In Today’s Newsletter:
New Weekend – New Arrivals
Summer of Bubbles
Stellar Austrian Value
From Mad-Haus Marienburg
Staff Pick:
Triton Tinta de Toro
Trending Offer
Zuni Chardonnay
Etna’s Traditional Stars:
New Wines from Calabretta
Tech-Nically Amazing wine from Avennia
Roederer’s Rhone Champion: Delas
Collector’s Corner:
Rare Biondi-Santi Riserva
We are back open for in-store shopping
Vinopolis will be closed July 4th in observance of the holiday We will reopen for regular hours on Monday the 5th (10:00 am to 6:00 Pm, 7 days per week)
We are back open for in-store shopping
Properly worn masks over the nose and mouth
will be required at all times.
Our maximum capacity will be six customers at one time.
Curbside pickup still available
New Wines from Calabretta
Tech-Nically Amazing wine from Avennia
Roederer’s Rhone Champion: Delas
Collector’s Corner:
Rare Biondi-Santi Riserva
We are back open for in-store shopping
Vinopolis will be closed July 4th in observance of the holiday We will reopen for regular hours on Monday the 5th (10:00 am to 6:00 Pm, 7 days per week)
We are back open for in-store shopping
Properly worn masks over the nose and mouth
will be required at all times.
Our maximum capacity will be six customers at one time.
Curbside pickup still available
New Weekend – New Arrivals
Rosé
Fruity and aromatic rose showing the playful side of Chinon!
Olga Raffault Chinon Rosé, Loire 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special
Importer note “100% Cabernet Franc. Raffault uses 50% certified-organic estate fruit (from sandy, gravelly, flat parcels along the Vienne) and sources the other 50% from a neighboring grower in conversion to organic farming. All of the wine is made from hand-harvested fruit in the Raffault cellar. Half of the fruit is pressed directly as whole clusters and the other half is saigné. The fermentation takes place spontaneously with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine does not go through malolactic fermentation and is aged in tank as well. It is bottled with a light, non-sterile filtration in the spring following the vintage.” Cabernet Franc from 15 year old vines grown on clay & limestone soils.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Light on color, big on flavor!
Bernard Baudry Chinon Rosé, Loire 2020 750ML ($21.95) $20.90 special
100% Cabernet Franc
Importer note “The fruit for the rosé comes from several estate parcels on two different terroirs: the higher plateau with flint/clay soils and valley/river level with sandy/gravel soils.”
Winery note “The Chinon Rosé is a dry wine, its color is pale pink due to direct press. Delicate, with notes of white fruit, it is a perfect aperitive wine or served with simple dishes, barbecue-grilled fish. Quantity is limited.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
A rarity for an area that primarily makes red!
Bodegas Ostatu Rosado, Rioja DOCa 2020 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special
De Maison Selections note “Ostatu Rosado is an incredible value and introduction to their range of wines. It says something about a winery when they pursue excellence from the beginning of their range to the top. For this reason, Ostatu Rosado is one of the most beloved pink Rioja Alavesa wines, offering a very different experience than many other rosado wines from Rioja that are often made as an afterthought… Grapes are farmed organically, and only native yeasts are utilized to ferment in stainless steel tanks, yielding a light, refreshing rosé from Rioja with substance, as well as charm.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Oregon
One of the smallest bottlings done by Cameron!
Cameron Winery Giuliano White, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Winery Note “The Italian side of our clan (the Cameronis) also influences part of our white wine program. In this case the wines of Friuli and Alto Adige offer a model that works exquisitely with much of our fruit. Cameroni’s blended wine (given the nomer “Giuliano”) consists of the grapes Friulano, Pinot bianco, Pinot grigio and Auxerrois with a small bit of Moscato for floral high tones. This wine tends to be finished with higher acidity and given extensive bottle age (often up to a year) for an elegant extremely food worthy wine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sourced from the same vineyard as Cameron’s Ribbon Ridge!
Cameron Winery White Oak Vineyard Cidre 2020 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, only 23 bottles available
Yes, Cameron makes cider!! All the fruit is sourced from older trees planted on Alan Foster’s farm. These are true cider apples made in a Normandy style with the ever present charm of any product from Cameron.
This is the only listing in the USA today
France
Flavor explosion from the Left Bank!
Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan 2016 750ML ($149.95) $138 special
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 98 points “Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered.”
Pinot Noir’s country cousin at it’s best!
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Glistening ruby. Mineral-inflected red/blue fruits on the assertively perfumed nose, along with incense, exotic spices and fresh flowers. Alluringly sweet and penetrating, offering intense boysenberry and raspberry flavors braced by juicy acidity. Fine-grained tannins add spine to a wonderfully long, sappy finish that strongly repeats the floral and mineral notes.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $40
The average listed price is $40
Fabulous example of French Pinot Noir outside of Burgundy!
Gerard & Pierre Morin Sancerre Bellechaume, Loire 2015 750ML ($49.95) $24 special, only 14 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “The 2015 Sancerre Bellechaume Rouge comes from clay and pebbly soils and is all Pinot Noir (from 35+-year-old vines) that spent 18 months in a mix of barrels and tank. This medium-bodied, elegant, seamless beauty offers a complex style in its cherries, dried earth, herbs, and floral aromas and flavors. I love its texture, it has fine tannins, and again, remarkable balance.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Old vines Carignan from the Cevennes Mountains!
Clos Marie Pic Saint-Loup Metairies du Clos Vieilles Vignes, Languedoc-Roussillon 2015 750ML ($44.95) $29 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Food friendly sparkler from indigenous Savoie grapes!
Domaine Renardat-Fache Bugey Cerdon Rosé Sparkling, Savoie 2019 750ML ($26.95) $19.90 special
Importer note “70% Gamay/30% Poulsard. The certified-organic fruit is picked by hand, pressed and fermented in cold vats until it reaches about 6% alcohol. After a light filtration that leaves most of the active yeast in the unfinished wine, it is bottled and continues its fermentation in the bottle, finishing at about 7.5-8% alcohol and a fair quantity of residual sugar. The wine is bottled once a year, in December. Incredibly bright acidity and fine bubbles balance out the sweetness beautifully, rendering it racy, juicy and quaffable while suited for both salty and sweet things at the table.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Entry level that drinks like a reserve bottling!
Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage (Classique), Rhone 2018 750ML ($34.95) $24 special, only 4 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Lurid violet. High-pitched red and blue fruit, floral and spice aromas show excellent clarity and pick up a hint of licorice with air. Palate-coating cherry, black raspberry and boysenberry flavors slowly firm up on the back half. Closes on a subtle tannic note, showing real dark-fruit-driven intensity and a resonating floral note. I can’t recall ever having a better “basic” Crozes from Chave than this one. By the way, the 2017 version of this wine, which I re-tasted in early April, in New York, is drinking wonderfully right now if your taste runs to youthful Syrah. All stainless steel.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $26.99
The next best price is $26.99
Quintessential Syrah without any oak influence!
Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, only 7 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Inky ruby. Lively cherry and blueberry scents are complemented by suggestions of baking spices, violet and olive paste. Smooth, focused and sweet, offering spice-laced black and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors that tighten up slightly on the back half. A zesty mineral note appears on the clinging finish, which is framed by supple, even tannins.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 91+ points “Yann Chafe’s 2017 Crozes Hermitage le Rouvre aged in gently used demi-muids (second and third use), acquiring a dusting of cedary pencil shavings and baking spices over its dark, plummy fruit. It’s full-bodied and rich, with a degree of concentration and chewy tannins unusual for the appellation, giving it the potential to age for a decade or more.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Dark fruited decadence from the Northern Rhone!
Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Le Rouvre, Rhone 2018 750ML ($44.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Opaque ruby. Spice-tinged blackberry and cherry liqueur aromas pick up a sexy floral nuance as the wine opens up. Supple and broad on the palate, offering concentrated yet energetic red and blue fruit preserve, exotic spice and violet pastille flavors that are energized by a vibrant mineral flourish. Finishes gently sweet and impressively long, with fine-grained tannins and a strong echo of sappy dark fruit. Raised in new and used demi-muids.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Opaque ruby. Spice-tinged blackberry and cherry liqueur aromas pick up a sexy floral nuance as the wine opens up. Supple and broad on the palate, offering concentrated yet energetic red and blue fruit preserve, exotic spice and violet pastille flavors that are energized by a vibrant mineral flourish. Finishes gently sweet and impressively long, with fine-grained tannins and a strong echo of sappy dark fruit. Raised in new and used demi-muids.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Spain
Indigenous varietals from the Cantabrian Mountains!
Bodegas Ostatu Blanco, Rioja DOCa 2020 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special
De Maison Selections note “2020 at Ostatu produced balanced wines with moderate alcohol, good acidity, and well-developed fruit. The vintage is of very high quality and has the potential to age well. Ostatu Blanco is an incredible value and introduction to their range of wines. It says something about a winery when they pursue excellence from the beginning of their range to the top. For this reason, Ostatu Blanco is one of the most beloved white wines of substance and complexity from Rioja Alavesa. The secret lies in the high-altitude, bush-trained vineyards of indigenous viura and malvasía grapes coming from the villages of Samaniego, Laguardia, and Leza in Rioja Alavesa at an altitude of 580m. These villages are located directly at the convergence of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean climatic influences, which mold the character of the vintages. This unique soil and climate also lend a certain austerity and structure to Ostatu wines, which differentiates them from the Rioja wines of other subzones. Ostatu is pure Alavesa mountain wine, born of the tension and energy of an extreme climate. Grapes are farmed organically, and only native yeasts are utilized to ferment in stainless steel tanks, yielding an impressive, transparent expression of high-altitude mountain Rioja.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $17
The average listed price is $17
Summer of Bubbles
When the sun’s out, there’s nothing we love more than a glass or three of fizzy wine. Whether it’s a bottle of Prosecco with a picnic in the park, or grower Champagne with a beautifully prepared al fresco meal in the garden, there’s something about effervescence on a beautiful day.
We tend to look for brightness and minerality in our summer bubbles—we love toasty, rich wines, but less so in the heat—and a sense of playfulness is doubly rewarded outside. Here are a number of our favorite picks for any occasion.
In Stock Now:
Illahe ‘Capitol Fizz’ Sparkling Rosé, Willamette Valley NV 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 22 bottles in stock now
A light pink blend of Pinot Noir, Gruner, Pinot Gris, Viognier and Chardonnay.
Winery note “Capitol Fizz is a dry, pink bubbly bottle of refreshment for workers, picnickers, fishers, makers, singers, and watchers of the western sunset. Picked early at harvest, it has lively acid and a pretty aroma enhanced by its sparkle and joined together with the feeling of seeing a rainbow behind a waterfall. Capitol Fizz comes in two sizes–individual enjoyment, and friendly gathering. This is a sparkling wine that you can drink like a beer. Just pop the crown cap. No pontification required.”
We tend to look for brightness and minerality in our summer bubbles—we love toasty, rich wines, but less so in the heat—and a sense of playfulness is doubly rewarded outside. Here are a number of our favorite picks for any occasion.
In Stock Now:
Illahe ‘Capitol Fizz’ Sparkling Rosé, Willamette Valley NV 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 22 bottles in stock now
A light pink blend of Pinot Noir, Gruner, Pinot Gris, Viognier and Chardonnay.
Winery note “Capitol Fizz is a dry, pink bubbly bottle of refreshment for workers, picnickers, fishers, makers, singers, and watchers of the western sunset. Picked early at harvest, it has lively acid and a pretty aroma enhanced by its sparkle and joined together with the feeling of seeing a rainbow behind a waterfall. Capitol Fizz comes in two sizes–individual enjoyment, and friendly gathering. This is a sparkling wine that you can drink like a beer. Just pop the crown cap. No pontification required.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Conte Loredan Gasparini Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto NV 750ML ($17.95) $13.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points “Delicious combination of pear and biscuit on the palate with medium body, bright acidity and a fresh finish. Fresh and satisfying. A different style of Prosecco that you should check out.”
Decanter “Loredan Gasparini’s Asolo Prosecco Superiore is grown on mineral soils that give the wine structure. This wine uses wild yeasts, providing a beautiful range of flavours; elderflower and peaches are supported by a lovely, soft mousse.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jean-Francois Merieau Les Bulles de Genie Rosé, Loire NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Importer note “There was a time when growers didn’t talk about their Pineau d’Aunis much less brag about their old vines of it. That was when much of this distinctive black cherry and peppery-flavored wine was blended away into generic sparkling wines or made into insipid sweet rosé. Jean François Mérieau treats his Pineau d’Aunis with respect and makes a delicious dry rosé, La Rosée, as well as a sparkling wine from his 60+ year old vines of this rediscovered variety. He adds a touch of Grolleau Gris to the final blend and always bottles the Bulles de Génie without any dosage.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine D’henri 821 Chardonnay Brut Nature, (Chablis) 2018 750ML ($35.95) $29.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer note “Produced from 35+ year old vines in the Chablis appellation using the Méthode Ancestrale meaning that the alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats and bottled before aging with the CO2 necessary for the long haul already in the bottle. Aged on its lees for 24 months, it is then disgorged with no added sugar. 821 refers to the minimum total number of days necessary to produce this wine from the beginning of the growing season to the moment the bottle leaves the cellar. Delightful toast and citrus notes with some exotic tinges lead into a serious wine with high mineral tension, full fruit in the middle and a very fine and persistent bead. This is an impressive wine that will surprise many.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Caves Louis de Grenelle Cremant de Loire Cuvee Louis de Grenelle Brut, Loire NV 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Produced from organic grapes, this is a smooth, lightly toasty wine. It has ripe apple and a crisp tight, mineral texture that adds to the refreshing character of the wine. The aftertaste is all fresh fruit. –Roger Voss”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
R. Dumont & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 29 bottles in stock now
R. Dumont & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($27.95) $20.90 special, 36+ half-bottles in stock now
Importer note “The Dumont Brut NV is a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. The grapes from their vineyard have qualities that seem less aggressive and more sumptuous than those from the northern districts. In addition, vinification of whole berries at low temperatures enhances this quality of soft elegance. The NV is a blend of vintages typically between two and five years old. It is aged for two years on the lees before disgorgement. Dosage is 9 grams.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock nowAndre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 1.5L ($119.95) $89 special, 30 magnums in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 3L ($349.95) $279 special, 22 double-magnums in stock now
Case-6 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($249.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($499.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”
Grapelive 92 points “The beautiful “Silver” Andre Clouet 100% Pinot Noir non-vintage Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs is one of the best values in Champagne and this recent disgorgement is stunning and luxurious bubbly to enjoy almost guilt free. The Silver is a no dosage Brut Nature, meaning it is exceptional dry and vibrant in style, in a more grower-producer style, but still with regal richness and complexity with plenty of leesy brioche notes and a dense mouth feel showing lemon curd, quince, apple, wet stones, clove spice and hazelnut. With base of 2013 and a blend of reserve wines, this 100% Pinot Noir comes from all estate grown fruit from the mid slopes in the A Bouzy area, famous for Pinot Noir, on chalky limestone and clay soils that highlight the Silver’s mineral notes and ripe flavors. The Andre Clouet Champagnes are some of my favorite go to bubbly for any occasion, especially their zero dosage Brut offerings that have an additional zesty quality, like this one. The flexible personality, mature profile and charm here makes this Champagne an easy winner for sparkling wine enthusiasts and is also a crowd pleasing bottle for anyone and everyone, from novice to expert and has the substance and crisp detail to go with an array of dishes and flavors… Clouet uses traditional methods from start to finish with this Brut Nature Champagne seeing fermentation and aging in neutral French oak barrels, [and undergoing] full malolactic conversion, which definitely gives this wine added richness and depth. The Andre Clouet Champagne house is run by Jean-François Clouet, who was born and raised in Bouzy and still lives in the 18th century village house built by his ancestors. [He] strives to continue the regions tradition, but still is driven to elevate the quality levels here. Clouet farms some incredible Grand Cru plots around his home village of Bouzy as well as in the famous and very coveted middle slopes of Ambonnay with many vines in the best lieux-dits in the Champagne region. While great for celebrating events and special occasions, this Andre Clouet Silver Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, with its beautiful and vivid mouse, goes sublimely well with food and makes for a noble companion with any meal. I am always impressed by Clouet’s lineup of Champagne(s), but especially so this stylish zero dosage Blanc de Noirs, which I highly recommend!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Nicolas Maillart Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $45 special, 36+ bottles in stock nowWilliam Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “A blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the NV Extra-Brut Premier Cru was disgorged in February 2019 with three grams per liter dosage. Offering up aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, dried white flowers and citrus oil, it’s medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive, with a perceptibly drier, tangier profile than Maillart’s more enveloping Brut Platine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead. Aroma: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a sligth toastiness. Taste: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Food and wine: Aperitif, white fish like haddock or cod. Pinot Noir is dominant, with a complement of Chardonnay that brings freshness to the blend. The high percentage of reserve wines (30 to 40%), aged in barrels, confers a high regularity and style to this Brut Platine. Only “Grand” and premier crus are used in this wine, with origins in the Montagne de Reims, on vineyards managed by us. With a very gentle process, we keep all the richness of the grapes. Aged around three years on its lees, this Brut Platine develops all its richness. A natural balance and freshness allows a low dosage (3 g/l).”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Stellar Austrian Value
From Mad-Haus Marienburg
Mad-Haus Marienburg is a star winery in Burgenland, the region in Austria that’s known for producing the best bold reds in the country. Working with both native-star Blaufrankish, which drinks like a hybrid of Syrah and Cabernet Franc, and Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, they make high-quality bottles with a decidedly old-world feel.
We’ve recently gotten our hands on a parcel of exceptional values that the winery bottled for a New York importer, and so in addition to their fantastic prices, the wines are also Kosher—some of the finest Kosher bottlings we’ve tasted.
In Stock Now:
Mad-Haus Marienburg Blaufrankisch Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Mad-Haus Marienburg Blaufrankisch Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($219.95) $126 special (that’s only $10.50/bottle!)
Winery note “[Translated] Quite typical nose of red berries and peppercorn, a bit of black bread, inviting. Tasty with good fruit presence and ripe tannins. An uncomplicated drinking pleasure.”
We’ve recently gotten our hands on a parcel of exceptional values that the winery bottled for a New York importer, and so in addition to their fantastic prices, the wines are also Kosher—some of the finest Kosher bottlings we’ve tasted.
In Stock Now:
Mad-Haus Marienburg Blaufrankisch Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Mad-Haus Marienburg Blaufrankisch Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($219.95) $126 special (that’s only $10.50/bottle!)
Winery note “[Translated] Quite typical nose of red berries and peppercorn, a bit of black bread, inviting. Tasty with good fruit presence and ripe tannins. An uncomplicated drinking pleasure.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Mad-Haus Marienburg Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “[Translated] Very dark purple, black core. On the nose a dense concentration of dark chocolate, cocoa and dark berries; also dark berries on the palate, underlain with a sweet extract. Good, dense structure, elegant. Chocolate finish, long finale and lots of potential.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Mad-Haus Marienburg Gruner Veltliner Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “[Translated] Hearty aromas of pear, lemon peel and biscuit, some ground nuts. Fruity and herbaceous. Quite robust and pleasantly juicy for the category with a dry finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Staff Pick: Triton Tinta de Toro
Grant:
Tinta de Toro, or its more recognized name Tempranillo is a wine with fascinating history behind it. Originally planted as early as the 2nd century by the Romans living in the area, it was prized by commoner and royal alike, most notably Queen Isabella. Triton’s offering is a high altitude (2300 ft.) vineyard cuvee composed of 63-121 year old vines in 5 sites cultivated in sedimentary sand with a base of red clay. These growing factors help create a portrait of stunning terroir, with frankincense, crushed raspberry and blackcurrant preserves immediately leaping out of the glass. Cinnamon, Strawberries, Sultana and Marionberries quickly follow on the first tastes with an underscoring of dusty earth. Medium plus acidity keeps the high tannins from overstaying, and gives this wine great potential for drinking over the course of a week or further bottle age. There is a finish of Medjool date, mocha, Damson plum and Assam tea that resets and refreshes the palate. This is a highly versatile wine in terms of food pairing, bringing to mind tapas, Greek or the classic paella.
Jorge Ordonez Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Case-12 Jorge Ordonez Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($239.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.91/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Made from 100% Tinta de Toro aged a year in used barrels (and some demi-muids), the 2017 Tritón comes from multiple vineyards and is made in decent amounts. It’s a rich, powerful wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, licorice, crushed rocks, and crushed violets. It’s full-bodied, has impressive depth of fruit, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s a rocking wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years or more.”
Tinta de Toro, or its more recognized name Tempranillo is a wine with fascinating history behind it. Originally planted as early as the 2nd century by the Romans living in the area, it was prized by commoner and royal alike, most notably Queen Isabella. Triton’s offering is a high altitude (2300 ft.) vineyard cuvee composed of 63-121 year old vines in 5 sites cultivated in sedimentary sand with a base of red clay. These growing factors help create a portrait of stunning terroir, with frankincense, crushed raspberry and blackcurrant preserves immediately leaping out of the glass. Cinnamon, Strawberries, Sultana and Marionberries quickly follow on the first tastes with an underscoring of dusty earth. Medium plus acidity keeps the high tannins from overstaying, and gives this wine great potential for drinking over the course of a week or further bottle age. There is a finish of Medjool date, mocha, Damson plum and Assam tea that resets and refreshes the palate. This is a highly versatile wine in terms of food pairing, bringing to mind tapas, Greek or the classic paella.Jorge Ordonez Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Case-12 Jorge Ordonez Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($239.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.91/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Made from 100% Tinta de Toro aged a year in used barrels (and some demi-muids), the 2017 Tritón comes from multiple vineyards and is made in decent amounts. It’s a rich, powerful wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, licorice, crushed rocks, and crushed violets. It’s full-bodied, has impressive depth of fruit, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s a rocking wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years or more.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $19
The average price nationally is $19
Trending Offer
Zuni Chardonnay
After the explosive popularity of our exclusive Evening Land/Brasserie 19 offer last year, we jumped at the chance to offer another exclusive wine from Rajat Parr’s Sta. Rita Hills winery, Sandhi. Oregon wine fans may best know Parr for his Willamette Valley winery Evening Land and their pioneering Seven Springs vineyard. Some years before signing on to Evening Land, Parr’s founded Sandhi, an elite, small production winery that highlights the terroirs of Santa Barbara County. He and co-founder Sashi Moorman eschew extremes of ripeness, oak, or alcohol, instead crafting wines of elegance and restraint. Vineyard sources for the Sandhi lineup include the legendary cool climate Bien Nacido, best known by the single vineyard bottlings produced by the Bien Nacido estate, Au Bon Climat, and Qupe Winery, and the world-classic, historic Sanford & Benedict. This Chardonnay is a barrel selection from these illustrious vineyards. It was crafted with the wine director at one of SF’s finest restaurants, Zuni Café. We knew it would be a charming and food-friendly wine, but we were stunned by the quality when we tasted a sample bottle last week. Fans of Evening Land will be dazzled by the beauty and elegance through a Californian lens, fans of Sandhi will be impressed by the price.
The 2016 has been such a rousing success that we recently acquired another vintage of the fantastic Chardonnay—the bright and zippy 2019. Tasting the two side by side was a study in the potential of Santa Barbara whites, with the older wine showing off a softer, more open feel, while its younger brother was edgy and more energetic. There’s limited stock of the ’16 left, so fans should stock up now, but both offer outstanding value.
In Stock Now:
Newly Arrived!
Sandhi Zuni Cafe Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2019 750ML ($34.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “If you’ve ever sat at San Francisco’s iconic Zuni Café with a plate of oysters in front of you while you wait for the iconic whole roast chicken, you may have had a glass or two of this collaboration between longtime friends Rajat Parr of Sandhi and Zuni wine director Thierry Lovato. The wine is a barrel selection from some of Sandhi’s iconic Sta. Rita Hills sites, (think Mt. Carmel, Sanford & Benedict) with enough own-rooted, 1973 Wente selection Bien Nacido Chardonnay blended in to warrant a Santa Barbara County designation.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sandhi Zuni Cafe Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2016 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Sandhi Zuni Cafe Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2016 750ML (399.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
From the winery: “If you’ve ever sat at San Francisco’s iconic Zuni Café with a plate of oysters in front of you while you wait for the iconic whole roast chicken, you may have had a glass or two of this collaboration between longtime friends Rajat Parr of Sandhi and Zuni wine director Thierry Lovato. The wine is a barrel selection from some of Sandhi’s iconic Sta. Rita Hills sites, (think Mt. Carmel, Sanford & Benedict) with enough own-rooted, 1973 Wente selection Bien Nacido Chardonnay blended in to warrant a Santa Barbara County designation. Add to that the favorable 2016 vintage in which a very warm spring and early summer gave way to cool nights and moderate daytime temperatures in July & August. These conditions allowed the medium-sized crop to mature perfectly with small berries in pristine condition and yield a remarkably balanced wine with fine depth and intensity.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Etna’s Traditional Stars:
New Wines from Calabretta
New Wines from Calabretta
Etna has become the newest hottest region in Sicily, and for good reason. Jancis Robinson even called it “the Burgundy of the Mediterranean,” which is an apt description of most of the new wines coming off of the high altitude slopes of Sicily’s volcano. There is another traditional style of wine made on Etna as well, though, one that tends to have a foot in Barolo rather than in Burgundy, and its best practitioner is Calabretta. With Burgundy and Barolo prices climbing through the roof, now is a great time to explore those regions that seem to be lost in time.Calabretta was founded in 1900 and for the majority of the time since then only sold wine in barrel or in demijohns to private customers (who would bottle the wine themselves) or to local restaurants. Since the beginning, the farming has been organic, without chemical pesticides or herbicides—dated for a majority of the life of the winery and suddenly in vogue now. In 1997, the third and fourth generation of the family decided that the future lay in bottling estate wines and releasing them under a family label.
The one thing that didn’t change when Calabretta started bottling was a commitment to old-school vinification and aging. Macerations of up to 60 days are common as is long aging in botti (often up to 6 years for the high end wine). The wines are powerful and structured but, unlike wines from lower altitudes, maintain a freshness and vibrancy to them.
In stock now:
Calabretta Carricante Sicilia IGT 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer note “95% Carricante, 5% Cataratto & Insolia. From seven hectares of vineyard in the area around Etna. Hand harvested. 1/3 of the fruit for this wine comes from old vines averaging 60-80 years old — some vines even over 100 years old and 2/3 of the fruit comes from a young vineyard planted in 2004. Aged in stainless steel. Practicing organic.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Calabretta Gaio Gaio Rosso, Sicily 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Easy drinking, but an obvious Etna Rosso quality. Light bodied with loads of fruit, light forest floor, and savory notes.”
Winery note “[Translated] A red wine from young, newly planted vineyards in the Calderara district by a rigorous selection massale. Fruity, floral, and slightly spicy. Dedicated to my father when he was a child (Gaio).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Calabretta ‘Piede Franco’ Ungrafted Rosso, Sicily 2015 750ML ($54.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 91+ points “Bright dark red. Camphor and herbs complicate red cherry and berries on the nose. Dense and youthfully chewy with brooding flavors of red fruit and spicy herbs. Finishes long and savory with a tactile mouthfeel. This is deeper than the regular (not made from ungrafted vines) Rosso, but is also currently less well delineated. (12.5% alcohol)”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Calabretta Rosato, Sicily 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18.50 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Tech-Nically Amazing wines from Avennia
“When the history of Washington wine is written, a seminal moment will be the 2001 inauguration of the Enology and Viticulture Program by the legendary (and late) Stan Clarke at Walla Walla Community College. In subsequent years, that program launched dozens of successful Washington winemaking careers. The very first class, in 2003, probably didn’t even include a dozen students, but it did contain Chris Peterson, our 2017 Winemaker of the Year…“When Peterson left DeLille to start Woodinville-based Avennia (founded in 2010 in partnership with Microsoft marketing veteran Marty Taucher), he garnered immediate praise for a fully formed house style that emphasized elegant, restrained reds and whites, with a balance of fruit and non-fruit elements, and a firm embrace of the earthy side of wine. His winemaking skill was noticed by former NFL quarterbacks Damon Huard and Dan Marino, and when they started their Passing Time Winery in 2012, they chose Peterson as their winemaker, partnering to make richer, more robust Cabernet Sauvignons that retain his signature elegance.
“More than 15 years into his winemaking adventure, Peterson is bullish on Washington’s prospects. ‘We are in a golden age,’ he enthuses, ‘and I think it’s only the beginning.’” – Seattle Magazine
Avennia Wines In Stock Now:
Avennia Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah, Yakima Valley 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2018 Syrah Arnaut Boushey Vineyard is all varietal and was 85% destemmed and aged 16 months in 15% new French oak. Offering an Hermitage-like meatiness as well as lots of black and blue fruits, full-bodied richness, a round, expansive texture, and beautiful violet, floral, and gamey aromas and flavors, it’s brilliant, concentrated red delivering notable ripeness as well as a plenty of underlying structure and tannins. Again, a comparison to a top Hermitage comes closest in comparison. Give bottles 2-4 years and enjoy over the following 10-15 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. Coming from one of the state’s top Syrah vineyards, the aromas explode from the glass, with notes of iron, bacon, earth and whiffs of orange peel along with blue and black fruit. Dense, intense rich fruit and savory flavors follow, showing weight and volume. But it’s the exquisite balance that most impresses on this standout wine. Best after 2024. -Sean P. Sullivan”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Avennia Sestina Red, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points “A blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sestina comes from the Red Willow, Dionysus, and Bacchus vineyards and spent 20 months in 48% new French oak barrels. A beautiful, Saint-Julien-like bouquet of blackcurrants, cassis, violets, tobacco, and cedar gives way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, structured wine that builds incrementally on the palate, with ripe, velvety tannins, a stunning mid-palate, and a blockbuster of a finish. It’s beautifully done, and while it drinks well today given its balance, purity, and texture, it’s going to develop additional complexity with 3-5 years of bottle age and will have 20-25 years of overall longevity.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Avennia Gravura Red, Columbia Valley 2018 750ML ($44.95) $36.50 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Checking in as a blend of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2018 Gravura gives up a big, rich, Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated nose of darker currants, leafy herbs, graphite, and damp earth. It shows more floral and sappy herb notes with time in the glass and is wonderfully complex. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has sweet tannins, plenty of mid-palate depth, and a charming, undeniably delicious, and ready-to-go profile that should still keep for a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $41
The average listed price is $41
Roederer’s Rhone Champion: Delas
Delas is one of the most notable landholders in the Northern Rhone, with holdings in some of the best vineyards in every major AOC, yet they still manage to be overlooked when people put together collections of wine from the region. We’d like to remedy that, so permit us a few seconds to sing their praises.
Delas makes some of the most powerful, intense wines in the Northern Rhone at prices that make them one of the superior values in the region. Density and richness are a hallmark of both the reds and the whites—there are no shrinking violets in the lineup. We turn to them for big, bold wines that often show very well young—a remarkable trait in their part of France.
For whatever reason, the market has yet to catch up to the quality coming out of Delas’ cellar. The Northern Rhone has turned into one of the hottest markets in the wine world, with many wineries getting expensive overnight. That hasn’t happened to Delas—yet. With the quality of recent vintages and the scores involved, we definitely see it happening soon, though, so if you love these wines now is the time to back up the truck.
Highlights In Stock Now from Delas:
Delas Freres Condrieu Clos Boucher, Rhone 2017 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Slightly deeper and richer, the 2017 Condrieu Clos Boucher offers beautiful notes of tangerine, honeyed limes, citrus, and brioche. It’s another fresher, elegant Condrieu that has bright acidity, medium body, and sensational balance. It’s as drinkable as they come and one of the gems in the vintage.”
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Pale, shimmering gold. Incisive aromas of fresh citrus and orchard fruits, ginger and violet are complemented by suggestions of chalky minerals, fennel and white pepper. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering concentrated pear, melon, white peach and Meyer lemon flavors that show impressive clarity and mineral drive. The pit fruit and floral notes come back emphatically on the vibrant finish, which hangs on with excellent, mineral-driven tenacity.”
“Owned by the Louis Roederer/Deutz Champagne firm, Delas Frères is another largely negotiate estate that is fashioning brilliant wines from throughout the Rhône Valley. The incredible quality has been led by Burgundian Jacques Grange, who joined Delas Frères in 1997, and he’s assisted by the talented Claire Darnaud. The 2015s, reviewed last year, are some of the finest wines ever from this estate (same league as the 2009s and 2010s). They’ve done a fine job in 2016, with the wines showing more elegant characters, missing the density or structure of a top year, yet offering balanced, very drinkable profiles. The 2017s should surpass the 2016s, but also have upfront charming characters. It’s worth noting that this estate has seen a progression in style since 2005, where the wines were more extracted and oaky, to the 2016s and 2017s today, which could be seen as more mid-weight and elegant.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $80
The average listed price is $80
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards, Rhone 2015 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it’s always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, graphite, toasted spice, crushed rocks and saddle leather. Powerful, massively concentrated, and tannic, it has a broad, expansive, heavenly texture, a thick mid-palate (you could almost use a fork for this beauty), and a great finish. Despite the richness level, it stays balanced and graceful on the palate, and is never over the top or heavy. It’s a perfect Hermitage that will start to shine with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. Bravo!”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection! There’s a striking balance here calibrating bold, almost muscular ripeness against an invigorating granite edge. This wine is plump and full bodied, full of supple blackberry and plum flavors balanced by pert acidity and taut, penetrating tannins. It should be in peak from 2020–2035 but hold further.”
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The top cuvée is the 2015 Hermitage les Bessards, which comes from the middle to lower portion of the steep, granite hillside known as Bessards, unquestionably one of the best terroirs for Syrah in the world. Its inky purple color is followed by a full-bodied, rich, thrillingly concentrated red that has huge tannin, bright acidity and a solid mid-palate concentration. It still tastes like it just came from the press and will need to be forgotten for a decade. As normal, it’s completely destemmed and will see 18 months in 30% new oak.”
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes – Marquise de la Tourette, Rhone 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 96 points “[Translated] Very closed, blackberry jam, hints of balsamic spice. Creamy start, immediately present minerality, extremely high density with fine but not too silky tannins, an elegance at the maximum of what fits in 14 percent by volume, minerally seasoned, all components seamlessly integrated, ripe, well-bearing acidity, very expressive.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is loaded with well-defined loganberry, blackberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit flavors, flecked with anise and black tea notes and carried by a fine iron streak that lingers wonderfully. A wine of cut, purity and precision. Best from 2020 through 2035. From France.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “A blend of Syrah grapes from several lieux-dits, including Les Bessards, the 2015 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes is aged in new and second use barrels. It’s a dark, concentrated wine, meaty, rich and tannic but with a bright beam of cassis fruit that lifts it and gives it great definition and shape on the palate. Give this medium to full-bodied wine at least 5 years in the cellar and drink it over the next 15.”
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it’s always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, graphite, toasted spice, crushed rocks and saddle leather. Powerful, massively concentrated, and tannic, it has a broad, expansive, heavenly texture, a thick mid-palate (you could almost use a fork for this beauty), and a great finish. Despite the richness level, it stays balanced and graceful on the palate, and is never over the top or heavy. It’s a perfect Hermitage that will start to shine with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. Bravo!”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection! There’s a striking balance here calibrating bold, almost muscular ripeness against an invigorating granite edge. This wine is plump and full bodied, full of supple blackberry and plum flavors balanced by pert acidity and taut, penetrating tannins. It should be in peak from 2020–2035 but hold further.”
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The top cuvée is the 2015 Hermitage les Bessards, which comes from the middle to lower portion of the steep, granite hillside known as Bessards, unquestionably one of the best terroirs for Syrah in the world. Its inky purple color is followed by a full-bodied, rich, thrillingly concentrated red that has huge tannin, bright acidity and a solid mid-palate concentration. It still tastes like it just came from the press and will need to be forgotten for a decade. As normal, it’s completely destemmed and will see 18 months in 30% new oak.”
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes – Marquise de la Tourette, Rhone 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Falstaff Magazine 96 points “[Translated] Very closed, blackberry jam, hints of balsamic spice. Creamy start, immediately present minerality, extremely high density with fine but not too silky tannins, an elegance at the maximum of what fits in 14 percent by volume, minerally seasoned, all components seamlessly integrated, ripe, well-bearing acidity, very expressive.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is loaded with well-defined loganberry, blackberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit flavors, flecked with anise and black tea notes and carried by a fine iron streak that lingers wonderfully. A wine of cut, purity and precision. Best from 2020 through 2035. From France.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “A blend of Syrah grapes from several lieux-dits, including Les Bessards, the 2015 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes is aged in new and second use barrels. It’s a dark, concentrated wine, meaty, rich and tannic but with a bright beam of cassis fruit that lifts it and gives it great definition and shape on the palate. Give this medium to full-bodied wine at least 5 years in the cellar and drink it over the next 15.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $94
The average listed price is $94
Super Subscriber Sale Wine!
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($44.95) Was $38, Now $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $156 special (that’s only $26/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Inky and concentrated, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon is no easy-drinking Saint-Joseph. It’s smoky, herbal and ashy all at once, yet it’s buoyed by ample black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity. This medium to full-bodied Syrah has plenty of tannins, but they’re ultimately silky and most apparent on the long, licorice-tinged finish. This is approachable now but should be even better in 3 years and should drink well for at least another 10 after that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Both Saint Joseph releases are brilliant in 2015. The 2015 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes vines around Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion, and is always destemmed and aged in 30% new barrels. This full-bodied, rounded, sexy beauty shows the power and fruit of the vintage. With classic notes of black and blue fruits, violets, incense and pepper, drink this textured, expansive, terrific Saint Joseph over the coming 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Dark ruby. High-pitched red and dark berry and violet aromas show excellent focus and pick up hints of cracked pepper and sandalwood with air. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering fresh black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of candied licorice. Turns sweeter on the penetrating, impressively long finish, which features smooth, even tannins and lingering boysenberry and floral qualities.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.99
The next best price is $39.99
Collector’s Corner:
Rare Biondi-Santi Riserva
There is Sangiovese and there is Brunello, there is Brunello and then there is Biondi-Santi. Arguably the most famous house in Tuscany, few can claim credit for establishing themselves as a regional powerhouse and appellation promethean quite like them. Biondi-Santi makes Brunello that other estates are judged against. Their estate, Il Greppo, occupies some of the most hallowed ground in the Brunello appellation, in the heart of Montalcino. Their standards are high (they rarely release riservas) and their style can only be described as classic.After World War II, Biondi-Santi was the only wine producer left in the entire village of Montalcino. How things have changed! Using heritage clones of Sangiovese from their high elevation, estate vineyard, new vinification techniques and unheard of cellaring practices Biondi-Santi turned Brunello into a household name among Italian wine collectors and they remain the standard against anyone else is judged. Considered to be one of the “Immortal wines of the world” these are absolute masterpieces after decades in the cellar, developing flavors like black tea, dried fruits, coffee and figs. Considering they spend at least three years just resting in cask before bottling after a famously long maceration period, these are wines built for aging. The wines are powerful, but not overwrought, elegant but emphatic. These are the wines that Brunello lover’s dream about.
Newly Arrived from Biondi Santi:
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Riserva, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($579.95) $419 special
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 94+ points “Dark red. Musky nuances give way to brighter red fruit, licorice and herbal aromas. Rich and dense, with flavors of red cherry and minerals lifted by hints of orange peel and bergamot, not to mention noteworthy but harmonious acidity. Finishes long with youthfully chewy tannins and lingering hints of violet. This strikes me as a slightly readier to drink version of Brunello Riserva from Biondi-Santi, but as always, it improves greatly with aeration so decant at least six hours ahead for maximum enjoyment.”
Wine & Spirits 94 points “A warm summer yielded this rich and opulent 2011 Riserva. Only fruit from the estate’s oldest vines (some up to 80 years of age) makes it into this bottling, and that old-vine concentration shows in the wine’s dense flavors: notes of black cherry and umeboshi plum layered with iodine, basil and smoke. The tightly packed flavors need time to unfold, so it’s best to decant this several hours before serving.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $439.99
The next best price is $439.99
Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo, Rosso di Montalcino 2016 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “I am immediately smitten by the Biondi-Santi 2016 Rosso di Montalcino thanks to the purity of the aromas on display. The bouquet literally submerges the senses in Sangiovese, with those delicate aromas of wild rose, violets, wet earth and brambly forest berry. Background notes of licorice, camphor ash and balsam herb come into steady focus. I am delighted by the intensity and the immense focus of this wine. This Rosso di Montalcino stands with the best of Brunello and gives us good reason to have very high expectations for the 2016 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino that will be released appellation-wide at the beginning of next year. This is a solid mid-weight Rosso with good structure and fine points of fresh acidity that move the wine with determination and grace smoothly over the palate.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “The 2016 Rosso di Montalcino hails from lower-elevation vineyards, around 250 meters, in the northern section of Montalcino. It’s a classic, layered and dramatic wine, showing bright cherry, sweet herbs, cooling mint, dried fall leaves, tobacco and savory spice, with a presence and depth that feels more like Brunello than Rosso in character. There’s sweetness and purity to the fruit here that keeps me coming back to the glass, yet I’m sure that the 2016 will benefit from a few years of cellaring, especially as its fine tannins build toward the close. The Rosso spends twelve months maturing in Slavonian oak, and it is released two years later than most.”
Biondi Santi Il Greppo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($199.95) $169 special
Kerin O’Keefe- Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Underbrush, ripe berry, new leather and Mediterranean herb aromas slowly take shape in the glass. Showing youthful tension, the vibrant palate delivers red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and pipe tobacco notes framed by bright acidity and taut, refined tannins. It already shows great balance and finesse but is still young and tight. Drink 2022-2035.”
James Suckling 95 points “Love the dried lemon rind, florals and red fruits. Medium to full body and a solid core of fruit and spices. Long and flavorful finish. Just a hint of sweet tobacco. Better in 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $186
The average price nationally is $186
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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