In Today’s Newsletter:
Career-Defining:
The Impeccable 2016 Vajra Barolos
Setti Ponti Crognolo
Previously Sold Out, Now Back in Stock
Just Arrived: Jaboulet’s Top 2017’s
A Perfect 2015 Brunello
Guimaro – Top of the Mencia Class
Trending Wines
Career-Defining
The Impeccable 2016 Vajra Barolos
The Impeccable 2016 Vajra Barolos
“For many growers, the 2016s are not just epic, they are career-defining wines” – Antonio Galloni
We’re excited to present one of the most anticipated offerings of the year—G.D. Vajra’s 2016 Barolos. We’ve been working to secure allocations and exceptional pricing on these legends in the making and you’ll be stunned at the value in these fantastic wines. Across all three crus (plus the Luigi Baudana wines, which Vajra owns and makes), these are some of the best wines made in Barolo, at any price. That they’re under $80 a bottle seems inconceivable to us—especially compared to their peer group in the Piedmont (and Burgundy).
Based on all available reviews, 2016 is on the short list for vintage of the century so far. We’ll have to see what final judgments look like, but it seems as though it will end up there with 2004/2006/2010 as one of the best collections of Barolo ever. Antonio Galloni said of the vintage:
“In so many ways, 2016 is all about being in the right place at the right time for Barolo. An ideal growing season with all the prerequisites for a great vintage comes at a time when so many winemakers are in their primes, past the stage of experimentation and settled into their own personal styles. The result is a vintage full of truly spectacular, breathtaking wines that captures all the pedigree that Nebbiolo and Barolo are capable of.”
Speaking of winemakers in their prime, Vajra remains one of our favorite producers in the Piedmont. From top to bottom, the wines are excellent and they’re a real reference point that others are judged against. The estate has always been good, but seems to have reached another level over the last decade. There’s a reason the cru bottlings all scored in the mid to high 90’s from Antonio Galloni–these are profound wines.
We’ve secured the largest allocation we could, but we don’t expect these to be wines that linger on our shelves (or in our computer system) very long. They arrive in June and anyone serious about their Piedmontese collection ought to be securing them now.
“The Vaira family has turned out a magnificent set of Barolos at both their own winery and at Baudana. Harvest wrapped up on October 22, very late by present day standards, and ideal for wines that emphasize purity of fruit. As always, the Barolos are all about finesse and nuance, very much like an artists’ pencil etchings, where all the lines are totally delineated. At Baudana, the wines are naturally more muscular, but that is Serralunga, after all. Most importantly, the Vairas have developed a personal style that melds classicisim with a level of approachability that makes these wines so alluring, even upon release.” –Antonio Galloni
2016 Barolos Arriving in June:
G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2016 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is going to need a few years to emerge, but it has all the qualities to develop into a truly special wine. Dark red/purplish fruit, hard candy, mint, lavender and sweet spice give the 2016 striking inner perfume. On the palate, the 2016 is a tightly wound, classically austere Barolo that will especially delight readers with traditionally leaning palates. In this late-ripening vintage, there is a great balance of structure, aromatics and mid-palate sweetness. I absolutely loved it.”
We’re excited to present one of the most anticipated offerings of the year—G.D. Vajra’s 2016 Barolos. We’ve been working to secure allocations and exceptional pricing on these legends in the making and you’ll be stunned at the value in these fantastic wines. Across all three crus (plus the Luigi Baudana wines, which Vajra owns and makes), these are some of the best wines made in Barolo, at any price. That they’re under $80 a bottle seems inconceivable to us—especially compared to their peer group in the Piedmont (and Burgundy).
Based on all available reviews, 2016 is on the short list for vintage of the century so far. We’ll have to see what final judgments look like, but it seems as though it will end up there with 2004/2006/2010 as one of the best collections of Barolo ever. Antonio Galloni said of the vintage:
“In so many ways, 2016 is all about being in the right place at the right time for Barolo. An ideal growing season with all the prerequisites for a great vintage comes at a time when so many winemakers are in their primes, past the stage of experimentation and settled into their own personal styles. The result is a vintage full of truly spectacular, breathtaking wines that captures all the pedigree that Nebbiolo and Barolo are capable of.”
Speaking of winemakers in their prime, Vajra remains one of our favorite producers in the Piedmont. From top to bottom, the wines are excellent and they’re a real reference point that others are judged against. The estate has always been good, but seems to have reached another level over the last decade. There’s a reason the cru bottlings all scored in the mid to high 90’s from Antonio Galloni–these are profound wines.
We’ve secured the largest allocation we could, but we don’t expect these to be wines that linger on our shelves (or in our computer system) very long. They arrive in June and anyone serious about their Piedmontese collection ought to be securing them now.
“The Vaira family has turned out a magnificent set of Barolos at both their own winery and at Baudana. Harvest wrapped up on October 22, very late by present day standards, and ideal for wines that emphasize purity of fruit. As always, the Barolos are all about finesse and nuance, very much like an artists’ pencil etchings, where all the lines are totally delineated. At Baudana, the wines are naturally more muscular, but that is Serralunga, after all. Most importantly, the Vairas have developed a personal style that melds classicisim with a level of approachability that makes these wines so alluring, even upon release.” –Antonio Galloni
2016 Barolos Arriving in June:
G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2016 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is going to need a few years to emerge, but it has all the qualities to develop into a truly special wine. Dark red/purplish fruit, hard candy, mint, lavender and sweet spice give the 2016 striking inner perfume. On the palate, the 2016 is a tightly wound, classically austere Barolo that will especially delight readers with traditionally leaning palates. In this late-ripening vintage, there is a great balance of structure, aromatics and mid-palate sweetness. I absolutely loved it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $90
The average price is $90
G.D. Vajra Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Barolo Ravera is tough as nails today, but it has striking inner sweetness and remarkable persistence. Even so, readers will have to exercise a great deal of patience, as the 2016 is not likely to offer much in the way of pleasure for a number of years. Bright red cherry, mint, white pepper, blood orange and dried flowers give the 2016 brilliant top notes to match its finely sculpted feel. Veins of acidy and tannin add razor-sharp precision throughout. I can’t wait to taste this in another few years’ time.”
G.D. Vajra ‘Coste di Rose’, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barolo Coste di Rose is plump, juicy and forward – all qualities that make it one of the more approachable wines in the Vajra range. Plump dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice and menthol all flesh out in a racy, juicy Barolo that will drink well right out of the gate. Plush fruit and silky tannins add to the wine’s voluptuous feel and early accessibility. This is very good, but it is not particularly complex.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $69
The average price is $69
G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($249.95) $189 pre-arrival special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Case-12 G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($479.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $30.75/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 91 points “Vajra’s Barolo Albe is bright, floral and wonderfully lifted in 2016. Sweet tobacco, cedar, blood orange, mint, licorice, dried red cherry and sage give the 2016 lovely savory brightness to match its mid-weight structure. Gracious and light on its feet, the Albe has so much to offer.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $36
The average price nationally is $36
Only 24 bottles available!
Luigi Baudana ‘Baudana’, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $77 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Baudana is laced with sweet red cherry, floral overtones and silky tannins, all of which make it one of the more refined, sensual Serralunga Barolos readers will come across. In this tasting, the Baudana impresses with its haunting aromatics and transparent expression of Nebbiolo. Like all of these wines, it needs time in bottle but it is super impressive, even in the early going.”
Luigi Baudana ‘Baudana’, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $77 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Baudana is laced with sweet red cherry, floral overtones and silky tannins, all of which make it one of the more refined, sensual Serralunga Barolos readers will come across. In this tasting, the Baudana impresses with its haunting aromatics and transparent expression of Nebbiolo. Like all of these wines, it needs time in bottle but it is super impressive, even in the early going.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Only 24 bottles available!
Luigi Baudana Cerretta, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $77 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Cerretta is dark, virile and imposing. Black cherry, lavender, scorched earth, cloves, leather and a range of balsamic notes give the Cerretta its somber, virile feel. Ample and powerful yet also medium in body, the Cerretta captures so much of what makes Nebbiolo so captivating, specifically the ability for a wine to constantly transform in the glass.”
Arriving May 1st:
Only 18 bottles available!
G.D. Vajra Freisa ‘Kye’ Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2015 Langhe Freisa Kyé is incredibly finessed. Once huge and bombastic, the Kyé has developed into a much more refined wine in recent vintages. The 2015 Kyé is dark and mysterious, not to mention quite closed in on itself. I won’t be surprised if there is more to this wine. Time will tell.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $40
The average price is $40
G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba is a joyous wine that is sure to put a smile on readers’ faces. Pliant, supple and full of character, the 2017 offers superb density and tons of pure deliciousness. Sweet dark cherry, plum, mocha and sweet spice are pushed forward in this engaging, arrestingly beautiful Barbera. Best of all, the 2017 is a superb value.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “This is round, exuding black cherry, blackberry and iron flavors that are deftly integrated with the polished texture. The flavors build to a lengthy conclusion. Drink now through 2024. 2,500 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $22
The average price nationally is $22
In Stock Now from GD Vajra
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $85
G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A blend of mostly Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera with smaller amounts of Albarossa, Freisa, and Pinot Noir.
G.D. Vajra Coste & Fossati Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Dolcetto d’Alba Coste & Fossati is a wine of extraordinary and arresting beauty. Intense and yet also remarkably delineated, the Coste & Fossati is a terrific example of the heights Dolcetto can reach in skilled hands. Readers will find a gorgeous, beautifully layered wine endowed with tremendous energy and focus. Dark plum, graphite, smoke, menthol and licorice all build in this super-expressive and nuanced wine from Vajra. I loved it.”
G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 4 bottles in stock now, 18 bottles arriving May 1st!
Wine & Spirits 95 points “Bricco delle Viole, a cru that rises up to 1,575 feet on the Barolo commune’s western edge, has clear views of the Alps. This wine channels some of that Alpine coolness in its elegant feel: Vibrant acidity propels the wine’s spiced cherry and plum fruit while lush, polished tannins draw it out through a long finish.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is a delicate and pure expression of Nebbiolo. The wine shows its naked beauty with pride, provocatively semi-dressed in lacy, floral aromas of wild rose and pressed violets. At this young age, the wine exhibits a gentle mix of fruity and floral characteristics that merge into the bouquet with intrepidness. The fruit from this vineyard within the Barolo township has maintained its freshness and crispness despite the heat of the 2015 growing season. I think it would be a lovely match for a veal piccata and cream sauce, with parsley and capers.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Enticing aromas and flavors of plum, cherry, iron and menthol are folded harmoniously into the lush texture and broad tannins of this long and vibrant red, with licorice, mineral and tobacco elements lingering. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,200 cases made.”
G.D. Vajra Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Barolo Ravera captures all the best the vintage has to offer. More importantly, it has that extra level of textural richness and sweetness that the Bricco delle Viole does not have, at least not today. Creamy and beautifully textured in the glass, the 2015 is a total winner. Bright red raspberry and pomegranate fruit notes are lifted, while expressive floral and blood orange overtones add brightness. The 2015 suggests that the Ravera might, in time, become the flagship wine here. Don’t miss it!”
Wine & Spirits 95 points “Bricco delle Viole, a cru that rises up to 1,575 feet on the Barolo commune’s western edge, has clear views of the Alps. This wine channels some of that Alpine coolness in its elegant feel: Vibrant acidity propels the wine’s spiced cherry and plum fruit while lush, polished tannins draw it out through a long finish.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is a delicate and pure expression of Nebbiolo. The wine shows its naked beauty with pride, provocatively semi-dressed in lacy, floral aromas of wild rose and pressed violets. At this young age, the wine exhibits a gentle mix of fruity and floral characteristics that merge into the bouquet with intrepidness. The fruit from this vineyard within the Barolo township has maintained its freshness and crispness despite the heat of the 2015 growing season. I think it would be a lovely match for a veal piccata and cream sauce, with parsley and capers.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Enticing aromas and flavors of plum, cherry, iron and menthol are folded harmoniously into the lush texture and broad tannins of this long and vibrant red, with licorice, mineral and tobacco elements lingering. Best from 2022 through 2040. 1,200 cases made.”
G.D. Vajra Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Barolo Ravera captures all the best the vintage has to offer. More importantly, it has that extra level of textural richness and sweetness that the Bricco delle Viole does not have, at least not today. Creamy and beautifully textured in the glass, the 2015 is a total winner. Bright red raspberry and pomegranate fruit notes are lifted, while expressive floral and blood orange overtones add brightness. The 2015 suggests that the Ravera might, in time, become the flagship wine here. Don’t miss it!”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $85
G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A blend of mostly Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera with smaller amounts of Albarossa, Freisa, and Pinot Noir.
G.D. Vajra Coste & Fossati Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Dolcetto d’Alba Coste & Fossati is a wine of extraordinary and arresting beauty. Intense and yet also remarkably delineated, the Coste & Fossati is a terrific example of the heights Dolcetto can reach in skilled hands. Readers will find a gorgeous, beautifully layered wine endowed with tremendous energy and focus. Dark plum, graphite, smoke, menthol and licorice all build in this super-expressive and nuanced wine from Vajra. I loved it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $26
The average price is $26
G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 93 points “This Barolo offers a more immediate approach, with lots of dark berry followed by spice, tilled earth and black truffle. The 2015 Barolo Albe pours to a medium dark color and lays out a mid-weight texture, with bright primary fruit that is expertly woven into the wine. It exposes clearly etched veins of acidity and some determinedly firm tannins. Despite the Albe’s accessible personality, I recommend that you wait a few more years before popping the cork.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Pretty, featuring rose, cherry, raspberry and mint flavors, with a touch of mineral. Supple, harmonious and elegant, offering a long finish. The aftertaste is tinged with orange peel and tobacco notes. Best from 2021 through 2036. 4,500 cases made.”
G.D. Vajra Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Milena Vaira note “Moscato is part of the culinary tradition of Piedmont. We seek for purity in our work, preserving its natural energy and wish it will always go along well with the most joyful moments of our lives and that of our friends.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $16
The average price is $19
The next best price is $16
The average price is $19
Love the Piedmont? So do we.
Shop all 77 Barolo wines in stock now on our web store!
Shop all 77 Barolo wines in stock now on our web store!
Featured New Arrival
Setti Ponti Crognolo
Previously Sold Out, Now Back in Stock
Sette Ponti makes some of the finest Super Tuscans out there. While they’re best known for Oreno, their top-end wine, the wine of note in most years is their value-priced Crognolo. Made with every bit the same care as the flashier Oreno, Crognolo’s Sangiovese dominant blend provides a beautiful drink-now option at less than half the price of the flagship wine. The 2017 just re-arrived (after quickly selling out the first go-round) and looks to be an absolute knockout—the warm year bestowed it with more fruit and softer tannins than usual, making this value an early drinker, as well.
In Stock Now:
Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($39.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($249.95) $132 special (that’s only $22/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “A balanced and fresh red for the hot 2017 vintage with medium body, fine tannins and plenty of currants, blackberries and blueberries on the finish. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A beam of pure blackberry runs through this otherwise dense and focused red. Shows elegance, with balance and complexity, but needs time to integrate and reveal all its facets. Offers fine, minerally length. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2021 through 2032. 7,500 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.”
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In Stock Now:
Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($39.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($249.95) $132 special (that’s only $22/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “A balanced and fresh red for the hot 2017 vintage with medium body, fine tannins and plenty of currants, blackberries and blueberries on the finish. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A beam of pure blackberry runs through this otherwise dense and focused red. Shows elegance, with balance and complexity, but needs time to integrate and reveal all its facets. Offers fine, minerally length. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2021 through 2032. 7,500 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $31
The average listed price is $31
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About Our Oregon April Shipping Special
Free Oregon Ground Shipping on Orders Over $120
Just Arrived
Jaboulet’s Top 2017’s
The hill of Hermitage is both one of the most famous wine landmarks in the world and also so much more interesting than common lore purports it to be. The story goes that the hill of Hermitage was the home of a knight seeking solace from the horrors of the Crusades upon his return home. He planted the vineyards that would become Hermitage and then built a chapel to pray in and that building, the Chapel of Saint Christopher, is the defining marker of the hillside. The name, Hermitage, takes the name of the hermit’s refuge.
Jaboulet purchased the Chapel of Saint Christopher and the surrounding plot of land in 1919—possibly the choicest part of the whole appellation. This is the core of their blend for La Chapelle, which for many defines what Hermitage can be, though the entire line of wines Jaboulet makes from the AOC (and its neighbor) is exceptional. These are big, dense wines, with loads of Hermitage character and those effortless Syrah flavors that just don’t quit on extremely long finishes.
The 2017 vintage of Jaboulet’s top wines just arrived and boy are they impressive. Big and rich, they show off the solar qualities of the vintage with surprisingly approachable personalities. These are wines for both the table tonight and also for your future self, so buy accordingly.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Jaboulet Aine Chevalier de Sterimberg Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 94-97 points “Jaboulet’s 2017 Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg is approximately two-thirds Marsanne and one-third Roussanne. Subtle notes of crushed stone and pencil shavings frame honey, pineapple and baking spices, all wrapped around a tensile core of tangerine and lime. In a year when no La Chapelle Blanc is being made, this is the top white Hermitage from Jaboulet, and it’s a beauty, with a silky texture and a long, mouthwatering finish.”
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
Wine Advocate 97-99 points “In need of serious air to open up, the 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle became more and more impressive the longer I kept it in the glass. At first it seemed a bit simple, if admirably plummy and rich, but by the time ten minutes had elapsed, it was showing off elegant notes of crushed stone, pencil shavings and cassis, while remaining full-bodied, rich and concentrated. It’s velvety and long on the finish, but something left me wanting a bit more. It’s surely a great La Chapelle, but will it reach that elusive triple-digit score?”
James Suckling 98 points “The icon is in dangerously seductive form. Such pristine dark cherries, blackberries and dark plums, dark chocolate, finely crushed spices and plenty of crushed dark stones on offer. The palate is very intense, very slick and fine tannins deliver an almost playfully soft impression. The oak is super integrated. Like La Maison Bleue, this approachability is an aberration, as it has immense power, concentration and length with such regal and alluring swagger at the finish. But there is so much more to come. Try from 2024, better after 2030.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95-96 points “Brilliant magenta. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur, incense and potpourri, while olive and exotic spice nuances build in the glass. Displays intense, alluringly sweet black/blue fruit, spicecake and violet pastille flavors that show sharp delineation and are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Closes extremely long and precise, displaying a smoky, intensifying mineral quality and youthfully gripping tannins that build steadily.”
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Maison Bleue, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59.50 special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Full-bodied, creamy and supple, the 2017 Hermitage La Maison Bleue looks to be a thrilling Hermitage to drink over the next 10-15 years. It’s loaded with mixed blueberries and raspberries, adds subtle notes of mocha and baking spices and picks up a savory hint of black olives on the long, silky finish. Don’t make the mistake of thinking only the La Chapelle is worth drinking, this should be a real beauty when it’s released next year.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is utterly delicious and has a very plush and sweetly fruited core of flavor with a sweepingly fleshy, rich and quite plush feel. The tannins are very fine here; sleek and assertive, they seem to suggest early drinking. It’s so balanced, too. However, this deserves to be reserved for later, as there’s a lot more to come. Try from 2024.”
Jaboulet purchased the Chapel of Saint Christopher and the surrounding plot of land in 1919—possibly the choicest part of the whole appellation. This is the core of their blend for La Chapelle, which for many defines what Hermitage can be, though the entire line of wines Jaboulet makes from the AOC (and its neighbor) is exceptional. These are big, dense wines, with loads of Hermitage character and those effortless Syrah flavors that just don’t quit on extremely long finishes.
The 2017 vintage of Jaboulet’s top wines just arrived and boy are they impressive. Big and rich, they show off the solar qualities of the vintage with surprisingly approachable personalities. These are wines for both the table tonight and also for your future self, so buy accordingly.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Jaboulet Aine Chevalier de Sterimberg Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 94-97 points “Jaboulet’s 2017 Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg is approximately two-thirds Marsanne and one-third Roussanne. Subtle notes of crushed stone and pencil shavings frame honey, pineapple and baking spices, all wrapped around a tensile core of tangerine and lime. In a year when no La Chapelle Blanc is being made, this is the top white Hermitage from Jaboulet, and it’s a beauty, with a silky texture and a long, mouthwatering finish.”
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
Wine Advocate 97-99 points “In need of serious air to open up, the 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle became more and more impressive the longer I kept it in the glass. At first it seemed a bit simple, if admirably plummy and rich, but by the time ten minutes had elapsed, it was showing off elegant notes of crushed stone, pencil shavings and cassis, while remaining full-bodied, rich and concentrated. It’s velvety and long on the finish, but something left me wanting a bit more. It’s surely a great La Chapelle, but will it reach that elusive triple-digit score?”
James Suckling 98 points “The icon is in dangerously seductive form. Such pristine dark cherries, blackberries and dark plums, dark chocolate, finely crushed spices and plenty of crushed dark stones on offer. The palate is very intense, very slick and fine tannins deliver an almost playfully soft impression. The oak is super integrated. Like La Maison Bleue, this approachability is an aberration, as it has immense power, concentration and length with such regal and alluring swagger at the finish. But there is so much more to come. Try from 2024, better after 2030.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95-96 points “Brilliant magenta. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur, incense and potpourri, while olive and exotic spice nuances build in the glass. Displays intense, alluringly sweet black/blue fruit, spicecake and violet pastille flavors that show sharp delineation and are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Closes extremely long and precise, displaying a smoky, intensifying mineral quality and youthfully gripping tannins that build steadily.”
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Maison Bleue, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59.50 special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Full-bodied, creamy and supple, the 2017 Hermitage La Maison Bleue looks to be a thrilling Hermitage to drink over the next 10-15 years. It’s loaded with mixed blueberries and raspberries, adds subtle notes of mocha and baking spices and picks up a savory hint of black olives on the long, silky finish. Don’t make the mistake of thinking only the La Chapelle is worth drinking, this should be a real beauty when it’s released next year.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is utterly delicious and has a very plush and sweetly fruited core of flavor with a sweepingly fleshy, rich and quite plush feel. The tannins are very fine here; sleek and assertive, they seem to suggest early drinking. It’s so balanced, too. However, this deserves to be reserved for later, as there’s a lot more to come. Try from 2024.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “From a scorcher of a vintage that had tiny yields, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert offers a deep purple color as well as a classic Thalabert bouquet of black fruits, black olive, iodine, and peppery herbs. It’s a rich, rounded, sumptuous beauty that has plenty of sweet fruit, moderate tannins, and a great finish. It’s not going to match the 2015, but it’s a rocking wine I’d be thrilled to drink.”
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Just Arrived
A Perfect 2015 Brunello
Luce is a Great Name in Brunello—a hallmark modern producer whose wines captivate critics and drinkers with every release. The 2013 was one of our most coveted wines of the vintage and the 2015 is a more than worthy follow up—a collectible wine that’s somehow already drinking really well now. This is a wine awarded 100 points by James Suckling (who, lest we forget, made his name as Wine Spectator’s Tuscan critic). This looks to be an absolute stunner: one of the Brunellos of the vintage. Our big complaint is that we were only able to get five three-packs, of which only three are still available.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Luce della Vite Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Case-3 Luce della Vite Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($549.95) $425 special (that’s only $141.67/bottle!)
100 points James Suckling “Amazing aromas of crushed berries, cherries, flowers, black truffles and wet earth, turning to violets and black tea. Extremely aromatic. Full-bodied, deep and profound with fantastically strong tannins that just melt into the wine. Fantastic length and intensity. Truly great. Drinkable, but better in 2024 and onwards.”
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Luce della Vite Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Case-3 Luce della Vite Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($549.95) $425 special (that’s only $141.67/bottle!)
100 points James Suckling “Amazing aromas of crushed berries, cherries, flowers, black truffles and wet earth, turning to violets and black tea. Extremely aromatic. Full-bodied, deep and profound with fantastically strong tannins that just melt into the wine. Fantastic length and intensity. Truly great. Drinkable, but better in 2024 and onwards.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Guimaro
Top of the Mencia Class
Pedro Rodriguez is probably the foremost producer of Mencia in the world. His estate, Guimaro (meaning “rebel” in Galician), in Ribeira Sacra produces wines that exemplify why wine geeks love the region. From steep slate vineyards, the wines are reminiscent of Burgundy in their balance, but with a distinct minerality and flavor profile that’s entirely Galician.
Ribeira Sacra, Rodriguez’ home, is a cool climate region through and through. The closest analogue to the vineyards might be the Mosel, in Germany, as both have extremely steep slate vineyards that make you wonder who would think it would be reasonable to farm them. The best wines from here are lean and taut, but with enough fruit to give the structure definition and detail. Guimaro is clearly at the top of the heap and it’s always a treat to be able to offer their top wines, even if in small quantities.
Just Arrived:
Guimaro Finca Capelinos, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96+ points “There are no single vineyards bottled in 2016, as the grapes were destroyed by hail, so I tasted the 2017 Finca Capeliños. They used 65% full clusters in 2017 and a shorter maceration than in other years, perhaps because the very short growing season (the grapes were harvested earlier than ever) delivered less ripe seeds and stems, so that a longer maceration would have extracted harsher tannins. The dry and warm year was saved by some rain just before the harvest that allowed the grapes to develop flavors and aromas, because they were not present before. The result is very impressive. This is always the most elegant from the single-plot bottlings; the extremely old vineyard seems to provide an extra degree of nuance, and the grapes are nicely balanced, maintaining the acidity to provide the wine with freshness. 2017 is a warm year with powerful wines, a little in the style of 2015, but I see a tad more elegance and better balance here. There is power and concentration, with ripeness that is not noticed (there’s 14% alcohol). It has plenty of fine-grained tannins that would benefit from some time in bottle. It should develop effortlessly for a decade. A great Capeliños. 800 bottles produced.”
Importer Note “Finca Capeliños is a single 0.6 hectare southwest-facing plot of very old Mencía vines at the foot of the Amandi slope. The grapes are hand-harvested, foot-trodden with 40% whole cluster, and fermented in open-top foudre with a long maceration. The wine is raised for 12-14 months in mostly used Burgundy barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration. Capeliños exhibits classic Ribeira Sacra traits of bramble fruits, rose petals, and deep spicy qualities woven into a beautifully structured and elegant wine.”
Ribeira Sacra, Rodriguez’ home, is a cool climate region through and through. The closest analogue to the vineyards might be the Mosel, in Germany, as both have extremely steep slate vineyards that make you wonder who would think it would be reasonable to farm them. The best wines from here are lean and taut, but with enough fruit to give the structure definition and detail. Guimaro is clearly at the top of the heap and it’s always a treat to be able to offer their top wines, even if in small quantities.
Just Arrived:
Guimaro Finca Capelinos, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96+ points “There are no single vineyards bottled in 2016, as the grapes were destroyed by hail, so I tasted the 2017 Finca Capeliños. They used 65% full clusters in 2017 and a shorter maceration than in other years, perhaps because the very short growing season (the grapes were harvested earlier than ever) delivered less ripe seeds and stems, so that a longer maceration would have extracted harsher tannins. The dry and warm year was saved by some rain just before the harvest that allowed the grapes to develop flavors and aromas, because they were not present before. The result is very impressive. This is always the most elegant from the single-plot bottlings; the extremely old vineyard seems to provide an extra degree of nuance, and the grapes are nicely balanced, maintaining the acidity to provide the wine with freshness. 2017 is a warm year with powerful wines, a little in the style of 2015, but I see a tad more elegance and better balance here. There is power and concentration, with ripeness that is not noticed (there’s 14% alcohol). It has plenty of fine-grained tannins that would benefit from some time in bottle. It should develop effortlessly for a decade. A great Capeliños. 800 bottles produced.”
Importer Note “Finca Capeliños is a single 0.6 hectare southwest-facing plot of very old Mencía vines at the foot of the Amandi slope. The grapes are hand-harvested, foot-trodden with 40% whole cluster, and fermented in open-top foudre with a long maceration. The wine is raised for 12-14 months in mostly used Burgundy barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration. Capeliños exhibits classic Ribeira Sacra traits of bramble fruits, rose petals, and deep spicy qualities woven into a beautifully structured and elegant wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Guimaro Finca Pombeiras, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 6 bottles in stock now
95+ points Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate “There was no 2016 as the vineyards were hit by a terrible hailstorm the 15th of August 2016, so I only tasted the 2017 Finca Pombeiras. This is always more powerful and has a little more tannin than Finca Capeliños. This is from a south-facing plot on mainly schist soils (but there’s also a little granite), and it was fermented with 100% full clusters, which usually lends to a more powerful wine. In 2017, the character of the vineyard clearly comes through. It’s always a wine that takes longer than Capeliños to open up. They have been fine-tuning these single-plot wines, especially after 2013; they’ve been harvesting earlier, trying to get more freshness and improve the drinkability of the wines. This is still extremely young, primary and undeveloped and should blossom with one more year in bottle, but it’s not harsh at all and could be enjoyed young with powerful food. Some 800 bottles produced.”
Importer Note “Finca Pombeiras is a single 0.45 hectare south-facing plot of old Mencía vines. The grapes are hand-harvested, foot-trodden with 100% whole cluster, and fermented in open-top foudre with a long maceration. The wine is raised for 8-10 months in used 500 liter French oak barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration. This is the adega’s only cuvée fermented entirely with whole clusters, and is markedly more umami, savory, and earthy in comparison to the other single vineyard cuvées.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Guimaro A Ponte, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The red 2017 A Ponte is a blend of equal parts of Mencía, Caíño, Merenzao, Brancellao and Souson from a vineyard planted in 2010. The full clusters fermented in a wooden vat with a maceration of 35 days (shorter than the average). I really like the nuance and complexity provided by the varietal blend, and the wine feels quite complete and harmonious, clean and balanced, with no traces of oak, very pure and more on the elegant side even if it has more concentration than the initial 2015. This is only the second vintage—they couldn’t produce it in 2016 since the vineyard was basically destroyed by a terrible hailstorm that even killed some 12% of the plants in the summer that year. This is going to be a reference in Ribeira Sacra, a clear indication of how the blend of grapes can provide an extra dimension. 3,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2018.”
Importer Note “A Ponte is a new cuvée (2015 is the inaugural vintage) from a young plot planted above Finca Meixeman, comprised of Mencia, Sousón, Brancellao, Merenzao and Caiño grown on granite, slate and sand. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermented whole-cluster in tank with 50 days maceration, then raised in eight used Burgundy barrels for around 14 months. The finished wine was bottled without fining or filtration.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Guimaro Finca Meixeman, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($54.95) $49 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Finca Meixeman is a single 1.2 hectare southeast-facing plot of old Mencía vines. This is the original family-owned vineyard that helped create their adega. The grapes are hand-harvested, foot-trodden with 40% whole cluster, and fermented in open-top foudre with a long maceration. The wine is raised for 12-14 months in mostly used Burgundy barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration. With a core of kirsch-like red fruit, spices, and minerals, this is a serious wine to pair with wild game, offal, braises, stews, roasted or grilled meats.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Guimaro Camino Real, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Camiño Real now contains all the plots that they intended to include in the initial 2016 but couldn’t because many vineyards in the Amandi zone were destroyed by a terrible hailstorm on August 15th that year. It fermented with 80% full clusters and the rest uncrushed grapes in oak vats with a maceration of 35 days and matured in those vats for seven to eight months. Half of the wine was then moved to barrique and was kept there for five months, while the rest continued maturing in the 10,000-liter vat. The wine has notes of wild berries, flowers and herbs, with good complexity and a medium-bodied palate with fine-grained tannins. It has more complexity and depth than the young, unoaked wine and the single-vineyard bottlings. It has a nice mouthfeel and is quite approachable, a round and somewhat immediate vintage. 25,000 bottles.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Camiño Real now contains all the plots that they intended to include in the initial 2016 but couldn’t because many vineyards in the Amandi zone were destroyed by a terrible hailstorm on August 15th that year. It fermented with 80% full clusters and the rest uncrushed grapes in oak vats with a maceration of 35 days and matured in those vats for seven to eight months. Half of the wine was then moved to barrique and was kept there for five months, while the rest continued maturing in the 10,000-liter vat. The wine has notes of wild berries, flowers and herbs, with good complexity and a medium-bodied palate with fine-grained tannins. It has more complexity and depth than the young, unoaked wine and the single-vineyard bottlings. It has a nice mouthfeel and is quite approachable, a round and somewhat immediate vintage. 25,000 bottles.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Trending Wines
A Vinopolis Exclusive!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Oregon 2017 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Chardonnay Richard’s Cuvée Whistling Ridge Vineyard comes from a single foudre bottled separately this year. It has a warm, inviting nose of Golden Delicious apples, pie crust, quince, citrus blossoms, crushed stone and poached pears—still youthfully shy but hinting at the savory layers underneath with touches of honey, hay and nuts. It’s medium-bodied and incredibly silky in the mouth, with slowly blossoming flavor layers and lip-smacking, tangy acidity, finishing very long and minerally. Give this another year or two in bottle. Only 80 cases were made.”
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Bow & Arrow may be best known for their Loire-inspired bottlings (like Rhinestones and Air Guitar) but they make a fantastic bottle of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
Bow & Arrow Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018 750ML ($24.95) Was $21.90, Now $18 special
Winemaker Note “[W]hile this ethos of “wine for the people” infuses the entire posture at Bow & Arrow, it’s this wine, the Willamette Valley Pinot in particular, that serves as our proof of concept. You can make, in the Willamette Valley, a Pinot Noir sourced from Biodynamic and Organic fruit that is lovingly and naturally tended to form start to finish AND sell it at a price that nearly anyone can glass pour. Assembled mainly from Johan Vineyard, Walnut Ridge and Hughes Hollow fruit, this wine was handled no differently than our single vineyard, top priced Pinot Noir. Tasted blind I imagine it would hang tough with any line-up of Oregon Pinots of any price or pedigree. (“I humbly submit” keeps getting auto-corrected to this hubristic nonsense. I’m sorry.)”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $23
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $23
This “second wine” is an absolute steal of a Rioja: buy with abandon.
Remelluri Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente, Rioja 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Remelluri Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente, Rioja 2014 750ML ($179.95) $128 special (that’s only $21.33/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “Some richer, darker and deeper fruit character with plums, blackberries and a dark, earthy streak. The tannins are more upright, more elevated, and the fruit is richer and darker than in the Labastida. This has real presence, grip and energy. Try from 2021.”
Grapelive 94 points “Telmo Rodriguez, one of the most iconic and best winemakers of his generation…. has accomplished himself as a champion of terroir over varietal and employs artisan craftsmanship in the cellar, with his wines hardly ever showing overt oak or aggressive alcohol, they always show distinctive purity and a sense of place, and these secondary wines known as Lindes de Remmelluri are magnificent expressions of Rioja, they are richly flavored and soulful wines crafted from old vine purchased fruit from vineyards that prior had got into the family’s main wine. These two vineyard select wines, Labastida and this San Vincente, coming from vineyards that used to go into the Remelluri Reserva are now separated into these two new single vineyard bottlings that are absolutely stunning values, especially in this 2014 vintage….The beautiful and deep Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de San Vicente 2014, a field blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha, was fermented using all native yeasts in cool stainless steel tanks and then raised in barrel, 100% French oak, for 12 months before bottling where it is rested a good amount of time as well. San Vincente in the Rioja Alta just to the east of Haro is at about 50 meters up, but hotter than the higher sites at Labastida and at the main Remelluri estate located in Rioja Alavesa which are much cooler, making this wine seem more lush, riper in satiny tannin and with a softer acidity. Grown on hardened clay and calcareous limestone over a firm core of bedrock from organic vines that average at least 40 years of age this wine shows warm dark fruits, blackberry, cherry and plum lead the way along with hints of earthy mulberry and cranberry along with lilacs, cedar/sandalwood, a touch of vanilla and a subtle array of spices. 2014 was a slightly cooler year and that really helps this wine feel alive on the opulent and full bodied palate and it lingers on and on with a echoing aftertaste that is highly impressive. Telmo’s wines are always polished and textural, but distinctly authentic with terruño character and delivering substance along with some flair, which this one shows, it should age well too, I can imagine at least another decade plus with this 2014 San Vincente.”
From the team at Saint Cosme, this is an outstanding value for powerful Southern Rhone wine.
Chateau de Rouanne, Vinsobres 2018 750ML ($31.95) Was $28, Now $24 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Decanter 90 points “There’s some interest here – it’s just a touch rustic perhaps from the ample use of stems, the tannins are a little fibrous and grainy. A good intensity of fruit however, bright, juicy and fresh. Tannins are pretty fierce, so give it a year or two to settle. There’s a whiff of Provençale herbs and oregano with a saline finish. Alcohol is high, but overall the effect is balanced. A solid start. In organic conversion, old vines on limestone marls. The first vintage since this estate was bought by Louis Barruol of Château de Saint-Cosme.”
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “The 2018 Vinsobres comes from an estate owned by Louis Barruol (of Château Saint Cosme in Gigondas) and checks in as a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, all from a single parcel just outside the village of Vinsobres. Revealing a deep purple, translucent hue as well as lots of mulberry and black raspberry fruit interwoven with notes of ground pepper, violets, and game, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a rounded, supple, elegant texture, notable purity, and outstanding length. Seeming to have one foot in the Northern Rhône with its gamey, violet characteristics and one foot in the south with its richness and opulence on the palate, it’s a terrific, noteworthy Vinsobres to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years.”
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