Tag Archives: oregon

Half the Bottle, All of the 95 Point Chardonnay: March 2019

Marcus Goodfellow’s labels have been mainstays at the shop for some time now.  When the Wine Advocate’s review for the 2014 Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay came out, we can’t say we were particularly surprised.  As you’d expect the 750’s of the Richard’s sold out in a flash, but it turns out that the winery had a number of cases of half bottles that no one has pounced on.  Lucky for you, we’ve scooped up the last available from the winery, so once these are gone, they’re gone.  In the meantime, this in-its-prime Chardonnay will make a beautiful wine to buy in bulk—the half bottles just make it that much more convenient.

Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 375ML ($24.95) Buy Now: $20.90 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Richard’s Cuvee knocks it out of the park with a nose of ripe apricots, pink grapefruit and guavaunderscored by fresh ginger, baking bread, beeswax and yeast extract hints with a waft of jasmine.… Read the rest

Averaen: December 2018

A New Project from Baron Ziegler, One of the Founders of Banshee

averaen focusWe’re pleased to welcome the exceptional wines of Averaen to Vinopolis—at more than exceptional pricing. If you’re unfamiliar with these wines, you’d be excused—2016 is only the label’s second year in existence, but they’ve already established themselves as a top producer of rich, terroir-driven Pinot Noir in Oregon.

Averaen is a project of Baron Ziegler, one of the founders of Banshee wines, and liketheir Cali-counterparts, the Averaen wines deliver exceptional value—a hard thing to do in Pinot Noir.  These are exceptionally made, well reviewed single vineyard wines (and one Willamette blend) that are a steal for the prices we’re offering them at.

Averaen Croft Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($49.95)  Buy Now: $36 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “(50% whole clusters and 50% new French oak) Brilliant red.… Read the rest

Belle Pente Estate Reserve – 95 Points!

September 2018

Belle Pente Estate Reserve 2014

Best Ever? You decide!

The wines from Belle Pente are a mainstay here at Vinopolis and we’re thrilled to see Brian get some well deserved recognition for his Estate Reserve.

belle pente estate reserve 2014Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Josh Raynolds 95 points  “Limpid ruby-red. Powerful blue fruit liqueur, violet pastille, incense and smoky mineral aromas, along with hints of cola and exotic spices. Appealingly sweet and expansive on the palate, offering densely packed black raspberry, boysenberry, mocha and floral pastille flavors and a strong spicecake note. Supple, well-knit tannins give shape to the intensely fruit-driven finish, which lingers with outstanding persistence and building sweetness.”… Read the rest

Arterberry Maresh Stars: September 2018

With Two 96 Point Scores

In the New Issue of the Wine Advocate

We’ve long supported and loved the wines that Jim Arterberry makes under the Arterberry-Maresh (pronounced “marsh”) label, so it was no surprise to see him get a lot of critical praise in the new issue of the Wine Advocate.  These are some incredible wines, made in a understated style from exceptional, often extremely old, vineyards.  In the words of WA reviewer Erin Brooks:

“The 2016 Pinot Noirs from Arterberry Maresh offer amazing layers of sweet, precise fruits, exotic spices and earth—everything you want from great Pinot Noir. They’re concentrated and jam-packed with flavor while still maintaining excellent grainy tannic structure and very juicy acidity, not to mention they age beautifully.Read the rest

Wine of the Day: Holden Wine Company Johan Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 7-8-16

Holden Wine Company Johan Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 750ML ($27.95) Buy Now: $24 special

I’ve been training myself off of superlatives lately – wine sales and criticism bear no shortage of ’em, after all, and ‘Best Ever’ doesn’t carry the same weight after a half-dozen or more proclamations. Even so, I’ll proudly confess that this year, I have yet to experience a white wine as lovely as Holden’s 2014 Chardonnay.

Holden’s offerings are marked with an energetic, unique edge; you’re welcome to call them anything you’d like outside of ‘boring.’ While value is meaningless without quality and quality suffers when value is lacking, their Chardonnay delivers such a lovely combination of the two. I can’t really say enough good things about their lineup, so I’ll wrap things up with a few thirst-inspiring descriptors…

The Johan Chardonnay is layered and nuanced, going through malolactic fermentation while being spared overmanipulation.… Read the rest