Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Vinopolpick Mid-Week 2-25-20

In Today’s Newsletter:


Celler-Worhty Brunellos From a Legendary Vintage

Subscriber Special Reminder
Lopez de Heredia: Spanish Classic


First Offer
Clos St. Jean Deux Ex Machina: Benchmark Modern CdP


Josh Raynolds’ Rundown of New Gigondas

New Grapelive Review for an Italian Legend-in-the-Making

Staff Pick: Spanish White for Pairing (and Sipping)

The Best Value in Barbaresco?

#Trending

Collector’s Corner
Delamotte’s Rare “Collection” Champagnes



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Cellar-Worthy Brunellos From a Legendary Vintage

2012 was one of this century’s finest years for Tuscan reds, a truly collectable vintage for the region’s best wines. Perhaps no Tuscan wine is more collectable than Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. These wines are built to age in most years, and are amongst the world’s most cellar-worthy wines at their best. Nearly a decade on, they are just starting to show their true potential, with modern producers like Casanova Di Neri stunning today, and more traditional producers like Fuligni just entering a beautiful drinking window.

A relatively warm vintage, 2012 produced generous and structured Brunello that retained a surprising amount of freshness. Since their release in 2018, following the required 6+ years of aging, we’ve sold through much of our stock. However, we still have several exceptional examples available, and have more arriving soon. These include everything from legendary producers like Casanova Di Neri (whose Cerretalto is not technically a Riserva, but receives similar treatment) and Fuligni, to fantastic values like La Fortuna and La Gerla. So take this opportunity to add some ringers to your cellar, because this selection of 2012 Riservas is unlikely to last long.

In Stock Now:

5 bottles in stock now
Casanova di Neri Cerretalto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 750ML ($399.95) $319 special
Wine Spectator 98 points
“Flavors of medicinal herbs, juniper, macerated cherry, plum, tobacco and spice are the hallmarks of this intense red, which is ripe and concentrated, yet sleek and focused. Spice notes chime in on the long, minerally and firmly tannic finish. Best from 2023 through 2040.”
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto offers a prolonged, flowing and carefully massaged drinking experience that drapes over the senses with some studied intensity and lots of intriguing complexity. This wine nails that perfect balance between power and elegance (that elusive exchange that so many winemakers hope to achieve) with effortless precision. Bold cherry fruit and spice are tightly woven together. In the mouth, the wine shows texture, depth and succulence. Generally speaking, this is not my favorite vintage in Montalcino, but this wine suddenly made me forget that thought.”
James Suckling 97 points “The density is so impressive in this great single-vineyard wine of Casanova. It’s full yet agile at the same time. Shows such integrated tannins and fresh acidity at the finish. Energized and focused. Tangy and citrusy. Mineral undertone. One of the great Brunellos of 2012. Better in 2022.”

1 bottle in stock now. More arriving soon!
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 98 points
“This delivers intense balsamic notes of juniper, wild rosemary and sage, along with rose, cherry and berry aromas and flavors. Elegant and saturated with flavor, supported by a vibrant structure. Ends with energy and refined tannins. Best from 2022 through 2040. 750 cases made.”
Ian d’Agata 94+ points “Deep red. Captivating floral nuances complement red cherry, mineral and tobacco elements on the nose and on the very suave palate. Surprisingly light-bodied for a Brunello Riserva, but perfumed and very refined. This outstanding Brunello Riserva boasts a finish that lasts and lasts.”

12 bottles in stock now
Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($219.95) $179 special
Wine Spectator 98 points
“Bright and juicy, this is packed with cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral aromas and flavors. Linear in shape and tightly wound, yet very pure, with a long, detailed aftertaste that pulls all the elements together. Best from 2021 through 2040. 350 cases imported.”

36+ bottles in stock now
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750 ($119.95) $99 special
Case-6 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 ($699.95) $564 special
Wine Spectator 97 points
“Perfumed, with wild herb aromas and a subtle mix of strawberry and cherry fruit. Vibrant and dense, with fine acidity driving the long finish. Though elegant, there is intensity and fine energy on the aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2028.”

36+ bottles in stock now
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Ian d’Agata-Vinous 95 points
“Bright medium ruby. Very clean and fresh aromas and flavors of red currant, cherry pit, flowers and blood orange jelly. Bright, juicy and very light on its feet, offering superb vinosity and clarity of flavor, this conveys an impression of real underlying density and a multilayered mouthfeel. A knockout wine of outstanding energy and class, finishing with polished tannins, uncanny sweetness and lovely subtle persistence, not to mention outstanding balance (it hides its 14.5% alcohol very well).”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Here is a dense and meaty Tusan red that flaunts its immediate power, structure and intensity. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is robust and deep thanks to a generous offering of dark fruit, spice and tar-like aromas. Fruit is carefully selected for this wine, and the grapes are fermented in stainless steel. Post fermentation, the wine goes into large Slavonian oak casks for four years. The finish is soft and supple with sweet berry flavors. This wine has made an impressive jump forward in this vintage.”

22 bottles in stock now
Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 96 points
“Firm and dense, this red sports cherry, leather, cigar box and sweet spice flavors. A juiciness midpalate adds depth. Finishes with tannins and a combination of earth, mineral and tobacco notes. Best from 2022 through 2038.”



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Subscriber Special

Lopez de Heredia: Spanish Classic

Don’t forget: We’re offering you, our email subscribers, special pricing on these fantastic wines from Lopez de Heredia until Friday at 10AM (when the wines are scheduled to be delivered).  Stock up now and save.

Lopez de Heredia is one of the world’s elite wine estates and yet, for all of the grace, complexity, age-worthiness, and profundity of the wines, the prices are shockingly low.  You can purchase the entry level wine from the greatest traditional Rioja estate for less than $30.  You can buy their Reservas (for which the current releases are 2006/7!!) for under $40.  Even their great wines–old Gran Reservas, with bottle age, will set you back less than the average bottle of 2010 Mouton.


Subscriber Special pre-arrival pricing valid until 10AM, February 28th
Prices WILL INCREASE when the wines arrive.
Arriving ETA February 28th:

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival Subscriber Special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The red flagship 2006 Viña Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Médoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. This takes the lion’s share of the 400,000 bottles the winery produces, with some 220,000 bottles filled over a period of 12 consecutive days in May 2014.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is a remarkably lively wine for a 12-year-old Rioja with notes of licorice and dried cherries and a very elegant tannin structure that runs through the medium to full body of this red like a silk thread. The dry finish is long and polished. Drink or hold.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Vivid red. Highly perfumed scents of ripe red currant, cherry liqueur, pipe tobacco, leather and rose oil, along with a hint of coconut in the background. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering deep-pitched red fruit preserve, spicecake and floral pastille flavors and a hint of mocha. The silky, sweet, impressively long finish features excellent clarity and lingering spice and smoke nuances.”

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia ‘Vina Bosconia’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2007 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival Subscriber Special
James Suckling 95 points
“A stunning vintage of this Rioja classic. Ripe and concentrated, yet cool and delicate with tons of fine tannin. Lots of earthy, autumnal Burgundy-like nuances, as well as notes of violets and plums. Long, complete finish. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “2006 was a hard year to follow, even if 2007 was a great year in Rioja and exceptional for López de Heredia. The 2007 Viña Bosconia Reserva shows a little tannic, fulfilling the reputation for being a more rustic wine than Viña Tondonia. There are notes of chocolate-covered cherries and hints of forest floor. Maybe with a little more time in bottle? 70,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2014.”

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia ‘Vina Cubillo’ Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival Subscriber Special
James Suckling 95 points
“Cubillo is a very focused and quite crisp style of red that has spent three years in barrique and then in larger cask to wait for bottling, which happens two years before the expected release. The richness and depth of complex dried wood and spice here is seamlessly sewn into the dried red and dark cherries. The palate is pinned around a fresh-blackberry core that marries still sweet fruit to more savory style. Long and balanced. The tannins are fine yet assertive. It freshens into the finish nicely. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2010 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza is superb and shows great depth and nuance, with great freshness, and the red cherries are complemented by notes of blood oranges, nutmeg and other spices. It has a soft and harmonious palate, with great balance and very good freshness. 90,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2017.”

Bonus Subscriber Special, In Stock Now:

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco, Rioja DOCa 1973 750ML ($999.95) Was $799, Now $699 Subscriber Special, only 4 bottles remaining
Winery cellared release imported by the authorized Oregon importer
Wine Advocate 98 points
“The 1973 Vina Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva is so sublime, so complete and natural that it may bring tears to the eyes. It has a complex bouquet of beeswax, lanolin, lemon curd and almond that is effortlessly combined. The palate is nigh-perfectly balanced with very good weight. It has a seamless waxy texture and a peacock’s tail of almond, creme brulee, marzipan and dried apricot. There is a beguiling sense of completeness here. Heaven in a glass, and one of the finest Tondonia Blancos I have encountered. Drink now-2020+”

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today, 
Now it’s even lower!
The average listed price is $870

Subscriber Special pricing valid until 10AM, February 28th

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First Offer

Clos St. Jean Deux Ex Machina: Benchmark Modern CdP

When Clos St. Jean began bottling estate wines, in 1910, the wine world was a very different place.  Since then, though, the estate has been quick to embrace all the potential that modern enology has to offer and is now one of the foremost producers of modern-styled Chateauneuf du Pape.

The current wines from Clos St. Jean are amongst the most impressive in the region.  The winery’s holdings are mostly in La Crau (the famed, galet-strewn part of Chateauneuf) and the richness that terroir provides comes through in the finished wines.  The St. Jean wines are powerful, with intense ripe fruit, rich aromatics and lovely textures.

We’re pleased to feature the new release of one of their top bottlings, the “Deus Ex Machina,” arriving on Friday.  The 2017 iteration is yet another stunner, with dual 98 point scores and a full-throttle personality.  Less than twelve bottles are available, though, so act quickly if you want some.


Arriving Friday:

Only eleven bottles available
Clos Saint-Jean Deus-Ex Machina Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98 points
“With its more discreet oak and layers of complexity, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus Ex Machina is my favorite release here this year. Layers of dried spices accent raspberries and cherries in this full-bodied, rich and velvety wine. It’s more complex and complete than either the Combe des Fous or the Sancto Santorum, longer on the finish and supremely elegant.-Joe Czerwinski”
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Deus-Ex Machina (60/40 Grenache and Mourvèdre) shows more classic Mourvèdre notes, with blackcurrants, Asian spices, crushed violets, cured meats, and graphite all giving way to a power packed, opulent, hedonistic 2017 that does everything right. Incredible depth of fruit, building tannins, no hard edges, and a finish to die for are all part of the package.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95-96 points “Deep crimson. An expansive, complex bouquet displays cherry liqueur, boysenberry, incense and candied lavender qualities, along with a smoky mineral nuance that builds steadily in the background. Shows impressive depth and energy to the ripe red and blue fruit, floral pastille and spicecake flavors, which turn sweeter and livelier with aeration. Closes extremely long and floral, with rounded, even tannins and emphatic, spice-tinged persistence. This one looks like it’s build for the long haul.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Also available from Clos St. Jean, in stock now:

Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points
“Leading off the 2016s, the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape is noticeably darker than any of the 2015s and offers terrific blackcurrants, blackberries, smoked meats and roasted garrigue aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, ripe and undeniably sexy, with gorgeous purity of fruit.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “The lush, fruit-forward 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is a good introduction to the domaine’s Grenache-dominated style, boasting copious amounts of cherry and apricot fruit. It’s full-bodied and velvety in texture, with attractive hints of licorice emerging on the long finish. With its slightly more prominent acidity, it should drink well for longer than the 2015 or 2017 versions.”

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Josh Raynolds’ Rundown of New Gigondas

Josh Raynolds remains one of our favorite reviewers—a critic who manages to appreciate a wide range of wines, both modern and traditional.  For the southern Rhone, that’s especially valuable—he’s one of the few people out there who seems to be able to deliver a neutral assessment of a new vintage.  As you might expect, he’s very on board with the 2017 vintage (and the remaining 2016’s still out there).  It’s a charming, exceptionally approachable year and the wines are perfect for drinking today.  (By contrast, 2018 looks to be another Great Vintage suitable for the cellar.)  We’ve got in stock highlights below, along with some of his commentary on the estates, but would urge you to read the full report in Vinous.

In Stock Now:

“Louis Barruol’s outstanding collection of 2017s and 2016s makes the case, if it needed to be made by now, that his family’s domaine is among the Rhône Valley’s elite producers. The estate owns 15 hectares of vines, almost all of them extremely old (as in 100-plus years) in some of the most highly prized sections of the appellation. Barruol has also expanded, as of the 2018 vintage, Saint Cosme’s vineyard holdings with the acquisition of Château Rouanne in Vinsobres, at the extreme north of the southern Rhône area and an appellation that is renowned for the quality of its Syrah. Speaking of Syrah, Barruol’s négociant label, named Saint Cosme (no “Château” designation) is a superb source for northern Rhône wines from Côte-Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph.” – Josh Ryanolds, Vinous

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste, Rhone 2017 750ML ($139.95) $109 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points
“Deep lurid ruby. Highly fragrant suggestions of ripe red berries, cherry preserves, exotic spices and candied flowers are accompanied by a smoky mineral element that builds steadily with air. Smooth and seamless on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, cherry cola, spicecake and candied lavender flavors that convey a suave mix of power and delicacy. Closes smooth, gently tannic and impressively long, leaving sappy red fruit and floral pastille notes behind.

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhone 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 96 points
“Brilliant violet. Highly perfumed black raspberry and cherry liqueur aromas are accompanied by potpourri, mocha, vanilla and baking spice nuances, along with a smoky mineral flourish that builds in the glass. Juicy and appealingly sweet, displaying palate-staining red and blue fruit, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that show superb depth and a smooth, seamless texture. Deftly balances richness and vivacity and finishes extremely long and spicy, with smooth, harmonious tannins and a subtle echo of candied flowers and kirsch.”

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides, Rhone 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 96 points
“Full vivid ruby. Highly expressive, mineral- and spice-driven aromas of ripe red berries, potpourri and incense show sharp definition, and suggestions of candied lavender, cola and vanilla build in the glass. Shows impressive depth as well as energy on the palate, offering powerful raspberry, cherry preserve and floral pastille flavors and an emerging suggestion of exotic spices. Finishes with a jolt of juicy acidity, alluring sweetness and harmonious tannins that lend shape to a wonderfully long, spice- and floral-drenched finish.”

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2017 750ML ($599.95) $419 special (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points
“Shimmering magenta. Powerful red and dark berry aromas are complemented by building spice, incense and floral notes. Sappy and densely packed, offering juicy black raspberry, cherry preserve and spicecake flavors that are firmed by a spine of juicy acidity. Supple, harmonious tannins build steadily on the impressively long finish, which leaves behind lavender pastille and juicy cherry notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

“Domaine Saint-Damien has been producing some of the region’s most elegant wines for years, but for some reason they rarely get the attention they deserve. Pricing here is also admirably fair, which makes this an address to be reckoned with for savvy Rhône wine lovers. The Saurel family, which has been farming here since 1821, now owns just over 12 hectares of vines in Gigondas, most of them quite old and cropped low, and the wines are aged in large, traditional concrete vats and old foudres and usually bottled on the young side “to preserve freshness,” as Romain Saurel said. Saurel’s father, Joël, is largely responsible for the domaine’s current (insider) fame and was also the one who brought its vineyards up to Agriculture Biologique certification in 2012. These wines are now consistently delivering some of the southern Rhône’s greatest values in high-end wine.” – Josh Ryanolds, Vinous

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($34.95) $28.80 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($419.95) $319 special (that’s only $26.58/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points
“Deep ruby-red. Powerful, smoke-accented black raspberry, cherry liqueur and lavender aromas are complicated by a spicy white pepper nuance that builds steadily with air. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering sappy red and blue fruit, licorice and bitter chocolate flavors and an energizing jolt of minerality. Finishes firm and long, displaying harmonious tannins and a lingering cherry pit note.”

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

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas ‘Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes’, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas ‘Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes’, Rhone 2017 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points
“Deep magenta. Deeply pitched aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, candied flowers and allspice show excellent clarity and mineral lift. Seamless and alluringly sweet, offering palate-staining cherry, blueberry and spicecake flavors that show noteworthy depth and back-end thrust. Finishes very long and smooth, with fine-grained tannins and resonating cherry and floral character.”

The Perrin family, owners of Châteauneuf-du-Pape’s famed Château de Beaucastel, have invested in Gigondas in a big way in recent years. Their commitment is already delivering huge dividends for Rhône wine lovers.… the Clos de Tourelles, from a 10-hectare vineyard that sits at the entrance to the village, and the L’Argenée, which is from a sandy, one-hectare vineyard of pre-phylloxera vines that are now over a century old.” – Josh Ryanolds, Vinous

Famille Perrin Gigondas Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Famille Perrin Gigondas Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, Rhone 2015 750ML ($359.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points
“Brilliant ruby color. Powerful cherry, blackberry and floral pastille aromas are energized by building spice and floral notes. Stains the palate with sappy red/dark berry preserve, candied lavender and spicecake flavors and shows a touch of licorice on the back half. Refuses to let up on the powerful finish, which features gently chewy tannins and resonating cherry and floral notes.”

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

Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Gigondas Terrasses de Montmirail, Rhone 2016 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points
“Deep shimmering ruby. Pungent, spice-accented red and blue fruits, garrigue and a floral nuance on the perfumed nose. Plush and broad on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry, cherry and boysenberry flavors sharpened by a spicy jolt of white pepper. Dusty tannins build slowly on a long, smoky finish that emphatically echoes the dark fruit and spice notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
 
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New Grapelive Review for an Italian Legend-in-the-Making


In Stock Now:

Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 98 points
“The wines of Fèlsina have always moved me and…Fèlsina produces one of the most iconic of all Sangiovese wines, the Fontalloro, which is labeled as a simple IGT Rosso, or Vino di Tavola, much the same way as Montevertine’s Le Pergole Torte is, another pure and outstanding Sangiovese wine….The Fontalloro, especially this powerful, concentrated and complex 2016 version, performs with a sense of elegance that is hard to describe in written words, it is a wine that needs to be experienced to understand its profound impact on the senses and the palate, it reminds me of Chateau Margaux in that way, it is not as showy as some of its contemporaries, but unforgettable, beautiful, and almost without a fault. I really, really am impressed with this 2016 edition… it is one of the best I’ve tried from Felsina since the majestic 1997 and is everything you’d ask for in such a wine, and while not a cheap bottle, it is one of the wine world’s sublime values  Honestly, there are hundreds of boring and generic wines that sell for twice the price.  The ripe and structured year gave all the best elements to this Fontalloro to be one of the legends and the Felsina team didn’t disappoint, making a wine for the ages.  While exceptional even now,  this one will be one that will be a certain treasured time capsule wine that should be incredibly long lived, going two or three decades with ease. The layers unfold with gorgeous life and dimension with a firm, but welcome tannic force that holds back the massive fruit and shows the wine’s terrific poise in the glass with classic Sangiovese details including blackberry, plum, cherry and strawberry fruits, a light sense of French oak, delicate florals, minty herb, sweet and spicy tobacco, a trace of sandalwood, balsamic notes, mineral and well judged acidity that lifts this full bodied wine and keeps things in near perfect check. ($65 Est.)”
 
 
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Staff Pick

Nina:
Made with 100% Viura (Macabeo) grapes, the Cune Monopole Blanco is an elegant and refreshing white, perfect for casual sipping. The nose expresses floral and fruity notes of white flowers, pear and citrus. On the palate, underripe pear skins persist, along with wet stone and lime zest. The acid is low and well-integrated into the fruit, the mouth-feel creamy, yet saline, making it a perfect wine to sip on its own or to pair with salads, grilled chicken, and shellfish, and, perhaps more surprisingly, a great paring for cream-based dishes.


In Stock Now:

CVNE ‘Monopole’ Blanco, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 89 points
“There are two versions of the dry white, the young, fresh and fruit-driven 2018 Monopole and another one they call “clásico,” which is released later and has some Manzanilla de Sanlúcar added to it. This fruity white is also floral and light and was produced with Viura (a.k.a. Macabeo) grapes that fermented in stainless steel at low temperature with dry yeasts to keep the primary aromas. It’s from a fresh year with less ripeness and alcohol (perhaps more noticeable in the reds), and this continues with the profile of previous years. The source of the grapes is quite stable, so variations are due to the climate of the year. 400,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2018.”

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


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The Best Value in Barbaresco?


Since 2010, which Barbaresco has Wine Spectator consistently scored higher: Adriano Barbaresco Basarin or Produttori Barbaresco Normale? 

The answer might surprise you—it’s the Adriano. 

Since 2010, the Adriano Basarin has scored 94 points twice, 93 points three times and 92 points (once) from Wine Spectator.  That’s a better track record (with a higher peak) than the Produttori Barbaresco Normale (which never scored higher than a 93), the generally accepted best-value champ.  

That means that Adriano’s Barbaresco Basarin might be the most consistent value in Italian wine.  In 2016, as you might expect, the wine is absolutely exceptional—the best version of it we’ve ever seen.  This is a cru bottling from Basarin, a vineyard that Antonio Galloni rated as Noteworthy (the same designation given to nearby Rio Sordo and Cotta), not a blend from a number of different sources—and yet the price is lower than Produttori’s entry Barbaresco.

At under $30/btl by the case, this is a wine you’ll want to own in volume.  Traditionally made, it’s surprisingly approachable right now with several hours of air, but has the bones to age into something even more profound.  Lovers of Piedmontese wines shouldn’t pass this up—at some point the secret is going to get out and we’ll look back on this wine as a glorious buying opportunity.  When that day comes, you’ll want to have plenty in your cellar.


In Stock Now:

#6 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 of 2019
Adriano Marco e Vittorio Basarin, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Adriano Marco e Vittorio Basarin, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 96 points
“Spearmint, black-skinned berry, blue flower and new leather aromas lead the way along with a whiff of menthol. Tight and taut, the elegant, structured palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, wild herbs and white pepper alongside assertive, close-grained tannins. Bright acidity provides balance. Best 2024–2036”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Aromas of rose, cherry, strawberry and white pepper draw you in, while vibrant acidity and a lacy texture carry the fruit flavors, adding tobacco and earth details. A solid base of tannins provides support. This should come together nicely. Best from 2022 through 2038.”

Adriano Marco e Vittorio Basarin, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points
“A streak of cherry bisects the supple texture and sleek structure in this elegant red. Hints of licorice, menthol, leather and tobacco add depth as this plays out on the chewy, resonant finish. Best from 2022 through 2038.”

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

One of the better Super Tuscans we’ve tried recently, from an outstanding vintage.  Powerful and delicious.
Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points
“The Geremia, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is outrageously beautiful in 2015. Racy and pliant, with soft curves, Geremia captures all of the radiant beauty of the vintage. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint, mocha and sweet spice are all fused together. At the moment, there is a touch of new oak that still needs to integrate, but a few more years in bottle should do the trick. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral notes and red-toned fruit character that lend freshness and lift to play off the wine’s more extroverted leanings. The 2015 is a gorgeous Geremia.”

Every bit the equal of Prum for $15 less.  A no-brainer to stock up on.
Selbach-Oster Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2015 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese is bright, pure, very fine, floral and flinty on the nose. It is provided with perfectly ripe and concentrated, slate-flavored fruit aromas intermixed with lemon and grapefruit notes. This is a lush, piquant and elegant, filigreed and finessed Auslese. It has great finesse and provided with a lot of Spiel and salt. The finish is pure, piquant and salty, but also lush and generous. This is a very precise, straight and stimulating, highly digestible Auslese with a lot of energy, tension and aging potential. It is very clear and there is no hint of botrytis here.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This offers a beautiful nose of cassis, grapefruit, greengage, apricot tree flower, white flowers and herbs. A more yellow fruit driven side comes through on the palate with yellow peach playing with acidity to produce a mouth-watering cocktail of Mosel charm. A hint of sweetness in the finish is still in need of integration of this gorgeous Auslese in the making. 2025-2045.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

“shockingly good”
Xavier Vins Cotes du Rhone SM, Rhone NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points
“The NV Côtes du Rhône S.M. is thrilling stuff. Made from equal parts Grenache and Syrah and aged half in concrete and half in barrel, it offers a full-bodied, voluptuous and decadent style to go with overflowing notes of plum and darker fruits, licorice and violets. Gorgeous on all counts, it’s a shockingly good Côtes du Rhône to drink over the coming 4-6 years, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see it last even longer.”

Just across the literal tracks from Pauillac.
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 375ML ($17.95) $14 special, 13 half-bottles in stock now
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 12 magnums in stock now
Case-12 Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($359.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points
“A solid red with currant, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body, round yet firm tannins and a delicious finish. Typical Bordeaux from this excellent vintage. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot. Needs two to three years to soften. Drink in 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “At 380 acres, this is one of the largest Médoc estates just the wrong side of the tracks from Pauillac. This generously structured wine is full of juicy black-currant flavors that come from the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. It is likely to develop relatively quickly and will certainly be ready from 2021.”

These are all the lowest listed prices in the USA today!

Pepper and bright, this is in a beautiful place right now.
Matello Fool’s Journey Deux Vert Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points
“Bright violet. Smoke-tinged dark berries and pungent flowers on the nose. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors that take a sweeter turn on the back half. Dusty tannins make a late appearance and add gentle grip to the smooth, energetic finish.”
Winery note “From the Willamette Valley’s first planting of Syrah, this cool climate, low alcohol wine will redefine your idea of the possibilities of new-world Syrah. If you like your Syrah French, here is a kindred but one of a kind wine from Oregon.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Zinfandel under 14% is a hard thing to find, indeed.  This is brambly, spicy and berry fruited.  Perfect with barbeque or a roast chicken.
Frog’s Leap Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($37.95) $24 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Winery note
“Delightful aromas of summer-berry conserve combined with a touch of spice and fresh fruit flavors. A Zinfandel that draws its power from sophistication instead of raw alcohol content. Made in the classic field blend style including significant portions of Petite Sirah and Carignan.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Avignonesi always over-delivers and this Merlot would be a great ringer in a $50+ St. Emilion tasting.
Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($49.95) $28 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“A dark-fruited if rather fresh nose of blackcurrants, iodine, ivy, stems and licorice as well as some tobacco. Full body, firm tannins and an ink-like finish. Linear but very enjoyable. Drink now.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2014 Merlot Desiderio is a bold and forthcoming red wine that peels back with thick layers of aromatic intensity. The bouquet is deeply endowed with black cherry, toasted espresso and sweet mocha. This is a soft and luscious wine that wraps thickly over the whole palate, from front to back. The finish is a bit leaner than that bold bouquet would have you initially think.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2014 Merlot Desiderio is a very pretty wine. Savory herb, tobacco, licorice and underbrush are all pushed forward, while the fruit is very much in the background. It’s hard to say if the wine’s laid back profile is more a reflection of the very cool year or a conscious decision to dial back the intensity, but there is no question the 2014 is quite refined and miles away from the super-concentrated, viscous Desiderios that were made here in the past. This is very nicely done.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $36.90
The average listed price is $49
 
 
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Collector’s Corner

Delamotte’s Rare “Collection” Champagnes

Delamotte is best known as the more affordable arm of Salon—the original luxury-collectible single vineyard Blanc de Blancs from Le Mesnil.  While that’s understandable, it tends to ignore the fact that Delamotte is a Champagne house of note in its own right (it’s much easier for other merchants to shout “Salon for Cheap” than to sell the Champagne on its own merit).  If one were making a case for Delamotte as a great producer on their own, you could look no further than their “Collection” wines.

These are the peak of the Delamotte range, held on the lees longer and disgorged late to capture the full glory of mature Champagne.  They have the racy brightness of their Cote de Blancs origins balanced against toasty, rich flavors that only come with age.  The best comparison for these wines might be Bollinger’s “RD” series, except that Bollinger always works from a place of power and Delamotte from elegance and finesse.

The only challenge with these wines is finding them—they’re extremely rare and so when we discover a parcel of them, we jump on it as quickly as we can.  We’ve managed to secure a few different vintages, which just arrived, and lovers of the finest Champagnes shouldn’t hesitate to put these on their tables ASAP.

In Stock Now:

Delamotte Collection Brut, Champagne 1999 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points
“From a very warm and generous year, the 1999 Blanc de Blancs Collection (disgorged in October 2015) offers a rich and intense bouquet of ripe Chardonnay and buttercup. Rich, super ripe and intense, but also precise on the palate, this is a full-bodied, complex, mineral and fresh Champagne. It is very well-defined and even finesse-full, with great tension. This is at perfect maturity. It is a simply a great vintage Champagne that has been produced only in the vintages of 1964, 1970, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1990, 1999, 2000 and 2002.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Flavors of baked plum, lemon preserves, biscotti and crystallized honey are enlivened and focused by well-cut acidity that firms this harmonious Champagne. Lacy in texture and fresh, with a zesty finish of delicate spice and mineral details. Disgorged 2018. Drink now through 2024. 25 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 1999 Brut Vintage (Collection) is a gorgeous wine that will especially please readers who enjoy Champagnes with the nuance that develops with time in bottle. Apricot jam, orange peel, hazelnut, dried flowers and lightly honeyed notes all develop in a rich, burnished Champagne endowed with tons of nuance intermingled with the freshness that Chardonnay in the Côte des Blancs expresses so eloquently. Certainly, the 1999 is a bit rustic relative to recent vintages here, but it nevertheless offers fine drinking.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Delamotte Collection Brut, Champagne 2000 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Delamotte Collection Brut, Champagne 2000 1.5L ($599.95) $499 special, 10 magnums in stock now


This is the only listing in the USA today!

Delamotte Collection Brut, Champagne 2002 1.5L ($599.95) $499 special, 3 magnums in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 2002 Blanc de Blancs Millésimé Collection is showing superbly, bursting from the glass with aromas of lemon curd, lime zest, white flowers, praline and walnut oil. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with muscular structuring extract, incisive acids and a long, complex finish. This is a beautifully complete, expressive vintage Delamotte that is beginning to drink well.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Additional noteworthy & mature Champagne, in stock now:

Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne 2000 1.5L ($349.95) $299 special, 30 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“A rich version, with beautiful integration and mouthwatering acidity that seems to amplify the flavors of toasted raisin bread, black currant, candied orange zest and salted almond. Fresh and focused, showing hints of oyster shell and spice on the lasting finish.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut Millesime, Champagne 2002 750ML ($149.95) $128 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 95 points
“This well-aged wine from a top Champagne vintage is just now ready to drink after 12 years. It has a touch of toast, but it’s the rich, complex texture and fine structure that set it apart. It’s not a dry wine, it feels soft. It is so well integrated, elegant with hints of apples, a layer of minerality and still-fresh final acidity.”
James Suckling 94 points “A beautifully seductive and creamy nose with plenty of honey and clotted cream across lemon and grapefruit. Some white peach too, really alluring. The palate’s nicely orchestrated and balanced; it builds in stages and delivers pithy lemon and grapefruit flavor amid assertive driving acidity, good depth and concentration. Another great ’02. Drink now or in five or more years.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2002 Cuvée Louise Brut is dressed in an intense citrus colored robe and offers – as if it was a Pfalz Riesling – ripe yellow fruit aromas of pineapples, oranges and ripe peaches along with noble yeasty layers in the background. Full-bodied, rich and fresh on the palate, Madame Louise is a firm and almost mineral structured, persistent Champagne of complexity, finishing with a refreshing citric aroma as well as a stimulating salinity and purity. Good length and balance.”

De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Extra Brut Rose Millesime, Champagne 2002 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Harmonious, with fine intensity, offering rich notes of spice cake, toasted almond, dried cherry, grilled plum and smoky mineral. Almost velvety in texture, with juicy acidity that brings you back for another sip. Delicious. Drink now through 2022. 54 cases made.”

Shop our complete selection of 151 Champagnes in stock and on the way on our web store!

 
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Thanks for reading!

Monday Newsletter 2-24-2020

In This Newsletter:

Special Pre-Arrival Pricing:
Lopez de Heredia


Gutsy Grenache

Budget- and Palate-Friendly Bordeaux

Familia Nin-Ortiz:
Priorat Royalty


Staff Pick

California Value from Marietta Cellars

Trending

Collector’s Corner
De Montille’s “Hommage” Bottlings
 
 
Subscriber Special

Limited Time Only Pricing

on New Reds from Lopez de Heredia


Lopez de Heredia is one of the world’s elite wine estates.  This statement isn’t a surprise to anyone who reads at all about Spanish wines, but it bears repeating.  “Why?” you might ask, “would you tell us something we already know?”

The answer to that question is that for all of the grace, complexity, age-worthiness, and profundity of the wines, the prices are shockingly low.  You can purchase the entry level wine from the greatest traditional Rioja estate for less than $30.  You can buy their Reservas (for which the current releases are 2006/7!!) for under $40.  Even their great wines–old Gran Reservas, with bottle age, will set you back less than the average bottle of 2010 Mouton.

How can this be?

The idea that you can buy a bottle of Gran Reserva Tondonia from the 1970’s, directly from the winery’s cellar, for the same price or less than a current vintage of top-tier Bordeaux?  We don’t think this will last that long.  We’ve got some new wines from Lopez coming in–from up and down the range, price wise. They all over-deliver.

We’re offering you, our email subscribers, special pricing on these fantastic wines until Friday at 10AM (when the wines are scheduled to be delivered).  Stock up now and save.

Pre-arrival pricing valid until 10 AM February 28th

Prices WILL INCREASE when the wines arrive

Arriving ETA February 28th:

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival Subscriber Special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The red flagship 2006 Viña Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Médoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. This takes the lion’s share of the 400,000 bottles the winery produces, with some 220,000 bottles filled over a period of 12 consecutive days in May 2014.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is a remarkably lively wine for a 12-year-old Rioja with notes of licorice and dried cherries and a very elegant tannin structure that runs through the medium to full body of this red like a silk thread. The dry finish is long and polished. Drink or hold.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Vivid red. Highly perfumed scents of ripe red currant, cherry liqueur, pipe tobacco, leather and rose oil, along with a hint of coconut in the background. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering deep-pitched red fruit preserve, spicecake and floral pastille flavors and a hint of mocha. The silky, sweet, impressively long finish features excellent clarity and lingering spice and smoke nuances.”

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2007 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival Subscriber Special
James Suckling 95 points
“A stunning vintage of this Rioja classic. Ripe and concentrated, yet cool and delicate with tons of fine tannin. Lots of earthy, autumnal Burgundy-like nuances, as well as notes of violets and plums. Long, complete finish. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “2006 was a hard year to follow, even if 2007 was a great year in Rioja and exceptional for López de Heredia. The 2007 Viña Bosconia Reserva shows a little tannic, fulfilling the reputation for being a more rustic wine than Viña Tondonia. There are notes of chocolate-covered cherries and hints of forest floor. Maybe with a little more time in bottle? 70,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2014.”

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival Subscriber Special
James Suckling 95 points
“Cubillo is a very focused and quite crisp style of red that has spent three years in barrique and then in larger cask to wait for bottling, which happens two years before the expected release. The richness and depth of complex dried wood and spice here is seamlessly sewn into the dried red and dark cherries. The palate is pinned around a fresh-blackberry core that marries still sweet fruit to more savory style. Long and balanced. The tannins are fine yet assertive. It freshens into the finish nicely. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2010 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza is superb and shows great depth and nuance, with great freshness, and the red cherries are complemented by notes of blood oranges, nutmeg and other spices. It has a soft and harmonious palate, with great balance and very good freshness. 90,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2017.”

Bonus Subscriber Special, In Stock Now:

“so sublime, so complete and natural that it may bring tears to the eyes”
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco, Rioja DOCa 1973 750ML ($999.95) Was $799, Now $699 Subscriber Special, only 4 bottles remaining
Winery cellared release imported by the authorized Oregon importer
Wine Advocate 98 point
s “The 1973 Vina Tondonia Blanco Gran Reserva is so sublime, so complete and natural that it may bring tears to the eyes. It has a complex bouquet of beeswax, lanolin, lemon curd and almond that is effortlessly combined. The palate is nigh-perfectly balanced with very good weight. It has a seamless waxy texture and a peacock’s tail of almond, creme brulee, marzipan and dried apricot. There is a beguiling sense of completeness here. Heaven in a glass, and one of the finest Tondonia Blancos I have encountered. Drink now-2020+”

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today, 
Now it’s even lower!
The average listed price is $870

Subscriber Special pricing valid until 10 AM on Friday, February 28th




 
Gutsy Grenache

Xavier Vignon might be the most acclaimed winemaker who still flies under the radar. He’s primarily a consultant in the mold of Phillipe Cambie, traveling from winery to winery to provide expert winemaking, blending guidance and that extra bit of flair.  

He’s been incredibly successful, responsible for some of the most lauded wines in France (think the 100 point Grand Veneur VV, Usseglio’s 99 point Impériale, etc).  He makes wines that are rich, powerful and impressive, no matter where he goes.  While consulting, Xavier takes some of the payment for his work in barrels of wine from the estates he helps—these are the basis for the Xavier wines that we have here at the shop.

From some of the best wineries in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, and Rasteau, he brings them to his facility for blending and bottling under his own label.  The resulting wines have the polish, poise and class of the big name estates, but much lower price tags.  When you look at the scores they receive, you’d expect the Anonyme to be $75+, in line with Janasse VV or the top Grand Veneur bottlings, but instead it’s a tick under $50—a real value.

In Stock Now

Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme, Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck – Rhone Report 96 points
“The inky colored 2015 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a serious winner in the vintage. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and the rest counoise, Vaccarese and Muscardin, it offers a huge nose of blackberry jam, garrigue, crushed violets, and incense. Ripe, unctuous and opulent, yet not over the top, it reminds me of the Trois Source cuvee from Vieille Julienne. This is a smoking good release that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine of over a decade.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Xavier Vignon is one of the Rhône’s leading winemaking consultants, and so it’s no surprise he had access to some great fruit for his 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme. Tellingly, the blend entirely omits Syrah, containing 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 8% Counoise, 4% Vaccarèse and 3% Muscardin. Floral notes and ripe cherries appear along licorice and vanilla (one-fourth of the wine was matured in new barriques), yet this is no drink-now version of CdP. This full-bodied wine boasts broad shoulders, a plush, creamy center and a muscular finish loaded with ripe tannins and spice. Give it a few years to mellow, and drink it over the next 15.”

Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme, Rhone 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points
“The top wine of the estate, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a hidden gem in the vintage! A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise and Vaccarese, from 90-year-old vines and aged in one-third new barrels (although you wouldn’t know it), it possesses fabulous notes of blackberry and currant fruit, big minerality, roasted meats and leather. Full-bodied, with beautiful freshness, big tannin and a layered, thrillingly concentrated mid-palate, it will be better in another year or two, and have over 15 years of longevity. Drink 2015-2026.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme, Rhone 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 34 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points
“The top wine from the portfolio, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme offers thrilling purity and focus in its lively dark fruits, roasted meats and underbrush-scented bouquet. Full-bodied, ripe and textured, with fantastic polish and sweetness to its tannin, it has a supple, forward feel, yet will easily evolve for 10-15 years.”

Xavier Vins Cotes du Rhone SM, Rhone NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points
“The NV Côtes du Rhône S.M. is thrilling stuff. Made from equal parts Grenache and Syrah and aged half in concrete and half in barrel, it offers a full-bodied, voluptuous and decadent style to go with overflowing notes of plum and darker fruits, licorice and violets. Gorgeous on all counts, it’s a shockingly good Côtes du Rhône to drink over the coming 4-6 years, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see it last even longer.”





 
Budget- and Palate-Friendly Bordeaux

Just arrived: 

Several attractively priced Bordeaux reds, from vintages with stories to tell. 

2016 is considered by many to be the finest vintage of the last decade. It was a year that had a bit of everything, rain in the spring, drought in the summer, but through it all the grapes on Bordeaux’s Left Bank underwent the perfect amount of stress to yield exceptionally ripe yet fresh fruit. 

2008 witnessed rain during much of the growing season, but was fortunately saved by a dry autumn. This led to inconsistent quality, but many great wines for those who knew where to look: Chateau Larose Perganson’s 2008 Haut-Médoc amongst them.

Chateau Larose Perganson

An estate with a history dating back 300 years, today Chateau Larose Perganson produces modern-styled Bordeaux with intense fruit, subtle oak (over 30% new barrels), and smooth tannins. Roughly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a healthy dash of Petit Verdot, both the 2016 and 2008 offer more in terms of structure and complexity than most sub-$30 Left Bank reds. For those who enjoy their Bordeaux with some age on them, the 2008 is just entering its peak drinking window. While the 2016, the product of that exceptional vintage, will be delicious now and for years to come.

In Stock Now:

Chateau Larose Perganson, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 14 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points
“Both ripe and savory, this is an appealing and characterful Haut-Médoc that is already drinking well, thanks to a delicate hint of sweetness. Nice length. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “With the same wine team as Château Larose-Trintaudon, this wine has the same commendably generous character. A tannic structure gives shape to the black fruits and the intense acidity typical of the vintage. Drink this wine from 2022.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91 points “The 2016 Larose Perganson has a classy bouquet with pure wild strawberry and blackberry fruit, tobacco and pencil shavings, nicely focused and quite intense. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine line of acidity, beautifully poised with a silky, seductive finish. What a lovely Cru Bourgeois! Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Chateau Larose Perganson, Haut-Medoc 2008 750ML (37.95) $29 special, 9 bottles in stock now

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Chateau Larose Trintaudon

Located (literally) across railroad tracks from Pauillac, this Haut-Médoc estate offers exceptional value. Known for richness and structure, these wines might not deliver the complexity of the region’s classed growths but, for less than $25 and $40 per bottle respectively, they deserve the attention of every fan of Bordeaux wine. While the Chateau Larose Trintaudon is drinking beautifully now, the Chateau Arnauld will reward patience and deserves a place in your cellar.

In Stock Now:

Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 375ML ($17.95) $14 special, 13 half-bottles in stock now
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 12 magnums in stock now
Case-12 Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($359.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points
“A solid red with currant, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body, round yet firm tannins and a delicious finish. Typical Bordeaux from this excellent vintage. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot. Needs two to three years to soften. Drink in 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “At 380 acres, this is one of the largest Médoc estates just the wrong side of the tracks from Pauillac. This generously structured wine is full of juicy black-currant flavors that come from the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. It is likely to develop relatively quickly and will certainly be ready from 2021.”

These are all the lowest listed prices in the USA today!

Chateau Arnauld, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 10 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points
“The aromas of blackberries and iron are really attractive and follow through to a full, soft and silky-textured red. Lovely fruit and focus to this. Solid. A blend of 70 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 20 per cent merlot and ten per cent petit verdot. Better after 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Under the same ownership as Château Larose Trintaudon, this estate has produced a powerful, dense wine with massive tannins. Eighteen months in new wood has seen to that. However, the equally dense fruit is right there, offering ripe blackberry and black-plum flavors. This wine needs to age to be its rich self. Drink from 2023.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2016 Arnauld is sumptuous, racy and full of character. Dark cherry, grilled herb, tobacco, menthol, licorice and rose petal are all laced together in this super-expressive Haut-Médoc. There is more than enough freshness to balance the wine’s more overt leanings. Hubert de Boüard consults.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2016 Arnauld has a delightful floral bouquet with scents of black cherry and orange rind, well defined and displaying neatly integrated oak. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, supple and “fluid” in the mouth with a lovely caressing, very pure finish. What a great Cru Bourgeois! Seek this out.”


Trending

Bright, fresh, delicious and under $22/bottle, this is moving quickly for good reason.
Frog’s Leap Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($37.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note
“Carneros Chardonnay at its very best: pure, clean, fresh, restrained, drinkable. A unique combination of barrel fermentation followed by extended “sur lie” aging in concrete vats. Balance and restraint in a varietal not always associated with these traits.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $31

One of the best, most serious, Barberas we’ve seen at this price point…ever?
Bruna Grimaldi ‘Scassa’ Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points
“The 2016 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Scassa is a meaty red wine to pair with simple beef or pork dishes. This Barbera is characterized by a dark concentration (from 12 days of skin maceration), a sweet tone of blackberry fruit and plum and integrated notes of spice, tar and licorice. It is aged for up to 15 months in tonneaux. You’ll appreciate the soft, fruit richness. Some 25,000 bottles were made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

When Antonio Galloni calls something “outrageously beautiful” you better believe that it’s something to pay attention to.
Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points
“The Geremia, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is outrageously beautiful in 2015. Racy and pliant, with soft curves, Geremia captures all of the radiant beauty of the vintage. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint, mocha and sweet spice are all fused together. At the moment, there is a touch of new oak that still needs to integrate, but a few more years in bottle should do the trick. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral notes and red-toned fruit character that lend freshness and lift to play off the wine’s more extroverted leanings. The 2015 is a gorgeous Geremia.”

A perfect wine with Thai and Indian food, this is everything we want from Kabinett.
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 750ML ($31.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 750ML ($289.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points
“Opening with nice reduction but precise and ripe fruit as well as crunchy slate aromas on the nose, the 2016 Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett is pure and flinty, well-structured and quite aristocratic (though a frivolous aristocrat), with a firm structure, lush fruit and a lovely lightness and buoyancy. Very stimulating and mouthwatering, but it’s far too young to appreciate the full complexity it will deliver in a couple of years. Salty, grippy and fruity—just a perfect Kabinett.”
Stuart Pigott 91 points “Super-fresh and vibrant with a cool, mineral-herbal personality and a very clean, long finish. You could drink it any time during the next decade, but why wait?”
Mosel Fine Wines 90+ points “The 2016er Zeltinger Schlossberg Kabinett was harvested at 86-87° Oechsle. It develops a slightly ripe nose of pear puree, herbs and spices. The wine is nicely playful and delicately infused with herbs on the palate and leaves a juicy feel in the direct and elegant finish. This is still reduced and will need some time to develop its full potential. 2026-2041.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Andy’s Staff Pick on this wine set up a (predictable) run on the bottling.
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($619.95) $564 special (that’s only $83.17/bottle!)
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 1.5L ($259.95) $219 special, 5 magnums in stock now
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 3L ($499.95) $428 special, 3 three-liter bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points
“Perfumed, with wild herb aromas and a subtle mix of strawberry and cherry fruit. Vibrant and dense, with fine acidity driving the long finish. Though elegant, there is intensity and fine energy on the aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2028.”

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

One of the best value Cabs on the market, this is old school in all the best ways.
Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 ($719.95) $519 special (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 93 points
“Snowden’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is gorgeous. Dark, powerful and beautifully structured, the 2016 Ranch is a huge overachiever. In 2016, the Ranch is a wine of real power, gravitas and character. Black cherry, plum, lavender and savory herbs all develop in the glass, but it is the wine’s persistence and overall balance that stands out in this deeply flavorful, classically built Cabernet from Snowden. Best of all, the 2016 is a superb wine for the money.”
James Suckling 92 points “Elderberries, blueberries, blackberries and hints of hazelnuts and walnuts. Medium to full body, focused acidity and a medium-chewy finish. Drink in 2022.”

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

Monbousquet’s second wine is a first choice in a great vintage like ’15.
Angelique de Monbousquet, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 750ML (39.95) $29 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91 points
“A plush, voluptuous wine, the 2015 Angélique de Monbousquet shows quite a bit better from bottle than it did from barrel. Espresso, mocha, plum, chocolate, licorice and dried herbs emerge from this racy, opulent Saint-Émilion. The 2015 is not especially complex, but it is flat-out delicious and also a terrific choice for drinking over the next handful of years.”
James Suckling 93 points “Spices and dark fruit with decadent earth and white-truffle aromas. Full body, round and velvety tannins and a fruity finish. So velvety and delicious. Second wine of Monbousquet. Drink in 2020.”
 


Staff Pick

Saul:
You might know that Marcus Goodfellow makes Syrah from Deux Vert Vineyard in Yamhill-Carlton, now bottled under his namesake label, but formerly as the Matello “Fool’s Journey.”  We recently talked him out of some library bottlings of the 2013—one of my favorite editions of the wine.

At first glance, the Willamette Valley might seem like an odd place to grow Syrah—after all, we think of Syrah as a warmth loving grape.  That said, when you look at the historical temperatures in the Northern Rhone combined with the volcanic soils that define both the Valley and areas like Cote Rotie, you start to wonder about the possibilities of the grape here.

The 2013 reminded me of lighter St. Joseph, with red/black, fresh fruits and tons of pepper on the nose.  On some level, it’d be easy to confuse this with Pinot Noir—there’s a liveliness and transparency here that are pure Willamette Valley, but the pepper and savory notes on the nose are quintessential Syrah.  I’d heartily recommend it, along with the 2015 bottlings I’ve written about previously.

In Stock Now:

Matello Fool’s Journey Deux Vert Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points
“Bright violet. Smoke-tinged dark berries and pungent flowers on the nose. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors that take a sweeter turn on the back half. Dusty tannins make a late appearance and add gentle grip to the smooth, energetic finish.”
Winery note “From the Willamette Valley’s first planting of Syrah, this cool climate, low alcohol wine will redefine your idea of the possibilities of new-world Syrah. If you like your Syrah French, here is a kindred but one of a kind wine from Oregon.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Goodfellow Family Cellars Deux Vert Vineyard Syrah, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 9 bottles in stock now

Goodfellow Family Cellars Syrah Reserve, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($47.95) $36 special, 21 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote:
The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result.  While the wine is rich and intense, don’t expect over-the-top fruit here. This reminds us of high quality Northern Rhone wines, with dark, fresh fruits and a distinct meaty, savory overtone.  One for the table with some air or for the cellar.

This is the only listing in the USA today!



California Value from Marietta Cellars

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 and honestly made California wine.  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 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.

We have an assortment of their current releases in stock now, all of which have the high scores and critical praise you’d expect from much, much more expensive wines.

In Stock Now:

Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee Zinfandel, Alexander Valley 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
‘The 2017 Zinfandel Angeli, from a site in Alexander Valley, is rich, pliant and expressive. Super-ripe black cherry, hard candy, new leather, lavender and mint give the Angeli decidedly dark shades of expression. This sumptuous, flavorful Zinfandel should drink well for another decade or more.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Marietta Cellars ‘Game Trail’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Yorkville Highlands 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“Marietta’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Game Trail is powerful, dark and quite savory. Smoke, tobacco, gravel, menthol, cedar and licorice all run through this bold, pungent mountain Cabernet. There is quite a bit of aromatic intensity to play off the blackberry fruit in this strapping young wine. Give it a few years in bottle for the tannins to soften.”

Marietta Cellars Gibson Block Syrah, McDowell Valley 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 34 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points
“The 2016 Syrah Estate Gibson Block is the star of this range from Marietta. From a dry-farmed site planted in the 1880s, the Gibson Block is powerful, sumptuous and racy to the core. A whole range of complementary varieties give the Gibson Block striking inner perfume and lift to play off the intense dark fruit, while silky tannins add to the wine’s racy, inviting personality.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $36.45

Marietta Cellars Arme Estate Cabernet, North Coast 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points
“The 2016 Armé is another superb wine in the middle tier of the Marietta range. Fresh, savory and super-expressive, the Armé has a lot going on. Black cherry, sage, lavender, menthol and licorice give the wine striking savory nuance to play off the dark Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. More than anything else, though, the Armé is a superb value in California Cabernet.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Editor’s Choice. Saturated with opulent black-fruit flavors and moderately tannic, this wine is big but polished and complex. It shows little obvious oakiness, but rather feels shaped by oak aging until it was velvety and firm. Enjoyable now with something roasted or braised, this wine will drink best after 2022.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Marietta Cellars ‘Christo’ Rhone Blend 2016 750ML ($21.95) $17 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points
“The 2016 Christo, Marietta’s Syrah-based blend, is terrific. Black cherry, chocolate, leather, licorice and spice give the wine much of its dark, brooding feel. Powerful and intense, but with good freshness, the 2016 is wonderfully complete and absolutely delicious.”
 
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Marietta Cellars ‘Roman’ Estate Grown Zinfandel, North Coast 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91 points
“The 2017 Román is a gorgeous, Zinfandel-based blend from Marietta that offers sweet floral notes and bright, red-toned berry flavors. Medium-bodied and refreshing, the 2017 is delicious, fun and easy to drink. I loved it.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
 


Familia Nin-Ortiz:

Priorat Royalty


Familia Nin-Ortiz is one of the leading lights of New Priorat.  Both Ester Nin and Carles Ortiz are renowned viticulturists (Ester, notably, ran the Clos Erasmus vineyard operation for years) and some of the earliest proponents of biodynamics in Priorat, but what they’re doing together on the winery side is stunning indeed.  Their wines are some of the most compelling in Priorat, combining the power inherent in the terroir with a stunning sense of energy and vitality.

They’re best known for their “Nit de Nin” single vineyard bottlings—wines which the top restaurants in Spain fight over.  Both the “Mas d’En Cancador” and “La Coma d’En Romeu” are monuments of Priorat and channel the power of the appellation into focused beams of schist-based energy.  Their “Planetes” releases offer a gentler, more elegant approach to the wines, perfect for drinking now.

The only complaint about these excellent bottles is the quantities.  Every notable restaurant in Barcelona and Madrid (and London) are trying to put these on their wine lists, so often there’s not a lot available by the time the US gets access to them.  Only 30 and 9 bottles are available of the two single vineyards and the Planetes wines are coming under four cases each.  These are wines to secure now, before you can’t any more.

Arriving Late February/Early March:

Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’ Blanc, Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($99.95) $75 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 points
“Cariñena Blanca has finally been added to the registry of varieties in Spain, which means it should soon be allowed by the Priorat appellation, so they could start putting it on the labels of the 2018 Planetes de Nin Carinyena Blanca. This fermented and matured in used 300-liter oak barrels for seven months. It’s 13% alcohol and has a pH of 3.2 with 6.5 grams of acidity (tartaric); they struggled to get the minimum 13% alcohol required by the appellation, as the year was very cold and they lost a lot of grapes waiting for the alcohol level. It’s a year with lots of freshness, and the wine, which feels really young and undeveloped, needs some time in the glass to open up. This is an exceptional year that is going to develop slowly in bottle. The palate is vibrant, focused and dry, with citrus freshness and a mineral finish. 1,948 bottles were filled in April 2018.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Nit de Nin’ La Coma d’en Romeu, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 98+ points
“The 2017 Nit de Nin La Coma d’en Romeu is from an extremely dry and early harvest that delivered just five hectoliters per hectare! That means they only produced 1,330 bottles from the 1.5 hectares of Garnacha on those slate terraces at 350 meters in altitude. It was bottled in April 2019. It has a beautiful and subtle nose that’s very spicy (cloves and cumin, curry and pink pepper) and floral, with a palate that feels light but has great depth and inner power, with pungent flavors and subtle minerality.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Nit de Nin’ Mas d’en Cacador, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 97+ points
“The 2017 Nit de Nin Mas d’en Caçador is a vintage they talk about like this: “We will remember this vintage as one of the most extreme of the decade, along with that of 2012. It is in years like these that the work we do in the field is rewarded. In spite of the climatic exceptionality, we have acidity and pH that seem like a miracle to us. Our vines did not suffer the severe frosts of this 2017.” The wine has lower alcohol than the 2016 but the same pH of 3.3; insultingly young and tender, it doesn’t feel like the wine had a long élevage in oak. It has kept very good freshness and great balance. It’s tasty, pungent and long, with power and elegance and all the components to develop nicely in bottle. 1,440 bottles were filled in April 2019.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Familia Nin-Ortiz Planetes de Nin Classic, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2017 Planetes de Nin comes from the four hectares of 20-year-old Garnacha and 11-year-old Cariñena in the Planetes vineyard in Porrera at 450 meters in altitude. It’s 60% Garnacha (some of it Peluda) and the rest Cariñena, harvested early. It fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in 3,200-liter oak vats and one 1,000-liter amphora for 17 months. It has depth and harmony, and the vines are getting older and seem to be better and better balanced. This is not that different from the 2016; it feels quite stable and has its style and character, especially since the 2015 vintage. 9,704 bottles were filled in April 2019.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’ Garnatxes en Amfora, Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points
“Produced with Garnacha grapes from their four hectares in Finca Planetes in Porrera, the 2018 Planetes de Nin Garnatxes en Amfora fermented with indigenous yeasts for four weeks and matured in 700- and 1,000-liter terracotta amphorae for seven months. The nose jumps out of the glass with very clean aromas that are expressive, floral and pure, with a profile of juicy fruit, like biting into a bunch of ripe Garnacha. Delicious! 6,200 bottles were filled in June 2019.”

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







Collector’s Corner

De Montille’s “Hommage” Bottlings


De Montille’s Malconsorts “Cuvee Christiane” is one of the rarest, most prized wines in Burgundy.  A special cuvee, it’s from a small plot of Vosne-Romanée Malconsorts that is separated from the rest of the vineyard by a foot-path and, most importantly, sits right next to La Tâche.  

It’s significantly different and better than their (already excellent) Vosne Malconsorts, more than meriting its status as a separate cuvee.  While Malconsorts wines are often sold as “La Tâche like,” the de Montille is one of the few bottlings that truly delivers on the comparison.  From quality to rarity to pricing, this is truly Grand Cru stuff.

Due to the small production, this isn’t a wine we’re able to source every vintage.  With the death of Hubert de Montille that year, the Christiane and the Pommard “Rugiens-Bas” were only bottled in magnum both with a special “Hommage” neck label.  These are some of the rarest and most collectible bottles of Burgundy we’ve offered in a while.

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Only one magnum available
Domaine de Montille Les Malconsorts Cuvee Christiane, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($2,799.95) $1,899 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 95-97 points
“The 2015 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Malconsorts Cuvée Christiane is 100% whole bunch matured in 65% new oak. It has a very intense bouquet, perhaps a little more opaque than the regular Malconsorts, gradually opening with grey slate aromas tincturing the dark berry fruit. The palate is very well balanced with filigree tannin, supremely well-judged acidity, harmonious and focused with a long and tensile finish. Just a fabulous Malconsorts.”
Stephen Tanzer 94-97 points “(100% vendange entier; 65% new oak; from slightly heavier soil than the “regular” Malconsorts): Deep red. Much more closed on the nose than the Malconsorts, offering perfumed but slightly stunted scents of medicinal dark cherry and spices. Very rich and deep but without the screaming perfume of the first Malconsorts. But this wine is inkier, denser, chewier and even longer, with building tannins and a powerful structure to support a very long evolution in bottle. Both of these Malconsorts cuvées finished their malos very late, in September.”

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

Only two magnums available
Domaine de Montille Les Rugiens-Bas, Pommard Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($1199.95) $899 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 94-96 points
“The re-christened 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens Cuvée Hubert is 100% whole cluster fruit from Rugien-Bas, matured in 45% new oak. The grapes went through a selection process and will be labelled as “Cuvée Hubert” and will only be bottled in magnums. It has a beautiful bouquet, so pure and refined, with red cherry, wild strawberry and wet limestone aromas. The palate is very well defined with a crisp line of acidity and very fine tension; the wine is very focused, a gentle grip on the finish with a long and persistent, minerally finish. I think Hubert de Montille would appreciate this.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “(100% vendange entier; from the upper part of Les Rugiens-Bas): Bright, dark red. Pungent iron-like minerality and terrific floral lift to the nose. Wonderfully juicy, deeply spicy wine with compelling floral delicacy and blazing definition. Really distinctive minerality here. Finishes firmly tannic, racy and extremely long, with razor-sharp delineation. Etienne de Montille will bottle this homage to his late father Hubert entirely in magnums.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Thank you for reading!

Weekend VinopolPick 2-21-20

In Today’s Newsletter:

New Arrivals
Including Eyrie, Colene Clemens
JK Carriere, Frog’s Leap, Dom Perignon
Chandon de Briailles, Montepeloso and More!


New Value Piedmont Wines from Bruna Grimaldi

The Compelling Rocca di Montegrossi

Staff Pick: Great Brunello Riserva

Trending

Collector’s Corner: A Trove of Bonneau

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Arrivals

Oregon

The new vintage of the WV standard bearer is back in and it’s delightful as usual.
The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 92 points
– Editor’s Choice “From the winery that introduced Pinot Gris to America, this is a full-bodied, fleshy and beautifully fruited wine, which delivers the same level of richness and complexity as many top-tier Chardonnays. Robust apple, white peach and green melon flavors are dappled with white pepper, or perhaps daikon radish. The finish seems to carry on indefinitely.”
Winery note “This vintage is highly aromatic, with dense layers of lime, pea shoots, and white strawberry, finishing with a spicy uplift. The texture is round and full. The forepalate is dominated by ripe lychee and passionfruit that hint at sweetness – although the wine is absolutely dry. Flavors of dried sea grass, kiwi, and currants fill out the rich and very long finish. Complex, precise, and substantial, this latest release form Eyrie continues to define the best of Oregon Pinot gris.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

A new bottling from Eyrie, this rosé sparkler is a fun, fresh bubbly that balances richness and zest.
The Eyrie Vineyards ‘Spark’ Sparkling Rose, Willamette Valley NV 750ML ($33.95) $27 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note
“55% Pinot noir, 37% Chasselas dore & 8% Pinot blanc. Ultra Brut. 12 months aged on lees. Jory volcanic soil. 31 y/o vines.”
Distributor note “A casual sparkler from an innovative blend of grapes. The initial aroma of pear and citrus rind further develops on the palate over a structure of crisp acids and creamy fruit notes. An initial rush of exuberant bubbles is quickly followed by a soft effervesence. Slight astringency balances the richness from extended lees contact, and deftly carries the finishing tones of blood orange and wild strawberries. The Eyrie Vineyards Sparkling Rose “Spark” are sourced from the Sisters vineyard located in the Dundee Hills which was planted in 1989 at an elevation of 220-330 feet. All of Eyries vineyards are certified and farmed organic. After primary fermentation using all native yeasts, the components were blended and aged for 12 months on the lees in neutral, French oak. The wine went through full malolactic and then underwent forced carbonation (4.1 atmospheres of pressure), with zero dosage added, and was bottled under crown cap.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

A word to the wise: the past few vintages of this wine have sold out before they’ve received their monster scores from Wine Spectator.
Colene Clemens Vineyards ‘Dopp Creek’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note
“Dopp Creek represents the broadest combined expression of our Estate, and embodies our most approachable and versatile wine. Engaging from the moment you pop the cork, rich red fruit and savory herbs lead to a mouthwatering palate of dark fruit and baking spice, with juicy, supple structure supporting it through a clean finish. This wine drinks impressively now, but having a few bottles in the cellar for four to six years won’t hurt!”

Eyrie seems to excel in warm vintages and the ’16 WV is another classic.  Beautiful graceful and classic, these wines from Eyrie have helped define the region’s style for two generations.
The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($34.95) $30.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 92 points
“The pale to medium ruby-purple colored 2016 Pinot Noir has a nose of fresh cranberries, raspberries and warm red cherry jam with hints of smoked meat, peppercorn and warm earth. Light to medium-bodied and very vibrant in the mouth, it offers warm red fruit preserves and dried red flowers framed by very fine, grainy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing long with savory nuances. 3,500 cases produced.”
James Suckling 92 points “This has a beautifully detailed, sliced-strawberry and cherry-scented nose with a fluid, round and nicely structured palate that offers good length and depth. Impressive balance. Drink in the next five years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Limpid red. Fresh dark berries, cherry pit, pungent flowers and a hint of smoky minerals on the perfumed nose. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering spice-tinged bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors supported by a spine of zesty acidity. Picks up licorice candy and savory herb notes with air and finishes long, smoky and smooth, silky tannins sneaking in late. This Pinot shows the richness of the vintage as well as the light touch that distinguishes Jason Lett’s wines.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points – Cellar Selection “This aromatic wine mixes hints of thimbleberries with a light whiff of compost. The flavors follow in line, with wild raspberry fruit and a bit of mocha. It’s firmly anchored in svelte ripe tannins, and just a touch of chocolate. As with virtually all Eyrie Pinots, this should age nicely for a decade at least. Drink now to 2030.”

This hails from the oldest vines of the estate (though is bearing a new label) and is always the most profound, impressive Pinot Eyrie makes.
The Eyrie Vineyards Original Vines Reserve Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points
“This has quite a haunting edge to the nose (older vines at 47 years here), this has a very fragrant, supple and finely fruited and appealing feel with plenty of earth, foresty nuances and delicate spices in tow. The palate has a very resolved, deep and elegant feel. The tannins are fine and delicate at the surface and fully underwrite the palate in every corner. The fresh, spicy red cherries hold long, fresh and vibrant. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Jim Prosser remains a “winemaker’s winemaker.” His entry level Pinot is outstanding and a beautiful window into his style.
J.K. Carriere Provocateur Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points
“Refined and tightly focused, with an expressive beam of cherry, savory spice and black tea flavors that finish with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2027. 2,714 cases made.”
Nick Stock-James Suckling 91 points “Intense, spicy aromas of cinnamon and cardamom dress ripe and fresh blueberries and cherries. The palate is succulent yet mellow and the fresh berries are really approachable now. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Winery Note “Medium ruby red is its color. Cinnamon, Bing cherry, and freshly sharpened pencil waft from the surface. On the palate it mounts an attack that can only be described as a longed-for-ambush. What? Yeah, it’s a surprisingly bombastic mouthful of freshly ripened red fruit: raspberry, currant, strawberry, red plum and cherry. Fresh, vibrant, intense and gulpable are words that come close. There’s a whole lot of background sophistication, absolutely no stupidity and forever drinkability here. Go long Jimmy.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

This is the flagship bottling for JK Carriere and in a really handy half-bottle format.
J.K. Carriere Vespidae Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2016 375ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points
“Youthful magenta color. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh raspberry, cherry, savory herbs and allspice, along with a suave floral topnote. Juicy and lithe on entry, then more broad on the mid-palate, offering appealingly red fruit liqueur, bitter cherry flavors and suggestions of candied flowers and licorice. Finishes spicy and long, with repeating florality and smooth, slow-building tannins. (30% new French oak).”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Distinctive, well-built and appealingly savory, with cherry, smoky underbrush and clove accents that take on structure toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2025. 791 cases made.”
James Suckling 92 points “An earthy edge here with brambly, ripe black cherries and a succulent array of juicy, fleshy cherries on the palate. This has a very plush feel with plenty of fine detail. Drink now.”


California

This is old-school Rutherford cabernet (under 14% abv) at a stellar price for the quality.
Frog’s Leap Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2016 750ML ($69.95) $45 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown from Frog’s Leap is dark, bold and luscious, with generous dark cherry, plum spice, leather. Forward and supple, the 2016 will drink well right out of the gate, and yet it also has enough freshness to age nicely for a number of years. In 2016, the Cabernet has gorgeous depth to play off a classic, mid-weight sense of structure. This is a positively joyous Cabernet Sauvignon from Frog’s Leap.”
Decanter 92 points World Wine Awards ” 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot. Powerful and rich with luscious blackcurrant compote, wood smoke, cedar and leather. Grippy tannins and wonderfully balanced toasty oak leads to a delightful finish.”

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

Bright, fresh and delicious, we’re very excited to offer this for under $22/bottle.
Frog’s Leap Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($37.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note
“Carneros Chardonnay at its very best: pure, clean, fresh, restrained, drinkable. A unique combination of barrel fermentation followed by extended “sur lie” aging in concrete vats. Balance and restraint in a varietal not always associated with these traits.”

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Merlot is cool again and this wine from the Napa masters shows that Rutherford is a great terroir for it.
Frog’s Leap Merlot, Rutherford 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Winery note
“Extravagant plum fruit aromas enriched by the lush flavors that Merlot is famous for. Grown in cool clay soils, this wine shows why some of the rarest and most expensive wines in the world start with Merlot. Miles was an idiot!”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Zinfandel under 14% is a hard thing to find, indeed.  This is brambly, spicy and berry fruited.  Perfect with barbeque or a roast chicken.
Frog’s Leap Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($37.95) $24 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Winery note
“Delightful aromas of summer-berry conserve combined with a touch of spice and fresh fruit flavors. A Zinfandel that draws its power from sophistication instead of raw alcohol content. Made in the classic field blend style including significant portions of Petite Sirah and Carignan.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


France

The only thing more fun than Dom Perignon from a great vintage is one where the label lights up.
Dom Perignon Luminous Collection Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 7 bottles in stock now
#5 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2018
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2008 Dom Pérignon is fabulous, but quite remarkably, it was even more open when I tasted it a year ago. Bright, focused and crystalline in its precision, the 2008 is going to need a number of years before it is at its best. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint and white pepper give the 2008 its chiseled, bright profile. Several recent bottles have all been magnificent. What I admire most about the 2008 is the way it shows all the focus, translucence and energy that is such a signature of the year, and yet it is also remarkably deep and vertical. In other words, the 2008 is a Champagne that plays in three dimensions.”
John Gilman 98 points “The 2008 vintage of Dom Pérignon is an absolute classic in the making and this is destined to be one of the great recent years for this iconic cuvée. It is far more classically structured out of the blocks than the relatively generous 2009 version, offering up a deep, complex and very youthful bouquet of menthol, green apple, a touch of tangerine, a very complex base of minerality and notes of dried flowers in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with precise mousse, brisk acids and stunning length and grip on the primary and laser-like finish. This will demand some cellaring to start to really stir and should prove to be an extremely long-lived vintage of DP. Stellar juice.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “There’s power to this graceful Champagne, with the vivid acidity swathed in a fine, creamy mousse and flavors of toasted brioche, kumquat, pastry cream, candied ginger and poached plum that dance across the palate. An underpinning of smoky mineral gains momentum on the lasting finish. Drink now through 2033.”

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Briailles is one our favorite producers for old-school, ageworthy Burgs and this Grand Cru is exceptionally priced.
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.”

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This is non-oxidative Savignin is a masterpiece of minerality.
Benedicte & Stephane Tissot Arbois Traminer(Savagnin Ouille), Jura 2016 750ML ($54.95) $38 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The 2016 Arbois Traminer shows nice concentration and intensity. I adore the freshness and the length, it has everything one expects from a dry Savagnin (the name is a bit of a provocation, something Stéphane Tissot likes). This is the only Savagnin ouillé produced in 2016, as they are focusing on the production of vin jaune. This is varietal, clean, fresh and dry, serious and really tasty. It’s a shame they don’t make more of this style, because it’s a wine I love. 9,000 bottles produced.”


Italy

Montepeloso makes some of the boldest and suavest wines in Tuscany with creative blends and exceptional winemaking.
Montepeloso Eneo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) $34.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2015 Eneo is a beautifully saturated and concentrated wine. The unusual blend used here is Sangiovese with Montepulciano, Marselan and Alicante Bouschet. The bouquet is profoundly bold and exuberant, with generous integration and beautiful power. The warmth of the vintage further adds to the overall intensity of this carefully crafted red wine. The mouthfeel is seamless and soft.”

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Their top wine from a great vintage, this is a wine for the cellar.
Montepeloso Nardo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“Montepeloso’s 2015 Nardo is beautiful. The ripeness of the vintage comes through, but Nardo has just enough aromatic freshness and lift to balance the intensity of the fruit. Red cherry, red plum, mint, pomegranate and floral notes are all nicely pushed forward in this succulent, inviting wine from Montepeloso. There is lovely brightness and floral lift to the red fruit character.”

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Avignonesi always over-delivers and this Merlot would be a great ringer in a $50+ St. Emilion tasting.
Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($49.95) $28 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“A dark-fruited if rather fresh nose of blackcurrants, iodine, ivy, stems and licorice as well as some tobacco. Full body, firm tannins and an ink-like finish. Linear but very enjoyable. Drink now.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2014 Merlot Desiderio is a bold and forthcoming red wine that peels back with thick layers of aromatic intensity. The bouquet is deeply endowed with black cherry, toasted espresso and sweet mocha. This is a soft and luscious wine that wraps thickly over the whole palate, from front to back. The finish is a bit leaner than that bold bouquet would have you initially think.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2014 Merlot Desiderio is a very pretty wine. Savory herb, tobacco, licorice and underbrush are all pushed forward, while the fruit is very much in the background. It’s hard to say if the wine’s laid back profile is more a reflection of the very cool year or a conscious decision to dial back the intensity, but there is no question the 2014 is quite refined and miles away from the super-concentrated, viscous Desiderios that were made here in the past. This is very nicely done.”

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The next best price is $36.90
The average listed price is $49

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New Value Piedmont Wines from Bruna Grimaldi

We’re excited to offer three new value wines from one of our favorite Barolo producers, Bruna Grimaldi. While we’ve hyped her in the past as one of the best sleeper Barolo producers, making dense and powerful wines at exceptional pricing, these wines are from humbler origins and are astoundingly good for the prices.

On the whole, Grimaldi wines are beautifully expressive, polished wines that combine the cleanliness and rich, round flavors of a modern producer with a more traditional sensibility when it comes to oak usage.  That’s a beautiful thing in her Barolos and even better in the Barbera and Nebbiolo.

Both the Barbera and Nebbiolo are some of the best examples we’ve tasted for their prices.  Both are surprisingly serious wines, with the Barbera having more power and structure.  It bears the “Superiore” tag and wears it well, with rich fruit and an approachable texture.  The Nebbiolo is carefree enough for dinner tonight but has all the characeritistic tar and roses of the variety.  (The Arneis is also lively, bright and a steal for the price).


Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Bruna Grimaldi Langhe Arneis, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
James Suckling 91 points
“Beautiful freshness and composure to this arneis, which makes an entrance with bright nectarines, crushed chalk and lemon zest. Medium-bodied and tightly strung with a flinty and precise texture and feel. Drink now.”

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Bruna Grimaldi Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points
“The 2016 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Scassa is a meaty red wine to pair with simple beef or pork dishes. This Barbera is characterized by a dark concentration (from 12 days of skin maceration), a sweet tone of blackberry fruit and plum and integrated notes of spice, tar and licorice. It is aged for up to 15 months in tonneaux. You’ll appreciate the soft, fruit richness. Some 25,000 bottles were made.”

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Bruna Grimaldi Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
James Suckling 91 points
“Candied orange peel, raspberry fool, rhubarb and hibiscus. Medium body, medium-firm tannins and plenty of vibrant cherries. Mineral and savory on the finish. Tightly wound. Drink now.”

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Also In Stock Now:

Bruna Grimaldi Bricco Ambrogio, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points
“($80) From the less-traveled Roddi township, the 2015 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is a balanced and pretty expression that shows floral aromas of wild rose and pressed violets, followed by wild berry and blackcurrant. The wine is simple and straightforward in delivery with a clean and accessible personality. Bruna and Franco Grimaldi purchased this vineyard site in 2006, and this wine has improved in complexity and depth with each vintage that I taste. Some 6,000 bottles are made.”

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Bruna Grimaldi Badarina, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93+ points
“($90) This wine has already evolved to show some tar and savory aromas. The 2015 Barolo Badarina offers pretty color saturation with linear and fresh lines of plum, black fruit, dark spice and tilled earth. The wine delivers much of the heft and power promised by this Badarina cru in Serralunga d’Alba. If you’re looking for a Barolo vintage to pair with a rich meat like liver or game, this could be the one. This is Bruna Grimaldi’s flagship Barolo, as her mother was born in Badarina and this site has always had special meaning to her family. Some 8,000 bottles were produced.”

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The Compelling Wines of Rocca di Montegrossi

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

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


In Stock Now

Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points
“The Geremia, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is outrageously beautiful in 2015. Racy and pliant, with soft curves, Geremia captures all of the radiant beauty of the vintage. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint, mocha and sweet spice are all fused together. At the moment, there is a touch of new oak that still needs to integrate, but a few more years in bottle should do the trick. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral notes and red-toned fruit character that lend freshness and lift to play off the wine’s more extroverted leanings. The 2015 is a gorgeous Geremia.”

Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90+ points
“Rocca di Montegrossi’s 2017 Chianti Classico is a rich, exuberant wine that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to settle down. Super-ripe, dense and concentrated, the 2017 may very well shock readers with its intensity. Then again, that is 2017. Super-ripe dark plum, espresso, spice and licorice all race out of the glass. It will be interesting to see where the 2017 goes in the coming years. Today, it is shockingly raw and unformed.”

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Rocca di Montegrossi Vigneto San Marcellino, Chianti Classico DOCG 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“The 2014 Chianti Classico Vigneto San Marcellino is dark, sumptuous and super-expressive. Like all of the wines here, the 2014 San Marcellino needs at least a few years in bottle to truly show everything it has, but there is more than enough here to provide for engaging drinking for many years to come. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous scents of black cherry, plum, menthol, licorice and smoke. The 2014 is a striking, complete wine.”

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Rocca di Montegrossi Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2006 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 4 half-bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“Rocca di Montegrossi often makes one of the richest Vin Santos in Chianti Classico. The 2006 is a bit less opulent than is often the case, but that just means the Vin Santo is not a blockbuster. Voluptuous and beautifully layered throughout, the 2006 offers an attractive infusion of dried herbs, wild flowers, coconut, mint and leather, all wrapped around a core of dark, deeply spiced fruit.”

Rocca di Montegrossi Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2009 375ML ($99.95) $89 special, 24 half-bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“The 2009 Vin Santo is a rich, exotic wine, as it always is. Readers will find one of the richest most intense Vin Santos being made today. Plush, tropical and ample in feel, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Vin Santo is bold and racy to the core. The 350 grams of residual sugar leave the wine with tremendous textural plushness.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Staff Pick

Great Brunello Riserva

Andy:
Young Brunello can be a tough nut to crack. Oftentimes, you’re only getting glimpses of the potential contained in the bottle. We were glad to taste the 2012 La Fortuna BdM Reserva again this week, and while it is still early, you’re not going to be disappointed getting into this wine now. All of the classic hallmarks are on display; tart cherry, a graphite core, light blueberry and dusty cocoa on the finish. The aromatics were a little tight, but a little swirl kept it refreshed. I of course recommend holding this over the next decade, but get it now. There is no regret on this one.

In Stock Now:

La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($619.95) $564 special (that’s only $94/bottle!)
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 1.5L ($259.95) $219 special, 5 magnums in stock now
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 3L ($499.95) $428 special
Wine Spectator 97 points
“Perfumed, with wild herb aromas and a subtle mix of strawberry and cherry fruit. Vibrant and dense, with fine acidity driving the long finish. Though elegant, there is intensity and fine energy on the aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2028.”

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

Everything we want in an under $20 Super Tuscan—that it’s under $15 by the case is even better.
Castello Di Monsanto Monrosso, Toscana IGT 2016 750ML ($17.95) $15.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Castello Di Monsanto Monrosso, Toscana IGT 2016 750ML ($199.95) $169 special (that’s only $14.08/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points
“Bursts with ripe cherry, blackberry and floral aromas and flavors, driven by lively acidity and an elegant frame. Balanced, yet firmly supported by dense tannins. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese.-BS”

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This is an absolute steal—the sort of pricing you’d see in the early aughts, not in the current Barolo market.
Cordero di Montezemolo Monfalletto, Barolo DOCG 2014 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“A little lift with woody and floral aromas here. The base line red cherries run from nose to palate seamlessly. There’s also an attractive, compressed density to the tannins here. Good polish. This is promising. Try from 2022.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2014 Barolo Monfalletto is a powerful, deep wine, especially considering that it was bottled not long before this tasting. A somber, dark Barolo, the 2014 is laced with the essence of black cherry, spice, leather and underbrush. Although not massively tannic, it is inward, closed and also unusually potent. I would give it at least a few years to be at its best. The 2014 is a decidedly serious Monfalletto that speaks in a baritone register.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Intense aromas of raspberry compote, forest floor, eucalyptus and oak-driven spice drive the nose on this fragrant red. On the firm, youthfully austere palate, assertive, fine-grained tannins provide support for Marasca cherry, licorice, mint and a note of French oak. Drink 2021–2026.”
Decanter 92 points “From this long established La Morra estate comes this imposing wine, heralded by its intense and pungent sour cherry nose. It’s rich, broad and fleshy, highly concentrated and spicy, showing admirable force and power without being aggressive. Despite the grip on the long finish, there’s a soft core of fruit at the heart of the wine.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $49.99

One of the defining wines of Brunello, especially in a year like 2012.
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator “
($98 points 150) This delivers intense balsamic notes of juniper, wild rosemary and sage, along with rose, cherry and berry aromas and flavors. Elegant and saturated with flavor, supported by a vibrant structure. Ends with energy and refined tannins. Best from 2022 through 2040. 750 cases made.”
Ian D’Agata 94+ points “Deep red. Captivating floral nuances complement red cherry, mineral and tobacco elements on the nose and on the very suave palate. Surprisingly light-bodied for a Brunello Riserva, but perfumed and very refined. This outstanding Brunello Riserva boasts a finish that lasts and lasts.”

Laurel delivers 75% of the Clos Erasmus experience for 25% of the price of the main bottling.
Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-12 Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($719.95) $549 special (that’s only $45.75/bottle!)
Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2017 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2017 Laurel is a blend of the younger vines, some barrels that were declassified from Clos Erasmus and the remaining Cabernet Sauvignon, and in the low-yielding and dry 2017 vintage, it’s 70% Garnacha, 20% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 15% alcohol. The wine fermented mostly in concrete and oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in a combination of oak vats, concrete, used barriques and amphorae for 16 months. They produce this to be approachable from the moment it’s released. The 2017s feel very aromatic, open, expressive and young, quite primary, tender and juicy and surprisingly fresh for a dry, warm year that resulted in a very early harvest. There is a peachy, soft, approachable quality here that I like very much. Surprisingly enough, winemaker and proprietor Daphne Glorian sees reminiscences of the 2013s in the 2017s, and I have to agree. Different from 2016, but at the same quality level. 19,126 bottles were filled in May 2019.-Luis Gutierrez”

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

One of our go-to Gigondas producers’ drink-now wines.
Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points
“Leading off the wines from bottle, the 2016 Gigondas is a classic wine from this estate, offering a deeper ruby/purple color as well as tons of garrigue, peppery spice, and earth intermixed with ample red and black fruits. Polished, rounded and sexy, with sweet tannin, it has a modern style that won’t appeal to traditionalists yet is beautifully done. The blend is 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Lively, expansive red berry, floral pastille and white pepper scents, along with suggestions of garrigue and smoky minerals. Sweet, focused and seamless in the mouth, offering juicy raspberry, spicecake and lavender flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. Clings with very good authority on the gently tannic finish and leaves succulent floral and herb notes behind.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “Hints of garrigue accent raspberries and Rainier cherries in the 2016 Gigondas. This blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault is full-bodied and supple, with no hard edges, just lovely fruit. Long, seamless and delicious for drinking over the next 6-7 years, it’s a terrific introduction to the fruit-forward style at this estate. Tasted twice with consistent notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $35

This is big, bold and exceptionally powerful for the price.
Bodegas Castano Solanera Vinas Viejas, Yecla 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Bodegas Castano Solanera Vinas Viejas, Yecla 2015 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points
“The 2015 Solanera used to wear the ultimate Spanglish label, which said “Viñas Viejas of Monastrell” even if it was always a blend (in this vintage, the blend includes 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Garnacha Tintorera). The revamped 2015 has a completely different label that only keeps the “viñas viejas” moniker. In this wine, from the joint venture with U.S. importer Eric Solomon that started in 1999, they used part of full clusters and sourced the grapes from Casa Marta, a nine-hectare, head-pruned, dry-farmed plot on very stony soils in the north of Yecla at the foot of the Mount Arabí. It fermented in concrete vats and open-top barrels and matured in barrique, each variety separately, for some ten months, after which it was blended and bottled. This is the vintage of the big change in this wine, where, as with the majority of its siblings, there is better balance and more integrated oak, more freshness and better balance. The nose is quite captivating, especially after some time in the glass, when it starts developing some floral aromas, perfect ripeness, no warmth or alcohol and a powerful, yet terribly balanced palate with concentration and elegance, fine-grained tannins and clean, focused flavors. This is my favorite Solanera to date. 60,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2017.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Another project between Eric Solomon and Jean-Marc Lafage, the 2015 Solanera Vinas Viejas is fresh and lively, with ripe, sexy notes of blueberry and blackberry fruits intermixed with more subtle notes of violets, graphite and white pepper. Possessing full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and gorgeous purity of fruit, it’s another terrific vintage for this cuvée that’s ideal for drinking over the coming 2-4 years. The blend is 2014 is 65% Monastrell, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Garnacha, all aged 10 months in 80% French and 20% American oak.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
 
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Collector’s Corner

A Trove of Bonneau


Direct from the Cellar of the Local Importer/Distributor

“The Chateauneufs here have become legends in their maker’s lifetime, and anyone fortunate enough to try them can attest to the fact that these wines are utterly unique examples of the category, as well as some of the most idiosyncratic wines being made anywhere today. A visit to Bonneau is a step back in time-both in terms of the character of the wines and the bewildering maze of ancient cellars where the wines are raised. Tasting through the range of wines resting in cask here must not be much different today than a century or more ago.” –Josh Raynolds, Vinous

Henri Bonneau is a producer without peer in the Southern Rhone.  No other winemaker (other than perhaps Rayas) has produced as many epic bottles of Cheateauneuf as he has and at the top of his pyramid is the legendary Reserve des Celestins.

Produced only in the best years, it’s generally the best Southern Rhone wine made in the years that it’s bottled.  We just secured five bottles of the absolutely legendary 2005, arriving Friday, to go along with a bottle of the 2011 that’s in stock right now—and now we’ve added a bottle each of his legendary ’00 Celestins and ’98 Cuvee Special. 

Of particular note is the provenance of these wines—from the personal cellar of the original importer/distributor of these wines.  They’ve been stored perfectly since release and are only hitting the market today—these aren’t wines that have been bought and sold 4-5 times.  Opportunities like this don’t come around often and we’re excited to offer these to you today.

In Stock Now

Only one bottle available
Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Speciale, Rhone 1998 750ML ($1,399.95) $1,199 special
Wine Spectator 98 points
“This offers an aroma of chocolate-covered prunes stewing on the stove, along with notes of brick dust, black currant preserve, fresh espresso and powdered rust. Powerfully tannic and very heady, with layers of overripe fruit on the finish. Drinks like a Bual Madeira infused with black truffles, yet it somehow manages to maintain a sense of freshness. Amazing, but not for everyone. Drink now through 2025. — JM”
Robert Parker 96 points “Bonneau’s 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Speciale is something along the lines of 16.5%-plus natural alcohol with about 4-5% residual sugar. It is an amazing wine that tastes relatively dry, with huge extract of blackberries, roasted meats, and sweet strawberries and cherries intermixed with licorice, smoke and pepper. It makes a massive introduction on the palate and expands vertically, as if it were a skyscraper. It is intense, rich, and compelling, and no doubt capable of lasting 30-40 years. (The 1990 Cuvee Speciale, which has much in common with this wine, is still an infant in terms of its development.) This is a remarkable, but controversial wine.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Only four bottles available
Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Celestins, Rhone 2005 750ML ($799.95) $599 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“A big, muscular Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2005 Henri Bonneau Réserve des Célestins delivers a thrilling array of plum, crème de cassis, roasted garrigue, blood, and hints of graphite on the nose. Absolutely compelling aromatically, with awesome typicity and complexity, this full-bodied, structured effort is thick and rich on the palate, with a layered, concentrated mid-palate, integrated acidity, and blockbuster length on the finish. Given the almost voluptuous texture and quality of fruit, this is a profound drink now; nevertheless, it will benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age, and keep for 2 decades or more. If I had to choose one bottle to represents the essence of traditionally made Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this would be it!”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96 points “Full ruby. Huge, room-filling bouquet of blackberry compote, cherry, potpourri and cured tobacco, along with an intense spicy quality and a hint of orange zest. Palate-staining dark fruit flavors are braced by a strong mineral component and complicated by star anise and candied lavender nuances. Refuses to let up on the finish, which emphatically echoes the dark berry and lavender notes. There are tannins lurking in here but they’re buried beneath this wine’s powerful fruit.”

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The average price nationally is $681
 
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Thanks for reading!
 

 

Monday Newsletter: 2-17-2020

In This Newsletter:

Subscriber Special:
10% Off Vincent Paris


Trending Estate at Fantastic Pricing!
Marques Murrieta


Trending Six Packs

Rosé of the Day

Staff Pick

The Weightless Concentration of Hebrart

New Grapelive Review

Collector’s Corner
Dagueneau and Vatan
 
 
Subscriber Special:

10% Off Vincent Paris


It’s pretty clear that Vincent Paris is the next “it” winemaker in the Northern Rhone.  Working primarily in Cornas, the wines have everything we love about Northern Rhone Syrah packaged in a clean, direct style.  He has the benefit of incredible vineyard material, too, as he now works the vineyards that his uncle, Robert Michel, made famous.  Stylistically, there’s definitely some of that old-school Michel rusticity, but overall, his wines are far more polished and in line with what we think of as good modern Cornas. Don’t look for new oak here, though there is an elegance about them that has always impressed us.

He makes several wines from Cornas and we’re pleased we get to offer the range.  From top to bottom, these are wines that you should be buying in quantity for your table and cellar. To make that a bit easier on your wallet, we’re offering you an extra 10% off our already great prices on any in stock Vincent Paris wine until Tuesday at 6PM.

Whether you’re looking at the approachable and bistro-styled Granit 30 or the more powerful Granit 60 and La Geynale bottlings, these wines are even better deals than they already were.  Plus, the Subscriber Special discount extends to his often-overlooked St. Joseph, Crozes and VdP Syrah.  These wines are some of our favorites and historically have been yours, as well.  

Subscriber-Only Special: 
10% Off All In Stock Vincent Paris Wines
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Sale valid until Tuesday, February 18th at 6PM

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The Granit 30 manages the neat trick of tasting entirely like Cornas and being delicious right now.
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 30, Rhone 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 Displayed Price, $29.70 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points
“(no new oak) Opaque ruby. Potent, mineral-accented dark berry scents are complicated by floral oil and peppery spice nuances. Smooth and seamless on the palate, offering gently sweet black raspberry, blueberry and violet pastille flavors that become livelier with air. Sappy and open-knit, closing with solid thrust, silky, even tannins and strong persistence.”
Jeb Dunnuck 91 points “The 2016 Cornas Granit 30 is another winner from this estate. Ultra-pure notes of cassis, blackberries, leafy herbs, liquid violets and pepper all emerge from the glass. It’s balanced, medium to full-bodied, and textured on the palate, with the balance and purity that this estate has become known for front and center.”
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2016 Cornas Granit 30 had been blended and was in tank awaiting bottling during my visit. Medium to full-bodied, it’s already almost drinkable, showing attractive and classic notes of crushed stone, blood and cherries, reasonably supple tannins and charming blueberries on the finish.”

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Of the two vintages, the ’17 shows more fruit and roundness and the ’16 is more restrained and floral.
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 30, Rhone 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 Displayed Price, $35.10 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points
“Bright purple. Highly perfumed blue fruit, violet and candied licorice aromas show excellent clarity and pick up hints of woodsmoke and menthol as the wine opens up. Juicy and appealingly sweet, offering sappy boysenberry, cherry and spicecake flavors and a touch of smoky bacon. A sexy floral note emerges on the gently tannic finish, which hangs on with strong, spice-tinged persistence.”
Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 points “The 2017 Cornas Granit 30 shows a fresher, elegant, polished style as well as perfumed notes of black raspberries, crème de cassis, crushed violets, and hints of bouquet garni. Floral, elegant, and medium-bodied, it’s just a pretty, elegant, juicy wine that’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and drink nicely for a decade.”

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It’s with the 60 that we start to move to Serious Cornas territory.  The 2016 is one for the cellar, but is going to be a stunner when it comes around.
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60, Rhone 2016 750ML ($69.95) $55 Displayed Price, $49.50 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points
“The 2016 Cornas Granit 60 is more backward and reticent, with smoky dark fruits, earthy minerality, pepper, and bouquet garni aromas and flavors. Deep, pure, and concentrated, it’s a big, rich wine, yet it stays polished and elegant on the palate, with a straight, focused style that builds with time in the glass. Just a brilliant wine, it can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for 10-15 years. Bravo!”
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Tasted from tank prior to bottling, the 2016 Cornas Granit 60 has the potential to eclipse the 2015. The nose is an exciting blend of flowers, minerals and fruit, while the palate is full-bodied and generous without the hardness or austerity of the 2015. This standout 2016 finishes long, plush and bright. With only about 5,000 bottles made, shrewd buyers will snap it up on release.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93-95 points “(no new oak) Inky ruby. Smoke-accented black and blue fruits, licorice and olive on the intensely perfumed nose. Plush, sweet and broad on the palate, offering sweet blackberry, cassis and spicecake flavors that are energized by a vein of juicy acidity. Shows excellent depth as well as energy and finishes extremely long and smooth; rounded tannins build steadily and add shape and gentle grip to the lush, creamy dark fruit.”

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The ’17 Granit 60 is much more approachable than the ’16, but should cellar effortlessly for a decade+.
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 60, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $55 Displayed Price, $49.50 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points
“Inky ruby. Smoke-accented dark berries and cherry liqueur on the highly perfumed nose. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering appealingly sweet blackberry and boysenberry flavors underscored by a smoky mineral quality. Fine-grained tannins build steadily on a long, floral-tinged finish that leaves a salty olive note behind.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95+ points “Similar colored, the 2017 Cornas Granit 60 comes from further up the slope and older vines. It offers a deeper, richer bouquet of black and blue fruits, smoked earth, violets, and ground pepper. Deep, full-bodied, thrillingly pure and elegant, yet still with classic Cornas density, power, and length, it’s another gem of a wine from this incredibly talented winemaker.”

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The average price is $59

The “La Geynale” bottling hails from his uncle’s (Robert Michel) most prized parcel of old vines. 
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas La Geynale, Rhone 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 Displayed Price, $62.10 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points
“The 2017 Cornas Geynale is the only wine in the lineup to not be destemmed and it comes all from the La Geynale lieu-dit. Deep saturated purple-colored, with beautiful notes of blackcurrants, smoked herbs, earth, pepper, and tons of meatiness, it’s certainly the most classic in style, as well as structured and tannic. Give this full-bodied beauty 2-4 years of bottle age and it’s going to drink nicely for 10-15 years or more. It’s an awesome wine for the true Cornas lovers out there.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Opaque ruby. A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe cherry and black currant, along with suggestions of smoky bacon, tobacco and incense. Seamless and broad on the palate, offering sweet black and blue fruit preserve and floral pastille flavors given spine by a core of juicy acidity. Rich yet energetic in style, displaying youthfully gripping tannins and impressive finishing clarity and persistence. This is the only wine from the Paris cellar to be made entirely with whole clusters”

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A charming, delicious, yet somewhat serious bottle of St. Joseph that always over-delivers for the price.
Domaine Vincent Paris Saint-Joseph Les Cotes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($37.95) $28 Displayed Price, $25.20 Subscriber Special, 33 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 points
“Vincent Paris, whose first vintage was 1997, is one of the Northern Rhone’s great young winemakers. [He] is co-president of the Cornas appellation, where he is based. His small-lot collection of Syrah(s) include Cornas, for which obviously he most famous for, and a selection of Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph bottlings like this gorgeous version. Vincent’s uncle is the legendary and now retired Robert Michel, one of Cornas’ finest ever growers. [Michel] mentored him and helped make his first few vintages, before he stepped out on his own… Vincent’s total rented and owned holdings amounting to a mere 8 hectares… This is such a satisfying Northern Rhone that is high-toned and pure. It has potential to get even better, making it a great buy for the price, even though it is not as thrilling as the more whole-cluster driven Cornas, but still a wonderful wine. Farming all organic and tending steep granite soil sites, Paris crafts bold and expressive wines. [He ferments] in tiny batches and with this Les Cotes Saint-Joseph he uses native yeast and ferments in a combination of steel and wood at low temps to preserve the beautiful aromatics, with this wine seeing a year in barrel. With the Saint-Joesph he uses less whole cluster to focus on elegance and refinement, which this vintage shows especially, but with the vintage’s depth and concentration this is an awesome mouthful of Syrah. After fabulous stuff in 2015 and 2016, these 2017 had a lot to do to match and excite the Rhone enthusiasts’ cravings and it does and then some! This 2017 Saint-Joseph is freshly detailed with classic elements. It’s impressive in the glass with a deep garnet/purple color and layers of blackberry, currant, boysenberry and blueberry fruits along with graphite, anise, cedar and pepper, adding density with air and gaining hints of subtle florals including violets.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Don’t overlook Paris’s outstanding 2017 Saint Joseph Les Cotes. It combines blueberries, espresso and pepper in a medium to full-bodied format that’s supported by silky, fine-grained tannins and plenty of length. Like previous vintages, it’s approachable young, but it should have the stuffing to age up to a decade.”

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Those were just some of the highlights from Vincent Paris—head to our online store to see all 13 available bottlings!

Subscriber-Only Special: 
10% Off All In Stock Vincent Paris Wines
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We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Tuesday, February 18th at 6PM
 
 




 
Trending Estate at Fantastic Pricing!

Marques Murrieta


Marques Murrieta is one of the great pillars of classical Rioja—a titan of the region that’s responsible for some of the greatest wines ever produced in Spain.  They resemble a more polished, powerful version of Lopez de Heredia, in some ways, sharing an age-worthiness but offering up a distinctly more fruit driven profile in youth.  Their two new releases are some of the most stunning wines they’ve ever made and they arrive on Friday.

The first of the two is their flagship, the always impressive Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial.  It has a long name but an even longer lifespan and bottles from the ’60’s and ’70’s are (right now) some of the finest wines you can drink, holding their own with old DRC, Rousseau and top Bordeaux.  The 2009 is a fantastic iteration that needs to be cellared for at least another half decade, but looks to be one of the most important wines released from Rioja in the last few years.  Their Dalmau Reserva, on the other hand, is approachable now even as it’s five years younger.  Big, dark and rich, this is another wine that radically outperforms its price point.  

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“This is a great classical Rioja for the long haul”
Marques Murrieta Ygay Gran Reserva, Rioja 2009 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points
“Marqués de Murrieta didn’t produce their top red in 2008, so I tasted the 2009 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial. In 2009, the final blend was Tempranillo with 19% Mazuelo (or Cariñena), one of the highest percentages of Mazuelo ever. The grapes are now sourced from the La Plana vineyard within the Ygay estate, one of the higher-altitude plots at 485 meters. The grapes fermented and aged separately, the Tempranillo in American oak barrels and the Mazuelo in French barriques for 26 months, given its power. It has that seriousness, character and somehow rusticity of the Mazuelo, austere,  harmonious and still young. It has good depth and concentration, still young and lively with fine tannins and a backbone of freshness that lifts it up. It will develop for a very long time in bottle. This is a great classical Rioja for the long haul. 109,000 bottles and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in October 2014. The prices are increasing but so is the quality. The following vintages will be 2010, 2011 and possibly 2012. I cannot wait to taste them…”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “(aged in new American and French oak barrels for 28 months) Vivid ruby-red. A highly perfumed, expansive bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, cherry liqueur, coconut and cigar box, along with a sexy floral nuance that emerges slowly. Plush and seamless on the palate, offering sweet, deeply concentrated blackberry, cherry-vanilla and mocha flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Rich yet energetic in style, displaying superb finishing clarity, even tannins and a lingering spicecake note. The Tempranillo saw only American oak while the Mazuelo component saw only French.”

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“How much better can Dalmau get?”
Marques de Murrieta ‘Dalmau’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2014 750ML ($99.95) $88 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Decanter 98 points
“How much better can Dalmau get? It’s exceptionally finely balanced, a perfect expression of a single vineyard within the estate, resoundingly full of black fruit, dark chocolate, liquorice. A powerful wine, but never overbearing, even in its youth. Wonderful to enjoy now, but will seriously reward cellaring.”

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Marques de Murrieta Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Marques de Murrieta Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ML ($299.95) $235 special (that’s only $19.58/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points
“The red blend 2015 Rioja Reserva is 80% Tempranillo with 12% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha, a little more Graciano and Mazuelo, something logical in ripe and warm years like 2015. It’s produced with grapes from a diversity of the 30 different plots within the estate, to represent the character of if. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in American oak barrels for 18 months. It’s spicy and somewhat balsamic, with some dusty tannins. It’s a ripe and powerful vintage that only suffers next to the 2016 I tasted next to it when there’s a jump in precision and finesse.-LG”
 




 
Trending Six Packs

Telmo Rondriguez is one of the most talented winemakers in Spain.  Internationally trained, he returned to the family estate, Remelluri, and has taken it to new heights.  Remelluri is in Rioja Alavesa—the smallest part of Rioja which is known for intense, powerful wines and these are no exception.  The soils in their vineyards are exceptionally shallow, creating small berries and greater concentration in the wines and their organic farming and careful cellar work keeps a sense of brightness and energy even in warm vintages. The Lindes de Remelluri (“Borders of Remelluri”) is made from grapes traditionally sold to the estate and sourced from village vineyards in San Vicente de La Sonsierra surrounding the estate.  This “second wine” is an absolute steal of a bottling and a wine to buy with abandon.

Case-6 Remelluri Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente, Rioja 2014 750ML ($179.95) $128 special (that’s only $21.33/bottle!)
Remelluri Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente, Rioja 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points
“Some richer, darker and deeper fruit character with plums, blackberries and a dark, earthy streak. The tannins are more upright, more elevated, and the fruit is richer and darker than in the Labastida. This has real presence, grip and energy. Try from 2021.”
Grapelive 94 points “Telmo Rodriguez, one of the most iconic and best winemakers of his generation…. has accomplished himself as a champion of terroir over varietal and employs artisan craftsmanship in the cellar, with his wines hardly ever showing overt oak or aggressive alcohol, they always show distinctive purity and a sense of place, and these secondary wines known as Lindes de Remmelluri are magnificent expressions of Rioja, they are richly flavored and soulful wines crafted from old vine purchased fruit from vineyards that prior had got into the family’s main wine. These two vineyard select wines, Labastida and this San Vincente, coming from vineyards that used to go into the Remelluri Reserva are now separated into these two new single vineyard bottlings that are absolutely stunning values, especially in this 2014 vintage….The beautiful and deep Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de San Vicente 2014, a field blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha, was fermented using all native yeasts in cool stainless steel tanks and then raised in barrel, 100% French oak, for 12 months before bottling where it is rested a good amount of time as well. San Vincente in the Rioja Alta just to the east of Haro is at about 50 meters up, but hotter than the higher sites at Labastida and at the main Remelluri estate located in Rioja Alavesa which are much cooler, making this wine seem more lush, riper in satiny tannin and with a softer acidity. Grown on hardened clay and calcareous limestone over a firm core of bedrock from organic vines that average at least 40 years of age this wine shows warm dark fruits, blackberry, cherry and plum lead the way along with hints of earthy mulberry and cranberry along with lilacs, cedar/sandalwood, a touch of vanilla and a subtle array of spices. 2014 was a slightly cooler year and that really helps this wine feel alive on the opulent and full bodied palate and it lingers on and on with a echoing aftertaste that is highly impressive. Telmo’s wines are always polished and textural, but distinctly authentic with terruño character and delivering substance along with some flair, which this one shows, it should age well too, I can imagine at least another decade plus with this 2014 San Vincente.”

Finding great value Bordeaux is one of the best feelings as a wine merchant and we’ve been on a high ever since we secured a lot of the 2016 Ch. Puygueraud—a new favorite in the category.  The Cote de Francs is a hotbed for top value Bordeaux and Puygeraud is at the top of the class.  Rich, dense and powerful with enough polish to make it immediately accessible, this is a top flight bottling that takes full advantage of a great year like 2016.  The 94 point score made us sit up and pay attention and should make you put a case in your cart—this is an insane value for the price.

Case-6 Chateau Puygueraud, Cotes de Francs 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
Chateau Puygueraud, Cotes de Francs 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Chateau Puygueraud, Cotes de Francs 2016 750ML ($299.95) $228 special (that’s only $19/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points
“This is so good! I want to drink it now. Iodine, mushrooms, dark fruit and orange peel on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, yet polished and fresh. Lovely tension. A blend of 80 per cent merlot, 15 per cent cabernet franc and five per cent malbec.”
We’re huge fans of value Bordeaux. Don’t miss our recent top picks & staff picks including L’Hetre and Chateau Meyney. Shop our entire selection of red Bordeaux on our web store.

Nikolaihof is a giant of Austrian wine—a producer whose history and quality are unrivaled even in a country full of great producers.  The estate dates back to Roman times and the Saahs family has run the property for over a century and a quarter. They produce wines of deep resonant flavors that have fresh brightness but standout for an undercurrent of vinousity.

They’re bright, precise and mineral-drenched with the power and density of the Wachau, their nook on the Danube.  More importantly, though, the estate maintains a sense of restlessness and invention about them—which is remarkable given how old the winery is.  Whether that’s using a centuries old wooden press or reimagining what wine from the Wachau can be through extended cask aging, they take very traditional techniques to occasionally give us a beautifully refracted image of Austrian wine. 

Case-6 Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2014 750ML ($479.95) $319 special (that’s only $53.17/bottle!)
Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points
“A huge dried apricot nose. In spite of the power this is super-elegant with a very long, radically mineral character that makes the wine swell in your mouth at the amazing finish. It may be too dry for some, but I find this spectacular. Drink or hold as long as you dare!”
David Schildknecht 96 points “Like its remarkable Vom Stein counterpart, I tasted this wine after it had been racked to tank, a few months before its December 2017 bottling, then again from bottle in the course of 2018. The penetrating nose is dominated by white peach, white currant and lime, anticipating the brightly juicy palate impression. But suggestions of crushed stone, bittersweet iris, clam stock, radish, kelp and smoky black tea add increasing intrigue as the wine opens to the air and is worked over in the mouth. There is underlying firmness but also a suggestion of silkiness born of lengthy lees exposure in cask, and the sense of levity, remarkably, is that of a typical Nikolaihof Federspiel more than of a Smaragd. The vibrant finishing influx of alkali, crushed stone, iodine, mineral salts, mustard seed and white pepper is almost savagely intense, practically stinging – taking matters in an at once mouthwatering and invigorating but also slightly austere direction. Here’s further proof for any who remain skeptics that the 2014 vintage – its challenges and vicissitudes notwithstanding – has at its very best delivered some of the Wachau’s and neighboring Lower Austria’s most exciting and potentially ageworthy wines of the past two decades. Tasting the outstanding 2013 alongside, this 2014 came nipping right at its heels: attention au chien!”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. The beeswax, wet stone, hayflower and dried lemon notes on the nose of this wine suggest development. Its dry, slender yet concentrated palate has a weightless fluidity that echoes with eloquent beeswax and citrus oil flavors. The combination of lightness and beautiful depth make it so intriguing and moreish. Subtle, lovely, taut and fresh, it’s nowhere near its peak. The finish reveals a brilliant dash of mandarin. Drink 2028–2040.”

“This reference point estate continues to achieve incredible quality in just about every vintage.” – Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate

Perrin is a legendary family in the wine world.  They’re best known for their stewardship of Chateau Beaucastel, that benchmark of Chateauneuf du Pape, but they also make wines from other properties in the area.  The Vinsobres Les Hautes de Julien is from more mountainous terroirs than Chateauneuf.  It is a fascinating region, in the northern part of the Southern Rhone, which is Syrah based.

Case-6 Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien, Rhone 2015 750ML ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Famille Perrin Vinsobres Les Hauts de Julien, Rhone VV 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points
“The 2015 Vinsobres Les Hauts De Julien comes from the Vinsobres region, which is a cooler terroir located in the northern part of the southern Rhône. Based largely on very old vine Syrah blended with Grenache, it offers a vibrant purple color as well as a sensational bouquet of blueberries, cracked pepper, violets, lavender, and exotic spices. Incredibly textured, full-bodied, deep, and opulent, with awesome purity of fruit, it’s another sensational vintage for this cuvée that would pass undetected in a blind lineup of top Cornas. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.”

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The Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG is one of our favorite appellations in Italy, marrying the dark fruit and earth of Nero d’Avola with the pretty, red-toned flavors of Frappato.  The resulting wines are a cross between high and low, bright and rich, savory and fruity, and those traits mean that winemakers have a lot of influence over the style of the final wines. The Cerasuolo from Planeta is made in a juicy, drink now style.  It’s a perfect wine to have on hand in bulk, seemingly going with everything.

Case-6 Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Sicily 2015 750ML ($149.95) $99 special (that’s only $16.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Sicily 2015 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 92 points
“Good full ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of raspberry, cherry cola and flowers, along with a spicy nuance. Fresh and fruity on entry, then smooth but slightly tighter in the midpalate, offering bright strawberry and violet pastille flavors. Finishes very long with dusty tannins and lingering salinity. Even more delicate and fragrant than usual this year. A blend of 60 percent Nero d’Avola and 40 percent Frappato that sees no oak.”
James Suckling 92 points “A delicious Cerasuolo with all the cherry and orange peel character you could hope for. Medium body, round and light tannins and a tangy finish. A wine that really makes you want to drink it!”

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The average price nationally is $21

Shop all of our six pack specials on our web store!
 


Rosé of the Day

Cuilleron is a master in the Northern Rhone and he brings all of his white winemaking skill to bear on this bright, crisp rose.  Made from Syrah, this nevertheless displays none of the grapes potential heaviness–it’s bright, fresh and slightly peppery on the finish.  If you’re looking for a delicious dry rose for chilly nights, this would be perfect.

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Yves Cuilleron ‘Sybel’ Syrah Rose, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“This Rosé is sourced 100% from Syrah grown within the confines of the village of Chavanay. It is produced by the “saignée” method after a brief maceration of several hours. The fermentations are in stainless steel and the elevage continues for about six months before bottling in the spring following harvest.”

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Staff Pick

Suzanne: 
I had the fantastic opportunity to taste through several of wines from Pierre Gerbais, a new Champagne producer for us. He is located in the Aube region of Champagne, a southern outcrop close to Chablis. The current owner and winemaker, Aurelien Gerbais, is a young and passionate producer who took over his family’s estate after studying in the Beaune. His wines are delightful and a bit off the beaten path, but in a good way. Like Aubry in the Montagne de Reims, Gerbais works to highlight the lesser known varietals permitted in Champagne – Pinot Blanc in Aurelien’s case. 

Grains de Celles: Opens with a delightfully rich, yeasty aroma. The Grains de Celles is an unusual blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. It offers a savory pop of yeast with moderate length. On the palate, it’s tart yet rich and very well balanced with aromas of preserved lemons, marshmallows and orchard fruit. 

Pierre Gerbais Grains de Celles Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2014) 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 20 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“Bread, white peaches and nectarines with a neat, grilled hazelnut and pastry edge. The palate has attractive depth. Really crisp and juicy with plenty of punchy fruit. Drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $43

L’Audance: Golden in color, the L’Audace bottling offers more powerful aromatics over a salty, savory oxidative hint. It has a blend of aromatics with notes of straw, tarragon, pasta water, raw walnuts and ripe red and yellow apples. Delightfully impactful with no added sulfur. 

Pierre Gerbais L’Audace Brut Nature, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($69.95) $57 special, 8 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2013-base. Reviews are for reference.
Antonio Galloni 92 points
“The 2014 Brut Nature L’Audace is 100% Pinot Noir from vines planted mostly in 1960. Rich, ample and creamy, L’Audace captures plenty of old-vine intensity in its textural resonance and overall feel. Dried flowers, mint and spice notes add character to a core of Pinot fruit in this super-expressive, inviting Champagne. Disgorged: May, 2018.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “With no dosage and no added sulfur dioxide, this wine is bright and tightly crisp, but the ripe Pinot Noir from this southern region of Champagne gives richness. With this good balance, the wine is fresh and generous at the same time. Because it is so dry, a few more months bottle age will make it even better, so wait to drink until 2017.”
Stephen Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “[Review is for prior disgorgement] The NV L’Audace Brut Nature is 100% unsulfured Pinot Noir from 75- to 80-year-old vines that are always the last to be picked at Pierre Gerbais. It opens pure, deep, fresh and mineral on the nose, and indicates a remarkable complexity of flavors. Full-bodied, very pure and salty on the palate, this is a refreshing and very persistent Pinot Champagne with a great purity and tension. It’s ready to be drunk, but can also age for several years. It is salty and complex in the finish. This wine was disgorged in July 2015. This is only the second vintage of this wine.”
Importer note “2013 base. Disgorged November 2017. Zero dosage. 100% Pinot Noir. Vine Age: Majority planted in 1960. Terroir: Majority from lieu-dit Sainte-Marie, facing north, Kimmeridgian bedrock. Viticulture: Certified sustainable (Ampelos) since 1996. Vinification: Indigenous yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks, aged on fine lees. 30 months sur lattes with organic yeast. No dosage or added sulfur (about 8 mg/L total sulfur produced naturally).”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $66

L’Unique: Subtly aromatic with a sneaky sweetness. Technically this wine is Doux, the sweetest classification of Champagne, but the bright acidity and citrus aromas make it taste more akin to your typical Kabinett Riesling than a syrupy Moscato d’Asti. It opens with notes of papaya, white chocolate, lemon verbena, lime zest and yellow apples. There’s a note of fresh whipped cream and green herbs on the finish. It’s bright and refreshingly light for a sweet Champagne. 

Pierre Gerbais L’Unique Doux Pinot Blanc, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Dessert style Champagne (Doux).
Importer note
“2015. 100% Pinot Blanc. Vine Age: Majority planted in 1904. Terroir: Kimmeridgian, mostly from lieu-dit Les Proies (marl and limestone soils, 10,000 vines per hectare plantation density). Viticulture: Certified sustainable (Ampelos) since 1996. 62 g/L dosage, 3 years on the lees.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $105
 


The Weightless Concentration of Hebrart

“an utter masterpiece of weightless concentration, as huge and yet as penetrable as a cumulous cloud.” – Terry Theise

Jean Paul Hebrart has transformed his family domain from a reliable producer of tasty Champagne to a true powerhouse in the very top tier of quality in the region.  They manage to have intensity, generosity and length while presenting as finessed from the first sip. The high end bottlings, particularly the Rive Gauche/Rive Droite and the new Noces de Craie, are have an innate power, with enough elegance and classicism to provide tension and keep the wines absolutely thrilling. From the bottom to the top, Hebrart makes wines worthy of extra attention and we’ve loaded up to give you an excellent selection.

“Again and again I confront these Champagnes, tasting them there with him, tasting them elsewhere with you, drinking them at home, and every time I’ve had them in my glass for the past several years I’ve found myself thinking ‘Does Champagne really get any better than this?’”– Terry Theise

Arriving Next Week from Marc Hebrart

Only 24 bottles available
Marc Hebrart Premier Cru Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $61.90 re-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The NV Brut Premier Cru Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes is a new cuvée for Hébrart that’s well worth seeking out, derived from superior, south-facing sites in Mareuil-sur-Ay that also inform his Special Club bottling. The inaugural released, based on the 2014 vintage, is showing very well, wafting from the glass with aromas of apples, pears, tangerine, white flowers, spice and pastry cream. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, concentrated and nicely structured, with good cut and dry extract, as well as all the charm that defines the house style.”
Terry Theise Note “[+++]The facts first—It is 75% PN from Mareuil, 25% Chard also from Mareuil. Old vines, massale selection. Deg 4/2018. 60% 2014, 20% 2013, 20% 2012. It’s from his favorite parcels in Mareuil, and is intended as a tribute to its terroir. It has a truly noble PN fragrance, leading to an utter masterpiece of weightless concentration, as huge and yet as penetrable as a cumulous cloud. Mareuil is clearly great but it’s also somewhat inscrutable; it has some of the malt of Aÿ, some mirabelle confiture, an almost gingery spice and top notes of chalk. This wine has great, gossamer opulence.

Only 18 bottles available
Marc Hebrart ‘Noces de Craie’ Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2015 750ML ($149.95) $109 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise note
“…this preview bottle was extraordinary, following on the heels of the masterly 2012. It’s 100% Aÿ PN, from Cheuzelles, Longchamp, Pierre Robert, Pruche and Chauffour. Another Coeur de Cuvée, massale selection, deg 9/2018. Our “marriage of chalk” is surprisingly lapidary and ready. More seductive than the “Favorites” and also fruitier. It has a huge adamant length you did not expect—all the power is in the back, it only seems to yield. Like a sweet-natured person who always seems to prevail, or a sideways strength you don’t feel being used. A wonderful, surprising work of genius.”

Only 24 bottles available
Marc Hebrart Rive Gauche Rive Droite Grand Cru Extra Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($149.95) $125 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“The 2013 Rive Gauche Rive Droite is a blend of Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Chardonnay from Oiry, Chouilly and Avize, all Grand Crus. Resonant and expansive on the palate, it possesses tremendous richness and depth from start to finish. Dried pear, pastry, dried herbs and crushed flowers give the stunningly beautifully, expressive Champagne with tons of complexity. Disgorged: December 19, 2018” [Disgorgement date may vary.]
 


New Grapelive Review

Weingut Leo Alzinger Loibner Steinertal Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Grapelive 95 points
“One of the most complex and serious Gruners I’ve tried in ages, the Alzinger Smaragd Ried Steinertal is one of Austria’s Grand Cru wines…[W]inemaker Leo Alzinger is getting a lot of attention and acclaim, and this wine especially shows why with its depth and richness of body and its long dry finish…. A fanatic about pristine fruit quality and severe selections in the vineyards, Leo’s wines deliver this commitment to quality in the bottle and shine in the glass with sublime detail, energy and glorious elegance, while still having a powerful presence on the palate and charming concentration. This 2018 has a full body and generously viscous with layers of lemon/lime, white peach, quince and spiced Asian pear fruits along with saline infused rock, delicate mineral tones, rosewater and a play between leesy texture and a bit of bitter almond.…The Ried Steinertal is in a hidden cool climate zone set between steep hills and holds on with the use of majestic terraces, it is a site that develops incredibly slowly and the hang time is extremely long allowing superior ripening without high sugars making for a good retention of natural acidity and gives this Smaragd a fine balance and extra level of class…2018 is an absolutely stunning Gruner that has a unique character, inner beauty and certainly looks like a classic example. “

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Collector’s Corner

Dagueneau and Vatan


Dagueneau:

“Tasting a Dagueneau wine for the first time was a revelation. His Sauvignon Blancs had an unexpected purity and clarity to them. The flavors were intense but nuanced. It wasn’t the fruit that was piercing, as in so many Sauvignon Blancs, but the freshness and the focus. As powerful a personality as he was, his wines did not exalt the stature of the winemaker so much as the beauty of the terroir.” – Eric Asimov, New York Times

2016 was an unqualified success in the Loire–a vintage that combines the classicism of ’14 with a hint of ’15’s richness.  For the Didier Dagueneau estate (now helmed by son Louis-Benjamin), these are some of the best wines they’ve produced, which is a testament to how Louis-Benjamin has grown into his role as winemaker after his father’s death.

These wines still have the richness and texture that made the estate famous, but with a laser-beam of minerality and cut that makes the wines truly memorable and a level of refinement that’s reached a new level under the son’s stewardship.  The Silex is especially noteworthy this year, a monument to Sauvignon Blanc grown on flint.  It’s hard to think, much less suggest, that the wines are better than they were under Didier, but the 2016’s raise that as a very real possibility.

In Stock Now:

Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fume de Pouilly, Loire 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 25 bottles in stock now
“When his father died in September of 2008, Louis Benjamin was only 26 years old. While some things have changed since then, much remains the same. The dogs are gone, and the house has a different flair, but the meticulous attention to detail in the vineyards and the precision in the cellar have, if anything, become even more perfectionist under his direction. With a hired hand for each of his 12 hectares, few vineyards in Pouilly are as well kept and he is the only one I know here who still harvests by hand.After a cold soak at 7 degrees C for three days, his sauvignon blancs are fermented with his own yeasts in small oak casks and kept on their lees for one year before being assembled and matured in stainless steel, where they remain for another six to eight months until bottling. It is an almost Burgundian style of winemaking, but then, as he says, Pouilly is technically a part of Burgundy even though it lies along the Loire. I have often heard the criticism that the hand of the winemaker is more evident here than that of the site, but time does allow the individual wines to show their true colors. It is merely that most of the bottles are consumed long before that day arrives.”-Joel Payne, Vinous

Didier Dagueneau Pouilly-Fume Silex, Loire 2016 750ML ($159.95) $125 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Minerally and intense, showing plump notes of yellow apple and peach, while ruby grapefruit and sea salt accents add to the vibrancy. Features a beautiful silky texture and focused acidity that proves the pedigree, adding to the charm and overall harmony. Drink now through 2031.—A.Z.”

Vatan:

Clos Neore, the parcel in Chavignol that the Vatan family owns, may produce the finest Sauvignon Blanc in the world.  The wine is spectacular, life-changingly mineral and capable of aging for a long time.  

Vatan Sancerre Clos la Neore 2017 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“Some winemakers are producers. A few are truly artisans. And then there are that handful who could perhaps be best described as monastic in their approach-making wine, as their duty, in complete harmony with their creator. With Vatan, I find it preposterous to “judge” vintages. Literally, no matter what the conditions of the year, whatever this domaine creates is remarkable, with amazing consistency from vintage to vintage. When once I asked Monsieur Vatan how he could do this, he replied that it is so simple a matter that it needs no explanation — if you plant low-yielding vines on only the steepest, perfectly exposed slopes, prune severely, provide only necessary and natural treatments, (and as little as possible, forcing the vine down for strength and character), harvesting after all the rest have finished (no problem finding pickers then!) and vinifying according only to the traditional (actually ancient) methods — it becomes a question of comparing the personality of each vintage, not which is “better.” What is this word “ancient” I use? Vinification in old, old barrels — a natural vessel – – but not of new oak, which would interfere with the natural fruit of the Sauvignon and terroir of Chavignol; one racking, and then bottling with no fining or filtration when the conditions are perfect in nature. If this sounds too out-moded to be true, you are in for an experience with your first taste. A unique wine which is unequalled, and only approached in Sancerre by the Cotat Domaine, which is enormous in comparison to Vatan (total production 500 cases, of which we in America get 125). Since the 2008 vintage, Edmond’s daughter, Anne Vatan-Foucault has taken over wine-making and administration of the domaine, and the results continue to be spectacular.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $269

Thank you for reading!

Midweek VinopolPick 2-11-20

In Today’s Newsletter:


The Perfect 2016 Eisele Cabernet
Previously Sold Out, More Stock Now Available


Subscriber Special: 10% Off A Top Tier St. Joseph

Wine of the Gods

Cavallotto: Sleeping Giant of Traditional Barolo

Paolo’ Bea’s Iconic Wines
New Releases from the Umbrian Master


Trending Wines

Collector’s Corner:
The Rare Cristal Vinotheque Bottlings


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The Perfect 2016 Eisele Cabernet

Previously Sold Out, More Stock Now Available

Eisele is one of the most hallowed terroirs in the Napa Valley.  Tucked into the foothills in Calistoga, it has produced incredible wines since 1971 for Phelps, Araujo and now (indirectly) Chateau Latour, who bought the property a few years ago.  Their flagship bottling is made to compete with first growth Bordeaux and very much does—this is collectible and profoundly complex and ageworthy.  As you might expect, allocations are very limited.  We sold through our initial tranche but were able to secure an additional eight bottles, arriving at the end of the month.

Re-Arriving ETA February 28th

Only eight bottles available
Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($599.95) $479 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 100 points
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep garnet-purple color. Its nose begins a little reserved, slowly revealing a quiet intensity of freshly crushed blackberries, chocolate-covered cherries, cassis and aniseed with compelling nuances of black tea, cigar box, truffles and charcuterie, plus, with coaxing, gentle wafts of red roses and crushed rocks emerge. The medium to full-bodied palate is simply arresting, offering a a myriad floral and earth sparks amidst a black fruit core and with seamless, firm, very fine-grained tannins. Well-knit freshness brings forth layer after layer of delicate nuances on the very long, mineral-laced finish. The team at Eisele, led by Frédéric Engerer (of Chateau Latour) and beautifully orchestrated by winemaker Hélène Mingot, have knocked it out of the park this vintage with this singular expression that both embraces the site’s heritage and reveals parts unknown.-LPB”
Decanter 100 points “One of the most legendary vineyards in the Napa Valley, the Eisele Vineyard was purchased by François Pinault of Château Latour in Pauillac in the Médoc, Bordeaux from the Araujo family which had owned it for 23 years (from 1990 to 2013). The winemaking is now in the hands of 41-year-old winemaker Hélène Mingot. For this vintage, Hélène used only rockiest blocks planted in shallow soils near Simmons Creek.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $566

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Subscriber Special

10% Off a Top Tier St. Joseph

Known for crafting some of the Northern Rhone’s most powerful wines, Delas is a signature producer in a region with no shortage of legendary names. It is thanks to their significant holdings throughout the region that allow Delas to not only produce some of the region’s finest expressions, including their Hermitage Les Bessards, but also some of its best values. Wines like the St Joseph Francois de Tournon prove that world-class Northern Rhone wines don’t necessarily have to break the bank.

With consistently strong scores from some of the world’s most respected critics, including a perfect score on their 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, Delas’ wines no longer fly under the radar. However, even with the recent acclaim, Delas has kept their pricing reasonable. So, for those looking to experience what ambition tastes like in the Northern Rhone today, without the sticker shock, look no further.

Their best value might be the St. Joseph Francois de Tournon bottling.  It’s a hidden gem in the Northern Rhone—and we’re dropping the price on the 2015 version of it until the weekend.  We’re offering you, our email subscribers, an extra 10% off until 6PM on Friday, including on the Case-6 price.  That brings this wine under $30/btl by the six-pack…a stunning price.

As an appellation, St. Joseph is too large to be expensive across the board, but the best vineyards can rival Hermitage and Cote Rotie in quality (witness the pricing for Gonon in recent years). Delas’ Tournon is a prime argument for the quality that’s attainable in St. Joseph, but because of the name on the label, it’s a deal vs. Hermitage and co.  At 10% off, the 2015 is one of the most spectacular deals you’ll find in serious, ageworthy Northern Rhone wine.

Subscriber Special: 10% Off Delas 2015 St. Joseph “Francois de Tournon”
Subscriber Special pricing will not display online or in your cart.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Subscriber Special valid until Friday, February 14th at 6PM PT

Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($44.95) $36 Displayed Price, $32.40 Subscriber Special
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($249.95) $199 Displayed Price, $179.10 Subscriber Special (that’s only $29.85/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points
“Inky and concentrated, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon is no easy-drinking Saint-Joseph. It’s smoky, herbal and ashy all at once, yet it’s buoyed by ample black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity. This medium to full-bodied Syrah has plenty of tannins, but they’re ultimately silky and most apparent on the long, licorice-tinged finish. This is approachable now but should be even better in 3 years and should drink well for at least another 10 after that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Both Saint Joseph releases are brilliant in 2015. The 2015 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes vines around Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion, and is always destemmed and aged in 30% new barrels. This full-bodied, rounded, sexy beauty shows the power and fruit of the vintage. With classic notes of black and blue fruits, violets, incense and pepper, drink this textured, expansive, terrific Saint Joseph over the coming 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Dark ruby. High-pitched red and dark berry and violet aromas show excellent focus and pick up hints of cracked pepper and sandalwood with air. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering fresh black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of candied licorice. Turns sweeter on the penetrating, impressively long finish, which features smooth, even tannins and lingering boysenberry and floral qualities. “

Subscriber Special: 10% Off Delas 2015 St. Joseph “Francois de Tournon”
Subscriber Special pricing will not display online or in your cart.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Subscriber Special valid until Friday, February 14th at 6PM PT

We offer 12 different wines in stock now from Delas. Browse all of them on our web store!

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Wine of the Gods

Roberto Cavalli, international fashion icon, owns a top-end winery in Tuscany.  Named Tenuta degli Dei (Estate of the Gods), he (and his son, who’s the winemaker) aim to make the best possible Super Tuscan style wines out of their beautiful vineyard in the Tuscan hills.  As you might expect from someone known for attention to detail and a strong sense of perfectionism, these are immaculately made wines.  No expense is spared in their production and the resulting wines are bold, dense and textured.

We’ve secured a parcel of the excellent 2015 which just arrived.  This is as good a wine as you’d expect from any Super Tuscan under $100, but it just so happens to be under $50—a steal if we ever saw one.  This is a bold, flashy wine that’s an absolute treat—in other words, exactly what you’d expect from Cavalli.


In Stock Now:

Cavalli Tenuta degli Dei Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Case-6 Cavalli Tenuta degli Dei Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($299.95) $238 special (that’s only $39.67/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points
“Creme de cassis, freshly picked blueberries, crushed violets, hot stones, dried sage and thyme, charcoal and bark. Full body, tightly worked tannins and a long yet tight finish. The palate shows real transparency and a sense of minerality in addition to the stellar depth you would expect. Drink in 2022.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2015 Tenuta Degli Dei is one of the best editions of this wine I can remember tasting. Bold, racy and exuberant with tremendous depth, the 2015 has a lot to recommend it. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc works very well in this ample, large-scaled wine. A generous amount of Petit Verdot (35%) helps keep the flavors fresh and vibrant in this super-expressive red blend from the Cavalli family.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Cavallotto: Sleeping Giant of Traditional Barolo

“Cavallotto may very well be the greatest Barolo producer few people have ever heard of, something that continues to mystify me. Truth is, it isn’t just the Barolos here that are impressive, the entry-level wines are every bit as delicious and well-priced…Readers who appreciate a firm, classic style of Barolo will want to spend some time getting to know Cavallotto.” – Antonio Galloni

Cavallotto is a top tier, old school producer of Barolo.  They make wines that are impressively ageworthy and every bit as good as producers whose wines go for twice as much per bottle.  Despite this, Cavallotto somehow manages to stay at the edges of the mainstream Barolo drinker.  We notice that our customers who buy Cavallotto buy a lot of Piemontese wines—they’re very in the know drinkers.

These are incredibly expressive wines and are very true to their vineyard terroirs. Antoni Galloni describes them as “made in a style that offers the fruit density of contemporary Barolos with the structural underpinnings that are found in more traditionally made wines.”


In Stock Now:

Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vignolo, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points
“This wine will be released next September. The 2012 Barolo Riserva Vignolo shows a darkened and enriched side of the graceful Nebbiolo grape. This effort delivers a bit more weight and power with firm structure and balanced but also slightly dry tannins. The wine’s acidity plays an important role in giving this expression such a sharp and focused personality. This wine ages in large oak casks for five years, thus prompting deep complexity and aromatic layering. The Vignolo vines are a bit lower in altitude (from 250 to 310 meters above sea level) compared to San Giuseppe (at 310 to 340 meters above sea level). That lower positioning favors the immediate richness and succulence you taste here.”

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

Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vignolo, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“A dark, powerful wine, the 2011 Barolo Riserva Vignolo has nevertheless preserved good freshness for the year. The breadth and amplitude of the vintage comes through, and yet all the elements are impeccably balanced. Readers can look forward to another 20 years of fine drinking. This is very nicely done.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “There are plenty of bass notes in this ripe, broad red, from deep plum and black cherry flavors to licorice and tar notes. An undercurrent of freshness propels the underbrush elements on the finish. Complex and long. Best from 2021 through 2035.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 93 points “2011 Barolo Riserva Vignolo is a dark and succulent expression that showcases the characteristics of the warm vintage. The bouquet puts forth a compelling set of dark fruit characteristics with Morello cherry, dried blackberry, mocha and delicate accents of sweet spice. The vineyard team was careful to keep the clusters under the shade of the canopy for as long as possible during the summer months to prevent the grapes from ripening too fast or bleaching their color pigments. The results are very nice indeed.”

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Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points
“Here is another excellent rendition of the celebrated Bricco Boschis cru (one of the best performing vineyards in Castiglione Falletto) from the talented Cavallotto family. The 2012 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe sees fruit picked only from the central part of the vineyard parcel. This area suffers less stress during the hottest months of summer because it is more protected and isolated. This wine is the proverbial overachiever among this estate’s new releases. The bouquet shows a highly refined and focused quality with extreme varietal precision. The 2012 vintage stands somewhere in between 2010 for its elegance and 2011 for its power. In fact, I tasted this wine next to the 2011 expression and found that the 2012 vintage plays its cards closer to its chest. It has a lot to give in the future as it continues down its evolutionary path. Patience is required. Savory spice and smoke make for an elegant twist on the finish.”

Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points
“The Cavallotto 2011 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is an exceptional wine that really shows the best of Castiglione Falletto, home to some of Barolo’s most consistent and age-worthy wines. This bottle offers enormous complexity coupled by power and linear, classic lines. Maceration stopped at 20 days, otherwise the winemaking team feared the results would be overdone and too bold. The bouquet opens quickly to reveal dark fruit, spice, anise seed and licorice. The effect is ethereal and lasting. It would be hard to pin this wine down as being from the warm 2011 vintage in a blind tasting. The acidity is fresh and nicely folded into the background.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Balanced and expressive, this Barolo features maturing aromas and flavors of cherry, licorice, tobacco and mineral. Builds to a long, detailed aftertaste. Altogether savory and fresh. Best from 2020 through 2033.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Cavallotto’s 2011 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is powerful and dense. The more roasted, ripe side of the year is very much in evidence. There is no shortage of richness to the black cherry, smoke, tobacco, menthol and licorice flavors. At times, though, the 2011 comes across as a bit heavy. I would have liked to see a little more freshness, although, admittedly, that was hard to come by in 2011.”

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

Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96 points
“I had tasted this wine from barrel last year, and the wine was already shaping up beautifully back then. Staying the course, the 2015 Barolo Bricco Boschis shows extreme elegance and finesse. These are the characteristics of what is surely one of the most beautiful vineyard sites in Barolo. The Bricco Boschis cru affords a panoramic view onto much of the Langhe, with snowcapped Alps in the background. Barolo from Castiglione Falletto tends to show characteristics that are very fine, precise and linear. That’s fundamentally what you get here despite the more exuberant and fleshy 2015 vintage. This wine is truly beautiful. Some 27,700 bottles were made.”
 
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Paolo’ Bea’s Iconic Wines

New Releases from the Umbrian Master


Paolo Bea is an iconic producer—a virtual one-winery symbol of Umbrian wine and it’s potential.  No winery in the region produces wines as profound, interesting and delicious as the Italian masters (son Giampero is the winemaker these days).

If you’ve had these before, keep scrolling to check out the new releases—if not, pay attention.  These are wines that capture the wildness of Umbrian wine and its signature grape, Sagrantino, in a way that captivates even the most jaded palates.  They’re naturally made, but have classical proportions, with an almost savage ferocity to the flavors (and in the Sagrantino, the tannins as well).  They’ve become quite hard to acquire in recent years (we guess the word’s gotten out), but we have some of the new wines arriving early next month.


Arriving ETA March:

Paolo Bea Arboreus Bianco, Umbria IGT 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Importer Note
“One of the early success stories in the modern-day revival of skin-macerated white wines, Bea’s beloved “Arboreus” originates from exceedingly old Trebbiano vines (up to 150 years of age) in the village of Spoleto, halfway between Bea’s home village of Montefalco and nearby Trevi. A striking instance of non-standard training, these ancient vines wrap themselves around the trunks and branches of trees (hence the wine’s name), growing and ripening high above the ground. Bea picks the fruit quite ripe and conducts an extended skin maceration (in the case of the 2014, 25 days), after which he leaves the wine on its gross lees for the better part of a year—a technique that nourishes the wine and ensures its ultimate expressive depth, but one which requires total confidence in the quality of one’s raw materials. Standing as the only wine Giampiero produced in the arduous, downy-mildew-affected 2013 vintage, this version is a particularly nimble, mineral-driven rendition of “Arboreus,” with notes of quinine, citrus zest, and fresh almonds atop a particularly lithe and delicate frame. The wine certainly does not lack for power, but its overall impression is less juicily tannic than in more typical vintages—and, at the end of the day, it’s a wine only Giampiero Bea could produce. User’s note: “Arboreus” must be served no cooler than cellar temperature to appreciate its full spectrum of aromas and flavors.”

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

Paolo Bea ‘Lapideus’ Bianco, Umbria IGT 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Importer Note
“Giampiero acquired a parcel of 80-year-old Trebbiano Spoletino in the town of Pigge di Trevi several years back, and 2016 marks just the third vintage of this exciting new addition to the Bea lineup. Arising from a cooler microclimate than the “Arboreus” above, “Lapideus” spent a month on it skins after pressing, followed by over 200 additional days on the gross lees—a similar vinification to “Arboreus,” yet one that yielded markedly different results. “Lapideus” has a leaner, racier carriage than the broad-shouldered “Arboreus,” with a more precise sense of acidity; it emphasizes drive over density, and its underlying salinity is not a far cry from the spellbinding wines we import from Paolo Vodopivec in the Carso—incidentally, a dear friend of Giampiero and a fellow ViniVeri administrator. A subtle note of honeyed sweetness at the wine’s core speaks of its warm-climate origins, and Bea’s propensity for wildness reveals itself in a fascinating but ephemeral cheese-rind whisper in its aromatics. Only 745 bottles were produced, the vast majority of which are destined for the US market.”

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

Paolo Bea Santa Chiara Bianco, Umbria IGT 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Importer Note
“The second of Bea’s two early and highly influential skin-macerated white wines, “Santa Chiara” hails from the fabled Pagliarocru, and combines roughly equal proportions of five varieties: Garganega, Grechetto, Malvasia, Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. Everything ferments together, without any additions or temperature regulation, in stainless steel, and the wine is given several years of settling before being bottled without fining or filtration. The rich, forward 2017 spent 28 days on its skins, and was bottled in May 2019 after 20 months of aging. Compared to the relatively racy 2013 “Arboreus” and the typically chiseled 2016 “Lapideus,” this vintage of “Santa Chiara” swaggers out of the bottle with macerated peaches, brassy spice notes, a liberal dash of white pepper, and candied citrus. Despite its somewhat explosive and brash personality, it possesses terrific drive and a focused, tannin-derived sense of architecture.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Importer Note
“Bea produces perhaps his most renowned wine from pure Sagrantino grown on the prized hilltop site of Pagliaro, situated at 1300 feet above sea level in Montefalco proper. Following the example of the “Rosso de Veo” above, this 2015 is absolutely jaw-dropping in its intensity and presence. Bea’s wines at their best offer a panoply of spices so intoxicating, so far-reaching, and so evocative, as to nearly defy belief. The only wines that approach Bea’s in that regard are perhaps the most un-sculpted Syrah-based wines of the Northern Rhône, but even those feel as if they have governors on their accelerators in comparison to top vintages of “Pagliaro.” Similarly large in scale to the “Rosso de Veo,” this actually presents with greater precision and nuance, its overall attack more subtle but ultimately no less impactful—direct evidence of a great terroir translated with consummate skill.”

Paolo Bea Rosso de Veo, Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Importer Note
“Since the 2005 vintage, Bea’s “Rosso de Veo” (“Veo” is the way the family’s name is pronounced in the old Umbrian dialect) is pure Sagrantino sourced from younger vines around the property and from parcels that do not quite make Giampiero’s rigorous cut for “Pagliaro,” “Pipparello,” and “Cerrete.” This 2015 is Mike Tyson in his prime: potent, assertive, brazen, and making no concessions to polite society. Monstrous in its tannins, it nonetheless presents them in such a multifaceted way as to almost transcend their viselike grip; the tannins themselves have layers, offering classic sandalwood spice on one level, mineral-saturated depth-charge stoniness on another, and—most thrillingly—a direct, naked evocation of crunching into dripping-ripe berries. Four years of élévage did nothing to blunt this astonishing wine’s unmitigated expression of freshly plucked grapes, and this is a monumental “Rosso de Veo” that should live for a very, very long time.”

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Paolo Bea San Valentino Rosso, Umbria IGT 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Importer Note
“The 2014 version of Bea’s beloved “San Valentino” is a bit of an outlier. Given the difficulties of the 2014 growing season—the second in a row in which downy mildew exerted enormous pressure—Giampiero was only able to produce a single red wine, constituting the scant viable bunches from his entire range of vineyard holdings. Composed of 40% Sagrantino, 40% Sangiovese, and 20% Montepulciano, the 2014 “San Valentino” offers a classic Bea nose of subtle balsamic notes, brooding spices, and boisterous black fruits, yet it possesses a less massive structure than usual. Calling a Bea red “elegant” is a stretch, and in fact does a slight disservice to the exuberant wildness that is one of Giampero’s wines’ calling cards, but this version of “San Valentino” is indeed fairly light on its feet without exactly being polite. Like its tough-vintage counterpart “Arboreus” above, this 2014 is both somewhat atypical for its category yet unmistakably Bea at its core, and longtime fans of the estate will revel in its idiosyncratic nature as well as its pure deliciousness.”

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

Stunning grand cru Riesling from limestone soils.
Thorle Holle Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Thorle Holle Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($259.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling .com 96 points
“Still youthful, but this has a complex stone-fruit nose. Concentrated and racy with great energy at the very long, chalky finish. Great aging potential. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Nothing says romance like Krug.  Especially Krug from one of their best vintages of the decade.
Krug Brut, Champagne 2004 750ML ($299.95) $259 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97+ points
“Krug’s 2004 Vintage is absolutely mesmerizing. Layers of bright, chiseled fruit open up effortlessly as the wine fleshes out with time in the glass. Persistent and beautifully focused, with a translucent sense of energy, the 2004 captures all the best qualities of the year. Moreover, the 2004 is clearly superior to the consistently underwhelming 2002 and the best Krug Vintage since 1996. Readers who can find it should not hesitate, as it is a magical bottle.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “Combining subtleness with complexity, the coolish Krug 2004 Brut opens with a highly elegant, fascinatingly clear, bright and refreshing bouquet of ripe (apple) fruits. Dense and round, with a delicate mineral soul, the pure but perfectly balanced 2004 reveals great finesse and weightless elegance with a long and round finish. This is a gorgeous Krug vintage that is 14 years old but still on the rise. Tasted from ID 316034 in New York in November 2018.”-SR
Decanter 97 points “This is the current and latest vintage release from Krug, and is a fitting successor to 2002, though it’s very different in style – unusually, the blend contains more Chardonnay than Pinot Noir. Despite this, it is hallmark Krug with its oxidative profile. It has a luminous freshness and good density without heaviness. There’s a controlled power to this poised, vinous, linear 2004, displaying candied fruits, minerals, gingerbread, white chocolate, caramel and marzipan. This has a long, dry autolytic finish, great balance and lovely bead. Disgorged just after the next, and very different, vintage we tasted, the Krug 2003. Drinking Window 2017-2037.”
John Gilman 97 points “The new release of 2004 Krug is absolutely beautiful and is already quite elegant and open on both the nose and palate and is drinking with great finesse. I had expected this wine to be a bit more steely in structure out of the blocks, but the refinement of the blend this year has produced a wine that is already a joy to drink at age thirteen, though it will continue age gracefully for many, many decades to come… There is marvelous precision here on both the nose and palate, not to mention a sense of harmony and grace that is fairly rare in the 2004 vintage. Chapeau! 2017-2060.”

Pax’s homage to Beaujolais via “Napa Gamay” is a crushable, delicious bottle.
Pax Quail Run Vineyard Valdiguie, Solano County 2018 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points
“Another very pretty wine in this range, the 2018 Valdiguie is bright, focused and wonderfully energetic. Rose petal, lavender and sweet dark cherry all grace this exquisite, vibrant Valdiguie from Pax. The 2018 is shaping up to be a gem. I tasted it from tank just prior to bottling.”
Grapelive 90 points “The deeply hued Pax 2018 Valdiguie with its intense purple/magenta color and whole cluster pop on the palate is an all-American rival to Cru Beaujolais with layers of tangy black fruits, spice, fresh cut flowers, exotic tropical elements, racy stems (herbal notes) and juicy acidity. [It] is wonderfully poundable! Pax, besides making some of America’s great Syrah wines, also does a fun selection of wondrous weird goodies including this ultra-fun Valdiguie and a light skin contact Trousseau Gris… This 2018 is a great mix of ripe fruity/grapey flavors along with zingy savory tones that give a balanced contrast in a low alcohol, 12.2% red that enjoys a slight chill. It is perfect for smashing at the beach or a picnic or as I had by a warm fire pit as the sun dipped below the horizon. This is what the French call a Glou-Glou wine: nothing to over think, it is a wine to share and laugh with and impossible not to smile contented with. Its licorice, crushed lilac and snappy peppercorns making it a nice choice with an array of easy simple foods. Just released, you’d better hustle to get some, it looks to be an under the radar hit, it certainly will sell out within days.”

Extra late-harvest Pinot Gris is one of the most thrilling dessert wines out there.
Agathe Bursin Pinot Gris Zinnkoepfle Selection de Grains Nobles, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 96 points
“Deep golden-tinged yellow. The perfumed nose combines ripe pear, lime blossom and powdered stone, plus hints of spicy botrytis. Sweet but taut, conveying a lovely light-on-its-feet quality and displaying noticeable tang to the citrus and floral flavors; the presence of noble rot adds personality. Closes minerally and very long. This very refined SGN offers noteworthy fragrance and vibrant acidity; in fact, it’s so stony that it’s almost Riesling-like. About 30% of the grapes were hit by noble rot, and this adds complexity to what is a memorable wine (check out these numbers: 5.7 g/L total acidity and 130 g/L total [sugar]).”

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A benchmark Chardonnay that we sold out pre-arrival, until we were able to secure more bottles.
Arnot-Roberts Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points
“The 2016 Chardonnay Trout Gulch is wonderfully polished, nuanced and transparent. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint and chalk notes give the Trout Gulch its distinctive, bright flavor profile. In some years, the Trout Gulch has leaned towards the more austere of the Chardonnay spectrum. The 2016 has all the energy of the more tightly wound vintages, but with a bit more textural resonance that is the result of the wine having spent more time on its lees during aging.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Collector’s Corner

The Rare Cristal Vinotheque Bottlings


Roederer’s Cristal is one of the premier bottlings in Champagne—a tete du cuvee that always lives up to the hype.  Even better than Cristal? Cristal Vinotheque—a late released bottling that represents the absolute pinnacle of what Roederer is capable of.

We’re pleased to offer two stunning vintages of Cristal Vinotheque: 1995 and 1996. The pair may represent the best back to back vintages in Champagne’s history—certainly we can’t think of a better duo off the top of our heads (we weren’t around to taste the ’61/’62 combo when they were young, but if you want to argue that, go for it).  Cristal excelled in both years and the newly released Vinotheques are anything you could ever want in Champagne.

As you’d expect for these stunners, quantities are tiny and prices are high—these are wines that we don’t expect to hit the open market for long.  


Arriving ETA Mid-March

Louis Roederer Cristal Vinotheque Edition Brut, Champagne 1995 750ML ($1,299.95) $1,199 pre-arrival special, 1 bottles remaining
Louis Roederer Cristal Vinotheque Edition Brut, Champagne 1995 1.5L ($2,699.95) $2,499 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum remaining
Decanter 99 points
“This Vinothèque version hasn’t moved from Roederer’s cellars in Reims until now. During its long evolution, it has spent ten years on its lees and then another ten on cork. Significantly, it also receives a lower dosage than the original Cristal release. Supremely seductive and endlessly complex, it has a generous, supple texture and intense yet delicate filigree flavours of sweet yellow fruits, quince, nougat, cream, patisserie and savoury hazelnut. Still remarkably young and fresh, this dances across your palate and has a long, savoury, autolytic finish. Charming beyond compare.”
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “This amazing wine is timeless. Just hinting a golden hue, the nose offers layers of toastiness balanced by an impressive amount of fruit and freshness. At 23 years old, it still has some life in it, showing bright citrus and minerality. Let it breathe before drinking to bring out all the subtleties.”
James Suckling 98 points “A very different style to the 1996, this has much more savory, autolytic influence. Fresh, chalky aromas with hazelnuts and grilled lemons, as well as a super fine, toasty thread. There’s roasted coffee, smoky grilled lemons and a big mouthful of fresh white peaches and truffles. Gently nutty. Pulls into chalk at the finish. Eight years sur latte and seven years sur pointe. Disgorged with 7g dosage of the same wine. Drink now to 2025.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Disgorged in 2010 and re-launched in September 2017, Roederer’s low dosed 1995 Cristal Vinotheque (dosage: six to seven grams per liter) is very intense on the nose and shows lovely maturity. Due to the vintage, which saw some rain in the summer, the Chardonnay part is a bit higher than usual (43% instead of 40%), with just 57% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ). Five percent of the wine was fermented in oak, and 15% underwent malolactic fermentation (only the Pinot Noir though). The palate is rich and vinous but also pure, straight and fresh, finishing with a tight structure, persistent minerality and a yeasty character. Tasted in Reims in May 2018.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Louis Roederer Cristal Vinotheque Edition Brut, Champagne 1996 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,349 pre-arrival special, 2 bottles remaining
Louis Roederer Cristal Vinotheque Edition Brut, Champagne 1996 1.5L ($2,999.95) $2,799 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum remaining
Antonio Galloni 100 points
“One of the many highlights of the afternoon, the 1996 Cristal Vinothèque (magnum) exudes a level of richness and intensity that is simply breathtaking. That extra kick of richness the 1996 has developed in magnum and over extended time on the lees is pure magic in balancing some of the natural austerity of the year. What comes through is a Champagne of unforgettable profoundness. Smoke, crushed rocks, white flowers, mint and finely sculpted citrus confit/orchard fruit add striking layers of dimensions. The 1996 is so bright and so alive in the glass. A whole range of Chardonnay inflections punctuate the finish…” [Review is for a late disgorgement from 2009]
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “A re-release from one of the legendary vintages of the last 30 years, this Champagne still shows some of the intense acidity that marked that year. It has gained maturity, but it’s an ageless, magnificent wine. Although it is ready to drink, it will hold well through 2029.”
James Suckling 99 points “The wine starts with attractive, reductive, toasty aromas, then freshens with air to offer fresh flowers and very fine lime peel and lemon pith, as well as grapefruit and yellow plums. The palate has an intense, fine and fresh feel with super long, lemon and lime flavors, together with subtle, nutty moments that will build with time on cork. Then, a late, spicy edge and super tart, mouthwatering grapefruit. Seemingly endless length and potential. Kept on the lees for its entire life and disgorged in 2012. Dosage of 7g using 1996 wine – as pure as possible. A must for every collector of great Champagne.”
Decanter 98 points “A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, this is a truly remarkable champagne offering pure, unalloyed pleasure now and for many years yet. It has a fabulous nose showing freshness and fruit with supple, savoury aromas of brioche and cox’s apple. The acidity is vibrant, light and taut yet somehow also exhibits lovely roundness and a gorgeous satin-like texture. The palate spectrum is mind-boggling, with flavours ranging from cashew, cream, nougat and toast to white pear, citrus and crystallised fruits. Supremely balanced and refined, it finishes with a sumptuously long, savoury-umami finish.”
 
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Thanks for reading!