Tag Archives: France

A Trove of Back Vintage Rougeard

Verticals of the Loire Cult Classic (with Fantastic Provenance)

11/3/19

Clos Rougeard is one of the toughest wines in the world to source—and older vintages even more so. These are bottles that are some of the most coveted in the world—the only producer of their stature in the Loire, they’re on par with the highest end Burgundy. Collectors fight to get mere bottles of current releases, so it’s even more exciting to get our hands on a massive collection of back-vintage Rougeard with excellent provenance. These are moving fast—we’re down to one vintage of Breze and only a few bottles of a number of the single vineyard wines. You can view a full list on our webstore, or keep reading for more details on provenience, etc … Read the rest

The Iconic Wines of Zind-Humbrecht

May 20th, 2018

Zind Humbrecht at Vinopolis: Buy Now

The Wines of Zind-Humbrecht are legendary for a reason. Founded in 1959, they own parcels of some of the best vineyards in Alsace and have consistently been a winery that others have been judged against. Currently helmed by Olivier Humbrecht, a Master of Wine, they’re turning out some of the finest wines in the storied estate’s history.

These are full bodied, flamboyantly rich whites. The hallmark of Zind-Humbrecht has always been intense power allied with minerality and freshness on the back end. These are breathtaking wines that can stop conversation. We have a tremendous assortment in stock, from dry to sweet— and all are worthy of attention. You can view all of them on our webstore by clicking here, or just drop in or give us a call.… Read the rest

Guigal Condrieu

Great Guigal

Classic Condrieu

May 2017

From the three lieux-dits of Cote Chatillon, Colombier and Coteau de Chery:
E. Guigal Condrieu La Doriane, Rhone 2015 750ML ($119.95) Buy Now: $89 pre-arrival special, ETA September 2017
Wine Advocate 99 points “Easily one of the greatest Condrieu I’ve ever tasted is the 2015 Condrieu La Doriane. A wine that needs to be tasted to be believed, it possesses a huge nose of toasted brioche, liquid rocks, apricot, flower oil and salty minerality. Unctuous, full-bodied, massively rich, yet also elegant and graceful, with beautiful freshness, enjoy this tour de force over the coming 5-6 years.” – Jeb Dunnuck

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

E. Guigal Condrieu, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now: $49 pre-arrival special, ETA May 2017
Wine Advocate 95 points “Guigal’s 2015 Condrieu is a blockbuster that, if not for its big brother, would be one of the wines of the vintage.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Philippe Pacalet Moulin a Vent 9-8-16

Philippe Pacalet Moulin A Vent, Beaujolais, France 2014 750ML ($59.95) Buy Now $49 special

Never patient when it comes to Beaujolais, I drank Pacalet’s intrepid Moulin-a-Vent the very night it arrived at our shop. A simple salmon dish served as accompaniment, and I poured some out into a decanter in order to contrast normal and accelerated evolution of the wine as it aerated. Cherry aromas soared out of the glass, with an immediate flavor profile of goji berries, plum, Bing cherries, and a touch of leather. The fruit bears this intriguing crunchiness, with the acid mingling but never overarching beyond the wine’s overall feel. There is a playful energy this Beaujolais, which went lovely with the salmon and danced between being a little showy and a bit mellow over the course of four hours.… Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Chateau d’Arcole Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 5-28-16

Chateau d’Arcole, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($34.95) Buy Now: $29 special

My palate exercised by a cellar-worthy 2010 Sociando-Mallet, I relaxed with the first sip of 2009 Château d’Arcole. The former Bordeaux, a deep Cabernet, was still quite young; the latter, a soft Merlot, drank smoothly till all was gone. Both years were outstanding, but sometimes life calls for a fleshy, rounded St. Emilion, full of plum and spice, like Château d’Arcole.

The name comes from a Napoleonic battle, the grapes (70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon) from the château’s 300-year-old vineyard, which has never been bombarded by synthetic chemicals. The wine, certified organic, receives the dignified attention of Château d’Arcole’s Grand Cru status: Rotating stainless fermentation vats, gravity pumping, no filtration, not too much new oak.… Read the rest