In Today’s Newsletter:
Spotlight on California Cabernet
Smart Buys from Bordeaux’s Right Bank
Château Clos de Bouard
Mount Eden’s Excellent Edna Valley Chardonnay
Top Values from Alto Piemonte
The Staff Favorite Wines of Cantalupo
José Michel’s Age-Worthy Champagne
Further Reduced
Subscriber Special Encore
Durand’s Distinguished Northern Rhônes
Collector’s Corner
Chandon de Briailles’ Grand Crus
Spotlight on California Cabernet
With dozens of California Cabernet Sauvignons to choose from, we have no shortage of incredible options from the Golden State. From Napa Valley and beyond, the state continues to produce some of the world’s finest examples of the world’s most beloved grape. And we’re thrilled to highlight some of our standout bottles today, including our remaining half bottles of Ridge’s iconic 2017 Monte Bello.
In Stock Now:
Jeb Dunnuck’s #3 Wine of the Year 2020
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2017 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 16 half bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Pure perfection, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a sensational effort from this estate that should be snatched up by drinkers and collectors. Based on 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up mostly in new American oak, this saturated purple-hued beauty is legendary Monte Bello in the making and has a stunning yet primordial bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, chocolate, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, incredibly powerful, and one of the most concentrated versions of this cuvée ever made (I’ve had most of them), it needs a solid decade of bottle age and will have 50-60 years of overall longevity. Despite the long drinking window, it offers plenty of pleasure even today. I followed this bottle for two days and it showed best right out of the gate, closing down and becoming more brooding and backward with air. It’s an incredible wine that I promise you won’t regret having in your cellar.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 98-100 points “Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site’s limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it’s bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage’s power. It’s still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it’s bottled in over a year’s time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style.”
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot
Continuum Proprietary Red, Oakville 2017 375ML ($149.95) $128 special, 21 half bottles in stock now
Continuum Proprietary Red, Oakville 2017 750ML ($299.95) $259 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple 2017 Proprietary Red soars out of the glass with notions of baked blueberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, backed up by nuances of chocolate mint, wild sage, violets and pencil shavings, plus an earthy hint of Chinese five spice. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and opulent.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2017 Proprietary Red Wine Sage Mountain Vineyard comes across as remarkably primary. Bright red-toned fruit and floral notes give the 2017 striking freshness as well as nuance. Deep and layered on the palate, with superb depth, the 2017 Continuum is easily one of the wines of the year. Even in the early going, it is truly magnificent.”
In Stock Now:
Jeb Dunnuck’s #3 Wine of the Year 2020
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2017 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 16 half bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Pure perfection, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a sensational effort from this estate that should be snatched up by drinkers and collectors. Based on 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up mostly in new American oak, this saturated purple-hued beauty is legendary Monte Bello in the making and has a stunning yet primordial bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, chocolate, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, incredibly powerful, and one of the most concentrated versions of this cuvée ever made (I’ve had most of them), it needs a solid decade of bottle age and will have 50-60 years of overall longevity. Despite the long drinking window, it offers plenty of pleasure even today. I followed this bottle for two days and it showed best right out of the gate, closing down and becoming more brooding and backward with air. It’s an incredible wine that I promise you won’t regret having in your cellar.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 98-100 points “Destined to rank as one of the all-time greats from Ridge, the 2017 Monte Bello opens in the glass with youthfully complex notes of ripe plums, cassis, espresso roast and black truffles, with little apparent trace of its time in 100% new oak. On the palate, it’s full-bodied and incredibly concentrated, with a rich, layered mid-palate and immense substance that marks it out as the most richly tannic Monte Bello since 2013. As ever, the acids are vibrant, with a classic pH of around 3.5—notably lower than most Cabernet Sauvignons from contemporary Bordeaux or Napa Valley, thanks to this site’s limestone soils and high altitude. At the time of writing, the blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, though that may change by the time it’s bottled. Eric Baugher observes that fermentations were slow in 2017, which protracted the period of extraction, partially accounting for this vintage’s power. It’s still a baby, but this is a strong contender for a perfect score when it’s bottled in over a year’s time—and it should see out its 50th birthday in style.”
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot
Continuum Proprietary Red, Oakville 2017 375ML ($149.95) $128 special, 21 half bottles in stock now
Continuum Proprietary Red, Oakville 2017 750ML ($299.95) $259 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple 2017 Proprietary Red soars out of the glass with notions of baked blueberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, backed up by nuances of chocolate mint, wild sage, violets and pencil shavings, plus an earthy hint of Chinese five spice. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and opulent.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2017 Proprietary Red Wine Sage Mountain Vineyard comes across as remarkably primary. Bright red-toned fruit and floral notes give the 2017 striking freshness as well as nuance. Deep and layered on the palate, with superb depth, the 2017 Continuum is easily one of the wines of the year. Even in the early going, it is truly magnificent.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
“A super value in California Cabernet Sauvignon”
Marietta Cellars Arme Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma – Mendocino County 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91-93 points “The 2017 Armé is another gorgeous wine in this range from Marietta. Inky dark blue and purplish fruit, lavender, menthol and spice all grace this sumptuous racy and inky wine with great balance. The 2017 is a super value in California Cabernet Sauvignon. Wow.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
“Bold, forward style”
Scattered Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “A bold, forward style, with plush, lightly mulled plum, boysenberry and açaí berry flavors pumping along, backed by light apple and anise accents that add detail through the finish. Big, but has the energy for balance. Best from 2021 through 2028. 11,000 cases made.”
Virginie Boone-Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Made by former Beaulieu winemaker Joel Aiken, this value-minded wine is high toned, has a leathery grip and bursts with blue fruit. Bright acidity livens the midpalate of full-bodied weight and ripeness, finishing in a swirl of nutmeg, clove and toasted oak.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
“In a word: superb”
Cliff Lede Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District 2017 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “With small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this is a classically structured, earthy and impressive wine. Char, herb and earth accents frame the elegant, crisp fruit and graceful tannins, with a lasting taste of crushed rock.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Stags Leap District) shows off the more extroverted side of the year to great effect. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, leather, lavender, spice, menthol and cloves are all amped up. The 2017 is a rich, explosive wine built on flamboyance and volume. This large-scaled, potent Cabernet Sauvignon has a ton to offer. Best of all, with a case production of over 5,500, it will be relatively easy to find, and is just as nearly as exceptional as the flagship bottlings in this range. In a word: superb.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
“A gorgeous wine any way you look at it”
Frank Family Vineyards Winston Hill Red, Rutherford 2015 750ML ($179.95) $138 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “Similarly inky colored as the 2014, the 2015 Winston Hill Red Wine checks in as a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot that spent 21 months in 75% new French oak. It offers more graphite and minerality, with gorgeous notes of blueberries, crushed violets, lead pencil and hints of licorice. Deep, elegant and layered, with a profound textural elegance, it has terrific mid-palate depth, building, fine tannin, and a killer finish that won’t quit. It’s a gorgeous wine any way you look at it. It’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for two decades or more.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2015 Winston Hill, from Frank’s hillside Rutherford vineyard, is lush, radiant and super-expressive. An array of jammy red berries, mint, rose petal, licorice and sweet spices fleshes out effortless in the glass. The 2015 is rich and unctuous, but not at all heavy or overdone. All the elements are simply in the right place. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
‘Finesse and elegance allied to great richness and intensity”
Joseph Phelps Vineyards Insignia, Napa Valley 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 96 points “[Reviewed 2015] The 2005 Proprietary Red Insignia (14.5% alcohol and typically aged 24 months in new French oak) is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot and 1% Merlot. Juicy, fresh and vibrant, with a dense, ruby/purple color, and a classic nose of licorice and crème de cassis as well as hints of new saddle leather and earth, the wine is a brilliant blend that after ten years shows no evidence of the 24 months it spent in new French oak. Full-bodied, opulent, but still youthful, this wine looks set for another 25-30 years of aging. The wine’s best elements are its finesse and elegance allied to great richness and intensity. This wine is accessible now, as most Insignias tend to be, but much of its greatness will be revealed over the next two decades.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
A cellar pick from an underrated estate
Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard is very deep purple-black in color with an earthy, meaty, broody nose with notes of mocha over baked plums and crème de cassis plus wafts of spice box and mincemeat. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, rich and earthy with great vibrancy on the finish. 839 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “From a steep hillside in Oakville, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard offers a more savory, masculine, layered style as well as a huge nose of red and black fruits, dried herbs, chocolate, and earth. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, mouthfilling style that carries plenty of tannins, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and a great finish. I like it today, yet it’s going to continue drinking brilliantly for two decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A (multiple) 99-point stunner
Cliff Lede Vineyards Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District 2016 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99+ points “A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry needs a little coaxing to begin to unfurl the tightly wound yet exciting scents of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry preserves, warm redcurrants and kirsch plus fragrant nuances of candied violets, underbrush, cigar boxes, menthol and star anise. Full-bodied and built like a brick house in the mouth, the palate features an almost impenetrable structure of super ripe tannins framing the taut, muscular fruit, finishing long. This beauty needs at least 5-6 years to begin to blossom, after which it may well warrant a perfect score.”
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “Similarly colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry comes from shallow, volcanic soils in the Stags Leap AVA and is a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. It offers killer notes of crème de cassis, black raspberries, toasted spices, vanilla, and exotic flowers. These carry to a profound, incredibly intense, layered wine that has no hard edges, perfect balance, building tannins, and a great, great finish. This is another magical wine from this team that ranks with some of the finest wines ever made from this valley. As with most 2016s, it has some upfront charm and accessibility, yet will be at its best with 4-6 years of bottle age and will keep for 3-4 decades.”
Don’t Miss Cliff Lede’s Terrific Sauvignon Blanc:
Cliff Lede Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Cliff Lede Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($349.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 91 points “Succulent peach, melon and citrus flavors reveal pretty details of spice and dried floral notes in this stylish white, with crisp acidity and a drizzle of honey on the finish. Drink now. 10,420 cases made.”
Love California Cabernet? We have 37 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Colgin, Dominus, Diamond Creek and more, on our web store now.
Smart Buys from Bordeaux’s Right Bank
Château Clos de Bouard
We’re suckers for well-made Bordeaux at reasonable prices—a combination that has become increasingly difficult to find. Fortunately, Château Clos de Bouard makes two wines that more than fit the bill. These are the essence of right-bank Bordeaux—Merlot and Cabernet Franc dominant reds with just the right amount of makeup.
A throwback to Bordeaux’s glory days, Clos de Bouard vinifies the majority of their wine in cement vats, all on a parcel by parcel basis. This preserves a purity and vitality that’s uncommon in wines from Bordeaux’s “satellite” appellations. After fermentation the wines are aged in 50% new oak, imparting the polish that connoisseurs have come to expect from Right Bank Bordeaux. The estate’s vineyards feature classic hillside clay and limestone soils, with vines averaging 35 years of age (and some as old as 70). The resulting wines are the perfect blend of richness and elegance, terroir and refinement. Best of all the prices: $21.90/bottle for the flagship, and $39/bottle for the high-end bottling.
In Stock Now:
Château Clos de Bouard, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 17 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Super rich and plush with ample dark plum, cocoa and graphite nuances, as well as some blueberries and cherries. The plate has a beautifully crafted bed of fine, plush and long tannins that carry effortless length and depth. Deep and fresh cabernet kick. Really impressive. 85 per cent merlot and 11 per cent cabernet franc and four per cent cabernet sauvignon. Try from 2023.”
Château Clos de Bouard La Dame de Bouard, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “This has very attractive violets, plums and purple fruit on offer with a very plush and elegant feel on the palate, as well as a polished and long aftertaste. Super long and elegant. Very polished. 60 per cent merlot and 40 per cent cabernet franc. Try from 2023.”
Love red Bordeaux? We have 38 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Château Canon, Château Mouton Rothschild, Château Tour De Pez and more, on our web store now.
Mount Eden’s Excellent Edna Valley Chardonnay
The wines of Mount Eden Vineyards are legendary within the context and history of California. Winemakers and owners Jeffrey and Ellie Patterson continue to make some of the highest quality California wines in the iconic style that made them famous—a rarity in an age when even “classic” producers are making riper and riper bottlings every year.
Mt. Eden’s Edna Valley Chardonnay is a perpetual best-value bottling, with rich, creamy fruit and seductive textures. It’s everything we’re looking for in California Chardonnay without being too extroverted –a rare balancing act indeed.
In Stock Now:
Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay, Edna Valley 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points “This comes mostly from the Wolff vineyard with some fruit from the Middle Ranch vineyard. The 2017 Edna Valley Chardonnay opens with wonderful aromas of honeycomb, orange blossoms, saline, crushed shell and loads of baked apple and quince with an earthy undercurrent. The palate is medium-bodied, satiny and intense, with seamless freshness on the finish, which lingers with honeyed notions.”
Also in Stock from Mount Eden Vineyards:
Mount Eden Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points “The rocky minerality of the region shows from first sniff through to the lengthy finish. The earthiness is beautifully offset by fleshy red and black fruit, with spice-infused cherry, bittersweet chocolate, espresso and vanilla notes. For all its youthful intensity, the palate is remarkably fresh and bright.”
Mount Eden Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “Mount Eden’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon represents the essence of what Cabernet Sauvignon is all about in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Deep, powerful and explosive, the 2016 simply has it all. A wine of tremendous depth and intensity. Readers, take note. This is world class Cabernet Sauvignon that in any other region would cost 2-3 times as much. Savory and expansive, with tons of mountain character and remarkable richness from low yields in 2016, the Cabernet Sauvignon is simply off the charts. It’s another utterly breathtaking wine from Mount Eden.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is blended with 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The nose offers pure cassis finely layered with Chinese five spice, dried rose petals, graphite and pipe tobacco with a wild, game-like undercurrent. The palate is seamless, opening to an array of detailed fruits and spices, with a silt-like structure and expansive juicy uplift. It’s a wonderfully balanced Cabernet that offers immediate appeal plus everything it needs for a long life in the cellar. 1,582 cases produced.”
Love Golden State wine? We have 85 different options from California in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Arnot-Roberts, Bedrock, Pax and more, on our web store now.
Mt. Eden’s Edna Valley Chardonnay is a perpetual best-value bottling, with rich, creamy fruit and seductive textures. It’s everything we’re looking for in California Chardonnay without being too extroverted –a rare balancing act indeed.
In Stock Now:
Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay, Edna Valley 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points “This comes mostly from the Wolff vineyard with some fruit from the Middle Ranch vineyard. The 2017 Edna Valley Chardonnay opens with wonderful aromas of honeycomb, orange blossoms, saline, crushed shell and loads of baked apple and quince with an earthy undercurrent. The palate is medium-bodied, satiny and intense, with seamless freshness on the finish, which lingers with honeyed notions.”
Also in Stock from Mount Eden Vineyards:
Mount Eden Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points “The rocky minerality of the region shows from first sniff through to the lengthy finish. The earthiness is beautifully offset by fleshy red and black fruit, with spice-infused cherry, bittersweet chocolate, espresso and vanilla notes. For all its youthful intensity, the palate is remarkably fresh and bright.”
Mount Eden Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “Mount Eden’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon represents the essence of what Cabernet Sauvignon is all about in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Deep, powerful and explosive, the 2016 simply has it all. A wine of tremendous depth and intensity. Readers, take note. This is world class Cabernet Sauvignon that in any other region would cost 2-3 times as much. Savory and expansive, with tons of mountain character and remarkable richness from low yields in 2016, the Cabernet Sauvignon is simply off the charts. It’s another utterly breathtaking wine from Mount Eden.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is blended with 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The nose offers pure cassis finely layered with Chinese five spice, dried rose petals, graphite and pipe tobacco with a wild, game-like undercurrent. The palate is seamless, opening to an array of detailed fruits and spices, with a silt-like structure and expansive juicy uplift. It’s a wonderfully balanced Cabernet that offers immediate appeal plus everything it needs for a long life in the cellar. 1,582 cases produced.”
Love Golden State wine? We have 85 different options from California in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Arnot-Roberts, Bedrock, Pax and more, on our web store now.
Top Values from Alto Piemonte
The Staff Favorite Wines of Cantalupo
The Piedmont outside of Barolo and Barbaresco remains a bit of a paradox: lovers of elite, collectible Nebbiolo will readily concede that there are some amazing wines made there, but then turn around and proceed never to buy any. This despite the fact that the best wines are outstandingly well priced!
If you love Barolo and Barbaresco, you should be paying real (fiscal) attention to the wines from Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo, in Ghemme. Cantalupo remains one of the top producers in the appellation, making wines that are traditional with a touch of polish to them. They deserve to be considered among the top wineries in Piedmont, not just in Ghemme. And we’re excited to add to our impressive selection later this month.
Did we mention that these wines are outstandingly well priced? Most of Cantalupo’s wines are between $20-50. In addition to the pre-arrivals arriving this month, we have a number of their Nebbiolo-based reds in stock right now, as well as their fantastic NV white. Up and down the line, these are wines that are surprisingly serious for their price tag. The white is a blend of Erbaluce and Arneis, the two great native grapes of the region, with a splash of Chardonnay for texture and power. But the reds are the star attraction. Cantalupo’s reds have been staff favorites for years, and we’re delighted to feature them once again today.
Pre-Arrivals ETA March 2021:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo 2018 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2018 Nebbiolo Colline Novaresi Agamium is a terrific introduction to these wines. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and orange peel are beautifully delineated. The 2018s is vinous and fresh, but it also has plenty of depth too. All the elements are impeccably balanced.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’, Ghemme DOCG 2012 750ML ($44.95) $36 pre-arrival special
“The 2012 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a powerful, dark potent wine. Wild cherry, spice, tobacco and menthol contribute to its brooding, somber rustic personality. The 2012 is very big and dense.” –Antonio Galloni
If you love Barolo and Barbaresco, you should be paying real (fiscal) attention to the wines from Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo, in Ghemme. Cantalupo remains one of the top producers in the appellation, making wines that are traditional with a touch of polish to them. They deserve to be considered among the top wineries in Piedmont, not just in Ghemme. And we’re excited to add to our impressive selection later this month.
Did we mention that these wines are outstandingly well priced? Most of Cantalupo’s wines are between $20-50. In addition to the pre-arrivals arriving this month, we have a number of their Nebbiolo-based reds in stock right now, as well as their fantastic NV white. Up and down the line, these are wines that are surprisingly serious for their price tag. The white is a blend of Erbaluce and Arneis, the two great native grapes of the region, with a splash of Chardonnay for texture and power. But the reds are the star attraction. Cantalupo’s reds have been staff favorites for years, and we’re delighted to feature them once again today.
Pre-Arrivals ETA March 2021:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo 2018 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2018 Nebbiolo Colline Novaresi Agamium is a terrific introduction to these wines. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and orange peel are beautifully delineated. The 2018s is vinous and fresh, but it also has plenty of depth too. All the elements are impeccably balanced.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’, Ghemme DOCG 2012 750ML ($44.95) $36 pre-arrival special
“The 2012 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a powerful, dark potent wine. Wild cherry, spice, tobacco and menthol contribute to its brooding, somber rustic personality. The 2012 is very big and dense.” –Antonio Galloni
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Ghemme Collis Breclamae is fabulous. Deep, dark and also translucent, the 2013 possesses magnificent clarity as well as structure. Black cherry, lavender, truffle, mint, spice and new leather all develop in an ample, resonant Ghemme that hits all the right notes. A rich, substantial finish rounds things out in style. The 2013 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring, but it also has the pedigree to develop in the cellar for many years to come. Each time I come back to the 2013 it is more impressive.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Carellae, Ghemme DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Ghemme Collis Carellae is another huge wine in this range from Cantalupo. Sweet red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco, mint, dried flowers and licorice are all amped up here. Even with all of its natural intensity, the 2011 possesses just enough freshness and verve to keep things in check. The 2011 is very obviously a dramatic wine, but all of the elements are nicely balanced.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Mia Ida’ Spumante Brut Rosé, Piedmont NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92 points “Very pale pink. Boasts extremely refined floral nuances to the vanilla and red cherry aromas and flavors. Bright and clean, with a lovely creamy presence on the palate and boasting sneaky concentration and complexity, not to mention a long precise finish. Lovely.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Signore di Bayard, Ghemme DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
In Stock Now:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Carolus Bianco, Piedmont NV (2018) 750ML ($21.95) Was $19 Now $17, 21 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A blend of Erbaluce, Arneis and Chardonnay. This wine is all about contrasts–bright and crisp, but with some texture from the Chardonnay. It has a melange of stone fruit on the nose and palate, but also a pleasant herbaceousness and a touch of spice. Pairs with just about anything, including just by itself.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2011 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2011 Ghemme Collis Breclemae is heady, rich and unctuous – almost unnaturally so. This is a very big wine with notes of black cherry, pine, smoke, licorice, leather and incense. The 2011 is a powerful, virile, brooding wine with real intensity.”
Importer note “Soil is made up of moraine (glacial deposit) which is high in minerals, rocks, gravel and sand. Grapes were destemmed and delicately pressed keeping the rolls of the destemmer sufficiently distant from each other in order to avoid the ill-treating of the grapes as much as possible. After the fermentation at 28-30 degrees Celsius, two pressings a day were carreid out in order to favor the extraction of the anthocyans and the polymerised tannins from the skins, which give that characteristic velvety, sweet and at the same time austere taste to this wine.”
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2010 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2010 Ghemme Collis Breclemae is a powerful, austere wine and also the most tannic of the three Ghemmes I tasted from Cantalupo. Readers should be prepared to cellar the 2010 for at least a few years, as the bruising tannins are going to need time to soften a bit. Black cherry, wood smoke, licorice, tobacco and incense add to an impression of virile intensity. The Collis Breclamae is another wine with tons of cellaring potential.”
Winery note “Made entirely of Nebbiolo grown in the hillside vineyard called ‘Collis Breclemae,’ picked in the second half of October. About two weeks of maceration with the skins, then the wine is aged for 36 months in used barrels ranging between 900 and 2800L. Very rocky soil, which presumably explains the very distinctive mineral character the wine shows. Very round tannins that remind me of 70% dark chocolate, not at all bitter, just savory; this will age brilliantly, but if I’m eating ribeye now I would drink this with it in a second. Really big wine with excellent balance.”
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’, Ghemme DOCG 2009 3L ($199.95) $169 special, 1 double magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2009 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a gorgeous, super-classic Ghemme. Rosewater, bright red cherry, geranium, tobacco, pine and mint are beautifully delineated throughout. Aromatically intense and focused, the 2009 shows exactly what makes Nebbiolo from Ghemme so delicious. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine that won’t break the bank. At times, the aromatic signatures are quite reminiscent of Mascarello’s Barolo Monprivato, although the tannic and acid signatures are very much those of Ghemme.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2007 3L ($279.95) $219 special, 1 double magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2007 Ghemme Collis Breclamae shows the deeper, slightly wilder side of Ghemme. Game, smoke, licorice, cedar and tobacco are expressed with elements of burliness and rusticity. There is more than enough depth to fill out the wine’s broad shoulders. Still, what comes through most is the wine’s virile, imposing personality.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Piedmontese wine? We have 190 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Castello di Verduno, G.D. Vajra, Produttori and more, on our web store now.
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
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When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
José Michel’s Age-Worthy Champagne
Further Reduced
“The two great exceptions that prove the rule about the maturing potential of Pinot Meunier are Krug and José Michel.” – Richard Juhlin, 2000 Champagnes
“José Michel made his first vintage in 1955 and thanks in part to his cellar of very old bottles of Pinot Meunier, he has developed a cult following for his Champagnes. This ‘Maison de Tradition’ began in 1847 and five generations later, José and Nicole carry forward a wonderfully artisanal sensibility to their craft. They are a founding member of the group, ‘Tresors de Champagne’ known as the ‘Special Club’. José Michel is located in Moussy, a small village just south of Epernay. The 11 hectares of vineyards are spread throughout a number of villages, mostly along the Cotes D’Epernay. The vineyard sights with a richer clay soil are planted to Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The lower slopes which have a calcareous soil are planted to Chardonnay. José Michel was the first in his family to plant Chardonnay which he did beginning in 1958. Fermentations are carried out in old oak casks or enameled steel vats and the wines go through a malolactic fermentation. José Michel is certified ‘Level 3’ the top level of certification in Haute Valeur Environmentale.” – Importer note
In Stock Now:
José Michel & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($44.95) Was $36 Now $33, 6 bottles in stock now
José Michel & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($27.95) $19.90 special, 35 half bottles in stock now
Importer note “The non-vintage Brut is a blend in which the 70% Pinot Meunier forms the base and 30% Chardonnay adds complexity and finesse. In addition to the base vintage (typically 2 years old), the NV Brut benefits from being blended with reserve wines that are often 4 or 5 years old. The champagne is typically 2+ years “sur lattes” and carries a dosage of 9 grams.”
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José Michel & Fils Clos Saint Jean Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($69.95) Was $59 Now $49, 10 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The Blanc de Blancs is produced in the best vintages. It is made from Chardonnay grown in several of Michel’s best plots that are in and around Moussy. The wine is fermented in stainless steel with an extended period “sur lie”. After the secondary fermentation it rests “sur lattes” for 5 years allowing the Chardonnay qualities to broaden and mature. Dosage is 9 grams. It is a wine of impeccable character, showing both nobility and restraint. It is worthy of cellaring for at least a year after disgorgement.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
José Michel & Fils Special Club Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The Club de Viticulteurs is a group of independent Champagne producers who have come together in order to promote the high quality of their work. The José Michel Special Club was chosen by this group as an ambassador of quality and given the right to use the Special Club label and antique bottle. The Special Club is a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier and 60% Chardonnay. The vines are all at least 35+ years old. The champagne is disgorged according to demand and currently has six years on the lees “sur lattes” with dosage carrying just 6.5 grams.”
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Subscriber Special Encore
Durand’s Distinguished Northern Rhônes
The Durand brothers are making it look easy. It’s hard to find Northern Rhône wines that combine soul and polish—it seems as if most of the new wines we taste are either hyper glossy or very rustic. To hit that sweet spot, crafting wines that speak very loudly of place but are elegant, drinkable and age-worthy—that’s special indeed.
“Consistently brilliant wines emerge from Domaine Durand, which is run with incredible talent and passion by Eric and Joël Durand. Located in the tiny village of Châteaubourg, they pull from roughly 22 hectares of vines, 8.5 hectares in Saint Joseph, 9.5 hectares in Cornas and tiny amounts in Saint-Péray and Vin de Pays. The brothers took over the estate in 1991, and while the winemaking is relatively modern, these are classic, pure, beautifully made wines that speak clearly to their region and terroir.” – Jeb Dunnuck
In Stock Now:
Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Cornas Prémices 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29.70 Subscriber Special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 Cornas Prémices comes from a mix of granite terroirs and was mostly destemmed (75%) and aged in 20% new barrels. It offers an incredibly rich, opulent style in its plum, blackberry liqueur, lavender and peppery herb aromas and flavors. Thick, unctuous, and incredibly broad and expansive on the palate, with sweet tannin, it’s the largest production cuvée from this estate and is going to be an incredible value! Don’t miss it.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant purple. Mineral- and spice-accented aromas of cherry pit, cassis and olive, along with a subtle floral quality that expands as the wine stretches out. Juicy, appealingly sweet black and blue fruit flavors show very good clarity, and a suggestion of cracked pepper adds spicy bite. Conveys a suave blend of power and delicacy and finishes with building sweetness and velvety, even tannins.”
“Consistently brilliant wines emerge from Domaine Durand, which is run with incredible talent and passion by Eric and Joël Durand. Located in the tiny village of Châteaubourg, they pull from roughly 22 hectares of vines, 8.5 hectares in Saint Joseph, 9.5 hectares in Cornas and tiny amounts in Saint-Péray and Vin de Pays. The brothers took over the estate in 1991, and while the winemaking is relatively modern, these are classic, pure, beautifully made wines that speak clearly to their region and terroir.” – Jeb Dunnuck
In Stock Now:
Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Cornas Prémices 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29.70 Subscriber Special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 Cornas Prémices comes from a mix of granite terroirs and was mostly destemmed (75%) and aged in 20% new barrels. It offers an incredibly rich, opulent style in its plum, blackberry liqueur, lavender and peppery herb aromas and flavors. Thick, unctuous, and incredibly broad and expansive on the palate, with sweet tannin, it’s the largest production cuvée from this estate and is going to be an incredible value! Don’t miss it.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant purple. Mineral- and spice-accented aromas of cherry pit, cassis and olive, along with a subtle floral quality that expands as the wine stretches out. Juicy, appealingly sweet black and blue fruit flavors show very good clarity, and a suggestion of cracked pepper adds spicy bite. Conveys a suave blend of power and delicacy and finishes with building sweetness and velvety, even tannins.”
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Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Cornas Prémices 2016 750ML ($39.95) $29.70 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Warm fig, blackberry and black currant fruit gives this a decidedly dark profile, while licorice root, dark olive and bay leaf notes score the finish. A tarry edge adds grip and length. Shows range and depth, and begs for cellaring. Best from 2021 through 2035.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Cornas Prémices, from relatively young vines, has turned out well. Menthol, leather and plum combine on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is supple and charming. Already easy to drink, it offers decent concentration and a long finish lined with soft, dusty tannins.”
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Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Cornas Prémices 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29.70 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Lots of blueberries, jammy blackberries, violets, licorice, and floral notes emerge from the 2017 Cornas Prémices. This fleshy, sexy, full-bodied beauty is a quintessential, hedonistic Cornas that’s already hard to resist. Nevertheless, it has enough sweet tannins to keep for over a decade. This cuvée comes from slightly younger vines (15 to 30-year-old vines) and is aged in 20% new French oak.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Offers a ripe, slightly toasty profile, featuring plum and blackberry fruit, tinged with ganache and alder notes. Shows some heft, with the toast clinging to the finish. A light violet echo gives this some needed lift at the end. Best from 2020 through 2030. 875 cases made, 120 cases imported.”
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Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Saint-Joseph Les Coteaux 2017 750ML ($39.95) $26.10 Subscriber Special, 12 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Sourced from 15- to 30-year-old vines on granite soils towards the south of the appellation, the fruit for this wine is all destemmed, spending 12 months maturing in barriques and demi-muids, 15% new. It has a lovely purity of expression, the fruit using the oak for support, not influence. It’s a medium-bodied, very fresh expression with no overextraction and an elegant finish. It has refined tannins and good persistence. An unforced, easy to drink with with good typicity.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Bright and juicy, with lots of blackberry and plum compote flavors, inlaid with licorice and singed apple wood notes. A lively briar accent through the finish offsets the toast. Best from 2021 through 2030. 2,000 cases made, 450 cases imported.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Bright purple. Spice-accented blue fruit and floral scents, along with hints of cured tobacco and olive. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering sappy boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors that turn sweeter on the back half. Youthful, gripping tannins add shape to the finish, which hangs on with strong, dark-fruit-driven tenacity.”
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Domaine Eric et Joël Durand Saint-Joseph Lautaret 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29.70 Subscriber Special, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Fleshy and forward in feel, with a hint of ganache leading steeped plum and raspberry fruit along, accented by singed alder and licorice root notes. The solidly grippy finish pulls everything together. Needs a touch of cellaring. Best from 2022 through 2032. 340 cases made, 50 cases imported.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92+ points “The top Saint Joseph, the 2017 Saint Joseph Lautaret comes from older vines from the southern part of the appellation (near the village of Châteaubourg) and was brought up in 15% new French oak. It has a juicy, fresh, yet concentrated style to go with vivid dark berry fruits, crushed rock, graphite, and ground pepper notes. This terrific wine will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for over a decade.”
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Love Rhône reds? We have 175 different options in stock now. Shop the entire selection on our web store, including famous names like Chapoutier and Jaboulet, as well as more from Eric et Joël Durand.
Collector’s Corner
Chandon de Briailles’ Grand Crus
The wines of Chandon de Briailles are old-school Burgundies and brilliant because of it. Made with lots of whole clusters and an age-worthy approach, they are wines that need time but pay off in a big, big way. The estate has been a bit of an insider secret for years, as these wines are fantastic for their prices.
Speaking of those prices—the Burgundy market tends to reward wines that drink well on release and/or come from prestige appellations. These wines are neither (though Corton was quite the glamorous location a few hundred years ago). They require time to come into their own, putting on weight and texture in bottle until you open them up and they show up every other wine on the table (including many that released at triple the price).
In Stock Now:
Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Clos du Roi Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2015 750ML ($249.95) Was $199 Now $179, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is a magical wine in the making, opening in the glass with a deep and brooding bouquet of cherries, plum preserve, espresso roast, rich soil, dark chocolate and dried rose petals. On the palate, the wine is incredibly complete and multidimensional, with an ample chassis of fine-grained, chalky tannins, a bright line of acidity, and immense concentration and length. More deep and layered than the Corton Bressandes, this Clos du Roi is also finer-boned and more mineral, its aromas and flavors less wild and “sauvage,” and while the wine’s considerable structure will demand a decade of bottle age, this will be a benchmark Corton in the fullness of time.”
Speaking of those prices—the Burgundy market tends to reward wines that drink well on release and/or come from prestige appellations. These wines are neither (though Corton was quite the glamorous location a few hundred years ago). They require time to come into their own, putting on weight and texture in bottle until you open them up and they show up every other wine on the table (including many that released at triple the price).
In Stock Now:
Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Clos du Roi Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2015 750ML ($249.95) Was $199 Now $179, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is a magical wine in the making, opening in the glass with a deep and brooding bouquet of cherries, plum preserve, espresso roast, rich soil, dark chocolate and dried rose petals. On the palate, the wine is incredibly complete and multidimensional, with an ample chassis of fine-grained, chalky tannins, a bright line of acidity, and immense concentration and length. More deep and layered than the Corton Bressandes, this Clos du Roi is also finer-boned and more mineral, its aromas and flavors less wild and “sauvage,” and while the wine’s considerable structure will demand a decade of bottle age, this will be a benchmark Corton in the fullness of time.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Clos du Roi Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2016 750ML ($249.95) Was $199 Now $179, 11 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2016 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is immensely impressive, unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild blueberries, raspberries and cassis that mingle with notions of dark chocolate, musk, violets and ineffable savory bass notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, with superb concentration, tangy acids and a long, searingly mineral finish. It’s one of the two or three finest expressions of the hill of Corton to be found—with the domaine’s fleshier, more gourmand Corton Bressandes not far behind. As readers may know, the de Nicolays’ holdings in the Clos du Roi are located at the top of this large vineyard, where the soils are redder and sandier than those classified—in white—as Corton-Charlemagne but which feature the same type of marl.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $225
The next lowest listed price is $225
Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2016 750ML ($189.95) $119 special, 26 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Corton Bressandes Grand Cru is also showing extremely well, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, ripe plums, dark chocolate, dried flowers and spices. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and velvety, with a deep, layered core, succulent balancing acids and a long, intense and beautifully soil-driven finish. Cropped at 22 hectoliters per hectare, this is an exceptional Bressandes that will be well worth seeking out.”
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “(a blend of four lots; the vines on the Aloxe side of the cru, on thin soil over mother rock, were seriously affected by frost while those on more clay-rich soil on the Ladoix side produced a normal crop; 80% vendange entier): Bright red-ruby. Distinctly dark aromas of blackberry and cassis lifted by violet and mint nuances and complicated by a saline element. Ripe but classically dry, offering terrific density of texture as well as more thrust than the Maréchaudes. This wine is totally different in shape, finishing with broader, firmer, almost peppery tannins that dust the front teeth. Flavors of dark fruits and spices linger impressively. I suspect that this wine will need considerably longer cellaring than the Maréchaudes.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $148
The next lowest listed price is $148
Love red Burgundy? We have 254 different options from the Côte de Nuits and 95 different options from the Côte de Beaune in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Armand Rousseau, Fourrier, Roumier and more, on our web store now.
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