In Today’s Newsletter:
Featured New Arrival
Hundred Suns’ 2019 Pinot Noirs
Galerie: Stunning Cabernet with 100-Point Pedigree
Poderi Colla: One of the Piedmont’s Great Names
Just Arrived:
Two Great Deals on Half Bottles of Top Napa Cabernet
Trending Wines
Clos Mogador
Priorat Star, Now Making Stunning Monstant
Featured New Arrival
Hundred Suns’ 2019 Pinot Noirs
Hundred Suns Sequitur Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “A cool winter led into a warm spring. Consistent temperatures with low heat spikes and rapid cooling, coupled with plenty of showers in autumn, created the perfect combination for this warm site. Low yields and meticulous farming delivered perfectly ripe fruit bursting with flavor. One fermenter each of destemmed fruit, 50% whole cluster, and a small carbonic lot were blended together this year to yield the classic plum and floral characters that make this vineyard so distinctive. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. This selection came from Mike Etzel’s home vineyard, Sequitur, located at 425 feet elevation on a southeast slope of the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Marine Sedimentary (Willakenzie Series) soils. Clones: Chalone, 943, Pommard. Native yeast fermentation. Elevage: 10 months in neutral, 5 year, air-drived 228L barrels. Farming practices: dry farmed, Organic, Biodynamic.”
Hundred Suns Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Vinopolnote “This is the final vintage of Shea from Hundred Suns – only 60 cases produced.”
Winery note “Winemaking & Tasting: 2019 was a return to familiar Oregon vintages as we dodged rainstorms to pick in late September. By keeping yields low, full ripeness was achieved. Fruit was divided into two native yeast fermentations: one destemmed and one 33% whole cluster. Floral aromatics mix with pops of refreshing cherry and raspberry, carried by undertones of spice. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Vineyard: In the late 1980s, Dick and Deirdre Shea planted what is now one of Willamette Valley’s most esteemed and iconic vineyards. Our 1 acre block of Dijon Clone 777 sits at 450 feet on a south/southwest exposure. This warm site in Yamhill-Carlton AVA is planted on Marine Sedimentary soil. 40% whole clust. Elevage: 10 months in neutral wood. Farming practices: dry farmed.”
Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($31.95) $29 special
Winery note “The 2019 vintage was a return to a classic, cool Willamette Valley growing season. Dodging rain showers, we harvested our collection of vineyards starting in late September and into mid-October. Tasting Notes: By design, this wine evolves and changes in glass through a broad spectrum of nuanced characteristics. Opening notes of ripe cranberry and cherry give way to complexities of black licorice, black currant, dried sage, and freshly-tilled earth. The succulent fruit wraps around a framework of delicate tannins and mouth-watering acidity. Old Eight Cut: A diamond cut dating back to the 1400s using simple tools and few cuts to enhance the natural brilliance of the stone without disguising its true nature. This cellar selection stitches together pieces from unique sites across the Willamette Valley. Lots are fermented with native yeast & a variety of traditional & experimental techniques to create a layered wine of great complexity, but that is, first and foremost, totally delicious. Winemaking was kept to a bare minimum; fermented with native yeast and 25% whole cluster; aged on the lees for 11 months; gently racked to tank and bottled unfined and unfiltered.”
A product of the Willamette Valley, Grant has made a name for himself producing inspired Pinot Noir. However, he is also passionate about exploring the region’s potential beyond its trademark variety. Hundred Suns’ Gamay and Syrah are perfect examples. Both hail from the Willamette Valley, and offer persuasive evidence that both have a future here.
Also In Stock Now from Grant Coulter:
Hundred Suns Tualatin Estate Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vintage & Vinification: A cool and lengthy growing season gave us wines of modest alcohol and incredible flavor. Once harvested our Gamay was divided into three lots. The first 100% de-stemmed, the second 50% whole cluster and the third 100% whole cluster Carbonic. Aged in a combination of Amphora and neutral oak for 11 months. This bottling is filled with juicy red fruit, crunchy textures and refined acidity. Bottled Unfined and Unfiltered. Vineyard: This historic estate was established in the early 1970s by pioneer Bill Fuller. Our parcel of Gamay (in fact, the only gamay planted at the site) came from a hidden corner of the vineyard and was uncovered by our friend, Evan Martin, who offered us a one-acre piece of this amazing site planted on marine sedimentary soils.”
Hundred Suns Super Moon – Vidon Vineyard Syrah, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Super Moon is a rare and beautiful lunar event that occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit, making the moon seem brighter and more close than usual. It felt an appropriate name for a wine that could only have come to being in this particular vintage. Our Super Moon Syrah was grown on a warm site for the Willamette Valley during a classic, cool Oregon vintage. It was fermented 100% whole cluster in a sealed tank. On the 12th day we opened the tank and foot-stomped the clusters one time before pressing. The resulting wine is initially shy with savory tones of black pepper and beef bouillon, but after time the wine opens to offer juicy pomegranate & cranberry with a light, refreshing palate surprising for Syrah.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Flaneur Wines Extra Brut, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($79.95) $64 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Vinopolnote: We adore all things winemaker Grant Coulter makes, whether under his own label Hundred Suns or at the gorgeously beautiful winery of Flaneur. His current projects may be relatively new to the scene, but his long experience in the Valley, commitment to sustainability and terroir expression, and the profundity of the resulting wines make him a must-watch. This 2017 Champagne-style sparkling wine is a fabulous follow up to the 2016 and proves Oregon sparkling wines have arrived.
Winery note “Sea salt and briny aromas envelop citrus and green pear characteristics. The tightly wound palate leads with pronounced minerality and follows through with ripe citrus and orchard fruit, balanced by laser sharp acidity and a fine, persistent bead of bubbles. 43% Pinot Meunier, 31% Chardonnay, 26% Pinot Noir.”
Love supporting local wineries? We have over 275 options from Oregon and Washington in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Cameron, Evesham Wood, Goodfellow and more, on our web store now.
New Arrival
Galerie: Stunning Cabernet with 100-Point Pedigree
Other Excellent Traditional-Styled Barolo and Barbaresco, In Stock Now:
Lapo Berti Barolo La Morra 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 31 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Traditionally-made Barolo from a prime parcel in La Morra, selected and imported by Cameron winemaker John Paul.
GD Vajra Barolo Coste Di Rose 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Dusty cherry, black currant, eucalyptus and hay aromas and flavors highlight this energetic red. There is purity to the beam of fruit, and while the structure is muscular, the lasting impression is of sweet fruit. Best from 2023 through 2045.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barolo Coste di Rose is plump, juicy and forward – all qualities that make it one of the more approachable wines in the Vajra range. Plump dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice and menthol all flesh out in a racy, juicy Barolo that will drink well right out of the gate. Plush fruit and silky tannins add to the wine’s voluptuous feel and early accessibility. This is very good, but it is not particularly complex.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Boasting a lithe, mid-weight style and a very silky finish, the G.D. Vajra 2016 Barolo Coste di Rose is fragrant, floral and delicate. The bouquet here is almost all wild rose, violet and honeysuckle or jasmine. The fruity component of the wine is fine and light with cassis, white cherry and cranberry. Fruit comes from a 1.5-hectare parcel inside the Coste di Rose cru with a high percentage of well-draining sandy soils that contribute to the wine’s graceful textural embroidery. There is a hint of cherry or raspberry sweetness on the finish. A mere 4,800 bottles are hitting the market now. This is the second vintage produced.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Red berry, rose, dark spice and menthol form the nose while the graceful palate offers juicy Marasca cherry, strawberry compote and licorice. Bright acidity and polished tannins provide support and impart finesse. Drink through 2031. – Kerin O’Keefe”
James Suckling 95 points “This has some very attractive rose perfume and anise spice with raspberry, redcurrant and red-cherry aromas. Blueberry pastry, too. So perfumed. The palate has very fine, almost crystalline tannins and such intense, juicy and vivaciously delivered flavors of essence-like red fruit. So precise. Drinkable now, but with potential for long-term cellaring.”
Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 2016 750ML ($99.95) $77 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Spectator 96 points “Macerated cherry and raspberry fruit is supported by rose, iron and eucalyptus flavors in this red, which is complex and intense, with an elegant frame and beautifully integrated tannins. Just as this feels approachable, the fine-grained tannins take hold, ending with a very long finish. Best from 2023 through 2045.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Baudana is laced with sweet red cherry, floral overtones and silky tannins, all of which make it one of the more refined, sensual Serralunga Barolos readers will come across. In this tasting, the Baudana impresses with its haunting aromatics and transparent expression of Nebbiolo. Like all of these wines, it needs time in bottle but it is super impressive, even in the early going.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Balsamic aromas of camphor mingle with pressed rose, new leather and small red berry. Firmly structured and youthfully austere, the linear palate features dried cherry, licorice, cinnamon and tobacco alongside assertive but noble tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2026–2036. – Kerin O’Keefe”
Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 97 points– Cellar Selection “Still young but already boasting extraordinary pedigree, this fantastic wine opens with hallmark scents of wild berry, new leather, chopped herb, tilled soil and a whiff of violet. The polished, full-bodied palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and licorice while youthfully assertive, noble tannins and bright acidity provide age-worthy structure. A pipe tobacco note lingers on the finish. Drink 2023–2038.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The Barbaresco Riserva Montefico shows all the energy and focus that is typical of this great site, but there is so much depth to the fruit that some of the more angular contours have been softened. Bright saline-infused notes lead to wild flowers and an exotic melange of red fruits in this beautifully delineated, vivid Barbaresco. All the elements are simply in the right place.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96+ points “I am absolutely impressed by the stunning 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico. The Montefico growing site is very small and only 13,000 bottles are produced as a result. There are just three farmers who tend to this vineyard cru, and because their respective plots are very small, they rely on the Produttori del Barbaresco co-operative model for survival. This wine shows amazing depth and enlarged dimension. Aromas of black fruit, spice, tar and crushed mineral contribute to the considerable volume and power of the wine. That precise and focused mineral definition is outstanding, recalling brimstone and pencil shavings. Montefico can underperform in the hot vintages, but it hits all the high notes in the cooler 2013.”
Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($69.95) $52.50 special
Case-12 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($699.95) $569 special (that’s only $47.42/bottle—the lowest listed price on the west coast!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Editor’s Choice. Rose petal, camphor, perfumed berry and forest floor are just some of the aromas you’ll find on this gorgeous, radiant red. It’s delicious and loaded with an earthy finesse, delivering succulent red cherry, ripe strawberry, licorice, game and almost salty mineral notes. Taut, refined tannins and fresh acidity keep it impeccably balanced. Drink through 2031.”
Have Wine Ready to Pick Up?
Stop by our shop 10 am – 6 pm daily
Feel free to call ahead before you arrive or for curbside service:
#503-223-6002
(You’ll help free up some space for your next order!)
Just Arrived:
Two Great Deals on Half Bottles of Top Napa Cabernet
Featured New Arrival
Hundred Suns’ 2019 Pinot Noirs
Galerie: Stunning Cabernet with 100-Point Pedigree
Poderi Colla: One of the Piedmont’s Great Names
Just Arrived:
Two Great Deals on Half Bottles of Top Napa Cabernet
Trending Wines
Clos Mogador
Priorat Star, Now Making Stunning Monstant
Featured New Arrival
Hundred Suns’ 2019 Pinot Noirs
Grant Coulter is one of the Pacific Northwest’s rising stars. The former assistant winemaker at Beaux Frères (under tutelage of the legendary Mike Etzel), Grant’s made a name for himself as Flâneur’s Head Winemaker, as well as with his own label: Hundred Suns. Anyone who loves the Beaux Frères or Flâneur wines needs to be paying attention to what Grant is doing.
Hundred Suns represents one of the most exciting new labels in Oregon and we’ve struggled to keep the wines in stock ever since they first arrived last summer. So take this opportunity to taste the future of Oregon while you still can.
Winery note on the 2019 vintage: “The 2019 vintage was a return to a classic, cool Willamette Valley growing season. Dodging rain showers, we harvested our collection of vineyards starting in late September and into mid-October.”
Newly Arrived, In Stock Now:
Hundred Suns Bednarik Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “2019 marked a return to the cool temperate conditions that make Oregon ideal for Pinot Noir. Harvested October 1st with modest sugars and intense flavor. The Pommard and Wadensvil were split into 5 unique lots. One amphora and one tank were filled and sealed to rest untouched for twelve days. The remaining fruit was destemmed into small open-top fermenters. With these cooler conditions, red loganberry and Rainier cherry take front stage, accompanied by delicate tannins and bright acid that will carry this wine for years to come. Planted deep in the cool hills near Cherry Grove, this six acre, own-rooted vineyard was planted in 1988 by William Bednarik to Pommard and Wadensvil clones. Our block is situated at 350 feet on a south/southwest exposure, overlying marine sedimentary soil. Native yeast fermentation. Destemmed. Elevage: 10 months in neutral, 5 year, air-dried 228L barrels. Farming practices: dry farmed / Organic.”
Hundred Suns represents one of the most exciting new labels in Oregon and we’ve struggled to keep the wines in stock ever since they first arrived last summer. So take this opportunity to taste the future of Oregon while you still can.
Winery note on the 2019 vintage: “The 2019 vintage was a return to a classic, cool Willamette Valley growing season. Dodging rain showers, we harvested our collection of vineyards starting in late September and into mid-October.”
Newly Arrived, In Stock Now:
Hundred Suns Bednarik Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “2019 marked a return to the cool temperate conditions that make Oregon ideal for Pinot Noir. Harvested October 1st with modest sugars and intense flavor. The Pommard and Wadensvil were split into 5 unique lots. One amphora and one tank were filled and sealed to rest untouched for twelve days. The remaining fruit was destemmed into small open-top fermenters. With these cooler conditions, red loganberry and Rainier cherry take front stage, accompanied by delicate tannins and bright acid that will carry this wine for years to come. Planted deep in the cool hills near Cherry Grove, this six acre, own-rooted vineyard was planted in 1988 by William Bednarik to Pommard and Wadensvil clones. Our block is situated at 350 feet on a south/southwest exposure, overlying marine sedimentary soil. Native yeast fermentation. Destemmed. Elevage: 10 months in neutral, 5 year, air-dried 228L barrels. Farming practices: dry farmed / Organic.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Suns Sequitur Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “A cool winter led into a warm spring. Consistent temperatures with low heat spikes and rapid cooling, coupled with plenty of showers in autumn, created the perfect combination for this warm site. Low yields and meticulous farming delivered perfectly ripe fruit bursting with flavor. One fermenter each of destemmed fruit, 50% whole cluster, and a small carbonic lot were blended together this year to yield the classic plum and floral characters that make this vineyard so distinctive. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. This selection came from Mike Etzel’s home vineyard, Sequitur, located at 425 feet elevation on a southeast slope of the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Marine Sedimentary (Willakenzie Series) soils. Clones: Chalone, 943, Pommard. Native yeast fermentation. Elevage: 10 months in neutral, 5 year, air-drived 228L barrels. Farming practices: dry farmed, Organic, Biodynamic.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Suns Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Vinopolnote “This is the final vintage of Shea from Hundred Suns – only 60 cases produced.”
Winery note “Winemaking & Tasting: 2019 was a return to familiar Oregon vintages as we dodged rainstorms to pick in late September. By keeping yields low, full ripeness was achieved. Fruit was divided into two native yeast fermentations: one destemmed and one 33% whole cluster. Floral aromatics mix with pops of refreshing cherry and raspberry, carried by undertones of spice. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Vineyard: In the late 1980s, Dick and Deirdre Shea planted what is now one of Willamette Valley’s most esteemed and iconic vineyards. Our 1 acre block of Dijon Clone 777 sits at 450 feet on a south/southwest exposure. This warm site in Yamhill-Carlton AVA is planted on Marine Sedimentary soil. 40% whole clust. Elevage: 10 months in neutral wood. Farming practices: dry farmed.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($31.95) $29 special
Winery note “The 2019 vintage was a return to a classic, cool Willamette Valley growing season. Dodging rain showers, we harvested our collection of vineyards starting in late September and into mid-October. Tasting Notes: By design, this wine evolves and changes in glass through a broad spectrum of nuanced characteristics. Opening notes of ripe cranberry and cherry give way to complexities of black licorice, black currant, dried sage, and freshly-tilled earth. The succulent fruit wraps around a framework of delicate tannins and mouth-watering acidity. Old Eight Cut: A diamond cut dating back to the 1400s using simple tools and few cuts to enhance the natural brilliance of the stone without disguising its true nature. This cellar selection stitches together pieces from unique sites across the Willamette Valley. Lots are fermented with native yeast & a variety of traditional & experimental techniques to create a layered wine of great complexity, but that is, first and foremost, totally delicious. Winemaking was kept to a bare minimum; fermented with native yeast and 25% whole cluster; aged on the lees for 11 months; gently racked to tank and bottled unfined and unfiltered.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
A product of the Willamette Valley, Grant has made a name for himself producing inspired Pinot Noir. However, he is also passionate about exploring the region’s potential beyond its trademark variety. Hundred Suns’ Gamay and Syrah are perfect examples. Both hail from the Willamette Valley, and offer persuasive evidence that both have a future here.
Also In Stock Now from Grant Coulter:
Hundred Suns Tualatin Estate Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vintage & Vinification: A cool and lengthy growing season gave us wines of modest alcohol and incredible flavor. Once harvested our Gamay was divided into three lots. The first 100% de-stemmed, the second 50% whole cluster and the third 100% whole cluster Carbonic. Aged in a combination of Amphora and neutral oak for 11 months. This bottling is filled with juicy red fruit, crunchy textures and refined acidity. Bottled Unfined and Unfiltered. Vineyard: This historic estate was established in the early 1970s by pioneer Bill Fuller. Our parcel of Gamay (in fact, the only gamay planted at the site) came from a hidden corner of the vineyard and was uncovered by our friend, Evan Martin, who offered us a one-acre piece of this amazing site planted on marine sedimentary soils.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Hundred Suns Super Moon – Vidon Vineyard Syrah, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Super Moon is a rare and beautiful lunar event that occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit, making the moon seem brighter and more close than usual. It felt an appropriate name for a wine that could only have come to being in this particular vintage. Our Super Moon Syrah was grown on a warm site for the Willamette Valley during a classic, cool Oregon vintage. It was fermented 100% whole cluster in a sealed tank. On the 12th day we opened the tank and foot-stomped the clusters one time before pressing. The resulting wine is initially shy with savory tones of black pepper and beef bouillon, but after time the wine opens to offer juicy pomegranate & cranberry with a light, refreshing palate surprising for Syrah.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Flaneur Wines Extra Brut, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($79.95) $64 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Vinopolnote: We adore all things winemaker Grant Coulter makes, whether under his own label Hundred Suns or at the gorgeously beautiful winery of Flaneur. His current projects may be relatively new to the scene, but his long experience in the Valley, commitment to sustainability and terroir expression, and the profundity of the resulting wines make him a must-watch. This 2017 Champagne-style sparkling wine is a fabulous follow up to the 2016 and proves Oregon sparkling wines have arrived.
Winery note “Sea salt and briny aromas envelop citrus and green pear characteristics. The tightly wound palate leads with pronounced minerality and follows through with ripe citrus and orchard fruit, balanced by laser sharp acidity and a fine, persistent bead of bubbles. 43% Pinot Meunier, 31% Chardonnay, 26% Pinot Noir.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love supporting local wineries? We have over 275 options from Oregon and Washington in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Cameron, Evesham Wood, Goodfellow and more, on our web store now.
New Arrival
Galerie: Stunning Cabernet with 100-Point Pedigree
Laura Díaz Muñoz may not be a household name for Cabernet-lovers—yet. The former associate winemaker at 100-point Napa legends Cardinale and Lokoya, she launched Galerie, a boutique project focusing on making stunning Cabernet (and Sauvignon Blanc) from top sites in Sonoma and Napa.
We’ve just acquired a prime parcel of their two standout Cabs at national-best pricing. The Pleinair is an outstanding bottle of Cabernet, big, bold, and plush, blended from selected sites across Napa. Better still is their secret star, Latro, from Knights Valley—one of our favorite sections of the north coast, made famous by Peter Michael. It’s got a structured, mineral streak that’s compelling, reminding us of the classic Beringer wines of the early 90’s.
Both just arrived and offer outstanding value, especially at our pricing, which is significantly lower than our closest competitors. With a few years of bottle age already, they’re drinking well now, so As with many of these offers, though, quantities are limited, so stock up now.
In Stock Now:
Galerie Wines ‘Latro’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2015 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
Case-6 Galerie Wines ‘Latro’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2015 750ML ($239.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 93 points “Deep purple-black colored, the 2015 Latro Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers up warm blueberry and plum notions with hints of black soil, stewed tea, menthol and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the fruits flavors completely fill the mouth, with blue fruit preserves and a lovely perfumed nature, featuring plush tannins and plenty of freshness defining the long finish. 425 cases produced.”
We’ve just acquired a prime parcel of their two standout Cabs at national-best pricing. The Pleinair is an outstanding bottle of Cabernet, big, bold, and plush, blended from selected sites across Napa. Better still is their secret star, Latro, from Knights Valley—one of our favorite sections of the north coast, made famous by Peter Michael. It’s got a structured, mineral streak that’s compelling, reminding us of the classic Beringer wines of the early 90’s.
Both just arrived and offer outstanding value, especially at our pricing, which is significantly lower than our closest competitors. With a few years of bottle age already, they’re drinking well now, so As with many of these offers, though, quantities are limited, so stock up now.
In Stock Now:
Galerie Wines ‘Latro’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2015 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
Case-6 Galerie Wines ‘Latro’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2015 750ML ($239.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 93 points “Deep purple-black colored, the 2015 Latro Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers up warm blueberry and plum notions with hints of black soil, stewed tea, menthol and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the fruits flavors completely fill the mouth, with blue fruit preserves and a lovely perfumed nature, featuring plush tannins and plenty of freshness defining the long finish. 425 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59.99
The next best price is $59.99
Galerie Wines ‘Plenair’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($59.95) $36 special
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Pleinair Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon delivers pronounced baked berries, prunes and warm black currant cordial notes with touches of baking spices, olives and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, it has concentrated baked black berry and savory layers with soft, velvety tannins and balanced freshness, finishing on a spicy note. 1,540 cases produced.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “Very deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Pleinair Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon delivers pronounced baked berries, prunes and warm black currant cordial notes with touches of baking spices, olives and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, it has concentrated baked black berry and savory layers with soft, velvety tannins and balanced freshness, finishing on a spicy note. 1,540 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $44.99
The average listed price is $57
The next best price is $44.99
The average listed price is $57
Poderi Colla: One of the Piedmont’s Great Names
Prunotto is one of the most historically significant producers in Barolo and Barbaresco. The first to bottle Barolo with the name of the cru on the label, the first to bottle a named Montestefano in Barbaresco… the list goes on—and Beppe Colla made them great. He owned the winery during its heyday, until selling the brand to Antinori in the early 90’s—and it’s his last name that adorns the label of Poderi Colla today.
The Colla family took the money from the sale of Prunotto and turned around to buy land in some of the most prestigious plots in the Piedmont. The highlights were the Dardi Le Rose vineyard in Barolo and Roncaglie in Barbaresco, two famous parcels that produce wines of sheer delight and extravagant complexity.
Colla takes those prime parcels and keeps out of the way of their perfect grapes. Macerations are kept short enough to avoid extracting harsh tannins, but long enough to build texture and structure for the wines to age gracefully. Those wines are matured in large, old oak botti, which allow for graceful development and polish without woody flavors.
The resulting wines are some of the best in the Piedmont, even if they’re still priced well under $100 per bottle. In the transcendent 2016 vintage, they’re even better than usual—which is to say, must-buys for serious Piedmont drinkers.
Newly Arrived, In Stock Now:
Poderi Colla Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia 2016 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose is just as gorgeous as it always has been. Dark and translucent, the 2016 possesses striking layers of complexity. Spice, menthol, leather, sage and tobacco lend compelling nuance throughout. Although the 2016 is fabulous, it has also started to close down in bottle to a greater degree than I original envisaged. I wouldn’t be in any rush to open it.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Classic Nebbiolo aromas of woodland berry, forest floor, new leather and a whiff of rose lift out of the glass along with a whiff of botanical herb. Delivering elegance and structure in equal measure, the linear palate features red cherry, strawberry compote, baking spice and licorice framed in firm, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well balanced. Drink 2024–2036.”
Poderi Colla Barbaresco Roncaglie 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “A stellar wine, the 2016 Barbaresco Roncaglie is pretty, delicate and understated to the core. Rose petal, sweet spice, tobacco, mint, anise and sweet red cherry all grace this translucent, super-expressive Barbaresco from Poderi Colla. A Barbaresco of understatement and class, the 2016 is light on its feet, persistent and finely sculpted. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s inner sweetness and perfume, but the 2016 also needs time in bottle to be at its best. This is such a gorgeous wine.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Raspberry compote, truffle, camphor and leather aromas lead the nose along with a hint of hazelnut. The palate is focused and youthfully assertive, showing red cherry, rhubarb, game, clove and wild mint alongside tight, fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. Give it time to fully unwind and develop. Drink 2026–2036.”
Poderi Colla Bricco del Drago Langhe Rosso 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
The Colla family took the money from the sale of Prunotto and turned around to buy land in some of the most prestigious plots in the Piedmont. The highlights were the Dardi Le Rose vineyard in Barolo and Roncaglie in Barbaresco, two famous parcels that produce wines of sheer delight and extravagant complexity.
Colla takes those prime parcels and keeps out of the way of their perfect grapes. Macerations are kept short enough to avoid extracting harsh tannins, but long enough to build texture and structure for the wines to age gracefully. Those wines are matured in large, old oak botti, which allow for graceful development and polish without woody flavors.
The resulting wines are some of the best in the Piedmont, even if they’re still priced well under $100 per bottle. In the transcendent 2016 vintage, they’re even better than usual—which is to say, must-buys for serious Piedmont drinkers.
Newly Arrived, In Stock Now:
Poderi Colla Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia 2016 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose is just as gorgeous as it always has been. Dark and translucent, the 2016 possesses striking layers of complexity. Spice, menthol, leather, sage and tobacco lend compelling nuance throughout. Although the 2016 is fabulous, it has also started to close down in bottle to a greater degree than I original envisaged. I wouldn’t be in any rush to open it.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Classic Nebbiolo aromas of woodland berry, forest floor, new leather and a whiff of rose lift out of the glass along with a whiff of botanical herb. Delivering elegance and structure in equal measure, the linear palate features red cherry, strawberry compote, baking spice and licorice framed in firm, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well balanced. Drink 2024–2036.”
Poderi Colla Barbaresco Roncaglie 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “A stellar wine, the 2016 Barbaresco Roncaglie is pretty, delicate and understated to the core. Rose petal, sweet spice, tobacco, mint, anise and sweet red cherry all grace this translucent, super-expressive Barbaresco from Poderi Colla. A Barbaresco of understatement and class, the 2016 is light on its feet, persistent and finely sculpted. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s inner sweetness and perfume, but the 2016 also needs time in bottle to be at its best. This is such a gorgeous wine.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Raspberry compote, truffle, camphor and leather aromas lead the nose along with a hint of hazelnut. The palate is focused and youthfully assertive, showing red cherry, rhubarb, game, clove and wild mint alongside tight, fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. Give it time to fully unwind and develop. Drink 2026–2036.”
Poderi Colla Bricco del Drago Langhe Rosso 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Other Excellent Traditional-Styled Barolo and Barbaresco, In Stock Now:
Lapo Berti Barolo La Morra 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 31 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Traditionally-made Barolo from a prime parcel in La Morra, selected and imported by Cameron winemaker John Paul.
GD Vajra Barolo Coste Di Rose 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Dusty cherry, black currant, eucalyptus and hay aromas and flavors highlight this energetic red. There is purity to the beam of fruit, and while the structure is muscular, the lasting impression is of sweet fruit. Best from 2023 through 2045.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barolo Coste di Rose is plump, juicy and forward – all qualities that make it one of the more approachable wines in the Vajra range. Plump dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice and menthol all flesh out in a racy, juicy Barolo that will drink well right out of the gate. Plush fruit and silky tannins add to the wine’s voluptuous feel and early accessibility. This is very good, but it is not particularly complex.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Boasting a lithe, mid-weight style and a very silky finish, the G.D. Vajra 2016 Barolo Coste di Rose is fragrant, floral and delicate. The bouquet here is almost all wild rose, violet and honeysuckle or jasmine. The fruity component of the wine is fine and light with cassis, white cherry and cranberry. Fruit comes from a 1.5-hectare parcel inside the Coste di Rose cru with a high percentage of well-draining sandy soils that contribute to the wine’s graceful textural embroidery. There is a hint of cherry or raspberry sweetness on the finish. A mere 4,800 bottles are hitting the market now. This is the second vintage produced.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Red berry, rose, dark spice and menthol form the nose while the graceful palate offers juicy Marasca cherry, strawberry compote and licorice. Bright acidity and polished tannins provide support and impart finesse. Drink through 2031. – Kerin O’Keefe”
James Suckling 95 points “This has some very attractive rose perfume and anise spice with raspberry, redcurrant and red-cherry aromas. Blueberry pastry, too. So perfumed. The palate has very fine, almost crystalline tannins and such intense, juicy and vivaciously delivered flavors of essence-like red fruit. So precise. Drinkable now, but with potential for long-term cellaring.”
Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 2016 750ML ($99.95) $77 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Spectator 96 points “Macerated cherry and raspberry fruit is supported by rose, iron and eucalyptus flavors in this red, which is complex and intense, with an elegant frame and beautifully integrated tannins. Just as this feels approachable, the fine-grained tannins take hold, ending with a very long finish. Best from 2023 through 2045.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Baudana is laced with sweet red cherry, floral overtones and silky tannins, all of which make it one of the more refined, sensual Serralunga Barolos readers will come across. In this tasting, the Baudana impresses with its haunting aromatics and transparent expression of Nebbiolo. Like all of these wines, it needs time in bottle but it is super impressive, even in the early going.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Balsamic aromas of camphor mingle with pressed rose, new leather and small red berry. Firmly structured and youthfully austere, the linear palate features dried cherry, licorice, cinnamon and tobacco alongside assertive but noble tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2026–2036. – Kerin O’Keefe”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 97 points– Cellar Selection “Still young but already boasting extraordinary pedigree, this fantastic wine opens with hallmark scents of wild berry, new leather, chopped herb, tilled soil and a whiff of violet. The polished, full-bodied palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and licorice while youthfully assertive, noble tannins and bright acidity provide age-worthy structure. A pipe tobacco note lingers on the finish. Drink 2023–2038.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The Barbaresco Riserva Montefico shows all the energy and focus that is typical of this great site, but there is so much depth to the fruit that some of the more angular contours have been softened. Bright saline-infused notes lead to wild flowers and an exotic melange of red fruits in this beautifully delineated, vivid Barbaresco. All the elements are simply in the right place.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96+ points “I am absolutely impressed by the stunning 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico. The Montefico growing site is very small and only 13,000 bottles are produced as a result. There are just three farmers who tend to this vineyard cru, and because their respective plots are very small, they rely on the Produttori del Barbaresco co-operative model for survival. This wine shows amazing depth and enlarged dimension. Aromas of black fruit, spice, tar and crushed mineral contribute to the considerable volume and power of the wine. That precise and focused mineral definition is outstanding, recalling brimstone and pencil shavings. Montefico can underperform in the hot vintages, but it hits all the high notes in the cooler 2013.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $98
The next best price is $98
Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($69.95) $52.50 special
Case-12 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Serralunga 2016 750ML ($699.95) $569 special (that’s only $47.42/bottle—the lowest listed price on the west coast!)
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Editor’s Choice. Rose petal, camphor, perfumed berry and forest floor are just some of the aromas you’ll find on this gorgeous, radiant red. It’s delicious and loaded with an earthy finesse, delivering succulent red cherry, ripe strawberry, licorice, game and almost salty mineral notes. Taut, refined tannins and fresh acidity keep it impeccably balanced. Drink through 2031.”
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Just Arrived:
Two Great Deals on Half Bottles of Top Napa Cabernet
For those looking to experience what the ‘Luxury’ category of Napa Valley Cabernet tastes like but aren’t interested in forking over the typical toll, half bottles provide a great hack. They’re perfect for weeknights, when quality is often valued over quantity. In another Vinopolis coup, we’ve just secured insane pricing on half bottles from two of Napa Valley’s top producers.
La Jota’s roots in Howell Mountain date back to 1898, but their modern reincarnation began in 1982. Over the ensuing 40 years, La Jota has secured its reputation as one of Howell Mountain’s benchmark producers. Across the valley, Mt Brave is making equally exciting ‘Mountain Cabernet’ high up in the famous hills of Mt Veeder. The vineyards that produce both wines benefit from their perch above Napa Valley’s stubborn fog line, resulting in wines that are not only more structured and fresh, but also (paradoxically) more generous. There’s a reason why many Napa enthusiasts remain so enchanted by the region’s hillside vineyards.
So take advantage of these attractively priced half bottles, and spice up your weeknight drinking.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2014 375ML ($59.95) $39 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points “Checking in as a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is another gorgeous wine from winemaker Chris Carpenter. Brought up in 90% new French oak, this classic, tight, focused beauty boasts sensational notes of crème de cassis, graphite, toasty oak, and ample minerality. These all flow to a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered, tannic 2014 that has remarkable purity, impeccable balance, and a great, great finish. It’s classic, old-school, yet awesome Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for 2-3 decades.”
Robert Parker 95 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is 75.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged in 89% new French oak. The wine displays the great fruit that is possible from these two sites owned by the Jacksons. It has an opaque purple color, a big, sweet kiss of crème de cassis and blackberry with a touch of lead pencil shavings, vanilla and incense. It is full-bodied and dense, with moderately high tannins but beautiful sweetness and fruit. Drink it over the next 25-30 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Blended with small percentages of 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, and then aged in 90% new French oak for 19 months, this stellar effort offers reduced oak, bark, toast and clove aromas and flavors alongside sizable, structured tannin and hearty ripeness. Black currant and chocolate dust a layer of tobacco. Enjoy best 2024 through 2034. -Virginie Boone”
La Jota’s roots in Howell Mountain date back to 1898, but their modern reincarnation began in 1982. Over the ensuing 40 years, La Jota has secured its reputation as one of Howell Mountain’s benchmark producers. Across the valley, Mt Brave is making equally exciting ‘Mountain Cabernet’ high up in the famous hills of Mt Veeder. The vineyards that produce both wines benefit from their perch above Napa Valley’s stubborn fog line, resulting in wines that are not only more structured and fresh, but also (paradoxically) more generous. There’s a reason why many Napa enthusiasts remain so enchanted by the region’s hillside vineyards.
So take advantage of these attractively priced half bottles, and spice up your weeknight drinking.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2014 375ML ($59.95) $39 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points “Checking in as a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is another gorgeous wine from winemaker Chris Carpenter. Brought up in 90% new French oak, this classic, tight, focused beauty boasts sensational notes of crème de cassis, graphite, toasty oak, and ample minerality. These all flow to a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, layered, tannic 2014 that has remarkable purity, impeccable balance, and a great, great finish. It’s classic, old-school, yet awesome Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that needs 3-4 years of bottle age and will keep for 2-3 decades.”
Robert Parker 95 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is 75.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged in 89% new French oak. The wine displays the great fruit that is possible from these two sites owned by the Jacksons. It has an opaque purple color, a big, sweet kiss of crème de cassis and blackberry with a touch of lead pencil shavings, vanilla and incense. It is full-bodied and dense, with moderately high tannins but beautiful sweetness and fruit. Drink it over the next 25-30 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Blended with small percentages of 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, and then aged in 90% new French oak for 19 months, this stellar effort offers reduced oak, bark, toast and clove aromas and flavors alongside sizable, structured tannin and hearty ripeness. Black currant and chocolate dust a layer of tobacco. Enjoy best 2024 through 2034. -Virginie Boone”
This is the only half-bottle listing in the USA today!
Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder 2014 375ML ($49.95) $33 special
Robert Parker 95+ points “The top score, though, has to go to the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is 90.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest small quantities of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. This wine has an opaque purple color, a big, sweet kiss of blueberry and blackberry liqueur, some graphite, a juicy, full-bodied, savory mouthfeel, and excellent purity and underlying balance. This seamlessly rich mountain Cabernet Sauvignon should age effortlessly for two decades or more.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The star of the show is clearly the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon which has everything you could want from a Mountain Cabernet. Cassis, blueberries, violets, leafy herbs, and graphite notes all emerge from this full-bodied, concentrated, yet plush, forward, incredibly sexy 2014. With no hard edges, impeccable balance, and a great finish, drink this beauty anytime over the coming 15+ years.”
Love California Cabernet? We have over 35 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Colgin, Dominus, Diamond Creek and more, on our web store now.
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Trending Wines
“A dense and intensively flavored wine”
Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($299.95) $228 special
Importer note “Eric Solomon, Bixente Oçafrain and Philippe Cambie collaborate in the creation of Black Slate La Vilella Alta by selecting Garnacha and Carinyena grown on both licorella and clay limestone soils. A blend of old and young-vine fruit and with a small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, La Vilella Alta is a dense and intensively flavored wine that is fermented in tank and aged in French oak barrels of which 30% are new.”
A white that will reward patience
Bodegas Forjas del Salnés Leirana Albariño, Rías Baixas 2019 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 93 points “The first Albariño to be bottled is the 2019 Leirana, which I was also able to compare with the 2018 vintage. It’s the one that represents the character of the Valle del Salnés, as it’s produced with grapes from different villages across the valley. This ferments in a combination of 60% stainless steel vats and 40% oak foudres, where the wine matures for six months. Contrary to what I’ve seen at other addresses, this 2019 is very closed and backward; it’s a vintage with very high acidity, citrus and salt. This is still a little too young. 30,000 bottles produced. The first lot of two was bottled in February 2020, when they used a little more wine from the foudre to make it more approachable, because the market demands the wines very early, and especially in 2019, the acidity is very sharp.”
Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($299.95) $228 special
Importer note “Eric Solomon, Bixente Oçafrain and Philippe Cambie collaborate in the creation of Black Slate La Vilella Alta by selecting Garnacha and Carinyena grown on both licorella and clay limestone soils. A blend of old and young-vine fruit and with a small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, La Vilella Alta is a dense and intensively flavored wine that is fermented in tank and aged in French oak barrels of which 30% are new.”
A white that will reward patience
Bodegas Forjas del Salnés Leirana Albariño, Rías Baixas 2019 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 93 points “The first Albariño to be bottled is the 2019 Leirana, which I was also able to compare with the 2018 vintage. It’s the one that represents the character of the Valle del Salnés, as it’s produced with grapes from different villages across the valley. This ferments in a combination of 60% stainless steel vats and 40% oak foudres, where the wine matures for six months. Contrary to what I’ve seen at other addresses, this 2019 is very closed and backward; it’s a vintage with very high acidity, citrus and salt. This is still a little too young. 30,000 bottles produced. The first lot of two was bottled in February 2020, when they used a little more wine from the foudre to make it more approachable, because the market demands the wines very early, and especially in 2019, the acidity is very sharp.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Just arrived! A standout Chianti.
Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($34.95) $19.50 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points ” The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva is a nicely integrated and seamless wine, with satisfying fullness and richness. It reveals a very contemporary bouquet with black cherry covered in chocolate. The wine is thinner in the mouth, and the tannins make their presence known. But overall, it shows a very streamlined construction. Pair it with a French onion soup. The blend is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French barrique for 12 months. Some 29,000 bottles were released. Again, Tenuta di Arceno gives you great value for your money.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $21.94
The average price nationally is $26
The next lowest listed price is $21.94
The average price nationally is $26
New Cameron? Yes, Please!
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Cameron Winery Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($299.95) $269 special (that’s only $22.42/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Winery note “We proudly introduce 2019 release of Ribbon Ridge Pinot noir, this year for the first time exclusively from White Oak Vineyard. It presents with deep aromas of cocoa nib, caramel, black currant, and red raspberry and a palate packed with bing cherry, baking spices, cedar and mushroom. The tannins are persistent, but not aggressive. We imagine it pairing well with savory meals such as game birds or Middle Eastern spiced lamb.”
Our favorite bistro-style Sauv blanc!
Domaine Girard Sancerre La Garenne, Loire 2019 750ML ($24.59) $21.90 special
Case-12 Domaine Girard Sancerre La Garenne, Loire 2019 750ML ($249.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Importer note “La Garenne comes from a 2.5-hectare vineyard of that name, a plot on a steep east-facing slope with a very rocky limestone soil. The chalky soil brings out the characteristic flinty, mineral and green notes of Sauvignon Blanc. On La Garenne’s well-drained, warm slopes the grapes achieve exceptional ripeness and fruit. Their is everything one hopes for when thinking about the region: it is bright, lively, pleasantly aromatic, has zippy but low astringency. It is a wonderful food wine that is as versatile as it is easy to drink.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
A fun wine that shows the earthiness and lightness of old-world producers while simultaneously offering a little more fruit and tannin that move the wine into something slightly more hedonistic.
Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke ‘Pies Negros’, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Bodegas y Viñedos Artuke ‘Pies Negros’, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($299.95) $215 special (that’s only $17.92/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Pies Negros was produced with grapes from the Sierra Cantabria in the village of Ábalos, so another village wine, even if it won’t get the official qualification, as they don’t have a winery in Ábalos! It’s a blend of Tempranillo with 15% Graciano fermented with destemmed but uncrushed grapes with indigenous yeasts, and it matured in 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months, except for 10% of the volume that was kept in concrete for that time. This didn’t stop growing in the glass, and the aromas are subtle and elegant. Since they started working with larger oak containers, they had to learn to work under more reductive conditions; they now seem to have mastered it, at least in some of the wines, like this one. The wines are subtler and less immediate than the wines aged in barrique, and this long-cycle vintage has a tendency toward this profile of wines. The palate is very balanced and fresh, with a core of red fruit, with bright flavors and very good precision. 70,000 bottles produced.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Clos Mogador
Priorat Star, Now Making Stunning Monstant
Priorat Star, Now Making Stunning Monstant
“Com Tu is a new project in Montsant owned by the Barbier family of Clos Mogador fame in Priorat (among other things). They have been in La Figuera since 2002-2003, and they got involved in the Espectacle project. Their Laurona project always had some Garnacha from the village, and after discovering Espectacle, they put more attention in the village. This new venture is based on three vineyards, all Garnacha, at some 550 to 600 meters in altitude close to the Espectacle vineyard. The character of the village’s wines is defined by flowers, an ethereal nose with orange peel aromas and an incredible structure, as seen in the Espectacle bottling. A new name to follow. They will produce 10,000 bottles in 2017 and don’t expect to do more than 15,000 bottles.” –Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate
In Stock Now:
(Clos Mogador) ‘Com Tu’, Montsant 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “I was so impressed with the debut vintage that I was very happy I could also preview the 2016 Com Tu, which was aging in a 4,000-liter used oak foudre and waiting to be bottled. The Garnacha grapes fermented in that same foudre with indigenous yeasts. It’s still very young and raw and the nose needs to develop, but it has subtle notes of raspberry leaf and wild cherries. The palate is livelier than the 2015, and I think this wine will be better in the long run, with more acidity and freshness. This is one of the names to watch in Montsant. There will be some 5,300 bottles of this.”
VinopolNote: 100% Garnacha from 35-50 year old vines in red clay and limestone soils at 580-600 meters above sea level.
Winery note “In the early part of this century, my son René and I first started experimenting with wine-making in the village of La Figuera (70 unhabitants). We met some winemakers and we vinified around 4.000 kilos of Garnacha vines. In 2002 I discovered the centennial vineyard that belonged to Mr. Joan Anguera (today it’s the Spectacle vineyard) and we started to promote that area so exceptionally good for Garnachas with the collaboration of the winemakers of the area. The idea of the name Com Tu was my son’s, Anderson Barbier Meyer, an artist that together with his mother, came up with this label. And also my second son, Christian, joined us in this project. He is leading Clos Mogador into the path of biodynamic agriculture. The Garnacha grapes from La Figuera produce wines with a unique color range, tender and fluid; with a fresh aroma, of flowers, orange peel, incense, as well as wide range of white fruit, citrus, very fresh. Its high alcohol content together with its extraordinary acidity, helps the wine to age perfectly. In palate it’s soft, with harmony but the taste development goes in crescendo, and it leaves us with an exceptional post-taste. This wine amazes us and fills us with vitality.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pre-Arrival ETA Fall 2021:
Clos Mogador Vi de Finca, Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 98 points “The flagship 2018 Clos Mogador is a blend of 45% Garnacha, 29% Cariñena, 16% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that fermented with natural yeasts and showcases their philosophy—slow fermentations with long maceration and long aging. It matured for 18 months in 2,000-liter oak vats and 30% in 300-liter oak barrels. There was a lot of rain in 2018, and the vineyards were extremely happy and everything seemed very easy; in fact, René Barbier told me it was perhaps too easy… It’s an atypical year: It has a gentle profile, and the wines are not as concentrated as those from 2013 (the last rainy year before 2018)—they are more elegant and nuanced. This should develop beautifully in bottle. 27,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020.”
Thanks for reading!
