2015 Tignanello Reloaded

The 2015 Tignanello is an epic wine—one of the best ever releases from a legendary estate.  The first round sold out but we’re excited to announce that we were able to secure another twelve bottles, arriving this Friday.

Arriving Friday, June 14th:

#24 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2018
Only twelve bottles available
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 98 points “Fantastic aromas of dark berries, sandalwood and Spanish cedar that are ever so deep. Full body, an incredible spin of polished tannins and bright acidity. Incredible depth. Like looking over the edge of a skyscraper. Powerful and structured. A great Tignanello. A little more sangiovese than usual. Best since the legendary 1997?”
Wine Spectator 97 points “Dense and intensely flavored, with violet, black currant, blackberry, graphite, wild herb and spice aromas and flavors, this is concentrated and solidly built, yet also harmonious, vibrant and pure. Approachable now, but should be better in a few years. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2021 through 2035.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Tignanello is a wine that opens, like a fully blossomed rose, right in front of you. This vintage is immediately accessible, generous and opulent. The wine will surely flesh out and gain focus with more bottle age, but one of the best qualities of this vintage is just how beautiful the wine tastes straight out of the gate. The fruit is beautifully ripe with fresh blackberry and cherry nuances, spice, leather, sweet tobacco and smoke. Up until this vintage, the various blending components that make up Tignanello were vinifed in separate lots. Starting with 2015, the wine is blended sooner in order to achieve better overall integration. The entire Tignanello estate counts 130 hectares of vines, but the single-vineyard “Tignanello” that makes this wine is 57 hectares. Some 340,000 bottles were produced.”

Also Available, Arriving ETA October:

Marchesi Antinori Tignanello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($149.95) $133 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “To hit the market in June, the 2016 Tignanello is a rock-solid wine and a stunning beauty. The wine offers an impeccable level of precision and laser-focus delivery of fruits, spices, tilled earth, espresso beans and Mediterranean herbs. This vintage follows the classic blending formula of 80% Sangiovese with about 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. The vines are now 15 to 20 years old. Compared to the 2015 vintage that ultimately appeared more chewy and succulent, this expression from the iconic 2016 vintage is more vibrant, nervous and jazzed. It shows more savory spice, saltiness and minerality, with a beautifully integrated quality of tannins. Some 320,000 bottles were produced. This wine is at the top of the list of some of the best Tignanello ever made, including the vintages 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2015.”

Super/Super Tuscans

Tua Rita has quietly become one of the best producers of super-Tuscan wine, with a special gift for Cabernet based wines.  These wines age beautifully and will surprise you by outclassing wines that are twice as expensive.  We’re highlighting three of their bottlings today—the Cabernet-based blend called Giusto di Notri and their Petrus slayer, Redigaffi.

The Giusto di Notri is a classic Super-Tuscan in the mold of Sassicaia, based on Cabernet with decreasing portions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.  On release it’s always a bit tight and structured, but with age it turns into a beautiful, expressive wine.  Conveniently, we’ve been hunting back vintages of the Giusto di Notri and have two offerings available.  This is a wine to stockpile if you like Sassicaia and Ornellaia but don’t want to pay the prices required.

We’ve also acquired the top wine from Tua Rita—the wine that stands toe to toe with Masseto, Petrus and Le Pin at a price that makes it a bargain.  Redigaffi is one of the iconic wines of Italy, a truly breathtaking red and one that belongs in the cellar of any serious collector.  The 2015 version is one of the best in years.  We were only able to secure a few three-packs of it, though, so grab it quickly.

In Stock Now:

Redigaffi is one of the great wines of the world—full stop. Give this a few decades and watch it blow away $800 Bordeaux.
Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($299.95) $229 special, 16 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “This is an extraordinary merlot with such purity and focus. Flowers such as violets and hints of orange peel. It is full-bodied yet incredibly energetic and structured. The finish goes on for minutes. Seamless texture. Fresh yet dense. Contrasty. Best Redigaffi ever. Hard not to drink now but a wine for decades.”

This is a wine that demands time and luckily, we’ve got a back vintage for you. 2008 was awesome and is great now.
Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2008 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This fabulous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot delivers loads of plush softness and succulent richness. Aromas of chocolate, ripe fruit and spice are distinct and clear, and the wine shows compelling complexity and intensity overall.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2008 Giusto di Notri is wonderfully alive in the glass. Dark red berries, flowers, spices, grilled herbs, licorice and leather are some of the notes that flesh out in this dazzling, vibrant Giusto di Notri. Polished tannins provide the backdrop for the silky, expressive finish. A final blast of red fruit adds freshness and brightness on the close. Giusto di Notri is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.”

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Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A dark, brooding wine, the 2012 Giusto di Notri presents a compelling array of dark stone fruits, grilled herbs, smoke, tobacco and menthol. The power of Suvereto and these Bordeaux varieties are both super-expressive in a virile, imposing wine loaded with personality and gorgeous, totally resonant fruit. This is a terrific showing.”

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Just Arrived!

Vieux Telegraphe’s Legendary 2016

“One of the Top Vintages of This Wine”

Vieux Telegraphe is a name that instantly connotes greatness and profundity in wine. One of the benchmark names in Chateauneuf du Pape, the estate’s wines are legendary for their complexity and longevity.  Owned for generations by the esteemed Brunier family, the venerable estate sits in the fabled “La Crau” subzone of Chateauneuf—home of the famous galet soils (only found in select areas in the AOC).  These large rocks reflect heat back to the vines at night, creating the intense, powerful wines that top estates like Telegraphe are known for.

It’s no secret that 2016 is considered a landmark vintage in the Rhone.  Across all appellations, the vintage was warm, trouble free and resulted in powerful wines with great density and impressive aromatics.  Vieux Telegraphe made wines that recalled their 2007 and 2001 bottlings—ageworthy, powerful Chateauneuf du Pape that will go down as historic bottlings.  We just received an assortment of sizes for this legend in the making, from half-bottles to impressive three-liters. All would be fantastic to put away for a half-decade or so and then drink over the following twenty years.

In Stock Now:

Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, Rhone 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, Rhone 2016 375ML ($51.95) $44 special
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, Rhone 2016 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau, Rhone 2016 3L ($499.95) $399 special
James Suckling 98 points “Impressive, complex array of wild cherries, raspberries, garrigue herbs, lightly spiced pastry and stony, chalky minerals. Super-fresh florals. The palate has superb texture, roundness, completeness, depth and detail. Powerful yet elegant with powdery tannins and essence-like red fruit. Super-fleshy, supple and dense core, then strong at the edges. Layer upon layer peels away on the finish. Resounding finesse and equilibrium, showing the full potential of the plateau La Crau. Drink or hold.
Wine Advocate 96 points “Undoubtedly one of the top vintages of this wine, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau features classy notes of crushed stones and black tea to go along with ripe raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied yet silky, there’s more power and richness in La Crau than in Piedlong, yet there’s commensurate elegance and finesse. The wine grows in intensity on the finish without ever seeming heavy or overripe, instead offering hints of tea and licorice.”

Highlights of the Tuscan Coast

“I cannot think of two recent back-to-back vintages that deliver more consistent excellence and overall enthusiasm in the Bolgheri Superiore category than 2015 and 2016….Wine collectors have plenty of excellent choices to make, especially if they hunger for an authentic taste of Tuscany. The Bolgheri appellation is one of the most ambitious in Italy, and these two over performing vintages (2015 and 2016) are quietly driving a quality revolution that has energized the entire base of vino italiano.

“Why are these wines so special? The grape varieties of Bolgheri—Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah—are perfectly adapted to the unique growing conditions found along the Tuscan Coast in Bolgheri, just south of Livorno and Pisa. Offshore breezes lift off the Tyrrhenian Sea to cool sea-facing vines. Sunbeams bounce off the water surface, creating lasting luminosity during the day. Complex soil patterns give vintners more exciting variables to consider when matching grape varieties, rootstocks and growing sites.

“The 2015 vintage is absolutely exuberant, and this is a word I often repeated when writing these reviews. The wines from this growing season are ample, generous and thickly concentrated with multiple layers of soft, sweet and succulent fruit. The 2016 vintage, on the other hand, is profoundly precise and focused. It shows comparable power and energy to 2015, but this vintage has a tad more acidity (analytically speaking). This adds to the sharp and delineated feel of these beautiful wines.”– Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

In Stock Now:

May Sale Wine!
Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Case-6 Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($179.95) $119 special
James Suckling 94 points “This second wine shows such a great balance of round tannins and juicy, creamy and chocolate character. Full, flavorful and joyful. Salty and juicy. Savory and even meaty. Drink now or hold.”
Wine Advocate 93+ points “This is absolutely one of the best value wines you will find in Italy and I suspect beyond. The 2016 Bolgheri Rosso Il Bruciato is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 15% Syrah. With more than one million bottles made, there should be no problem finding it at your nearest wine merchant. Once you do locate it, I enthusiastically recommend that you pick up a few cases. This vintage comes together with seamless intensity and smoothness. You get so much dark fruit flavor, paired with soft tannins, spice, smoke and dried blackberry. Il Bruciato pulls off its magic effortlessly. It doesn’t try to be anything other than it is: Delicious.”

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Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($279.95) $219 special
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2015 Ornellaia is a dream wine with magnificent balance. All the elements are in the right place. In most vintages, Ornellaia needs time to fully come together, but the 2015 is just impeccable, even in the early going. The warm vintage notwithstanding, winemaker Axel Heinz crafted and Ornellaia is more about finesse and power. The potent, bruising tannins Ornellaia can show as a young wine are nowhere to be found. Bright raspberry jam, mint, white flowers and pomegranate are some of the many notes that punctuate the finish in a memorable Ornellaia that will go down among the great vintages produced at this reference-point estate.”
James Suckling 98 points “The blackberry and blueberry aromas with fresh sage and bay-leaf character are impressive. Stone, graphite and mineral undertones. Full-bodied and silky and refined tannins. Dusty. Elegance and polish. Shows greatness in strength and refinement. A dialed-in, dialed-back Ornellaia. Drink in 2022.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “A big, brooding red, packed with blackberry, plum and earth flavors, all wrapped in spicy oak. Monolithic now, finishing with saline mineral elements, a leafy tobacco edge and dense, mouthcoating tannins. Terrific potential. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2038.”

Arriving May 22nd:

“The unstoppable Marilisa Allegrini is upping her attention and investments made to the Poggio al Tesoro estate that she purchased in 2001. During my visit to the winery, she told me that she simply “fell in love with Bolgheri,” and her passion shows in the many personal touches.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate

Poggio al Tesoro ‘Il Seggio’ Bolgheri, Tuscany 2015 750ML (39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Poggio al Tesoro ‘Il Seggio’ Bolgheri, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “($60) Fresh black currant and leafy flavors announce this juicy red. Wild herb, graphite and olive notes complete the picture as this unwinds on the lingering aftertaste. Very youthful, yet has all the components, including a dense structure. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Best from 2021 through 2033.”
James Suckling 93 points “A super refined and pretty red with sweet tobacco, currant and berry character. Red stone. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Drink now.”

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Arriving ETA Fall:

Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($279.95) $259 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2016 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia is a wine of extreme complexity and precision. It offers monumental depth with profound layers of black fruit, coffee, licorice and baking chocolate. I tasted this 2016 vintage beside the less-impactful 2015 vintage (which was reviewed last year). These two editions are very different when compared side to side, and this 2016 release is clearly superior in terms of the quality, clarity and intensity of its offerings. This Ornellaia delivers glossy shine and a polished texture that segues to important richness, concentration and textural fiber. It wraps thickly over the palate, imparting waves of sweet dark fruit and dark spice that linger for many long minutes. This beautiful wine is hitting the market now, but collectors will want to put it straight into their cellars for safekeeping.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “Just bottled, the 2016 Ornellaia is a dense, powerful wine. Naturally, the 2016 is just at the beginning of its life, but I am struck by how polished the tannins are for such a young wine. Ornellaia is at its best starting around age ten, but there is little doubt the 2016 is a hugely promising wine. Black cherry, chocolate, plum, new leather and a range of spice notes all build into a veritable crescendo of aromas, flavors and textures.”

Rosé of the Day

Venetian Sunshine

The Veneto is home to any number of charming, food friendly wines.  The most notable are names you’ve heard before: Valpolicella, Soave, Bardolino—all wines that have a long and proud tradition of charm and usefulness at the table.  A name that should be on that list, but isn’t, is Chiaretto, the traditional rosato from the shores of Lake Garda.  Chiaretto is the rosé counterpoint to the fresh and cheerful Bardolino and the wines display all the charm and freshness you’d hope for given that overlap.  We have an outstanding, inexpensive example in Marchenisi Marcello beautiful bottling.  It’s perfect for the patio, lake or standing next to your grill.  Just make sure you have enough on hand.

In Stock Now:

Marchesini Marcello Chiaretto Classico, Veneto 2017 750ML ($17.95) $11.90 special
Importer Note “Fruity and floral, with notes of fresh bloomed roses, peach and strawberries. Dry and mineral. Chiaretto is the most famous name for rosé wines in Italy and can only be made from the Bardolino zone bordering beautiful Lake Garda in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The ‘lake effect’ makes the Corvina and Rondinella grapes more fruity, and perfect for the production of rose.”

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Trending Wines

A brilliant value in old vine (70+ year) Premier Cru Chablis.
Samuel Billaud Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes, Chablis Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Vieilles Vignes comes from 70-year-old vines raised only in stainless steel. I like the aromatics here…this has a sense of purpose with vivid scents of orange zest and a touch of lychee. The palate is tensile right from the start thanks to that killer line of acidity. There is great depth here and the harmonious finish feels assured and elegant. Great potential and for me this is a serious step up from the Chablis Village and certainly worth the few extra dollars.”

High altitude, cool vintage Pinot from Kelley Fox is a winner.
Scott Paul The Long Run Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 750ML ($59.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds 92 points “(12.9% alcohol; 20% new oak): Light, bright red. Sexy, high-pitched red berry and floral scents, with notes of star anise, underbrush and sassafras adding complexity. Offers intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors, along with notes of rhubarb, candied flowers and orange zest. This lithe, focused, pure pinot finishes linear and very long, with echoing floral and spice notes. Pinot purists should definitely check this one out.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Previously labeled as Les Gourmandises, this is now The Long Run in honor of Scott Wright’s completing his first full-length marathon in 2011. It’s all Nysa vineyard fruit, graceful and delicate, scented with rose water and satin smooth. Cranberry and wild strawberry fruit accents lead into a mouthful of cherry soda, delicate but lingering.”

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Crozes can be hit or miss, but this wine is so on target it’s not funny.
Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2016 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Grapelive 94 points “Louis Barruol’s Saint Cosme [is] most famous for [the] Gigondas, [yet the] negociant series is one of the great values in the wine world. His northern Rhone lineup especially impresses, with his Crozes-Hermitage always a stand out. This 2016 is no exception with the vintage’s amazing combination of power and poise showing a deep character, but with a lovely freshness of detail and inner energy. Barruol’s deep/dark purple/garnet hued Crozes-Hermitage is 100% Serine clone (a local and an ancient variety of Syrah). [It] is 100% destemmed fruit coming off main sites in the extraordinary hillsides around the villages within Crozes, Larnage, Gervans and Erôme. [The] vineyard plots [are] of sand/clay over granite soils. This vintage was aged in 20% new French oak with the rest being put in 1 and 2 times used cask, with the Syrah seeing about a year of elevage before bottling unfiltered. [This makes] for a rich, ripe and vivid Crozes-Hermitage Rouge with a pure and earthy Syrah personality and a classic regional terroir core and character with a loaded palate of black and blue fruit, spice and savory elements with a raw tannic grip as well as the vintage’s nice acidity that gives this wine an exciting kick in the ass! Barruol notes that his growers… in Tenay, Habrard and Batits sit behind [the] Hermitage hill itself, with the oldest vines having the ability to produce wines that can compete with Hermitage! I do not doubt that and you can feel their presence in vintages such as this, no question. Again this wine is an absolute steal for the price. The Saint Cosme 2016 Crozes surprises for the width and textural feel with beautiful layers of blackberry, boysenberry, blueberry, damson plum and black cherry/kirsch fruits along with light camphor/embers, violets, mission fig, cinnamon, black licorice, creme de cassis, peppercorns, and a hint of crushed rock and leather. There is a lot going on here, and the finish is exceptionally lengthy and smooth. It has serious palate impact, while still fresh in details at 13% natural alcohol. It is medium/full in body, perfectly weighted, and I can see it getting better over the next 3 to 5 years, too. Very impressive. It’s a Syrah that delivers on its promises. Delicious stuff. Give [it] air or decant for best results, but [it’s] absolutely magic when paired with rustic/robust cuisine. Drink this Crozes over the next 5 to 10 years.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “I loved the 2016 Crozes Hermitage, which comes from granite terroirs located behind Hermitage hill. It offers layers of blackberry fruit, olive tapenade, ground pepper, and violet aromas and flavors. Deep, medium to full-bodied, and seamless, it shows the purity and finesse that’s the hallmark of this vintage.”

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The average listed price is $33

Pink, bubbly, affordable and perfect for summer.
Caves Sao Joao Espumante Rose Bruto, Bairrada 2017 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Importer note “Touriga Nacional gives intense rose petal aromas and Baga a bright red fruit character. Cabernet lends depth and herbal notes. Floral tones and red berry fruit lift the nose. On the palate, delicate and persistent bead makes for a silky, rich texture. Bright strawberry and red raspberry on the mid palate, complemented by mineral, white pepper and more floral tones. Racy acidity cuts a beam through the middle, making for a food-friendly sparkler. The singular terroir of Bairrada makes for world-class sparkling wine. The vineyards are planted 20km from the ocean, battered by the northern Atlantic winds for which the area is well known. Méthode traditionelle gives this wine a soft, silky texture, combined with the floral tones and bright fruit of its indigenous varietals.”

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A standout Southern Rhone.  This is one for the table and cellar.
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2016 750ML ($39.95) $36 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Deeply colored, the 2016 Gigondas La Louisiane comes from single vineyard on the lower plain, not far from the estate, and is 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvèdre, and the balance Syrah and Cinsault. It offers a classic bouquet of dark berry fruits, peppery herbs, garrigue, and obvious minerality. Reminding me of the 2010 with its pure, straight style, it’s full-bodied and elegant on the palate, and is going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age.”

Dry Riesling at the highest level—for far from the highest prices.
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg ‘Bomer’ Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2016 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
Grapelive 94 points “This Bömer Trocken is amazingly perfumed [and] really highly aromatic at this stage, much more so than when I tried the cask sample (a year ago). It is full of jasmine, rose oil and citrus blossom with a mineral tone… the wine is wonderfully lively, fresh and tangy with loads of dry extract and a light body at this stage. The delicacy is simply dreamy. Johannes Selbach’s 2016’s are remarkable wines, and I’m a huge fan of the Zeltinger Schlossberg site. It is magic and this single block “Bömer” is stunning in detail and unbelievably sexy on the palate with layers of apricot, white peach, passionfruit and tangerine/lime fruits, with a crystalline beauty, as well as flinty shale, verbena, minty tea, candied dried mango and saline notes in a refined Riesling that way over delivers. It’s a class act all the way. Zeltinger Schlossberg is a steep vineyard set on pure blue Devonian slate with the Bömer block being a parcel that sits directly behind the village of Zeltingen. It faces south east and gets reflected light from the Mosel and heat from the town’s rooftops which helps with ripening and the opulent flavors. I wonder if Selbach should join the VDP for his dry Riesling offerings, as this certainly would make for a Grand Cru in my opinion, but then again the price is outstanding the way it is without that GG on the bottle. Still it’s an interesting question. That said, Selbach-Oster’s strength is the balance achieved with generous sugar levels, and their fruity Spatlese and Auslese wines are some of the best in Germany. The “Bömer” is a gorgeous Riesling that should not be missed. It offers exceptional quality and stylistic charm with a heightened impact on the senses. It’s a brilliant dry wine. This one and Selbach’s Ur-Alte Reben Feinherb are my two absolute favorites in the lineup of greatness this Mosel winery has out right now. Both will drink beautifully for years to come.”
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling.com 93-94 points ” As delicate as it is concentrated, this is a pretty serious wine with a long, sleek very mineral finish. A couple of decades ahead of it.”

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This has become a go-to at even less than Produttori’s normale.
Socre Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
Grapelive 92+ points “The 2013 Socre Barbaresco is a pure and ripe Nebbiolo with striking profile and rich character… Socre’s Barbaresco comes from estate vines in the sub zone of Roncaglie that form the heart and soul of the winery. The soils are formed by 50 million year old deposits of alluvial material, with a composition that is a majority clay, with a limestone base derived from the ancient seabed. I’ve always admired what I’ve tasted from Socre and this 2013 does not disappoint with the vintage’s open knit palate and sweet tannins. It’s a great value to for such pleasing Barbaresco. This winery near the tiny hamlet Tre Stelle, which is a village of Barbaresco, not far from the historic town of Alba, is a label to discover if you’ve not done so. Heady on the nose and richly opulent in the mouth this Barbaresco leads with classic earth, flowers, cedar and minty herbs along with its deep cherry, damson plum and distilled strawberry fruits adding a touch of tar, anise and mineral with air. While 14% natural alcohol, it remains lively and sharply detailed delivering everything in seductive layers and with plenty of charm and vigor. The Socre 2013 is an impressive wine and a real winner for the price. It can be enjoyed now and certainly will be rewarding Nebbiolo for another 5 to 10 years easy.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Socré’s 2013 Barbaresco is a terrific example of the vintage at its best. The aromatics alone are enticing. Sweet dark cherry, plum, sage, lavender, rose petal mint and licorice give the 2013 a dark, mysterious quality that is hard to fully describe. Deep and yet also weightless as only Nebbiolo can be, the 2013 hits all the right notes. This is a vivid and impeccable Barbaresco from Socré.”

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The Next Cornas Star

There’s no two ways around it—Cornas has become the hot AOC in the Northern Rhone, perhaps in France.  Allemand, Clape, Ooka, Paris, etc—prices have been going up, demand has been going up, and wines are in stock for shorter and shorter periods of time.  Against that backdrop, we’re always on the hunt for the next hot producer—someone to stock up on before prices skyrocket and in Domaine Lionnet, we’ve found our next star.

Lionnet is basically the Levet of Cornas—the heir to Robert Michel, stylistically.  In fact, it was Levet that referred Lionnet to Neal Rosenthal, which tells you all you need to know. These are old-school Cornas, made with 100% whole clusters, fermented in cement vats and then aged in older, large barrels.  No new wood, no pretension, and tiny quantities—the domaine only owns 2.2 hectares!  These are classics in every sense of the word and a vintage like 2015 shows off the estate to great effect, with the warmth of the vintage rounding off the tannins and allowing the fruit to fully express itself.

These are wines that you’re going to want to stock up on and then forget about for 10-15 years (like, say, Levet).  When you pull them out, they’re going to be absolutely stunning (a 2004 tasted a few years ago was the wine of a very star-studded night).  Plus, by then these will be in such short supply that you’ll be glad you bought them while you could.

In Stock Now:

Domaine Lionnet Cornas Terre Brulee, Rhone 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2015 Cornas Terre Brûlée comes from a total of seven different lieux-dits throughout the appellation (all are granite soils) and was vinified in concrete tanks before spending 18 months in older demi-muids. It offers a classic, traditional feel in its blackberry, peppery herbs, bouquet garni and violets aromas and flavors. With full-bodied richness, nicely integrated acidity and superb concentration, it’s just another sensational Cornas from this vintage. Bravo to Corinne Lionnet and Ludovic Izerable!”
Grapelive 95+ points “One of my favorite wines and producers, Domaine Lionnet makes an incredible and authentic Cornas that never disappoints this Syrah geek. It’s always a nervy, stemmy wine, but with gracious fruit and textures to balance everything out. I find these wines to have a raw sex appeal and with a dark earthy seduction. In terms of pure Syrah it rarely gets much better than this!… Ludovic’s style is all about nature, with 100% whole cluster, 100% stems and all organic farming. He ferments native and uses long maceration (three weeks) in cement vats before malos in large cask, all well used and never new, with lengthy elevate/aging. There are never any additions or adjustments with just a tiny amount of sulfur. Each parcel is between 40 and 100 years old, including four great lieu-dit sites: Chaillot, Combes, Brugeres and Mazards. [Each is] hand-picked and fermented individually. Each of these Crus add to the whole and give this wine its special personality and chemistry. Domaine Lionnet’s attention to detail really shows in the bottle. These are electric and thrilling wines….A touch of air sets this 100% Syrah alive and releasing an inner perfume of violets, while a meaty wave flows underneath before reaching a climax of earth, spice and a core of black and blue fruit on the full bodied palate showing layers of boysenberry, cassis, blueberry, damson plum and kirsch along with vibrant peppercorns, dried basil, salted black licorice, bacon fat and truffle. This deep garnet hued Cornas lingers on and on recalling the violet and edgy stems for minutes in the aftertaste…If you love Jamet or Allemand you’ll want this wine, and at almost half their price this wine is a rockstar value.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “A terrific wine, the 2015 Cornas Terre Brulee combines smoky notes of grilled plums and meat in a full-bodied format. It’s richly tannic and velvety at the same time, with a finish that’s simultaneously drying (from tannins) and mouthwatering (from juicy fruit). Farmed organically, vinified with stems in concrete and aged in used, large-format oak, Cornas doesn’t get more authentic (or better) than this!”

Our New Top Spanish Value?

Jumilla, in southern Spain, is one of the top sources for rich and dense value reds.  The dominant grape there, Monastrell (AKA Mourvèdre) handles the heat well, ripening slowly without becoming overly alcoholic.  The resulting wines are dark, powerful and, thanks to the limestone soils, surprisingly fresh as well.  We’ve always leaned on the region for top value wines and with the arrival of Casa Castillo’s new release, we have another winner.  This is a brilliant wine—especially for under $12 a bottle.  A sure winner at any party you’re going to throw or a fantastic house red for grilling and chilling, this is one to stock up on.

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Casa Castillo Monastrell, Jumilla 2016 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Case-12 Casa Castillo Monastrell, Jumilla 2016 750ML ($179.95) $128 special (save over 10%!)
Wine Advocate 91+ points “The first wine in the range is the 2016 Monastrell, which in reality contains some 8% combination of Garnacha and Syrah, cropped from a more continental, cooler and dry vintage. Like all the wines from the property, it fermented with indigenous yeasts, in this case with grapes from different plots, and matured in used oak barrels for eight to nine months. Juicy, primary, incredibly fresh and with a vertical palate, longer than wider, like a hypothetical blend of 2013 and 2015, cool but dry. This is always a great value, even more so in 2016. 160,000 bottles produced from a single blend that is bottled throughout the year.”

Rosé of the Day

The Best Rosé in Thailand. It’s Not Thai.

He Just Tasted It There. (We Know.)

Every year, James Suckling conducts a wide-ranging rosé tasting in Thailand.  It’s always a fun report to read and there are always one or two wines that we get turned onto as a result.  A few years ago, Chateau Routas won and we discovered the wine as a result.  We’ve bought it for the shop ever since and lo and behold it won again this year.  This is a classic Provençal rosé: crisp, pale and dry.  It’s been a customer favorite over the last few years and this vintage looks to be one of the best.

Featured New Arrival

2019 Best in Show; 2019 Best Value – James Suckling
Chateau Routas Coteaux Varois en Provence Rose 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Case-12 Chateau Routas Coteaux Varois en Provence Rose 2018 750ML ($219.95) $169 special (that’s only $14.08/bottle—save 12%!)
James Suckling 93 points “The nose here is immediately captivating with its freshness, focus and interest. It suggests sea salt, thyme, freshly squeezed nectarines and a touch of well-executed, lifted citrus. The palate shows some good density and the fruit/acid balance is played out nicely. Medium-bodied and sleek and refreshing. Makes you come back for more. Routas on the money as always. Drink now.”

Newly arrived & supremely drinkable
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosso Etna, Sicily 2016 750ML ($26.95) $19.75 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Star anise, violet, crushed herb and Mediterranean brush aromas align with a whiff of crushed stone. It’s silky smooth, offering juicy raspberry, wild strawberry, dark spice and white pepper framed in lithe, polished tannins. Fresh acidity lends balance while a flinty mineral note energizes the finish. Drink through 2026.”
James Suckling 92 points “Extremely floral on the nose with lemon-leaf and dried-flower notes that highlight the fruit. Full-bodied, firm and silky with a beautiful finish. Drink now or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $22

Rivals the 2010 and 2013 for Rancia of the decade.
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2016 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94-97+ points “The 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is yet another magnificent wine in this range from Fèlsina. Silky, gracious and inviting, the 2016 starts off gradually and then builds, gaining volume and explosiveness with air. A wine of breadth, textural intensity and pure power, the 2016 Rancia is shaping up to be epic. That’s pretty much all there is to it.”
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Brisk acidity and orange-peel accents propel this wine’s saturated red cherry flavors. The wine is a lively expression of Tuscan terroir, brimming with notes of fennel and sage, brightened by chalky mineral tones. It’s ageworthy, yet hard to resist now.”

Looking for big, rich, powerful Champagne? Look no further. 
Vilmart & Cie ‘Coeur de Cuvee’ Premier Cru Brut, Champagne 2009 750ML ($179.95) $115 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A racy, exuberant wine, the 2009 Coeur de Cuvée offers up a super-appealing mélange of apricot, butter, baked apple tart and vanillin. The combination of the ripe, warm vintage along with fermentation and aging in small French oak barrels yielded an especially opulent Coeur de Cuvée with plenty of exotic and tropical overtones. The 2009 will be ready to drink with minimal cellaring.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $151

We love Alsatian Gewurtztraminer.  This is tops.
Agathe Bursin Gewurztraminer Dirstelberg, Alsace 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 28 bottles in stock now
“Light gold. Aromas of grapefruit, rose petal, mint, and spices, plus a light tropical fruit note. Then delicate and easygoing, displaying moderately complex floral flavors and a silky texture. Closes off-dry and accessible, with decent length, but it is not an especially opulent or showy Gewürz (18 g/L r.s. and 4.3 g/L total acidity).” – Ian D’Agata, Vinous
VinopolNote: The Disrstelberg vineyard is mostly composed of pink sandstone and is known as a high quality vineyard for a variety of grapes.  The wines from the site tend to be linear and crisp, with good varietal character.  Unlike many Alsatian producers, Bursin errs on the side of delicacy and raciness rather than pick too late and allow the wines to become rich and flabby for the sake of “power.”

Finding this wine at this price is like winning a Barolo lottery.
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($179.95) $119 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Barolo Cicala is beautifully focused and vibrant from start to finish. It boasts fabulous energy and sheer tension in its ripe red berries, spices, crushed flowers and mint. All the elements come together beautifully in the pure, delineated Barolo. Huge, powerful tannins provide the backdrop for layers of cool, mineral-infused fruit. There is a pulsating energy to the Cicala that is absolutely irresistible. This is another fabulous showing.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s fine depth to this red, like a grand cru red Burgundy, with a silky texture framing black cherry, black currant and tar flavors. Solidly built, this features a deceptively charming exterior that conceals firm tannins. The finish evokes violet and black cherry notes. Best from 2016 through 2035. 250 cases imported.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $154

The OG Conterno’s Barbera’s may be the best value in profound Piemonte wine.
Giacomo Conterno Vigna Francia Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($99.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Giacomo Conterno Vigna Francia Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 1.5L ($179.95) $119 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Conterno’s 2016 Barbera d’Alba Francia is a wine of extreme finesse and nuance. It is also dark, inward and mysterious in that it is nowhere near ready to show all of its cards. In most vintages, Francia is a bit more floral and mineral, but in 2016 it is the purity of the fruit that is most striking. I imagine the typical Francia nuances will develop with a few more years in bottle.”

The average listed price is $76

Just Arrived

A 96 Point, Classic Brunello

Lisini is a classic producer, both in style and in that they were one of the original 25 wineries in the Brunello Consortium.  They’re known for powerful wines that see extensive aging in (large format) cask and bottle before release, which softens their textures and gives them wonderful secondary flavors.  These are reference-point Brunellos that belong in the cellar of any collector—as does the Rosso, a delightful wine that’s always delicious young (which is useful as a cellar defender for the big guns).  The new vintage (2012) of their top wine, the single-vineyard Ugolaia, was just given a 96 point score by Wine Spectator—perfectly timed as it arrives next week!

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Lisini Ugolaia, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “A bright and elegant yet taut and structured version, this red features buried cherry, plum, earth, iron and tobacco flavors. Dynamic despite the firm grip of tannins, this should come around in a few years. Licorice and ripe cherry notes mark the finish. Best from 2020 through 2038.”

Also Available, In Stock Now from Lisini:

Lisini Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Black cherry, blackberry, iron and wild herb flavors mark this ripe, fruity red, which is well-integrated, with dusty tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2024.”

Lisini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($59.95) $48 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Exuding cherry, strawberry and floral flavors tinged with iron, earth ans spice notes, this ripe red is elegant in profile, tightly wound and deftly balanced, ending with a kick of fruit, spice and mineral elements. Best from 2020 through 2037.”

Lisini Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 94+ points “I have not seen a Riserva from Lisini for a while, so this wine comes as a pleasant surprise. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva takes us back to one of the warmest vintages in re-cent memory. However, this wine holds nicely with plenty of lush primary fruit to keep it smelling and tasting younger than its years. Dark cherry and dried blackberry rise to the top. Soon to follow are layers of spice and sweet tobacco. The mouthfeel is thickly layered but vel-vety smooth all the while”.

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Lisini Ugolaia, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($119.95) $88 special
Importer Note: From the superlative Ugolaia cru, a 3.7-acre, southeast-facing vineyard by the same name, planted in 1978 with selected grafts (top grafted onto wild vines by Lisini senior experts). Crops are 1.1 kilo per rootstock, and élevage is 36 months in Slavonian oak barrels (11-20 hl.), followed by 18 months’ bottle age.

New Jeb Dunnuck Reviews

For Washington State Classics

“Another brilliant year for Washington State, the 2016 vintage started out even earlier than 2015 (which was one of the earliest on record) with bud break occurring in the middle of May, upwards of two weeks ahead of average. Scorching temperatures in April and May put the vintage on track to surpass 2015 as the warmest on record. However, the weather pattern shifted in June with cooler, even temperatures for the summer months. A rain shower early in October was the only blip in a cool, even Indian Summer that persisted through November, which allowed a prolonged yet stress-free harvest….

“The large crop, cooler overall temperatures, and ample hangtime all resulted in wines that have more medium to full-bodied profiles (larger yields), beautiful freshness and purity of aromas, and ripe, polished tannins (long hangtime and cooler temperatures).” – Jeb Dunnuck

Cannot be listed on our website–please call or email to order.
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($219.95) $199 special
Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2016 1.5L ($479.95) $449 special
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Colombia Valley is a beautiful wine and has a more classic profile than the more sexy, massive 2015. Beautiful notes of creme de cassis, lead pencil shavings, graphite, dried herbs, and loamy earth all flow to a full-bodied, incredibly pure and perfectly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon that has no hard edges, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, good acidity, and a great, great finish. It reminds me of the 2002 with its uber classic, balanced yet broad and powerful style.”

B. Leighton

“These releases are from the personal label of Brennon Leighton, who’s part of the genius behind the K Vintners releases. His flagship cuvée is his Petit Verdot, but he makes a brilliant Mourvèdre and Syrah as well.” –J.D.

B. Leighton Olsen’s Brothers Vineyard Gratitude, Yakima Valley 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The Mourvèdre-dominated 2016 Gratitude Blend (there’s 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah) is a flat-out awesome wine as well as possibly the greatest expression of the variety to come out of Washington State. Beautiful notes of black and blue fruits, dried earth, peppery spice, and loads of floral and rose petal notes all flow to a full-bodied red that has an incredible sense of elegance and purity as well as richness and depth. It’s great today and will be great in a decade.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

B. Leighton Olsen’s Brothers Vineyard Syrah, Yakima Valley 2016 750ml ($59.95) $45 special
Case-12 B. Leighton Olsen’s Brothers Vineyard Syrah, Yakima Valley ($549.95) $479 special (that’s only $39.92/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2016 Syrah comes from a site in the Yakima Valley that was planted by Leighton. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by classic Syrah notes of dark berry fruits, smoke tobacco, olive tapenade, and ground pepper. Medium to full-bodied, with both freshness and richness, it’s impeccably balanced, with beautiful fruit and a great finish. It’s another seriously good wine from Brennon that delivers the goods. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

“Winemaker Chris Peterson continues to fashion some of the most impressive wines in the State. These are always more classical in style and show plenty of acidity and structure in their youth, yet they blossom with just short term cellaring and are brilliant wines.” –J.D.

In Stock Now:

Avennia Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah, Yakima Valley 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The flagship Syrah is the 2016 Syrah Arnaut, which is always 100% Syrah from Dick Boushey’s vineyard in the Yakima Valley. This deep ruby-colored effort is as silky and seamless as it gets, offering loads of black raspberry, blackberry, smoked earth, spice, and hints of chocolate. Medium to full-bodied, ultra-pure, and impeccably balanced, it’s a beautiful wine from Chris to enjoy over the coming 10-15 years.”

Arriving ETA April 19th:

Avennia Sestina Red, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Avennia Sestina Red, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($449.95) $369 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points “The 2016 Sestina checks in as 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc that saw 21 months in 48% new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. It shows the purity and elegance of the vintage beautifully and offers classic Cabernet notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil, crushed rocks, and tobacco leaf. With beautiful balance and that more elegant, finesse-driven style of the estate, it packs plenty of fruit and is a seamless wine that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for 15-20 years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Avennia Gravura Red, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Avennia Gravura Red, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($239.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2016 Gravura checks in as 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, aged 20 months in 60% new French oak. It’s another rock star of a wine from Chris that sports a saturated purple color, complex notes of blackberries, black cherries, damp earth, and spring flowers, hints of subtle oak, medium body, and perfect balance. Drink this seamless blend over the coming 10-15 years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Avennia Justine Red, Yakima Valley 2016 750L ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Avennia Justine Red, Yakima Valley 2016 750ML ($239.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “The 2016 Justine is the Southern Rhône blend of the estate, checking in as 56% Grenache, 32% Mourvèdre, and 12% Syrah aged 20% in concrete and the balance in neutral French oak. This medium ruby-colored effort offers a thrilling bouquet of kirsch liqueur, herbes de Provence, ground pepper, and spice. It’s elegant, medium-bodied, and seamless on the palate, with rocking levels of fruit and texture. Drink it over the coming decade.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

“This is another formidable lineup from Charles Smith and Brennon Leighton, who have recently moved their winemaking facility from Walla Walla to just outside of Seattle. All of the pure Bordeaux variety blends/releases have been moved to the Wine of Substance label (also reviewed in this report), and the K Vintners label is reserved for Rhône variety releases. By and large, these are all not destemmed and brought mostly in neutral puncheons. As I’ve said in the past, these are the real deal and are brilliant wines.” –J.D.

K Vintners The Creator Cabernet – Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “An 80/20 split of Cabernet and Syrah from a site in the Walla Walla Valley, the 2016 Cabernet / Syrah The Creator Powerline Vineyard offers lots of bloody black and blue fruit, black olive, beef blood, and pepper herb aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, rich, and concentrated, it has silky tannins and shows surprising elegance and finesse on the palate. It’s a “Wow” wine that should be snatched up by readers.”

K Vintners ‘M.C.K. Motor City Kitty’ Syrah, Washington 2016 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Coming from the highest point in the Boushey vineyard and a mix of Syrah clones, the 2016 Motor City Kitty Old Field Boushey Vineyard was fermented all in concrete (no destemming) and brought up in neutral oak. Game, olives, white pepper, and darker fruits all emerge from this Côte Rôtie look-alike. With medium to full-bodied richness and a layered texture, it’s one of the greatest values out there, so if you see a bottle, you should buy it.”

K Vintners Rock Garden Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Coming from a site in the Rocks region of the Walla Walla Valley, the 2016 Syrah Rock Garden boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as a sweet nose of red fruits, spring flowers, ground pepper, and assorted leafy, herbal notes. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, and just a straight-up sexy wine, drink it any time over the coming decade.”

2015 Piemonte

The World Class Vintage Begins to Arrive

2015 is already shaping up to be a world class vintage in Barolo and Barbaresco (to say nothing of Alto Piemonte).  Combining aspects of 2009, 2013 and 2010 these wines are powerful, flamboyant and intensely complex.  From the moment we started tasting the early released Langhe Nebbiolos of the vintage, we knew this would be a year to stock up on, especially for lovers of bigger Barolo and Barbaresco wines.

We’re finally at the part of the year where the real-deal releases are upon us—all the top names should be arriving at the shop over the next six months or so.  Based on what we’ve tasted and read, the hype for the vintage is real and the hype is huge.  If you missed out on ’10’s and ’13’s, be warned: these are going to disappear quickly as well.  We have new releases from Paitin (in Barbaresco) and Cavallotto that just arrived as well as a small allocation of E. Pira locked down for the fall.  If you love any of these wines, act quickly—they’re going to be in high demand.

Paitin:
Secondo Pasquero-Elia and his two sons, Giovanni and Silvano have enlisted enologist Dante Scaglione (of Bruno Giacosa fame) to draw even more from such an amazing site. The results offer a glimpse into the future of the winery and the wines to come. The wines are solid, deep, and built to last – echoing the family and their tie to their home and spectacular vineyards.  From atop the hill where the winery sits, you can overlook the two main vineyard sites and understand the difference in microclimate, soil type and techniques for farming. The Bricco di Nieve side of the hill is steep, breezy and has beautiful older vines that produce the gorgeous sori Paitin Barbaresco. The other side of the hill has the looser iron rich soil that is the Serra vineyard. Tasting the two Barbaresco side by side is a lesson in site location and the unique qualities that can be shown, just a stone’s throw away

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin Serraboella’, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin Serraboella’, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Sweet cherry and strawberry fruit is framed by earth, eucalyptus, tobacco and tar notes in this rich yet firm red. The assertive tannins suggest a glacial evolution but the lasting impression of fruit shows this wine’s potential. Best from 2022 through 2040. 815 cases made.”

Plus, their late-released Vecchie Vigne from ’11 just arrived!

Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin Vecchie Vigne’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2011 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin Vigne Vecchie is just as stunning as it has always been. A wine of extraordinary purity, the 2011 is laced with rose petals, spices, mint, sweet red berries. The balance of fruit, acidity and tannin is simply magnificent. At the same time, the power and breadth of Serraboella comes through in spades.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Cavallotto:
“Cavallotto may very well be the greatest Barolo producer few people have ever heard of, something that continues to mystify me. Truth is, it isn’t just the Barolos here that are impressive, the entry-level wines are every bit as delicious and well-priced…Readers who appreciate a firm, classic style of Barolo will want to spend some time getting to know Cavallotto.” – Antonio Galloni

Arriving Next Friday, April 19th:

Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival 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.”

E. Pira (Chiara Boschis)
“Year in, year out Chiara Boschis quietly makes some of the most compelling wines in Barolo without getting either the attention or recognition of some of her neighbors.” – Antonio Galloni

Arriving ETA October:

E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 99 points “Impressive roses and finely ground spices with a bright red-cherry core, as well as a fresh wild-herb thread. The sense of focus and purity here is stunning. The palate has a deeply juicy and fresh core of tightly knit tannins that carry immense power with impeccable balance. Elegantly executed wine with profound length. Try from 2025.”

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

New Arrivals

Rosé

Light, delicate and mineral driven.  A standout.
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Le Clos Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Importer note “It is made from a single parcel which is equally planted to Cinsault and Tibouren (a touch of Rolle makes it into this cuvee as well). The soil is a mix of clay and limestone with a lot of large rocks on the surface. The site has a bit of depression which helps more even ripening, since the soil holds a little more water than other parcels.  The 2016 is the palest of the three roses, with a very silvery salmon hue.  At the moment of tasting the nose was a tad firm, showing flinty mineral notes. The palate is quite rich and dense with an almost white Burgundy presence. The fruits lean a little sweeter than the other cuvées, with hints of pear and passion fruit. Even so, the wine is completely dry and has a super-long mineral finish. It’s a great rosé that has the potential to age, and we hope some of you keep a few bottles to drink over the next several years.”

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The iconic wine of Palette—give this 2-3+ years of age and enjoy.
Chateau Simone Palette Rose, Provence 2017 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special
Rosenthal Note “The Rougiers’ justly legendary rosé—composed of the same field blend as the rouge, and produced by blending direct-press and free-run juice in equal proportions—may as well be from another planet as the sea of technologically produced pink concoctions flooding the market. Even serious growers often make rosé as an afterthought, using quick and inexpensive methods and rushing it into bottle to sell it before the first glimmer of spring warmth. At Chateau Simone, however, the rosé ferments spontaneously, and spends a full year in large oak foudres developing remarkable depth. Like all great wines, the best rosés require time—note that Simone is releasing their 2017 when almost every other producer is issuing their 2018—and a bit of risk in the cellar. And, whereas rosés fall apart within a year or two of being bottled, Simone’s is notorious for improving for over a decade, developing the savory notes and umami complexity of an aged red wine over time. The 2017 growing season dished out challenge after challenge—hail, frost, hydric stress, even hungry birds and pigs—with a subsequent 30-40% reduction in yields from 2016 (which was itself 15% down from 2015). Given that the rosé comprises only ten percent of the estate’s production to begin with, there is painfully little 2017 to go around. Those lucky enough to snare some, however, will encounter a wine of terrific expression, as those grapes that survived the season’s myriad challenges ended up remarkably healthy and concentrated. Amply fruited but with a core of lean minerality, the 2017 Palette Rosé offers excellent tension, and its flavors of juicy red apples, Provencal herbs, and softly smoky earth are particularly well delineated.”

Oregon

One of the rising stars of Willamette wine made an outstanding Chard.
Flaneur Wines Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($33.95) $27 special
Winery Note “This barrel fermented wine boasts fresh orchard fruit, citrus, and spice character with zippy acidity. Sourced from all basalt and jory volcanic soils, this zesty, lighter bodied chardonnay is ideal for early drinking.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

The “secret” Beaux Freres is a great value.
Beaux Freres Les Cousins Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 special

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

The 2016 Beaux Freres Vineyard is as good as you’d expect.
Beaux Freres ‘The Beaux Freres Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 ($109.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Remarkably and seamlessly complex, with a polished and refined core wrapped in silky raspberry and blueberry flavors, accented by savory spice and orange zest hints. The long finish builds toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2025. 2,686 cases made.”

Always a great source for soulful Pinot from the WV.
Division ‘Deux’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
John Gilman 92+ points “The 2017 Pinot Noir “Eola Springs Vineyard” from Division Wine Company is a superb bottle in the making. The wine comes in at 13.8 percent octane and offers up a beautifully perfumed and refined bouquet of plums, black cherries, pomegranate, a touch of cocoa powder, violets, dark soil tones, a touch of fresh thyme and a discreet base of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and complex, with a lovely core of fruit, fine soil signature, moderate tannins and a long, tangy and beautifully balanced young finish. This is going to be first class pinot noir with a few years’ worth of cellaring! Very impressive. 2023-2055+.”

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Flaneur Wines Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($31.95) $27 special
Winery Note “This wine was fermented in a variety of stainless steel tanks and one large oak vessel. After a native yeast fermentation, it was aged in a combination of 228, 60t, and 2300 L oak vessels. Light and fresh, and boasting a balance of tart red fruit and earthy characteristics, this Pinot Noir is an ideal match for many meals…. or simply enjoyable on its own.”

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Dan Rinke does an outstanding job on all the Johan Pinots.  Very savory.
Johan Vineyards Nils Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
John Gilman 93+ points “Johan Vineyards’ 2014 Nils Reserve bottling of pinot noir is flat out beautiful on the nose, which soars from the glass in a refined blendof plums, black cherries, cocoa powder, woodsmoke, gamebird, complex soil tones, cinnamon, cloves and a touch of cedary new oak. On the palate the wine is bright, soil-driven and full, with a beautiful core of fruit, excellent focus and balance, seamless tannins and a very long, complex, elegant and tangy finish. This is an Oregon pinot noir for lovers of Chambolle-Musigny! It is approachable today (and all too easy to drink!), but there are additional layers of complexity here waiting to emerge with bottle age, so do your best to tuck it away for five to seven years in the cellar and really let the magic unfold. Great juice. 2024-2055.”

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Reddish/dark pink Pinot Gris has become a thing—and that’s good.
Johan Vineyards Drueskall Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
John Gilman 91+ points “The 2015 Pinot Gris “Drueskall” from Johan Vineyards sees plenty of skin contact, with the wine ranging from ten to thirty days on the skins, depending on which portion of the blend we are speaking of, with the assembled wine then spending fifteen months in older barrels prior to bottling. With the extended skin contact, the color is that of a dark Rosé, and the wine offers up a deep and complex bouquet of strawberries, sweet onions, a touch of rhubarb, lovely soil tones, gentle smokiness and a topnote of orange peel. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and very well-balanced, with a good core, fine focus and grip and a long, complex and modestly tannic finish. This is an utterly unique spin on pinot gris that is really more light red wine than it is white, and it will be very good with a wide variety of cuisines at the table (I would love to pair it with grilled salmon and smoked morels, just as an idea). It should age beautifully on its combination of bright acids and gentle tannins. Very cool juice. 2019-2035.”

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Full bodied, powerful and excellent value.
Patricia Green Cellars ‘Estate Vineyard – Old Vine’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “This harmonious version is layered with expressive raspberry, orange zest and rose petal accents that take on richness and elegance on the long finish. Drink now through 2026.”

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Patricia Green Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Expressive and polished, with unfolding layers of blueberry, raspberry, green tea and orange peel, taking on complexity toward well-manicured tannins. Drink now through 2026.”

Only one bottle remaining
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Enfers’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV (2013) 750ML ($219.95) $199 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Olivier Collin’s NV (2013) Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Enfers is rich, ample and beautifully resonant on the palate. Next to the Pierrières, the Enfers is quite a bit more generous and overt. Soft contours and lightly tropical notes are nicely balanced by the wine’s freshness. Vivid and super-expressive, the Enfers is stunning today. The 2013 spent 36 months on the lees. Dosage is 1.7 grams per liter.”

Only five bottles remaining
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Pierrieres’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2014) 750ML ($149.95) $119 special

Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2014) 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons is another gorgeous Champagne from Olivier Collin. Rich and ample on the palate, the Maillons shows all the textural richness of Pinot from this impeccably farmed parcel of 50 year-old vines in Barbonne-Fayel. Kirsch, mint, chamomile and dried flowers flesh out in a creamy, voluptuous Blanc de Noirs full of personality. In this release, Les Maillons is equal parts 2014 and 2013. Dosage is 2.4 grams per liter.”

Only three bottles remaining
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Rose de Saignee Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2014) 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “A stellar wine, Olivier Collin’s NV (2014) Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée Les Maillons will leave readers week at the knees. The 2014 is powerful and ample, yet also imbued with stunning aromatic intensity and energy. Positively arresting in its beauty and wonderfully complete, the Rosé de Saignée Les Maillons is a must-have wine. Dosage is 2.4 grams per liter.”

Italy

One of the last 2013 Barolo releases is one to stock up on.
Mauro Molino Vigna Conca, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($89.95) $59 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2013 Barolo Conca offers a powerful and savory approach. The nose is dark and luscious with generous fruit layering and balanced intensity. That fruit is tightly knit together with important acidity and a firm tannic structure that bodes well for the future cellar aging of this Barolo from La Morra.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “A firmly structured red, whose cherry, strawberry, leather and underbrush flavors are shy now. Balanced and elegant, needing time for the fruit to shine. A sun-kissed hay accent graces the finish. Best from 2021 through 2035. 245 cases made.”

Spain

Delicious and great value.
Bodegas Exopto Bozeto, Rioja DOCa 2017 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
James Suckling 90 points “The full, plum-cake nose and the supple and slightly sweet palate make this easy to drink, but there is some structure behind all that and the finish is well balanced and quite long.”

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Full bodied, powerful and slightly earthy.
Bodegas Gallego Zapatero Yotuel Roble, Ribera del Duero 2016 750ML ($21.95) $18 special

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