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.… Read the rest

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.… Read the rest

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.  … Read the rest

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.… Read the rest

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.  … Read the rest