6/13/16
New Week – New Arrivals
Morgen Long Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winemaker’s note “With a bright platinum hue & slightly hazy clarity, an array of cool, fresh & dense Chardonnay aromatics open this wine, offering subtle lemon crème, lime oil, citrus blossom, salted almond, ginger & flinty, wet rocks. As the wine warms, its scent shifts to peach, fennel, crushed lemongrass & honeycomb. Vibrant acidity and sappy fruit are well-integrated with oak, dry extract & weight, the flavors of honeycomb, lime, peach pit, brine, almond meal & white flowers finish long with the warmth of ginger & lemon. Serve between 45°-55°. Hand harvested from 1984 plantings of 108 Clone Chardonnay. Whole cluster pressed. Aged in 28% new French oak. Natural malolactic, aged on lees for seven months.”
Vinopolpick- superb inaugural release; Seth Morgen Long spent years making this wine in his mind, before spending the past 18 months making it in the winery. He’s drawn his wine-making tutelage and experiences from all the right places.
Winery Notes – “Fresh apricot, comice pear and ginger generously introduce a full palate of luscious white peach, honeydew melon and muted ginger. Expressive and weighty in texture. The finish is heightened with crisp acidity and a slight grip while a delicate floral note adds complexity.”
(Also available) Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Vinopolnote: A clean, bright, and beautifully perfumed blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay sourced from the valley and vinified right here in Portland!
*Item not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email.
A.F. Nichols Wines Lillie’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Winemaker’s note “Grapes are hand picked and hand sorted before being destemmed into fermenters ranging from 0.5 -1.7 tons. We use up to 20% whole clusters in our ferments. The fruit will stay cool for 4-7 days before the native yeasts start the ferment. The wines are allowed to stay on the skins between 14-17 days before we press. The wines are settled for one week before they are put into barrels where they will live until blending. We do not rack the wines prior to blending. For our Willamette Valley Pinot noir, the wine is blended and bottled just before the coming vintage. Our two single vineyard wines will be blended and rebarreled for an additional 6 months, then bottled in the spring.”
WASHINGTON
Long Shadows Poet’s Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley 2014 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Silky, lively and elegant, with layers of pear, citrus, wax and floral flavors in lovely proportion, finishing harmoniously and slightly off-dry. Drink now through 2022.” WS
Betz Family Winery Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “Dark ruby. Aromas and flavors of blackcurrant, minerals, violet and bitter chocolate. A wine of outstanding finesse, showing great cut and lift but also a wonderfully supple texture. (Bob Betz feels that the effect of the Pulsair treatment is clear in this wine’s dimension and weight on the palate.) Finishes with utterly refined, nearly invisible tannins But this wine is still quite backward and will need serious cellaring to fully express itself.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “More approachable than the 2012, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille (89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot) has a full-bodied, sexy, yet still focused and pure style to go with pretty and expressive notes of red plums, cassis, black raspberries, violets, graphite and spring flowers. It has a great finish and sweet tannin, and while it has plenty of fruit, I suspect it will firm up once in bottle and require short-term cellaring.”
The average price is $79
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Tasted out of barrel and scheduled to be bottled in June of this year, the 2013 Clos de Betz checks in as a blend of 63% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Petit Verdot, mostly from Red Mountain and Yakima Valley, that spent 19 months in French oak. Inky colored, it has terrific and classic notes of plums, black raspberry, violets, espresso and scorched earth to go with full-bodied richness, lots of fruit and mid-palate depth, and an overriding sense of elegance and purity that carries through the finish. I wrote “classic” about three time in the note, and this is a beautiful 2013 that will cruise for 15 years or more in the cellar.”
The next best price is $56.89
Wine Advocate 99 points “Another wine that flirts with perfection is the 2012 Impulsivo. Showing the heights Tempranillo can hit in Washington State, this blockbuster offers tons of purple fruits, crushed rocks, exotic spice and spring flower characteristics to go with a full-bodied, fabulously concentrated, structured feel on the palate. What really sets this apart is the purity of fruit. In addition, this cuvee ages brilliantly, and doesn’t start to really hit maturity until around age 8-10. This beauty will have 20-25 of overall longevity and is one thrilling drink!”
The average price is $203
Winery note “A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the Wahluke Slope, Sagemoor’s Old Vine and Red Mountain Vineyards with Merlot from the estate Benches Vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills. Richly layered and complex, the wine is unfiltered and unfined to allow for a generous spectrum of aromas and flavors including black cherry, sweet spices and a hint of earth. The wine’s refined texture provides a seductive mouth feel and lengthy finish.”
Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Producer notes: “With its intense color and inviting aromas of dark berries, licorice, baking spice and a hint of smoke, the 2013 Pedestal is a bold wine that leaves a lasting impression. Dark fruit flavors integrated with sweetness from the barrel and richness from the tannins come together seamlessly, lingering across a structured mid-palate and lengthy finish.”
CALIFORNIA
Sequoia Grove Carneros Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($26.95) $20.90 special
Case-12 Sequoia Grove Carneros Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “A classically rich, generous version of the variety from the appellation, this wine holds a ripeness of baked apple, pear and vanilla toffee at its heart. A depth of oak influence is consistently kept in check by a balance of minerality.”
Radio-Coteau ‘Wingtine’ Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
*Item not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email.
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Radio-Coteau’s 2014 Chardonnay Wingtine, from the famed Charles Heintz Vineyard, is a terrific example of that site. Chamomile, honey, apricot pit and wild flowers give the wine its characteristic texture, while the pulsating acidity that is so typical here keeps the flavors bright. I especially admire the freshness and energy of the finish.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Pushing in several directions, this is both rich and layered, with butterscotch, anise and fig notes. Shows a sense of elegance and refinement. Ends with a pithy texture. Drink now.”
Case-12 Stonestreet Estate Cabernet 2011 750ML ($479.95) $288 special (that’s only $24/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast-Cellar Selection 93 points “This wine is quite an accomplishment in flavor and complexity given the vintage and the price. From high-altitude vineyards atop the Mayacamas, it delivers peppercorn, herb and fine, well-integrated tannins, with mellow oak. Graphite and cedar also figure into the mix, with a shock of black cherry and cassis weaved within. Drink now through 2019.”
The average price is $30
Corison Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 1.5L ($219.95) $199 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A deep, inky wine, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is endowed with serious depth. Here the flavors are unusually dark and intense, with plenty of blue and black stone fruits. Graphite, cloves and licorice contribute to an overall impression of gravitas. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet needs time in bottle to truly shine. Hints of violet, lavender and plum add the final shades of nuance. All of the signatures of the vintage come through beautifully. The translucent, mineral-laced finish is especially appealing. Frankly, it’s hard to put the glass down.”
James Suckling 93 points “A very minerally and subtle wine with blueberry, blackberry and lemon rind. Some saltiness. Full to medium body, balanced and refined. Delicious already but shows wonderful tension and finesse. Drink or hold.” Vinopolpick- Sublime. A treasure. Hesitant to say Lafitish. Let’s just say Carruadesish.
FRANCE- Rosé, Rosé, Rosé!
ROSÉ! Domaines Figueirasse Gris de Gris Rosé, IGP Sable de Camargue 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Importer Notes – “For more than a century, the Saumade family has cared for vines on the sandy shores of the Camargue delta in the south of France. ‘Gris de Gris des Sables’ is special to the Camargue, a rosé de pressurage and blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan grapes. Vineyards are but 200 yards from the sea, and soils exclusively sand. Grapes are harvested by hand and at night, when temperatures are coolest. Juice is fermented at low temperatures on indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks, and bottled in early winter.”
ROSÉ! Domaine du Dragon Cotes de Provence Grande Cuvee Rosé, Provence 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Importer Notes –“While much of Provence is a patchwork of different terroirs, the estate’s high-altitude vineyards, located in the hills up above the Côte d’Azur, are singular in that the soils are almost exclusively limestone, as in Burgundy. ‘Grande Cuvée’ brings together Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle, a southern white grape. Grapes are pressed (rosé de pressurage) then fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks; the wine also undergoes malolactic fermentation.”
ROSÉ! Chateau de Pibarnon Bandol Rosé, Provence 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Importer Notes “With its perch at the highest point in the appellation, its impeccable terroir and unforgettable amphitheatre of vines, Pibarnon unquestionably crafts the finest Mourvèdre-based wines in Bandol. This noble blend of Mourvèdre and Cinsault is a special selection of fruit from vines between 30 and 50 years old. Winemaker Eric de Saint-Victor presses his Cinsault grapes directly; Mourvèdre grapes are in contrast placed in tank, and free-run juice (rosé de saignée) is drawn off. The wines are blended after fermenting on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks, and then aged for six months in tank. Unique in its category, Pibarnon Rosé can age impressively, and is often at its peak within two to three years.”
ROSÉ! Chateau Margui Coteaux Varois Rosé, Provence 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
40% Cinsault, 40% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Rolle. And a very popular selection locally in PDX.
ROSÉ! Chateau Font du Broc Cotes de Provence Rosé, Provence 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Winery note “[Translated] This Rose is a perfect combination of complexity and finesse. An expressive and persistent note of grapefruit, peach, lychee and tropical fruit.”
ROSÉ! Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rosé, Rhone 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Rose from the Classic Rhone producer composed of Grenache and Bourboulenc
ROSÉ! Domaine des Deux Puits Rosé, Cotes du Roussillon 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Importer note “90% Grenache, 10% Syrah. Entirely hand-harvested. Whole-bunch pressed. Cool fermentation. Aged in steel tank. This project was established in 2008 by Philippe Gard and Andy Cook. It was their mission to distribute a range of top quality wines from the Roussillon. Finally in 2012, the Region Controlée granted them official domaine status and they now call the estate “Domaine des Deux Puits” (previously Tramontane) meaning domaine of the two wells, as there are two old stone wells located right in the vineyards here. Philippe also owns Coume del Mas in Banyuls. Andy Cook was an importer in Scotland and learned about winemaking in New Zealand before he relocated to the Roussillon.”
Winery note “[Translated] This Rose is a blend of Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache. It is well built, with ample structure from the Mourvèdre, and an irresistible fleshy fruit flavor.”
Winery note “[Translated] This Rose, made mostly from Grenache and Cinsault, is obtained by saignee and undergoes temperature-controlled fermentation. It has discreet aromas of red fruits, fuller body and a long finish. It is an ideal wine for light summer dishes.”
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Jean Vesselle Oeil de Perdrix Blanc de Noirs Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Jean Vesselle’s NV Brut Oeil de Perdrix is fabulous. Rich and textured to the core, the Oeil de Perdrix captures the beauty of Bouzy Pinot to the core. Bright chalky notes give the wine its sense of energy and tension. Red berries, stone fruits, chalk, white pepper and crushed flowers are some of the notes that inform the finish. There is so much to like here” AG
Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte Anne Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Finely knit, with tea rose and ground anise notes wafting through flavors of white raspberry, glazed apricot, pastry dough and lemon peel. Balanced and well-structured by mouthwatering acidity. Disgorged December 2012. Drink now through 2020.” WS
Chartogne-Taillet Le Rose Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “A crowd-pleasing rosé, this offers finely tuned, mouthwatering acidity paired with fruit-forward flavors of candied cherry and black currant, macerated plum, pastry dough and spiced nut. Displays lovely texture and a lingering finish. Drink now through 2020.” WS
Chartogne-Taillet Heurtebise Blanc de Blancs Brut NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Terry Theise: “This goes from strength to strength, a serious, vinous, complex Champagne; a mouthful of minerals and pear-blossom; tastes as if it were passed through glacier-dust and scree; ginger, freesia, peony, amazingly long and fastidiously detailed all the way through.”
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2007 750ML ($299.95) $219 special
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “Long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon has produced yet another in a string of superb Champagnes with the 2007 Cristal. Rich, powerful and enveloping, the 2007 takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. The aromatics alone are captivating, but then the wine opens on the palate, revealing layer after layer of flavor to match a multi-dimensional, kaleidoscopic personality that will leave Champagne lovers weak at the knees. The 2007 is 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir, which is to say a bit more Chardonnay-leaning than is the norm. The 2007 is striking today, but it should also age effortlessly for several decades. It is also without question one of the very finest new releases of the year.”
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of ginger, sliced dried pineapple, mango and tea. Full-bodied, dense and intense. Really fresh and delicious. Tangy acidity. Very long and flavorful finish. A vibrant and delicious Cristal. Hard to decide if this is better than or the same as 2005. Drink or hold.”
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine Faiveley Aux Beaux Bruns, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Burghound 90-92 points “A completely different aromatic expression is present here with its spicy and perfumed nose of black raspberry, red cherry and plum. As one might reasonably expect there is a more refined mouth feel to the mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that display a hint of austerity on the balanced and lingering finish. Beaux Bruns is often a rather butch Chambolle and this example is consistent with that tendency.” BH
The next best price is $125
Stephen Tanzer 90-93 points “Good bright red. Complex nose melds red berries, cardamom, flowers and soil tones. Ripe, smooth and lightly saline, with an earthy complexity giving this wine much more flavor interest than the Beaux-Bruns. In a rather feminine style, finishing with ripe tannins and subtle length.” ST
Burghound 90-93 points “An ultra-elegant and intensely floral nose of red currant and raspberry aromas is trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is a lacy and pure mouth feel to the lightly mineral-inflected medium weight flavors that possess plenty of energy on the balanced, cool and beautifully persistent finish. A classic Charmes of harmony and grace.”
Domaine Faiveley Les Charmes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($179.95) $159 special
James Suckling 93 points “Extremely perfumed and fresh with hints of roses and honeysuckle. Full-bodied, very delicate and refined. Really beautiful. Drink or hold. All in finesse and glory” JS
Burghound 90-93 points “This is also quite perfumed and more elegant with its panoply of various red berries, violet, lilac and sandalwood hints. There is a finer mouth feel to the delicious medium weight flavors primarily thanks to the finer grain of the supporting tannins that shape the caressing, lacy and beautifully well-balanced finale. This beauty should drink well young but also amply reward mid-term cellaring.” BH
FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon ‘Cuvee Marcel Lapierre’ 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Grapelive 93+ points “The Cuvee Marcel 2014 from Lapierre is a glorious serious Gamay that shows the future of how we think on this place and varietal, the new generation has arrived in the world and are making great wines, their own way. This is a wine that honors the past, especially the talents of the late Marcel Lapierre, but also delivers a message that without question Mathieu Lapierre is a gifted winemaker and communicator of tradition and terroir. Lapierre is one of the leading lights of the natural wine world, which against all odds has firmly established itself into the modern world of wine and culture. Tasting both of Lapierre’s Morgon bottlings, this Cuvee Marcel and his non sulfur, exclusive to Kermit Lynch in the States, is revealing, both are gorgeous wines, with the “N” non sulfur at first being more expressive and pleasing really gets exciting the instant it hits the glass, while the more reserved Cuvee Marcel takes it’s time to unwind, but once it gets air look out, this is mind-blowing Gamay! I have always admired Lapierre wines, though if I’m honest have usually opted for Jean Foillard’s Morgon when I’ve had the chance, but I must say Mathieu’s latest wines are rocking good and may be the best yet, I would not pass up to chance to score either of his 2014 wines, in particular this Cuvee Marcel, which is drop dead gorgeous, pure, soulful and stunningly lengthy, it’s a must have! The 2014 Lapierre Marcel starts with blueberry, violets, wild plum with tangy herbs and salty mineral essence leading to a medium full palate of blackberry, cherry, strawberry, dark currant and walnut oil. Minty anise, saline, shale and incense provide background music in this lovely and textured Gamay, this is special and decedent juice that should age beautifully and rewarding for at least a decade. The ultra low dose of sulfur doesn’t take away the all natural appeal, it just gives this beauty a little security for cellaring. These 2014 Lapierre Morgon(s) bring the same kind of joy and energy that you’d expect from top Burgundy, these are truly emotional and provocative efforts, bravo!”
Jean-Paul Brun Domaine des Terres Dorees Beaujolais l’Ancien Vieilles Vignes 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
-Wine Spectator – “A juicy, easy-to-drink red, with plenty of red berry, strawberry and cherry fruit, lifted by tangy acidity and hints of fresh herb and red licorice. The aromatic, floral finish is structured with light, easy tannins.”
FRANCE-BORDEAUX
Chateau du Grand Bos, Graves Rouge 2010 750ML ($34.95) $26 special
Winery note “15 hectares are planted to red grapes in the proportions: 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Each variety and parcel is vinified separately. Maceration lasts at least a month including a pre-fermentation “cold soak” which occurs before the temperature is raised in the tanks and the yeasts begin working. M. Vincent prefers to use cultivated yeasts for his alcoholic fermentations, a different one for each varietal. By contrast, the malolactic fermentations are carried out with only indigenous yeasts. An initial assemblage is made after the different cuvees have finished their malolactic fermentations. The wine is then aged in oak barrels procured from the Allier which range between 1/2 and 1/3 new, depending on the vintage. The wine matures for 12 to 18 months. A final blend is then made from a selection of barrels.”
FRANCE-LOIRE
Champalou Vouvray Sec 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Classic Chenin from an old-school Kermit Lynch producer.
“The Champalou’s dry and off-dry Vouvrays have become among the most frequently seen on the American restaurant list, and no wonder, given both their phenomenal quality:price rapport and their style. ” – David Schildknecht, The Wine Advocate
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briords 2014 1.5L ($49.95) $39 special
Vinopolnote: From some of Marc Olivier’s oldest vines, planted in 1930, comes this lovely stunner of a Muscadet. “Clos des Briord” comes from a single plot of vines planted in schist soils; a very mineral-rich and surprising example of Melon which is built to age beautifully but also provides freshness and fun when drunk in youth.
Case-12 Andre Dezat & Fils Domaine Thibault Pouilly-Fume 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
The Dezat family name is basically etched into the historical record of Sancerre; municipal records refer to the Dezats as early as 1550. In 1948, André Dezat took over his family’s vineyard holdings and took an active role in promoting the domaine as well as Sancerre-at-large. His sons Louis and Simon joined him in the 1970’s, and in the ensuing years have expanded to now include Sancerre, Menetou Salon, and Pouilly Fume.
Case-12 Andre Dezat & Fils Sancerre 2014 750ML ($279.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Winery note “[Translated] The Sancerre Blanc is all Sauvignon Blanc. We strive to harvest the grapes at optimum maturity, which allows the development of citrus aromas, white flower and exotic fruit all mixed with a certain Sancerre-minerality.”
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 1985 750ML ($99.95) $75 special
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 1989 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 1990 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 2010 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Library release: an old school style Chinon. The fruit is handpicked, fermented in stainless steel and then aged in large neutral barrel. After about a year and half of aging it is bottled. Les Picasses vines average approximately 50 years of age.
FRANCE-RHONE
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph Rouge, Rhone 2010 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Robert Parker & Stephen Tanzer 93 points “The stunning 2010 St.-Joseph ranks alongside the finest wines of the appellation, including Guigal’s l’Hospice and Chapoutier’s Les Granits. It boasts a dense purple color along with scents of kirsch, blackberries, crushed rocks, spring flowers and licorice. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age and should drink well for 15+ years thereafter.”RP
FRANCE-LANGUEDOC/PROVENCE
Domaine Vaquer Cuvee Bernard, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2012 750ML ($17.94) $14 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “Bottled a month before I tasted it this spring, but not showing any especially telltale marks of bottle-shock, the Vaquer 2012 Cuvee Bernard – co-fermented (with pump-overs, no pigeage) from half Carignan, 30% Grenache and 20% Syrah – features pure, infectiously juicy, seedy and pit-inflected fresh red currant and cherry tinged with high-toned almond and pistachio extracts and garlanded with thyme and buddleia. Texturally polished, its finish both soothing and stimulating, this exceptional value strikes me as best-suited to youthful enjoyment but should perform delightfully through at least 2016.”
Case-12 Villa Symposia Coteaux du Languedoc l’Equilibre 2011 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 91 points “Offering up piercing notes of scrub brush, juniper, sage and some exotic wood qualities, with a core of dark cherry and black raspberry fruit, the 2011 Languedoc Pezenas Equilibre is medium to full-bodied, layered and pure, with fantastic richness that never comes across as heavy or cumbersome. Made from Syrah, Carignan and Grenache and aged in all larger oak, it’s a gorgeous red to drink over the coming 5-7 years.” JD
FRANCE- JURA
Domaine Rolet Pere & Fils Cremant du Jura Brut 2010 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Spectator 88 points “This sparkler is nicely done, with a light brioche note that gives way to a friendly core of apple, pear and quince flavors. A light honeysuckle edge carries the finish. Drink now.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “The first red was the 2014 Arbois Rouge DD, produced with one third each of the red grapes form Jura, Poulsard, Trousseau and Pinot Noir; it’s his light red wine with no sulfur. It was bottled one month before I tasted it in April 2015, after three months of maceration. It has an organic nose that mixes blood oranges and sour cherries. The palate is sharp and a little edgy, but it is easy to drink. 2010 was the first vintage for this wine.”
The next best price is $24.51
Wine Advocate 91 points “There are two reds in amphorae (420-liter ones) with six months of maceration, starting with the 2013 Arbois Trousseau Amphore. The grapes were hand-destemmed and it doesn’t show because I felt some stemmy character there; it’s somehow herbal with aromas of green tea and white flowers. It’s very open now, aromatic and exotic I’d say. It’s tasty and somehow earthy with a fine-grained texture. He likes to do this wine for fun.”
The next best price is $43
Wine Advocate 96 points “When tasted next to the other vin jaunes from the same vintage, the 2008 Château Chalon felt very different, and you noticed the extra freshness of Chalon compared to Arbois. It has more green hazelnut, citrus and morel aromas, and is already showing some notes of curry. It is fine, straight and elegant. This is simply superb.”
Benedicte & Stephane Tissot Vin Jaune La Vasee 2008 620ML ($89.95) $79 special, 20 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2008 Arbois Vin Jaune La Vasée was closed and austere — a fresh style of vin jaune. It is salty, so this would be ideal with oysters. This is both powerful and concentrated with lots of iodine; it is a very salty, marine, characterful wine, and is sharp.”
ITALY-OTHER
Casale Marchese Frascati Superiore DOCG, Lazio 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Winery notes “Nose profile: hints of tropical fruit are immediate, nuanced with light, herby floral notes. Palate profile: a zesty wine, that is robust, with a soft, elegant, mouthfilling finish. Frascati should always be consumed before the next harvest starts. Casale Marchese Frascati is very drinkable even as early as February-March, but it comes into its own as summer approaches, enhanced by a brief stay in the bottle.”
Maria Donata Bianchi Riviera di Ponente Vermentino 2015 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery Notes–“Colour is straw yellow with golden hues. On the nose: it has an elegant and complex bouquet with notes of white flowers, broom, yellow fruits and rosemary. On the palate: the flavor is intense and mineral with pleasant aromatic notes.
Vinification: all grapes are carefully hand-picked, de-stemmed and gently pressed. The fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, at controlled temperature and using selected yeasts.”
Vinopolis Cheat Sheet
Rosé of the Week:
Case-12 Chateau Henri Bonnaud Cotes de Provence Sainte-Victoire Terre Promise Rosé 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 3 cases available
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This is a pretty wine with its elegant pale color and delicious fruit. Made from organically grown Grenache (85%) and Cinsault (15%), it is crisp, full of fresh red currant fruit and has a nervy, very fresh aftertaste.”
Winery note “The texture is smooth, rich, and silky. The wine has a long finish with notes of red fruits and spices. A structured rosé, as is ideal for a Côtes de Provence Rose.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Summer Reds of the Week:
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Morgon Belles Grives has a more taciturn nose compared to Duboeuf’s other 2014 Morgons, so be patient with it, since it reveals traces of blackcurrant and kirsch with time, all nicely defined but constantly demanding coaxing from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-balanced and focused, with cracked black pepper enlivening the structured finish. Don’t be afraid to give this a little decanting before pouring.” NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $14.39
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Morgon Flower Label, the bottles sporting their “Medaille d’Or Coucours Générale Agricole de Paris” stickers, has a smudged strawberry and blackcurrant-scented nose with a hint of wild hedgerow developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry, an engaging spiciness from the start continuing throughout. This is a linear but energetic Morgon with pleasing cracked pepper notes sprinkled over the aftertaste. This is very fine.” NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $14.39
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Morgon Domaine Mont Chavy was cropped at 45 hectoliters per hectare this year. It has a precise red cherry and bergamot-scented nose that unfurls in the glass. The palate is juicy and quite dense – thick tannin shrouded in lightly spiced redcurrant and blackcurrant fruit that lead to a sharp, nicely focused finish that demonstrates fine backbone. This is probably the best from Georges Duboeuf this year. Very fine.” NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is almost double – $21.99!
Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2014 Moulin-à-Vent Domaine des Rosiers, which sees a judicious 15% oak barrel aging, has a precocious and lively bouquet of maraschino cherry, cola and mineral scents that are nicely defined and feminine. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, fine acidity and harmony with a mineral-driven finish that leaves the mouth tingling. This is just lovely.” NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $17.98
48 Hour Sale of The Week:
David Schildknecht in the Wine Advocate “The Nikolaihof’s 2006 Riesling Vom Stein Jungfernlese represents a separately vinified lot from the “virginal,” i.e., initial, harvest of young vines, their fruit at high must weigh such as one often gets at that juncture from low yields; tiny, often pipless berries, and sparse bunches that encourage aeration and desiccation. High-toned herbal and bittersweet floral essences in the nose are subsequently reinforced by a hint of sweetness and joined by nutty richness on a satiny and expansive palate. There is a lovely sense of mid-palate transparency to underlying mineral shimmer such as I seldom encounter when a Nikolaihof wine fails to go dry. That said, there follows a slightly opaque, drying aspect to the finish…”
Terry Theise notes: “It means the virgin-vintage, the first crop from young vines. And it’s what the Germans would call Feinherb, and it’s what any sane person would call irresistible! A potion of iris and lavender, spicy and penetrating; very long, seductively earthy, like a really profound Nahe Spätlese, almost the 5-spice and wildflower of Dönnhoff’s Felsenberg.”
Vinopolnote- reviewers giving you a headache? It is actually this simple; akin to a great Spatlese. The wine far from simple but the best explanation is always found when the writer is not being paid by the word.
This was the lowest listed price in the USA and now is 20% lower
Next-best listed price in the USA is $59.95
The average listed price is $63
OREGON
Case-6 Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($349.95) $299 pre-arrival special (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)* Case special not available through the web store – please call or email to order.
Winery note “Composition: This wine is 100% Pinot Noir from the following vineyards: Gran Moraine 43%, Zena Crown 20%, Beaux Frères 11%, Archery Summit 8%, Hyland 5%, Noren 5%, Upper Terrace 5%, Guadalupe 3%. On the nose, this wine has a lush fragrance of sweet dark cherries, baking spices and sandalwood. In the mouth it is very savory, plush, medium acidity and irresistible. This may be the best Willamette Valley cuvée that we have made to date. This wine sees about 33% new French oak. Drink now through 2024. Our Willamette Valley cuvée features fruit grown on select vineyard sites in the Northern Willamette Valley. The wines benefit from the same integrity in the winemaking process as our estate wines. The sites are farmed sustainably and managed to very low yields. We age the wines in the same French oak barrels used in our estate bottling, however the percentage of new oak is intentionally lower. This wine is not fined or filtered.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Extra rich, ripe and round , this offers a full fruitiness that explodes in the mouth. Tannins and structure are all there, although the main thrust of this wine is the balance between this tension and the generous fruits that are developing. Drink from 2019.”
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2006 750ML ($1,999.95) $1,699 special, 1 bottle available, arriving Tuesday!
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 95 points “The 2006 Richebourg is dark and brooding, with tannins that still need time to resolve. A sense of classic austerity runs through the 2006 that I expect will always be present.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 94+ points “Good deep red. Lucid, high-pitched aromas of raspberry, red cherry, minerals and rose petal, with a complicating suggestion of smoky earth. Densely packed and distinctly black in character, but with compelling sweetness to go along with its rather massive, masculine personality. Finishes with muscular but ripe tannins and terrific palate-staining length.”
FRANCE-RHONE
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Deep red. Vibrant, spice-accented raspberry, cherry and floral pastille aromas are complicated by hints of star anise and smoked meat. Supple and open-knit, offering juicy red fruit and spicecake flavors plus a deeper suggestion of licorice pastille. Plays power off elegance smoothly, showing no excess fat. A refreshing jolt of peppery spices adds lift and cut to the persistent finish.” JR
SPAIN
Garnacha Negre, Carinyena, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Sustainably grown. From Eric Solomon Selections.
Celler Capcanes Mas Donis Negre, Montsant 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Winery Note: “Medium ruby with flecks of violet; lovely perfume of cherry and red berries; ripe and complex; floral, with ripe crispy fruit; medium body; pure fruit seduction and charm; fine finish with ripe soft tannins and nicely refreshing aftertaste. A fresh, crisp, and lively summer red, to be served slightly chilled. 65% Grenache, 15% Carinyena, 5% Syrah, 5% Merlot, 5% Tempranillo, 5% Cabernet.”
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Brilliant ruby. Heady, mineral-laced aromas of candied red fruit, Indian spices and rose pastille. Juicy and incisive on the palate, offering intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that gain sweetness and spiciness in the glass. Packs a powerful punch but comes off lithe and precise, with alluring sweetness and a touch of candied rose on the gently tannic finish. This suave wine was aged in a combination of French oak tanks, barrels and clay amphoras for 18 months.”
Bodegas Contador – Benjamin Romeo ‘Predicador’, Rioja DOCa 2009 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “(96% tempranillo, 3% garnacha and 1% viura, aged for 16 months in one-year-old French oak barrels): Glass-staining ruby. Explosive, alluring aromas of black and blue fruits, incense, licorice and vanilla bean. Lush and broad but juicy and focused as well, with suave candied dark berry flavors accented by sexy floral and Indian spice nuances. Finishes broad, spicy and impressively long, with echoing boysenberry and licorice notes. In the context of flamboyant, new-wave Rioja this is an absolute steal.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “According to the website, it is one Luis Gutierrez who came up with the term: “Florpower.” As stated on the label in Roman numerals, Lot 44 La Bota de Vino Blanco MMX “Florpower” comes from the 2010 vintage: unfortified Palomino from chalky Sanlucar soils that spends 32 months under flor and 8 months in sherry casks. Jesus mentioned that he did not want to risk excessive oxidation. It has a very attractive nose of beeswax, honeysuckle, smoked walnut that is clean and supremely well-focused. The palate is poised with impressive weight and presence in the mouth allied with a crisp seam of acidity: bitter lemon and dried orange peel, cloves and walnut towards the attractive, focused finish. This is a joy to behold, although I will have to ask my colleague what exactly “florpower” is and where I can buy some for myself.”
Equipo Navazos La Bota de Amontillado No. 37 ‘Navazos’ Sherry, Andalucia NV 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The Lot 37 La Bota de Amontillado is selected from around 100 butts from the amontillado Soleras of Rainera P. Marin that were acquired by the Estevez Group and the idea here was to choose butts with freshness and heightened aromatics. Bottled in September 2012 it has a lucid deep straw color. The nose is very attractive with caramel, hazelnut, Turkish Delight and a touch of wild honey that are all very well defined and vibrant. The palate is very well-balanced with that caramel note coming through and combining beautifully with quince, white pepper, dried honey and marmalade. The oxidative element is perfectly judged on the finish with a delicate, nutty aftertaste that renders this approachable and for want of a better word – delicious!”
Equipo Navazos La Bota de Fino No. 35 ‘Macharnudo Alto’ Sherry, Andalucia NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The La Bota De Fino Macharnudo Alto 35 was bottled in June 2012, and shows a deep golden color. This wine is sourced from the Inocente solera from Valdespino, and averages 10 years under flor. The idea is that once the wines age for a long time and the flor sharpens the wine, if you continue to age it further it gains in volume and intensity, making them much more powerful and if you like, less fine. An old wine that is a complex gentle giant crying for food. It shows a deep old-gold color, and feels dense and concentrated. The very complex nose is redolent of yeast, chalk, esparto grass, salted almonds and iodine, and keeps changing and developing as the wine stays in the glass. The palate is full-bodied, intense, balanced, ending dry with a bitter note. As good as Fino gets. Drink 2013- 2019.”
New Rhone Reviews
Josh Raynolds—Vinous 88 points “Bright pink. Dried cherry, red currant and orange pith on the pungent nose. Fleshy and dry on the palate, offering bitter red berry skin and cherry pit flavors given a spicy edge by a suggestion of white pepper. Closes dry and tight, showing good length and an echo of bitter orange zest.”
ROSÉ! Domaine du Pegau ‘Pink Pegau’ Rosé, Vin de France 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles avialable
Josh Raynolds—Vinous 90 points “Lurid orange-pink. Yeasty pear, white peach, jasmine and yellow apple scents are sharpened by a suggestion of white pepper. Highly floral and spicy in the mouth, offering round red berry and pit fruit flavors that show red-wine-like weight and texture. In a fleshy, broad, creamy style that reminds me of a Poulsard from the Jura. Closes on a candied lavender note, with blood orange and fennel notes lingering. Intriguing stuff, somewhere between pink, orange and red in character, and probably not for everyone.”
Domaine du Pegau Selection Laurence Feraud Cotes du Rhone 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 30 bottles available
Josh Raynolds—Vinous 88 points “Full ruby. Aromas of pungent dark berries, cherry pit and peppery spices, backed by a hint of licorice. Smoky cassis and bitter cherry flavors are given spine and focus by juicy acidity, which adds back-end cut. Dusty tannins shape the dark-fruit-driven finish, which lingers with good, smoky tenacity.”
Domaine Alary Cairanne La Font d’Estevenas, Rhone 2012 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 7 bottles available
Josh Raynolds—Vinous 91 points “Dark ruby. Sharply focused red berry and floral pastille scents are complemented by suggestions of licorice and garrigue. Stains the palate with sappy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that turn weightier and sweeter on the back half. Plays power off vivacity very nicely, finishing smooth, spicy and quite long with just a touch of fine-grained tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Josh Raynolds—Vinous 91 points “(aged for two years in large, old wooden foudres): Bright ruby-red. Highly aromatic scents of ripe dark fruits, candied lavender and Indian spices, complemented by hints of garrigue and licorice. Sappy, appealingly sweet and expansive on the palate, showing impressive focus and thrust to the intense boysenberry and bitter cherry flavors. Finishes on a gently tannic note, displaying outstanding energy and leaving behind a suave floral pastille note.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Josh Raynolds—Vinous 90 points “Deep ruby. Black currant and cherry pit scents are complicated by suggestions of licorice pastille and candied flowers. Pliant and smoky in the mouth, offering gently sweet dark berry and licorice flavors energized by a suggestion of cracked pepper. The floral note comes back on the finish, which clings with very good tenacity and a touch of dusty tannins.”
Eric Texier Cotes du Rhone Chat Fou, Rhone 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 4 bottles available
Josh Raynolds—Vinous 88 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Dark berries, spicecake, licorice and fresh herbs on the perfumed nose. Lively blackberry and bitter cherry flavors are given back-end lift by a smoky mineral nuance. There’s a peppery quality on the finish, which features even tannins and a subtle echo of licorice.”
Newly Reviewed Rhone Wines Arriving in June
Josh Raynolds—Vinous 90 points “Pale peach skin color. Vibrant strawberry, blood orange and floral scents carry a building mineral topnote. Taut and linear on entry and then fleshier in the middle, offering nervy red berry and succulent herb flavors that turn sweeter with air. Smoothly plays power off finesse and finishes racy and long, leaving a hint of lavender behind.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Josh Raynolds—Vinous 91 points “Deep ruby. Incisive aromas of fresh red berries, candied lavender and smoky minerals, complemented by a subtle garrigue nuance. Juicy, concentrated and focused on the palate, offering vibrant black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter and more lively with air. Shows very good depth as well as vivacity; fine-grained, firming tannins build slowly on the long, mineral-driven finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $20
Decadent and (Mostly) Dry
2015 German Whites
After two exhausting and stressful harvests, 2015 was heartily welcomed in Germany. Not only was optimal ripeness achieved, but acidity levels were high. Contrasts are being drawn to the 2001 vintage: “They are dense, locked and loaded with saturating, penetrating fruit. They are rich in mineral and – here’s the kicker – they have a very, very serious acidity” writes the importer von Boden. The vintage offers the richness of a warm year with the balanced acidity of a cool, all with fruit to go gaga over. We’re kicking off the vintage with wines from some of our favorite producers:
Importer note “From older vines than the 1000L. Includes fruit from the Goldtröpfchen and Ohligsberg vineyards with a touch of young vines from the famed Schubertslay. The simple truth is 2015 is a revelatory, breakthrough vintage for Julian. As good as Julian’s first four vintages were, his 2015ers are simply on another level. They are pure energy incarnate.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Importer note “[Of Keller in general] The fact that Keller’s wines are awesome in an awesome vintage should surprise no one. To my palate though, the last two vintages at Keller have also been awesome. So we’re sort of in a holding pattern at level “awesome.”
Weingut Keller Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen 2015 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Importer note “For those that love their limestone. Keller’s signature style is on display. Make no mistake – this is Kimmeridgian wine. It’s about minerality and finesse. This is possibly the most singular domaine in all of Germany. Kellers top wines now sell for hundreds of dollars a bottle. This is the frugal Riesling lover’s backdoor.”
Peter Lauer ‘Barrel X’ Saar Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Importer note “You all know by now the stratospheric work Florian is doing in the Saar. This has always been the ambassador wine from the winery but this vintage elsevates to Senior levels of complexity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
(Well, maybe you should…)
Cameron Dundee Hills Re-Arrives Tuesday
(Final drop next week)
Our pick for the best value
in Oregon Pinot for the 2014 vintage:
This is all declassified Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique Pinot Noir that shows its pedigree: there are classic notes of dusty Dundee spice with fresh thyme and black raspberry. It’s elegant. It’s age-worthy. And it’s simply the best value we’ve tasted from the 2014 vintage. Only 400 cases made.
Just a reminder about our current shipping specials:
Free service upgrade only applies on single orders purchased and shipped during the promotional period. Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period and shipped by Three Day Select. Offer not valid on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period.
We also offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
–Washington & Idaho for $20,
–and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.