Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Resurgance in the So. Rhone: Gigondas Sale 12-11-24

In This Newsletter:
 
Gigondas Sale
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Mastrojanni’s Vigna Loreto
 


A Southern Rhone Resurgence
 
Stock Up & Save on
 
Gigondas

 
The Southern Rhone village of Gigondas is undergoing a resurgence in the modern wine world. Once considered secondary to the more famous (and expensive) Chateauneuf-du-Pape, today it has come into its own.
 
Best known for its powerful reds, the wines (and vineyards, too) are by law composed of at least 50% Grenache. Most producers include some portion of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with final blending proportions often determined by the quality of the grapes of each variety.
 
Gigondas is the finest source of affordable luxury wines. The top estates deliver wines that compete with the very best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but at prices that are a fraction of their competition.
 
Château de Saint Cosme embodies the region. A benchmark producer not just in the estate’s home village of Gigondas, Saint Cosme is a historical gem. The estate was founded in the 1500s and is helmed by the talented Louis Barroul. He is the 14th generation of his family to oversee this storied estate. The wines he makes are rich and powerful, with undeniable terroir signatures. To highlight these varying terroirs, the estate bottles a handful of single-vineyard Gigondas, which are the most interesting and coveted wines in the portfolio. It’s no wonder that Saint Cosme has been our most popular Rhône producer for some time, and we’re always thrilled to feature their wines.
 
While browsing our three-day Gigondas sale, don’t miss our selections from Saint Damien. What they lack in centuries of history and breadth of portfolio is a head-turning, traditionally-styled wine experience. With a “magnificently mustachioed Joël Saurel at the helm,” to quote Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate, this humble, family-owned domain creates captivating old-vine Grenache-based blends. The wines show deep, earthy flavors and excellent style due to their intensely rigorous quality standards and exceptionally old vines. The wines are our favorite under-the-radar picks and are not to be missed, especially during our sale.
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from Gigondas
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from Gigondas

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Sale ends Saturday, December 14th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer twenty-one Gigondas options on sale now, including:
 
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rosé 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $26, that’s $24.70 at 5% off and $23.40 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rosé 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $26, that’s $24.70 at 5% off and $23.40 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Winemaker Note
“Organically farmed. From the lieu dit “La Moutte” this tiny production rosé is from mostly 45 year old Cinsault planted in 1970, and 10-15 year old Mourvèdre and Syrah. Cold maceration for 6 hours in the press and slow pneumatic pressing. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with occasional lees stirring. Rose petal, honeydew melon, lychee, pineapple and garrigue. Surprisingly rich mouth feel. Hint of pepper and crushed rock on the finish.”
 
These are the lowest listed prices on the West Coast!

The Louisiane and Souteyrades single vineyard wines were not bottled in the 2021 vintage. Instead, the fruit went into this bottling, elevating their already fabulous VV to the incredible and presenting savvy buyers with an outstanding opportunity!
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.78 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 93-95 points
“Vivid ruby. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes candied red fruits, smoky minerals and lavender; a spicy nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, juicy raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors show good heft, seamless texture and real energy. It finishes spicy and impressively long, with sneaky tannins adding a final grip. This is shaping up to be a highly impressive entry-level bottling, which is not surprising given that this is the only Gigondas that will be bottled this year, so all the juice from the Louisiane and Souteyrades is going into this wine. Get it, lots of it, if you can. Raised in neutral, 50 hectoliter oak foudres.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 17 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.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 4 magnums in stock now
Grapelive 95+ points
“As readers of this website will most certainly know, Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas is one of my personal favorites and a wine I drink for my own pleasure and try to review every vintage. It always seems to get better and better. Even with such expectations this wine, especially this stunning 2019, [it] continues to thrill me and impress for the depth and quality for the price. There may not be a better wine value anywhere! I am a huge admirer of Louis Barroul’s wines… This deeply saturated 2019 Gigondas opens with a mix of dark berry fruit, spice, heady aromas and savory elements with boysenberry, black plum, pomegranate and wild strawberry fruits flowing across the full bodied palate along with lavender, pepper, anise and subtle earthy tones, gaining impact and presence in the glass with every sip, while providing immediate pleasure. This is another sensational effort from Saint Cosme with fine grained tannins, raw transparency and a lingering creme de cassis finish. [It’s]well worth aging. For those that have patience there will be tremendous rewards even though the youthful fruit intensity makes for a hedonistic experience that is hard to resist even in such a youthful wine. Best to have this wine with simple but hearty cuisine and I would, as always, suggest a 30 minute to an hour decanting here, which will bring additional joy and a more chocolatey mouth feel… This is a modern classic, very similar to the wildly good 2016, that should not be missed!”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2020 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 19 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“This has a beautiful texture, harmoniously blending plum sauce, raspberry preserves, charred alder and floral perfume with an invigorating, fresh dusting of white pepper and crushed dried herbs. Delivers an intense undercurrent of mineral, incense and lavender notes that course through the finish, which goes on and on. Delicious. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035. —J.M.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $45, that’s $42.75 at 5% off and $40.50 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 36 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Powerful, with steeped plum and cherry coulis merging with potpourri and charred garrigue on a ripe, lush palate. Packs a wall of iron that provides a ballast for the ripe fruit, while refined tannins build in intensity. Long and complex, with a gorgeous expression of place. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2040”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 35 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92-94 points
“A prospective blend of the 2022 Gigondas looks like one of the best ever from this estate, where proprietor Louis Barruol is continually striving to improve, particularly in the vineyards. It’s impressively full-bodied without being heavy, showcasing wonderfully ripe black cherry fruit, a rich, velvety mouthfeel and a lingering finish.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95-97 points
“Everything about the all-Grenache 2018 Gigondas le Claux is big. From the huge black cherry and blackberry fruit, to the insane levels of concentration, the rich, velvety tannins and the never-ending, licorice-tinged finish, this beauty should evolve positively for at least a decade and a half.-JC”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 32 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Opulent and broad, with a generous cascade of ripe plum and winey cassis notes wrapped in talc-fine yet sturdy tannins. Chewy, with strappy black licorice and cast iron moving in. A seductive, concentrated Gigondas, with impressive harmony as every element hums along toward the seemingly endless finish. Outstanding. Best from 2025 through 2040.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $108, that’s $102.60 at 5% off and $97.20 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points
“More kirsch liqueur, graphite, ground pepper, and garrigue notes emerge from the 2022 Gigondas Le Claux, a more full-bodied Gigondas offering a deep, layered mouthfeel, impressive concentration, and building tannins. The cellar will be your friend here.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The corpulent 2022 Gigondas le Claux is impressive for its size and richness but also for its feeling of airiness and overall elegance, despite massively concentrated black cherry fruit. It should be another blockbuster vintage for this parcel of old-vine Grenache.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97-100 points
“At the moment, the 2020 Gigondas Hominis Fides looks to be the standout of the three single vineyards, although all three are beautiful wines in the making. It certainly offers the most power and concentration, with lots of ground pepper, Provençal garrigue, violets, and loamy soils notes, as well as a darker cassis and berry-driven core of fruit. It builds beautifully on the palate, with ample structure, incredible balance, and a great, great finish.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $108, that’s $102.60 at 5% off and $97.20 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 96 points
“The 2022 Gigondas Hominis Fides is an intricate elixir, bursting with ripe black fruits, blueberries, rose water, dried herbs and a bite of forest strawberry. The full-bodied and firmly structured Hominis Fides retains impressive freshness and boasts stunning verticality on its seamless palate. This is a truly stunning 2022 crafted to stand the test of time.”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“A behemoth of a wine, with dense layers of sweet, ripe plum sauce and mulled cherry that take a dark, savory turn on the palate, coated in melted iron, black licorice, balsamic reduction and singed herbs. Despite its massive power and coiled energy, this is surprisingly delicious now, with beautiful harmony to the texture and structure. A wine to savor and contemplate. Drink now through 2040.—B.S.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $160
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Densely packed and incredibly complex, with layers of sappy raspberry, dusty earth, black pepper, olive tapenade and singed rosemary. Shows tannins that are chalky-fine in feel, yet muscular enough to support a core of rich fruit, all grounded by cast iron underpinnings. Needs time to unfurl. Best from 2025 through 2040”
 
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $108, that’s $102.60 at 5% off and $97.20 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points
“My favorite of the trio (but that’s splitting hairs), the 2022 Gigondas La Poste is similarly full-bodied and concentrated, yet I love its purity and balance. Ripe red and black fruit, violets, spring flowers, and foresty, garrigue nuances all shine in this beautifully polished, layered, elegant Gigondas that has flawless balance. It shows the riper style of the vintage yet stays light on its feet and incredibly pure. Don’t miss it.”


Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:

Mastrojanni’s Vigna Loreto
 
From the fabulous and bold 2015 vintage, this is an open and gorgeously appointed Brunello that will leave you weak at the knees. This single-vineyard bottling was first released in the 2007 vintage. The vineyard is a small, one-and-a-half-hectare plot that offers wines of extraordinary finesse and elegance, even in warmer years.
 
In Stock & On Sale Now:
 
Mastrojanni Vigna Loreto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ml Was $125, Now $115, 22 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.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Mastrojanni’s 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows depths of dusty red berry fruit and subtle spice, with minty herbs, crushed stone, sweet tobacco and the slightest hint of animal musk, all in a remarkably pretty expression. On the palate, I find silky textures with cool-toned red fruits, savory spice, saline-minerals, and energizing acidity, in an expression that is both polished yet also firmly rooted in the earth, as it glides effortlessly across the senses. The finish is long, showing ripe red fruits, salty-savory-minerals, leather, and wonderfully balanced tannins. It is so pleasurable already, yet full of potential.”

We offer 212 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.

Shop the sale on our webstore now!


 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:

A.J. Adam
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam
 
La Gerla & La Fortuna
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from La Gerla & La Fortuna
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from La Gerla & La Fortuna

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
AJ Adam sale ends Thursday, December 12th at 9 am Pacific. La Gerla & La Fortuna sale ends Friday, December 13th at 9 am Pacific.

La Las of Brunello: La Gerla & La Fortuna Sale 12-10-24

In This Newsletter:
 
La Gerla & La Fortuna
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Domaine du Tunnel
 


La Vie en Brunello
 
Stock Up & Save on
 
La Gerla & La Fortuna

 
Brunello is a magical place, where Sangiovese, as its local clone known as Grosso, ascends to heights and longevity impossible elsewhere. This is the elite of Tuscany and some of the finest wines produced in Europe.
 
We at Vinopolis are smitten by two producers that lean towards the more affordable side of the Brunello spectrum: La Gerla and La Fortuna. For almost a decade, these have been our two most popular among our customers. It’s not simply because of their relative affordable nature, but because of the charm, complexity, and typicity on display in even their most humble bottlings.
 
Broadly speaking, La Gerla leans traditional yet approachable, with neutral oak aging. Their fantastic success can in part be credited to their estate, which they purchased in 1976 from the Biondi Santi family. Their original vineyard, Gli Angeli, includes plantings by the famous previous owners. It rests high in the hills of the Canalicchio zone, just north of the village of Montalcino, yet is in an isolated pocket that shields the vines from adverse weather. The Riserva Gli Angeli comes entirely from a one-hectare parcel of old vines within this vineyard.

La Fortuna, on the other hand, leans modern, with rich, ripe fruit and plush textures. Also a top producer of Brunello, the family turned their small (11 hectare) estate into one of the most consistently excellent in all of Tuscany. What keeps fans coming back for more is that alongside their modern stylings, their wines also maintain an earthiness that keeps them grounded, allowing them to age beautifully. It is no wonder that these wines have developed such a following over the years.
 
Explore our offerings on sale now below. We know you’ll be back for more.
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from La Gerla & La Fortuna
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from La Gerla & La Fortuna

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Sale ends Friday, December 13th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer eleven options from La Gerla & La Fortuna on sale now, including:
 
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2012 1.5L Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum 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 only listing in the USA today!
 
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2015 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points
“The La Fortuna 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva opens to a moment of sweetness, a tiny interval that is quickly followed by spice, balsam herb and dried cherry. That sweetness disappears after the second sip or two, and the savory components of the wine—the spice, the smoke and the earthy notes—begin to take over. This wine spreads over the palate with slow and steady consistency. This is a 7,000-bottle release made from a selection of fruit from the estate’s 18 hectares of vines.”
 
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The La Fortuna 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a wine of pretty Sangiovese purity. This Riserva (with 9,000 bottles produced) shows a darkly saturated color with plump and intense aromas of wild cherry, crushed flowers, fresh plums, spice and ferrous earth. Balsam herb and rosemary-like aromas round off the finish. There is great freshness, some oak tannins, a drying finish and lots of rich fruit fiber. This is a terrific wine from La Fortuna (although I need to point out the high 15.5% alcohol).”
 
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points
“The La Gerla 2019 Brunello di Montalcino has spicy, dried fruit with blackcurrant, pinecone, juniper berry and a hint of medicinal herb or camphor ash. The oak comes through clearly in the form of mulled spice or crushed clove. This Brunello is rather streamlined on the mid-palate, and although there is some mild chalkiness to the tannins, they are almost approachable now. Production is 40,000 bottles.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
La Gerla La Pieve, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points
“Crushed stone, wilted violets, black currants, balsam herbs and worn leather can all be found as the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve blossoms in the glass. It plays tricks on the palate, at once rich and suave, and then suddenly slender and poised, yet always potent, with masses of red and black berries that penetrate deeply. This is so youthfully wound up yet full of balanced pleasures, as salty minerals, licorice and tart blackberries linger incredibly long under an air of violet florals. Even with the difficult vintage, this is a fantastic inaugural performance for La Gerla’s La Pieve, which is a single-vineyard expression sourced from Castelnuovo dell’Abate.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $73.99
 
La Gerla La Pieve, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points
“Crushed stones and violet pastille blow off to reveal vividly ripe strawberry and blueberry fruit as the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve smolders up from the glass. This is silky-smooth and suave, with depths of ripe red and black berries carried across a core of brisk acidity. There is ample depth and length to the finale, along with classic tannins, leaving lavender-tinged plum and hints of cocoa to slowly fade. The 2018 La Pieve is a real charmer.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
La Gerla La Pieve, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“With intensity to the cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruit, this red is shaded with elements of tobacco, earth and wild herbs. Dusty tannins and lively acidity provide support, while a mineral component gathers steam on the salty, lingering finish. Best from 2026 through 2043. 1,167 cases made, 740 cases imported.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ml Was $99, Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 1.5L Was $219, Displayed Price: $189, that’s $179.55 at 5% off and $170.10 at 10% off, 4 magnums in stock now
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 3L Was $449, Displayed Price: $399, that’s $379.05 at 5% off and $359.10 at 10% off, 2 double-magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points
“Smoldering with remarkable depth, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gli Angeli makes itself known with a blend of spicy citrus peels and minty herbs giving way to masses of black cherry, strawberries, hints of iodine and smoke. This is a textural thrill ride, velvety and almost weighty in feel, while finding wonderful balance in its vibrant acidity and the tart wild berry fruits and savory spices that are unleashed upon the palate. Hints of mocha combine with sour cherry and almond paste through the impressively long and classically structured finale. In the end, the 2016 Gli Angeli is the total package. This Riserva is a single-vineyard bottling from La Gerla’s northern Montalcino vineyard, which was planted by Biondi-Santi in 1968.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“This red is rich and generous for the vintage, offering cherry, plum and rose flavors that show light accents of earth and dusty herbs. Light tannins and lively acidity lend support, and this fades gracefully on the finish. Best from 2026 through 2040.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Shop our eleven on sale selections from La Gerla & La Fortuna now!



Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:

Domaine du Tunnel
 
Founded in 1994 by Stéphane Robert, Domaine du Tunnel holds twelve hectares of vines around Cornas, Saint-Péray, and other smaller communes in the Northern Rhone. Robert farms sustainability, with the state-certification of his winery’s preservation of biodiversity (Haute Valeur Environnementale 3). The resulting Cornas is a bold and voluptuous red with notes of grilled fruit and chocolate. Described by Jeb Dunnuck as the “essence of Cornas,” this is one not to miss, especially on our Close-Out Sale.
 
In Stock & On Sale Now:
 
Domaine du Tunnel Cornas 2018 750ml Was $79, Now $69, 11 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 points
“Readers looking for the essence of Cornas would do well to pick up a case of the 2018 Cornas. Deep purple, with a heavenly bouquet of blueberries, raspberries, crushed violets, olives, ground pepper, and gamey meats, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a balanced, classy texture, building yet polished tannins, and a great finish. It’s a winner.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
We offer 212 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.

Shop the sale on our webstore now!


 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:

Nikolaihof
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from Nikolaihof
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from Nikolaihof
 
A.J. Adam
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Nikolaihof sale ends Wednesday, December 11th at 9 am Pacific. A.J. Adam sale ends Thursday, December 12th at 9 am Pacific.

Vinopolis Newsletter 12-9-2024 PM

In This Newsletter:

Special Arrivals
There’s Champagne and then there’s Cristal

New Arrivals
Cameron, Peter William, Quinta do Infantado, Falkenstein, and more!


Special Arrivals

 
Louis Roederer
 

How would you like to drink like a King? Although first made at the behest of Tsar Alexander II for the famous “Three Emperors Dinner” of1867, Cristal Champagne was not available commercially until 1945 when it began to be known to American collectors.
 
Centuries later, this is still one of the most highly rated and regarded Champagnes in the world, with so much of that quality coming from their dedication to the highest standards of vineyard maintenance and sustainable Farming. In fact, all of the vineyards that go into Cristal have been certified organic since 2012 and
 
As Frédéric Rouzaud, Roederer’s CEO has stated “It is the belief, deeply grounded in my family for generations, that we owe everything to Nature and that when we listen to her and provide her with the attention and care she needs, she will give us the gift of a terroir at its finest expression, the source of great fine wines.”
 
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne, France 2015 750ml $379 special, 7 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.”
Wine Spectator 96 Points “This mouthwatering Champagne has an ethereal quality, with a frame of chiseled acidity and focused precision to the pointillisme-like, vibrant mousse. Yet this shows depth and generous expression, with the finely spun notes of patisserie apple and blackberry fruit opening beautifully on the palate and through the minerally finish, with notes of grated ginger, blood orange granita, salted Marcona almond and anise. Drink now through 2035.”
 
 
Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime, Champagne, France 2016 750ml $99 special, 22 bottles available
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.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94 Points “The 2016 Brut Blanc de Blancs Vintage is laced with hints of tropical fruit, lime, mint, passionfruit and crushed rocks. Intensely aromatic and light on its feet, the 2016 impresses with its gracious, understated personality. Sourced from plots in the mid-slope Grand Cru vineyard of La Côte in Avize, readers will find a Blanc de Blancs endowed with tons of energy and nuance. Dosage is 8 grams per liter.”
 
Louis Roederer Collection 242 Brut, Champagne, France NV 1.5L $149 special, 3 magnums available
Decanter 97 Points “Fresh, vibrant nose displaying aromas of orange, lime peel, almond, honey and brioche with ripe quince and sweet pear undertones. Great focus and length on the palate, seriously harmonious, joyful and unforced. Wines of the Year 2021: the top Classic wines. Drinking Window: 2022-2040.”
 
Louis Roederer Collection 244 Brut, Champagne, France NV 750ml $59 special, 24 bottles available
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.”
 
 
Champagne
 
“For over 20 years, the Billecart-Salmon House has been crafting a second champagne. Discover the wine known under the name of Inspiration 1818, echoing the family’sestate’s year of creation. The qualities of this champagne are approved by the same tasting committee as the rest of the Billecart-Salmon champagne range.”
Charles-le-Bel ‘Inspiration 1818’ Brut, Champagne, France NV 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Billecart-Salmon Winemaker’s Note “Sparkling and crystalline with fine and plentiful bubbles. A blooming nosewith harmonious notes of butter, white flesh fruits as well as Mirabelle plums and dried fruits. A well-balanced mouth, structured thanks to the greatness of the Pinots Noirs, with flavors of white flesh fruits. the chardonnay brings to this wine a refreshing finish with notes of citrus fruits and pepper. Chardonnay 37%, Pinot Meunier 30%, Pinot Noir 33%.”
 
A. Margaine ‘Le Brut’ Premier Cru, Champagne, France NV 750ml $54.50 special, 22 bottles available
Wine Spectator “Fresh and floral, with the fine, lacy mousse supporting well-meshed notes of blanched almond and ripe Gala apple and nectarine fruit, plus hints of fleur de sel and oyster shell. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now.”
 
 
Washington
 
Winery Note: In 2011, Hors Catégorie was the first vineyard planted on the steep slope along the North Fork of the Walla Walla River. Hidden in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, Hors Catégorie Vineyard is located where the North Fork converges with the Walla Walla River. The Syrah vines cling to the hillside beneath ragged cliffs and surrounded by rocky outcroppings. Their roots struggle for nourishment in the fractured basalt.
Hors Categorie, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2020 750ml $379 special, 2 bottles available
International Wine Review 100 Points *Highly recommended, Editor’s Choice* “Aged for 18 months in 100% neutral French oak, this Syrah is a masterclass of making Syrah in Washington state. The 2020 Hors Catégorie Syrah is otherworldly and is one of the few 100-point wines that I have scored. Layered complexity gives you hit after hit on the nose – starting with floral notes of lilac and orange blossom, then it gifts meaty notes of smoked brisket and bacon fat, then it presents blackberry and blue plum skin flavors, and finally, it finishes with deep umami, mushroom, iodine, and dusty earth aspects. It’s perfectly balanced on the tongue with absolutely no rough edges to speak of. I don’t think I’ve had a wine quite like it before, and it’s stunning in every way. Just 291 cases were crafted of this impeccable wine.”
Wine Enthusiast 99 Points *Editors’ Choice* “This Syrah flirts with perfection in rarefied air. Black-and-blueberry aromas waltz gracefully with notes of thyme, a fresh-mowed hay field and bacon just hitting the griddle. This is a perfectly balanced wine with medium weight, lemony acidity and flavors like ripe blackberries, aged balsamic and black tea. “
 
 
Oregon
 
Cameron Winery
 
This is the top cuvee from Cameron and it is only made when a great vintage warrants it. According to the Cameron Winery: the wine was named “in honor of Julia Wayne of Abbey Ridge, who also drew the illustration for the label, this extremely limited wine is elegant and charming, just like its namesake.”
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Cuvee Julia Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2021 750ml $119 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Notes “2021 was a vintage of very small production with some great wines produced, not the least of which was the 2021 Julia Pinot noir. Vinified from 40+ year old vines located in a small block of Martin Ray Massale in the Abbey Ridge vineyard, it was aged for two years in barrique with one additional year in bottle. Its nose is screams raspberries, currants, anise, lavender and dark chocolate, its mouth rich with flavors that extend across the palate giving way to a long lingering finish.”
 
…More arrivals from Cameron:
 
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $79 special, 20 bottles available
VinopolNote “One of the great Pinot Noirs of the vintage so far if not decade. Intense Loganberry and sandalwood on the nose and palette make this an anything but a standard Willamette Pinot Noir. Just phenomenal.”
 
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $79 special, 13 bottles available
VinopolNote “The Clos Electrique is Cameron’s estate vineyard, named after the electric deer fence that surrounds it.  This is planted to a mix of clones and is vinified traditionally—no racking and all in older barrels.  This is crisp and coiled, with distinct minerality and a lot of power in a lithe frame.  Like most vintages of the Electrique Blanc, this is quite good now but will be stellar in a few years.”
 
Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $64.50 special, 28 bottles available
Winery Note “Sourced from the highest elevation plot of Pinot Noir at Abbey Ridge, Arley’s Leap is comprised of the famous Martin Ray Clones. These vines yield small, variable clusters and regularly produce some of our most complex wines. The plot is named after Bill and Julia Wayne’s old dog Arley, who survived a jump from a second story balcony when startled by a cat. The nose has a compelling balance of savory and fruit aromas — black olive and plum, cherry and leather, bergamot, violet and salumi. The palette is round and warm, with a bright, mouthwatering finish.”
 
Peter William Vineyard
 
With a viticultural history dating back to the 1870’s, the Rogue Valley is older than the Willamette Valley and severely undervalued. Little by little though, consumers are rediscovering this overlooked region. For fans of Rhône and Rioja varietals, the Rogue Valley is an absolute treasure trove of Syrah, Grenache, and Tempranillo.
 
Full-time physician Dr. Peter Adesman and his wife, Dr. Robin Miller, planted the Peter William estate vineyard in 2013 after decades of work collecting, consuming, and educating on wine. They grow Roussanne, Grenache, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Malbec at the estate and purchase from other Rogue Valley vineyards. The resulting wines are enjoyable and approachable, both in terms of drinkability and cost.
 
These are the only listings for these wines in the USA:
 
Peter William ‘PWV’ Malbec Reserve, Rogue Valley, USA 2020 750ml $38 special, 12 bottles available
Michael Alberty- Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “Dark raspberry and straw aromas are brambly and dusty, while violets linger in the background. The cherry and caramel apple flavors are rich, but not cloying. The wine’s tannins are firm, the acidity crisp. Wines like this make me think Malbec should be in the conversation regarding Oregon’s signature grapes.”
 
Peter William ‘PWV’ Tempranillo Reserve, Rogue Valley, USA 2020 750ml $38 special, 12 bottles available
Michael Alberty- Wine Enthusiast 90 Points “This is a 50-50 Syrah-Tempranillo blend where the Syrah is co-fermented with 3% Viognier. It is packed with concentrated blackberry and balsamic aromas and flavors. The tiniest notes of orange blossom and lemon add contrast, and the wine’s thick texture is matched with grippy tannins.”
 
Peter William ‘Lot S’ Tempranillo, Rogue Valley, USA 2020 750ml $34.50 special, 12 bottles available
Norm Roby- Wine Review Online 93 Points “The “S” stands for winemaker Scott Steingraber of Kriselle Cellars who usually makes this small-batch wine exclusively for Peter William’s wine club members. But in 2020, production doubled to all of 50 cases. This 100% Tempranillo was aged for 23 months in a combination of French and American oak (27% new). It makes a strong case for unblended Tempranillo. A bouquet of raspberry, cloves and forest floor quickly emerges in the glass. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine shows good concentration and notes of berry, baking spices, and a hint of black olive in the layered flavors. The flavors expand and continue in the finish to reveal some light, well-integrated tannins. It culminates with just a little tannic edge and grip. It has a long life ahead of it.”
 
 
California
 
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA 2019 750ml $124.50 special, 34 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 97 Points “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, heady wine. Even though it was just bottled, the 2019 possesses remarkable textural intensity. A whole range of floral and savory notes open as this statuesque Cabernet shows off its personality. This is an especially rich, bombastic Cabernet from Ric Forman.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley offers a classic, old school Napa Cabernet nose of darker currants, green tobacco, spring flowers, camphor, and new leather. As with the 2018, it plays in a more medium to full-bodied, elegant style, has ripe yet certainly present tannins, and a great finish. The 2019 is more accessible and open than the 2018 and should continue drinking brilliantly for another two decades if stored correctly.”
 
 
Portugal
 
Quinta do Infantado Ruby Port, Portugal NV 750ml $19 special, 6 bottles available
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in a variety of tonel and balseiro, the names for tall wooden tanks from 3,000-60,000 liters with thick staves that slow down oxidation. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 70 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Ruby Ports. The average age in bottle is two to three years.”
 
Quinta do Infantado Tawny Port, Portugal NV 750ml $20.90 special, 6 bottles available
Importer note “The fruit is hand-harvest, partly destemmed and fermented in lagar and tank. Fermentation is muted with 77% ABV grape brandy. The wine is aged in very old pipas. It finishes at a modest 19.5% alcohol and 84 grams per liter of residual sugar, in other words considerably drier and more vinous than most Tawny Ports. The average age in bottle is four to five years.”
 
 
Italy
 
International Wine and Spirits Competition 2023: Gold Medal Winner
Masi Serego Alighieri Possessioni Bianco Veneto IGT, Italy 2022 750ml $19.50 special, 72 bottles available
Winery Note “Garganega 75% Sauvignon 25%. Since 1353, the noble Serego Alighieri family looked after the winemaking at their estate. The Intense bouquet of Sauvignon complements the elegance of Garganega, with its typical long finish and almond twist at the end.”
 
 
Spain
 
La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Rioja Reserva 2016 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 95 Points “Savory and complex with dried orange peel, cedar and plenty of sweet spices, walnuts, caramel, dried mushrooms and pine needles. Shows maturity here, with a medium body and superb freshness. Incredibly long finish with lots of truffle and walnut. Lasts over a minute. Very complete now, but you can still hold it.”
Tim Atkin 94 Points “Ardanza is a traditional pan-regional Rioja that marries Tempranillo from Cenicero and Rodezno with 20% Garnacha from Tudelilla. Aged in lightly toasted American barrels, it’s sweet, spicy and complex, with leather, wild strawberry and red pepper notes, fine, scented oak and the freshness of the vintage.”
 
 
Germany
 
Falkenstein ‘AP8’ Euchariusberg Kabinett Gisela Riesling 2023 750ml $49 special, 12 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 96 Points “AP: 08 24. The 2023er Krettnacher Euchariusberg Riesling Kabinett Alte Reben Gisela (the reference to this internal cask name is provided in small print on the label after the AP number) was harvested in a parcel still planted with 70-80-year-old un-grafted vines in the prime Gross Schock sector of the vineyard, which was classified in the highest category on the old taxation maps, and was fermented down to barely fruity-styled levels of residual sugar. This offers a stunningly bright nose made of white peach, herbs, bergamot, chalk, white flowers, and slate. The wine is just incredibly juicy and stunningly racy yet deep and intense on the palate and leaves a jaw-dropping feel of fresh herbs, minerals, mirabelle, and lemon. The aftertaste is pure mouthwatering intensity and precision. 2033-2043.”
 
Falkenstein ‘AP9’ Munny Kabinett Riesling Trocken 2023 750ml $29 special, 14 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 91 Points “AP: 09 24. The 2023er Niedermenniger Sonnenberg Riesling Kabinett Trocken Munny (the reference to this internal cask name is provided in small print on the label after the AP number) comes from 60-70-year-old vines in the Lieux-Dit Unter den Röderchen. It offers a superb nose made of ginger, citrusy fruits, earthy spices, and smoke. The wine proves spicy, focused, and quite racy but with ripe acidity. The finish is long and very focused. This has the cut of Falkenstein with great elegance. 2028-2038.”


Hungary
 
Disznoko Aszu 5 Puttonyos, Tokaj, Hungary 2013 500ml $49 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 96 Points “This Tokaji is dark amber in color, with aromas of honeysuckle, peach and acacia flower. In the mouth there are flavors of clover honey, pear and baked sweet apples. Acidity is well balanced to the amount of sweetness.”
 

AJ Adam and the Hidden Treasure of the Mosel Sale 12-9-24

In This Newsletter:
 
A.J. Adam Sale
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Aldo Conterno
 


Out of the Valley, Into the Light
 
Stock Up & Save on
 
A.J. Adam

 
In a virtually unknown side valley of the Middle Mosel, just south of Piesport, are the steep, south-facing vineyard slopes of Dhron. It’s an obscure area, despite archeological evidence showing it to be the Mosel’s oldest winegrowing area, dating back to 220 BCE. Few of the younger generation have taken over for the aging winemakers of this small region, leading the region to fall into obscurity during the 1980s and 90s.
 
One of the rare exceptions of younger winemakers is Andreas Adam. Though his family’s holdings had dwindled to one hectare and his parents had chosen not to make wine themselves, Adam restarted his family’s estate. He released his first wine from the 2000 vintage at 19 years-old after honing his craft at Heymann-Loewenstein. Not long after, Johannes Selbach shared his name with Terry Theise, who imported his wines into the US, bringing international attention. His sister, Barbara, joined the family estate in 2013 after having worked for Franz Keller in Baden and Klaus-Peter Keller in the Rheinhessen.
 
Their holdings have expanded to five hectares, including from two Grand Cru vineyards in Dhron: Hofberg and Has’chen. The terroir produces wines more similar to Saar than Mosel: the steepness, high altitude and cooling mountain breezes across the network of tributaries help the wines retain vibrant acidity, and the age of his parcels adds to the concentration and finesse. Older vines are a rarity in Dhron since much of the land was reformed, re-terraced, and replanted in the 1970s. In Hofberg, with its red schist soils, Adam has vines dating back to the 1950s, while in Has’chen, their vines are ungrafted and were planted in 1930.
 
In the winery, Adam hand sorts the grapes before they undergo natural yeast fermentation in stainless steel, fuder and halbfuder casks. He adds nothing to the fermenting wines.  The result is wines of poise, energy and concentration: terroir-driven and supremely balanced. The wines are a reminder of the glory these once-prized vineyards held in decades past, and offer a look to their exceptional future.
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam

 
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Sale ends Thursday, December 12th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer six A.J. Adam options on sale now, including:
 
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Riesling 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 91+ points
“The 2022er Dhroner, as it is referred to on the front label, is a Fuder-fermented wine made from fruit harvested on 45-year-old vines in the middle part (slightly less steep) part of the main hill. The wine offers a beautiful nose of ripe lemon, grapefruit, white flowers, whipped cream, and smoke. It is beautifully playful on the palate with well-integrated acidity and spicy elements. Ripe and lemony fruits make for a beautifully elegant and not overly racy feel in the finish. This is a beautiful dry wine in the making with quite some upside as the flavors develop more precision. 2024-2032.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Has’chen Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points
“The 2022er Häs’chen, as it is referred to on the consumer label (the reference to GG is provided in small print on the side of the label), is a dry wine fermented in oak cask with fruit picked on un-grafted vines planted in 1933. It offers a superb even if still slightly yeasty and backward nose which only gradually reveals its stunning scents grapefruit, elderflower, a hint of cassis, floral elements, whipped cream, and smoke. The wine develops a beautifully subtle feel on the palate where fresh fruit and fine spices make for a hugely enjoyable experience. The finish is incredibly alluring as it is not overly intense but oh-so subtle and refined. 2027-2037.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points
“The 2021er Hofberg, as it is referred on the consumer label (the reference to GG is provided in small print on the side of the label), was fermented in Fuder with fruit picked on up 55 to 60-year-old vines situated in classical parts on the main hill of the vineyard. It captures one’s attention with a bright, aromatic, and complex nose of white peach, greengage, grapefruit, lemon, fine spices, almond cream, and herbs. The wine is superbly structured on the palate, where some fine fruity elements join the party and add some Schmelz to the otherwise stony and herbal core. The finish is very long, pure, and fully dry with some salty notes coming through in the after-taste. 2024-2036.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points
“The 2022er Hofberg, as it is referred on the consumer label (the reference to GG is provided in small print on the side of the label), was fermented in Fuder with fruit picked on up 55 to 60-year-old vines situated in classical parts on the main hill of the vineyard. It offers a superb nose made of citrusy fruit, mirabelle, whipped cream, laurel, carraway, and herbs. The wine proves subtle and playful on the palate and leaves a gorgeously long and spicy feel in the finish. The aftertaste is subtle, playful, and delicate. 2027-2037.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Spätlese 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points
“The 2022er Hofberg Spätlese, as it is referred to on the front label, was made from fruit harvested at 86° Oechsle in the backside of the main hill and was fermented down to fruity-styled levels of residual sugar (67 g/l). It offers a beautiful nose made of whipped cream, citrusy elements, melon, herbs, and smoke. The wine proves nicely smooth and creamy on the palate and leaves a gorgeously playful feel with perfectly integrated acidity in the long finish. A touch of sweetness still needs to integrate in the aftertaste, something which will have happened in a decade or so. 2032-2047.”
 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 
Weingut A.J. Adam Dhroner Hofberg Riesling Auslese * 2016 375ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 11 half-bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points
“The 2016er Auslese * was made from the second pressing of the Eiswein grapes harvested on November 30. This already golden-colored wine delivers a rather ripe and exotic nose of grapefruit, candied passion fruit and backed pineapple. It is nicely balanced on the palate and does not exhibit the usual “Eiswein bite” of such wines but proves more luscious in style. The acidity comes eventually through in the sweet and complex finish. 2023-2036.”


Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:

Aldo Conterno Barolo
 
Son of the famous Giacomo Conterno, Aldo purchased his own estate, Favot, in 1969 to explore alternatives to the strictly traditional methods of the family estate. He took inspiration from Angelo Gaja and from his experiences while traveling in the United States.
 
Although he introduced some modern winemaking techniques that improved the quality of the wines, including temperature-controlled fermentation, he never fully embraced the “modern” heavily oak-influenced style. He eschewed new oak on the Barolos and continued to hand-harvest the grapes, using gentle pressing and shorter macerations in the cellar.
 
The results were polished and elegant wines with pure and bold fruit profiles. Since his passing in 2012, his three sons have run the estate. These are standard bearer wines for the region, and worthy of a dedicated spot in your cellar.
 
In Stock and On Sale Now:
 
This single-vineyard bottling from Bussia hails from 40- to 45-year-old vines and rated a favorite of the lineup in the 2017 vintage by Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate.
Poderi Aldo Conterno Colonnello, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml Was $179, Now $149, 3 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points
“The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Colonnello shows good focus, structure and a sharper character that is often the distinguishing factor in this wine. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. This is not the first time that Colonnello is my favorite wine in this lineup, and I suspect it won’t be the last.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Offering plum, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and black pepper aromas and flavors, this broad red has absorbed the oak treatment pretty well already, with a dense matrix of tannins and lively acidity. Balanced and long, ending with elements of mineral and spice. Best from 2025 through 2043. —B.S.”
 
A Riserva Barolo bottled only in the finest years, the Granbussia is a blend of the oldest vines of the village’s three top crus: Romirasco, Cicala, and Colonnello.
Poderi Aldo Conterno Granbussia, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2012 750ml Was $889, Now $789, 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.”
 
We offer 213 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.

Shop the sale on our webstore now!


 
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:

Hermitage
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from Hermitage
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from Hermitage
 
Nikolaihof
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from Nikolaihof
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from Nikolaihof

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Hermitage sale ends Tuesday, December 10th at 9 am Pacific. Nikolaihof sale ends Wednesday, December 11th at 9 am Pacific.

Nikolaihof: Austria for the Holidays 12-8-24

Nikolaihof is a giant of Austrian wine—a producer whose history and quality are unrivaled even in a country full of esteemed producers. As Austria’s oldest operating winery, that history dates back to Roman times. Records first note winemaking occurring at the estate in 470, and the Saahs family has run the property for well over a century.
 
Much like how estates operated in previous centuries, Nikolaihof is farmed under polyculture, producing everything from honey to cut flowers in addition to wine. It was the first winery in the world to fully convert to farming biodynamically, having done so in the 1970s, a surprisingly easy task as no modern farming chemicals have touched the estate’s vines.
 
The wines are bright, precise and mineral-drenched with the power and density of the Wachau. The family produces wines of deep resonant flavors with a core of vinosity, especially from their top vineyards, Im Weingebirge (the first named vineyard in Europe), Vom Stein, and Steiner Hund. Across their holdings, vines average 47 years in age.
 
The estate maintains a sense of restlessness and invention about them while being strong tied to ancient practices, best described by the importer, Rare Wine Company, as combining perfectionism with arch-traditionalism. Nothing is done hastily. Whether that’s using a centuries old wooden press, aging wines for years on the lees, or reimagining what wine from the Wachau can be through extended cask aging in their 700-year-old cellar, they incorporate very traditional techniques to give us a beautifully refracted image of Austrian wine.
 
To taste a wine from Nikolaihof is to taste the history of wine. These wines transcend vintages and varieties to offer a rare glimpse of time itself. These are the heights of Austrian wine from a producer that will outlive us all.
 
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Nikolaihof
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Nikolaihof

 
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.

 
Sale ends Wednesday, December 11th at 9 am Pacific.
 
We offer seventeen Nikolaihof options on sale now, including:
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Gelber Muskateller, Wachau 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 89 points
 “This Austrian dry muscat has restrained aromas and is on the lean and tart side. Very straight and clean, but lacks a bit of the expressiveness we associate with this grape and producer. Might improve with a bit more bottle age. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Neuburger, Wachau 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $41.90, that’s $39.81 at 5% off and $37.71 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2021 vintage. 2020 review provided for reference.
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 91 points “Although this Wachau neuburger is on the lighter side, the intense grapefruit and yellow-apple aromas leap out of the glass. More power and crisper acidity than is normal for the wines of this grape in this category. Good length. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Smaragd Gruner Veltliner, Wachau 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, only 2 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94+ points
 “Bottled with 13% alcohol at the end of July 2019 but filtered in early 2017, the 2016 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd offers a fascinatingly clear, fresh and coolish apricot aroma intermixed with morel/mushroom aromas and flinty notes of crushed stones. Full-bodied, round and fleshy on the palate, this is a generous and mouth-filling wine with rather delicate acidity and a slightly bitter, well-structured finish with lingering salinity and mineral freshness. Very promising. Tasted from lot 1420619 at the Nikolaihof in September 2019.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Smaragd Gruner Veltliner, Wachau 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95+ points
 “Bottled in April this year, the 2017 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd is fascinatingly deep and refined on the complex, fresh, elegant and remarkably complex nose with its crystalline stone notes. On the palate, the wine reveals great finesse and elegance combined with substance, grip and sustainability. It is a full-bodied, powerful, rich and almost sweet, concentrated and tensioned terroir wine that is still young and ready to go a long distance. 13% alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.”
 

Old barrels in the Nikolaihof cellar
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 93 points
 “This youthful Wachau dry riesling is a complex swirl of flint, Amalfi-lemon, white-pear and wild-herb aromas. Sleek, cool and mineral palate with enormous energy, this is fascinating now, but has an even more exciting future ahead of it. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Late-Bottled Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points
 “If you ever wondered what a Wachau dry riesling tasted like a century or more ago, then here is the answer. Expansive nose of caramelized apple, dried peach and flint. For a medium-bodied dry white this is very delicate in flavor, but also intensely stony and flinty. A unique wine! Bottled in June 2022 after almost six years in large barrels of neutral oak. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Riesling, Wachau 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 95 points
 “Another stunning Steiner Hund dry riesling from Nikolaihof! Deep and complex nose with a ton of flint, but also crushed-rock, quince and pomelo aromas. For the very warm vintage this is astonishingly cool and restrained, with beautiful wet-stone minerality intertwined with the elegant acidity. Very long, silky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points
 “Bottled in April this year, the 2016 Vom Stein Riesling Smaragd is perfectly ripe and concentrated on the precise, coolish and flinty nose that reveals apricot and white peach aromas. Full-bodied, round and crystalline, this is a fresh, very elegant and textural Vom Stein in a linear and classic style. The finish is intense and reveals firm tannins and makes this an excellent gastronomic wine. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 1 magnum in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points
 “The Mautern 2017 Riesling Ried Vom Stein Smaragd offers a pure, refined and finely oxidative bouquet of bright, ripe fruits intermingled with smoky and saline terroir notes as well as some delicate oak. Round and intense on the palate, with fine, playful and persistently saline acidity, this is a full-bodied, dense and very elegant Riesling with striking intensity and finesse. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in October 2022.”
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 94 points “A unique style of Wachau dry riesling! Very smoky nose, in fact it’s almost smoked bacon. Complex dried-herb character on the sleek but very structured palate. Impressive depth at the long finish, where notes of caramelized quince and crushed-stone minerality mingle. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steinriesler Riesling, Wachau 2007 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points
 “Bottled in June 2019 after 12 years in a large oak vat, the 2007 Riesling Steinriesler is from the Vom Stein in Mautern and exhibits an intense and matured bouquet with caramel and leathery/feral as well as concentrated fruit but also crystalline, stony aromas. Deep, coolish and elegant. On the palate, this is a crystalline, refined and pure, very complex and concentrated wine with a great and complex finish that is structured, still tannic and seriously biting but with the right concentration and power for a long-distance run. It is mouth-watering, enormously tensioned and pushing on the finish. A great dry Riesling for real Riesling lovers. The wine should be decanted for maybe a day or two. 12% alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling, Wachau 2002 750ml Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 97 points
 “A teasing, flinty whiff of reduction beckons from the glass before the taut, fresh, poised but juicy palate hits you. The flavor is reminiscent both of baked and fresh apple, with a smooth lanolin tone. This is not only and elixir but a whole fountain of youth, a full-flavored jewel of a wine. Still slender, still vivid and like balm for the soul. If only we could age so gracefully.”
 
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Fass Severin Riesling, Wachau 1997 1.5L Displayed Price: $569, that’s $540.55 at 5% off and $512.10 at 10% off, 1 magnums in stock now
Stuart Pigott (Suckling) 98 points 
“Welcome to the wine time machine! Although there are deep, mature aromas that range from an old library to quince paste and beeswax, after a little aeration some remarkably fresh citrus character emerges. Great concentration and restrained power on the wonderfully harmonious palate. Very long, bone-dry finish. Bottled in early 2022 after 25 years maturing in a large barrel of neutral oak. The barrel name, Fass Severin, is on the label. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 1997 Riesling Vinothek Severin Fass was aged for 25 years in a large, traditional oak cask (filtered, though not on the lees) and opens with an intense yet pure, fresh and spicy, finely oaky bouquet with a deep, mineral tone of crushed stones. On the palate, this is a very intense and complex Riesling slowly building up and revealing great finesse and balanced juiciness. The wine develops a sustainable, aromatic and structured finish with great finesse, lingering salinity and fine tannin grip. A fabulous, intense and elegant Riesling that is incredibly young in terms of freshness but ageless and immortal by its structure and fruit intensity. Natural cork.”