Thanksgiving & Black Friday Newsletter – 11-22-18

In Today’s Newsletter:

Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year

Black Friday Sales:
New Wines from Schrader
Torello Mata
Matello
Sequitur @ $79

Terre Nere New ArrivalsBV George de la Tour Reserve

Giacomo Conterno

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Please Note:

Vinopolis will be closed Thanksgiving Day, November 22nd

We will return to our normally scheduled hours

10AM – 6PM

on Friday, November 23rd

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Featured New Arrival

Wine Spectator’s

#1 Wine of the Year

The time of year is finally upon us when Wine Spectator bestows a wine with their Wine of the Year honor, ranking it at the top of their annual Top 100 Wines of the Year list.  We our allocation just arrived and it’s going to go quickly.

In Stock Now

“A tremendous effort that comes together with seamless precision and focus”
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($299.95)
$249 special
James Suckling 98 points
“Love the aromas to this young red with blackcurrants, sage, cinnamon and five-spice character. Changes all the time. Full-bodied, dense and powerful with a ripe and rich tannin backbone that gives form and beauty to the ripe and beautiful fruit. Tight and very long. Approachable now but will reward more in five to six years. A classic Sassicaia.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “Having followed this wine’s evolution in barrel for the past few years, it is an honor to evaluate the final product. This Sassicaia has blossomed since my previous encounters with it as a young, awkward adolescent. The long-awaited 2015 Bolgheri Sassicaia represents a tremendous effort that comes together with seamless precision and focus. This is a confident and proud red wine from Tuscany. Starting with the primary material at hand, you sense the quality of fruit thanks to the wine’s beautifully dark appearance and the rich texture it offers to the palate. The acidity is integrated, but more freshness still would have been welcomed in my view (and would also contribute to its longevity). The bouquet is amplified both in terms of volume and length. Its playlist includes dark berry fruit, spice, leather, licorice and roasted coffee bean. Yet, the mouthfeel is extremely graceful and silky. The wine’s undisputed pedigree is showcased on the palate. It should also be noted that this edition of Sassicaia feels more ready and open to me. It will age and evolve beautifully, but the 2015 Sassicaia can also be enjoyed in the medium-term. This wine is all about the here and now.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “Rich and concentrated, this red features black currant, blackberry, violet, mineral and spice flavors. Dense yet lively, structured yet impeccably balanced, with vibrant acidity driving the long, fruit-filled aftertaste. The oak is beautifully integrated. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2023 through 2042.”
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. This iconic wine’s blackberry, cedar and vanilla aromas fill the glass. The elegant, structured palate delivers juicy black currant, black cherry, exotic spice, crushed herb and menthol flavors alongside taut, fine-grained tannins. It boasts a fantastic combination of delicious, ripe fruits, balanced by remarkable freshness and agility for the hot vintage. Drink 2022–2035.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~New Wines from Schrader

Arriving Tuesday

Black Friday Subscriber Special – Save $30/Bottle

Black Friday pricing cannot be displayed online.
We will adjust pricing manually before finalizing your order.
Special ends Sunday, November 25th at 11:59PM (PT) or when sold out.

“The gem in the lineup”
Schrader Cellars CCS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($419.95) Displayed price $399,
Your price $369 for Black Friday, only 2 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 98-100 points
“I think the gem in the lineup (which is splitting hairs as these are all gorgeous wines) is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard CCS. Tasting like the essence of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with its incredible cassis, blueberry, graphite, violet and scorched earth aromas and flavors, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, polished tannin, and a purity of fruit and elegance that’s hard to believe. It’s going to be impossible to resist on release (and if I had a bottle I’d probably open it the day I received it) but will certainly benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and keep for 25+ years.”
Wine Advocate 98 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon CCS has exuberant notes of plum preserves, baked blackberries and warm cassis with notions of cedar, pencil lead, Indian spices and Sichuan pepper plus a touch of rose hip tea. Very firm and structured in the full-bodied mouth, the palate is laden with tightly wound black and blue fruit layers, lifted by an exciting line of freshness and finishing on a lingering perfumed note.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $411

Deep, dark, rich and exotic
Schrader Cellars GIII Beckstoffer George III Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($419.95) Displayed price $399,
Your price $369 for Black Friday, only 1 bottle available
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points
“From a site in Rutherford, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard is a huge, full-bodied, monster of a Cabernet Sauvignon that has ton of fruit, as well as tons of structure and tannin. Offering lots of blue fruits, graphite, and minerality, I suspect the tannin will integrated nicely by the time this is bottled, but it’s going to benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring nonetheless. It certainly has incredible potential.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon GIII is deep garnet-purple in color with boisterous black fruits notes of crushed blackberries, warm black plums and blackcurrant cordial with touches of cedar chest, roses, tilled black soil and tar plus a waft of cloves. The palate is big, rich, full and packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice notions with a velvety frame and a very long finish.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $419

“delivers mouth-filling black fruits and an epically long, wonderfully fragrant finish”
Schrader Cellars LPV Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($419.95) Displayed price $399, Your price $369 for Black Friday, only 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 100 points
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Lpv is very deep purple-black in color with an incredibly perfumed nose of potpourri, lavender and red roses with hints of oolong tea, cigar boxes and fragrant earth over a black cherry, blackberry and warm plums core. Full-bodied, firm and with wonderfully ripe, grainy tannins, it delivers mouth-filling black fruits and an epically long, wonderfully fragrant finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points “A wine that got a few expletives in my notes, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard LPV was one of the more tight and closed 2016 but is just stacked with potential. A huge wine, with loads of darker fruits and scorched earth aromatics, full-bodied richness, a thick, viscous texture, and building tannin, this inky black, backward, powerful 2016 needs to be forgotten for 4-6 years but will keep for decades.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $430

“Going to flirt with perfection on release”
Schrader Cellars RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($419.95) Displayed price $399,
Your price $369 for Black Friday, only 2 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97-100 points
“One of the more opulent, sexy wines in the lineup, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS boasts a deep purple color and a huge, sweet nose of blue fruits, white flowers, cassis, and spice. This full-bodied 2016 has incredible purity of fruit, a rich, layered texture, no sense of weight or heaviness, and sweet tannin. It’s going to flirt with perfection on release and cruise for 20+ years.”
Wine Advocate 97+ points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon RBS gives beautiful scents of lilacs and dried lavender over wild blueberries, chocolate-covered cherries, blackberry pie and eucalyptus with a touch of pencil shavings. Full-bodied and built like a brick house, it has a solid frame of grainy tannins and plenty of freshness to lift the densely packed, muscular fruit, finishing very long.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $428
Black Friday pricing cannot be displayed online.
We will adjust pricing manually before finalizing your order.
Special ends Sunday, November 25th at 11:59PM (PT) or when sold out.

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Torello Mata

Eloquent Cava

& Black Friday Sale!

“From a family of musicians and tailors, Agusti Torello Mata founded his winery in 1950, supporting this venture by constructing Penedes first dedicated wine laboratory. The winery now manages 100 hectares of organically farmed old vines, the youngest being 30 years. They are dedicated to producing reserva and gran reserva cavas from the traditional indigenous grape varities (Macabeo from the coast, Xarel·lo form the central area and Parellada from the pre-costal mountain range, together with the red Trepat and white Malvasia/Subirat Parent varieties). The wines are benchmarks for great cava.” –Importer note

Newly Arrived Black Friday Special from Agusti Torello Mata:

Benchmark Cava
Agusti Torello Mata Kripta Gran Reserva Cava, Catalonia 2008 750ML ($99.95)
$69 Black Friday Special
Macabeu 45%, Xarel·lo 20% and Parellada 35% From very old vines in the Penedès region.
Wine Advocate 92 points “The current vintage of the special cuvée is the 2008 Kripta, a classical blend of the local grapes Macabeo, Xarello and Parellada aged in contact with the lees in bottle for a long time, no less than five years, during which time the bottle is closed with a cork (it’s usually a crown stopper). Apparently this gives the wine a different character and is the way it was traditionally done. This is a polished Cava with yeast and brioche aromas and a soft palate with clean, developed flavors and integrated acidity. A benchmark for the Cavas with five years in contact with lees. 24,300 bottles produced.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $79.97
The average price is $88
Also Newly Arrived from Agusti Torello Mata:Agusti Torello Mata Gran Reserva Brut Cava, Catalonia 2012 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points
“Rich, mature aromas of brioche reflect autolysis. A full palate with just enough acidic freshness is layered and complex, while spiced apple flavors are yeasty. A mild note of toast melds with a hint of butter and brioche on the lingering finish. As gran reserva Cava goes, this is a winner.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
Agusti Torello Mata Brut Reserva Cava, Catalonia 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
“Lightly chalky in texture and firmed by bright acidity, this snappy Cava offers flavors of Gala apple, blood orange granita, spice and slivered almond.”-Wine Spectator
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Agusti Torello Mata Trepat Rosat Brut Cava, Catalonia 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Matello

A Favorite Local Pinot on the Black Friday Sale!

Lovers of Willamette Pinot take note—the following is one of the best deals you’ll see on a bottle of wine from the valley.  Even with as popular as the Scott Paul La Paulee deal has been, we’re bracing for this to potentially be bigger.  We’re offering two delicious, serious wines at under $20 and all you have to put up with is a jester on the label.  We’re offering two back vintages of Marcus Goodfellow’s Matello Pinot Noir at significantly lower release prices—despite the fact that these wines are much better now than when they were released.
Marcus Goodfellow’s labels have been mainstays at the shop for some time now—wines that we carry regardless of vintage, scores or overall hype.  The wines are amongst the best in Oregon and consistently some of the most inspiring wines we taste.  While he exclusively makes wine under the Goodfellow Family Cellars now, his original packaging all bore the “Matello” name.  When you look at the Matello labels now, they seem a little campy in comparison and not a reflection of the Burgundy-influence winemaking and serious wines in the bottle. Perhaps that’s why he’s eager to move on and get rid of the last remaining stock of the Matello wines.  Even if it’s not, we’re excited to offer you these great deals while they last.Both wines are decidedly Goodfellow in style: lots of whole cluster and bright, fresh acidity.  Of the two vintages, the 2013 is for those who like leaner, earthier and more delicate wines, while the 2014 has more power and richness.  Marcus’ wines always benefit from a few years of bottle age (the 2010 version of these is fantastic right now) and both of these are entering a long, delicious drinking window.

In Stock Now:

Matello Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Oregon 2013 750ML ($24.95) $16 Black Friday Special
VinopolNote:
40%+ whole cluster, bright and fresh.  This has Marcus Goodfellow’s signature touch from a cooler, more elegant vintage. If this said “Bourgogne” on the label it’d be twice as expensive.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $22
Matello Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Oregon 2014 750ML ($24.95) $18 Black Friday Special
VinopolNote:
Lots of whole cluster to balance out the warmth and richness of the year.  2014 power and fruit marries with spice and structure to produce a beautifully integrated bottle of Pinot Noir.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Sequitur @ $79

Michael Etzel (founder and iconoclastic winemaker-in-chief of Beaux Freres) planted, farmed and now vinifies this site just up the hill from the Beaux Freres estate vineyard.  Like the Beaux Freres wines, it’s big and rich, with abundant Ribbon Ridge character.  We’re dropping the price for email subscribers for Black Friday (the winery doesn’t want us to list this price online) through the end of the weekend.  Now’s your chance to get some of the Willamette Valley’s finest at the best pricing we’ll offer.

Black Friday Subscriber Special
Black Friday pricing cannot be displayed online.
We will adjust pricing manually before finalizing your order.
Special ends Sunday, November 25th at 11:59PM (PT) or when sold out.
In Stock & On Sale Now:Mike Etzel’s Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($119.95) Displayed price $99, Your Price $79, 8 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points
“Limpid ruby-red. Smoky, mineral-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry cola and incense carry a strong spicecake overtone. Stains the palate with sappy red berry liqueur, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that are lifted and given definition and tension by juicy acidity. At once rich and nervy, with no excess fat but showing excellent depth and intensity of flavor. Finishes with sexy notes of candied violet and smoky Indian spices and superb, gently tannic persistence. This wine’s Beaux Freres bloodline is very clear to see.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $100
Mike Etzel’s Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($119.95) Displayed price $99, Your Price $79, 6 bottle available
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points
“Deep brilliant red. A strikingly complex bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented red berries, cherry cola, vanilla, five-spice powder and sandalwood. Alluringly sweet, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Delivers a compelling blend of power and delicacy and finishes extremely long and smooth; rounded tannins frame the lingering red fruit preserve notes.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $100
Mike Etzel’s Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($119.95) Displayed price $99, Your Price $79, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94+ points
“Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Sequitur Pinot Noir has a lovely, open nose of black and red cherries and blackberries with notions of wood smoke, turned earth, autumn leaves, cardamom and potpourri. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with ripe black and red fruits with wonderful earthy/spicy accents, very fine, grainy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing long with spice and floral layers. 480 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $100

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St. Cosme Special Pricing

“For the reds, Barruol sees 2016 much as the other vignerons I have visited on this trip—with bold ripeness reminiscent of vintages like 2009 and ’10, but with a level of freshness that sets it apart….The pHs are low here too. But not as obviously different from the normal as in Châteauneuf ’16,’ he says, comparing it to his own Gigondas…The quality and style of the vintage is very consistent all over though. The impression of freshness is in all the wines.” – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

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.  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.

We’re dropping the price on two of the best values in the Saint Cosme range—the St. Joseph and Crozes-Hermitage— Both are 100% Syrah and 100% delicious.  They were already at the lowest prices in the country, but now they’re even lower. We’re also bringing in the new vintage of the Chateauneuf – the highly anticipated 2016.

Black Friday pricing ends Sunday, November 25th at 11:59PM (PT) or when sold out.
In Stock & On Sale Now:Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2016 750ML ($29.95) Was $26, Now $24 Black Friday Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points
“A wild array of fragrant, savory spices and white pepper with a bright array of mixed berries. The palate is suave, succulent and focused. This has elegance and poise. Subtly powerful and beautifully balanced. Drink or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “From the northern part of the appellation (closer to Côte-Rôtie), the 2016 St. Joseph offers fresh, perfumed notes of black and blue fruits, pepper, and ample minerality. It’s more focused and chiseled than the Crozes Hermitage, with slightly less density, but is beautifully balanced, elegant and seamless. It’s another classic Northern Rhône from this estate.”

This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $36
Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2016 750ML ($27.95) Was $24, Now $21.90 Black Friday Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
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.”
James Suckling 93 points “White pepper and graphite here and a very spicy, stony attitude. Blackberries, a fragrant edge and plenty of sweet spice. The palate delivers a succulent array of bright, red and black fruit. Supple, even and long. Drink or hold.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $32
Arriving Friday:Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2016 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points
“Blended, but still aging in barrel, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape will likely be bottled in March 2019. Brandied cherries and dried spices mark the nose of this full-bodied, plush wine. It’s slightly warm, and certainly rich, but it remains fresh and long on the finish. It should be a beauty.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Terre Nere

Sicily’s Answer to Burgundy

Terre Nere’s wines “all possessed unbelievable freshness and complexity as well as huge perfumes that suggested Pinot Noir…These wines are astonishingly complex and ethereal efforts from the hillsides of Mt. Etna in Sicily.” -Robert Parker

The high altitude and dark volcanic soils help yield distinctive wines from the indigenous grape varieties grown organically.  Importer Marc de Grazia was the first to bottle single-parcel wines from the indigenous variety Nerello and brought international focus and admiration to this once-overlooked region. While de Grazia is best known for his role in the modernization of Barolo and his championing of the “Barolo Boys” his Terre Nere wines hew to a very traditional model.

He started the Terre Nere winery in 2002  from 30 hectares of vineyards divided in 10 parcels over four crus.  The vines are between 50 to 100 years old except for 6 hectares of recently planted vines and several self-rooted plots over 130 years old that are famous for surviving phylloxera.  The red wines are 100% Nerello Mascalese, a variety known for producing wines of great elegance.

The soil in the Calderara Sottana cru is covered in large black volcanic pumice and is the stoniest cru.  The wine offers floral, spice and leather aromas.  The two vineyards composing the Guardiola cru stand at the highest elevation on Mount Etna, and are quite possibly the highest in Europe.  It has poor soil composed of volcanic sand, basalt and ash.  The vineyard is steeply terraced, necessitating manual labor and harvest.  The wine is lean and elegant.  Santo Spirito is adjacent to Guardiola but with black volcanic ash soil.  The Etna Rosso Prephylloxera “La Vigna di Don Pepino” is named for the grape grower who worked the parcel for over 70 years.  Grazia believes the vineyard survived and thrived only through Don Pepino’s meticulous care.

Just Arrived! In Stock Now:

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Feudo di Mezzo Etna Rosso, Sicily 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Ian d’Agata-Vinous 91 points
“Bright red. Ripe, sweetly spicy aromas and flavors of red cherry, medicinal herbs and minerals. Tougher than most vintages of this wine and slow to open, this is a more shut down version of Feudo di Mezzo than is typical for this Contrada. Opens slowly with aeration, finishing long and succulent on the classically dry finish.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Guardiola Rosso Etna, Sicily 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Ian d’Agata-Vinous 94 points
“Deep luminous red. Intensely mineral on the nose, with bright aromas of blueberry, red cherry, and aromatic herbs, plus Oriental spices. Dense but juicy in the mouth with lively but harmonious acidity lifting and neatly extending the austere but profound flavors on the long back end. Very deep and memorable, forget about this in the cellar for five years and enjoy for a decade after that.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Santo Spirito Rosso Etna, Sicily 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Ian d’Agata-Vinous 93 points
“Bright red. Very perfumed nose of red cherry, raspberry jam, cinnamon, nutmeg and minerals complicated by tar and shoe polish. Clean, fresh and juicy, but with a sultry quality to the mineral but also ripe red berry and cherry flavors. Clean and fresh on the long, stoney finish. A knockout Santo Spirito that combines size and luscious sweetness like no other Etna Rosso from Terre Nere this year, but it doesn’t quite have the depth or complexity of the best wines from the estate this year.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Prephylloxera La Vigna di Don Peppino Rosso Etna, Sicily 2015 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Ian d’Agata-Vinous 95 points
“Vivid dark ruby-red. Aromas of red plum, red cherry syrup, mocha, flint and woodsmoke. Sweet, pliant and expressive, with outstanding sugar/acid balance to the rich, concentrated, fruit-driven flavors of raspberry and currant. Densely packed, sappy and light on its feet with firm but ripe tannins on the extremely long close. Much richer and denser than the Santo Spirito and Calderara Sottana in this vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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BV George de la Tour Private Reserve

A Napa Icon, Back to Form

There was a period of time where BV’s top wine, the George de la Tour Cabernet, would have been held up as an example of a great winery resting on its laurels, but recent vintages confirm that it’s returned to its perch at the top of Napa’s food chain.  We’re getting the 2013 in at the end of the month and it’s as good a bottle of Cabernet as we’ve seen for at/under $100—the product of a lot of time, money and energy well spent coupled with a tremendous vintage.

In the 70’s and 80’s, any list of the top five Napa Cabs would certainly include BV’s George de la Tour, sourced from some of the best vineyards in the valley and spared no expense or care in the production.  Unfortunately, by the mid-90’s, the wine was unspectacular at best and lingered that way until the mid 00’s, when BV decided to revive its flagship wine.  Money, time and expertise were poured into the project and now it’s clearly one at the top of the class of Napa.  For a Cabernet of this caliber, it’s exceptionally reasonably priced, as well—just $91.50 by the six pack.

Arriving November 30th:

“a fabulous wine”
Beaulieu Vineyard BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($149.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Beaulieu Vineyard BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($899.95)
$549 pre-arrival special (that’s only $91.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 96 points
“Ripe, concentrated and intense, with fabulous richness throughout, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve brilliantly melds together elements of both the classic and modern. The flavors are dark and unctuous, but even with the wine’s considerable mid-palate sweetness, the 2013 needs time for the tannins to soften. There is no shortage of potential, but readers will have to be patient.”
Wine Advocate 95+ points “One of the two flagship cuvées, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour is a fabulous wine. Obviously, this is the one wine that received the most meticulous attention from their outside consultant Michel Rolland. A great effort in 2013, as one might expect in this vintage, this wine needs 5-6 years and seems capable of lasting 30-40 or more, given the history of the great BV Private Reserves. Inky purple to the rim, with an extraordinary nose of créme de cassis and kirsch, licorice, cedarwood, and a touch of underbrush, the wine hits the palate with a full-bodied, powerful, concentrated, dense style, has great acidity, moderately sweet tannin, and a long, long finish. This wine is young and still slightly unformed, but loaded with potential and upside. Forget it for 5-6 years and drink it over the following half-century.”

The average price is $122
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Giacomo Conterno

Roberto Conterno is one of the top two or three winemakers in all of Italy.  This is less of an opinion and more of a fact, given the pricing and availability of the top wines that he makes at his family’s winery, Giacomo Conterno.  Not only have the wines climbed in price, but it seems like every year we get offered fewer and fewer bottles.

The wines are always powerful and traditional, but with an elegance and grace that seems to transcend the immediate impact of flavor and leave you searching for descriptors to capture what you’ve tasted.  We love the wines and if you are thinking about trying them—do it sooner than later.  The way these wines have become collectable, it’s going to be harder and harder to source them going forward.

Arriving Mid-December

“going to be virtually impossible to resist”
Giacomo Conterno Cerretta Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($99.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points
“Whereas the 2016 Barbera d’Alba Francia is reticent, the Barbera d’Alba Cerretta is a total showstopper. A rush of dark red and purplish berry fruit, lavender, mint and white flowers fills out the wine’s ample, broad frame. The Conterno Barberas typically need a few years in bottle to be at their best, but the 2016 is going to be virtually impossible to resist when its young.”

“a wine of extreme finesse and nuance”
Giacomo Conterno Vigna Francia Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($99.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Giacomo Conterno Vigna Francia Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 1.5L ($179.95)
$119 pre-arrival special
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 2014 Cerretta has a lot to offer”
Giacomo Conterno Cerretta, Barolo DOCG 2014 750ML ($279.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Giacomo Conterno Cerretta, Barolo DOCG 2014 1.5L ($699.95)
$579 pre-arrival special, only 2 magnums available!
Antonio Galloni 97+ points
“Just as it was from barrel, the 2014 Barolo Cerretta is a total stunner. Gracious, perfumed and light on its feet, the Cerretta has so much to say. Time in the glass just serves to bring out the wine’s striking inner perfume, natural depth and crystalline intensity. Despite its relatively recent bottling, the 2014 is super-expressive, with tons of detail and a finish that goes on forever. The 2014 Cerretta has a lot to offer, although today the wine’s aromatic depth and silkiness are especially alluring.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the 750ml!
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!

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Thanks for reading!