A Trove of Tuscan TreasureNew Releases From Felsina and La Gerla

Arriving in September

Recent vintages have been kind to Tuscany.  2012, 2013 and now 2015 have all been marked successes, delivering wines of opulence and class.  Whether you prefer Brunello, Chianti or Super-Tuscans, there are a multitude of brilliant wines across the region that all deserve your attention.  We have a set of classic producers we love and new releases from two of them arrive in September.

La Gerla makes fantastic Brunello in a traditional (yet approachable) way.  The wines always have striking purity of fruit and elegant structures but are free of the sweet tinted oak that masks many “easy drinking” Brunellos. The pricing is on-point and the combination of all of the above has turned the estate into a Vinopolis staple.  We have their epic 2013 Brunello and 2012 Riserva arriving this fall and both are some of the best wines ever produced by the estate.

We also have some of the higher end 2015’s arriving from Felsina—a winery that needs no more introduction at this point.  They’re reference point Chiantis and the lower-tier wines from 2015 were stunning, so the Rancia and Fontalloro should be some of the best in years.  Both the Rancia and Fontalloro are 100% Sangiovese, but the latter is more of a modern, Brunello/Super Tuscan-styled wine.  These are wines to collect, savor and treasure.

Arriving ETA September:

La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($59.95) $45 pre-arrival special
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 375ML ($29.95) $26 pre-arrival special
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is elegant, balanced and bright. The pretty luminosity of the wine’s appearance helps to underline this positive impression. The bouquet is nuanced and layered with dried fruit aromas that segue to spice, tar and balsam herb. You get sassy aromas of licorice, tar and cola on the close.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 93+ points “Bright red. Pure and very flinty nuances complement aromas and flavors of strawberry-rhubarb and wild berries on the nose and palate. Dense and juicy and boasting a focused, penetrating mouthfeel, this finishes long and clean with a very strong note of licorice. Best classico Brunello from La Gerla in some time.”

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La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 1.5L ($219.95) $159 pre-arrival special
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 3L ($499.95) $319 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95 points “Bright medium ruby. Very clean and fresh aromas and flavors of red currant, cherry pit, flowers and blood orange jelly. Bright, juicy and very light on its feet, offering superb vinosity and clarity of flavor, this conveys an impression of real underlying density and a multilayered mouthfeel. A knockout wine of outstanding energy and class, finishing with polished tannins, uncanny sweetness and lovely subtle persistence, not to mention outstanding balance (it hides its 14.5% alcohol very well).”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Here is a dense and meaty Tusan red that flaunts its immediate power, structure and intensity. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is robust and deep thanks to a generous offering of dark fruit, spice and tar-like aromas. Fruit is carefully selected for this wine, and the grapes are fermented in stainless steel. Post fermentation, the wine goes into large Slavonian oak casks for four years. The finish is soft and supple with sweet berry flavors. This wine has made an impressive jump forward in this vintage.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $98.55

Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2015 750ML ($59.95) $45 pre-arrival special
Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2015 1.5L ($139.95) $115 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 94-97 points “The 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is one of the most finessed young Rancias I have ever tasted. Silky, aromatically precise and nuanced to the core, the 2015 is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. This is an impressive showing.”

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Felsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92-95 points “Another impressive 2015, the Fontalloro is a wine of breadth, power and persistence. Today, the oak is still not fully integrated, but there is more than enough depth and resonance in the fruit to make me think that will happen. I can’t wait to taste the 2015 from bottle.”

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Special Sequitur Subscriber Sale

Unlisted Online

A Discount Just for You

Featured New Arrival

A New Vintage of Moueix’s New Landmark

Christian Moueix, of the family behind Petrus and individually the driving force behind the Dominus Estate in Oakville, La Fleur-Petrus and Trotanoy in Pomeral, and Belair-Monange in St Emilion, acquired this century-old estate at the foot of the Mayacamas Range in Oakville in 2008. He has meticulously transformed it into a world-class vineyard, having renovating the vineyards and converting to dry farming.

The result is an important new player in the high-end Napa Cabernet market.  This is more of a truly Napa-styled wine compared to Dominus, his other project (which has always been Bordeaux inspired).  This is big, rich and flamboyant and in its first few vintages has already established itself as a wine to watch in the scene.  Luckily, pricing has yet to explode (for now—though the same could have been said about Dominus for quite a while…) but we have a suspicion that this could become a very hard wine to find over the next few years.

Just Arrived:

Ulysses Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($199.95) $169 special
James Suckling 98 points “The evolution of this wine has been phenomenal since I tasted it in barrel a year ago with the same black cherry, plum and citrus character but with a turn to orange leaf, dark Chinese tea, and mushroom. Full body, fine and velvety tannins with a touch of dust to the texture. So much chocolate and fruit undertones with forest floor and hints of tobacco, too. The mouthfeel and complexity are seductive. Better from 2022 but a joy to taste.”
Robert Parker 94 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was aged for 17 months in 45% new French oak, is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is dense purple, with sweet cedar wood, unsmoked cigar tobacco, crème de cassis, and black raspberries in a classic, almost St.-Julien/Pauillac style. This emerged from a valley floor vineyard on the west side of Napa, where Christian Moueix told me that 2014 was characterized by generally slightly higher than average temperatures for the summer with only minor heat spikes in June and July. August and September went off without a hitch, and the harvest took place during the month of September. This full-bodied wine will hit its peak in 3-5 years and last for 25-30.”

Also Newly Arrived!

If Charles Smith is going to put his face on a label, you know the wine’s good!
Charles Smith K Vintners The Creator Cabernet – Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2015 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2015 The Creator is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah, but even though it’s in the minority, the Syrah seems to define the wine’s personality. The bouquet wafts from the glass with notes of grilled meat, bay leaf and ripe blackberries and mulberries. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, rich and layered, with immense depth and concentration, its ample core of fruit largely concealing an abundant endowment of fine-grained, ripe tannins. Despite its scale, it eschews extractive excess, and it should be well worth following for the next 15-20 years.”

The most overlooked wine in the K lineup.  Class in a glass.
Charles Smith K Vintners The Boy Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Translucent ruby in hue, the 2015 The Boy is superb, wafting from the glass with aromas of Griotte cherry, rose hip, licorice and kirsch. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, satiny and expansive, with beautifully refined tannins, superb concentration and a long, lingeringly fragrant finish. Reminiscent of a top vintage of Emmanuel Reynaud’s Château des Tours, this belongs on any short list of the best Grenache being produced in North America.”

The Next Burlotto?

The Castello di Verduno’s Star is on the Rise

While Burlotto’s cru Barolos have skyrocketed in price and scarcity over the last two years, the other major producer in their village, the Castello di Verduno, remains a relative bargain.  This is a classically styled producer making wonderful, traditional wines and for the immediate future they’re both available and exceptionally priced.  To an Italian from Piemonte, the discrepancy in pricing between Burlotto and the Castello di Verduno would seem fantastical—cases are easily made for both producers as being the top dog in the town—which means that this is a prime buying opportunity for us.

The Castello di Verduno, as you might guess, is a historically important producer of Barolo, located in Verduno, but also owns a cellar and important vineyard property in Barbaresco.  The estate is owned by Gabriella Burlotto and Franco Bianco, who have made it a mission to create some of the finest wines in the region.  Their holdings are heavily skewed towards great vineyards—Rabaja and Faset in Barbaresco and Monvigliaro in Barolo, meaning their entry level wines show incredible class and purity as well.  Everything they do (including the rare Pelaverga) is very traditionally vinified, with aging in older barrels (or stainless) and no new or small-format oak.

These are wines to pay attention to, both for their absolute quality and for the value they represent in a world of increasingly expensive Barolo and Barbaresco.  They arrive at the end of next month and we’re waiting with bated breath already.

Arriving ETA Late August

Given the vineyard sourcing, this remains a steal.
Castello di Verduno Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($47.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Importer Note “The village Barbaresco from Verduno is a model of its type, showing absolutely typical aromas and flavors of redcurrant, fraise de bois, sandalwood and rose. Elegant, delicious when young but will age for many years in a good vintage. The grapes come from the Faset and Rabajà vineyards; vinification is traditional, with 21 days on the skins, and the wine is aged for 19 months in large Slovenian oak barrels (made by Stockinger, an artisan cooper from Austria) before bottling. (Barbaresco is only required to be aged in wood for 12 months, and I think this extra time in large barrels makes a difference.)”

TrendingPopular Wines of the Week

Always a top pick, especially in a top vintage.
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “This cuts more of a broad swath than its peers, yet remains graveful, evoking strawberry, cherry, tobacco and stony mineral flavors. Long and dense in structure, with a tobacco- and under-brush-tinged finish. Best from 2021 through 2033.”Beautiful California Chardonnay, crafted with care.
Varner El Camino Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2015 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Varner El Camino Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2015 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2015 Chardonnay El Camino Vineyard from the Varner brothers is lovely, wafting from the glass with an expressive bouquet of honeycomb, ripe peaches and fresh apricot. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, pure and textural—displaying a touch more mid-palate ripeness than the 2014 rendition—and concludes with a long, saline finish. This is a characterful Chardonnay that represents terrific value.”

This staff favorite rosé is pale, crisp and delicious.
Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche Rose, Loire 2017 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Case-12 Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche Rose, Loire 2017 750ML ($189.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
VinopolNote “While Chinon is best known for its lovely, savory bistro reds, a few producers make dynamite rosé from the AOC as well.  Plouzeau is one of those that makes excellent rosé, and the 2017 version just landed. As a red, some don’t love Chinon because of its herbal, savory streak, but that’s tempered in rosé form, turning into a lovely background note of thyme or rosemary to complement the bright juicy fruit.  This is dry and crisp—and more importantly budget friendly.  It’s one of the best values in the rosé world, especially if you buy it by the case!”

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A budget friendly, very Orin Swift wine.
Orin Swift Abstract Red, California 2015 750ML ($37.95) $24 special
Case-12 Orin Swift Abstract Red, California 2015 750ML ($419.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 90 points “Moderately complex, though loaded with zesty, supple fruit and offering appealing notes of black raspberry, smoky beef and cracked pepper. Grenache, Syrah and Petite Sirah. Drink now through 2022.”

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One of the wines of the vintage in Tuscany.  A knockout.
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($134.95) $108 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The flagship 2014 Le Pergole Torte possesses striking depth, nuance and pliancy, all in the midweight, slightly slender style of the vintage. Sweet red cherry, plum, cinnamon, dried flowers, mint, cinnamon and pomegranate infuse this super-expressive, sexy Pergole Torte.”
James Suckling 96 points “A transparent wine with flowers, dark fruit and citrus fruit on the nose. Full body, firm and silky tannins and a bright and fresh finish. I love the dynamic cherry and vivid floral character. Mineral, too. Bright acidity. This is one of the best wines of the 2014 vintage in Tuscany. Auguri. Drink or hold.”

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New Grapelive Review

For A Master of Sylvaner

Agathe Bursin Sylvaner Lutzeltal, Alsace 2016 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Grapelive 94 points “A beautiful and crystalline wine from Agathe Bursin, the 2016 Lutzeltal Sylvaner delivers a thrilling and complete performance that rivals any white made from this varietal and proves the talents of this Alsace producer, putting Bursin in the regions elite vignerons. In the past I’ve loved the Sylvaner wines of Domaine Weinbach. They continue to be a standard bearer for this grape in Alsace, but this Bursin is absolutely gorgeous and is one of the best I’ve tried, highlighting the quality of the vintage and of place. Bursin’s estate is in the town of Westhalten, near the famous Alsace wine center Colmar. [It is] set below the three hills of the area which are a calcareous formation: these are Zinnkoepflé, Strangenberg and Bollenberg, which form a crown around the village. This is a serious terroir with a very warm climate and littered with fossilized anemones and oyster shells with sandstone soils that gives these wines there unique bold expressions. Agathe Bursin, the youthful viticultrice, is also experimenting with co-planted varietals, and looks to be about to explore the path that Marcel Deiss has gone down. Her style is generous, but with refined elegance and a traditional feel. This Sylvaner is very along those lines with its medium body and opulent fruit backed up by brisk focus and sharp detailing. The beautiful and lightly floral nose is vivid with intriguing white flowers, saline, mineral tones and orchard fruits that leads to a richly flavored palate that is both dry and decedent with a mix of citrus, peach, quinces and tangy mango fruits along with a chalky/stony element, a hint of lees and an array of minerals, spice and a touch of summer herbs. This Sylvaner really impresses texturally and with its lovely charms. It’s a grape that needs to be re-examined, especially when you find one as good as this! With its extract and subtle acidity, I’d expect this Bursin Lutzeltal Sylvaner to last a decade or more, but not drinking it now would be very hard indeed. This is pure pleasure and class in the glass and a great summery white.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Other Sylvaner from Bursin, in stock now:Agathe Bursin Sylvaner Eminence Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($39.95) $30.90 special
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 93 points “Straw-green. Herbs, quince, pear and green apple on the captivating nose. Very pure and clean in the mouth, and much deeper and more complex than the Lutzental; this is the first vintage in years in which I find a truly noteworthy difference in depth and charm between the Sylvaner Eminence and the Lutzental. Finishes long, mineral and very structured. In fact, this is one of the more tactile, structured Sylvaners from Bursin that I have memory of.”
VinopolNote: Agathe Bursin is known in Alsace as one of the top producers of Sylvaner.  This is one of her top wines and provides a compelling reason to pay attention to the grape.  Aromatically really interesting with a bright, mineral palate and great texture.  This is a wine worth paying attention to.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Agathe Bursin Sylvaner Eminence Zinnkoepfle, Alsace Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 92 points “Gold-tinged straw. Delicate aromas of peach, apricot and poached apple. Rich and dense on the palate, with lively acidity lifting the sweet flavors of orchard and tropical fruits. Finishes very long, with impeccable balance. These Sylvaner vines grow in the grand cru Zinnkoepflé, the soils of which are marked by calcaires à entroques. Planted in 1930 with a southeast exposure, these vines give the description vieilles vignes real meaning, but Bursin doesn’t care to use this wording on the label since she believes the term has been reduced to mainly marketing purposes. “In France, vieille vigne wines are made with vines ranging anywhere from as little as 20 years to as much as 100 years of age, so what‘s the point?” she asks.”

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July Sale Recap

See the complete list of wines on our July Clearance Sale below or click here to shop the sale on our web store!

Thanks for reading!

Staff Picks

A Wolf in the Summer

New Arrivals

Oregon

Bow & Arrow Time Machine Blanc, Willamette Valley NV 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
A blend of Chenin and Sauvignon Blanc

The 2016 vintage is another marked success for the estate, producing Riesling of beautiful charm and deliciousness.  There’s no reason to think that these won’t be wines that improve for three decades, but they’re uncommonly tasty for young JJ Prum.  From top to bottom, these are brilliant wines and with the stern 2017’s in the pipeline, definitely the most immediately delicious vintage in many years.

Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($79.95) $69 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett (AP 21 17) is deep, cool and flinty on the nose, pretty mineral though still a bit reductive. Round, intense and juicy, this is a densely woven Kabinett with ripe nectarine and plummy flavors as well as a tightly woven and refreshing mineral structure. The finish is pretty persistent and extremely stimulating. Compared to the Badstube, the Himmelreich is more aromatic and expressive. Tasted in March 2017.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “Scents and juicy generosity of mint-tinged and honeysuckle-garlanded fresh apple and black currant are allied to a polished, glossy, buoyant palate presence, leading to a lusciously sustained, delicate finish tinged with crystalline stony inflections. The sweetness here is totally supportive and entirely discreet. This is one of those Kabinetts one seems to inhale in the finish, with floral perfume and wet stone prominent, and only sheer refreshment reminds you of its fluid nature.”

Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 375ML ($37.95) $29 special
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese (AP 09 17) shows very fine botrytis and orange tea character on the delicate and nicely concentrated nose. Very elegant, piquant and lush on the palate, with mineral expression, refreshment and persistent structure, this is a serious and complex Auslese of great class. Highly recommended.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Well-crafted, showing a bright and suave character, displaying ripe peach, mango and mineral nuances, this auslese sings harmoniously on the palate. Silky and full of energy, with a lingering aftertaste of lime and honey. Very delicious now, but will also age for years. Drink now through 2034.”

Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “What a fantastic bouquet! The 2016 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese Gold Capsule is super deep, intense and precise on the nose where flinty/stony notes and very fine (and slightly spicy) raisin and grapefruit aromas are displayed. Rich, lush and super sexy on the palate, with highly delicate but intense and persistent fruit and very fine salinity, this is a gorgeous Auslese from the winner of the 2016 vintage chez Prüm: Graacher Himmelreich. This gold-capsuled Auslese (AP 10 17) is rich, finessed and almost weightless in its intensity. The salty and piquant acidity is alive and kicking. You can hardly produce a better Auslese in this delicate and filigreed style. 8% alcohol.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “A bit creamy, yet elegant, showing lots of freshness and vibrancy, with juicy acidity cutting through the ripe flavors of peach and apple, combined with notes of Key lime pie and sweet spice. Features a vivid structure, showing terrific integration and a long, detailed, velvety finish. Drink now through 2038.”

Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($119.95) $96 pre-arrival special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese (AP 23 17) is still discreet, floral and finely mineral rather than fruity on the nose compared to the other 2016 Spätlesen. Lush, piquant and juicy on the palate, this is a firm but sensual Sonnenuhr with remarkable finesse, lightness and lingering salinity. Tasted March 2018.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92+ points “This proves quite closed at first. A hint of volatile acidity quickly gives way to beautiful flavors of canned yellow peach, apricot blossom, grapefruit and a touch of toffee on the nose. The wine develops ripe aromas on the creamy, intense and smooth palate. The finish is full of honeyed fruits, roasted pineapple and butter cream. This Auslese-styled expression of Wehlener Sonnenuhr will need quite some time to integrate its richness, but could then turn out even better than anticipated as the fresher side emerges at maturity.”

Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese (AP 13 17) is clear, fresh and vegetal/floral on the pretty complex but clear and refreshingly flinty nose. Bottled with 8.5% alcohol, this is a lush, piquant and well-structured Spätlese with good grip and a perceptible sweetness. The finish is intense and complex and reveals a firm mineral structure.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Pure, flying like a butterfly across the palate, this starts with mineral and floral notes up front, but unfolds to show multiple layers of flavor, remaining seductive throughout. The peach, glazed pear and honey flavors are perfectly balanced, with power and force seemingly reserved. Shows wonderful expression. Drink now through 2037.”

Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 750ML ($129.95) $119 special
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 375ML ($79.95) $66 special
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2016 1.5L ($279.95) $249 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2016 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese (Gold Capsule) is clear, fine and subtle yet concentrated, with vegetal and ripe fruit aromas. Rich, round and piquant, this is an intense and densely woven Auslese (AP 14 17) with a long, tensioned and refreshing mineral finish that lifts the sweet fruit. Gorgeous but made for another decade.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Lush and thick in texture, combining power and grace, with a firm backbone of acidity and mineral details. Stunning on the palate, featuring different nuances that keep emerging with each sip. Slate, apricot jam, flan, honeysuckle and kumquat fruit notes are the most prominent, leading to a long, mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2040.”

Of a Perennial Vinopolis Favorite from Cameron

“The Cameron Dundee Hills Pinot is a blend of the Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge Vineyards, two that make up the best of John Paul’s main sites in the AVA (Dundee Hills) that is on the Jory (volcanic) soils and making for a full and expressive wine, as in this ripe 2016 vintage. The Abbey Ridge Vineyard site is located high up in the Dundee Hills, at about 600 plus feet. These vines were first planted here in 1976, and are some of the oldest in Oregon, they help produce some of Cameron’s finest wines, while Clos Electrique, planted by Cameron’s winemaker John Paul, is a tiny estate vineyard that consists of approximately 3 acres of Pinot Noir with each block of vines planted to multiple clones, a technique increases the complexity of flavors in the wines. Both sites are farmed without irrigation and this dry farming practice concentrates the these wines and you’ll notice the deep color and exotic mouth feel in them, especially in a warm vintage such as 2016.”

Cantine Lonardo

Our Favorite Campanian

New Releases Arriving in October

Campania, the area around Naples, has been famous for its wines since the Greeks settled it. There are numerous references to the quality of the wines in Roman writings and if more of the wines were at the level of Cantine Lonardo, the region would be famous again.

Sandro Lonardo is a schoolteacher who also makes wines, both from vineyards he farms and from grapes he buys from local farmers. Mostly he makes wines from the Aglianico grape, which is the “Barolo of the South” according to popular wisdom.  Unlike some producers, he resists the temptation to use lots of barrique or new wood and yet the wines aren’t rustic monsters. There is a freshness and approachability that surprises, given the reputation of the grape and the warm climate. Lonardo also makes a white from a nearly extinct grape called Grecomusc, which is almost like a cross between Chenin Blanc in its texture and acidity and Muscat in terms of fruit and aromatics.

In Stock Now from Cantine Lonardo:

(Contrade di Taurasi) Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG, Campania 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Ian D’agata – Vinous Media 94 points “Deep ruby. Ripe black cherry, flint and herbs on the profound, complex nose. Bright, dense and rich; lively acidity lifts the almost decadently ripe red cherry fruit, nicely framed by sweet, polished tannins. Finishes long and ripe with a bright, refreshing floral nuance. Outstanding Taurasi that manages the neat trick of being remarkably concentrated yet very light on its feet. Bravo!”

(Contrade di Taurasi) Cantine Lonardo Grecomusc Burlesque, Campania 2015 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote “This is a reserve selection of the Grecomusc (aka Roviello) picked a touch riper and fermented and aged in barrel as well as stainless steel.”

(Contrade di Taurasi) Cantine Lonardo Aglianico Rosso Irpinia, Campania 2015 750ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Case-12 (Contrade di Taurasi) Cantine Lonardo Aglianico Rosso Irpinia, Campania 2015 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
VinopolNote “Perpetually one of the best values in Italian red wine, this Aglianico balances the natural tendencies of the grape towards weightiness and richness with the house’s grace.  This has rich red and black fruits underpinned with an earthiness that keeps the wine grounded.”

(Contrade di Taurasi) Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG, Campania 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special

July Sale Recap

See the complete list of wines on our July Clearance Sale below or click here to shop the sale on our web store!

Thanks for reading!

Savings Add Up

In the July Sale

Stately and Plump

A New Classic Napa Cabernet

Christian Moueix, of the family behind Petrus and individually the driving force behind the Dominus Estate in Oakville, La Fleur-Petrus and Trotanoy in Pomeral, and Belair-Monange in St Emilion, acquired this century-old estate at the foot of the Mayacamas Range in Oakville in 2008. He has meticulously transformed it into a world-class vineyard, having renovating the vineyards and converting to dry farming.

The result is an important new player in the high-end Napa Cabernet market.  This is more of a truly Napa-styled wine compared to Dominus, his other project (which has always been Bordeaux inspired).  This is big, rich and flamboyant and in its first few vintages has already established itself as a wine to watch in the scene.  Luckily, pricing has yet to explode (for now—though the same could have been said about Dominus for quite a while…) but we have a suspicion that this could become a very hard wine to find over the next few years.

Just Arrived:

Ulysses Vineyard, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($189.95) $149 special
James Suckling 98 points “Fabulous subtle aromas of black currants, violets and lilacs with a hot stone undertone. Full-bodied and dense, it shows such wonderful energy and synergy that delivers a firm yet gentle tannin backbone and complex mouthfeel that seduces you. Evolves wonderfully. Second wine from this new estate, which is owned by Christian Moueix of Dominus and Bordeaux.”
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2013 Ulysses is absolutely mind-boggling, as so many wines from this vintage are. Gorgeous blueberry and blackberry fruit, along with the telltale cassis and floral notes, jump from the glass. Again, this is Pauillac-like, with some cedar wood and subtle barrique smells. Again produced nearly all from Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is full-bodied, powerful, rich and long, with slightly sweeter tannins than the 2012. Production in 2013 was 960 cases, and Moueix told me that the entire growing season averaged about two and half weeks ahead of schedule from bloom break to harvest. This is a prodigious effort and will certainly stand as the great Ulysses of the first trio to be released. I suspect it will be drinkable in 3-4 years and keep for 30 or more, given the Moueix track record.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “Gravel, smoke, graphite, savory herbs, tobacco and iron are some of the signatures in the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon. A typical wine from the eastern sector of Oakville on the border with Yountville, the 2013 is loaded with feral, savory notes, while the expression of blue/blackish fruit lies a bit more in the background. In 2013, the main signature is an expression of structure that is both vertical but also incredibly insistent through to the finish. In other words, this is a super-classic 2013 built for the cellar.”

Arriving Later This Month:

Ulysses Vineyard, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 98 points “The evolution of this wine has been phenomenal since I tasted it in barrel a year ago with the same black cherry, plum and citrus character but with a turn to orange leaf, dark Chinese tea, and mushroom. Full body, fine and velvety tannins with a touch of dust to the texture. So much chocolate and fruit undertones with forest floor and hints of tobacco, too. The mouthfeel and complexity are seductive. Better from 2022 but a joy to taste.”
Robert Parker 94 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was aged for 17 months in 45% new French oak, is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is dense purple, with sweet cedar wood, unsmoked cigar tobacco, crème de cassis, and black raspberries in a classic, almost St.-Julien/Pauillac style. This emerged from a valley floor vineyard on the west side of Napa, where Christian Moueix told me that 2014 was characterized by generally slightly higher than average temperatures for the summer with only minor heat spikes in June and July. August and September went off without a hitch, and the harvest took place during the month of September. This full-bodied wine will hit its peak in 3-5 years and last for 25-30.”

X Marks the Spot!

The Powerful Wines of Xavier Vignon

Xavier Vignon is a consulting winemaker to the stars of the Southern Rhone.  Responsible for some of the most lauded wines in France (think the 100 point Grand Veneur VV, Usseglio’s 99 point Impériale, etc), he makes wines that are rich, powerful and impressive, no matter where he goes.  While consulting, Xavier takes some of the payment for his work in barrels of wine that he selects—these are the basis for the Xavier wines that we have here at the shop.

From some of the best wineries in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vacqueyras, and Rasteau, he brings them to his facility for blending and bottling under his own label.  The resulting wines have the polish, poise and class of the big name estates, but much lower price tags.  These are big, rich, wines with big scores and incredible textures, owing to the experience and talent of this master of the Rhone.

In Stock Now from Xavier:

Anonyme is Xavier’s top CDP.  The 2011 is drinking perfectly now.
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme X, Rhone 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The top wine of the estate, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a hidden gem in the vintage! A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise and Vaccarese, from 90-year-old vines and aged in one-third new barrels (although you wouldn’t know it), it possesses fabulous notes of blackberry and currant fruit, big minerality, roasted meats and leather. Full-bodied, with beautiful freshness, big tannin and a layered, thrillingly concentrated mid-palate, it will be better in another year or two, and have over 15 years of longevity. Drink 2015-2026.”

One of the most powerful Chateauneufs from the 2012 vintage.
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme X, Rhone 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The top wine from the portfolio, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme offers thrilling purity and focus in its lively dark fruits, roasted meats and underbrush-scented bouquet. Full-bodied, ripe and textured, with fantastic polish and sweetness to its tannin, it has a supple, forward feel, yet will easily evolve for 10-15 years.”

A rebellious wine, Xavier blends across vintages for maximum everything–complexity, drinkability, richness, etc.
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Reserve VII IX X, Rhone NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “While I reviewed this NV Châteauneuf du Pape La Reserve VII IX X (a blend from the 2007, 2009 and 2010 vintages) last year, I was able to taste it again this go around, and it still blew me away. Fabulously full-bodied and decadent, with loads of lavender, incense, black raspberry and cured-meat nuances, it’s still youthful and vibrant, with notable freshness and purity. Enjoy this brilliant wine through 2028.”

July Sale Recap

See the complete list of wines on our July Clearance Sale below or click here to shop the sale on our web store!

Thanks for reading!

A June Sale Spectacular

From the Creators of Meomi

Elouan

(AKA Meomi 2: Electric Boogaloo)

Elouan Rose, Oregon 2016 1.5L ($39.95) $29 Clearance Price

St. Cosme’s Classic Gigondas

The Best Version Yet?

Saint Cosme is one of the notable estates of the Southern Rhone. Louis Barroul is a talented winemaker and is the 14th generation of his family to make wines in the domaine that was founded in the 1500’s. The wines he makes are rich and powerful, with undeniable terroir signatures.  To highlight these varying terroirs, the estate bottles a handful of single vineyard Gigondas which are the most interesting and coveted wines in the portfolio.

2016 looks to be an unqualified success for the estate (as with most in the Rhone).  They seem to combine nearly everything we’re looking for in Rhone wines, which reminds us of something like 2005 or 2010—a rare feat.

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Case-6 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($289.95) $219 special
Case-12 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($519.95) $419 special
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “Even Saint Cosme’s 2016 Gigondas looks built to age. It’s full-bodied and firmly tannic but balanced by ripe fruit notes of cherries, peaches and chocolate.”
Jeb Dunnuck 90-92 points “Looking first at the base 2016 Gigondas, it’s certainly going to be another outstanding wine from Barruol. Based on 70% Grenache and the rest close to an even split of Syrah and Mourvèdre, it offers classic St Cosme notes of dark fruits, tapenade, pepper and smoked earth. It has plenty of tannin and will need 2-3 years of cellaring and shine for a decade or more.”

Arriving Next Friday, June 8th

Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides, Rhone 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 98-100 points “Leading off the special cuvees and from the sandiest parcel of the estate, the 2016 Gigondas Hominis Fides (100% Grenache) has perfection written all over it! Just as fine, elegant and seamless as it gets, yet also with blockbuster depth and richness, it boasts incredible notes of black raspberries, loamy/sandy soils nuances, game, and camphor. Don’t miss it!”
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Rich and velvety but undeniably tannic, the 2016 Gigondas Hominis Fides is another stunning wine from proprietor Louis Barruol. Stone fruit, cherries and chocolate notes all mingle easily on the full-bodied palate, ending in a supple flurry of tannins.”

Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2016 750ML ($64.95) $52.50 pre-arrival special
Importer Note “Côte-Rôtie is produced from 100% Sérine, an ancient and local variety of Syrah that is markedly different from modern selections. It is more oval, with lots of space in the bunch, resulting in a very aromatic wine. It is sourced from the schist soils of Le Plomb, Besset, La Viallière, and Neve climats. These hillsides are among the steepest in France with an incline as much as 55 degrees. The wine is made with whole cluster fermentation from indigenous yeasts, aged for 12 months in 40% new 228-liter barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration… On the palate, it reveals a fresh attack followed by an ample, structured, long-lasting finish. The wine unfurls in successive stages and ends with top-quality tannins produced by whole cluster fermentation. It features aromas and flavors of smoked ham, violet, graphite, graphite, and licorice.”

New Arrivals: Rosé

Domaine Les Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Les Trois Soeurs Rose 2017 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Grenache, Carignan. Certified organic.

Produttori del Barbaresco Nebbiolo di Langhe, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 89 points “Cherry and licorice are the main flavor themes here, accented by earth and tobacco notes. Tightens up on the finish, clamping down with dusty tannins. Drink now through 2021.”

Bow & Arrow

Rock Out with Air Guitar!

2016 Ports

Some of them Perfect

Arriving This Fall

2016 looks to be a classic vintage in Portugal, continuing the trend we’re seeing across Europe.  We’ve just securing pricing and quantity on some of the best bottlings to come out of the region in ’16 and are excited to offer them today—these are wines that are destined to become modern legends.  The scores definitely reflect this, but happily the prices don’t.

Arriving ETA September:

Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2016 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 100 points “OMG. This is really the most amazing young Taylor’s I have ever tasted. Full-bodied and lightly sweet with super power and intensity. So racy and focused. Yet this has such muscle and intensity. Needs at least eight years to show you everything it has to offer. Drink in 2025.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Fonseca Vintage Port, Portugal 2016 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 98 points “Lots of ripe fruit here with raisins and wet earth that turn to violets and hot stones. Full-bodied, tannic and powerful with fantastic grip and intensity. Grabs you. Impressive. Drink in 2025.”

Croft Vintage Port 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 97 points “Extremely perfumed with dark-berry and currant aromas. Hints of earth and spices. Full-bodied, round and medium sweet. Hints of resin. Opulent yet restrained. Shows ripe and beautiful fruit with clarity. Try in 2025.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

The June Clearance Sale

Check out all the great wines on our June Clearance Sale on the spreadsheet below or just click here to view a full list on our website!

Thanks for reading!