September 29, 2014
Check out Champagne, Bordeaux and more below
Jump Start Sale
Arriving October 24th
Pallieres Gigondas Terrasses Du Diable 2010 ($49.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Pallieres Gigondas Terrasses Du Diable 2010 ($479.95) $366 pre-arrival special (that’s just $30.50 per bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Slightly superior, revealing more minerality and a subtle, incremental building of flavor intensity, the 2010 Gigondas Terrasse du Diable offers lots of black raspberry, kirsch and floral characteristics along with an undeniable crushed rock minerality. Medium to full-bodied and elegant as well as impressively built, rich, pure and beautifully balanced, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 15 years.”
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright ruby-red. A complex, heady bouquet evokes candied red fruits, potpourri and Asian spices. Silky and seamless in texture, offering vibrant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and an exotic touch of blood orange. Anise and herb notes come up with air and carry through a long, bright and focused finish. I underestimated this sexy wine last year.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price in the USA is $45 / bottle
OREGON
Harper Voit Strandline Pinot Noir 2012 ($37.95) $31.90 special
Harper Voit Antiquum Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Harper Voit Bieze Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Harper Voit Huntington Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir Eola-Amity 2012($39.95) $33 special
Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2013 ($21.95) $18 special
Chehalem RR Ridgecrest Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge2010 ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Supple, velvety and gloriously expressive, layering blueberry, currant, white pepper and white chocolate flavors on a supple, medium-weight frame, playing out the flavors on a long, harmonious finish. Best from 2015 through 2020.”
Le Cadeau Rocheux Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2010 ($49.95) $40.90 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The Le Cadeau 2010 Pinot Noir Rocheux spent 15 months in one-third new barrels, and delivers a pronounced blue and black fruit sweetness I associate especially with the Dijon clone 777 that made up half of its eventual blend (the rest being Pommard selection that almost certainly is responsible–perhaps along with the rocky site itself–for the results being anything but superficially fruity and shallow). Subtle notes of nutmeg and vanilla along with a satisfying savor of pan drippings and generally animal fat savor add allure to the rich fruit on a satiny palate, and this finishes with soothing and persistently, mouthwateringly seductive richness. I expect one will want to follow it for at least ten or twelve years.”
Le Cadeau Merci Reserve Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains 2011 ($74.95) $61.90 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The Le Cadeau 2011 Pinot Noir Merci Reserve – a bottling first essayed in vintage 2009 but tasted by me for the first time this year – is named for the generosity of those who made it possible for Mortimer to plant the stony lowest section of Le Cadeau with a who’s who (as well as a hush-hush or two) of California heirloom selections. The rough break down of selection heritage is nearly half Calera and most of the balance around equal parts Swan and Mount Eden. Vinification (which in my Issue 202 report I erroneously attributed to Steve Ryan) is overseen by Jim Sanders, who tells me that – just as one’s palate suggests – “it’s a different animal you’re dealing with in the cellar from these vines,” though he left most of his explanation of that difference at a metaphoric level, noting for instance the tendency of the fruit from these selections to “come down on itself, and need structure from the cooperage to hold it up and expand it.” There were three barrels’ worth (two new), bottled in June. Nutmeg, ginger, and fennel pollen alluringly accent concentrated red berry fruit, while a level of carnal, umami and saliva-inducingly saline savor emerges that I haven’t witnessed in previous Le Cadeau bottlings. There is also a striking sense of vibrancy to the finish here that perfectly complements this Pinot’s satiny texture and sense of lift. Exciting though it is today, I have high hopes that this will gain further complexity and refinement over the next dozen or more years in bottle. (“The 2012 is frightening,” reports Sanders. That sounds to me like a recommendation.) ”
Imbue Petal & Thorn Aged Aperitif 375ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winemaker Notes “Striking feminine aromas of chamomile and orange-peel waft from the glass, with more orange, pine, and cinnamon on the palate. A broad silky texture and pleasing sweetness lend weight to the mouth feel, before ultimately giving way to the assertive Amaro-inspired, bitter finish.”
WASHINGTON
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay Columbia Valley 2012 ($11.95) $9.90 special
Case- 12 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay 2012 ($149.95) $99 special (that’s only $8.25 per bottle!)
Wine Spectator 90 points “Silky and seductive, with pear and spicy grapefruit flavors on a taut, polished frame, lingering with intensity and brightness on the glowing finish. Impressive for the price. Drink now.”
L’Ecole No.41 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley 2011 ($31.95) $28 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Deftly balanced and harmonious, directing the bay leaf-accented black currant and licorice flavors into a lithe and finely textured finish. Appealing, with no single element sticking out. Best from 2015 through 2020.”
L’Ecole No.41 Perigee Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley 2011 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “Better, the flagship 2011 Estate Perigee is a rocking blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot that comes from the windblown loess soils of the Seven Hills Vineyard outside of Walla Walla. Concentrated, rich and with solid structure, this medium to full-bodied effort has classic black raspberry, cassis, lead pencil, toast and assorted spices to go with building tannin, solid mid-palate depth and impressive length. It will have over a decade of total longevity.”
K Vintners The Deal Syrah Sundance Vineyard Columbia Valley 2011 ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The most northern Rhone-like in the lineup, the 2011 Syrah The Deal Sundance Vineyard exhibits gorgeous blackberry and cassis-styled fruits, olive, pepper and underbrush in its juicy, medium to full-bodied, nicely focused personality. Seamless and elegant, with solid mid-palate depth, it, too, will over a decade of prime drinking.”
K Vintners The Creator Walla Walla Valley 2011 ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2011 The Creator is a 70/30 blend of Cabernet and Syrah that’s aged all in smaller barrel. Beautifully perfumed and aromatic, with notions of pepper, licorice, lead pencil shavings, distinct minerality and assorted kirsch and darker berry fruit all emerging from the glass, it is medium to full-bodied, layered and pure on the palate, with plenty of tannin emerging on the finish. As with most of Smith’s 2011s, it has the fruit to be enjoyable now, yet should also evolve gracefully for at least a decade, most likely longer.”
K Vintners The Beautiful Syrah Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 94-97 points “Aptly named, the 2012 Syrah The Beautiful is 97% Syrah and 3% co-fermented Viognier that was fermented with 100% whole cluster and aged mostly in neutral larger barrels. Getting a few expletives in the notes, it offers gorgeous aromas and flavors of kirsch liqueur, red licorice, crushed flowers and crushed rock-like minerality to go with a full-bodied, seamless and textured profile on the palate that’s hard to resist. Give it a handful of years once released, and enjoy it over the following decade.”
K Vintners Cattle King Syrah Snipes Mountain 2011 ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The first vintage for the 2011 Syrah Cattle King, it’s a blend of 100% Syrah that’s all from Snipes mountain AVAs and vines planted in 2001. Offering up fabulous purity, with notes of black cherry, big minerality, earth and subtle underbrush aromas and flavors, it offers full-bodied richness, sweet tannin and thrilling length on the finish. Drink over the coming decade or more.”
K Vintners The Hidden Syrah Wahluke Slope 2011 ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Aged in 100% new 500 liter barrels, the 2011 Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard is an incredible Syrah that gives up pure aromas and flavors of blackberry, ground pepper, minerality, and dried spices and hints of vanilla in its full-bodied, elegant and seamless profile. Slightly more mid-weight than prior vintages, yet with beautiful concentration and solid mid-palate depth, it has enough tannin and richness to evolve gracefully for over a decade as well.”
Proper Syrah Walla Walla 2012 ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate “The 2012 Syrah Estate is totally gorgeous, and certainly rivals the stunning 2010. Giving up notions of lavender, black pepper, bacon fat, plum, and wild herbs, this beauty is full-bodied, thrillingly pure, fresh and elegant on the palate, with integrated acidity, fabulous length and no hard edges. Possibly with some upside, it can be enjoyed anytime over the coming decade or longer.”
CALIFORNIA
Stonestreet Aurora Point Sauvignon Blanc Alexander Valley 2011($49.95) $29 special
Robert Parker 92 points “Another drop-dead gorgeous wine, the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Aurora Point is laced with sweet apricots, white flowers, ginger, passion fruit and crushed rocks. Soft, perfumed and beautifully layered, the 2011 impresses for its soft, enveloping personality. Pure class, thats all there is to it. The Aurora Point is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from high-altitude vineyards. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016.”
Kamen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley 2010 ($89.95) $75 special
Antoni Galloni 93+ points “I am totally enthralled by Kamen’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, without question the most elegant wine I have tasted from this site on the hills outside Napa. Veins of chiseled, precise fruit come alive in the glass. Hints of dark red and black fruits lead to all sorts of flowers in a Cabernet Sauvignon that impresses for its total sense of elegance and polish. There is a lot to look forward to here. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
Souverain North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2010 ($14.95) $11.90 special
Case-12 Souverain North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2010 ($179.95) $119 special (that’s only $9.91 per bottle!)
Winemaker’s notes: “Deep ruby-purple in color, this Cabernet boasts bright and vivid aromas of roasted vanilla, mocha and baking spices which meet elegant layers of blackberry and ripe cherry flavors. The full mouth feel is extracted and rich and framed by thick mouth coating tannins. The fully balanced fruit, tannins and acidity, lead to a juicy and lengthy finish.”
FRANCE- CHAMPAGNE
Vilmart Coeur De Cuvee Premier Cru Brut Champagne 2005 ($179.95) $119 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(made from a blend of 80% chardonnay and 20% pinot noir; aged on its less for 78 months and disgorged in December 2012): Bright yellow. Sexy, smoke-tinged aromas of ripe citrus fruits, poached pear and candied ginger. Spicy, penetrating and pure, offering intense Meyer lemon and bitter pear skin flavors plus hints of honeysuckle and chamomile. Shows impressive urgency and focus on the finish, with the floral note echoing.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “Named for its being derived solely from the heart of the pressing, Vilmart’s 2005 Brut Coeur de Cuvee – aged in small barrels one-third each new, once- and twice-previously used and only disgorged after 7 years – opens with an expressive bouquet of iris, gentian, and hyacinth, behind which come intimations of the noble mushrooms, oyster liquor, and nut oils that go on to inform an at once satiny and vivacious palate. White pepper and crystalline mineral impingements in the mouthwateringly mineral and umami-rich finish testify to a transparency, clarity and buoyancy seldom found in the often problematically earthy and diffuse Champagnes of this vintage. Feel free to follow this for several more years.”
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut Champagne NV ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Granny Smith apple, toasted almond, currant and whole-grain toast flavors are fresh and well-meshed, structured by bright acidity and a lively bead. Offers a creamy finish, with hints of smoke and honeycomb. Drink now through 2018.”
FRANCE- BURGUNDY
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Burghound “An airy and attractively layered nose presents primarily floral, pear and citrus peel aromas. The energetic but impressively rich flavors exhibit a lovely texture, indeed this is finer than most examples of the genre, all wrapped in a saline-inflected finish where the citrus character telegraphed by the nose reappears.”
Domaine Leflaive Puligny Clavoillon 2012 ($199.95) $159 special
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “(tasted near the end of its malolactic fermentation): Peach and a grilled note on the nose and palate; still a bit lactic. Fatter and sweeter than the village wine but suaver too. Finishes broad, quite dry and long. This struck me as like a baby Batard.”
FRANCE-LOIRE
Catherine et Pierre Breton Vouvray La Dilettante Sec 2013 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Importer Notes “While Catherine and Pierre work together in the vines and the cellar for all the Breton wines, the Vouvrays are Catherine’s pet project (along with the Bourgueil Dilettante below). The wine comes from 50-year old Chenin Blanc vines planted in flinty soil. A very gentle pressing is followed by a short vinification in stainless steel. There is no maloactic fermentation and the wine is bottled in the spring following harvest.”
ITALY-PIEDMONT
Giacomo Ascheri Barolo DOCG Pisapola 2008 ($49.95) $33 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “This red is vibrant and pure, displaying cherry, raspberry, tobacco and earth aromas and flavors. Displays major grip on the finish, yet seems well-proportioned for a mid- to long-term evolution. Best from 2015 through 2028.”
Renato Ratti Barolo DOCG Marcenasco 2010 ($69.95) $44 special
James Suckling 93 points “So much floral character on the nose, plus ripe fruits. Full body with velvety tannins and a fruity finish. Subtle and reserved. Better in 2016.”
ITALY-TUSCANY
Badia A Coltibuono Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice 2004 375ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “A refined style, silky in texture and complex in flavor, with honey, caramel, fig paste, dried apricot, tobacco and clove notes boosted by vivid acidity. This cascades to a long aftertaste of dried fruit and spice. Very pure and harmonious. Drink now through 2020. 87 cases made.”
ITALY-SICILY
Riofavara Eloro Spaccaforno Nero D’Avola 2011 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Importer notes “Riofavara is located in the Noto Valley, just a few minutes down the road from the town that gave Nero d’Avola its name, and was the first producer to dignify this grape with the use of its own indigenous yeasts. Though the area’s image still suffers in some circles from the historic production of high-alcohol wines that were good only to boost thin wines from the mainland, estates like Riofavara have completely reversed this trend, eliciting vivacious, mineral wines from the zone’s rocky limestone and marl terrains.”
SPAIN
Olivares Altos Hoya Monastrell Jumilla 2011 ($11.95) $8.80 special
Case-12 Olivares Altos Hoya Monastrell Jumilla 2011($139.95) $89 special (that’s only $7.41 per bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright purple. Black raspberry and cassis aromas, with spicy mineral and floral elements gaining power with air. Powerful dark fruit flavors are sweetened by vanilla and cola nuances and lifted by juicy acidity. Impressively velvety wine, with very good finishing breadth and lingering spiciness. Plenty of bang for the buck here.”
Alvaro Palacios Priorat Les Terrasses Vieilles Vignes 2012($44.95) $36 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant ruby. Potent, mineral-laced raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by exotic floral and spice qualities, picking up white pepper and mocha accents with air. Seamless and sweet, offering silky red berry preserve flavors with a touch of allspice. Closes lively and precise, with sneaky tannins and a jolt of bitter cherry.”
Crowley Entre Nous Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2012 ($31.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Crowley Four Winds Vineyard Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2012 ($47.95) $37 pre-arrival special
Crowley Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2012 ($47.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Antica Terra Botanica Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2012 ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special
Winery’s note: “Botanica is always sappy and sanguine with a taste of wild rose, sour cherries, and blood orange. It is tempting to define them solely by their compelling texture and lush personality, but there is a structural element that is equally striking. This balance between extraordinarily concentrated fruit and intense levels of extract is the essence of the wine. 630 cases produced.”
Antica Terra Ceras Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2012 ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special
Winery’s note: “Ceras is Botanica’s counterpoint. Its color is more purple than red. It is more about minerals and herbs than fruit and flowers. It is a focused and elegant distillation of rock rather than an opulent cascade of fruit. It is an expression of the geology that lays beneath our land, the tart blue fruits of the coast range and the tender herbs that one finds amongst the trees and mushrooms of the Northwest forest. 600 cases produced.”
L’Oustal Blanc Naick Blanc Languedoc-Rousillon 2011($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Naick Blanc offers another level of texture, richness and depth, with better overall integration and balance. Spiced apples, toast, almond and mineral all flow from the glass and this medium to full-bodied white has a full, layered texture, integrated acidity and a great finish. It will be best with food and should drink nicely for a number of years.”
L’Oustal Blanc Naick Rouge Languedoc-Rousillon 2011 ($24.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2011 Naick Rouge, which is 60% Cinsault, 20% Carignan, and the rest Grenache and a little bit of Syrah, sees both concrete tank and barrel aging. The wine is superb — dense purple, with a sexy, open-knit nose of kirsch liqueur intermixed with blacker fruits, licorice, Provencal herbs, pepper and some spice. The wine is lush, opulent, medium to full-bodied, and a terrific southern French wine to drink over the next 2-3 years.”
Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvee NV 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case- 6 Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvee NV ($359.95) $282 pre-arrival special (that’s only $47 / bottle)
Case-12 Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvee NV ($719.95) $540 pre-arrival special (that’s only $45 / bottle)
Wine Spectator 93 points “This is firm and tightly knit, with a backbone of steely acidity, showing a fine, creamy texture that imparts an overall sense of finesse to the layers of poached apple, mille-feuille, black currant, kumquat and honey, showing hints of ground spice and smoky mineral. Drink now through 2020.”
Bereche Brut Reserve Champagne NV ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Firm and sleek, with crisp acidity structuring flavors of Gala apple, raisin bread, quince paste and almond cream. Well-knit, with a fine bead and fresh finish.”
Tim Atkin MW, 2007
Matteo Ascheri is the current owner of Cantine Giacomo Ascheri, his family’s estate that was founded in 1880 in the city of Bra in Piedmont. With assistance from oenologist and agronomist Guiliano Baghino Edoardo Monticelli, Ascheri produces several classic and international styles of wine.
The Pisapola cru is in the commune of Rivalta, between La Morra and Verduno communes. From his family’s estate vineyard holdings in the cru, Ascheri produces the Pisapola Barolo. The southwestern and southeastern facing slopes are approximately 1,200 feet above sea level. The wine is aged in large oak casks. It has a delicate nose with aromas of ripe red fruits, violets and spices. It is austere on the palate, but with a pleasant elegance and length.
The 2008 vintage saw slow ripening during August, which was helped along by a gentle heat wave in September. Harvest was not until the end of October. The weather helped create a more traditional style of Barolo: austere in youth but long aging, with strong tannins and complex structure.
Giacomo Ascheri Pisapola, Barolo DOCG 2008 ($49.95) $33 special 55 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “This red is vibrant and pure, displaying cherry, raspberry, tobacco and earth aromas and flavors. Displays major grip on the finish, yet seems well-proportioned for a mid- to long-term evolution. Best from 2015 through 2028.”
Bordeaux Wines
Arriving October 10
Chateau Troplong Mondot Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 99 points “It boasts an inky/purple color along with a gorgeous bouquet of mocha, chocolate, blackberry and cassis fruit, an unctuous texture, a full-bodied, viscous mouthfeel and a skyscraper-like, multilayered finish. This spectacular wine is nearly overwhelming in its richness, thickness and intensity. Once all its baby fat falls away, the terroir characteristics and additional nuances will emerge. This blockbuster, fabulous Troplong Mondot will benefit from 10-15 years of cellaring and keep for three decades or more. It is not shy either, bouncing over the palate with 15.5% natural alcohol. The 2009 Troplong Mondot will provide plenty of competition for the 2010, 2005 and 2000. It comes closest in style to the prodigious 1990 that proprietress Christine Valette produced 22 years ago. A phenomenal effort, it unquestionably justifies its relatively new Premier Grand Cru St.-Emilion status. Readers should keep in mind that the 1990, which probably has lower acidity and not the level of concentration found in the 2009, is drinking incredibly well at age 22 and reveals no signs of falling apart.”
Chateau Le Bon Pasteur Pomerol 2010 ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 95 points “Michel and Dany Rolland’s flagship estate, Bon Pasteur, turned out an atypically powerful wine in 2010. It boasts a dense ruby/purple color, great fruit on the attack, mid-palate and finish, super freshness for its size, full-bodied power and lots of mulberry, caramel, mocha, earth and graphite characteristics. Give this beauty 5-7 years of cellaring (unusual for a Bon Pasteur) and drink it over the following 25 years.” WA
Chateau Gruaud-Larose Saint-Julien 2010 ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Ripe raspberries and blueberries with hints of fresh flowers. Deep nose of dark fruits. Full body, with silky tannins and a beautifully integrated tannin structure. It’s long and very refined. Better than 2009. Try in 2018.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “For anybody looking for classic Bordeaux, this is the bottle to seek. “Classic” here means a wine with a tannic structure that also relies on a black currant flavor, with acidity providing freshness but not losing any concentration or aging potential. Keep for many years.”
Chateau Saint-Pierre Saint-Julien 2005 ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 93 points “Smart consumers should be checking out this estate whose wines have been superb over recent vintages. Under the same ownership as Gloria, it is a classic St.-Julien with sensational concentration and intensity, but more powerful, thick, and muscular than wines such as Ducru Beaucaillou or Beychevelle. The 2005 possesses the vintage’s structured, tannic mouthfeel as well as enormous concentration and massive extract. It exhibits plenty of earthy creme de cassis intermixed with notes of forest floor, licorice, and roasted meats. Backward with huge tannin, full body, and the potential for 3-4 decades of aging, this superb St.-Julien will get even better over the next 10-15 years. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040.”
Chateau Cantemerle Haut-Medoc 2010 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 94+ points “The wine needs a good 7-10 years of cellaring and should keep for 30 more years, but this is the finest Cantemerle I have encountered in my professional career of tasting young vintages (dating back 34 years now). Stunningly deep ruby/purple, with a beautiful nose of spring flowers intermixed with perfumed raspberry and blueberry notes, it exhibits a sort of cool-climate character. Broad, rich and intense on the palate, the wine has plenty of tannins, but they are sweet and well-integrated. Everything is delicately entwined into this beautiful, medium to full-bodied, dense purple wine, which shows stunning character and a prodigious potential for development. This is definitely a major sleeper of the vintage and even better than I thought from barrel. With its 2010, this classified growth located in the southern end of the Medoc may well have made a modern-day version of their legendary 1949.”
Special Offer
Arriving October 3rd
-Terlato Wines
Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley 2010 ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Big and rich, this red is filled with powerful flavors of blackberry, dark currant, black olive and dark chocolate that are built on an ironclad frame. Notes of cocoa powder and cream chime in as well, and the muscular finish lingers with hints of savory herb. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2014 through 2022.”
The average listed price is $79 / bottle
Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta Colchagua Valley 2009 1.5 LITER ($249.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 points “This gorgeous wine deftly balances polished cassis, dark cherry reduction and blueberry notes on a compact frame. Structured, with silky tannins lining the long finish that lingers on with hints of apple wood, spice box and underbrush. Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2014 through 2020.”
“Latest and Greatest”
New Reviews from Wine Spectator
Vietti Barbera D’Asti Tre Vigne 2012 ($21.95) $16 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “A bright, flashy version, featuring black currant and blackberry fruit that shows notes of vanilla and spice.The oak adds tannins, lending this a tight feel on the otherwise fine finish. Needs time. Best from 2016 through 2020.”
Swift Machete Red Wine 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Concentrated yet light-weight, fragrant and juicy, with aromas of toasted cumin, gingerbread and Earl Grey tea surrounding the core of wild blueberry and huckleberry flavors. The firm tannins stay in the background, allowing this to finish on the juicy side. Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache. Drink now through 2025.”
Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2011 750ML($319.95) $249 special
Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2011 1.5 LITER ($549.95) $499 special
Wine Spectator 97 points “Still a bit reserved aromatically, with hints of orange blossom and crème anglaise peeking out, this features a captivating display of racy quinine, honeysuckle and white peach flavors inlaid into a rich core of brioche, Cavaillon melon, white truffle, smoked almond and heather honey. Incredibly long. Hard to resist now, but ideal for when your toddler graduates college. Best from 2019 through 2030.”
Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2011 750ML ($319.95) $249 special
Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2011 1.5 LITER ($649.95) $499 special
Jean Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2011 3 LITER (1799.95) $1399 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “A grippy, mouthwatering style, with solid, briary tannins inlaid with finely beaded acidity, all of which meld into the core of anise, blackberry paste and fig sauce flavors. Shows terrific energy on the singed apple wood-filled finish. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2030.”
Evesham Wood Blanc Du Puits Sec 2013 ($19.95) $16 staff pick special
“The Evesham Wood Blanc du Puits Sec is 85% Pinot Gris and 15% a field blend of varietals, mostly Gewurztraminer. This is intensely floral and aromatic with notes of honeydew melon, white flowers and lemon zest. It is dry with a nice crispness and body, making it an excellent sipping wine for an aperitif or for a hot summer day.”
Schloss Gobelsburg Gobelsburger Riesling Kamptal 2012 ($19.95) $16 staff pick special
“Herbal, mineral, and stone fruit notes give this wine a nice balance. A dry finish along with great acidity makes this a great companion for upcoming holiday feasts.”
Rhone Galore!
Arriving this Week
Domaine Alary Cairanne Vieilles Vignes 2010 ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Cairanne Vieilles Vignes is composed of 2/3 Grenache and the rest mostly Syrah with a tiny amount of old vine Carignan. It also is aged in tank and bottled unfiltered. A superb sleeper of the vintage, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color as well as copious notes of black currants, black cherries, earth, pepper, spice box and a hint of mountain laurel. This full-throttle 2010 possesses sweet tannin as well as an intriguing texture. It should drink nicely for 4-6 years.”
Grands Bois Rasteau Cuvee Marc 2011 ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Marc comes from an up-and-coming appellation that should be regarded with increasing interest by Rhone wine lovers. This blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 25% Syrah was aged in demi-muids for 11 months, and bottled unfiltered. Spectacularly rich and ripe, it could easily pass for a 2010 or 2007 in a blind tasting. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of espresso roast, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, incense and violets. Medium to full-bodied, unctuously textured, thick and juicy, this loaded Rasteau should drink well for a decade or more.”
Domaine Soulanes Cuvee Jean Pull Cotes Catalanes 2012 ($19.95) $16 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90 points “A more Grenache-heavy blend that includes 20% Carignan, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, the 2012 Cotes du Roussillon Cuvee Jean Pull is a big, fruit-loaded effort that shows abundant charm and texture. Black cherry, licorice, roasted herbs, violets and distinct minerality all emerge from the glass and this medium to full-bodied beauty stays lively and fresh, with integrated acidity, chewy tannin and excellent length on the finish. It’s a serious value that will drink nicely for 4-6 years.”
Domaine Soulanes Kaya Rouge Cotes Catalanes 2012 ($24.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91 points “Also superb, the 2012 Cotes Catalanes Kaya is comprised of 100% old-vine Carignan and gives up classic notes of black and blue fruits, new leather, liquid violets and hints of spice to go with a medium-bodied, juicy, clean and decidedly delicious profile on the palate. Showing juicy acidity and a surprising level of polish, with sweet tannin, this beauty will continue to impress for another 5-7 years or so.”
Aphillanthes Cotes Du Rhone Cuvee Les Cros 2011($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90 points “Rarely does a 100% Syrah cuvee from the Southern Rhone rock my boat (with a few exceptions such as Fonsalette’s Cuvee Syrah), but Aphillanthes’ 2011 Cotes du Rhone Les Cros does just that. Made from 100% Syrah aged in small barrels and larger demi-muids, this is a superb, opaque purple-colored, full-bodied Syrah boasting lots of creme de cassis, camphor and floral notes. With soft tannins, low acidity and a rich, deep, multidimensional and layered mouthfeel, it should age nicely for a decade or more.”
Aphillanthes Cotes Du Rhone Rasteau 2011 ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Even better and one of the wines of the vintage, the spectacular 2011 Rasteau 1921 is comprised of 90% Grenache, 7% Mourvedre and 3% Carignan, with the Grenache coming from vines planted in 1921. Offering up a stunning bouquet of black raspberry, licorice, spring flowers, underbrush and lavender, this medium to full-bodied, elegant, yet substantial 2011 has gorgeous overall balance, solid mid-palate depth and sweet tannin that comes through on the finish. Count me a fan. This seriously impressive Rasteau will drink well for upward of a decade. Drink now-2023.”
Arriving Tomorrow – September 30th
Chainier Quintessence Pouilly Fume 2011 ($21.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Chainier Quintessence Pouilly Fume 2011 ($199.95) $119 pre-arrival special (that’s just $9.92 per bottle!)
Wine & Spirits 89 points “Years Best Buy” It is a fragrant and refreshing aromatic wine, with white fruit and acacia flower aromas, round and slightly creamy in mouth, with a delicate “smoky” note.
Chainier Quintessence Chinon 2012 ($24.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
100% Cabernet Franc, full bodied, well structured, black fruits dominate.