In Today’s Newsletter:
Rare & Classic New Arrivals:
DRC & G. Rinaldi
Aging Wine
New Arrivals Part Two
#Trending:
CDP & Tuscany Edition
New Wine Spectator Insider Reviews
Domaine de Courcel
New 2016 Louis Jadot Offer
2016 Saint Damien
Rare & Classic New Arrivals
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2011 750ML $1,799 special, only 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Échézeaux literally jumps from the glass with a heady melange of dark red fruit, sweet floral notes and crushed rocks. Rich and explosive on the palate, yet backed up with significant structure and pure intensity, the 2011 is firing on all cylinders. First and foremost, the Échézeaux is a wine of pure texture. The Échézeaux emerges from 7-8 parcels in the Poulallières climat. There is so much to like here.”
Burghound 93 points “A discreet touch of wood sets off the gorgeously floral, ripe and wonderfully spicy nose of red currant, menthol, black cherry and cassis aromas. There is impressive volume and richness to the naturally sweet, silky and mouth coating medium weight flavors that are shaped by fine-grained tannins on the firm, complex, balanced and strikingly persistent finale that really fans out as it lingers on the palate. This wine continues to make really impressive progress.”
The next best price is $2,350
Burghound 94 points “A wonderfully complex nose features a broad array of spice elements with those of plum, violet, sandalwood and Asian-style tea that are also trimmed in soft wood nuances. There is good punch to the refined, cool and pure medium-bodied flavors that possess better concentration on the balanced, persistent and youthfully austere finale where the only nit is a very subtle hint of warmth. Of all of the wines in the Domaine’s portfolio, in my view the Ech is the most improved over the last 10 years and it shows as the 2014 is bigger and more powerful than usual.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93+ points “Full, dark red, Sappy scents of black raspberry, violet and licorice are higher-pitched and considerably less earthy than those of the Corton. Chewy and penetrating in the mouth, conveying strong energy and a restrained sweetness to the tactile flavors of plum, berries, spices and pepper. This wine, too, delivers the saline minerality of the year, but there’s more than enough fruit here to support it. Finishes with terrific rising length. Bertrand de Villaine described this wine as “pleasant and present” but I find it more serious than that.”
The next best price is $1,599
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 1999 750ML $2,499 special, only 1 bottle available
Neal Martin 95 points “[Apr 2018] The 1999 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru is a wine that I had not tasted since just after bottling when I rhapsodized upon its sumptuousness. Now, as it approaches adulthood, I am still totally enamored by this wine. Firstly, it has a deeper colour than the 1999 Echézeaux and the bouquet is unequivocally more nuanced, a mixture of red and black fruit, hints of black truffle and iron filings, all with impressive vigor and focus. The palate is medium-bodied with sublime balance, perfectly pitched acidity and a sense of harmony that is beguiling. There is symmetry to this Grands Echézeaux. Everything is in its right place and it harnesses the precocity of the vintage without allowing it to overcome the terroir. With aeration it just seems to get better and better, so do not be afraid to decant this. Tasted at the 1999 DRC dinner.”
Burghound 95 points “[Jul 2017] While I had tasted this many times shortly after release, I hadn’t had the chance to see it again since 2008 so it was nice to update my acquaintance. Though subtle, there is still a touch off oak framing the ripe and penetrating red and blackberry fruits and oriental spice aromas comprising the nose. There is outstanding power to the beautifully detailed and quite robust flavors that deliver excellent precision and persistence on the beautifully well-balanced finale. This is a big wine with richness, superb length and impressive refinement and it’s clear that this will live for decades. In sum, this is very classy juice with plenty of upside development potential remaining.”
The next best price is $2,995
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti La Tache Grand Cru Monopole 2009 750ML $4,799 special, only 1 bottle available
Burghound 98 points “This ripe effort really has not changed much since I last reviewed it from bottle in 2012 save for the fact that it is perhaps a bit less imposing than many vintages of La Tâche at the same very early stage. But overall I simply repeat my original review as it is still accurate: A discreet but incredibly complex nose features notes of spicy, pure and relatively high-toned fruit that is laced with plenty of rose petal and violet hints. There is excellent energy and freshness to the lacy and stunningly precise broad-scaled flavors that build in intensity from the densely concentrated mid-palate to the explosive and mouth coating finish that seemingly goes on without end. This is a big LT with ample muscle and very firm but not aggressive structure along with superb depth of underlying material and positively mind-blowing length. But the real genius of this wine is the Zen-like harmony and poise though note that it is very tightly wound and will need many years of cellaring before it will be completely ready. In a word, magnificent.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2009 La Tâche is a very subtle wine. It boasts incredible richness and depth, yet remains elusive. Silky, impossibly refined tannins frame the seamless, resonant finish. Nothing in particular stands out. Everything is simply in the right place.”
The average price is $5,431
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti La Tache Grand Cru Monopole 2010 750ML $3,899 special, only 1 bottle available
Burghound 98 points “An ultra-pure, cool and remarkably elegant mix of wonderfully spicy, red and blue pinot fruit, red currant and wild red berries that are openly floral in character. The overtly stony flavors are shaped by notably firm yet extremely fine tannins and while there is ample power and vibrancy, the palate feel is all silk and satin. To be sure, this is a big wine with impressive concentration but 2010 is a vintage for LT of refinement and polish if not exactly finesse. Even so, it’s still going to require some 20 to 25 years of cellar time before it reaches its full majority but when it does, it will be considered one of the all-time great vintages for this incredibly storied wine.”
Wine Spectator 98 points “There’s a unique dark, brooding side to this red. Black cherry, licorice, sandalwood, tobacco and woodsy spice notes mingle with dense tannins on the powerful frame, leading to a superb aftertaste of sweet fruit, spice and mineral.–Non-blind 2010 DRC tasting (March 2013). Best from 2018 through 2040.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 97 points “Good bright, full red. Ineffable high-pitched aromas of raspberry, pomegranate, cranberry, spices, flowers and white pepper. Wonderfully sappy and fine-grained, with outstanding inner-mouth mineral-driven perfume to the taut flavors of pungent red berries, flowers and spices. Most impressive today on the inexorably building finish, which features very suave tannins and great energy and lift. Built for a very long life in bottle and yet this great La Tache already reveals considerable charm.”“In a word: awesome”
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti La Tache Grand Cru Monopole 2013 750ML $3,599 special, only 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2013 La Tâche Grand Cru was picked from the afternoon of October 7 and over the next two days at 18 hectoliters per hectare. It has a heavenly nose with exquisite mineral-rich red cherry, wild strawberry, blood orange and subtle woodland, damp autumn leaf and moss aromas that are extraordinarily complex. It seems to gain vigor and intensity with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannin, a slightly suppler La Tâche compared to recent years, a wine with an athleticism. There is nothing wasted or superfluous here, a honed La Tâche that is all about tensile structure matched by perfect acidity and an incredibly complex, kaleidoscopic finish that seems so mercurial in the glass, initially offering red fruit then changing its mind and revealing darker and more tertiary notes. In a word: awesome.”
The next best price is $3,995
Keep reading to see the complete list of newly arrived DRC!
Featured New Arrivals from Giuseppe Rinaldi
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Dark cherries, plums, cloves, violets, incense, orange rind and tobacco meld together in the 2009 Barolo Brunate-Le Coste. A massive, powerful Barolo, the 2009 boasts stunning depth, power and richness, all in a relatively open style for this estate. I imagine the 2009 will drink well relatively early for top-flight Barolo, but it has fabulous class and intensity.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Giuseppe Rinaldi’s 2004 Barolo Cannubi (San Lorenzo)/Ravera is an unexpected treat on this otherwise dreary Manhattan winter day. Aromatically lifted, the 2004 remains quite fresh and brilliant in its flavors. The 2004 is a decidedly lithe, mid-weight Barolo from Rinaldi that will age on its vibrant acidity rather than structure. There is a lot to like in this delicate, feminine Barolo. The 2004 can be drink today or cellared for at least another 10-15 years.”Giuseppe Rinaldi Cannubi San Lorenzo – Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2006 750ML $299 special, only 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Very tight and shy on the nose, featuring sweet cherry, plum, licorice and salty mineral flavors. Delivers fine sweetness and intensity, with elegance and a sense of harmony and grace. This is almost approachable now, yet should develop beautifully. Best from 2013 through 2030. 500 cases made.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2006 Barolo Cannubi/S.Lorenzo-Ravera is surprisingly rich and opulent in this vintage. Sweet red cherries, menthol, spices and flowers emerge with gorgeous inner perfume and great body. This shows incredible power and richness through to the round enveloping finish, where sweet roses and cherries in liqueur linger for an eternity. Readers who are used to squeaky-clean wines might take issue with the volatile acidity here, but with time in the glass all of the elements come together beautifully, suggesting all the wine needs is time. This is one of the most impressive vintages of the Cannubi/San Lorenzo I can remember tasting. I could smell this all day. It is a knockout!”Giuseppe Rinaldi Cannubi San Lorenzo – Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2009 750ML $299 special, only 4 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2009 Barolo Cannubi San Lorenzo/Ravera emerges from the glass with sweet red berries, leather, licorice, menthol and sweet spices, all supported by fine, silky tannins. I very much like the sense of energy and vibrancy Rinaldi was able to achieve in 2009, no small feat. The Cannubi San Lorenzo/Ravera has excellent color, freshness, vibrancy, and above all else superb balance. It is easily one of the highlights of the year.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Cannubi S. Lorenzo – Ravera shows similar tones of dark tobacco leaf and herb. But this expression also delivers a dusty mineral note that beautifully frames and delineates the overall bouquet. The big surprise is due to the crisp freshness of this wine. Thanks to that acidity, you can count on the wine’s aging potential. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!Keep reading to see the complete list of newly arrived Giuseppe Rinaldi wines!
Aging Wine
Eric Asimov has a truly wonderful column in this week’s New York Times, about the pleasures of aging wines. If you haven’t read the piece, you should—it’s a reminder that the joys of aging wine are in the journey and that stress too often gets in the way. It got us thinking, as well, about wines that age beautifully without costing an arm and a leg.
Asimov points out that buying six or more of a wine give you the chance to follow its evolution without the worry of opening a bottle at the “wrong” time. For many trophy wines, this can be painfully expensive, but there are still any number of wines that are both reasonably priced and capable of aging 10-15 years with grace and ease.
Here are a few of our favorites, though feel free to call or email with your preferences if you’d like personalized recommendations on wines to put away and enjoy. Following wine from youthful exuberance to well-aged grace is something we quite enjoy doing and are always happy to help you along the way.
In Stock Now:
Meyney has been making age-worthy wines for 30+ years. It won’t have first growth complexity but it will evolve and age gracefully for a few decades and be delicious along the way.
Chateau Meyney, Saint-Estephe 2014 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, smoke, chocolate, licorice and tobacco are some of the signatures in the 2014 Meyney. This is one of the more overt, flamboyant 2014s readers will come across. Although certainly not a shy wine, it is loaded with personality. The late harvest and the generally intense style favored by consulting winemaker Hubert de Boüard are very much in evidence. Tasted two times.”
James Suckling 92 points “This is one of the most immediately appealing 2014s from the appellation thanks to its very ripe black fruits, and there’s still a lot of structure behind it. Reminds me of some of Meyney’s top vintages of the 1960s.”
While Brunello is the blue chip in Tuscany, well made Chianti should age beautifully for a decade and a half. This is from a great vintage for entry level wines and from a fantastic producer.
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($319.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
James Suckling 93 points “Aromas of blueberries, blackberries and burnt orange follow through to a full body with round yet firm tannins. A lovely, pure finish. Shows focus and finesse. Drink now or hold.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2015 Chianti Classico is a bright and convincing wine from Barberino Val d’Elsa, one of the main comuni in the greater Chianti Classico appellation. This is a smooth and silky Sangiovese that glides clean over the palate with strength and intensity. Bright cherry, blueberry and herbal accents with wild sage and rosemary characterize the finish. Like many other wines from the 2015 vintage, there is an evident touch of cherry sweetness on the close.”
Grapelive 92 points “A deep and rich Chianti Classico by Isole e Olena that delivers a smooth and ripe palate showing layers of black and red fruits, a sense of vintage warmth, fine tannins and an almost chocolate/lush textural mouth feel. This wine impresses for its impact and substance. Paolo De Marchi’s all estate grown Chianti Classico is flashy style giving the vintage a luxurious expression and a modern clean elegance… This Isole e Olena drinks bigger and broader than expected, it even comes across like a more expensive wine, maybe a Super Tuscan. It certainly doesn’t shy away from its opulence, but it does offer a surprising degree of balance, and while subtle, the acidity gives a sense of energy that helps provide a platform for the complexity to shine through and keeps the full body from being overt or flabby. This wine with its power deserves a robust meal to complement its distinct presence. It should provide wonderful drinking pleasure for many years to come, drink from 2018 to 2025.”
Fixin sits just north of Gevrey-Chambertin and in a warm vintage (like 2015) provides similar structure and style. Collotte’s wines fly under the radar, making this a value to age and enjoy.
Domaine Collotte Fixin Les Crais de Chene, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “A pure dose of cherry, strawberry, sweet spice and mineral marks this harmonious red. Firm and focused, with a lingering finish of spice. Shows plenty of class. Best from 2020 through 2030. 50 cases imported.”
Importer Note “The [Fixin] Crais de Chene is from 40+ year old vines on clay-limestone soil. The vines face east to gather the sweet morning sun. Due to the old age of the vines, the grapes are very small and concentrated with flavor. Completely destemmed, the wine is aged in barrel, 30% new, for 12 months.”
Chateau Pradeaux Bandol, Provence 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Grapelive 94 points “Etienne Portalis, the fourteenth generation, winemaker at Pradeaux has made a brilliant and deep Bandol in the 2013 vintage. It is my pick for #Mourvedre Day. It is a traditional and old school wine that is made with the blessing of the warm Mediterranean sun and his family’s old vines. The Chateau Pradeaux, founded back in 1752, is a Provence legend and the house style is natural and powerful with Etienne only using whole cluster with stems. These are wines that have firm structures from the raw/authentic skin tannins and wines that can age many decades. That said, this 2013 shows a beautiful freshness of detail and refinement after its extended time in large used cask. The 2013 is deep in color with a dark garnet hue around a blackish core with an earthy profile that opens to a full bodied and complex wine. [It is] almost 100% Mourvedre with a tiny amount of other black grapes. It reveals layers of dusty blackberry, kirsch, plum and boysenberry fruits, peppery briar spice, leather, chalky stones, anise, bitter coco and a touch of floral lift with a mix of violet and lavender as well as a cedar/tobacco element. This 2013 is drinking with an impressive palate impact with plenty of dry grip and force, but turns generous with air with a ripe opulence allowing lots of pleasure and textural charm. It’s a serious example that will gain further with short to mid-term cellaring. Imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Chateau Pradeaux is without question, along with Domaine Tempier, is a standard bearer of the region. This 2013 is a beauty that will be perfect with rustic and simple country cuisine. It’s a big, bold and robust Bandol with a natural sex appeal and inner energy. Drink over the next 10 to 15 years.”
Peter Lauer Fass 8 Ayler Kupp Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
John Gilman 91-92 points ‘The 2014 Ayler Kupp Kabinett from Florian Lauer is really a lovely and quite classic example of this Prädikat, with lovely acidity and minerality providing a fine filigree to the wine and a nice sense of reserve out of the blocks as well. The very classy nose wafts from the glass in a mix of green apple, tart orange, slate, lovely smokiness and a touch of dried flowers in the upper register. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied, pure and focused, with a good core, bright acids, a nice touch of sweetness on the attack and lovely length and grip on the elegant and nascently complex finish. This is quite approachable now, but still a touch primary, and I would be inclined to give it at least a few years in the cellar to develop its secondary layers of complexity. 2019-2035+.” JG
New Arrivals Part Two
From Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Corton Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2010 750ML $1,599 special, only 1 bottle available
Burghound 93 points “A very ripe yet fresh nose of dark berry fruit, violets and plum enjoy added breadth from the presence of spice, earth and distinct sauvage nuances. This sauvage aspect also characterizes the remarkably rich and full-bodied flavors that possess a velvety texture from the copious amounts of dry extract. The supporting structure possesses a high degree of phenolic maturity and outstanding length on the ever-so-slightly warm finish. This is relatively fine, at least within the context of the typical robust and chewy style of a classic Corton.”
The next best price is $1,999.99
“an absolutely stunning wine”
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Echezeaux Grand Cru 2009 750ML $1,899 special, only 1 bottle available
Burghound 94 points “A ripe, elegant and densely fruited nose exudes notes of violets, sandalwood, anise and dried black berries that precede supple, rich and attractively voluminous flavors that retain a fine sense of underlying detail on the wonderfully intense, persistent and quite firm finish. This is an absolutely stunning wine and every bit as good as the genuinely remarkable 2005.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 91+? points “Good bright, dark red. High-pitched, expressive aromas of raspberry, strawberry, minerals, pepper, wild herbs and flowers. Initially quite tight and peppery, with a dry-edged character, this slightly raw wine expanded somewhat with aeration. Finishes with substantial dusty tannins and an impression of peppery austerity. The most inscrutable of this set of wines today.”
“a real overachiever”
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Echezeaux Grand Cru 2012 750ML $1,599 special, only 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A rich, explosive wine, the 2012 Échézeaux is a real overachiever. Here the flavors are expansive, dense and layered, with all of the intensity of the year very much in evidence. Discussing the relative merits of vineyards is one of the central aspects of appreciating Burgundy. This tasting shows why Échézeaux is not as highly regarded as some other grand crus. Specifically, the quality of the wines is more vintage dependent here than it is elsewhere.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 92 points “I adored the 2012 Echézeaux Grand Cru from barrel and I adore it from bottle… This is an Echézeaux determined to be above its station.”
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML $2,799 special, only 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “I am surprised by how good the 2009 Richebourg is at this stage. Swaths of tannin frame an explosive core of fruit in a Burgundy endowed with a real sense of gravitas. The radiance and ripeness of the year has filled out the wine nicely, yet the 2009 remains a quintessentially powerful, substantial wine that will last decades. Although the 2009 is many years away from peaking, it is a real joy to catch it at this early stage.”
Burghound 97 points “The last bottle that I tried displayed a hint of reduction though there was none present with this most recent bottle with its intensely floral and notably ripe nose that features fresh notes of rose petal, plum, mocha and cassis that are sprinkled with exotic spice notes. The expansive and tautly muscular broad-shouldered flavors are, unusually, almost as fine as those of the RSV yet even slightly more complex with the same finely grained tannins. The length is similar but at present, the extra dimension of depth gives this the barest of edges. Either way, this chewy, robust and overly muscular effort is genuinely sensational and clearly built for the very long haul.”
[Back label is significantly stained]
Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2002 750ML $3,799 special, only 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 95 points “The most forward of the ’02s in both barrel and bottle, this floral- and cherry-scented red verges on opulent, yet remains fresh, pure and succulent. There’s a more decadent feel to this Richebourg.–Non-blind 2002 DRC tasting (February 2005). Best from 2014 through 2032.”
Burghound 95 points “I had not tried the ’02 Riche in several years so it was interesting to see how it’s progressing. The expressive though very cool nose is finally beginning to display the initial hints of maturity with the classic dried rose petal and spice nuances adding both elegance and breadth to the pretty mix of red fruit and plum scents. There is a beguiling mouth feel to the intensely mineral-driven broad-shouldered flavors that are at once powerful but sleek, all wrapped in a muscular and palate staining finish. The refined palate impression is considerably enhanced by the dense but extremely fine tannins, in fact so much so that while this is still very clearly on the way up it could actually be drunk now with pleasure…”
New Arrivals Part TwoFrom Giuseppe Rinaldi
Giuseppe Rinaldi ‘Brunate-Le Coste’, Barolo DOCG 1998 750ML $319 special, only 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 1998 Barolo Brunate-Le Coste from Giuseppe Rinaldi, also from magnum, looks like a fake, as Rinaldi sold me a few magnums years ago, but insisted that I put on the labels myself, which I did, and with little skill. No matter, the wine is big, rich, intense and everything one could ask for.”
Giuseppe Rinaldi ‘Tre Tine’, Barolo DOCG, 2011 750ML $199 special, only 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 94 points “This silky and alluring red boasts flavors of rose, raspberry and strawberry, backed by firm, refined tannins. This is an elegant wine that remains long and focused on the aftertaste, where the fruit echoes and a mineral element emerges. Best from 2018 through 2032. 750 cases made.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Rinaldi’s 2011 Barolo Tre Tine is super-expressive and gorgeous today. Dark red cherry, plum, cloves, new leather, rose petal and mint notes are all wonderfully alive and delineated. The Tre Tine is a blend of fruit from Ravera, Cannubi-San Lorenzo and Le Coste, all in the town of Barolo. In the warm 2011 vintage, the significant presence of fruit from Ravera, a high-altitude site, gives the Tre Tine its sense of freshness and linear energy. The Brunate is a bit richer and creamier, but today, I have a slight preference for the Tre Tine, as it is fresher, more vibrant and better balanced, at least today. Best of all, the 2011 will drink well with minimal cellaring.”
#Trending
CDP & Tuscany Edition
Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense, with creamed papaya, Cavaillon melon and Jonagold apple flavors pouring forth, underscored by heather honey, almond and salted butter notes. The long finish has a bitter citrus hint to help the length match the weight. Drink now through 2019. 100 cases imported.”
The average price is $49
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Girard is blended exclusively for American importer Peter Weygandt and is bottled unfiltered. It’s about 90% Grenache and delivers a compelling mix of fragrant raspberries and savory, earthy spices. It’s full-bodied and plush, with a long, complex finish that suggests it will age well for a decade or more. It’s powerful and concentrated yet feels fresh and lively.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Girard is like the traditional cuvée, yet has more tannin. Cassis, licorice, blackberry jam and garrigue aromas give way to full-bodied, concentrated, tannic 2016 that has tons of fruit and mid-palate depth. The cellar is going to be your friend.”
The next best price is $44.99
The average price is $48
Case-12 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Imperiale, Rhone 2016 750ML ($979.95) $736 special (that’s only $61.33/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Jeb Dunnuck 96-100 points “Violets, spring flowers, cassis, plums, and incense notes all define the stunningly good 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Imperiale. Made from 100% Grenache from very old vines, it’s full-bodied and powerful, yet also graceful, balanced and pure, with terrific freshness and purity. My money is on this flirting with perfection once bottled.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95 points “Almost entirely Grenache, from parcels planted in 1901 and 1902, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale is a stunner. Scents of roses, black tea and raspberries set the scene, while the palate is full-bodied but silky and nearly weightless, delivering an intricate, detailed interplay of red fruit, dried spices and orange zest. Despite what must be 15% alcohol or more, it shows absolutely no sign of heat.”Piedlong Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
James Suckling 95 points “10 hectares of elevated Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is an hommage to grenache with just a hatful of mourvèdre. Ripe raspberry and red plum pastry aromas. Super silky, plush and layered. Extremely impressive. Shows fluidity and balance, density and lightness. 50% stalks (crushed).”
The average price nationally is $51
Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Case-6 Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013 750ML ($419.95) $269 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 95 points “An essence of sweet cherry grounds the surrounding flavors of leather, iron, spice and tobacco in this firm red, which remains vibrant and refined. Bracing acidity and dense, muscular tannins play out on the long finish. Drink now through 2028.”Mazzei’s Tignanello killer.
Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli Concerto Rosso Vino da Tavola 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
James Suckling 96 points “This is fabulous with blackberry, blueberry and currant aromas. Some slate. Full body, dense and smooth with firm and silky tannins and intense fruit. This is a classic sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon blend. Don’t miss it. Needs three or four years to completely come together.”
The next best price is $84.99
Castellare di Castellina ‘I Sodi di San Niccolo’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($89.95) $66 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2013 I Sodi di S. Niccolò is 85% Sangioveto (a more antique name for Sangiovese) and 15% Malvasia Nera from a single vineyard. This wine opens to a darkly saturated appearance and shows ruby, garnet and purple highlights. The bouquet is powerful but seamless at the same time with smooth transitions between dark cherry, spice, tobacco and moist clay. In the mouth, this wine shows dense extraction, but it never feels too weighed down by that mass. Instead, the freshness of the fruit and the natural acidity give the wine a bright and buoyant personality. Aged in barrique for 30 months, this is a delightful Tuscan red.”
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New Wine Spectator Insider Reviews
Arriving in November:
Wine Spectator 96 points “A focused, tannic style, featuring tobacco and sage notes intermixed liberally with steeped currant and blackberry fruit flavors. Terrific cast iron and graphite hints flow underneath. This has loads of character and range, showing very vigorous, savory-edged cut. Youthfully rugged, with bramble-edged grip to burn. Cellaring will let all the elements meld. Best from 2021 through 2040.”Wine Spectator Hot Wine!
Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port, Portugal 2016 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 98 points “This is packed with raspberry, blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors that play off one another, melding with anise, fruitcake and ganache notes. A warm tarry edge coats the finish, revealing an echo of bramble. A seriously grippy, strapping Port, this revels in its power. Best from 2032 through 2055.”Croft Vintage Port, Portugal 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “This unfurls with mouthwatering licorice snap, fruitcake, apple wood and violet notes, followed by a wave of mouthfilling plum, blackberry and fig paste flavors. This is packed but well-defined, and the energy allows the fruit to ripple through the long finish. Best from 2035 through 2055.”
Fonseca Vintage Port, Portugal 2016 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “This leads in with bramble, spearmint and blueberry notes, with the energy extending through the core of dark plum, blackberry and fig fruit. The finish features a strong graphite spine, allowing this to draw deep water, but this remains stylish in feel overall. Best from 2030 through 2055.”
Domaine de Courcel
Arriving Mid-November
Of the short list of producers who star in Pommard, Domaine de Courcel needs to be near the top of the list. Without a tremendous amount of fanfare, the Domaine has been turning out some of the most powerful, densely aromatic wines from a village known for long lived brooding Pinot Noir. The Courcel family has been learning how to navigate the animal intensity of Pommard fruit for 400 years. For the past two decades, the quality has steadily increased as the delicate balance between elegance and power is fine tuned.
A region between hills, most of Pommard’s vineyards are on relatively flat, protected sites. Wind and lashing rains may buffet the nearby hillside vineyards, but Pommard stays sheltered from the worst of the effects of the weather. Vineyard management and knowledge of the soils offers up rewards of fruit with dense black currant and cassis notes. The tannins are often firm and plenty, built for long term cellaring, but also offering gentle structure to those bottles opened early. Limestone dots the area but the prominent iron rich clay lends itself to the density of the flavor.
Annual production is usually less than 2500 cases, so it is nice to see these beautiful wines from a deep selection of vintages. The ageing has been done for you – all that is left is the enjoyment.
Arriving Mid-November
Domaine de Courcel Grand Clos des Epenots, Pommard Premier Cru 1990 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Good deep red. Very ripe, smoky nose showed mounting red fruits with aeration; ultimately much less extreme than the Fremiers. Then similarly huge in the mouth, with smoke and mineral notes complicated by an exotic stone fruit (peach, apricot) character. This silky, voluptuous wine offers superb depth of flavor and slowly mounting, superripe finishing flavors that saturate the palate. Best of all, it seemed to gain in freshness as it opened in the glass.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “This red is rich, round and very accessible, tasting of freshly crushed berry and cherry. A phalanx of ripe tannins lurks in the background, but this is balanced and ends with a spicy note. Best from 2012 through 2026. 250 cases imported.”
Stephen Tanzer 92+? points “Good deep red. Sexy aromas of dark cherry, spices, minerals and underbrush, with a whiff of truffle. Juicy, peppery and aromatic in the mouth, with firm acidity for the year-especially for fruit picked later than most other vineyards in Pommard. This really spreads out to coat the palate on the back end, finishing with dusty, fine-grained tannins and excellent length.”
Stephen Tanzer 91+ points “Good deep red. Deep aromas of cherry, menthol, rose petal and licorice. Sweeter than the Fremiers, showing terrific intensity of red cherry flavor. Plenty of ripe acidity here but today it’s hidden behind the fruit. Finishes with substantial, ripe building tannins that call for six to eight years of patience.”
The average price nationally is $98
Wine Spectator 93 points “Gorgeous aromas of toasty oak lead off in this polished red, followed by black cherry, blackberry and spearmint flavors. The structure present, yet ably matched by concentrated, ripe fruit. Best from 2015 through 2025. 160 cases imported.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 91-92+ points “The Courcel 2008 Pommard Fremiers delivers marvelous energy, as well as purity of tart, fresh, ripe black fruits, with nutmeg, cooked ginger, black tea, white pepper, cyanic bitterness of fruit pit, iris, and elder flower all lending complexity. Positively silken in texture though palpably dense, this finishes with vibratory intensity of vividly fresh elderberry, blackberry and cherry; pungent spices; liquid floral perfume; iron filings and crushed stone. Here is an instance of synergy between relatively high acidity and abundant yet fine tannin such as one seldom witnesses in this vintage. Expect at least 15 years of fascination from this formidable yet elegant Pinot that beautifully marries virtues of both Volnay and Pommard, as befits its location.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Raspberry and red currant notes are married to a supple texture that initially covers its density and layer of tannins, with fine length. Best from 2013 through 2023. 85 cases imported.”
The average price is $94
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Bright medium red. Complex, soil-driven nose combines redcurrant, flowers and minerals. Suave and weightless, with sneaky intensity to the brisk red fruit and minerals flavor lifted by a piquant note of orange peel. Finishes quite dry, juicy and classic, with substantial but very fine tannins and rising fruit. Winemaker Yves Confuron compares the marne blanche soil here to that of Gevrey’s Clos Saint-Jacques. This wine was bottled barely two months before my November visit and had not yet shut down.”
The next best price is $98
Daniel Bouland
The Dujac of Beaujolais
Arriving in November
Daniel Bouland makes gutsy wines from old vines in the heart of Beaujolais premier appellations. You often hear that they’re traditionally made and, although that’s true, it doesn’t begin to describe what makes the wines unique. These are wines that recall what Beaujolais would have been like before industrial farming and certainly before industrial winemaking. They’re special, powerful and age-worthy.
From a winemaking perspective, the closest comparison to what Daniel Bouland is doing is probably Domaine Dujac. The cross-regional comparison probably violates some sort of law of wine-writing, but when you look at what Bouland does with his grapes, it makes sense. There’s almost exclusively whole cluster fermentation at both houses and Bouland’s wine show as muscular and robust—capable of very long aging and transformation into profound wines.
The difference, of course, is that working with Gamay, Bouland’s wines are more immediately drinkable than anything from Dujac (Bouland also doesn’t use new oak on his wines). And the prices are far below what top Burgundy can command. Young, the Bouland bottles show both intense fruit and structure—you wouldn’t necessarily think to drink Beaujolais with steak, but these are incredible pairings with even very hearty foods (especially since Gamay has a zesty freshness to it that keeps the meals light.
Daniel Bouland Arriving in November
Daniel Bouland Chiroubles ‘Chatenay’, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($34.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Chiroubles offers up a pretty bouquet of raspberries, red cherries, plums and dark chocolate, lent lift by pretty floral top notes. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, ample and succulent, with a layered core of fruit, fine tannins and mouthwatering acids. It hails from a steep hillside site and is matured in stainless steel.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “From a south-facing site near Château Thivin, the 2017 Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Melanie exhibits a deep bouquet of blackberry, wild berries, grilled meat, dark chocolate and licorice. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, rich and ample, with a juicy core of fruit, ripe but chewy structuring tannins in abundance and a gourmand, layered profile.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes (7) wafts from the glass with a creamy bouquet of cherries, cassis, dried flowers, dark chocolate, licorice and plums. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and velvety, with juicy acids and fine tannins that are entirely concealed by a deep, layered core of fruit. Concentrated but mouthwatering, it’s quintessential Corcelette. There are two separate bottlings this year, numbered respectively as (4) and (7) to designate two different foudres that Bouland opted to distinguish to his clientele for the first time: this note refers to foudre #7, which hails from Tonnellerie Rousseau and represents a more recent addition to the cellar than the older, larger foudre #4.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes (4) is brilliant, unfurling in the glass with notes of wild plums, cherries and cassis, complemented by savory aromas of grilled meat and loamy soil. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, deep and layered, with a slightly tauter, more tensile profile than the Corcelette that matured in foudre #7, as well as marginally more concentration. While the differences between the two bottlings aren’t sufficient to merit a divergence of scores, #7 is the purist’s choice and seemingly the best-adapted to sustained bottle age: it was the bottling I purchased for my own cellar.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “From vines planted in sandy soils in 1926, the 2017 Morgon Les Delys Vieilles Vignes is a stunning wine that ranks as one of the vintage’s qualitative peaks, wafting from the glass with a kaleidoscopic bouquet of cassis, plums, cured meats, dark chocolate, wood smoke and rich soil tones. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, multidimensional and immensely concentrated, with fine tannins, tangy acids and an incredibly long finish. The sheer density of old vine extract in this bottling is more reminiscent of a young Clape Cornas than it is of most contemporary Beaujolais, but the winemaking here is utterly classical and there’s nothing forced about it. The most reserved of Bouland’s wines, the 2017 Delys will require at least 2 or 3 years of bottle age and reward a full 10.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “Rich aromas of raspberries and cherries introduce the 2017 Morgon Bellevue, a full-bodied, velvety but reserved wine with a deep, layered mid-palate, superb concentration and juicy acids. After the expressive Chiroubles and Côte de Brouilly, the Bellevue is a little more closed after its recent bottling, but it will be superb in the fullness of time.”
New 2016 Louis Jadot Offer
Arriving in November
John Gilman 94 points “The bottling of Clos St. Jacques is one of Maison Jadot’s iconic wines and the 2016 is another stellar example. The aromatic constellation is a mix of red and black cherries, woodsmoke, dark chocolate, grilled meats, mustard seed, cedar and a stunning base of soil tones. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, long and very refined out of the blocks, with a rock solid core, suave, ripe tannins and outstanding grip and length on the complex and beautifully balanced finish. A great Clos St. Jacques in the making. 2029-2075.”
Decanter 93 points “The Clos St-Jacques is excellent, offering up an incipiently complex bouquet of red and black fruit, bonfire, rich soil, subtle grilled meat and a framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied and deep at the core, its fine-grained chassis of rich tannins nicely cloaked in cool fruit. Serious and complete, this should develop very well in the cellar. Drinking Window 2026 – 2040.”
Burghound 92-94 points “Here too there is a distinct coolness to the wonderfully pure aromas of earth, rose petal, red currant and the sauvage that are set off by noticeable wood and menthol nuances. The rich, dense and sappy broad-shouldered yet refined flavors possess a suave and polished mouth feel, all wrapped in a stony and hugely long finish. This excellent effort is markedly firm but very well-balanced and should age effortlessly for years to come.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques has a satisfying bouquet with quite luxuriant kirsch and cranberry scents, vanilla and wilted rose petals. It wants to show the other premier crus who is boss. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite lush in the mouth, plenty of roundeur here with a sleek red cherry and wild strawberry finish, almost confit-like in style. Great length even if maybe it does not quite deliver the panache of last year’s Clos Saint-Jacques.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “(the crop was reduced 30% by the frost): Bright, full, dark red. Some very ripe notes to the aromas of cherry, raspberry coulis, strawberry and smoky minerals (technical director Barnier believes that Jadot was the last of the five owners of Clos Saint-Jacques to harvest in 2016). A step up in creaminess of texture from the foregoing Gevrey premier crus, but with terrific precision and acidity for all its density and richness. This very deep Clos Saint-Jacques conveys a restrained sweetness and lovely inner-mouth floral lift. Best today on the very long, rising finish, which features noble tannins and subtle notes of rose petal and tobacco.”
The average price is $226
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers has a very detailed and perfumed bouquet that delivers layers of mineral-driven red berry fruit that really translate the terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, good substance, a little oaky toward the finish but that will be subsumed to leave you with a fine Cazetiers that may surpass the 2015. Superb.”
Burghound 91-93 points “The oak regimen framing the spicy, earthy and intensely sauvage dark berry fruit aromas is more subtle though again, by no means invisible. The exceptionally rich middle weight plus flavors also flash plenty of minerality on the firm, moderately austere and robust finale. This is a classic Cazetiers that offers ample power and punch and I underscore that it is not only very firm but will need extended keeping.”
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 points “Bright medium red. Much less aromatic and minerally than the Petite Chapelle today, hinting at cherry, menthol and stone. Nicely concentrated but youthfully imploded; a chewier style than the Petite Chapelle but without that wine’s floral and mineral high notes. Today the wine’s tannic spine cuts off the fruit. I suspect this wine is going through a stunted stage of its evolution in barrels, as the finish hints at lovely lift.”
The next best price is $119.99
John Gilman 92 points “The 2016 Maison Jadot Beaux Monts is also outstanding this year. The bouquet is pure, precise and nicely black fruity, offering up scents of cassis, sweet dark berries, bitter chocolate, a bit of bonfire, pigeon, dark soil tones and cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very elegant in profile, with a lovely core, fine soil signature and a long, ripely tannic and nicely soil-driven finish. Very classy juice. 2028-2060.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2016 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts has an extravagant bouquet that really shows up the Les Suchots: this is packed full of luscious red cherry and crushed strawberry fruit, a hint of vanilla pod with time. The palate is medium-bodied with plump tannin, fine acidity, impressive body with a dash of white pepper sprinkled liberally over the stocky finish. Excellent.”
Burghound 91-93 points “A cool, pure and airy nose features a perfumed mélange of red currants, spice tones and a hint of tea, all of which is trimmed in reasonably subtle wood treatment. The detailed and energetic middle weight plus flavors possess a lovely minerality while being shaped by nicely fine-grained tannins that contribute to the sense of refinement on the balanced, precise and driving finish. This is excellent and should also amply reward mid to long-term cellaring.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A taut yet fruity style, this red is appealing for the vibrant cherry, earth and spice flavors, turning more compact by the finish. Firm and balanced, this should develop well over the next decade or longer. Best from 2021 through 2033. 500 cases made.”
Burghound 90-93 points “Outstanding. Here the attractively layered nose is slightly less ripe and composed more of fruit from the red side of the fruit spectrum. The rich, supple and generously proportioned flavors possess an opulent mouth feel while also delivering equally good depth and length on the mildly rustic finale. This isn’t elegant but it is impressive.”
The average price is $61
Burghound 91-94 points “Sweet Spot Outstanding. A slightly toasty nose reflects notes of mostly red berries, earth and a discreet floral whiff. The very pretty and wonderfully refined middle weight flavors brim with both minerality and dry extract while the driving, balanced and focused finish exhibits excellent intensity and power. This is a relatively big Petite Chapelle yet it loses none of its typical refinement for it. In a word, terrific.”
The average price is $109
2016 Saint Damien
Ultra-Classic Vintage
Belov’d Producer
Affordable Prices
Rockin’ Scores
What are you waiting for?
Case-12 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2016 750ML ($419.95) $349 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.08/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Similarly colored, the 2016 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes (80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre) offers a killer bouquet of blackcurrants, sappy garrigue, exotic spices, and leafy herbs. It’s full-bodied, ultra-pure, seamless and silky, with no hard edges and beautiful balance. Checking in as a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre brought up in older foudre, don’t miss this beauty!”Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2016 750ML ($39.95) $36 pre-arrival 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.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Gigondas Les Souteyrades checks in as 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that was brought up all in foudre. It’s another powerful, concentrated, awesome wine that has slightly more exotic notes of black raspberries, crushed flowers, spice, and sappy garrigue. I almost always find a citrus note in this cuvée, which is full-bodied, opulent and mouthfilling on the palate, yet always stays graceful and lively.”