In Today’s Newsletter:
A Drappier Super Special
The Return of a Best Selling, Best Value Champagne
Featured New Arrival
New Releases from Chateau Thivin
Camigliano’s 92 Point, Under $20 Super Tuscan
Staff Pick:
Vajra’s Affordable Side
Plus: Some Stock Remains for ’16 Vajra Crus!
New Vintages of Marietta’s Sold Out Cali Values
Don’t Forget Our Subscriber Specials
Chateau Simone and Two Classique Chateauneufs
Trending Wines
Drappier Super Special
The Return of a Best Selling, Best Value Champagne
We’ve got a new round of one of our best value, best-selling Champagnes arriving Friday. Drappier’s Carte d’Or returns and is (stunningly) below $35 a bottle. This was a fantastic value when it was barely under $40, so bringing it back at this tariff seems unreal—a deal that we had to pounce on.
Drappier might sound like a Grande Marque, but they’re really a grower producer at heart. They own 53 hectares of vines in the Aube (where they were the first to plant Pinot Noir) and make forward thinking wines at a very friendly price-point. A carbon-neutral house, they place as much care in the cellar as they do in the vineyards—and the wines show it.
Forbes placed the wine we’re offering today, the estate’s Carte d’Or , as the #3 “Best Champagne You’ve Never Heard Of” for good reason. Drappier makes big, flamboyantly rich Champagne that is always a crowd pleaser—at prices that mean you can actually pour it for crowds. It’s hard to find better bubbly under $35/btl, so if you’re a Champagne drinker you should stock up now.
Arriving Friday:
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Decanter 91 points “[Reviewed 10/2019] Described by Drappier as ‘almost a blanc de noirs’, this Pinot Noir-dominant wine sourced from the Côte des Bar is the house’s calling card. 5% of the cuvée is matured in barrels for a year for added complexity and texture, and it’s bottled unfiltered with a fairly low dosage of 7g/l. There are some melon and apple scents on the nose along with a splash of red fruits, while the palate is intense, with notes of apple, quince and grape wrapped in a red-fruit veil. It’s full-bodied and long, with a lovely texture from the red wine tannins and oak-matured portion.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “[Reviewed 4/2019] The latest release of the NV Carte d’Or Brut was disgorged in November 2017, and it’s showing well today, wafting from the glass with notions of waxy lemon rind, hazelnuts, fresh peaches and lily pollen. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, pure and vibrant, with pinpoint bubbles, brisk acids and good length and definition on the chalky finish. Attractively balanced, it will gain depth with bottle age.”
[Disgorgement may vary from reviews]
Drappier might sound like a Grande Marque, but they’re really a grower producer at heart. They own 53 hectares of vines in the Aube (where they were the first to plant Pinot Noir) and make forward thinking wines at a very friendly price-point. A carbon-neutral house, they place as much care in the cellar as they do in the vineyards—and the wines show it.
Forbes placed the wine we’re offering today, the estate’s Carte d’Or , as the #3 “Best Champagne You’ve Never Heard Of” for good reason. Drappier makes big, flamboyantly rich Champagne that is always a crowd pleaser—at prices that mean you can actually pour it for crowds. It’s hard to find better bubbly under $35/btl, so if you’re a Champagne drinker you should stock up now.
Arriving Friday:
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Decanter 91 points “[Reviewed 10/2019] Described by Drappier as ‘almost a blanc de noirs’, this Pinot Noir-dominant wine sourced from the Côte des Bar is the house’s calling card. 5% of the cuvée is matured in barrels for a year for added complexity and texture, and it’s bottled unfiltered with a fairly low dosage of 7g/l. There are some melon and apple scents on the nose along with a splash of red fruits, while the palate is intense, with notes of apple, quince and grape wrapped in a red-fruit veil. It’s full-bodied and long, with a lovely texture from the red wine tannins and oak-matured portion.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “[Reviewed 4/2019] The latest release of the NV Carte d’Or Brut was disgorged in November 2017, and it’s showing well today, wafting from the glass with notions of waxy lemon rind, hazelnuts, fresh peaches and lily pollen. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, pure and vibrant, with pinpoint bubbles, brisk acids and good length and definition on the chalky finish. Attractively balanced, it will gain depth with bottle age.”
[Disgorgement may vary from reviews]
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Featured New Arrival
New Releases from Chateau Thivin
Brouilly’s Standard Bearer
Chateau Thivin is the best known, most beloved producer in Beaujolais’ Cote de Brouilly. The appellation lends itself to rich, textured wines and Thivin obliges—though there’s always the trademark minerality and floral underpinning we love about these wines. We also have their bistro-ready “Reverdon” bottling from the flatter Brouilly appellation which is a charming, drink-now bottle. The 2018’s are some of the best wines the estate has ever made and we expect they’ll be as popular as in previous vintages.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $27.50 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Shimmering purple. Assertive dark berry, cherry, spicecake and floral pastille scents are complemented by suggestions of succulent herbs and licorice. Sappy and deeply concentrated on the palate, offering mineral-laced bitter cherry and blackberry preserve flavors that stretch out and turn sweeter with aeration. Youthfully gripping tannins add framework to the finish, which lingers with outstanding, mineral-driven tenacity. Drink: 2022-2029. (Oct 2019)”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Côte de Brouilly is still a little closed after its recent bottling, but it’s a promising wine in the making, unwinding in the glass with scents of cherries, plums, licorice and rich soil tones, complemented by floral top notes that blossom as the wine sits in the glass. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, broad and satiny, with a textural, enveloping profile, a deep and voluminous core, ripe but succulent acids and powdery structuring tannins. Drink: 2020-2035. (Aug 2019)”
Chateau Thivin Brouilly ‘Reverdon’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $24.50 special
Josh Raynolds 92 points ” Deep, bright-hued violet. Fresh dark berries, candied flowers, allspice and a hint of blood orange on the expansive nose. Sappy and appealingly sweet, offering pliant cherry and black raspberry flavors that deepen and spread out quickly with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes very long and smooth, with bright, mineral-driven thrust, silky tannins and lingering floral and spice notes.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 91 points “Richer, more voluptuous and larger-scaled than its 2017 counterpart, the 2018 Brouilly Reverdon unfurls with a ripe bouquet of mulberries, blackberries and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with broad shoulders and a generous, expressive profile. Richer, more voluptuous and larger-scaled than its 2017 counterpart, the 2018 Brouilly Reverdon unfurls with a ripe bouquet of mulberries, blackberries and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with broad shoulders and a generous, expressive profile.”
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $27.50 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Shimmering purple. Assertive dark berry, cherry, spicecake and floral pastille scents are complemented by suggestions of succulent herbs and licorice. Sappy and deeply concentrated on the palate, offering mineral-laced bitter cherry and blackberry preserve flavors that stretch out and turn sweeter with aeration. Youthfully gripping tannins add framework to the finish, which lingers with outstanding, mineral-driven tenacity. Drink: 2022-2029. (Oct 2019)”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Côte de Brouilly is still a little closed after its recent bottling, but it’s a promising wine in the making, unwinding in the glass with scents of cherries, plums, licorice and rich soil tones, complemented by floral top notes that blossom as the wine sits in the glass. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, broad and satiny, with a textural, enveloping profile, a deep and voluminous core, ripe but succulent acids and powdery structuring tannins. Drink: 2020-2035. (Aug 2019)”
Chateau Thivin Brouilly ‘Reverdon’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $24.50 special
Josh Raynolds 92 points ” Deep, bright-hued violet. Fresh dark berries, candied flowers, allspice and a hint of blood orange on the expansive nose. Sappy and appealingly sweet, offering pliant cherry and black raspberry flavors that deepen and spread out quickly with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes very long and smooth, with bright, mineral-driven thrust, silky tannins and lingering floral and spice notes.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 91 points “Richer, more voluptuous and larger-scaled than its 2017 counterpart, the 2018 Brouilly Reverdon unfurls with a ripe bouquet of mulberries, blackberries and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with broad shoulders and a generous, expressive profile. Richer, more voluptuous and larger-scaled than its 2017 counterpart, the 2018 Brouilly Reverdon unfurls with a ripe bouquet of mulberries, blackberries and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with broad shoulders and a generous, expressive profile.”
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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.)
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info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Just Arrived
Camigliano’s 92 Point, Under $20 Super Tuscan
Camigliano is one of our favorite producers of Brunello (we have their excellent Brunello arriving next month and their Rosso di Montalcino in stock now), but their entry-level Super Tuscan “Poderuccio” is perhaps the best value in their entire lineup. This powerful 92 point Bodeaux+Sangiovese blend is a quarantine special—under $20 and ready to drink now.
In stock Now:
Castello di Camigliano Poderuccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($21.95) $17.70 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Castello di Camigliano Poderuccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “A ripe style, verging on overripe, boasting plum and blackberry flavors, with iron, leather and wild herb notes. Broad and powerful, revealing a dense layer of tannins on the long, savory finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2028. 3,333 cases made, 580 cases imported.”
In stock Now:
Castello di Camigliano Poderuccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($21.95) $17.70 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Castello di Camigliano Poderuccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “A ripe style, verging on overripe, boasting plum and blackberry flavors, with iron, leather and wild herb notes. Broad and powerful, revealing a dense layer of tannins on the long, savory finish. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Drink now through 2028. 3,333 cases made, 580 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Staff Pick
Vajra’s Affordable Side
Saul:
We probably first think of Vajra for their top Barolos—certainly I know I do. Their cru offerings represent some of the pinnacle of Barolo and while we have some of the 2016’s for sale now, I wanted to focus on their Langhe Rosso—a steal of a wine that’s going to be my go-to bottling for pizza and pasta over the next few months. Made from a blend or Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto (with a few other odds and ends thrown in) it’s lighter and more delicate than many of the Vajra wines, with an freshness and verve that’s hard to beat.
I love this wine because it has enough weight to stand up to a ton of different foods, but has the energy and drive to be energizing and hunger-inducing in its freshness. I drank a bottle on Sunday night with pizza and it really impressed. My wife was stunned to hear the bottle was under $20 and immediately suggested we stock up. I am, and so should you.
In Stock Now:
G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Our Langhe Rosso is a hug from Piedmont. It’s an invitation to explore its different varieties and to get to know its personality. From young vineyards, it is a fruity, delicately complex wine – an ideal companion at the table. It’s predominately Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto, with smaller quantities of Freisa, Albarossa, Pinot Noir. Each vineyard is harvested when it reaches perfect ripeness. The varieties are vinified one by one, to express their personality and uniqueness. The wine is aged for 18-24 months partially in steel and then in first-, second- and third-use pièces. – Giuseppe Vaira”
Looking for more value wines from Vajra? Check out these fantastic buys, arriving Friday:
G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo emerges from a parcel in Sinio. Dark fruit, spice, earthy notes and a good bit of tannin give the Vajra’s Langhe Nebbiolo a decidedly brooding, powerful feel and quite a bit more seriousness than is typical at this level. Sweet red berry fruit, mint and spice add freshness alongside bright acidity as the 2018 opens up in the glass. This is such a pretty and expressive wine.”
We probably first think of Vajra for their top Barolos—certainly I know I do. Their cru offerings represent some of the pinnacle of Barolo and while we have some of the 2016’s for sale now, I wanted to focus on their Langhe Rosso—a steal of a wine that’s going to be my go-to bottling for pizza and pasta over the next few months. Made from a blend or Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto (with a few other odds and ends thrown in) it’s lighter and more delicate than many of the Vajra wines, with an freshness and verve that’s hard to beat.
I love this wine because it has enough weight to stand up to a ton of different foods, but has the energy and drive to be energizing and hunger-inducing in its freshness. I drank a bottle on Sunday night with pizza and it really impressed. My wife was stunned to hear the bottle was under $20 and immediately suggested we stock up. I am, and so should you.
In Stock Now:
G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Our Langhe Rosso is a hug from Piedmont. It’s an invitation to explore its different varieties and to get to know its personality. From young vineyards, it is a fruity, delicately complex wine – an ideal companion at the table. It’s predominately Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto, with smaller quantities of Freisa, Albarossa, Pinot Noir. Each vineyard is harvested when it reaches perfect ripeness. The varieties are vinified one by one, to express their personality and uniqueness. The wine is aged for 18-24 months partially in steel and then in first-, second- and third-use pièces. – Giuseppe Vaira”
Looking for more value wines from Vajra? Check out these fantastic buys, arriving Friday:
G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo emerges from a parcel in Sinio. Dark fruit, spice, earthy notes and a good bit of tannin give the Vajra’s Langhe Nebbiolo a decidedly brooding, powerful feel and quite a bit more seriousness than is typical at this level. Sweet red berry fruit, mint and spice add freshness alongside bright acidity as the 2018 opens up in the glass. This is such a pretty and expressive wine.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba is a joyous wine that is sure to put a smile on readers’ faces. Pliant, supple and full of character, the 2017 offers superb density and tons of pure deliciousness. Sweet dark cherry, plum, mocha and sweet spice are pushed forward in this engaging, arrestingly beautiful Barbera. Best of all, the 2017 is a superb value.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “This is round, exuding black cherry, blackberry and iron flavors that are deftly integrated with the polished texture. The flavors build to a lengthy conclusion. Drink now through 2024. 2,500 cases made.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba is a joyous wine that is sure to put a smile on readers’ faces. Pliant, supple and full of character, the 2017 offers superb density and tons of pure deliciousness. Sweet dark cherry, plum, mocha and sweet spice are pushed forward in this engaging, arrestingly beautiful Barbera. Best of all, the 2017 is a superb value.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “This is round, exuding black cherry, blackberry and iron flavors that are deftly integrated with the polished texture. The flavors build to a lengthy conclusion. Drink now through 2024. 2,500 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Superiore is plush, racy and flat-out delicious. Raspberry jam, cinnamon, dried flowers, sweet tobacco and cedar all flesh out in a forward, plush Barbera that will drink well right out the gate. The Superiore always needs a few years to fully emerge. I imagine that will be the case here as well. Even so, the 2017 is an especially open-knit version of this wine.”
In Stock Now:
G.D. Vajra Coste & Fossati Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Dolcetto d’Alba Coste & Fossati is a wine of extraordinary and arresting beauty. Intense and yet also remarkably delineated, the Coste & Fossati is a terrific example of the heights Dolcetto can reach in skilled hands. Readers will find a gorgeous, beautifully layered wine endowed with tremendous energy and focus. Dark plum, graphite, smoke, menthol and licorice all build in this super-expressive and nuanced wine from Vajra. I loved it.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Looking for Vajra’s outstanding cru Barolos? We just offered the impeccable 2016’s, arriving in June:
“For many growers, the 2016s are not just epic, they are career-defining wines” – Antonio Galloni
We’re excited to present one of the most anticipated offerings of the year—G.D. Vajra’s 2016 Barolos. We’ve been working to secure allocations and exceptional pricing on these legends in the making and you’ll be stunned at the pricing on these fantastic wines. Across all three crus (plus the Luigi Baudana wines, which Vajra owns and makes), these are some of the best wines made in Barolo, at any price. That they’re under $80 a bottle seems inconceivable to us—especially compared to their peer group in the Piedmont (and Burgundy).
2016 Barolos Arriving in June
G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2016 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is going to need a few years to emerge, but it has all the qualities to develop into a truly special wine. Dark red/purplish fruit, hard candy, mint, lavender and sweet spice give the 2016 striking inner perfume. On the palate, the 2016 is a tightly wound, classically austere Barolo that will especially delight readers with traditionally leaning palates. In this late-ripening vintage, there is a great balance of structure, aromatics and mid-palate sweetness. I absolutely loved it.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2016 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is going to need a few years to emerge, but it has all the qualities to develop into a truly special wine. Dark red/purplish fruit, hard candy, mint, lavender and sweet spice give the 2016 striking inner perfume. On the palate, the 2016 is a tightly wound, classically austere Barolo that will especially delight readers with traditionally leaning palates. In this late-ripening vintage, there is a great balance of structure, aromatics and mid-palate sweetness. I absolutely loved it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $90
The average price is $90
G.D. Vajra Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Barolo Ravera is tough as nails today, but it has striking inner sweetness and remarkable persistence. Even so, readers will have to exercise a great deal of patience, as the 2016 is not likely to offer much in the way of pleasure for a number of years. Bright red cherry, mint, white pepper, blood orange and dried flowers give the 2016 brilliant top notes to match its finely sculpted feel. Veins of acidy and tannin add razor-sharp precision throughout. I can’t wait to taste this in another few years’ time.”
G.D. Vajra ‘Coste di Rose’, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barolo Coste di Rose is plump, juicy and forward – all qualities that make it one of the more approachable wines in the Vajra range. Plump dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice and menthol all flesh out in a racy, juicy Barolo that will drink well right out of the gate. Plush fruit and silky tannins add to the wine’s voluptuous feel and early accessibility. This is very good, but it is not particularly complex.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $69
The average price is $69
Luigi Baudana ‘Baudana’, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $77 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Baudana is laced with sweet red cherry, floral overtones and silky tannins, all of which make it one of the more refined, sensual Serralunga Barolos readers will come across. In this tasting, the Baudana impresses with its haunting aromatics and transparent expression of Nebbiolo. Like all of these wines, it needs time in bottle but it is super impressive, even in the early going.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Luigi Baudana Cerretta, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $77 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Cerretta is dark, virile and imposing. Black cherry, lavender, scorched earth, cloves, leather and a range of balsamic notes give the Cerretta its somber, virile feel. Ample and powerful yet also medium in body, the Cerretta captures so much of what makes Nebbiolo so captivating, specifically the ability for a wine to constantly transform in the glass.”
Arriving ETA May 8th:
G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($249.95) $189 pre-arrival special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Case-12 G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($479.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $30.75/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 91 points “Vajra’s Barolo Albe is bright, floral and wonderfully lifted in 2016. Sweet tobacco, cedar, blood orange, mint, licorice, dried red cherry and sage give the 2016 lovely savory brightness to match its mid-weight structure. Gracious and light on its feet, the Albe has so much to offer.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $36
The average price nationally is $36
New Vintages of Marietta’s Sold Out Cali-Values
Chris Bilbro was one of California wine’s unsung heroes. He founded and grew Marietta Cellars into one of the preeminent producers of excellent value, honestly made California wine. Although his son Scot now runs the winery (Chris sadly passed away last year), the wines are as good as they’ve ever been—delicious, gutsy wines that deliver exceptional value at all prices. These are fantastic wines from their sub-$20 Zinfandel and Cabernet bottlings all the way through their “Gibson Block” Syrah, which hails from a parcel of Syrah planted in the 1880’s and still producing (tiny quantities) of fruit today.
The three entry level wines—the Arme Cabernet, Roman Zinfandel and Christo Rhone blend—are the backbone of their line and our best sellers out of the bunch. We sold through the last round of these wines but are excited to bring them back on Friday, with new vintages and still-fantastic pricing.
Arriving Friday:
Marietta Cellars Arme Estate Cabernet, California 2017 750ml ($21.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
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.”
The three entry level wines—the Arme Cabernet, Roman Zinfandel and Christo Rhone blend—are the backbone of their line and our best sellers out of the bunch. We sold through the last round of these wines but are excited to bring them back on Friday, with new vintages and still-fantastic pricing.
Arriving Friday:
Marietta Cellars Arme Estate Cabernet, California 2017 750ml ($21.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
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 in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Marietta Cellars ‘Roman’ Estate Grown Zinfandel, North Coast 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2018 Román is bright, punchy and full of Zinfandel character. Dark red and purplish fruit, spice and mint all race out of the glass effortlessly. Dollops of Petite Sirah and Barbera bring added complexity to the field blend. The 2018 is one of the best wines readers will find for the money. Quite simply, it is a screaming value.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Don’t Forget Our Subscriber Specials
Chateau Simone and Two Classique Chateauneufs
Chateau Simone Subscriber Special
Chateau Simone makes a truly iconic rosé. Although they produce red and white, when someone says “Simone,” their rosé is the wine we think of—for good reason. This is a brooding style of rosé, perfect for winter drinking and/or a few years of aging. They go for decades, picking up savory nuance and silky textures along the way. The 2018 is one of the most powerful versions the estate has made and is a perfect wine to go with all sorts of heartier foods—it’s surprising how versatile this wine is. This slipped in just before the tariffs hit, so this may be the last year to buy this at this price.
Chateau Simone Palette Rose, Provence 2016 1.5L ($139.95) Was $119, Now $99, 5 magnums in stock now
“The Château Simone Rosé is a wine that belies the notion that rosés are simple wines to be drunk up young. We have indulged ourselves with 10-year old Château Simone Rosé and have marveled at the tenacity, vibrancy and complexity of this very serious wine. The blend is identical to the rouge: 45% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, Castet, Manosquin, Carignan, Muscat Noir & Blanc. Aged in barrel, it is powerful and age-worthy with a steely character and a grey-tinted aura to the faded rose-petal robe.”–Importer Notes
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $160
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $160
Chateau Simone Palette Rose, Provence 2017 750ML ($59.95) Was $51.90, Now $45, 3 bottles in stock now
Chateau Simone Palette Rose, Provence 2017 1.5L ($139.95) Was $119, Now $99, 6 magnums in stock now
Rosenthal Note “The Rougiers’ justly legendary rosé—composed of the same field blend as the rouge, and produced by blending direct-press and free-run juice in equal proportions—may as well be from another planet as the sea of technologically produced pink concoctions flooding the market. Even serious growers often make rosé as an afterthought, using quick and inexpensive methods and rushing it into bottle to sell it before the first glimmer of spring warmth. At Chateau Simone, however, the rosé ferments spontaneously, and spends a full year in large oak foudres developing remarkable depth. Like all great wines, the best rosés require time—note that Simone is releasing their 2017 when almost every other producer is issuing their 2018—and a bit of risk in the cellar. And, whereas rosés fall apart within a year or two of being bottled, Simone’s is notorious for improving for over a decade, developing the savory notes and umami complexity of an aged red wine over time. The 2017 growing season dished out challenge after challenge—hail, frost, hydric stress, even hungry birds and pigs—with a subsequent 30-40% reduction in yields from 2016 (which was itself 15% down from 2015). Given that the rosé comprises only ten percent of the estate’s production to begin with, there is painfully little 2017 to go around. Those lucky enough to snare some, however, will encounter a wine of terrific expression, as those grapes that survived the season’s myriad challenges ended up remarkably healthy and concentrated. Amply fruited but with a core of lean minerality, the 2017 Palette Rosé offers excellent tension, and its flavors of juicy red apples, Provencal herbs, and softly smoky earth are particularly well delineated.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
The next best price for the 750ml is $49.99
The next best price for the magnum is $139.99
The next best price for the 750ml is $49.99
The next best price for the magnum is $139.99
Chateau Simone Palette Rose, Provence 2018 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49, 9 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The Château Simone Rosé is a wine that belies the notion that rosés are simple wines to be drunk up young. We have indulged ourselves with 10-year old Château Simone Rosé and have marveled at the tenacity, vibrancy and complexity of this very serious wine. The blend is identical to the rouge: 45% Grenache, 30% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, 20% Syrah, Castet, Manosquin, Carignan, Muscat Noir & Blanc. Aged in barrel, it is powerful and age-worthy with a steely character and a grey-tinted aura to the faded rose-petal robe. We import, on average, 1500 bottles per annum for the US market.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Classique vs Neo-Classique Chateauneuf
Subscriber Special Ends Thursday, April 30th at 6 PM Pacific
New review from Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate!
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee, Rhone 2015 750ML ($89.95) Was $75, Now $65 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “Now that it has been in bottle a while, the 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Reservee is looking even better than I projected based on last year’s prebottling sample. It’s all violets, cherries, subtle allspice and clove and traditional garrigue notes of lavender and thyme. Full-bodied and rich, it’s crazy complex, adding hints of tar and black olives on the long, silky finish. It should evolve beautifully over the next two decades.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2015 Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Cuvée Réservée is a beautiful, classic wine from the Feraud family that offers powerful notes of blackcurrants, peppered meat, garrigue, and that classic Pégau spice that’s hard to find outside of this iconic estate. Possessing a deep ruby/plum color, beautiful complexity, full-bodied richness, and firm tannin, it has closed up slightly since I tasted it from barrel and is going to need 6-12 months of bottle age to bounce back, but this is a concentrated, powerful vintage for this estate that reminds me a slightly improved 2005.”
Grapelive 95 points “…The 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée Rouge, was made up of about 80% Grenache, 6% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre, and 10% of many other authorized varietals, including Counoise, Cinsault, and Vaccarèse. The Grenache stands out in this warm vintage with loads of creme de cassis, pomegranate, plum and red berry fruit along with hints of tar, earth, spice and roasted herbs leading the way on the full bodied palate. The tannins are firm, but sweet and ripe allowing this concentrated Châteauneuf-du-Pape to deliver its full array of flavors and complex depth. This is absolutely Chateauneuf at its best! The aftertaste is amazing in detail and length and even in this warm year it remains fresh with this deep red wine adding boysenberry, fig paste, camphor, a touch of peppercorns, cedar and black licorice along with a subtle floral essence, including a hint of lilac and lavender. Laurence fermented this vintage using classic techniques with whole cluster and indigenous yeasts in cement vats. She says maceration and primary lasted about two weeks before the juice was racked into a big casks. She uses well-seasoned 5,000 liter oak foudres, the elevage lasted for close to 18 months, [and] then bottled unfined and unfiltered. This brilliant, dark purple/garnet, powerfully rich Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the stuff of legends. Enjoy over the next decade and a half…”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $93
The average price is $93
Chapelle Saint Theodoric Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Guigasse, Rhone 2016 750ML ($89.95) Was $69, Now $65 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Chapelle Saint Theodoric Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Guigasse, Rhone 2016 750ML ($499.95) Was $389, Now $369 Subscriber Special (that’s only $61.50/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “As I predicted last year, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape La Guigasse has smoothed out considerably and seemingly absorbed the stemmy elements I noted previously. Still not yet bottled, it now offers wonderful fruit purity and intensity. Raspberries and cherries are delivered on a full-bodied, rich and creamy palate that somehow avoids any sense of heaviness. It looks to be a stunning example of 70-year-old Grenache from the sandy lieu-dit of the same name.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Limpid magenta. Intense, mineral-tinged aromas of ripe red fruits, candied lavender, baking spices and incense show sharp delineation and energetic lift. Palate-staining red and blue fruit preserve flavors are complemented by floral pastille and spicecake qualities that firm up slowly on the back half. Distinctly rich but fresh and structured as well, showing superb finishing clarity, well-knit tannins and lingering floral and mineral notes.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “Made from 100% Grenache in the La Guigasse lieu-dit, the 2016 Chāteauneuf-du-Pape La Guigasse boasts a deeper ruby/purple color as well as a sensational bouquet of kirsch and black raspberries, spring flowers, rose petals, and exotic spice. This beauty builds on the palate, with terrific concentration, yet it always holds onto the more ethereal, elegant, seamless style of this estate.”
Case-6 Chapelle Saint Theodoric Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Guigasse, Rhone 2016 750ML ($499.95) Was $389, Now $369 Subscriber Special (that’s only $61.50/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “As I predicted last year, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape La Guigasse has smoothed out considerably and seemingly absorbed the stemmy elements I noted previously. Still not yet bottled, it now offers wonderful fruit purity and intensity. Raspberries and cherries are delivered on a full-bodied, rich and creamy palate that somehow avoids any sense of heaviness. It looks to be a stunning example of 70-year-old Grenache from the sandy lieu-dit of the same name.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Limpid magenta. Intense, mineral-tinged aromas of ripe red fruits, candied lavender, baking spices and incense show sharp delineation and energetic lift. Palate-staining red and blue fruit preserve flavors are complemented by floral pastille and spicecake qualities that firm up slowly on the back half. Distinctly rich but fresh and structured as well, showing superb finishing clarity, well-knit tannins and lingering floral and mineral notes.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “Made from 100% Grenache in the La Guigasse lieu-dit, the 2016 Chāteauneuf-du-Pape La Guigasse boasts a deeper ruby/purple color as well as a sensational bouquet of kirsch and black raspberries, spring flowers, rose petals, and exotic spice. This beauty builds on the palate, with terrific concentration, yet it always holds onto the more ethereal, elegant, seamless style of this estate.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $79.99
The average price is $82
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $79.99
The average price is $82
Subscriber Special Ends Thursday, April 30th at 6 PM Pacific
Trending Wines
“The 2016 is shaping up to be epic. Don’t miss it!” – Antonio Galloni
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 1.5L ($219.95) $199 special, 12 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2016 Cepparello is dense, dark and also very closed in on itself. Those qualities bode well for the future, but readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is going to need at least a few years to come into its own. Black cherry, plum, lavender, spice and new leather gradually open up in the glass, but the 2016 is not ready to show all of its cards. This fruit was brought in during the second week of October, which is pretty much optimal at Isole e Olena. The 2016 spent 20 months in French oak, with a bit less than 30% new oak, and a few months in cask prior to bottling. An explosion of floral and spice notes punctuates the super-refined finish. The 2016 is shaping up to be epic. Don’t miss it!”
One of Oregon’s best Chards in a fantastic vintage for WV Chardonnay.
Arterberry Maresh Maresh Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Erin Brooks – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2017 Chardonnay Maresh Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1983. It takes its time to reveal mushroom, tree bark, raw almonds and honeycomb aromas with a core of apple pie and white peaches with a very savory, spicy undercurrent. The medium-bodied palate explodes with flavor layers and lively acidity, finishing incredibly long and minerally. This is stunning!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
“Talk about value”
(Charles Smith/Wines of Substance) Golden West Pinot Noir Washington State 2018 750ML ($21.95) $17.50 special
Case-12 (Charles Smith/Wines of Substance) Golden West Pinot Noir Washington State 2018 750ML ($249.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 91 points “A new project by the team at K Vintners being headed up by Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, Golden West will focus on Pinot Noir from cooler climate, higher elevation sites in the Columbia Valley. The 2018 is the first release and it’s a great bottle of wine that sells for a song. Coming from a mix of clones (777, 115, 2A, and Pommard) vines planted in 2014-2015, the 2018 Pinot Noir was 70% destemmed and spent a full 41 days on skins before spending a year in 15% new French oak. Classic Pinot Noir notes of black cherries, forest floor, autumn leaves, and spice all flow to a beautifully textured, medium-bodied, seamless wine that has present tannins, outstanding balance, and a great finish. It’s easily the best Pinot Noir I’ve tasted from Washington State. Talk about value.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Now’s the time for tasty and affordable Bordeaux
Chateau Goubau, Cotes de Castillon 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Importer note “It is well known that gifted winemaker Jacques Thienpont has a knack for sourcing unique and exceptional properties. His latest acquisition reaches beyond the ultra-premium micro-cuvees he is known for with Chateau Le Pin and Chateau L’If. Chateau Goubau (to be renamed Chateau l’Hetre with the 2016 vintage) matches exception quality with value, and naturally, a unique microclimate within the Cotes de Castillon appellation. At 100m on the Saint Philippe d’Aiguilhe plateau, the property is situated at the highest point in Bordeaux. Produced from 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the clay and chalk subsoil is perfectly suited to the biodynamically-farmed vines. Here is an exclusive opportunity to explore M. Theinpont’s first vintage with the property, which is all but certain to go up in value in vintages to come… as demonstrated by Thienpont’s l’If, which has more than tripled in price since the first release in 2012.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The entry level wine from Sassicaia, this is a stellar value.
Tenuta San Guido Le Difese Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock nowl
Case-6 Tenuta San Guido Le Difese Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($199.95) $125 special (that’s only $20.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 92-93 points “Very aromatic and bright with strawberry, cherry and currant character. Hints of oranges. Full-bodied, linear and tight, showing ultra-fine tannins. Potential here.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, the 2016 Le Difese shows a more evident touch of ripe fruit that you don’t perceive in the Guidalberto, which makes me think it comes from the Sangiovese component that is only used in this wine. The overall effect of that ripeness is that it downplays the wine’s inner complexity. But this entry-level red from Tenuta San Guido was never aiming for huge complexity to begin with. Dark cherry and cherry is followed by wild strawberry and tangy rose hip. This wine happily delivers on its promises of freshness and accessibility.”
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Chateau Simone makes a truly iconic rosé. Although they produce red and white, when someone says “Simone,” their rosé is the wine we think of—for good reason. This is a brooding style of rosé, perfect for winter drinking and/or a few years of aging. They go for decades, picking up savory nuance and silky textures along the way. The 2018 is one of the most powerful versions the estate has made and is a perfect wine to go with all sorts of heartier foods—it’s surprising how versatile this wine is. This slipped in just before the tariffs hit, so this may be the last year to buy this at this price.
Like many wine lovers, I adore Kermit Lynch’s classic Adventures on the Wine Route. It’s responsible for my interest in a lot of wine regions, but none more so than Chinon. Lynch’s description of the magnetic Charles Joguet captivated me and is certainly part of the reason I love the wines of the Loire. The dirty secret, though, was that for a period of time in the late 90’s/very early 00’s, the wines from Joguet weren’t particularly great. Charles had retired and the new winemaking team wasn’t quite up to his exacting standards.
Arterberry Maresh Dux Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($59.95) 
Ayres Lewis Rogers Lane Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($39.95) 
Pax Quail Run Vineyard Valdiguie, Solano County 2018 750ML ($31.95) 
Daniel Gómez Jiménez-Landi (or Dani Landi as he’s more commonly known) is certainly one half of Comando G, but his personal projects are at least as compelling and much more sought after within Spain. Born to generations of grape growers in Méntrida, his personal project explores the unique terroirs of his home DO.