Newsletter – Friday 05/12/23

 In This Newsletter:

Arriving Friday
Kelley Fox, Roederer, and Domaine Thibauld Boudignon
Staff Pick
Pra Soave “Otto”
Featured Winery
GD Vajra: Revolution In A Bottle
Three Day Sale
Mother’s Day Special: Bouquet of Rosés
May Sale- All Rhone Wines
Rhone, Don’t Walk To Our Month Long Sale
Collector’s Corner
Simply the Best… Champagne Edition
New Arrivals

Oregon

“Kelley Fox”
Kelley Fox Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2022 750ml $27 special, 12 bottles available
Winemaker’s Note Beautiful pale lemon yellow in appearance, this Chardonnay is brilliant and transparent in the glass. The nose has hints of vanilla, tropical fruits, and soft minerals and is bracingly fresh. The mouth mirrors the nose, and there’s plenty of acidity to balance the fruit without being excessive. The texture and finish are smooth and pleasing, but in no way bring any heaviness. There’s the energy of a delicious alpine wine.
 
France

“Domaine Thibaud Boudignon”
Originally from Bordeaux, Thibaud began to make wine in 2009 from a scant 3.5 hectares in the heart of Anjou and Savennieres. To him, knowing that the quality of the fruit was of most importance. He committed himself absolutely to the health of his vines, choosing to farm organically and spend the majority of his time in the vineyards. The speed at which he has garnered so much praise speaks to the remarkable quality of his wines. These are Loire wines of the highest quality.”
 
Thibaud Boudignon “Rose De Loire” 2022 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Vinopolnote “
90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Grolleau from 30+ year old vines. Direct press rosé, fermented and aged in stainless steel.”
 
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc 2021 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Thibaud Boudignon Anjou Blanc 2021 1.5L $89 special, 6 bottles available

Vinopolnote “100% chenin blanc, from 35 year old vines grown in grey schist and volcanic soil. No malolactic fermentations, aged in 20% new oak.”
 
Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos Fremine 2021 750ml $86 bottles, 21 bottles available
Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos Fremine 2021 1.5L $179 special, 3 bottles available

Vinopolnote “Grown in practicing biodynamic vineyards, from the lieu-dit ‘Clos de La Hutte’ in the hamlet of La Possonnière.”
 
Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos Hutte 2020 750ml $99 special, 21 bottles available
Thibaud Boudignon Savennieres Clos Hutte 2020 1.5L $219 special, 1 bottles available

Vinpolnote “Practicing organic vineyards from the lieu-dit adjacent to “Clos de la Hutte” in Possonnière.”
 
“Roederer”
Roederer Collection 243 NV 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points 
“The NV Champagne Collection 243 Brut is the third release and is based on the 2018 vintage, with the addition of 30% of the perpetual reserve started in 2012 and 10% reserve wine that has been aged in oak. It is ripe and balanced, with yellow flowers, honeycomb, and plum, and it has elegant concentration and underlying tension, precise mousse, and rich salinity, with lingering notes of croissant and delicate smoke. This will be an exciting wine in the range to follow.”

Staff Pick
Cantina Pra Soave Classico Otto 2021 750ml $18 special, 23 bottles available
“Tropical, refreshing, and elegant, this is summer in a glass. With generous notes of pineapple and passionfruit, this is a festive wine balanced with excellent acidity and minerality. I’m so grateful that this wine hit our shelves recently. It’s the perfect sipper for the season.”
-Tracy
Featured Winery
G.D. Vajra: Revolution In A Bottle
 
What makes the wines of G.D. Vajra so special? It’s more than just the legendary cooling fogs of Piedmont and patchwork of disparate soils. It’s also a commitment to innovation, and dedication to the land.
 
The winery’s founder Aldo Vajra was involved in the turbulence of late 60’s Italian politics. His father, fearing for the young Aldo, confined him to their family farm, where his interest in radical politics turned into an interest in radical agriculture. An early adopter of sustainable agriculture, they became Piedmont’s first organic farm in 1971, finally certified in 2019.
 
These are wines of elegance and patience, with the underlying boldness that lovers of Nebbiolo cherish. Receiving consistent high scores from top reviewers, these wines are nevertheless great values, with a wide range of bottles that include every day drinkers and wines for the cellar.
 
Vintage Wine Points Price/Quantity
2021 Moscato D’asti 750ml     $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock 
2020  Dolcetto D’alba 750ml      $17.50 special, 10 bottles in stock 
2021  Barbera D’alba 750ml   91 points Wine Advocate   $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock
2017   Freisa Kye Langhe 750ml  94 points Vinous  $35.50 special, 7 bottles in stock
2017   Barolo Coste di Rose 750ml   96 points Wine Enthusiast   $54.50 special, 24 bottles in stock
2018   Barolo Coste di Rose 750ml  92 points Vinous  $62.50 special, 29 bottles in stock
2017  Barolo Ravera 750ml 96 points Jeb Dunnuck   $75 special, 8 bottles in stock
2017  Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 750ml  96 points Wine Enthusiast  $75 special, 33 bottles in stock
2018 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 750ml  95 points Wine Enthusiast  $79 special, 22 bottles in stock
3 Day Sale
Rosés for Mother

Buy any 6-11 bottles of Rosé for a 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles of Rosé for a 10% discount


Sale ends Monday 10am
Each 1.5L (Magnum) bottle will be counted as 2 bottles when applied to the discount.
Each 3.0L bottle will be the equivalent of 4 bottles.
6.0L bottles will be counted as 8 bottles.

This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand.
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or case discounts.
Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card.


Domaines Ott Chateau Romassan Bandol Rose 2021 750ml $54.50 special, 27 bottles available
Wine & Spirits 96 Points 
“Chateau Romassan sits at the foot of the hilltop village Le Castellet, a few miles north of the Bay of Bandol. The Otts rely on mourvedre for the bulk of their rose, this one includes 30 percent cinsault and 15 percent grenache), and, though 2021 was another hot summer here, Romassan’s poor limestone and sandstone soils produced a deeply savory wine. This pale Bandol seems to have inhaled the local scrubland and seaside breezes, presenting that savory edge alongside husk cherry, grapefruit and pale melon flavors.”
 
Chateau Peyrassol Provence Rose 2020 750ml $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Vinous 92 Points 
“Light, brilliant orange-pink. Highly perfumed, mineral-accented red berry and pit fruit aromas are complemented by a floral note that builds in the glass. Juicy and sharply focused in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry, blood orange and white peach flavors and a suave touch of honeysuckle. Concentrated yet lithe in style, finishing with intense mineral- and floral-driven thrust.”
 
J Mourat Collection Val De Loire Rose 2021 750ml $16 special, 23 bottles available
Importer Note
 “Organic. 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Gamay 40% Cabernet Franc grown on a mix of schist and rhyolite. Average age of the vines is 20 years. Hand-harvested, destemmed, pressed and settled with spontaneous fermentation at cool temperatures in stainless steel. Aged 5 months in tank before bottling.”

I Custodi Alnus Rosato 2020 750ml $21.90 special, 14 bottles available
Winery Note 
“Alnus is the wine we dedicate to hundreds of generations of Etnean winegrowers that have built what we are preserving. The original plan was to make a rosé. But it would be disparaging to just put this wine into a category. It is fresh and sharp-edged like a great white, and at the same time full and comforting as only a good red Etna can be. Only a few thousand bottles to share: too little for a rosé that is no rosé.”

Bagnol Cassis Rose 2021 750ml $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Rosenthal Wine Merchant Note 
“Cassis Rosé: The Rosé is produced from several parcels that comprise slightly less than 7 hectares of vineyards. The vineyards are clay and limestone, situated on a gentle slope with a north – northwest exposure. The blend is Grenache (55%), Mourvedre (31%) and Cinsault (14%). This Rosé is vinified by “pressurage direct, the must is chilled to 12 degrees Celsius, the wine ferments at 18 degrees Celsius until it is completely dry; then, the wine is bottled during the first three months of the following year after a light filtration. Production tops out at about 40,000 bottles per annum; approximately 6000 bottles are allocated to the US market.”
 
Burlotto Elatis Vino Rosato 2021 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles available
This is only occasionally released and has only been reviewed once (in the 2019 vintage):
Vinous 91 Points 
“[2019 vintage] The nose shows ripe honeydew and crushed yellow apple with sweet herbs and smoky minerals. On the palate, the 2019 Burlotto Elatis Rosato coasts with ease. It is cool-toned and riding a core of vibrant acids, minerals, and citrus-tinged fruits. The finish is long, buzzing with energy, and just begging for another sip. This is a unique and wonderfully stimulating blend of 60% Pelaverga, 35% Nebbiolo and 5% Barbera.”
 

May Sale- All Rhone Wines

All month, all Rhone wines are on sale!
 
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount

Ends May 31st at 6pm… the best selection is NOW!
 
Each 1.5L (Magnum) bottle will be counted as 2 bottles when applied to the discount.
Each 3.0L bottle will be the equivalent of 4 bottles.
6.0L bottles will be counted as 8 bottles.

This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand.
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or case discounts.
Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card.


Domaine Gourt De Mautens Vaucluse IGP 2016 750ml $119 special, 6 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points “As to the red, the 2016 Vaucluse reminded me of the 2007 with its incredible opulence, sweetness of fruit, and flamboyant style. Awesome black raspberry and strawberry fruit characteristics all intermix with notes of incense, white and black pepper, fruit cake, plums, garrigue, and Asian spices on the nose. Full-bodied, deep, and concentrated on the palate […] It’s one of the sexiest wines in the vintage and will keep for a decade.”

Monteillet Condrieu Chanson 2018 750ml $69 special, 17 bottles available
Decanter 96 Points “Fresh, keen and tense, with lime marmalade and touches of bubblegum. There’s delicious richness and real depth to the fruit, delivering great concentration and lovely acidity. From lieu-dit Chanson and aged for 22 months in oak on the lees, Stéphane Montez explains that a long élevage like this helps to decrease alcohol levels, is better for ageing, stimulates complex tertiary flavours and means you can decrease sulfite levels as the wine is protected from oxidation by the lees.”

Delas St Joseph Sainte Epine 2019 750ml $79 special, 35 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 Points “This flows beautifully, with a ripe, pure and steady beam of cassis and dark cherry preserves that shows good brightness and delineation through the finish, picking up light floral and mineral accents along the way. Seductive in style, with a lovely mouthfeel and sneaky length. Best from 2022 through 2032.”
 
 
Vintage Wine Points Price/Quantity
2020 Saint Cosme Deux Albion Blanc 750ml Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points $20.90 special, 36+ bottles available
2017 Clos Du Caillou Chateauneuf Tradition 750ml Vinous 91-92 Points $39 special, 36+ bottles available
2018 Merlin Cote Rotie 750ml Decanter 93 Points $49 special, 13 bottles available
2019 Saint Cosme Chateauneuf Du Pape 750ml Wine Spectator 93 Points $49 special, 36+ bottles available
2019 Domaine Ferrand Chateauneuf Du Pape 750ml Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 Points  $59 special, 36+ bottles available
2020 Raymond Usseglio Chateauneuf Du Pape Imperiale 750ml
Wine Advocate 96-98 Points
$69 special, 28 bottles available
Collector’s Corner
Simply The Best Champagnes

 
Pommery Cuvee Louise Rose 2004 750ml $219 special, 39 bottles available
James Suckling 95 Points “This is a new release and shows wonderful finesse and beauty. You know that the moment you see the pale-amber color. It’s medium bodied with freshness and energy and a long, vivid finish. A joy to taste. Drink now.”

De Venoge Louis Xv Brut 2008 750ml $249 special, 22 bottles available
James Suckling 95 Points “This is really punchy and broad-shouldered with muscular structure and citrusy undertones. Full body. Lightly tannic and a fresh and vivid finish. This is the first vintage without malolactic fermentation ever. One for the cellar. Better in 2022.”

Taittinger Comtes Champagne Blanc De Blancs 2004 $279 special, 15 bottles available
Vinous 96 Points “I am thrilled with the way the 2004 Comtes de Champagne continues to evolve in bottle. A few years ago, the 2004 was quite focused and linear, in the style of the vintage, but more recently, the wine has begun to fill out beautifully. The 2004 remains bright, with a full range of citrus, white flower and mineral nuances that dance on the palate. A brisk, saline-infused finish rounds things out beautifully in a Comtes that impresses for its crystalline purity.”

Bollinger R.D. 2004 1.5L $519 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 98 Points “Top 100 Cellar Selection in 2019. The wine’s name stands for recently disgorged and this vintage Champagne was taken off its lees in 2018. That gave many years for it to develop its depth of flavor, richness and beautifully memorable toasty flavors.”
Wine & Spirits 98 Points “Time has graced this wine, proving the value of Bollinger’s policy of long aging on the lees followed by prompt release after disgorgement. This RD (Recently Disgorged) 2004 is a joyous wine, staunch, cold and powerful at first, transforming to fresh fruit shadowed by darker tones of barrel fermentation. As it opens in the glass, revealing racy energy, a range of floral pear and apple flavors emerge, resonant with a sense of limestone capturing the sun and reflecting it back in pale power.”

Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle Alexandra Rose 1990 750ml $599 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 Points “Beautifully done. Vigorous and almost chewy, this intense, full-bodied rosé exudes mint, berry and wood aromas and flavors. Muscular and dense, with a character that engages the palate and needs contemplation or food.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 Points “It’s a pale wine, on the rose side of gold, a beautiful visual introduction to a stunning wine. The strawberry flavors are wrapped in a silvery texture, crisply dry, and despite the intensity of fruit, the wine seems weightless on the palate. It’s gorgeous now, but, amazingly, just a baby. It’s long-term future is assured. Twenty years from now, this will be heavenly.”

Louis Roederer Cristal Rose 2013 750ml $619 special, 3 bottles available
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 […] 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.”

Louis Roederer Cristal Vinotheque 1999 750ml $1,245 special, 3 bottles available
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.”
 
Vintage Wine Accolades Price/Quantity
2017 Doyard Clos De L’abbaye 1er Cru 750ml 94 Points Wine Advocate $159 special, 3 bottles available
2015 R. Pouillon Method Fabrice Chemin Du Bois Extra-brut 750ml    $199 special, 5 bottles available
2017 Christophe Baron Champagne Les Alouettes 1.5L 95 Points Wine Advocate $259 special, 8 bottles available
2017 Christophe Baron Champagne Dessus Marie 1.5L
96 Points Vinous
$259 special, 4 bottles available
2018 Georges Laval Les Chenes 1er Cru Brut Nature 750ml    $269 special, 2 bottles available
2004 Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut 1.5L 95 Points James Suckling $279 special, 8 bottles available
2000 Duval-Leroy Femme De Champagne 1.5L 94 Points Wine Spectator $299 special, 3 bottles available
2013 Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut 750ml 98 Points Wine Enthusiast $319 Special, 8 bottles available
2014 Louis Roederer Cristal 750ml 98 Points Wine Spectator $349 special, 11 bottles available
2007 Louis Roederer Cristal 750ml 97+ Vinous Points $399 special, 1 bottles available
NV Prevost La Closerie “&” Extra Brut 750ml 94 Points Wine Advocate $369 special, 1 bottle available
NV Prevost La Closerie Grand Cru Extra Brut 750ml   $599 special, 1 bottle available
2015 Georges Laval Cumieres 1er Cru Brut Nature 3L 94+ Points John Gilman $599 special, 1 bottle available

 
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Be well & drink well.