Priorat and Adjacent

Three Top Spanish Values

Priorat and its neighbor, Montsant, make some of the most profound wines in Spain, at prices that make them exceptionally good buys.  The deals we’re offering today, though, push the quality to price ratio beyond the rational: three wines, all under $20, all with 94 point or higher scores from a reviewer (Jeb Dunnuck) who used to work for the Advocate and isn’t known for score inflation.

The top two wines are part of the “Black Slate” project that Eric Solomon created to highlight different terroirs in Priorat.  We’ve carried them in prior vintages and been impressed, but these take the quality to the next level.  The Mas Donis, from neighboring Montsant, is likewise a step up from an always reliable value.

Stylistically, these are big, rich reds with texture, fruit and power to spare.  Old vines, warm climates and talented winemakers mean that these drink like much more expensive wines than you’d expect.  They’re full of class, intensity and complexity, perfect for a bit of time in the cellar or drinking now. These three fantastic values just arrived, perfect for daily drinking and celebrations alike.

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Cecilio Black Slate Gratallops, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special
Case-12 Cecilio Black Slate Gratallops, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($279.95) $212 special (that’s only $17.67/bottle—the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2017 Black Slate Gratallops Vi De La Vila comes from a warmer region in the Priorat and has a more powerful, ripe, opulent style compared to the Porrera cuvée, which comes from a cooler region. A huge nose of mulled cherries, dried earth, spice, and dusty pebble-like minerality gives way to a medium to full-bodied Priorat that has ripe tannins, an opulent, sexy texture, and a great finish. It’s another wine from Solomon that has classic Priorat character, is impeccably balanced, and drinks way above its humble price point. Don’t miss it! The blend is 58% Grenache, 32% Carignan, and 10% Syrah, aged 12 months in 20% new French oak.”

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

Cal Pla Black Slate Porrera, Priorat DOCa 2016 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2016 Black Slate Porrera comes from a project of importer Eric Solomon focusing on the specific villages in the Priorat. The 2016 is 60% Grenache and 40% Carignan that was mostly destemmed and spent a full year in used barrels. Thrilling blue fruits, tar, rose petals, and a smoky, marine, iodine-like character all emerge from this full-bodied effort that opens up nicely with time in the glass. Tasting like it cost three times the price, it picks up more minerality with time in the glass, has beautiful balance, and great purity of fruit. It would be hard to find a better value. Drink bottles over the coming 3-5 years.”

Celler Capcanes Mas Donis, Montsant 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Case-12 Celler Capcanes Mas Donis, Montsant 2016 750ML ($219.95) $169 special (that’s only $14.08/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The finest vintage of this cuvée to date, the 2016 Mas Donis Old Vines is 85% Garnacha and 15% Syrah (the Grenache comes from a single parcel called Donis) that was 70% destemmed and aged primarily in concrete. Tasting like a top Priorat with its beautiful blue fruits, violets, ground pepper, rose petals, and amble minerality, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, remarkable purity of fruit, and a great, great finish. Almost too good to be true, just pretend you paid more. Drink up.”

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

An as of yet un-scored, perpetual value Albariño, also just arrived from Eric Solomon:

Martin Codax Burgans Albarino, Rias Baixas 2017 750ML ($17.95) $14 special

Ten Years Gone

Beringer Private Reserve at a Decade In

At ten years in, the 2009 Napa vintage is perfect for drinking now—and for a retrospective from Stephen Tanzer at Vinous.  He recently published a look back at the extremely underrated vintage and one of the notable wines he covered was the 2009 Beringer Private Reserve.  It’s drinking well right now and, as you’d expect, should have plenty of life ahead of it.  The Private Reserve still represents a value in higher end Napa Cab and this ’09 is in such a nice place that you ought to have it on your dinner table.

“My extensive tastings of 2009 Cabernets this spring made clear, once again, that virtually any well-made Cabernet from a decent vintage should gain in drinkability and complexity with bottle aging. In fact, for the better examples it’s really a shame if they’re consumed during their first ten years, when they can be a bit overassertive. And 2009 was a much better than “decent” vintage, with a temperate growing season that featured slow ripening and a larger-than-average harvest. Most growers were able to nurse their red Bordeaux grapes to full phenolic ripeness without raisining of their fruit or skyrocketing sugar levels, all the while retaining healthy levels of natural acidity. This is a formula for making elegant, ageworthy wines.” – Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

In Stock Now

Beringer Vineyards Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 750ML ($159.95) $99 special
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Full, bright ruby. Pungent scents of blackberry, cassis, licorice and bitter chocolate are complemented by a note of crystallized berries. Juicy, savory and intense, conveying a strong impression of spine without any obvious dryness. The wine’s dark berry and licorice flavors show a sexy subtle sweetness, along with salty minerality and an element of peppery lift. This classically dry, sharply delineated, penetrating wine finishes with firm but refined tannins and lovely rising violet perfume. Youthful and gripping, it displays the energy of the vintage’s better examples and should go on in a cool cellar for another two decades. (14.4% alcohol) [Reviewed July ’19]”

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Featured New Arrival

The Overlooked Columbia Gorge

The Columbia Gorge AVA is one of the most exciting in the Pacific Northwest—a tiny region with incredibly varied geology and a temperate climate that, on the west side, is closer to the Willamette Valley than to the Columbia Valley AVA that it shares part of a name with.  The long-time flagship producer has been Phelps Creek, who believed in the potential of the area long before near-neighbors Hiyu came along.  Their Lynette Chardonnay is a fantastic example of what they’re capable of, full of minerality and a linear, direct acidity.  This is a wine for lovers of old-world whites, with real polish and complexity.  We brought in a few cases and they should disappear pretty quickly.

In Stock Now:

Phelps Creek Vineyards Lynette Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge 2015 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Grapelive 95 points “Ms Roy and Bob have winner here with the expressive 2015 Lynette Chardonnay, it really reminds me a lot of John Raytek’s beautiful Ceritas wines with it’s purity and textual grace, it certainly is expressive and unique stuff that deserves attention. This Phelps Creek Vineyards Chard shows crisp mineral focus with layers that fill the palate as you sip it in the glass, it gains density and nuance as it gets air revealing apple, pear, lemon and peach fruits, soft floral tones, wet stones, a hint of brioche, clarified cream, delicate and polished wood notes and clove spice. Not as weighty of powerful as Wente clone, but a wine of serious impact and complexity, it give a wonderful performance with tons of personality and charm. If you had tried the best of Oregon Chardonnay, like the mentioned Cameron or the likes of Brick House, Bergstrom, Evening Land and Westerly to name a few, you need to try this Phelps Creek Lynette Chardonnay. This lightly golden hued Chardonnay is really coming into its own and should drink well for another 5 to 10 years, though its already in the great place, especially with food….Phelps Creek Vineyards, established in 1990, is a small boutique winery that focuses on estate grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and owned and run by Bob Morus and his family. Morus is a winegrower, and he believes in his fruit, for him the vineyard care takes center stage in PhelpsCreek’s wine production and he tends his vines using sustainable agricultural practices that are combined with strict management of the fruit yields. This leads to the higher concentration of flavors and a noted luxurious intensity in their bottlings. Located in Oregon’s Columbia Gorge, Phelps Creek does some wonderfully crafted wines, with a great set of wines like this cuvee Lynette Chardonnay which was overseen by the highly talented Gevrey-Chambertin vigneron Alexandrine Roy of Domaine Marc Roy, who has been helping this small winery craft Burgundy style and class wines since about 2007”

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Trending Wines

“If I could give more than 100 for this one, I would”-LPB
Dominus Estate, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($319.95) $289 special
Dominus Estate, Napa Valley 2016 1.5L ($699.95) $599 special
Lisa Perrotti-Brown-Wine Advocate 100 points “A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and 8% Cabernet Franc aged in 40% new oak, the 2016 Proprietary Red Wine is deep purple-black in color and quite reticent at this youthful stage to begin, offering up subtle notions of potpourri, Indian spices, cigar box and iron ore over a core of crushed blackberries and black cherries with intermittent wafts of black and red currants, new leather and smoked meats. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a densely packed mid-palate and oodles of freshness framed by very ripe, finely grained tannins and laced with compelling earthy accents. It offers incredible vibrancy with tons of black and red fruit sparkle in the mid-palate leading to a provocative mineral element on the very long finish. If I could give more than 100 for this one, I would. To be released in May 2019.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “Another possible legend in the making is the 2016 Dominus, a classic blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot and the rest Cabernet Franc brought up in 40% new French oak. Pure, pristine notes of charcoal, cold fireplace, smoke tobacco, and both blue and black fruits all flow to a full-bodied 2016 that has incredible elegance and finesse, yet also depth and density. It’s more backward and reserved than the 2015 and needs 4-5 years of cellaring. It will unquestionably live for 25-30 years.”
James Suckling 98 points “The opulence of fresh flowers and dark fruit is so impressive. There’s so much going on, from flowers to currants. The palate is full and powerful, but what impresses most are the ripe tannins and the amazing poise at the finish. Tightens down at the end. A blend of 84 per cent cabernet sauvignon, eight per cent petit verdot and eight per cent cabernet franc. Drink in 2021.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2016 Dominus is a dark, somber wine. I don’t quite see the explosive energy of the 2013 or 2010, not the seductiveness of the 2012, but the 2016 has a distinct charm that is all its own. Quite frankly, I can’t remember a young Dominus with this combination of fruit density, freshness and polished tannins. A huge center of fruit emerge with time in the glass in a big, large-scaled Dominus that should provide readers with a long drinking window of pure pleasure once some of the baby fat wears off.”

A top Rhone white from a rising star that’s easy on the wallet, as well.
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray, Rhone 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray, Rhone 2016 750ML ($289.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “This team has made a terrific 2016 Saint-Péray, (50/50 Marsanne and Roussanne aged in 15% new oak) from an appellation that continues to produce more and more outstanding wines. Honeysuckle, white flowers, caramelized peach and white currant notes give way to a pure, elegant, layered white that has terrific purity and length. It’s going to drink beautifully for 3-4 years or more.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Pale yellow-gold. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying vibrant citrus and orchard fruit scents complemented by hints of honeysuckle and chalky minerals. Shows very good depth of flavor but comes off lithe, offering juicy Meyer lemon and bitter pear skin flavors that pick up a spicy ginger note on the back half. Closes very long and precise, delivering a firm snap of minerality and lingering floral character.”

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A party bottle with complexity and polish to spare.
Passopisciaro Passorosso Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily 2014 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 97 points “Bright red-ruby. The captivating nose combines strawberry, raspberry, minerals, violet and flint aromas. Creamy-sweet but amazingly light on its feet, offering palate-staining, perfumed flavors of soft red berries, ripe red cherry, vanilla, aromatic herbs and crushed rock. Rich, ripe and suave, but displays a penetrating, saline and energetic quality that gives this beauty a three-dimensional mouthfeel and a light-on-its-feet quality. Finishes with great length and wonderfully polished tannins. Absolute knockout wine: from a memorable vintage on Etna, this is most likely the best Passorosso ever (in earlier vintages, it used to be called simply Passopisciaro). Mainly Nerello Mascalese.”
Grapelive 95 points “Passopisciaro is one of Sicily’s stars, making volcanic reds that are often compared to the finest Premier Crus of Burgundy. None of that seemed possible back in 2000, when Passopisciaro founder, Andrea Franchetti [of Tenuta di Trinoro in Tuscany] first visited Sicily. He searched out an estate and finally picked out abandoned vineyards on the northern side of Mount Etna. [It offers] the unique characteristics of high-elevation terraces of highly varied black [and] lava soils that give these amazing wines their terroir character. In recent years Franchetti’s Passopisciaro, all biodynamic, has been one of world’s most talked about estates, making a wine of real impact from Etna’s Nerello Mascalese grape. [He crafts] a fuller bodied version with a touch more extract and a darker hue than some of his neighbors, while still being true to traditional norms and using grapes from Cru sites known locally as Contradas. Passopisciaro does five single-vineyard bottlings from each contrada that Franchetti gets fruit from, these include Rampante, Sciaranuova, Guardiola, Porcaria, and Chiappemacine, as well as doing this multi site Etna Rosso cuvee Passorosso, which is now a DOC. This 2014 Passopisciaro Passorosso is 100% Nerello Mascalese from vines that were planted between 1913-1943. It was fermented using specially picked yeast in cold stainless steel vats before finishing malos and aging in French casks, mostly neutral big barrels, for 18 months, finishing at a serious 15% natural alcohol, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2014 Passorosso is richly textured, with classic smoky notes and spicy red fruits before opening up and gaining layer after layer including macerated cherries, strawberry, plum and raspberry fruits along with licorice, lavender oil, red pepper and flinty mineral tones. This medium/full pure Nerello Mascalese has a beautiful and textural glycerin and wonderful length. Its palate is luxurious and satiny, while still having serious impact and vitality. This is a winery to discover if you haven’t yet!”

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

Andy’s Staff Pick is moving some wine!
Gulfi Neromaccarj Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
James Suckling 95 points “The complex, plum-cake and spice nose leads into a rich and sophisticated red, in which the tannins and fruit are already perfectly integrated. Long, complex, herbal and spicy finish. From organically grown grapes.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2013 Sicilia Neromàccarj bursts open with dark fruit intensity, including dried cherry and blackberry confit. Like the other wines in this series of single-vineyard Nero d’Avola wines, this expression produces above-average density, darkness and richness. But the Neromàccarj also offers an elegant side that comes forth, thanks to the contained intensity and the firm delineation of its aromas. Smoke, tar and black olive appear on the close. The Maccari vineyard site is almost at sea level and has limestone, clay and rocky soils that are rich with organic matter. Only 3,200 bottles were made.”-ML

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Savart kills it every release and this is no exception.
Savart L’Accomplie Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $55 special
Case-6 Savart L’Accomplie Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($379.95) $309 special (that’s only $51.50/bottle—save over $20 per six pack!)
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The NV L’Accomplie is a blend of equal parts 2016 of 2015 vintages. Dried apricot, pear, dried flowers and chamomile are some of the notes that grace this mid-weight, sublime, totally refined entry-level Champagne from Fred Savart. All the elements are impeccably balanced in this sublime, refined Champagne. L’Accomplie is 80% Pinot and 20% Chardonnay from Ecueil and Villers-aux-Noeuds. Dosage is 5 grams per liter.” [Review is for November 2017 disgorgement in 750ml]

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“Cavallotto may very well be the greatest Barolo producer few people have ever heard of” -AG
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “This is a review that looks far, far into the future since this wine is not even technically a Barolo yet. It has not finished its aging process. Tasted from barrel, the 2015 Barolo Bricco Boschis is shaping up beautifully. I tasted it next to the 2013 edition of the same wine that was reviewed last year (with 96+ points). This vintage shows depth and richness with generous texture and fiber. This vintage recalls 2011 and 2017, although it wasn’t quite as scorching hot. Of course, the 2014 vintage was not produced because of hail damage in the vineyard. After 2015, we will be treated to the highly anticipated 2016 edition.”

Thanks for reading!

Wine Spectator Insider Producer Spotlight:

Schrader

“Fred Schrader had a revelation when he tasted ’99s from barrel from an Andy Beckstoffer–owned vineyard in Oakville. Soon after, he would make a deal with Beckstoffer for grapes, pulling in Thomas Rivers Brown to make the wines. The pair has since made dozens of classic-rated Cabernets. The 2016s continue that trend, in a vintage that is sure to stand as a benchmark for Napa Valley, offering wines that have the powerful fruit of ’15 with the structure and definition of ’13.” – Wine Spectator Insider

Only two bottles available
Schrader Cellars CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($419.95) $399 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Features a deep well of dark currant, fig and blackberry paste flavors, shrouded for now in ganache and roasted vanilla notes. Shows tarry grip on the back end, with good latent energy and a finishing kick of fruit. Wait this out with some cellaring. Best from 2021 through 2034.—J.M”

Only two bottles available
Schrader Cellars RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($419.95) $399 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Bold açaí berry, boysenberry and blueberry compote notes give this a showy profile, with freshness and definition to match, as anise, violet and black tea details chime in. Graphite hints gird the finish, achieving balance in the end. Best from 2021 through 2035.—J.M.”

Wine & Spirits Highlights “The Best of Galicia”

In Stock Now:

Do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas, Rias Baixas 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine & Spirits 95 points “The sandy granite soils of Salnés have sustained a few small parcels of ancient vines, that soil protecting their roots from the ravages of phylloxera. Gerardo Méndez farms one of those blocks, 2.5 acres of vines he estimates to be 200 years old. They are trained high off the ground to keep the bunches dry, exposed to what sun and wind might counter the coastal rains. And they produce a wine with astonishing concentration of flavor, spicy and layered in its earthiness, notes of fennel in a lasting dynamic between scents of fresh pear and baked golden apple. It’s rare to find a white wine with this much flavor intensity, as well as sheer grace.”

Do Ferreiro “Adina” Albarino, Rias Baixas 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine & Spirits 93 points “A sumptuous albariño, this wine takes the Atlantic pallor of the grape and expands on those white nectarine notes with darker shades of salted almond and pistachio. It’s rich without weight, combining the taste of the ocean and the brightness of ripe fruit in a satisfying white for lobster or langoustines.”

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Do Ferreiro Lourido “Albarino” Rias Baixas 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine & Spirits 93 points “Gerardo Méndez selects this wine from parcels of 50-year-old vines rooted in weathered granite. There’s a delicate pink cast to its zesty grapefruit flavors. The texture is just creamy enough to surround the wine’s structure, creating a push-pull of freshness and toasty richness. Tina Vaughn of The Simone in NYC likened those toasty flavors to the yeastiness of fregola sarda, a couscous-like pasta from Sardinia; you could bridge it to this wine with saffron and clams.”

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Do Ferreiro “Dous Ferrados” Albarino Rias Baixas 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine & Spirits 92 points “This wine ferments in 500-liter casks, where it ages for eight months on the fine lees. While the fruit sustains its clean freshness, that time on the lees has enriched it with notes of buttercups and daffodils, as well as some pomelo bitterness. It’s bold and juicy enough for skate Grenobloise,or grilled swordfish.”

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Luis A. Rodriguez Vazquez Vina de Martin Os Pasas Blanco, Ribeiro 2016 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
Wine & Spirits 95 points “Farming small parcels of vines in the hills of Arnoia, his hometown in southern Galicia, Luis “Anxo” consistently produces some of the greatest wines in Spain. This is his young-vine blend. Working with local varieties—treixadura, albariño, lado and torrontés—he captures springtime in Galicia’s coastal hills, a delicate scent of apple blossoms lasting through the freshness of rain. By fermenting the wine spontaneously and aging it on its lees in stainless steel for a year, he concentrates those flavors and textures into the tingling crunch of apples contrasted by umami notes as resonant as a broth of mushrooms, herbs and pork. Rodríguez Vázquez elevates the terroir of Ribeiro to the world stage without compromise, presenting a beautiful, satisfying wine.”

Domaine du Pegau: Cult of Personality

Domaine du Pegau makes some of the most coveted and unique wines in Chateauneuf—raw, powerful bottlings that exude the character of the place with little of the modern polish that’s become so popular among his neighbors.  We love the wines for their intensity and quality—to taste a bottle at maturity is to see what Chateauneuf is capable of.  The wines provide an ineffable blend of fruit, earth and garrigue that’s only possible in Chateauneuf du Pape and their 2015 will go down as one of the best the estate has ever produced.  We’ve gone long on it (one can never have too much Pegau) and think that you’d be wise to, as well.

“An iconic producer of traditionally styled Châteauneufs, Pegau has a vast worldwide group of highly loyal fans, many of whom have trekked to the estate for a visit with the extremely hospitable and entertaining Féraud family. Laurence Féraud makes no apologies for the sometimes rustic character of Pegau’s wines, which are sourced from the domain’s 21 hectares of vines, made entirely with whole clusters and aged in old foudres and demi-muids for two years before bottling without fining or filtration. On the contrary, Féraud relishes the opportunity to continue the family tradition of making ‘wild wines that have their own personality. Like people with a unique character, not everybody is going to be in love with them.’”-Josh Raynolds, Vinous

In Stock Now:

Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee, Rhone 2015 750ML ($89.95) $75 special
Jeb Dunnuck – Rhone Report 95-97+ points “A vintage compared to 2010 by Laurence, the 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape looks to be one of the big successes in the vintage. Possessing a ripe, rounded, sexy style backed up by solid density and concentration, it offers classic Pegau notes of currants, pepper, and cured meats. Big, rich, concentrated and beautifully textured, it offers a rare depth of fruit and richness in the vintage.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Solid, with a muscular core of dark fig, blackberry, raspberry paste flavors mixed liberally with anise, savory, tobacco and singed mesquite notes. Shows a sanguine thread on the finish, where everything knits together. This has ample depth and character. Best from 2020 through 2035.”
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Réservée is beauty, and about as classic an expression of this estate as I can recall. Blackcurrants, peppery herbs, roasted meats and garrigue all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, balanced, nicely concentrated 2015 that has ripe tannin and a great finish. It’s not on par with the 2010, 2009 or 2003, but it should surpass the 2012 and have two decades or more of longevity.”
Josh Raynolds 93-95 points “Vivid ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes ripe raspberry, cherry and garrigue, while a suave floral element expands with air. Fleshy, seamless and broad on the palate, offering intense black raspberry and fruitcake flavors that are braced and lifted by a spine of juicy acidity. The floral note builds as the wine opens up and carries through the sweet, strikingly long finish, which leaves behind red fruit liqueur and licorice notes.”

Rose of the Day

A New Review for Montfaucon!

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Chateau de Montfaucon Lirac Rose, Rhone 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “Montfaucon’s lovely 2018 Lirac Rose is a blend of six varieties: 30% Grenache, 25% each Cinsault and Mourvèdre, 10% Carignan and 10% Clairette. It’s medium-pink in color, with assertive aromas of red berries and citrus. Medium-bodied on the palate and silky in feel, it picks up hints of peach and wet stone on the long, slightly briny finish.”

Want to see all 90+ rosé options, in stock and arriving soon? Just head to our webstore for the full list.

New Reviews from Jeb Dunnuck

Producer Highlight: Olivier Bernstein

“I’m always thrilled to taste with Oenologist/consultant Claude Gros, and he has an incredible list of clients spanning from the Languedoc and Roussillon to Corsica, Burgundy, and Bordeaux, as well as both Washington State and California in the United States. As I’ve written in the past, I suspect Claude is one of the most talented, yet least known top consultants in the wine world today… Gros consults for Olivier Bernstein in Burgundy and I’ve been fortunate to taste the 2015s last year and now a handful of 2016s this year. Given the astronomical prices of top Burgundy today, these are out of the realm of most wine lovers, nevertheless, they’re incredible, singular wines that will stand with the pinnacles of Burgundy.” –Jeb Dunnuck

Arriving ETA July:

Olivier Bernstein Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($869.95) $779 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points “From a site just to the north of Clos-de-Beze, the 2016 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru from Bernstein shows a perfumed, sappy flower, strawberry and spiced raspberry-scented bouquet that turns more towards dark fruits, game, mint, and sweet truffle with time in the glass. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, expansive, and downright sexy on the palate, it shows the more classic style of the 2016 vintage with air but certainly has loads of upfront charm, personality, and character even today. With sweet tannins, flawless balance, and a great finish, it’s just another thrilling wine from Olivier Bernstein. It’s drinking spectacularly well today yet give bottles 4-5 years of bottle age, count yourself lucky, and enjoy bottles over the following 20+ years.”

Olivier Bernstein Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($1299.95) $1199 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2016 Chambertin Grand Cru from Bernstein is in the same ballpark as the 2015 yet is in a more classic, focused style. Nevertheless, it still leads with incredible fruit and has beautiful notes of red and black fruits, white flowers, tons of flinty minerality, and even a touch lit black powder. It shows more sappy floral notes with time in the glass and closes down relatively quickly, yet never loses this beautiful sense of purity, elegance, and underlying power. This is a brilliantly pure, ethereal Chambertin that needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 2-3 decades. This estate has been on fire recently, and if this 2016 is any measure, it doesn’t appear to be slowing down.”

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Olivier Bernstein Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($1299.95) $1199 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “Another truly profound wine from this estate is the 2016 Chambertin Clos-de-Beze, which I think is even better than the Chambertin Grand Cru release. Possessing a riveting nose of deep red and black fruits, lit gunpowder, crushed rock, violets, and forest floor, it opens up with time in the glass and shows more floral and spice characteristics, yet never loses this incredible sense of minerality. Deep, full-bodied, and concentrated on the palate, it has a tight, vibrant, chiseled texture that’s very much in the classic style of the vintage. Drink this magical, singular Clos de Bèze any time over the coming three decades or more.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

In Stock Now:

Olivier Bernstein Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($599.95) $519 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2015 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru offers a perfumed, floral style as well as a silky, vibrant feel on the palate, all of which is very much in the style of the 2015 vintage. Black cherries, blueberries, violets, wet stone, spice-box and wood smoke all emerge from the glass of this ethereally textured, tight, yet impeccably balanced 2015 that has fine, fine tannin and a great finish. This is another incredible wine from Olivier Bernstein that delivers the goods. Give bottles 4-5 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following two decades.”

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

Olivier Bernstein Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($419.95) $369 special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Offering more floral, violet, blueberry and blackberry notes, the 2015 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru is vibrant and fresh on the palate, with notable, yet integrated acidity and a gorgeous sense of rocky minerality that’s only more evident due to the slightly higher acidity. This is a juicy, firm, chiseled 2015 that has terrific purity and fine, yet present tannin, and needs 3-5 years of cellaring.”

Trending Wines

A bright, delicious red that’s perfect for summer.
Elena Walch Lagrein Alto Adige, Trentino-Alto Adige 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Winery Note “Our Lagrein Elena Walch gleams invitingly with its intensive and dense garnet red colour. The complex bouquet captivates with discreet spicy aromas, with cocoa together with wild berries and sweet cherries in the background. Distinctive tannin structure, smooth fullness, playful yet rustic elegance and youthful freshness as well as a long, juicy finish classify the palate.”

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One of the best Finger Lakes Riesling producers’ flagship bottle.
Forge Cellars Classique Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Jasmine and mustard seed notes lead the way here, backed by a mix of yellow apple, mirabelle plum and citrus oil flavors. Shows good intensity through the finish. Drink now through 2022. 5,773 cases made.”
Winery Notes “Our most important wine aims to reveal the true nature of the vintage and to explore the terroir of lower east Seneca Lake. Due to our focus on this narrow 8-mile stretch of slope on the southeast side which includes 13 of our 14 Riesling vineyards, this is our first labeling under the Seneca Lake AVA. In 2017, we chose not to make our top cuvée, Les Alliés Riesling, and de-classified our fruit in order to ensure the absolute best quality would remain in our core wine. Candied lemon, apricot peel, Asian pear, and anise join with salinity to give impeccable freshness. ‘You and I carry within us the genetic characters of all our ancestors, which have mixed together and made us unique, well-rounded, complex individuals. This is how our Riesling is born: it encapsulates the characteristics of all our vineyard sites and of our unfailing, passionate commitment to excellence.'”

If there’s a better value in high-end West Coast Cab, we don’t see it.
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘The Classic’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 The Classic checks in as 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 13% Petit Verdot, and the balance Cabernet Franc. This ruby/plum-colored effort offers up an awesome bouquet of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, truffle, tapenade, and damp earth that changes and develops beautifully with time in the glass. It’s elegant, seamless and light on its feet, yet also powerful and textured. It’s brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon from this estate to drink over the coming 15-20+ years.”

It’s a steal for the quality.  The genius of Keller, indeed.
Weingut Keller Limestone Riesling Kabinett, Rheinhessen 2018 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
John Gilman 93 points “The 2018 Limestone Riesling Kabinett was produced from selected parcels in the Kirchspiel and Abtserde vineyards this year. The wine is just beautiful, delivering a marvelous bouquet of tangerine, pink grapefruit, chalky minerality, citrus zest, apple blossoms and an esthery topnote of bee pollen. On the palate the wine is pure, delicate and medium-full, with lovely filigree and grip, great focus and balance, electric acids and a very, very long, complex and dancing finish. A glorious Kabinett! 2023-2060.”

Our perpetual best-value Champagne.
R. Dumont & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
R. Dumont & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 1.5L ($89.95) $66 special
Importer note “The Dumont Brut NV is a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. The grapes from their vineyard have qualities that seem less aggressive and more sumptuous than those from the northern districts. In addition, vinification of whole berries at low temperatures enhances this quality of soft elegance. The NV is a blend of vintages typically between two and five years old. It is aged for two years on the lees before disgorgement. Dosage is 9 grams.”

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Is this getting pre-IPNC attention? Perhaps.  This is drinking well now.
Domaine de Montille Les Pezerolles, Pommard Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2009 Pommard Les Pezerolles is rich, round and seductive. Layers of fruit caress the palate in this enveloping, textured Burgundy. There is plenty of intensity in the glass. Hints of hard candy and licorice wrap around the finish. The Pezerolles was made with 100% destemmed fruit. Although I like the wine’s frank immediacy, I also think it will age gracefully.”

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One of the sleeper hits of the Languedoc.
Vignobles Prissette Villa Symposia Coteaux du Languedoc l’Origine 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The terrific 2013 Pézenas l’Origine shows the hallmark spice-laced perfume of this appellation. Lots of red fruits, crushed flowers, spice and violet nuances give way to a medium-bodied, elegant and sweetly fruited 2013 that has fine tannin and a seamless, sexy texture. Drink this beauty anytime over the coming 5-6 years.”

New 2017 Vintage Port Reviews

From Decanter and the Wine Advocate

2017 is looking to be an astoundingly good year for vintage Port.  With the major Port houses deciding in 2016 to issue a General Declaration (as a group, rather than individual houses declaring on their own), the idea that ’17 would be declared as well would only happen if it was a legendary, beyond-top-class vintage—and now there’s a General Declaration for 2017.  As Richard Mayson put it in Decanter Magazine “It’s rare to get back-to-back vintage declarations – for some houses you have to go back to 1934/35 (Fonseca for example) but for others, not since 1846/47 have two generally-declared Port vintages come one after the other.”

Neal Martin, in his reviews of the vintage, added “General Declarations do not come in pairs. They are supposed to be drip-fed, three or maybe four each decade, keeping Port aficionados on their toes. The chances of consecutive General Declarations must be incredibly low, considering not just the meteorological odds of a textbook growing season but also the willingness of all Port houses to declare.”

To say that 2017 is a positive outlier (in the best sense) would be an understatement.  Mark Squires, whose recent reviews are highlighted below, described the vintage as a “freak vintage… a big-time year that does everything well—old-school power, concentration, freshness, lifted fruit and vivid flavors.”

The combination of the quality and the literal number of the vintage (ending in “7”) has producers and writers talking about 2017 in all-time great contexts.  Richard Mayson elaborated, “Adrian Bridge pointed out to the assembled wine trade and wine writers at the recent launch of the 2017 Port vintage in London, seven has a habit of being a lucky number for the Port trade… Then there’s 1927, perhaps the finest vintage of the 20th century. Perhaps 2017 is already shaping up to be one of the finest years of the 21st century…”

We’re highlighting a number of new reviews from both Mark Squires at the Wine Advocate and also from Decanter Magazine for these stunning wines.  They should arrive this February, but we’ve already seen very strong interest, so buy these now if you’d like to secure them.

Wine Arriving ETA February 2020:

Cockburn’s Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 750ML ($99.95) $74 pre-arrival special
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The terroir and the vintage combine to make this a wine that seems at the moment a bit bigger than Dow’s this year. Unlike in 2015, however, it also maintains its balance well. This has velvet for texture, fine aromatics and a long finish, but it is always elegant, never jammy. It is still concentrated, and aeration proves how well it can evolve. It finishes with some pop and power, but it will be approachable relatively young. Relatively is the key word there, as it shows plenty of power. Like the Warre’s, a Symington sibling this issue, it seems to be a cut above this year, the best in the brand for a while, and superior to both the 2016 and 2015. It is able to hold up to some of its more famous siblings in the Symington stable this issue. There were 2,500 cases produced. The 2017 Vintage Port is a blend of 52% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca and small portions of Sousão and Alicante Bouschet bottled about a month before this tasting after 18 months in seasoned vats. However, I actually tasted a pre-bottling sample because there was some fear of bottling shock. This is sourced from south-facing vineyards in Douro Superior that have a higher proportion of Touriga Nacional. It comes in with 107 grams of residual sugar.”
Decanter 95 points “Mostly sourced from Quinta dos Canais, this is a blend of 52% Touriga Nacional and 30% Touriga Franca, backed by Sousão and Alicante Bouschet. It’s a well priced example and looks to be one of the best value wines of the vintage. This is one of few wines in 2017 showing a touch of warmth on the nose, with opulent, heady floral fruit. The palate is sweet and fleshy initially, with ripe berry fruits and solid, spicy tannins. It’s classically structured with lovely concentration and a powerful finish, perhaps not showing the freshness of some other ’17s but still very impressive.”

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Dow’s Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Dow’s Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 1.5L ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special, only 3 magnums available
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Opening with dramatic color, this adds violets on the nose. It retains elegance while seeming subtly concentrated rather than jammy. Then, it finishes with pop and controlled power. For those who remember the powerhouse Dows in the past, that’s not quite this for the most part. It is an accessible and elegant Dow, relatively speaking. Charles Symington said that the higher proportion of Touriga Franca compared to some years contributed to that. That said, this still has the structure to age and develop. It seems wonderfully fresh and lifted all the while, but it’s neither rich, nor intense nor austere. This is a Dow that still needs some time to become more expressive and complex, though. There were 5,250 cases produced. The 2017 Vintage Port, bottled in May for release in the third quarter of 2019, is mostly a 42/38 blend of Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca with old vines and miscellaneous others (including about 8% Alicante Bouschet) for the rest. It was bottled about a month before this tasting after 18 months in seasoned vats, but the just-bottled sample was not actually used for fear it might be in shock. This, accordingly, was actually a pre-bottling sample. It comes in with 106 grams of residual sugar.”
Decanter 97 points “Based on fruit from the predominantly south-facing Quinta do Bomfim in the Cima Corgo and Quinta Senhora da Ribeira in the Douro Superior, with Touriga Nacional and Touriga Franca making up 80% of the blend. This is opaque and closed in but powerfully ripe with underlying pure berry fruit. It’s seemingly quite introverted compared to some of its peers at this stage, but it’s still full, rich and opulent on the palate. It also shows the latent power of the vintage, made as it is in a slightly drier style (3.4 Baumé), with lovely minty fruit and full, ripe sinewy tannins all the way through the finish. Long and lithe, and very fine.”

W & J Graham’s Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “One of the more aromatic ports here, this is laced with cistus and eucalyptus. Lush in texture and concentrated, it was actually showing well at the time of this tasting—notwithstanding some power and pop. The more it aired out, though, the more power it showed. Even so, this remains a rather refined and suave Graham’s. I’d call it subtly sexy. It does put on weight with some aeration, though, and there is that muscle underneath, so don’t dive in too soon. There were 5,250 cases produced. The 2017 Vintage Port is a blend of 35% Touriga Nacional, 47% Touriga Franca and various others, including a blend from old vines. It comes in with 113 grams of residual sugar. It was bottled about a month before this tasting, but the just-bottled sample was not really ready. This is a pre-bottling sample instead.”
Decanter 98 points “Based on Touriga Franca from south-facing slopes at Quinta dos Malvedos, with Touriga Nacional from quintas Vila Velha and Vale de Mealhadas (both predominantly north-facing), topped out with fruit from old vines at Quinta da Tua and 10% Sousão. It’s a very deep blue-black colour with an expressive, super-ripe nose of plum, mint and bergamot which springs from the glass. The palate is rich, velvety and voluptuous in typical Graham’s style. The initial richness makes the tannins, which show up on the ripe, broad, mouthwatering finish. Wonderful purity and definition. A real wow of a wine! 3.9 Baumé.”

Quinta do Noval Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2017 Vintage Port is a field blend, mostly Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Cão and Sousão, aged for 18 months in old wood vats. It comes in with 99 grams of residual sugar. This was bottled in May 2019, about a month before tasting, but I made sure at least some of it had a lot of air. Aromatic, wonderfully fragrant and laced with eucalyptus, this then shows typical Noval focus and power. A couple of hours in a glass simply increased the power. More intense than the very fine 2016, it grips the palate and shows rather significant astringency. As wonderfully aromatic as this is, there the 2016 might have the edge. Too closed and muscular once past the aromatics, this rather dry Port needs some time. It is harder to read than the 2016 was, but this should overtake it in time. Have some patience with this one.”
Decanter 96 points “Noval spills over into two valleys from Pinhão to Roncão which contribute two very different terroirs to the blend, though both predominantly south-facing. It displays heady Douro aromas of open, ripe, plummy fruit with a touch of dust and eucalypt, wild and aromatic. The palate is dense, smooth and seductive on the palate with firm, schistous tannins rising on to a fresh, linear finish. Beautifully defined and integrated. Just 3,500 cases declared.”

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 375ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port, Portugal 2017 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 98-100 points “The 2017 Vintage Port, not quite bottled when seen but the final blend, is a field blend aged for approximately 20 months in wood. It comes in with 100 grams of residual sugar. A step up (or two) on the 2016, this shows fine depth, more focus, vivid fruit and serious power. It’s not particularly thick, austere or astringent, but this is built for the long haul. It is potentially a great Taylor’s, effortlessly combining brilliant fruit and structure. It tastes great now (today, it is far more vivid than its Vinha Velha sibling), but the power makes this hard to drink today. So, have some patience. It will need some time, probably a lot more than indicated, and will likely last longer than indicated as well. As noted in the accompanying article, I don’t see much point to impossibly long drinking windows. At some point, reevaluation is required.”
Decanter 97 points “A blend from predominantly north-facing Quinta de Vargellas in the Douro Superior and quintas Terras Feita and Junco in the Pinhão valley. This has lovely ripe mulberry fruit on the floral nose, also showing lovely concentration. It’s dense and fleshy initially on the palate, displaying silky-velvety damson fruit and broad, fine-grained tannins which rise in the mouth and lead to a big peacock’s tail of a finish. It’s a bold wine with great finesse, already beautifully integrated. 11,500 cases produced (nearly double that of 2016).”

Thanks for reading!

Newly Arrived 2017 Dönnhoff

Dönnhoff is perhaps our favorite German producer.  They excel with both dry and off-dry wines, producing some of the top dozen Rieslings in nearly every vintage.  Part of that is a privileged location—they own some of the best vineyards in the Nahe, one of the most geologically diverse parts of Germany.  The other part is the exceptional drive and focus of Helmut and Cornelius Dönnhoff, who will stop at nothing to produce the best wines in Germany.

As good as the wines are every year, they might have outdone themselves in the 2017 vintage.  On the whole the ’17 has very high highs and Dönnhoff is very much in the tip-top of the class.  The Nahe, which naturally combines the zest of the neighboring Mosel with the depth and gras of the Rhein, has been on a roll recently, but the nature of ’17 seems to play to its strengths, with intense powerful wines that are buttressed with ample acidity.

As always, Dönnhoff’s two best off-dry wines are from the Niederhauser Hermannshole and Oberhauser Brucke and we just received the Spatlesen from both.  These are a brilliant blend of fruit sweetness, minerality and rippling acidity to keep everything light and refreshing.  The dry wines are powerful and mineral (and breathtakingly complex).  Most of our ’17 allocation sold out pre-arrival, but we have limited quantities of these four available.  If you wanted to get any of these, now’s the time.

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Weingut Donnhoff Roxheimer Hollenpfad Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ML ($44.95) $33 special
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 94 points “This is no top GG for its weight or power, but it’s got enormous, herbal intensity and super minerally acidity that keeps pumping out the flavors at the very fresh finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Grapelive 93 points “The 2017 Hollenpfad Trocken is gorgeous and mineral driven with radiant yellow fruits, perfumed and classically stony in nature[. T]his is the essence of Dönnhoff and a tribute to Cornelius’ talent in the vineyards and his cellar…. Anyone that has recently tasted Dönnhoff understands this instinctively and these last three vintages have been absolutely outstanding, with both the trockens and sweet(er) wines excelling, especially bottling like this dry Hollenpfad Riesling….The Erste Lage Roxheimer Höllenpfad is a very famous, steep, south-facing vineyard of weathered red sandstone, and the old name Höllenpfad translates into English as “path to hell” and was likely named for the red sandstone soils, an anomaly in the Nahe, and maybe the hard work required to hand tend this vineyard. I actually find this wine more of a pathway to heaven, it is a beautiful and striking example of crisp dry Nahe Riesling with layers of fresh apricot, peach and tangy tangerine fruits, driving, but smooth acidity, steely class that reminds of Chablis along with a touch of tropical fruit, lime blossoms, saline, an almost meatiness, seductive rosewater and a hint of ginger and clove spiciness. This vintage is wonderfully expressive, refreshing and shows subtle depth and density/extract and it gains in textural form with air, highlighting this vineyard’s Premier Cru class and complexity. This is a serious effort and rivals some very expensive GG’s, but it is also a young wine that can be enjoyed now with much less quilt for popped the cork as it is a great value. This 2017 Hollenpfad can be and is remarkably flexible with cuisine choices and can be a porch pounder as well, it’s a fabulous Summer white, don’t miss it.”

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The next best price is $37.98

Weingut Donnhoff Hollenpfad Im Muhlenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 98 points “A star is born! Stunning white-peach and herbal nose, then a sensational combination of ripeness and freshness that whips this forward like a jockey driving a racehorse towards the winning post. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. This has enormous aging potential. Drink or hold.”

Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 99 points “Most people who drink wine know what a ripe peach tastes like. However, this wine gives you a completely new appreciation of the meaning of the word “peach”. Beyond that, it possesses subtlety that is extremely rare anywhere in the world of food and wine. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Absolutely delicious now, but could be held for decades.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 95 points “Lily perfume on the nose of this Hermannshöhle reminds me both of the corresponding 2016 and of this year’s Kirschheck. That is accompanied by ripe, fresh and high-toned, distillate-like notes of pear and quince. The glossy palate is lusciously fruited, billowingly perfumed, as well as seductively glossy and creamy in texture. Piquancy of pear pip and hints of anise add counterpoint, while fresh grapefruit and white peach contribute welcomed bright juiciness en route to a ravishingly-sustained, impeccably-balanced finish. The covering term “mineral” will for now have to serve the strikingly transparent finish, which becomes more intriguing the longer the wine takes on air.”

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Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-6 Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2017 750ML ($359.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Stuart Pigott-jamessuckling.com 96 points “So light and filigree with such a delicate white-peach note. Yet, behind the almost weightless exterior is enormous depth and an almost savage mineral freshness at the finish. From organically grown grapes. Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 93 points “Ripe pear, quince and raspberry, honeysuckle and peony combine for a seductive nose and palate, the latter polished, glossy and billowing with inner-mouth perfume. But the characteristic brightness of Brücke really shows in the animation of a superbly-sustained, luscious yet, focused finish that delivers less sense of overt sweetness than was harbored by this year’s Krötenpfuhl or Leistenberg Kabinetts, let alone by the corresponding Kirschheck Spätlese.”

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

Plus check out the eight different Dönnhoff magnums in the July Sale! You can see them all in our webstore or view some highlights at the bottom of the newsletter.

Rosé of the Day:

Confusing Name, Fantastic Wine

The Delicious Saint-Ser

The Saint-Ser rosé, from Provence, has been a Vinopolis favorite for several years.  It’s classically Provencal, with a bright, crisp disposition.  We love everything about it except the name—when customers come in and ask for it (which happens fairly often) it can be hard to know whether they’re looking for Saint-Ser or Sancerre.  Despite the confusion, it’s a wine we love to carry every year and the new vintage arrives this coming Friday.  If you buy it online, you don’t have to worry about how to say it, either.

Arriving Friday, July 12th:

Domaine de Saint Ser Cotes de Provence Tradition Rose 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 pre-arrival special
“A unique blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and a touch of Rolle grapes give this wine an unusually complex aroma. Each grape variety contributes its own note: a red-berry aroma from the Grenache, the finesse of the Cinsault, the intensity of the Syrah, and a hint of citrus from the Rolle.”–Winery Notes

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Want to see all 90 rosé options, in stock and arriving soon (including the just-arrived Domaine Tempier)? Just head to our webstore for the full list.

New Reviews from John Gilman and Grapelive

“I had not had a chance to visit Florian Lauer at Weingut Peter Lauer in a few years, but my brief look into his 2017ers last May during the Mythos Mosel tastings reminded me of just how big a mistake it was not visiting the estate every year and I made a point of scheduling a proper visit here on this trip in March…

“As readers will recall, Florian Lauer likes to use cask numbers for his wines, and hence almost of them are listed on the label with their “Faß” number, rather than the name of the village, vineyard and Prädikat level. Happily, Katharina Lauer had a sheet prepared for me that outlined each “Faß” number for me and it was quite easy to keep the wines straight, but I would have a hard time doing so without my “cheat sheet”. I am sure this approach is preferable for Florian, as it allows him to make each cuvée in a general style of dry, off-dry or sweeter wine, without having to try to push a vintage into a given box such as Trocken and get the residual sugars down under ten grams. In certain vintages, one can have a beautifully balanced dry wine at twelve or thirteen grams of residual sugar, and by labeling each wine with its own “Faß” number, one does not need to push a dry wine with a touch more sugar down below the official Trocken threshold. As the Lauer family has significant holdings in the beautiful Kupp vineyard in their home village of Ayl, their practice is to bottle different historic sections of this vineyard on their own, rather than make larger blends from different sections of the Kupp. A few examples of these sectional names within the Kupp would include Stirn, Unterstenberg and Kern.” – John Gilman, A View from the Cellar

Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Fass 2 Riesling Extra Trocken, Mosel2017 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
John Gilman 90 points “The 2017 vintage of Faß 2 comes in at 12.5 percent octane and is quite dry, as mentioned above, at just over one gram of sugar. The wine is youthful, but shows lovely promise, with the nose wafting from the glass in a mix of pink grapefruit, orange peel, plenty of smokiness, a fine base of slate, wild yeasts and a nice hint of Saar herb tones in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, racy and nascently complex, with great focus, cut and grip and a long, poised and perfectly balanced finish. This will need a year or two longer in the cellar to start to stir than the 2018 version, but it too is going to be an excellent bargain. 2023-2055. 90.”

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Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Unterstenberg Fass 12 Riesling, Mosel 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
John Gilman 92 points “The 2017 Unterstenberg Riesling “Faß 12” from Florian Lauer is an outstanding wine. This is twelve percent octane in 2017 and hails from a parcel that is at the foot of the hill in the Kupp. It jumps from the glass in a fine aromatic constellation of pink grapefruit, green orange, salty elements, dried flowers, lovely slate undertow and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, fullish and nicely reserved out of the blocks, with a fine core, excellent acids and grip and a long, primary finish that closes with excellent mineral drive. First class juice and essentially dry in profile, no matter what the sugar numbers might indicate. 2023-2065. 92.”

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Peter Lauer ‘Neuenberg’ Fass 17 Riesling, Mosel2017 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
John Gilman 93+ points “Happily, there was the 2017 Neuenberg sitting there ready to sample and it was really singing for such a young wine. This wine comes in at twelve percent alcohol and is very, very promising on both the nose and palate, albeit still properly reserved at such a young age. The bouquet delivers scents of lemon, grapefruit, tart peach, salty slate minerality, white flowers and lemongrass. On the palate the wine is crisp, medium-full and very refined, with an excellent core, great soil signature, impeccable focus and balance and a long, nascently complex and classy finish. First class juice. 2024-2065. 93+.”

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Want to see all sixteen different bottlings in stock now from Peter Lauer? Just head to our webstore where you can see the entire list.

Also Recently Reviewed, In Stock Now:

Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas, Rhone 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
John Gilman 91+ points “The 2015 Cornas from Guillaume Gilles is a lovely young wine that is full of promise. Guillaume Gilles is the protégé of the now retired Robert Michel, and has been given the lease on Monsieur Michel’s fine parcel in the lieu à dit of les Chaillots, as well as use of the old Michel cellars. His style is very traditional, with virtually no destemming and elevage in old foudres and his 2015 is showing fine promise, with the bouquet offering up scents of cassis, pepper, a nice base of grilled meats, plenty of smokiness and a fine, fine base of stony soil elements. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and properly chewy out of the blocks, with a fine core, good focus and grip and a long, soil-driven and youthful finish. This will be very good in the fullness of time. 2025-2075. 91+.”

Remelluri ‘Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente’, Rioja 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Case-6 Remelluri ‘Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente’, Rioja 2014 750ML ($179.95) $128 special (that’s only $21.33/bottle!)
Grapelive 94 points “Telmo Rodriguez, one of the most iconic and best winemakers of his generation…. has accomplished himself as a champion of terroir over varietal and employs artisan craftsmanship in the cellar, with his wines hardly ever showing overt oak or aggressive alcohol, they always show distinctive purity and a sense of place, and these secondary wines known as Lindes de Remmelluri are magnificent expressions of Rioja, they are richly flavored and soulful wines crafted from old vine purchased fruit from vineyards that prior had got into the family’s main wine. These two vineyard select wines, Labastida and this San Vincente, coming from vineyards that used to go into the Remelluri Reserva are now separated into these two new single vineyard bottlings that are absolutely stunning values, especially in this 2014 vintage….The beautiful and deep Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de San Vicente 2014, a field blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha, was fermented using all native yeasts in cool stainless steel tanks and then raised in barrel, 100% French oak, for 12 months before bottling where it is rested a good amount of time as well. San Vincente in the Rioja Alta just to the east of Haro is at about 50 meters up, but hotter than the higher sites at Labastida and at the main Remelluri estate located in Rioja Alavesa which are much cooler, making this wine seem more lush, riper in satiny tannin and with a softer acidity. Grown on hardened clay and calcareous limestone over a firm core of bedrock from organic vines that average at least 40 years of age this wine shows warm dark fruits, blackberry, cherry and plum lead the way along with hints of earthy mulberry and cranberry along with lilacs, cedar/sandalwood, a touch of vanilla and a subtle array of spices. 2014 was a slightly cooler year and that really helps this wine feel alive on the opulent and full bodied palate and it lingers on and on with a echoing aftertaste that is highly impressive. Telmo’s wines are always polished and textural, but distinctly authentic with terruño character and delivering substance along with some flair, which this one shows, it should age well too, I can imagine at least another decade plus with this 2014 San Vincente.”

First Offer:

New Gerard Boulay Sancerre, Red and White

“Given the crystalline purity of his Sauvignon Blancs, he has become one of my favorite producers of the central Loire. If you want to know what true Sancerre tastes like, try one of his single-vineyard bottlings. It does not come any better!” – Joel Payne, Vinous

Gerard Boulay makes some of the best white wines in France from his vineyards in Chavignol.  Chavignol is the true beating heart of Sancerre and the host of all the best names in the region (Vatan, the Cotats, Boulay, etc.).  Boulay owns some of best located sites in some of the best vineyards in the town.  From his parcel in La Grande Cote to Monts Damnes to the famed Clos Beaujeu, all of his wines ring with terroir and the unique minerality that’s inherent to Chavignol.

We’ve got two new fantastic bottlings arriving this coming Friday: the entry level Sancerre and Boulay’s rare Sancerre Rouge. The entry level wine is a fantastic representation of what makes Chavignol so special within Sancerre at a significant discount relative to the single vineyard bottlings.  It’s done entirely in tank and captures the flinty depth of the village’s wines in an approachable, drink-now fashion.

The Sancerre Rouge (named Oriane, after his first grandchild) is a stunning wine, reminiscent of Gevrey in this warm 2015 iteration.  Bright, fresh and deeply savory, it’s a wine that will age well, getting even more profound over time.  As the region has warmed, red Sancerre has emerged as a strong alternative to red Burgundy and this is one of the best examples out there.

Arriving Friday, July 12th:

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol, Loire 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Importer Note “Gerard Boulay’s “terre blanche” vineyards produce some of the most distinctive and soil-inflected Sauvignon Blancs in the Loire, with a delineation and minerality often reminiscent of a top Chablis. Boulay is certainly among the top examples of the appellation, including Boulay’s neighbors (Cotat Bros., Vatan). These are gorgeous, highly complex wines that are a clear step above “regular” Sancerre, and can age easily for 10-20 years or more. Of the 9ha owned by Gerard Boulay, 8 of the hectares are on the slopes of Chavignol on Kimmeridgian or “terre blanche” soils (similar to the soils in Chablis), which he works manually and has farmed organically since 1990. The youngest vines at the domaine were planted by Mr. Boulay in 1972 and the average vine age is approximately 45 years old. The wines ferment naturally in tank and the Chavignol tradition is also aged in tank. Gerard adds no yeast and little to no SO2 during vinfication. He describes his role as one of “surveillance” to make sure nothing goes wrong. In general he works by instinct, “au feeling” because he wants to “let the wine live” and tries not to interfere with the natural process. “C’est la nature qui fait le vin” (Nature makes the wine).”

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Gerard Boulay Sancerre Oriane Rouge, Loire 2015 750ML ($59.95) $45 special
Importer Note “Boulay makes tiny amounts of still red Pinot Noir from these same vineyards as the rose, which are 35-40 year old Pinot Noir vines located on the steep hillsides in front of the his home in Chavignol. Aged in used 300-liter casks.

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Can’t wait? Check out Boulay’s masterful single vineyard wines, in stock now:

Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Cote, Loire 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Importer Note “Boulay’s parcel in “La Grande Côte,” which is partially owned and partically rented, is one of three designated Crus of Chavignol and is reputed for producing wines of incredible precision. Vintage 2010 was the inaugural release. Overall, Gerard Boulay’s “terre blanche” vineyards produce some of the most distinctive and soil-inflected Sauvignon Blancs in the Loire, with a delineation and minerality often reminiscent of a top Chablis. Boulay is certainly among the top examples of the appellation, including Boulay’s neighbors (Cotat Bros., Vatan). These are gorgeous, highly complex wines that are a clear step above “regular” Sancerre, and can age easily for 10-20 years or more. In fact, we have had them all the way back to the 1959 which was magnificent! They confirm Boulay’s place in the top ranks of Loire Valley vignerons. (referred to by the Cotat brothers as La Grande Cote)”

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Gerard Boulay Sancerre Les Monts Damnes, Loire 2016 750ML ($54.95) $47 special
Importer Note “Boulay began farming the steeply sloped Mont Damnés vineyard in 1982. His plot has an average vine age of 45 years. Mont Damnés’ reflective soils and south-facing exposition make it one of Chavi­gnol’s warmest sites. Overall, Gerard Boulay’s “terre blanche” vineyards produce some of the most distinctive and soil-inflected Sauvignon Blancs in the Loire, with a delineation and minerality often reminiscent of a top Chablis. Boulay is certainly among the top examples of the appellation, including Boulay’s neighbors (Cotat Bros., Vatan). These are gorgeous, highly complex wines that are a clear step above “regular” Sancerre, and can age easily for 10-20 years or more. In fact, we have had them all the way back to the 1959 which was magnificent! They confirm Boulay’s place in the top ranks of Loire Valley vignerons.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu, Loire 2016 750ML ($54.95) $44 special
Importer Note “One of Chavignol’s most historic vineyards, Boulay’s parcel lies within the original Clos of the vineyard, established by the monks of Beaujeu in the Middle Ages. The walls of the Clos are no longer standing as they were originally built from clay and hay, and did not withstand the test of time. Boulay farms a 0.75 hectares plot of 30- to 60-year old vins where the soils are pebbly, lime-rich and strewn with fossils. Along with the 60% gradient for much of the vineyard, the rocky soils make this parcel very difficult to farm. Clos de Beaujeu is the source of some of Boulay’s deepest, most structured wines and savory, spicy examples of Chavignol that are built to last. ”

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July Sale Roundup

Nearly a week into July and we’ve already sold out of one of the wines in the July Sale!  Now’s your chance to grab de Villaine and magnums of Dönnhoff at even better pricing than usual.  You can see all of the wines in our webstore or in the spreadsheet below, but we’ve also got some in-stock highlights if you’re having trouble making up your mind.

Highlights In Stock Now:

Domaine A. & P. de Villaine Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise La Digoine, Burgundy 2016 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $41.90 July Sale Special
Winery note “La Digoine is a site at the foot of a slope, known for centuries to provide the deep soil and growing conditions necessary for excellent red wine. At first sight, the colour is sustained, intense red. Even if the nose is still slightly shy, it suggests a great wine; this impression is confirmed by the complexity on the palate. A wine fleshy, rich, deep, full of ripe and silky tannins. These wines having been matured and vinified the most natural way possible, we would recommend that you cellar them for a bit and then let them breathe before drinking.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $50

Domaine A. & P. de Villaine Bourgogne Cote Chalonnaise La Fortune, Burgundy 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $36 July Sale Special, 4 bottles in stock now – more arriving July 12th!
Winery note “Fresh with fruity notes that evoke blackberry, red fruits, wild strawberries. The tannins are soft, silky and give the wines, beside a powerful structure, a real aromatic lightness.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $42

Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Dellchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2016 1.5L ($179.95) Was $149, Now $128 July Sale Special, 1 magnum in stock now
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling 96 points “Very refined peach, rose hip and wild berry on the nose. Stunning concentration, elegance and finesse make this one of the stars of the vintage on the Nahe. The super-mineral finish almost literally takes your breath away. Drink now or hold.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “From slate and porphyry soils, the 2016 Nahe Riesling Norheimer Dellchen “GG” is very pure, precise and mineral on the elegant, subtle nose, where ripe seed fruit aromas are displayed. Very sensual! Full-bodied, rich and round, this is a highly elegant, intense and dense Riesling with a persistent finish. Very aromatic and sensual, but it needs some time to gain even more finesse.”
Terry Theise note “A conglomerate of slate and porphyry, the site entails the little hollows between cliff-sides; it’s very steep and terraced and quiet, which may account for the wines’ riddlesome nature, wines of pure inference and umami that need several years not just to blossom, but simply to say what they taste like. This is especially true of the dry wines. This ’16 is relatively overt and smoky, but no sequence of descriptors will be useful—it’s just too soon. The texture seems more lush than usual, and there’s an earthy note, and as compelling as it is, I respect the shroud and will wait patiently.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 94 points “Musky hints of peony and iris mingle with sea breeze and scents of ripe white peach on a nose that reflects the floral and marine mineral mystery that seem to be part and parcel of Riesling from this great site. While the texture is silken, there are insistent impingements of mustard seed, peach fuzz and crystalline stones that add to the sense of vibrancy and invigoration conveyed on a superbly sustained finish. The cooling, inhalative sense of floral and herbal perfume hauntingly remains even after the fruit and mineral flavors have finally subsided. This wine reinforces the intuition I had when tasting Schneider’s collection, namely that this vintage of Dellchen will continue in bottle to give Hermannshöhle unusually tough competition.”

Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2015 1.5L ($199.95) Was $149, Now $133 July Sale Special, 4 magnums in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 95 points ” Buddleia and lily perfume, red raspberry and white peach headily entice the nose – then billow across a subtly creamy palate, set-off by a stony undertone and enhanced by animatingly bright fresh lime, tart apple and jammy but invigoratingly seedy berries. While the sweetness here is rather obvious, it doesn’t interfere with – and perhaps even enhances – the ripeness of fruit flavors in a luscious, refreshingly-sustained finish that is startlingly penetrating, almost as if this were an Eiswein, though in fact it represents a botrytis selection picked-out ahead of the corresponding Spätlese. ”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2015 Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese was selected shortly before the Spätlese and is a selection of super ripe and the rarely botrytis grapes. The wine has a super ripe and warm fruit bouquet with some spicy and flinty aromas. On the palate, this is a piquant and generous Riesling with clear definition and lingering complexity and salinity. It has very good grip. (The wine is also available in 375 milliliter bottles for $45 and 1500 milliliter bottles for $180.)”

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Staff Pick

A New Delicious Rosé Champagne

Suzanne:
“A riotous display of grapefruit zest, red flowers and fresh berries, this rose Champagne from Noel Bazin is an unapologetically delicious aperitif. It’s never cloying, but is wonderfully expressive and exuberant.”

New Arrival!
Noel Bazin ‘La Pimpante’ Rose Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $48 special
Winery note “[Translated] The wine is pink, with very fine and delicate bubbles that persist in the glass. The nose is playful and refined. The base of Chardonnay adds nuance to the pretty cherry notes. The palate is perfumed and graceful. A beautiful cherry note dominates with pastry aromas. The finish is superbly aromatic and lively.”

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Sicily: High, Low and In Between

(A Pair of Cerasuolos)

The Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG is one of our favorite appellations in Italy, marrying the dark fruit and earth of Nero d’Avola with the pretty, red-toned flavors of Frappato.  The result are wines with a dialectic of high and low, bright and rich, savory and fruity, and those traits mean that winemakers have a lot of influence over the style of the final wines.

We have two classic examples in stock right now, the just-arrived Cerasuolo from Planeta, which is made in a juicy, drink now style.  It’s a perfect wine to have on hand in bulk, seemingly going with everything.  On the other end of the scale is Occhipinti’s Grotte Alte, her top wine and one that demands attention and rewards it in spades.  Both are distinctly Cerasuolo di Vittoria and yet totally distinct in their uses and personalities—and both belong on your table this summer.

In Stock Now:

Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Sicily 2015 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Case-6 Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Sicily 2015 750ML ($149.95) $99 special (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92 points “Good full ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of raspberry, cherry cola and flowers, along with a spicy nuance. Fresh and fruity on entry, then smooth but slightly tighter in the midpalate, offering bright strawberry and violet pastille flavors. Finishes very long with dusty tannins and lingering salinity. Even more delicate and fragrant than usual this year. A blend of 60 percent Nero d’Avola and 40 percent Frappato that sees no oak.”
James Suckling 92 points “A delicious Cerasuolo with all the cherry and orange peel character you could hope for. Medium body, round and light tannins and a tangy finish. A wine that really makes you want to drink it!”

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Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti ‘Grotte Alte’, Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 2014 750ML ($75.95) $66 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Made with Nero d’Avola and Frappato in equal parts, this is a mature, alluring and sultry wine. The 2014 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico Grotte Alte is released now after having acquired extended bottle aging since the harvest four years ago. Like the monovarietal Nero d’Avola also reviewed here, this wine offers an evident balsamic character with medicinal herb, licorice and cola. I am delighted by the integrity of the bouquet in a wine that had evidently embraced its evolutionary trajectory with gusto.”

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Also, just (re)arrived from Occhipinti:

Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2016 Il Frappato is another surprise hit from a vintage that was not easy generally speaking. This wine is chiseled and focused, showing a pretty mineral note that is carried forth from start to finish. The wine is delicate and finessed with small berry nuances, dried blackberry, cherry and pencil shaving. This is an elegant and graceful red wine from Sicily.”

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Rosé of the Day

Cult Loire Hero

Thibaud Boudignon has been one of the breakout stars of the last year or two.  The Savennières-based producer has rare gift of taking all of Chenin’s energetic richness and compressing it into a linear beam of mineral electricity, but his talent extends to rosé as well.  Made from Cabernet Franc and Grolleau, it’s a crackling wine that has just enough heft to be satisfying.  It’s electric, juicy and perfect on its own or with any number of foods.

In Stock Now:

Thibaud Boudignon Rose de Loire 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Importer note “80% Cabernet Franc, 20% Grolleau from 25+ year old vines grown on shallow soils of grey schist and rhyolite (volcanic soil) and clay. Indigenous yeast fermentation of direct press rosé with no malo. Aged in stainless steel.”

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Want to see all 94 available rosés available here at Vinopolis? Just head here for the full list.

Beautiful Gorge Chardonnay with Burgundian roots.
Phelps Creek Vineyards Lynette Chardonnay, Columbia Gorge 2015 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Grapelive 95 points “Ms Roy and Bob have winner here with the expressive 2015 Lynette Chardonnay, it really reminds me a lot of John Raytek’s beautiful Ceritas wines with it’s purity and textual grace, it certainly is expressive and unique stuff that deserves attention. This Phelps Creek Vineyards Chard shows crisp mineral focus with layers that fill the palate as you sip it in the glass, it gains density and nuance as it gets air revealing apple, pear, lemon and peach fruits, soft floral tones, wet stones, a hint of brioche, clarified cream, delicate and polished wood notes and clove spice. Not as weighty of powerful as Wente clone, but a wine of serious impact and complexity, it give a wonderful performance with tons of personality and charm. If you had tried the best of Oregon Chardonnay, like the mentioned Cameron or the likes of Brick House, Bergstrom, Evening Land and Westerly to name a few, you need to try this Phelps Creek Lynette Chardonnay. This lightly golden hued Chardonnay is really coming into its own and should drink well for another 5 to 10 years, though its already in the great place, especially with food….Phelps Creek Vineyards, established in 1990, is a small boutique winery that focuses on estate grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and owned and run by Bob Morus and his family. Morus is a winegrower, and he believes in his fruit, for him the vineyard care takes center stage in PhelpsCreek’s wine production and he tends his vines using sustainable agricultural practices that are combined with strict management of the fruit yields. This leads to the higher concentration of flavors and a noted luxurious intensity in their bottlings. Located in Oregon’s Columbia Gorge, Phelps Creek does some wonderfully crafted wines, with a great set of wines like this cuvee Lynette Chardonnay which was overseen by the highly talented Gevrey-Chambertin vigneron Alexandrine Roy of Domaine Marc Roy, who has been helping this small winery craft Burgundy style and class wines since about 2007”

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The return of the opulent, rich 2014 Gris!
Belle Pente Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, Oregon 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special

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Winery cellared release!
Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Vivid red. Mineral- and spice-laced aromas of fresh red berries and rose, joined by a hint of blood orange that builds in the glass. Clean and nervy on entry, then deeper and broader in the midpalate, offering energetic black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors complemented by a sweet touch of floral pastilles. Supple tannins build slowly on the sappy, penetrating finish, which hangs on with strong, spicy persistence.”
50% Belle Pente Estate Vineyard (Yamhill-Carlton), 25% Bella Vida Vineyard (Dundee Hills), 25% Murto Vineyard (Dundee Hills)

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

From Shea’s former winemaker, the Trathen Hall wines are great.
Trathen Hall Wines Antiquum Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($47.95) $44 special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Editor’s Choice. Sourced from a high altitude vineyard at 800 feet on the eastern edge of the Coastal Range, this palate-pleasing wine matches crisp black cherry fruit to nuanced earth, mocha and tobacco highlights. It’s expressive and superbly balanced, ready for immediate enjoyment, but built to cellar as well. Drink now–2026.”

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Trathen Hall Wines Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($29.95) $27 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Editor’s Choice. Past releases of this wine were sourced solely from Antiquum vineyard; here, there is an additional source. The quality remains quite high despite the substantially larger production and lower price. Win, win, win! Raspberry, cherry, sassafras, cola and mocha flavors are in play. The inclusion of 20% whole clusters and aging in neutral barrels have added light touches of flavor.”

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The new vintage of this perpetual value is here!
Whistling Dog Cellars Dijon Blocks Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special

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France

Domaine la Remejeanne Cotes du Rhone Les Arbousiers, Rhone 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special

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Domaine la Remejeanne Cotes du Rhone Les Chevrefeuilles, Rhone 2016 750ML ($21.95) $18 special

Spain

Envintate’s wines are consistently great and this Mencia is beautiful.
Envinate Lousas Vinas Aldea, Ribera Sacra 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Importer note “Aldea means “village” in Gallego; thus, this is Envínate’s “village wine”, produced from a combination of –minimum- 60-year-old plots located in the ancient vineyard region of Ribeira Sacra.  This cuvee is made up of 90-95% Mencía with other co-planted varietals blended in. The native vines are grown on steep slopes made of slate and sit in between 400-600 meters elevation.  This vintage Viña de Aldea was foot-trodden in open top plastic tubs, fermented spontaneously with wild yeasts, with 40% whole clusters included, and raised in old barrels for 11 months with no racking and no SO2 added until bottling.  It is a very fresh and elegant vino tinto with classic, lifted aromatics of black pepper, pomegranate, and herbs, which leads to an elegant and crystalline palate with loads of saveur, peppery tannins, and a dry finish.  This is more than a village wine in our book, but a superb example of Ribeira Sacra and a wonderful benchmark for the region. 300 – 6 packs produced.”

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

One of the hottest winemakers in Galicia returns to Vinopolis!
Laura Lorenzo Daterra Camino de la Frontera Tinto, Arribes 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29.90 special
Grapelive 93 points “…The 2017 shows more zip and crunchiness than the 2015 or 2016’s I had from Lorenzo and the purity of fruit is impressive with layers of blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, cherry and tart currant along with loads of mineral, crushed quartz, rose oil, minty herb, walnut, earthy tones and Moro orange. This wine benefits from cuisine that matches its lifting savoriness and vibrant acids and is lovely with a slight chill on it. Drink Lorenzo’s Camino de la Frontera over the next 3 to 5 years.”

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Laura Lorenzo Daterra ‘Portela do Vento’, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Importer Note “Portela do Vento comes from several south-facing parcels of Menci´a and Garnacha Tintorera in the Amandi and Quiroga-Bibei subzones. The grapes were harvested by hand in late September, 80% destemmed and fermented with wild yeasts in steel vats, and raised for 9 months in used 500 liter French barrels. This is Laura’s “glou-glou” wine that she loves to share with her American friends. Fresh and easy-drinking, it is very versatile with a wide variety of foods…or straight from the porro´n! “

Thanks for reading!

Just Arrived

Four Fantastic 2008 Champagnes

2008 is the best vintage for Champagne since 1996 and we’re always trying to locate as many of the top wines from the year to offer.  We’re excited to offer four fantastic bottles, arriving next week, that represent some of the most exciting wines produced by Grande Marques during the excellent vintage.  Whether the top wines from a venerable house like Deutz or the Millésime wines from Veuve-Cliquot or Piper, these are wines that deliver exceptional value, polish and class.  The vintage is drinking very well today but all these wines should cellar beautiful for as long as you have patience, so stock up and drink them often!

“The 2008 Champagnes that have been released so far capture all the potential I sensed when I first tasted the young vins clairs right after harvest. The 2008s are racy, energetic and tense, in the style of cool years like 1996, but with more fruit depth and less austerity. At the top end, the finest 2008 Champagnes are viscerally thrilling, chiseled wines that will soon be recognized as modern-day icons. Temperatures were never too hot during the summer and ripening was gradual. Two thousand eight is a year with high acidity, approaching 10% in some cases, and also high potential natural alcohol (because of the improved weather in September), a combination that yielded vibrant, crystalline Champagnes. Of course wine is much more complex than numbers alone, but the first 2008s I have tasted point to an exceptional, and perhaps even legendary, vintage.” –Vinous Media

“One of the best two vintages of this decade. A return to a classic, dry style in a cooler year. Powerful fruit and scintillating acidity in complete harmony. A real keeper to 2025 or later. 5/5” –Decanter

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Deutz Amour de Deutz Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($199.95) $159 special
Decanter 97 points “Amour was created by Deutz’s long-standing managing director, Fabrice Rosset. It’s a prestige blanc de blancs which is only made in the best years, so there was little surprise when Deutz produced an Amour from the highly acclaimed 2008 vintage. This really has it all: freshness, extract, power, balance and concentration. Already, the primary nose shows chamomile and iris, while the palate is crammed with white fruits, nougat, chamomile, candied fruit and minerals. Deutz’s signature spine-tingling acidity balances out the weight and creamy texture of this generous, well structured fizz. It’s fabulous as an aperitif now but it will also develop well into old age as a gastronomic wine with delicate seafood dishes. 40,000 bottles produced.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The citrus-colored 2008 Amour de Deutz Brut Millésime is still yeasty on the nose, but very clear and elegant on the palate. This is a super pure and mineral, well-balanced Millésime with a long, intense and persistent finish. This is full of tension and finesse. A great wine.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “[Review is for 375ml] This wine is rich and surprisingly full-bodied. It comes from a great Champagne vintage, giving it both intensity and an acidity built for longterm aging. This half-bottle version is filling out, showing almond flavors yet retaining its citrus edge. Drink from 2019.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2008 Brut Millésimé Amour de Deutz is gorgeous. Bright and focused in the glass, the 2008 is full of nuance. A hint of reduction adds complexity without overpowering the wine. Crushed rocks, lemon confit and passion fruit flavors offer an appealing interplay of brightness and more overt flavors. The Amour is one of the more open, accessible 2008s readers will come across at this stage. Today, it is particularly expressive.”

Deutz Amour de Deutz Rose Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Brut Rosé Millésimé Amour de Deutz is gorgeous and crystalline in the glass, as Champagnes from this vintage tend to be. Light on its feet yet also quite intense, the 2008 exudes energy in its finely sculpted red berry, floral and mineral-infused notes. The 2008 could use a bit more time in bottle to soften, but it is undeniably beautiful, even at this early stage.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “Deutz’ Millésime 2008 Amour de Deutz Rosé Brut shows a pale but brilliant salmon color and a clear, delicate bouquet of discreet red fruits as well as very fine spicy and floral notes. The palate is highly delicate and fresh, firmly structured and nicely dry, with good, dense, aromatic and well-structured length. However, the wine is still young and not yet perfectly round.” [Review is for lot LA112D32216]
Wine Spectator 93 points “Spring blossom and mineral notes waft through the flavors of white cherry, star fruit and marzipan in this elegant rosé Champagne, while the sleek acidity is finely meshed and carries the flavor range on the lacy finish. Drink now through 2028.”

Piper-Heidsieck Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2008 Vintage Brut offers a clear and toasty aroma on the nose. Pure, fresh, lean and delicate but complex and mineral on the palate, this is a lithe and elegant, very finessed and persistent 2008 with grip and expression. This is a complex, intense yet light and very elegant Champagne with a pure, mineral-structured and persistent finish.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “An elegant, toasty version, featuring firm, focusing acidity layered with rich hints of canelé, dried apricot, coffee liqueur and star anise. Bright and citrusy, with a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2027. 125 cases imported.”

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Decanter 96 points “It is quite something to be invited to the launch of Champagne Veuve Clicquot 2008 at Clos des Lambrays, one of the finest grands crus of Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits and acquired by LVMH in April 2014. It was rumoured to have paid close to €100m. The Veuve Clicquot 2008 is VC Chef de Caves Dominique Demarville’s first solo vintage. What fascinated him at Lambrays was winemaker Thierry Brouin’s consummate talent in capturing from the red iron-rich soil a wonderfully bright character in the wine- so fresh, rich yet elegant, density and delicacy in magical harmony. The same can be said for my two coups de coeur in Clicquot 2008. — Veuve Clicquot 2008 (Magnum) — Shimmering green-gold. Easily up several notches from the bottle. Perfect balance of freshness, ripe acidity and complex vinosity to come. Near perfect wine, patina of seasoned spice of subtle oak. — Elegant and complex Champagne with plenty of fine mousse and flavours of toast, smoke and roasted fruit notes to balance the fresh acidity. A refined and refreshing fullbodied wine in a gastronomic style with the potential to drink well for many years.”

New Arrivals

Oregon

A truly special bottling from one of top producers in Oregon.
Kelley Fox Wines Maresh Vineyard Star of Bethlehem Flower Block Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
From an own rooted block of Maresh Vineyard planted without grafting in 1991.
Winery note “My first Maresh Star was the 2015, and now that it’s been three years, I see a pattern emerging from this beloved acre behind Jim Maresh Sr.’s house that once was where his favourite cherry tree lived. Heartbreakingly, this tree was destroyed in the Columbus Day storm in 1962 and he ended up burning the remains. Jim has told me a couple of times over the many years that the potash from that special tree in the soil there has had a special effect on these vines that were planted later. Over the years, but not every year, there are beautiful flowers that bloom between the vines in this block: Star of Bethlehem flowers. These radiant white, star-shaped flowers belong to the lily family. Only six barrels comprised this bottling. The 2017 is a transparent, brilliant light red with blue and fuschia lights and tones that catch the eye. This year, the Star is a little deeper than that of the Maresh, but that said, both remind me a bit of my 2007 or 2011 in several ways. The nose is noble and pure, with a moving, diaphanous layer of minerality over the refined strawberry character always present in my Maresh bottlings when young. This wine, my most subtle and refined 2017 Pinot, is a sleek and strong beauty. This one is like a person who sits quietly in one place and to whom others are magnetically attracted and approach on their own, perhaps not even knowing why or that they did in the first place. It is a wine of silence and will likely be spellbinding as it matures.”

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Kelley’s flagship wine is outstanding in ’17.
Kelley Fox Wines Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Decanter 96 points “An almost perfect blend of restrained tannins, orange pekoe tea, rose, espresso and tart red Dundee Hills fruit.”

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Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Brut, Champagne 2011 750ML ($179.95) $108 special
Case-6 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Brut, Champagne 2011 750ML ($959.95) $599 special (that’s only $99.83/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Always a light, ethereal style of wine, this is also very fresh and still young. It will age with its taut minerality from the Chardonnay in the blend. A softer background will become toasty over the next few years. The vintage date on this bottle is 200 years after the foundation of this producer. Drink from 2021.”

Bright, crunchy Blanc de Noirs from a great vintage.
Marie Courtin Concordance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Extra Brut Concordance is 100% Pinot Noir from 50-year-old vines on marl and Kimmeridgian soils that spent at least three years with the second lees. Disgorged in December 2017, the Concordance offers a deep, intense, very complex and flinty-mineral bouquet with perfectly ripe and elegant fruit aromas. On the palate, this is a pure, refined yet highly complex and elegant Pinot with great terroir expression. Fermented and aged in enameled stainless steel, this is a terribly pure and salty Blanc de Noirs with a very promising finish.”

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“If there is a better Clos de la Roche then I have not tasted it”-NM
Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($699.95) $599 special
Domaine Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 1.5L ($1499.95) $1199 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 97-99 points “The 2016 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru is matured in 30% new oak with up to 30% whole cluster fruit, two-thirds from Montluisants and one-third Fremiers. It has an intoxicating bouquet that is extraordinarily complex: shimmering red berry fruit, blood orange, incense and a touch of crushed violet. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, wonderful depth and harmony, laser-like focus toward the finish that lingers in the mouth. Stunning mineralité here—the tongue feels as if it licked limestone 30 second after the wine has disappeared. If there is a better Clos de la Roche then I have not tasted it (yet).”
John Gilman 97 points “The 2016 Clos de la Roche from Laurent Lignier is an absolute classic in the making. The nose delivers a refined and nascently complex constellation of black plums, sweet dark berries, a touch of lavender, gamebird, a very complex base of soil, violets and nutty new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, pure and full-bodied, with a sappy core, ripe tannins, fine backend mineral drive and a very long, complex and utterly complete finish. A brilliant example of Clos de la Roche! 2030-2090.”

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Lignier’s Grand Crus are always take-notice sorts of wines.
Domaine Hubert Lignier Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($599.95) $499 special
Stephen Tanzer 91-94 points “(the Ligniers do not do the harvest here; made from 50-year-old vines; 100% destemmed): Healthy full red. Pungent aromas of purple fruits, menthol and crushed rock. Quite pliant on entry, then precise and perfumed in the middle palate, showing noteworthy energy and lift to its flavors of small wild red fruits, minerals and spices. Not a particularly tannic wine but juicy, refined and long.”
William Kelley-Decanter 92 points “This year’s Griotte is an elegant middle-weight, offering up notes of creamy red cherry and meaty soil tones, followed by a supple, reserved wine with nice detail and a chalky, mineral finish. A pretty wine but, like the Charmes, this very much plays second fiddle to the superb Clos de la Roche in 2016.”

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Lignier is based in Morey and makes some of its top wines.
Domaine Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis Tres Girard, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2016 Morey-Saint-Denis Très Girard comes from purchased grapes that were completely destemmed. It has quite a spicy, lively bouquet that is simple but a bundle of joy. The palate is medium-bodied with fine but firm tannin, more saline than some of the village Gevreys with fine structure on the finish that just needs a touch more flesh to develop.”
Stephen Tanzer 88-90 points “(about 25% of the fruit was lost to frost): Bright, dark red with ruby tones. Quite open and aromatic on the nose, offering scents of black cherry and flowers. Nicely concentrated, sappy wine with a subtle sweetness to its flavors of cherry and black raspberry. This fruit was entirely destemmed but the wine finishes linear and firmly tannic, with good saline persistence.”

Basically Premier Cru, at village level pricing.
Domaine Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis Trilogie, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Neal Martin 91-93 points “The 2016 Morey Saint Denis “Trilogie” comes from three parcels that conjoin premier crus and was cropped at 25 hectoliters per hectare from Chenevery, Clos Solon and Les Porroux. Blended with one-third whole bunch fruit, it offers intense blackberry, briary and light tobacco scents that blossom in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, pure and sorbet-fresh black fruit, a gentle grip in the mouth with superb tension on the crystalline finish. Superb, an outstanding Morey-Saint-Denis for its class.”
William Kelley-Decanter 90 points “The vines which produce the cuvée Triologie are between 60 and 80 years of age, and they routinely produce one of the best examples of Morey villages. The 2016 was cropped at 25hl/ha and was vinified with 30% whole cluster fruit. Aromas of plum, cassis, raw cocoa, rich soil, baking spice and candied peel precede a full-bodied, fine-grained wine with a supple attack, a sweet core of fruit, and nice energy and intensity.”

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Not known as well for Pommard, this is the sleeper hit of the lineup.
Domaine Hubert Lignier Pommard En Brescul, Cote de Beaune 2016 750ML ($119.95) $89 special

Stunning Fino-style wine from just outside of Sherry. 
Bodgeas Gabriel Gomez Nevado ‘Sierra Morena’ Palido Seco Dry, Andalucia NV 375ML ($19.95) $16 special
Importer note “Gómez Nevado still use the traditional names of their wines; thus Pálido literally means “Pale”, and can be described as their “Fino-style” wine.  This cuvee comes from their estate-owned certified organic vineyards (please see the last paragraph in the bio above for production methods).  Made up of 60% Aris, 20% Palomino, and 20% Pedro Ximenez, this wine is unfortified, with a natural alcohol of 15%, and spends an average of 5 years in a solera.  The result is a balanced wine with delicate notes of bitter almonds, flowers, mushroom, and sea salt; the palate is rich and vibrant with tobacco notes, cleansing acidity, and lingering salt and umami notes – can be treated as a serious white wine or as you would a Sherry, pairing with cured meats, rich seafood, olives, and savory braises and stews. Serve chilled in a white wine glass or a copita…Led by the patriarch Gabriel, the family work 8 hectares of certified organic vineyard. Their estate vineyards are beautiful, green, and healthy – with living soils.  Vine age is on average 40 years old, practically an unheard-of age in the land of Sherry, and all planted in the traditional en vaso style.  Grass grows in between the spread out, huddled-close-to-the-ground bush vines, with the family’s flock of goats grazing and trimming back the wild flora.  Amazingly enough, Gómez Nevado hold the prestigious place in Spanish viticultural history as the first certified organic winegrower in the country, with certification coming in 1988!  The vineyards are made up of 60% Aris –called Airén to the north- and 20% each of Palomino and Pedro Ximenez, and sit at roughly 500 meters elevation on a mix of clay and slate soils.  These soils, combined with serious farming, a fairly continental-mediterranean mountain climate, and substantial vine age, lend a rich structure to Gómez Nevado wines, which is contrasted with a tight vibrancy, and a strong savory component, almost bordering on umami – a viscosity and flavor profile that we have not found elsewhere in the land of Sherry or Montilla.”

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Gomez Nevado’s 15 year old not-Amontillado is a savory masterpiece.
Bodgeas Gabriel Gomez Nevado Sierra Morena Dorado Seco Dry, Andalucia NV 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
Importer note “Gómez Nevado still use the traditional names of their wines; thus Dorado literally means “Golden”, and can be described as their “Amontillado-style” wine.  This cuvee comes from their estate-owned certified organic vineyards (please see the last paragraph in the bio above for production methods).  Made up of 60% Aris, 20% Palomino, and 20% Pedro Ximenez, this wine is unfortified with a natural alcohol of around 17%, and spends an average of 15 years in a solera.  The result is a profound wine with deep notes of hazelnuts, light caramel, and sea salt; the palate is structured and elegant with a mouth-filling texture, balanced acidity, and lingering nut, salt, and deep umami notes – can be paired with all manner of nuts, cured meats, rich meat dishes, and cheeses, as well as sweeter preparations.  Another great way to drink Dorado is to prepare a meat or seafood with the Dorado, and drink the wine with the preparation. Serve slightly cooler than room temperature in a wine glass… Led by the patriarch Gabriel, the family work 8 hectares of certified organic vineyard. Their estate vineyards are beautiful, green, and healthy – with living soils.  Vine age is on average 40 years old, practically an unheard-of age in the land of Sherry, and all planted in the traditional en vaso style.  Grass grows in between the spread out, huddled-close-to-the-ground bush vines, with the family’s flock of goats grazing and trimming back the wild flora.  Amazingly enough, Gómez Nevado hold the prestigious place in Spanish viticultural history as the first certified organic winegrower in the country, with certification coming in 1988!  The vineyards are made up of 60% Aris –called Airén to the north- and 20% each of Palomino and Pedro Ximenez, and sit at roughly 500 meters elevation on a mix of clay and slate soils.  These soils, combined with serious farming, a fairly continental-mediterranean mountain climate, and substantial vine age, lend a rich structure to Gómez Nevado wines, which is contrasted with a tight vibrancy, and a strong savory component, almost bordering on umami – a viscosity and flavor profile that we have not found elsewhere in the land of Sherry or Montilla.”

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First Offer:

A 98 Point Super Tuscan

Castello di Ama’s L’Apparita

Castello di Ama is a standout Chianti producer but their best wine is a Super Tuscan—the awe inspiring L’Apparita.  2015 is one of the best versions yet—a stunning wine that Antonio Galloni called “phenomenal” while declaring “[t]here is little doubt the 2015 will soon take its place as one of the epic editions” on the way to bestowing a 98 point rating.  Anyone who loves the top wines of Italy (or Bordeaux, for that matter) ought to be looking to add as much of this wine as they can afford to their cellar. This is going to be a legend.

Arriving June 28th:

Castello di Ama L’Apparita Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($199.95) $137.50 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 98 points “Ama’s 2015 L’Apparita is shaping up to be phenomenal. That is the good news. But readers are going to have to give the 2015 at least another 8-10 years before the wine starts to drink well, as today, the flavors are remarkably primary. That is hardly a surprise given how this Tuscan thoroughbred ages. A rush of blackberry jam, spice, menthol, and graphite build into a crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures. Over the years, I have had the chance to take virtually every vintage of L’Apparita. There is little doubt the 2015 will soon take its place as one of the epic editions.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “It’s impossible not to be completely smitten by the 2015 L’Apparita. This pure expression of Merlot from Chianti Classico is an exceedingly smooth and enriched expression with abundant tones of black cherry, spice, chocolate and barbecue smoke. The mouthfeel is gorgeous, and although this wine is not as extracted or dense as past editions, it is far more finessed and elegant. You get a clear taste not only of the grape but of the gravely soils that make up this extraordinary territory. What could be better than Merlot and Tuscany blended together in a single bottle?”
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of black olives and violets with black fruits following through to a full body with firm and silky tannins. An intense finish. Shows linear yet strong tannins. 100% merlot. Drink in 2020.”

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