Sunday Night Newsletter 4-17-22

In This Newsletter:

New Arrival Special Feature:
Foradori

Get the Insider Scoop on California Bubbles!


New Week – New Arrivals

Torre dei Beati

New Releases from Montegrossi

New Releases from The King of Northern Rhone:
Delas Freres

  

New Arrival Special Feature:

Foradori

The Elisabetta Foradori’s wines occupy a singular place in the world of wine.  She’s a natural wine icon whose wines don’t taste Natural—just classic and pure.  Likewise, her adventurous and questioning spirit has lead her down a number of different (now trendy) roads long before anyone else in her region, including the use of amphora and long skin contact on white (and grey) grapes.  None of her wines taste “experimental” though—there’s an effortless grace that suffuses everything coming out of her cellar.

“It was really a breath of fresh air tasting through the new releases. These are wines that communicate such purity and prestige from top to bottom. It’s easy to forget the amazing value to be found in their Teroldego” –Eric Guido, Vinous Media

Only the Manzoni Bianco has been reviewed for the new set of releases. James Suckling awarded this vintage the highest rating ever for this wine, so there’s promising notes to come for the other new releases!

Newly Arrived from Foradori:

Foradori Fontanasanta Manzoni Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “Maybe the greatest natural white wine I have ever tasted. Complex and strikingly original lemon-zest, smoke and dried-chamomile aromas pour from the glass. Then comes the concentrated but very refined palate,followed by a super-long finish that’s a cascading waterfall of wet-stone minerality. Just doesn’t want to stop! From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $37

Foradori Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Foradori Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 94 points “A subtle yet complex red with blackberry, blueberry, mineral and black-tea aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied, yet very polished and refined. Lightly chewy and very focused. All in balance. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drinkable now, but better in 2023.”

Foradori Fontanasanta Nosiola Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 750ML ($49.95) $47.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 95 points “Complex nose of toasted nuts and chocolate, but this is so much fresher than that sounds, thanks to the intense, wild-herb character that expands with aeration. Just a hint of funk. The stunning interplay of oxidative (mature) and reductive (fresh) character makes this so animating and fascinating. Very long, delicate finish. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Foradori ‘Fuoripista’ Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 750ML ($59.95) $55 special, 6 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 95 points “Skin fermentation has given this pinot grigio a rosé color, but also a lot of peach-skin, rose-petal and candied-orange character. Notes of wet earth and umami, which you normally associate with red wines, develops as it aerates in the glass. Then comes the surprisingly delicate, medium-bodied palate that is so fresh, the delicate tannins and rose-petal notes lifting the long, almost weightless finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Foradori Vigneto Sgarzon Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 94 points “This red has an extreme mountain-wine personality that’s expressed through a ton of wild-herb and cranberry aromas, crisp acidity and a tightly wound body. Somehow the generous and slightly sappy tannins neatly fold into the wine’s sleek profile. Long, crisp and mineral finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Foradori ‘Morei’ Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 97 points “Incredibly deep wild-berry nose that has just a whiff of funk, but this also gives the wine enormous energy. Sleek, but densely concentrated with a stunning interplay of fruit and fine tannin, the dangerously lively acidity whipping this into a mineral and herbal frenzy at the breathtaking, long finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Foradori Granato Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 97 points “Enormously deep and subtle wild-blackberry aromas with a thousand herbal nuances lead you into this concentrated and beautifully proportioned red that is so delightful and fascinating. Very long finish that’s crisp and very mineral. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $85


We’re Open for In-Store Shopping!

10 AM – 6 PM Daily

Masks are no longer mandatory
But they are appreciated, thanks!

We also offer Curbside Pickup & Shipping

Order Online / By Phone / By Email
Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!

Be well & drink well.


Get the Insider Scoop on California Bubbles!

New Wine Spectator Insider Reviews

Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut, Anderson Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Classically styled and expressively vibrant, this bubbly opens to flavors of baked apple, roasted hazelnut, clove, nutmeg and other spices. The finish fans out, building a lingering richness. Drink now through 2023. —T.F.”

Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, North Coast 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Sumptuous yet vibrant and fresh, displaying elegantly layered Meyer lemon, star fruit and fresh ginger flavors that turn steely on the long finish. Drink now. —T.F.”
 


New Week – New Arrivals

Oregon

Whistling Dog Cellars Heritage Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($19.95) $17.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A blend of Wadenswil and Pommard clones from the estate vineyard, Nuestro Sueno, in the Eola-Amity Hills aged with a dash of new oak. This is the last release from the winery and quite the bargain in single-vineyard Oregon Pinot.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Vivid red. Red berry preserves, kirsch and pungent flowers on the nose, along with building Asian spice, incense and smoky mineral flourishes. Shows impressive depth and sharp definition on the palate, offering spice-laced red and blue fruit liqueur, candied rose and black tea flavors that pick up mineral and blood orange nuances with air. Finishes extremely long and precise, with polished tannins providing shape and grip to lingering raspberry and five-spice powder notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59

Evesham Wood Illahe Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Dark magenta. Aromas of boysenberry and black raspberry pick up complementary suggestions of candied flowers, licorice and baking spices with aeration. Shows very good depth as well as energy to the sweet red and blue fruit, cola and lavender flavors, which are braced by a core of juicy acidity. Mounting tannins frame a long, spicy finish that emphatically echoes the blue fruit note.”
Winery note “Illahe Vineyard was purchased in 1999 and first planted in 2001 with 22 acres of pinot noir. Today it is a 52-acre vineyard with seven varieties and 44 acres of pinot noir. When it is completely planted, they will have 60 acres under vine. Illahe is a warm site that experiences slightly earlier budbreak and flowering than many other vineyards in the Willamette Valley. Two reasons for this are the southerly aspect of the vineyard and the moderate elevation. The vineyard also has excellent drainage during cold snaps, and it’s just to the south of the Van Duzer winds which begin in the late summer that cool other vineyards in the evening, slowing maturity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $41.99

Brick House Vineyards ‘Les Dijonnais’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2019 Pinot Noir Les Dijonnais has a medium ruby-purple color and perfumed red cherries, cranberry sauce, lavender and tangerine with spicy accents. The medium-bodied palate is silky with crunchy, fragrant fruit and has refreshing acidity that highlights all those pretty perfumed notes on the long finish.”


California

L’Aventure Optimus Red, Paso Robles 2019 750ML ($69.95) $57.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Extremely aromatic with ripe cherry and berry aromas, as well as flowers and citrus. Medium to full body with fine, polished tannins and a long, caressing finish. This is really well done and one of the most balanced L’Aventures I have encountered. Syrah, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years.”
Decanter 94 points “Lovely aromatic intensity, spicy and nuanced on the nose but incredibly well defined on the palate which is crisp and precise with flavours that glide across, so linear and straight. There’s a coolness to the fruit profile and a refreshing juiciness. Concentration and structure with good tannic grip – lots on offer here. A blend of 57% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot. Wines are aged for 14 months in 89% new French oak and 11% one-year-old French oak with malolactic fermentation in barrel. No fining or filtering.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2019 Optimus should be snatched up by savvy readers. Based on 57% Syrah, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, it just about jumps out of the glass with gorgeous cassis, floral, pepper, and graphite-like aromas and flavors. As seamless as they come, this full-bodied, elegant, pleasure-bent 2019 is going to evolve for a decade.”

L’Aventure Cote a Cote Red, Paso Robles 2019 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Another magical wine from this estate is the 2019 Côte à Côte, a blend of 34% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, with the balance Syrah. Brought up in 29% new French oak, it boasts a dense purple color as well as incredible aromatics of blue fruits, smoked game, violets, black pepper, and spring flowers. One of those incredibly complex, nuanced wines that still brings depth and richness on the palate, it’s perfectly balanced, has ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It’s the finest vintage of Côte à Côte ever produced. Drink it over the coming 15+ years.”

Salvestrin Winery ‘Three D’ Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena 2018 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon 3D Dr. Crane Vineyard prances out of the glass with a gorgeous perfume of warm cassis, black cherries and black raspberries, plus hints of roses, lavender, underbrush and camphor, with an exotic touch of sandalwood. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is tightly wound with a rock-solid frame of firm, grainy tannins and lovely freshness to support the muscular black fruits, finishing epically long and beautifully earthy.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $225


France – Loire

Bernard Baudry Chinon La Croix Boissee Rouge, Loire 2018 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Rebecca Gibb MW-Vinous 96 points “The ripeness of the 2018 vintage gives an almost Syrah/Viognier character to the Chinon La Croix Boissée, which offers sweet black fruit and a creamy apricot note. Sumptuous yet never ever opulent, it’s almost as if the wine’s just done a yoga class. Plentiful tannins give the inside of your cheeks a chalky rub, while there’s surprising freshness considering the ripeness, leading to a lengthy finish. This is a baby that will turn out to be a great adult.”


Italy – Tuscany

Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94 points “Sangiovese fans will want to find some bottles of this ripe and expressive 2017 Vino Nobile by the famous Avignonesi winery in Montepulciano. It is a full bodied and opulent wine with classic terror and varietal character showing deep red fruits, a touch of spice, cedar and delicate earthy elements. The palate quite luxurious in feel with sweet tannin, a highlight of the warm vintage, and there is a smooth layering of raspberry, dark cherry, mulberry and strawberry fruits that a nicely accented by dried minty herbs, pipe tobacco, anise and a hint of candied orange rind. As it opens up it gains a sense of black fruit and adds some contrasting savory and pretty florals, making for an excellent example of Nobile that will thrill most lovers of the Sangiovese grape. It is a great food wine as well, going lovely with a selection of meat or mushroom dishes. The Montepulciano region soils are mainly made of marine sediments and clay with some sandy areas that provide the perfect conditions, along with the warm days, for hillside Sangiovese to thrive, as this wine proves with its depth, complexity and old world charm. The Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano saw a natural fermentation and was traditionally aged 18 months mainly in large Slavonian oak casks, with just a small selection seeing smaller barriques, all to deliver the region’s authentic profile and capture the nature of this region. There’s a lot to admire here already and the structure underneath should allow mid term aging, with the 2017 not quite having the stuffing of the legendary 2016s, but the gap is not that far off and I really enjoyed this wine, which is a steal at under $25 bucks…”


Spain

Winery-cellared release!
R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2005 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2005 750ML ($479.95) $389 special (that’s only $64.83/bottle!)
Decanter 96 points “Traditional Rioja at its ageworthy best, the Tondonia red is a cuvée of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo. Leafy, gamey and sweet, with tangy acidity and a volatile lift. Drinking Window 2018 – 2025.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “(aged for six years in American oak barrels and four years in bottle) Bright red. Vibrant, spice-tinged red currant and cherry aromas are complemented by suggestions of pipe tobacco, vanilla and incense, and a spicy nuance gains volume with air. Sweet and seamless on the palate, offering energetic red fruit and spicecake flavors that pick up a hint of smokiness on the back half. Concentrated yet lively, showing impressive delineation and a sexy floral quality on the extremely long, seamless finish. While this wine is quite seductive right now, I’ve little doubt that it will cruise along nicely for at least another decade or more, and probably quite a bit longer.”
James Suckling 94 points “Lovely depth of fruit to this mature red with chocolate, dark tea and bark. Purple flowers and violets. Full and very silky and refined. A beautiful traditional wine to get to know. Drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $91.99



Torre dei Beati 

Arriving Friday

Torre dei Beati makes one of our favorite food friendly rosés. We’ve branched out and scooped up some sweet deals on their red Montepulciano and white Trebbiano. 

Torre dei Beati ‘Cocciapazza’ Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($39.95) $34.50 pre-arrival special
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “An alluring bouquet of smoky minerals, crushed blackberries, exotic spice and flowery undergrowth lifts up from the 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cocciapazza. This elegant, polished yet powerful effort displays silky textures with ripe black fruits, giving way to notes of licorice and lavender. Fine-grained wood tannins come forward toward the close, as this tapers off youthfully structured, resonating on purple-tinged florals and a note of bitter almond. The 2017 Cocciapazza is simply stunning, but will need some time to flesh out and fully show the gorgeous Montepulciano fruit within.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “This rich Montepulciano offers dense aromas of brandy-soaked black cherry and blackberry, blended with integrated accents of clove, menthol, tobacco and worn leather. It’s plush in feel on the full-bodied palate, showing fully fleshed out berry flavors etched in a bevy of warm and savory spice tones. Despite all that richness, there’s ample lift and intensity to the acidity and a gentle grip to the rounded, polished tannins. It’s accessible now but would hold well through 2028. -Alexander Peartree”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Torre dei Beati ‘Bianchi Grilli per la Testa’ Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2019 750ML ($31.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “The 2019 Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Bianchi Grilli Per la Testa pulls you close to the glass with a display of spiced yellow apple and geranium, evolving into a mix of curry leaf, crushed stone and almond paste. This is silky with medium-bodied weight, ushering in a dense and textural mix of apricot and mineral-tinged pear. There’s so much going on here and so much more to come, as this tapers off long, staining the senses with a nutty richness under an air of honeysuckle and sage. The Bianchi Grilli Per la Testa spends eleven months on the lees in a combination of stainless steel, neutral tonneaux and acacia wood barrels. It’s quite a wine.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
 


Arriving Friday, April 29th

New Releases from Montegrossi

Rocca di Montegrossi’s family history in their home village of Monti dates back to the year 700. Credited with the “Original Chianti” blend, they’re a benchmark producer like no other, and is one of the highest elevation sites in the entire appellation. Half of their estate is still blanketed in the ancestral forest, all of which has been farmed organically since 2006. These factors converge to create Chianti of unmatched refinement, delivering the classic sour cherry, espresso, and leather with a backbone of terra cotta and dusty loam. These are big, rich versions of Chianti, with texture and density to spare, all while retaining a refreshing acidity due to the high elevation and dramatic diurnal temperature swings.  You’d swear these were Brunello/Rosso di Montalcino—except their pricing is 20% below what they’d be if they had those labels. 

Never content to sit on their laurels, Montegrossi also produce a super Tuscan inspired blend derived from the small plantings of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that grow onsite. In comparison to the cask aging seen by the Chianti classico, the Geremia sees a “Modern” vinification with entirely French oak barrels. It captures so much of what we love about the estate with big, rich fruit and a surprising amount of elegance.  This is a wine that would be twice as expensive if it were from Bordeaux (and probably thrice if it were from Napa), but the wines of Chianti offer superb value. 

Arriving Friday, April 29th:

Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico DOCG 2019 750ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Decanter 92 points “Owner Marco Ricasoli recalls the harvest of 2019 as unusually calm – one of the few in which he didn’t have to base his picking strategy on the weather forecast. While his wines never lack freshness, the 2019 is positively racy! Scents of blackberry and fennel are interlaced with smoke, and the palate brings together brambly fruit with fleshy red plum. This is mouthfilling and clean, with ripe, smooth tannins that are chalky textured – plus all of that vibrant acidity. Drinking Window 2022 – 2028.”
James Suckling 92 points “Plums, spices, mushrooms and dried herbs on the nose. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins. Juicy and textured with tangy acidity and spicy character. Flavorful finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink now.”
Antonio Galloni 91+ points “The 2019 Chianti Classico is an elegant, polished wine. Lifted aromatics, silky tannins and mid-weight structure give the 2019 its gracious personality. In 2019, the Chianti Classico is a bit restrained and less overt than it can be. That means it needs time in bottle to truly blossom. I would cellar the 2019 for at least a few years. The 2019 is so distinctive.”

Rocca di Montegrossi ‘Geremia’ Toscana IGT 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Rocca di Montegrossi ‘Geremia’ Toscana IGT 2017 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2017 Geremia is a revelation. It might be even better than the 2015 or 2016, which is saying a lot. Soaring aromatics make a strong first impression. In 2017, the fruit profile leans more into the red fruit end of the spectrum. The warm, dry year yielded a Geremia that is unusually open. I doubt too many of the estate’s fans will have a problem with that given how long these wines usually take to open. Today, the 2017 Geremia is a total pleasure bomb. Don’t miss it.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Rocca di Montegrossi ‘Ridolfo’ Toscana IGT 2015 1.5L ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, only 24 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2015 Ridolfo is a new Cabernet Sauvignon/Pugnitello blend from Marco Ricasoli bottled only in magnum. Vibrant and finely sculpted, the 2015 impresses right out of the gate. A whole range of savory aromatics, lavender, spice, licorice and mocha open with time in the glass. Sweet rose petal and cinnamon appear later, adding brightness and lift. Cabernet Sauvignon and Pugnitello are not obvious varieties to blend, as they are, on paper, more similar than complementary. Even so, the combination works so well. I can’t wait to see how this ages. The 2015 is a total knock-out!”
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Marco Ricasoli’s inaugural release of Ridolfo marries the elegance of cabernet sauvignon with pugnitello’s bright and spicy notes in a unique interpretation of Tuscan terroir. Its penetrating flavors of blackberry and cherry are crunchy and vibrant even in the warm 2015 vintage, those fruit tones underlined by notes of graphite that create a cool mineral sensation. The wine almost crackles with energy, its schistous tannins firm and flavorful. An exciting new addition to the realm of Tuscan red blends, this will be fascinating to follow as it develops over the next decade. Available only in magnum—a nod toward its expected aging potential.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Rocca di Montegrossi Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino, Chianti Classico DOCG 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special, only 24 bottles available
Rocca di Montegrossi Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino, Chianti Classico DOCG 2016 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available
Decanter 96 points “Vigna San Marcellino is both youthfully fresh and maturely complex. It includes a healthy dose of the deeply coloured Pugnitello grape, and both this and the Sangiovese saw long post-fermentation macerations of over 30 days in 2016. Liquorice, tarragon and broom interlace with exuberant plum and understated toasted nuances that are seductive. Laden with black cherry and rich, velvety tannins, the palate is creamy in texture, while underlying chalkiness and saline minerality lend energy, leading to a sappy, refreshing finish. Drinking Window 2023 – 2038.”
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Chianti Classico’s superb 2016 vintage yielded some excellent wines, and Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi’s Gran Selezione is among the best we’ve tasted. The wine stands out for its combination of firm structure, elegant texture and vibrant flavors. The fruit tones are dark and plummy, a nod to the six percent of pugnitello in the blend, and the wine unfolds to reveal layers of licorice, tobacco and subtle spice. Fine tannins give shape to those rich flavors, and well-integrated acidity lifts the finish.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigneto San Marcellino is a dense, packed wine. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2016 is an infant. Super-ripe blue/purplish fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol build in the glass. The 2016 is dense and opulent, and yet the acids pulse with energy, lending a feeling of translucence that becomes especially apparent on the finish. That combination makes for a compelling Gran Selezione that should age well for 15-20 years or more.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A meaty, muscular version, this red displays black cherry, blackberry, tar, leather and iron aromas and flavors, offering a beam of fruit within a tightly wound, vibrant structure. Fine length. Sangiovese and Canaiolo. Best from 2024 through 2045. 1,450 cases made, 500 cases imported. — BS”

In stock and available now: 

Rocca di Montegrossi Rosato Toscana IGT 2020 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “The 2020 Rosato Toscana is a vibrant pink color, with a display of sweet melon and spring flowers offset by a twang of zesty citrus and flint. It’s silky-smooth, balancing a pleasant inner sweetness with brisk acids as notes of young strawberry and cherry cascade across the palate. This tapers off with admirable length, but it’s also completely refreshing, as red fruits slowly fade under an air of rosy florals. Rocca di Montegrossi really nailed it with this varietal Sangiovese Rosato. Well done.”

Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Toscana IGT Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, only 5 bottles remaining in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The Geremia, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is outrageously beautiful in 2015. Racy and pliant, with soft curves, Geremia captures all of the radiant beauty of the vintage. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint, mocha and sweet spice are all fused together. At the moment, there is a touch of new oak that still needs to integrate, but a few more years in bottle should do the trick. Time in the glass brings out attractive floral notes and red-toned fruit character that lend freshness and lift to play off the wine’s more extroverted leanings. The 2015 is a gorgeous Geremia.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Rocca di Montegrossi Geremia Toscana IGT Tuscany 2016 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Geremia is even better than it was last year. Fresh, vibrant and full of energy, the 2016 is so wonderfully alive in the glass. The flavors are remarkably intense, and yet there is a feeling of lightness that keeps the wine brilliant. Crushed rocks, menthol, licorice, sage and gravel wrap around a core of blue/purplish fruit. There is something about the 2016 that is magical, many things, actually. Geremia is one of the most distinctive and unique wines in Chianti Classico. The 2016 is absolutely stellar.”

Rocca di Montegrossi Vigneto San Marcellino Chianti Classico DOCG 2014 ($59.95) $49 special, only 7 bottles remaining in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2014 Chianti Classico Vigneto San Marcellino is dark, sumptuous and super-expressive. Like all of the wines here, the 2014 San Marcellino needs at least a few years in bottle to truly show everything it has, but there is more than enough here to provide for engaging drinking for many years to come. Time in the glass brings out gorgeous scents of black cherry, plum, menthol, licorice and smoke. The 2014 is a striking, complete wine.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
Rocca di Montegrossi Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2006 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 4 half-bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 95 points “Malvasia grapes for Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi’s Vin Santo were harvested in October and hung to dry on vertical nets suspended from the rafters on sliding racks, allowing air to circulate and keep the bunches dry while workers remove any unclean berries. The bunches dried for three months, concentrating the sugars in the shriveled berries and leaving only ten percent of the original yield and a staggering 406 grams per liter of residual sugar. The wine aged six years in small casks of cherry, oak and mulberry wood, leaving a dark amber nectar that is packed with flavors of dried plum, fig and honey, accented by notes of star anise and orange rind. Smooth and velvety in texture, the wine begins to develop notes of smoked almonds, caramelized dates, chocolate and coffee. A layer of slatey minerality adds firmness and leaves a cool, refreshing impression on the finish. Pairing this with anything sweet would be overkill; contrast the wine’s richness and heft with a salty blue cheese.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Rocca di Montegrossi often makes one of the richest Vin Santos in Chianti Classico. The 2006 is a bit less opulent than is often the case, but that just means the Vin Santo is not a blockbuster. Voluptuous and beautifully layered throughout, the 2006 offers an attractive infusion of dried herbs, wild flowers, coconut, mint and leather, all wrapped around a core of dark, deeply spiced fruit.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Rocca di Montegrossi Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Tuscany 2009 375ML ($99.95) $89 special, 24 half-bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Vin Santo is a rich, exotic wine, as it always is. Readers will find one of the richest most intense Vin Santos being made today. Plush, tropical and ample in feel, Rocca di Montegrossi’s Vin Santo is bold and racy to the core. The 350 grams of residual sugar leave the wine with tremendous textural plushness.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!


Arriving in May:

New Releases from The King of Northern Rhone:

Delas Freres

Delas is one of the most notable landholders in the Northern Rhone, with holdings in some of the best vineyards in every major AOC, yet they still manage to be overlooked when people put together collections of wine from the region.  We’d like to remedy that, so permit us a few seconds to sing their praises.

Delas makes some of the most powerful, intense wines in the Northern Rhone at prices that make them one of the superior values in the region. Density and richness are a hallmark of both the reds and the whites—there are no shrinking violets in the lineup.  We turn to them for big, bold wines that often show very well young—a remarkable trait in their part of France.

For whatever reason, the market has yet to catch up to the quality coming out of Delas’ cellar.  The Northern Rhone has turned into one of the hottest markets in the wine world, with many wineries getting expensive overnight.  That hasn’t happened to Delas—yet.  With the quality of recent vintages and the scores involved, we definitely see it happening soon, though, so if you love these wines now is the time to back up the truck.

Arriving in May from Delas:

Delas Freres Condrieu La Galopine 2019 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe, flattering style, with a brioche frame around the mix of mirabelle, creamed peach, nectarine, acacia and lemon curd notes. Everything knits nicely through the unctuous finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,500 cases made, 50 cases imported.  –JM”

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The next best price is $67.99

Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes Blanc 2020 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2020 Hermitage Domaine Des Tourettes Blanc showed brilliantly and is one of the finest vintages of this cuvée I can recall. Gorgeous quince, pineapple, and grilled peach as well as flowers and obvious salty minerality emerge from the glass, and this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, perfect balance, and a great finish, where the wine shows an incredible sense of crushed stone and green almond nuances. It’s beautiful today but won’t hit maturity for a decade and should have 30 years or more of overall longevity.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is a very pure and restrained version, featuring white peach, yellow apple, quinine, honeysuckle and verbena notes stretching out together through a finish that sports a light kiss of brioche at the very end. Approachable now, with charm and elegance. Marsanne and Roussanne. Drink now through 2030. 475 cases made, 16 cases imported.”  

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Delas Freres Domaine des Grands Chemins Crozes-Hermitage 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe, showing black licorice and dark plum notes wrapped around each other. This stays vivid and racy in feel, with a lively floral note and swath of dark earth as backdrop on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 3,333 cases made, 218 cases imported.  –JM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91-93 points “Energetic cherry, boysenberry and violet aromas are complemented by hints of black pepper and smoky minerals. Succulent and penetrating on the palate, offering lively, appealingly sweet black/blue fruit flavors and a violet pastille nuance that builds in the midpalate. In a forward, fruit-driven style, finishing with sharp delineation, harmonious tannins and solid, floral-driven persistence.”

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Delas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Sleek and refined, with a smoldering bay and cast iron hints along the edges of a core of dark cherry and plum preserve notes. Juicy, yet restrained, iron-tinged finish. Drink now through 2030. 500 cases made, 83 cases imported.  –JM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “A deeply perfumed bouquet evokes ripe black/blue fruits, olive and potpourri, and a mineral element adds lift. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering broad-shouldered boysenberry, bitter cherry and candied violet flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Shows sharp focus on the penetrating finish, where dusty, slow-building tannins add gentle grip and focus.”

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Delas Freres Cote-Rotie La Landonne 2019 750ML ($319.95) $279 pre-arrival special
Delas Freres Cote-Rotie La Landonne 2019 1.5L ($649.95) $549 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available
Decanter 97 points “Immediately this has the darkness and aromatic austerity of La Landonne. Very full-bodied, expansive on the palate with mouthcoating flavour and tannin but not heavy. This is seriously tannic, but it’s not tough. Great character, great power and perfect balance. Alcohol is just a little raised, but this is a blockbuster. Around 3,000 bottles made. Fermented in open-top concrete tanks for 20 days, then matured in new and one-year-old barrels for 14 months. Drinking Window 2026 – 2035.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is dark and still a bit reticent, with a cast iron cloak around the core of dark currant, plum and blackberry paste flavors, showing lots of sweet bay leaf, anise and singed apple wood notes in the background. There’s serious grip through the finish. For the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2038. 267 cases made, 40 cases imported.  –JM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-96 points “Expressive blackberry, potpourri, smoky bacon and licorice aromas show excellent clarity and minerally lift. Deeply concentrated, spice-laced dark berry preserve, floral pastille and fruitcake flavors are supported by a spine of juicy acidity that adds back-end cut. Becomes more energetic on the impressively persistent finish, which repeats the dark berry and floral notes and leaves behind a spicy suggestion of cracked pepper.”

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Delas Freres Cornas Chante Perdrix 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “A core of juicy red currant and bitter plum pâte de fruit flavors is brought into nice focus by a racy, chalk-edged structure and an iron spine, while subtle savory and dark olive accents dart in the background. Best from 2022 through 2034. 1,083 cases made, 60 cases imported.  –JM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “Powerful, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of ripe black/blue fruits, candied flowers, olive and allspice. Supple and energetic on the palate, offering bitter cherry, blueberry and fruitcake flavors that tighten up slowly with air and show fine delineation. The cherry note drives a long, spicy finish that’s given shape by fine-grained, even tannins. There’s a quite graceful quality here that defies the old stereotype of Cornas being necessarily rustic.”
Decanter 92 points “Intense on the nose, a touch of char and cola. Very full-bodied, but there is some inner freshness and acidity. Tannins are plentiful, very ripe. It’s very bold and modern, very ripe. Good for the vintage. Drinking Window 2022 – 2029.”

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Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Sainte-Epine 2019 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “This flows beautifully, with a ripe, pure and steady beam of cassis and dark cherry preserves that shows good brightness and delineation through the finish, picking up light floral and mineral accents along the way. Seductive in style, with a lovely mouthfeel and sneaky length. Best from 2022 through 2032. 500 cases made, 155 cases imported.  –JM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93-95 points “A highly fragrant bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented black/blue fruits, Moroccan spices, olive and candied flowers, along with a smoky mineral element that builds as the wine opens up. Juicy, energetic and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet boysenberry, cherry preserve and violet pastille flavors that deepen steadily through the midpalate. The floral note resonates on the impressively long finish, which features well-knit tannins and a smoky mineral quality.” 

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Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon 2019 750ML ($54.95) $45 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “Powerfully scented aromas of fresh black/blue fruits, potpourri, licorice and smoked meat show excellent clarity and vibrant mineral lift. Concentrated boysenberry, cassis and violet pastille flavors are joined by a salty olive note that sneaks in as the wine opens up. Finishes smooth, focused and very long, with broad, fleshy tannins, a hint of smokiness and lingering florality.”
Decanter 92 points “A smooth, elegant style, not as overripe as many this year. Very fine tannins, but a bit drying on the finish. Acidity is marked. This certainly has class, very well made. There’s attention to detail and finesse here. From various plots across the southern part of the appellation. Drinking Window 2022 – 2026.”

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Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes 2019 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe, fresh, bright and pure, with a racy-edged mix of plum sauce, cherry preserves and blackberry paste flavors underscored with mouthwatering anise, apple wood and sweet tobacco notes. The long finish flows nicely, and this flirts with approachable already, but there’s no rush. Drink now through 2034. 2,083 cases made, 175 cases imported. — JM”
Decanter 93 points “Good sense of freshness and intensity with fine tannins and rather high alcohol. Good impact however, and a long finish. Tannins are very fine, and although it doesn’t have the potential complexity of some in this vintage, it has the stature and concentration you would expect. Drinking Window 2025 – 2032.”

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Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2019 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards 2019 1.5L ($449.95) $379 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “This is loaded with dark and winey plum sauce, blackberry paste and fig compote flavors that glide through over notes of warm earth, sweet tobacco and anise. A subtle singed alder hint infuses the finish, along with a flicker of violet, while the fruit takes an encore. This shows seriously hefty fruit matched with a terrific underpinning of terroir. For the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2039. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 583 cases made, 50 cases imported.  –JM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95-97 points “Ripe, spice-accented dark berry liqueur, candied violet, incense and licorice scents, along with hints of olive paste and smoky, exotic spices. Palate-staining boysenberry, cherry liqueur, floral pastille and fruitcake flavors show impressive depth and an undercurrent of smoky minerality. Expands steadily with air and finishes extremely long and minerally, with youthfully chewy tannins and outstanding, floral-driven persistence.”

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Delas Freres Hermitage Les Grandes Vignes ‘Ligne de Crete’ 2019 750ML ($349.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Delas Freres Hermitage Les Grandes Vignes ‘Ligne de Crete’ 2019 1.5L ($699.95) $619 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96-98 points “Powerful, highly perfumed aromas of black/blue fruit liqueur, licorice, olive and potpourri are complemented by an exotic suggestion of incense. Stains the palate with intense boysenberry, cherry, cassis and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily through the midpalate. Shows a suave blend of power and delicacy and betrays no rough edges. Youthfully chewy tannins add shape to an extremely long, mineral-driven finish that delivers outstanding clarity and floral thrust.”
Decanter 96 points “Plum, damson and blackberry coulis. Dense fruit, very fine tannins and a seamless texture. The alcohol here is quite high, but it’s a very impressive wine nonetheless, with great concentration and length, not to mention fine tannins and balanced acidity. An authentic expression of the Hill. There is some cinnamon and cola oak spice running through it and the fruit can take it, it’s well balanced. From lieu-dit Les Grandes Vignes, the highest plot on the hill of Hermitage, a new cuvée first made in 2015. Drinking Window 2026 – 2038.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is very refined, with a long beam of cassis, dark cherry and boysenberry fruit flavors that cut a pure path as sleek iron, violet and red tea nuances fill in around. A subtle mineral edge and a singed alder note peek through at the very end, with the fruit keeping pace along the way. Best from 2023 through 2037. 167 cases made, 25 cases imported.  –JM”

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