Sunday Night Newsletter 7-10-22

 

 

In This Newsletter:


Jump Start Offer:
2018 Produttori Normale

New Week – New Arrivals


Trending

Domaine la Remejeanne

Weingut Prinz:
A Johannes Selbach Selection

Domaine Forey:
Still Under the Radar, For Now…

Collector’s Corner:
Diamond Creek – Napa’s Original Icon

  

Jump Start Offer:

2018 Produttori Normale

When the stars don’t quite align in Barbaresco, when even just one vineyard of the Cooperative’s line up doesn’t quite, well, line up, Produttori del Barbaresco uses all of its renowned and glorious fruit in its normale bottling. In 2018, instead of bottling the single vineyard Riservas: Rabaja, Montestefano, Ovello and friends, all of the best (and rigorously selected) fruit went into their straight Barbaresco bottling. This is an incredible opportunity that collectors in the know jump on. For you, this means the top notch grapes are available at more every day pricing. Added bonus? This wine doesn’t need two decades in the cellar to shine. 

Arriving Friday, July 15th:

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($599.95) $479 pre-arrival special (that’s only $39.92/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Packaged in its distinctive brown paper label, the Produttori del Barbaresco 2018 Barbaresco is a beautifully lean and luminous expression of Nebbiolo, and that pretty color should remain intact over time. The aromas are bold and ripe with dark and purple fruit, but the bouquet shows interesting twists with earth, truffle, licorice and grilled herb. As the wine opens in the glass, you begin to notice heavier aromas of raisin and dried apricot. It wears a warm-vintage signature for sure, and for that reason, I would suggest a shorter drinking window for the 2018. With an ample 300,000 bottles made, you get a great value with this bottle.”
James Suckling 93 points “Lovely barbaresco, with all the typical nebbiolo characteristics, such as red berries, mushrooms and dried leaves, as well as hints of bitter orange peel and spice. All this follows through to the medium-to full-bodied palate, where fine, lightly firm tannins add a little grip and additional focus. Compact, but bursting with flavor. Delicious now, but give it a year or two. It will only get better.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 points “The 2018 Barbaresco is an attractive, open-knit wine to drink now and over the next 10-15 years, maybe more. In 2018 the Produttori did not bottle their Riservas. Instead, all of the best lots of those grapes went into the straight Barbaresco bottling, another in a long string of successes from this historic house. Dark cherry, cedar, tobacco and spice fill out the layers. There is good depth and a good deal of tannin too, just not the complexity or nuance of the very best years.”

Don’t miss our massive selection of Produttori del Barbaresco crus in stock now from 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017!


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.


New Week – New Arrivals

Rosé

Torre dei Beati ‘Rosa-ae’ Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2021 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “‘Cerasuolo’ is the cherry colour of this very traditional Italian rose, that combines the freshness of a rose to the body of a light red. This unusual combination makes this wine very eclectic in matching food, ranging from antipasti, all’italiana, to ‘paste e fagioli’, to the typical ‘chitarra’ noodles with tomato sauce and little meatballs, to fish dishes like the celebrated Adriatic ‘brodetto'”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Oregon

Ovum ‘Old Love’ White Blend, Oregon 2021 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now

This is the only listing in the USA today!

There’s a lovely rich butteriness to this distinctively Oregon wine with a crisp acidity and saline minerality that keeps the wine fresh and food friendly.
Irvine & Roberts Vineyards Chardonnay, Rogue Valley 2019 750ML ($35.95) $31.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A beautiful aromatic profile opens with apricot and cantaloupe, quickly expanding into key lime, white flowers, wildflower honey, and notes of fresh sea mist. The mouthfeel is smooth and bright, with pretty acidity, graceful tannins, and vibrant movement through the length of the palate.”

Twill Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($24.95) $22.50 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winemaker’s note “Deep, savory notes of red raspberries, sea salt, pressed cranberries, blackberries and breakfast tea. Waves of continuing aromatics reveal sage, cola, dried rose petals, and blood orange. Flavors are revealed in similar fashion, with further hits of espresso and cacao. On release, this bottling is vibrant, tethered, brooding red and with air, tranquil and revealing. Vineyards: Bracken (Eola-Amity Hills) – 28%, Stormy Morning (Tualatin Hills) – 25%, Johan (Van Duzer C) – 20%, Vojtilla (Chehalem M.) – 20%, Molly’s (N.WV) – 7%.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


France – Champagne

Louis Roederer Collection 242 Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Decanter 97 points “Fresh, vibrant nose displaying aromas of orange, lime peel, almond, honey and brioche with ripe quince and sweet pear undertones. Great focus and length on the palate, seriously harmonious, joyful and unforced. Wines of the Year 2021: the top Classic wines. Drinking Window: 2022-2040.”


France – Rhône

Delas Freres Condrieu La Galopine, Rhône 2019 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
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”

Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes-Marquise de la Tourette Blanc, Rhône 2020 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
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. — JM”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $95.99


Trending

Cameron Ramato is a consistent staff favorite for its ageability, nuance and consistency year after year. Ramato is a style of rose production native to the Friuli region that utilizes Pinot Grigio grapes and extended skin contact. This is a beautifully layered rose featuring nectarine, meyer lemon curd, and a slight spice on finish and a touch of tannin evocative of peach skin. This is only made in limited quantities and is highly allocated, so stock up now! 

Cameron Winery Pinot Gris Ramato Dundee Hills 2021 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Pinot Gris that spent time on its skins, contributing the barest hint of tannin, a dollop of color and a completely different interpretation of the classic Oregon varietal. 
Winery note “Rame: Italian for copper, ramato: copper-colored. Ramato is a copper-colored Pinot grigio made in the tradition of north-eastern Italy. A very tricky wine to pull off. Very limited production.” 

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $39

“This cuvée is assembled by Peter Weygandt, of Weygandt-Metzler, at the domaine with the talented help of Stéphane Bourret, the winemaker, and the Bronzo family. This is delicious and very rewarding dry pink wine and, selling at almost half the price of Tempier’s Bandol Rosé, it is a real bargain!” –Kerry Winslow, Grapelive

Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose, Provence 2021 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “[Translated] Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette and Ugni blanc from clay-limestone and gravelly soils. 28-year-old vines. Intensely colored rosé. Notes of citron, Sichuan pepper, and dried apricot on the complex nose, mixing floral and spicy notes. Ample, dense and structured mouth with complex aromatics (pomelo, peony, pepper).”
Weygandt-Metlzer Wine importer note “Rosé wine. Provence, France. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault. Organic. An absolute beauty of a rosé at this price point. Mouthwatering aromas of strawberry cream on the nose, followed by a silky, refined palate with delicate but distinct flavors of melon and peach. A relatively light wine for a southern French rosé, but with a texture and character of impressive weight and substance.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $28

Sherry is one of the most underappreciated wine styles in the entire world and one of the best buys in the market as a result! The dominant soil type albariza is composed almost entirely of chalk, which imparts a distinctive, pervasive and saline minerality to the finished wine. Due to the inherent saline minerality, these are incredibly food friendly, particularly the light, dry, unoxidized style known as Fino. The traditional pairing of paella or charcuterie or even something along the lines of sushi, oysters in half shell or lobster. Given the fortification that Sherry undergoes, it is also perfect suited for slowly enjoying over the course of a week and will continue to evolve in your refrigerator.    

Emilio Lustau ‘3 En Rama’ Fino de Jerez de la Frontera Sherry Andalucia 2021 500ML ($27.95) $24 special, 26 bottles in stock now

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

The beautiful (and beautifully packaged) Perrier Jouët Belle Epoque radiates elegance, with a fine mousse and delicate flavors and aromas. It’s always one of the smartest and most welcoming buys in Tete de Cuvée Champagnes. 

Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Millésime Brut, Champagne 2011 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Always a light, ethereal style of wine, this is also very fresh and still young. It will age with its taut minerality from the Chardonnay in the blend. A softer background will become toasty over the next few years. The vintage date on this bottle is 200 years after the foundation of this producer. Drink from 2021.”



Domaine la Remejeanne

What do some of the hardest to find cult Champagne producers (Prevost, Bereche, Dehu & Cedric Bouchard), top names in Loire (Boudignon, Collier & Gerard Boulay), and super-scorer Vincent Paris of Cornas have in common? These are producers brokered by Thomas Calder. If you’ve tried any of the aforementioned estates (and we hope you have), you owe it to yourself to explore the estate he represents in the Southern Rhone: Domaine la Remejeanne. The domaine’s wines represent an absolute bargain (topping out at under $30/bottle) and capture all the elegance and complexity you’d expect from a Calder selection. 

Run by a father-son team Remy and Oliver Klein in the high elevation village of Sabran, they farm a visually stunning estate of 86 acres directly facing Mount Ventoux and entirely organic to boot. This proximity to the mountain puts the domaine right in the path of the Mistral wind, which cools the air and creates grapes of greater intensity while retaining freshness and acidity. 

We’ve expanded our offering for this year to include two of their whites and their oldest vine Syrah from their top site. While they fly under the radar of American reviewers, they are well loved in their home country. We adore this estate and know you will, too.

“This estate always punches well above its simple Côtes-du-Rhône appellation and are worth seeking out.” –Matt Walls, contributor for Decanter Magazine

“All our work is animated by a quest for finesse, elegance and freshness. So our wines constantly reveal ever more and more of the essential characteristics of our terroir.” –Domaine la Remejeanne

Domaine la Remejeanne In Stock Now:

Domaine la Remejeanne Les Arbousiers Blanc, Cotes du Rhône 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Certified organic. 25% Roussanne, 25% Viognier, 25% Clairette, 13% Marsanne, 12% Bourbolenc. 25+ year old vines. Owned by the dynamic Oliver Klein, this certified organic domaine is located in the small high altitude village of Sabran, nestled in dramatic hills divided between forests of green oak and sun-soaked vineyards. All of the vines at the estate are found at high altitudes between 200 and 280 meters. This results in a cooler climate than most of the Southern Rhone, and endows the wines with a freshness and liveliness not often encountered in the region. Klein is an extremely conscientious winemaker, using very traditional methods to maintain the highest quality of wine. All the grapes are hand-harvested, undergoing long, slow fermentations with indigenous yeasts before being aged in concrete or older wood. This hands off approach creates wines of elegance and class.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine la Remejeanne Un Air de Remejeanne Rouge, Cotes du Rhône 2019 750ML ($19.95) $15.75 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Owned by the dynamic Oliver Klein, this certified organic domaine is located in the small high altitude village of Sabran, nestled in dramatic hills divided between forests of green oak and sun-soaked vineyards. All of the vines at the estate are found at high altitudes between 200 and 280 meters. This results in a cooler climate than most of the Southern Rhone, and endows the wines with a freshness and liveliness not often encountered in the region. Klein is an extremely conscientious winemaker, using very traditional methods to maintain the highest quality of wine. All the grapes are hand-harvested, undergoing long, slow fermentations with indigenous yeasts before being aged in concrete or older wood. This hands off approach creates wines of elegance and class.”
Winery note “A wine with a lively, light ruby color. The nose has an explosion of red fruits with notes of wild strawberries and violets. Crunchy, fresh and fine, this is a very drinkable wine.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine la Remejeanne Les Chevrefeuilles, Cotes du Rhône 2018 750ML ($21.95) $16.50 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Importer note “70% Syrah, 10% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan, 5% Marselan. Grown on loess over limestone and sandstone on southeast-facing slopes at 250m of altitude.”
Winery note “Ruby red with a nose of fresh fruit, red and black berries, and hints of minty chocolate. On the palate, it is an elegant wine with fine aromas. It is supple with velvety tannins. The freshness gives the wine a delicious and fruity balance.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine la Remejeanne Les Eglantiers, Cotes du Rhône Villages 2016 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 2 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: 50+ year old syrah vines grown organically at 700 ft elevation.
Winery note “Intensely purple. The nose is explosive and smoky. It evolved into aromas of Morello cherries with delicate woody notes on the finish. On the palate, the wine is fresh, suave, and full of tensions thanks to the Syrah. The very fine and subtle style of the nose is enhanced by notes of fresh cade wood. Its exceptional structure makes it a wine for long aging. It pairs well with traditional dishes, grilled red meats and cheese. It is made from a selection of old vines exclusively composed of: Syrah (100%) for color, aromas, tannins, freshness and suitability for aging. It comes from old vines (50 years and over) with a very low yield: 20hl / ha.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Arriving This Summer:

Domaine la Remejeanne Les Chevrefeuilles Blanc, Cotes du Rhône 2021 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Winery note “[Translated and edited for clarity] This wine shows a clear and limpid color. It presents a fresh and lemony nose. Delicate aromas of white fruits (pear, etc) emerge. On the palate, it opens with a saline note from the Clairette, which brings great vivacity to the Roussanne and Granache Blanc.”
Importer Note “Certified organic. Chèvrefeuille [pronounced: shev-ruh-foy] is French for honeysuckle, the perfume of which you cannot escape during springtime in the southern Rhône. The Klein family is widely respected for their supple and aromatic Côtes du Rhône rouges, and under the tutelage of Olivier Klein the Domaine’s white wines are now reaching the same heights. The prevalence of limestone in the Sabran vineyards certainly helps in this regard, preserving freshness.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
 


Weingut Prinz:

A Johannes Selbach Selection

Prinz was originally started as a “Garagiste” or home winemaker operation in 1991 as a hobby for the founder Fred Prinz. The critics were immediately enamored and an invitation to join the legendary VDP consortium followed in 2005. Their estate vineyards are farmed organically, with a house style that aims for “minerality, elegance, finesse and ageing ability and they reflect their origins perfectly”. 

With holdings in the Rheingau that are relatively high elevation they’re able to produce a full range of Riesling’s including the rarest style of them all: Eiswein. Eiswein is among the hardest wines to make on the entire planet, and is becoming rarer as climate change advances. This is on account of the time the Riesling grapes must spend on the vine as decreed by German law. There’s an endless list of things that could go wrong for the selected clusters during this time. Between the risks of rotting, not freezing sufficiently (it must reach at least -7 degrees Celsius), or simply eaten by hungry birds you can see why production quantities are minuscule to say the least.

Johannes Selbach, winemaker-owner of Selbach-Oster and tastemaker extraordinaire of German wines (he helped Terry Theise launch his portfolio and connect to new producers), was kind enough to connect us with the winery, so these releases are near-exclusive to our humble shop.

Weingut Prinz Wines in stock now: 

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott 93 points “Still a bit closed, but this has serious depth and quite some weight for 12.5% alcohol. Complex mint, tarragon and candied-lime aromas, married to fine tannins and crisp acidity. Intense, but quite austere finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hendelberg Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Quite funky nose that needs some air to open up, then ripe-quince, apricot and lilac notes develop. Excellent structure behind the ripeness and creaminess, the herbal and mineral notes cascading over the palate at the firm, dry finish. From organically grown grapes.”    

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Jungfer Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “A stunning Kabinett that’s brimming with red apple, white peach and pomegranate. Very tense interplay of fruit, racy acidity and mountain-stream freshness. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Give yourself a holiday and forget all your cares! This super fine Spätlese has a stunning floral-honey, white-currant and dried-herb nose. Very succulent and concentrated with super bright acidity that interlocks beautifully. At the very mineral finish it’s almost dry. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
  
This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Wurzgarten Riesling Eiswein, Rheingau 2016 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Domaine Forey:

Still Under the Radar, For Now…

Domaine Forey is one of those “overnight success after 25 years” types of Burgundy domaines. The wines have been stunning for years, but exist in a (blessed) medium place of collectability—quantities are extremely scarce because of the size of the domaine, but somehow they aren’t yet a “name” in the sense of a Coche or Roumier.  The result is that we actually get to offer the wines to you, however briefly.

The 2018 vintage is, of course, a great year and more importantly it’s a year that plays into the style of the house.  These look to be monumental wines that have Forey’s usual power, coupled with a sense of refinement and polish that’s been growing over the last 7-10 years here.

In Stock Now from Domaine Forey:

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “This has a very attractively complex nose with spiced red cherry, blueberry, orange peel and biscuit spices all intertwined. The palate has a very fresh, deeply fruited feel with rich red and dark-cherry flavors, wrapped in spice, sarsaparilla and earthy notes. All here. Off the climats of Les Treux and Clos Saint Denis. Try from 2023.”
Burghound 91 points “This is moderately reduced though eventually hints of spice and floral aspect can be discerned. There is outstanding volume to the seductively textured and opulent flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the velvety and mocha-suffused finish that is shaped by firm if somewhat grippy and inelegant tannins that are enough to curtail the persistence somewhat. The balance isn’t quite right at present though I suspect that in time it will improve as some of the tannin begins to resolve and my rating offers the benefit of the doubt.”
Rosenthal Note “Forey owns 0.3 hectares in this exalted cru, in the climats of Les Treux and Clos Saint-Denis, flanked by the grand cru Grands-Echezeaux to the north and Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots to the south. All but a small recently replanted portion of the holdings are between 40 and 65 years old, and Forey always wrests a wine of refined power from these old vines. 70% whole clusters.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Burghound 92 points “An attractively fresh nose is comprised by notes of essence of various red berries, a plethora of splice elements and even a hint of the sauvage. There is fine intensity and a bit more volume if less minerality to the medium weight plus flavors that are more structured still on the serious, austere and even more backward finish. Patience definitely advised.”

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 3 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “Very well presented aromas of fresh red cherries, stones, blueberries and sweetly fragrant spices, as well as orange peel and bergamot. The palate has a long, lithe and sleek arrangement of tannin. Very crisp, fresh red-cherry flavors hold sappy and succulent into the spicy, cola-laced finish. Best from 2024.”
Rosenthal Note “Clos de Vougeot is the defensive lineman to the Echezeaux’s running back—massively scaled and more squarely built. Regis works a third of a hectare of 40-to-45-year-old vines here, and this is, appropriately, the densest and most currently inscrutable wine of the lineup. Still, at its core is a certain elegance, which imbues this broad-shouldered wine with a real sense of refinement. 60% whole clusters.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $226

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Les Perrieres, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Burghound 91 points “Outstanding. An attractively spicy mix is comprised by notes of lavender, red and blue pinot fruit and freshly turned earth. The middle weight flavors are not particularly dense (though neither are they dilute) but they are refined thanks to the relatively fine-grained tannins shaping the balanced, delicious and lingering if mildly austere finale. This isn’t classic but it’s attractive in its fashion and a wine that should drink well on the earlier side if desired, which is to say after 5 to 6 years.”
Rosenthal Note “Regis works a 0.42-hectare parcel of 75-to-80-year-old vines in this vaunted cru, and this 2018 —vinified with 30% whole clusters—is an immediate leap forward in complexity from the previous wines. All its elements present with greater force: juicier fruit, firmer yet more fully enrobed tannins, and a more intense earth-mineral interplay.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Morey-Saint-Denis, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 19 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 91 points “This has an earthy, savory edge with ripe red-cherry and blueberry-pastry notes. Lightly spicy. The palate has a firm core of internal tannin that carries flanks to red-cherry flesh. From Clos Solon and Les Crais. Drink or hold.”
Neal Rosenthal “Forey’s village-level Morey-Saint-Denis consists of two minuscule holdings of vines between 30 and 50 years of age (one in Clos Solon and one in Les Crais.). Fermented with 70% whole clusters and aged in demi-muids like the Bourgogne above, the 2017 displays impressive density on its otherwise lithe and energetic frame.”
Burghound “An expressive nose of red currant, pomegranate and a floral whiff possesses good freshness. There is once again good verve to the caressing and round middle weight flavors that also culminate in a refreshingly delicious and lingering finish if not especially complex finale. This too should be approachable on the younger side.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Nuits-Saint-Georges, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 91 points “This has attractive red florals and sappy red plums, as well as cherries. The palate has good depth, chew and succulence with ripe red-cherry flavors holding fresh. From two lieu dits: Plantes Aux Barons and Charbonnieres. Vine age is 60-plus years. Drink over the next five years.”
Neal Rosenthal “A villages-level wine of considerable depth, Forey’s Nuits-Saint-Georges comprises a hectare’s worth of 60-year-old vines in the lieux-dits of Charbonnières and Plantes Aux Barons. Despite its relative wildness and a glimmer of that classic Nuits-Saint-Georges rambunctiousness, it offers a similarly alert freshness to the Morey above and displays terrific poise. Regis employed 30% whole clusters during the vinification here.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $78

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Vosne-Romanee, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Quite seductive, rose and pot pourri-like fragrance with fresh red cherries and subtle, leafy notes, too. The palate has a smooth and supple feel with ample, fleshy ripe-cherry flavor. An amalgam of 14 separate parcels, the oldest planted in 1942. Good value. Drink over the next seven years.”
Neal Rosenthal “As one would expect from the appellation, this 2017 Vosne-Romanée is notably silkier and more elegant than its village-level cousins above. Produced from fourteen small parcels planted between 1942 and 1974, mostly in the northern sector of the appellation, it was aged in a combination of demi-muids and smaller barrels. What it lacks in flesh it more than compensates for in its mineral drive, and its tight-grained tannins counterbalance the fruit’s suaveness with an appealing hint of austerity. 40% whole clusters.”
Burghound “A riper nose offers up notes of poached plum, dark currant, sandalwood and whiffs of menthol and oak toast. The supple and very forward medium-bodied flavors possess a velvety and seductive mouthfeel, all wrapped in a sappy finish that progressively tightens up as it sits on the palate. This mildly austere and grippy effort will need at least 2 to 3 years of cellaring first and reward up to a decade.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Collector’s Corner:

Diamond Creek – Napa’s Original Icon

Diamond Creek invented much of what we think of California Cabernet. The single vineyard, small lot wines made from the first suitcase Cabernet vines (taken with permission from two Bordeaux First Growth estates) are as iconic as ever—monuments to the greatness of their Napa terroir.

Stylistically, these are powerful Cabernets. Although there are distinct differences between the three vineyards, the wines show a common vein of Diamond Mountain ruggedness—an intensity of flavor and minerality that’s unique to the AVA. Diamond Creek manages to harness it to produce wines that dazzle with their complexity and age-worthiness; wines that rival the finest in Bordeaux. These are wines that are destined to stand the test of time as modern classics of Napa Valley.


In Stock Now:

Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $269 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.5% Merlot, 8.7% Malbec and 2.8% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple colored, it bursts with vibrant scents of wild blueberries, chocolate-covered cherries and boysenberries with hints of sassafras, fragrant earth, vanilla pod and underbrush, plus a waft of crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers fantastic purity and depth, offering firm, grainy tannins to support the bags of earth-laced black fruits, finishing long and mineral laced. 791 cases were made.”
Winery notes “Volcanic Hill is comprised of 8 acres of south facing hillside vineyard.  It is the warmest of all our micro-climates.  The color of the soil is gray, and the consistency is that of fluffy, volcanic ash, originally deposited from the eruption of Mt. Konocti 8 million years ago. Volcanic Hill is the longest lived of our wines. Our winemaker describes these wines as “full bodied, loaded with intense ripe berry fruit, cassis, violets and a smoky richness, finishing with good length and firm tannins. The Volcanic Hill bottling includes a small amount of the extra-ordinary Petit Verdot grape.”
 
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $259 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is a blend of 78.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.4% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 5.1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slips effortlessly from the glass, singing of ripe black cherries, black raspberries and cassis, plus hints of red currants, roses, cinnamon stick and garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers lovely freshness, offering bags of perfumed black fruits in the mouth, beautifully supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long with lots of soft-spoken floral and mineral whispers. This perfumed beauty wears the 2018 vintage stamp well, presenting a more delicate expression of this vineyard—one that I love! 647 cases were made.”
Winery notes “Our second coolest micro-climate is our five-acre Gravelly Meadow vineyard. Originally a pre-historic river bed, this stony, gravelly soil drains rapidly and the vines struggle for moisture. Gravelly Meadow is our lowest yielding vineyard. The wines are described as “earthy, cedary, jammy and ripe blackberry with a spicy expansive finish.”

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