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New Cult Wine Arrivals:
Bond/Sine Qua Non/Hundred Acres & more!

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Scary good deal on Opus One (Coming soon!)

New Wine Spectator Insider Reviews

Rose Feature: Southern Rhone Rose

New Releases from Cameron Winery

Magnum Feature: Rose for all day

Featured Offering: The Vinopolis Sweet Tooth 

Collector’s Corner: Boudignon’s Eletric Chenin

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Fresh from the Vault: Cult Wine Drop

Bond Melbury Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($799.95) $689 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2017 Melbury comes from a vineyard north of Lake Hennessey with more clay soil. It offers more red and blue fruits as well as pretty floral, spice, and mineral nuances. These carry to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully elegant, seamless Cabernet that has silky tannins and no hard edges. All about charm and balance, this is a seriously good 2017 that will evolve gracefully.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2017 Melbury is a rich, sumptuous wine with a bit more volume and intensity than is often the case. All the typical Melbury signatures are present – the red berry fruit and the floral top notes in particular. The 2017 is a decidedly potent, heady Melbury that has really gained in both fruit depth and structural intensity since I last saw it as a barrel sample. The 2017 clearly needs time to soften though, as the tannins are imposing. In 2017, the Melbury is made only from the top blocks, which means production is down around 40%.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 96 points “Melbury vineyard is on Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessy. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Melbury leaps from the glass with exuberant scents of Morello cherries, blackcurrant jelly and mulberries with hints of violets, wild sage and tilled soil. Full-bodied, rich and plush with lovely freshness and finely knit tannins, it finishes with long-lingering, evocative earth nuances.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Ripe and dense, but with a sleek edge, as steeped red and black currant fruit shows good length and a racy feel thanks to mouthwatering acidity, while tobacco leaf and iron notes course through. There’s grippy tannins and loamy bass notes to match the initial treble of this red, with everything knitting nicely on the energetic finish. Should cellar well. A Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Best from 2022 through 2040

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Bond Quella Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($799.95) $689 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Quella comes from a steep, southwest-facing vineyard in the eastern Vaca hillsides, just up from Joseph Phelps’s winery and Denali Estate. Deep garnet-purple colored, it explodes with bombastic scents of stewed plums, boysenberries, crème de cassis and kirsch plus hints of black truffles, tar and damp soil. The palate is full-bodied and velvety, jam-packed with blackberry and plum preserves flavors with lots of savory nuances on the long finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “More dark fruits, Bing cherry, candied violets, and Asian spice notes emerge from the 2017 Quella, which always has an exotic, complex style. Medium to full-bodied and nicely textured, with some chalky tannins, it’s another terrific 2017 that will benefit from just short-term cellaring and have two decades of prime drinking.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Enticing, with a mix of steeped loganberry, mulberry and blackberry fruit flavors that are laced with black licorice, bramble and singed apple wood notes. There’s a loamy edge underneath it all and solid, focusing grip harnessing the finish. A contemplative wine, rather than showy. A Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Best from 2022 through 2040. 532 cases made.  –JM”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Quella is a dark powerhouse. Blackberry jam, grilled herbs, sage, menthol, licorice and chocolate infuse the 2017 with tremendous aromatic complexity to play off its natural richness. Savory and brooding, the Quella is a distinctly brooding Cabernet.”

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Bond St Eden Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($799.95) $689 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “I loved the 2017 St. Eden. This Oakville beauty boasts a deep purple hue as well as incredible minerality in its blue fruits, cassis, violets, and tobacco-laced aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, ripe, tannic, and concentrated, it has everything you could want in a Napa Valley Cabernet. Give bottles 2-4 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following 20 years or so.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2017 St. Eden is bold, juicy and also more immediate than some of the other wines in the range. Then again, that’s St. Eden, a site that naturally produces sumptuous Cabernets. In 2017, St. Eden comes only from the older portion of the vineyard, which was planted in 1991.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 95 points “St. Eden comes from a red, rocky, iron-rich vineyard site located just north of the Oakville Crossroad in the Vaca Mountains. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 St. Eden is a little broody, opening out with much coaxing to notes of crushed black cherries, cassis and tilled soil with hints of red currants, fruitcake and dusty soil. The opulent, full-bodied, soft-textured palate delivers bags of spicy black fruit preserves flavors, backed-up by loads of freshness, finishing long and exotic.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This isn’t shy with its fruit, showing waves of steeped fig, warmed blackberry reduction and crushed plum, though it all stays focused rather being overtly showy, as the substantial but fine-grained grip provides the ideal matrix to give additional bay leaf, warm earth, iron and tobacco notes room to emerge. A deft display of power and range. A Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Best from 2022 through 2040

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Bond Vecina Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($799.95) $689 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Vecina vineyard is located in the western foothills of Oakville, just to the southeast of the winery (up on Oakville Grade). Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Vecina needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of black currants, blackberries and blueberry compote with hints of dusty soil, cinnamon stick and fallen leaves. Slightly more structured than the other Bond 2017s, it has a rock-solid backbone of firm, grainy tannins and bold freshness supporting the muscular black and blue fruit flavors, finishing long and earthy. It will likely need a little longer to come around than its siblings, but it should also be longer lived.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2017 Vecina is outrageously beautiful. Inky and deep, it possesses stunning richness, power and structure. Its pedigree and sheer beauty are immediately evident. Over the last year, the 2017 has gained quite a bit of depth and overall resonance I did not see in the barrel samples. As a reminder, Vecina is sourced from Vine Hill Ranch, specifically Block 6 Upper, one of the best locations on the ranch.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “A richer, more structured wine, the 2017 Vecina nevertheless still shows the more elegant style of all these 2017s. Lots of cassis, dark chocolate, bouquet garni, and gravelly earth notes define the bouquet, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with building, chalky tannins, terrific balance, and outstanding length. It needs 3-4 years of bottle age but will have two decades of longevity.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Ripe and sappy in its intensity, but still driven as the dark plum, cassis and açaí berry fruit pumps through, flanked by apple wood and laced with a graphite note. Everything comes to a nice focal point on the finish, which extends with licorice root and sweet tobacco accents. Well-embedded acidity supports it all, lending this subtle tension and energy to offset its heft. A Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Best from 2022 through 2038.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Sine Qua Non ‘E’ Grenache Sta Rita Hills 2015 750ML ($599.95) $499 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 100 points “The 2015 Grenache E, from Elaine and Manfred Krankl’s Eleven Confessions Vineyard, is stunningly beautiful. Remarkably light on its feet for such a sumptuous wine, the 2015 has so much to offer. Beautifully expressive aromatics make a strong opening impression. Dark red and purplish berry fruit, mint, sweet spice and licorice develop with air, but it is the wine’s overall feel that stands out most. At times, the E is quite powerful, while in other moments it is much more delicate. That contrast makes for an utterly captivating wine.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 100 points “This is a single-vineyard Grenache-dominated, barrel-selection blend coming from the Eleven Confessions Estate vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. It bears Elaine Krankl’s initial and a portrait Manfred made of Elaine on the label. The blend is 82% Grenache, 12% Syrah, 5% Petite Syrah and 1% Viognier, and 56% was fermented using whole clusters. It was aged for around 38 months in French oak, 28% new.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “The 2015 Grenache E comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard and spent a whopping 38 months in 28% new French oak, with the balance in used barrels of varying sizes. An incredible effort that offers complex notes of cured meats, graphite, ground white and black pepper, flowers, and cassis, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannins, and a purity level that’s just about off the charts. Showing the concentrated, powerful, structured style of the vintage, give bottles 3-4 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following decade or more.”

Sine Qua Non ‘M’ Syrah Sta Rita Hills 2015 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “The extended aged 2015 Syrah M is more backward and structured, with the 2015 vintage character front and center. Based on 90.6% Syrah and the rest Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Viognier, aged 38 months in 66% new oak, its deep purple color is followed by powerful notes of blackcurrants, blackberries, cedarwood, spiced meat, candle wax, and white flowers. It’s deep and full-bodied, with a huge mid-palate, building tannins, and one serious finish. This rocking beast of a Syrah stays remarkably elegant and perfectly balanced yet needs 4-5 years or more of bottle age. It’s going to evolve for two decades or more.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99 points “This is a single-vineyard Syrah-dominant blend coming from the Eleven Confessions Estate vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. It bears Manfred Krankl’s initial and a provocative self-portrait on the label. The blend is 90.6% Syrah, 4.4% Petite Syrah, 2.6% Grenache and 2.4% Viognier. Forty-three percent was fermented using whole clusters. It was aged for around 38 months in French oak, 66% new.”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2015 Syrah M will thrill Sine Qua Non lovers. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, with tremendous aromatic nuance from the whole clusters, the 2015 possesses mind-blowing intensity, yet also remains light on its feet. What impresses me most is how much energy and vivacity the 2015 shows given the tiny yields that year. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is yet another stunning wine from Sine Qua Non.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Sine Qua Non ‘Pajarito del Amor’ Grenache Sta Rita Hills 2016 750ML ($499.95) $389 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2016 Grenache Pajarito Del Amor is a single-vineyard wine—a barrel selection from the Eleven Confessions estate vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. “This vineyard is by far our coolest,” Manfred said. “Sometimes we don’t harvest this vineyard until November. The wines from here have a lot of structure and presence. The soil is a heavy clay, so the wines can be pretty muscular.””
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Coming all from the estate Eleven Confessions Vineyard and 85.4% Grenache, 7.1% Petite Sirah, 6.9% Syrah, and a splash of Viognier thrown in for good measure, the 2016 Grenache Pajarito Del Amor was brought up 38 months in 54% new French oak demi-muids and the balance in varying used barrels ranging from 2 to 6 years in age. There are just 916 cases of this magical wine, which easily ranks with the greatest Grenache-driven wines to ever come out of California. Deep purple-hued, with an incredible array of cassis, blackberries, toasted spices, caramelized meats, white pepper, and graphite, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, an expansive, layered mouthfeel, and a blockbuster finish. This is one of those wine that wows from the first sip and is flawlessly balanced, with ripe tannins, incredible purity, and a singular character. Drink this elixir any time over the coming 15-20 years.”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The darker side of Grenache comes through in the 2016 Grenache Pajarito del Amor. Inky purplish fruit, espresso, mocha and rose petal are pushed forward, but more than anything else, the 2016 stands out for its exotic, beguiling beauty. I hope to be able to taste the 2016 with bottle age, as it is a total stunner. The 2016 is marked by a high percentage of Grenache in the blend (85%) and a high percentage of whole clusters as well (56%), as most of the stem inclusion in this wine comes from the Grenache.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Sine Qua Non Into The Dark Grenache Sta Rita Hills 2004 1.5L ($2199.95) $1599 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Wine Advocate 99 points “More up-front and open-knit, the 2004 Into the Dark (Grenache) checks in as a blend of 84% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah and 1% Viognier that comes mostly from Manfred’s 11 Confessions Vineyard, yet includes small portions from Alban (10%) and Alta Mesa (9%) Vineyard. Reminding me of Clos Saint-Jean’s Sanctus Sanctorum with its incredible bouquet of sweet kirsch, licorice, dried baking spices, graphite and ground pepper, this beauty flows onto the palate with impeccable purity, perfect integration of its fruit, tannin and acidity, and blockbuster length. As is common with this estate’s wine, it’s the purity paired with serious richness that sets it apart. While still youthful and benefiting from a healthy decadence, I think it’s drinking at point and would aim to drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years. It will evolve gracefully for longer, but I see no reason to hold off.-JD”
Robert Parker 99 points “2004 Into the Dark: This absolutely magnificent wine is a blend of 84% Grenache, 8% Mourvedre, 7% Syrah and 1% Viognier, with most of it emerging from the estate’s 11 Confessions Vineyard. It still has a very opaque ruby/purple color, along with a sweet nose of graphite, wood smoke, spice box, white chocolate, kirsch and creme de cassis. Still quite infantile in terms of its development, the wine is full-bodied, with a 45- to 50-second finish. Another 2-3 years of cellaring will be beneficial, and it is certainly capable of lasting 10 or more years.”

This is the only listing for a magnum in the USA today!

Sine Qua Non ‘Subir’ Syrah Sta Rita Hills 2016 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Meaning “Rise” in Spanish, the 2016 Syrah SUBIR is the estate release that’s all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills. It’s 89.7% Syrah with the rest Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Viognier that was 56% destemmed and spent a full 38 months in 82% new French oak. There are few wines that can spend close to four years in barrel and still emerge with freshness and purity, yet this estate seems to produce wines that do it with ease. Sporting a deep purple hue as well as a heavenly array of crème de cassis, white chocolate, blackberries, unsmoked tobacco, and peppery spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless texture, incredible depth of fruit, and that rare mix of power and elegance that’s that hallmark of truly great wines. This was a great vintage for the Central Coast, and this is a true gem of a wine that tops out on my scale. While it’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age, it offers incredible pleasure today as well. It will have 20+ years of longevity.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2016 Syrah SUBIR (meaning to rise or go up) is a single-vineyard wine—a barrel selection from the Eleven Confessions estate vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills. “This vineyard is by far our coolest,” Manfred said. “Sometimes we don’t harvest this vineyard until November. The wines from here have a lot of structure and presence. The soil is a heavy clay, so the wines can be pretty muscular.””
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2016 Syrah Subir, from Elaine and Manfred Krankl’s Eleven Confessions ranch, is a powerhouse. It is the rare Sine Qua Non wine that demands cellaring. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of inky dark fruit. Hints of spice, lavender, mint and dried herbs emerge with coaxing, but the 2016 is in no mood to show all of its cards yet. Subir is 89.7% Syrah, 4.6% Grenache, 2.5% Petite Siraha and 3.2% Viognier, vinified with 44% whole clusters. It is projected to spend 38 months in oak, 82% new.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Sine Qua Non ‘Ziehharmonika’ Syrah California 2018 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96-98 points “The 2018 Syrah Ziehharmonika is another absolutely exquisite wine from Elaine and Manfred Krankl. Rich, deep and potent to the core, the 2018 captures a striking mix of lush fruit as well as the energy of the year. All the elements simply fall into place in a magical Syrah that will thrill Sine Qua Non lovers. The 2018 is 82% Syrah, 6.7% Mourvèdre, 5.0% Petite Sirah, 2.3 % Grenache, 2.7% Viognier and 1.3% Muscat. Interestingly, the whole clusters are just 14%, so quite a bit lower than found in the Grenache. Vineyard sites are The Third Twin, Eleven Confessions and Cumulus, all estate ranches.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

(Sine Qua Non) Next of Kyn No. 10 Central Coast 2016 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 2 bottles in stock now
(Sine Qua Non) Next of Kyn No. 10 Central Coast 2016 1.5L ($979.95) $735 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 100 points “Next of Kyn is the label of Elaine and Manfred Krankl (owners/creators of Sine Qua Non), based on fruit from their home vineyard in Oakville, called Cumulus vineyard. This 2016 vintage is composed of 46% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 18.3% Petite Sirah, 15.3% Mourvèdre and 1.4% Petit Manseng, using 23% whole clusters. It spent around 34 months in French oak barrels, 75% new. “The composition of this wine is coming now much closer to the original vision for this vintage and subsequently this wine,” commented Manfred Krankl.”
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “Just about pure perfection in a glass, the 2016 No 10 Cumulus Vineyard is an incredible mix of 46% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 18.3% Petite Sirah, and the rest Mourvèdre and Petit Manseng that was mostly destemmed and brought up in 75% new French oak. Awesome notes of blackberries, ground herbs, violets, loamy earth, and chocolate notes give way to a full-bodied, powerful red that has moderate acidity, flawless balance, sweet tannins, and a finish that keeps you coming back to the glass. It’s another off-the-charts, singular wine from an incredible winemaker.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2016 Next of Kyn is a rich, heady wine. Implosive and deep, the 2016 comes across as a wine that is still finding its balance in bottle. Time in the glass brings out swaths of dark fruit, grilled herbs, espresso and licorice. Readers need to be patient with the 2016, as it is going through an awkward stage today. In 2016, the blend is 46% Syrah, 19% Grenache, 18.3% Petite Sirah, 15.3% Mourvèdre and 1.4% Petit Manseng. The wine saw 34 months in oak, with 75% new oak.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

(Sine Qua Non)  Next of Kyn Número Dois Touriga Nacional Central Coast 2016 750ML ($499.95) $369 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2016 Número Dois is full of mystery and sheer allure. Mocha, wild cherry, mint, iron and a touch of new oak infuse this opulent red with tremendous nuance. Soft curves and rich, voluptuous fruit add to the wine’s considerable personality. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s intense aromatics and overall nuance. The 2016 is flat out gorgeous. That’s all there is to it.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “Even better than the 2015, which might have been the greatest expression of Touriga Nacional I’d ever tasted, the 2016 Touriga Nacional Numero Dois Cumulus Vineyard boasts a knockout bouquet of ripe black fruits, charcoal, bouquet garni, and ground pepper. Rich, full-bodied, layered, and straight-up sexy on the palate, don’t miss a chance to try this singular wine. The blend is 83% Touriga Nacional, 9% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, and 3% Petite Sirah that was roughly 50% destemmed and spent 33 months in one-third new French oak.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Coming entirely from the Krankl’s “Home” vineyard—the Cumulus vineyard—the 2016 Touriga Nacional Numero Dois is a blend of 83% Touriga Nacional, 9% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah and 3% Petite Sirah using 54% whole clusters. It spent around 33 months in French oak barrels, 33% new.” 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Hundred Acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2006 750ML ($699.95) $549 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99 points “Deep garnet in color, the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard jumps out of the glass with red and black cherry preserves, warm cassis and blackberry tart with hints of lilacs, rose hip tea and lamb dripping with rosemary and baking spices. Full-bodied, concentrated and wonderfully layered, it has a rock-solid frame of grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.”
Stephan Tanzer-Vinous 96 points “(15.1% alcohol) Deep red-ruby. Blacker, more brooding nose than the Ark: cassis, licorice and a whiff of caramel. Then sweet, lush and full in the mouth, with superb minerality contributing to this very deep wine’s almost 3-D texture. Plusher and more effusive than the Ark, finishing with outstanding palate-coating breadth and length. Reminds me of a top Pomerol. Owner Jayson Woodbridge calls this bottling “a sexy, rumbling Ferrari,” while he describes the Ark, with its structure, power and elegance, as a Rolls-Royce. (The 2007s had been sulfured shortly before my visit and were unavailable for tasting.)”

Levy & McClellan Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2004 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 99 points “The exquisite 2004 Proprietary Red Wine offers up notes of lead pencil shavings, licorice, Asian plum sauce, black currants and a hint of underlying minerality. Full-bodied yet beautifully silky and seductive, it has shed most of its tannins, resulting in a complex, singular red wine of majestic proportions. The finish is among the longest of any 2004 I tasted, and gorgeous levels of fruit and extract hide any notions of new oak. This cuvee tastes like a hypothetical blend of a great Pauillac, Pessac-Leognan and Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. It should drink well over the next two decades.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A rich, savory, extracted style, with strong mocha-espresso bean and spicy currant flavors that are intense, focused, long and persistent, ending with firm, ripe tannins. Combines power with finesse. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2015. 300 cases made. — JL.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Levy & McClellan Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2006 1.5L ($899.95) $699 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Robert Parker 95 points “The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon displays beautifully sweet blue and black fruits intermixed with espresso roast, smoked meats, chocolate, and scorched earth. Dense purple in color, deep, rich, broad, with plenty of tannin and concentration as well as noticeable oak, this wine is a massive Cabernet meant for long-term cellaring. I wouldn’t touch a bottle for 6 to 8 years, then watch it unfold over the following 25-30.”
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “(includes bits of cabernet franc and petit verdot) Deep red-ruby. Complex, inviting aromas of cassis, graphite, menthol and sexy new oak. Very ripe but bright and classic, with terrific lift to the cassis, mineral and dark chocolate flavors. This boasts remarkably deep fruit for seven-year-old vines and finishes with very sweet, suave tannins and superb length. Husband-and-wife team Bob Levy and Martha McClellan, who are also responsible for making Harlan, Bond, Blankiet and Sloan, consider their 2005 to be a bit more layered and complex, but this one is also a star of its vintage.”

This is the only listing for a magnum in the USA today!

Vega Sicilia Tinto Valbuena 5 Ribera del Duero 2009 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “(Reviewed 2019) No, the 2009 Valbuena is not a current release, but I had a bottle blind at a tasting and most people, including myself, guessed it was a Grand Cru Burgundy, so aromatic, floral, expressive and elegant it was. We couldn’t believe it when the wine was revealed. Later, a bottle of the 2010 was opened, and it confirmed it as the best Valbuena of recent times, with a rare combination of elegance and power, combining characters of fine Burgundy and elegant Syrah from the Northern Rhône.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “(virtually all tempranillo, with a bit of merlot; fermented in large oak tanks and raised in a 50/50 blend of French and American oak, followed by brief sojourns in used oak barrels and vats before bottling): Opaque ruby. Spice- and mineral-accented aromas of dark berries, cherry pit and potpourri, with a toasty topnote. Minerally, incisive and sweet on the palate, offering smoky cherry and blackcurrant flavors complicated by vanilla, mocha and licorice. Shows impressive power and vivacity on the youthfully tannic finish, with the smoke and spice notes strongly repeating.”

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

Chris Ringland Shiraz Barossa Valley 2002 750ML ($799.95) $699 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Jay Miller-Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2002 Chris Ringland Shiraz comes from a great vintage Ringland likens to 1991, 1996, and 1998. It is a more saturated color than the 2001 with a superb perfume of Asian spices, game, bacon, lavender, and blueberry compote. Plush, succulent, and powerful, it will age effortlessly for a decade and provide enjoyment through 2027.”

(Sine Qua Non) Mr. K The Straw Man Central Coast 2004 375ML ($299.95) $219 special, 2 half-bottles in stock now
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 100 points “The monumental 2004 Mr. K. The Straw Man, a Semillon Vin de Pays, possesses 9.9% alcohol and 310 grams per liter of residual sugar yet an amazing 7.6 grams per liter of acidity. An elixir of amazing proportions, there are 2,500 half bottles, which will be released in early 2008. Astounding notes of marmalade, creme brulee, and a liqueur of roasted nuts are accompanied by fabulous acidity, which provides uplift and vibrancy in spite of its enormous richness and unctuosity. The only thing I can say is you must taste it to believe it! I have no idea how long these sweeties will keep, but they should easily last for two decades or more.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “(for 375 ml.; from Brander Vineyard) Golden bronze. Deep apricot and orange marmalade aromas are complicated by an exotic bouquet of floral honey, licorice, botanical herbs and magnolia. Soft and fleshy, with sticky pit fruit and tangerine flavors gently supported by fresh minerality. A baking spice character builds with air, brightening the sappy, refreshingly bitter finish. If you can call it a finish, that is: I was tasting this an hour down the road. “The key to a wine like this is starting off with perfectly ripe fruit,” says Krankl.”

(Sine Qua Non) Mr. K The Ice Man Central Coast 2006 375ML ($299.95) $249 special, 1 half-bottle in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “(for 375 ml.; made from frozen grapes from the Bien Nacido Vineyard) Deep yellow-gold. Intensely spicy aromas of vibrant peach and apricot are enlivened by steely minerality. Lush and sweet but vibrant, with vivid pit fruit flavors, tactile sweetness and outstanding clarity. Possesses a taffeta-like texture, finishing with grip, supple acids and lingering honey and orange marmalade character. Krankl avoids botrytis for his ice wines because he believes that true ice wine should show “the marrow of the fruit” and that botrytis overrides the variety.””

 

Subscriber Sale Special

Scary good deal on Opus One (Coming soon!) 

We’re proud to announce our first offer of 2018 Opus One, which will arrive in early October. Easily one of the most recognizable Cult wines of Napa, the bottling is a collaboration between Cabernet titans Robert Mondavi and Baron Phillipe Rothschild.  Especially rare after the disastrous wildfires in 2019 rendered the vintage unusable, the 2018 is sure to impress on its scarcity alone. If the average critic score of 98.5 wasn’t enough of an incentive, we will be offering a 10% discount on three or more bottles until the end of day on September 6th. Speak now or forever hold your peace as the saying goes, these will not last long!  

Subscriber-Only Special:
10% Off 3 or more bottles of 2018 Opus One
Sale Ends September 6th at 6 PM Pacific

Opus One Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($389.95) $365 pre-arrival special (that’s $328.50 at the discount) Arriving ETA Early October
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.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98 points “Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Opus One soars out of the glass with bright, bold boysenberries, warm cassis and ripe, juicy black plums notes, plus emerging nuances of lilacs, oolong tea, cinnamon stick, tilled soil and black truffles. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with tightly wound layers of crunchy black fruits, supported by firm, grainy tannins and fantastic freshness, finishing with lifted fruitiness and on a lingering mineral note.”

New Wine Spectator Insider Reviews

For Vajra & Scavino Arriving ETA Mid-September!

G.D. Vajra Ravera Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Notable for its purity of fruit, this Barolo features black cherry, black currant, violet, mineral and tar aromas and flavors. Harmonious and lithe, with an underpinning of mineral that lingers through the dynamic finish. Best from 2025 through 2045. —B.S.”

G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “This silky Barolo boasts aromas and flavors of rose, black currant, cherry, raspberry and iron, with a touch of earth, showing terrific purity and length. This is more about finesse than power, though the tannins are present and should allow this to age. Best from 2024 through 2042. —B.S.”

Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($99.95) $88 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Aromatic, this red offers rose, plum, cherry, licorice, leather and spicy tobacco notes. Firm, yet surprisingly open and balanced at this stage. Remains fresh and long on the savory finish. Best from 2024 through 2038. —B.S.”

Paolo Scavino Monvigliero Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special 
Wine Spectator 94 points “Offering a mix of sour cherry, black currant, floral and leather aromas and flavors, this Barolo is supple and expressive, yet with enough structure to allow it to evolve over the next 15 to 20 years. Ends with a fine aftertaste of fruit, earth and savory elements. Best from 2024 through 2042. —B.S.”

Paolo Scavino Carobric Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special 
Wine Spectator 93 points “Savory aromas of wild thyme and eucalyptus introduce this plum and cherry-filled red. Rich and smooth, with ample tannins emerging on the lingering finish for support. Best from 2023 through 2036. —B.S.”

Shop our selection of Barolos on our web store now!

 Rose Feature:

Southern Rhone Rose
  

The Southern Rhone is best known for full bodied reds and powerful whites, but have you tried a rose made from the same grapes? The villages surrounding Gigondas and Châteauneuf-du-Pape that comprise the Cotes du Rhone have similar terroir and grapes as their more famous siblings, but feature cooler growing seasons in comparison. This works out perfectly for rose production, as it allows for more acidity to remain as the grapes ripen.   

Domaine les Aphillanthes has vineyard holdings in three villages of Cote Du Rhone, with soils that are largely composed of iron rich sand with veins of limestone and a smattering of Galets, or “pudding stones”. Certified biodynamic and plowing exclusively by horse for over 10 years, the owners Daniel and Hélène Boulle suspect that the roots of their grapevines go 100 feet underground! 

Their rose is the same blend as their red with Grenache leading followed by Cinsault, Mourevedre and Counoise. Expect an entire spectrum of fruits including raspberries, bing cherry, fresh redcurrant and watermelon. From an aromatic perspective there’s a symphonic combination of rose petals, fresh ground espresso and cinnamon apples. 

In Stock Now:

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone Nymphea Rose France 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Counoise. Biodynamic. Gailloux/Galets Roules over clay & limestone. Tasting note: Red fruit and bright acidity. Full body with a long and balanced finish.” Region: Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France.

Check out additional Southern Rhone roses in stock now: 

Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rose Rhone 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Light orange-pink. Mineral-driven red berry and pit fruit aromas are complemented by a suave floral topnote. Seamless and energetic on the palate, offering fresh strawberry, blood orange and nectarine flavors that deepen with air. Shows fine definition and spicy cut on the persistent finish, which leaves repeating pit fruit and floral notes behind.”
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Grenache, Cinsault. Organic. Clay, galets roules & sand. Tasting note: Crushed strawberry, Bing cherry with hints of grapefruit and crushed stone. Medium body with a long finish.” Region: (Chateauneuf-du-Pape), Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France.

Chateau de Manissy Tavel Cuvee des Lys Rose Rhone 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant orange color. Mineral-accented red berry and citrus fruit aromas are complemented by a sexy floral nuance. Concentrated and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy redcurrant, cherry and candied rose flavors that slowly turn sweeter on the mid-palate. The mineral and floral notes echo on a penetrating finish that hangs on with very good tenacity. Drink 2020 – 2023.”
Importer note “Grenache, Clairette & Syrah from clay, river rock and sandy soils. Biodynamic. Juicy raspberry, watermelon, crushed minerals and burnt sugar. Full body with a long finish… Entirely hand-harvested. Maceration of 12-24 hours to extract primary aromas. Fermentation with only indigenous yeasts at a very low temperatures over 2 days, then increased in temperature to 25°C for 7 days in order to increase the fruity taste. Aged in concrete tanks and stainless steel. Natural balanced acidity of about 3.6hg/L and PH of 3.5mg/L with less than 1gr/L residual sugar. This cuvée comes from a plot of 10 hectares that is enclosed by a forest.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Chateau de Manissy ‘La Belle Etoile’ Rose 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.”
Region: (Tavel) VDF, Rhone, France.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Shop our full selection of rose wines on our web store now!

 

New Releases from Cameron Winery

2019 marks a return to “normal” for the Oregon growing season, evidenced by cool days and even a smattering of rain. Considering the droughts of previous vintages however, the rains allowed for a longer growing season with minimal disease pressure. As usual Cameron delivers an impressionistic snapshot of the vintage, with clear nod to the subtlety and elegance that the season provided. Keemun tea, lavender, purple hyssop, Rainer cherry, salmonberry, Sarsaparilla and sassafras are all knit together with a dewy, forest floor character that is rapidly becoming the calling card of Oregon Pinot. With the low yields of the season, exceptional aging potential and stellar reputation of Cameron, this has the potential to be a collector’s item in no time.    

Cameron Winery Reserve Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “September 2019 was cool and rainy, so the fruit was allowed to hang sufficiently long to achieve optimal ripening without high sugars.  The result is a low alcohol wine which allows the gorgeous aromas of rose petal and cherries to shine.  A silky texture and long lingering finish completes this lovely Pinot noir.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Nebbiolo is a true rarity in the Willamette Valley as there are only a handful of vineyards that have it planted. With vines clocking in at around 18 years old and 2017 being the last of Oregon’s “Hot streak” of vintages, this is an iteration that will be one for the ages. With a level of ripeness that you would find in cooler years of Barbaresco or Alto Piedmonte, there’s a perfect balance between acid and tannic structure that speaks to a long aging trajectory. Bing and sour cherries, fresh cranberry, and grilled strawberry make up the primary fruit with a beautiful finish of rose petal, seco tobacco and rosemary with a kiss of rustic tannin.  

Cameron Winery Nebbiolo Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Our Nebbiolo is characterized by classic northern Piedmont aromas of dried cherries, tobacco and orange peel. The palate has bright acidity, a long finish and firm “sand on the teeth” tannins that typify the Nebbiolo grape.” Rarely seen outside of Piedmont, Cameron Winery has been growing Nebbiolo on the Clos Electrique vineyard for nearly three decades after winemaker John Paul was struck by climate similarities shared by the Willamette Valley and Piedmont. Vinified using traditional techniques of Barolo and Barbaresco, Nebbiolo from Clos Electrique and White Oak Vineyard in Ribbon Ridge are aged for two years in neutral oak, and one year in botti before finally resting in bottles an additional year to soften the firm tannins characteristic of the varietal. 

Arriving September 10th:

Cameron Winery Reserve Chardonnay Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($39.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Winery Note: “The ‘Reserve’ level of Cameron Chardonnay is an incredible deal.  Made of declassified barrels of Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge, so without the new oak that the lower level bottling sees, this wine shows facets of the grace and intensity of Abbey and the Clos without the price tag of those higher end bottlings.”
The 2019 Cameron Reserve Chardonnay is an Oregon masterpiece. It is rare to see Dundee Hills produce Chardonnay that delivers phenolic richness and age worthiness at the same time, but Cameron is famous for this across their portfolio. Delightfully fresh, textured and slightly creamy there is so much character to the wine it’s hard to nail down specifics. There’s a symphonic character of Gravenstein, Golden Delicious and Fuji apple, white peach, cinnamon, sous bois, turned loam and light roasted coffee with an exceptionally long finish.

 

Magnum Feature: Rose for all day

Magnums are easily the most underrated ways to enjoy wine. The larger format insulates the wine from bottle shock, ages better, and is much easier to share in group settings. There’s also nothing more bulletproof to bring at a gathering than a high quality rose, given that there’s an almost unlimited amount of food pairing opportunity.   

There is an entire spectrum of styles made under the Bandol Rose Umbrella with largely two major schools of thought at play. Some producers choose a rich and extracted style that features more fruit with the opposing style being a leaner expression and emphasizing the mineral/botanical character you see in a lighter style. To exemplify the richer style we can’t think of a better example than Bastide Blanche, who delivers an entire harvest basket of Blood orange, sorbet, mandarin orange, fresh raspberry, hibiscus, lavender and sage that’s all underscored by a chalky minerality.

Made from a minimum of 75% Mourvèdre, Bastide Blanche is considered a benchmark producer of this style of Bandol rose; with the estate being originally founded to compete with the best of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to the north. Also known for being one of the few roses that benefits from bottle age, the texture of the wine becomes almost tea-like on the finish with the fruit also softening as well. Bastide Blanche is a “Red wine drinker’s rose” being the perfect alternative to a heavier red on a hot day, afternoon or evening.   

In stock now: 

Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose Provence 2020 1.5L ($69.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose Provence 2020 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose Provence 2020 750ML ($319.95) $288 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Limpid orange-pink. Expressive red berry, blood orange and pit fruit aromas are accompanied by building mineral and floral nuances. Taut and energetic in the mouth, offering sappy strawberry, orange zest and lavender flavors braced by a spine of chalky minerality. Finishes silky and impressively long, with repeating mineral and floral notes.”
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette. Organic. Clay, limestone & cailloux. Tasting note: Dense cherry and raspberry fruit with citrus and stone flavors. Full body with a perfectly balanced and long finish.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Chateau Pradeaux’s roots in Bandol date back to 1752, when the Portalis family was tasked with a draft of the Napoleonic Code. This extended time amongst their vines and terroir is evident in their practices, which are entirely traditional with only minor elements borrowed from the current era. As Champions and advocates of the Mourvèdre grape (Largely considered the most important red in Bandol) they feature it across their portfolio including their rose. Expect a punch of fruit with a savory and chalky finish that keeps you coming back for another taste. 

In stock and available now: 

Chateau Pradeaux Bandol Rose Provence 2019 1.5L ($89.95) $61.90 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The Bandol Rosé from Pradeaux is perhaps the most serious wine in this category. Robust, rich, and complex with an ability to age gracefully, this wine is based on Cinsault (50%) and Mourvèdre (50%), taking its slight orange tint from the latter cépage. The younger vines of the domaine (average age: 25 years) are utilized to produce a rare rosé with staying power and exceptional complexity. The Rosé is vinified by a direct pressing for 24 hours followed by fermentation in cement tanks at a controlled temperature of 18 degrees Celsius for about 15 days; the malo-lactic fermentation is blocked and the wine is usually bottled in mid-April of the following year.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

With their first recorded harvest in the year 1256, Commanderie de Peyrassol has been making wine for a minute or two. Theorized to have been established for viticulture by the Knights Templar, the estate has been continuously producing wine for over 800 years.The current iteration however was founded much more recently, with Francois Rigord undergoing extensive renovations to the estate in 1970. These renovations were continued and improved on under new ownership in 2001, with the Astruy family assuming ownership. 

The vines planted are reflective of Provencal wine as a whole, including Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Tibouren (an ancient variety native to the area). Now certified organic, with both red and white old vines and a completely outfitted facility, Peyrassol is at the top of their game. Their rosé portfolio encapsulates the essence of the region, featuring both highly ageworthy and collectable examples to light and easy drinking. Their top cuvee is sourced from their restored walled vineyard, called a “Clos” in French and is primarily comprised of Tibouren. 

In stock and available now: 

Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Le Clos Peyrassol’ Rose France 2019 1.5L ($149.95) $129 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 93 points “Predominantly Tibouren, with the balance of the blend being Grenache and Rolle, Peyrassol’s super pale 2019 Cotes de Provence Rose Le Clos Peyrassol offers up scents of crushed stone, garrigue, white peach and lime, all tinged with tart red berries. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with a silky-wet stone feel and a lingering finish that seems to build in red fruit intensity while remaining citrusy and refreshing at the same time. One of the best wines in this year’s tasting, this is a limited-production cuvée from a walled vineyard located on the estate.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Featured Offering: The Vinopolis Sweet Tooth 

Can you think of a wine more versatile than sweeter wines? There are few culinary experiences that can compare to eating something high in fat or exceptionally spicy with a sweeter style of wine. This is on account of the sweetness acting as a palate cleanser and the acid cutting through the fat. For a more heightened experience, wines that have undergone botrytis and bottle age offer additional characteristics like crystallized ginger, Manuka honey, honeysuckle and caramel.

Some of the best examples of this style include the Quarts de Chaume region in the Loire, The Mosel Valley of Germany, and the island of Sicily. These areas share a number of characteristics that make them especially conducive to sweeter wine styles; with mineral rich soils, steeped terraces, proximity to bodies of water, and climates that allow for a long growing season.        

Baumard is the most famous producer in the Quarts de Chaume appellation, despite farming a tiny portion of the regions 110 acres. The area has been famous for its sweet wines made from Chenin Blanc since the Middle Ages, with the Quarts de Chaume name originating with the 25% of the crop the peasants owed to the Diocese of Angers as tax. This fame continued into the modern era, with the area being the first in the entire Loire to be classified as a “Grand Cru” site. The proximity to the Layon River creates waves of humidity that are perfect for cultivating Botrytis Cinerea in the grape clusters, which concentrates the sugars in the grape via shriveling.

Baumard’s holdings in the appellation consist of several soil types and are farmed organically. Their house style can be described as “Seeking a purer expression of site and fruit” and eschews any use of oak during the winemaking process. Expect a spectrum of flavor that encompasses everything from honeyed Seville orange, spiced Anjou pear and lychee with a plethora of lilies and jasmine aromas.       

In stock and available now: 

Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Loire 2015 375ML ($59.95) $39 special, 6 half-bottles in stock now
Domaine des Baumard Quarts de Chaume Loire 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator “Highly Recommended” 98 points. Waves of creamed Jonagold apple, Cavaillon melon, mirabelle plum, mango and white peach flavors provide thrilling range, while flashes of honeysuckle and verbena add detail and focus throughout. Unctuous yet pure, sweet yet invigorating, with an inner brightness that matches the outward hedonism. Best from 2020 through 2045. 100 cases imported.”

Muscat of Alexandria is one of the first grapes to have ever been used for wine production in the world. Dating back over 5,000 years Muscat is theorized to be native to the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia, where she was transported around the Mediterranean by the Assyrians, Ancient Egyptians, Phoenicians, and Greeks. In Sicily, Muscat was renamed Zibbibo after the Arabic name for raisin in reference to its use use for eating and in sweet wine production. 

Donnafugata’s founder Giacomo Rallo purchased an existing vineyard on a neighboring island, called Pantelleria with the idea of reviving the traditional style of Zibbibo. The island is closer to Tunisia than Sicily, and experiences constant wind from the Mediterranean Sea and North Africa which mitigates the otherwise sweltering temperatures. The Zibbibo sourced for the Ben Rye bottling is grown in the bushvine style native to Sicily, called Alberello with an average vine age of 90 years old.

These factors converge beautifully, with a flavor profile and texture that is reminiscent of Tokaji and Vin Santo at the same time. Intensely flavorful with notes of Figs, toffee, dried apricot, Ribera Orange, dried lavender and sage make this the center stage of the table.      

In stock and available now: 

Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria Sicily 2017 375ML ($49.95) $39 special, 34 half-bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Pale golden-amber color. A full-bodied, sweet white with evolving layers of honey, lilies, candied ginger, peaches, kumquats and lychees. So luscious, complex and balanced. Incredibly long finish. Drink or hold.” 


Likely the first area in Germany to be planted en masse with grapevines, its first mention is by the Roman poet Magnus Ausonius in 370 A.D with their first settlement being founded in 15 B.C. In the same way that Neuschwanstein Castle is the face of Bavaria and German architecture as a whole, the Mosel Valley is the face of the Rhine and German wine. Unlike other German wine regions that see a diverse assortment of grapes under cultivation, the Mosel produces Riesling almost exclusively along the banks of the river. 

These vineyards feature vast percentages of the trademark blue and gray slate which also aids in ripening, and contributes a clean slate-like character to the wine. The more favorable growing conditions allow for the entire spectrum of Riesling to be produced ranging from dry to lusciously sweet. Aj Adam delivers this reputation in spades with his old vine estate vineyard located in Dhron Hofberg, one of the “Grand Cru’s” of the Mosel River Valley.

Famous in the 20th century for its multifaceted and mineral driven wines, the site rests on a small tributary of the Mosel that allows for incredibly versatile expressions of Riesling. The Hofberg Auslese made by Adams exemplifies these factors perfectly, being made from Riesling that was originally intended for Eiswein (The latest harvested of all German Wine). The resulting wine features an entire kaleidoscope of flavors ranging from pineapple, lychee, guava, passionfruit, and Valencia orange. There’s also a definite mineral character on the finish, with an electric acidity that acts as a through line.          

In stock and available now: 

Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Auslese * 2016 Mosel 375ML ($69.95) $39 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2016er Auslese * was made from the second pressing of the Eiswein grapes harvested on November 30. This already golden-colored wine delivers a rather ripe and exotic nose of grapefruit, candied passion fruit and backed pineapple. It is nicely balanced on the palate and does not exhibit the usual “Eiswein bite” of such wines but proves more luscious in style. The acidity comes eventually through in the sweet and complex finish. 2023-2036.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 91 points “This “one-star” Auslese represents the later fraction of pressing from the frozen grapes harvested on November 30. Papaya, peach and candied lemon peel on the nose set the tone for a silken-textured, tartly tingling palate. An influx of salinity provides welcome saliva-inducement in a rich yet bright, albeit relatively opaque finish. The sense of invigoration and grip here are highly impressive. And possibly it will clarify more with some time in bottle, though as with most Riesling crushed from frozen grapes, I would monitor this one’s evolution cautiously if I were planning to cellar any.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Collector’s Corner: Boudignon

Have you ever had a Chenin Blanc from a French cult producer? You’ve heard of Boulay and Dagueneau’s history making Sauvignon Blanc but the Loire has another varietal amongst her crown jewels; Chenin. Cultivated in the Loire valley since 845, it’s known for being one of the most versatile on the planet; producing benchmark examples of still, sweet and sparkling wines with incredible longevity in the bottle. Across these styles you find an entire spectrum of Pomme fruit flavors, that can resemble green apples at their leanest to honeycrisp and quince at their most developed with an unshakable core of acid not unlike a well-made Riesling out of Germany. 

In spite of this pedigree the world is only just starting to discover these works of art from the Loire, with producers like Boudignon leading a new generation that are taking Chenin Blanc to new heights. Originally from Bordeaux, Thibaud Boudignon made a name for himself working in Burgundy at the legendary house, Philippe Charlopin. This tutelage is clearly evident in his current work, which features a purity of varietal character and mineral spine rarely seen outside of Burgundy. 

After producing exemplary work at Chateau Soucherie he purchased a small vineyard and initiated biodynamic conversion. His seminal vintage was in 2009 and immediately put him on the map in France, and he’s only gotten better since! His devotion to meticulous farming under biodynamic standards in addition to his masterful technical skill as a winemaker have made him a cult figure almost overnight. We only get small quantities of his wines every year, so get them while you can! 

In Stock Now:

Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc, Loire 2019 750ML ($47.95) $44 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc, Loire 2019 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 6 magnums 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.”

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

Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc ‘a Francoise…’ Loire 2019 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Cut like a diamond with clean lines and explosive fruit. Long detailed finish that fans out with a touch of creaminess. Still evolving and will reward the one who has patience. A worthy homage to his mother and grandfather.”
Importer note “Made from his finest plots in Anjou. The wine is named after his late mother, who tragically passed away from cancer when Thibaud was 17 years old. He makes this wine in her honor, without any compromise. If he feels the wine does not live up to his mother’s name, he won’t make it.”

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

Thibaud Boudignon Savennières Clos de Frémine, Loire 2019 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW – Vinous 95 points “An elegant and pure style that offers a delightful silken texture. The 2019 Clos de Frémine floats delicately, almost as if you are tasting a cloud, despite containing plenty of intensity in its focused core of fruit. There’s a burst of fresh acidity and a bristle of fine-grained texture; whether that’s the tannin or the soil, it’s there on the finish. I could tell you it tastes of apples and citrus, but this is a wine that seems to care less about fruit descriptors and more about the essence of its place.”
Importer note “Just across a small road from Clos de la Hutte, in the hamlet of Poissonnière, Clos Frémine is an exciting addition to Thibaud’s stunning Savennières lineup. Just like it’s famed neighbor, the vineyard sits on pure schist that is found only 20cm below the surface. There is a bit more sand at the base of this site, which provides the wine with a delicate lift and added layer of elegance.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Thibaud Boudignon Savennières La Vigne Cendrée, Loire 2018 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Importer note “La Vigne Cendrée is the smallest parcel of the domaine, 0.5 hectares, in the commune of Savennières. In spite of its small surface area there is an exceptional mosaic of terroir : purple schist, granite and clay silt. Because of the clay and the southern exposition, this wine is naturally richer.  Half is aged in 226 liter burgundy barrels and half in foudre, with no new wood, for 12 months, this wine is very ‘burgundian.’ La Vigne Cendrée offers a combination of generosity and mineral tension under a noble reduction.”

Thibaud Boudignon Savennières Clos de la Hutte, Loire 2018 750ML ($119.95) $95 special, 17 bottles in stock now
No reviews available for the 2018 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
Rebecca Gibb MW – Vinous 97 points “The 2019 Clos de la Hutte is the site that spoke to Boudignon when he arrived in Savennières. Once the site of a monastery, it’s not yet a religious experience drinking this, but it’s not got far to go: there’s a sense of expansion in the mouth, followed by impressive structure, showing its serious intentions and a sense that it’s good enough to eat. There’s an intriguing white floral note alongside pear, followed up with energetic acidity. Excellent texture and sapidity on the finish, providing length and structure. This wine has it all: delicacy and power, structure and refinement. Unfortunately, frosts in 2019 were not kind so there is very little of it to go around.”
Importer note “[A new] addition to Thibaud’s range of Chenin Blanc comes from a half hectare plot within the Clos de la Hutte (1.5ha) lieu-dit. The vines are young but the wine is profound.  There is a long history to this site and Thibaud is channeling every bit of it here.  The volumes are miniscule – 1000 bottles released. Clos de la Hutte is situated in the commune of La Poissonnière; the Clos de la Hutte is an ancient religious site of 7 hectares, of which 2.6 are planted with vines. At the heart of this ancient monastery are vines produced from a massal selection of Chenin Blanc coming from the best domaines of the Loire. 5 different varieties of Chenin were planted together so as to best express the intensity and singularity of this special place. 50% vinified in oval demi muid, 25% in 320 liter cigars, and 25% in 500 liter. The ageing last one year in wood and a minimum of 3 months in stainless steel. The Clos de la Hutte seduces with its aromatic finesse and the intense minerality in the mouth.” 

 

 

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:


Featured New Arrival:
Quilceda Creek’s 100 Point 2018
“As Good as it Gets for Washington Cabernet Sauvignon”

New, 95-Point Super Tuscan
From a Chianti Favorite

New Arrivals
Including Dagueneau, Vajra,
Produttori del Barbaresco, Caze-Thibaut,
Cristom, Foradori and More!

Vinopolis Face-Off: The Tête de Cuvee Extravaganza, Part 1

Two Classic Rosés from Very Different Places

Just Arrived:
Classical St.-Emilion from Chateau Grandchamp

Trending Wines

Collector’s Corner: Veuve Clicquot’s Top Wine

We’re Open for In-Store Shopping!


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Featured New Arrival

Quilceda Creek’s 100 Point 2018

“As Good as it Gets for Washington Cabernet Sauvignon”

There’s a reason that Quilceda Creek is the number one name in Washington Cabernet—the standard by which all others are judged. Simply put, no other winery has been making wines that score as highly as consistently (and for so long).

2018 is going down as a standout vintage in Washington State for its near perfect wines. A long growing season combined with a leisurely paced harvest allowed for perfectly healthy fruit to be brought in at ideal ripeness. After 40 vintages working with the Champoux vineyard, Quilceda Creek has wrangled in the sites 5th 100 point score in its planted history.

Bold, rich, and powerful, it’s destined to be one of the greatest wines ever produced in Washington. The only catch is that the quantities are extremely limited—we barely received two cases of this sought-after icon.


In Stock Now:

Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Decanter 100 points “This is as good as it gets for Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Right away the gorgeous crème de violette and crème de cassis tones join blackberry cordial, exotic spices and dark chocolate shavings. The combination of finesse and texture is downright scintillating. Sweet pipe tobacco is woven together with Black Forest cake, and fresh blueberries and graphite with shades of tar take shape on the palate. Truly sensational even at the three year mark, this will provide drinking enjoyment over the next 20 plus years. Drinking Window 2021 – 2040.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “Another magical Cabernet Sauvignon from this team, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley comes from a blend of sites and is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon brought up mostly in new French oak. This vivid purple-hued beauty offers a kaleidoscope-like array of red and black currants, spice box, lead pencil shavings, crushed stone, and assorted tobacco and leafy herb nuances. These carry to full-bodied Cabernet with incredibly purity of fruit, building tannins and structure, flawless balance, and a monster of a finish that won’t quit. It should keep for 20-25 years with no issues. This is unquestionably another brilliant set of releases from Quilceda, and these 2018s show the classic opulence this estate is known for backed up by beautiful purity and lots of underlying structure.”
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 98 points “The capsule of the 2018 celebrates the 40th vintage, otherwise unnoted specifically to keep the consistency of the label. The nose is soft and delineated with lifted dark red and black fruit essences that waft with a delicate floral lift. Showing a softer and compact frame that delivers fine and focused aromas, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon packs complex layers in the nose, with a fresh bouquet of red and purple flowers, violets, lilac and sakura before overflowing with a fruit bowl of aromatics, including black raspberry, black cherry and juicy plum with blackberry nuances, all shining through with a thoughtful frame of French oak tones. Medium to full-bodied at 14.8% alcohol, the palate bursts with precision and finesse and there’s an elegant frame that offers lively acidity and succulent, fine-grained tannins. The 40th vintage marks a brilliant success for Quilceda Creek, attaining a lighter chassis that captures the same magic without being overly generous. The 2018’s tighter frame has allowed the wine to express layers of beautiful dark red fruit flavors and supple oak spices that make the wine slightly spicy with cinnamon essence while offering the same precision without any sacrifices to the overall experience. Ultimately, the wine glides to a remarkably long and textured finish that will last for a couple of decades. Bravo! This is another successful vintage for Quilceda Creek. Run, don’t walk to get this into your cellar!”
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Cellar Selection. Aromas of black raspberry, dried herb, cherry, incense, cranberry and spice explode from the glass. The flavors undulate across the palate, creamy in feel, with layer upon layer of fruit and barrel flavors. It is completely seamless, with outrageous balance—the quintessential hammer in a velvet glove. The finish carries off into the distance. Best after 2032. -Sean P. Sullivan”

New, 95-Point Super Tuscan

From a Chianti Favorite

Chianti remains one of the best value regions in Italy, despite its great international acclaim.  Case in point? The new wines from Rocca di Montegrossi.  These are big, rich versions of Chianti, with texture and density to spare.  Except for the slight textural difference, you’d swear these were Brunello/Rosso di Montalcino—except their pricing is 20% below what they’d be if they had those labels. 

The wine to focus on is their Super Tuscan “Geremia”, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  It captures so much of what we love about the estate with big, rich fruit and a surprising amount of elegance.  This is a wine that would be 2x as expensive if it were from Bordeaux (and probably 3x if it were from Napa, sadly) but the wines of Chianti offer superb value. 

The new vintage, 2016, was one of the most immaculate years in Tuscan history—a near perfect vintage that left growers spoiled for choice on when to pick and how to make their wines, and Montegrossi’s Geremia reflects this. It’s a super-Tuscan exactly the way they would dream of it, and worthy of a starring place on your table.

Just Arrived:

Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Toscana IGT 2016 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 Points “The 2016 Geremia is a total knock-out. An exotic mélange of sweet dark cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and menthol races out of the glass. The 2016 is deep, dense and full of character. It is also easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon work so well here in the way they express richness and structure, all with a real sense of Tuscan raw power.”

Also Available, In Stock Now:

Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Toscana IGT 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The Geremia, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is outrageously beautiful in 2015. Racy and pliant, with soft curves, Geremia captures all of the radiant beauty of the vintage. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint, mocha and sweet spice are all fused together. At the moment, there is a touch of new oak that still needs to integrate, but a few more years in bottle should do the trick. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral notes and red-toned fruit character that lend freshness and lift to play off the wine’s more extroverted leanings. The 2015 is a gorgeous Geremia.”

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Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico DOCG 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico opens with a burst of sweet red berry fruit, spice and wild flowers. Exuberant and racy, the 2018 is endowed with tremendous energy and tons of personality. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s inner sweetness and radiance, with a closing flourish of red flowers. This is a fabulous wine for the money. Don’t miss it.”
Wine & Spirits 93 points “Winter rains in 2018 brought welcome relief from the drought of the previous year, according to Rocca di Montegrossi’s proprietor, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi, and while many areas of Tuscany suffered from humid conditions during the summer, his estate’s position in the high, well-ventilated hills of Gaiole kept his grapes healthy. The result is a dark and savory wine packed with rich black-cherry flavors and subtle spice notes, all underlined by firm, slatey tannins. It shows formidable substance and ripeness compared to some of the lighter wines coming out of this vintage and will develop well over the next several years.”

Rocca di Montegrossi Vigneto San Marcellino, Chianti Classico DOCG 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2014 Chianti Classico Vigneto San Marcellino is dark, sumptuous and super-expressive. Like all of the wines here, the 2014 San Marcellino needs at least a few years in bottle to truly show everything it has, but there is more than enough here to provide for engaging drinking for many years to come. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous scents of black cherry, plum, menthol, licorice and smoke. The 2014 is a striking, complete wine.”

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Rocca di Montegrossi Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2009 375ML ($99.95) $89 special, half-bottles in stock now
***Half bottle***
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Vin Santo is a rich, exotic wine, as it always is. Readers will find one of the richest most intense Vin Santos being made today. Plush, tropical and ample in feel, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Vin Santo is bold and racy to the core. The 350 grams of residual sugar leave the wine with tremendous textural plushness.”

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Newly Arrived

Dagueneau’s only bottling from Sancerre, this hyper-rare beast is one of the gems of the Loire.
Louis-Benjamin – Didier Dagueneau Sancerre ‘Le Mont Damne’ 2018 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 3 bottles in stock now

This is the only listing in the USA today!

A new (excellent) vintage of our best-selling Cabernet value.
Substance ‘Cs’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special
Case-12 Substance ‘Cs’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($239.95) $156 special (that’s only $13/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Juicy blue fruits, leafy tobacco, violets, and orange blossom notes all emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Cs and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a beautifully balanced, fruit-forward style, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s no simple fruit bomb and has notable structure, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It reminds me of a top Cru Bourgeois from Bordeaux and represents a stunning value. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.”

It’s rare to find Barbera planted in cru Barolo vineyards, which is why this is so good.
G.D. Vajra Viola delle Viole Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont750ML ($34.95) $29 special
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.”

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

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

Previously sold out, now back—for a bit.
Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special

We’ve been hearing about this Champagne for five years, and finally get to offer it.
Caze-Thibaut ‘Naturellement’ Extra Brut, Champagne (2018) NV 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special
Caze-Thibaut ‘Naturellement’ Extra Brut, Champagne (2018) NV 1.5L ($149.95) $128 special
Peter Liem note “Fabien Cazé is the tenth generation of his family to cultivate vines in Champagne, and while the Cazé family has been bottling champagne through the local cooperative since 1953, Fabien himself began making estate-bottled champagnes under his own label in 2013. Today he cultivates 2.56 hectares of vines in the villages of Châtillon, Vandières and Reuil, all on the Rive Droite, or the northern bank, of the Vallée de la Marne. About two-thirds of his vineyard area is planted with meunier, with the rest chardonnay except for one parcel of pinot noir in Vandières. Cazé’s vineyards have been certified organic since 2016, and he places heavy emphasis on mechanical labor in the vines, eschewing large tractors in favor of smaller chenillards—lightweight, caterpillar-tracked vehicles that don’t compact the soil as much. After harvesting, he presses the grapes in a Coquard PAI press that he shares with his wife at her winery, Champagne Bouquet, whose facilities are located just next to their house on the road leaving Châtillon-sur-Marne (and just in front of the lieu-dit La Fontinette, which Cazé’s friend Flavien Nowack bottles as a single-vineyard champagne). Cazé favors a long, slow pressing, which he says “extracts tannins but also more minerality,” and while he used to ferment a portion of his wine in tank, he now vinifies his entire production in secondhand oak barrels of various sizes, exclusively with indigenous yeasts.”

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The newest vintage of a Willamette Valley classic (and top value) returns!
Cristom ‘Mt. Jefferson Cuvee’ Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($44.95) $36 special 
Cristom ‘Mt. Jefferson Cuvee’ Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 375ML ($24.95) $19 special
James Suckling 97 points “This is very seductive on the nose with ripe strawberry, spice, flowers and hints of cloves. Full-bodied, but very reserved and tight with chewy, polished tannins and a long, long finish. Racy and structured.”

A California icon.
Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Chardonnay California 2018 750ML ($ 24.95) $19.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate “The 2018 Chardonnay opens with notes of lemon butter, crème caramel and toasty oak over a core of ripe apricots and poached pears. The medium-bodied palate reveals a fairly oaky style with suggestions of stone fruit and spicy flavors with a succinct finish.” 

A cult winemaker’s fantastically complex white from a local grape.
Foradori Fontanasanta Manzoni Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2019 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 Points “Unique aromas of lemon drops and dried limes with hay and candied pineapple, following through to a full body with layers of fruit and a wonderful flavors of peaches and nectarines, as well as some tile and stone. Creamy texture. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink now.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Foradori 2019 Manzoni Bianco Fontanasanta opens to a bright golden color with some faint copper or greenish highlights. A portion of the wine is aged in clay amphorae. The bouquet is somewhat neutral with loads of pear, Golden Delicious apple and quince. There’s nothing too fragrant or floral. Instead, the wine is grounded in unmistakable orchard fruit aromas that color both the bouquet and the wine’s flavor profile. You also get honey, saffron and candied orange peel. The wine ends with a touch of mineral dryness, like broken slate or crushed terracotta, that contributes to the tight, almost tannic finish.”

Pretty in pink. 
Mancino “Sakura – Cherry Blossom” Vermouth 500ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The limited edition of Mancino Vermouth with cherry blossoms from Kyoto and Italian Viola flowers, reveals Giancarlo’s culinary infatuation with Japan and Italy. A perfect blend of 20 botanicals based on Italian white wines with a distinct bitter taste on the palate given by the wormwood and a sweetness given by the flowers. This magical harmony with Japan is celebrated with the production of only 4000 bottles per year. 18% Vol.”

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 Vinopolis Face-Off:

The Tête de Cuvee Extravaganza, Part 1
  

You’ve heard of iconic Champagne bottlings like like Dom Perignon, Cristal, and La Grande Damme but are you familiar with “Tête de cuvée?” Traditionally used to denote a Champagne house’s top offering, they are usually blends from the top vineyards owned or contracted by the house and represent the most collectible and famous examples in the world.

If that wasn’t rare and exclusive enough, there are Rose versions made but only during the most exceptional growing seasons. In certain years the Champagnes have a life in the bottle that can last for a half-century or more, with certain cuvee’s dating back to the 1930’s still being drinkable and offering an experience like no other. In the spirit of friendly competition we will be comparing a number of Tête de cuvée’s that we carry in store, who’s going to be your new champion? 

You’ve heard of the Champagne widow and pioneer Madame Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin (also known as Madame Clicquot), but have you heard of Madame Pommery? While less famous than her predecessor, Champagne as we know it would not exist without her contributions. In the 1870’s champagne was one of the sweetest wines of the world for a number of reasons. The first and foremost was to balance out the otherwise searing acid that was seen in Champagnes of the period. The second was to cater to commercial preferences of the era, particularly from the Russian royal family and their contemporaries who loved exceptionally sweet wines. 

This all changed with Madame Louise Pommery who commissioned her cellarmaster to make a champagne with as little added sugar as possible, creating the category we now know to be “Brut”. The debut vintage in 1874 was an overnight success in England, who had developed a preference for drier styles of wine. It was so popular in fact, that it set records in London for the highest ever paid for champagne at auction. The Brut style clearly outlived its sweeter contemporary, given the latter is rarely seen on the market anymore.

The Tête de cuvee from Pommery is named after Madame Louise and in honor of her legacy has the barest amount of sugar added. Comprised of 3 Grand Cru vineyard sources Avize, Cramant and Ay and aged for 11 years on it’s lees before disgorgement, with predominantly Chardonnay but has 40% Pinot Noir as well. The grand cru sources for the fruit are clearly evident in the concentrated flavors, strong mineral character and high acidity with notes of toasted brioche, blackcurrant preserves, hazelnut paste, pine nuts and lemon curd. With the “Current” release being the 2004, this is a champagne built for the long haul to say the least.

In contrast there is the Taittinger Comtes De Champagne; named after the royal counts who used to reside in the region. With only 17 Iterations in it’s 69 year history since the first in 1952, this is one of the rarest of the set, and one of the 

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

Taittinger describes the house style as emphasizing “Lightness and natural, elegant wines expressive of their origin” with as little dosage added as possible to allow the fullest character of their fruit to come through in the finished product. The house has some of the largest estate holdings of grapevines in all of Champagne, the majority of them predominantly in the illustrious Cote Des Blancs.

2007 was the first vintage that saw the Tattinger family resuming complete control over the operations of the house after repurchasing controlling interest. The dominance of Chardonnay from the Cotes de blancs combined with the extended time en tirage (on the lees) makes for an incredibly nuanced expression of the varietal, terroir and house. With a lean fruit profile, layers of tertiary character and an electrifying minerality; this is a liquid work of art.


In stock and available now: 

Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut Nature, Champagne 2004 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 34 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “A creamy and refined 2004 with a very reserved and tight palate of ultra fine tannins that lend the wine beautiful creaminess and finesse. Subtly floral, offering lightly cooked apples and lemons. Flavorful, yet always hiding behind the fine bubbles. Drink now.”

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

Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut Millesime, Champagne, 2004 1.5L ($299.95) $279 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “A very fine-textured Champagne with lovely density and finesse. The bubbles roll off the palate. Full body. Extremely creamy and flavorful. Shows wonderful finesse and a lovely, chalky, lemon-curd and brioche aftertaste. Drink now.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Pommery’s prestige Champagne is named after one of the great Champagne widows of the 19th century who took over when her husband, Alexandre Pommery, died. It is a rich, mature wine, with toast and almond flavors as much as fruit. Full of mineral Chardonnay (60% of the blend), this ripe wine is very ready to drink.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Bright and minerally, featuring smoke and pastry dough notes layered with lemon curd and pureed black currant details, riding the lively bead. Offers a creamy finish, with a lightly floral overtone. Drink now through 2024. 16,666 cases made.”

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

Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut Rose Millesime, Champagne 2004 750ML ($299.95) $219 special, 21 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “This is a new release and shows wonderful finesse and beauty. You know that the moment you see the pale-amber color. It’s medium bodied with freshness and energy and a long, vivid finish. A joy to taste. Drink now.”

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Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2007 ($179.95) $135 special, 17 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “This is a step up from the linear and fresh 2006. It shows subtle depth and power with a dense block of vivid fruit that’s highlighted with lemon zest, green apples and hints of white peaches. Just the right amount of praline and nuts on the nose. Fine and tight bead give the Champagne a luxurious mouthfeel. One for now or the cellar. Drink or hold.”
The Champagne Guide 98 points “”(disgorged October 2015) After the might of 2005 and 2006, there is a pretty elegance to 2007 that I find thrillingly compelling, and it’s captured in pinpoint detail in this enchanting Comtes. The theme here is fragrant finesse of youthful lemon blossom, touched with delightful notes of brioche, marzipan and almond. The chalk mineral signature of Comte’s rumbles with the ancient geological history of the finest grand crus of the Côtes des Blancs. Still pale in hue at a decade of age, this is my style of Comtes. Turn down the lights and the music and pour it for the one you love most.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Taittinger’s 2007 Comtes de Champagne will be nearly impossible to resist upon release. Soaring aromatics, mid-weight structure and soft contours give the 2007 its alluring personality. Lemon oil, white flowers, mint, chamomile and green pear add brightness and freshness throughout, with a persistent, clean finish that makes it impossible to resist a second taste. Today, the 2007 comes across as a slightly more open version of the 2004, with freshness that makes that wine so appealing, and a touch of textural richness that recalls the 2002. Although the 2007 does not have the explosive energy or verticality of the profound 2006, it will drink better earlier. The 2007 has been positively brilliant on the three occasions I have tasted it so far.”
Decanter 96 points “The 2007 Comtes de Champagne is an astonishing Champagne. With aromas of dried flowers, chamomile and plenty of freshness, the bouquet is complex and dense. The fine and pure texture on the palate is supported by a chalk and iodine finish.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne continues to show very well, and it hasn’t evolved appreciably since I last tasted it a few months ago. Revealing a pretty bouquet of lemon oil, lily pollen, dried white flowers, blanched almonds and crushed chalk, it’s medium to full-bodied, chiseled and tensile, with excellent depth at the core, racy acids and a pure, precise and notably chalky finish. Tight-knit without being austere, it’s a very classically balanced middleweight Comtes that has a long future ahead of it.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Taittinger’s prestigious Comtes de Champagne is composed entirely of Chardonnay grapes from the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger (Côte des Blancs). The citrus-golden colored 2007 Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is the fourth in a row after the 2004 vintage (which will be followed by 2008 whereas there will be no Comtes from 2009, 2010 and 2011) and opens with a nobly intense yet nuanced bouquet of ripe fruits, chalk, iodine and a touch of brioche. The wine indicates a coolish and precise character ond the clear, flinty nose that develops lemon, pastry and floral notes. On the palate, this is Taittinger at its best: clear, fresh, lush and elegant, offering both sensuality and noble elegance. The 2007 reveals great finesse and is a perfect expression of both the Taittinger style and the Côte de Blancs. The wine (of which 5% has spent four months in oak barrels to give roundness and a touch of toast) is tightly woven, well concentrated and even juicy yet always clear, fresh, pure, fine and elegant. The finish is intense, clean, vivacious and complex, with good grip and lingering salty minerals that indicate good aging potential. Disgorged in October 2017; tasted in May 2018.”

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Brut Rose, Champagne 2000 1.5L ($1199.95) $899 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Light pink. Spicy strawberry, redcurrant, blood orange and minerals on the nose, plus a hint of jasmine. Nervy, focused and light on its feet, with fresh red fruit and tangerine flavors underpinned by juicy acidity. The racy finish offers excellent lift and a lingering minerality. A rose of elegance more than power.”

This is the only listing for a magnum in the USA today!

 

Two Classic Rosés from Very Different Places

There’s not a single wine that Von Winning makes that isn’t an absolute knockout, and his latest vintage of rose is no exception. Made entirely with Pinot Noir or as the Germans call it, Spatburgunder. The character of the Pfalz is clearly evident from the first pour with the plush fruit, multispectral floral notes and loamy minerality. Full of white currant, strawberry puree, white peach skin, bing cherries and light roasted coffee beans; with an incredibly refreshing finish of salted lemon peel and white tea.   

Von Winning Spatburgunder Rose Deidesheim 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
Skurnik Wines note “Region: Pfalz. Grape Variety: Pinot Noir. Vineyards: Mix of sites in Diedesheim and Rupertsberg. Soil Types: Red sandstone, limestone, loess and clay. Age of Vines: 25 years. Farming Technique: Sustainable. Fermentation & Elevage: respectful cooperation with nature in the vineyard and minimal interference with the wine’s inner structure in the cellar.”

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

You’ve heard of Clos Cibonne and their illustrious rose-based portfolio, but did you know that they also produced an entry level offering? Sourced from the younger plantings of grapes on the estate and purchased fruit from 3 neighbors, this is the only department in France that allows the varietal Tibouren. Called Rosesse in it’s other home in Italy, it is a heritage varietal famous for the nuanced rose and compelling reds that are produced from it.

The Tentations rose is meant to offer an affordable introduction to the varietal and house style, and delivers in spades. Organically grown and fermented in steel with wild yeasts, the Tentations is pale in color with beautifully effusive aromas of orange peel, cherry blossom, marjoram and sea spray. A perfect introduction to Tibouren rose at a fraction of the cost you usually see. 

Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Tentations Rose France 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Tentations Rose France 2020 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/btl!)
De Maison Selections note “Tentations offers an accessible entry-point into Provence wine. Tentations is made with exceptional ingredients, including fruit from young tibouren vines and some purchased fruit from farmers they have long-standing relationships with, in prime spots in La Londe. The Tentations wines do not undergo the extensive aging process of the Clos Cibonne line. Offering immediate and unpretentious enjoyment, they are incredible food wines and represent one of the best wine values in the Côtes de Provence region. Site: La Londe. Grapes: 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Tibouren.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 

Just Arrived:

Classical St.-Emilion from Chateau Grandchamp

We’re suckers for classically made Bordeaux at reasonable prices—a combination that seems to be harder and harder to find. Gonzague Maurice makes a set of wines under the Chateau Grandchamp and Clos du Pavillon labels that more than fit the bill.  These wines are the essence of right-bank Bordeaux—Merlot and Cabernet Franc with limited makeup.

Vinification is in stainless steel and most of the elevage is in concrete (25-33% of the wine sees aging in older barrels), so these wines have a purity and vitality that’s uncommon in Bordeaux these days. Chateau Grandchamp is made from an estate vineyard, farmed organically and worked/harvested by hand—a true rarity in the “satellite” regions of Bordeaux.  The Clos du Pavillon wines we’re offering are negociant, but Maurice only works with growers who own unique terroirs and farm in accordance with his philosophies. These are delightful wines with plenty of old-school personality. 
 
We flew through our last stock, so we convinced our importer to secure us another round.  They arrived last week and are already selling briskly.

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Le Pavillon ‘La Grange des Bardes’ Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($39.95) $29.50 special

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Chateau de Grandchamp, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-6 Chateau de Grandchamp, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($149.95) $125 special (that’s only $20.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Chateau de Grandchamp, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Importer notes “Château de Grandchamp is the only domaine on the hillside overlooking the ancient commune of Parsac, located in the Montagne-Saint-Emilion appellation on the right bank of the Dordogne. Vigneron Gonzague Maurice manually farms Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon in densely planted vineyards rooted in clay-limestone soils with small traces of iron. The vineyard has been in organic conversion since 2010, however grass is sown regularly between vine rows and ploughing is done in alternating rows. Gonzague’s sole objective in the vineyard is to obtain perfectly ripe and clean fruit. Triage is done in both the vineyard and the cellar to ensure the highest quality grapes. In the cellar, grapes are vinified in small, temperature controlled tanks and then aged in a combination of tank and one to two year old barrels. Above all, he seeks to preserve the fruit throughout the fermentation and ageing processes. The resulting wine is aromatically vibrant and beautiful balanced with soft tannins.”

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Trending Wines

So favored by the French aristocracy that it was given the symbol of the elite, the Lily or Lys as it’s called in French. Elegance incarnate.
William Fevre Les Lys Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Chablis Les Lys 1er Cru is a dense, potent wine that will appeal most to readers who enjoy concentrated whites. Although not exactly subtle, the 2017 possesses superb depth and creaminess. Dried herbs, chamomile, crushed flowers and dried pear notes add character. There is no shortage of intensity, that much is clear. In this tasting, the 2017 comes across as a bit bombastic.”

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Grant Coulter is one of the hottest winemakers in the Willamette Valley.
Hundred Suns Sequitur Vineyard Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($59.95) $48 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “A perfumed nose of raspberries, plums, earth, orange peel and dried flowers. It’s medium-bodied with silky tannins and fresh acidity. Transparent and layered with plum and herbal tones on the mid-palate. Supple, long finish. Drink or hold.”

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Dry Riesling from one of the most sought-after producers
Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 750ML ($89.95) Was $66, Now $59 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 2 magnums in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The 2018 Felsenberg GG is also absolutely outstanding this year. The bouquet is impressively expressive at this early stage, soaring from the glass in a blaze of pear, tart orange, a beautiful base of slate minerality, wild yeasts, a touch of fleur de sel and a potpourri of floral scents in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and seamless, with outstanding mid-palate depth, powerful mineral drive and great cut and grip on the long, perfectly balanced and youthful finish. This will be show stopping juice in the fullness of time. 2028-2070. 94.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Bottled in July, just two days before I tasted the 2018 Schlossböckelheimer Felsenberg Riesling trocken –GG– for the first time, the nose was ripe and generous but fine and flinty-mineral. Lush and salty-piquant, this is a full-bodied, rich and powerful yet vital Riesling with lots of body But also tension, purity and grip. Tasted again in August 2019.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Huckleberry, crushed coriander seed and zesty lemon on the nose anticipate the piquancy, pungency and citricity that dominate on a firm, full, glossy palate. Stony and alkaline notes tug in an austere direction, though the gripping, penetrating finish conveys ample refreshing juiciness as well as an uncanny sense of energy. “Whatever might be your favorite from among these vintage 2018 Grosse Gewächse,” remarked Dönnhoff, “you can recognize the [taste of the] site, and that’s the goal.””

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The average price is $75

A beautiful Super-Tuscan from one of Italy’s greatest-ever vintages.
Cresti Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino Do ut des Toscana IGT Tuscany 2016 750ML ($54.95) $48 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cresti Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino Do ut des Toscana IGT Tuscany 2016 ($349.95) $269 special (That’s only $44.83 per bottle!)  
James Suckling 95 points “The fruit here really takes your breath away with its intensity, as well as purity. Blackberry crumble, pressed violets, ink, iodine, charcoal, vanilla and resin. It’s the polish of the tannins that really makes this wine, carrying itself effortlessly over a shimmer of electric acidity to the long finish. Drink in 2023. Made from organically grown grapes.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Do Ut Des (a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a generous and expansive personality that hits the palate like a warm embrace from a favorite friend. This is a succulent and smooth red wine with thick layers of bold cherry, dried blackberry, leather, rose hip and scorched earth. In the mouth, the wine proceeds with medium- to full-bodied texture and elegantly contoured fruit flavors.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Sleek and focused, with black currant, black cherry, plum, iron and tobacco flavors coursing through from start to finish. Tightly wound and vibrant, this lingers with subtle licorice and spice elements. Shows fine harmony and length. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036. 1,650 cases made, 200 cases imported. — BS”

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We adore what winemaker Bobby Rowett is doing. These are some of the most beautiful Champagne-style sparklers in the Valley.
Mellen Meyer Johan Vineyard Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Sparkling, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special
Winery note: Disgorged November 17th, 2019. Produced from non-irrigated vines.

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Collector’s Corner: Veuve Clicquot’s Top Wine

Easily the most recognizable Champagne on the market, Veuve Clicquot is a benchmark across their portfolio. With the eye popping “Clicquot Yellow” label that can be seen across a room, to the limited edition “Artist Series” featuring the legendary Yayoi Kusama there’s a commitment to excellence that is evident throughout their labels. This commitment has yielded tremendous advances to champagne as a whole, with Clicquot being credited with inventing the riddling table, rose champagne and single vintage styles. 

2008 has been lauded as “The Vintage of the Century” in Champagne, with examples from this year being some of the most collectible bottles on the market. This is on account of the growing season being exceptionally cool, until the last weeks before harvest brought the fruit to perfect ripeness. The combination of phenolic ripeness and high acids are the textbook ingredients for exceptionally long life in the bottle, with the best examples promising scores of evolution. 


In Stock Now:

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut Champagne 2008 750ML ($159.95) $138 special
Decanter 97 points “Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus. Drinking Window 2020 – 2048.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “An elegant Champagne, powered by a sculpted frame of acidity and minerality, this wears the refined, lacy mousse and well-meshed flavors of black currant, lemon curd, toast and marzipan like finely tailored clothing. Fresh and lasting, with hints of spice and smoke on the finish. Disgorged August 2016. 
Wine & Spirits 95 points “This is a sunny and delicious 2008, with brightness infusing the wine, from its platinum color to its mineral intensity, transforming its richness and power into cool elegance. Notes of agave and cassia bark add depth, suggesting the complexity this will develop with further bottle age.”
Peter Liem 3*/3* “Starting with this vintage, the proportion of pinot noir in La Grande Dame has been significantly increased, and in fact, the 2008 is almost a blanc de noirs, with 92 percent pinot noir and just 8 percent chardonnay (historically the blend was typically 50 to 60 percent pinot noir). While it displays the deep resonance and dark concentration of fruit that’s characteristic of the vintage, it remains elegant and fine, with a silky texture and a lively, elongated structure. It finishes with terrific length and poise, showing a complex and authoritative depth of flavor, yet it’s also still notably youthful and tightly wound even twelve years after the vintage, and it seems to indicate a long and slow development ahead of it. Patience, though, will undoubtedly be rewarded, and this feels as if it could turn out to be one of the finest examples of this cuvée in a long time.”

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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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Back in stock and newly arrived:

Von Winning Spatburgunder Rose Deidesheim 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special

Skurnik Wines note “Region: Pfalz. Grape Variety: Spätburgunder. Vineyards: Mix of sites in Diedesheim and Rupertsberg. Soil Types: Red sandstone, limestone, loess and clay. Age of Vines: 25 years. Farming Technique: Sustainable. Fermentation & Elevage: respectful cooperation with nature in the vineyard and minimal interference with the wine’s inner structure in the cellar.”

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Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose Provence 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 special

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.”

Domaine Migot Methode Traditionnelle Rose Brut Moselle NV 750ML ($29.95) $24 special

Importer note “Camille Migot is most certainly serious. He is a young dude; his first vintage was 2013. Migot’s family has been working the vineyards around here for some 13 generations. Thus he has some pretty concrete ideas of what he will and won’t do. The estate, only five hectares in size, is certified organic and the vineyard work is impressive. If these sites aren’t famous, they are loved. You can feel it (and you can see it). Every grape is hand-harvested. In the cellar, Camille is part of the younger generation looking past the “technologies” of the past few decades and returning to something more basic. All fermentations are carried out by natural yeasts. Élevage can be in both stainless steel or neutral oak; bottling is carried out with only the lightest of filtering.”

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Wein-Erbhof Stein Secco Sparkling Rose Mosel 2020 750ML ($29.95) $26 special

Importer note “Steep slate soils. Second fermentation in tank. Pinot Noir with approximately 20% Cabernet and Merlot, élevage all stainless.”

Sparkling wine.

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A riotously fragrant release, this shows notes of dried lemon zest, sea salt, lime flower, and pear tart. Its creamy mouthfeel balances the bright, palate-cleansing acidity. One of the finest vintages to date.

Crowley Four Winds Vineyard Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49

Winery note “Jasmine, lemongrass and salty mist jump out of the glass initially. Striking minerality melts into honeysuckle nectar on the palate. Earthen complexity is backed by apricot and white peach which lead into an incredibly long finish. A touch of wood frames this wine with firm structure. Wente, Dijon & Draper clones.  Native fermentation. 200 cases.”

A reserved nose hints at red forest berries, iodine, and loam. There’s layers of flavors on the palate, with tart red berries, rose petals, gentian, tea berries and soy. Its austerity hides a subtle, lingering richness that melts into fine, grippy tannins on the finish. Bravo!

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Crowley Four Winds Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special

Winery note “Cool aromas of tangerine tea mingled with spicy sativa weave into ripe cherry. This intriguing nose leads into an airy palate layered with pomegranate, mushroom and lean strawberry. Acidity is crisp and determined and framed by a complex and restrained fruit profile. 100% Pommard clone. Native fermentation. 200 cases.”

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Ross & Bee Maloof ‘Wax on Wax Soif’ Applegate Valley 2020 750ML ($26.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now

Winery note “This is a very cold, riverside vineyard owned by the farmers Ron and Laurie Burley since 1989, when they retired from their careers in the semiconductor industry. They planted the site in 1993. Herb Quady consults on the farming. Location – Applegate Valley AVA. Vineyard stats – 47 acres, 1250ft elevation. Planted in 1993. Farming – Organically farmed, in transition for certification. Soil types – Granite, river sedimentary. Grapes – 52% Syrah, 18% Grenache Noir, 15% Viognier, 15% Marsanne. Co-fermented on the skins for 7 days with daily punchdowns before being pressed off and moved to stainless steel to finish fermentation. After primary fermentation, the wine is moved to neutral oak barrels. Bottled unfined, unfiltered.”

Foradori ‘Lezer’ Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT Trentino-Alto Adige2020 750ML ($27.95) $24 special,

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Avignonesi ‘Poggetto di Sopra’ Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2016 ($69.95) $59 special,

Decanter 96 points “Virginie Saverys and Max Zarobe reset Montepulciano’s most famous name, Avignonesi, having bought it outright in 2009. This beautifully constructed, site-specific Sangiovese is juicy and smooth, its textural richness showcasing Vino Nobile’s intrinsic generosity without letting it become confused and burdensome as before. Drinking Window 2021 – 2030.”

Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Made with organic fruit, the 2016 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Poggetto di Sopra is a silky and pure Tuscan red, with the natural fruit intensity and the acidity to pair with a hearty baked eggplant dish. The bouquet is fragrant and bright with dried cherry, cassis, smoke, tar and burning ember. This bottle is part of the Alliance Vinum, or the small group of estates dedicated to safeguarding Vino Nobile and the culture surrounding this historic wine appellation. Each producer in the alliance makes a single-vineyard expression of Sangiovese, and this is the contribution from the forward-thinking Avignonesi estate.”

Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Balsamic whiffs of camphor align with ripe dark-skinned fruit, exotic spice and leather aromas. Vibrant and linear, the elegantly structured palate features dried black cherry, cassis and licorice before a coffee-bean finish. It’s still young so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2023–2036.”

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Domaine Olivier Pithon Mon P’tit Pithon IGP Cotes Catalanes2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special,

IGP Cotes Catalanes/ Roussillon. Grenache (34%), Mourvedre (33%), Syrah (33%)

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Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Nahe 2020 750ML ($26.95) $20.90 special,

James Suckling 92 points “So effusive thanks to the cornucopia of white peach and yellow apple, but also floral notes. Super fresh and juicy on the medium-bodied palate and the brilliant finish is barely off-dry. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”

Importer Note “The idea here is to make a village wine, basically, though it’s sold and marketed as a Gutswein or Estate bottled basic wine. The Estate wine combines the two major soils that dominate the holdings for the estate, giving the drinker a look into what Dönnhoff is all about. The basic wine is a calling card and thus Cornelius wants to make statement.”

Weingut Donnhoff Riesling Trocken Nahe 2020 750ML ($26.95) $20.90 special,

James Suckling 92 points “Very fresh, sleek and straight with a slew of summer-fruit and citrus aromas and a super-refreshing, crisp finish. Mostly from little-known vineyard sites in Oberhausen. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”

Importer Note “Grape: Riesling. Vineyard: Mostly from Oberhauser Felsenberg (volcanic), Kieselberg (slate).

Soil:The vines grow in stony, weathered volcanic soils of porphyry and melaphyr in particular, with certain amounts of slate and quartzite.

Wine making: Fermentations occur is a combination of stainless & used large oak”

Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett Nahe 2020 750ML ($34.95) $26 special,

James Suckling 94 points “Some people think only the Mosel can produce stunning Kabinetts, but this is pristine and pure, so racy and uplifiting. You barely feel the natural grape sweetness, but its a vital element of this wine. Super-clean finish. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”

Importer Note “Traditional, precise Kabinett with delicate slate aromatics. Nuanced finesse and spicy acidity. The Leistenberg vineyard lies in a small side valley of the Nahe just outside Oberhausen. The name is a double play on words. “Leisten ” means “achieve ” in German, and the Leistenberg perpetually lives up to its name. “Lei ” is also a regional word for slate, and these warm, decomposed clay slate soils and steep terraced hillsides provide ideal conditions for Riesling to thrive. Th e southeast-facing slope basks in the morning sun, which dries out any excess moisture and promotes healthy fruit. Th e afternoon sun is less powerful, nurturing a long ripening period and moderate alcohol levels. An ideal vineyard for Kabinett wines of high minerality and sophisticated elegance.”

Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett Nahe 2020 750ML ($34.95) $25.50 special,

James Suckling 93 points “Lovely fruit-salad and fresh-mint nose. Juicy and joyful, this has so much freshness, the hint of green apple at the crisp finish accentuating this. Good length. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink now. Screw cap.”

Importer Note “The loess loam soil of the Kro¨tenpfuhl vineyard is notable for its high share of gravelly quarzite. Between the stony ground and its southern aspect, this neighbor to the Kahlenberg is known for warm soils and early flowering of the vines year after year. The loess loam substrate retains water well, ensuring the vines have sufficient moisture even in drought years. Vines growing in this type of pebbly soil tend to produce small berries with delicate aromas, a lively acidity and a long hang time.”

Peter Lauer Feils Biebelhausem Riesling Fass 13 Grosse Lage GG Mosel 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 special,

Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 97 points “Very seductive, stone-fruit nose with floral overtones, then a very concentrated but perfectly proportioned palate that has so much finesse through the very long, silky finish that sparkles with minerals. Drink or hold.”

Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 18 Grosses Gewächs Mosel 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 6 bottles in stock now

Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling 95 points “Peach and creamy, succulent and dreamy, this is a very beautiful Saar wine that wants you to drop everything and sink into its richness and subtlety. Spot-on harmony! Drink or hold.”

Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2019er Kupp Fass 18 GG, as it is referred to on the consumer label, comes from the central part of the original Kupp hill. It offers a beautiful albeit backward nose made of spices, herbs, smoke, and minerals, with a touch of cardamom floating around. The wine is impactful yet precise on the palate and leaves a slightly intense but beautifully defined feel of ripe fruits, spices, and herbs in the finish. The after-taste is juicy, dry, and very persistent. This is a gorgeous expression of dry Saar Riesling in the making! 2024-2031”

Cresti Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino Do ut des Toscana IGT Tuscany 2016 750ML ($54.95) $48 special,

Case-6 Cresti Fattoria Carpineta Fontalpino Do ut des Toscana IGT Tuscany 2016 ($349.95) $269 special, (That’s only $44.83 per bottle!)  

James Suckling 95 points “The fruit here really takes your breath away with its intensity, as well as purity. Blackberry crumble, pressed violets, ink, iodine, charcoal, vanilla and resin. It’s the polish of the tannins that really makes this wine, carrying itself effortlessly over a shimmer of electric acidity to the long finish. Drink in 2023. Made from organically grown grapes.”

Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Do Ut Des (a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a generous and expansive personality that hits the palate like a warm embrace from a favorite friend. This is a succulent and smooth red wine with thick layers of bold cherry, dried blackberry, leather, rose hip and scorched earth. In the mouth, the wine proceeds with medium- to full-bodied texture and elegantly contoured fruit flavors.”

Wine Spectator 94 points “Sleek and focused, with black currant, black cherry, plum, iron and tobacco flavors coursing through from start to finish. Tightly wound and vibrant, this lingers with subtle licorice and spice elements. Shows fine harmony and length. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036. 1,650 cases made, 200 cases imported. — BS”

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Mancino ‘Sakura’ Vermouth Italy 500ML ($49.95) $39 special,

Winery note “The limited edition of Mancino Vermouth with cherry blossoms from Kyoto and Italian Viola flowers, reveals Giancarlo’s culinary infatuation with Japan and Italy. A perfect blend of 20 botanicals based on Italian white wines with a distinct bitter taste on the palate given by the wormwood and a sweetness given by the flowers. This magical harmony with Japan is celebrated with the production of only 4000 bottles per year. 18% Vol.”

Yzaguirre Dry Reserva Vermouth Catalonia NV 1L ($27.95) $24 special,

Winery note “With a light straw yellow colour, Yzaguirre Reserva Dry Vermouth initially has a very alcoholic taste in the mouth yet perfectly balanced with its acidity. Highly glyceric, it is velvety and smooth in the mouth with notes of wood, herbs and spices. It is aged for one year in oak barrels which helps to stabilize the aroma and colour of the blend.”

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Fresh off the Botti: Two Knockouts just in from Chianti

2016 and 2018 are forging a reputation in Tuscany for being vintages that incorporate the best aspects of a ripe vintage while still maintaining structure and elegance. Both vintages are highlighted for their ideal weather during the season that never resulted in heat spikes, with acidity being maintained by cool breezes at night. There is hardly a better producer to exemplify this than Rocca di Montegrossi of Chianti.

With a family history in their home village of Monti dating back to the year 700; and being credited with the “Original Chianti” blend they’re a benchmark producer like no other. Half of their estate is still blanketed in the ancestral forest, farmed organically since 2006, and is one of the highest elevation sites in the entire appellation. These factors converge to create Chianti of unmatched refinement; delivering the classic sour cherry, espresso, and leather with a backbone of terra cotta and dusty loam.

Never content to sit on their laurels, Montegrossi also produce a super Tuscan inspired blend derived from the small plantings of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that grow onsite. In comparison to the cask aging seen by the Chianti classico, the Geremia sees a “Modern” vinification with entirely French oak barrels.

Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico DOCG Tuscany 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now

Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico opens with a burst of sweet red berry fruit, spice and wild flowers. Exuberant and racy, the 2018 is endowed with tremendous energy and tons of personality. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s inner sweetness and radiance, with a closing flourish of red flowers. This is a fabulous wine for the money. Don’t miss it.”

Wine & Spirits 93 points “Winter rains in 2018 brought welcome relief from the drought of the previous year, according to Rocca di Montegrossi’s proprietor, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi, and while many areas of Tuscany suffered from humid conditions during the summer, his estate’s position in the high, well-ventilated hills of Gaiole kept his grapes healthy. The result is a dark and savory wine packed with rich black-cherry flavors and subtle spice notes, all underlined by firm, slatey tannins. It shows formidable substance and ripeness compared to some of the lighter wines coming out of this vintage and will develop well over the next several years.”

Also by Rocca di Montegrossi

Arriving ETA 08/27

Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Toscana IGT Tuscany 2016 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 24 bottles in stock now

Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Geremia is a total knock-out. An exotic mélange of sweet dark cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spice and menthol races out of the glass. The 2016 is deep, dense and full of character. It is also easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon work so well here in the way they express richness and structure, all with a real sense of Tuscan raw power.”

Arriving ETA 08/24/21

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut Champagne 2008 750ML ($159.95) $138 special,

Decanter 97 points “Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus. Drinking Window 2020 – 2048.”

Wine Spectator 95 points “An elegant Champagne, powered by a sculpted frame of acidity and minerality, this wears the refined, lacy mousse and well-meshed flavors of black currant, lemon curd, toast and marzipan like finely tailored clothing. Fresh and lasting, with hints of spice and smoke on the finish. Disgorged August 2016. Drink now through 2033. “

Wine & Spirits 95 points “This is a sunny and delicious 2008, with brightness infusing the wine, from its platinum color to its mineral intensity, transforming its richness and power into cool elegance. Notes of agave and cassia bark add depth, suggesting the complexity this will develop with further bottle age.”

Peter Liem 3*/3* “Starting with this vintage, the proportion of pinot noir in La Grande Dame has been significantly increased, and in fact, the 2008 is almost a blanc de noirs, with 92 percent pinot noir and just 8 percent chardonnay (historically the blend was typically 50 to 60 percent pinot noir). While it displays the deep resonance and dark concentration of fruit that’s characteristic of the vintage, it remains elegant and fine, with a silky texture and a lively, elongated structure. It finishes with terrific length and poise, showing a complex and authoritative depth of flavor, yet it’s also still notably youthful and tightly wound even twelve years after the vintage, and it seems to indicate a long and slow development ahead of it. Patience, though, will undoubtedly be rewarded, and this feels as if it could turn out to be one of the finest examples of this cuvée in a long time.”

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Torre Beati : Cult Cerasuolo at a fraction of the cost

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, hibiscus 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 and Available 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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You would be hard pressed to find a more picturesque growing region than the village of Cassis. Plucked straight out of a Monet painting, it was a fishing village historically before tourism and the wine industry proved more profitable. Domaine Bagnol is a fixture in this scene, making some of the most compelling rose in all of southern France.

Farmed organically and biodynamically since the estate’s inception in the 1980’s; the Bagnol estate is blessed with the Cap Canaille to her back and the Tramontane, Mistral and Gregal winds to the front. These climatic variables create lifted aromatics and acidity, and slow ripening to allow for allow for more varietal character. Direct pressed from 55 year old bushvines of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault this is a rose that’s packed with flavor in spite of the pale color. Summer peach, watermelon flesh, strawberry, and herbs d’ provence with a refreshing, saline finish that speaks to Bagnol’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.

In stock and available now:

Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose Provence 2020 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 7 bottles in stock now

Rosenthal Wine Merchant note “Cassis Rosé: The Rosé is produced from several parcels that comprise slightly less than 7 hectares of vineyards. The vineyards are clay and limestone, situated on a gentle slope with a north – northwest exposure. The blend is Grenache (55%), Mourvedre (31%) and Cinsault (14%). This Rosé is vinified by “pressurage direct, the must is chilled to 12 degrees Celsius, the wine ferments at 18 degrees Celsius until it is completely dry; then, the wine is bottled during the first three months of the following year after a light filtration.

Caruso E Minini vs Calabretta

This match-up pits the Far Western and Eastern portions of the island of Sicly together. Unlike few places in the world, the entire island of Sicily produces wine, including the world famous fortified wine Marsala. In that same vein, Etna is one of the highest growing area in all of Europe with sites as high as 4,300 feet above sea level!                              

Representing the Western village of Marsala we have Caruso E Minini, who’s portfolio is entirely comprised of indigenous Sicilian varietals, with reds being Nero D’Avola and the exceedingly rare Perricone. Once widely planted in Sicily like Nero D’Avola, it was particularly susceptible to Phylloxera and saw a massive decline in plantings as a result. Liked to Barbara by wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson it’s a juicy yet herbaceous red that is spectacular with pizza or anything else based in red sauce.

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. Caruso has also been one of the first producers in Marsala to convert to organic farming practices, a practice abandoned in previous decades to maximize yields.

Representing Mt. Etna we have Calabretta, one of the most highly regarded grower producers in all of Catania. Their commitment to chemical free farming, stewarding old vines and meticulous winemaking is evident in every bottle of wine they make. The high elevation of Mt.Etna, intense sunshine and marginal soils create an incredible expression of reds, whites and Rosado. In spite of Mt.Etna’s comparisons to Burgundy, the traditional winemaking styles could be mistaken for Barolo with the long macerations and use of botti for élevage. Calabretta is one of the masters of this style and delivers rusticity and elegance with every bottle in a way that only premium Italian wine is.

The traditional red grapes of Mt. Etna include the sibling grapes Nerello Mascalese and Cappuccio, who are usually found planted together in the vineyard and blended in the cellar. Compared to Nebbiolo by wine critics; the best examples are highly perfumed, fruit driven, and feature brusque tannin structure with an earthy/smoky finish.    

Both of these producers work with the native varietal Cattaratto, which takes on radically different expressions depending on the growing conditions, as clearly evidenced by the bottlings side-by-side. The Cattaratto from Caruso is richer and more full bodied, with the bottling from Calabretta featuring a more linear and mineral character. For a meal that featured delicate flavors, seafood or greens the Calabretta would be the perfect accompaniment; with something more robust like chicken, stews or curries being a dream with the Caruso E Minini. We carry an assortment of both producers in house, and invite you to compare them for yourself.

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Caruso & Minini Naturalmente Bio Catarratto Sicilia Sicily 2020 750ML ($ 21.95) $18 special, 22 bottles in stock now

No reviews available for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.

Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Made entirely with organically framed Catarratto grapes, this zesty white opens with aromas of Spanish broom, chamomile and white stone fruit. The savory, linear palate offers juicy Meyer lemon, honeydew and Bartlett pear alongside bright acidity. It closes on an almond note. -Kerin O’Keefe”

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

Caruso & Minini ‘Naturalmente Bio’ Perricone Terre Siciliane 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 31 bottles in stock now

Caruso & Minini Naturalmente Bio Nero d’Avola Sicilia 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 23 bottles in stock now

Wine Enthusiast 88 points “Made with organic grapes, this has aromas of ripe black-skinned berry, new leather and crushed Mediterranean herb. On the medium-bodied palate, polished tannins accompany ripe Marasca cherry, star anise and a hint of carob. Bright acidity keeps it fresh. Drink through 2022. -Kerin O’Keefe”   

Caruso & Minini ‘Terre di Giumara’ Frappato – Nerello Mascalese Terre Siciliane 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now

Red, White, Pink…Orange?

Have you ever wondered what wines resembled thousands of years ago before the Industrial Revolution and Phylloxera? What about if you took the process of rose, but substituted white wine grapes instead of using red? Enter one of the oldest forms of winemaking on earth: Orange wine. Native to Eastern Europe and small parts of northeastern Italy, the style dates back over 5,000 years and utilized local grape varietals and ceramic fermentation vessels. The process results in a wine that ranges from deep gold, to various shades of saffron and carrot orange, hence the name. Due to the inclusion of skin and seed tannin, these are wines that are built with aging potential with an evolution in the bottle that’s entirely unique to the style.   

In orange wine’s ancestral home of Georgia, the ceramics are called qvevri and are partially buried underground to act as temperature control during fermentation and the subsequent resting period, with this practice being mimicked around the world. The extended skin contact results in a wine with more rustic flavors like yuzu, quince and bitter orange, in addition to a richer texture and a slightly tannic finish. We carry an entire assortment of Orange wines from around the world, ranging from some of the biggest cult winemakers in the world like Paolo Bea, Daterra Lorenzo, Giusto Occhipinti and Alberto Nanclares to locally made examples from Maloof

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Gravner Ribolla Venezia Giulia IGT Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 9 bottles in stock now

Decanter 93 points “Glorious vivid amber colour. Elegant and complex with aromas of dried fruits, earth, citrus zest, and honey. Amazing for its age.”

Importer note “Exclusively composed of the local Ribolla grape; fermented in Georgian amphorae buried underground; long maceration with wild yeasts and no temperature control; after fermentation, the wine rests again in amphorae for five more months and then is aged in large oak barrels for an additional six years; bottled without fining or filtering. Certified organic.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Paolo Bea ‘Lapideus’ Bianco Umbria IGT 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 6 bottles in stock now

Importer Note “Giampiero acquired a parcel of 80-year-old Trebbiano Spoletino in the town of Pigge di Trevi several years back, and 2016 marks just the third vintage of this exciting new addition to the Bea lineup. Arising from a cooler microclimate than the “Arboreus” above, “Lapideus” spent a month on it skins after pressing, followed by over 200 additional days on the gross lees—a similar vinification to “Arboreus,” yet one that yielded markedly different results. “Lapideus” has a leaner, racier carriage than the broad-shouldered “Arboreus,” with a more precise sense of acidity; it emphasizes drive over density, and its underlying salinity is not a far cry from the spellbinding wines we import from Paolo Vodopivec in the Carso—incidentally, a dear friend of Giampiero and a fellow ViniVeri administrator. A subtle note of honeyed sweetness at the wine’s core speaks of its warm-climate origins, and Bea’s propensity for wildness reveals itself in a fascinating but ephemeral cheese-rind whisper in its aromatics. Only 745 bottles were produced, the vast majority of which are destined for the US market.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Paolo Bea Santa Chiara Bianco Umbria IGT 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 18 bottles in stock now

Importer Note “The second of Bea’s two early and highly influential skin-macerated white wines, “Santa Chiara” hails from the fabled Pagliarocru, and combines roughly equal proportions of five varieties: Garganega, Grechetto, Malvasia, Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. Everything ferments together, without any additions or temperature regulation, in stainless steel, and the wine is given several years of settling before being bottled without fining or filtration. The rich, forward 2017 spent 28 days on its skins, and was bottled in May 2019 after 20 months of aging. Compared to the relatively racy 2013 “Arboreus” and the typically chiseled 2016 “Lapideus,” this vintage of “Santa Chiara” swaggers out of the bottle with macerated peaches, brassy spice notes, a liberal dash of white pepper, and candied citrus. Despite its somewhat explosive and brash personality, it possesses terrific drive and a focused, tannin-derived sense of architecture.”

Azienda Agricola Cos Pithos Terre Siciliane Bianco IGT 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 11 bottles in stock now

Grapelive 93 points “[The] Pithos Bianco is, as the name suggests, a white wine made in the large terra-cotta pots as done in ancient times…. Macerated for close to two weeks with whole berries and aged on the skins this incredible dry wine shows a unique, intensity and powerful structure from the extract and is wonderfully textured on the zesty palate. Made from 100% of the Grecanico grape, a local variety of Garganega (of Soave fame), quite rare, but remarkably well suited to the southern tip of the island, where it gets a cooling ocean influence and breezes that help retain a salty freshness…. Azienda Agricola COS was founded back in 1980 by three friends, Giambattista Cilia, Giusto Occhipinti, and Cirino Strano, but is led by the dynamic personality of Giusto Occhipinti, uncle to superstar Arianna Occhipinti, who was pushed COS towards natural winemaking and all organic with all of their vineyards being… The winery explains that the long skin contact and amphora, which allows movement of the lees, provides an additional level of complexity that can be seen clearly in this exotic white wine”

Eric Guido – Vinous 91 points “The 2019 Bianco Pithos, a varietal Grecanico, is a pale golden color in the glass, presenting a nose of pungent spring flowers, musky notes of apricot, pear and a hint of animal musk. This is soft and pliant in feel, with ripe orchard fruits offset by zesty yellow citrus, as a coating of liquid inner florals saturates deeply. Residual acids maintain balance and a juicy persona, as gobs of minerals and gingery spice linger long. The Bianco Pithos spends a month on the skins post-fermentation, followed by another seven months refining in amphora. While this has the sometimes quirky and nervous personality of an orange wine, it’s also very easy to like.”

Vegas Altas Orange Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 28 bottles in stock now

A blend of Cayetana and Pardina.

Region: Extremadura, Spain. Biodynamic.            

Daterra Viticultores ‘Camino de la Frontera’ Blanco Castilla y Leon 2018 ($49.95) $39 special, 7 bottles in stock now

Importer note “Camino de la Frontera Blanco comes from Angel’s ancient, northwest-facing vineyard in the Parque Natural de Los Arribes del Duero, from native Malvasia, Verdejo & Puesta en Cruz varieties. After a cool, wet & humid summer, the grapes were hand-harvested on September 20th, destemmed, crushed and wild yeast fermented in used 250 & 500L chestnut barrels with 10 days of skin maceration, then raised in the same vessels for 11 months. This is a “mountain white” showing bright orchard fruit, savory minerality and refreshing acidity. Pair it with grilled fish and poultry, paella and good friends.”

Nanclares y Prieto ‘Crisopa’ Branco Tradicional Galicia 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 20 bottles in stock now

Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 94 points “The completely unusual “orange” wine is a bright amber Albariño macerated with skins during the fermentation. The 2018 Crisopa, produced with grapes from the same vineyard as Soberrivas, has a completely different nose and a brighter and deeper color than any previous vintage. Perhaps the grapes were smaller and there might be more skins for the juice, and the wine underwent malolactic (at least partially). There are notes of apple liqueur, pollen and beeswax, and the palate is finely tannic. Here, the process overpowers the variety and place. It has lower acidity than most of the wines from the winery, but this is one of the finest examples of the type. It should develop nicely in bottle. 636 bottles were filled in August 2019.”

Importer note “Crisopa Branco Tradicional comes from the same parcel as “Soverribas” (Paraje Manzaniña) but is picked one day earlier to select the best bunches. After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. The grapes were foot-trodden in open plastic vats with 100% whole-clusters, and then skin-fermented for 20 days in a steel vat. After a vertical press the wine is racked into a used 500L French oak cask, where it rests for 11 months on the lees with battonage for first 3 months, before being bottled on Aug. 21st (fruit day) without clarification, filtration and only modest amounts of SO2. A fascinating and extremely textured Vinho Branco made in the style of the ancients!”

Chateau Vieux Moulin Vin Orange ‘Pulp’ 2020 750ML ($26.95) $21.90, 12 bottles in stock now

Importer note “100% skin contact Grenache gris. 100% destemmed. Maceration for one month in tank. Fermnetation under temperature control in steel vats. 100% malo. No filtration. No SO2 added.”

Ross & Bee Maloof ‘Beckenridge Vineyard’ Gewurztraminer Willamette Valley 2020 ($34.95) $26 special, 8 bottles in stock now

Winery note “Own rooted, dry farmed, planted in 1976. Organic farming program, in 2nd ‘transition year’ for Organic certification through Oregon TILTH. Fermented until dry on the skins (16 days) in open top fermenters. Pressed off and moved into neutral burgundy barrels for 8 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Black tea, rose petals, and sea salt. Serve chilled or at cellar temp with bitter greens and alpine cheeses. Or with pizza, serve all our wines with pizza.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Staff Pick:

Cellar Del Roure: Rarity of Valencia

Founded by Pablo Calatayud in 1995, Cellar Del Roure has made a name for itself by bucking tradition. This is no better illustrated than by Safra, made with the indigenous varietal Mando, using traditional lagar and amphorae during fermentation to preserve the natural structure and earthy flavors. Mando is described as being similar to Pinot Noir or Mencia and is largely extinct even within Valencia. This is largely due to Valencia’s history as breadbasket for Spanish agriculture, producing massive quantities of wine, olive oil and most famously oranges. This led to  massive plantings of grapevines meant for bulk wine production, at the cost of historically premium sites and varietals.

Celler del Roure ‘Safra’Valencia 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now

Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2019 Safrà was produced with a base of Mandó, but it’s a different Mandó from Parotet, livelier and more fluid. They say it’s a red with the soul of a white. In any case, both wines change in 2019 with the addition of Arcos. They harvest the grapes early and use some 30% stems for the vinification in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts. This 2019 is a blend with 30% Arcos, an almost forgotten grape they are recovering and to which they are paying very much attention. Like many of the other wines, it matured in ancient buried 2,600-liter tinajas in their impressive 17th-century cellar. I’ve always liked the floral and aromatic expression of this wine, which has nice aromas and complexity, developing beautiful notes of sour cherries; and in the palate, it’s more serious than you expect, longer, deeper and very tasty. This is more ethereal than Vermell and less spicy that Parotet. I think it has gained in freshness and complexity with the addition of Arcos, which is part of the blend for the first time in 2019. In fact, this is better than ever! 20,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in June 2020.”

Decanter 93 Points “Mainly Mandó grapes with Arcos (rather than Garnacha Tintorera as in previous blends) – a change that brings greater finesse to this aromatic wine. Bright, mid-weight, juicy, with sour cherries and cranberries and the faintest rasp of tannin. Fermented in stainless steel and matured in buried clay amphorae in the remarkable cellar. Organic. Drinking Window 2021 – 2024. -Sarah Jane Evans MW.”

Celler del Roure ‘Safra’ Valencia 2017 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now

Case-12 Celler Del Roure Safra 2017 750ML ($379.95) $239 special (That’s only 19.91 per bottle)

Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 Points “The third vintage of my favorite red, the 2017 Safrà is from an early and low-yielding year when they got larger grapes that delivered fresher and more fluid wines than a normal warm year. It fermented with 30% full clusters in stainless steel vats, and like all of these wines, it didn’t see any oak; it matured exclusively in 2,600-liter clay “tinaja” for six months. It’s floral and subtle, super elegant, without any excess, expressive and perfumed. The palate is equally elegant, with very fine tannins, good freshness and very tasty, almost salty flavors. This has to be the finest vintage for this wine. Even if 2017 can be similar to 2015, this feels more balanced and complete. Most of the wines are a bargain, and this is a steal.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Collectors Corner: Boulay

“Given the crystalline purity of his Sauvignon Blancs, he has become one of my favorite producers of the central Loire. If you want to know what true Sancerre tastes like, try one of his single-vineyard bottlings. It does not come any better!” – Joel Payne, Vinous

You’ve heard of Didier Dagueneau and his $150+ Sancerre’s, but have you heard of Gerard Boulay?

Gerard Boulay is one of the handful of producers in the world that makes exceptionally age worthy, collectible and profound Sauvignon Blanc’s from his family’s estate. This is a cult level producer that’s still at an accessible price point. It’s remarkable that these wines are available on the open market, considering the Boulay family has been known for exceptional quality since the 14th century as the Cathedral of Bourges “Church white”.

We were able to secure a complete assortment of their portfolio, ranging from their entry level wines to their rarest and most collectible labels. For the prices that Boulay charges, these are some of the most electric and profound whites in all of France. While low-tier Sancerre always seems overpriced, the top producers in the region make extraordinary wines that seem to be completely undervalued (with the obvious exception of Vatan). 2019 and 2020 were fantastic years in the Loire and Boulay has had some of the best bottles in his career during this unprecedented streak of “Good to Exceptional” vintages.

Boulay’s vineyards are based in Chavignol, the true beating heart of Sancerre and the host of all the best names in the region (Vatan, the Cotats, Boulay, Dagueneau, etc.) and Boulay owns some of best located sites in some of the best vineyards in the town.  From his parcel in La Grande Cote to Monts Damnes to the famed Clos Beaujeu, all of his wines ring with terroir and the unique minerality that’s inherent to Chavignol. Gerard Boulay says “Nature makes the wine” and strives for age worthiness above all else, having examples of his work dating back to the 1960’s still drinking beautifully. The estate’s farming is entirely chemical free, and was one of the first producers in the region to convert to organics. If that isn’t enough, he also makes a Rose and Pinot Noir from small plantings on the same vineyards! Expect a completely different expression of Pinot Noir that’s largely unseen in today’s market dominated by powerhouse region’s like Burgundy, Germany and the United States. 

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now

Importer note “Blend of young vine parcels on kimmeridgian slopes in the village of Chavignol.”

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Rose Chavignol 2020 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 23 bottles in stock now

Importer note “Practicing organic. From 35-40 year old Pinot Noir vines on the steep hillsides in front of the Boulay home in Chavignol. Soil: Steep clay hillside. Viticulture: Gerard works the soil manually and lets nature make the wine. Vinification: Tank fermented. Boulay adds no yeast and minimal amounts of SO2. Aging: Tank aged. Production: 200 cases annually. Notes: Unlike many Sancerre Roses, Gerard harvests his Pinot specifically to make rose by direct press, then into tank. It is not a selection of young vines as he has no young Pinot vines. What makes the rosé one year could make red another, and vice versa, depending on what the vintage gives.”

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos De Beaujeu 2019 1.5L ($179.95) $105 special, 3 bottles in stock now

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos De Beaujeu 2019 750ML ($79.95) $51.90 special, 14 bottles in stock now

Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 Points “The unfiltered 2019 Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu comes from vines averaging 45 years of age in a southeast-facing vineyard on loamy Kimmeridgian chalk and opens with an herbal and brightly fruity bouquet. On the palate, this is a clear, fresh, round, fruity and structured Sancerre with bright fruit, some hazelnut nuances and long grip and salinity. Entirely vinified in used barriques for 12 months. Tasted in February 2021.”

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Comtesse 2019 1.5L ($219.95) $128 special, 3 bottles in stock now

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Comtesse 2019 750ML ($99.95) $61.90 special, 11 bottles in stock now

Importer Note “From 50-75 year old vines located in the sweet spot of the Mont Dam­nés vineyard (bottom of the slope, near Clos La Neore of Vatan), this is often the most powerful wine from Boulay’s lineup. Vintage 2005 was the inaugural release.”

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Mont Damnes 2019 1.5L ($179.95) $119 special, 3 bottles in stock now

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Mont Damnes 2019 750ML ($79.95) $55 special, 8 bottles in stock now

Importer Note “Boulay began farming the steeply sloped Mont Damnés vineyard in 1982. His plot has an average vine age of 45 years. Mont Damnés’ reflective soils and south-facing exposition make it one of Chavi­gnol’s warmest sites. Overall, Gerard Boulay’s ‘terre blanche’ vineyards produce some of the most distinctive and soil-inflected Sauvignon Blancs in the Loire, with a delineation and minerality often reminiscent of a top Chablis. Boulay is certainly among the top examples of the appellation, including Boulay’s neighbors (Cotat Bros., Vatan). These are gorgeous, highly complex wines that are a clear step above ‘regular’ Sancerre, and can age easily for 10-20 years or more. In fact, we have had them all the way back to the 1959 which was magnificent! They confirm Boulay’s place in the top ranks of Loire Valley vignerons.”

Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Cote 2019 1.5L ($189.95) $115 special, 3 bottles in stock now

Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Cote 2019 750ML ($85.95) $55 special, 8 bottles in stock now

Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 Points “From a southeast-facing plot, the 2019 Sancerre La Côte is pure, deep and intense yet also fresh on the iodine-scented nose, with grip, lemon and tropical notes. The wine opens bright, clear and almost tropical on the nose and then shows tight, tense and lingering salinity and firm grip. Tasted in February 2021.”

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Rouge Oriane 2015 750ML ($59.95) $37 special, 23 bottles in stock now

Importer Note “Boulay makes tiny amounts of still red Pinot Noir from these same vineyards as the rose, which are 35-40 year old Pinot Noir vines located on the steep hillsides in front of the his home in Chavignol. Aged in used 300-liter casks.