Tag Archives: newsletter

Vinopolpick Monday Bonus 5-31-21

In Today’s Newsletter:

New Wines from Joseph Drouhin & DDO

The Smartest Buys in California Cabernet?
Galerie Wines


Thörle’s Soon-To-Be Legendary Whites

More Can’t-Miss California Cabs
Philip Togni, Mount Eden & More


Staff Favorite Bubbles
$40 – $65


Bordeaux Case Specials
Including Best-Seller Château Puygueraud


Collector’s Corner
Sérafin: Gevrey-Chambertin’s Best Kept Secret?

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Wines from Joseph Drouhin & DDO


Domaine Drouhin Oregon

Domaine Drouhin Oregon is one of the landmark names in the Willamette Valley. They were the original “French import”, long before Meo-Camuzet, Jadot or Liger-Belair thought the region was worth investing in, and they’ve been an important player ever since. While they’re best known for their original vineyard in the Dundee Hills, their ‘Roserock’ estate in the Eola-Amity Hills has been quietly making some of the best wines in the DDO portfolio in recent years. And it’s this pedigree that has us so excited for the arrival of their 2018 Chardonnay in mid-June.

Pre-Arrival ETA Mid-June:

Domaine Drouhin Roserock Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Domaine Drouhin Roserock Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($219.95) $182 pre-arrival special (that’s only $30.33/bottle!)
Case-12 Domaine Drouhin Roserock Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($419.95) $344 pre-arrival special (that’s only $28.67/bottle!)
Wine & Spirits 94 points
“Roserock lies on the southern reaches of the Eola–Amity Hills near the outskirts of Salem, Oregon’s state capital. It’s a large vineyard, planted mostly to pinot noir save for about 11 acres of chardonnay planted a little over a decade ago. Those vines grew an opulent wine in 2018, made firm and shapely by the coolness of the site and of the Oregon summer. It leads with scents of honey and peach, and has a hazelnut breadth. It’s built like a Beaune wine (no surprise there); for a chicken fricassee.”
Paul Gregutt – Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Editor’s Choice. Drouhin Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills Roserock vineyard is maturing nicely, as this rich, almost unctuous new Chardonnay demonstrates. Rippled with butterscotch around fruit flavors of apples and nectarines, this tasty bottle is buoyed with Meyer lemon acidity, and accented with whiffs of toasted hazelnuts.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Maison Joseph Drouhin

Pre-Arrivals ETA July:

Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy 2019 750ML ($21.95) $17.50 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy 2019 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Joseph Drouhin Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy 2019 750ML ($239.95) $189 pre-arrival special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)

No reviews for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
Bruce Sanderson – Wine Spectator “Lemon, green apple and herbal flavors are matched to a vibrant structure in this sleek white, with a hint of mineral underneath it all. Drink now. 1,200 cases imported”

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


Drouhin-Vaudon Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Drouhin-Vaudon Montmains Chablis Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special


Drouhin-Vaudon Secher Chablis Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special

This is the only listing in the USA today!


In Stock Now:

Joseph Drouhin Griottes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2011 750ML ($449.95) $269 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90-92 points
“Bright dark red. Aromas of black raspberry, crushed stone and iron are currently a bit blocked by an element of smoky reduction. Chewy and savory in the mouth, conveying complex, saline soil tones but with fruit in the deep background today. A bit dumb at present, and not at all sweet. Finishes with a serious dusting of oak tannins. In a rather awkward stage but there’s plenty of material here.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up

Order Online / By Phone / By Email

When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.


(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)

www.vinopoliswineshop.com

info@vinopoliswineshop.com

503-223-6002

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Smartest Buys in California Cabernet?

Galerie Wines


Laura Díaz Muñoz may not be a household name for Cabernet-lovers—yet. But the former associate winemaker at 100-point Napa legends Cardinale and Lokoya is making waves with Galerie, a boutique project focusing on making stunning Cabernet (and Sauvignon Blanc) from top sites in Sonoma and Napa.

We recently acquired a prime parcel of their two standout Cabernet Sauvignons at national-best pricing. The Pleinair is outstanding, 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 ’90s.

In Stock Now:

Galerie Wines ‘Latro’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2015 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
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


Arriving June 11th:

Galerie Wines ‘Latro’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2016 750ML ($44.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Galerie Wines ‘Latro’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2016 750ML ($269.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Latro is in the same ballpark yet has more savory characteristics as well as plenty of conifer, California bay leaf, currants, and loamy soil aromas and flavors. This full-bodied beauty has plenty of tannin, terrific purity of fruit, no hard edges, and a great finish. Give it a few years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Galerie Wines ‘Plenair’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($44.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Galerie Wines ‘Plenair’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($269.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points
“Made by Laura Diaz (formerly at Lokoya) and coming mostly from valley floor fruit, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Pleinair is a sexy, flamboyant beauty that boasts a deep purple color, a huge nose of cassis and blueberry fruits, a complex floral character, full body, and a pure, elegant, yet pleasure-bent style that’s already a joy to drink.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love California Cabernet? Check out the can’t-miss wines featured below, or shop the entire selection of 31 different options on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thörle’s Soon-To-Be Legendary Whites


Thörle has been insiders secret amongst hardcore German wine fans for a few years now, producing some of the best, most intensely concentrated whites to come out of the country. The comparisons with Keller have been inevitable, like Klaus Peter, Christoph seems to make impressive wines no matter the price level or grape that he works with. And his location in the Rheinhessen (the same region as Keller), with similarly limestone-heavy soils, only deepens the similarities.

Thörle’s top Riesling, from the Hölle vineyard, is every bit the equal of the top GG’s from Dönnhoff, Schäfer-Fröhlich, and other top producers in Germany, but is still less than $37/btl by the six-pack. While the Silvaner is one of the finest expressions of the underrated variety we’ve tasted in some time. These wines remain extremely difficult to find in the United States (especially at these prices), so if you want a chance at them, act accordingly.

In Stock Now:

Thörle Saulheimer Hölle Riesling, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Thörle Saulheimer Hölle Riesling, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($259.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling.com 96 points
“Still youthful, but this has a complex stone-fruit nose. Concentrated and racy with great energy at the very long, chalky finish. Great aging potential. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Thörle Saulheimer Probstey Silvaner, Rheinhessen 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling.com 94 points
“Still quite yeasty from long maturation on lees, but that accentuates the smoky and herbal complexity of this remarkable dry silvaner. Just a hint of oak in support of the creamy, mid-weight body and long, silky finish. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Love German wine? We have over 350 different options (not a typo!) in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Dönnhoff, JJ Prüm, Molitor and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More Can’t-Miss California Cabs

Philip Togni, Mount Eden & More


With dozens of California Cabernet Sauvignons to choose from, we have no shortage of incredible options from the Golden State. From Napa Valley and beyond, the state continues to produce some of the world’s finest examples of the world’s most beloved grape. And we’re thrilled to highlight some of our standout bottles today, including our remaining half bottles of Ridge’s iconic 2017 Monte Bello.

In Stock Now:

Racy, polished & delicious
Marietta Cellars Armé, Sonoma – Mendocino County 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Winery note
“An exemplary California Cabernet aromatic experience filled with dried, minty herbs, and lavender. Blackberries, bright cherries and plums, with hints of leather and tobacco, all intertwine for a wonderfully balanced mouthfeel. This wine is sumptuous yet racy, polished yet spirited, delicious and gratifying- an iconic result in the glass.”

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


A serious crowd-pleaser
Philip Togni Vineyard Tanbark Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tanbark Hill Vineyard captures all the signatures of the Togni house style in a medium-bodied, accessible style that will be easy to drink and enjoy upon release. Savory herb, blackberry, crushed flowers, sweet tobacco and earthy notes give the 2016 its distinctive aromatic and flavor signatures. Silky and gracious to the core, the 2016 Tanbark Hill Cabernet Sauvignon is a winner.”

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


An old-school Napa Cab
Snowden Vineyards ‘Brothers Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93+ points
“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Brothers Vineyard is gorgeous. In this vintage, the Brothers has a bit more tannin and overall structure than normal, but in 2017 a power outage resulted in the wine staying in tank for an extra ten days. In the end, that looks to have been a help, as the 2017 offers a terrific combination of fruit density and structure, within the mid-weight style of the year at Snowden. This is a beguiling wine that may very well turn out to be a surprise in time. Super classic, old-school, medium-bodied wine with good depth and resonance alongside notes of black cherry, leather, tobacco, licorice and gravel.”

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


Fresh, balanced & complex
Mount Eden Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points
“The rocky minerality of the region shows from first sniff through to the lengthy finish. The earthiness is beautifully offset by fleshy red and black fruit, with spice-infused cherry, bittersweet chocolate, espresso and vanilla notes. For all its youthful intensity, the palate is remarkably fresh and bright.”


A legend in the making
Ridge Vineyards Monte Bello, Santa Cruz Mountains 2017 375ML ($149.95) $119 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points
“Pure perfection, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Bello is a sensational effort from this estate that should be snatched up by drinkers and collectors. Based on 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that was brought up mostly in new American oak, this saturated purple-hued beauty is legendary Monte Bello in the making and has a stunning yet primordial bouquet of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, chocolate, and chalky minerality. Full-bodied, incredibly powerful, and one of the most concentrated versions of this cuvée ever made (I’ve had most of them), it needs a solid decade of bottle age and will have 50-60 years of overall longevity. Despite the long drinking window, it offers plenty of pleasure even today. I followed this bottle for two days and it showed best right out of the gate, closing down and becoming more brooding and backward with air. It’s an incredible wine that I promise you won’t regret having in your cellar.”


A cellar pick
Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($159.95) $125 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points
“A regal wine, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has really shut down following its recent bottling, which is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects, although it does make the wine harder to read. Today, the 2016 is dark, powerful and quite savory, with tremendous persistence and class to burn. Translucent, deep and exquisitely layered, the 2016 has a lot to offer. Dark red cherry, plum, wild herb, cedar, tobacco and smoke build as the 2016 starts to open up in the glass. This is a jewel of a wine from the Togni family.”
Wine Advocate 96+ points ” Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate reveals a wonderfully spicy nose of cinnamon stick, cloves, fenugreek and cumin seed over a core of cassis, kirsch, black raspberries and spearmint with nuances of lavender and forest floor. Medium-bodied, the palate is laden with energetic red and black berry flavors, framed by ripe, finely grained tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and perfumed.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


One of the original Napa ‘cult’ producers
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 22 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.”

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


Love California wine? We have over 75 different options from the Golden State in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Arnot-Roberts, Freemark Abbey, Pax and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Staff Favorite Bubbles

$40 – $65


Oregon

In Stock Now:

Fresh, delicate & mineral-driven
Gran Moraine Brut Rosé, Yamhill-Carlton District NV 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“That rare domestic rosé that captures the vibrant acidity of Champagne, offering delicate strawberry, raspberry flavors laced with steely minerality and sprinkle of graham cracker on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,000 cases made.”


Proof that Oregon sparkling wine has arrived
Flâneur Wines Extra Brut, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($79.95) $64 special, 5 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 Flâneur. 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 is a fabulous follow up to the 2016 and proves Oregon sparkling wines have arrived in style.”
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 only listing in the USA today!


Champagne

In Stock Now:

A cellar pick
Savart L’Ouverture Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $44.50 special, 7 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91+ points
“The l’Ouverture cuvée from Monsieur Savart is composed entirely from pinot noir grown in the village of Écueil, with half of the vins clairs barrel-fermented and raised in cask and the other in tank. Only the reserve wines that go into the blend have gone through malo for this wine, which is aged under cork, rather than crown cap prior to disgorgement. This release was disgorged in September of 2020 and finished with a dosage of seven grams per liter. It offers up a lovely nose of white peach, apple, patissière, chalky soil tones and a nice touch of orange zest in the upper register. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and complex, with a fine core, good mineral drive, frothy mousse and lovely focus and balance on the long and youthful finish. This is a lovely bottle that will be even better with a few years in the cellar. 2021-2040+.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


“The best expression of the Gimonnet style at an affordable price”
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 8 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points
“Disgorged in July 2019 with six grams per liter dosage, the latest rendition of Gimonnet’s NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Cuis is based on the 2016 vintage, complemented by some 30% reserve wines matured in magnum. Offering up aromas of citrus oil, fresh peach, clear honey, white flowers and oyster shell, it’s medium to full-bodied, pillowy and elegantly fleshy, with crisp acids, elegant mousse and chalky back-end grip. Amounting to some 130,000 bottles per annum, this is Gimonnet’s largest cuvée by some margin.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The NV Blanc de Blancs Cuis 1er Cru is such a classic Gimonnet wine. Light on its feet and gracious, with soaring aromatics and tons of nuance, the 1er Cru is a winner. Bright floral overtones, citrus, brioche and apple are some of the many notes that are delineated in the glass. Among the entry-level wines in this range, the Cuis 1er Cru offers the best expression of the Gimonnet style at an affordable price. I loved it. Disgorged: March 16, 2019.”


A vintage Champagne drinking beautifully today
Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé, Champagne 2011 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2011 vintage. 2010 review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 92 points “This elegant blanc de blancs shows a pleasing vibrancy from the lively bead and bright acidity, both well-meshed to pretty floral and spice accents and flavors of Gala apple, biscuit and lemon zest. Creamy. Drink now through 2025. 16 cases imported.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Champagne’s most underrated winemaker?
José Michel & Fils Clos Saint Jean Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Importer note
“The Blanc de Blancs is produced in the best vintages. It is made from Chardonnay grown in several of Michel’s best plots that are in and around Moussy. The wine is fermented in stainless steel with an extended period “sur lie”. After the secondary fermentation it rests “sur lattes” for 5 years allowing the Chardonnay qualities to broaden and mature. Dosage is 9 grams. It is a wine of impeccable character, showing both nobility and restraint. It is worthy of cellaring for at least a year after disgorgement.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


“Beautifully elegant, classically balanced”
René Geoffroy Empreinte Premier Cru Vintage Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 2 bottles in stock now
No review available for the 2014. 2013 review provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Disgorged in May 2019, the 2013 Brut Premier Cru Empreinte is showing well, opening in the glass with notes of citrus oil, crisp yellow orchard fruit, clear honey and wet stones. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, tensile and incisive, with an inviting core of fruit, ripe but racy acids and a long, saline finish. This is a beautifully elegant, classically balanced Champagne from Geoffroy that bears the stamp of the late, cool growing season.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


One of the region’s most celebrated ‘Growers’ for a reason
Hébrart Premier Cru Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 13 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points
“Disgorged in August 2019, Hébrart’s new release of the NV Brut Premier Cru Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes is based on the 2015 vintage. Wafting from the glass with aromas of pear, white flowers, blanched almonds and Meyer lemon, it’s medium to full-bodied, bright and pillowy, with a pretty core of fruit, lively acids and a refined mousse. Once again, it derives from superior, south-facing sites in Mareuil-sur-Ay that also inform his Special Club bottling.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Perfectly cellared and ready to pop
André Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“100% Chardonnay, bottled one year after harvest. Disgorged on order.”
VinopolNote “André Clouet is a Champagne house known for many things, chief among them being some of the best values in the appellation.  The wines they’re making are fantastic, from their base non-vintage blend all the way through the prestige “1911” cuvee which is perpetually one of the best under $100 Champagnes out there. The wines, on the whole, tend to be Pinot based, which makes our offering today a bit of a departure: it is 100% Chardonnay. André Clouet calls this new release “Dream Vintage” and like everything else they make, it’s a steal for the price.  Made with Grand Cru fruit, it’s bottled a year after vintage and then disgorged to order.  Let that sink in for a second.  The wines have been on the lees for a long time and well, they’re from great vintages to begin with.  The 2006 will be classically proportioned, with a balance of richness and elegance buttressed by the extended time on the lees.  The only catch with these are the quantities involved: we won’t have these around for long.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Everything we love about ‘Growers’ Champagne
Nicolas Maillart ‘Les Loges’ Premier Cru, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $61.90 special, 3 bottles in stock now

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love Champagne? We have over 165 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Bérêche, Lilbert, Pierre Péters and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bordeaux Case Specials

Including Best-Seller Château Puygueraud


We’ve been on a high since we secured a parcel of great value Bordeaux: 2016 Ch. Puygueraud. It’s a new customer favorite in the category. The 94-point score made us sit up and pay attention —this is an insane value for the price. We bought up all that we could get our hands on and only have a couple cases remaining, so act quick before the rest disappears.

In Stock Now:

Château Puygueraud, Côtes de Francs 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Château Puygueraud, Côtes de Francs 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points
“This is so good! I want to drink it now. Iodine, mushrooms, dark fruit and orange peel on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, yet polished and fresh. Lovely tension. A blend of 80 per cent merlot, 15 per cent cabernet franc and five per cent malbec.”


Also in Stock Now:

Château Siran Saint-Jacques de Siran, Bordeaux Supérieur 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Château Siran Saint-Jacques de Siran, Bordeaux Supérieur2016 750ML ($239.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast
“This spicy wine with firm tannins is setting out well. Black-currant flavors are balanced with generous tannins and a rich character that will give the wine a full and juicy character. Drink from 2022.”


Château La Bastienne, Montagne-Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Château La Bastienne, Montagne-Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($199.95) $124 special (that’s only $20.67/bottle!)
Case-12 Château La Bastienne, Montagne-Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($399.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points
“Very rich blackberry and vibrant fruit aromas in the mulberry and dark-plum spectrum with a concentrated palate that offers a very fleshy and attractive set of supple fruit, framed in ripe, sturdy tannins. Try from 2022.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2016 La Bastienne is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and features fragrant roses, oolong tea and baking spices scents with touches of warm plums, black cherries and raspberry pie. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with expressive red berry and floral layers with a fine-grained frame and long, lively finish.


Château Tour De Pez, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Château Tour De Pez, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni – Vinous
“The 2016 Tour de Pez is a tasty, mid-weight Saint Estèphe. Nothing in particular stands out, as all the elements are very nicely balanced. Sweet red cherry, smoke, plum, and white pepper all grace this impeccable balanced wine.”
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate “The 2016 Tour de Pez comes sprinting out of the blocks on the nose with precocious black cherries and blueberry fruit, violets and iris following just behind. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, quite tensile in the mouth with good acidity, flecks of brown spice and meat juices imparting a savory vein on the finish. There is plenty of character to this Saint Estèphe and it should age with style.”


Château Fombrauge, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Château Fombrauge, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($599.95) $399 special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“The 2016 Fombrauge has come together beautifully during its aging and is now a much more refined wine than it was from barrel. Sweet red berry fruit, mocha, espresso, mint and floral notes all grace this exquisite, mid-weight Saint-Émilion. The 2016 is simply impeccable, not to mention incredibly delicious. There is not much more to it than that. Tasted two times.”
James Suckling 94 points “There’s a very rich and powerful core of red-plum and mulberry aromas and flavors here, delivering an assertive and very shimmery, polished palate. Great tannin texture. Long and regal. Every bit as good as the 2015, but more lively in 2016. Try from 2023.”


Château Grand Corbin, Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Château Grand Corbin, Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $39.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Château Grand Corbin, Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($599.95) $449 special (that’s only $37.42/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points
“Attractive dark-stone aromas with graphite and ripe dark berries sit fresh on the nose. The palate has a riper feel with very rich, dense fruit presence and a heavier, tannin line weight. Full body. Try from 2022.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2016 Grand Corbin has grown into a powerful, dense Saint-Émilion. This is a fairly rich, bombastic style, and yet all the elements fall into place. I would give the 2016 a few years in bottle to allow the tannins to soften, but there is good depth and plenty of potential. A rush of chocolate, leather, licorice, smoke and black cherry meld into the potent finish. Tasted three times with consistent notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love red Bordeaux? We have over 30 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Mouton Rothschild, Cos d’Estournel, Château Canon and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Collector’s Corner

Sérafin: Gevrey-Chambertin’s Best Kept Secret?


Sérafin is one of the best names in Gevrey-Chambertin that’s not talked about enough—and we’re trying to correct this. Christian Sérafin is one of the best producers in Gevrey, making powerful, intense wines, at prices that are far lower than most of his peers. However critics are starting to take notice, and if recent scores are any indication, the secret appears to be getting out.

Besides organic viticulture, low yields, and old vines, Sérafin sticks to an idiosyncratic recipe in the cellar: total destemming, long cuvaisons, and mostly new or lightly used barrels. Their richness and concentration beg cellaring, and the magic of the Côte de Nuits rewards such patience. This is serious Burgundy. Complexity is a given, as is age-worthiness —there are no shrinking violets in this bunch.

We have a number of Sérafin bottlings in stock now from 2011, 2012 and 2014, all wines that belong in any Burgundy lover’s cellar -especially at the prices we’re able to offer them at.

In Stock Now:

Sérafin Père & Fils Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($219.95) $139 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 93 points
“Moderately saturated medium red.  Very reticent but pure aromas of redcurrant, dark cherry, earth, leather and spices.  A dense, nicely balanced midweight, with ripe acidity giving shape to the cherry, licorice and espresso flavors.  Firmly tannic but with plenty of thickness of texture to support its backbone.  Finishes chewy and long but youthfully tight, with lovely aromatic persistence.  I’d hold this until 2020.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Sérafin Père & Fils Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($249.95) $149 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-94 points
“Good bright, deep red. Reticent aromas of black cherry, minerals, mint and menthol. Densely packed, fresh and energetic, showing a strong spice character to its black cherry and mineral flavors. Has the thickness of texture to carry its tannins. Finishes spicy and long, with a lingering note of chocolatey oak. From a crop level of 38 hectoliters per hectare: Sérafin made four barrels, compared to a normal five.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Sérafin Père & Fils Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($219.95) $149 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 93 points
“The 2014 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers has a lifted bouquet, very well defined with blackcurrant, black cherry, undergrowth and cold black tea aromas that gain intensity on the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, the oak neatly integrated here and allowing the terroir to show through on the clean, precise, minerally finish. This is just a lovely Gevrey-Chambertin from Sérafin.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Sérafin Père & Fils Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Côte de Nuits 2012 750ML ($139.95) $99 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 91 points
“The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is one of my favourite recent vintages with plush, exuberant black plum and raspberry fruit, a touch of tomato vine in the background. I admire its definition and it shows more charm than its 2011 counterpart. The palate has a fine grip as it is gentle and insistent. Yes, there is a sturdiness to this Gevrey, like many of Sérafin’s wines, yet there is admirable delineation and freshness on the finish. You could drink this now, though I would prefer to leave it for two or three more years. Tasted at Goedhuis’s Burgundy tasting at Vintners Hall.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Sérafin Père & Fils Les Corbeaux, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $99 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 91-93 points
“The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Corbeaux comes from 0.45-hectares of vines planted in 1968 by Christian’s father adjacent to Mazis-Chambertin. It has a precocious bouquet compared to the Vieilles Vignes, with scents of mulberry, dark plum and luscious black fruit that are tightly controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly grainy entry. This is showing the oak a little more than the Vieilles Vignes at the moment, but there is sufficient concentration to absorb that with time. The linear finish, crisp and taut, bodes well for the future.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Sérafin Père & Fils Le Fonteny, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($159.95) $99 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 91 points
“Moderately saturated medium red.  Black cherry, raspberry and a whiff of meat on the nose, lifted by pungent pepper and blood orange treble notes.  Less open than the village wine, showing lovely spicy lift to the flavors of red fruits and flowers.  Juicy, elegant Gevrey with serious length and lingering spice character.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Sérafin Père & Fils Le Fonteny, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($199.95) $119 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 91-93 points
“The 2012 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Fonteny comes from 0.33-hectares of vine planted in 1965. It has a somehow more “languid” bouquet, demonstrated a touch more fruit compared to the Corbeaux, the fruit erring more to red than black. The palate is rounded and velvety smooth on the entry with vibrant cassis and blackcurrant fruit, fine tannins and impressive presence towards the finish that continues long after the wine has departed. Excellent.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Sérafin Père & Fils Les Millandes, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $89 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points
“Deep, spicy aromas of black cherry, violet, menthol and espresso. Densely packed and sappy, with a liqueur-like ripeness to the flavors of black cherry and mint. A rather rectilinear wine with a serious spine of dusty tannins that will require some aging. In a more structured, masculine style in 2012, like the Gevrey Vieilles Vignes and the Cazetiers.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love the Côte de Nuits? We have 219 different reds in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Dujac, Fourrier, Roumier and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.

Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!



Stay safe, be well, & drink well.

Saturday Newsletter 5-28-21

In This Newsletter:

Memorial Day Weekend Wines 

Jeb Dunnuck Raves About 2017 Barolo

Ferrario : The Apex of Albarino 

Bucklin : Field Blend Barons of Sonoma 

New Grapelive Reviews

Chateau Plince: The Prince of Pomerol

First Offer: La Magia’s 96 Point Brunello, Under $50

#Trending

Have no fear!

We will be open on Memorial Day (May 31st)
with regular business hours (10:00AM-6:00PM)

Memorial Day Weekend Wines 

Just Arrived, In Stock Now  

Thomas-Labaille Sancerre Les Monts Damnes Chavignol 2019 750ML Loire ($34.95) $25.50 special

Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Cuvee Tradition Rose 2019 750 ML ($39.95) $30.50 special  
De Maison Selections note “Clos Cibonne’s iconic Cuvée Tradition stands uniquely apart from other rosés as a classic, one-of-a-kind Côtes de Provence rosé featuring the tibouren grape in the lead role. Cuvée Tradition is legendary amongst experienced French wine collectors for its texture, substance, and ability to age gracefully for a decade or more. It is a limited wine made exclusively with estate-grown, organic tibouren grapes, and a bit of grenache to meet Côtes de Provence blending guidelines. The vineyard, one of 18 Crus Classés of Côtes de Provence, consists of traditional goblet trained vines located close to the Mediterranean Sea in the foothills of the Maures mountains, overlooking Toulon’s harbor. The microclimate of Clos Cibonne is especially important to the uniqueness of the wines, as the proximity of the ocean brings much needed cool air to the vineyards in the summer months. Their location at the foot of the Maures mountains ensures good east-west ventilation, which is ideal for the health and balance of the vineyard. Vintage Notes – The 2019 Côtes de Provence vintage was low-yielding and high quality, a fine balance between fruit complexity and fresh thirst-quenching acidity. While the hot summer and ongoing dry season gave lower yields, the vines remained healthy and refreshed by their microclimate, providing an ideal marriage of fruit concentration and acidity.”

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

Clos Cibonne Cotes de Provence Tentations Rose 2020 750 ML (24.95) $18 special 
De Maison Selections note “Tentations offers an accessible entry-point into Provence wine. Tentations is made with exceptional ingredients, including fruit from young tibouren vines and some purchased fruit from farmers they have long-standing relationships with, in prime spots in La Londe. The Tentations wines do not undergo the extensive aging process of the Clos Cibonne line. Offering immediate and unpretentious enjoyment, they are incredible food wines and represent one of the best wine values in the Côtes de Provence region. Site: La Londe. Grapes: 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Tibouren.”

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

Brick House Intentional Rose of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2020 ($39.95) $28 special
Winery note “With an eye toward Provence, we set out to make our first “Intentional” Rosé of Pinot Noir. Picked early from young Pinot Noir vines then lightly pressed, our rosé was aged half in stainless steel and half in neutral barrels. Beckoning the warmer days ahead, floral and sea breeze aromas join with a zingy palate of yuzu, white pear and watermelon. Balanced with a hint of sweetness, this wine intends to bring the flavors of summer to your glass. Our intention: to quench, beguile & delight!”
Suzanne: Luscious tart cherry and cream. A vibrant rosé with plenty of stuffing. Drink now with light spring & summer fare.
Region: Ribbon Ridge, Oregon. Biodynamic.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Cameron Winery Pinot Gris Ramato, Dundee Hills 2020 ($39.95) $29.90 Special      
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 on the West Coast today!

Philippe Tessier TOC Vdf Rouge, Loire 2019 750ML (29.95) $24 special

Domaine Philippe Tessier Phil’en Bulle Loire NV 750ML ($31.95) $29 special 
Importer note “The Coganis 2015 was his first vintage of this wine, a blend of Côt, Gamay, and Pineau d’Aunis, thus the name CoGaNis. It was a tiny production: just two barrels. It’s a velvety blend, great texture, complexity and length.  Lots of violets and blue fruits, with great cut and subtle tannins.”

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

Domaine Brazilier Methode Trad Brut Rose, Loire NV 750ML ($21.95) $17 special
Winery Note “This quality sparkling wine comes from a long aging process: after fermentation, it spends about 12 months sur lattes to give it its fine bubbles and the typical aromas of Pineau d’Aunis such as peony.” Pineau d’Aunis from 25+ year old vines grown in chalky limestone soil.

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

Thibaud Boudignon Rose de Loire 2020 750ML ($27.95) $24 special 
Importer note “While Thibaud has (rightly) become a superstar for his world-class Chenin Blancs, many insiders have discovered one of his best kept-secrets: rosé. Made from a plot of Cabernet Franc and Grolleau in Anjou that he simply could not pass up the opportunity to work with, this is one of the most saline and mineral rosés we have ever come across. 80% Cabernet Franc, 20% Grolleau. Shallow soils of grey schist and rhyolite (volcanic soil) and clay. Indigenous yeast fermentation. No malo. Direct press rosé. Aged in stainless steel. A noble, supremely saline rosé. Delicate texture. Made like a white wine to preserve salinity and structure.”

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

J. Mourat Collection Rose, Fiefs Vendeens Mareuil 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Negrette & Pinot Noir

J. Mourat O.V.N.I. Rose IGP Val de Loire 2020 750ML ($21.95) $17 special 
100% Grolleau Gris

Domaine de Saint Ser Cotes de Provence Tradition Rose 2019 750ML ($21.95) $17 special
Winery Notes “A unique blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and a touch of Rolle grapes give this wine an unusually complex aroma. Each grape variety contributes its own note: a red-berry aroma from the Grenache, the finesse of the Cinsault, the intensity of the Syrah, and a hint of citrus from the Rolle.”-

Domaine de Saint Ser Cotes de Provence Tradition Rose 2020 750ML (21.95) $17 special
*No review for 2020 listed 2019 substituted* 
Winery Notes “A unique blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and a touch of Rolle grapes give this wine an unusually complex aroma. Each grape variety contributes its own note: a red-berry aroma from the Grenache, the finesse of the Cinsault, the intensity of the Syrah, and a hint of citrus from the Rolle.”-

2019 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Grignolino d’Asti Piedmont 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special

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

Jeb Dunnuck Raves About 2017 Barolo

“The G.D. Vajra estate is based within the commune of Barolo, where Giuseppe and Aldo Vajra helm the winemaking responsibilities. Giuseppe, who took more of a leadership role in 2008, has been instrumental in continuing to develop the family estate, while Isonzo Vajra leads in vineyard management. Most recently they have completed the expansion of their cellar space, and they are also releasing their wines a touch later to allow the additional time in bottle to soften any harsh edges. As of the 2019 vintage, both the G.D.Vajra and Luigi Baudana estates are certified organic.” – Jeb Dunnuck

Arriving ETA June :

G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco Delle Viole is the darker fruited of the G.D. Vajra sites and has rounded floral aromatics of crushed roses, resin, and cranberry cocktail. The palate is ripe and inviting, with building structure and notes of fresh red cherry, blood orange, and clove. The warmth of the vintage is felt without sacrificing lift. Drink 2025-2050”

G.D. Vajra ‘Coste di Rose’ Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($ 69.95) $59 pre-arrival special    
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points “The 2017 Barolo Coste di Rose has bright aromatics of candied raspberry, apricot, anise, and dusty earth. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins and notes of dried wild strawberry, fresh roses, and mineral-rich earth. This wine is open and inviting, while maintaining freshness and drive. Drink 2024-2040.”

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

G.D. Vajra Ravera Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “Lifted and herbaceous, the 2017 Barolo Ravera is noted by aromas of fresh pine, ripe red cherry, licorice, and menthol. The palate has depth without weight and is noted by ripe raspberry fruit, apricot, and black tea. Drink 2024-2050.”

“Since 2009, Luigi Baudana has been under the operation and ownership of the G.D. Vajra estate from Barolo. As with the Vajra estate, Giuseppe and Aldo manage the winemaking process, along with Giuseppe’s brother Isidoro, the vineyard manager. They continue to consult with Luigi for his understanding of the land and experience. They utilize primarily 15- to 17-hectoliter Slavonian barrels for aging, as the size of the cellar dictates. For the Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba bottling, selections are made from the crus of Baudana, Cerretta, and Costabella. With the 2019 vintage, they are now certified organic.”

Luigi Baudana ‘Baudana’ Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points “The 2017 Barolo Baudana has more savory and forward notes of dried cranberry, leather, and orange peel on the nose, with tangy ripe fruit on the palate. It has a rather approachable style, with the generosity of the fruit up front and well-managed tannins. Drink 2021-2040.”

Luigi Baudana Cerretta Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “A sweet perfume lifts from the 2017 Barolo Cerretta, with fresh violets, kirsch, cinnamon, and sage. The palate is energetic with forward fruit through the mid-palate with persistence, with tea leaf and present but well-integrated tannins. The Cerretta displays the elegance that is possible within the 2017 vintage. Drink 2022-2040.”

Luigi Baudana Serralunga Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points “The 2017 Barolo Del Comune Di Serralunga d’Alba is resinous and assertive with aromas of tobacco, leather, dried cherry, and cedar. The palate is ripe with red plum, dried violet, and tar. The fruit dovetails to reveal its more powerful Serralunga structure, with building and firm tannins. Hold 2-4 years and drink 2023-2040.”

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

“Vietti was founded by Carlo Vietti in the late 1800s and is based in Castiglione Falletto. Alfredo Currado married Luciana Vietti and is largely responsible for the resurrection of the Arneis grape. Today the estate is led by Luca Currado Vietti and his wife Elena. In 2016, the estate was purchased by Krause Holdings, which has enabled Luca and Elena to continue their roles while enabling them to support growth.” – Jeb Dunnuck


Pre-Arrival ETA July:

2017 Vietti Brunate Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points ” Sourced from an average of 54-year-old vines in Brunate of La Morra, the 2017 Barolo Brunate was aged for 32 months in large oak cask and barriques. It offers brooding aromas of licorice, dried currant, and cedar. Congruent on the palate with mineral-rich turned earth, there is a firmly built structure with balance. Drink 2024-2050.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Vietti Lazzarito Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points “From the southwest facing amphitheater of Lazzarito in Serralunga d’Alba the 2017 Barolo Lazzarito was aged for 30 months in a combination of large oak casks and barrique. The nose is layered with elegant spice and floral notes of cedar, red plum, and brushed leather. There is incredible balance within its structure, which has deceptive ease for early drinking. Hold 3-5 years or drink 2023-2046.” 
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!

Vietti Ravera Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points “Located in Novello, from three hectares of the Ravera MGA with southwest exposure, the 2017 Barolo Ravera was aged for 32 months in large oak casks. It is forward and expressive with fresh pine, candied cranberry, orange oil, and aniseed. The palate is full of energetic tension, balance, and purity, with apricot pit, tea leaf and saline minerality. An inspiring wine to close out the Vietti 2017 lineup. Drink 2025-2050.”

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

Vietti Rocche di Castiglione Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “Aged for 30 months in large oak casks, the 2017 Barolo Rocche Di Castiglione is sourced from old vines planted in 1940, 1950, and 1968 with southeastern exposure. It has a soft perfume of kirsch, fresh rose petal, and fragrant rosemary. The palate is fresh and inviting with fine tannins and noted by anise, pomegranate, and dusty earth. It is pleasurable now or hold 3-5 years and drink 2023-2036.”

In Stock Now:

Luigi Giordano Cavana Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($44.95) $33 special 
Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points ” The 2017 Barbaresco Cavanna is lifted with a delicate amount of rusticity, with dried sour cherry, rhubarb, and leather. The palate is fresh and ripe, with fine tannins and notes of cranberry cocktail, fresh orange, and dusty earth. Open and inviting, the Cavanna is easy-drinking and medium-bodied. Drink 2021-2031.” 

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


Ferreiro: The Apex of Albarino 

Looking for a wine that is equal parts refreshing and compelling? Check out our selection from D.O Ferreirio! Coming from the picturesque Salnes region on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, this is the ancestral home of Albarino and shows in the wine’s character across the portfolio. Some of the biggest contributors to the terroir of Salnes are the granitic mountains and blankets of sea fog found throughout the area, creating the building blocks for an invigorating and savory wine with surprising aging potential. These features also have a meteorological effect, creating an exceptionally cool and oftentimes wet growing season with the average temperature being 55 degrees! As a result of these challenges, there has been very little deviation from the traditional growing practices. D.O Ferrario is a local champion of these methods, and is known for their devotion to rehabilitating abandoned sites and refusing to use synthetic chemicals in any way.

These efforts pay off in spades as seen in their top bottling (Cepas Vellas) especially, which is sourced from a minuscule vineyard planted in 1785. Ethereal aromas of gyukoro tea, jasmine blossom and ocean spray jete from the glass and fill the room. Flavors of gooseberry, white tea, guava, curacao orange, dill, fresh squeezed lemon and sea salt ricochet throughout the palate and leaves a marathon of a finish redolent of hoshigaki sugar and mangostein flesh. 

Even the entry level bottling however is still loaded with nuance, and featuring an ironclad acidity that can handle any food pairing. With over 164 different plots under their spade, Ferreiro is able to feature the many “faces” of Albarino with bottlings that see completely different vinification. Most unique after the Cepas Vellas Ancestor vine bottling, is their Dous Ferrados which is sourced from a high elevation site above the fog line that sees aging in a wooden puncheon. This contributes to a rounded and fuller body, less salinity and higher aromatics that emphasizes the tropical fruit aspects of albarino like fresh passionfruit and green pineapple.

In Stock Now:

Do Ferreiro Albarino ‘Cepas Vellas,’ Rias Baixas 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 10 bottles in stock now
De Maison Selections note “In 2019, yields were lower than in 2018, and the quality was excellent. Although acidity is higher than usual, it is well integrated with fully developed phenolic ripeness. This situation bodes extremely well for the age-ability of the 2019 vintage, as some of the greatest vintages of Cepas Vellas have elevated acidity. Yields were down in their Salnés valley vineyards 20%, compared to 2018. Following two vintages with higher than average yields, the vines produced less clusters per bud in 2019, naturally lowering yields. The absence of rain during the first 40 days of ripening resulted in lightweight clusters with very little must. The resulting wine has perfect structure from extremely healthy grapes with balanced acidity, fruit, and alcohol. 2019 is an epic vintage for Cepas Vellas, which will reward a decade or more of time in the cellar.”

Do Ferreiro Albarino, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($39.95) $27 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Albariño was very expressive after some time in the glass. This is their house wine, produced with grapes from the 11 hectares and up to 164 plots they work in the Salnés up to 22 kilometers from their winery in Meaño. The wine is very elegant in 2018; it’s vibrant and tasty, with the granite sapidity and the salty finish. I tasted a bottle from the end of June 2019, when the wine had had longer time sur lie, and the year in bottle does it good. 70,000 bottles produced.”

Do Ferreiro Albarino Dous Ferrados, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 93 points “The only Albariño where they use any wood is the 2018 Dous Ferrados, which ferments and matures in barrel for nine months with lees. The idea is to go back to the wines from yesteryear, fermenting in large-volume oak casks (500 liters here) with the intention that the wood is in the background and does not interfere with the aromatics of the variety but aid the micro-oxygenation of the wine. The grapes are sourced from the same soils as the Adina, on red slate soils, a different source than the old “barrica” bottling that was from Meaño. The wine needed a little bit of time to open up in the glass; funnily enough, it felt more reductive/blurry than any of its siblings. The palate is saline and mineral, with marked granite sensations in the grainy texture, and finishes long and dry. 1,300 bottles were filled in September 2019.”

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

Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up

Order Online / By Phone / By Email

When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.

(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)

www.vinopoliswineshop.com

info@vinopoliswineshop.com

503-223-6002

Bucklin : Field Blend Barons of Sonoma 

Bucklin’s wines come from the historic vineyard Old Hill Ranch , originally planted in 1851. This is a field blend that is a snapshot of American wine history. Coming right after the Gold Rush and the beginning of the phylloxera blight this is a field blend selected for resilience above all else. Primarily made from Zinfandel with a smattering of Grenache, Alicante Bouchet, Petite Sirah, Carignan and Mourvèdre this is only a fraction of the 30 varietals planted at the time. Farmed organically since the inception of the farm and dry farmed. 

Their Ancient is gorgeously saturated in color and leaves a spectrum of purple and red in the Marangoni flow, throwing out aromas of lavender, 5 spice, dried cherries and terra cotta in a multilayered spectacle. On the palate the old vine influence is evident, with a full body serving spiced marionberries, Italian plum, and blueberry compote by the bucketful interspersed with juniper berries, bay leaf, and sage. There’s a beautiful minerality that is reminiscent of hot sandy loam and granite. The acid and tannins are stratospheric on this wine, which speaks to a long life in the bottle but also temper the alcohol level to the point you’d expect it to be 13-14% ABV.  Get one if you can resist opening it, and a few if you can’t.

Also offered by Bucklin, the stewards of Old Hill Ranch for over 3 generations are wines made from their younger parcels of vines. Otto’s Grenache is composed of a hillside planting done in 2010 over decomposed volcanic tuff and basalt. Incredibly structured and burly on first pour, Otto throws out strawberry jam, kirsch cherry and fresh raspberry, but with a subtle note of dried hibiscus, daffodil and honeysuckle. There’s a tremendous minerality throughout the wine, exhibited by hot pumice in the aromas and a savory basaltic note on the finish. Otto’s Grenache is something to cellar for at least 5 years after the vintage, or to be had by the glass over the course of a week.

The Bambino was planted in 1998 and is generally around 75% Zinfandel co-fermented with Alicante Bouchet and Petite Sirah. The exact blend is vintage dependent as a result of Bucklin’s commitment to entirely estate grown fruit. Bambino exhibits an old world character that would have me thinking this was imported from Puglia. There’s a fruit character that sets it aside from its centarian counterparts on the ranch, but sharing in the layers of purity, spice, minerality and old world rusticity.

In Stock Now:

Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Ancient Field Blend Sonoma Valley 18 ($49.95) $37.70 special 
Distributor Note “60% Zinfandel,15% Grenache, 10% Alicante Bouschet, 5% Petite Sirah and 10% “other” (20+ other varieties, in fact) from a twelve-acre block of vines that were planted in 1885. The vineyard is a mosaic of over two dozen grape varieties; the grapes are fermented together. Fermented with native yeast and aged 22 months in French oak, 40% of which is new. Bottled unfiltered.”
Winery Note “Our “Ancient Field Blend” comes from the original vines that were planted on Old Hill Ranch in the 1880’s.  Approximately 65% Zinfandel with the remaining varieties co harvested and fermented together.  Includes Grenache, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Grand Noir, Syrah, Carignan, and Mourvedre to name a few. 12 Acres, 30 grape varieties, 1 wine.”
Dry farmed.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Otto’s Grenache Sonoma Valley 2019 ($49.95) $37.70 special
Wine Spectator 91 Points “Lively and briary, with expressive raspberry, smoky tarragon and cracked pepper flavors that pick up speed toward well-groomed tannins. Drink now through 2028. 569 cases made.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Bucklin Bambino Old Hill Ranch Zinfandel 2017 ($29.95) $24 special 
Winery Note “Otto’s Grenache was planted to honor our Step Father Otto Teller.  Opinionated and cantankerous, Otto believed grapevines were too coddled and needed great stress to produce the best wines.  This field blend was planted in 2010 on a modestly steep hillside that faces the hot setting sun. The soils are shallow, between two to three feet deep, and they are underlain with a thick impermeable volcanic tuff made from ejected rock and ash that is compacted and cemented into rock.  If these growing conditions aren’t challenging enough, the vines are also dry farmed.  Average yields are low primarily because the berries are so small and these grapes produce very intense and colorful wine.”
Dry farmed.

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

New Grapelive Reviews

Weingut Leo Alzinger Gruner Veltliner Durnstein Federspiel Wachau 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 Points “The brilliantly clear 2019 Durnstein Federspiel Gruner from Leo Alzinger is a near perfect example of this region, grape and style with classic brisk citrus led flavors that include lemon/lime, white peach and green apple fruits and wet rock, saline, almond oil, a touch of leafy herbs and verbena. This light bodied Gruner is more complex and shows more depth than first impressions give, but is still lacy and refreshing at its core, it is very delightful and vibrant, highlighting the highly regarded vintage here…[These] are some of Austria’s most exciting wines and this one continues that trend of excellence….The 2019 Alzinger Dursten Gruner Veltliner comes from multiple sites within the Durnstein, set on a combination of clay mixed with gneiss, mica schist, loam and sandy gravelly soils, all of which adds to the depth here and the cool climate allows for greater retainment of zesty acidity….I understand Leo used natural yeast with a spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel vats and the short elevage was done employing mostly stainless steel tanks, but with a small amount of neutral Austrian oak to add to the roundness and presence on the palate. The Danube River’s influence is felt on the terroir driven character here and this wine is a true expression of place, I am again incredibly impressed with what is on display in this fine Gruner and I am thinking I’ll want quite a few more bottles for Summer. The value here is fabulous and the winemaking is pristine, I can’t wait to enjoy my next bottle with oysters and or steamed claims, as well as with grilled artichokes. Not only does Alzinger do fantastic Gruner, he also produces stellar Rieslings too, equally as profound and powerful… this winery is one to follow, and don’t miss these 2019s!”


“I have been following Laura’s wines since she was at Dominio do Bibei and was an early fan of her own label Daterra Viticultores, which was founded in 2014 with a set of small lot wines from the Ribeira Sacra, she has now enjoyed a string of successful vintages and is an international star. Lorenzo hand crafts a range of wines, mostly from a Ribeira Sacra set of small vineyards as well as in Valdeorras, and her Portela do Vento wines are regional blends exclusively from the Ribeira Sacra “Sacred Blanks”, while her Erea, Gavela, and Azos series are single village wines, and she also does a set of single parish or vinos de parroquia wines. All of Laura’s wines are transparent and highlight this regions fascinating terroir, with its cool Atlantic climate and mixture of slate, sand, schist and granite soils all showing through in these intriguing wines. The Portela do Vento Blanco, as the winery notes, comes from several parcels of native white varieties primarily from the Amandi (south-facing young vines) as well as Val do Bibei (north & northeast-facing old vines) subzones, all hand tended head trained vineyard sites, with organic and holistic farming methods employed. This dry white wine saw, according to Lorenzo, all the de-stemmed grapes go into both some used chestnut barrels and some terra-cotta amphora for a wild yeast fermentation with 5 days of skin contact before being raised for about a year in the same vessels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. This wine charms with every sip and goes fabulously with a wide array of foods, but especially with briny sea foods, I highly recommend it with shellfish, though it goes lovely with soft cheeses and even curried greens. This region has a long history in wine, with the Romans coming to this green, northwest corner of Iberia over 2,000 years ago, and they were the first to terrace these picturesque slopes and plant grape vines in Ribeira Sacra and while almost forgotten, but wines like this make it one of the most exciting wine regions in the world.” – Kerry Winslow, Grapelive


Daterra Viticultores ‘Portela do Vento’ Blanco Galicia 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now 
Grapelive 95 Points “The 2018 Portela do Vento Vino Blanco is a stunning white wine from the incredible Laura Lorenzo, this wine is gorgeous with the class and complexity of Grand Cru Burgundy, but with its own unique character and with beautiful aromatics, this medium bodied wine, made from a blend of Ribeira Sacra grown Godello, Palomino, Doña Blanca and Colgadeira, none of which are household names, but combine here to remarkable effect. Lorenzo’s natural and organic offerings are some of the most compelling in Spain, with her hard and back breaking work in these remote vineyard sites really paying off… and this 2018 is one f her best that I’ve tried, with its heady perfume, textural grace and depth just heavenly in the glass. This Portela do Blanco comes from plots in the Amandi and Val do Bibei zones… on steep slopes look more like the Mosel than you’d imagine. This brilliant wine shows layers of crisp apple, pear, peach and racy citrus fruits with orange blossoms, jasmine and a touch of waxy detail along with zesty herbs, verbena, citron and hazelnut. A light golden yellow hue captures your attention, but it is the sublime mouth feel and steely core that impresses most here, it has many facets that will excite those that love Chablis, though slightly more exotic in nature…This dry white wine saw, according to Lorenzo, all the de-stemmed grapes go into both some used chestnut barrels and some terra-cotta amphora for a wild yeast fermentation with 5 days of skin contact before being raised for about a year in the same vessels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. This wine charms with every sip and goes fabulously with a wide array of foods, but especially with briny sea foods.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Chateau Plince: The Prince of Pomerol

Chateau Plince is one of the hidden gems of Pomerol. Represented exclusively by the legendary Moueix family, who are best known for making Petrus, a $2,000+icon of Pomerol, Plince is only 1.3 miles away, yet we’re able to offer it for well less than $50 per bottle. Their wines combine the natural richness of Pomerol with an elegant classicism that’s a hallmark of the Moueix portfolio and are stunning deals for lovers of old-school Bordeaux.

Château Plince was first planted to grapevines in 1803, and the Moreau family has owned the property for over four generations. Plince was one of the first estates to begin practicing green harvesting in order to lower yields and increase flavor intensity, and they’re still known for their quality-at-all-costs attitude.

Sourced from a single estate vineyard in the Pomerol growing region of Bordeaux, this this is a deliciously fruity and plush red blend that encapsulates the essence of the Right Bank. We just tasted the 2015, which blew us away with its combination of concentration and already-elegant tannins.

Effusive aromas of rosehip, strawberry jam, freshly harvested peat and camphor demand your attention with its complexity and length. Plince delivers classic Bordeaux in its juxtaposition between primary and secondary characteristics with layered flavors of Kiona cherry, redcurrant, boysenberry, leather, patchouli, light roasted coffee beans, and cigar tobacco with an underpinning of pine resin and violets. The blend is primarily Merlot (72%), with the rest of the proportion coming from Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc respectively. 


In Stock Now:

Chateau Plince, Pomerol 2014 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special 
James Suckling 93 Points Focused and fruity with lots of flowers and blackberry character. Medium to full body, silky tannins and a long and subtle finish. Shows polish and finesse. Better in 2020. 

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


Arriving ETA July:

Chateau Plince, Pomerol 2015 750ml ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 93 Points “Attractive red berries and light licorice notes with a lick of iodine lead to a palate that has plenty of red-fruit and -licorice flavors. Smoothly groomed tannins and a fresh cherry-pip finish. Try from 2020.”
Jm Points Wine Spectator 90 Points “Steeped plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit forms the core here, while a liberal dose of warm fruitcake, mulling spices and bramble kicks in through the finish. All the elements meld well enough, with a slightly chewy hint at the very end. Best from 2021 through 2030. 4,100 cases made “
Jeb Dunnuck 90 Points “Another terrific Pomerol from the Moueix team and based on 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Château Plince offers the sexy, approachable style of the vintage as well as lots of sweet red and black fruits, underbrush, and hints of vanilla. This medium-bodied 2015 has surprising elegance, as well as silky texture, and it’s already hard to resist. Drink it over the coming decade.”


First Offer

La Magia’s 96 Point Brunello, Under $50

Looking for a stunning Brunello that can be drunk now or cellared for an occasion for under $50 a bottle? Check out La Magia’s stunning 2016 Brunello. Organically farmed and sourced from 40 old vines this is an absolute steal considering the heaps of praise regarding the 2016 vintage—and La Magia lives up with a 96-point score. As a whole 2016 is described as having a generous and ripe fruit profile like the previous vintage, but with a balance and structure that speaks to its longevity. 

The Magia Brunello delivers the perfect marriage of red and purple fruit with the tannic power of Montalcino from the first pour. Delivering a full bodied punch of rosemary, purple hyssop, polished leather and bing cherries on the first sip, you’re instantly enamored by a classic finish of hot stone, warm clay and cappuccino and tactile finish. Unlike many young Brunellos there is not an aggressive oak character, with good integration that has potential to quickly evolve into flavors of cherry cola, dried lavender and Assamese black tea.


Arriving ETA December

Fattoria La Magia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ML ($59.95) $46.50 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Black cherry, walnut, bark and wet earth on the nose. Some mushroom, too. Full-bodied with firm, velvety tannins that are energetic and polished at the same time. Plenty of character at the finish, if a little subdued. Very persistent. Try after 2024.”
Decanter 95 points “Winemaker and owner Fabian Schwartz favours 500L French oak tonneau for ageing, with the percentage of new wood increasing up through his range of Brunello. Here, a moderate 30% is cleverly integrated and barely perceptible. Pristine and pretty, La Màgia’s estate Brunello doesn’t give up everything all at once: it progresses from floral notes to sunbaked earth and irony intricacies. Almost midweight yet with lovely depth of fruit, the palate displays an exotic citrussy element, framed by very fine powdery tannins.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Expressive aromatics of lavender, fresh black raspberry, and sweet Mediterranean herbs are found in the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino. The palate is ripe and inviting, with black cherry, cola, and baked earth. It is open and generous, with a round structure and soft, supple tannins. Approachable now or enjoy over the next ten years. La Magia is located above Sant’Antimo in the Val d’Orcia, where Fabien Schwarz runs the family estate that was founded by his father in 1970. They are certified in biodynamic farming and their cellar has been fully energy self-sufficient since 2008.”

#Trending

From the same owner as Chateau Angelus, this is top Right-Bank value.
Chateau Clos de Bouard La Dame de Bouard, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “This has very attractive violets, plums and purple fruit on offer with a very plush and elegant feel on the palate, as well as a polished and long aftertaste. Super long and elegant. Very polished. 60 per cent merlot and 40 per cent cabernet franc. Try from 2023.”

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

Grand and Glou-Glou in one bottle !
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie les Garants Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Chermette’s 2018 Fleurie Les Garants delivers a striking bouquet of raspberries, peonies, warm spices and candied peel, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny but incisive palate that remains lively and tensile, despite its abundant endowment of ripe, succulent fruit. Elegant and precise, this is one of the high points of the portfolio.”

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

Cave Mont Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle ‘Caronte’ Extra Brut Rosato NV 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 32 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote “100% Petite Rouge.Founded in 1983, to revive the abandoned vineyards on the slopes of the Mont Blanc and to perpetuate the centuries old tradition of the area, the ‘Cave’ gathers the grapes from the municipalities of Morgex and La Salle and produces, among others, one of the highest cultivated white wines in Europe.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

#6 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Demi-Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “This tilts toward the flattering side of off-dry, showing a plump feel to the core of creamed pear, white peach and yellow apple fruit. Lovely verbena, honeysuckle and mineral accents keep this balanced and driven, with a long finish that lets the fruit echo. Drink now through 2032.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

A beloved Willamette Valley producer amongst Oregonians !
Et Fille Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, 2017 750ML ($31.95) $27 special
Winery note “We love blending Pinot Noir from multiple vineyards. This process epitomizes the confluence of art and science. We use our scientific backgrounds to begin with an analytic hypothesis-driven approach, but our love of art takes over once we start engaging our senses and letting the combinations take us in surprising directions. Our goal with this blend is to allow the complexity of the Willamette Valley to reveal itself in an honest representation of the vintage. Appellation: 100% Willamette Valley (Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills). Harvest: September 29-October 2, 2017. Production: 893 cases. Certifications: L.I.V.E. Certified Sustainable.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

A rare champagne bottling released once in a blue moon! 
Andre Clouet Un Jour de 1911 Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) $74.50 special 
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “[Review is for a prior disgorgement] The NV Grand Cru Cuvee 1911 emerges from the glass with the most haunting of perfumes. Sweet rose petal and jasmine are some of the nuances that emerge over time. Despite recent disgorgement, the purity of the fruit and the extraordinary elegance of the mousse are hard to miss. This is an exceptional, elegant version of the 1911 that should drink beautifully for years to come. The bottle I tasted needed quite a bit of air to open up, so readers should be patient with the wine at this stage.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $93

Top white Burgundy from a world class winemaker at a closeout price !
Domaine Rollin Pere et Fils Les Cloux Pernand-Vergelesses 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special 
Rosenthal Wine Merchant note “Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc “Les Cloux”: “Les Cloux” is a well-situated lieu-dit on the north side of the hill of Corton, adjacent to the premier cru “Sous Fretille” (see below). It faces southeast on a high, steep part of the hillside, and a general lack of any direct breeze there encourages notable ripeness. The wine possesses a lower-pitched, deeper nose than the basic Pernand-Vergelesses above, but with an equivalent limestone intensity more solid in its character than powdered. The palate is richer and thicker as well, but suffused with the alert acidity typical of the Rollin style. Only 20% of the oak employed during the elevage is new.”

A Saumur that Sings!
Arnaud Lambert Saumur Rouge Clos Mazurique, Loire 2019 750ML ($24.95) $17.70 special
No reviews available for 2019 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 92 points “[2018 vintage] This red flows like velvet, loaded with cranberry sauce, blackberry and juniper, while hints of charcoal and cedar add to the complexity. Very harmonious from start to finish, with a long aftertaste infused with mineral and thyme. Drink now through 2030. 1,666 cases made, 786 cases imported.  –AZ”
Importer note “Size: 3.7 ha (9.12 ac). Variety: Cabernet Franc. Vine Age: Planted in 1990. Terroir: Facing west, silty sand soil on Turonian limestone bedrock. Viticulture: Organic (certified, methods since 2009). Vinification: 100% de-stemmed, indigenous yeast fermentation in concrete tanks, no pump-overs. Aged for 5 months in concrete tank (15mg/L total SO2).”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $21

Delightfully spicy and rich, this makes the perfect spritz. A staff favorite.
Liquore delle Sirene Americano Rosso Aperitivo 750ML ($ 39.95) $34.50 special
Distributor note “Natural red aperitif made by somm Elisa Carta, inspired by the Venetian heritage. Handmade in small batches, blending wines from the Lake Garda area and single botanical macerations. The natural color is extracted from Hibiscus and Monarda flowers. Not artificial colors or flavorings.”


Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.

Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!

Stay safe, be well, & drink well.

Vinopolpick Mid-Week 5-26-21

In This Newsletter:

Subscriber Special #1
Emanuel Darnaud’s Soulful Syrah


Subscriber Special #2
Chandon de Briailles’ Grand Crus


A Steal from Bordeaux’s Right Bank
Château Clos de Boüard


A Taste of Yamhill-Carlton
Gran Moraine


Staff Pick
‘Bistro Chinon’ from Charles Joguet


The Affordable Side of Champagne
Great Picks All Under $40


Beaujolais Best-Seller
Domaine du Vissoux’s 2018 Crus


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subscriber Special #1

Emanuel Darnaud’s Soulful Syrah


Emanuel Darnaud has been one of our favorite surprises of the past few years. Relatively new to Vinopolis, this small producer makes spectacular reds from the Northern Rhône -wines that have become some of our best deals when in stock. From top to bottom, the Darnaud wines over-perform, with density, power and drinkability. So it came as no surprise when we sold out of most of our stock, leaving just one bottling remaining: the 2016 Au Fil du Temps. It is a Syrah with immediate appeal AND soul. We’d like to get it into more glasses and cellars, though, so we’re offering it again today at Subscriber Special pricing.

In Stock Now & Priced to Move:

Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil du Temps, Rhône 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $39 Now $35.10, 19 bottles in stock now
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil du Temps, Rhône 2016 1.5L ($99.95) Was $89 Now $80.10, 3 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points
“The 2016 Crozes Hermitage Au Fil Du Temps comes from the alluvial soils in the southern part of the appellation and was brought up in 50% French oak. Sporting a saturated purple color, it offers impressive notes of crème de cassis, black raspberries, crushed pepper, and ample floral and incense notes. With medium to full body, solid elegance and balance, and moderate tannins, you can drink it today or cellar bottles for 7-8 years.”
Winery note “Nose: Delicate and subtle. Aromas of blackberry and licorice stick. An impression of wet stones.  Mouth: The entry shows a great freshness. The tannins are velvety and offer a voluminous and racy mid-palate. This wine offers great harmony and will need a few years to reveal its full potential.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Love Rhône reds? We have 150 different options in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Chapoutier, Domaine Clape, Jaboulet and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subscriber Special #2

Chandon de Briailles’ Grand Crus


The wines of Chandon de Briailles are old-school Burgundies and brilliant because of it. Made with lots of whole clusters and an age-worthy approach, they are wines that need time but pay off in a big, big way. The estate has been a bit of an insider secret for years, as these wines are fantastic for their prices.

Speaking of those prices—the Burgundy market tends to reward wines that drink well on release and/or come from prestige appellations. These wines are neither (though Corton was quite the glamorous location a few hundred years ago). They require time to come into their own, putting on weight and texture in bottle until you open them up and they show up every other wine on the table (including many that are released at triple the price).

In Stock Now & Priced to Move:

Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Clos du Roi Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2015 750ML ($249.95) Was $199 Now $179, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 96 points
“The 2015 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is a magical wine in the making, opening in the glass with a deep and brooding bouquet of cherries, plum preserve, espresso roast, rich soil, dark chocolate and dried rose petals. On the palate, the wine is incredibly complete and multidimensional, with an ample chassis of fine-grained, chalky tannins, a bright line of acidity, and immense concentration and length. More deep and layered than the Corton Bressandes, this Clos du Roi is also finer-boned and more mineral, its aromas and flavors less wild and “sauvage,” and while the wine’s considerable structure will demand a decade of bottle age, this will be a benchmark Corton in the fullness of time.”

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


Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Clos du Roi Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2016 750ML ($249.95) Was $199 Now $179, 11 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 95+ points
“The 2016 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru is immensely impressive, unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild blueberries, raspberries and cassis that mingle with notions of dark chocolate, musk, violets and ineffable savory bass notes. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and multidimensional, with superb concentration, tangy acids and a long, searingly mineral finish. It’s one of the two or three finest expressions of the hill of Corton to be found—with the domaine’s fleshier, more gourmand Corton Bressandes not far behind. As readers may know, the de Nicolays’ holdings in the Clos du Roi are located at the top of this large vineyard, where the soils are redder and sandier than those classified—in white—as Corton-Charlemagne but which feature the same type of marl.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $220


Domaine Chandon de Briailles Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2016 750ML ($189.95) $119 special, 16 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 2016 Corton Bressandes Grand Cru is also showing extremely well, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, ripe plums, dark chocolate, dried flowers and spices. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and velvety, with a deep, layered core, succulent balancing acids and a long, intense and beautifully soil-driven finish. Cropped at 22 hectoliters per hectare, this is an exceptional Bressandes that will be well worth seeking out.”
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “(a blend of four lots; the vines on the Aloxe side of the cru, on thin soil over mother rock, were seriously affected by frost while those on more clay-rich soil on the Ladoix side produced a normal crop; 80% vendange entier): Bright red-ruby. Distinctly dark aromas of blackberry and cassis lifted by violet and mint nuances and complicated by a saline element. Ripe but classically dry, offering terrific density of texture as well as more thrust than the Maréchaudes. This wine is totally different in shape, finishing with broader, firmer, almost peppery tannins that dust the front teeth. Flavors of dark fruits and spices linger impressively. I suspect that this wine will need considerably longer cellaring than the Maréchaudes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $170.83


Love red Burgundy? We have 222 different options from the Côte de Nuits and 90 different options from the Côte de Beaune in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Armand Rousseau, Fourrier, Roumier and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Steal from Bordeaux’s Right Bank

Château Clos de Boüard


We’re suckers for well-made Bordeaux at a reasonable price—a combination that has become increasingly difficult to find. Fortunately, we jumped at the chance to bring in Château Clos de Boüard’s La Dame de Boüard. The essence of right-bank Bordeaux, a Merlot and Cabernet Franc dominant red with just the right amount of makeup, it more than fits the bill.

A throwback to Bordeaux’s glory days, Clos de Boüard vinifies the majority of their wine in cement vats, all on a parcel by parcel basis. This preserves a purity and vitality that’s uncommon in wines from Bordeaux’s “satellite” appellations. After fermentation the wines are aged in 50% new oak, imparting the polish that connoisseurs have come to expect from Right Bank Bordeaux. The estate’s vineyards feature classic hillside clay and limestone soils, with vines averaging 35 years of age (and some as old as 70). The resulting wines are the perfect blend of richness and elegance, terroir and refinement. Best of all the prices: $21.90/bottle for their flagship, and $39/bottle for their higher-end Montagne-Saint-Émilion bottling (of which we have 1 bottle remaining).

In Stock Now:

Château Clos de Boüard La Dame de Boüard, Montagne-Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“This has very attractive violets, plums and purple fruit on offer with a very plush and elegant feel on the palate, as well as a polished and long aftertaste. Super long and elegant. Very polished. 60 per cent merlot and 40 per cent cabernet franc. Try from 2023.”

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


Château Clos de Boüard, Montagne-Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 1 bottle in stock now
James Suckling 94 points
“Super rich and plush with ample dark plum, cocoa and graphite nuances, as well as some blueberries and cherries. The plate has a beautifully crafted bed of fine, plush and long tannins that carry effortless length and depth. Deep and fresh cabernet kick. Really impressive. 85 per cent merlot and 11 per cent cabernet franc and four per cent cabernet sauvignon. Try from 2023.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love red Bordeaux? We have over 30 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Mouton Rothschild, Cos d’Estournel, Château Canon and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Taste of Yamhill-Carlton

Gran Moraine


Gran Moraine is one of Yamhill–Carlton District’s most celebrated producers, and the wines reflect the unique terroir of the growing area. The hillside vineyards of Yamhill–Carlton form a horseshoe (or more accurately a lobster claw) around the valley floor, and enjoy slightly warmer and dryer conditions than neighboring sub-AVAs. These conditions are the result of the rain-shadow effect of the nearby Coastal Range and the warm air that pools within the lobster claw. Under its vines, Yamhill–Carlton is dominated by the Willamette Valley’s oldest marine sedimentary-based soils. Thanks to these idyllic conditions, the wines are some of the Willamette Valley’s most generous, with Pinot Noir often leaning towards darker fruits.

We’re thrilled to once again feature three of Gran Moraine’s flagship wines, all excellent. The Brut Rosé could fool anyone into thinking that they’re drinking a $50+ bottle of Champagne. While the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir both hail from 2017, arguably Oregon’s most exciting vintage since 2012. Both capture everything that we love about Yamhill–Carlton, fruit-forward wines that retain more than enough freshness to keep you coming back for more.

In Stock Now:

Gran Moraine Brut Rosé, Yamhill-Carlton District NV 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“That rare domestic rosé that captures the vibrant acidity of Champagne, offering delicate strawberry, raspberry flavors laced with steely minerality and sprinkle of graham cracker on the finish. Drink now through 2022. 1,000 cases made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Gran Moraine Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton District 2017 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“This has a very impressive feel with a fresh array of citrus and some gently spicy pastry aromas, too. The palate has a long, fresh and composed feel with such fine, fresh peaches and pears. Drink or hold.”


Gran Moraine Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2017 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Polished and elegantly complex, with expressive cherry and blueberry flavors, accented by crushed stone and black tea, building tension and lively acidity toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2025. 4,300 cases made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love Oregon Pinot Noir? We have 138 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Cameron, Sequitur, White Rose Estate and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up

Order Online / By Phone / By Email

When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.


(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)

www.vinopoliswineshop.com

info@vinopoliswineshop.com

503-223-6002
  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Staff Pick

‘Bistro Chinon’ from Charles Joguet


Saul:
Like many wine lovers, I adore Kermit Lynch’s classic Adventures on the Wine Route. It’s responsible for my interest in a lot of wine regions, but none more so than Chinon. Lynch’s description of the magnetic Charles Joguet captivated me and is certainly part of the reason I love the wines of the Loire. The dirty secret, though, was that for a period of time in the late 1990s/very early 2000s, the wines from Joguet weren’t particularly great. Charles had retired and the new winemaking team wasn’t quite up to his exacting standards.

Thankfully, Kevin Fontaine, the current winemaker, is a talented individual who has fully restored the Charles Joguet to the very top tier of producers in Chinon—recent releases have made me a believer again. The wines have more polish than in the past, but they do so without sacrificing the character of the place or the ageability of the wines. He’s really doing justice to one of the best collections of vineyards in the Loire—and being Chinon, prices are still reasonable.

On the lower end of their lineup, I really enjoy the Petites Roches bottling. It’s a perfect bistro Cabernet Franc, showing off the elegance and charm of gravelly terroirs in Chinon. This is a step up from their entry-level bottling (the Cuvée Terroir) that we’re able to offer for entry level pricing (less than $25/btl). Whether I’m looking for a wine to drink with a roast chicken, steak, or kale and bean soup, this is always a perfect weeknight warrior.

In Stock Now:

Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2018 750ML ($31.95) $24 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Vinous 91 points
“This deep ruby red comes from 35-year-old clay and chalky soils. The 2018 vintage is more lively than the 2017. On the palate aromas of violet and blackberry, fresh berry and black pepper come alive. Thrilling acidity dances throughout.”
Kermit Lynch note “A young, peppery nose with tart red currant aromas that practically jump out of the glass. On the palate, the fruit follows through to a spicy, astonishingly lengthy finish. A satisfying match for charcuterie or creamy fresh goat cheese, which complement the refreshing acidity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvée Terroir, Loire 2018 750ML ($31.95) $24 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Kermit Lynch note
“Cuvée Terroir is born of a parcel of vines just west of Chinon known for its mysteriously Mediterranean vegetation. Fragrant pines replace the emblematic plane trees that typically line the river Vienne, and tiny wildflowers called silènes pop up in the sandy soil amid the vines, a colorful symbol of the area’s extraordinary biodiversity. Domaine Joguet lets the terroir speak for itself, aging the wine in stainless steel to respect its supple, delicate freshness. They call it their “vin des copains”: the wine you want to open with friends, and frequently.”

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


Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos, Loire 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Very pure, featuring beautiful acidity that imparts freshness and energy, with cherry pit and red currant fruit notes gliding along. Medium tannins provide structure and support. The finish is long and expressive. Best from 2021 through 2029. 170 cases imported.”
Vinous 93 points “From one Charles Joguet’s prime sites at the foot of a gravelly terrace, from 40 to 50 year old vines in siliceous chalk and clay soil. Aged 12 months in barrel, then in stainless steel for 10 months. Cherry, pepper, and herb on the nose. Rich and plush in the mouth with big gravelly tannins. Balanced by cool, fresh dark fruit and a thrilling finish of spice and graphite. Great value.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Kermit Lynch note
“When Charles Joguet took over the family vineyards in 1957, he set out to do something that was unheard of in the Loire Valley. Rather than blending all the fruit from his varied parcels, he opted for a more Burgundian approach and began vinifying each individually, highlighting Chinon’s diversity of soils and exposures and playing with the nuances of vine age to propose a gamut of different wines of unique character. It is in this spirit that the domaine’s current vigneron, Kevin Fontaine, crafts the cuvée Les Petites Roches, named for the estate’s gravelly terroirs. Given light treatment in the cellar, this wine shows off Cabernet in its most delicate, charming form, rife with aromas of roses, damp earth, and little red berries, along with a gentle tannin holding it all together. This classic representation of Cabernet Franc from Chinon can be enjoyed over the next five or so years with roast chicken, pork chops, or game.”

This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!


Love the Loire? We have 85 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Bernard Baudry, Domaine Huet, Thibaud Boudignon and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Affordable Side of Champagne

Great Picks All Under $40


In Stock Now:

Elegant & complex
R. Dumont & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“The Dumont Brut NV is a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. The grapes from their vineyard have qualities that seem less aggressive and more sumptuous than those from the northern districts. In addition, vinification of whole berries at low temperatures enhances this quality of soft elegance. The NV is a blend of vintages typically between two and five years old. It is aged for two years on the lees before disgorgement. Dosage is 9 grams.”

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


Ripe & charming
Thierry Triolet Brut Rosé, Champagne NV 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“The Rosé Champagne combines a base of Chardonnay with 35% red wine. The red wine is a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. In very ripe vintages, M. Triolet will keep a vat of “Pinot” and allows it to mature in the cellar. The red wine is blended with Chardonnay and the “assemblage” undergoes the second fermentation followed by an extended period “sur lattes”. It is bottled with the “liqueur de triage”, a blend of sugar and yeasts (11 grams sugar), to produce a charming Rosé Champagne.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Generous & balanced
Lombard & Cie Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points
“[Review for prior disgorgement] A vibrant, balanced version, with a detailed mousse the texture of raw silk and finely meshed flavors of ripe cherry, lemon zest, chalky mineral and toast point. Disgorged February 2018. Drink now. 10,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.”
Importer note “30% Pinot Noir (Sermier and Villedommange), 30% Pinot Meunier (Coulommes-la-Montagne), 40% Chardonnay (Cote des Blancs villages of Grauves & Vertus). Disgorged 12/2/2019. 4 g/L dosage. Aged for 3-4 years sur lattes.”


A perpetual top value
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 special
Wine Spectator 92 points
“[Reviewed Nov 2017] This bright and zesty Champagne is lightly juicy and appealing, offering flavors of Honeycrisp apple, ripe white cherry, biscuit and pickled ginger. Balanced and lacy in texture, with a lingering, spiced finish. Drink now through 2022. 2,200 cases imported.”


A cellar pick
Henriot Brut Souverain, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 19 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91 points “The new bottling in the market of Henriot “Brut Souverain” is composed of a blend of fifty percent chardonnay, forty-five percent pinot noir and five percent pinot meunier. It spent three years aging sur latte and was finished with a dosage of less than eight grams per liter. The wine offers up a vibrant and precise bouquet of apple, pear, plenty of smokiness, chalky soil tones, fresh-baked bread and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and fairly youthful in structure, with bright acids, lovely focus and grip, a good core, elegant mousse and a long, nascently complex finish. This non-vintage cuvée has a fine record of aging in my cellar and I would not hesitate to tuck this away for a few years and really let it blossom completely. (Drink between 2019-2040).”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “The standard nonvintage from this producer benefits from its policy of blending in a high percentage of older réserve wines. That gives the wine its richness and smooth, ripe character. Hints of apples are still there along with a good balance between acidity and toastiness. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “A touch of vanilla-laced pastry cream sweetness accents this fresh and focused Champagne, with a fine mousse. This is well-balanced by crunchy acidity and flavors of lemon peel, green pear and spring blossom. Drink now through 2022.”


“An accessible crowd-pleaser”
Aubry Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Disgorged October 2020, prior review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 91 points “A creamy viscosity complements the texture of this harmonious version. An accessible crowd-pleaser, with lightly juicy acidity and delicate flavors of chopped almond, baked pear, saline and citrus. Disgorged January 2019. Drink now through 2022.”

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


A staff favorite
Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“63% Pinot Noir, 23% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier. 50% 2015 and 50% 2014. Dosage 5.5 grams. 70% Villers Allerand, 20% Ecueil, 10% Bouzy.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead Nose: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a slight toastiness Palate: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Slow, gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and a period in the barrel for a certain volume of reserve wines. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.”


A rising ‘Grower’ star
Louis Nicaise Réserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($55.95) $39 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Distributor note
“Grower-Producers, the Nicaise family have been making champagne for 4 generations from their 9 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards, all in Hautvillers, but it is only very recently that the quality took a big jump up after the arrival at the domaine in 2007 of the new generation represented by Laure Nicaise-Préaux and her husband, then 25 year old Clement Préaux. Clémént apprenticed at Anselme Selosse and work at the co-op of Mailly before becoming part of the Louis Nicaise family. As his father-in-law has given him more control, Clémént has reduced the dosages on the wines and pushed the quality upwards.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


“Without question one of the finest wines in its style”
A. Margaine Cuvée Traditionelle Premier Cru Demi-Sec, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $39.90 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90 points
“Margaine’s NV Le Demi-Sec is without question one of the finest wines in its style. For this cuvée, Margaine uses the same blend as Le Brut, but adds 30 grams per liter of dosage, which really amplifies the wine’s citrus confit, orchard fruit and floral qualities while adding textural depth. Refreshing, light on its feet and flat-out delicious, the Demi-Sec is terrific. Although it is hard to see drinking an entire bottle of this, I am surprised I never see Demi-Sec on tasting menus. This is such a beautiful and expressive Champagne. Dosage is 30 grams per liter.”
Importer note “88% Chardonnay, 12% Pinot Noir. Assemblage Base 2016 48%, Reserve wines 52% (2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2006). Village/vyd 100% Villers-Marmery 1er Cru. Malo 1/3 Malo. Elevage Stainless steel. Sur latte 18 months.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love Champagne? We have 167 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like De Venoge, Georges Laval, Laurent Perrier and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beaujolais Best-Seller

Domaine du Vissoux’s 2018 Crus


Gamay’s explosion in popularity over the past decade has resulted in an excess of fantastic options from Beaujolais and beyond. However there is probably no producer anywhere in the world, let alone Gamay’s spiritual home, offering better value than Domaine Vissoux. The estate has been one of the region’s visionary producers ever since Pierre Chermette took over for his parents in 1982. During his nearly four decades at the helm, Vissoux has remained at the forefront of Beaujolais’ quality movement.

Neither modern, nor traditional, Vissoux’s wines defy simple categorization. Like many of their neighbors, they focus on sustainable viticulture, but are less sanctimonious than some of their more famous peers. And perhaps because they don’t fit easily into a stylistic category, they continue to fly under the radar in a region where a compelling ethos often times trumps quality. So if it’s deliciousness you’re after, without the side of self-righteousness, these are the Beaujolais wines for you. See for yourself why Vissoux is our best-selling Beaujolais estate each year.

In Stock Now:

Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Brouilly Pierreux, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points
“Aromas of raspberries, plums and orange rind preface the 2018 Brouilly Pierreux, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy wine with a satiny attack that segues into a fine-boned, elegantly structured mid-palate, with lively acids and a fragrant, expansive finish. This cuvée, which sees six months’ élevage in old foudres, has turned out very well.”

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


Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie les Garants, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points
“Chermette’s 2018 Fleurie Les Garants delivers a striking bouquet of raspberries, peonies, warm spices and candied peel, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny but incisive palate that remains lively and tensile, despite its abundant endowment of ripe, succulent fruit. Elegant and precise, this is one of the high points of the portfolio.”

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


Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Poncié, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points
“Unwinding in the glass with aromas of rose petals, sweet red cherries, dried flowers and ripe strawberries, the 2018 Fleurie Poncié is medium to full-bodied, lively and enveloping, with a charming, fruit-driven profile this year that tends to obscure its elegantly fine-boned tannic chassis. But don’t be fooled, this is reliably one of Chermette’s finest cuvées, and the 2018 rendition should evolve gracefully for 15 years or more.”


Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Saint Amour Les Champs-Grillés, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92+ points
“The 2018 Saint-Amour Les Champs-Grillés is a serious wine, “not just for Valentine’s Day,” as Jean-Étienne Chermette observes. Revealing attractive notes of raspberries, rose petals and cherries, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and spicy, with a muscular chassis of fine, powdery tannins. As usual, it’s a cuvée that stands to gain from a couple of years in the cellar.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love Beaujolais? We have over 40 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Anne-Sophie Dubois, Daniel Bouland, Clos de la Roilette and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.

Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!




Stay safe, be well, & drink well.

Vinopolis Tuesday Newsletter 5-25-21

In This Newsletter:

Subscriber Special
Santa Duc’s Regal Reds


New Grapelive Review
Daterra’s ‘Portela do Vento’ Blanco


Von Winning
Germany’s Most Exciting Producer?


Cave Mont Blanc’s Alpine Wines
Perfect for Spring


More Spring Sparklers
All $20 – $30


Collector’s Corner
Pierre Gelin’s World-Class Burgundy


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subscriber Special

Santa Duc’s Regal Reds


Gigondas is the finest source of value for profound wine in the Rhône. The top estates deliver wines that compete with the very best wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, but at prices that are a fraction of their peers. Our Subscriber Special today, Santa Duc, is one of the very best in the region. 

Santa Duc is perhaps the only estate who can match Saint Cosme as the “Most Important Winery in Gigondas”. Owners of some of the finest vineyards in the Southern Rhône, Santa Duc is a legendary producer that more than lives up to their reputation. Unlike Saint Cosme, though, their top wines aren’t yet commanding triple-digit pricing.

These are wines that manage the neat trick of being absolutely delicious now while having a track record of aging gracefully. Recent notes for older bottles like the 1995 and 1998 Hautes Garrigues are glowing, yet the wines can be on your table tonight and impress. In the last decade or so, the winery has extended its holdings into Châteauneuf and those wines are as brilliant as you’d expect, as well.

These are wines to buy in quantity—you’re going to want to drink a lot of them now and have some left in your cellar in ten years. Best of all, our pricing was already the lowest in the country, but is now by far the best. So now is the perfect time to stock up.

Gigondas

In Stock Now:

Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille, Rhône 2015 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90 Now $38, 9 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points
“Mostly (80%) grenache with 10% each of mourvèdre and syrah. There’s a very impressive, sheer and crunchy texture to the palate and a peppery edge. Tannins drive a long, powerful finish. Best from 2020.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The 2015 Gigondas Clos Derrière Vieille (80% Grenache and 10% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre) comes from the wall vineyard located just beside the village. It offers terrific notes of dusty earth, dried cherries and herbes de Provence, medium to full-bodied richness, silky tannin and a beautiful texture. Like the other 2015s, it’s going to drink nicely for 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-93 points “Deep ruby. Ripe raspberry, cherry liqueur, violet and a hint of garrigue on the deeply perfumed nose. Fleshy, appealingly sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering plush red and blue fruit flavors and a subtle note of candied licorice that builds in the glass. Becomes more energetic with air and finishes on a sweet red berry note, showing powerful thrust, harmonious tannins and impressive persistence.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Prestige des Hautes Garrigues, Rhône 2015 750ML ($59.95) Was $49 Now $44, 23 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94-97 points
“Lastly, the 2015 Gigondas Hautes Garrigues (60/40 Grenache and Mourvèdre) is a beauty boasting killer notes of dark fruits, crushed rocks, pepper, garrigue and scorched earth. This seriously good 2015 has building richness, a stacked mid-palate and a huge finish, all suggesting short-term cellaring will be your friend. It will keep for two decades of more.”
James Suckling 93 points “Mourvèdre steps up to one third of the blend while the balance is grenache. This has an attractive array of ripe dark cherry and blue plum fruits. The tannins are framed up with a deeper, wider shape. Try from 2020, this needs time.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price $59.98


Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits, Rhône 2015 750ML ($39.95) Was $33 Now $29, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“A fluid, fleshy and deeply structured wine with dark cherry and blackberry fruit flavors amid sturdy yet supple tannins. Good weight and presence. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe but fresh, with a slightly high pitch to the mix of damson plum, cherry and rooibos tea aromas and flavors, backed by singed vanilla, tobacco and licorice root notes that give this a darker shade through the finish. Best from 2020 through 2030. 2,400 cases made, 700 cases imported.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Domaine Santa Duc Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Pied De Baud’, Rhône 2015 750ML ($69.95) Was $51.90 Now $45, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Le Pied de Baud, a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault, offers compelling scents of rose petals and raspberries on the nose. While not as richly textural as some of the other cuvées, it’s still a lovely, hauntingly fragrant example of Châteauneuf du Pape.”
James Suckling 94 points “This has an array of darker berry and plum fruits with a brambly, lightly spicy edge, too. The palate delivers impeccably fresh, lithe and detailed tannin texture, as well as blue fruit flavors. Juicy and energetic. Long finish. Try from 2020.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Domaine Santa Duc Châteauneuf-du-Pape ‘Les Saintes Vierges’ Rouge, Rhône 2015 750ML ($69.95) Was $59 Now $51.90, 23 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Les Saintes Vierges is the most flattering of Santa Duc’s current releases, offering lushness and generosity on the palate, notes of cherries and licorice, creamy-supple tannins and a mouthwatering finish. It’s a blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Also in Stock Now:

Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Les Hautes Garrigues, Rhône 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points
“Saturated ruby. Powerful, deeply pitched black and blue fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of licorice, woodsmoke and incense. Broad, palate-coating blackberry and cherry compote flavors open up slowly with aeration. Distinctly rich but showing surprising vivacity, with velvety tannins coming in late to shape the wine’s sweet finishing fruit.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “This has a solid core of raspberry, bitter cherry and plum fruit, liberally laced with iron, violet and bay leaf notes. The long, sleek finish lets the iron edge play out, revealing a hint of blood orange in the background. Best from 2016 through 2020. 100 cases imported.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love Rhône reds? We have 160 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Domaine Jamet, Grand Veneur, Henri Bonneau and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Grapelive Review

Daterra’s ‘Portela do Vento’ Blanco


“The 2018 Portela do Vento Vino Blanco is a stunning white wine from the incredible Laura Lorenzo, this wine is gorgeous with the class and complexity of Grand Cru Burgundy, but with its own unique character and with beautiful aromatics, this medium bodied wine, made from a blend of Ribeira Sacra grown Godello, Palomino, Doña Blanca and Colgadeira, none of which are household names, but combine here to remarkable effect. Lorenzo’s natural and organic offerings are some of the most compelling in Spain, with her hard and back breaking work in these remote vineyard sites really paying off, and while known for her Mencia based reds, her whites are equally outstanding and this 2018 is one f her best that I’ve tried, with its heady perfume, textural grace and depth just heavenly in the glass. This Portela do Blanco comes from plots in the Amandi and Val do Bibei zones set on sandy loams and granite based soils that show in this wine’s intense mineral tones and wet stone element, with vines that range from 25 to 80 years old at elevations above 500 meters on steep slopes look more like the Mosel than you’d imagine. This brilliant wine shows layers of crisp apple, pear, peach and racy citrus fruits with orange blossoms, jasmine and a touch of waxy detail along with zesty herbs, verbena, citron and hazelnut. A light golden yellow hue captures your attention, but it is the sublime mouth feel and steely core that impresses most here, it has many facets that will excite those that love Chablis, though slightly more exotic in nature like a Marcel Deiss field blend meets a South African old vine white, which are Chenin heavy, and makes sense when you know Lorenzo did a stint at Sadie Family, under the mentorship of the legendary Eben Sadie.

I have been following Laura’s wines since she was at Dominio do Bibei and was an early fan of her own label Daterra Viticultores, which was founded in 2014 with a set of small lot wines from the Ribeira Sacra, she has now enjoyed a string of successful vintages and is an international star. Lorenzo hand crafts a range of wines, mostly from a Ribeira Sacra set of small vineyards as well as in Valdeorras, and her Portela do Vento wines are regional blends exclusively from the Ribeira Sacra “Sacred Blanks”, while her Erea, Gavela, and Azos series are single village wines, and she also does a set of single parish or vinos de parroquia wines. All of Laura’s wines are transparent and highlight this regions fascinating terroir, with its cool Atlantic climate and mixture of slate, sand, schist and granite soils all showing through in these intriguing wines. The Portela do Vento Blanco, as the winery notes, comes from several parcels of native white varieties primarily from the Amandi (south-facing young vines) as well as Val do Bibei (north & northeast-facing old vines) subzones, all hand tended head trained vineyard sites, with organic and holistic farming methods employed. This dry white wine saw, according to Lorenzo, all the de-stemmed grapes go into both some used chestnut barrels and some terra-cotta amphora for a wild yeast fermentation with 5 days of skin contact before being raised for about a year in the same vessels and bottled unfined and unfiltered. This wine charms with every sip and goes fabulously with a wide array of foods, but especially with briny sea foods, I highly recommend it with shellfish, though it goes lovely with soft cheeses and even curried greens. This region has a long history in wine, with the Romans coming to this green, northwest corner of Iberia over 2,000 years ago, and they were the first to terrace these picturesque slopes and plant grape vines in Ribeira Sacra and while almost forgotten, but wines like this make it one of the most exciting wine regions in the world.” – Grapelive


Daterra Viticultores ‘Portela do Vento’ Blanco, Galicia 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 95 points
“The 2018 Portela do Vento Vino Blanco is a stunning white wine… [full review above]”
Importer note “Portela do Vento Blanco comes from several parcels of native white varietiesprimarily from the Amandi (south-facing young vines) as well as Val do Bibei (north & northeast-facing  old  vines)  subzones.  The  grapes  were  harvested  by  hand  in  late September due to a warm and humid summer. The fruit was destemmed into used chestnut  barrels  and  amphora  for  wild  yeast  fermentation  with  5  days  of  skin maceration. The wine was then raised for 11 months in the same vessels and bottled without fining or filtration. This is a “mountain white” showing bright orchard fruit, savory minerality and refreshing acidity. Pair it with grilled fish and poultry, paella and good friends.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Other Highlights, in Stock Now:

Daterra Viticultores ‘Camino de la Frontera’ Blanco, Castilla y León 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“Camino de la Frontera Blanco comes from Angel’s ancient, northwest-facing vineyard in the Parque Natural de Los Arribes del Duero, from native Malvasia, Verdejo & Puesta en Cruz varieties. After a cool, wet & humid summer, the grapes were hand-harvested on September 20th, destemmed, crushed and wild yeast fermented in used 250 & 500L chestnut barrels with 10 days of skin maceration, then raised in the same vessels for 11 months. This is a “mountain white” showing bright orchard fruit, savory minerality and refreshing acidity. Pair it with grilled fish and poultry, paella and good friends.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Daterra Viticultores ‘Camino de la Frontera’ Tinto, Castilla y León 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94 points
“The unique and outstandingly expressive Camino de la Frontera, made from incredibly rare local varietals including Juan Garcia, Tinta Madrid and Rufete from a high elevation vineyard in Fermoselle is crazy delicious with deep layers of blueberry, pomegranate, açaí and earthy currant fruits, but with racy acidity, a nice umami crunchiness, spicy notes and mineral elements in a wonderfully soulful and balanced wine. To explain this exotic field blend red wine from Arribes del Duero, you’d have to imagine some amazingly different wines blended together, I am seeing elements of classic Northern Rhônes, along with characteristics you find in the red wines of the Alto Adige, as well as something like the Frappato and Nero d’Avola blends in Southern Sicily in the Vittoria region! Laura Lorenzo is one of the most heroic and iconic winemakers in Spain these days and her Daterra Viticultores label is one of the most intriguing in the wine world….The vivid and floral (violet) toned Camino de la Frontera Tinto comes from an ancient parcel with vines that are well over a hundred years old at 650 meters above sea level…. The grapes, which are all organic, were hand-harvested then traditionally foot-trodden using about 50% whole-cluster and 50% de-stemmed in this year, with as per normal with Laura’s natural wines, was wild yeast fermented. Lorenzo, who believes in transparency and wines that deliver textural pleasure, used a combination of large French oak and a 1000L chestnut wood foudre to ferment in and then this Camino de la Frontera Tinto was raised in the same vessels for 11 months. As expected in wines like this there was no manipulation during the winemaking process here and Laura’s wines see only a small dose of SO2 with all of her wines being unfined and unfiltered to preserve purity as well as showcase the individual terroirs and every distinct nuance to be found in the finished wines. This is compelling stuff and perfectly delivers everything I love about these Daterra Viticultores wines, which are sultry, earthy seductive and celebrate a sense of wildness that captures the essence of this region and the Galician cool Atlantic climate and rugged charms. “
Importer note “Camino de la Frontera Tinto comes from Angel’s ancient, northwest-facing vineyard in the Parque Natural de Los Arribes del Duero, planted to mostly Juan Garcia, Tinta Madrid (aka Tempranillo), and Rufete balanced by other indigenous varieties. After a cool, wet & humid summer, the grapes were hand-harvested on September 20-21st, 50% foot-trodden whole-cluster and 50% destemmed, wild yeast fermented in a used 4000L French oak cask and a 1000L chestnut foudre with 11 days of skin maceration, then raised in the same vessels for 11 months. This is a red wine of elegant rusticity, with a floral nose and a touch of toasty oak from the new foudre, along with soft tannins and bright acidity.”


Daterra Viticultores ‘Portela do Vento’, Galicia 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 32 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 93 points
“The Portela Do Vento Tinto is composed of a blend of Mencía and Garnacha Tintorera, selected from several different vineyard parcels in both Quiroga and Amandi. The grapes are mostly destemmed and fermented in stainless steel tanks, prior to racking to five hundred liter, used demi-muids for ten months of elevage. The 2018 Portela Do Vento comes in at a svelte twelve percent alcohol and delivers a beautiful, black fruity bouquet of cassis, dark berries, tree bark, coffee bean, slate, cigar smoke and just a touch of upper register botanicals. On the palate the wine is precise, full-bodied and tangy, with a lovely core of fruit, excellent slate undertow, fine-grained tannins and a long, complex, palate-staining and focused finish. This is pure, light on its feet and excellent! 2023-2045+.”
Importer note “Comes from several south-facing parcels of Menci´a and Garnacha Tintorera in the Amandi and Quiroga-Bibei subzones. The grapes were harvested by hand and mostly destemmed, fermented with wild yeasts in steel vats, and raised for 9 months in used 500 liter French barrels. This is Laura’s “glou-glou” wine that she loves to share with her American friends. Fresh and easy-drinking, it is very versatile with a wide variety of foods…or straight from the porro´n!?”

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


Daterra Viticultores ‘Tabernario’, Galicia 2018 750ML ($35.95) $31.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 92 points
“One of my favorites and a heroic winegrower, Laura Lorenzo is making some amazing wines and her 2018s look set to take her fame to the next level [under the label “Daterra Viticultores. The winery is] based in the remote Ribeira Sacra, which means “Sacred Banks” in Gallego, the local Galician dialect… Her latest Tabernario Tinto with its beautiful texture, bright flavors and mineral details that make it drink as fine as a Premier Cru Burgundy. [The Tinto is] made from old vine parcels of 60% Menci´a, 30% Alicante Bouschet and 10% Palomino… all sourced from Lorenzo’s organic vines in Amandi and Val do Bibei, both sleep river valley locations set on primarily granite soils with a covering of sand and some loams… I was thrilled with the transparent dark fruited profile with layers of Mencia led characteristics showing black cherry, wild plum, cranberry and tart currant fruits, fresh garden herbs, star anise, crushed stones, a touch of leathery earth and light cedar as well as delicate floral tones. The Ribeira Sacra [region], a favorite of the Romans, who came to this green, northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula more than 2,000 years ago and were the first to plant and terrace the slopes to grape vines, almost forgotten in modern times due to the harsh working conditions this place is now one of the wine world’s most exciting places. This light medium bodied Tabernario red has the charm of Cru Beaujolais, like Fleurie, especially with its pretty details and a bit of northern Rhône crunchiness and game, even though as mentioned above this vintage has a satiny feel that reminds me of a Pinot. Lorenzo is committed to holistic and natural methods in the vineyards and in her cellar, looking to capture the purest form of terroir and of the vineyard. She works with indigenous or wild yeast exclusively and mostly whole cluster with elevage in only used well-seasoned oak casks of various sizes and does no adjustments other that the absolute minimum dose of SO2, all unfined and unfiltered. The 2018 vintage was not kind to Lorenzo and she lost a huge amount of grapes to severe weather, but she persevered and crafted a beauty with this Tabernario which was harvested by hand in early September…. The Ribeira Sacra is a cool Atlantic zone with granitic, schist and slate soils predominating here in a region that looks more like Germany’s river wine growing areas than most of Spain, which helps to explain Laura’s wines that have lower alcohols, this one is just 12%, and that are highly aromatic, zesty, quaffable and elegant in style. The Daterra offerings are wildly addictive and unique. I highly recommend checking them out!”
Importer note “Due to extremely adverse weather in 2018, Laura and Alvaro lost almost all of their fruit that goes into the Gavela, Erea and Azos wines. Thus was born Tabernario, half of which comes from the surviving Val do Bibei Mencía & Palomino,plus Alicante Bouschet & Mencía from the Amandi (which typically go into Portela do Vento). The grapes were harvested by hand in early September and 50% destemmed, skin-macerated for 10 days and spontaneously fermented in 500L & 1000L chestnut barrels. The wine was then raised for 11 months and bottled without fining or filtration, and only minimal additions of SO2.”

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


Love Spanish wines? We have 24 different whites and over 120 different reds in stock. Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Comando G, Daniel Landi, Raúl Pérez and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Von Winning

Germany’s Most Exciting Producer?


Von Winning makes some of the most profound white wines on the planet. The combination of incredible vineyard sites, meticulous winemaking and a commitment to producing only the finest wines yields exactly what you’d hope: white wines of depth and complexity, with grace and mineral power. The Rieslings are dry, but unlike some of their neighbors, powerful fruit isn’t the goal here. No, the Von Winning’s Rieslings offer floral and mineral flavors that are both intense and furtive.

But what really separates Von Winning from their peers in Germany are their Sauvignon Blancs. Germany is of course not where you’d expect to find some of the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world, but the wines will make a believer out of anyone. These are rich, textural examples that move beyond varietal characteristics and into unique territory. Their closest comparison is probably the top Sauvignon of Friuli (eg, Miani, Ronco del Gnemiz), or the very best estates in Austria.

“The fact that this estate is crafting some of the very best dry wines in Germany is no fluke, rather a result of nearly obsessive winemaker Stephan Attman’s commitment to both dedicated cultivation of Deidesheim and Forst’s best sites and meticulous work in the cellar. Von Winning maintains some of the oldest parcels in Grosses Gewächs vineyards smattered across Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg. Attman’s every decision is informed by great enthusiasm and experiences at estates in the Cote d’Or and abroad.” – Skurnik Wines

In Stock Now:

Von Winning ‘I’ Sauvignon Blanc Trocken, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise note
“How did I ever live without von Winning Sauvignon Blanc? I mean really. And how did they ever forgive my stubborn reluctance to taste these wines all those years ago? Attmann doesn’t look to the Loire for his model; he looks to White Bordeaux, and if he doesn’t deliberately look to Styria, his wines themselves do, to the volcanic zone around Kitzeck and also in southeast-Styria. He will protest that his wines don’t have the (often) excessive alcohol of the top Styrians—correctly—but I’m talking more about flavors per se.The 2018 “I” recalls my all-time favorite 2013, and only ‘18’s jalapeño nibble obtrudes upon its eerie serenity.”

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


Von Winning ‘II’ Sauvignon Blanc Trocken, Pfalz 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points
“Tasted for the second time in May this year, von Winning’s 2019 Sauvignon Blanc II offers a clear and refreshing Sancerre-like bouquet of white and green fruits along with herbaceous and flinty aromas. Round and fruity on the palate, with good freshness and a silky texture, this is a medium-bodied, very elegant, stimulatingly salty and grippy Sauvignon Blanc with a mouthwatering finish. It is much better this time than when tasted soon after the bottling half a year ago.”


Other Highlights, in Stock Now:

Von Winning Kirchenstuck Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Pfalz 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 6 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous 93-94 points
“Site-typically musky notes of narcissus mingle with anticipations of the bright lime and pure, luscious white peach that dominate a silken, subtly oily, expansive palate. The layering of inner-mouth floral perfume, high-toned green herbal essences and mouthwateringly scallop-like savor is hugely impressive, leading to a finish whose musky bittersweetness reminds me of sucking on the stem-end of honeysuckle blossoms; whose salinity tugs at the salivary glands; and whose effusive fruit is transparent to stony underpinnings.”
Terry Theise [+++] “(Forst) After being overtaken by Pechstein in 2016, this supernal vineyard reasserts itself, and creates a sublime dry riesling that stands with the greatest I’ve ever encountered. Sublime, the only word that suffices. Seizes you gently but doesn’t let go. Visits every cell in your mouth and leaves you coated with flowers and stones. Great wines take you into the ground, but you don’t have subterranean eyes, and so you are blind and blissful and still and surrounded, and all the world below is present for you.”


Von Winning Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Stephen Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points
“The 2018 Riesling Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten “VDP. Erste Lage” opens with a clear and fragrant bouquet of white and yellow-fleshed fruits and floral and delicate fresh oak aromas. On the palate, this is a medium-bodied, tight, fresh and lush dry Riesling with edges and a grippy character. Green apples on the aftertaste. Tasted in Deidesheim, December 2019.”
Terry Theise note “The best vintage I recall of this surprising wine; curvaceous and leafy, the often-noted caraway seed nuance, along with ‘18s beaming plum-blossom aromas and the fennel and mirabelle-drenched palate could hardly be more fetching. The salty finish also doesn’t hurt!”

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


Von Winning Ruppertsberger Reiterpfad Riesling, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise note
“Many growers would bottle this wine as a GG; it’s probably the best site in Ruppertsberg (though Bürklin has a claim with its monopole Gaisböhl); this ’18 is peachy, sweet white corn, chervil and tarragon; it’s more melodic than Paradiesgarten but with an aloe vera and sorrel note common to good ‘18s; it’s the most appealing of the 1er Lages, sweet-natured and with a lovely grace.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Von Winning Ungeheuer Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Pfalz 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points
“Pure, clear, fresh and oaky on the deep, intense and elegant nose, von Wininng’s 2018 Ungeheuer GG “VDP. Grosse Lage” is sweetish, round and all too charming for my personal tastes, but it’s elegant, refined and persistently long on the complex and promising finish. Fine tannin grip and orange peel flavors on the finish. Tasted in Deidesheim, December 2019.”

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


Love German Riesling? We have over 350 different options (not a typo!) in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Dönnhoff, Kruger-Rumpf, Peter Lauer and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cave Mont Blanc’s Alpine Wines

Perfect for Spring


Cave Mont Blanc was founded in the early 1980s with the stated purpose of reviving abandoned vineyards within Italy’s picturesque Valle d’Aosta. Located in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the area features some of the highest elevation vineyards in all of Europe. Few machines are capable of working such extreme topographies – needless to say, they’re seldom employed within the region.

Cave Mont Blanc’s wines tether the balance between delicate and powerful – they are wine of paradoxes. The ‘1187’ bubbles, made from 100% Prie Blanc, is soft, but also offers bracing minerality. While the still Morgex Et De La Salle and Morgex Vini Estremi are both pretty and nuanced. The entire lineup is perfect for spring drinking, expressive whites and bubbles that pair perfectly with fresh air and sunbreaks.

In Stock Now:

Cave Mont Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle ‘1187’ Spumante, Aosta Valley 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 8 bottles in stock now

No review for the 2018. 2016 review provided for reference.
Ian D’agata-Vinous 93 points “Light, bright golden straw-green. Beautifully scented, nuanced, mineral-laced aromas of orange peel, lime, honeysuckle and green almond; notes of mint and minerals gain strength with aeration. Deeper and more powerful than I remember other vintages of this wine at a similar stage of development, it offers precise, energetic citrus and orchard fruit flavors complicated by white flower and stony qualities. The lingering finish is broad, steely and very pure. Lots going on here; I liked this wine’s delicate yet assertive nature. Another great sparkler this year from the Cave du Mont Blanc.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Cave Mont Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle Glacier Metodo Classico Brut 2016 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92 points
“Bright golden-tinged yellow. Poached pear and green apple on the nose, with notes of resin and nectarine adding complexity. The palate offers a brightly acidic, steely, fresh citrus character, plus minerals and orchard fruit flavors. Finishes long with powerful notes of nectarine and peach.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Cave Mont Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle ‘Caronte’ Extra Brut Rosato NV 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 32 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote
“Founded in 1983, to revive the abandoned vineyards on the slopes of the Mont Blanc and to perpetuate the centuries old tradition of the area, the ‘Cave’ gathers the grapes from the municipalities of Morgex and La Salle and produces, among others, one of the highest cultivated white wines in Europe.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Also in Stock Now:

Cave Mont Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle ‘Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle’, Aosta Valley 2019 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 19 bottles in stock now

No review for the 2019. 2018 review provided for reference.
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92 points “Green-hued yellow. Piercing, precise, subtle aromas of stone fruits, minerals and peony. Extremely complex on the palate, offering a wild array of fresh orchard fruit, minerals and herb flavors, a fine-grained, vibrant texture and remarkable energy. Leaves behind an inviting note of chamomile and thyme on the long, sappy finish. Outstanding aperitif wine.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Cave Mont Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle Vini Estremi, Aosta Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 20 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote
“Founded in 1983, to revive the abandoned vineyards on the slopes of the Mont Blanc and to perpetuate the centuries old tradition of the area, the ‘Cave’ gathers the grapes from the municipalities of Morgex and La Salle and produces, among others, one of the highest cultivated white wines in Europe.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Shop the entire selection from Valle d’Aosta and beyond on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up

Order Online / By Phone / By Email

When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.


(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)

www.vinopoliswineshop.com

info@vinopoliswineshop.com

503-223-6002
  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More Spring Sparklers

All $20 – $30


France

Château de Brézé – Arnaud Lambert Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé NV 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 10 bottle in stock now
Winery note
“100% Cabernet Franc.”
Becky Wasserman note “Vine Age: Planted in 1981. Terroir: Lower part of the Clos du Midi, silty sand soil on 1 meter of soft Turonian limestone bedrock. Viticulture: Organic (certified). Vinification: Indigenous yeast fermentation, traditional Champagne method. Aged for 24 months.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Rouanne Brut Nature Rosé Millésime, IGP Drome Comté de Grignan 2019 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 36+ bottle in stock now
Winemaker Louis Barruol (also of Chateau de Saint Cosme) tasting note
“At opening and pouring in the glass, the sound (yes, wines do have a “sound dimension”) delivered let you know about the energy which can be found in this bottle. The colour is light and clear, with greyish / blue reflections. The nose develops wonderful aromas of silex, wild strawberry and thyme. Plenty of mineral there and not just fruit: the limestone of Rouanne sings. Give some time and oxygene: you will see these scents evolve, get finer with more and more complexity. Let the wine tell you its story. In the mouth, the aromas approached on the nose can be found in the flavours. The tension lifts the gentleness and the roundness of our ripe fruits. This is fresh, with a slight hint of iode and imperceptible bitterness. It is “light” in a good way. It flies. Rouanne rosé Brut Nature is a wine of joy and elegance. A wine of party.”

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


Germany

Von Winning Riesling Sekt Extra Brut, Pfalz NV 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottle in stock now
Grapelive 92 points
“I’m lucky to have enjoyed this exciting Riesling Sparkler on a few occasions now. I love its intensity, crisp detail and briskly dry profile that make it celebratory but sublime with meals especially first courses or as an aperitif to whet the palate. German bubbles are incredible and this one is a classy example at a reasonable price, not to be outdone by Prosecco, the Cremants of Alsace, the Loire and Burgundy, and Champagne even, these modern Sekt(s) are stylish, elegant and full of personality. This one [is] in the mold of one of my favorite small Champagne house, Agrapart, with its cool invigorating mineral tones and extreme dry flavors. Von Winning is one of Germany’s top wineries, based in the chalky sandstone soiled Pfalz region, with an exceptional range of wines, especially their absolutely awesome series of Grosses Gewachs (Grand Cru) Rieslings, though there is excellence throughout the collection here and as I have noted in my prior reviews, Von Winning does one of the finest Sauvignon Blanc(s) in the world, too. The Extra Brut Riesling Sekt is vibrant and steely from the start with a mix of zesty citrus and peachy fruits, a hint of wet stones, leesy/yeasty notes and a faint floral element all of which folds together nicely and vigorously on the energy driven light to medium bodied palate that gains texture with air, but stays firmly taut with an expressive, subtly luxurious small bubbled mousse. This is delicious stuff, I’m so happy after a lengthy wait that the Von Winning sparkling Riesling is more readily available in the States. The Von Winning estate, founded in 1849 [and] located in Deidesheim, owns and farms, all organically, some of the oldest plots in the best Grosses Gewächs vineyards in the region, with their historic parcels divided in the Forst, Deidesheim, and Ruppertsberg zones of the Pfalz. [They] have the talents of Stephan Attmann in the cellar, who is inspired by the great wines of Burgundy and has put in place many tried and true Cote d’Or practices in place here, both in the vineyard with high density and Burgundy style pruning as well as winemaking techniques in the winery. These methods, which include small barrels in the elevage and all gravity flow (gentle) handling of the wines have led to worldwide acclaim. As mentioned their dry Rieslings are unique, richly flavored and are as beautifully compelling as any top white Burgundy, including the best from Meursault, Corton-Charlemagne and even the fabled Le Montrachet. Anyone who’s had Von Winning’s Kirchenstück, Kalkofen, Ungeheuer and or Pechstein GG’s will instantly recognize the greatness in the glass. Trust me these are outrageously good wines. Back to the sparkler, I highly recommend grabbing some of this fine bubbly and celebrate any of life’s happier moments and, wallet allowing, add a few of the single vineyard Trockens, especially those GG’s, as well as the Paradiesgarten, which is an awesome value. The Von Winning Sekt is crafted in the classic methode champenoise style with 100% Riesling being used, sourced from, as the winery notes, a selection of different vineyards close to Deidesheim on loess-clay and red sandstone soils with a lengthy period on the lees. There’s a lot to explore here at Von Winning and I suggest sampling any and all of their offerings.”


Italy

Zanotto ‘ZB’ Brut, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 3 bottle in stock now
Winery note
“A no residual sugar Prosecco, expressive, with cutting acidity. Produced with 100% glera grapes from a vineyard at 370 meters above sea level. This wine hails from a local winemaking tradition, made with little added sugar. The resulting spumante is decidedly dry. The fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, and the second, in autoclave according to the Marinotti method for 90-100 days. A subtle, elegant perlage, zesty notes of lemon, white flowers and bread crusts. Sustained acidity, length and persistence. A Conegliano-Valdobbiadene that can almost be described as extreme.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Luigi Giordano Metodo Classico Rosé Brut Nature, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 35 bottle in stock now
Importer Note
“After soft pressing, rosé maceration is performed for two hours, followed by cold draining of the must. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The Champagne method (‘metodo classico’) is used, with the second fermentation occurring in the bottle. Abundant, rose-tinted effervescence with a fine andpersistent perlage. The wine is rose to cherry-pink in colour with salmon highlights. The perfume is intense and ample with notes of raspberry, red berries, citrus fruits and a hint of wilted roses. The flavour is fresh and full-bodied with a soft,clean aftertaste and a slightly tannic finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Oregon

The Eyrie Vineyards ‘Spark’ Sparkling Rosé, Willamette Valley NV 750ML ($33.95) $27 special, 4 bottle in stock now
Erin Brooks – Wine Advocate
“The NV Spark is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 37% Chasselas Doré and 8% Pinot Blanc, from 31-year-old vines. It is an “ultra brut,” although this particular bottling is made using forced carbonation instead of méthode Champenois. Medium to deep cherry-pink in color, it has aromas of cantaloupe, strawberries, raspberries and lemon peel with notes of stone and toast. The palate is dry with citrus and red berry flavors, spritely mousse and a refreshing, mineral-driven finish.”
Winery note “55% Pinot noir, 37% Chasselas dore & 8% Pinot blanc. Ultra Brut. 12 months aged on lees. Jory volcanic soil. 31 y/o vines.”
Distributor note “A casual sparkler from an innovative blend of grapes. The initial aroma of pear and citrus rind further develops on the palate over a structure of crisp acids and creamy fruit notes. An initial rush of exuberant bubbles is quickly followed by a soft effervesence. Slight astringency balances the richness from extended lees contact, and deftly carries the finishing tones of blood orange and wild strawberries. The Eyrie Vineyards Sparkling Rose “Spark” are sourced from the Sisters vineyard located in the Dundee Hills which was planted in 1989 at an elevation of 220-330 feet. All of Eyries vineyards are certified and farmed organic. After primary fermentation using all native yeasts, the components were blended and aged for 12 months on the lees in neutral, French oak. The wine went through full malolactic and then underwent forced carbonation (4.1 atmospheres of pressure), with zero dosage added, and was bottled under crown cap.”

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


Mellen Meyer Brut Sparkling Brut Nature, Willamette Valley NV 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 4 bottle in stock now
VinopolNote
“Based on the 2017 vintage, this is a leaner style of Champagne-method sparkling wine. Disgorged February 2020.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Collector’s Corner

Pierre Gelin’s World-Class Burgundy


Based in the small village of Fixin, Domaine Pierre Gelin occupies a unique niche. Third generation winemaker Pierre-Emmanuel makes world-class Burgundy; however prices haven’t kept up with most of Gelin’s peers, especially those based in nearby Gevrey-Chambertin. This fact mystifies anyone who has tasted Gelin’s wines, as they more than hold their own when tasted blind against most of Gevrey-Chambertin’s most notable producers.

Scanning our selection, the Clos de Bèze will understandably be the most eye-catching; it is after all one of Burgundy’s most celebrated Grand Cru vineyards. However, don’t sleep of Gelin’s premier Cru bottlings. They over-deliver -not something we’ve come to expect from Burgundy in recent years.

The only downside is that our allocations were extremely limited, with only few bottles remaining of many of the wines. So look below for your favorite recent vintages and discover what insiders in-and-around Gevrey-Chambertin already know: Gelin is a name worth knowing.

In Stock Now:

Domaine Pierre Gelin Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2013 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“This is laced with violet, black currant and blackberry flavors, accented by earth and tobacco notes. The tannins are firm, intensified by the vibrant acidity. Shows a streak of purity and pedigree that makes this complex, long and appealing. Best from 2020 through 2035. 66 cases imported.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $299.97


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos Prieur, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2008 750ML ($69.95) $99 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points
“Round and rich, featuring black cherry, black currant and spice flavors. A graphite note creeps in as this matches its supple texture with a firm structure. Nice length. Best from 2013 through 2024. 40 cases imported.”


This is the only listing in the USA today!


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos Prieur, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos Prieur, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points
“Shows plenty of cherry and pomegranate flavors, along with a racy structure that defines the berry, spice and mineral notes. Stays firm on the finish but should settle down with time. 40 cases imported.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos Prieur, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points
“This tightly wound version delivers black cherry, blackberry, violet and light underbrush flavors. Though compact, this is concentrated and firmly structured, with a long finish. Best from 2020 through 2033. 50 cases imported.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos Napoleon Monopole, Fixin Premier Cru 2008 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 2 bottles in stock now
This is the only listing in the USA today!


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos de Meixvelle, Gevrey-Chambertin 2010 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 3 bottles in stock now


This is the only listing in the USA today!


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos de Meixvelle, Gevrey-Chambertin 2012 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points
“Rich, displaying candied cherry, currant, earth and spice flavors. This stays fresh and balanced on the long finish, with well-integrated tannins. Best from 2016 through 2028. 156 cases imported.”


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos de Meixvelle, Gevrey-Chambertin 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 2 bottles in stock now


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos de Meixvelle, Gevrey-Chambertin 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate
“The 2014 Gevrey Chambertin Clos de Meixvelle is a monopole located in the middle of the village (the walled vineyard next to the Les Deux Chevres hotel for those that go there). It is a flat vineyard with clayey soil and stone deposits, and this vintage was destemmed. It has a tightly wound blackberry and briary-scented nose, broody at first but opening with time. The palate is smooth on the entry with quite fine tannin. This is well balanced with nicely integrated oak, sappy black fruit and iodine towards the easy going, gentle, flavorsome finish.”


Domaine Pierre Gelin Clos de Meixvelle, Gevrey-Chambertin 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points
“An intense aroma of cherry pie introduces this taut, elegant red. Spice and earth notes add complexity and vivid acidity focuses the long finish. Best from 2021 through 2035. 210 cases imported.”


Love the Côte de Nuits? We have over 200 different reds in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Dujac, Fourrier and Montille, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.

Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!




Stay safe, be well, & drink well.

Vinopolpick Monday Bonus 5-24-21

In Today’s Newsletter:

Subscriber Special #1
Nicolas Maillart: Staff Favorite Champagne


Ulysses Vineyard Oakville Cabernet
Lands Next Week


Subscriber Special #2
Huet’s Outstanding 2016s


Featured Pre-Arrival
Lebanon’s Chateau Musar


Brilliance in Rioja
Sierra Cantabria


Great Sparkling Wine Values
All Under $20


Collector’s Corner
Oregon Icon: Sequitur

 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subscriber Special #1

Nicolas Maillart: Staff Favorite Champagne


Nicolas Maillart’s family has a grape-growing tradition in Champagne that dates back to at least the 18th century -some documents indicate the family has been farming grapes since the 1500s. However it wasn’t until 2003 that Nicolas started his namesake winery. Based in the Montagne de Reims, the winery has a variety of excellent holdings in premier and grand cru villages, including an ungrafted parcel of Pinot Noir that informs their top wine. Maillart is clearly a man with drive and ambition, and the wines seem like they’re destined for stardom.

The house style is bright, linear and resolutely dry—they marry the inherent power of the Pinot Noir they farm with a tendency to reinforce the bracing side of their Champagnes. The resulting wines are fantastic to taste, with clean, mineral-drenched profiles, and a serious side that makes them excellent with food. Everything here is worth your time and money, from their entry-level “Platine” to their top-end wines (made only in the best years). We’re so convinced that these wines will captivate you as well, we’re offering several at Subscriber Special pricing. So now is the time to discover your new favorite Champagne producer.

In Stock & Priced to Move:

Nicolas Maillart Brut Rosé Grand Cru, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) Was $51.90 Now $48, 36 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points
“The new release of Maillart’s NV Brut Rosé Grand Cru is based on the 2015 vintage, complemented by one-third reserve wines, and was disgorged in October 2019 with six grams per liter dosage. Bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of ripe red apples, pears, plums and fresh bread, it’s fleshy and enveloping, with an ample core of fruit, ripe but racy acids and a nicely defined finish. Vinous and charming, it’s a blend of 60% Pinot Noir (some 7% of which is still red wine) and 40% Chardonnay, all from Bouzy.”
Winery Note “Salmon-pink in colour with a fine, lingering bead Nose: Intense with notes of fruit (ripe and from the forest floor) Palate: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Maceration on skins for 52 hours Slow, gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and a period in the barrel for a certain volume of reserve wines. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.”
VinopolNote “60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. 60% aged in oak. Disgorged 12/2019.”

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


Nicolas Maillart ‘Les Loges’ Premier Cru, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) Was $66 Now $61.90, 3 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote
“100% Pinot Noir Extra-Brut Blanc de Noirs. A complex and balanced mineral-driven Champagne.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Nicolas Maillart Montchenot Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($57.95) Was $51.90 Now $48, 3 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote
“85% Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Meunier. Drinking beautifully in its youth.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Also in Stock Now:

Nicolas Maillart ‘Les Chaillots Gillis’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Winery Note
“Champagne from a specific area from old vines of Chardonnay. Produced only in great years, this Champagne is produced with limited quantity. A wine of Champagne before being a Champagne. Origin of the grapes: Ecueil 1er cru . Sourced from different parcels of old vines only, exposed on the south hills and different plots in the middle of the vineyard. Winemaking and aging: Slow, gentle pressing using gravity flow techniques. This wine is vinified exclusively in wooden vats. This Champagne has had a long maturation on wooden vats and no filtration took place before the bottling. Disgorged by hand and laid down at least six months before sale. Dosage : 0 g/L Tasting notes Eye : Golden yellow with a fine, lingering bead Nose : really delicate with notes of minerality and toasty notes. Palate: A lovely fresh, vinous attack. This is an intense Champagne that will do great justice to a meal.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Nicolas Maillart ‘Mont Martin’ Premier Cru Brut, Champagne 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Winery Note
“A champagne that reveals clearly the notes of Meunier. You have in the same time a great salinity, due to the terroir expression”


Nicolas Maillart Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $45 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points
“A blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the NV Extra-Brut Premier Cru was disgorged in February 2019 with three grams per liter dosage. Offering up aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, dried white flowers and citrus oil, it’s medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive, with a perceptibly drier, tangier profile than Maillart’s more enveloping Brut Platine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead. Aroma: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a sligth toastiness. Taste: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Food and wine: Aperitif, white fish like haddock or cod. Pinot Noir is dominant, with a complement of Chardonnay that brings freshness to the blend. The high percentage of reserve wines (30 to 40%), aged in barrels, confers a high regularity and style to this Brut Platine. Only “Grand” and premier crus are used in this wine, with origins in the Montagne de Reims, on vineyards managed by us. With a very gentle process, we keep all the richness of the grapes. Aged around three years on its lees, this Brut Platine develops all its richness. A natural balance and freshness allows a low dosage (3 g/l).”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ half-bottles in stock now
Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Nicolas Maillart Platine Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 3L ($349.95) $299 special, 1 double magnum in stock now
Importer Note
“63% Pinot Noir, 23% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier. 50% 2015 and 50% 2014. Dosage 5.5 grams. 70% Villers Allerand, 20% Ecueil, 10% Bouzy.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead Nose: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a slight toastiness Palate: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Slow, gentle pressing using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and a period in the barrel for a certain volume of reserve wines. Average two-year maturing period in the bottle. Disgorged by hand and laid down for at least three months before sale.”


Love Champagne? We have 156 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Lilbert, Pierre Gimonnet, Pierre Péters and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up

Order Online / By Phone / By Email

When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.


(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)

www.vinopoliswineshop.com

info@vinopoliswineshop.com

503-223-6002

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ulysses Vineyard Oakville Cabernet

Lands Next Week


Arriving Tuesday, June 1st:

Ulysses Vineyard Oakville, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points
“Extremely aromatic with crushed berries, currants, flowers and hints of uncured tobacco leaf. Carnations. Medium to full body and extremely fine tannins that are firm and polished. Vertical tannins draw you down. Some blanched-walnut character to the blue fruit. Fresh and clean at the finish… So beautiful to drink now.”
Winemaker Note “With black tea leaf and brioche, Ulysses 2017 delivers dense layers of deep cherry, balsamic, peat, forest berries and fresh walnut, woven through a finely grained texture, and a lingering warm cacao powder finish.”

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


Love California Cabernet? We have over 30 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Bevan Cellars, Clos du Val, Diamond Creek and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Subscriber Special #2

Huet’s Outstanding 2016s


“Domaine Huet’ means ‘I make the best damn Chenin Blanc on the planet’…” – Mike Steinberger, Wine Diarist

Huet makes some of the most undervalued great wine in the world. Take any metric you’d use to adjudicate greatness (complexity, age-worthiness, terroir, aromatic intensity, world-wide praise, etc) and Huet’s Vouvray is on the list, at prices far below almost anything else in their class.

The estate has long been ahead of its time. This is one of France’s pioneers in biodynamic viticulture. Today, horses still plough between the rows, and in the winery the recipe remains relatively simple. Fermentation takes place half in stainless steel, half in old oak, without malolactic fermentation. After only six months, the wines are bottled and then laid to age in a cellar dug from tuffeau rock, no air conditioning required. From here the Huet work is done: the rest is up to nature, and what eventually tastes like divine intervention.

2016 was an exceptional vintage across much of Europe, and the Loire also enjoyed ideal harvest weather that year. Although the Loire produced solid wines across the board, 5 years on it appears that the region’s (and especially Vouvray’s) sweet white wines will be the standouts from 2016.

Few producers anywhere in the world make better off-dry to sweet white wines than Domaine Huet. These are wines that offer near-unmatched flexibility at the table, and Domaine Huet’s reputation guarantees long ageing potential. Made according to tradition and terroir, with utmost respect for nature, Huet wines can keep for decades. Fortunately, the 2016s are already entering their first (likely of many) fantastic drinking window, so now if the perfect time to take advantage of our Subscriber Special pricing and see what you’ve been missing.

In Stock Now:

Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Clos du Bourg’ Demi-Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($59.95) $39 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Gorgeous, with creamy-edged nectarine, yellow and green apple, pear and quince flavors that are brightly defined from start to finish, flecked with verbena and honeysuckle hints and backed by a off-dry edge on the finish. Stays fresh and pure throughout. Tempting now but there’s no rush. Drink now through 2032.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Haut Lieu’ Demi-Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($59.95) $39 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“This delivers a beautiful display of purity and grace, with creamed Jonagold apple, star fruit, white peach and chamomile notes flowing seamlessly, backed by wet stone and fresh verbena accents. Subtle but persistent energy ripples through the very long finish. Drink now through 2035.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


#6 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 2017
Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Demi-Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points
“This tilts toward the flattering side of off-dry, showing a plump feel to the core of creamed pear, white peach and yellow apple fruit. Lovely verbena, honeysuckle and mineral accents keep this balanced and driven, with a long finish that lets the fruit echo. Drink now through 2032.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Clos du Bourg’ Moelleux, Loire 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 Subscriber Special, 36 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points
“A stunner, with beautiful pear, green fig, yellow apple and quince notes that are creamy and flirtatiously sweet, yet seamless and refined in feel. The extremely long finish lets honeysuckle and verbena notes dance throughout, with a light echo of white ginger at the very end. Best from 2020 through 2040.”


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Clos du Bourg’ Première Trie Moelleux, Loire 2016 750ML ($89.95) $59 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“This is ripe and broad, taking a slightly more power-driven approach, with a mix of tropical mango and papaya fruit, backed by orchard fruit accents of yellow apple and peach. The long, heather honey–accented finish has light piecrust and crystalized ginger hints. Best from 2020 through 2035.”

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


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Haut Lieu’ Moelleux, Loire 2016 750ML ($59.95) $39 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Gorgeous crystallized ginger, dried quince, glazed pear and warm persimmon notes are seamlessly interwoven here, gliding through a lengthy finish that picks up a lilting green tea accent. Frankly off-dry but wonderfully pure. Drink now through 2035.”


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Moelleux, Loire 2016 750ML ($69.95) $49 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“Bright, even exuberant in feel, with a parade of Jonagold apple, green melon, Bosc pear and quince flavors streaming through, gilded with heather, honeysuckle and verbena notes on the long, lithe finish. Remarkably elegant despite the off-dry style. Drink now through 2035.”


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Première Trie Moelleux, Loire 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97 points
“The 2016 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux Première Trie opens with a very clear, deep and flinty/herbal bouquet of ripe concentrated stone fruits intermixed with chalky/smoky aromas, very complex and truly exciting! Light, fresh and tensioned on the palate, that is very pure and salty but also tight and concentrated. The 2016 Le Mont reveals crystalline acidity, delicate but serious tannin grip and a long, complex, stimulating finish. This is Chenin Blanc full of energy and aging potential, provided with concentration, lingering salinity and vibrancy. This is a fascinating Le Mont, surely the top wine of Huet’s excellent 2016 series. Bottled with 92 grams of residual sugar, it tastes less sweet than the corresponding Clos du Bourg. Tasted February 2018.”

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


Also in Stock & Priced to Move:

Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Cuvée Constance’ Moelleux, Loire 2015 500ML ($249.95) $159 Subscriber Special, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 99 points
“Stunning from the start, with a silky and refined feel despite the panoply of dried quince, fig, pear and apricot flavors that are exotic in nature. Lovely green tea, orange blossom and persimmon notes fill in the background. Obviously sweet, but with persistent dry almond and orange extract details that lend latent tension through the seamless and nearly endless finish. The first Cuvee Constance bottling since the 2009 vintage. Drink now through 2060.”


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Moelleux, Loire 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 Subscriber Special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points
“The apricot/golden colored 2015 Vouvray Le Mont Moelleux shows a very intense, elegant and also subtle bouquet of ripe fruit intermixed with flinty aromas. Dense, piquant and concentrated on the palate, this is a great and tension-filled Chenin with grip and persistence, but also great finesse and elegance. This is a highly complex and energetic, but also light-footed and stimulating wine with lots of mouthwatering salinity. A fascinating Chenin with great aging potential.”


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Moelleux, Loire 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 Subscriber Special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points
“A beauty, with an inviting display of succulent yellow apple, green plum, pear, persimmon and quince flavors that ripples lengthily through the finish, while light verbena, ginger and honeysuckle notes dart around. A long green tea echo runs through the finish. Shows terrific range and purity, with the sweetness easily harnessed for balance. Best from 2019 through 2040.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2017 Le Mont Moelleux shows the classic progression from the vibrancy of the Sec to the more layered, slightly honeyed Demi-Sec to this richer, sweeter, yet no less impressive Moelleux release. Brilliant notes of quince, honeyed tangerines, apple peel, and orange liqueur all emerge from this full-bodied, layered Vouvray that has a stacked, dense, concentrated mid-palate, high yet integrated acidity, impeccable balance, and a great finish. I couldn’t pick a favorite between this and the Demi-Sec, and both are brilliant wines. Smart readers will buy a handful of bottles of each (a six pack of each is what I intend to do) for drinking over the coming 2-3 decades.”


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Clos du Bourg’ Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($47.95) $39 Subscriber Special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Bright and pure, with delightful pear, green almond and green plum notes laced with a fennel streak, ending with finely beaded acidity and a mineral echo through the finish. Very refined. Drink now through 2027.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $48.99


Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Mont’ Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($47.95) $39 Subscriber Special, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points
“Green plum and verbena notes lead the way for now, with a flash of quinine on the finish. This is juicy, but still a bit compact overall, with the core of ample pear, quince and ginger flavors in reserve. Just wait for everything to knit together and stretch out, as the purity and length are there. Best from 2018 through 2028.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love the Loire? We have 85 different options in stock now. Shop the entire selection on our web store, including famous names like Clos Rougeard and Dagueneau, as well as more from Domaine Huet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Featured Pre-Arrival

Lebanon’s Chateau Musar


Fast approaching the 100-year anniversary of its founding, this Lebanese wine estate has in recent years developed a cult-like following amongst wine insiders. With a taste profile that described as a mix of Rhône, Tuscany and Bordeaux, Chateau Musar’s wines offer unique and profound experiences for even the most jaded of palates. So if you’re looking to expand your wine horizons with something both novel and delicious, we’re thrilled to offer for the first time the pride of Lebanon, Chateau Musar.

“The newly released 2013 got a glowing review…while no fewer than 16 vintages were recently reviewed in 50 years of Chateau Musar, achieving the praise more usually associated with top-shelf bordeaux…whichever vintage you can find will, I am quite certain, provide a memorable experience.” – Richard Hemming MW – jancisrobinson.com

Pre-Arrival ETA Early June:

Chateau Musar, Bekaa Valley 2013 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points
“The 2013 Chateau Musar is bold, punchy and intensely perfumed. Rose petal, ripe red fruit, sage, mint, cinnamon and sweet tobacco give the 2013 a very strong aromatic presence that continues to build. Medium in body, with lovely red fruit character, the 2013 Musar could use a few years in bottle to fully come together. I expect it will always have a strong pungent signature.”
Decanter 92 points “This wine needs vigorous decanting otherwise it appears reduced. It shows evidence of French oak ageing: notes of vanilla with a cedar touch along with the plum fruit. Slightly meaty flavours suggest development. Amazingly balanced, with some volatile acidity providing additional freshness. With time it picks up hints of liquorice like an old Hermitage. Impressive volume yet a suave touch – a classic Musar!”


Pre-Arrival ETA July:

Chateau Musar ‘Hochar Pere et Fils’ Red, Bekaa Valley 2017 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Decanter 91 points
“This single-vineyard wine, from Aana, is made in a modern style: concentrated and slightly reductive. It shows notes of new oak barrels, lovely red berry fruit (reminiscent of Grenache) and garrigue aromas. So Mediterranean on the palate, with sweet tannins, spices and a meaty hint on the aftertaste. A very friendly, easy-to-drink and enjoyable wine. It becomes even better and more refined a day after the bottle is opened. I would recommend decanting it.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Hochar is powerful and dense in the glass. Ripe flavors and incisive tannins give the 2017 much of its brooding personality. Readers should plan on opening the 2017 at least an hour or two in advance, as the tannins are rather grainy at the outset. With time ripe black cherry, spice, leather and licorice flavors emerge nicely. The blend is 55% Cinsault, 35% Grenache and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brilliance in Rioja

Sierra Cantabria


Sierra Cantabria is one of the landmark modern producers of Rioja—a name known both for excellent value, as well as some of the region’s true pinnacle bottlings. From top to bottom, these are some of the richest and most voluptuous wines in Rioja. They’re really special wines, aged in French rather than American oak, and are given a tremendous amount of care during the production process.

That care isn’t surprising for wines that are (deservedly) $500+, but to find that same attention to detail in wines that retail for $30 or $50 is a testament to the single-minded focus of the Eguren family’s winemaking team. There’s a reason these wines have excellent scores from critics with very diverse palates (Luis Guiterrez’s traditionalism vs. James Suckling’s love of richness)—these are bottles that appeal to anyone who’s serious about Spanish wines.

In Stock Now:

Sierra Cantabria ‘Mágico’, Rioja DOCa 2016 750ML ($749.95) Was $619 Now $545 special, 5 bottles in stock now

Individual Hinged Wooden Box Package
James Suckling 100 points “A wine with incredible soul and purity, reflecting the land and history. Blackberries, black olives and hot stone and gun metal. Full and layered with incredibly polished and refined tannins. Old bark and mushrooms. It’s like holding an old and special book. Phenomenal. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $689.99


Sierra Cantabria Garnacha, Rioja DOCa 2016 750ML ($27.95) $22.75 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points
“This is a phenomenal wine with blood-orange and blueberry aromas. Hints of wet earth. Medium to full body. Chewy tannins, yet integrated and gorgeous. Fantastic value. From vines planted in 1927. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Sierra Cantabria Finca El Bosque, Rioja DOCa 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points
“2016 was a cool and slow-ripening year, and the 2016 El Bosque reflects those qualities, combining power and elegance. It’s Tempranillo from only one vineyard, planted in 1973. It fermented in new French and central European oak barrels for 18 months. It’s a serious and structured wine that has a subtle nose, with integrated oak, combining power and elegance. It has very good freshness, and it has the floral and red fruit character of the 2016 vintage. This wine should have a long life in bottle. I love the 2016 vintage here. 5,000 bottles were filled in July 2018.”
James Suckling 95 points “The depth and focus to this is so unique with fantastic blackberries, blueberries and licorice. Full body. Powerful and intense. This needs four to five years to soften and open.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


“Putting my nose in the glass of the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva transported me to the classical Riojas from yesteryear…It has what I love about the best red wine—it’s salty rather than sweet, there is no room for sweetness here, and it’s sapid and tasty and has great balance and freshness. This is developing at a very slow pace and should continue doing so for a very long time. A great Gran Reserva in the making!” – Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate (June 2019)

Viñedos de Páganos El Puntido Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2007 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Viñedos de Páganos El Puntido Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2007 750ML ($399.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points
“Putting my nose in the glass of the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva transported me to the classical Riojas from yesteryear. The wine has a fully developed nose with all the textbook descriptors of a good aged Rioja—forest floor, cigar ash, cold bonfire, truffle, cherries in liqueur, blonde tobacco, spices and iodine. But this is a classical Gran Reserva that has something that was not that traditional, and it comes from a single vineyard and matured in brand new French oak barrels for 28 months. But time in bottle has polished it (it was bottled in June 2010, almost nine years ago); the tannins are mostly resolved and it’s nicely textured. It has what I love about the best red wine—it’s salty rather than sweet, there is no room for sweetness here, and it’s sapid and tasty and has great balance and freshness. This is developing at a very slow pace and should continue doing so for a very long time. A great Gran Reserva in the making. Only 5,000 bottles were produced from 2007, a very cold vintage, when the grapes were harvested the last three days of October, and it snowed the first of November!”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “A much smaller production that was aged longer (28 months) in new French oak, the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva comes from the same vineyard as the El Puntido but is a parcel selection. Blackcurrants, plums, smoked earth, incense, and violet notes all emerge from this elegant, silky, beautifully polished wine that’s full-bodied, has fine tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It has power, but this is more about finesse and elegance.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!


Pre-Arrival ETA June:

Viñedos de Páganos La Nieta, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points
“Dark, brilliant ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes red and blue fruit preserves, incense and potpourri, along with building mineral and exotic spice nuances. Juicy, appealingly sweet and concentrated on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, cherry liqueur and spicecake flavors that become livelier with air. Smoothly blends power and delicacy and finishes extremely long and smooth, with well-knit tannins and resonating florality.”

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


Sierra Cantabria Finca El Bosque, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($149.59) $135 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Boysenberry and blackberry flavors are ripe and juicy in this broad-shouldered red. Espresso, cocoa and loamy earth notes add depth. Muscular tannins are well-integrated, with bright acidity for balance. Shows depth and concentration. Drink now through 2032. 415 cases made, 50 cases imported.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love Rioja? We have 23 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like López de Heredia, Marqués de Murrieta, Muga and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Great Sparkling Wine Values

All Under $20


France

In Stock Now:

Domaine Brazilier Méthode Trad Brut Rosé, Loire NV 750ML ($21.95) $17 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Winery Note
“This quality sparkling wine comes from a long aging process: after fermentation, it spends about 12 months sur lattes to give it its fine bubbles and the typical aromas of Pineau d’Aunis such as peony.”
VinopolNote “Pineau d’Aunis from 25+ year old vines grown in chalky limestone soil.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Domaine Bruno Cormerais Méthode Traditionnelle Brut, Loire NV 750ML ($19.95) $18 special, 31 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote
“Mostly Folle Blanche, from an assortment of terroirs in Muscadet.  Aged 2-3 years on the lees in bottle before disgorgement, low dosage.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Caves Louis de Grenelle Saumur Corail Brut Rosé, Loire NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Roger Voss – Wine Enthusiast
“This palest pink-colored wine is equally light and fresh to taste. It has a crisp raspberry flavor with a zest of orange squeezed over it. It’s delicious.”


Chéreau-Carre Vices & Vertus ‘Orgueil’ Brut NV 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“As the voice of the new generation at the Chéreau Carré winery in France’s Loire Valley, Louise Chéreau is shaking things up by creating fresh new expressions of traditional grapes and terroirs. In this spirit, she’s releasing a bottle-fermented sparkling wine made with melon de bourgogne, the traditional grape of Muscadet. The fruit comes from 40-year-old vines at the winery’s Chasseloir estate, a prime location on the Maine river on schist soils. This shows off a different side of the muscadet and hints at the immense potential of this region for sparkling wines.”

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


Italy

In Stock Now:

Conte Loredan Gasparini Asolo Prosecco Superiore DOCG, Veneto NV 750ML ($17.95) $13.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points
“Delicious combination of pear and biscuit on the palate with medium body, bright acidity and a fresh finish. Fresh and satisfying. A different style of Prosecco that you should check out.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Oregon

In Stock Now:

Cameron Winery Spritz Rosé, Willamette Valley NV 250ML Can ($9.95) $6.60 special, 36+ cans in stock now
Case-6 Cameron Winery Spritz Rosé, Willamette Valley NV 250ML Can ($59.95) $35 special (that’s only $5.83/can!)
VinopolNote
“What do you get when you take some of the finest dry-farmed Dundee Hills Pinot Noir fruit, add a dash of Pinot Blanc, a smidge of carbonation, and a splash of wizardry? The best can of wine money can buy. 90% La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Blanc from the Coast Range.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Illahe ‘Capitol Fizz’ Sparkling Wine, Willamette Valley NV 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Winery Note
“Capitol Fizz is a dry, pink bubbly bottle of refreshment for workers, picnickers, fishers, makers, singers, and watchers of the western sunset. Picked early at harvest, it has lively acid and a pretty aroma enhanced by its sparkle and joined together with the feeling of seeing a rainbow behind a waterfall. Capitol Fizz comes in two sizes–individual enjoyment, and friendly gathering. This is a sparkling wine that you can drink like a beer. Just pop the crown cap. No pontification required.”
VinopolNote “A light pink blend of Pinot Noir, Gruner, Pinot Gris, Viognier and Chardonnay.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Spain

In Stock Now:

Torre Oria Brut Reserva Cava, Requena NV 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Decanter World Wine Awards
“80% Macabeo, 20% Chardonnay. Fresh green apple with pear and apricot nose. Creamy mousse with tension on the palate.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Conquilla Brut Cava, Catalonia NV 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Conquilla Brut Cava, Catalonia NV 750ML ($219.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Importer Note
“Conquilla is Catalan for ‘shell’ referencing the sedimentary limestone soils of Spain’s Penedes Valley. With all estate fruit this Champagne-method sparkler has fine bubbles, a bright citrus nose, and a hint of almond on the zippy finish.”


Jaume Giró I Giró Brut Rosat Cava, Catalonia NV 750ML ($24.95) $16 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Distributor Note
“Trepat. Organic. The son of Jaume Giró i Giró and current proprietor is Ramon Giró y Gramona; he has a great sense of humor, is a world traveler, and makes friends wherever he goes. His family has been involved in growing Cava, producing the base wines or making and aging Cava since at least 1836, although that is just the earliest found documentation. They have likely been involved even longer. Ramon learned how to make Cava from his grandfather, the Gramona. His Cavas are aged on the lees for extended periods of time (for some bottlings, over 100 months), and he does not disgorge until he receives an order. The result are elegant, lees driven Cavas, with great intricacy, value and food friendliness.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


AA Alta Alella Mirgin Reserva Brut Nature Cava, Catalonia 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points
“Light, bright yellow-gold. Displays pungent, mineral-accented aromas of dried pear, lemon pith, fennel and chamomile that show very good clarity and spicy lift. Weighty, focused and dry on the palate, which displays refreshingly bitter citrus pith, pear skin and quinine flavors and a hint of peachiness. Manages to come off hefty as well as graceful and finishes long and taut, with resonating stoniness and a touch of spicy ginger. (disgorged after 15 months on its lees).”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Collector’s Corner

Oregon Icon: Sequitur


Mike Etzel, the founder and winemaker of Sequitur, is a living legend in the Willamette Valley. He co-founded Beaux Frères in the late 1980s and was the winemaker there until recently passing the duties to his son. Never one to rest on his laurels or stay still, though, he began planting a vineyard adjacent to Beaux Frères in 2010—a project that became what we know as Sequitur.

It’s helpful to think of Sequitur as a distillation of everything Mike Etzel learned while starting and producing Beaux Frères over the decades. The Sequitur vineyard sits right next to the Beaux Frères “Upper Terrace” but is planted to a wider array of clones at tighter spacing. It’s been farmed biodynamically since the beginning and is sheltered with Douglas Fir—in short, it’s the fully realized vision of a man who’s helped define Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

The winemaking style is exactly what you’d expect—these are wines that are made by the same hand that delivered so many high scores to Beaux Frères. Big, powerful and bold, these nevertheless have energy and grace that we think comes from the extra-attentive farming and unique clonal selection in the vineyard. In short order, Sequitur has established itself as one of the very best producers in the Willamette Valley and deserves your attention as such.

In Stock Now:

Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94+ points
“The 2015 Sequitur Chardonnay delivers toasted almonds, baker’s yeast, fresh ginger and coriander seed on the nose with a core of grapefruit, white peaches and spiced apples. Light to medium-bodied, it gives a great intensity of savory flavor layers intermingled with stone fruit and citrus notions, finishing long with great freshness and mineral notes.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points
“Pale yellow-gold. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying intense citrus and orchard fruit scents complemented by suggestions of toasty lees, iodine and sweet butter. Sappy, penetrating and seamless in texture, offering concentrated pear nectar, peach, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors that deepen slowly on the back half while maintaining energy. Finishes with repeating pear and floral notes, with a late jolt of dusty minerality pulling things together.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points
“Translucent yellow. A highly complex, oak-spice-laced bouquet evokes fresh citrus and orchard fruits, iodine, toasted brioche and white flowers, and a tarragon nuance emerges with air. Shows superb depth and fine delineation, offering vibrant orange, pear, honeysuckle, sweet butter and anise flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. Powerful yet graceful in character, displaying superb focus and thrust on an impressively long finish that features lingering floral, spice and mineral flourishes.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points
“Glistening straw-yellow. Vibrant, mineral-accented aromas of white peach, Anjou pear, melon and Meyer lemon carry a bright floral overtone. Juicy and densely packed, displaying a suave blend of richness and vivacity to the mineral-drenched citrus and orchard fruit and floral flavors. Picks up smoky lees, honey and iodine notes with air and shows outstanding clarity on a strikingly long, penetrating finish that echoes the mineral and citrus fruit notes.”
Winery Note “The 2018 growing season was warm and dry, resulting in yet another remarkable vintage on Ribbon Ridge. Towards the end of the summer, just before harvest, Jack was born. With the arrival of our first grandchild, we felt for the first time the presence of a new generation on the farm, reminding us of the cycle of renewal and growth. This vintage has the bright freshness of new breath—we hope you enjoy it!”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points
“Limpid ruby-red. Smoky, mineral-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry cola and incense carry a strong spicecake overtone. Stains the palate with sappy red berry liqueur, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that are lifted and given definition and tension by juicy acidity. At once rich and nervy, with no excess fat but showing excellent depth and intensity of flavor. Finishes with sexy notes of candied violet and smoky Indian spices and superb, gently tannic persistence. This wine’s Beaux Frères bloodline is very clear to see.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Broad and spicy, open-textured and generous, with ripe plum and currant flavors, shaded by pepper, sage and coffee notes as the finish sails past fine-grained tannins. Completely harmonious and made to age. Drink now through 2024.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points
“Deep brilliant red. A strikingly complex bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented red berries, cherry cola, vanilla, five-spice powder and sandalwood. Alluringly sweet, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Delivers a compelling blend of power and delicacy and finishes extremely long and smooth; rounded tannins frame the lingering red fruit preserve notes.”
Winery note “Sequitur 2015 Pinot Noir “Two fold,” a collaboration between our Mother, the earth, those of us who “play” in the vineyard and winery, and you, the wine lover.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $95


Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96 points
“Glimmering red. A hugely aromatic bouquet evokes fresh red fruits, Asian spices and potpourri, along with a bright mineral overtone and a touch of smokiness. Juicy, seamless and precise on the palate, offering potent, mineral-laced raspberry preserve, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out steadily on the back half. Delivers a compelling blend of power and finesse and finishes with silky tannins, outstanding clarity and floral- and mineral-driven persistence.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $89.99


Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Nick Stock-JamesSuckling 96 points
“Beautifully deep, blueberries and plums on offer with notes of fresh violets and moist, fresh-tilled earth. This is full of life and very pure. The palate has focused and fresh tannins that sit in very vibrant style with a deep push of concentrated blue fruit, holding the finish in superb style. So fresh and long, this will age well. Drink across the next decade or more.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points
“A very succulent, concentrated pinot with a strong (40%) whole-cluster influence, delivering sappy, fresh and aromatic lift to the blueberry and ripe-cherry aromas. The palate has such succulent and assertive tannin drive, yet the textural interface remains silky and fluid. It has depth and volume and a very commanding finish. Give this some time. Try from 2024.”
Winery Note “The 2018 growing season was warm and dry, resulting in yet another remarkable vintage on Ribbon Ridge. Towards the end of the summer, just before harvest, Jack was born. With the arrival of our first grandchild, we felt for the first time the presence of a new generation on the farm, reminding us of the cycle of renewal and growth. This vintage has the bright freshness of new breath—we hope you enjoy it! “

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Love Oregon Pinot Noir? We have over 135 options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Beaux Frères, Cameron, White Rose Estate and more, on our web store now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.

Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!



Stay safe, be well, & drink well.