundy—another producer who managed to create unbearably delicate, ethereal wines that seemed to trigger Stendhal Syndrome anytime you had the pleasure of drinking them. 

Highlights, in Stock Now:

Merkelbach Kinheimer Rosenberg Riesling Spätlese #2, Mosel 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 31 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 92 points “The 2018 AP #2 Spätlese from the Rosenberg vineyard has a beautiful touch of exotic fruit to its aromatic constellation, wafting from the glass in a very refined blend of kiwi, strawberry, lime zest, an almost salty expression of slate, apple blossoms and bee pollen. On the palate the wine is vibrant, complex, medium-full and filigreed, with a lovely dollop of fruit at the core, superb mineral drive and grip, zesty acids and a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish. This is such a classic example of middle Mosel Spätlese, with stunning interplay of slate minerality, pure, precise fruit and floral tones. Just lovely. 2020-2050+. 92.”

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The average price nationally is $33

Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett #13, Mosel 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “The 2018er Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett was harvested from old un-grafted vines at 90° Oechsle in the part of the vineyard situated above the cellar of the Merkelbachs, just behind the village, and was fermented down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (50 g/l). It offers a hugely aromatic nose of white peach, apricot, floral elements and spices. The wine is beautifully balanced on the palate and leaves a long and refined feel of herbs in the finish. 2028-2048.”

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The average price nationally is $33

Merkelbach Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese #8, Mosel 2019 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 94 points “The 2019er Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese AP 08 was harvested in the sector next to the Sonnenuhr. It offers a hugely attractive nose of vineyard peach, whipped almond cream, minty herbs, spices, William’s pear, and candied grapefruit. The wine is still on the sweet side on the palate, but its refined fruity and creamy side are superbly appealing. Add to this a great zest and a sense of purity side in the long and animating finish, and you have all the elements for a great playful Auslese in a decade and more. 2029-2059.”

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Merkelbach Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese “Urglück”, Mosel 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now 
John Gilman 94 points “The Urglück section of the Würzgarten is the Merkelbachs’ filet section, still planted with ungrafted old vines. The 2018 Urglück Auslese from Weingut Merkelbach is an utterly refined and effortless example of the vintage. The bouquet is the epitome of elegance, wafting from the glass in a blend of pear, apple, strawberry chiffon, bee pollen, lovely minerality, lime blossoms and hints of the honeycomb to come with bottle age. On the palate the wine is pure, bright and fullish, with lovely filigree and focus, a fine core, good mineral undertow and a long, nascently complex and simply superb finish. This is not flashy, but the one more pays attention to it, the further one is drawn into its bottomless sense of beauty. 2026-2065. 94.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2018er Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Auslese Urglück was harvested at 102° Oechsle in this prime part of the vineyard still planted with ungrafted vines, and was fermented down to fully sweet levels of residual sugar (80 g/l). It offers a beautiful nose made of apricot, cream, strawberry, smoke and herbs. The wine is beautifully playful and delicately zesty on the fruity and nicely creamy palate. The finish is sweet but still remarkably mouthwatering. 2028-2048.”

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The average price nationally is $41

Love German wine? We have almost 400 different options (not a typo!) in stock. Shop the entire selection on our web store now, including staff favorites like Dönnhoff, Lauer, and Willi Schaefer, as well as more from Merkelbach.

 Champagne Spotlight:

New Decanter Reviews

Simon Field MW’s Top NV & MV Champagnes
 
  

In Stock Now:

Louis Roederer Collection 242, Champagne MV 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 12+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Louis Roederer Collection 242, Champagne MV 750ML ($419.95) $313 special (that’s only $52.17/bottle!)
Simon Field MW-Decanter 93 points “Softly shimmering straw gold, green tints, with a delicate filigree dancing at will around the glass. The nose is gently authoritative; spring flowers garlanding stone fruit, a hint of hawthorn maybe, then lemongrass. The palate has encyclopaedic depth, the intricacies of the Perpetual Reserve weaving their early magic; almond, sloe, gingerbread and apples; the finish has a pleasing twist of bitterness, courtesy the small percentage of oak-aged reserve wine. Maybe the dosage can come down even further, such is the engaging and subtle complexity harnessed elsewhere? Drinking Window 2021 – 2026.”

Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Simon Field MW-Decanter 92 points “Always open in the exposition of the origins of its wines, Philipponnat has upped the stakes of late by not only adding foudres to its vinification armoury but also increasing volumes from two separate Réserves Perpétuelles. The result is impressive; Pinot power writ large in red fruit and biscuity complexity, with resonance on the back palate, the ensemble still harnessed by disarmingly energetic freshness. Drinking Window 2021 – 2025.”

Gaston Chiquet Cuvée de Réserve Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Simon Field MW-Decanter 91 points “A terrific expression of a Pinot-dominated wine from sites around the village of Dizy, with Meunier in the ascendant, lending notes of brioche, soft red fruit and an approachably fruity personality. The wine wears its 8 g/L of sugar effortlessly, and combines an autolytic elegance, courtesy the inclusion of a healthy slug of reserve wines, with a complexity bequeathed by long ageing on the lees. Drinking Window 2021 – 2024.”

Krug, Grande Cuvée 169ème Edition Brut, Champagne MV 750ML ($294.95) $199 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Simon Field MW-Decanter 96 points “Soft burnished gold, with a fine and persistent bead. The nose is suitably encyclopaedic, Mirabelle plum, fig and lemon pith and then hints of almond and brioche, the older reserve wines keen to contribute too. Beneath it all steely foundations, an edifice for posterity, not immediately flamboyant but magisterial in its grip and liminal potential. Deft acidity over untroubled waters, with orange groves and a spice market espied from the prow. All is set fair for this voyage. Impressive length. Drinking Window 2021 – 2030.”

 

Italian Rose for all Seasons 

Looking for a rose made next door to one of the most sought after cult wines of Italy? Torre Beati is an organic estate located in the foothills of Gran Sasso d’Italia, the highest of the Appenine Mountains. Originally planted in 1972 to the traditional abruzzese style of Pergola and always farmed organically, their only neighbors are the illustrious Valentini estate (whose bottles sell for $hundreds a bottle on release). The estate eschews all chemical inputs, including fungicides in order to allow for the purest expression of Abruzzo possible.  
Made in the cerasuolo style of rose from Montepulciano D’Abruzzo grapes that’s traditional to the region; its name is derived from the Italian word for cherry and certainly lives up to that in both color and primary flavors. There’s an entire spectrum of red fruit to be perceived like pomegranate and cherry juice with botanicals like marjoram and basil at play. There’s a savory acid structure knitting everything together beautifully on the finish, making it sturdy enough to pair with anything spicy. Oaxacan mole, Moroccan tagine, or Szechuan chicken would make a symphony of flavor when paired with this wine.      

In stock now: 

Torre dei Beati ‘Rosa-ae’ Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Italy 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Region: Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo, Italy. 100% Montepulciano.

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Paolo De Marchi is the winemaker and owner of the legendary Isole e Olena in Tuscany, but he has also retained a small family estate in the foothills of the Italian Alps. Sourced from a combination of vineyards that begin at 1,000 feet above sea level, featuring vines between 30-90 years old, with the varietals being primarily Nebbiolo (Or Spanna as it’s called locally) with a splash of Vespolina. Loaded with a plethora of oranges ranging from Seville, Blood and Mandarin and accentuated by notes of crushed rose petal and white peach. There’s also a slight spice on the finish in addition to a refreshing muskmelon component. Absolutely delicious and incredibly versatile on the table, with this being especially good with fatty fish, fried chicken or South Asian curries.       

Proprieta Sperino ‘Rosa del Rosa’ Rosato Coste della Sesia Piedmont 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido Vinous 92 points “The 2020 is an understated and delicate rendition of Rosa Del Rosa. Nuances of peach tea, chamomile, green apple and hints of ginger can all be found with coaxing. It’s silky and pliant in feel, the vibrant acids and mineral tones mixing to create a tug-of-war of sweet and salty tension, as notes of ripe melon give way to pretty inner florals. This tapers off persistent, lightly structured and buzzing with residual energy, completely refreshing the palate with a twang of sour citrus. The Rosa Del Rosa is a blend of Nebbiolo and Vespolina. It’s very enjoyable already, but it will likely blossom further with a bit more time in bottle. “

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Bordeaux to Bekka: Chateau Musar’s Journey   

Looking for a cult producer that’s still affordable? There are very few producers who are synonymous with the production of their entire region’s output. Dal Forno in Valpolicella, Dönnhoff and the Nahe, Cayuse and Walla Walla, the list is as long as there are production zones. In that same vein you cannot talk about Lebanese wine without mentioning Chateau Musar. Founded by Gaston Hochar in 1930, his son Serge took the world by storm in the late 1970’s after leaving Bordeaux for the Bekka Valley. 

Lebanon is one of the world’s first producers of wine that dates back over 6,000 years and was mentioned throughout antiquity for its quality, but has seen almost constant unrest since World War 2. 
In spite of that, Musar has consistently delivered exceptional reds, whites and rose year after year to the international market. This is in part from their vineyards located in the Bekka Valley of Lebanon, A high elevation region between Mt. Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains. 

The elevation and mountainous conditions allows for massive temperature shifts during the evenings, allowing for the grapes to slowly ripen with good acidity. Working exclusively with old vines that have always been farmed organically, Musar makes a fantastic single village wine named after Gaston in addition to their Cuvee that’s made them world famous. Working with a blend of varietals including Cinsault, Carignan, Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvigion for reds, the reds are built for serious aging and collecting. Expect all the power and nuance of a super Tuscan, with the lift of Bandol and a totally unique frankincense, oud and cumin character that is definitively Middle Eastern. We were only able to secure limited quantities of the reds, with these wines usually being snapped up by restaurants in New York before they can reach our market, so get these while you can!

In stock now: 

Chateau Musar, Bekaa Valley 2013 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 Points “The 2013 Chateau Musar is bold, punchy and intensely perfumed. Rose petal, ripe red fruit, sage, mint, cinnamon and sweet tobacco gives the 2013 a very strong aromatic presence that continues to build. Medium in body, with lovely red fruit character, the 2013 Musar could use a few years in bottle to fully come together. I expect it will always have a strong pungent signature.”
Decanter 92 points “This wine needs vigorous decanting otherwise it appears reduced. It shows evidence of French oak ageing: notes of vanilla with a cedar touch along with the plum fruit. Slightly meaty flavours suggest development. Amazingly balanced, with some volatile acidity providing additional freshness. With time it picks up hints of liquorice like an old Hermitage. Impressive volume yet a suave touch – a classic Musar!”

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Chateau Musar ‘Hochar Pere et Fils’ Red, Bekaa Valley 2017 ($34.95) $28 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Decanter 91 Points “This single-vineyard wine, from Aana, is made in a modern style: concentrated and slightly reductive. It shows notes of new oak barrels, lovely red berry fruit (reminiscent of Grenache) and garrigue aromas. So Mediterranean on the palate, with sweet tannins, spices and a meaty hint on the aftertaste. A very friendly, easy-to-drink and enjoyable wine. It becomes even better and more refined a day after the bottle is opened. I would recommend decanting it.”
Antonio Galloni 90 Points “The 2017 Hochar is powerful and dense in the glass. Ripe flavors and incisive tannins give the 2017 much of its brooding personality. Readers should plan on opening the 2017 at least an hour or two in advance, as the tannins are rather grainy at the outset. With time, ripe black cherry, spice, leather and licorice flavors emerge nicely. The blend is 55% Cinsault, 35% Grenache and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.”  

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Collector’s Corner 

Aldo Conterno: The Sultans of Serralunga 

Can you think of a producer more integral to the modern success of Barolo? Aldo Conterno is synonymous with Barolo and the meteoric success of the region since their establishment in 1912. Much like the other growers in Barolo, the wines used to be sold by the cask or in large demijohn’s meant for quick consumption by locals. This all changed when Aldo Conterno was handed the reigns to the family operation by his father Giacomo in 1969. He expanded the estate holdings and ceased buying tonnage from elsewhere in Piedmont. 

Already know for high quality across the country, Conterno began to introduce modern techniques to their otherwise steadfastly traditional vinification like temperature control during fermentation, machine assisted destemming and new fermenting mediums. Considered a modernist in winemaking, yet also evocative of “old school Barolo” this is a juxtaposition that has to be experienced. 
Tradition still leads however, with Conterno practicing the same long maceration, cask aging, and delayed releases of at least 4 years for their Nebbiolos (Sometimes as many as a decade). 

Their crown jewel, the Gran Bussia rests for a minimum of 9 years and is made from earmarked clusters from the oldest vines across their portfolio. Easily their most famous offering, “Conterno’sGran Bussia is universally acknowledged as one of the finest interpretations of Barolo” according to the Wine Atlas of the Langhe. 

With all of their estate holdings being located at least 1200 feet above sea level, and soil consisting of sandy limestone the wines display dark fruited character, refined tannins and multidimensional aromas across the board, reflecting their favorable growing conditions. That said, each of their wines stand out as being a benchmark for their pedigree. For example their Barbera is sourced from a hilly, old vine site in Bussia and remains one of the most sought after expressions of the varietal.

In stock now: 

Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2017 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2017 750ML ($219) $189 special, That’s only #31.50 per bottle!) 
Case-12 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2017 750ML ($419) $359 special, (that’s only $29.92/bottle!) 
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Conca Tre Pile is piled high with dark fruit intensity, soft tannins and a pinch of fresh acidity that breaks apart the wine’s rich fruit flavors. The hot vintage has taken well to the Barbera grape, accentuating its volume, richness and generosity. The bouquet offers black fruit, dried plum, spice, truffle-infused earth and toasted hazelnut”

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Poderi Aldo Conterno Colonnello Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 10 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Very fine-grained with pretty berry, spice, roasted-nut and cedar aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and chewy, yet polished and intense. Very, very long. Try after 2022.”
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2016 Barolo Bussia Colonnello shows dark fruit intensity, dried cherry, spice, licorice and tilled earth. The wine delivers its aromas in a direct and immediate manner, with menthol and balsam herb fitting into oaky aromas of sweet spice. For whatever reason, I notice the oak more in Colonnello, but this will relax with time. The wine will be ready to drink after the 10-year mark. Approximately 6,000 bottles were made.”

Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2010 Barolo Bussia is a gorgeous expression that hits all the high notes, both in terms of bouquet and mouthfeel. The nose is redolent of pressed cherries, tar, licorice, crushed granite and chopped mint. It offers the special characteristics that are so forth coming with the Nebbiolo grape. The wine caresses the palate with a fine and enduring sense of freshness and structure. The 2010 vintage is a stunner. Drink: 2016-2028.” 
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Barolo Bussia is gorgeous and super-classic in every way. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, new leather and tobacco are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. The 2010 is a beautiful version of the Bussia, with less of the approachability of some previous vintages, but tons of potential for the future. There is a lot to look forward to here. This is one of the best versions of the Bussia I can remember tasting. The 2010 stands out for its precision and crystalline purity. Readers looking for a great 2010 Barolo that won’t kill the budget should check out the 2010 Bussia.’

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Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $85 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “A fresh and elegant red, showing aromas and flavors of cut hay, strawberry, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and tar. Lithe and intense, with a long, savory aftertaste. Best from 2024 through 2045. 1,500 cases made, 500 cases imported. -BS”

Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala Barolo DOCG  2006 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2006 Barolo Cicala is another serious, austere Barolo that is tightly wound at this stage. Here the fruit is darker and more intense than in the Colonnello, while the aromatics tend towards menthol, pine, spices and all things balsamic. Sweet, powerful and layered, the 2006 Cicala finishes with a blast of roasted coffee beans, licorice and mint. This is an absolutely wonderful, complete Barolo from Aldo Conterno. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.”WA

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Arriving in December: 

Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia shows a dark but busy quality of fruit that speaks more to the power of this hot vintage than it does the nuanced side of Nebbiolo. In this respect, the wine is quite typical of the 2017 growing season. It takes a while before the wine finds focus in the glass, but it does slowly come together to reveal broad layers of dark cherry, cassis and plum. There is some tannic tightness that leads to sour berry. A bit awkward at this young stage, it needs a few more years of cellar age to flesh out and reach balance.”

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Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special 
Wine Spectator 95 points “A solid, powerful style, this expressive red is well-marked by new oak, with plum, cherry, cigar box, menthol and sun-kissed hay flavors. Balanced and lively, with refined tannins and a long, spice-infused finish. Best from 2025 through 2042. —B.S.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Cicala reveals a deep garnet color with some dark copper. Like the other 2017 wines from this celebrated producer, I can’t help but suspect that these areas of Bussia suffered from the heat and some of the other weather challenges associated with this growing season. A clear note of overt ripeness comes across as dried strawberry or sweet crème de cassis. The finish is similarly weighed down by the fruit weight and oak tannins.”

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Poderi Aldo Conterno Colonnello Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Colonnello shows good focus, structure and a sharper character that is often the distinguishing factor in this wine. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. This is not the first time that Colonnello is my favorite wine in this lineup, and I suspect it won’t be the last.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Offering plum, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and black pepper aromas and flavors, this broad red has absorbed the oak treatment pretty well already, with a dense matrix of tannins and lively acidity. Balanced and long, ending with elements of mineral and spice. Best from 2025 through 2043. —B.S.”

Poderi Aldo Conterno Granbussia Barolo Riserva DOCG 2012 750ML ($999.95) $889 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “The earthy, woodsy aromas show some evolution in this red, with just a hint of white truffle, yet there’s still a hefty dose of spicy oak to be resolved. Rich and sumptuous midpalate, showing plum, cherry, tar and tobacco flavors shaded by vanilla and toasty spices, with firm, dusty tannins laying a grip on the long finish. Give this another year or two in the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2042. From Italy. —B.S.”

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Poderi Aldo Conterno Romirasco Bussia Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($319.95) $289 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Though well-marked by new oak, there’s a vibrant quality to this Barolo, along with cherry, raspberry, iron, tar and tobacco flavors. Supple, almost elegant, with a long, spicy aftertaste, this shows plenty of detail and energy. Best from 2025 through 2040. —B.S.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Opening to a dark color and robust consistency, the Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Romirasco is perhaps the most powerful of the four new releases reviewed here. Wearing broad shoulders and sporting a heavy gait over the palate, the wine sees a solid construction of dark berry and spicy or toasted oak aromas. There is a lot to behold in this bottle, and it definitely shows the potential to soften and relax with more cellar aging. However, you definitely need to put the bottle aside for many years.”

Conterno Fantino Mosconi Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Decanter 96 points “Among the 27 hectares of Conterno Fantino is Vigna Ped, an east-facing cru within the Mosconi MGA. Similar to Ginestra, in 2017 it seems to be a bit rounder and less austere. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation naturally in the spring. It displays intense leafy lightness with wild strawberry puree and liquorice root, but also whiffs of truffle and cocoa powder. The attack is firm and assertive, with both acidity and tannins – which are large, grainy and ripe. The structure is well balanced by fruit concentration, vibrancy and complexity. Despite its meatiness, it’s not ready to drink yet. For the long haul. Drinking Window 2022 – 2040.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Mosconi Vigna Ped is deep, resonant and expansive, as wines from this site tend to be. In this tasting, the Mosconi is wonderfully deep. Its stature alone is compelling. And yet there is so much to the Mosconi. Readers will find a Barolo that melds together a rich, racy expression of fruit with plenty of structure that wraps everything together. Rich red fruit, blood orange, tar, spice and cedar build as the 2017 gains volume through to the finish.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Mosconi Vigna Ped sources its fruit from a small vineyard plot measuring less than one hectare that is composed of sand, silt and clay soils. This special wine shows dark fruit with cherry and blackcurrant, all followed by spice, tar and earth. The hot and dry growing conditions in 2017 make for extra intensity and concentration, with firm tannins that hold it all together. The cooling altitudes at 360 to 380 meters above sea level and the general conditions of Monteforte d’Alba mean that this wine shows good integration. 6,424 bottles were released.”

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Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland 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.

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Stay safe, be well, & drink well.

In This Newsletter:


New from Paul Hobbs:
Winery-Cellared
Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vyd Cabernet 


Wine Spectator Top 100:
New Offers & New Arrivals


Black Friday Bordeaux
Here Now & Landing Friday!

Toast of the Town:
Tip Top Champagnes Arriving December 3rd

Peter Lauer 2020s – Filigreed Excellence
Arriving Friday, December 3rd

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Vinopolis Wine Shop
will be closed 
Thursday the 25th 
in observation of Thanksgiving

We will reopen for our regular hours (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM) on Friday the 26th.  

This Shop Never Closes: www.vinopoliswineshop.com

Featured New Arrivals

Paul Hobbs

Paul Hobbs needs little in the way of introduction to anyone who pays attention to the top tier of California wines.  He’s been at the top of the game in Napa and Sonoma for several decades and based on recent releases, doesn’t seem to be slipping any time soon.  These are bold, powerful wines, with the rich textures and intense fruit you expect from some of the best vineyards in the state. We’re excited to offer the 2015 and 2013 Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabs – both winery cellared releases with oodles of class and potential.

Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena 2015 750ML ($319.95) $269 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Winery cellared release!
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “Inky purple-black in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard gives up notes of blueberry compote, preserved plums and ripe blackberries with touches of incense, dried Mediterranean herbs, menthol and aniseed plus a waft of mossy bark. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is very fine and wonderfully elegant, with incredibly ripe, silt-like tannins and just enough freshness to support the black and blue fruit layers, finishing on a lingering exotic spice note. This beauty should age very well indeed. 353 cases were made.”
James Suckling 96 points “Blueberries, orange rind, pressed violets and lavender. Very savory on the palate, showing notes of licorice and citrus rind. Polished and fine-grained tannins, a fine, tangible streak of acidity and a very long, blue-fruited finish. The structure is so refined, presenting all the riper flavors in a compact, layered package. Better in 2021.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is powerful, deep and explosive. Graphite, smoke, leather and tobacco open up, but only with reluctance. As always, the interplay of fruit richness and structured at Las Piedras can yield thrilling, powerful wine endowed with tons of personality. That is very much the case here.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $311

Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena 2013 750ML ($319.95) $259 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Winery cellared release!
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard displays loads of charcoal, barbecue smoke, blueberry and blackberry fruit, an opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, and hints of charcoal and subtle oak in a full-bodied, multi-dimensional style. Drink it over the next 20 years.”
James Suckling 98 points “Fabulous aromas of sweet tobacco in a curing barn, black currants, stones and spices. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and superb length. Graphite. Very, very complex. Super structure. Better in 2020.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is rich, powerful and explosive. The underlying minerality and intensity of this site comes through in spades. Lavender, crushed rocks, graphite, smoke and incense add shades of dimension. Readers will have to give the 2013 a few years to soften, but there is plenty to like.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Refreshingly taut, dense and vibrant, this is well-built, with dark berry, currant, plum and blueberry flavors, broadening midpalate and ending with a lingering aftertaste where the fine-grained tannins capture and hold the flavors. Drink now through 2032. 836 cases made. — JL”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $285

Shop our highly curated selection of California Cabernets on our web store now!

 

Wine Spectator Top 100

New Offers & New Arrivals

Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year 2021:

“One of the reference points for the vintage.”-James Suckling
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $369 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2018 375ML ($249.95) $219 special, 18 half-bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “This is incredible on the nose, offering hot stones, blackcurrants, iodine and wet earth. Full-bodied with a tight center palate, then it opens with a tannin structure that is weightless and spreads across the palate. Totally integrated on the palate. This is a magic-carpet wine. Really incredible. One of the reference points for the vintage. Drinkable now and please try a bottle, but it’s one for the cellar.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “This is tightly packed, with sleek, pure, driven notes of cassis, plum reduction and blackberry puree allied to an iron spine, while subtle alder, juniper, sweet bay leaf and tobacco notes peek in throughout. Very fine-grained, but impressively sturdy in feel, with a long, lingering note of iron piercing the finish. For the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best for 2024 through 2040.”

New Offers – In Stock Now:

#14 Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2021
Alexana Estate Revana Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($59.95) $54.50 special, only 5 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “This vibrant red is coiled with tension, offering dynamic raspberry and blueberry flavors that gather notes of spiced cinnamon and orange oil, building toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030. 1,858 cases made. — TF”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Editor’s Choice. The estate vineyard delivers the goods in this new vintage. A deep, dense purple-blue wine, it’s packed with plum and blueberry fruit, along with sweet touches of maraschino cherries. Barrel aging laces the finish with coffee and cream. It’s a sexy, irresistible young wine. -Paul Gregutt”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

#20 Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2021
Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Though ripe and lush, this is also dense, with pointed tannins giving a physical sensation and lifting the cherry, strawberry and floral flavors. Finds a nice youthful equilibrium in the end, where mouthwatering acidity roams. Best from 2023 through 2038. 24,150 cases made, 5,295 cases imported. — BS”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico is a very pretty, enticing wine. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry, pipe tobacco, cedar and mint all grace this exquisite, ethereal Chianti Classico from Coltibuono. All the elements simply fall into place effortlessly. Silky tannins round things out in style. This is such a beguiling Chianti Classico.”

#22 Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2021
Arterberry Maresh Old Vines Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($47.95) $37 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Pale ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Old Vines has an alluring perfume of blueberries, violets and dark cherries with accents of earth and amaro. The medium-bodied palate offers intense, broody fruits framed by muscular tannins and bright freshness, and it finishes long and full of flavor. It’s still youthfully coiled and may improve with another year or two in bottle.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Structured yet elegantly layered, with pretty violet, raspberry and spiced tea accents that build tension and toward polished, medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. —T.F.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

#24 Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2021
Ridge Vineyards Geyserville, Alexander Valley 2019 750ML ($54.95) $44.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Deeply structured, yet nimble on its feet. Blackberry, fresh fennel and brown baking spices build richness and layers toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2030. 11,000 cases made. — TF”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Cellar Selection. Deep and rich in flavor, this full-bodied wine will continue improving with age. It shows generous, late-picked blackberry flavors along with accents of vanilla, milk chocolate and black pepper, while mild tannins give it some nice heft in the texture. Best through 2030. -Jim Gordon”
Wine & Spirits 93 points “The oldest vines at Ridge’s Geyserville Vineyard were planted 130 years ago in a gravel wash off the Russian River. Today, the wine layers the fruit of successive generations of vines while combining zinfandel (71 percent) and carignane (19 percent) with petite sirah and alicante Bouschet. All those elements come together in a complex tapestry of flavor, smoky in its concentration, lasting on scents of herbs, flowers and berries. As elegant as the wine may be, it is not shy in its rich power. Geyserville often reaches its peak between ten and 20 years from the vintage and this one should age well. —J.G.”

Black Friday Bordeaux

Here Now & Landing Friday!

Chateau De Pez

Looking for a classic producer or an introduction into exceptional Bordeaux? Consider Chateau De Pez, the oldest estate in Saint-Estèphe. Originally part of the first growth Haut-Brion, the estate was sold to the Pontac family before being acquired by Roederer in 1995. The house style is defined by two primary factors: 100% French oak aging and Cabernet Sauvignon dominance in the final blend. These factors pay off in spades during warmer years like 2018, where comparisons are already being drawn to the legendary years 2009 and 2010. True to the character of the estate, these are wines that require years of bottle aging before fully revealing themselves. For those patient or handy enough with a decanter, the Chateau de Pez promises an experience.

Chateau de Pez, Saint-Estephe 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Chateau de Pez, Saint-Estephe 2018 375ML ($34.95) $29 special, 24 half-bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “From the team of Nicolas Glumineau at Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, the 2018 Château De Pez is a gorgeous 2018 that should be on every Bordeaux lover’s radar (and should be a great value as well). Notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, candied violets, and graphite define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, rockingly polished tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish. It’s terrific and is going to have 15-20 years or more of longevity. The blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Under the same Rouzaud family ownership as Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, this estate has produced a structured wine. It offers dense and solid tannins, rich with a firm texture and black currant fruits. The wine has weight and density that need aging. Drink from 2026. -Roger Voss”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2018 de Pez is even more impressive from bottle than it was from barrel. Time has given the Pez gorgeous finesse, softening the contours, to match the natural radiance of the year. Silky tannins wrap around a core of inky red/purplish fruit, pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, spice and leather. The en primeur sample was decidedly flashier, but, then again, that wine was presented in 100% new oak. The finished wine, with one-third each new, one year-old and two year-old barrels, is wonderfully refined and poised.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 de Pez leaps from the glass with vibrant black cherries, ripe blackberries and blackcurrant pastilles notes, giving way to nuances of black olives, lavender and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate offers nicely rounded tannins and a lively backbone to counter the bold fruit, finishing savory.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Fresh red currant and bitter cherry notes are laced with floral and chalk notes. Piercing in feel through the finish, with the fruit and minerality in lockstep as a touch of cedar appears, leaving a mouthwatering edge. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2032. — JM”
Decanter 92 points “Always an extremely classy St-Estèphe, and this is an excellent wine that has restraint but punch, and plenty of cassis and blackberry fruits, with a governing hand of tannins that are never overdone. Drinking Window 2023 – 2036.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Chateau Mangot

Organic, with a focus on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity, this estate puts quality first through careful farming of their old vines and a long and hands-off winemaking process. To quote the winery, “All this rigor and precision reduces yields but rewards us year after year with grapes possessing a genuine identity that are characteristic of their terroir.”

“Located in eastern Saint-Emilion, in the commune of Saint Etienne de Lisse, the chateau dates back to the mid-1500s (pretty old even by Bordeaux standards) and remains family-owned by Jean-Guy and Anne-Marie Todeschini, whose parents purchased the property in the mid-1980s (and also own Ch. La Brande). Their 35ha of strictly sustainably-farmed vineyards feature 40 year-old average vines (some Merlot vines up to 60 years old) planted on clay and limestone soil atop very diverse terrain in the far eastern and cooler Saint Emilion, right before Cotes Castillon and near Ch. Faugeres, Fleur Cardinale and Valandraud, to name a few… This increased presence of limestone gives Mangot density and richness while preserving real freshness, tension and minerality.

“Interestingly, 15% of their non-vineyard property surface is dedicated to ecological reserves (hedges, woods, wild grass, embankments) making biodiversity a real asset of their land and terroir.  South facing vineyards occupy the highest elevation of this appellation (35-86m above sea level) and contain incredibly diverse terrain.  Vineyards are divided into 21 parcels, and each parcel is hand-harvested and vinified separately, the diversity of these terroirs adding incredible interest to the final blend while also preserving the identity of their unique terroir.” –Importer note

Chateau Mangot, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($37.95) $28 special
James Suckling 93 points “A dense and rich red with driedberry and plum character. Full body, round and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Lots of intensity. Drink in 2020.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $32

Chateau de Chantegrive 

“Chateau de Chantegrive was created in 1966 by Henri and Françoise Lévêque thanks to the sale of their [apparently very precious] stamp collection.  Vineyards were cobbled together by purchasing several parcels in the beautiful and picturesque southern Graves, primarily near the village of Podensac.  Aside from its truly beautiful setting, the perfectly-situated south-facing vines are surrounded by a low stone wall and soak up sun on warm summer days.  Terroir is a mix of gravel, sand, limestone, and there are small, quartz stones in the soil – former river stones ranging in color from pink to beige throughout the vineyard’s fine sandy soil.  In true Graves fashion, Chantegrive’s vineyards are exceptionally suited – and planted to – reds and whites.  While red vines are planted to an even split of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, for the white, vines are planted to interestingly enough, an even split again 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon.  This exceptional blend from 30+ year average vines offers immense pleasure and complexity.

“While relatively young (by Bordeaux standards), this estate has developed an undeniably strong reputation for reliable quality; wines are expertly blended, elegant, refined, and impressively complex.  Especially when properly aged a few years…” –Importer note 

In Stock Now:

Chateau de Chantegrive ‘Benjamin de Chantegrive’, Graves 2015 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Chateau de Chantegrive ‘Benjamin de Chantegrive’, Graves 2015 750ML ($199.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Importer note “Another beautiful 2015, seductive, complex bouquet, ripe fruit balanced with earth, leather and spice and all things Bordeaux.  Medium to full bodied, yet silky smooth tannins – very well balanced, not a fruit bomb.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Chateau de Chantegrive Blanc, Graves 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Chateau de Chantegrive Blanc, Graves 2018 750ML ($359.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Editor’s Choice. This ripe wine shows yellow fruits as well as layers of citrus. The rich texture gives weight and brings out a buttery element. This wine will age well and should not be drunk before 2021. -Roger Voss”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Arriving Friday, November 26th:

Chateau de Chantegrive Henri Leveque, Graves 2010 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
“A stunning vintage / aged release.  This near perfect 50/50 Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot blend is the ‘flagship’ cuvee from their very best vineyard plots, paying homage to Henri Leveque, founder of Château de Chantegrive. Cold pre-fermentation followed by alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Malo-lactic fermentation in 100% new oak then barrel aged at least 15+ months, and obviously aged in bottle for several additional years in accordance with their desire to offer an ‘aged release.’    As a result, immediately present is a beautiful intense ruby color with a touch of dark plum. On the nose, lots of fruits with hints of chocolate and a slight suggestion of vanilla. Full-bodied and polished on the palate, a rich, generous wine with refined silky tannins.” –Importer note

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Also Arriving Friday, November 26th:

“This legendary Pauillac chateau’s second wine is often compared to a flower coming into bloom and is irresistibly tender, mellow and silky.  Garnet in colour and has a very elegant aromatic bouquet, as notes of red fruits combine with mild tobacco and liquorice. The silky palate culminates in a lingering and elegantly wooded finish.  Notably, this ‘second’ wine is sourced entirely from Pedesclaux’s Pauillac appellated vineyards, literally sandwiched between Chateau Lafite and Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Let alone the fact this parcel happens to be from the epic 2016 vintage, which is the very same vintage where those neighboring vineyards of Mouton and Lafite each received 100point scores…” –Importer note

Chateau Pedesclaux Fleur de Pedesclaux, Pauillac 2016 750ML ($69.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 92 points “Sweet tobacco, currant and dark-berry aromas follow through to a full body, soft and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Second wine of Pédesclaux. Drink in 2023.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 90 points “The 2016 Fleur de Pédesclaux has a generous, rounded bouquet of wild strawberry and blackberry fruit mixed with briar and tobacco aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a pastille-like purity on the entry, displaying fine tannin and light grip but offering ebullient red berry fruit on the detailed finish. This is impressive for a second wine and will probably drink well after a couple of years.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $52

Shop our selections of red Bordeaux on our web store now!

 

Toast of the Town:

Tip Top Champagnes

Arriving December 3rd
 

“Readers who can find the 2012 should not hesitate, as it is truly magical.” -Antonio Galloni
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Rosé, Champagne 2012 750ML ($699.95) $599 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available!
James Suckling 99 points “This is a great vintage for Cristal Rosé. The pinot noir finds a band of power and expressiveness. The power here is impressive, very assertive and rich, really mouth-filling and super deep. This is exceptional and has intense, chalky and fresh, white-peach and nectarine aromas, underpinning red flowers and pink fruit. The palate has a scintillating blend of flesh and mineral cut, packed with such sweet, pristine, white-strawberry flavor and texture. This has such incredible potential. So exciting. Will take another two or threw years to resolve. Look out for this! Drink from 2025.”
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “Just about as good as it gets, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a magical effort based on 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay. It’s a powerful, medium to full-bodied, incredibly textured rosé offering a huge amount of salty, chalky minerality as well as awesome notes of white cherries, orange blossom, caramelized apples, and toasted bread. It shows the ripe, rounded richness of the 2012 vintage yet has bright, racy acidity, perfect balance, and a great, great finish. It opens up nicely with air and will ideally be given 2-4 years of bottle age, and it should evolve for 2-3 decades.”
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2012 Cristal Rosé is magnificent. When Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon started to move Roederer towards organically farmed fruit, he started with Cristal Rosé, Roederer’s smallest production cuveé. Because of that, Cristal Rosé is the wine in this range that shows the current Roederer style in its fullest expression. Rich, vivid and crystalline in the glass, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a Champagne of tremendous gravitas. Chalk, white flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and blood orange are all beautifully delineated. The 2012 is 55% Pinot from Ay and 45% Chardonnay from Mesnil and Avize. The Pinot fruit gets a 7-10 day cold soak an is the infused into the fermenting Chardonnay musts. Readers who can find the 2012 should not hesitate, as it is truly magical. Dosage is 8 grams per liter.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2012 Cristal Rosé is showing brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with a beautiful bouquet of fresh peach, bergamot, strawberries, tangerine and blanched almonds that’s still quite reserved. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and strikingly complete, its vinous attack segueing into a multidimensional core that exemplifies the ideal of power without weight, built around a racy but integrated spine of animating acidity and complemented by an exquisitely refined mousse. All the concentration of the 2012 vintage is on display, but it’s rendered with terrific finesse. Decidedly youthful and introverted—indeed, I spent several hours with a bottle to compose this note—the 2012 will really come into its own with five or six years in the cellar and displays all the attributes necessary for considerable longevity. It’s a blend of 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay that saw no malolactic fermentation, and it was disgorged with eight grams per liter dosage.”
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Years in the making, this is the first fully biodynamic Cristal rosé. The very fine 2012 vintage is a good starting point for this new era. The Champagne is just right, beautifully rich and showing some maturity while also having tension and crispness from the golden-apple and spice flavors. The wine could be drunk now but its future is assured. Organic and biodynamic. -Roger Voss.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “An elegant rosé Champagne, starting quietly with a subtle range of white cherry, Marcona almond, pink grapefruit zest and saffron flavors that gain momentum and volume as they expand, gliding across the palate’s fine, raw silk–like texture. This is mouthwatering and minerally, the symphony concluding with accents of oyster shell and chalk that echo on the finish. Drink now through 2032. — AN”

“shows its richness to perfection” -Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
Dom Perignon Brut Champagne 2010 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 98 points “A firm and vivid Champagne with a precise, focused palate. Full-bodied and dry. It’s very layered and bright with light pineapple, peach, praline, cooked-apple and stone aromas and flavors. It’s very subtle and focused at the end. Integrated with richness and high acidity. Good depth. Reminds me of the 1995. Very clean. Solid. Lovely to drink already, but will age nicely.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A graceful Champagne, featuring fragrant notes of toasted brioche and grilled nut that are more subtle on the palate, with a rich underpinning layered with a pure chime of tangerine and accents of candied ginger, toasted saffron and lime blossom. This bundles a lot of concentrated flavor into a lithe frame, with the fine mousse caressing the palate through to the lasting finish. Drink now through 2035. — AN”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “The new release of this iconic Champagne shows its richness to perfection. The floral aromas lead to a wine that has weight and density as well as a balance that encompasses ripe fruits that have now matured to reveal nuttiness, toast and a tight salinity at the end. Drink through 2028. -Roger Voss”
John Gilman 95 points “The 2010 vintage of Dom Pérignon is a beautiful wine, and rather uncharacteristically for this long-distance runner of a Tête de Cuvée, the wine is quite flattering to drink out of the blocks, as its customary steely structure is more giving than usual at such a young age. The bouquet wafts from the glass in a very refined blend of apple, lime, menthol, chalky minerality, gentle smokiness, a delightful touch of DP’s signature botanicals and a topnote of citrus peel. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a fine core of fruit, excellent mineral drive, bright, bouncy acids and a very long, very complex and surprisingly wide open finish. This is the rare vintage of Dom Perignon that drinks well out of the blocks, and of all the recent vintage releases of this wine, the 2010 is unequivocally the one I would choose for drinking over the next decade! That said, it is also very well-balanced and may well surprise us with how well it ages! 2021-2050.”

Can’t Wait?

We offer 170 Champagnes in stock now, including Krug 169th, Bereche, and Bollinger on our web store!

 

We’re Open for In-Store Shopping!

10AM – 6PM Daily
Properly worn masks are required at all times.
We also offer Curbside Pickup
Order Online / By Phone / By Email

Peter Lauer 2020s

Filigreed Excellence

Arriving Friday, December 3rd

“Florian’s general style is exactly the opposite of his famous Saar neighbors Egon Müller and Hanno Zilliken. At Lauer, the focus is on dry-tasting Rieslings as opposed to the residual sugar wines of the latter two. Employing natural-yeast fermentations, Lauer’s wines find their own balance. They tend to be more textural, deeper and more masculine. They have a preternatural sense of balance, an energy that is singular. Yet the hallmarks of the Saar are there: purity, precision, rigor, mineral.

“Florian’s playground is the breathtaking hillside of the Kupp… Though the many vineyards of this mountain were unified (obliterated?) under the single name “Kupp” with the 1971 German wine law, it has been Florian’s life’s work to keep the old vineyard names alive, to keep these voices alive. He has been fighting this fight since his first vintage in 2005 and only with an update to the law in 2014 can he now legally use the older vineyard names such as Unterstenberg, Stirn, Kern and Neuenberg.” –Vom Boden Imports

“The 2020 growing season was hot and dry and the harvest season mostly cloudy and rainy: The result is a unique vintage with incredible lightness, filigreed precision, subtlety, and a dash of ripeness.” –Mosel Fine Wines, 2020 Vintage Overview

Arriving Friday, December 3rd

Peter Lauer Ayler Riesling Fass 25 Trocken, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($34.95) $27 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 93 points “Beautiful nose of sliced pear with hints of rose and freshly baked bread. Very racy and focused on the medium-bodied palate with a diamond-bright, mineral finish. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 3 Riesling, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 95 points “An amazing village wine with intense yellow-grapefruit and lime-zest aromas. Serious concentration, but so cool and precise, the apricot ripeness and herbal freshness exactly matched. Very long, pure finish with tons of slate character! On paper this is medium-dry, but for us its easily dry enough. Drink or hold.”

Peter Lauer Ayler Riesling Fass 4 Feinherb, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($31.95) $25.50 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 93 points “With its nose of yellow and summer flowers, this sleek dry riesling is a very striking wine. Super refreshing and you can almost hear the bees buzzing! Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 2 Riesling Trocken, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 92 points “Tart pear, white peach and a hint of gooseberry makes this sleek and slightly austere dry riesling both very fresh and expressive. Intensely lemony finish. Drink or hold.”

Peter Lauer Ayler Fass 87 Riesling Kabinett “Special Edition”, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 92 points “The effusive, spring-meadow nose pulls you into this super-crisp Kabinett that’s dangerously refreshing. There must be a bunch of unfermented grape sweetness in here, but you barely feel it, because of the driving acidity. Drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Peter Lauer ‘Kern’ Ayler Kupp Fass 9 Riesling, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($49.95) $44 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 96 points “I love the nose of leaves and flowers that are dripping with rainwater after a tropical storm. Great interplay of power and freshness, ripeness and delicacy, tropical fruit and fine-grained minerality through the very long finish. Drink or hold.”

Peter Lauer Fass 8 Ayler Kupp Riesling Kabinett, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 93 points “Very cool and reserved with mint and basil notes, this is a very elegant Kabinett with plenty of wet-stone minerality and a long, super-clean finish with only a hint of natural grape sweetness. Drink now.”

Peter Lauer ‘Neuenberg’ Fass 17 Riesling, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($67.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 95 points “Still a bit shy, the peach and apricot aromas of this dry riesling steadily expand in the glass. However, that doesn’t prepare you for the major concentration and structure on the palate, or the very long finish with its intense wet-stone minerality. Drinkable now, but best from 2022.”

Peter Lauer ‘Stirn’ Ayler Kupp Fass 15 Riesling, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($49.95) $44 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 95 points “So fresh and floral, this is already so effusive and joyful, the juiciness seeming to float weightlessly on the mid-palate, but its anchored by plenty of fine tannins that precisely match the full wet-stone character. Mountain-stream freshness at the totally vibrant finish. Great aging potential! Drink or hold.”

Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp ‘Unterstenberg’ Fass 12 Riesling, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($44.95) $38 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott 94 points “Brimming with stone fruit and ripe melon with just a whiff of smoked bacon. Powerful and well-structured, but the generous fruit dominates until you reach the bold, mineral finish, which is pretty dry. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Can’t Wait?

2020 Peter Lauers in stock now:

Peter Lauer ‘Barrel X’ Saar Riesling, Mosel 2020 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 34 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 91 points “Full ripe-apricot nose and a juicy, rather full palate with lively acidity and some natural spritz make this easy to enjoy. Then, at the finish, a pronounced mineral note is neatly underlined by a touch of fine tannin. Drink now.”
Vom Boden note “The most important category of Lauer wines we’ll call the “terroir” wines. These are the Rieslings that have made Lauer so famous. These wines eschew the whole Prädikat system (Kabinett, Spätlese, etc) completely. They ferment spontaneously with natural yeasts and thus they find their own balance. In most cases they have a bit more residual sugar than a purely dry wine, yet not nearly enough sugar to be considered sweet. Let’s call them dry-tasting to off dry. First, there is the appellation-level Barrel X. This is Lauer’s Platonic ideal of what a Saar Riesling should be. If we were in Burgundy this would be the equivalent of a Bourgogne Blanc. As an appellation-level wine, it is sourced from multiple vineyards in three different villages of the Saar. This is always a thrilling off-dry and a silly value.”

Peter Lauer Senior Fass 6 Riesling, Saar, Mosel 2020 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 94 points “Tons of wild-herb aromas, plus a note that reminds me of the red-fleshed vineyard peach, this medium-bodied dry riesling is simultaneously so juicy and so precise. Serious elegance for a village wine, then a very long, crystalline finish. Drink or hold.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2020er Ayler Riesling “Senior” N°6 is a barely off-dry wine (with 13 g/l of residual sugar) made from fruit harvested from the original Kupp hill on a west-facing section towards Wawern. It offers a beautifully reductive and refreshing nose of grapefruit zest, herbs, cassis, lime, herbs, nettle, and smoke. The wine proves full of grip and energy on the superbly balanced palate and leaves a beautifully precise, spicy, and refreshing feel in the nicely dry-tasting finish. This dry-tasting Riesling proves a huge success and has more in common with a Grand Cru that its nominative ranking as Ortswein (Village)! 2023-2035.”

Bonus 2020 New Arrivals:

A delicious QPR that’s off the charts, ungrafted, old vines from a classic region for under $22
Stein Blauschiefer (“Blue Slate”) Riesling, Mosel 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
“Sourced from old vines (up to and over 75+ yo ungrafted vines) in and around the St. Aldegunder Himmelreich” –Vom Boden Imports

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Stein Riesling Palmberg Spatlese Feinherb, Mosel 2020 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The Palmberg is Stein’s “Grand Cru” and a vineyard to measure against any other vineyard in the Mosel, period. It is an awesome site, an ancient wall of vines filled with ungrafted plantings that are 90+ years old. The Palmberg is cut on one side by a stream, so the vineyard angles away from the Mosel. In former times this was likely a liability, the cool wind pouring down the valley and the distance from the river keeping optimum ripeness in all but the top vintages just beyond grasp. This is no longer an issue and these cooler vineyards, especially when they have old vines, are a massive asset.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Shop our massive selection of 500+ German Rieslings on our web store now!

 

 

 

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 continuing to support our team and Happy Holidays!

Stay safe, be well, & drink well.

In This Newsletter:


James Suckling
Top 100 Wines of 2021 


Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 of 2021


Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines


Thanksgiving Selections: The Vinopolis Codex   


Vinopolis 15 Under $50 


Collector’s Corner:
Royal Tokaji

We’re Open for In-Store Shopping!

Vinopolis Wine Shop
will be closed 
Thursday the 25th 
in observation of Thanksgiving

We will reopen for our regular hours (10:00 AM to 6:00 PM) on Friday the 26th.  

This Shop Never Closes: www.vinopoliswineshop.com

10AM – 6PM Daily
Properly worn masks are required at all times.
We also offer Curbside Pickup
Order Online / By Phone / By Email



James Suckling
Top 100 Wines of 2021

#9 “Really incredible”
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $369 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2018 375ML ($249.95) $219 special, 6 half-bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “This is incredible on the nose, offering hot stones, blackcurrants, iodine and wet earth. Full-bodied with a tight center palate, then it opens with a tannin structure that is weightless and spreads across the palate. Totally integrated on the palate. This is a magic-carpet wine. Really incredible. One of the reference points for the vintage. Drinkable now and please try a bottle, but it’s one for the cellar.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

#35 “Long and true… Subtle and energetic.”
RAEN Sea Field Vineyard Pinot Noir, Fort Ross-Seaview 2019 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 99 points “This is really refined with black tea, rose petals, orange and blue fruit. It’s medium-bodied with wild-strawberry and forest-floor flavors. Medium-bodied with great vibrancy and beautiful tannins running through the center palate, which is stitched into the wine. Long and true. 100% whole-cluster fermentation. Subtle and energetic. Better after 2025.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

#55 “Lasts for minutes.”
Opus One Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($389.95) $365 pre-arrival special, ETA December 3rd
James Suckling 99 points “Extremely perfumed and floral with lavender, lilacs and violets to the sweet, ripe berries, such as blackberries and blackcurrants. Some slate and graphite, too. It’s full-bodied, yet ever so balanced and refined, with super fine tannins that last for minutes. Fresh herbs, such as bay leaf and lemon grass highlight the dark fruit. The quality of tannin is exquisite with wonderful polish and refinement. Lasts for minutes. So wonderful to taste now, but better after 2026.”

#62 “Transparent energy to this.”
Charles Smith K Vintners ‘M.C.K. Motor City Kitty’ Syrah, Washington 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “There’s real purity of fruit to this with blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate, as well as crushed-stone undertones. It’s full and focused with structure and purity. Transparent energy to this. Needs a couple of years. Better in 2023 onwards.”

#100 “Extremely long. Complex and thought-provoking…”
Royal Tokaji ‘Nyulaszo’ Aszu 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj, Hungary 2017 500ML ($149.95) $105 special, 10 500ml-bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “Spicy and earthy notes of ginseng, dried pineapple, candied citrus, fig and toffee apple. The sweetness is balanced and complemented by earthy, complex layers. Lots of spicy botrytis character. Extremely long. Complex and thought-provoking with so much dried-fruit and spicy flavor at the end. Dense and tight, yet agile. Delicious now, but if you give it another five or six years, you will see even more. 5,541 bottles produced.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

#32 – James Suckling Top 100 Spanish Wines

Envinate wines are highly sought after as authentic expressions of their terroirs and forerunners of the “New Spanish” wine movement. To quote wine writer Megan Krigbaum of Punch Magazine, “While winemaking driven by these ideals [of old-school and low-intervention management in the vineyard and winery] is commonplace in many parts of Italy and France—where the natural wine movement is manifest—Spain has been slower to adopt a less-is-more aesthetic over the ‘Big Flavor’ (i.e. ripe, excessively oaked) wines that came to define its wine culture. Envínate, for many buyers, is today’s best representation of the alternative. The wines have an undeniable transparency.”

Envinate ‘Lousas’ Vina de Aldea Ribera Sacra, Galicia 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 11 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Subtle aromas of ripe plums, cloves and black pepper with slate and stone, following through to a medium palate with firm, fine tannins and a flavorful finish. Subtle and complex. Drink now or hold.”

 

Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 of 2021 

Wine Enthusiast: 

#4 “. Full-bodied, chewy and tannic, it’s a potent wine with an assortment of herb, citrus and tree fruit elements all in a pleasing tangle”
The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($24.95) $17.70 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast Paul Gregutt 93 points “The tawny gold color belies the youth of this wine, and sure enough it’s moved ahead on the aging curve to where it is already in a prime drinking window. Full-bodied, chewy and tannic, it’s a potent wine with an assortment of herb, citrus and tree fruit elements all in a pleasing tangle. Drink through 2030. “

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines 

#1 ” Very fine-grained, but impressively sturdy in feel, with a long, lingering note of iron piercing the finish.”
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $369 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2018 375ML ($249.95) $219 special, 6 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “This is tightly packed, with sleek, pure, driven notes of cassis, plum reduction and blackberry puree allied to an iron spine, while subtle alder, juniper, sweet bay leaf and tobacco notes peek in throughout. Very fine-grained, but impressively sturdy in feel, with a long, lingering note of iron piercing the finish. For the cellar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best for 2024 through 2040.

#22 ” Very fine-grained, but impressively sturdy in feel, with a long, lingering note of iron piercing the finish.”
Arterberry Maresh Old Vines Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($47.95) $37 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points ” Very fine-grained, but impressively sturdy in feel, with a long, lingering note of iron piercing the finish., with pretty violet, raspberry and spiced tea accents that build tension and toward polished, medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. —T.F.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

#43 ” A juicy bomb of fruit, this red is also well-structured”
Carol Shelton ‘Wild Thing’ Old Vine Zinfandel Mendocino County 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Medocino County. A juicy bomb of fruit, this red is also well-structured, with lively raspberry, toasty spice and roasted sage flavors that linger on a snappy finish. Drink now through 2028. 9,085 cases made. — TF”

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

#76 ” The finely detailed mousse carries hints of saffron and spring blossom on the lingering finish”
Louis Roederer Collection Brut 242 Champagne NV ($69.95) $55 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A bright, harmonious Champagne, layering well-cut acidity and a chalky underpinning with flavors of white cherry, crunchy pineapple, green almond and beeswax. The finely detailed mousse carries hints of saffron and spring blossom on the lingering finish. Drink now through 2024. 

#87 ” A lovely mineral undertone matches the flavors of tea, peach and smoke on the long finish.”  
Chateau Pradeaux Cotes de Provence Rosé France 2020 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “This is a juicy, broad, orange-hued rose, with blood orange, orange peel and rosewater flavors backed by firm, focused acidity. A lovely mineral undertone matches the flavors of tea, peach and smoke on the long finish. ”  

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Thanksgiving Selections: The Vinopolis Codex   
 

Did your guest count get unexpectedly bigger? Still fleshing out your Thanksgiving spread? Regardless of circumstances we can at least make sure there’s enough wine to go around for everyone. The first course is usually reserved for conversational introductions and appetizers, making the ideal wine something light and ethereal. Champagne is the traditional choice but exclusively red wine drinkers have options for them as well. Lambrusco, the sparkling red wine from Northern Italy comes to mind. Much like red wine you find red fruited character that’s underscored by earthiness and tannins. 
 
First course picks in stock now: 

Champagne 

Gosset Grand Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne NV 1.5L ($219.95) $179 special, 7 magnums in stock now
Decanter 95 points “The most subtle lemony cloud hovers above a certain chalkiness on the nose. Utter subtlety also characterises the super-svelte palate that is as light as a feather, yet conveys great depth and creamy softness. The freshness seems buffered by chalk, the mousse serves to remind you that this is actually Champagne, so breezy, so light, so elegant is this. A wonderful combination of depth and weightlessness. Drinking Window 2020 – 2030.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Bright and graceful, this leads on the nose with racy chalk and smoke notes, a minerally underpinning for delicate flavors of Gala apple, blanched almond, fleur de sel and pickled ginger. Seamless and fresh, with a long finish. Drink now through 2025. 200 cases imported. — AN”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A finely textured Chardonnay, this is ripe and crisp with acidity, minerality and hints of nuttiness from bottle age. From the Côte des Blancs, the fruit in this Champagne has given a pure line of acidity and total textured freshness. Drink the bottling now. -Roger Voss”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92+ points “Based on the 2016 vintage and disgorged in September 2019, the new release of Gosset’s NV Brut Grand Blanc de Blancs (which will arrive in the US later this year) unwinds in the glass with notes of citrus oil, warm biscuits, green apple and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, deep and tightly wound, it’s racy and incisive, with a bright spine of acidity, chalky structure and a long, penetrating finish. As ever, this cuvée emphasizes Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims.”

This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!

Christophe Baron Crouttes-Sur-Marne ‘Le Dessus du Bois Marie’ Brut Nature Millesime Champagne 2016 1.5L ($319.95) $279 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Brut Nature Le Dessus Du Bois Marie (Magnum) is a wine of cut and precision. Lemon confit, spice, baked apple tart and pear notes abound. Here the expression is all about energy, tension and delineation. Tangerine oil, spice, crushed rocks and white flowers add the closing shades of complexity. Disgorged: March, 2020.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “Disgorged in March 2020 without dosage, Baron’s 2016 Brut Nature Le Dessus du Bois Marie is showing nicely, wafting from the glass with delicately exotic aromas of mandarin orange, pear, musky peach, clear honey and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and vinous, it’s fleshy and saline, with an enveloping core of fruit, lively acids and a long, mouthwatering finish.”

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

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.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Italy:

Vigneto Saetti ‘RossoViola’ Lambrusco Emilia-Romagna 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 90 points “Exotic spices, blackberries, hints of tangerine and air-dried meats create a beguiling bouquet as the 2019 Lambrusco Salamino Rosso Viola opens in the glass. Here I’m finding a savory and energetic expression with notes of sour citrus, ginger and tart red berries motivated by stimulating acidity. It tapers off long with a bitter twang of currants and young plums, as the mouth is left watering for more. The 2019 Rosso Viola is produced using metodo classico, and it was disgorged on November 10, 2020. “
Importer note “100% Lambrusco Salamino (a particular sub-variety of Lambrusco known for thick skins, dark color, high acidity and tight bunches). Certified-organically farmed, hand-harvested fruit from 50-year-old vines, crushed and spontaneously fermented in small steel tanks. Fermentation is spontaneous and is taken to complete dryness. Secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle, initiated by the addition of fresh grape must. The bottles are hand-riddled and -disgorged. No sulfur is added at any stage of the process.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Main course wines can be tricky, especially during the holidays. The multitudes of textures, fat levels and seasonings call for a wine that can act as a sensory “reset”. Wines with higher levels of tannin and acidity are perfectly suited for this task.

Main course picks in stock now: 

Piedmont: 

Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $68.50 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco Boschis is highly aromatic with anise, dried leather, and burnt orange. Ripe and structured, it offers ripe cherry, turned forest floor, and a long finish. The warmth of the vintage is felt while remaining fresh. Drink 2024-2042.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Aromas of rose, wild berries, leather and sunbaked underbrush come to the forefront. The wine was made with organically farmed grapes, and the palate shows an earthy elegance, featuring ripe cherry, blood orange, star anise and hints of truffle before closing on an iron note. Firm but refined tannins provide support. Drink 2027–2032. “
Decanter 94 points “In 2017, Cavallotto’s Bricco Boschis debuts a new label reporting the precise quantity of bottles produced. All but a monopole since 2014, today Alfio Cavallotto manages 15.4 of the Bricco’s 17 hectares. A fiercely traditional Barolo, it has a rather rustic, meaty profile, with dark fruits and earthy, tarry tones softened by rose. The assertive palate of firm, muscular and dusty tannins is well supported by great fruit concentration. A true Barolo, rather old fashioned yet with great potential for the long haul.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Available in numbered bottles, the organic Cavallotto 2017 Barolo Bricco Boschis is a generous and fleshed out expression that opens to immediate aromas of cherry, wild plum and cassis. There are floral notes as well, and some spice, licorice and grilled herb. Like many of the Barolos I tasted from this vintage, the bouquet is accessible and generous now, but the wine is tannic and more austere in terms of mouthfeel, requiring extra bottle age. The hope is that both the bouquet and the palate will evolve at the same pace. From 45-year-old vines, this was a release of exactly 19,410 bottles and 999 magnums.”

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

California:

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($299.95) $259 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is a blend of 78.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.4% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 5.1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slips effortlessly from the glass, singing of ripe black cherries, black raspberries and cassis, plus hints of red currants, roses, cinnamon stick and garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers lovely freshness, offering bags of perfumed black fruits in the mouth, beautifully supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long with lots of soft-spoken floral and mineral whispers. This perfumed beauty wears the 2018 vintage stamp well, presenting a more delicate expression of this vineyard—one that I love! 647 cases were made.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe and a bit showy in feel, with a blast of cassis and plum purée notes liberally laced with violet, singed applewood and red licorice notes. Then a nice mix of iron and warm stone accents cuts in on the finish, pulling everything together as the violet note takes an encore. Best from 2022 through 2038. 647 cases made. — JM”
 
Germany:

Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten Riesling Trocken Pfalz 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephen Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90+ points “The 2018 Riesling Bürgergarten “VDP. Erste Lage” needed three bottles to convince me until it opened clear, pure and intense, with crushed stones and fresh ginger aromas on the nose. Pure, fresh and bright on the palate, this is a lithe, lush and salty dry Riesling with refreshing mineral grip and tension on the finish. Tasted in Haardt, December 2019.”
Winery Note “Shades of minerality and the deep fruitiness of ripe stone fruit characterise this Riesling from Bu¨rgergarten. The 40-year-old vines ensure the perfect combination of concentration and refinement in its full, captivating body.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Oregon: 

Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge sits high atop the Dundee Hills; a collection of vines planted on their own roots in the mid-70’s. It’s unquestionably one of the most special sites in the Willamette Valley and though it’s better known for Pinot Noir, the Abbey Chard is fantastic.  This is the most limited of the Chardonnay bottlings from Cameron and isn’t produced every year.


And you can’t forget dessert! High acid and sweetness are the keys to success when pairing the final courses of the meal. For those skewing more European with a cheese plate at the end of the meal, dessert style wines are downright magical when paired with Stilton, Pierre Robert or Viejo Manchego. 

Dessert course picks in stock now: 

France: 

Chateau Raymond-Lafon Sauternes 2006 750ML ($49.95) $38 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Unctuous, sporting apricot, glazed pear and creamed melon flavors, with a lush coconut-tinged finish. A nice floral hint weaves in and out, adding length and vivacity, too. Drink now through 2020. 2,165 cases made. — JM”

Pierre Gerbais L’Unique Doux Champagne NV (2015) 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 8 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “A sweet Champagne produced from late-harvested Pinot Blanc from a parcel of ancient vines, the 2015 Doux L’Unique exhibits aromas of pear, fresh apricot and white flowers, followed by a medium to full-bodied, rich and fleshy palate that’s sweet but lively. Youthful and expressive, this would make for a beautiful desert wine.”
Importer note “2015. 100% Pinot Blanc. Vine Age: Majority planted in 1904. Terroir: Kimmeridgian, mostly from lieu-dit Les Proies (marl and limestone soils, 10,000 vines per hectare plantation density). Viticulture: Certified sustainable (Ampelos) since 1996. 62 g/L dosage, 3 years on the lees.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Cuvee Constance’ Moelleux Loire 2015 500ML ($249.95) $159 special, 11 500ml-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 99 points “Stunning from the start, with a silky and refined feel despite the panoply of dried quince, fig, pear and apricot flavors that are exotic in nature. Lovely green tea, orange blossom and persimmon notes fill in the background. Obviously sweet, but with persistent dry almond and orange extract details that lend latent tension through the seamless and nearly endless finish. The first Cuvee Constance bottling since the 2009 vintage. Drink now through 2060.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Rarely produced and selected from the vineyards Le Haut-Lieu, Le Mont and Clos du Bourg, Huet’s 2015 Vouvray “Cuvée Constance” offers a deep, clear, intense and concentrated nose of ripe stone fruits, peanut butter cookie, spicy, earthy-mineral and some volatile aromas. Sweet, salty, piquant and mineral with a firm structure and very elegant, concentrated, refined fruit, this is a sweet wine with great purity and mineral finesse on the very long, promising finish. The 2016 is still pretty sweet (142 grams of residual sugar) and should be cellared for at least two or three decades. Total production: 2,800 500-milliliter bottles. Tasted February 2018.”
John Gilman 98 points “I have been looking forward to the release of Domaine Huët’s 2015 Cuvée Constance ever since I tasted a year ago the rest of the stunning range of wines produced here in the vintage. It is a great vintage for Domaine Huët and the Cuvée Constance is everything one could hope for from the confluence of this great estate and a legendary vintage. The wine is still very youthful, but its ultimate brilliance is very easy to see, as the wine wafts from the glass in a celestial constellation of orange, fresh apricot, incipient tea leaves, a nice touch of soil, hints of lanolin, orange peel, barley sugar and a hint of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is pure, full and nascently complex, with laser-like focus, a bottomless core, great acids and marvelous balance on the very, very long, zesty and energetic finish. This is still a very young wine and will need years to start to show its secondary and tertiary layers of complexity, but they are lurking here and in the fullness of time, this will be breathtaking in its beauty. (Drink between 2025-2100)

Germany:

Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Eiswein Nahe 2016 375ML ($99.95) $79 special, 23 half-bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94 points “Korrell is one of the Nahe’s latest break out stars and every wine I’ve tried from Martin Korrell has been absolutely stunning, including this Eiswein. Crafted from old vines at their estate monopole Paradies Vineyard in Bad Kreuznach, from those grapes that hang out until the first freeze and were individual berry picked off the vine. Concentrated in sugars, but still bristling with natural acidity the gorgeous and opulent 2016 Korrell Eiswein Paradies goes on and on in mouth. Even with the residual sugar levels off the carts, this wine stays incredibly balanced and doesn’t drink as sweet as you’d imagine, making for a heavenly experience from its perfumed nose to its lingering tropical fruits. This is entrancing stuff with layers of lychee, candied pineapple, apricot jelly, honeycomb, lime blossom, white roses, chamomile, a hint of spearmint, mineral spice and cool wet stone. A rare and exotic, this Korrell Eiswein is treat beyond words, and, while the Mosel is better known for sweet wines, I have found the Nahe in some vintages are more than equal. In fact I still think a contender for the greatest wine I ever tasted was one of Donnhoff’s version of Eiiswein from just up the river! While Tokaji and Sauternes grab sweet wine headlines, I honestly believe the Germans have them beat with TBA’s and Eiswein, because of the racy acidity that still remains in these Riesling beauties. Korrell used specially selected yeasts as there is no chance to do Sponti on the ultra concentrated Paradies Eiswein, it needs extra special attention to detail, Korrell adds. It is pressed in a special small press for sweet wines with low quantity, read tiny production, but not wooden because they don’t want too much air contact [so as] to keep and preserve the exotic fruit aromas as much as possible as well as fresh details. Tasted from 375ml, half bottle, the 2016 Korrell Paradies Eiswein is an amazing product, and sadly isn’t listed in the United States as of yet, though their Trocken(s) should be available later this spring or early summer, so remember this one for if and when you get to Germany.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

We carry a full assortment of sweeter wine styles including Port, German Riesling and Tokaji. 

 

Vinopolis
15 Under $50  

In Stock Now:

Exceptionally old vines and 5 years of aging on the lees before disgorgement make this a benchmark example of the style.  
Avinyo Seleccio La Ticota Gran Reserva Cava Catalonia 2014 750ML ($49.95) $37 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Importer note “La Ticota, Avinyó’s oldest single vineyard, is a 2ha plot planted in 1940 by their grandfather to 85% xarel-lo and 15% macabeo, in primarily clay-calcareous soil. La Ticota produces one of the most distinctive and complex single-vineyard méthode traditionnelle wines from Spain. Produced in very limited quantities from the best vintages, it is among the great single-vineyard sparkling wines of the world. La Ticota is currently undergoing the certification process in the newly-formed Cava de Paraje designation of the Cava D.O., a new category that recognizes the uniqueness of “a smaller area” of the appellation on the label, similar to Burgundy’s climats or lieux-dits.”

The oldest vines under Kruger-Rumpf’s spade that drinks like a Grosses Gewächs at half the price!
Kruger-Rumpf Abtei ‘1937 Reserv’ Riesling Trocken Nahe 2018 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94-96 points “The 2018 barrel sample of Kruger-Rumpf’s Abtei 1937 was stunningly gorgeous with brilliant details, ripe extract density, vivid mineral tones and vibrant acidity showing a purity and vitality of youth, but with the complexity and length of its old vine material. Georg Rumpf has crafted a Trocken beauty here with layers of delicacy and substance. This juice is on par with almost any GG, making it an incredible value already. Be sure to book your allocation of this ultra-limited bottling from Terry These and importer Skurnik Wines. You will not be disappointed, I know I will be hustling to get some myself. The regular Abtei offering is one of my new favorite Nahe Rieslings and while I love all the latest Kruger-Rumpf wines, especially from the Grosse Lage: Münsterer Dautenpflänzer, Münsterer im Pitterberg and Dorsheimer Burgberg, as well as exotic Rumpf’s Scheurebe plus their off dry Kabinett, Feinherb and wonderfully balanced Spatlese(s) I have become obsessed with the Bingerbrücker Abtei im Ruppertsberg vineyard and wines. This ’18 starts with subtle aromatic charm with orange blossom, rosewater, flinty stones, salt lick and quinces before thrilling the palate with energy and white peach, tangerine, lime intensity, verbena, mint tea and tart green apple. This light/medium dry Riesling is brisk and racy, at first but gains depth and builds with air in the glass adding some leesy texture, it is totally thrilling and will only get better with bottle age. Terry Theise adds that, Kuger-Rumpf’s vineyards are farmed sustainably; bees are kept nearby to facilitate pollination and aid in overall bio-diversity. Periodically sheep are allowed to roam the vines helping to control underbrush. All vineyards are hand harvested to ensure that only optimally ripe grapes are selected. Stefan believed that “you can’t improve wine in the cellar, only make it worse…” and Georg has continued his cellar work with this philosophy in mind, which to me shows in wines like this fantastic Abtei.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 91 points “This bottling is sourced from the oldest vines, planted in 1937, on an exciting steep, stony site that the Rumpfs are restoring (and about which you can read much more in my reviews of the Rumpfs’ vintage 2016 and inaugural vintage 2015 renditions of Abtei Riesling, both of which originated entirely in this oldest parcel). In electing to segregate the fruit of these old vines for a separate bottling – while fruit from younger parcels 2020 informs the “regular” Abtei bottling (which in 2018 is designated A.P. #30) – the Rumpfs also decided to permit the fruit a bit longer skin contact and to raise the wine in a relatively new 1,200-liter cask. The nose anticipates the deeper sense of peachy fruit on tap here vis-à-vis the A.P. #30. The feel is glossy and silken, and the impressively sustained finish features a stony, alkaline and as such rather hard and austere sense of mineral matter, which serves for suitable counterpart to the fruit. What I miss are the mouthwatering salinity, herbal pungency and brightly juicy abundance of the A.P. #30. Those are not virtues that I anticipate emerging here with time in bottle, and since they were characteristics of previous Abtei bottlings, I tend to believe that skin contact and wood influence have made the unfortunate difference. But would that I might be lucky enough to one day re-taste the two wines side by side and perhaps be contradicted!”

The cult rosé of Provence, and widely considered the best in the world. 
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose Provence 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Light orange-pink. Expressive, mineral-accented orange zest, red currant, nectarine and succulent floral and herb aromas take on a spicy nuance with air. Lively and sharply focused in the mouth, offering concentrated red berry, pit fruit, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors and a hint of tarragon. The mineral and floral notes drive an impressively long, precise finish that leaves white peach and spice notes behind.”

An endlessly nuanced Riesling that can convert anyone into an Austrian Riesling aficionado. 
Weingut Leo Alzinger Ried Hohereck Riesling Smaragd Wachau 2018 750ML ($64.95) $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91+ points “From a very small cru between Hollerin and Loibenberg and cultivated in pretty shallow soils, the 2018 Riesling Smaragd Ried Höhereck is concentrated and warm on the nose, with dried white fruit aromas intermixed with lovely herbal and stony aromas. Rich and concentrated on the lush and fleshy palate, this is a full-bodied, dense and firmly structured Riesling that combines warmth and ripeness with the coolish mineral drive of the terroir. The acidity is remarkably fresh, and the wine develops a long, tensioned finish that is still a bit drying. Keep for three or so years before drinking.”
Terry Theise note “How inconvenient that my usual-favorite of Alzinger’s Rieslings is the one they barely make. It’s a tiny plot and they get “around 800 bottles” in a good year. Yes—bottles. All I can say, after all these years, is—from this tiny place comes one of the earth’s great wines, the terminus of every great facet of Wachau Riesling, the herbs from this, the peaches and plums from that, the mangoes from another, the smoke from yet another—all there. This `18 has its spells and angles and salts and roasts and smokes and incenses. But my shaman-riesling is still waking up from his psilocybin dream. Patience….”

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A premier cru vineyard divided by an Ancient Roman road from the Grand Cru Blanchot.
Domaine Louis Michel & Fils Montee de Tonnerre Chablis Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 31 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2019 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre opens in the glass with notes of pear, green apple, wet stones, iodine and fresh pastry. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, it’s taut and concentrated, with bright acids and a long, saline finish. It’s derived from holdings in Chapelot.”


James Suckling #1 producer of 2021.
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay Kumeu 2020 750ML ($49.95) $45 special, 15 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “This is a wine of real purity and elegance with fresh sliced peaches and lemons, as well as some light pastry notes. The palate is fine, unwaveringly long and pure with enlivening acidity through the finish. Stunning. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Rebecca Gibb Mw-Vinous 93 points “Another typically weighty expression from Kumeu’s Coddington vineyard, the 2020 Chardonnay Coddington fills the midpalate with its density and breadth. It is a wine of clarity, the oak-derived smoky, nutty notes providing a savory layer over nectarine and lemon meringue. However, this is not a wine that needs multiple flavor descriptors; it’s a wine of texture. Expect the smooth, mellow mouthfeel to be followed up with lovely precision and sinew on the lengthy, smoky finish.”

“Liquid Slate” Riesling coming from one of the steepest vineyards in the world. 
Heymann-Lowenstein ‘B’ Uhlen Blaufusser Lay Mosel 2016 750M ($69.95) $49 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2016 Riesling Uhlen B ‘VDP Grosse Lage’ is pure, fresh and rich at the same time, with flinty aromas on the nose. Full-bodied, precise and piquant on the palate, this is an elegant, fresh and salty Riesling with a lot of tension and length. Powerful. Long.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers a gorgeous nose of candied grapefruit zest, some star fruit, ripe pear and apple, all wrapped into the telltale classy touch of fine spices and herbs so typical of the Estate. The wine is medium-bodied on the palate and leaves a beautifully pure, spicy and mineral-loaded feel in the long and delicately powerful finish. This is a gorgeous wine in the making with a hint of power and nice saltiness in the after-taste.”

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Made from some of the oldest planted Cabernet and Merlot in the entire country, Rubicon has consistently won “best in category” from publications as far away as London and New York. 
Meerlust Rubicon Stellenbosch 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
*No Reviews available for 2017. 2016 review provided for reference* 
Decanter 93 points “Cedar wood, spice, a touch of fynbos on nose and palate. Good acidity and layers of flavour that balance the ripe fruit, with a deft touch. Drinking Window 2021 – 2028.”

Evocative of Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet, with a pervasive basaltic character. 
Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
VinpolNote: Old Hill Ranch planted a block of Cabernet in 1983 on a rootstock known as “AXR”. Fast forward 20 years and the block was infected by phylloxera due to an undiagnosed susceptibility in AXR. This means that the block is in the process of dying, with the resulting wine being every bit of a “Swan song” you’d expect.      

The “Cabernet of Campania” made from old vines. Botanicals and spices are accentuated by black and blue fruits with a volcanic finish. 
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG Campania 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “This 2013 is a classic Taurasi, showing a mix of red and black fruits, offset by rosy florals, savory herbs, minerals, leather tones, and a hint of balsamic spice. On the palate, silky textures give way to spicy red fruits, energized by zesty acids with cool-toned sweet herbs and saturating minerality. The 2013 Contrade di Taurasi finishes long, with a twang of acid making the mouth water, as grippy tannins settle in and echoes of black berries linger on.”
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Aromas of black cooking spice, dark-skinned berry and blue flower swirl around in the glass. On the palate, firm, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity balance dried black cherry, clove and freshly ground pepper. Drink 2021–2030.”

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Sourced from the Rocks district of Milton-Freewater, promising dense structure and minerality. 
Walls Vineyards ‘Wonderful Nightmare’ Tempranillo Walla Walla Valley  2018 750ML ($ 54.95) $44 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2018 Tempranillo Wonderful Nightmare comes from the Stoney Vine Vineyard and is a complex, exotic example of the variety, offering loads of herbes de Provence, peppered meats, charcoal, and violets, all supported by a wonderful core of ripe red, blue, and black fruits. With medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and ripe tannins, it’s another remarkable, pure, balanced wine from The Walls that can be drunk any time over the coming 10-15 years, if not longer.”

A barrel selection meant to highlight the vineyard sources and represent the house style of Crowley.
Crowley Entre Nous Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $37 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The first wine Crowley ever created. Over time, Entre Nous has morphed into a blend of our favorite barrels in the cellar, and represents our La Colina and Four Winds Vineyards. This wine is consistently intriguing – notes of mushroom, cedar, citrus melt into bright cherry, strawberry and light chocolate.”

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These are the oldest of her vines, averaging 60 years, and all are pergola-trained, growing in clay-rich soils. Also, due to the thicker skins and need for oxygen during vinification, 30% of the wine is matured for twelve months in new barrique.
Azienda Vitivinicola Tiberio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Italy 2017 750ML ($54.95) $44.50 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95+ points “Garnering an official “wow” from the very first tilt of the glass, the 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Archivio is breathtaking. Roses, violets, stone dust and sour citrus set the stage, deepening with notes of ripe blackberries, cherries and hints of brown spice. It’s profoundly textural, as a silky wave ushers in ripe red and hints of blue fruit, spice, licorice and sweet lavender. This dances across the palate, pliant and soothing at times but then angular and boisterous at others, leaving a fine coating of saturating tannin behind. I love the harmony here, already so likable yet also youthfully reserved. My best advice is to check in on at least one bottle now, but to lose the rest in your cellar for a number of years. The Archivio is produced from four separate biotypes in Cristiana Tiberio’s vineyard. These are the oldest of her vines, averaging 60 years, and all are pergola-trained, growing in clay-rich soils. Also, due to the thicker skins and need for oxygen during vinification, 30% of the wine is matured for twelve months in new barrique. This is a whole new level for Tiberio Montepulciano.”

Floral and spice notes give the 2017 lovely aromatics to play off a core of sweet red berry fruit.
Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is an attractive, mid-weight wine that shows the more gracious, understated side of the year. Floral and spice notes give the 2017 lovely aromatics to play off a core of sweet red berry fruit. This is a very pretty wine.”

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Collector’s Corner:
Royal Tokaji
 

 

There are only a handful of wines in the world considered “Immortal” in terms of its life in the bottle. The most famous of these is without a doubt Tokaji. The confluence of high acid, prodigious sugar levels, perfect terroir and masterful cellarwork is what makes these wines so long lived, with bottles that are hundreds of years old still being drinkable. They’re also among some of the highest selling wines at auction, with 500ml bottles selling for tens of thousands of dollars or more!  

Have you ever had something that tasted so good you thought there was a secret ingredient? Marzio Galeotto, an Italian merchant in the 1460’s widely proclaimed that Tokaji contained flecks of actual gold. This sparked a centuries long obsession with the region, with an inexhaustible list of historical figures who proclaimed their love for the wines including Thomas Jefferson, Catherine the Great, Tolstoy and the Sun King himself, Louis the 14th who made it the court wine of Versailles. We offer a plethora of examples from Royal Tokaji Co, a producer credited with reintroducing Tokai to the world of fine wine after the elimination of the Iron Curtain. These are benchmark wines that you should try at least once in your lifetime, and have at least one in the cellar.    

In stock now: 

Royal Tokaji ‘Betsek’ Single Vineyard Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2016 500ML ($149.95) $119 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 96 points “The 2016 Betsek First Growth Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos contains the most residual sugar this vintage, at 185.8g/L. The clean, pure bouquet offers dried honey, a light adhesive note, lanolin and candle wax, very complex and mercurial in the glass. The elegant, well-balanced palate features apricot, quince, marmalade and a touch of ginger. What I adore is the manner in which this Betsek builds in the mouth and fans out like a great Tokaji ought to. Another outstanding single-vineyard offering from the Royal Tokaji Company. 

Royal Tokaji ‘Nyulaszo’ Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2016 500ML ($149.95) $119 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Nyulászó First Growth Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos, which delivers 180g/L residual sugar, has a deep, honeyed, slightly more introverted bouquet compared to the Ste. Tamás. It gradually reveals scents of manuka honey, orange pith and quince jus, yet it clearly deserves several years to really open. The palate is very well balanced, harmonious and brimming with tension. Pears, Seville orange marmalade, hints of mandarin and fresh figs vie for attention. This is a powerful, intense Tokaji, but razor-sharp, delivering real precision and “bite” toward the finish. Outstanding.”

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Royal Tokaji ‘Mezes Maly’ Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2017 500ML ($179.95) $149 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 95 points “The 2017 Tokaji Mézes Mály 6-Puttonyos, which comes from vines on loess soils, has a beautiful nose. Very pure but not intense, it offers scents of honeysuckle, clementine, lemon sherbet and a touch of black currant leaf, all showing wonderful definition. The palate is is very well balanced with impressive weight, but like the nose, there is a subtlety, a lightness of touch from start to finish. Elegant and poised, this is a very classy effort from one of Tokaji’s most renowned sites and it will age with class. 2,665 bottles produced.”

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Royal Tokaji ‘Szt. Tamas’ Aszu 6 Puttonyos Tokaj 2017 500ML ($149.95) $112 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 95 points “The 2017 Tokaji Szt. Tamás 6-Puttonyos comes from red-clay topsoils in the commune of Mád. This is more backward compared to the Mézes Mály, and very much more citrus-driven, featuring lemon peel, orange zest and crushed stone aromas; the Aszú element is more discreet. The fresh, vibrant palate is well balanced and harmonious, offering a fine bead of acidity and candied orange peel toward the finish. Edgier than Royal Tokaji’s other 2017s, and perhaps spicier on the finish, this will be fascinating to observe mature in bottle. 3,635 bottles produced.”

 

 

 

 

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.

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Stay safe, be well, & drink well.

In This Newsletter:

Beautiful Beaujolais, by Cru and Cuvée

New Week – New Arrivals

Budget-Friendly Holiday Picks from Piedmont:
Featuring G.D. Vajra

VinopolPicks:
15 Under 15

Watching for New Cayuse? You’re in luck. 

Collector’s Corner: 
Biondi Santi Ultra Rare Releases

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Beautiful Beaujolais, by Cru and Cuvée

Newly Arrived Staff Picks!

In the spirit of Beaujolais Nouveau we tried a selection of newly released Cru’s and Cuvee’s from the biggest stars in the region. From industry juggernauts who created their appellations by sheer willpower, to the small farmers that sparked a revolution; We’ve got a producer for everyone!  

Chateau du Moulin-A-Vent:

Nina: Displaying the broodier side of Gamay, This Moulin a vent has intense aromas of Blackberry and licorice with a hint of smoke. Polished and dark, with deep fruit character of charred strawberry, pomegranate, kirsch and Marasca Cherry with a granitic finish. The acid and tannin are firmly medium, and have a pervasive minerality in both the aromas and finish. The finish is structured yet supple and slightly tannic.  

Chateau du Moulin-a-Vent ‘Moulin-a-Vent’ Couvent des Thorins, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Shimmering ruby. Powerful blackberry, cherry and licorice aromas are complicated by suggestions of smoky minerals and violet. Well-concentrated and broad in the mouth, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavors enlivened by a snap of cracked pepper. Slowly building tannins frame the finish, which lingers with very good, dark-fruit-driven persistence.”

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The average price nationally is $27

Grant: One of the most famous houses in Beaujolais as one of the “Gang of Four”. Breton took the world by storm with his meticulously farmed and multifaceted iterations of Gamay Noir. The Morgon is especially classic and delivers the typical floral character like rose petals, violets and clover flower against black cherries and summer strawberry.

Bre: This dry, well-structured offering from Guy Breton displays notes of fresh, crushed red berries, cherry cola and anise. Soft tannins, refreshing acidity and a lingering blue fruited finish make this a natural pairing for all holiday entrees and sides. Just pop a bottle in the fridge while you’re waiting for the dinner rolls to rise!   

Guy Breton Régnié, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Shimmering, youthful purple. Mineral-accented cherry and black raspberry aromas are underscored by a spicy element that builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet dark berry and spicecake flavors along with complicating suggestions of licorice and candied violet. The spice and floral notes build steadily through an impressively long, smooth finish, which is framed by harmonious tannins that fold slowly into the wine’s intense fruit. Many of these vines are over a century old now.”

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Guy Breton Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($41.95) $37 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Brilliant, bright-rimmed ruby. A highly complex, expressive bouquet displays intense red and blue fruit liqueur, cherry compote and incense aromas, along with notes of star anise, smoked meat and lavender. Silky, broad and spicy on the palate, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, cherry cola and floral pastille flavors that convey depth as well as energy. Chewy tannins build steadily through the sweet, broad finish, which shows outstanding persistence and leaves behind sappy blue fruit and floral notes.”

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The average price nationally is $43

Jean-Paul Thevenet: 

Trevor: A very bright and fresh Gamay. This has plenty of acid with some lingering spice notes that will make it very food friendly and Versatile on any dinner table. There’s a candied structure to it that should go perfect with a classic Turkey and cranberry sauce dish, cranberry Turkey meatballs for those more adventurous 😉

Jean-Paul Thevenet Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($39.95) $35.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer note “It’s not easy to raise the bar when your father revolutionized winemaking in a given region, but that is precisely what Charly Thévenet has accomplished with this 2019 Morgon. Building upon the creed of sustainable farming and natural winemaking that brought the “Gang of Four” to the limelight, Charly has brought his own touch, resulting in cru Beaujolais that presents hedonistic pleasure and serious pedigree: chilling the grapes down before fermentation preserves vibrant fruit and freshness, while his decision to forgo punch-downs and pump-overs yields a silky-fine grain without sacrificing underlying structure. Dip your nose into this Morgon for a kaleidoscope of sublime aromas—the spice box perfume could well come from Vosne-Romanée, but no, this is pure Gamay grown in granite, as swallowable as we could ever dream of.”

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The average price nationally is $42

Staff Favorites In Stock Now:

Gamay Noir is considered the apex of Thanksgiving reds, with Dubois making some of the most “glou-glou” or easy drinking in the whole region. Plus, if you’re gonna stick a chicken on the label, make it a flock.
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Cocottes, Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($35.95) $29 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie Les Cocottes, Beaujolais 2020 1.5L ($99.95) $69 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Importer note “Starting with the 2015 vintage, Anne-Sophie has decided to release a different side of her Fleurie. Up until then, all of her Fleuries were 100% destemmed and fermented in a Burgundian-style. In stark contrast to her usual style, she is making Les Cocottes with 100% whole cluster and using carbonic maceration. It is released the spring after the vintage and is intended to be fruit driven and drunk early & often. The label was drawn by Anne-Sophie herself. (She’s really into art.)”

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The crown jewel of Yohan Lardy’s estate is an inherited parcel that was planted in 1903. Hand farmed and without any synthetic inputs whatsoever, this is an incredibly transparent example of Moulin a Vent’s terroir. The heat waves of the vintage were considered worrisome for younger vine parcels, but older vines were able to cope and ripen to unprecedented levels. The result in Lardy’s bottling is a “Cabernet Lover’s Gamay” with a persistently jammy and candied fruit character.        

Yohan Lardy Moulin-a-Vent Vieilles Vignes de 1903 Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Yohan Lardy Moulin-a-Vent Vieilles Vignes de 1903 Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($219.95) $175 special (that’s only $29.17/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Saturated magenta. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe, spice-tinged red and dark berries, licorice, violet and smoky minerals. Palate-staining black raspberry, bitter cherry, blueberry, floral pastille and succulent herb flavors turn sweeter as the wine opens up. Shows impressive power and sharp definition on the subtly tannic finish, which leaves cherry pit, allspice and floral notes behind.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. Exceptional in its density, this wine comes from 116-year-old vines that yield small berries with concentration. The wine is dark and firm, with a great structure, packed black fruits and spice from the wood aging. Drink from 2023. -Roger Voss” 

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The average listed price is $34

Consistently a Burgundy-hound’s favorite Beaujolais producer and a gem in the cellar. Stun your friends that think Beaujolais is spelled “N-O-U-V-E-A-U” 
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Glistening ruby. Mineral-inflected red/blue fruits on the assertively perfumed nose, along with incense, exotic spices and fresh flowers. Alluringly sweet and penetrating, offering intense boysenberry and raspberry flavors braced by juicy acidity. Fine-grained tannins add spine to a wonderfully long, sappy finish that strongly repeats the floral and mineral notes.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $39

Love Beaujolais? You’ll adore the charming Willamette Valley wines from Vincent Fritzsche:

“This is an exciting winery to start following, joining a ever expanding set of new generation labels in Oregon that are hand crafting wines of passion and terroir.” –Kerry Winslow, Grapelive

Vincent Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18.50 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 90 points “the Gamay has loads of personality and very naturally styled with zesty pure fruits and a touch of raw savory tones with fresh strawberry, plum, cranberry and macerated cherries leading the way on the light and tangy palate. Vincent Fritzsche…has a delicious collection of wines, all of which are incredibly well priced, especially this one. This unfiltered ruby hued Gamay, best served with a chill, opens nicely with floral detail, some blue fruits, earthiness, a herbal crunch and an almost old work funk, reminding me of Clos de la Roilette Fleurie, impressive, less fruity and fun stuff that goes well with simple cuisine….Fritzsche employs a natural and traditional winemaking with all of his wines, with his Gamay seeing partial whole cluster, vintage dependent, non carbonic fermentation with gentle pigeage and all native yeast, allowing things to get going before doing daily punch downs and a light wetting of the cap during the maceration. Once dry, usually after 18 to 24 days the wine is pressed and settled for close to three days before going into well used barrels, some up to ten years old, with the elevage lasting about a year in the oak. Very little is done in the cellar, except for ultra small doses of sulfur for stability as these wines are bottled without filtration.… This is an exciting winery to start following, joining a ever expanding set of new generation labels in Oregon that are hand crafting wines of passion and terroir.”

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Vincent Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML $(24.95) $22.75 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Like the Ribbon Ridge bottling, the Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills reflects what is special about its appellation. The wine is fruit from Zenith, Bjornson and Temperance Hill vineyards, blended and bottled after 10 months of aging in older French oak. A signature element of the Eola-Amity Hills is the wind. Each afternoon during the growing season, ocean breezes come through the coast range and cool the western valley including the Eola-Amity Hills. This translates in the wines as structure – acid from the cooler afternoons and nights, and tannin from the grapes growing just a bit tougher in the wind. They’re subtle differences, but you can taste them. The 2019 is classic Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir, with red raspberries fruit, all the red fruit sweetness with the tang of a proper raspberry. The aromas are a bit lifted in the 2019, giving a drive to the fragrance of the wine. Where the Ribbon Ridge is a touch broader, the Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir has just a bit more nerve. Good now and for several years. Four barrels produced.”

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Vincent Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 12 bottles in stock now
“There’s a devoted cult following for Vincent Fritzsche’s graceful Pinot Noirs but the outside world seems blithely unaware of the consistent quality here. Fritzsche sources fruit from some of the Willamette Valley’s most esteemed vineyards and then pretty much leaves it alone.” – Josh Raynolds, Vinous

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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New Week – New Arrivals

Oregon

Built for the long haul, An exceptionally bold, structured and colored Pinot Noir.   
Zena Crown Vineyard Confier Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 70ML ($89.95) $69 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Offering verve and persistence, this Pinot is taut at first but slowly blooms into dynamic blueberry and black cherry flavors that are accented by forest floor and spice tea. Best from 2023 through 2031. 334 cases made. — TF”

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California

An exceptional vintage that’s drinking beautifully now yet will reward further cellaring. 
Cardinale Estate Red Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($379.95) $319 special, only 6 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is based on a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot that spent 22 months in 81% new French oak. It’s a wonderfully complete, borderline perfect wine that shows the class of this estate as well as the vintage, revealing a seamless, full-bodied style that carries lots of blackcurrant, graphite, lead pencil, and tobacco aromatics, a deep, layered mid-palate, ultra-fine tannins, and flawless balance. As with most of Chris’s 2018s, it’s a wine that builds slowly with time in the glass, offering a layered, singular character. It’s a gorgeous 2018 that can be drunk today with ample pleasure, but it will ideally be given 4-6 years of bottle age, at which point it should evolve gracefully for 30-40 years.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98 points “Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, the 2018 Cardinale was aged in French oak barrels for 22 months, 81% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it prances out of the glass with gregarious notions of warm cassis, black cherries and wild blueberries, followed by emerging earth scents with a tobacco and garrigue undercurrent. Medium to full-bodied, gracefully styled and refreshing, the vibrant black and blue-fruited palate offers a wonderfully fine-grained texture and bags of energy, finishing long with a skip in its step. 5,107 cases were made.”

Lush and exuberant Cali Cab:
Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder 2016 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 36 bottles in stock now 
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Brave is fabulous. Inky, rich and explosive, the 2018 possesses tremendous depth and tons of personality. Graphite, blue/purplish fruit, blackberry jam, bittersweet chocolate, sage, lavender, menthol give the 2018 tons of character to match its explosive feel. The brooding, backward wine is going to need quite a bit of time to unwind, but boy is it gorgeous.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Lots of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as classic Mount Veeder notes of lavender, violets, bouquet garni, and rocky, mineral-like notes emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. A deep, full-bodied mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a plush, layered texture, beautiful tannins, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and a great finish. Another head-turning wine from this label, it’s a candidate for the best Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon out there at the price point.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 95+ points “A blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder was aged for 22 months in oak barrels, 82% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it springs from the glass with vibrant crème de cassis, baked plums and Morello cherries scents, followed by nuances of sautéed herbs, clove oil, mocha and scorched earth. The full-bodied palate is densely laden with layers of black and blue fruits, sporting a rock-solid backbone of grainy tannins and great tension, finishing long and minerally. 6,753 cases were made.”

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France – Champagne

Philipponnat’s portfolio is “one of the finest in Champagne,” to quote Peter Liem, with exceptional history and mastery of their craft.

Philipponnat Blanc de Blancs ‘Grand Blanc’ Extra Brut 2009 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “Aromatic with spring blossom and pastry dough notes, this creamy Champagne backs flavors of ripe yellow pear, grilled nut and star fruit with a firm spine of fresh acidity. Minerally finish. Disgorged July 2019. Drink now through 2027. 1,643 cases made, 25 cases imported. — AN”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2009 Extra-Brut Grand Blanc shows the natural radiance of the year in a supple, racy personality. Hints of tropical fruit, pineapple, butter, pastry and vanillin notes all run through this super-expressive, inviting Blanc des Blancs from Philipponnat. The 2009 is a terrific choice for near and medium-term drinking. The Grand Blanc is a blend of fruit from Grauves, Trepaille, Avenay-Val-d’Or, Vertus and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. Dosage is 4.25 grams per liter.”
Importer note “Grand Blanc—pure Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims, including a small part from Clos des Goisses—beautifully combines minerality and richness.”

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Philipponnat Royale Réserve Brut NV 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “This is the nonvintage Champagne from this producer. With its richness and high percentage of Pinot Noir, it reflects the house style. Touches of spice and a light structure give shape to the white fruits. Drink now. -Roger Voss”
Wine Spectator 92 points “A fragrant element of lightly toasted hazelnut is a rich base note in this fine and creamy Champagne, layered with finely meshed flavors of baked white cherry, lemon curd, spun honey and pickled ginger. Plush in texture, with a fine spine of lemony acidity providing focus and definition.”
Decanter 92 points “Always open in the exposition of the origins of its wines, Philipponnat has upped the stakes of late by not only adding foudres to its vinification armoury but also increasing volumes from two separate Réserves Perpétuelles. The result is impressive; Pinot power writ large in red fruit and biscuity complexity, with resonance on the back palate, the ensemble still harnessed by disarmingly energetic freshness.”
2016 base 


France – Alsace

Made only in the best of vintages making this a truly special wine 
Trimbach Riesling Selection de Vieilles Vignes, Alsace 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “#2 WOTY 2020. Initial smoky notes of reduction make way for a pervasive, subtle but luminous lemon freshness on the nose of this wine. The palate shows exquisite concentration in lemon freshness. It’s bone dry, vivid and fresh. Drink until 2045. -Anne Krebiehl MW”
James Suckling 95 points “Solid white with density and searing dryness and minerality that is very impressive with sliced apples, lemons and white peaches. Super energy. Drink now or hold.”


Italy – Veneto

A small, family-owned estate which has been producing delightfully drinkable Amarone wines for 100+ years.
Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A nose of redcurrants, plums, spices, nuts and mocha. It’s medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Balanced and focused with a nice structure and a creamy texture on the palate. Flavorful finish with delicious length. Supple. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico opens up with an inviting yet somewhat understated mix of peppery florals, cherry liquor, plums and sage. Here I’m finding silky textures offset by tart wild berry fruits, salty minerals and brisk acids in an expression that is much more savory than sweet. A coating of fine tannins lingers, along with a note of baker’s chocolate. I have to give Farina credit for creating such a versatile and balanced expression of Amarone.”


Italy – Tuscany

Villa Cafaggio Basilica del Cortaccio Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT 2015 750ML ($49.95) Was $33, Now $27 super special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Villa Cafaggio Basilica del Cortaccio Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT 2015 750ML ($199.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “From a special 4.2-hectare plot of Cabernet Sauvignon in Panzano in Chianti, the 2015 Basilica del Cortaccio is very true to this French grape. The wine’s appearance is darkly saturated and rich, with little light breaking through. The bouquet offers full-force black fruit with shadings of spice and cedar. The wine’s Tuscan side is also very apparent thanks to those Mediterranean aromas of summer cherry and Italian rosemary and dried oregano. The tannins are soft and well-integrated into the thick fiber of this medium to full-bodied Tuscan red. Open it alongside a tomato and basil tortellini. Some 25,000 bottles were made. Cafaggio farms 30 hectares of vines in Panzano positioned at an ideal 350 to 420 meters above sea level. The estate completed its conversion to organic farming in 2017.”

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

Has plenty of its trademark exuberance.
Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT Tuscany 2017 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
James Suckling 95 points “A fresh yet rich and dense red with cherries, berries, light cream and hints of hazelnuts. Full body, soft and layered tannins and a fruity finish. Reserved and tight. Shows balance for 2017. Better after 2021.”
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 94 points “The 2017 Oreno is an attractive, expressive wine done in a style that is all about richness. Black cherry, mocha, expresso, licorice and sweet French oak infuse the 2017 with notable depth. In 2017, Oreno is not quite as sumptuous as it can be, but it certainly has plenty of its trademark exuberance.”

As you can expect with a name that translates to the “Hill overlooking the Orcia River” Col d’Orcia is positioned on a high elevation plateau just under Mount Amiata in Montalcino. Described as an “Organic Island” the estate is the largest organic farm in all of Tuscany and famous for their commitment to producing Brunello in the traditional style.

Tenuta Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 750ML ($59.95) $44 special
Eric Guido – Vinous 95 points “Dusty earth gives way to dried roses, incense, hints of cedar, sage, currants and black cherries in a display that makes the 2016 Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino a very special experience. It’s nuanced and perfumed from start to finish, boasting silky textures contrasted by tart berries and minerals, but with sweet tannins that frame the expression perfectly. Its inner sweetness is balanced by bright acids, creating an almost-juicy sensation, right up until the moment you realize that your palate is aching with youthful tension. There’s so much going on and much more to come, making me wonder what the Poggio al Vento might offer in the 2016 vintage. For now, that doesn’t even matter, because the 2015 Col d’Orcia impresses on nearly every level.”

Iconic Rosso; Blink and you’ll miss it.
Montevertine Rosso 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.”


Portugal – Port

Unbelievably youthful after eight decades…
Kopke Colheita Port, Portugal 1937 750ML ($999.95) $799 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 1937 Colheita Tawny Port comes in with 156 grams per liter of residual sugar. This is surprisingly fresh and surprisingly elegant for its age. It demonstrates its age when it finishes with power, showing remarkable grip and length, plus all those old Tawny flavors you want, the molasses, baked caramel. There’s a touch of brandy lurking here and there. While this has far more power and complexity than the 1967 this issue, it does lack that wine’s elegance and balance. The hard edge here is pretty hard, even if that intensity is sometimes very admirable. (I suspect it will show better if you come back in three days after opening it. They do change a little after pulling that cork, just a little, after that first rush.) At times, though, that hard edge makes it less attractive. The texture is smooth and unctuous. Overall, this is a fine experience in a blockbuster style. In some ways, I liked it no more than the 1967, though, perhaps less. To be sure, they are very differently styled as this, of course, emphasizes its power and that extra bit of complexity. Don’t drink this too warm—that can make all the difference.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Bottled in 2008, this extraordinary wine is still concentrated. It is also smooth, a velvet texture of richness bordering on opulence. The flavor of wood is there, but more important are the old-time fudge and toffee flavors, rounded with sweet sultanas and edged with acidity. Roger Voss”
[Bottling date will vary]

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“seems to linger indefinitely”
Kopke Colheita Port, Portugal 1957 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Baked pear, dried apricot and roasted apple flavors dominate in this mature yet fresh-tasting version. White pepper and lightly smoky notes show on the fresh finish. Rich and complex. Drink now. 200 cases imported.”
Mark Squires Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1957 Colheita Tawny Port was seen before, but it’s worth revisiting in the USA, since it’s a great wine. This is also the new 2015 bottling. It has 127 grams per liter of residual sugar. It is stunning how youthful this is. Lush and rich on opening, it has mature flavors that emerge, easily demonstrating the complexity and concentrated aromatics one expects. Gripping on the finish, this delivers fruit flavor and seems to linger indefinitely. When I first saw this, it was tasted next to even more brilliant Colheitas and a bit overshadowed. On its own, it is even more stunning. It was pretty fine next to some other greats here as well.”
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “There is a great balance between acidity and impressively fresh fruit considering the age of this venerable Port. Of course there are many flavors from the wood aging, but they are combined with orange marmalade, fig and raisin flavors in a riot of complex flavors that have created a very great wine. It comes from a year that was not generally declared as a vintage.”

Budget-Friendly Holiday Picks from Piedmont:
Featuring G.D. Vajra

G.D. Vajra remains one of our favorite producers in the Piedmont. Responsible for some of our finest Barolos, from top to bottom Vajra’s wines are excellent. These include an array of the best values coming out of Piedmont today. At all price points they are benchmark wines that others are judged against.

The estate has always been good, but seems to have reached another level over the last decade. Delicious, attractively priced, and organically cultivated, anyone serious about their Piedmont wines drinking ought to be stocking up.

Shop our top picks for your table:

With relative scarcity in mind, GD Vajra’s “Kye” Freisa is a unique find. Sourced from a single vineyard in Barolo at 1100 feet above sea level, Kye delivers rustic aromas of turned loam, hyssop and seco tobacco leaf. Flavor profile is similar to Nebbiolo but with more emphasis on botanical and spice elements. There is plenty of room for Kye to continue evolving with more bottle aging, but provides immediate reward for the impatient. Given how this wine is sturdy without being overpowering, Kye is ready for a plethora of cuisine. 

G.D. Vajra Freisa ‘Kye’ Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Langhe Freisa Kyé is polished, understated and supremely beautiful. Over the last few years, the Vajras have tamed some of the rusticity of Freisa, but there is still plenty of varietal character here. All the elements are very well balanced. Wild cherry, plum, spice, licorice, tobacco, grilled herbs and coffee abound. I would give the 2017 a year or two in bottle, as there is still a bit of edginess to the tannin. Then again, that is Freisa, when it is made with this level of ambition.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “This wine has developed its own cult following over the years. Named after a local dialectal expression for “who is it,” the 2017 Langhe Freisa Kyè is super intense in this hot vintage. The wine draws upon those vintage conditions to present an extra dark appearance, with aromas of Morello cherry, dried blackberry and spice. I always get a subtle note of black pepper with the popular Freisa grape. The mouthfeel is rich, and you can really sink your teeth into this cheerful and unusual red from Piedmont. 6,000 bottles are hitting the market now.”

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Dolcetto is a charming grape, analogous to a Beaujolais for its zippy acidity and crunch red berry flavors. Looking for something a touch darker? Try the Coste & Fossati bottling, produced in a more full-bodied style.

G.D. Vajra Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2020 750ML ($21.95) $17.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now

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G.D. Vajra Coste & Fossati Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2018 Dolcetto d’Alba Coste & Fossati is a gorgeous wine. Usually, the Coste & Fossati is a richer, bigger wine; the 2018, on the other hand, offers lovely mid-palate depth, but in a restrained, perfumed style that is hugely appealing. Dark red cherry, red plum, chocolate, licorice and spice all flesh out in this delicious and inviting Dolcetto from the Vajra family. The 2018 marks the second vintage of the return to submerged cap maceration, an approach the Vajra family used up until the late 1980s.”

A “super-sized Barbera” fit for a feast.

G.D. Vajra Viola delle Viole Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93+ points “This wine carries the fantasy name “Viola delle Viole,” when in fact, its fruit comes from the Bricco delle Viole vineyard and the Bricco Bertone, two sites with different soil types, one adding structure and one adding aromatic purity. The G.D. Vajra 2017 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Viola delle Viole opens to an inky almost impenetrable appearance. The bouquet opens to robust aromas of blackberry jam and cherry preserves. You feel the heat and richness of the vintage, and there’s no way around it. The 2017 growing season produced very concentrated fruit with smaller berry size due to heat and drought. In effect, you get a super-sized Barbera that ups the ante in terms of extraction and intensity. There is a point of almost-sweetness on the close followed by good acidity. A pairing with marinated or spicy barbecued meat might work best. Some 12,000 bottles were released. Honestly, I’m not a fan of overripe wines, but I make an exception with Barbera because this grape handles the warmest growing seasons with grace and always offers enough acidity to balance things out.
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Superiore is plush, racy and flat-out delicious. Raspberry jam, cinnamon, dried flowers, sweet tobacco and cedar all flesh out in a forward, plush Barbera that will drink well right out the gate. The Superiore always needs a few years to fully emerge. I imagine that will be the case here as well. Even so, the 2017 is an especially open-knit version of this wine.”

Budget-friendly, yet no slouch, this blend is bright and refreshing. Open a bottle or two while you wait for the fancy stuff to decant.

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($17.95) $12.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019. 2018 review provided for reference.
Grapelive 90 points “Vajra’s Langhe Rosso blend is primarily the classic varietals Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera, but also has an interesting addition of Albarossa, Freisa and even a touch of Pinot Noir all of which makes for a unique Piedmonte red that shows silky tannins, tangy vibrant fruits including brandied cherries, plum, cranberry, grilled citrus (Moro orange) and tart red currant along with wild herbs, delicate rustic notes, floral elements, mineral and savory spices….Giuseppe Vajra continues the traditions of his father Aldo, who was a big advocate for organic and holistic farming and promoted a sense of lightness in the wines always searching out vineyard sites thought to be too cold and too high up to ripen, but as history shows he was spot on and Vajra’s high elevation Barolo is one of the most prized wines in the world. The Vajra Rosso is mostly all stainless steel fermented with each lot and varietal done separately and blended before an early bottling to preserve fresh brightness, which this dark ruby/blue hued 2018 shows with lovely transparent clarity. This 2018 opens up nicely with air adding pipe tobacco, black tea, cola bean and dried rose petals, but the minty zesty tartness remains until the finish, in fact it is really nice with a bit of chill and with a picnic spread and or pasta dishes. The 2017 vintage was very warm and the wines are a bit bigger and fruit driven, with these 2018 shows a little more finesse and acidity, which shows through in this Langhe Rosso, it is wine to enjoy now and often, it has a hand crafted feel, but has no pretense, it is easy and delicious. For those looking for value with want this one, no question, but if you want to stay varietal pure, I highly recommend Vajra’s Dolcello, Barbera and Nebbiolo bottlings, there’s quality, value and grace throughout the lineup here.”

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The new vintage of one of our favorite Nebbiolo values is the best edition since… 2013?

G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($26.95) $19.90 special
“2019 was marked by an early bud break, late flowering and a slow and progressive ripening. These elements turned the vintage into one of the longest and latest of the decade. Early winter snows and moderate rain falls throughout the year preserved the water reservoirs and laid the conditions for a balanced phenolic ripening. Thankfully, the Langhe were spared from both the April frost and the dramatic heat of late June. A severe hailstorm hit some vineyards on September 5th. Low yields since flowering, slow ripening, late harvest, excellent phenolic maturity and a great acidity spine: it all reminds of 2013. We foresee the potential for a truly remarkable vintage.” – Winery note

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Don’t skip dessert! Moscato offers a pleasant prickle with its subtle sweetness. Enjoy with a fruit and cheese course or pair with pie and fresh whipped cream.

G.D. Vajra Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Piedmont 2020 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Milena Vaira note “Moscato is part of the culinary tradition of Piedmont. We seek for purity in our work, preserving its natural energy and wish it will always go along well with the most joyful moments of our lives and that of our friends.”

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The slight effervescence gives lift and energy to this warm vintage. This wine drinks a bit like a Lambrusco, so pair with appetizers.

G.D. Vajra ‘Clare J.C.’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2020 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “This was one of my favorite discovery wines from last year, and it sure is a pleasure to circle back to this G.D. Vajra 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo Claré J.C. today. Showing a luminous and bright ruby color, the bouquet shyly reveals wild cherry fruit and cassis. In a second moment, you taste bitter almond, candied lilac and hints of fresh garden herb or rosemary blossom. It’s hard to image such a young wine tasting so good at this unbelievable price. Production is 12,000 bottles.”
Giuseppe Vajra note “Claré J.C. is a Nebbiolo made according to a 1606 note by Gian Battista Croce, the jeweler of the House of Savoia. This wine is a time-capsule into an era when Nebbiolo wines tasted fresher, slightly crisp and smooth. This is a wine for people who are young at heart and curious about the forgotten past of Piemonte.”

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VinopolPicks:

15 Under 15

Polished and appealing!
Bodegas Nekeas ‘El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa’, Navarra 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Deep garnet. Mineral-tinged cherry, raspberry, vanilla and exotic spice aromas show excellent clarity and take on a smoky nuance with air. Appealingly sweet and expansive on the palate, offering juicy red fruit, rose pastille and spicecake flavors energized by a minerally topnote. Shows impressive energy and florality on the persistent finish, which is given shape by polished, even tannins.”

Grown at almost 3,000 feet above sea level in sloped vineyards of black slate and quartzite. A Catalonian gem! 
Altovinum Evodia Old Vines Garnacha Calatayud 2019 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 9  bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Based on 100% Garnacha, the 2019 Evodia is a killer value that delivers incredible Garnacha flair at a crazy good price. Kirsch, blackberry, acacia flower, violet, and sandalwood notes give way to a medium to full-bodied, seamless, beautifully layered wine with fabulous tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is the finest wine at this price point in the world.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 90+ points “The 2019 Evodia is pure Garnacha from old head-pruned vines in the Sierra Santa Cruz in Calatayud. It fermented with around 20% full clusters in concrete and matured mostly in concrete with just 20% of the blend put in used oak barrels for three months. There is a component that matured in concrete egg that I was able to taste separately that seems to bring a touch of freshness to the final blend, something welcomed in a warm year like 2019, which seems like a fresher version of 2017, when the wines achieved quite good ripeness. The nose opens up nicely in the glass and is quite aromatic and floral, exuberant, with a heady touch of ripe fruit. It’s young and tasty, tender and pleasant to drink, with a forward personality. A real bargain. I hope there are more wines like this in Aragon, where the wealth of Garnacha vineyards would make it possible quite easily. 150,000 bottles produced. There are two batches per year. What I tasted had been bottled in February 2020, just a few days before I sampled it.”
Importer note “Evodia is sourced from Garnacha from the villages of  Atea, Acered, and Alarba. Located in the Sierra Santa Cruz, these steep sites (up to 25%) have various exposures but share similar soils – slate and quartzite over clay. At an average elevation of 900 meters above sea level, these vineyards are also among the highest sites within the province of Aragon. This unique terroir and the old vines of Garnacha rooted in it are the origins of Evodia.”

Biodynamic cider infused with redcurrants. A “Rose” by any other name.  
Eden Specialty Ciders Imperial 11 Rose Cider Vermont  NV 750ML ($17.95) $9 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Cidery note “Profile: Superbly juicy without being sweet, just off-dry and gently fizzy, with bright acidity and chewy tannic structure. Apple Varieties: Esopus Spitzenberg, Calville Blanc, Hudson’s Golden Gem, Roxbury Russet, Blue Pearmain, Baldwin, Mcintosh, Empire, Ashmead’s Kernel, Black Oxford, Reine de Reinette, Orleans Reinette. Grown by: Scott Farms, Sunrise Orchards, Yates Family Orchard and Poverty Lane Orchard. Method: Naturally cold-concentrated before fermentation, infused with red currant and blended with a touch of ice cider. Filtered and carbonated. TASTING NOTES: Roses, strawberry, watermelon, citrus, slate. Gluten free, vegan friendly.”  

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A creative and passionate man, Graetz crafts some of Italy’s most impressive wines at his self-described Casamatta (“crazy house”). But don’t be fooled by Graetz’s self-deprecating humility, one taste of his wines will shatter any illusions that these are humble plonk.
Bibi Graetz Casamatta Toscana IGT Tuscany 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 29 bottles in stock now

Pinot Noir rosé is our go-to this time of year. It easily pairs with a variety of fall-weather foods and has the structure and backbone you want during these chilly nights
Clement & Florian Berthier l’Instant Pinot Noir Rose Vin de France 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Shimmering orange. Spice-accented tangerine and raspberry aromas pick up a floral nuance with air. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering juicy red berry and orange zest flavors that show a refreshingly bitter edge. Finishes taut and dry, with a repeating floral note and a jolt of spicy white pepper.”
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Pinot Noir. Sustainable. Clay & limestone. Tasting note: Fresh red berries and cherry, candied orange peel and strawberry. Medium body with a long finish.”

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A Cali Cab with Old World style.
Rotation Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi 2018 750ML ($17.95) $12.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Rotation Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi 2018 750ML ($189.95) $135 special (that’s only $11.25/bottle!)

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

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Old vine, organic Xarel-Lo that’s zesty and fruit-driven with a long finish. 
Under $20? Sure. Under $12? Sign me up.
El Cep ‘Ot’ Blanc de Terrier Penedes 2020 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Pale yellow. Fresh pear and honeydew melon on the fragrant nose, along with a subtle floral nuance. Silky and open-knit, showing good depth and a touch of waxiness to the ripe orchard and citrus fruit flavors. The melon note comes back on a smooth, persistent finish that features a refreshing bitter orange zest flourish.”

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A fan fav for the case buy, but still a great value by the bottle.
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone France 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone France 2020 750ML ($199.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone France 2020 1.5L 37.95) $29 special, 12 magnums in stock now
Importer Note “Saint Cosme Côtes-du-Rhône is produced from 100% Syrah and is from the rocky and cool vineyards of Vinsobres and the stony Villafranchian terraces of the Gard. Vinsobres brings freshness and complexity while the terraced vineyards of the Gard contribute color and power. The wine is partially destemmed, fermented with natural yeasts, and vinified in concrete vats. Syrah requires a warm climate to fully ripen but enough moderating effect to produce intense, aromatic wines that are not overwhelmed by sweetness and alcohol. This Syrah grows in ideal terroirs of the southern Rhône and shows the varietal’s typical spicy notes of sandalwood, violets, and black pepper.”

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Easy, breezy, beautiful Frappato (blend)
Caruso & Minini ‘Terre di Giumara’ Frappato – Nerello Mascalese Terre Siciliane 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14.90 special, 20 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Caruso has been making wine since the late 1800’s. However it wasn’t until the 1990’s did they ever bottle their own wine, previously contracting out to the cooperatives of Marsala. With vineyards located only 12 miles from the ocean; encompassing almost 300 acres at almost 1000 feet above sea level these are some of the best examples of “New Sicily” winemaking and production.

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Purple and Black fruited indigenous varietal from a non-irrigated, organic estate at 2,600 feet above sea level. Gamay noir-esque but with a lean on spice over juiciness.  
Atance Bobal Valencia 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Atance Bobal Valencia 2019 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Importer note “Organic viticulture and hand picked grapes from bush vines in Requena, specifically the Casa Segura estate vineyards with well drained, sandy soils.”

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Chris Bilbro was one of California wine’s unsung heroes.
Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Red Lot 72, California NV 750ML ($15.95) $14.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “Old Vine Red is a proprietary red wine made to replicate the field blends of many of the old vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Predominantly comprised of Zinfandel, Old Vine Red combines pure fruit, a supple mouth feel and a rich, solid structure. A groundbreaking combination of varietals and multiple vintages first produced in 1982, this wine has blazed the path for red blends for decades. With a historic underground following, it is one of the longest lasting and best known red blends produced today.”

Made in partnership with the winemakers of Comando G, Dani Landi and Fernando Garcia.
Cooperativa de Cadalso Granito del Cadalso Garnacha Sierra de Gredos, Madrid 2017 750ML ($17.95) $14.50 special
Case-12 Cooperativa de Cadalso 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.”

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Silky and stunning.
Castello di Volpaia Citto Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($19.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Castello di Volpaia Citto Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($199.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!) 
Importer Note “In the Tuscan dialect, “Citto” means “a young boy.” In the tradition of Bordeaux Châteaux — Mouton Rothchild has its Mouton Cadet, Cheval Blanc has its Petit Cheval — Castello di Volpaia has its Citto. Mostly Sangiovese with some Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes were destemmed and crushed, then fermented in stainless-steel vats for 10 days at 26 C to 30 C (80 F to 86 F). After eight days, the juice was drained off the skins. This generous, silky wine displays ripe fruit aromas with intense cherry and red berry flavors on the palate.”

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$12 + 93 points. You do the math. 
Bodegas Ego ‘Goru Gold’, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($19.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “This red is sleek and solid, in the modern style. Bright cherry, berry and currant flavors mingle with licorice, black tea and mineral notes, giving way to a floral and minerally finish. The firm tannins are well-integrated and juicy acidity keeps this lively. Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2029. 7,400 cases made, 2,200 cases imported. — TM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant purple. Smoke-accented cherry and blueberry on the nose, joined by hints of mocha, cola and vanilla that build in the glass. Sappy, alluringly sweet dark berry preserve and floral pastille flavors smoothly combine weight and vivacity. Finishes on a resonating black currant note, with gentle tannins, repeating spice and floral nuances and strong persistence. Aged for a year in new French and American oak barrels.”

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The average price nationally is $14

Watching for New Cayuse? You’re in luck. 

It’s no secret that we can’t get enough of Christophe Baron’s wines, whether it’s from his home village of Champagne or his holdings in Washington and Oregon. Just in time for the holidays we secured a selection of wines from Cayuse, including the just-released 2019 Cailloux Syrah. 

In stock now: 

Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2019 750ML ($149.95) $128 special, 3 bottles in stock now

Also in stock by Christophe Baron: 

Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2016 Syrah The Tribe is largely in the same mold with a gamy, meaty, backward profile. Smoked meats, earthy dark fruits, ground pepper, and wood smoke are all present in this medium to full-bodied, concentrated Syrah that’s going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years.”
Nick Stock-Jamessuckling 96 points “This has such impressive, silky black fruit with interwoven spices and subtle, meaty nuances. The intensity of fruit is dialed-up in this wine. There’s a very pure, bright fruit core here that pushes out of the mid-palate with a lot of energy and stony, graphite-like notes. This has a wealth of dark berries on offer. Such length and balance. Planted at 8,500 vines per hectare. Drink or hold. Best from 2022.”

Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $129 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points  Showing beautifully, with pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as loads of dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, the 2018 Impulsivo is medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shows more meaty, almost bloody nuances with time in the glass, and it’s certainly a singular expression of Tempranillo. The tannins are present yet polished and ripe, and it has a great mid-palate as well as the balance and elegance to drink nicely today yet also improve with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades.”

We have even more Cayuse available both in store and online.

Collector’s Corner: 
Biondi Santi Ultra Rare Releases

Ultra-Rare Vertical Pack
& Winery-Cellared Release 

In the beginning there was Biondi Santi….  
Yes, Biondi Santi created the genesis of modern Brunello: the combination of bottling 100% Sangiovese wine from Montalcino, propagating the Sangiovese Grosso clone, and finally (in 1966) helping draft the regulations for the Brunello DOC. The foundational work did not stop there however, with Biondi Santi undertaking some of the first Massale or heritage selections on their estate to identify the best clones for winemaking. These results paid off in spades, with Biondi Santi’s genetic material being some of the most sought after clones of Sangiovese in the world. We’re excited to offer several exciting selections in stock now, including a new vertical pack of the riserva and an extremely rare winery cellared release.

Biondi Santi makes Brunello that all other estates are judged against.  Their estate, Il Greppo, occupies some of the most hallowed ground in the Brunello appellation, in the heart of Montalcino.  Their standards are high (they rarely release riservas) and their style defines classic. The wines are powerful, but not overwrought, elegant but emphatic. With the oldest vines on their estate now approaching 90 years old, there’s a level of depth and power in Biondi Santi that’s unprecedented anywhere else in Montalcino. 

In Stock Now from Biondi Santi:

Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Annata Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe- Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Underbrush, ripe berry, new leather and Mediterranean herb aromas slowly take shape in the glass. Showing youthful tension, the vibrant palate delivers red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and pipe tobacco notes framed by bright acidity and taut, refined tannins. It already shows great balance and finesse but is still young and tight. Drink 2022-2035.”
James Suckling 95 points “Love the dried lemon rind, florals and red fruits. Medium to full body and a solid core of fruit and spices. Long and flavorful finish. Just a hint of sweet tobacco. Better in 2020.”
 

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Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($579.95) $419 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 94+ points “Dark red. Musky nuances give way to brighter red fruit, licorice and herbal aromas. Rich and dense, with flavors of red cherry and minerals lifted by hints of orange peel and bergamot, not to mention noteworthy but harmonious acidity. Finishes long with youthfully chewy tannins and lingering hints of violet. This strikes me as a slightly readier to drink version of Brunello Riserva from Biondi-Santi, but as always, it improves greatly with aeration so decant at least six hours ahead for maximum enjoyment.”
Wine & Spirits 94 points “A warm summer yielded this rich and opulent 2011 Riserva. Only fruit from the estate’s oldest vines (some up to 80 years of age) makes it into this bottling, and that old-vine concentration shows in the wine’s dense flavors: notes of black cherry and umeboshi plum layered with iodine, basil and smoke. The tightly packed flavors need time to unfold, so it’s best to decant this several hours before serving.”

Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 1983 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,199 special, only 1 bottles available
***Winery Cellared Release***
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “[Reviewed July 2021] This precious bottle is part of Biondi-Santi’s late-release program for collectors (I tasted bottle number 10,723). The 1983 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is showing beautifully on its aging timeline, although this bottle is slightly more evolved since I last tasted this vintage in 2019 before the pandemic. With slow and measured determination, the bouquet embraces dried fig, cured bresaola, burnt caramel, wet campfire, dried oregano and a familiar aroma that reminds me of the Florence leather market. However, there is a lot of life and vertical lift in this Riserva, thanks in great part to the beautiful freshness that keeps the tannins alive and adds a pop of pretty acidity to the close. The wine shows its age with pride and grace, and the final results are quite spectacular. In fact, I’m opening the drinking window up by an additional five years thanks to the latitude and depth shown here.”

Mixed Case-3: Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Vertical MV 750ML ($2,299.95) $1,899 special, only 1 mixed case available!
Mixed case: 1x 2008, 1x 2012, 1x 2013. No substitutions.
Review for 2008 vintage: Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The delightful 2008 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is expressive and feminine with crushed chamomile, forest fruit, bramble, tar and licorice. It renders a stirring, melodic performance that plays out slowly but with determination. Drink: 2017-2030.”
Review for 2012 vintage: Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “You will notice the dedication printed below the label of the wine label. It reads: “Dedicato a Franco Biondi Santi.” Indeed, the Biondi-Santi 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is the last vintage made by the towering father figure of Brunello whom most everyone referred to as the “gentleman of Montalcino.” Il Dottore, as he was also respectfully addressed, died at age 91 in April 2013, and he was very active in the winery as this magnificent wine took shape. This Riserva is a true work of beauty. It is released one year later than usual. The wine reflects the natural heft and power of the 2012 vintage, and it also shows that distinctive open-knit and accessible personality that characterizes this warm and sunny growing season. Il Dottore’s magic touch is revealed in the level of fine detail and precision that transcends vintage, grape and territory. That extreme focus is an achievement of this estate alone located in the celebrated Il Greppo property. This Brunello pours from the bottle with a magnificent garnet color, and it evolves in the glass with dark fruit, candied orange peel, spice, licorice, anise seed, cola and balsam herb. The aromas are magical and ethereal, albeit slightly ripe and soft as expected of this vintage.”
Review for 2013 vintage: Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “The Biondi-Santi 2013 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a stunning wine from all points of view. Seamless integration and elegant complexity are what stand out, and it’s worth dedicating a few extra lines to the aromatic depth that is put so beautifully on display as the wine slowly unfolds. The bouquet starts off with wild cherry, earth, wet ash, crème de cassis and pruny chocolate. With extra time, there are hints of dried tobacco leaf, sandalwood and mossy forest floor. These lead to a fine tail of dried herb, bay leaf and a touch of rusty nail. The Riserva comes in numbered bottles, and I opened number 04277. To the palate, the wine is streamlined and silky with smooth tannins and a well-managed 13.5% alcohol content. The oak presence is reduced to a minimum, offering mild hints of spice and the delicate sandalwood or dried fig aroma I described above. Fresh acidity is the glue that gives the wine buoyancy and staying power. At this young stage, this 2013 vintage could be considered a bit shy or slow to start, but this will play out to great advantage in the long term as the wine continues its bottle evolution.”

Shop our illustrious collection of Brunellos, including superstars of the region such as Stella di Campalto, Il Poggione, & La Gerla, on our web store now!

Thank you for reading!