Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Vinopolis Newsletter 12-27-24

In This Newsletter:


Special Arrivals
Our most requested wine is back… for now

Arrivals
Weingut Steinmetz, Gerard Boulay, Scharffenberger, and more!

Champagne Round-up
Tis the season for Sparkles!
Special Arrival
 



 
You know that you’ve really hit your stride as a wine region when the French start to get involved…
 
Unlike 1976’s contentious Judgement of Paris, this wine is a celebration of transatlantic winemaking collaboration rather than a competition. When two of the world’s most famous winemakers, Bordeaux’s Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Napa’s Robert Mondavi, joined forces to create a unique masterpiece in 1979, this new winemaking legend was born.

Opus One is one of our most requested wines, these bottles will not last long!

Opus One, Napa Valley, USA 2021 750ml $389 special, 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97+ Points “The 2021 Opus One is one of the most elegant, polished Opus Ones in recent memory. Pliant and supple, with super-rened tannins, the 2021 has a ton to oer. It boasts gorgeous textural depth and resonance, not to mention superb balance. Dark red/purplish fruit, owers, spice and mint caress the palate, framed by silky, ripe tannins that are the hallmark of a superior vintage. I can’t wait to see how the 2021 develops. This is a stellar showing, certainly the best so far.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points “The 2021 Opus One is brilliant and I think one of the finest wines made from this estate. Deep ruby/purple-hued, with a gorgeous perfume of cassis, darker raspberries, spicy oak, and obvious minerality, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, lots of ripe tannins, and a great finish. It shines on all accounts and is complex, nuanced, textured, and beautifully balanced. It will have 30 years of prime drinking.”
 
New Arrivals
 
Germany 
 
Weingut Gunther Steinmetz
 
“If you’ve never heard of a winery called Gunther Steinmetz, we suggest you look it up… Senior Editor Stuart Pigott first met Stefan Steinmetz, 42, of the Günther Steinmetz estate in Brauneberg/Mosel just over a decade ago and his wines were already very good then with a distinctive style.” –James Suckling
 
Stefan and Sammie Steinmetz, a remarkable duo in the Mosel wine world, craft wines of exceptional quality. Their commitment to organic viticulture on challenging, steep slopes and minimal intervention winemaking yields wines of extraordinary concentration and breathtaking character. Their most renowned vineyard, Brauneberger Juffer, is famous for its unique slate and sandy soils.
 
Steinmetz Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Mosel, Germany 2022 750ml $33 special, 12 bottles available
93 Points Stuart Pigott “Flinty and yeasty nose, but the white tree fruit aromas quickly blast through. Racy and structured, the balance barely off-dry. So much character and depth. Very much a wine for the dining table! Drink or hold.”
 
Steinmetz Dhroner Hofberg Trocken Riesling, Mosel, Germany 2022 750ml $29.50 special, 24 bottles available
95 Points Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling.com “This properly dry 2022 Mosel riesling has a wealth of stone fruit aromas, but also notes of grapefruit, Amalfi lemon and fresh almonds. However, in contrast to many wines from this site, there’s a compact core and the wine has impressive drive at the bold and spicy finish. Limited production. Very good aging potential, but can be drunk from release.”
 
Steinmetz Wintricher Geierslay Kabinett, Mosel, Germany 2022 750ml $33 special, 24 bottles available
Importer’s Note “The ‘vulture slate’ vineyard, planted to 65-year-old vines in a gorgeously situated cool side valley of the Mosel. Stefan’s signature vineyard, as far as we’re concerned. Exotically ripe, floral, and lip-smacking, but locked in place by Saar-like tension and minerality.”
 
Steinmetz Wintricher Geierslay Riesling Sur Lie, Mosel, Germany 2022 750ml $29.50 special, 24 bottles available
94 points Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling.com “Still very youthful with terrific tension, this excellent dry Mosel riesling has stacks of wild herb and flower character on the compact and concentrated medium-bodied palate. Very expressive of the straight and very mineral personality of this underrated site. And with some aeration a delightful lemon blossom aroma emerges on the nose. Excellent potential.”
 
Steinmetz Kabinett Piesporter Treppchen, Mosel, Germany 2023 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Importer’s Notes “From 90-year-old ungrafted vines. A vivid young Riesling nose is followed by a bright, light, crystalline wine with crunchy, crispy, terrifically refreshing acidity. Green apples all over. Obviously, this is embryonic. But if this is a harbinger of what’s to come from Stefan in 2023, BRING IT ON!!!!!!!”
 
Steinmetz Pinot Noir, Mosel, Germany 2022 750ml $29.50 special, 24 bottles available
Importer’s Notes “100% Pinot Noir from a mix of vineyards on slate. 50% stem inclusion. Vinified 3 weeks in open fermenters then matured briefly in used Burgundy barrels. Bottled unfiltered. Bright magenta in color, fruit-driven, juicy, buoyant, and addictively drinkable. The price is just silly.”
 
Steinmetz Pinot Noir Kestener Paulinsberg, Mosel, Germany 2020 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Importer’s Notes “Easily the most showstopping Pinot we tasted with Stefan in April 2024. WOW! A luscious red teeming with sweet cherry fruit, exemplary of the warm year; but slate soils, steep slopes (70% in some parcels!) and 50% stem inclusion keep this wine focused, fresh, and riveting. From French clones, 30+ year old vines, aged in used Burgundy barrels, some of which came from Romanee-Conti.”
 
Steinmetz Riesling Trocken, Mosel, Germany 2022 1L $21.90 special, 24 bottles available
91 Points Stuart Pigott-Jamessuckling.com “Brimming with citrus blossom, ripe pear and kiwi, this is a very appealing entry level wine with juicy fruit and a silkiness rare in this category. Lively appley acidity, but the elegance at the finish is every bit as striking. Made with grapes from a mix of young and old vines. Only in liter bottles. Drink now. Screw cap.”
 

France
 
Gerard Boulay

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

This is the lowest listed prices on the West Coast:
 
 hot deal!  Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol, Loire, France 2023 750ml $36.50 special, 36+ bottles available
Vinopolnote “This is a sharp-tongued devil of a wine. Grown in the same Kimmeridgian soils that cover Chablis and Champagne’s Côte-des-Bar, this is a Sancerre for those who love their wines bristling with intensity and minerality. An epic wine for cheeses or seafood. Try this with oysters, sashimi, or baked fish.”
 
These are the only listings for these wines in the USA:

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu, Loire, France 2023 750ml $62.50 special, 24 bottles available
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu 2023 1.5L $128 special, 3 magnums available
Importer Notes “The Clos de Beaujeu is among the most historic sites in the village of Chavignol. In the 14th century the Clos de Beaujeu supplied the Cathedral of Bourges with white wine. At that time, Sancerre was famous for its red wines. Boulay’s Clos de Beaujeu is a richer, denser step up from the Chavignol village wine.”
 
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Comtesse, Loire, France 2023 750ml $77.50 special, 12 bottles available
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Comtesse 2023 1.5L $159 special, 3 magnums available
Importer Notes “The most powerful and complex wine from Boulay’s lineup, with an incredible intensity of fruit and a strong mineral core. Definitely one to put away and follow for years to come.”
 
Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Cote, Loire, France 2023 750ml $66.50 special, 12 bottles available
Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Cote 2023 1.5L $136 special, 3 bottles available
Importer Notes  “First crafted in the 2010 vintage, Gerard’s old vine parcel in La Cote (referred to by the Cotat brothers as La Grande Cote) produces a wine of incredible precision, power and lazer sharp minerality…Boulay’s signature style!”
 
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Les Monts Damnes, Loire, France 2023 750ml $66.50 special, 24 bottles available
Importer Notes “Old vines located on a steep slope in the Mont Damnes vineyard that Boulay began farming in 2004. Vines average 45 years old. Aged on the lees in a combination of barrel and tank then bottled unfiltered.


California

Scharffenberger Brut Excellence, Mendocino County, USA NV 750ml $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Tasting Panel 93 Points “A remarkable value with the poise and presence of wines twice the price. Composed of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, it rings clear and pure on a nose marked by toast, Asian pear, yellow apple, honeysuckle, and hazelnut; on the palate, lilting, lip-smacking acidity and a creamy tang usher in more orchard fruit enhanced by hints of white fig and apricot.”
 
Scharffenberger Brut Rose, Mendocino County, USA NV 750ml $24 special, 17 bottles available
Tasting Panel 93 Points “The poppy on the label of this suave blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir is a tribute to the superblooms that occur throughout California in springtime—but it also hints at the dry wine’s floral subtleties. There’s a faint touch of lilac on a nose brimming with fresh-baked sourdough, cherry, and blood orange, while rose graces the finish, preceded by splashes of wild strawberry, lemon rind, and Gala apple.”
 
Champagne Round-up
 
Tis the Champagne Season!
 
In the mood to celebrate this holiday season? Us too!
 
These are some of the very best Champagnes to arrive in our store recently. Grab your favorite brands soon, they will not last long!
 
Bereche Ay Grand Cru 2016 750ml $219 special, 6 bottles available
Vinous Antonio Galloni 97 Points “The 2016 Extra-Brut Aÿ Grand Cru is all class. Bright and focused to the core, with striking understated energy, the 2016 is a jewel of a wine. Crushed rocks, mint, slate, white flowers and white pepper soar out of the glass, supported by clean mineral notes that bring it all together on the vibrant finish. The blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay on chalk is magical. Dosage is 2.95 grams per liter.”
 
Bereche Beaux Regards Blanc De Blancs 2020 750ml $124.50 special, 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni- Vinous 93 Points “The 2020 Extra-Brut Beaux Regards (100% Chardonnay) is bright, floral and lifted. Chalky soils in Ludes planted with 60-year-old vines yield a Champagne of exquisite finesse and nuance. White flowers, mint, crushed rocks, white pepper, chalk and slate are all beautifully delineated in this understated, sculpted Chardonnay from Bérêche.”
 
H. Billiot Fils Grand Cru Brut Millesime, Champagne, France 2014 750ml $99 special, 33 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 Points “The 2014 Brut Millésime is a beautiful wine that shows the Billiot style off to great effect. Fresh, vibrant and also wonderfully deep, the 2014 hits all the right notes. Red plum, kirsch, flowers, mint and sweet spice all come together in a Champagne that marries tension with volume. That’s a pretty appealing combination in my book. Dosage is 0.6 grams per liter.”
 
Bollinger Grand Annee 2015 1.5L $419 special, 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 Points “Bollinger’s 2015 Brut Grand Année is an intriguing wine in that is clearly reflects the decision to pick on the later side in order to avoid vegetal notes derived from the mismatch of alcoholic and phenolic ripeness. “Balance was hard to achieve in 2015,” Chef de Cave Denis Bunner notes. “At 10% in sugar, the fruit was simply not ripe. We had to wait to reach the optimal window of ripeness.” Bunner also opted to increase the Chardonnay, so the blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, as opposed to the more typical 70/30 blend, with more Verzenay than Aÿ in the Pinots. Dried citrus peel, sage, menthol, sage, tangerine peel and spice build with some coaxing. Light tropical overtones develop with aeration. There’s real density and textural richness here. This will be a fascinating vintage to follow. Stylistically, it is the complete opposite from the much more linear 2014 that precedes it. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 2023. Drink: 2028-2040.”
 
Lanson Clos Lanson Blanc Des Blancs Brut 2009 750ml $199 special, 6 bottles available
Decanter 98 Points “A new addition to the Place de Bordeaux this year from the 1ha-walled Chardonnay vineyard in the centre of Reims. A gorgeous toasted buttery nose filled with hazelnuts, lemon rind, orange skin and acaia – all subtly combined but giving complexity and nuance. The flavours totally envelop the mouth yet the overall expression is finessed and elegant. Drink now (in a wine glass) to savour the fresh zestiness or cellar for decades.”
 
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne, France 2015 750ml $379 special, 8 bottles available
The Wine Independent 98 Points “The 2015 Cristal is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. No malo-lactic was employed and 25% wine was aged in oak. The dosage is 7 grams per liter. An exquisitely delicate yet complex perfume of clover honey freshly shaved ginger marzipan and jasmine slowly emerges from the nose giving way to a core of pear tart persimmons and apple butter. The palate is an exercise in finesse featuring very fine bubbles and fantastic intensity with a myriad of spice and floral nuances finishing with impressive persistence and jaw-dropping poise. This is a style for those that embrace purity soft-spoken expression and impeccable crafting. It won’t disappoint those who love Champagne in its initial youthful perfume flushes yet will undoubtedly reward the patient with a richer toastier more obvious and opulent style with 5-10 years+ of cellaring.”
 
Savart L’Ouverture Brut 1er Cru NV 750ml $69 special, 14 bottles available
Savart l ‘Ouverture Brut 1er Cru NV 1.5L $159 special, 6 bottles available
Importer’s Note “L’Ouverture is Fred Savart’s entry level Champagne but it is far from one-dimensional. It is 100% Pinot Noir all from the village of Ecueil, half of which was fermented in mostly neutral barrel with the other half is fermented in stainless steel. The wine only sees partial malolactic fermentation. Fred doesn’t guide the malolactic fermentation, instead it is the inclusion of reserve wine that goes through  malolactic fermentation because it has gone more temperature swings. The wine is in equal parts a blend of three successive vintages and aged under cork, not crown cap. Dosage is 7g/L.”
 
Vilmart Grand Cellier 1er Cru Brut NV 750ml $79 special, 24 bottles available
Decanter 93 Points “[Reviewed Apr 2023] Beautifully refined and delicate with clementine and pale strawberry enlivened by a touch of flintiness and creaminess and delivered with a delicate mousse. The Chardonnay lifts and elongates with fine zesty energy. Detailed, poised and classy, this is superb value. 10 months predominantly in large oak foudres. (Drink between 2023-2028).”
 
Vouette et Sorbee Saignee de Sorbee Rose (2020) 750ml $125 special, 2 bottles available
Importer’s Notes “From Sorbée, a site just up the slope from Vouette located on Portlandian soils. A peppery, and sappy style of Pinot Noir bathed in all the red fruit flavors one could want. A rare example of a true Saigné Rosé Champagne rather than a white base wine with a little still red wine blended in – hence the lurid, bright color and riot of red-berry flavors.”

French Magnum Sale 12-30-24

In This Newsletter:
 
French Magnum Sale
Close-Out Featurette: Terre Nere
Champagne of the Day



Vinopolis Wine Shop
 
Holiday Hours
 
We will be closed for New Year’s Day on January 1st.
We will reopen for our regular hours
10 am – 6 pm daily
on January 2nd
 
This shop never closes!

 
Vinopolis End of Year French Magnum Sale
 
Stock Up & Save Now!
 
Now’s the best time to stock your cellar and sideboard with beverages from our favorite French producers. From Champagne to Provence, Rhone to Bordeaux, we have dozens of options in stock. So, fill your cart to maximize your savings now!
 
5% off any 2-3 in-stock French magnums & large formats
10% off any 4 or more in-stock French magnums & large formats
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Thursday, January 2nd at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer sixty-five French magnums & large formats options on sale now, including:
 
Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut, Champange 2015 1.5L Displayed Price: $419, that’s $398.05 at 5% off and $377.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 points “Bollinger’s 2015 Brut Grand Année is an intriguing wine in that is clearly reflects the decision to pick on the later side in order to avoid vegetal notes derived from the mismatch of alcoholic and phenolic ripeness. “Balance was hard to achieve in 2015,” Chef de Cave Denis Bunner notes. “At 10% in sugar, the fruit was simply not ripe. We had to wait to reach the optimal window of ripeness.” Bunner also opted to increase the Chardonnay, so the blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, as opposed to the more typical 70/30 blend, with more Verzenay than Aÿ in the Pinots. Dried citrus peel, sage, menthol, sage, tangerine peel and spice build with some coaxing. Light tropical overtones develop with aeration. There’s real density and textural richness here. This will be a fascinating vintage to follow. Stylistically, it is the complete opposite from the much more linear 2014 that precedes it. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 2023. Drink: 2028-2040.”
 
Diebolt-Vallois ‘Fleur de Passion’ Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2008 1.5L Displayed Price: $799, that’s $759.05 at 5% off and $719.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Fall 2023 release. Late disgorgement release by the winery.
Winery note “Pure Chardonnay made from our oldest plots located in Cramant Grand Cru terroir. This Blanc de Blancs, 100% 2008 harvest, is vinified in oak barrels without malolactic fermentation nor filtration. This bottling in 2009 is prolonged by an ageing on lees during 13 years in our cellars… The Champagne Fleur de Passion is the jewel in the range from the house of Diebolt-Vallois. It is only made in the very best years. This wine is created entirely in barrel, following the major principles of the first wine Jacques Diebolt made together with his grandfather in 1953. Fleur de Passion is a precious and delicate champagne, it is complex, intense and long on the palate. 100% chardonnay.”
 
Peyrassol ‘Le Clos’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2021 1.5L Was $119, Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 13 magnums in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid onion skin color. A highly perfumed and complex bouquet evokes fresh citrus and pit fruits, strawberry and pungent flowers, along with building mineral and succulent herb elements. Shows excellent clarity and depth to its juicy red fruit, nectarine and mango flavors, which are sweetened by a background of vanilla note. Finishes impressively long and silky, with the mineral and floral note resonating.”
 
Domaine des Heritiers du Comte Lafon Macon Chardonnay Clos de la Crochette, Burgundy 2022 1.5L Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90 points “The 2022 Mâcon-Chardonnay Clos de la Crochette has a quite backward nose that needs more tension. The palate is well-balanced with fine acidity, much more expressive than the aromatics, with a peachy, seductive finish. Lovely. But the nose needs to step up a gear.”
 
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Cras, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru, Burgundy 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $879, that’s $835.05 at 5% off and $791.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2019 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras is similarly compelling, soaring from the glass with aromas of red berries, exotic spices, orange rind, musk and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and tightly wound, with a deep and vibrant core of fruit that’s framed by fine, powdery tannins, it concludes with a long, penetrating and intensely mineral finish. This is a magical Chambolle-Musigny worth a special effort to seek out.”
 
Domaine Faiveley Les Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, Burgundy 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $419, that’s $398.05 at 5% off and $377.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 93-95 points “The 2019 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Saint-Georges 1er Cru is an equal blend from Faiveley’s own vines and contract growers, plus a barrel from the Hospices de Nuits. It has a very perfumed and floral bouquet of red berry fruit complemented by wilted violets and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate offers crunchy red berry fruit laced with balsamic. Quite energetic and well defined toward the harmonious finish, which leaves a tang of white pepper on the aftertaste. This is a superb Les Saint-Georges.”
 
Louis Jadot Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent Clos de Rochegres, Beaujolais 2022 1.5L Displayed Price: $106, that’s $100.70 at 5% off and $95.40 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 90 points “The 2022 Moulin-à-Vent Clos de Rochegrès has more complexity on the nose compared to the regular cuvée: more floral, iris flower scents filtering through the dark berry fruit, and hints of iodine. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. It’s fleshy, but right at the finish, it is a tad sweeter than I would like, lacking a bit of sapidity and tension. Near, yet not quite there! That said, it remains a decent Moulin-à-Vent that will benefit from a couple of years in bottle. (Drink between 2025-2033).”
 
Jean-Louis Dutraive Domaine de la Grand’Cour Fleurie ‘Clos de la Grand’Cour’, Beaujolais 2022 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Fleurie Clos de la Grand Cour comes from the 6.5-hectare walled vineyard that surrounds the family house, mainly 40- to 50-year-old vines, aged one-third in foudres and two-thirds in used barrels. This has a more complex bouquet than the Chapelle des Bois, a touch more intensity and ripeness with vivacious red cherries and crushed strawberries. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy and exuberant red fruit, a healthy sprinkling of white pepper and a very cohesive and persistent finish. Superb. (Drink between 2025-2034).”
 
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu, Loire 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Importer note “The Clos de Beaujeu is among the most historic sites in the village of Chavignol. In the 14th century the Clos de Beaujeu supplied the Cathedral of Bourges with white wine. At that time, Sancerre was famous for it’s red wines. Boulay’s Clos de Beaujeu is a richer, denser step up from the Chavignol village wine.”
 
Jonathan Didier Pabiot Pouilly-Fume ‘Leon’, Loire 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 5 magnums in stock now
“The 2021 Léon accounts for most of the domaine’s production (70%). It has a bright, gooseberry and elderflower-like character. Fermented partially in concrete (40%), stainless steel (40%) and barrel (20%), it has a silky charm while remaining light-bodied. This is a really lively number that has charm and brightness. Very easy to like, made with a delicate hand.” –Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
 
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc ‘a Francoise..’, Loire 2020 1.5L Displayed Price: $145, that’s $137.75 at 5% off and $130.50 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Yohan Castaing-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2020 Anjou Blanc à François(e)… is showing well today, with a gourmand, fruity bouquet with aromas of ripe orchard fruits, exotic fruits, lemon oil and iodine. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, it’s dense and a bit phenolic with a long, penetrating finish. Naturally dense and powerful, this cuvée is also energetic and saline.”
 
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil du Temps, Rhone 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 5 magnums in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94 points “Marked by intense aromas of licorice and seared beefsteak, Darnaud’s 2018 Crozes Hermitage Au Fil du Temps backs those up with notes of blueberries and black olives. Full-bodied, richly concentrated and tannic—but supple and ripe—with a bright, refreshing and lengthy finish, it’s a beauty of a Crozes to drink over the next decade.”
 
Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 16 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Moving to the wines from bottle, the base Gigondas from this estate is a perennial winner and readers can safely buy bottles of this in just about every vintage. Giving up a Provençal bouquet of red and black currants, peppery herbs, leather, and loamy soil, the 2018 is medium to full-bodied, has a forward, sexy style, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s terrific today yet still has enough tannins to evolve for 10-15 years if you’re so inclined.”
 
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, Rhone 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 11 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Traditionally dominated by clairette (45%) and grenache blanc (30%), then roussanne and bourboulenc. The vines average 50+ years and there’s a very restrained nose with dialed-back white-pear and chalk aromas with dried flowers, too. The palate has a super fresh, zippy feel and a long, juicy and attractive core of fresh, salty minerals. The balance is innate and very fluid. Drink or hold.”
 
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac, Bordeaux 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $499, that’s $474.05 at 5% off and $449.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator #2 Wine of the Year in 2021
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “The 2018 Chāteau Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande is a monster of a wine with an almost Chāteau Latour-like stature and structure, offering deep, backward, slightly reductive notes of blackcurrants, crushed stone, scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, and tobacco leaf. Based largely on Cabernet Sauvignon mixed with 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, it’s full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful on the palate, with masses of tannins, beautiful mid-palate density, and a great finish. As I’ve commented previously, the up-front, sexy style of the past (due to the larger Merlot content, I believe) has been replaced by a more regal, at times austere profile. Nevertheless, it’s still its own wine and very Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in style. This 2018 is going to need 5-7 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40+ years.”
 
Shop our sixty-five on sale French magnums & large formats selections now!
 

 
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
 
Terre Nere’s Bellacolonna Rosso
 
For lovers of volcanic-influenced wines, Sicily’s Mount Etna is a cherished place. One of the finest producers on this volcano is Terre Nere, a domain that offers multiple single-vineyard red wines from the indigenous Nerello Mascalese. We have its proprietor, Marc De Grazia, to thank for bringing international attention to this stunning region. He founded Tenuta delle Terre Nere after falling in love with the unique terroir created (and continually recreated) by the still-active volcano.
 
De Grazia was the first to bottle single-parcel wines from the indigenous grapes and brought international focus and admiration to this once-overlooked region. The terroir of high altitude and dark volcanic soils combined with the traditional model inspired by Burgundy help yield distinctive wines from the indigenous grape varieties.
 
This bottling is from the Bellacolonna parcel within the Calderara Sottana vineyard. It sits over 600 meters above sea level on rocky black pumice and volcanic soils. Terre Nere dedicated this 2022 vintage release to the 20th anniversary of their first harvest.
 
In Stock & On Sale Now:
 
Terre Nere Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Bellacolonna Rosso 20th Anniversary 2022 750ml Was $44.50, Now $41.50, 13 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “Vivid and intense, a burst of autumnal spices, dusty rose, and blood orange gives way to dried strawberries as the 2022 Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana Bellacolonna blossoms in the glass. Simply stunning, it splashes across the palate with crunchy wild berry fruits and mineral tones, all motivated by a core of zesty acidity. It leaves a staining of primary concentration and silky tannins.”
 
We offer 190 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
 
Shop the sale on our webstore now!
 

 
Champagne of the Day:
 
Vilmart
 
Vilmart is perhaps the grandest grower Champagne we sell—offering the region’s most powerful and intense expression of their terroir. These are wines that are vinified to be both lithe and powerful—a sinewy bolt to the palate of intense Champagne terroir. They age beautifully, holding onto their acidity and freshness, and developing an almond-creamy brioche quality that’s so prized. Drink now and be wowed, or hold for several years in the cellar for a truly elevated experience.
 
In Stock Now:
 
Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier Premier Cru Brut NV 750ml $79 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “[Reviewed Apr 2023] Beautifully refined and delicate with clementine and pale strawberry enlivened by a touch of flintiness and creaminess and delivered with a delicate mousse. The Chardonnay lifts and elongates with fine zesty energy. Detailed, poised and classy, this is superb value. 10 months predominantly in large oak foudres. (Drink between 2023-2028).”
 
Vilmart & Cie ‘Cuvee Rubis’ Brut Rosé NV 750ml $99 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “In the NV Brut Rosé Cuvée Rubis readers will find one of the most elegant, nuanced Rosés in the market. Light and gracious, yet also wonderfully deep, the Rubis has so much to offer. Red berry fruit, crushed rocks, rose petal, mint and white pepper are some of the many notes that pulse through this vivid, taut Champagne. I am especially impressed by the translucent energy of the Rubis. In a word: gorgeous. [Review for previous disgorgement, no review available for current disgorgement.]”
 
Vilmart & Cie ‘Coeur de Cuvee’ Premier Cru Brut 2015 750ml $179 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Fragrant, with wafts of lime blossoms and exotic cardamom, anise and saffron spices, this weaves a firm streak of racy acidity with a satiny texture and finely detailed notes of crushed blackberry, ripe yellow peach, blanched almond and a crackle of fleur de sel, which lingers on the lively, lasting finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged March 2022. Best from 2025 through 2033. 150 cases imported.”
 
Vilmart & Cie Les Blanches Voies Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut 2012 750ml $349 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2012 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Blanches Voies is elegant, weightless and crystalline in its purity. Lemon peel, white flowers, crushed rocks and marzipan abound. Another six months has done the 2012 wonders. A wine of transparency and crystalline purity. Even with more than two years of disgorgement, the 2012 is very tightly wound. It’s all understatement and class here.”
 
Tis the season of bubbles!
 
Share joyously & shop our selection of 154 Champagnes on our webstore now!


 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:

Delamotte & Roederer
 
5% off any 3-7 in-stock bottles of Delamotte & Roederer
10% off any 8 or more in-stock bottles of Delamotte & Roederer
 
Produttori del Barbaresco
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Produttori del Barbaresco
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Produttori del Barbaresco
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Tuesday, December 31st at 9 am Pacific. Sale ends Wednesday, January 1st at 9 am Pacific.

Produttori 2024 Finale Sale! 12-29-24

“I’ve written this many times before, but it bears repeating: Produttori del Barbaresco is one of Italy’s ultimate values for your money.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
 


 
The legacy of Produttori del Barbaresco is the legacy of an appellation and a fiercely visionary line of individuals that have striven to carve its name into the annals of Italy’s finest wines. Until the time of the late 19th century, the vineyard holdings surrounding the town of Barbaresco were exclusively being maintained as a supply of additional grapes for the wineries of the neighboring Barolo appellation. This was until an enterprising educator and viticulturist named Domizio Cavazza arrived with a mind to change the perception of Barbaresco forever. After being rebutted by the governing authorities on the idea of expanding the Barolo appellation to formally include the vineyards of Barbaresco, he took matters into his own hands. With the partnership of 9 Barbaresco landowners in 1894 he formed a cooperative that bottled Barbaresco on its own and with a quality that rapidly won the hearts and attention of local and foreign wine drinkers. 

In the early 1930s this trailblazing cooperative was closed in the face of hardships spun from the economic uncertainties following World War I and the rise of fascism in Italy. The first changing of the guard occurred when a new figure arose to take on the mantle of the former glory achieved by Cavazza. Don Fiorino, a parish priest of high esteem in the town of Barbaresco rallied 19 growers from 1954-1958 to light the fire that Cavazza started over 60 years earlier and formed the Produttori del Barbaresco more or less as we know it today. Eschewing the potential to perhaps earn more from focusing on additional grape varieties like barbera and dolcetto, the winery cemented its stance on only top quality nebbiolo grapes for its bottlings. The only winery in the Langhe region to do so.

Today (and for the last 20+ years) the management of Produttori lies in the hands of the talented but humble Aldo Vacca, a man whose respect for the wines are matched by his respect for the history that they represent. Having had both of his grandfathers be part of the original 19 founding growers of the cooperative, and his own father as managing director from 1958-1984, Aldo is firmly aware of the responsibility he has to continue the legacy of this great winery. Aldo had previously worked with wine legend Angelo Gaja, which has partly shaped his perspective on the potential that Barbaresco has and the unique qualities that distinguish it from its neighbors.

The vineyard holdings of Produttori have never been more impressive. Total incorporated growers now number 51, and the plots that the cooperative has to work with are the finest in the entire appellation. Since 1967 the winery has often offered single-vineyard Riserva bottlings from the finest plots in excellent years and these continue to be the gems of the portfolio. Here at Vinopolis we have an incredibly deep inventory of Produttori’s Riservas, many of them aged to perfection and expressing a fineness of character that cannot be yet replicated by younger bottlings. These bottles will AGE FOR DECADES and be delicious all the way through their lifespan. Don’t miss on your chance to get these cult-classic wines on discount through the 1st of the New Year.
 
“[Produttori del Barbaresco is] one of the most important and quality-minded co-operatives in the world…” – Jeb Dunnuck
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Produttori del Barbaresco
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Produttori del Barbaresco
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Wednesday, January 1st at 9 am Pacific.
 
We have a wide array of perfectly aged Produttori del Barbaresco wines on sale now:
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is a very pretty, silky wine that shows all the signatures of this site in its refined, mid-weight personality. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, cedar, mint and tobacco all grace this classy Barbaresco. The 2019 is classic Asili, with firm tannins from the year.”
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 5 magnums in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is darkly concentrated and among the richest wines in this series of single-vineyard Riservas. Montestefano is angular, textured and bold with dark fruit aromas, dried blackberry, toasted almond and cured tobacco. With this vintage, you get an age-worthy wine that offers brawn and power for drinking in the medium term, but it will become increasingly silky and slender with time. Dusty tannins and crushed stone appear on the long finish. There were 14,486 bottles produced.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 4 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 95 points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is perhaps the most complete of the 2019 Riservas at this stage. It offers fine depth, plenty of tannin and nascent emerging inner sweetness to tie it all together. A wine of stature and textural depth, the Montestefano is my early favorite in this lineup.”
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $85, that’s $80.75 at 5% off and $76.50 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93+ points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is one of the most searingly tannic wines in the range. Readers will have to be patient with the 2019, as it is going to need time. As always, Montefico is a Barbaresco built on linear intensity more than size. In 2019, the qualities are quite accented. Time in the glass opens the bouquet nicely, but the 2019 remains quite closed.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Vinous 94 points “Like most of the wines in this lineup, the 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is quite potent. A rush of raspberry jam, wild flowers, white pepper and mint make a strong opening statement. Succulent and yet also structured, the Muncagota has so much to offer. It should be one of the first wines in this range to start opening up, although when that will happen exactly is hard to say.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Powerful yet underlined by racy acidity, driving the black cherry, black currant and mineral flavors. Menthol and tobacco notes add depth, keeping this intense. All the components are here, yet this will need time to really sing. Best from 2024 through 2040.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “You may remember that this wine was once called Moccagatta. Produttori del Barbaresco reverted to the local Piemontese spelling of the name in 2007 to stay consistent with the geographic mapping of local cru sites. The 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota stands apart from the nine other single-vineyard Riservas presented by Produttori del Barbaresco this vintage. Of these various wines, this is the most salty and savory. There is less primary fruit intensity here. The bouquet is laced with grilled rosemary and wild sage. This growing site absorbs loads of morning sunshine with southeast-facing exposures. The mouthfeel is characterized by dry tannins and very long, balsam-like persistence. Dried ginger and herbs appear on the menthol-like finish.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 1 bottles in stock now
Vinous 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is another of the overachievers in this range. White pepper, bright red cherry, floral notes and mint cut through the fruit in this beautifully vivid, crystalline Barbaresco. There is a level of energy, drive and overall nuance in the 2014 I don’t recall having seen in the past. The 2014 is a terrific Muncagota.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is beautifully polished and bright, with dark berry fruit, ripe cherry, crushed stone and pressed flowers. The wine is compact and firm, and you feel the tannins and power in the mouth. The Muncagota remains slightly more closed in terms of the bouquet, but this will open up with some time.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Balsamic notes of juniper, eucalyptus and pine align with floral, cherry and black currant flavors in this supple, well-structured red. Balanced and long, with a lingering aftertaste of rose, cherry and mineral. Best from 2024 through 2043. —B.S.”
Vinous 94+ points “The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota continues this tasting of frankly awe-inspiring wines. Rich, deep and super-expressive, the 2016 hits all the right notes. Black cherry, plum, spice, leather, licorice emerge, but only with great reluctance. The Muncagota is another wine in this range that clearly needs time.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $85, that’s $80.75 at 5% off and $76.50 at 10% off, 1 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Presents a bright, pure expression of cherry, strawberry, rose and grassy aromas and flavors underscored by a vein of minerality, with tannins that flex their muscles on the long finish. Intense but balanced, with tension that bodes well for future evolution. Best from 2026 through 2043. —B.S.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota plays some of its best cards in terms of texture, offering silky tannins, firmness and a long-lasting veil of fruit flavors. Cassis, wild cherry, camphor ash, spice and iron ore are aromatic protagonists. This wine is lean and compact but very linear and focused. Like the other Riservas in this group of new releases, the wine is fermented in steel and aged in large oak casks for 32 months. 10,000 bottles were produced.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $85, that’s $80.75 at 5% off and $76.50 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93+ points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is shaping up to be gorgeous. The 2019 is marked by a very evident brightness that is not always present. Medium in body and gracious, with terrific balance, the Muncagota is very impressive in this early tasting of the 2019 Riservas. It could turn out to be one of the surprises in this range. Keep an eye on this. “
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 21 bottles in stock now
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94+ points “One of the bigger productions (with 17,744 bottles) in the Produttori del Barbaresco’s portfolio is the 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello. All of the Riservas in this vintage are characterized by especially exuberant and bold aromas, and this bottle is a prime example. Cassis, wild cherry, tobacco, rusty nail and licorice build intensity. The wine is tapered and silky in texture, but it also offers a good amount of power (and 15% alcohol) to carry it through the aging process.”
Vinous 94 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a heady, explosive wine. I don’t think I have ever tasted an Ovello from the Produttori with this much heft. The strong mineral and saline accents typical of this site are present, but they are matched pound for pound by notable mid-palate richness and intensity in its fruit. The 2017 is a brooding powerhouse that needs time to unwind.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is powerful, savory and intensely linear, in classico Ovello style, and yet it appears to have enough fruit behind its imposing tannins to develop well over the coming years. In this tasting, the Ovello feels pretty closed post bottling, but its inherent balance and qualities are there. Clean saline notes extend the finish in promising fashion.”
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Paje’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè is impressive on all fronts, but especially in terms of aromas. There’s so much brightness here with red and purple fruits, rust and a dark note of clove or exotic spice. No element is out of place, but together they help to build the intensity of this balanced wine. It shows a soft, velvety texture, and perhaps there is a little more ripeness overall in this warm vintage. Production is 6,666 bottles.”
Vinous 94 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè is a fine choice for readers who enjoy wines of freshness, verve and energy. Dark fruit, menthol, spice, pine and crushed rocks are beautifully delineated. This is an especially chiseled wine in the range of 2017 Riservas. I very much like the balance of richness and vibrancy. In a word: classic.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Paje’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 26 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Pajè is full of character. Strong mineral, savory and floral notes jump out of the glass, before veins of tannin make themselves felt on the palate. A powerful, young Barbaresco, the Pajè is going to need a number of years to come into its own. That said, all of its signatures are very much present. “
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 30 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is a dark, sensual beauty. Deeply spiced and balsamic, with tremendous textural richness, the Pora is utterly beguiling. I can’t remember a Pora with this much depth, textural resonance and brooding intensity. The 2014 needs at least a few years to be at its best, but it is superb even in the early going. I won’t be surprised if the 2014 turns out to be better than this note suggests.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Underbrush, wild herb and dark-skinned-berry aromas form the nose along with a whiff of camphor. On the firm, structured palate, tightly knit but noble tannins offset dried Marasca cherry, cranberry, orange zest and star anise. Tense and youthfully austere, it needs a few years to unwind. Drink 2022–2027.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “A mix of black cherry, mint, eucalyptus and tar flavors highlight this firmly structured Barbaresco, which nonetheless remains fresh and focused, with a line of dense tannins lifting the long finish. Best from 2023 through 2043. —B.S.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Following the suggestion of Produttori del Barbaresco General Manager [Aldo] Vacca, I am starting off this series of nine Riservas with the 2015 Barbaresco Riserva Pora. This wine is usually the most delicate, slender and ephemeral of this set. However, I can immediately confirm that this is not necessarily the case with this exuberant 2015 vintage. The sunny heat of the growing season has successfully drawn out more fruit weight and intensity in this edition of Pora. The wine overdelivers in terms of aromas, but its streamlined and polished personality follows through to the palate. Those divergent intensity levels will smooth out with more bottle age. Some 16,666 bottles were released.

Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Pora (with 13,333 bottles released) is usually the first wine I taste each year when I review this set of Riservas from Produttori del Barbaresco. That’s because it usually appears as the most delicate, and the intensity of each successive bottle increases  after this one. But these schematics are a bit more difficult to align in a hot and dry vintage such as this that produced richer and more succulent fruit across the board. The Pora is redolent of red and purple fruit with a little more blackberry and plum compared to previous editions. The tannic strength of the wine is also more elaborate. Pora works very well in 2017.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is a pretty tightly wound wine, certainly moreso than is typically the case for this Barbaresco, which is often much more engaging in the early going. Dried herbs, tobacco, cedar and earthiness lend notable savory nuance in this decidedly nervy, somber Pora. There’s good fruit intensity and plenty of character that makes me want to revisit this in a few months’ time.”
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $189, that’s $179.55 at 5% off and $170.10 at 10% off, 2 magnums in stock now
Wine Advocate 96+ points “The Produttori del Barbaresco 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is another spectacular release from this cooperative winery that hits it out of the ballpark with each set of new releases. That impressive track record includes this wine that delivers extreme focus, depth and integrity. The bouquet is very clear cut with dark cherry, tart plum, spice and blood orange, but it is also complex and fluid. It offers new perspectives with each swirl of the glass. From a hot vintage, the Rabajà is smooth, powerful and balanced. I would bet on long aging for this bottle. 14,438 bottles were produced.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Dense, featuring fruit flavors of plum, cherry and raspberry, with accents of tar, eucalyptus and iron. A powerful red that needs time to resolve the muscular tannins, with plenty of ripe fruit coursing underneath. Best from 2026 through 2043. —B.S.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 4 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is redolent of dark fruit, crushed rocks, graphite, sage, menthol and lavender all race across the palate, supported by bracing, young Rabajà tannins that make themselves felt. This mid-weight, powerhouse Barbaresco packs quite a punch.”
 
Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $85, that’s $80.75 at 5% off and $76.50 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2019 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is quite deep in this vintage, with notable depth in its dark-toned fruit. This is an especially powerful Rio Sordo that is still coming together. Its intensity is palpable, even if I see less of the finesse that I associate with wines from this site. Today, all of the wine’s energy is directed inwards.”

Delamotte & Roederer for New Year’s 12-28-24

In This Newsletter:
 
Delamotte & Roederer Sale



Vinopolis Wine Shop
 
Holiday Hours
 
We will be closed for New Year’s Day on January 1st.
We will reopen for our regular hours
10 am – 6 pm daily
on January 2nd
 
This shop never closes!

 
New Year’s Sale
 
Stock Up & Save On
 
Delamotte & Roederer
 
It’s the season for Champagne and what better way to celebrate that with two of the finest producers: Delamotte and Roederer?
 
What makes Delamotte’s Champagnes so special? These represent some of the finest Blanc de Blancs terroirs in all of Champagne. These Champagnes define chalk: the precious fruit is grown on the slopes of the Grand Cru villages of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Oger, and Cramant. The wines are given just a small dosage to allow the Cote des Blancs terroir to shine. These are enchanting and captivating Cote des Blancs Champagnes worthy of your attention (and ample space in your cellar).
 
Louis Roederer is synonymous with quality and sustainability. Converting their estate vineyards to organic and biodynamic farming practices and high-density plantings, which all help lower yields and improve quality, these are meticulously farmed plots that are each vinified separately for precision blending. Favoring Chardonnay, the resulting wines are among the most age-worthy and elegant on the market.

Roederer’s Cristal is one most sought-after bottlings in Champagne—a tête du cuvée that always lives up to the (enthusiastic) hype. Cristal Vinothèque—a late released bottling—represents the pinnacle of Champagne, a true insider’s must-have.
 
Looking to make this New Year’s all the more special? Shop Delamotte & Roederer during our three-day sale on now!
 
5% off any 3-7 in-stock bottles of Delamotte & Roederer
10% off any 8 or more in-stock bottles of Delamotte & Roederer
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Tuesday, December 31st at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer thirteen Delamotte & Roederer options on sale now, including:
 
Delamotte Brut NV 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “[Reviewed 2023] A delicate, mineral-driven Champagne, with an underpinning of chalk, smoke and oyster shell layered with notes of poached apricot, citronella and beeswax. Lively and persistent on the finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Drink now through 2026. 6,250 cases made.”
James Suckling 91 points “Attractively chalky and biscuity nose, with some honey, apricots and lemon cream. It’s balanced and focused, with very fine bubbles, a medium body and well-rounded finish. 60% chardonnay, 35% pinot noir and 5% meunier. Base wine from 2018 with 20% reserve wines from 2017 and 2016. Drink now.”

Delamotte Blanc de Blancs Brut NV 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 27 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “Croissants, toasted sourdough, white pears, acacia and lemon meringue pie. Salty almond notes on the palate. Deliciously saline and creamy, with silky bubbles and a gently toasty finish. 100% chardonnay from Mesnil, Avize and Oger. Based on 2017 vintage with 20% reserve wines. Drink now. – July 19, 2023”
 
Delamotte Blanc de Blancs 2014 750ml Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Delamotte’s just-released 2014 Blanc de Blancs has turned out very well indeed, opening in the glass with scents of citrus zest, crisp orchard fruit, fresh bread and wet stones. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and incisive, with excellent depth at the core, racy acids and a chalky finish, this isn’t as muscular as the 2008 or 2012, but it has real cut and persistence and should age very gracefully indeed.”
Audrey Frick-Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “A blend of the six Grand Cru villages of the Cote de Blancs, with 6.5 grams per liter dosage, the 2014 Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut is fresh and precise, with aromas of vibrant green apple, pleasant reduction with flint, and delicate smoke, citrus blossoms, and wet stone. The transition to the palate is seamless and linear, with crisp and crunchy green fruit, and is electric with lime candy, a refined mousse, and a chalky texture. It warrants more time before opening, but it is delicious and refreshing now. Drink over 2023-2043.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 points “The 2014 Blanc de Blancs is seriously impressive. Ample in feel, Delamotte is especially rich in 2014, and yet there is plenty of freshness to balance things out. This is an especially savory style for Delamotte, and one that works so well. Dried lemon peel, pastry, almond, dried herbs and chamomile open in a beautifully translucent Blanc des Blancs that marries power and finesse. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
 
Delamotte Brut Rosé NV 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Audrey Frick-Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “[Reviewed in 2023] The NV Champagne Rosé is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Noir, with the base of 2019, and 15% still red wine. It pours a salmon/orange-tinged hue and opens in the glass to fresh, floral, pretty aromas of nectarine, salted orange, fresh rose petal, and curry spice. Medium-bodied, it has a wonderful chalky and pithy texture, with a pinpoint mousse that’s almost an afterthought. Ripe with fruit but well-balanced and long, with mouthwatering acidity, its spicier notes (cardamom, perhaps?) start to reveal themselves as it opens, and the wine lasts long on the palate. It is quite distinctive. Drink 2024-2040. 8 grams per liter dosage.”
 
Louis Roederer Collection 244 Brut NV 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “The first impression is as invigorating as a sea breeze. I love the interplay of mirabelle, grapefruit and lychee fruit with minty freshness and waxiness from lees contact. And all this is welded to a beautifully proportioned palate with plenty of structure, the acidity bright and the mousse animating. Very salty finish that pulls you back for more. A cuvee of 41% chardonnay, 33% pinot noir and 26% pinot meunier. Of these, 15% fermented in oak and 85% in stainless steel. The final blend contained 36% reserve perpetual and 10% reserve wines of the 2012 – 2018 vintage from oak. The dosage is 7 g/l. Drink or hold.”
 
Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Enveloping nose of fresh wheat and white tree fruits plus lemon zest freshness and a touch of flint. Stunning balance of creaminess from sur lie maturation with elegant and mineral acidity. Very long finish that’s simultaneously pristine, chalky and silky. From four plots in the Grand Cru village of Avize. Finished at just 4.5 atmospheres of pressure, which is deliberately below the norm of six. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
 
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut 2012 1.5L Displayed Price: $749, that’s $711.55 at 5% off and $674.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98 points “The 2012 Cristal is the first made entirely from biodynamically farmed vineyards. Passionfruit, mango, spice and ginger open first, but it is the wine’s textural richness and volume that stand out most. The 2012 is one of the most opulent, flamboyant recent Cristals. Those qualities feel especially amplified in this tasting, perhaps because of the presence of wines from the surrounding vintages. It was a complicated season, as mildew reduced yields significantly, resulting in an especially rich Cristal that seems to be gaining intensity with time in bottle. Dosage is 7 grams per liter.”
 
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $379, that’s $360.05 at 5% off and $341.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
The Wine Independent 98 points “The 2015 Cristal is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. No malo-lactic was employed and 25% wine was aged in oak. The dosage is 7 grams per liter. An exquisitely delicate yet complex perfume of clover honey freshly shaved ginger marzipan and jasmine slowly emerges from the nose giving way to a core of pear tart persimmons and apple butter. The palate is an exercise in finesse featuring very fine bubbles and fantastic intensity with a myriad of spice and floral nuances finishing with impressive persistence and jaw-dropping poise. This is a style for those that embrace purity soft-spoken expression and impeccable crafting. It won’t disappoint those who love Champagne in its initial youthful perfume flushes yet will undoubtedly reward the patient with a richer toastier more obvious and opulent style with 5-10 years+ of cellaring.”
 
Louis Roederer Cristal Vinotheque Edition Brut Millesime 1999 750ml Displayed Price: $1,245, that’s $1,182.75 at 5% off and $1,120.50 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “The nose has such beautiful, autolysis character with brown-mushroom and toasted-almond aromas. The nose has still-fresh lemons and oyster shell. Very smooth, pastry-like texture on the palate with even layers and a core of fresh lemons and peaches. The striking thing here is the balance and melted-together complexity. In a very great place. This spent seven years sur latte, seven sur pointe and was disgorged in 2014. Drink now.” [Reviewed 2019]
 
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Rosé Millesime 2013 750ml Displayed Price: $619, that’s $588.05 at 5% off and $557.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 99 points “A candidate for wine-of-the-vintage honors in Champagne, Roederer’s 2013 Cristal Rosé is showing brilliantly, unfurling in the glass with notes of crisp orchard fruit, white flowers, red berries, stone fruit, freshly baked bread and tangerine oil. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, the vintage’s bright girdling acids are amply cloaked in exuberant, expressive and notably concentrated fruit; so while this Cristal is as tensile and age-worthy as one would expect, it’s also impressively fleshy and generous given the year. Concluding with an intensely sapid finish, the 2013 isn’t as overtly structured as the muscular, tightly wound 2012: rather, it’s the 2013’s alliance of cut and flesh, precision and charm that’s so compelling this year. This is another banner vintage for what I consider the reigning champion of the region’s tête de cuvée bottlings, and it will be worth an effort to acquire.”
 
[Base vintages may differ from reviews of NV Champagnes]
 
Shop our thirteen on sale Delamotte & Roederer selections now!


 
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Vinopolis Close-Out Wines
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock Vinopolis Close-Out Wines
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Vinopolis Close-Out sale ends Sunday, December 29th at 9 am Pacific.

Boxing Day Sale on Close-Out Wines 12-26-24

In This Newsletter:
 
Vinopolis Close-Out Wines Sale
Champagne of the Day



Vinopolis Wine Shop
 
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We will be closed for New Year’s Day on January 1st.
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Boxing Day Sale
 
Stock Up & Save On
 
Vinopolis Close-Out Wines
 
We’re placed all one hundred and ninety-five of our Close-Out Sale wines on an even deeper discount for Boxing Day. So, stock your cellar with the best deals in town.
 
5% off any 6-11 in-stock Vinopolis Close-Out Wines
10% off any 12 or more in-stock bottles Vinopolis Close-Out Wines
 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
 
Sale ends Sunday, December 29th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer 195 Vinopolis Close-Out options on sale now, including:
 
California
 
BOND St. Eden, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Was $699, Displayed Price: $599, that’s $569.05 at 5% off and $539.10 at 10% off, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Moving to the 2015s tasted from bottle, this is an incredible vintage for this estate and there are two perfect wines in the lineup. First up, the 2015 St. Eden, from a hillside of red volcanic soils near Oakville, boasts a saturated purple color and heavenly notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, and huge crushed rock-like minerality. It’s full-bodied, deep, and layered on the palate, with incredible concentration, yet it stays seamless, pure, and perfectly balanced. It’s a magical wine to drink over the coming 2-3 decades.”
 
Caladan Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley 2017 750ml Was $219, Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “A top bottling of the variety, this small-production wine is structured and strong, opening reductively, with elements of tobacco leaf, oak and sage. The savory character persists in the form of leather and black pepper, allowing just a touch of sharp red fruit to enter and complement. This wine has further secrets to be revealed; enjoy best from 2027–2032.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
 
France
 
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Extra Brut Rosé Millesime, Champagne 2002 750ml Was $189, Displayed Price: $159, that’s $151.05 at 5% off and $143.10 at 10% off, 12 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.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Moillard Chassagne-Montrachet, Burgundy 2020 750ml Was $69, Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Producer Note “To the south of the Côte de Beaune, the vineyard surrounds the village of Chassagne-Montrachet. This shares with Puligny-Montrachet the undisputed prince of all dry white wines: the Grand Cru Montrachet.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Domaine du Clos des Fees Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2015 750ml Was $54.50, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 96 points “Eighteen months in new French oak barrels has given the 2015 Côtes du Roussillon Villages le Clos des Fées a certain tightness and discipline lacking in the Vieilles Vignes bottling. There’s still massive fruit and buried complexity, full body and rich tannins, but there’s also firmness of structure that shows the serious, age-worthy side of Bizeul’s winemaking. Vanilla and baking spices accent deep, dark cherries and plums, ending in a long, velvety finish.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2019 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 32 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Modern and stylish, offering an engaging mix of raspberry puree, warm baking spices and red licorice, with vanilla highlights. A beam of iron minerality brings shape and balance to this version, while invigorating acidity and tannins drive the energy. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035. —J.M.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, Rhone 2018 1.5L Was $199, Displayed Price: $179, that’s $170.05 at 5% off and $161.10 at 10% off, 11 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Traditionally dominated by clairette (45%) and grenache blanc (30%), then roussanne and bourboulenc. The vines average 50+ years and there’s a very restrained nose with dialed-back white-pear and chalk aromas with dried flowers, too. The palate has a super fresh, zippy feel and a long, juicy and attractive core of fresh, salty minerals. The balance is innate and very fluid. Drink or hold.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux, Loire 2016 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “Bright, even exuberant in feel, with a parade of Jonagold apple, green melon, Bosc pear and quince flavors streaming through, gilded with heather, honeysuckle and verbena notes on the long, lithe finish. Remarkably elegant despite the off-dry style. Drink now through 2035.”
 
 
Italy
 
Poderi Aldo Conterno Granbussia, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2012 750ml Was $889, Displayed Price: $789, that’s $749.55 at 5% off and $710.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “The earthy, woodsy aromas show some evolution in this red, with just a hint of white truffle, yet there’s still a hefty dose of spicy oak to be resolved. Rich and sumptuous midpalate, showing plum, cherry, tar and tobacco flavors shaded by vanilla and toasty spices, with firm, dusty tannins laying a grip on the long finish. Give this another year or two in the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2042. From Italy. —B.S.”
 
Elvio Cogno Ravera Bricco Pernice, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Was $135, Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is a medium-bodied Nebbiolo from a hot vintage with a ruby-tinged appearance. The 2017 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice shows generous inner fiber and richness with dried cherry, blackberry, plum and dark spice. Fruit for this wine comes from a beautiful amphitheater of vines with the perched town of Novello high up on the skyline. I love the especially smooth and soft quality to what is a powerful and lasting wine. Only 3,500 bottles were made.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta, Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2015 750ml Was $419, Displayed Price: $379, that’s $360.05 at 5% off and $341.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “This is black as pitch in the glass and, yes, there’s a light, tarry edge to the super-concentrated prune, date and currant fruit. But even more interesting are the complex notes of bitter-orange liqueur, aged balsamic, fresh roasting herbs, cinnamon, roasted chestnuts, black tea and licorice. The more you decant in advance, the more nuances will emerge. It’s full-boded with huge concentration and lots of chewy tannin that is managing to hold the fruit back for now. This needs plenty of time to develop in the bottle. Just superb. One of the greatest Dal Forno’s ever.”
 
G.D. Vajra ‘Coste di Rose’, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ml Was $62.50, Displayed Price: $57.50, that’s $54.63 at 5% off and $51.75 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2018 Barolo Coste di Rose is a delicate, understated Barolo that will need a bit of time to fully emerge. There’s lovely purity to the fruit here, but also some angular contours that need to resolve. The 2018 is a mid-weight wine in the style of the vintage, and yet there is fine balance.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Gaja Sito Moresco Rosso Langhe, Piedmont 2021 750ml Was $75, Displayed Price: $64.50, that’s $61.28 at 5% off and $58.05 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “A beautiful violet color atypical of Nebbiolo but reflective of the 2021 vintage where fullness and richness are even present to the eye. The wine has bold notes of blackberry, cherry, blood orange, and bergamot with a touch of flintiness. Medium-structured with lots of juiciness and harmony on the palate all lead to well-balanced acidity and tannin structure with a long finish.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Luigi Baudana Cerretta, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ml Was $79, Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2018 Barolo Cerretta is a potent, searing wine, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. Scorching tannins wrap around a core of dark red/black fruit, gravel, smoke, crushed rocks, menthol, licorice and game. The 2018 is going to need a number of years to come around and for those formidable tannins to soften.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Mastrojanni Vigna Loreto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ml Was $125, Displayed Price: $115, that’s $109.25 at 5% off and $103.50 at 10% off, 21 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Mastrojanni 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows a creamy and robust constitution with loads of black fruit and spice. If you are looking for a soft and more contemporary expression of Sangiovese, this will fit the bill. It offers profound richness and texture that is laced with black fruit, spice and tobacco. This wine moves one step beyond the comforting boundaries of Brunello in terms of both richness and extraction. If you are going to go big, you might as well do so in style. Only 8,000 bottles were released in January 2020.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Paolo Scavino Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ml Was $69, Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Moving over to Novello, the Paolo Scavino 2018 Barolo Ravera is slightly more simplistic in this vintage with a tart cherry element that opens loud over the bouquet. You might also notice crushed white pepper, salty limestone and crushed earth. The wine remains subtle in texture with silky tannins and medium weight. Some 6,500 bottles were made.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Rocca di Montegrossi ‘Ridolfo’ Toscana IGT 2015 1.5L Was $179, Displayed Price: $159, that’s $151.05 at 5% off and $143.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 98+ points “The 2015 Ridolfo is a new Cabernet Sauvignon/Pugnitello blend from Marco Ricasoli bottled only in magnum. Vibrant and finely sculpted, the 2015 impresses right out of the gate. A whole range of savory aromatics, lavender, spice, licorice and mocha open with time in the glass. Sweet rose petal and cinnamon appear later, adding brightness and lift. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pugnitello are not obvious varieties to blend, as they are, on paper, more similar than complementary. Even so, the combination works so well. I can’t wait to see how this ages. The 2015 is a total knock-out!”
 
Salvioni Cerbaiola Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ml Was $199, Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino La Cerbaiola grows in intensity in the glass, with delicate aromas that are especially floral and light in character. Instead of blackberry or blackcurrant, this elegant wine delivers cassis and cranberry. Instead of overt spice, you get licorice, balsam herb and camphor ash. The Salvioni house style is ethereal and light, and although that extra vintage ripeness and concentration does register on the palate, farming and winemaking at this estate puts an emphasis on acidity over power or structure. These choices were particularly important in 2017.”
 
 
Spain
 
Daterra Viticultores ‘Azos da Vila’ Tinto, Galicia 2019 750ml Was $33, Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 91 points “Coming from the region of Manzaneda, the red 2019 Azos da Vila is dark and a little cloudy, earthy and with some rusticity. It was produced with grapes from ancient vineyards planted with Mencía, Mouratón and Merenzao that can represent 70% of the volume and then some Alicante Bouschet, Gran Negro and Palomino. There is a volatile whiff here and some notes of apple skin intermixed with notes of herbs and acid berries. It has a contained 12.5% alcohol and fine tannins. 51,84 bottles produced.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Nit de Nin’ Mas d’en Cacador, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ml Was $99, Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-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!
 
Remelluri Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de Salinillas de Buradón, Rioja DOCa 2020 750ml Was $46.50, Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2020 Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de Salinillas de Buradón, a parish of Labastida, was produced with a blend of 91% Tempranillo, 4% Garnacha and 5% other varieties from south-facing vineyards behind the Sierra de la Cantabria, the last vineyards that they recovered on quartz salt, gypsum and red clay soils. These are the last grapes to be picked, and the wine has 14.22% alcohol but doesn’t show any heat. It comes through as serious, shy and austere, a little closed at first. The tannins are a little rustic, but the wine has a strong mineral streak that made it my favorite from the lot. 20,114 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2022.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 
Germany
 
Kruger-Rumpf Abtei ‘1937’ Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2018 750ml Was $39, Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 32 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94-96 points “The 2018 barrel sample of Kruger-Rumpf’s Abtei 1937 was stunningly gorgeous with brilliant details, ripe extract density, vivid mineral tones and vibrant acidity showing a purity and vitality of youth, but with the complexity and length of its old vine material. Georg Rumpf has crafted a Trocken beauty here with layers of delicacy and substance. This juice is on par with almost any GG, making it an incredible value already. Be sure to book your allocation of this ultra-limited bottling from Terry These and importer Skurnik Wines. You will not be disappointed…”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Markus Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese ** Trocken, Mosel 2017 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Bottled with moderate 11% alcohol, the 2017 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese ** (White Capsule) is crystalline and super precise on the clear and flinty nose that exhibits crunchy, iron-rich stone and lime zest aromas. It is lean and fresh but dense and intense on the palate, with ripe, round and concentrated Riesling fruit, some sweetness and refined acidity. This is an elegant, highly finessed and stimulating Würzgarten with a lingering, salty-piquant finish. This wine pairs its moderate alcohol level with great complexity and mineral tension. It’s a fabulous yet still very young Würzgarten of extraordinary class and style. Tasted in March and April 2019.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Muller-Catoir Haardter Burgergarten ‘Im Breumel’ Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz 2018 750ml Was $49, Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 97 points “Very floral with pretty herbal undertones, ranging from coriander to dill to mint. The flowers range from jasmine to honeysuckle to almond blossom. Understated and elegant from the outset. The palate has a very chalky feel to the texture with overlapping, firm lines of acidity and dainty citrus fruit. Immaculately ironed-out edges and well-defined, linear crease. Drink now or hold.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Selbach-Oster Schlossberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2019 750ml Was $44.50, Displayed Price: $37.50, that’s $35.63 at 5% off and $33.75 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “This has the mandarin and yeasty aromas from long fermentation, but with some aeration, mirabelle and quince notes develop. A powerful dry wine that retains the classic Mosel vitality and crispness. Long, intense mineral finish. Better from 2021.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Karlsmuhle Kaseler Nies’chen Kabinett Riesling, Mosel 2019 750ml Was $19, Displayed Price: $16, that’s $15.20 at 5% off and $14.40 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
No reviews available for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
David Schildknecht-Vinous 90 points “Pear, apple, quince, white currant and lime signal on the nose that this wine originated with crunchier and higher-acid Riesling berries than did the corresponding Kabinett feinherb. That is confirmed by a bright, tangy palate impression, though buoyancy is accompanied by quite pronounced sweetness, which generates a bit of edgy tension with the wine’s tart and tangy aspects. A lovely thread of honeysuckle perfume runs through this whole performance. And the aforementioned tension proves reasonably productive, inasmuch as the lightly sweet-sour finish is invigoratingly nippy in its evocations of apple skin and currant seeds. It’s also lusciously fruity and admirably clear. You could certainly mount a convincing case that this wine is Spätlese-typical, but then, that’s true about a great many vintage 2018 Rieslings that are labeled “Kabinett,” including some truly delicious ones. (Drink between 2020-2030).”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!

Schafer-Frohlich Bockenauer Felseneck Riesling Spatlese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2018 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
John Gilman-A View From the Cellar 93+ points “The 2018 Goldkapsel Spätlese from the Felseneck vineyard was made solely with shriveled golden berries and there is not a trace of botrytis in this beautiful wine this year. The bouquet is nicely youthful at the present time and takes a bit of coaxing to offer up a gorgeous blend of pear, white cherries, wild yeasts, a lovely undertow of salty slate, white flowers and a whisper of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is very pure, medium-full and racy, with a lovely core, superb filigree and bounce and a very long, vibrant and complex finish. This just dances across the palate. 2024-2070.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Weingut Max Ferd. Richter Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ***, Mosel 2018 375ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 34 half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97+ points “The first three-starred Auslese since 2005 (prior to that, it was 1993, 1983 and 1975), the 2018 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** was picked at about 145° Oechsle. This is incredibly clear, pure, fine and fresh on the lush, concentrated, herbal and grapefruit-scented nose. On the palate, this is a generously lush, refined and salty-piquant Auslese with a tight mineral structure and lingering salinity. This is highly refined and extremely stimulating. It already drinks all too well today, but Constantin recommends cellaring it for at least 10 years. Tasted in March 2019.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
 
Austria
 
Pichler-Krutzler Kellerberg Riesling, Wachau 2021 750ml Was $69, Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2021 Dürnsteiner Riesling Ried Kellerberg is extremely concentrated and deep on the finely flinty and substantial nose. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich and savory, finely tannic and grippy Kellerberg with ripe and concentrated fruit but also a firm and saline finish. The acidity is enormous here (9.4 grams per liter), and the piquancy is well interwoven here with the extract. This is a wine to be cellared for at least 3-4 years. 13.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in September 2022.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
 
Hungary
 
Royal Tokaji ‘The Oddity’ Furmint, Tokaj 2019 750ml Was $19, Displayed Price: $16, that’s $15.20 at 5% off and $14.40 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “This medium straw-colored wine has aromas of lemon curd and gooseberry. It is well balanced in the midpalate with flavors of lemon curd and bright lemon pith. It has nice minerality and a crisp finish.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Shop our 195 on sale Vinopolis Close-Out selections now!
 



Champagne of the Day:

Mouzon-Leroux
 
“Tasting [Mouzon-Leroux] was a very different experience than the champagnes we were tasting just days before, from Lallement and Pehu-Simonnet, though they are in the same part of the Montagne and have some terroir overlap. Unlike Ambonnay or Bouzy, the two powerful, south-facing Montagne Grand Crus, Verzy faces northeast, producing wines with more finesse, tension and a higher register. Mouzon’s wines are mineral and quieter. Years later, talking to Sébastian Mouzon, he described what I was tasting that evening, as ‘the differences between Verzenay and Verzy.  In Verzenay, the mineral is inside the fruit. In Verzy, the fruit is inside the minerality.’ This is a crystalizing way to think about these two villages. The wine was not loud, but adamant—it was confounding in the best possible way; nothing else was quite like it.” -Gabe Clary, Skurnik Wines

In Stock Now:
 
Mouzon-Leroux L’Atavique Grand Cru Brut Nature NV 750ml $64.50 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Blend of all 65 parcels planted in the three sections (valleys) of Verzy; the easternmost has chalk very close to surface, in the middle valley chalk is 1 meter deep, and the westernmost valley is clay dominant. Uniquely strong presence of silex throughout the village. 65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay.”
 
Tis the season of bubbles!
 
Share joyously & shop our selection of 136 Champagnes on our webstore now!


 
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:

Italian Magnum Sale
 
5% off any 2-3 in-stock Italian magnums
10% off any 4 or more in-stock bottles Italian magnums
 
Beaujolais
 
5% off any 4-8 in-stock of Beaujolais
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of Beaujolais
 
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Italian Magnum sale ends Friday, December 27th at 9 am Pacific. Beaujolais sale ends Saturday, December 28th at 9 am Pacific.