2013: California’s Golden Vintage; Rosenthal Revisited; Bitouzet-Priuer’s Volnay Victories; Crème du Champagne; Best Riesling in Europe; Titans of Chateauneuf—Janasse Edition; Saint Cosme – Still the Best (Prices, too!) ETA June; May Sale Recap: Less Than a Week Remaining!

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In 2013, California Knew How To Party

2013 is going to be considered a 21st century 1997 or 1991 for Northern California Cabernet—you know, one of those years.  In a decade or two, you won’t have enough of in your cellar.  For a variety of reasons, there were near-perfect growing conditions in the North Coast and the average quality of wines produced is astronomical.

It’s the best kind of ‘great vintage.’ Not only are the highs exceptionally high, but the median Cabernet from 2013 is much better than we could hope for. This is a “buy willy-nilly” kinda year.  Antonio Galloni rated the Napa vintage 98+ points and wrote the following:

“98+ points. A modern-day classic for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. An early bud break and a warm growing season during the second year of the current drought cycle led to one of the earliest harvests on record. The recently bottled 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons are every bit as viscerally thrilling as they have always been in barrel. Inky, vibrant and structured, the wines possess remarkable concentration, with bright acidity and powerful tannins to back it all up. This is a vintage where the extremely high level of quality has raised all boats. Simply put, the 2013 Napa Cabernets are some of the most profound, riveting, young wines I have tasted anywhere in the world”

We’re pleased to have a few wines in stock (and more on the way) from this epic vintage and we wanted to highlight a few for you this holiday weekend.

Newly Arrived:

Bootleg Red Blend, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Bootleg Red Blend, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($419.95) $333 special, 6 cases available (that’s only $27.75/bottle! – the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Robert Parker 94 points “The 2013 Proprietary Red from Bootleg is a major sleeper of not only the vintage, but in its entire concept. There are just over 8,000 cases of this wine, which has been culled from KJ vineyards on Atlas Peak, Oakville, Mt. Veeder, Rutherford and Spring Mountain. The wine is a blend of 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petite Sirah, 21% Zinfandel, 12% Merlot, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot. That’s like throwing in the entire kitchen sink, but the result is a stunningly delicious, complex, big-time, sexy style of wine with a deep, opaque purple color, a beautiful nose of blackberries and blueberries, with some lavender Provençal herbs, licorice and a touch of espresso. The wine has a fabulous texture, a plush, full-bodied mouthfeel, and beautiful purity and depth. It’s something that could only be made in California, given the blend, but it is off-the-charts in terms of its hedonistic appeal. At the same time, it is complex enough to satisfy the intellectual senses as well. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. A big-time winner.”

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

Round Pond Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
Robert Parker 92 points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec, is a beauty. It’s also realistically priced by Napa standards. The wine reveals toasty oak, blackberry and cassis fruit, beautiful texture, purity and length. This is a big-time winner and should drink well for 12-15 years.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Round Pond’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is fabulous. Aromatic, pliant and expressive, the 2013 is incredibly nuanced for such a young wine. Sweet red plum, wild flowers, mint and cinnamon meld together in a medium-bodied, gracious Cabernet that will drink well with minimal cellaring.”

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

Gundlach-Bundschu Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley 2013 750ML ($44.95) $37.90 special, 18+ bottles available
Case-12 Gundlach-Bundschu Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley 2013 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Robert Parker 92 points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma shows juicy crème de cassis fruit, black licorice, nicely integrated toasty oak, an inky purple color and a medium to full-bodied delicious style. This is certainly a major sleeper of the vintage and one of the more attractively priced world-class Cabernet Sauvignons coming out of California’s North Coast in this miraculous vintage for Bordeaux varietals. Drink now-2030+.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Arrowood Proprietary Red, California 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 26 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2013 Proprietary Red is dark, plush and inviting. Here, too, the flavors are lifted by the energy and brightness of the year. Sweet red cherry, plum, licorice, mint and savory herbs add nuance throughout.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Gallo Winery Winemaker’s Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ml ($49.95) $39 special, 17 bottles available
Robert Parker 93+ points “Another outstanding effort coming from primarily Napa Valley, but with a small amount from Sonoma Valley fruit, is their blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Petite Sirah. The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon spent 19 months in 43% new French oak and 15% new American oak. A big wine from this great vintage for Bordeaux varieties, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon has a good 25-30 years of upside to it. Coming from all of the estate vineyards – most of it from the William Hill Estate, but some from Monte Rosso, this wine offers a dense, opaque bluish purple color, notes of pen ink, graphite, blackberry and blueberry, a big full-bodied, fleshy texture (15% natural alcohol) and a long finish with plenty of structured tannin and good acidity. This is a wine that proves what superb quality Gallo can produce even at the top of the hierarchy.”

Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 27 bottles available
VinopolNote: “Bucklin is known for their fantastic Zinfandel, but we love their Cabernet.  This is old-school Sonoma Cab, aged in 40% new oak for 20 months.  It’s got the fruit you expect from North Coast Cabernet, but in an age of 15%+ monsters, it’s nice to see someone make a wine that’s still got grip and iron to it.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Rodney Strong Single Vineyard Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 12 bottles available
Robert Parker 94 points “A famous wine from the early days of The Wine Advocate, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander’s Crown Single Vineyard comes from a lower elevation of 250 to 360 feet. The wine displays broad, sweet crème de cassis, black cherry and blueberry fruit, some licorice, graphite, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and outstanding length and purity. This is a beauty, and makes me think back to the great 1974, which was the first one I remember tasting.”

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

Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $38 special, 14 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Snowden’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is bold, delicious and juicy. Black cherry, plum, licorice and smoke all meld together effortlessly. The tannins could use another year or two to soften, but the Ranch Cabernet is going to drink well with minimal cellaring next to most wines of the vintage.” AG

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

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Let’s Talk About Neal, Baby

Let’s Talk About All The Good Things

Neal Rosenthal may have the best selected portfolio of wines that are nationally distributed.  While Kermit Lynch gets a lot of the hype, the Rosenthal book is meticulously selected and without any filler.  While many importers rationalize bringing in substandard estates because “they’ll sell,” Neal Rosenthal has for a long time believed that if the wines aren’t good, he doesn’t want his name on them.  The result is a long-running relationship with a select number of estates that he believes represent the apogee of traditional wines in their regions.

The other thing that’s notable about Neal Rosenthal is his willingness to put his money where his convictions are.  Long before the Alto-Piedmonte was fashionable or before the American public cared about estate-bottled (vs. negociant) Burgundy, the Rosenthal warehouse in New York was full wines in those categories—bought and paid for on the belief that he would find a way to sell them.

We’re highlighting a few wines today that will arrive in a few weeks, from all over Europe.  They range from a wonderful Cremant from Alsace that has raciness and delicacy to rival a blanc de blancs Champagne to some of the finest (and most underrated) traditional Brunello from La Torre.  We’ve also got some really fine wines coming in from Gravner, the noted Friulian iconoclast, as well as some great wines from Beaujolais.  These are all worth paying attention to and worth your time and money.

ETA Early June – At The Best Prices in the Country

Domaine Bechtold Cremant d’Alsace Brut 2014 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
“The soul of raciness and finesse, this wine is equal parts Chardonnay and Auxerrois from the 2013 vintage, bottled with no dosage, and disgorged in May of 2015. Electric and citrusy, with the earthy depth of the Auxerrois grape coming through on the palate, and firm limestone-y minerality on the finish.”–Importer note

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Azienda Agricola La Torre Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
“fermented in stainless steel for three weeks. It is then racked into large barrels (“botte” made by Gargalotto and of Slavonian origin) and left to age in cask for forty-two months. A small part of the wine (approximately 17%) destined for Brunello status spends 12 months in small barrel. The wine for the Brunello is selected from the oldest vines and the most well-positioned vineyards.”–Importer note

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Azienda Agricola La Torre Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($37.95) $29.50 pre-arrival special
“aged for 18 months in large oak casks of French origin with about 10% of the ultimate cuvée being aged in small French barrels. The vines for this wine also face full-south. One thousand or so cases of the Rosso di Montalcino are produced annually.”–Importer note

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

Gravner Breg Anfora Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2008 750ML ($89.95) $77 pre-arrival special
“Grape blend obtained from different vine varieties (Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot grigio and Riesling italico) which are fermented separately and aged together. While fermenting in Georgian amphorae buried underground, it underwent a long maceration with wild yeasts and no temperature control. After the drawing off and pressing phases the wine was poured back into amphorae for five more months before it started ageing in large oak barrels, where it was left for six years. Wine is bottled without fining or filtration.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Gravner Anfora Ribolla Gialla Venezia Giulia IGT, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
“Made from Ribolla grapes which have been cultivated in this area for more than a thousand years. While fermenting in Georgian amphorae buried underground, it underwent a long maceration with wild yeasts and no temperature control. After the drawing off and pressing phases the wine was poured back into amphorae for at least five more months before it started ageing in large oak barrels, where it was left for six years. Wine is bottled without fining or filtration.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Cappellano Barolo Chinato, Piedmont NV 500ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Cappellano’s Barolo Chinato, which is more on the savory side of things, is a personal favorite.”
Importer note “Giovanni [grandfather to the current owner]’s brother, Giuseppe, was a pharmacist who created the family formula for their famous (then and again now) Barolo Chinato, the Barolo infused with a variety of “medicines”.  The Barolo Chinato is produced by following the family recipe handed down generation to generation.  The “medicinal” herbs and spices are ground using a stone mortar and pestle.  Both the recipe and the process are family secrets.”

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

Domaine de la Chapelle des Bois Fleurie Cuvee Vieilles Vignes de la Cadole, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($21.95) $19 pre-arrival special
“This cuvée of Fleurie is sourced from a single parcel planted to vines eighty years old. In contrast to the other wines of the domaine, this special selection is aged 12 months in large, older foudres to best express its formidable character. Surprisingly, this structured wine is supremely elegant and fine; and, it is surely capable of providing pleasure over an extended period of time.”–Importer note

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine de la Chapelle des Bois Morgon ‘Les Rontay’, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($21.95) $19 pre-arrival special

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Very Secret Volnay

Bitouzet-Priuer’s Classic Burgundy

Blame the internet.  It’s no longer possible for there to be secrets in Burgundy—the days of incredible wines that fly completely under the radar are gone.  Mostly.  There are a few names, most notably Bitouzet-Priuer, out there making wines that we love at prices and quantities that don’t match the quality coming out of the bottle, at least for now.

We’ve seen prices rise a little and allocations tighten for the Bitouzet-Priuer wines, from Volnay, which is new to us.  The wines have always been great and more than fairly priced; but it seemed like we’d be able to get as much as we’d like and while this is/was true with the 2011’s and 12’s (the domain releases wines later than some), it looks like going forward they’re becoming more widely known.

Neil Rosenthal imports these (which really is all the quality stamp you need) and describes them in a way we totally agree with: “Based in Volnay and blessed with extensive holdings in Meursault as well, this domaine is a tried and true standard bearer for all that is fundamentally good and sound in Burgundy: conscientious and sensitive work in the vineyards, respect above all for the specific character of each lieu-dit, patience and attention to detail in the cellar, and a commitment to producing wines of depth and, of critical importance, longevity.”

We wanted to highlight a few wines from the newly released 2013 vintage, arriving later in June, as well as the last of the ‘11’s and ‘12’s that we have hanging out.  Feel free to visit our web store to see all of their wines that we have in stock and coming soon!

Arriving Late June

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Cent Vignes, Beaune Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90 points “Bright red. Very primary, vibrant aromas of raspberry, rose petal and mint. Juicy and tightly wound, showing lovely intensity and energy but a medicinal reserve in the early going. I like the combination of density and airiness. Finishes with excellent cut and verve.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $46.99

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Pitures, Volnay Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($59.95) $56 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ points “Bright red. Classy but reticent nose hints at bitter cherry. Densely packed and seriously concentrated, showing superb stony lift to the flavors of black cherry, violet and licorice. Really wonderful 2013 energy and density here, along with sneaky sweetness of fruit. Shows a youthful medicinal aspect but this is a bomb of primary dark fruits (Bitouzet described it as “a Pommard that changed its sex”). Finishes broad and long, with ripe, dusty tannins.”

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Taillepieds, Volnay Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($59.95) $56 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91+ points “Healthy dark red. Very primary nose hints at black cherry, menthol and bitter chocolate lifted by a floral topnote. Then sappy and saline on the palate, showing very good chewy concentration and medicinal reserve. Quite reticent today but displays a terrific balance between sweetness and firm minerality. Bitouzet wishes he made big bottles of this juice.”

Highlights In Stock Now:

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Cent Vignes, Beaune Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 11 bottles available
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 90 points “Sweet rose petals, rosewater, violets, mint, hard candy and crushed rocks are some of the many notes that take shape in the 2011 Beaune Cent-Vignes. Wonderfully pointed and pure, the 2011 impresses for its energy, tension and pure verve. There is plenty of potential here, but readers will need to give the 2011 a few years to soften.” AG

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Caillerets, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 31 bottles available
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Les Caillerets, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 1.5L ($179.95) $119 special, 6 magnums available
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 93 points “The 2011 Volnay Caillerets is one of the most explosive wines in this range. Black cherries, plums, licorice, smoke and tar literally jump from the glass. The 2011 is round and voluptuous on the palate, yet also backed up by considerable structure. Hints of cloves, new leather and sweet tobacco add the final layers of nuance. In 2011 there are just three barrels of Caillerets, one of which is new, a slightly higher ratio than is typically the case.” AG

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Pitures, Volnay Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 14 bottles available
Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Pitures, Volnay Premier Cru 2012 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 10 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 91-93 points “The estate’s 2012 Volnay Pitures is the most massively tannic of these wines. Dark, rich and powerful, the 2012 is laced with black cherries, new leather, cloves and menthol, all supported by huge, incisive tannins. I would give the tannins a few years to soften, but the Pitures is likely to remain intense and even a bit rustic, especially in comparison to the other 2012s here.”

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

Domaine Bitouzet-Prieur Taillepieds, Volnay Premier Cru 2012 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 7 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 91-93+ points “A layered, totally exquisite wine, the 2012 Volnay Taillepieds impresses for its balance above all else. The aromas and flavors are beautifully detailed and nuanced in a Taillepieds that is all about crystalline purity. This tasting catches the 2012 in a slightly raw, unpolished state, but nothing a little time in bottle won’t take care of.”

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

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High Impact Champagne

There’s always a time for Champagne—especially the best of Champagne.  We’ve been asked recently to put together a “best of” list for different sections of our store, so we figured we’d start with an aperitif of some bubbles, if you will.  There’s obviously a lot more to what we have, so feel free to visit our website, www.vinopoliswineshop.com, to see all 70 different bottlings we have in stock!

Arriving in Early June:

Jacquesson Extra Brut Sillery Grand Cru, Champagne 1996 750ML ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Highlights of Select Champagnes In Stock Now:

Jacques Selosse Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millesime, Champagne 2003 750ML ($519.95) $399 special, 8 bottles available
James Suckling 97 points “A wine that has an absolutely unique character, Selosse has interpreted a truly extraordinary vintage with poetic insight. He describes the double stresses of an April frost that claimed 75% of the yield in Avize, coupled with a very hot and dry June and August. He speaks of the evapotranspiration and the effect of depositing an immense amount of mineral residue into the plant, which has manifested in this striking wine, and compares it to a chef reducing and concentrating a sauce. The smoky, toasty notes are more than autolysis; you can smell the heat of the vintage here. It has profound stony and chalky aromas, gentle spices, grilled hazelnuts and dehydrated stone fruits. The minerals explode onto the palate. It’s electric, hitting like an ionic blast before rolling out dark nutty flavors ahead of plush orange and ripe nectarine, peach and big, rich phenolics. It has many layers through the finish. Extremely long, balanced and resolved. Drink now or age confidently for a fascinating savory journey – this has a sturdy nature.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Brut, Champagne 1996 750ML ($399.95) $348 special, 5 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points (December 2015); Antonio Galloni 96 points (March 2015) “One of the all time greats from Philipponnat, the 1996 Clos des Goisses captures the essence of a vintage in which both sugars and acidities were elevated. Tension, energy and salinity are the signatures. Readers who can wait on the 1996 will be rewarded with a stunning bottle of Champagne that will likely still be profound at age fifty.”

Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2004 1.5L ($1499.95) $989 special, 2 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2004 Salon has been superb each time I have tasted it over the last year or so. Bright, tense and crystalline, with all of the energy that is typical of both Salon and the vintage in the Côte des Blancs, the 2004 bristles with superb precision and cool, pulsating minerality. The 2004 spent a dozen years on its lees. Over the last six months or so, it has gradually begun to open up, but it is very much a wine for the cellar. Two thousand four is remembered as a vintage with record high yields. Salon (and Delamotte) did a terrific job in keeping the vines well balanced. Production was just 46,000 bottles, as opposed to the 60,000 or so that is more typical. Chef de Caves Michel Fauconnet opted for a low dosage of just 4 grams per liter. This is a tremendous showing.”

Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy ‘Les Houtrants Complantes’ Premier Cru Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($219.95) $188 special, 11 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Rene Geoffroy’s NV Brut Les Houtrants is superb. Les Houtrants emerges from a field blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Arbanne and Petit Meslier. Vivid and light on its feet, with striking, translucent detail, the Houtrants is a wine of total precision. Striking aromatics and overall presence elevate the Houtrants to its place among the most compelling new releases of the season. The current release is a blend of 2010, 2009 and 2008 vintages, bottled with no dosage. Disgorged: November 2015.”
Vinopolnote- Our offer is the June 2015 disgorgment of the same vintage blend.

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

Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill, Champagne 2000 1.5L ($519.95) $419 special, 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The first thing that is evident about the 2000 Brut Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill is its finesse and total silkiness. The 2000 is a rich, creamy and deeply expressive Winston Churchill. I don’t see the 2000 being an especially long-term ager, but it is wonderfully radiant and open today. Hints of pastry, spice, apricots and succulent ripe pears blossom on the expansive, broad-shouldered finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.” AG

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

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The Best Riesling in Europe!

Weingut Malat Takes Home Top Prize

Michael Malat isn’t the most well-known Austrian winemaker to the American public, but that might soon change.  He recently took home the top prize in the 2016 Best of Riesling competition, hosted by the renowned Meininger Verlag publishing house.  His 2010 Malat Silberbichl Riesling Kremstal Reserve took the top honors (Best Riesling in Europe) out of a field of more than 2,600 Rieslings from around the world and we’re excited to offer it to you today! We didn’t get much (as you’d expect) so if this intrigues you, make sure to get you order in early.

Just Arrived:

Malat Silberbichl Riesling Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kremstal 2010 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Falstaff Magazine tasting note: “[Translated] Light yellow-green. Aromas of fresh peaches and ground herbs with nuances of pineapple, orange zest, and wildflower honey. Firm texture on the palate with notes of apple preserves. It has a crisp acid structure that is vibrant and mineral. Aromas of apricot on the finish. Will benefit from some cellaring.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Austrian winemaker Michael Malat has captured his biggest international award to date. At the recently held Best Of Riesling 2016 competition in Germany’s Rheinland Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Malat’s Riesling Silberbichl Reserve 2010 was awarded the “Best European Riesling” title.  This champion Riesling was selected from among the approximately 2600 wines that were entered into the competition – the largest Riesling tasting in the world – from 14 countries on 3 continents.  At the contest, 100 specialist judges tasted through the vast array of wines to determine which ones were the best of the best. Ultimately, one wine – the Riesling Silberbichl 1ÖTW Erste Lage Kremstal Reserve 2010 from Weingut Malat – was singled out as the “Best European Riesling”.

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Domaine de la Janasse

Neuf-Age Chateauneuf

We’re pleased to be able to offer two glorious examples of 2012 Chateauneuf-du-Pape from one of the most prestigious (yet still affordable) estates in the region. Family-owned and -run, Domaine de la Janasse grows and makes their wine with a sense of pride and tradition. Careful attention in the vineyard and cellar allows nature to work its magic alongside the Janasse team’s expertise. The Chaupin, a fresh and lively wine, consists of 100% Grenache including fruit from 100-year-old vines. The Vielles Vignes represents the estate’s crown jewel: Grenache, Mourvedre, and other varieties combine to make a deep, brooding red that longs for cellar time.

On the vintage: “this vintage produced rich, fruit-loaded and moderately concentrated wines that will drink well in their youth and evolve nicely on their balance and harmony…” –Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate

Domaine de la Janasse Wines Available Here Now:

Domaine de la Janasse Cotes Du Rhone Rose, Rhone 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles available
VinopolNote: A versatile rose with savory, herbal notes from a legendary Chateauneuf producer. A blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault grown in clay limestone, galets and sandy soil. Practicing organic & biodynamic.
Importer note “Hand harvested and fermentation in tank, vines are between 10 and 60 years old. Wine is aged for 4 months in tank. A fruity and generous rosé with strawberry and clay aromas. Drink within the next two years.”

Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Chaupin 2012 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Chaupin, which I was able to taste (and drink) from multiple bottles, is a beautiful Grenache that comes from the cooler, northeastern edge of the appellation. Coming almost all from the Chapouin lieu-dit (it gets a small bit from La Janasse), it gives up the classic notes of black berries, spring flowers, violets, and licorice that I always seem to find in this cuvee. Building nicely on the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured, has tons of sweet fruit and solid, if not firm, tannin that come out on the finish. It will be better in another couple of years and have 15+ years of overall longevity.”

Domaine de la Janasse Cuvee Vieilles Vignes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Up in the top handful of wines in the vintage (which should come as no surprise to anyone who follows this estate), the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, rich and layered Châteauneuf that doesn’t put a foot wrong. Made from 85% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre and the rest Syrah, it offers blockbuster notes of blackberry, liquid-violets, spice and serious minerality to go with awesome mid-palate depth and layers of sweet tannin. Like the Cuvee Chaupin, it will be better in another handful of years and thrill through 2027.”

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Saint Cosme 2015’s:

Still the Best (Prices, too!)

ETA June

2015 will be remembered as the year of glory in winemaking around the world. Burgundy was Great. Beaujolais was Great. The Mosel was Great. Champagne is looking promising. Even our local winemakers are embracing the vintage. And the list goes on.

So it should not come as much of a surprise to those lucky lovers of the rich and expressive wines of the Southern Rhone: it too was a Great and Glorious vintage. We’ve only just begun to see offers, so we’re excited to announce this offer from one of our favorite Southern Rhone estates: Chateau de Saint Cosme.

At this point, Saint Cosme is one of our “core wineries.” They remain a reference point producer in the Rhone, producing incredible wines from both the Southern and Northern Rhone.  Their single vineyard Gigondas are perhaps the highest regarded wines they make, but we have found that the wines they make from Côte Rôtie and Condrieu stand up with the best wines in the portfolio.  We’re excited to offer all of the 2015’s we can get our hands on and if you’d like to see the full list of wines on our website, just click here.

Highlight of Saint Cosme Wines Arriving in June:

Chateau de Saint Cosme Le Poste Blanc, Cotes du Rhone 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91-92 points “(sourced from vines planted in 1963 in the heart of Gigondas): Green-tinged yellow. Vibrant, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complemented by suggestions of white flowers and ginger. Juicy, focused and pure, offering vibrant orange, pear skin and white peach flavors underscored by a chalky mineral element. Becomes deeper and fleshier with air white maintaining vivacity, and finishes with excellent clarity, power and persistence.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $53.50 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2015 750ML ($359.95) $299 pre-arrival special (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92-94 points “(50% new oak): Glass-staining ruby. Heady, exotically perfumed red and dark berry scents are complicated by suggestions of star anise, violet and cola. Sweet, seamless and penetrating in the mouth, offering intense boysenberry and black raspberry flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. Rich yet lithe, with strong closing thrust and silky, even tannins lending framework and gentle grip.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2015 750ML ($169.95) $139 pre-arrival special (that’s only $23.17/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91-93 points “Bright violet. Vibrant dark berry, violet and licorice aromas are complemented by suggestions of olive and woodsmoke. Palate-staining blackberry and bitter cherry flavors are joined by peppery spice and mineral qualities that build on the back half. Manages to be at once rich and energetic, carrying no excess fat. The very long, juicy finish is framed by harmonious tannins and leaves behind a sappy dark berry note.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2015 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91-93 points “Inky ruby. Powerful aromas of blackberry, violet and woodsmoke, plus a hint of cola that emerges with aeration. Sweet, densely packed and full-bodied, offering ripe cassis, blackberry, violet pastille and licorice flavors given lift and spine by juicy acidity. Spreads out and becomes spicier on the impressively long finish, which features chewy tannins and a sexy floral nuance.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2015 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2015 750ML ($239.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2015 1.5L ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Starting with the 2015 Gigondas Classique from Barruol, this blend of 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre and the rest Syrah and Cinsault will be a wine that readers will want to stockpile. Full-bodied, rich, beautifully textured and layered, with killer notes of crème de cassis, white pepper, spice and garrigue, it’s a classic Gigondas that will drink well for 15+ years.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides, Rhone 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 97-99 points “A wine that might rival the 2007, the 2015 Gigondas Hominis Fides (100% Grenache from sandy soils located just down from the estate) offers full-bodied, massive and unctuous notes of currants, crushed rocks, smoked meats and licorice. Fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged mostly in older barrels, this sensational Gigondas might end up being the wine of the vintage, from the entire Southern Rhone valley! It has masses of tannin, so it’s going to require patience.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $227.83 (yikes!)

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhone 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 97-99 points “Another wine that might flirt with perfection is the 2015 Gigondas le Claux. It’s also 100% Grenache and comes from a site just across the road from the Hominis Fides cuvee. The soils here are slightly more limestone-based, and like all of the wine here, it’s fermented with no destemming and aged mostly in old barrels (20% is new). Camphor, currants, incense, graphite, crushed rocks and licorice all soar from this thriller and it has full-bodied richness, an incredible texture and a blockbuster finish. It will have 2-3 decades of overall longevity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $169.99 (ouch!)

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste, Rhone 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2015 Gigondas le Poste is a classic expression of this vineyard and shows the more elegant, perfumed style that always comes from this site. Violets, flowers, raspberries, blueberries and green herbs all emerge from this full-bodied, lengthy and impeccably balanced Gigondas that has ultra-fine tannin and perfectly integrated acidity. Brought up just like the other two single vineyard releases, this beauty will be more accessible in its youth, yet I suspect it will age just as long.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Valbelle, Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Incorporating 10% Syrah, the Grenache-dominated 2015 Gigondas Cuvee Valbelle is another heavenly wine from Louis Barruol. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, with lots of crème de cassis, crushed flowers, incense and white pepper, it has a touch less mid-palate depth than the single vineyards, but is impeccably balanced and will have two decades of longevity.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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May Sale Recap

This sale ends in five days!

Opus’ Opus; Store-wide Barolo Sale; Cayuse, Colgin and SQN; Top Tier Tignanello; Back Vintage Oreno;  Beaujolais Killer T’s—On a Swarm; Case Deals For Sunny Days; Erdener Pralat—Red vs Blue Slate; Brunello You Don’t Want to Miss; Ulysse Collin; Terlato’s Peaks; Cascina delle Rose

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‘Omazing Opus Offer

Arriving This Week

Limited Second Tranche – from the perfect 2013 vintage:

Opus One Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($279.95) $259 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 100 points “The greatest Opus ever. Terrific aromas of crushed black currants, blueberries and flowers with hints of sweet tobacco. Roses continue to exude opulence and class. Full body, superb balance of ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Complex aftertaste of black fruits and citrus fruit. Extremely persistent. So approachable now and enjoyable. But will be even better in 2019 and beyond. 79% cabernet sauvignon, 7% cabernet franc, 6% merlot, 6% petit verdot, 2% malbec. This will always be beautiful to drink.” (01/2016)

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Barolo Sale

Subscriber-Only Special

Your special discount: 10% off listed price on all in-stock Barolos

Discount does not apply to pre-arrival offers
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging

Sale Ends Monday, April 3rd at 11:59 PM!

We offer 61 Barolos in-stock and available here now, such names as G. B. Burlotto, Giacomo Borgogno & Giacomo Conterno, Bruno Giacosa, Bartolo Mascarello & Giuseppe Mascarello, Domenico Clerico, Roagna, Scarpa to Roberto Voerzio & Vietti, you’re certain to find treasures! Top picks include:

Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG 2003 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $128, Your Cost: $115.20, 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is soft, silky and very nicely balanced, especially in its tannins, where the wine really stands out next to so many peers. Readers should open the 2003 at least an hour in advance to allow the aromatics to open up. This is a very sexy and open young Barolo from Conterno with very little signs of the challenging growing season.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $131

Roberto Voerzio Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2004 1.5L ($699.95) Displayed Price: $569, Your Cost: $512.10, 12 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “Voerzio no longer makes his Barolo Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e delle Brunate. The 2004 is a great reminder of just how fabulous this wine was. A huge, vertical wine, the 2004 boasts magnificent depth and overall intensity. The flavors are boldly sketched in a dramatic Barolo built on pure muscle. A host of black cherry, cloves, smoke, menthol, tar and blackberry jam flow through to the intense finish. Beguiling and powerful, the 2004 will provide fascinating drinking for the next 10-15 years, perhaps longer. Of all the 2004s here, this is the wine that has had the most positive evolution in bottle.” (05/2015)

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) Displayed Price: $69, Your Cost: $62.10, 28 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Lavender, mint, sage, smoke, tobacco and plums are all laced together in the 2011 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’Mia. As always, the Ca’Mia is a decidedly vertical Barolo built on a spine of persistent tannin, but in 2011 there is a little bit of added polish that serves to soften the contours. Tucked off the main road, Brea remains one of the least well-known vineyards in Serralunga. The 2011 is a great wine to start exploring some of the nuances of this site. A huge finish that brings together power and voluptuousness captures the pure radiance of the year.” AG

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $76

Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) Displayed Price: $85, Your Cost: $76.50, 16 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Wonderful aromas of crushed berries and flowers here. Particularly roses. Full body, with fine yet chewy tannins and a long intense finish. Needs four or five years to open. Best wine ever from here?” JS
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The estate’s Barolo Enrico VI, which emerges from the Villero vineyard in Castiglione Falletto, is one of the most beautiful wines I have tasted here in some time. Vivid and layered in the glass, the 2010 is all about polish, silkiness and pure nuance. Sweet, silky tannins support a core of dark red cherries, plums, tobacco, menthol and smoke, all in a textured, layered style that is hugely appealing. The Enrico VI is a wine of significant potential. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2010 Barolo Enrico VI sees fruit sourced from the celebrated Villero cru in Castiglione Falletto. It’s hard not to be enthusiastically impressed by this gorgeous effort. The fruit is stunning and dark with a deep, penetrating level of aromatic intensity that spans from creme de cassis to dried licorice root. In the mouth, it is extraordinarily bright and silky and the seamless finish can be counted in long, delicious minutes. A special nod goes the high energy and vibrant quality of this beautiful Barolo. Drink: 2016-2026.”

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $95

Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($179.95) Displayed Price: $119, Your Cost: $107.10, 15 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “A dense, chewy wine with plum and dried fruit character. Lots of mineral, sandy and balsamic character. Full body, ripe tannins and a flavourful finish. Structured and rich. Serious Cannubi. Needs at least three or four years of bottle age.” JS
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Violets, tar, smoke, rose petals, spices and dark fruit are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2008 Barolo Cannubi. An intense, dramatic wine for the year, the 2008 boasts layered fruit and equally thrilling structure, even if at times it is a bit rustic. This is a decidedly burly wine from Cannubi, a vineyard mostly associated with finesse. It will be interesting to see how things come together in bottle. Today, it is the wine’s striking inner perfume that makes me most hopeful for the future.” AG

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $134

Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2005 750ML ($249.95) Displayed Price: $169, Your Cost: $152.10, 24+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2005 Barolo Falletto offers up a gorgeous bouquet of red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is a relatively delicate, elegant Barolo Falletto yet it offers gorgeous balance, tons of inner perfume and a long, refined finish. It is one of the overachievers in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”WA

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $222

Want to see them all?
For full reviews and descriptions, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
&
Search for the term ‘Barolo’
Does not apply to pre-arrival offers
Sale ends midnight of the 3rd!
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging

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Treasured Estates

New Arrivals from Cayuse, Colgin & Sine Qua Non

Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “In the same ballpark as the Sur Echalas Vineyard release, the 2014 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard gives up lots of minerality and gunpowder-like characteristics, as well as red fruits, pepper, and violets aromas and flavors. On the fuller side of medium to full-bodied, it has juicy acidity, fine tannin and impeccable balance. It will have two decades of longevity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $175
The average price is $187

Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “While a lot of the 2012s came in near the bottom of the barrel score, that wasn’t the case with the 2012 Syrah Bionic Frog and this beauty flirts with perfection. Inky colored and purple to the rim, it offers extraordinary notes of black fruits, wild mushrooms, smoked earth and salty minerality. These all flow to a full-bodied, thrillingly concentrated, focused, structured and lengthy 2012 that needs 4-5 years of cellaring, and will knock your socks off over the following 15 years or more.” JD

Cayuse Vineyards Wallah Wallah Special Series Syrah #5, Walla Walla Valley 2013 1.5L ($319.95) $279 special, 2 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “(bottled in magnum): Healthy, moderately saturated dark red. Musky aromas of dark berries, mocha and brown spices, plus a hint of creamy vanilla. Savory and youthfully tight; offering less early sex appeal than the 2012 version but this wine possesses an impressive thickness and finishes with big, broad tannins that suggest a slow evolution in bottle. Distinctly saline and backward–and perhaps less distinctive today than the single-vineyard Syrah bottlings from Cayuse. This wine represents Baron’s tribute to Jamet’s Côte-Rôtie, which is a blend of multiple sites.”

Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 98 points “The 2013 Syrah IX Estate may turn out to be better. It’s not as complex from a nuanced standpoint as the 2012, but it has possibly greater intensity than its sibling. Its blackberry fruit, charcoal, acacia flowers, grilled meats and beef tartare notes are all beautifully presented in a pure, succulent, opulent style. This is amazing stuff, and a great example of a singular style of Syrah from Napa Valley. Drink now-2028.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $314
The average price is $339

Sine Qua Non Piranha Waterdance Syrah, California 2014 750ML ($299.95) $269 special, 4 bottles available
Robert Parker 97-100 points “The 2014 Syrah Piranha Waterdance is young and unevolved (more than the Grenache) and sports an inky blue color to go with lots of minerality, notes of cassis, violets and pepper, full-bodied richness and a surprisingly serious, structured, even masculine vibe on the palate. A blend of 81% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah and the rest Mourvedre, Touriga Nacional and Graciano, fermented with 26% whole clusters and aging in 54% new French oak, it will be bottled just after the Grenache, in April of next year.”

Sine Qua Non Rattrapante Grenache, California 2012 750ML ($899.95) $489 special, 4 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “A perfect wine any way you look at it, the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start – and end – with “Wow.” Giving up tons of black raspberries, peppery herbs, licorice, dried flowers and cured meats, it’s a massively concentrated, rich and layered Grenache that somehow manages to stay graceful, lively and fresh on the palate. There are roughly 800 cases of this elixir and any Grenache lover should do their best to latch onto a bottle (or two). It’s also worth noting that this cuvee saw 26% whole clusters, which is a small change from past vintages.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $499
The average price is $641

Sine Qua Non Touche Syrah, California 2012 750ML ($799.95) $499 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “Lastly, the utterly perfect 2012 Syrah Touche reminds me of a great vintage of Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Landonne. A blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, it spent 40 months in 78% new French oak. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and layered, with a multidimensional texture and to-die-for notes of camphor, cured meats, violets, smoke and assorted dark fruits, this beauty has fine, perfectly ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Give it 3-4 years and drink over the following two decades.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price is $678

Sine Qua Non Shakti Grenache, California 2014 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “Leading off the 2014s from barrel, the 2014 Grenache Shakti (88% Grenache, 6% Mourvedre, 4% Petite Sirah and the rest Touriga Nacionale) comes largely from the Cumulus Vineyard, with smaller portions from Eleven Confessions, the Third Twin and Bien Nacido. Aged almost entirely in neutral barrels (6% new), it has a supple, sexy profile as well as killer base notes of black raspberries, cassis, ground herbs and violets. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and laced with sweet tannin, I continue to be baffled why so few people in California get close to this level of quality with Grenache.”

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Tig is in the House

Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 3 bottles available
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 375ML ($69.95) $55 special, 14 half-bottles available
Wine Spectator #8 Wine of the Year in 2016
James Suckling 97 points “This is amazing on the nose with blackberry, black truffle, dried cherry and hints of tobacco. So complex on the nose. Almost no need to taste it. Full body, soft and velvety tannins, and a persistent, fabulous finish. The mouthfeel is magic. 80% sangiovese and 20% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2013 Tignanello represents the beginning of a new chapter for Italy’s ultimate game-changer wine. The blend remains 80% Sangiovese with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc but Renzo Cotarella tells me “stylistically-speaking, this is what we wanted to achieve.” The winemaking formula remains the same, but one of the major differences and benefits to this wine is vineyard age. The celebrated Tignanello single vineyard is now reaching 15 years old. In other words, it is in its production prime. This is a harmonious and beautifully integrated wine that reveals black fruit and baking spice.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2013 Tignanello is a real knock-out. Rich and intense, but also linear in style, the 2013 is endowed with superb energy from start to finish. In this vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc character is especially evident, especially in the aromatics. Today, the 2013 is tightly wound and not ready to show all of its cards. Readers will have to be patient with the 2013, but the wine has plenty to say. Above all else, this is a remarkable level of quality for a wine with Bordeaux First Growth production (but not price) often in excess of 25,000 cases.”
Wine Spectator 94 points –#8 Top 100 of 2016–“Aromas of graphite, smoke and tobacco introduce the cherry flavor in this expressive, focused red. Firm tannins and lively acidity balance the fruit and purity, while herbal, spice and mineral elements all gather steam as this plays out on the long finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2017 through 2027.”

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Classic Vintage Oreno

High Points, Low Price

Sette Ponti’s Oreno is one of the most recognizable names in the Super-Tuscan field.  Year after year, Oreno delivers rich, dense wines from the clayey and limestone soil that are delicious on release but evolve into really spectacular drinks with a few years of age on them.  We managed to get our hands on a small set of 2011 Oreno, which is from a really good vintage and is drinking well right now.  It’s got points to back it up and at this price won’t be around for long.

Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
James Suckling 96 points “There is a purity of fruit in this young Tuscan red with flowers, citrus fruit and currants. Full body, with firm and silky tannins that are ultra-fine and wonderfully polished. The structure builds to a racy finish. This is a Bordeaux blend that is all in harmony. Give it time as the tannins and fruit melt together. Try in 2016.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Oreno wraps around the palate with gorgeous resonance and silkiness. Mocha, cloves, leather and dark spices all add nuance to a core of voluptuous, racy fruit. This is a typical 2011 long on texture, resonance and early appeal. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off the 2011, as it is already striking. The style is ripe, intense and full-bodied, yet all the elements fall into place effortlessly.”

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Our Current
Shipping Promos:
We offer flat rate shipping to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, and Colorado. Here’s the scoop:

Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.

The flat rate for each state is, as follows:

-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25

Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!

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The Gang’s All Here

And Best Prices Abound!

New Arrival from Jean-Paul Thevenet
Jean-Paul Thevenet Morgon Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Brilliant magenta. Explosive red berry liqueur, incense and floral scents, along with hints of allspice and smoky minerals. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black raspberry, spicecake and violet and pastille flavors that put on weight and become sweeter with air. The balance of richness and vivacity here is extremely impressive. Closes with impressive, mineral-driven intensity and length; silky tannins sneak in late to add shape and grip. Thévenet is consistently one of the great producers of Beaujolais and in 2015 he produced one of the monuments of the vintage.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $30

Don’t miss other great Beaujolais producers in-stock now, including wines from Thivin,  Lapierre, Guy Breton and Jean Foillard – see the complete list online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com. You can browse all Beaujolais selections by visiting the shopping portion of our web page and selecting “Beaujolais” from the categories menu!

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Trending Case Deals

Deals by the half or full dozen, below are our most popular picks!

Search ‘case-12’ or ‘case-6’ to see all the listings on our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
The Frescobaldis began producing wine in 1300 and Brunello in 1800. From the beginning, the family has demanded that their wines be of quality and that they reflect the uniqueness of their terroirs. The Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo results from severe selection of vineyard sites, with carefully selected soils, exposure and altitude. A wine recognized all over the world for its value and consistent quality, year after year. Truly a great value, especially by the six-pack!

Case-6 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($359.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $39 special
James Suckling 93 points “A firm, silky red with blueberry, blackberry and mineral aromas. Hints of chocolate. Full body, pretty fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Very refined. A standard-bearer.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “Boasting an elaborate style, the 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a plump, juicy and opulent red wine from southern Tuscany. The wine is packed tight with the sunshine and the brilliant luminosity of its birthplace. The quality of fruit is quite ripe and soft. The tannins are similarly textured. This is an immediate wine that can be consumed within the next few years. Or, if you have the patience to wait, it promises a steady medium-term evolution. The bouquet is redolent of red fruit, cherry cola and grilled herb.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a very pretty wine. Succulent, open-knit and racy, the 2011 offers lovely purity of fruit in a racy, forward style that is best enjoyed sooner rather than later, while the flavors retain their brightness. Sweet red cherry, flowers and spices reappear on the finish, adding a closing burst of energy.”

The Dezat family name is basically etched into the historical record of Sancerre; municipal records refer to the Dezats as early as 1550. In 1948, André Dezat took over his family’s vineyard holdings and took an active role in promoting the domaine as well as Sancerre-at-large. His sons Louis and Simon joined him in the 1970’s, and in the ensuing years have expanded to now include Sancerre, Menetou Salon, and Pouilly Fume. Delicious & carefree warm weather wine:

Case-12 Andre Dezat & Fils Domaine Thibault Pouilly-Fume, Loire 2015 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 2 cases available
Andre Dezat & Fils Domaine Thibault Pouilly-Fume, Loire 2015 750ML ($24.95) $18.80 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery note “Our Pouilly Fumé originates from the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. It is made from a blend of grapes from three terroirs: the marl soils referred to as “little oysters”, Villiers limestone and siliceous-clayey soils. This blend provides aromatic complexity characterized by a range of aromatic notes which include citrus, peaches, pears and acacia.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Delas is one of the most notable landholders in the Northern Rhone, with holdings in some of the best vineyards in every major AOC, yet they still manage to be overlooked when people put together collections of wine from the region.  Delas makes wines that are a) delicious and well-made and b) more than reasonably priced.  Try this modern-styled complex red with your next bbq:

Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2013 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 2 six-packs available
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2013 750ML ($44.95) $28 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Similar to the Saint Epine release quality-wise, the 2013 St Joseph Cuvee Francois de Tournon offers more richness, breadth and layer compared to the tighter, more focused, granite-influenced Saint Epine. Plum, black raspberry, licorice, cracked pepper and graphite flows to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, structured 2013 that needs 3-4 years of cellaring; it will have two decades of longevity. Coming mostly from vineyards around Tournon and Mauves, it spent 12 months in 30% new French oak.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Vivid ruby. Highly perfumed, exotic scents of black raspberry and blueberry preserves, incense and smoky minerals carry a spicy topnote. At once ripe and lively on the palate, offering palate-staining red and dark berry and cherry cola flavors and subtle floral character. Finishes spicy and very long, displaying harmonious tannins and a lingering violet note.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Ripe and concentrated without sacrificing cut, this lets a pure beam of raspberry and blackberry coulis rush forth, backed by mouthwatering anise, black tea and iron notes. Latent grip allows the finish to linger. Best from 2016 through 2022.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $38

Two ridiculously popular by-the-case or -bottle buys: Last call!

Case-12 Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2009 750ML ($419.95) $299 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $24.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2009 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 7 bottles available
“Owned by the Martin family (who also own Gloria), this dense ruby/plum-colored sleeper of the vintage displays oodles of fruit as well as some notes of Christmas fruitcake and roasted herbs along with loads of cassis. Tasty, round, generous, and ripe, this 2009 has a lot going for it.”–Robert Parker

Case-12 Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2010 750ML ($419.95) $299 special, 1 case available (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2010 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 8 bottles available
Grapelive 92 points “The vintage shows through here without question, a great year makes this lovely Pomerol a terrific value and wonderfully textured wine from Chateau Bel-Air. This dark and full bodied Pomerol hits all the right notes and does so with class, vitality and verve. It shows beautiful detail and complexity in a forceful, but elegantly pure Merlot. This is really seductive stuff in the glass, holding its own against far more expensive labels with ease and poise. The rich layers of fruit, mineral tones and sweet tannin give decadence and refined structure, highlighting Merlot’s promise in a world that sometimes lacks the respect of this often maligned varietal. Chateau Bel-Air has captured in the bottle the right bank’s charm and beauty in this 2010, it shows terroir, with subtle loamy/earth, plummy dense mouth feel and stylish silken length with a wine that has the potential to age another 10 to 15 years, but is pretty darn good right now too. The lead off here is dark floral tones a hint of smoky cedar and black cherry fruit with blackberry, plum, dark kirsch liqueur along with a touch of mint, dried clay, a touch of cigar wrapper and vanilla. This fine Bordeaux delivers well beyond its price and is wonderful with food choices that range from duck breast, lamb, roast pork, wild mushroom dishes to prime rib, and or any comforting winter fare really, and it can also be enjoyed with cheeses or on its own. This is the kind of wine that brings you back to Bordeaux, and certainly makes you wonder why you don’t drink more Merlot. Drink this Chateau Bel-Air Pomerol from 2016 to 2028.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Arriving in April

Our Favorite Budget-Friendly Brunello:

Case-6 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($229.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91+ points “Caparzo’s 2012 Brunello di Montalcino is a mid-weight expression with bright berry aromas and a traditional approach stylistically speaking. This Brunello aged in large oak casks made from Slavonian and French oak. In fact, it shows a streamlined and compact texture with buoyant aromatic intensity. The focus is on raspberry, cherry and plum with distinct shadings of spice, licorice, tar and blue flower at the back. The overall effect is inviting and genuine. The mouthfeel is thin, but the wine offers nice freshness instead.”

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Both Blue and Red:

The Unifying Power of the Pralat

The Erdener Pralat is one of the tiniest, most privileged parcels in the grand section of the middle Mosel.  The vineyard is only 4 acres, yet its name is known far and wine because of the quality and style of the wines it produces, which is unique even in a this famed region known for exceptional wine.

Erdener Pralat is a geologic anomaly in that the vineyard has two different kinds of slate which, rather than being intermingled, are actually fused with each other.  As a result, the surface of the vineyard has the bright red character of the Urziger Wurzgarten, but the underlying soil of the blue-slate Treppchen.  The resulting wines have the exotic spice and fruit of the Ur-Wurz, but with more mineral and a crunchier texture than you’d expect—in many ways the best of both worlds.

Being so small, there are only a few holders of the Pralat. Our favorite for quality and price is the estate of J. Christoffel Jr. They are a wonderful middle Mosel estate, run by Karl Josef Christoffel, who makes very traditional wines and we are able to acquire them for incredibly competitive prices.  All the wines here are fermented with natural yeasts and aged in the traditional 1000L Fuder casks.  The resulting wines are complex and incredibly age-worthy, but like most Mosel Riesling, they are delicious today.

The best part about the winery, however, is that Karl-Josef has an extensive library of wines that they release after considerable in-bottle aging, giving wine lovers a chance to see what these wines can do as they become mature.  We’ve acquired a vertical of these special wines and so if you want to see how they age, now you have a rare chance to do so direct from the winery cellar.

Also, a quick note on ratings—up until the 2015 vintage, the winery and its various importers did not generally submit bottles to critics for review, so we’ve included some notes on the various vintages.  The 2015 review from Mosel Fine Wines, though, should give you some idea of the wines’ quality relative to their peers.

Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese*** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2003 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 24 bottles available
2003 Vintage: Wine Spectator 94 points “Ripe, opulent wines; best in Mosel, Nahe and Rheingau. Terrific BA and TBA, though not much botrytis.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese*** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2007 750ML ($54.95) $33 special, 18 bottles available
2007 Vintage: Wine Spectator 95 points “Classically proportioned, with ripe, complex fruit and mineral flavors; density with elegance.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese*** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
2014 Vintage: Wine Spectator 91 points: “Mostly cool and wet growing conditions led to a warm September and a short harvest, producing an average-size crop of racy and herbal-inflected whites”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese*** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 14 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 96 points “A slightly reduced nose of grilled pineapple, citrus and grapefruit gives way to fresh flavors of anise, flowers and coconut. The wine starts off on the compact side of things as ripe and exotic fruits greet one on the palate. The finish proves deliciously creamy and gains in presence and energy as a joyful touch of acidity come through. This is a very delicate and hugely complex Prälat in the making, which only needs to be left alone for more than a decade in order to blossom. 2030-2065.”

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This is the only listing in the USA today!

Give the Gift that Never Expires!

Can’t decide on the perfect gift?

Let them!

We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.

Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.

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Brunello

New Arrival:

Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG ($149.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a phenomenal achievement and a wine that captures not only the spirit of this classic vintage, but the true essence of an age-worthy wine like Brunello. This single vineyard Riserva is sharp, pristine and immaculate. It starts slow and shy, but then blossoms to beautiful intensity and aromatic brilliance. It delivers a very authentic and genuine read of Sangiovese with wild berry aromas followed by pressed violets, wet earth, tobacco and lightly toasted spice. The bouquet is seamless and very long in persistence. The same holds true for the mouthfeel. The wine delivers a fine and silky texture with a good dose of power and personality at the rear.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is magnificent. Huge swaths of tannin coat the palate as the 2010 shows off its power, breadth and overall intensity. Plum, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, licorice and cloves are some of the many notes that hit the palate. The Riserva is dark, powerful and brooding. It will require at least a handful of years before it becomes approachable. These old vines, planted in 1964, confer weight, power and gravitas, all qualitites that come through loud and clear on the huge, explosive finish.” AG

New Pre-Arrival Offers

A Blast From the Past

Arriving Mid-April:

Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $89 super pre-arrival special
James Suckling 99 points “Absolutely stunning aromas of nectarine, orange peel, sweet black cherry, plums and flowers. Licorice and mushroom It’s full body, with layers of ultra-fine tannins and hints of tangy acidity. Such beautiful length and beauty to this wine. It’s powerful and structured yet shows a gorgeous finesse and length. Truly wondrous. So long and refined. The texture is phenomenal. Better in 2016.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Effusive aromas of incense, green olive, sweet strawberry and cherry, licorice and leather mark this structured version. The tannins are on the beefy side, but this finishes long, with enough fruit and spice for balance. Best from 2018 through 2032. 5,500 cases made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $125

Acclaimed 2012 — Arriving Late April:

“…2012 Brunellos are characterized by impeccable balance, vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins. They are not especially luscious or fleshy, but they are blessed with precise aromas and flavors of mainly red fruits, blood orange and minerals, and will prove very ageworthy…” – Ian D’Agata

La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($47.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata 92+ points “Deep red. Spicy aromas of redcurrant, cherry, mocha and licorice. Chewy and firmly tannic, offering spicy red cherry and milk chocolate flavors sexed up by a strongly flinty, almost smoky element. The noble tannins gain strength on the finish, which feature outstanding length and insidious sweetness.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “The La Gerla 2012 Brunello di Montalcino reminds me of the vintage that precedes it (although I like this edition better). Like with the 2011 vintage, this estate has done a great job in capturing as much of the primary fruit as possible, given the warm vintage conditions. Dark fruit with black currant and wild blueberry come into focus. Those fruit tones are aged and evolved for sure, but they don’t show tired or flat characteristics at this point. Delicate notes of cola, licorice and blue flower add complexity. The tannic presence is reduced and the mouthfeel delivers silkiness and softness instead. La Gerla puts its Brunello annata into large oak casks for three years. This Brunello is ready to drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $53

See the complete list of all pre-arrival Brunello offers below!
Read full reviews and shop online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com

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Ulysse Collin

Champagne Redefined

New Arrivals

Olivier Collin spent his life working to free his family vines from a strict lease – even studying law with the intent to reclaim the vineyards. When he accomplished this goal in 2003, he quickly became a rising, if divisive, star in Champagne. His wines are profoundly introspective and challenge preconceived notions about what Champagne should be. At the forefront of the new wave of ultra-terroir-driven Champagnes, Olivier produces deeply vinous, mineral and near-tannic wines. True to their terroir, these are reflections of the individual parcels and a tribute to a decades-long struggle to reclaim the land.

Ulysse Collin ‘Les Pierrieres’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) ($119.95) $89 special, 7 bottles available
John Gilman 92 points “The Ulysse Collin Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut all hails from the single parcel of Les Perrières, which is planted with thirty-five year-old vines. Like all of Olivier’s Collin’s wines these days, the vins clairs are barrel-fermented and aged for an extended period in older casks prior to bottling, after which the wine spends two to three years aging sur latte. The new release of Les Perrières, which is marked on the back label as Lot 12 (meaning it hails from the base year of 2012) offers up a lovely bouquet that shows just a touch of buttery oak influence in its blend of pear, delicious apple, pastry cream, a fine base of soil, buttery oak and a distinctly smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and quite dry, with lovely mousse, a fine core and lovely backend mineral drive on the long, balanced and nascently complex finish. The dosage on this bottling is between one and two grams and the balance is impeccable, making the wine eminently accessible right out of the blocks. Fine juice, where the gentle oak influence is very nicely done. 2016-2030.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) ($119.95) $89 special, 12 bottles available

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Arriving April 7th:

Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Rose de Saignee Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
A cult rosé Champagne like no other – richly vinous and textural in expression. Tiny release!

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

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Terlato Family Vineyards

Here Now & Later

Terlato’s homage to the right bank of Bordeaux, specifically Pomerol.  We scored a deep closeout deal on this one and are excited to bring it to you for an especially great price.
Terlato Family Vineyards Angel’s Peak, Napa Valley 2009 750ML ($69.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Soft and fleshy on entry, showcasing fine depth, focus, purity and a range of flavors, with crushed rock, red berry, spice and mineral notes that turn elegant and silky on the finish. Drink now through 2022.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.17
The average price is $46!

Terlato Family Vineyards Angel’s Peak, Napa Valley 2007 750ML ($69.95) $21.90 special, 32 bottles available
Wine Spectator 88 points “Loaded with toasty oak aromas, this features appealing layers of red currant, dill and mocha coffee flavors, which linger toward ripe tannins. Merlot and Cabernet Franc.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $48

Teaming up with a true master of Syrah, Terlato and Chapoutier have won the hearts and minds of the Wine Spectator reviewers year-in, year-out for their Australian project. We’re pleased to offer their bottling that scored a Top 100:
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz – Viognier, Central Victoria, Australia 2012 750ML ($24.95) $11.90 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Spectator #98 Wine of the Year in 2014
Wine Spectator 90 Points “Vibrant, expressive and distinctive, with citrus and mineral overtones around a core of blueberry and spice, lingering on the taut finish.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $19

Arriving New Week:

From the family that introduced the USA to Pinot Grigio comes a crisp, refreshing & flavorful Grig’ from all-estate grown fruit:

Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2015 750ML ($24.95) $16 pre-arrival special, ETA April 4th
The Tasting Panel 93 points “No doubt this prestigious region in northeast Italy shines when it comes to white wines; an envious position on the world wine stage. This pretty, crisp white certainly shows ripeness in its concentrated notes of pear, peach and grapefruit but its stoney frame is a nod to the iconic mineral rich sloped terraced vineyards responsible for its pizazz and charm. The finish is clean, punctuated with an apricot accent.”
James Suckling 90 points “A rich and lightly oily pinot grigio with sliced mango and light banana aromas and flavors. Dense and flavorful. It’s a white that offers plenty of flavor and interest for the buck. Delicious finish. Drink now.”

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An Estate by Any Other Name

Cascina delle Rose

Cascina delle Rose makes wines that are ready to drink, open and accessible. A touch of age won’t hurt, adding a little note of wild forest floor to the mix. These are the definition of wines that want to be a part of dinner. The wines are pressed extremely gently and Davide, the winemaker and son of the owner Giovanna, seems to want to avoid taking these wines past the minimum extraction necessary to make them recognizable as Piedmont classics. Their Tre Stella Barbaresco is the weightiest of all of the offerings, but even so, the wine is translucent and lifting, seemingly ready to knife through some braised lamb shank or fatty coppa.

Arriving in May from Cascina delle Rose:

Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Winery note “Barbaresco Rio Sordo was born through a severe selection in a vineyard of Nebbiolo grapes. The   immediate characteristics are its complexity and deepness accompanied with elegance and finesse. The colour is garnet red with slight orange flecks.  The taste is intense and persistent and its intriguing perfume as slight hint of wild fruit, spicy with sensations of leather and pepper. It combines perfectly with important red meats dishes, roasts, mature cheeses.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 3.0L ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Winery note: “The Barbaresco Tre Stelle is the result of better exposure of this geographical appellation, 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Great character, undoubted delicacy and femininity together for a long-lived wine and amazing pleasure even from young , thanks to the weave of tannins, sleek and silky. Bright garnet red with orange highlights, live and balanced tannins, notes of roses and violets, ripe plum, licorice, tobacco and chocolate. Finally spicy with elegant ethereal notes. Remarkable persistence.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Beware of low-flying butterflies.

Thank you for reading!

Featured Arrivals: Freemark & Arrowood; Trendy Wines: Beaujolais; New Reviews for Alsace; Rhone Exemplars: Jaboulet & Delas Freres; 2013 Italian New Arrival: Arceno CCR; Cascina delle Rose; Brunello Special Features: Caparzo Riserva and New 2012 Offers; Tignanello 2013; Marcarini & Conterno Fantino Barolos; New Offer: Chateau Meyney; Market Watch: New 2015 Beaujolais Offers; Pre-Arrival Brunello Wines; 2015 CDP: Clos Des Papes

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Featured New Arrivals

From Freemark Abbey & Arrowood

Freemark Abbey’s modern era dates back to 1967, when the winery was purchased quickly transformed into one of the most recognized and prestigious wineries in the 70’s and 80’s.  Unfortunately, over time, quality slipped and the reputation of the once legendary winery fell into a bit of obscurity.

After a few ownership changes, the winery was sold in 2005 to Jackson Family, who have poured money and attention into it in a way that hasn’t been seen since the original heyday of the winery in the 70’s and early 80’s.  Winemaker Ted Edwards was brought in and the winery has been on a steady path upwards ever since. The single vineyard wines are especially nice and Bosché, the most famous of these vineyard designates, is from an old vineyard that been producing spectacular wines for Freemark since the winery’s early days.

Arrowood is a similar story with a shorter timeline.  Founded in Sonoma in 1986 by Dick Arrowood, the winery made a name for itself but then suffered a bit of a decline in the late 90’s.  Recently, though, Arrowood has been on a roll, making full bodied Sonoma Cabernet from the west side of the Mayacamas range that rivals any Napa wine near it in price.  We’re excited to feature both Arrowood’s wines and those of Freemark Abbey at the lowest prices in the country.

Freemark Abbey and Arrowood Wines Available Here Now:

Freemark Abbey Bosche Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2013 750ML ($149.95) $128 special
Robert Parker 98+ points “The famous Bosché Vineyard is a spot in Rutherford composed of gravelly, loamy soil and situated just at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains. A blend of 93.8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.2% Merlot, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosché Vineyard was aged 28 months in French oak. This vineyard has turned out many a classic wine capable of lasting 30-40 years, and this 2013 is one of the all-time great Bosché Cabernet Sauvignons. It offers an inky ruby/purple color, a gorgeous nose of graphite, black cherry, wood spice and barbecue notes, enormous body and richness, and a heady, full-bodied, long finish of 50+ seconds with moderately high tannins. This is a great classic from Napa, but not one for drinking over the near-term. Give it 7-8 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 50 years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $150

Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2013 750ML ($44.95) $34.40 special
Robert Parker 92+ points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Freemark Abbey’s generic bottling from Napa, is a brilliant example, and at $50, a heck of a value. It is also one of their larger cuvées at 24,332 cases. A blend of 75.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.9% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, this wine spent nearly 26 months in oak. Opaque purple in color, it exhibits beautiful blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with hints of white chocolate, allspice and tobacco leaf. It is rich, full-bodied, seriously concentrated, and has 2013’s relatively serious structure and tannic clout. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years.”

Arrowood Winery Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley), all Knights Valley fruit in this vintage, is superb. Raspberry jam, spice, scorched earth, rose petal, cloves and new leather are some of the signatures. Knights Valley is often noted for Graves-like sense of gravel-infused minerality, naturally allied to a California expression of fruit. That is exactly what readers will find in the 2013.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $31

Arrowood Proprietary Red Blend, Sonoma 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
VinopolNote: A limited release blend of 63% Cab, 15% Cab Franc, 14% Merlot and 8% Malbec. Aged for 6 months in 38% new French oak.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Trendy Wines

From the 2017 Region of the Year??

Is March too early to name the Region of the Year for 2017? Maybe, but between the recent string of lauded vintages and the insanely-affordable price range, Beaujolais looks poised to win it already. Below is a list of seven of the top sellers in recent days. We would include the Cote de Brouilly from Thivin, but we already sold through our final five cases of this wine! Don’t miss out on the next hot wine:

Trending Beaujolais Picks:

Chateau Thivin Brouilly ‘Reverdon’, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2015 Brouilly Reverdon, which had been bottled about one month prior to my visit, has a powerful but primal bouquet, clearly laden with plenty of fruit. The definition is here though. The palate is fleshy and supple on the entry but then those tannins cloak the mouth, without overwhelming, finishing in quite a sensual style. This has much more to give but it should be given 3-4 years to allow the terroir to really be expressed. What are you waiting for? This is a knockout Brouilly.”
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Bright violet. Powerful, mineral-tinged dark berries, violet and licorice on the perfumed nose. Densely packed bitter cherry and boysenberry flavors are enlivened by a jolt of juicy acidity. Fleshes out on the youthfully tannic finish, which hangs on with strong, floral-driven persistence.”

Daniel Bouland Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Melanie, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Daniel Bouland Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Melanie, Beaujolais 2015 750M ($299.95) $259 special, 1 case avilaable (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
John Gilman 92 points “Daniel Bouland’s 2015 Côte de Brouilly “Cuvée Mélanie” is a bit riper than his beautiful Chiroubles, coming in at 14.5 percent alcohol on the label this year. However, the wine shows no signs of sur maturité on the nose, jumping from the glass in a sappy mélange of black cherries, pomegranate, a touch of grilled meats, woodsmoke, dark chocolate, a dollop of fresh herbs, a good base of soil, just a hint of the autumn leaves to come and a bit of cedar in the upper register (this is barrel-fermented). On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and flamboyantly sappy at the core, with firm, ripe tannins, tangy acids and outstanding length and grip on the moderately heady finish. This seems higher than 14.5 percent to my palate, as there is a bit of overt heat poking out on the backend right now, but at the same time, the acids are bright and the wine is impressively pure for its octane level and really does not seem overripe. This has the chassis to age for decades and decades, and if it can carry its octane over the long haul, then it will be a magical wine. I have no experience with aging Cru Beaujolais at this level of alcohol for the very long haul, but I am inclined to be that this wine will age like a ’47! 2016-2040+. 92.”
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid magenta. Ripe cherry and dark berry aromas are complemented by suave floral and Asian spice flourishes. Plush and seamless in texture, offering sappy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. Closes smooth, very long and emphatically fruity, leaving notes of red and dark berry liqueur behind.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie l’Alchimiste, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Anne-Sophie Dubois Fleurie l’Alchimiste, Beaujolais 2015 1.5L ($69.95) $59 special

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Cuvee Traditionnelle Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 22 bottles available
Case-12 Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Cuvee Traditionnelle Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, 1 case available (that’s only $14.08/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Vivid ruby. Expansive, highly perfumed raspberry and floral pastille aromas are complemented by a suggestion of Asian spices. A core of minerality adds definition and spine to juicy red fruit flavors, which show impressive focus and back-end lift. Finishes gently sweet and very long, leaving behind sappy red fruit and rose pastille notes. As always, this wine delivers excellent value.”

Domaine du Pavillon de Chavannes Cote de Brouilly Cuvee des Ambassades, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 25 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Pale red. A pure, expansive bouquet displays vibrant strawberry, blood orange and floral pastille scents and energetic minerality. Taut, spicy and sharply focused, offering juicy red fruit and floral pastille flavors plus a touch of five-spice powder. The mineral and floral qualities repeat on a long, gently tannic finish that leaves a sweet red berry note behind.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Richard Rottiers Moulin-a-Vent, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Produced from vines up to 80 years old, this is a powerful, wood-aged wine. Tannins are mixed with toast, spice and dark plum flavors. Acidity gives freshness and finishes the wine with very fine fruits as well as structure. Age this impressive wine and drink from 2018.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Brilliant violet. Smoke-accented blackberry and cherry scents are complicated by suggestions of vanilla, violet and licorice. Sweet and seamless in texture, offering intense dark berry and floral pastille flavors that tighten up and become spicier with air. Weighty yet lithe, delivering a solid finishing punch of sappy dark fruit, smooth tannins and excellent persistence. This substantial yet energetic wine has the stuffing as well as the balance to age.”

Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Les Charmes Eponym, Beaujolais 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 29 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Bright magenta. Mineral-accented aromas of ripe raspberry, cherry pit, licorice and Asian spices, complemented by a sexy floral nuance that emerges with air. Silky and focused, offering vibrant bitter cherry and red berry flavors, a hint of candied lavender and a refreshingly bitter jolt of blood orange. Finishes gently tannic, sweet and impressively long, leaving red fruit liqueur and spicecake notes behind.”

For a sneak peek at two pre-arrival Beaujolais offers arriving in September, read on!

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New Reviews from Ian D’Agata of Vinous Media

For Alsace!

Though it seems almost silly to call Alsace the hip new kid on the block, we’ve seen a massive uptick in interest in this lesser appreciated region in the past month. Alsace has loads to offer discerning drinkers especially as we move into spring and warmer weather! Aside from refreshing, lighter-bodied wines that work well on their own on a warm spring day, there are plenty of wines that are flexible nearly to a fault that would pair well with spring vegetables, salads, soups and even heartier fare like chicken and fish! Read on to see what Ian D’Agata, Vinous Media’s expert on Alsace, had to say about wines we currently stock:

Agathe Bursin L’As de B, Alsace 2015 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 28 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 89 points “Bright straw. Clean, crisp aromas of orchard fruit and botanical herbs. Easygoing, very smooth and possessing a hint of residual sweetness to give it a touch more body, but does not seem especially dry. This strikes me as perhaps less aromatic than past vintages. A blend of 20 percent each of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Sylvaner, plus 15 percent Pinot Gris, 10 percent Pinot Blanc, 10 percent Auxerrois and 5 percent Muscat Ottonel, all co-planted on the Bollenberg.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Agathe Bursin Pinot Blanc Parad’Aux, Alsace 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 13 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 90 points “Bright straw-green. Lovely freshness thanks to lemony acidity that lifts the nuanced aromas and flavors of white flowers and stone fruit. A touch of spicy honey (it’s the Auxerrois) gives this a creamier texture than anticipated on the nose. Finishes bright and juicy, with good length. A 50/50 blend of Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois. Bursin likes to use quite a bit of Pinot Blanc, as she believes her Auxerrois on its own is a little too rich and round, and I for one am happy she does so, as the wine gains in drinkability.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Agathe Bursin Riesling Dirstelberg, Alsace 2015 750ML ($26.95) $21.90 special, 15 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 90 points “Bright straw-green. Minerals, green apple and white flowers on the nose and palate. Rich and round with a large, spherical mouthfeel as is typical with wines from this site, which always delivers size over finesse. A twinge of lemony acidity provides lift and staying power. Sports 5 g/L residual sugar and a very high 8 g/L total acidity that helps make the wine taste dry.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Agathe Bursin Gewurztraminer Dirstelberg, Alsace 2015 750ML ($26.95) $21.90 special, 15 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 92 points “Bright yellow. Penetrating, fresh aromas and flavors of apple, smoked bacon and mango. Lovely, slightly off-dry and viscous with peppery cinnamon nuances on the long finish. This is everything a Gewürz lover looks for in a wine made with the variety. Very well done.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Agathe Bursin Gewurztraminer Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($41.95) $37 special, 20 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 91+ points “Dark straw-yellow. Aromas of ripe mango, smoked beef and candied grapefruit. Big and ample, but with good acidity lifting the smooth, tactile mouthfeel and extending the rich flavors of smoky bacon, orange marmalade and cinnamon. This has 31 g/L residual sugar and 4.7 g/L total acidity, so it’s anything but a dry wine; in fact, Bursin could have been bottled it as a Vendanges Tardives as the grapes were almost completely passerillé (air-dried on the vine). Nonetheless, she believes this specific wine to be a higher-quality, richer example of a grand cru wine as opposed to an entry-level VT (she did make a true VT from Gewürz in 2015 from grapes harvested on November 12, and it is an extremely promising wine).”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Agathe Bursin Sylvaner Lutzeltal, Alsace 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 16 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 91+ points “Luminous straw-yellow. White flowers, chamomile and stone fruit on the perfumed nose. Clean and fresh on entry, then more glyceral, showing sneaky concentration and size to the quince and white stone fruit flavors. This lovely wine is both rich and round and doesn’t quite taste completely dry, but in fact it has only 5 g/L residual sugar with 5.7 total acidity, and the latter masks the sugar’s presence very effectively. The finish is bright, long and creamy. Bursin is a recognized master of the Sylvaner variety; in her hands, it gives wines that are better than many Rieslings and Pinot Gris from other producers.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Agathe Bursin Pinot Gris Dirstelberg, Alsace 2015 750ML ($26.95) $21.90 special, 16 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 90 points “Straw-yellow. Green apple, lemon juice, unripe pear and minerals on the complex nose. Then sweet and rather large in the typical Dirstelberg style, displaying a tactile mouthfeel and an almost chewy quality to the apple and pear flavors. Finishes off-dry and medium-long.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Agathe Bursin Sylvaner Eminence Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 19 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 94+ points “Bright straw-green. Enticing aromas of apple, pear and jasmine. Then very pure quince, green apple and coriander flavors are complicated by a peppery note of crystallized ginger. Finishes long and clean, with harmonious acidity. The Sylvaner vines used to make this wine were planted in 1930 and are located in the heart of the Zinnkoepflé grand cru on calcaire soil, a site that has a long and distinguished history of giving superlative Sylvaner wines. This is never a particularly dry wine (“It’s an especially lazy yeast that doesn’t always manage to close out the fermentations,” laughed Bursin) and it tastes a little sweeter than the 2014 (24 g/L residual sugar in 2015, and only 18 g/L in 2014; the total acidity was also lower in 2015 at 5.9 g/L, compared to 6.2 g/L in 2014). This is an absolutely gorgeous wine of mind-blowing crystalline purity.”

Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Cuvee Sainte Catherine, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 11 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 94 points “Good full bright yellow. Very typical nose of spicy, peppery orchard fruit and botanical herbs. Then broad and very pure in the mouth, boasting terrific tactile density to the orchard fruit, lychee and floral flavors. Really saturates the palate on the long aftertaste. As usual, this is once again far more complex and deeper than all the other Weinbach Rieslings of the same vintage, save for the l’Inedit. And so it should be, given that it’s made from 65-year-old vines planted in mid-slope, the best part of the Schlossberg­. Everything you’d expert a Riesling from granite to taste like.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $55

Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Cuvee Sainte Catherine L’Inedit!, Alsace Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 2 bottles available
Ian D’Agata—Vinous Media 95 points “Bright golden-tinged yellow. Lemongrass, lemon verbena and lavender complicate lovely aromas and flavors of white stone fruit and a hint of crystallized mango. This showcases marvelous sugar-acid balance on the long finish. The first vintage of the Inedit was the 1999 (the 1998 was called the Cuvé de Centenaire); made from super-ripe grapes, this wine’s style falls in between a late harvest and a dry Riesling. And though it almost always tastes much more like a late-harvest wine, it manages the neat trick of being very rich and light on its feet at the same time. Fairly sweet on the aftertaste.”

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Two Exemplary Northern Rhone Producers

at Exemplary Prices

Jaboulet: From “La Chapelle” to Your Cellar

The hill of Hermitage was the home of a knight seeking solace from the horrors of the Crusades upon his return home.  He built a chapel to pray in and that building, the Chapel of Saint Christopher, is the defining marker of the hillside.  Jaboulet’s “La Chapelle” is likewise the defining wine of Hermitage for many.  Jaboulet purchased the chapel in 1919 and from then on began making the wine that has defined the Northern Rhone since.

Jaboulet also makes a number of other wines from the Northern Rhone, all of which hew to the quality standards that are established at the top of the line.  The Petite Chapelle is a fantastic Hermitage in its own right, capable of profundity with time.  The wines from St. Joseph and Crozes are all from prime parcels and remain exceptional bottles of Syrah.

Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Petite Chapelle, Rhone 2010 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 6 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Opaque ruby. Heady aromas of black and blue fruits, Indian spices and candied flowers. Stains the palate with intense cassis and blueberry flavors, picking suave floral and spice nuances with air. Shows excellent clarity and energy on the finish, which features smoothly integrated tannins and a seductive floral quality.”
Robert Parker 92 points “The 2010 Hermitage La Petite Chapelle is a better wine than nearly every Hermitage La Chapelle made under the final years of the Jaboulet family’s ownership (for example, 1993-2005). The 2010 was aged in barrel and represents one-third of the Hermitage crop (another one-third was eliminated and the final one-third went into La Chapelle). Its deep purple color is followed by notes of camphor, tar, pepper, beef blood, black currant jam and hints of new saddle leather as well as earth. This supple, rich, full, authoritative beauty should drink well for 15-20 years.”

Paul Jaboulet Aine Saint-Joseph Domaine de la Croix des Vignes, Rhone 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 27 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The only Saint Joseph produced, the 2012 St Joseph Domaine de la Croix des Vignes is another incredible effort from this team. Coming from steep, granite soils and a vineyard located just beside the famed Vignes de Hospice, this beauty knocks it out of the park with its massive minerality, currants, rare beef and tapenade-like aromas and flavors. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured and still lively and elegant, it too will knock your socks off over the coming 15-20 years.” WA

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

Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Roure Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 15 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Coming from a small three-hectare plot of granite soils in the northern part of the appellation (which is the prime terroir), the blockbuster 2012 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Raymond Roure exhibits incredible minerality in its black raspberry, olive tapenade, spring flower, and subtle chocolate-laced aromatics. Tasting like it was filtered through a bed of rocks, it’s full-bodied, thrillingly concentrated and has superb underlying structure. In short, it’s a smoking Crozes Hermitage to drink anytime over the coming 15+ years. Unfortunately, there’s only 500 cases made.” WA

Delas: Sleeping Stars in the Northern Rhone

Delas is one of the most notable landholders in the Northern Rhone, with holdings in some of the best vineyards in every major AOC, yet they still manage to be overlooked when people put together collections of wine from the region.  We’d like to remedy that, so permit us a few seconds to sing their praises.

Delas makes wines that are a) delicious and well-made and b) more than reasonably priced.  This combination means that it’s possible to drink your way up and down the Northern Rhone, trying fantastic wines from fabled appellations, and you can still afford your next car payment.  Sure, the wines aren’t collectible, but if you’re buying to drink, rather than to resell, give these a look.  We’re proud to present a broad assortment of their wines here for your future enjoyment:

Delas Freres Cote Rotie Seigneur de Maugiron, Rhone 2010 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Packed with lots of dark ganache, tapenade, tobacco, blackberry compote and freshly sliced plum fruit flavors, this really courses along with noticeable energy, while bramble, singed bay leaf and charcoal stud the finish dramatically. Best from 2015 through 2027.” WS
Robert Parker 91 points “The 2010 Cote Rotie Seigneur de Maugiron has fleshed out since last year offering notes of black olives, garrigue, licorice, forest floor, bacon fat, raspberries and black currants. This medium-bodied Cote Rotie veers more toward a Burgundy-styled wine than its Syrah-based peers in the Northern Rhone. Two extraordinary wines are the offerings Jacques Grange has fashioned from the Delas Freres holdings in the Cote Brune, the 2011 and 2010 Cote Rotie La Landonne.” RP

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Delas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos, Rhone 2004 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 12 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89 points “Medium red. Strong mineral notes accent fresh cherry and earthier tobacco and floral aromas. Solid and firmly structured, with a racy quality to the bright cherry and rhubarb flavors. This should age very well.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Delas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos, Rhone 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 20 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ points “Similar to the Domaine des Grands Chemins, yet with additional structure, the inky purple/ruby colored 2013 Crozes Hermitage le Clos has lots of minerality in its smoky, meaty, dark fruited profile. Medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, structured yet balanced, give it 2-4 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following decade or more.”

Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards, Rhone 2004 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 29 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Ruby-red. Very pungent, deep aromas of tobacco- and underbrush-laced red and blackcurrant. Powerful and rich, showing impressive sweetness to its potent cassis and blackberry flavors. Really stains the palate, finishing with exceptional purity and mineral tones. Whatever tannins are here (and you know there are plenty) are completely absorbed by the sheer fruit mass.”

Delas Freres Hermitage Les Bessards, Rhone 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 9 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 95 points “(aged in 70% new oak for 18 months): Inky ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur, peppery spices and fresh flowers, backed by a hint of olive. Supple and appealingly sweet, offering intense, deeply concentrated blackberry and violet pastille flavors and a suggestion of star anise. Finishes pure, sweet and energetic on the penetrating finish, showing outstanding focus and slow-building tannins.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Closed, tight and backwards, the 2013 Hermitage les Bessards is a big, full-bodied, burly wine that offers first rate purity in its black raspberry, ozone, liquid rock, and creosote-like bouquet. It has plenty of material and density, but will need 7-8 years of bottle age to become approachable. As normal, it comes all from the “Bas de Coteau” portion of the Bessards lieu-dit, was completely destemmed and saw 18 months in 30% new French oak.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes-Marquise de la Tourette, Rhone 2013 750ML ($119.95) $69 special, 16 bottles available
Case-6 Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes-Marquise de la Tourette, Rhone 2013 750ML ($549.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!), 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 94 points “One of the gems in the vintage is the 2013 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes, which comes from both the Bessards and Grandes Vignes lieux-dits on Hermitage Hill. Completely destemmed, then vinified in stainless steel and concrete tanks, the wine is aged 18 months in 30% new French oak; it offers terrific notes of dark fruits, graphite and ample minerality in a full-bodied, layered, ripe profile. It’s more approachable than the Les Bessards, yet will still have three decades of longevity.”

Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2013 750ML ($44.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2013 750ML ($199.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!), 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Similar to the Saint Epine release quality-wise, the 2013 St Joseph Cuvee Francois de Tournon offers more richness, breadth and layer compared to the tighter, more focused, granite-influenced Saint Epine. Plum, black raspberry, licorice, cracked pepper and graphite flows to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, structured 2013 that needs 3-4 years of cellaring; it will have two decades of longevity. Coming mostly from vineyards around Tournon and Mauves, it spent 12 months in 30% new French oak.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Vivid ruby. Highly perfumed, exotic scents of black raspberry and blueberry preserves, incense and smoky minerals carry a spicy topnote. At once ripe and lively on the palate, offering palate-staining red and dark berry and cherry cola flavors and subtle floral character. Finishes spicy and very long, displaying harmonious tannins and a lingering violet note.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Ripe and concentrated without sacrificing cut, this lets a pure beam of raspberry and blackberry coulis rush forth, backed by mouthwatering anise, black tea and iron notes. Latent grip allows the finish to linger. Best from 2016 through 2022.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Is 2013 Italy’s Vintage of a Century?

We’re hearing whispers of praise for this impressive vintage in Piedmont and Tuscany… could this be the vintage of the century for Italy?

Make your conclusions early by testing out the Chianti Classico Riserva from Tenuta di Arceno. Pierre Seillan, famed winemaker of Verite, purchased the estate with Jess Jackson in ’94. With Lawrence Cronin as winemaker, the team has produced a string of highly praised and well-scoring vintages culminating in the highest-scoring to date 2013 release, which just arrived in our shop:

Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva is a terrific wine that is offered at a very attractive price point. The bouquet is sweet and generous with bold layers of red fruit and dark berry nuances. Those are followed by balanced tones of spice, tobacco and moist earth. The blend is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak for up to 12 months. This 2013 vintage shows exceptionally well.”
James Suckling 93 points “Impressive intensity of fruit here with blueberry, blackberry and raspberry character yet a linear acidity and tannin backbone cuts through the middle of the wine. Fine and racy. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $24

Check out additional 2013 offers from Italy below!

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Our Current
Shipping Promos:

Welcome to the club, Colorado!

Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:

Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:

-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25

Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!

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Cascina delle Rose

Cascina delle Rose seems to have a foot in the world of family-oriented, rustic wines, what with the label showing their dog and cat playing with a swallow, but the wines definitely hold onto a more serious side. There’s an elegance to their offerings that belies the simplicity of their image.

The wines are not points darlings, and perhaps this is where there beauty comes from. To say that these are light wines is almost understatement. The wines are pressed extremely gently and Davide, the winemaker and son of the owner Giovanna, seems to want to avoid taking these wines past the minimum extraction necessary to make them recognizable as Piedmont classics. Their Tre Stella Barbaresco is the weightiest of all of the offerings, but even so, the wine is translucent and lifting, seemingly ready to knife through some braised lamb shank or fatty coppa.

Cascina delle Rose makes wines that are ready to drink, open and accessible. A touch of age won’t hurt, adding a little note of wild forest floor to the mix. These are the definition of wines that want to be a part of dinner. They’ll dance on their own, but really want to cut a rug with whatever is on the table.

Available here now from Cascina delle Rose:

Cascina delle Rose Donna Elena Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 27 bottles available
Winery note “The grapes for this wine are sourced from a specific selection of old clones and the wine is aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for approximately 20 months. Intense ruby red with garnet reflections. Complex bouquet, of macerated fruits (cherry, plum, black cherry), slightly spicy (cinnamon, cloves) with a dark chocolate finish. Good tannic balance. Intense, warm, and persistent with particular elegance and deepness. It paired well with red meats, lamb, medium seasoned cheeses.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Cascina delle Rose Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36 bottles available
Winery note “Aged in large Slavonian oak barrels for approximately 15 months. Deep ruby red with slight garnet reflections. Show a freshness typical of Barbera with hints of cherry, blackberry, raspberry and cassis. A touch of balsamic gives finesse to the slightly spicy bouquet. Good tannins and persistence. It’s elegant and balanced. It pairs well with red meat, medium cheeses and fish.”

Cascina delle Rose A Elizabeth Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 32 bottles available
Winery note “Bright ruby red with violet hues and crisp on the palate, with a delicate scent of wild rose and violet, cherry, red fruits and gooseberry. Elegant notes cinnamon and cloves. Good structure and acidity with silky tannins and lovely aromatic persistence.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Cascina delle Rose Nebbiolo Langhe, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 32 bottles available
Winery note “Bright garnet red. Floral and elegant notes of roses and violet (which is classic of the Tre Stelle); a direct, deep, and clear expression of the vineyard. Notes of fruit (maraschino cherries, berries), vanilla, leather, and tobacco. Dry, balanced and enduring, with dense texture of fine and silky tannins, great elegance and persistence. It goes well with salami, cured ham, red and white meat, and medium-aged cheeses.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36 bottles available
Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2013 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 4 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 90 Points “The 2013 Barbaresco Tre Stelle is quite a bit deeper and richer than the Rio Sordo, with more freshness and overall structure to match. Sweet red cherry, tobacco, incense and leather flesh out as the wine fills out its frame effortlessly. Ample and generous, the 2013 Tre Stelle is an attractive Barbaresco that should provide a number years of enjoyable drinking. This is very nicely done.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price for the 750ML is $59.99
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!

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Brunello

Reserve Bottling from the Outstanding 2010 Vintage:

Caparzo Riserva

Produced in only the finest years, this Riserva level Brunello offers ample body and power for a long life in the cellar. In 1998, Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini purchased the restored estate of Caparzo, seeing its potential for innovation for the sake of quality coupled with a deep appreciation of the history of the land and the traditions handed down in the region.

“Two thousand ten has turned out to be a superb vintage for Brunello di Montalcino, Italy’s most popular high-end red. The wines capture all the potential I sensed when I started tasting them from tank in the months following the harvest. At their best, the 2010 Brunellos offer gorgeous Sangiovese purity, tons of site specificity and high quality across the board, all signatures of a classic Montalcino vintage. Above all else, the 2010s speak to finesse.” – Antonio Galloni

Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 33 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a big, powerful wine that is going to require at least a few years to soften. Dark and brooding, the Riserva shows the more masculine side of Sangiovese. Black cherry, plum, leather, spice and tobacco all sit on firm beams of acidity and tannin. There is a sense of explosive energy to the 2010 that I find quite appealing, but readers will have to be patient in order to experience the wine at its best.”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of blood oranges, blackberries, plums and mushrooms. Full body, round tannins and spices, lightly toasted oak and a cedar/berry finish. Solid Brunello. Drink or hold.”

We offer the following Brunello wines in-stock and available here now. You can see the complete list of pre-arrival Brunello wines at the bottom of this newsletter. To read reviews and shop online, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com

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Special Announcement

New Pre-Arrival Offers on 2012 Brunello

Arriving in April

Argiano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($47.95) $36 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Fantastically complex aromas of spices, dried flowers and plums follow through to a full body, integrated and polished tannins and a superb finish. This is a 2012 Brunello with it all. Drink in 2018.”

Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($229.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 91+ points “Caparzo’s 2012 Brunello di Montalcino is a mid-weight expression with bright berry aromas and a traditional approach stylistically speaking. This Brunello aged in large oak casks made from Slavonian and French oak. In fact, it shows a streamlined and compact texture with buoyant aromatic intensity. The focus is on raspberry, cherry and plum with distinct shadings of spice, licorice, tar and blue flower at the back. The overall effect is inviting and genuine. The mouthfeel is thin, but the wine offers nice freshness instead.”

Arriving in September

Tenuta di Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95 points “Lots of balsamic and dried-cherry character. Full-bodied, rich and silky with beautiful fruit and intensity. Long and flavorful. Gorgeous wine. One of best from here in a long time.”

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

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Give the Gift that Never Expires!

Can’t decide on the perfect gift?

Let them!

We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.

Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.

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Breaking News!

High Praise Abounds for this Revolutionary Wine!

Arriving April 7th

Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 1.5L ($299.95) $259 pre-arrival special
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 375ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator #8 Wine of the Year in 2016
James Suckling 97 points “This is amazing on the nose with blackberry, black truffle, dried cherry and hints of tobacco. So complex on the nose. Almost no need to taste it. Full body, soft and velvety tannins, and a persistent, fabulous finish. The mouthfeel is magic. 80% sangiovese and 20% cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2013 Tignanello represents the beginning of a new chapter for Italy’s ultimate game-changer wine. The blend remains 80% Sangiovese with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc but Renzo Cotarella tells me “stylistically-speaking, this is what we wanted to achieve.” The winemaking formula remains the same, but one of the major differences and benefits to this wine is vineyard age. The celebrated Tignanello single vineyard is now reaching 15 years old. In other words, it is in its production prime. This is a harmonious and beautifully integrated wine that reveals black fruit and baking spice.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2013 Tignanello is a real knock-out. Rich and intense, but also linear in style, the 2013 is endowed with superb energy from start to finish. In this vintage, the Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc character is especially evident, especially in the aromatics. Today, the 2013 is tightly wound and not ready to show all of its cards. Readers will have to be patient with the 2013, but the wine has plenty to say. Above all else, this is a remarkable level of quality for a wine with Bordeaux First Growth production (but not price) often in excess of 25,000 cases.”
Wine Spectator 94 points –#8 Top 100 of 2016–“Aromas of graphite, smoke and tobacco introduce the cherry flavor in this expressive, focused red. Firm tannins and lively acidity balance the fruit and purity, while herbal, spice and mineral elements all gather steam as this plays out on the long finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2017 through 2027.”

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2013 Italian Wines

Pre-Arrival Offers for Marcarini and Conterno Fantino

ETA June:

Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($64.95) $50.90 pre-arrival special
Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2013 1.5L ($149.95) $125 pre-arrival special
Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2013 3L ($319.95) $279 pre-arrival special
Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2013 5L ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2013 Barolo Brunate is laced with the essence of dark cherry, herb, licorice, sage, tobacco and menthol. The aromatic intensity, intrigue and textural depth of Brunate comes through nicely. Deep, rich and beautifully layered, the 2013 offers lovely depth and balance in the classic understated Marcarini style.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today on the 750ML!
These are the only listings in the USA today for the 1.5L, 3L and 5L!

Conterno Fantino Sori Ginestra, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2013 Barolo Sorì Ginestra, the estate’s flagship Barolo, hits all the classic Ginestra notes. Sweet, balsamic-inflected notes wrap around a core of intense dark blue and purplish fruit. Veins of salinity and tannin give the 2013 much of its personality. The 2013 is a bit restrained today, but it packs a serious punch. This big boy needs time to shed some of its formidable tannin, but it is impressive.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Chateau Meyney

Your Favorite Bordeaux

New Vintage Arriving in September

The 2009 Chateau Meyney came and went in a flash this year. Don’t miss the newest vintage arriving to our shop in September!

Chateau Meyney, Saint-Estephe 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, smoke, chocolate, licorice and tobacco are some of the signatures in the 2014 Meyney. This is one of the more overt, flamboyant 2014s readers will come across. Although certainly not a shy wine, it is loaded with personality. The late harvest and the generally intense style favored by consulting winemaker Hubert de Boüard are very much in evidence. Tasted two times.”
James Suckling 92 points “This is one of the most immediately appealing 2014s from the appellation thanks to its very ripe black fruits, and there’s still a lot of structure behind it. Reminds me of some of Meyney’s top vintages of the 1960s.”

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Market Watch: 2015 Beaujolais

Arriving in September

Domaine Jean-Claude Lapalu Brouilly Alma Mater, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2015 Brouilly Alma Mater was tightly wound on the nose when I tasted it from vat, but clearly very pure with succulent dark cherries, redcurrant, violet and a touch of tinned prune. The palate is very well balanced with supple tannin, very gourmand in style, somehow texturally reminding me of say, Tertre-Rôteboeuf on the Right Bank! Long. It manages to contain the alcohol extremely well and delivers a very composed finish and as such, I expect it will settle towards the top of my banded score.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Jean-Claude Lapalu Brouilly Cuvee des Fous, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2015 Brouilly Cuvée des Fous had been racked the day before my visit to the domaine and I tasted this directly from vat. It has an intense dark cherry, cassis and iodine-scented bouquet with gorgeous raspberry ripple scents lurking just underneath. The palate is very well balanced with fine, very lithe tannin. The acidity here is perfectly judged, as it sashays towards a composed and very pure and long finish. Wow – this is going to turn into one sensual and compelling Beaujolais.”

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Pre-Arrival Brunelli

We offer the following Brunello winess on pre-arrival. To read reviews and shop online, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com

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Breaking News Part 2!

Arriving in September

This history estate is under the leadership of the third Paul Avril of the family (the first founded the estate in 1896, the second held the helm from 1963 through the early 2000s). The current Avril embraces certain modern developments like harvesting low yields and not filtering, but maintains traditions that emphasize purity and quality: no new oak and no high end cuvee.

The 2015 vintage arrives at our shop in September:

Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is reminiscent of a slightly improved 2005 and has a fresh, classic style with beautiful concentration, notable freshness, first-rate tannin quality, and the classic spice and sweet red and black fruits this cuvee is known for. I suspect this beauty will close down relatively quickly after bottling and take 5-6 years to show at its best, but it will drink well for 15+ years.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “(raised in foudres) Deep ruby. Hugely aromatic red and dark berry, potpourri and floral scents are underscored by smoky minerality and an exotic suggestion of Asian spices. Sappy, focused and impressively deep yet lively, offering alluringly sweet raspberry, cherry compote and spicecake flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of blood orange. Puts on weight and spreads out steadily with air, acquiring a succulent herb note that carries through the strikingly long, mineral-laced, gently tannic finish. This beauty is shaping up to be among the standouts of this extremely successful vintage.”

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Thank you for reading!

Angela Estate – Super Pricing/ Arriving Tuesday; Priorat New Arrivals; California Collector’s Corner; Let’s Get Vertical: Seven Vintages of Cayuse; Staff Picks; Trending Like #MarchMadness: Hot Wines from Around the World; Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli Riserva 2010: Arriving Next Friday; Arrowood and Freemark Abbey: 98+ Points from Parker – Cali Classics Arriving Friday; Jean-Marc Pillot’s Classic Chassagne; 2016 Winner of Best Riesling from Europe: Weingut Malat; 2013 Barolo Pre-Arrival Recap; California Collector’s Corner, Part 2

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Jump Start Sale

Arriving Tuesday

Two Pinots at crazy-low pricing on a Ken Wright affiliated project in Yamhill-Carlton!

Angela Estate Abbott Claim Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($59.95) $36 pre-arrival super special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Editors’ Choice. Here is a powerful young wine with concentrated plum and cherry fruit. It’s beautifully built around perfectly ripened tannins that provide solid support without being intrusive. Compact and well proportioned, it lingers with highlights of espresso grounds, dark chocolate and black tea.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “This earthy style plays a woodsy, coffee and spice character against a core of black cherry, lingonberry and licorice flavors. The finish lingers against firm yet unobtrusive tannins. Best from 2017 through 2022.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $40
The average price is $52

Angela Estate Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 750ML ($44.95) $28 pre-arrival super special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points –Cellar Selection– “The label does not bear the name Angela Vineyard, but the fruit is estate grown. This is a tight, focused, young red wine, with tangy raspberry fruit that touches on black cherry. Vivid and penetrating, it needs plenty of time to breathe, and as it does it reveals subtle layers of mocha and caramel. This has the bones to age. Drink now through 2030.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $37.99
The average price is $41!

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New Arrivals Preview

From Priorat

Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus, Priorat DOCa 2014 750ML ($219.95) $199 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “There is a little more Syrah in the blend of the 2014 Clos Erasmus, where it reached around 30% to complement the majority of Garnacha. As is the norm, the wine matured for some 18 months before bottling, with most of the volume in French oak barrels, 40% of which are renewed each vintage, but there are also one or two amphorae. I tasted it next to the 2013 and as the 2013 required so much attention, it took some time to get to the 2014. It showed a bit shy at first, but when I finally came back to it, I found that it had really blossomed with a mixture of violets, ground, smoky meat and black raspberries. The slight increase in Syrah was noticeable, but it somehow also seemed to increase the voice of the slate in the bottle. The palate is medium to full-bodied with terrible balance and elegance combined with inner strength. This is simply terrific. 3,000 bottles were filled at the end of May 2016.”

Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2014 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “I was really blown away by the aromatics of the 2014 Laurel. As soon as I put my nose in the glass I was transported to the vineyards of Gratallops, with a blast of wild herbs and flowers followed by a stream of smoked meat, juicy red currants and raspberries. It is mostly Garnacha but with some 10% each Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are cooled down during the night and in the morning some are destemmed, and some others are left with the stems on and fermented mostly with indigenous yeasts. The élevage here is one year in a combination of used oak barrels, oak vats, cement and amphorae. They have increased the volume of wine being raised in amphorae in this 2014. This might very well be the finest Laurel to date.”

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California Collector’s Corner:

We’re highlighting some of the best offers

from the Golden State!

Andremily comes from the assistant winemaker of Sine Qua Non. We’ve gotten our hands on Jim Binns’ inaugural two releases (including rare magnums) and are happy to offer them to you today:

Andremily Wines Syrah No. 1, Santa Barbara County 2012 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 2 bottles available
Andremily Wines Syrah No. 1, Santa Barbara County 2012 1.5L ($599.95) $499 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The inaugural release, Jim’s 2012 No. 1 is about as good a first release as you’re likely to find anywhere in the wine world today. A blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Viognier and 2% Mourvedre (the Syrah and Viognier were co-fermented) that spent 25 months in 58% new French oak, it offers extraordinary notes of sweet black fruits, licorice, scorched earth, spring flowers and beautifully integrated oak that only shows as hints of creaminess and vanilla. Weightless, fresh, lively and nicely focused, yet also rockingly full-bodied and layered, with an awesome texture, this is a gorgeous Syrah that’s hard to resist now, yet I suspect will continue to knock it out of the park for another decade.”

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

Andremily Wines Syrah No. 2, Santa Barbara County 2013 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 3 bottles available
Andremily Wines Syrah No. 2, Santa Barbara County 2013 1.5L ($599.95) $499 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 99 points “The second release from Andremily’s Jim Binns, the No 2 is an utterly profound blend of 85% Syrah, 11% Mourvèdre and 4% Viognier that saw a touch of whole cluster fermentation and 23 months in 62% new French oak barrels. Its inky purple color is followed by an incredibly pure bouquet of creme de cassis, pepper, caramelized meat, violets and hints of lavender. Big, full-bodied and luxuriously textured, it has a firm, structured, concentrated mid-palate as well as ripe tannin, notable freshness and a finish that just won’t quite. Give this incredibly youthful, even backwards 2013 four to five years of cellaring, and enjoy bottles over the following two decades. Hats off to the team at Andremily!”

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

On the topic of Sine Qua Non, here’s a selection of bottles and magnums that are in stock now:

Sine Qua Non Poker Face Syrah, Santa Barbara County 2004 1.5L ($2,199.95) $1,799 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 97 points “Starting off the Syrah-based wines, the 2004 Poker Face (Syrah) is aging beautifully. A blend of 96% Syrah, 2.5% Mourvedre and 1.5% Viognier (from the Eleven Confessions, White Hawk, Alban, Bien Nacido, and Alta Mesa vineyards) that was aged in 80% new French oak, it offers up a perfumed, fresh bouquet of sweet blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, spring flowers and licorice that gives way to a full-bodied, seamless, gorgeously textured feel on the palate. Rich and decadent, it has notable, yet beautifully integrated acidity and stays remarkably fresh, detailed and even elegant. It still needs a lengthy decant to shine, and will continue to thrill over the coming decade or so.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $2,175

Sine Qua Non Raven Series Grenache #8, Santa Barbara County #8 2006 1.5L ($1,199.95) $999 special, 1 magnum available
Robert Parker 98 points “2006 Ravens Series (# 6 and 7 Grenache): This blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah, largely from the 11 Confessions Vineyard, with a small amount from Bien Nacido, spent 21 months in barrel. It is really strutting its stuff now, and showing even better than my original note predicted in August of 2009. The wine has loads of meat, licorice, smoke, charcoal and graphite, as well as huge peppery, blackberry and black cherry notes. Full-bodied, with great acidity, nicely integrated tannin, an admirable mouthfeel and tremendous length, this killer Grenache is still young and probably 3-5 years away from prime time drinking.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Sine Qua Non Rattrapante Grenache, California 2012 750ML ($899.95) $599 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 100 points “A perfect wine any way you look at it, the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start – and end – with “Wow.” Giving up tons of black raspberries, peppery herbs, licorice, dried flowers and cured meats, it’s a massively concentrated, rich and layered Grenache that somehow manages to stay graceful, lively and fresh on the palate. There are roughly 800 cases of this elixir and any Grenache lover should do their best to latch onto a bottle (or two). It’s also worth noting that this cuvee saw 26% whole clusters, which is a small change from past vintages.”

We have two vintages of perfectly aged Napa red, in stock and in pristine condition:

Cardinale Estate Meritage Red, Napa Valley 1991 750ML ($149.95) $128 special, 2 bottles available
Condition Note–Pristine!
Wine Spectator 91 points “Shows off its ripe black cherry, currant and wild berry flavors that stretch to a jammy edge, adding pretty spice and anise and firm tannins. Well crafted.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Cardinale Estate Meritage Red, Napa Valley 1993 750ML ($149.95) $128 special, 3 bottles available
Condition Note–Pristine!

This is the only listing in the USA today!

More cellar treasures from California, in-stock now:

Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 1.5L (799.95) $699 special, 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”

Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 3 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “A powerful, tightly-wound wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin is likely to require the better part of the next decade to come into its own. The most backward and brooding of these wines, the Grand Vin is also quite primary and closed in on itself. Still, the energy, drive and focus of the best vintages is very much in evidence. Today, the 2014 is dense, seamless and utterly impeccable, with no hard edges, beautifully integrated oak (100% new) and exceptional balance.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Schrader Cellars RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($499.95) $319 special, 2 bottles available
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS is made from the same clone (337) as the Georges III, but comes from the To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville and not the Rutherford Georges III. This was aged in 85% new Darnajou and 15% new Taransaud. It has fabulous concentration, notes of incense, licorice, blackcurrants, blackberries, as well as spring flowers. The wine is juicy, savory and full-bodied, with wonderful underlying energy and freshness. This wine is a more forward style than we saw with the 2013s, and is best drunk over the next 16-20 years.”

We offer 78 different in-stock red wines from California. See the complete list of all in-stock cellar treasures from California at the bottom of this newsletter!

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Let’s Get Vertical

Seven Vintages of Cayuse
“As I’ve said numerous times, Christophe Baron and assistant winemaker Elizabeth Bourcier produce some of the most singular and impressive wines out there.” – Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate

We offer a stunning 21 selections from Cayuse in-stock now, including an impressive seven vintages of the God Only Knows. This single-vineyard wine hails from the Armada Vineyard, which is one of the highest-density plantings in Walla Walla. The cobbled soils of the area truly captured Christophe’s imagination back in the 90s. While on the hunt for space in the Willamette Valley to grow Pinot, a friend introduced him to the cobbled soils of Walla Walla that are ideal for the core Chateauneuf du Pape varieties of Grenache and Syrah. This fortunate turn of events resulted in one of the greatest wineries in the Walla Walla. The Armada Vineyard has the highest concentration of clay among the estate vineyards and is one of the driest. Vines must dig deep into the soils to compete for water and the result are some of Baron’s most terroir-driven wines.

We’re pleased to offer seven vintages of the God Only Knows, all in-stock now:

“One of the most intriguing Grenache bottlings I’ve tasted to date from the West Coast” – Stephen Tanzer

Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2007 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The Rhone-style offerings begin with the 2007 Grenache God Only Knows. According to Baron, it is a blend of 90% Grenache and 10% “God only knows”, hence the name. It was aged in puncheons (500-liter barrels) from Cote-Rotie producer Rene Rostaing. Dark ruby-colored, it sends up a sensational aromatic array of mineral, underbrush, truffle, bright cherry and raspberry aromas. Incredibly intense, vibrant, and lingering on the palate, this superb effort will surely evolve as well as any great Chateauneuf-du-Pape.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $125
The average price is $133

Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2008 750ML ($169.95) $139 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Baron’s 2008 Grenache Armada Vineyard God Only Knows displays delectable scents and luscious palate presence of lightly-cooked strawberry and plum laced with nut oils and shadowed by plum and herb distillates. Seamlessly polished, almost velvety and glycerol-rich as well as sweetly ripe, this, nonetheless, projects a torrent of primary fruit juiciness along with levity and energy. Saliva-inducing salinity along with piquant fruit pit, and iodine accents add riveting counterpoint to a finish of prodigious length that manages to simultaneously sooth and stimulate. I would expect this to reward attention for at least another decade.”

Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2009 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The Cayuse 2009 Grenache Armada Vineyard God Only Knows (named for the otherwise unspecified roughly 10% share of this that he claims isn’t Grenache) was cropped at only a ton and a half per acre (ca. 20 hectoliters per hectare) because, as Baron puts it, “we are struggling every year just to get Grenache ripe. But we love it for the challenge,” he hastens to add. “Even a monkey can make a great Syrah, but Grenache , We’ve got 7 acres of this grape now,” compared with more or less 25 of Syrah, he reports, commenting: “You’ve got to be crazy!” Fresh strawberry and elderberry are tinged with birch bark extract, black tea, and basil, making for an aromatically intriguing and lip-smacking palate presence. An upwelling of beef marrow and a Syrah- (or Gewurztraminer-) like hint of smoked meat add to the wine’s saliva-inducing savor. Here is a really vivid illustration of how the best Washington wines offer nearly luxuriant richness and sweet berry intensity but at the same time exhilarating vibrancy and lift. And, true to Baron’s repeatedly stated intentions, there are – beyond salt, stone, and smoky aura of black tea – elements impinging on this wine’s superbly sustained finish that can only be called “mineral,” even if one can’t find further words for them. I suspect this will be worth following for at least a decade. Incidentally, the wine was vinified in concrete and then aged in demi-muids plus one concrete egg. Apropos controlling alcohol and enhancing ripe flavors (for more on which, see my winery introduction), this beauty clocked in at what – in comparison with other recent vintages – counts as a modest 14.3%, despite its warm growing season; yet as you can tell from my description, there’s nothing under-ripe about its performance!”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $132

Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The almost all Grenache 2010 God Only Knows (named as such because the full blend is unknown, or so we’re told) is a complex, elegant version of this wine, with a Rayas-like perfume of kirsch, white pepper, stem, herbes de Provence and a gamey meatiness that comes out with air. Medium to full-bodied, silky and seamless on the palate, with juicy acidity, polished tannin and a light, clean texture, it lacks the back-end concentration of a top vintage, yet possesses brilliant purity and balance. It will benefit from short-term cellaring and impress for upwards of a decade. Drink 2015-2020. ”

Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2011 Grenache God Only Knows is shockingly good in the vintage. Sporting a big, masculine profile, with notions of lite gunpowder, ground pepper, herbs and wild strawberry and blackberry fruit, it flows onto the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a full, rich mid-palate and a healthy dose of tannin that will require short-term cellaring to integrate. This knockout Grenache will be at its finest from 2016-2026.”

Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Structured and backward, the 2012 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard offers lots of framboise, black cherries, bouquet garni and spice to go with a full-bodied, seamless, elegant feel on the palate. It picks up more and more tannin with time in the glass, and needs 3-4 years of cellaring, but should keep for 15 years or more.” JD

Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Grenache seemed to handle the heat nicely in 2013 and the 2013 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard offers a gorgeous, rich, almost masculine style (especially when it’s tasted next to the No Girls Grenache) in its dark fruits, crushed herbs, mineral and leather scented profile. Even showing a touch of game with time in the glass, this beauty has fine tannin, plenty of fruit and a great finish, all suggesting it will drink nicely for another decade.”

You can see the complete list of Cayuse wines in stock now below. Visit our web store to read reviews and purchase online.

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Staff Picks
Saul:

Pinot Blanc is often the most boring member of the Pinot family, but occasionally I taste wines that demonstrate why the grape is so special.  These two wines both very much fall into that category and are really exciting to have on the shelf (and at the table).  The Cameron is an incredibly balanced wine, with orchard fruits and a zesty finish, whereas the Vincent is a little leaner with a citrus oil personality and enough fruit to keep it tasty.

Cameron Winery ‘Cameroni Giovanni’ Pinot Bianco, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 30 bottles available
VinopolNote: 80% Pinot Blanc with Chardonnay & Pinot Gris. All Abbey Ridge fruit.

Vincent Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 10 bottles available
VinopolNote: “Crisp, fresh and citrusy–in a lemon oil way, but with some stone fruit preventing the wine from becoming too lean.  This wine reminds us in many ways of Melon de Bourgogne from the Loire.  It’s a great wine as an aperitif or with seafood.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Suzanne:

Ayres Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge AVA 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
The Pinot for the Ayres Rosé is picked from the estate specifically for rosé. What does this mean in the glass? Essentially, higher acidity and lower alcohol – basically what you ask for in rosé year in, year out. There is mindfulness in the production that speaks for itself in the glass. The wine is light and bright with good acidity and notes of fresh strawberries. It’s minerally and delicious at only 13.5% alcohol. Keep in mind that with a scant 200 cases produced, this delicious forerunner of spring always sells out just as the sunshine breaks through Portland’s rainy weather.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Our Current
Shipping Promos:

Welcome to the club, Colorado!

Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:

Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:

-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25

Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!

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Trending Like #MarchMadness

Hot Wines from Around the World

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol Rose, Loire 2015 750ML ($26.95) $18 special, 31 bottles available
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Light, bright orange. Fresh blood orange, raspberry and jasmine on the intense, mineral-accented nose. Smooth, juicy and seamless in texture, offering intense red berry, nectarine and orange pith flavors that deepen on the back half. Shows excellent focus, thrust and mineral lift on the finish, which leaves behind hints of orange zest and chalky minerals. I really like the marriage of power and elegance here.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Terlato Family Vineyards Angel’s Peak, Napa Valley 2009 750ML ($69.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Soft and fleshy on entry, showcasing fine depth, focus, purity and a range of flavors, with crushed rock, red berry, spice and mineral notes that turn elegant and silky on the finish. Drink now through 2022.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $39.17!
The average listed price is $47!

Charles Smith ‘Sixto’ Roza Hills Chardonnay, Washington State 2013 ($59.95) $39 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The richest, full-throttle and decadent in the lineup, the 2013 Chardonnay Roza Hills Vineyard offers lots of baked apple tart, white flowers and creaminess in a layered, balanced, classic style. Like the other wines here, it will drink well for at least 2-4 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $48!

Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!), 4 cases available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Brilliant ruby. Highly perfumed, evoking ripe cherry and blackcurrant that are complemented by slowly emerging aromas of cured meat, lavender and minerals. Enlivened by a spicy nuance, the silky, sweet and penetrating palate offers intense dark fruit and floral pastille flavors. Seamless and very nicely concentrated, with smooth tannins lending shape to a very long, fruit-driven finish.” JR

Remelluri Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri Reserva, Rioja DOC 2010 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 13+ bottles available
Case-12 Remelluri Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri Reserva, Rioja DOC 750ML ($419.95) $379 special (that’s only $31.58/bottle!), 1 case available
James Suckling 95 points “A wine with beautiful finesse and depth. Dark fruits, dark chocolate, hazelnut and floral character. Polished and refined. Full body. Long and beautiful. Tasty finish. The first recent vintage 100% made by Telmo Rodriguez. Drink or hold.”
Peñín Guide To Spanish Wine 96 points– Podium Award – Exceptional Wine “(tempranillo, garnacha, graciano). Colour: cherry, garnet rim.  Nose: ripe fruit, spicy, creamy oak, complex, expressive.  Palate: flavourful, toasty, round tannins, balanced, elegant.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The wine that represents the house style and also the biggest volume here with around 350,000 bottles produced is the 2010 Reserva which was cropped from an almost perfect growing season. A blend of the reds Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and the whites Viura and Malvasía Riojana, it fermented with indigenous yeasts in a combination of stainless steel and oak vats then matured in French oak barrels for 17 months. The nose has earthy aromas and notes of ripe orange peel giving old-style character to the wine marked by very well-integrated oak and an obvious Rioja character. There are cherries, plums and spices with licorice and ink aromas. The day after, it has more strawberries with very good freshness, so the evolution in bottle should be good. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and good acidity that ends with sweet fruit flavors and something earthy, very pleasant and easy to drink. It grows on you.”

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Il Poggione

Arriving Next Friday

From the greatest Brunello vintage of recent years – this highly anticipated release lands next Friday!

Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 1.5L ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a phenomenal achievement and a wine that captures not only the spirit of this classic vintage, but the true essence of an age-worthy wine like Brunello. This single vineyard Riserva is sharp, pristine and immaculate. It starts slow and shy, but then blossoms to beautiful intensity and aromatic brilliance. It delivers a very authentic and genuine read of Sangiovese with wild berry aromas followed by pressed violets, wet earth, tobacco and lightly toasted spice. The bouquet is seamless and very long in persistence. The same holds true for the mouthfeel. The wine delivers a fine and silky texture with a good dose of power and personality at the rear.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is magnificent. Huge swaths of tannin coat the palate as the 2010 shows off its power, breadth and overall intensity. Plum, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, licorice and cloves are some of the many notes that hit the palate. The Riserva is dark, powerful and brooding. It will require at least a handful of years before it becomes approachable. These old vines, planted in 1964, confer weight, power and gravitas, all qualitites that come through loud and clear on the huge, explosive finish.” AG

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!

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Arrowood and Freemark Abbey:

The Resurrection of Two California Classics

Wines Arriving March 24th

Freemark Abbey’s modern era dates back to 1967, when the winery was purchased quickly transformed into one of the most recognized and prestigious wineries in the 70’s and 80’s.  Unfortunately, over time, quality slipped and the reputation of the once legendary winery fell into a bit of obscurity.

After a few ownership changes, the winery was sold in 2005 to Jackson Family, who have poured money and attention into it in a way that hasn’t been seen since the original heyday of the winery in the 70’s and early 80’s.  Winemaker Ted Edwards was brought in and the winery has been on a steady path upwards ever since. The single vineyard wines are especially nice and Bosché, the most famous of these vineyard designates, is from an old vineyard that been producing spectacular wines for Freemark since the winery’s early days.

Arrowood is a similar story with a shorter timeline.  Founded in Sonoma in 1986 by Dick Arrowood, the winery made a name for itself but then suffered a bit of a decline in the late 90’s.  Recently, though, Arrowood has been on a roll, making full bodied Sonoma Cabernet from the west side of the Mayacamas range that rivals any Napa wine near it in price.  We’re excited to feature both Arrowood’s wines and those of Freemark Abbey at the lowest prices in the country.

New Releases Arriving March 24th:

Arrowood Winery Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley), all Knights Valley fruit in this vintage, is superb. Raspberry jam, spice, scorched earth, rose petal, cloves and new leather are some of the signatures. Knights Valley is often noted for Graves-like sense of gravel-infused minerality, naturally allied to a California expression of fruit. That is exactly what readers will find in the 2013.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Arrowood Proprietary Red Blend, Sonoma 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: A limited release blend of 63% Cab, 15% Cab Franc, 14% Merlot and 8% Malbec. Aged for 6 months in 38% new French oak.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Freemark Abbey ‘Bosche’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford Vyd 2013 750ML ($149.95) $128 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 98+ points “The famous Bosché Vineyard is a spot in Rutherford composed of gravelly, loamy soil and situated just at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains. A blend of 93.8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.2% Merlot, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosché Vineyard was aged 28 months in French oak. This vineyard has turned out many a classic wine capable of lasting 30-40 years, and this 2013 is one of the all-time great Bosché Cabernet Sauvignons. It offers an inky ruby/purple color, a gorgeous nose of graphite, black cherry, wood spice and barbecue notes, enormous body and richness, and a heady, full-bodied, long finish of 50+ seconds with moderately high tannins. This is a great classic from Napa, but not one for drinking over the near-term. Give it 7-8 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 50 years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2013 750ML ($44.95) $34.40 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 92+ points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Freemark Abbey’s generic bottling from Napa, is a brilliant example, and at $50, a heck of a value. It is also one of their larger cuvées at 24,332 cases. A blend of 75.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.9% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, this wine spent nearly 26 months in oak. Opaque purple in color, it exhibits beautiful blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with hints of white chocolate, allspice and tobacco leaf. It is rich, full-bodied, seriously concentrated, and has 2013’s relatively serious structure and tannic clout. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years.”

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Give the Gift that Never Expires!

Can’t decide on the perfect gift?

Let them!

We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.

Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.

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Jean-Marc Pillot’s Classic Chassagne

Arriving Next Week

Chassagne-Montrachet may never be as prestigious as its neighbor, Puligny, but it has two big things going for it: price and versatility.  Unlike its big brother, the wines of Chassagne offer real value in both red *and* white wines.  That’s right, red Chassagne is real and it’s spectacular—softer and approachable than most red Burgundy of its class and complexity.

Jean-Marc Pillot is one of our favorite producers of both red and white Chassagne-Montrachet and we look forward to our allocation of his wines every year.  The wines are very classically made with intense minerality framed by gentle fruit.  The wines are fantastic wines to lay down and whenever we try older examples we’re incredibly impressed.  The wines are also incredible deals—if these were from Puligny, they’d be significantly more expensive for this sort of quality (and given the recency of their scarcity, they could be headed that direction).  These have just arrived and we’re excited to share them with you.

Jean-Marc Pillot Wines Available Here Now

Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Les Grandes Terres, Burgundy 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 19 bottles available
Importer note “This little red is a favorite of ours for its rustic, wild berry fruit and ebullient palate presence.  The vineyard is located south of Chassagne in the town of Remigny.  Some of the vines are quite old, approaching the 60-year mark.”

Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Mes Vieilles Vignes Rouge, Cote de Beaune 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 18 bottles available
Importer note “Pillot exploits over a hectare of vineyards planted in 1960 to Pinot Noir at the village level.  This is a robust, cherry-flavored wine of strength and vigor.  A simple, satisfying red from a village that should be more recognized for the quality of its reds, this being a prime example.”

Jean-Marc Pillot Wines Arriving Next Week:

Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Les Grands Champs, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Importer note “From a parcel on the southeastern end of Chassagne Montrachet, this wine now passes its elevage in stainless steel tank to preserve its freshness. It shares the broad shoulders and dense texture of the wines of Chassagne. Bottled twelve months after the harvest, this wine establishes the base-line for the generous, open style adopted by Jean-Marc Pillot for all of his wines. In years of normal production, we import 2400 bottles for the US market.”

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

Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Les Chaumes, Cote de Beaune 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ points “Bright lemon-yellow. Knockout nose combines musky grapefruit oil, lemon, lime, leesy baked bread and pungent crushed stone. At once penetrating and refined, conveying superb energy and precision to its bulletproof fruit. Extremely young but not hard, this premier cru reverberates and rises on the very long finish. I underestimated this wine a year ago.”

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

Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Les Chenevottes, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ points “Pale, bright yellow. Penetrating aromas of lemon, minerals and white flowers. More austere than the Chaumes, offering brisk, intense flavors of lime and crushed stone. Boasts terrific inner-mouth energy and finishes with palate-saturating minerality.”

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

Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Morgeot Les Fairendes, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “(30% new oak; Pillot has picked this parcel much earlier since 2012): Bright, pale yellow with green highlights. Aromas of lemon, lime and vanilla, plus a flinty note of limestone reduction. Highly concentrated and powerful, dominated in the early going by tactile, rocky minerality. A superb mineral-driven example of Morgeot with the spine for a slow and positive evolution in bottle.”

Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Bourgogne Les Grandes Terres, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Importer note “This little red is a favorite of ours for its rustic, wild berry fruit and ebullient palate presence. The vineyard is located south of Chassagne in the town of Remigny. Some of the vines are quite old, approaching the 60-year mark (as of 2012).”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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The Best Riesling in Europe!?

Weingut Malat Takes Home Top Prize

Wine Arrives in June

Michael Malat isn’t the most well-known Austrian winemaker to the American public, but that might soon change.  He recently took home the top prize in the 2016 Best of Riesling competition, hosted by the renowned Meininger Verlag publishing house.  His 2010 Malat Silberbichl Riesling Kremstal Reserve took the top honors out of a field of more than 2600 Rieslings from around the world and we’re excited to offer it to you today! We didn’t get much (as you’d expect) so if this intrigues you, make sure to get you order in early.

Top Riesling in Europe Arriving in June

Malat Silberbichl Riesling Reserve Erste OTW Lage, Kremstal 2010 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Falstaff Magazine “Light yellow-green. Aromas of fresh peaches and ground herbs with nuances of pineapple, orange zest, and wildflower honey. Firm texture on the palate with notes of apple preserves. It has a crisp acid structure that is vibrant and mineral. Aromas of apricot on the finish. Will benefit from some cellaring.”

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The Glory of 2013 Barolo

Offers are trickling in from Piedmont for the out-of-this world vintage. Below are just a few of many more to come!

Here’s your quick recap on arrivals:

Arriving in May

G. B. Burlotto Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, ETA May
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Burlotto’s 2013 Barolo is one of the very best wines in its price range and class. Orange peel, bright red stone fruit, mint, licorice and star anise give the 2013 its exotic aromatic profile. The tannins are incisive and piercing, but also very fine grained. Best of all, the 2013 will drink well with minimal cellaring while giving readers a terrific look at the vibrancy, energy and polish. There is so much to like here. Breri, which is a vineyard close to Monvigliero, is the core of the Barolo, while Rocco dell’ Olmo and Neirane round out the blend. The 2013 is as good or better than many vineyard designate Barolos in this vintage. Don’t miss it.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

G. B. Burlotto Barolo Acclivi, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special, ETA May
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2013 Barolo Acclivi is another knockout from Burlotto. The Acclivi shows slightly red and purplish hued fruits, with lavender, mint, violet and spice that develop in the glass. The 2013 is naturally very tightly wound, but it offers superb freshness, along with a striking interplay of pliant fruit, lifted, floral-infused aromatics, and an acid/tannin profile that adds brightness throughout. Readers will have to be patient, but there is no rush. This is a fabulous Barolo in the making.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Arriving in October:

G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special, ETA October
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2013 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is a real head-turner. Sweet, perfumed, vivid and exceptionally beautiful, the 2013 is simply stunning. A wine of exceptional finesse and sensuality, the 2013 hits all the right notes. Today, the 2013 reminds me of the 2008, but with more depth, density and creaminess – especially through the middle – and slightly redder fruit tones.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special, ETA October
Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2013 1.5L ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special, ETA October
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2013 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is racy, exotic and super-elegant, with a finesse to tannins that is almost impossible to believe in a young Barolo. This is an especially delicate, refined style that shows just how elegant Nebbiolo can be. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, chalk, mint, white pepper and rose petals meld into a super expressive, inviting finish laced with veins of bright, salivating acidity. The 2013 gets better and better with time in the glass, but its finest drinking belongs to the future.”

Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special, ETA October
Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè, Barolo DOCG 2013 1.5L ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special, ETA October
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè is powerful and intense, with huge beams of tannin underpinning the fruit. Black cherry, plum, violet, mint and licorice develop in the glass. Today, the 2013 is quite reticent, with tons of power in reserve, but all the elements are in the right place. Not surprisingly, the 2013 is a tightly wound ball of energy. Readers need to be patient.”

E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special, ETA Fall 2017
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Barolo Cannubi is silky, vibrant and wonderfully perfumed. Sweet floral notes, meld into a core of bright red cherry, mint, white pepper and white flowers. Aromatically precise and finely sculpted, the 2013 possesses superb balance. In 2013, the Cannubi is all class. This is one of the most refined and gracious of Chiara Boschis’ 2013 Barolos and a very typical wine for the vintage. In a word: terrific!”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price is $108

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California Collector’s Corner, Part 2

Explore our complete selection of top collectors’ picks from California, available here now. To read reviews or shop online visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com

Thank you for reading!

New Cameron Arrivals; Chateau Thivin and Other Beaujolais Highlights; Occhipinti SP68; New German Arrivals; Staff Picks: Big Reds Edition; Deals by the Dozen; Throwback German Wine/Pricing; Guillemot’s Soulful Savigny; Cases on Cases of Deals

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Re-arrived! New Releases From Cameron

Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
VinopolNote: Mostly from Briscoe Vineyard with some declassified Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique fruit.

Cameron Winery ‘Cameroni Giovanni’ Pinot Bianco, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
VinopolNote: 80% Pinot Blanc with Chardonnay & Pinot Gris. All Abbey Ridge fruit.

Cameron Reserve Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
VinopolNote: The ‘Reserve’ level of Cameron Chardonnay is an incredible deal.  Made of declassified barrels of Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge, so without the new oak that the lower level bottling sees, this wine shows facets of the grace and intensity of Abbey and the Clos without the pricetag of those higher end bottlings.  In 2014, all of the Abbey Ridge was moved to this bottling, making it an even better deal than usual.

Additionally, we still have some of the 2014 Single Vineyard wines in stock as well as a few other oddities (Ramato/Rouge de Gris) kicking around as well. You can see the our complete selection of Cameron wines (and everything else in our inventory) at www.vinopoliswineshop.com but we wanted to highlight a few things here:

Cameron Winery Saignee Pinot Noir Rose, Dundee Hills 2015 750ML (21.95) $18 special, 34 bottles available
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge Dijon clone Pinot with some Pinot Meunier. Aged for 12 months in neutral oak to add texture and soften fruit aromas.

Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 26 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Clos Electrique was tasted from barrel, although the final selection was still to be made. It has a stunning, tensile bouquet that ranks alongside many a white Burgundy that I have tasted – wonderful mineralité and tension here, one of the best you will encounter in Oregon. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, crisp acidity, hints of brioche tincturing the citrus fruit, a little nutmeg surfacing towards the long and sustained finish. This is a killer Chardonnay that should present many years of pleasure to those savvy enough to grab a few bottles.”

Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML (79.95) $66 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2014 Pinot Noir Abbey Ridge Unfiltered has a crisp and minerally bouquet. Apparently they have decided not to use any Pommard clone here, as it was not providing the density that it usually imparts. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, blackberry and boysenberry fruit, good backbone here, a fine bead of acidity with a very focused, elegant finish that lingers in the mouth. Very fine, very classy.”

Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 22 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Pinot Noir Clos Electrique has the most Burgundian bouquet from barrel with gorgeous, detailed brambly red fruit that blossoms from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, finely judged acidity, plenty of redcurrant and raspberry fruit with a harmonious and quite effortless finish that leaves a minerally residue in the mouth. Not powerful, but it does not need to be. This is exquisite Pinot Noir.”

Cameron Winery Dundee Hills Rouge de Gris, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 8 bottles available
Winery note “We are proud to present 2014 Rouge de Gris, our newest red wine!   This wine is dedicated to the late Stanko Radikon and his son, Saša of Radikon Oslavia, who made us realize the potential locked up in the Pinot gris grape. Its nose is respendent with juicy strawberries, bing cherries, violets and a touch of straw. The crisp palate with flavors of umami and ripe and supple fruit tannins make this a truly quaffable red wine.   The label honors the Italian plums that were planted on the site by early Oregon settlers prior to its current status as a Pinot gris vineyard at Abbey Ridge.  We wish that David Lett were here to see what is possible with Pinot gris!”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Featured New Arrivals

From the Trendiest Region This Year!

It’s bizarre (but cool) to any grizzled veteran of the wine industry, but Beaujolais may be the hottest region of 2017. It’s probably time that the area gets the respect it’s due, too, as the wine quality outpaces prices by a good bit (though cool it with the myopic focus on 2015, guys! The last several vintages have been delicious).  We love the wines and wanted to highlight a pair of new arrivals from Thivin, one of our favorite producers.  They make incredible wines from Brouilly and the Cote de Brouilly which are lively, seductive bottlings that are delicious young and age well, too.  We also have a few other picks that we think are some cherries in the Beaujolais section and worth your time, too.

New Arrivals from Chateau Thivin:

Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Bottled 3 weeks prior to my visit, the 2015 Côte de Brouilly was very closed on the nose though you can tell that it is packed to the rafters with fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with intense red and black fruit, superb mineralité and harmony, gradually building in the mouth with a compelling, tensile finish. What a fantastic Beaujolais in the making – about as good as it gets to be quite honest. If I taste a better QPR wine this year…no, just impossible.”
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Limpid ruby-red. Bright and energetic on the nose, displaying incisive red and dark berry, floral pastille and Asian spice scents and a zesty mineral topnote. Palate-staining raspberry and bitter cherry flavors deepen and become sweeter as the wine opens up. Delivers a serious dose of densely packed fruit flavor while coming off graceful, showing no rough edges and an impressively long, mineral-driven finish. This year’s rendition of this classic bottling is a must-buy for longtime fans of this historic estate.”

Chateau Thivin Brouilly ‘Reverdon’, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2015 Brouilly Reverdon, which had been bottled about one month prior to my visit, has a powerful but primal bouquet, clearly laden with plenty of fruit. The definition is here though. The palate is fleshy and supple on the entry but then those tannins cloak the mouth, without overwhelming, finishing in quite a sensual style. This has much more to give but it should be given 3-4 years to allow the terroir to really be expressed. What are you waiting for? This is a knockout Brouilly.”
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Bright violet. Powerful, mineral-tinged dark berries, violet and licorice on the perfumed nose. Densely packed bitter cherry and boysenberry flavors are enlivened by a jolt of juicy acidity. Fleshes out on the youthfully tannic finish, which hangs on with strong, floral-driven persistence.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

We offer 37 different Beaujolais wines in stock and available here now (that’s 1,118 bottles!). We’ve featured five bottlings below. You can check out the full list below. Visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com to read reviews or order online!

Chateau Grange Cochard Morgon Cote du Puy, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. Mineral-accented cherry and blackberry aromas are underscored by a spicy element that gains strength as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating, offering sweet dark berry flavors with complicating suggestions of star anise and violet. The spice and floral qualities build steadily through an impressively long, sappy finish, which is framed by harmonious tannins that fold easily into the intense fruit.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Les Charmes Eponym, Beaujolais 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 30 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Bright magenta. Mineral-accented aromas of ripe raspberry, cherry pit, licorice and Asian spices, complemented by a sexy floral nuance that emerges with air. Silky and focused, offering vibrant bitter cherry and red berry flavors, a hint of candied lavender and a refreshingly bitter jolt of blood orange. Finishes gently tannic, sweet and impressively long, leaving red fruit liqueur and spicecake notes behind.”

Guy Breton Regnie, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 28 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Brilliant ruby. Mineral-tinged aromas of black raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille, along with a hint of white pepper in the background. Lithe and appealingly sweet, offering dark berry and spicecake flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Shows very good clarity and minerally cut on the finish, which is framed by sneaky, harmonious tannins.”

Nicolas Chemarin Regnie Les Haute Ronze, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Sexy, mineral-laced aromas of ripe red and dark berries, violet and licorice. Sappy and penetrating, offering bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. Concentrated yet lithe, delivering excellent finishing clarity and strong, mineral-driven persistence.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Brouilly Pierreux, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles available
John Gilman 93+ points “As I have mentioned in the past, the Brouilly “Pierreux” bottling from Pierre-Marie Chermette hails from the southern part of Brouilly appellation, just to the east of the village of Odenas, and often this wine has more in common with bottlings of Côte de Brouilly as a result. The 2015 Pierreux is fairly low octane for the vintage, coming in at 13.5 percent, but offering plenty of depth and structure, which are the hallmarks of this year. The complex bouquet is a bit more black fruity out of the blocks than the 2014 was at a similar age, offering up scents of black cherries, pomegranate, a striking base of soil tones, woodsmoke, fresh rosemary, chicory and a nice touch of meatiness. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and laser-like in its focus, with a rock solid core, some firm, well-integrated tannins and superb soil drive on the very long and youthful finish. This is going to be a stunning bottle of Brouilly, but, like many of the very best 2015s, it is going to want some time in the cellar. 2019-2045+. 93+.”
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Bright violet. Ripe cherry and dark berries on the powerful, spice-accented nose. Supple and open-knit, offering fleshy cherry and cassis flavors lifted by a jolt of juicy acidity. Shows very good energy and breadth on the gently tannic, dark-fruit-dominated finish, which leaves a sappy blue fruit note behind.”

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

As promised, here’s the full list of all Beaujolais wines we offer, both in stock and arriving soon!

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The Occhipinti Bandwagon Gets More Crowded:

New Review from Grapelive!
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Sicilia Rosso IGT, Sicily 2015 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Grapelive 93 points “The latest from Arianna Occhipinti is her Nero d’Avola and Frappato blend, the SP68 Rosso Terre Siciliane from her estate near Vittoria. It’s everything her fans and world was expecting and a little bit more, showing an earthy harmony, silky layers of medium weight fruit and her classic natural highlights. The 2015 is a richly detailed wine with admirable poise and vibrancy delivering a delectable selection of wild fruits, minty spices and savory/rustic charms unleashing a mix of dried flowers, raspberry, lingonberry, tart cherry and zesty currant and strawberry along with a hint of balsamic, lavender oil and loamy stones. Light and bright on the palate, this is an expressive vintage that adds a bit more complexity and fine quality to already very desirable wine. Impressive in style and substance, you’ll want to have this edition of Arianna’s SP68. This is fun stuff and will be great with lots of cuisine options and even great on its own with a slight chill to keep it fresh, like a good Cru Beaujolais. This is a great summer red, and while still delicately lighter in focus, it has the warm vintage sexiness. Occhipinti is a star and this new SP68 will seduce, drink this over the next 2 or 3 years. This is a wine without pretense with old world character and will never bore you.”

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Featured New Arrivals

From Germany

Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2015 750ML ($59.95) $47 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Niederhäuser Hermannshöhle Riesling Spätlese opens with an aristocratic bouquet of coolish, flinty slate and citrus perfume along with concentrated Riesling flavors. There is great complexity and expression here! On the palate, this wine is highly elegant and its seamless, silky texture is like that of the Dellchen GG. Very salty, full of finesse and tension on the palate–this is a great, perfectly balanced Spätlese. There is no other Riesling in the Nahe that has such nobly aristocratic attitude. It’s one of the finest Spätlese Rieslings you can buy from this vintage.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $56

Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “Coming from argillaceous shale soils, the 2015 Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett opens with a very clear and coolish, slightly flinty bouquet with white Riesling and some refreshing lemon flavors. Full-flavored and intense on the palate, this is a lovely, light-hearted, piquant and racy Riesling with intensity and persistency. The 40+ grams of residual sugar are almost fully eaten by the minerality and piquancy of this picture book Kabinett.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Weingut Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “From a steep, south-facing vineyard on red sandstone soils, the 2015 (Roxheimer) Höllenpfad Riesling Trocken opens with warm and generous yellow apple fruit, but also a coolish and piquant sand stone expression with spicy and even peppery lemon flavors. “The grapes are always smaller here than in the Kahlenberg and the berries [are] very intense in their fine fruit aromas,” says Helmut Dönnhoff. The roots can go through the sandstone, which is not the case in the volcanic soils of Niederhausen and Oberhausen. As a result, drought stress is very rare and that makes the Höllenpfad a perfect origin for dry Rieslings. On the palate, this is a generously fruity, but also pure, piquant and finely racy Riesling with lingering salinity and lemony freshness. The wine is dense and generous, but precise, fresh and rather cool instead of warm. It is a gorgeous Riesling that combines the warmth of the northern Nahe, closer to the Rhine river, with the purity and salinity of the Niederhausen/Oberhausen. The finish is pretty, long and aromatic, and the ripe apples remain on the palate as do the stony flavors.”

Kruger-Rumpf Binger Scharlachberg Riesling Spatlese, Rheinhessen 2006 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Terry Theise notes: “Scharlachberg is a Grand Cru, but in fact a Rheinhessen Grand Cru, as it sits across the (mighty!) Nahe from Münster-Sarmsheim; it’s a serious prow of hillside acting as a kind of warm-up to the Rüdesheimer Berg just to its north over the Rhine – though on a radically different soil; a mélange of rotliegend and various volcanic derivatives (e.g., porphyry). The wines are, or can be, superb, seeming to mingle the succulence of Hipping or Pettenthal with the exotics of Felsenberg or Dautenpflänzer.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24

Kruger-Rumpf Binger Scharlachberg Riesling Spatlese, Rheinhessen 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Terry Theise Notes: “An entirely typical, which is to say riotously super ripe fruity wine from this vineyard, an old-school “sweet” Spätlese anchored to a big earthy richness.”

Kruger-Rumpf Munsterer Dautenpflanzer Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Terry Theise notes: “Shows the loam and lemony face of this spicy exotic vineyard; picked ginger, earthy clove and duck skin; freesia and mint—what a glorious Grand Cru this is. Earthy yet tastes like it was visited by extraterrestrials, who threw down seeds for a phosphorescent moss.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $24

And We’ve Brought Merkel-back!  Surprise New Arrivals From Our Favorites:

Weingut Alfred Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese #1, Mosel 2015 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Mosel Fine Wines 91 points “An expressive nose of fresh fruits including pineapple, grapefruit and peach leads to a mouth-coating feel on the palate and a lively and energetic structure in the zesty finish. The grapefruit and citrus driven finish is full of freshness and lightness. This is a superb Spätlese in the making. 2023-2035.”
Terry Theise: “I have to point out: this wine has been a core-list item for us, and we usually blend Fuders in order to give us (relatively speaking) “volume” under one s.k.u. But this year there are just three contributing lots, and they’re so distinct from one another that I’m shipping each separately, though all as core-list. This will be random, as it would be utter chaos for y’all to “pick” the Fuder you preferred. I will note them separately. And this one is pure, pure licorice, classic kiwi and sassafrass; a look into the very bones and capillaries of Uerz-Würz, like an MRI of terroir. A completely amazing Mosel wonder of a very fundamental nature.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Weingut Alfred Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese #6, Mosel 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This Spätlese was made fruit with moderate sugar levels (less than 90° Oechsle). It offers a very fine and elegant aromatic profile driven by notes of zest, grapefruit, mint and pineapple. A clean, zesty and zippy structure delivers a dynamic and playful wine on the palate. The fruit driven aromatics lead to a clean and focused long finish. This is quite a superb light yet intense Spätlese. 2025-2040.”
Terry Theise: “A little bottle-sick but all elements in place, especially saltiness and minerality. Has some reduction to shed, but often these turn out to be the best wines, and this one’s potentially superb.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Alfred Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese #7, Mosel 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
Terry Theise: “This is complete and entirely striking, for its purism and lack of (nor need for) makeup; it’s the opposite of spiffy, a genius but an autodidact, with savant-like expressiveness; force, dignity and length, it squares the circle and culminates the culture.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $29.99

Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese #8 “Lang Pichter” 2015 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “Harvested at a full 110° Oechsle, this ostentatious and fruit driven Auslese offers complex flavors of pineapple, canned yellow peach, aniseed spices, almond paste as well as some bakery products and honey. A smooth, juicy and round palate with plenty of honeyed flavors is nicely pepped up by some smoky flavors in the long finish. This is a structured and rather powerful Auslese. 2025-2040”
Terry Theise: “The greatest wine I’ve tasted from Rolf and Alfred. Incomprehensibly articulate, rich, taut and gorgeous; lysergically vivid and expressive; has more fruit than Urglück, kiwi-lime-strawberry-salt, leading to an ecstatically beautiful implosion of beauty and complexity. Just sit still, pour, inhale, taste and worship joyfully. Soon it will be gone.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($41.95) $37 special
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “Shy on the nose (where it only hints at more than exhibits fresh fruity scents of grapefruit, tangerine and a touch of mango as well as mint) this Spätlese proves surprisingly open on the palate as smooth and ripe flavors of juicy fruits play havoc with one’s senses. The finish has great intensity and presence with more fresh ripe fruits. This is a superb Spätlese in the making. 2025-2040.”

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Staff Picks: Big Rich Wines Edition

“It seems France’s Roussillon region was made to grow fine wine. Proximity to the vine’s favorite sea, the Mediterranean, and planted in classic limestone-clay soil, winemaking talent thrives in this area. Founded by a pair of Frenchmen in 2002, Domaine de l’Edre produces ripe yet balanced and stylish wines of terrific character and terroir definition. Here’s the perfect match to a leg of lamb or even a pot au feu, to veggie dishes rich in grilled peppers and eggplant, and of course to charcuterie and cheese. Celebrate the French way of good living by uncorking a bottle of L’Edre Roussillon!” – Daniel

Domaine de L’Edre Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-6 Domaine de L’Edre Cotes du Roussillon Villages     2013 750ML ($299.95) $239 special, 4 six-packs available (that’s only $39.83/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 95 points “One of the wines of the vintage is the 2013 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Domaine de l’Edre. While this cuvee had a rustic edge in the past, today it’s incredibly polished and pure, with brilliant aromatics of cassis, black raspberries, licorice, crushed flowers and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, yet elegant and balanced, it’s a classic Roussillon that can be enjoyed today or cellared for a decade.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

“The wines that Giampero Bea makes at the estate bearing his father’s name are some of the finest in Italy. They also occupy an odd corner of the market, in which they are relatively unknown and yet hard to acquire. That’s largely because the wines have an extremely devoted following, and this wine, made from Sagrantino, the flagship grape of Umbria, is largely the reason why.  This wine combines power and elegance, class and rusticity, in a way that is very unique in the world of wine. If you love anything from Natural Wine to classic Barolo, you’ll find something to enjoy and be captivated by here.” –Saul

Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 17 bottles available
Importer note “The fabled local grape of Montefalco is the Sagrantino and the Pagliaro vineyard, situated at 1300 feet in altitude, is dedicated in large part to this grape variety.  The harvest of Sagrantino normally occurs during the second half of October.  The cuvaison extends for forty to fifty days.  The wines is then aged for one year in stainless steel, another two years in large Slavonian oak barrels and, finally, spends one more year in bottle (the wine, like all Bea wines, is unfiltered) before release.  Annual production from the Pagliaro vineyard is 15,000 to 20,000 bottles.”

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Our Current
Shipping Promos:

Welcome to the club, Colorado!

Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:

Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:

-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25

Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!

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Dozen Deals

A case of VinSanity!

There is no party, no world even, where fewer bottles of (good) wine are desirable.  If there’s a constant in wine world, it’s that having an extra bottle or three on hand is a good thing.  We feel strongly about this and so wanted to highlight a few case deals that are extra special to us (plus check out the full list of case deals farther down!).  Our single bottle prices are always great, but the case deals today are absolute steals! Everything from daily drinker Chard and Cab to special occasion Champagne at once-a-week prices: the choice (and the cases) are yours.

Case-12 Saintsbury Chardonnay, Carneros 2013 750ML ($299.95) $199 special, 4 cases available (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Saintsbury Chardonnay, Carneros 2013 750ML ($27.95) $18 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “An approachable screwcap wine that is made in larger numbers than many of the producer’s vineyard-designates, this is just as impressive in flavor and presence, employing less oak to provide a honeyed, tropical and fresh sensibility of drying tannin and a tangy finish.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($479.95) $336 special, 4 six-packs available (that’s only $56/bottle!)
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The NV (2012) Extra Brut Fidele is another fabulous wine from Vouette & Sorbée. Here, the richness of Pinot Noir comes through loud and clear in the wine’s depth and overall richness. Creamy and beautifully layered throughout, the 2012 hits all the right notes. Red berry, mint, flowers, sweet spices and candy fill out the wine’s broad frame effortlessly. What a gorgeous wine this is. Simply put, the 2012 is a total knock-out.”

Case-6 Tyrus Evan Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Claret, Columbia Valley 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 3 six-packs available (that’s only $16.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Tyrus Evan Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Claret, Columbia Valley 2015     750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 15 bottles available
Winery note “Ken Wright, known for his highly-rated, single-vineyard Pinot Noir, introduced a new label in 2001, Tyrus Evan. The name on the vintage western label came from Ken’s two son’s middle names. The wine, all made in Carlton at Ken Wright Cellars, is from fruit sourced from Ciel du Cheval vineyard in Washington State’s Red Mountain AVA and Seven Hills vineyard which lies on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla AVA. The vineyard Ciel du Cheval lies in the heart of the tiny Red Mountain American Viticultural Area (AVA) in southeast Washington. Initially planted to just three acres in 1975, the vineyard now encompasses 120 acres and provides outstanding fruit to 26 wineries in the northwest. As owner Jim Holmes puts it, ‘This is a hobby that has gone crazy.’ 43% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot”

Case-6 Chateau Vaillart la Mongie, Bordeaux 2010 750ML ($99.95) $76 special, 4 six-packs available (that’s only $12.67/bottle!)
Chateau Vaillart la Mongie, Bordeaux 2010 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 19 bottles available
Vinopolnote: An aromatic and silky Cabernet-Merlot blend geared towards everyday enjoyment.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Case-6 Altesino Montosoli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($499.94) $449 special, 4 six-packs available (that’s only $74.83/bottle!)
Altesino Montosoli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 94 points “A very ripe style with prune, berry and salted-nut aromas and flavors. Full body, savory intensity and a long, flavorful finish. Lots of juicy, fabulous fruit. Shows the greatness of the vineyard. Drink or hold.”

Case-6 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($359.95) $219 special, 5 six-packs available (that’s only $36.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 93 points “A firm, silky red with blueberry, blackberry and mineral aromas. Hints of chocolate. Full body, pretty fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Very refined. A standard-bearer.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “Boasting an elaborate style, the 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a plump, juicy and opulent red wine from southern Tuscany. The wine is packed tight with the sunshine and the brilliant luminosity of its birthplace. The quality of fruit is quite ripe and soft. The tannins are similarly textured. This is an immediate wine that can be consumed within the next few years. Or, if you have the patience to wait, it promises a steady medium-term evolution. The bouquet is redolent of red fruit, cherry cola and grilled herb.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a very pretty wine. Succulent, open-knit and racy, the 2011 offers lovely purity of fruit in a racy, forward style that is best enjoyed sooner rather than later, while the flavors retain their brightness. Sweet red cherry, flowers and spices reappear on the finish, adding a closing burst of energy.”

Case-12 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($419.95) $359 special, 5 cases available (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($41.95) $31.90 special, 26+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich and velvety, yet also vibrant and complex, this red boasts floral, berry, anise, leather and mineral flavors. Harmonious, this turns slightly chewy in texture on the lingering finish. Best from 2017 through 2027. 1,000 cases made.” WS
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, spices and mint race across the palate in the 2011 Barbaresco Serra. This is one of the most intense, tannic 2011 Barbarescos readers will come across. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2011 is going to need considerable patience. Hints of sweet tobacco, mint and anise add nuance on the layered, super-expressive finish. The 2011 Serra spent two years in 50-hectoliter casks.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Case-12 Peter Lauer ‘Barrel X’ Saar Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($279.95) $219 special, 7 cases available (that’s only $18.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Peter Lauer ‘Barrel X’ Saar Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 24+ bottles available
Importer note “You all know by now the stratospheric work Florian is doing in the Saar.  This has always been the ambassador wine from the winery but this vintage elevates to Senior levels of complexity.”
Eric Asimov 20 Wines under 20 Pick for Fall 2016 ““Barrel X” is the entry-level Riesling of Peter Lauer, which has become something of a cult producer. Its wines are precise and jewel-like, and this one is no different, rocky on the palate with an almost razor-like focus and just the most tender touch of residual sugar.”

Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Mixed Case, Tupungato, Argentina    MV 3 each of 4 different wines ($319.95) $279 special, 4 cases available (that’s only $23.25/bottle!)
A mixed case containing 3 bottles each of the following Zorzal wines:
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Wine Advocate 92 points “Sauvignon Blanc from two different vineyards in Gualtallary…. This is more subtle and earthy, less Sauvignon, with the fruit expressing itself in a lower-pitched voice, more of a baritone…. Groundbreaking Sauvignon.” LG
Zorzal Eggo Cabernet Franc 2015.
Wine Advocate 93 points “….It shows a mixture of herbal and candied berry aromas, hints of beef blood and iron. The absence of oak shows the naked tannins and provides an earthy side, which to me is very much the wild character of Gualtallary”
Zorzal Eggo Pinot Noir 2014
Wine Advocate 92 points “…carbonic maceration in cement vats and like the whole Eggo line, it matured in cement eggs for some nine months and never saw any oak…. The palate is medium-bodied, with floral flavors, very good acidity and a fine texture.”
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza Malbec 2014
Decanter 96 points ‘Top 10 Exciting Buys’ “Refreshing, beautiful nose with herbal and minty cool notes…. Bags of red fruits and lemon on the palate, vibrant, with a sensational invigorating freshness….This is the treasure of Argentina.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “….silky texture, pure flavors and a mineral-driven finish. At this price I’d buy it by the case. Super!”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

See the complete list of all Case-12 and Case-6 deals at the bottom of this newsletter!

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What Ever Happened to $16 Kabinett?

Highlighting Throwback Riesling

“I remember when you could get good Riesling Kabinett for fifteen bucks” is up there with “back in the day, first growth Bordeaux only cost a full day’s wages” as laments we hear on a frequent basis.  Unlike with Bordeaux, though, there are good reasons for the price increases–most notably that it’s a royal pain to farm steep slope vineyards in the Mosel. You have to do it by hand and you have to go back and forth, because the vineyards are often too steep to walk straight up.

That said, there are a few producers making good wine for what might be described as “throwback” prices, foremost among them Willi Haag.  The less famous of the two Haag wineries makes more-than-solid Mosel wines (in styles ranging from dry to slightly off dry to fruity) and all are outstandingly reasonable for their prices.  Additionally, the wines we have right now are from 2013 and 2014, two vintages that are not as ‘grand’ as 2015 but are incredibly useful at the table. If you pine for Kabinett that isn’t Spatlese in disguise, then these are your vintages (especially 2014).  The feinherb and trocken wines are not to be missed either.

We’re excited to offer these useful wines today, at prices that will make you want to stock up and pour freely, all available here now:

Weingut Willi Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Mosel 2015 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 21 bottles available
“Stony, almost dusty note on the nose over light citrus. Tastes drier than you might expect from feinherb thanks to an assertive lime-citrus streak.” – Jancis Robinson

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Willi Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2013 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 19 bottles available
VinopolNote: This is a classic Kabinett from a really solid producer.  The Juffer is one of the most famous vineyards in Braunberg and the different branches of the Haag family are the most important owners.  Light, fresh and delicately sweet, this is everything you want from a Kabinett at an old-school price.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Weingut Willi Haag Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2014 750ML ($19.95) $11.90 special, 14 bottles available
VinopolNote: If you’re looking for a house white for spring/summer, this is your wine.  The 2014 vintage yielded smaller scaled wines that aren’t as ripe or rich as some recent vintages and this wine carries that lightness perfectly.  Lean and minerally, with a nice lemon oil citrusyness, this is something that would be perfect with oysters or just a front porch and some sunshine.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Weingut Willi Haag Spatlese Trocken Alte Reben, Mosel 2015 750ML ($29.95) $18 special, 20 bottles available
VinopolNote: This is a sneaky great deal. From some of the oldest vines W. Haag works with (hence the Alte Reben designation) this is a bone dry wine in the style of a Grosses Gewachs.  While it won’t replace a GG from a famous producer in your cellar, it’s from a richer vintage and open for business today–giving you something to drink instead of your high dollar gems.  Really nice stuff.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Guillemot: Savigny with Soul

Let’s cut to the chase: the wines coming out from Domaine Pierre Guillemot are everything we’re looking for in Savigny-les-Beaune (and in reasonably priced Burgundy in general).  Judging by the number of winemakers and other industry insiders who buy these wines from us, it looks like they aren’t a secret anymore, either.

If you aren’t familiar with Guillemot, allow us to give you the quick rundown: small, family run domaine in Savigny makes affordable wines that tend to be red fruited, fresh, a little rustic and priced fairly.  These aren’t wines which aspire to “greatness” but simply seek to be the most honest expression of their terroirs as possible—unmasked by new oak or techniques like cold soaking.  In vineyards like Serpentieres, the honest terroir is a age worthy and profound wine, but in all of the wines the dirt speaks.

Moreover, the wines tend to drink well young—they are nervy, snappy examples of Burgundy.  The Savigny “VV” and the Picotins, in particular, are wines to try now while you give the rest of the lineup a few years rest.  We also have supreme confidence that these wines will age into interesting and beautiful examples, but honestly, it’s hard to keep your hands off of them now.  Just know that these can’t stay an industry secret much longer…

Domaine Pierre Guillemot Wines Available Here Now

Domaine Pierre Guillemot Aux Gravains, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 7 bottles available
Winery note “Deep soil; scree; alluvial mixed with gravel; south exposed; 270 m altitude. Grapes are sorted and 70% de-stemmed; traditional vinification; 16-day maceration; the cap is punched down manually. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels, with 10% new oak. Aromas of black cherry; smoky notes.”

Domaine Pierre Guillemot Les Jarrons, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 32 bottles available
Winery note “Vineyards on an east-facing slope near the town of Savigny-lès-Beaune. Steep slopes; deep sandy soil; 260 m altitude. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels, with 10% new oak. Aromas of black cherry; vanilla; mineral notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Les Grands Picotins, Cote de Beaune 14 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 35 bottles available
Winery note “Village-level vineyards near the town of Savigny-lès-Beaune. Clay-limestone scree; rocky. Grapes are sorted and entirely de-stemmed; traditional vinification; 16-day maceration; the cap is punched down manually. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels. Aromas of bing cherry; blackcurrant; raspberry.”

Domaine Pierre Guillemot Les Serpentieres, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 15 bottles available
Winery note “Vineyards on a south-facing slope near the town of Savigny-lès-Beaune. The soil is composed of marl and brown earth. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels, with 10% new oak. Aromas of berries; strawberry; cherry; bing cherry; licorice root; peony.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Beaune 2014 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 32 bottles available
Winery note: “Village-level vineyards near the town of Savigny-lès-Beaune. Clay-limestone scree and marl. Grapes are sorted and entirely de-stemmed; traditional vinification; 16-day maceration; the cap is punched down manually. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels. Aromas of berries; raspberry; cherry; roses; vanilla.”

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Give the Gift that Never Expires!

Can’t decide on the perfect gift?

Let them!

We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.

Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.

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Dozen Deals

While most of our wines may be on (low) net pricing, there are a bunch of cases that we have special deals for!  You can view them all at www.vinopoliswineshop.com or in this spreadsheet below:

Thank you for reading!