Subscriber-Only Sale
We will take 10% off displayed price on all Chablis wines!
You can view our entire selection of Chablis wines online at vinopoliswineshop.com
32 selections
to choose from!
ie, your cost today will be 10% lower than displayed prices.
to receive the 10% discount.
Burghound 95 points “Stylistically, this closely resembles the Valmur with its ultra elegant and pure aromas featuring white flowers, oyster shell and subtle spice notes that perfectly complement the round, powerful, rich and full-bodied flavors that coating the mouth and culminate in a saliva-inducing, incredibly intense finish that reminded me more than a little of a great Corton-Charlemagne. This just oozes minerality and the texture is minerally to the point of this resembling a block of stone. A great Les Clos” BHDomaine Collet Pere et Fils Montmains, Chablis Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($31.95) Regularly $26, Now $23.40 with the discount!
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 89+ points “(bottled three days before my visit): Musky orange zest on the nose. Fine-grained, broad and dry but closed; in fact, a bit flattened by the bottling. A flavor of pineapple emerged with air.” ST
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2013 Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux is more reserved, earthier on the nose compared directly with the Beauregard and the Vaillons. Touches of chalk and granite begin to emerge with a hint of orange rind in the background. The palate is well balanced with a keen line of acidity, more orange zest and dried apricot notes with just a hint of honey toward the finish. There is a fine grip in the mouth with a long and spicy finish. This is all about the steady build to the finish and it constitutes another excellent wine from the finest drummer in Courgis.” NM
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91 points “Bright, light straw-yellow. Subtle spice and mineral aromas on the lively nose. Rich, saline and dry on the palate, offering a distinctly saline, tactile quality to the flavors of citrus fruits, spices and stone. Lovely texture and mineral-driven persistence here. At once concentrated and energetic, and tightly coiled for the vintage, this wine shows more vineyard than vintage character and should evolve nicely.” ST
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $57
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2013 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros has a very welcoming nose with superb mineralite and transparency. There is great intensity here that even overshadows the Les Preuses. The palate is medium-bodied with fine acidity, gorgeous light peach and apricot notes with great tension on the harmony on the finish. Superb! Drink 2015-2025.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(100% oak; 13.4% alcohol): Pale yellow-green. Lovely spicy lift to the aromas of lime, white peach and powdered stone. Juicy, dense and lightly saline; conveys strong Chablis character in a somewhat sweet way. A rich, fruit-driven wine of obvious power. Finishes with very good length and grip.” JR
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Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero 2007 750ML ($379.95) Was $249, Now $238
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $342
Wine Advocate 90 points
The average price is $444
Wine Spectator 94 points ; Robert Parker 91 points
The average price is $75
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89 points
Robert Parker 92 points ; Wine Spectator 92 pointsDelas Freres Crozes-Hermitage Le Clos 2013 750ML ($69.95)
Was $59, Now $49
Wine Advocate 93+ points
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points
The average price is $180
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 95 points ;Wine Advocate 94+ points
The next best price is $198.34
The average price is $200
Wine Advocate 94 points
Krug Brut, Champagne 2003 750ML ($279.95) $199 pre-arrival special, ETA July 8th
Wine Spectator 95 points “Like taffeta in texture, this harmonious Champagne is finely honed and fresh. A wonderfully expressive version, with ample spice and graphite accents to the blackberry pâte de fruit, coffee liqueur, dried apricot, singed orange peel and crystallized honey notes. Hard to stop sipping.”
James Suckling 95 points “A rich nose with deep, ripe chardonnay and pinot noir, red fruits, some dark mushrooms and plenty of grilled nuts, plus caramel, some deep spices, dried citrus, lemon peel and bready aromas. The trademark complexity is here and it freshens with air. The palate is intricately detailed and stitched together like needlework; very precise, very even. The acidity is articulated with some finesse and yet it has much more in terms of phenolics as the leading structural component. The phenolics are rich and ripe, sitting polished and even around immensely concentrated fruit with flavors of peach, nectarine and white cherry. The finish is deep, even and resonant. Drink now but rest assured it will hold for a very long time, just like Krug has proven in other warm years like ’76.”
New Week – New Arrivals
OREGON
Vinopolnote: A layered and nuanced Chardonnay with notes of lemondrop, honey, and wild herbs; a gentle richness coats the palate with a breezy, acid-tinged finish. The 2014 Chardonnay is sourced from Johan, a biodynamics-practicing vineyard which produces some of our favorite Oregon wines. Holden is a young and growing local project striving to deliver fresh and lively wines with tons of character while limiting manipulationHolden Wine Company Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Vinopolnote: The 2015 Pinot Blanc from Holden delivers delicate fruit notes, breezy floral elements, and a mineral-laden finish. A light and clean wine with lots of energy and grace; a prime example of Oregon’s ‘Other Wine Grape’.
Bethel Heights Vineyard ‘Aeolian’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Aromatically pure, with currant, plum, chocolate, mineral and floral notes mingling effortlessly and continuing into a long and expressive mouthful of open-textured intensity and depth. Has terrific presence and length. Best from 2017 through 2024.”
Bethel Heights Vineyard Flat Block Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe and vibrant, open-textured and centered on currant and plum fruit, picking up hints of wet stone and spice as the finish comes together harmoniously. Has presence and depth. Best from 2018 through 2024.”
Bethel Heights Vineyard ‘Justice Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($61.95) $51.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Focused, expressive and refined, layering the generous currant, blackberry. tobacco and dill flavors into a seamless package, rolling gently into a long finish against lightly prickly tannins. Best from 2018 through 2024.”
WASHINGTON
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 95 points “Slightly more fruit driven than the meaty, peppery John Lewis release, the 2013 Syrah Lagniappe is a drop dead gorgeous Syrah that does everything right. Its almost opaque purple color is followed by a complex, layered bouquet that includes ample black and blue fruits, ground pepper, lavender, olive and hints of bacon fat. This gives way to a medium to full-bodied, layered, silky 2013 that has a great mid-palate, juicy acidity and a great finish. I’d happily drink it today, but it should be at its best from 2018-2028.”Gramercy Cellars The Third Man Grenache – Syrah – Mourvedre, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 94 points “Tasted out of bottle, the 2013 The Third Man, which incorporates 19% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre, sports a semi-translucent ruby color as well as perfumed notes of black cherry liqueur, raspberries, potpourri and dried flowers. Supple, elegant and seamless, with no hard edges, sweet, sweet tannin and medium to full-bodied richness, this fabulous Grenache would be a dead ringer for a top Chateauneuf du Pape in a blind tasting. It’s the best vintage of this cuvee to date and will have 10-15 years of overall longevity.”
Gramercy Cellars Syrah, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2012 Columbia Valley Syrah offers lots of smoked herbs, olive tapenade, smoked duck and chocolaty dark fruits to go with a medium to full-bodied, supple, pure and layered profile on the palate. Made from 100% Syrah that saw 25% whole-cluster inclusion during fermentation and 18 months in 13% new French oak, drink it anytime over the coming 10-15 years.”
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is most likely the greatest vintage of this cuvee to date. Full-bodied, ripe, layered and yet still elegant and beautifully balanced, it offers classic currants, black raspberry, graphite, lead pencil and cedar aromas and flavors. A blend of 92% Cabernet and 8% Merlot that saw 23 months in 40% new French oak, it has high-quality tannin, ample texture and a rock-star finish. This beauty will have two decades of longevity.”
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2002 La Vigne d’Antan is utterly breathtaking from the very first taste. A vivid, crystalline wine, the 2002 emerges with the essence of crushed rocks, salt and bright, citrus-infused fruit. Hints of white pepper and flowers add elements of exoticism in a striking, pure Champagne loaded with class. Readers who can find the 2002 should not hesitate as it is magnificent.”
The next best price is $230
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2003 La Vigne Royale, 100% Pinot Noir, is another fabulous Champagne from Tarlant. An explosive, deeply expressive Champagne, the Vigne Royale blossoms in all directions, showing superb purity and depth. Layers of fruit build to the broad, expansive finish. Sweet, floral notes leave a lasting impression. Dosage is 1 gram per liter.”Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Brut 2006 750ML ($249.95) $199 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Floral and ripe apricot notes ride the creamy bead of this elegant Champagne, accented by hints of black currant, pastry and candied kumquat. Bright and lively, with a hint of smoky mineral lingering on the finish. Disgorged in May 2015. Drink now through 2026. ”
Dom Perignon Brut 2006 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2006 Dom Pérignon is a beautifully balanced, harmonious Dom Pérignon that strikes an incredibly appealing stylistic middle ground. Rich, voluptuous and creamy, the 2006 shows off fabulous intensity in a style that brings together the ripeness of 2002 with the greater sense of verve and overall freshness that is such a signature of the 2004. Bass notes and a feeling of phenolic grip on the finish recall the 2003, as the Pinot Noir is particularly expressive today. After an irregular summer that saw elevated temperatures in July followed by cooler, damp conditions in August, more favorable weather returned in September, pushing maturation ahead and leading to a long, protracted harvest. The 2006 falls into the family of riper, more voluptuous Dom Pérignons, but without veering into the level of opulence seen in vintages such as 2002.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2006 Dom Pérignon comes from a very rich vintage with an early ripeness that brought a lot of aromatic maturity. The white-golden prestige cuvée contains a bit more Chardonnay than Pinot Noir and opens with a deep and seductive, pretty accessible nose with intense yet fresh fruit aromas of pineapples, with peaches and tangerines. Lively and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, unusually aromatic and fruity DP with a long and tension-filled expression.”
Richard Juhlin 94(97) points [English Translation] “It’s not often you fall backwards when a wine is first launched on the market. This time both me and my friends, who got to try this jewel at my champagne bar, fell in love instantly. It is all here so beautifully orchestrated in this incredibly well-balanced and flowing rich symphony. It is so voluptuously charming and welcoming immediately, but at the same time so complex that the interest in what you will discover in the next gulp never ceases. Here are all the pillars that I perceive a Dom Pérignon should have. A gigantic large and intense aroma, a silk caressing structure and a dazzling grand finale. Notes from the sea, roasted nuts, coffee, brioche, tropical green fruits, stone fruit, green apples, sweet orange citrus, gunpowder, nougat, mushroom cream and black truffle are all there like a perfectly tailored tuxedo. Love at first sight.”
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Winery note “The vines are approximately 30 years old. The pruning system is guyot double shape. 6500 vines are planted per hectare. After a conversion to organic viticulture, the domain has now chosen an orientation towards biodynamy. Béru hillside’s terroirs are among the stoniest terroirs of Chablis.”
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(this is a monopole but not a premier cru): Very pale straw. Crushed stone, lemon drop, yellow apple and pungent fresh herbs on the nose. Dense, fat and deep, conveying lovely volume and sweetness to its sexy stone fruit, ginger, quinine and herb flavors. As broad and ripe as this is, it’s almost weightless on the palate. Finishes with good grip and sneaky length. Sexy juice.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Chassagne-Montrachet Les Encegnieres 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2014 Chassagne-Montrachet Encégnières has a flattering nose with tropical aromas combining nicely with the citrus fruit, touches of lemon sorbet and yellow plum emerging in the glass. The palate is fresh and poised on the entry, demonstrating fine weight in the mouth and delivering quite a powerful, complex finish of orange zest and lemongrass. There is a pizzazz about this Chassagne that delivers premier cru quality. Superb.”
Wine Advocate–“The malolactics on the 2014 Saint Aubin 1er Cru les Combes was later than its “siblings” and therefore it is the only Saint Aubin that had not been bottled when I visited the domaine in October 2015. There was a lot of sulfur on the nose that made that difficult to read. The palate is sweet and well defined on the entry with sharp citrus fruit married with dried pineapple and melon notes towards the composed finish. I will reserve judgement now because of the SO2, although I suspect it will turn out to be a fine Saint Aubin that will require 4-5 years in bottle.”Domaine Marc Colin et Fils En Montceau, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2014 Saint Aubin 1er Cru en Montceau has a more generous nose than some of this domaine’s other 2014 Saint Aubins, a little more chutzpah here – cold stone, smoke and cold limestone reflecting the terroir. The palate is taut and precise with crisp acidity, a slightly chalky texture with a lively, spicy finish that lingers in the mouth. This is a fine Saint Aubin that is worth seeking out.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains 2013 750ML ($36.95) $18 specialCase-12 Domaine Robert Chevillon Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains 2013 750ML ($359.95) $189 special
The average price is $28
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 points “Bright, dark red. Lovely class and lift to the aromas of dark raspberry, bitter cherry, flowers, minerals and crushed stone. Urgent red and purple fruit flavors show outstanding penetration and delineation yet come across as remarkably refined and smooth. A salty character adds another dimension to the very long, vibrant, backward finish. Delivers the outstanding density without weight that I associate more with grand crus. (But then the long process initiated by a number of owners of this vineyard to have Les Saint-Georges elevated to grand cru status has been underway for several years already.)”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2013 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru les Saint Georges has abundant fruit on the nose with black plum, wild strawberry and minerals, understated at first, but just a few swirls and the aromatics are in fifth gear. The palate is medium-bodied with wonderful tension and vitality. This is very pure, very effervescent, with a sense of energy toward the tender finish. This has class written all over it. Evidence for Grand Cru status? Why not.”Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Pruliers, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($119.95) $88 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2013 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru les Pruliers is slightly deeper in color than Chevillon’s other 2013s. The bouquet is one of his most sophisticated, with mineral-infused red and black fruit intermingling, almost crystalline in purity. The palate is harmonious straight from the off, replete with filigree tannins, well-judged acidity and a tense, rocky, structured finish that lingers long in the mouth. This will deserve several years aging – one of Bertrand and Denis’s best contributions to the vintage.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Vaucrains, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Burghound 92-95 points “Don’t miss! Outstanding. Here too there is enough wood to notice on the notably ripe and fresh aromas of black cherry, plum, pungent earth and abundant sauvage scents. The big, rich and full-bodied flavors possess an overt muscularity along with plenty of power on the extract-rich, intense and very firmly structured finale. As it always is this is rustic and austere and will need a minimum of 10 years to arrive at its peak but 15 will be better. The domaine almost never misses with this wine and the 2013 is potentially great.”
Chateau de La Tour ‘Hommage a Jean Morin’ Vieilles Vignes Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($699.95) $599 special
Jeannie Cho Lee 92 points “A beautiful array of flavors – roses, violets, spices and raspberries. This is a special cuvee made from one bunch of the first shoot from the ancient vines, making only 600 bottles per year. Tannins are velvety in texture, unlike the other Vougeots in Labet’s portfolio. This is by far the best in the portfolio. This wine will age very well over the next decade.”
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 95 points “The 2006 Richebourg is dark and brooding, with tannins that still need time to resolve. A sense of classic austerity runs through the 2006 that I expect will always be present.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 94+ points “Good deep red. Lucid, high-pitched aromas of raspberry, red cherry, minerals and rose petal, with a complicating suggestion of smoky earth. Densely packed and distinctly black in character, but with compelling sweetness to go along with its rather massive, masculine personality. Finishes with muscular but ripe tannins and terrific palate-staining length.”FRANCE-RHONE
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph Rouge 2009 750ML ($89.95) $79 specialWine Spectator 94 points “Mulled plum, fig and boysenberry fruit is still a bit compact at the core, while anise, briar and singed wood spice notes sit atop. The finish has mouthwatering acidity and a long, smoldering charcoal thread for added intrigue. Should stretch out nicely in the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2024.” WSITALY-TUSCANY
Il Marroneto Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Il Marroneto’s 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is one of the wines of the vintage. Silky, open-knit and gracious, the 2011 boasts superb elegance and all of the finesse that is typical of Montalcino’s northern sector. Rose petal, sweet red berry and lifted, minty notes grace the palate in a sensual, silky Brunello endowed with class and pedigree. The classic sense of tannin and salinity comes through on the finish, but it is the interplay of classic structure and the ripeness of the vintage that is most compelling of all. Il Marroneto’s 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is without question one of the wines of the vintage.”
GERMANY
Weingut Keller Westhofener Brunnenhauschen Abts Erde Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheinhessen 2014 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
John Gilman 97 points “The 2014 Abtserde is also brilliant utterly seamless on the palate. The magical and still quite youthful nose delivers a complex blend of apple, grapefruit, lemon zest, a very refined base of chalky minerality, a touch of wild yeasts and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and elegant, with great purity at the core, stunning transparency and brilliant length and grip on the focused and dancing finish. The acids here are ripe and the slightly lower octane found in the Keller GGs across the board in 2014 only seems to enhance the inherent elegance of this great young wine. 2025-2065+.” JG
David Schildknecht- Vinous 96 points “Marine-breeze alkaline and saline notes, black tea smokiness and a hints of framboise distillate penetrate the nostrils, and the mineral complexity that follows on the polished, expansive (even at 12.8% alcohol), remarkably buoyant palate does not disappoint the expectations aroused by the nose. At the same time, there is an infectious abundance of white peach, grapefruit and red raspberry juiciness on tap, invigoratingly accented by piquant but never outright bitter pits and pips along with tart, seed-crunching impingement. A finish of vibratory intensity and consummate refreshment left me exhilarated and panting after the next fascinating, sensuously satisfying sip. Keller calls this the butterfly among his Grosse Gewächse and attributes the jump in quality that it typically represents in tasting that line-up to the stony purity and rapid drainage of the site’s limestone soils. There’s something approaching magic here, that’s for sure!”
AUSTRIA
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2012 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 95 points “Prominent lemony brightness and underlying alkalinity do not convey an immediate impression of such a ripe, sunny vintage as this was. Aromatically alluring sea breeze, fennel pollen, and green and black tea persist in the mouth, where this wine also grabs hold of the palate and salivary glands in an outpouring of lemon-drenched oyster liquor. The combination of polish and clarity on display is similarly striking, though by no means unusual in an installment of what is in effect the Nikolaihof’s iconic offering. The long, vibrant finish displays kaleidoscopic flavor interactions no less memorable or mesmerizing for their being nuanced and understated; nor is there any let-up in the onrush of marine salinity. The Saahs family bottled this wine in April 2015 and released it just as stocks of its 2010 counterpart were running low, leaving the 2011 behind in cask for now.”
SPAIN
Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Brilliant ruby. Highly perfumed, evoking ripe cherry and blackcurrant that are complemented by slowly emerging aromas of cured meat, lavender and minerals. Enlivened by a spicy nuance, the silky, sweet and penetrating palate offers intense dark fruit and floral pastille flavors. Seamless and very nicely concentrated, with smooth tannins lending shape to a very long, fruit-driven finish.” JR
-and California for $25
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-to Oregon for $17,
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
Next-Generation Saumur
Arriving Mid-July
Clos Rougeard being the most famed and important domaine of the region makes this a rather impressive – and daunting – comparison. The Guiberteaus and Foucaults share some vineyard sources and, above all, a determination to craft the very best wines possible from their land. These are stand-out wines with true pedigree; whatever it may have been that the Foucaults told Romain, it seems to be working… Domaine Guiberteau itself is now one of the most sought-after producers in the Loire.
The “Domaine” wines from Guiberteau are rendered in all stainless steel with the vision to showcase purity of fruit and freshness. Vineyard-designate wines are raised in both new and used oak with extended lees contact. We’re thrilled to offer an array of the domaine’s wines, all viewable below.
Vinopolnote: Chenin vines planted on clay and limestone soils along the base of Brézé. Hand-harvested and sorted, with native-yeast fermentation and no chapitalization. Aged on the lees for 18-30 months in new and used oak with the intention of aging over 15 years.
Vinopolnote: Chenin vines planted on clay and limestone soils along the base of Brézé. Hand-harvested and sorted, with native-yeast fermentation and no chapitalization. Aged on the lees for 18-30 months in new and used oak with the intention of aging over 15 years.
Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc Le Clos de Guichaux, Loire 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival specialVinopolnote: From younger vines planted to chalk and clay soils. Whole clusters are gently pressed by pneumatic press; native yeast fermentations with light filtration in order to discourage secondary fermentations. Low yields and an all-manual harvest and sorting, with organic viticulture and wines never chapitalized.Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc Le Clos de Guichaux, Loire 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Vinopolnote: From younger vines planted to chalk and clay soils. Whole clusters are gently pressed by pneumatic press; native yeast fermentations with light filtration in order to discourage secondary fermentations. Low yields and an all-manual harvest and sorting, with organic viticulture and wines never chapitalized.
Vinopolnote: All stainless-steel fermentation with the intent to present freshness and complexity of fruit; native yeast fermentation with hand-harvesting and no chapitalization.
Winery note “Of a pale yellow colour, our Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru “Caillerets” 2014 offers a floral and elegant nose with vanilla notes. There is a beautiful liveliness with citrus and fresh almond notes. A nice persistency.”
Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival specialWinery note “With a superb pale yellow colour, our Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2014 shows an intense and complex nose of grilled almond with lightly smoked notes. Aromas of almond paste blends with flinty notes. The mouth is powerful, generous and frank. We also find grilled notes and fresh almond aromas. Very beautiful length, with nice minerality.”
Winery note “Our Meursault 1er Cru “Château de Blagny” 2014 reveals a brillant yellow pale colour. The nose is really gourmet : fresh butter, vanilla, almond and fresh hazelnut notes dominate. The mouth is round, ample and reveals floral and brioché notes. Nice minerality on the finish.”
Winery note “Our Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Sous le Puits” 2014 reveals a nice pale yellow colour. The nose is complex with floral and almond paste aromas. The mouth is ample with flavours of white flowers and a light salinity. Nice mineral finish. The vineyard of Puligny-Montrachet « Sous les Puits » has a south-easterly exposure and is situated at the top of the hill of Blagny, just above « La Garenne “, near a source, hence the name of “Sous le Puits” (“Under the Well”).”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Ripe cherry, plum and subtle licorice flavors highlight this rich, round red, which is open and fruity, with fine harmony and a long, licorice- and tobacco-tinged finish. Best from 2017 through 2026.”
The average price is $80
Wine Spectator 93 points “An expressive red, whose floral, raspberry and cherry flavors match the elegant profile. Though silky and detailed, this is also tightly wound, evidenced on the long finish. A civilized, stylish Corton. Better than previously reviewed. Best from 2015 through 2033.”
Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival specialJames Suckling 94 points “A tangy red with sliced apple, citrus, plum, chocolate, and fresh herb. Full to medium body, beautiful core of fruit and a bright finish. Chewy and polished. Tight now. Give this time. Drink or hold.”
Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95 points “Bright and intense with blackberry, blueberry, and lemon rind. Full-bodied, yet tight with tannin tension and form. Mineral and Asian mushroom too, plus a bright finish. Just about ready. Love tasting this.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A firm, powerful wine, its tannins still very dominant. Acidity is a factor, along with deep red-plum fruit. Some sweetness will develop in the next several years, although this concentrated and complex wine will also have a solid core of dry, structured tannin. Age for at least five years.”
from Stephan Reinhardt of The Wine Advocate
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The current release of the NV Entre Ciel et Terre Extra-Brut is based on the 2006 vintage and assembles 60% Meunier with 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir from the villages of Crouttes-sur-Marne, Nanteuil-sur-Marne and Villiers St-Denis. Fermented and aged in oak (15%) and enameled tanks, then disgorged after eight years sur lattes in April 2015, this straw-yellow colored cuvée displays a very clear, deep, fresh and elegant, well defined bouquet. It develops with every minute and every glass. Floral, vegetal and herbal flavors, hints of caramel, nuts and honey intertwine with ripe, dried and potted white and yellow-skinned fruit aromas—indicating a lovely vinous style. Clear, fresh, precise and elegant on the palate, this is a stimulatingly dry and pure, well-structured and finesse-full Champagne with a kicking grip, salinity and mineral expression in the finish. Great purity, freshness and straightforwardness. If it should be a Bedel today, then right now it should be this one. As aperitif and for dinner.”
Francoise Bedel Cuvee Origin’elle NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, ETA July 8thStephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 91 points “Based on 75% Pinot Meunier, 15% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Noir (30- to 60-year-old vines, mainly picked in 2011), the NV Origin’elle Extra-Brut is a pretty good representative of both the plantings on the biodynamically farmed 8.4 hectares; these vineyards are located in the most western part of the Marne valley. The wine is made in the special style of Françoise Bedel and her son Vincent, whose wines are kept on the lees for almost one year (in this case in enameled tanks). Straw-golden in color and clear and aromatic on the intense and pretty rich nose, this is a full and round, yet delicate and silky textured fizz. It has a long and aromatic finish. Although the wine seems to be rich and fat at first, it is in fact full-flavored but pure and finesse-full. The finish is clear and fresh, and reveals a nice mineral grip. This is an excellent Champagne as an aperitif, but also with food.”
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 94 points “Fermented in predominantly enameled tanks and 5% oak vats, the 2004 L’Âme de la Terre Millésime Brut is a 90% Meunier blended with 7% Pinot Noir and 3% Chardonnay. Disgorged after nine years on the lees in January 2015, this golden-colored Brut shows a deep, rich and matured nose with honey, caramel and chestnut flavors, but also lemon aromas and a stunning terroir purity in the background. Full-bodied, round and intense, this is an elegant, fresh and precise Champagne. It is stimulatingly dry and salty with a long and powerful, very well-structured finish. Great purity and richness, very persistent style, with excellent ageing potential. No creaminess or charming sweetness. This is a love-me or leave-me cuvée that should be served with food, but drinks beautifully as a soloist.”Chartogne-Taillet Heurtebise Blanc de Blancs Brut NV (2009) 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 2 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The (2009) Heurtebise Brut Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay from 40+ year-old vines on sandstone soils that is fermented and aged in concrete eggs. Not declared as a vintage, but entirely from 2009 ,it offers a deep, intense and rich bouquet with some smoky and very complex mineral flavors. Pure and elegant on the palate, this is a substantial, multilayered and very mineral wine with great purity, grip and a persistent length. Great aging potential. Disgorged in October 2015 with less than five grams per liter of dosage.”
Chartogne-Taillet Cuvee Sainte Anne Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 14 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 91 points “The NV Sainte Anne Brut – a blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay, so no Meunier anymore – is entirely sourced in Merfy, the village where the domaine is based. This youngest release includes the 2013 harvest (65%) and has been blended with 2012, 2011 and 2010. Pure, lean and complex on the palate, this is a very elegant, straight and pretty firmly structured cuvée that finishes with a lingering salinity and tension. Very well structured, with good length. At this price, it is a Must Try.”
Dom Perignon Brut 2006 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, ETA July 8th
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2006 Dom Pérignon comes from a very rich vintage with an early ripeness that brought a lot of aromatic maturity. The white-golden prestige cuvée contains a bit more Chardonnay than Pinot Noir and opens with a deep and seductive, pretty accessible nose with intense yet fresh fruit aromas of pineapples, with peaches and tangerines. Lively and elegant on the palate, this is a full-bodied, unusually aromatic and fruity DP with a long and tension-filled expression.”
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2007 750ML ($299.95) $219 pre-arrival special, ETA July 8th
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 95 points “Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon calls Cristal “the first terroir cuvée of the Champagne.” He furthers, “It’s not just Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, but the chalk that brings the ultimate finesse, length and precision of Cristal.” Forty-five blocks with averaging age of 43-years-old, low-yielding vines form the base of Cristal, which is usually made of approximately 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Due to an early bud break (end of March) and the wet summer, the 2007 was picked at the end of August, so almost 100 days after the flowering instead of the normal 93-95 days. There is a bit less Pinot Noir than usual (57%) and accordingly, more Chardonnay (43%) in the 2007 Cristal. This Champagne comes along in a golden color and with a deep and matured, yet well-defined bouquet of ripe yellow fruits and honey notes. Full-bodied, round and very complex, the generous 2007 is a perfect mix of ripe fruit and precise minerality. It is a silky textured, pure and precise, as well as powerful and expressive Champagne. It has great tension and grip in the very long and persistent finish. Great expression of chalk. The 2007 was disgorged in 2015. The 2009 is to be released in September; the 2008 won’t be in the market earlier than January 2018. Neither a 2010 nor a 2011 will be released, but a 2012.”
Wine Arrives Wednesday
Arterberry Maresh – Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($74.95) $59 pre-arrival special, ETA July 6thNeal Martin-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir has a beautiful bouquet with wonderful precision. The vine age does show through here (44-years-old now) with crisp detailed red berry fruit that just exudes Pinoté. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very well-judged acidity, touches of truffle and undergrowth tincturing the red berry fruit that fans out wonderfully towards the long and satisfying finish. This is a great Pinot Noir from an estate that seems to have thrived in 2014.”
‘Special Effects’ Along the Danube
David Schildknecht–Vinous 90 points “Bottled already in February of 2014, this offers scents and flavors of ripe apricot reminiscent of Riesling from the gravelly nearby Oberhäuser, wreathed in musky peony-like perfume and accompanied by a high-toned suggestion of pistachio extract. On a firm yet glossy and brightly juicy palate, it offers lemony-green tartness of sorrel allied to the pit-inflected but fleshy apricot, and finishes with persistent verve and invigorating tang.”
F.X. Pichler Durnsteiner Kellerberg Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival specialF.X. Pichler Durnsteiner Kellerberg Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2013 1.5L ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 97 points “Succulent white peach and Persian melon are tinged more subtly than usual for this bottling with Madagascar and Szechuan peppercorns, black tea and crushed stone. There is hauntingly bittersweet floral perfume wafting through this entire performance, almost as though some Achleiten or Heiligenstein got loose in the fermenter. A high-toned suggestion of almond extract adds to the sweet impression of fruitiness (despite analytical dryness); and a mandarin orange note adds aromatic as well as brightly juicy allure in perfect harmony with a seductively creamy texture. Piquancy of peach kernel lends stimulating counterpoint and engenders a glowingly persistent finish. The combination of pit fruit, citrus and floral aromatics with complex peppery notes left in the empty glass is head-turning. This is as refined a Kellerberg Riesling as it has been my pleasure to experience. What’s more, it represents the first time I can recall using the word “buoyant” to describe one–and that for a wine picked in the last week of November!”
Wine Advocate 95 points “From the estate’s parade vineyard, the 2013 Riesling Smaragd Dürnsteiner Kellerberg displays a very rich and intense aroma of super-ripe and concentrated Riesling berries. Rich and powerful, but also precise, impressively concentrated and piquant on the palate, this well-balanced and highly elegant Riesling with its lemon and orange aftertaste is another signature wine of both the Wachau and the 2013 vintage. It’s aging potential should be terrific. A serious, tension-filled Riesling of great expression, which I highly recommend.”
F.X. Pichler Loibner Berg Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Beautifully concenrated with apricot perfume, the 2013 Riesling Smaragd Loibner Loibenberg is a rich, full-bodied and enervating fresh and salty Smaragd of remarkable elegance and purity. Very well-balanced and long on the palate, this tension-filled Riesling elixir has a persistent salinity and steely acidity that gives it excellent aging potential.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 94 points “Ravishingly sweet floral perfume is mingled on the nose with hints of smoky Latakia tobacco and lemon oil, and a suggestion of ripe white peach that then takes on luscious palate presence. While the feel is polished and subtly creamy, juicy fresh lemon and grapefruit serve for zesty verve and refreshment, leading to a vibrantly sustained and nearly head-spinningly kaleidoscopic finish.”
F.X. Pichler Loibner Oberhauser Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($41.95) $39 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93 points “Site-typical pit-tinged apricot in the nose is joined by scents of honeysuckle and high-toned nut extracts. The silky palate offers a luscious evocation of apricot fruit laced with brightly fresh lime, an impression of great purity carrying into the impressively penetrating and exhilaratingly refreshing finish, in which the sheer abundance of fruit is more than up to the counterpoint of pit piquancy and liquid floral notes perfectly complement a sense of wafting buoyancy.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 95 points “Salt, white pepper and Szechuan peppercorn mouthwateringly and invigoratingly inflect luscious, juicy white peach, pineapple and lime. A sleek and refined texture contributes to this bottling’s overall sense of elegance. With a similar ringing clarity to that of the Oberhäuser, but with greater depth and complexity as befits its steep and stony origins, this projects liquid perfume of a bittersweet, iris-like sort; smoky black tea; crushed stone; and diverse peppercorns, finishing with phenomenal persistence. Interestingly and perhaps not coincidentally, at just 13% it is one of the alcoholically lightest wines of the present collection.”F.X. Pichler ‘Unendlich’ Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special
F.X. Pichler ‘Unendlich’ Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2013 1.5L ($499.95) $419 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 96 points “From 60% Kellerberg and 40% Loibenberg fruit, this installment of the periodically rendered Pichler Riesling essence leads with high-toned scents of lemon oil and lemon blossom as well as intimations of the white peach and pink grapefruit that then lusciously inform a glycerol-rich, subtly creamy, enveloping palate. Billowing inner-mouth perfume of gentian and iris add bittersweet allure, and there is smoky, peppery counterpoint, especially in the finish, such as one usually expects to encounter in Pichler Riesling primarily with Steinertal- and Kellerberg-dedicated bottlings. A dark, deeply savory, resonant finish certainly makes a serious effort at living up to the name “Endless,” adding a welcome touch of saliva-stimulating salinity. Incidentally, this finished at 13.9% alcohol, modest by historical standards set by “Unendlich” bottlings, and amazing considering that, as Lucas Pichler explained, this installment derived from pickings done just ahead of the main harvest of certain parcels where subtly desiccated berries could be found, the latest of which was in mid-November. I’ve often referred to installments of Unendlich as “liqueurs of Riesling,” but that would almost be to do a disservice to the clarity and dynamic complexity of this one.”
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Pichler’s late harvested 2013 Riesling Smaragd Unendlich (German for unending, infinite, endless) opens with a clear, pure, precise and cool, mineral-fresh and aromatic white peach and fully ripe Riesling bouquet of great, yet not exaggerated, concentration. The wine is full-bodied, thrillingly mineral, tension-filled and elegant on the palate. This powerful, intense, highly complex and concentrated yet still fresh, precise and long-finishing Riesling elixir has a remarkable yet variety-typical racy acidity that structures and inspires. This is a great and potent Austrian Riesling tycoon. The wine is still extremely young and needs time to open up (better years than hours). However, its aging potential should be terrific.”
also still available for pre-arrival purchase
through our web store: www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Arriving in September
James Suckling 99 points “Terrific aromas of pure strawberry and orange peel. Spanish cedar undertones. Full body, perfect balance of ripe fruit and lemon with orange peel. Hints of milk chocolate. Vibrant finish. This will be fabulous in three or four years but difficult not to drink it now.”
Roberto Voerzio Rocche dell’Annunziata Torriglione, Barolo DOCG 2011 1.5L ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival specialAntonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Barolo Torriglione is bright, lifted and gracious, with plenty of expressive red-fleshed fruit underpinned by the nervous tannins that are such a signature of this site. Cinnamon, mint, white pepper, crushed rose petals and red berries are all beautifully delineated in the glass. Although quite young, the Torriglione is all class through and through. A kick of nervous, youthful tannin adds character on the finish. I very much like the precision here. The Torriglione is bottled in magnum only and replaces the Capalot in the Voerzio range.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata is one of the riper, racier wines in this range. Sweet floral notes meld into a core of red berries, mint and sweet spices. This is a very typical 2012 Barolo that already drinks well early. Expansive and voluptuous to the core, the Rocche is probably the first of these 2012s that I would choose to open. This is a very typical Barolo from one of La Morra’s finest sites.”
James Suckling 94 points “A fresh and clean Barolo with sweet cherry, cedar and light earth aromas and flavors. Full-bodied yet vibrant and clean. Light cedar and citrus undertone. Pretty sweet with ripe fruit.”
James Suckling 97 points “Vivid aromas of ripe, almost dry strawberries with fresh roses. Perfumes transform in the glass. Full body plus dusty tannins that are velvety and caressing. Tangy finish. A rich and structured red with a long future. Better in 2020.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Barolo Brunate wraps around the palate with striking depth. Creamy and expansive on the palate, the 2012 captures all the signatures of this site in a voluptuous, textured personality and depth. In 2012, Voerzio’s Brunate is a bit more red-toned than is typically the case, while the darker, more balsamic inflections typical of this site aren’t fully formed yet. As is often the case, the Brunate is soft and hushed on entry, then explodes through the mid-palate and finish with considerable intensity. This is the most embryonic of Voerzio’s 2012s. Hints of sage, lavender and dried flowers add the closing shades of nuance.”
James Suckling 97 points “This is a very perfumed red with cherry, strawberry and rose petal aromas that follow through to a full body, ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Pretty and energetic acidity gives focus and backbone to the wine. So delicious already but better in 2021.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2012 Barolo Cerequio is arguably the most complete of these wines, as it brings together aromatic complexity, dense fruit and fabulous balance. All the elements flesh out in a rich, sumptuous Barolo endowed with real power and depth, yet there is plenty of the nuance that distinguishes Cerequio. There are a number of terrific wines in this lineup, but the Cerequio is the wine that seems to be the most dialed in today. With time in the glass, the intensity of both fruit and tannin simply continues to blossom.”
Roberto Voerzio San Francesco Fontanazza Nebbiolo Langhe 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 23 bottles availableAntonio Galloni 91 points “The 2012 Langhe Nebbiolo S. Francesco, Fontanazza is a very serious wine, and the most intriguing of these entry-level offerings. Expressive floral notes meld into expressive fruit in an exceptionally polished wine. Over the summer, I tasted the 2012 from tank after all the Barolos and it more than held its own, which is why I can say without hesitation that Voerzio’s Langhe Nebbiolo competes favorable with the vast majority of Barolos. It is that good.”Roberto Voerzio Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e Brunate, Barolo DOCG 1999 1.5L ($599.95) $319 special, 1 magnum available
Stephen Tanzer 95+ points “Full, deep ruby-red. Restrained but highly complex nose melds strawberry, raspberry, currant, mocha and dried flowers; less exuberant today than the Samassa. But the sweetest and lushest in the mouth of these ’99s: hugely rich, creamy and seamless but with terrific supporting vinosity giving it a lightness of touch.” ST
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Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Highly complex aromas of raspberry, woodsmoke, spices, pepper and Havana tobacco. At once lush and sappy in the mouth, with the creamy sweetness of a fruit liqueur complemented by notes of tobacco, chocolate and mocha. Shows a distinctly roasted character without losing its balance or verve. Explosive, seamless Barolo that saturates the palate with fruit. Finishes with slow-building tannins and outstanding persistence.”ST
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James Suckling 92 points “Wow. A bright and exciting red with clementine, dark berry and lemon aromas and flavors. Full body, silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Excellent Barbera. Drink now.”