Staff Pick; Barolo Blowout; Cadence Winery (& Mark Ryan!); Maison Roy Re-Arrival; Montevertine Estate + New Arrival; Hello, Remi Jobard; Good Buy – Buil & Gine; Roagna 2010 Pre-Arrivals
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Staff Pick
Like tiny flowers pressed between the pages of a book you borrowed years ago but have yet to read (or return!), this year’s Fass 8 is delicate but not wimpy, bittersweet yet not overwrought, and perhaps a little flirtatious. It trades off solos from sweet to saline and floral to fruit with ease, ne’er too serious and yet fully confident with what’s at stake in the glass. After all, Riesling faces an uphill battle even during its own renaissance.
I fear that writing down a bunch of adjectives in quick succession reduces this wine to something to be scored rather than enjoyed. To hell with points! All I can say is that I really enjoyed it and believe that the chances are pretty high that you will, too.
Lauer himself – the third in the family to coax wine from earth and into bottle – makes drop-dead gorgeous wines. It seems as though this was once a secret, known only by a spattering of sommeliers and retail nerds. In counting myself among the latter, I’m not too worried that the cat’s out of the bag with this one. There’s enough to go around. Enjoy it.
Peter Lauer Fass 8 Ayler Kupp Kabinett, Mosel 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles available
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
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Barolo Blowout
The Wine of Kings!
How do you introduce a wine which needs no introduction? The wine of king reigns, and we pour! Few genres of wine are more sought after, scrutinized, or celebrated than Barolo. We thought we’d have a little fun and share our vast collection of Barolo – all can be viewable through our website, but feel free to email us at info@vinopoliswineshop.com if you’d like help selecting the perfect bottle.
Below, we list 29 of the 71 different Barolo we currently offer:
Brovia Garblet Sue Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 21 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is remarkably polished and sophisticated, two qualities that are rarely found in this Castiglione Falletto site, where the wines tend to be much more sinewy and virile. White pepper, pomegranate and sweet red cherries are some of the notes that open up in the glass. The flavors remain bright, focused and beautifully delineated in the glass. I very much like the sense of energy here, although I have to admit, the softer edges of 2011 are incredibly alluring.” AG
Brovia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 11 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2011 Barolo is sumptuous and expressive, with all of the immediacy that is so typical of the year. Dark red cherry, plums, hard candy, spice and tobacco are all woven into a layered finish graced with soft contours and fabulous overall balance for a straight Barolo. As Brovia fans know, the straight Barolo is 70% young-vine fruit from Brea (above 20 years of age), plus the wine that is left over when the single-vineyard Barolos go into cask.” AG
G. B. Burlotto Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 27 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Burlotto’s 2011 Barolo is a gorgeous entry-level offering and a real overachiever in its category. Small red berries, sweet tobacco, mint, spices and orange rind are all laced together in a pretty, delicate Barolo that will offer considerable pleasure upon release. A weightless, super-refined finish rounds things out. There is so much to like here. Readers who want to dip their toes into the wines of Burlotto should start here. There is so much to like. The vineyard sources are Breri, which sits next to Monvigliero, Rocche dell’Olmo and Neirane.” AG
G. B. Burlotto Barolo Acclivi, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 21 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “What a joy it is to taste Burlotto’s 2011 Barolo Acclivi. The Acclivi occupies a very attractive middle ground in the Burlotto range. It is made from a handful of parcels, but is more structured and overtly tannic than the straight Barolo, but obviously does not convey the signature of a specific piece of dirt, as the Cannubi and Monvigliero do. A wine of contrasts, Acclivi is dark yet translucent, tannic and weightless. In other words, it is a wine that captures the full spectrum of complexity Nebbiolo is capable of. The warmth of the vintage has given the Accilvi a little more ripeness and volume than is typically the case, but all the elements are deftly balanced.” AG
Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $47 special, 10 bottles available
Case-6 Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($299.95) $264 special, 5 half-cases available
Case-12 Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($599.95) $479 special, 6 cases available (that’s only $39.92/btl!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “Focused, juicy and long, this red is packed with cherry, floral, tobacco and underbrush flavors. Still a bit tight now, but stays long. The sweet fruit returns on the finish. Best from 2018 through 2030.” WS
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Giovanni Corino Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2010 750ML ($44.95) $29 special, 16 bottles available
Case-12 Giovanni Corino Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2010 750ML ($479.95) $319 special, 6 cases available
Wine Spectator 90 points “A fresh, elegant red, showing cherry, floral, loam and underbrush flavors. This is firm, yet ripe and long, with gripping tannins on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2030.” WS
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Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-6 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG2010 750ML ($319.95) $249 special, 1 half-case available
Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($579.95) $469 special, 2 cases available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia hits all the right marks with a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that is immediately apparent. The aromas dangle in front of you, delicately and seductively, with ethereal layers of spice, blue flower, almond paste, anisette and dried cherry or wild berry. The workmanship here reflects an attention to the minute details offered by Nebbiolo. The tannins are silky and long with deeply polished texture. Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia is a fine, poised and super-confident expression. Drink: 2016-2026.” WA
Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 33 bottles available
Case-6 Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($799.95) $689 special, 8 half-cases available
Case-12 Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($1,549.95) $1,319 special, 3 cases available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is soft, silky and very nicely balanced, especially in its tannins, where the wine really stands out next to so many peers. Readers should open the 2003 at least an hour in advance to allow the aromatics to open up. This is a very sexy and open young Barolo from Conterno with very little signs of the challenging growing season.” (6/2014)
The half-case and case are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Michele Reverdito Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 23 bottles available
Case-12 Michele Reverdito Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($319.95) $259 special, 4 cases available
Importer Notes: “Michele Reverdito is what they call a “rising star” winemaker in Barolo. His winery is based in La Morra, a hill town that sits high above Barolo. Michele Reverdito works with two acres of Dolcetto d’Alba, two of Barbera d’Alba, five of Lange Nebbiolo and eighteen acres of Barolo, all stretching along the steep road to Verduno in the villages of La Morra and Serralunga d’Alba. Michele prides himself on using traditional, “old school,” methods to make his wines. These include hand harvesting and sorting and the use of wild yeasts and 1,000 liter barrels to age the wines.”
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Poderi Colla Dardi Le Rose Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 24 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2010 Barolo Bussia Dardi/Le Rose from Poderi Colla emerges from the glass with dried rose petals, licorice, tobacco, mint, dried cherries, plums and coffee beans, all super-classic Nebbiolo scents. Beguiling and layered in the glass, the 2010 continues to open up beautifully over time, I can’t wait to see how it ages. At the same time, the 2010 is medium in body and surprisingly supple. Will it put on weight in bottle? Only time will tell. Today, the 2010 is young, young, young.” AG
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala, Barolo DOCG 2006 750ML ($169.95) $119 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2006 Barolo Cicala is another serious, austere Barolo that is tightly wound at this stage. Here the fruit is darker and more intense than in the Colonnello, while the aromatics tend towards menthol, pine, spices and all things balsamic. Sweet, powerful and layered, the 2006 Cicala finishes with a blast of roasted coffee beans, licorice and mint. This is an absolutely wonderful, complete Barolo from Aldo Conterno. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.”WA
Elio Altare Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2010 750ML ($79.95) $61.90 special, 11 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2010 Barolo wraps around the palate with plums, mocha, smoke, menthol, spices and new leather. This is an unusually dark, muscular style for a straight Barolo. The shoulders are broad, but at the same time, there is more than enough richness to balance the tannins. The 2010 should drink well pretty much upon release, as it is packed with fruit, supple in personality and full of near-term appeal. Altare sources fruit from La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga for his Barolo.” AG
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($179.95) $119 special, 21 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “A dense, chewy wine with plum and dried fruit character. Lots of mineral, sandy and balsamic character. Full body, ripe tannins and a flavourful finish. Structured and rich. Serious Cannubi. Needs at least three or four years of bottle age.” JS
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Violets, tar, smoke, rose petals, spices and dark fruit are some of the many notes that emerge from the 2008 Barolo Cannubi. An intense, dramatic wine for the year, the 2008 boasts layered fruit and equally thrilling structure, even if at times it is a bit rustic. This is a decidedly burly wine from Cannubi, a vineyard mostly associated with finesse. It will be interesting to see how things come together in bottle. Today, it is the wine’s striking inner perfume that makes me most hopeful for the future.” AG
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Fossati, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($119.95) $66 special, 21 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “A mesmerizing wine, the 2008 Barolo Fossati opens with hints of plum, black cherry, menthol, violets and licorice. There is an elusiveness to the Fossati that is marvelous to behold, as the wine seems to constantly change in the glass. Now that it is in bottle, the wine has shut down a bit, but its inner sweetness and perfume are still very much in evidence.” AG
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Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Vigna Liste, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 41 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “Cool veins of bracing minerality form the backbone in Borgogno’s 2008 Barolo Liste. Today, the 2008 is virtually impenetrable, as the vintage and the site have combined to produce a big, powerful Barolo that will require considerable cellaring before it is ready to show all its cards. Still, there is a lot to like here, especially for those who can be patient. Tar, smoke, incense and scorched earth all add gravitas on the close, but with more time in the glass some of the sweeter notes begin to emerge. The 2008 Liste is shaping up to be magnificent.” AG
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Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2005 750ML ($249.95) $149 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 94 points “The 2005 Barolo Falletto offers up a gorgeous bouquet of red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is a relatively delicate, elegant Barolo Falletto yet it offers gorgeous balance, tons of inner perfume and a long, refined finish. It is one of the overachievers in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”WA
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Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2008 1.5L ($419.95) $319 special, 8 magnums available
Wine Spectator 96 points “Warm and chewy, this red exhibits cedar, sandalwood, tobacco and leather accents enhancing the core of cherry and raspberry. As this plays out on the palate, the wine turns more supple and vibrant, building to the long, expansive finish. Best from 2016 through 2035.”WS
Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($129.95) $99 special, 26 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2008 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is flat-out great. Sweet roses, spices, mint, flowers and red berries are some of the notes that emerge from this profound, utterly moving Barolo. The 2008 possesses dazzling inner perfume, endless layers of bright red fruit and stunning overall balance. Fine, silky tannins frame the extraordinarily elegant finish. This is a fabulous wine from Gianluca Grasso and his family. Chalky notes frame an energetic, brilliant finish sprinkled with shades of the 1989.”
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Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 9 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Dark red cherries, plums, smoke, tar, menthol and licorice all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè. Today the 2010 is painfully young and less expressive than the Gavarini, but equally promising. A generous, resonant wine, the 2010 blossoms in all directions with seemingly endless layers of dark, balsamic-inflected fruit. Today, the Casa Matè is closed and shut down, but it has all the qualities to develop into a spectacular Barolo. The future is bright, especially for readers who can be patient.”
Bruna Grimaldi Badarina Vigna Regnola, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $38 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ points “this 1.5-hectare plot, planted on shallow white soil at a high altitude of 420 meters in Serralunga, is the estate’s “original” vineyard, where Bruna Grimaldi’s grandfather was born; the only Barolo for which Grimaldi uses cappello sommerso for extraction): Medium-deep red. Complex aromas of raspberry, truffle, smoke and underbrush. Large-scaled, concentrated and rich, offering powerful, lightly medicinal flavors of raspberry and strawberry complicated by licorice and menthol. This very young wine finishes dry and broad, with serious granular tannins calling for extended aging. The Badarina spends a full 36 months in oak and is released a year later than the other Barolos of its vintage. (Grimaldi kept a bit of this fruit in both 2010 and 2009 to make a reserve bottling, but the 2009 will not be released until 2015.)” ST
Bruna Grimaldi Camilla, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 92 points “Aromas of minerals, walnut shells and dark fruits follow through to a full body. Fine tannins and a succulent finish. Drink or hold. Much better than 2010.”
Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91 points “Marcarini’s 2011 Barolo Brunate comes across as a bit light in this vintage. Site specific nuance is pushed to the background in this decidedly mid-weight Barolo. Dark red cherry, tobacco, mint and crushed flowers flesh out in a relatively pliant, open Brunate that uncharacteristically appears to be built for near and medium-term drinking.”
Marcarini La Serra, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 33 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2011 Barolo La Serra is classy and polished to the core. Sweet floral notes meld into kirsch, red cherry and raspberry. This is one of the more floral, lifted Barolos of the vintage, while the structure tends towards the lighter end of the spectrum. Crushed flowers, mint and spices are all laced into the super-expressive finish framed by classically austere La Serra tannins.”
Massolino Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 21 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2010 Barolo is gorgeous. Sage, rosemary, tar, dried rose petals and sweet spices meld together. An impeccable, perfumed Barolo, the 2010 impresses for its balance. Fine, silky tannins support the gracious finish in this medium-bodied, refined Barolo. Readers who want to get a sense of what the 2010 vintage is all about will want to check out this fabulous effort from Massolino. This is decidedly a medium-bodied style for Serralunga, but it works.” AG
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo Le Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 9 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2010 Barolo Le Brunate is the most dynamic and textured of these wines. Dark cherry, plum, smoke and violet notes flesh out in a firm, muscular Barolo endowed with tons of classic Brunate nuance. The flavors are intense, dark and bold. Balsamic overtones develop in the glass, adding further shades of nuance and complexity. Today, the Brunate is reticent and austere. Readers who can wait will be rewarded with an exquisite Barolo.” AG
Vietti Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Barolo Brunate is a wine of enormous pedigree, although it does not fully reach the aspiring heights of the 2010 and 2009 vintages immediately before it. Those wines set the bar so high, you need to settle for this wine that is a masterpiece in its own right. It offers deep, dark intensity with generous tones of ripe fruit, blackberry and red currant. Background notes of rosemary, cherry cola and licorice add vitality and focus. There is a subtle touch of softness in the mouth that is followed by firm tannins.” ML
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “A dark, exotic Barolo, the 2011 Brunate boasts tons of density and volume. Black cherry, plum, spice, licorice, new leather and menthol are some of the many nuances that flesh out in the glass. Ultimately, though, the 2011 is largely defined by the texture and amplitude of the year. Brunate is often slow out of the gate, so I will not be surprised if that is the case here as well. Ideally, readers should plan on giving the 2011 at least a few years in bottle to fully come together.” AG
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Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 10 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2011 Barolo Lazzarito is a landmark wine and one of the best expressions made region-wide in this challenging vintage. The bouquet is gorgeous thanks to the never-ending aromas of dark fruit, licorice and balsam herb that peel off the top. The Lazzarito vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba is characterized by thick soils and deep shifts between daytime and nighttime temperatures. These are important factors that lead to quality fruit despite the summer heat.” ML
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2011 Barolo Lazzarito is fabulous in this vintage. Rich, ample and structured, the 2011 is both opulent and savory in style. Iron, plums, dark red cherries, smoke, licorice and tobacco meld together in a remarkably harmonious young Serralunga Barolo. This is the first year the Vietti Lazzarito includes a second recently acquired parcel, which may be one of the factors that influences quality, but at the same time, the Lazzarito has been the most improved Barolo in the range. All the elements come together in the 2011, a wine that has it all. This is a great showing from the Lazzarito. Best of all, readers won’t have to wait forever to enjoy this beautiful, pedigreed Barolo.” AG
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Vietti Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 8 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2011 Barolo Ravera is once again the most vibrant and nuanced of the Vietti Barolos. Freshly cut flowers, crushed rocks, mint and bright red stone fruits are all shaped by a very classic sense of mineral-inflected drive that is such a Ravera signature. The 2011 is a more than worthy follow up to the epic 2010. It’s great to see this high-altitude district in Novello finally getting its due.” AG
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2011 Barolo Ravera opens to a pretty garnet color and dark ruby luminosity. The wine delivers tight concentration and a fine texture that adheres closely to the palate. Blackberry, cassis, spice, leather and tobacco emerge from the glass. Barolo Ravera also offers an earthy tone of white truffle or porcino mushroom. Soft oak density and thick fruit extract give the wine beautiful, full-bodied appeal. Give it ten more years of cellar aging to lose the baby fat.” WA
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Vietti Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 11 bottles available
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 95 points “Vietti’s 2011 Barolo Rocche is rich and sumptuous in this vintage, with gorgeous textural resonance. The classic Rocche signatures are present, but the 2011 has a bit more body than is often the case. Freshly cut flowers mint, sweet spices and rose petals form a hugely appeal fabric of flavors and textures. Voluptuous and racy in the glass yet with plenty of nuance and finesse, the 2011 Rocche captures the very best qualities of the year. All things considered, this is one of the more subtle wines of the year.” AG
Wine Advocate 94 points “Previously known as Barolo Rocche, the 2011 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione now boasts the full name of its vineyard designate. It shows profound fruit intensity with dark layers of blackcurrant and exotic spice. The overall effect is enriched, opulent and velvety. A firm tannic backbone is paired to bright acidity to fuel the wine’s considerable persistence and its rich structured texture. The beauty of the wine will only improve in time.”
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Cadence Winery
Bordeaux by Northwest
Cadence is an urban winery based in an industrial warehouse in southern Seattle. Proprietors Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt are former aviation/tech workers whose love for wine inspired them to create their beautiful Bordeaux-style blends. Cadence source their fruit from Red Mountain AVA vineyards such as Ciel du Cheval, Tapteil, and their estate vineyard, Cara Mia. Their envoy includes blends and single-vineyard bottlings; their wines have achieved huge acclaim and earned Cadence a top spot in Washington’s wine scene.
Cadence Wines Available Here Now:
Cadence Winery Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94+ points “A blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot and 12% Petit Verdot that spent 18 months in 40% new French oak, the 2012 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard has lifted notes of black raspberry, black cherry, violets, spring flowers and vanilla bean. This gives way to a full-bodied, thrillingly balanced and concentrated palate that has building tannin, a stacked mid-palate and a great finish. Short-term cellaring is advised here, and it will have two decades or more of longevity.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. The dark berry aromas display a chocolatey ripeness and considerable early appeal. Then sweet, ripe and silky but with plenty of harmonious acidity and underlying minerality to energize the savory dark berry flavors. Finishes with big but thoroughly ripe tannins and plenty of structure for aging. I would not be surprised if this wine shut down in the bottle; it should be long-lived.” ST
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Cadence Winery Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2011 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 15 bottles available
Case-12 Cadence Winery Camerata Cara Mia Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2011 750ML ($719.95) $599 special, 2 cases available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Camerata is the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated blend that’s all from the estate Cara Mia Vineyard. Incorporating 7% each of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot and spending 23 months in roughly 50% new French oak, it’s a thrilling 2011 that makes the most of the vintage. Loaded with red and black currants, black cherry, dried spices, toast and graphite, this medium to full-bodied effort has a stacked mid-palate, masses of ripe tannin, and a savory, chewy finish. It will be better in another couple of years and be long lived.” WA
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Cadence Winery Coda, Red Mountain 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91 points “(80% from Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt’s Cara Mia vineyard): Bright ruby-red. Lovely floral lift to the aromas of red berries and cocoa powder. Juicy, sweet and suave, conveying noteworthy purity and cut to its red fruit flavors. Really a remarkable value–and production of this entry-level wine is up to 1,250 cases in 2013.” ST
Cadence Winery Tapteil Vineyard Red, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 special, 57 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “Bright ruby-red. Red berries, cocoa powder and licorice on the nose. Tightly wound and youthfully imploded, conveying an impression of density without weight. Dark fruit and mineral flavors show terrific lift but are extremely backward in the early going. “Drink this with a big steak or hold it for four years,” suggests Ben Smith, adding that the 1999 Tapteil is great right now. Finishes with a firm tannic spine and outstanding subtle length and lift. This wine was aged in 40% new oak and was racked a total of just three times. Incidentally, I also got an early look at the 2013 Tapteil, and that impressively intense wine may need even longer aging than the ’12, due in part to its higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2012 Tapteil Vineyard is elegant and complex, with lots of minerality in its red plums, blueberry and floral bouquet. Full-bodied, mouth filling, layered and pure, with lots of tannin on the mid-palate and finish, it needs short-term cellaring and will be another 2012 from Ben that will see its 20th birthday in fine form. The blend here is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 19% Cabernet Franc, all of which spent 18 months in 40% new French oak.”
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Cadence Winery Bel Canto Cara Mia Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 15 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “I think the most approachable in the lineup, the 2012 Bel Canto has a complex, perfumed style in its dried flowers, dried spices, vanilla and black cherry and black raspberry-like fruit profile. A blend of 84% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 8% Petit Verdot that spent 20 months in 50% new French oak, it’s full-bodied, concentrated and structured on the palate, yet has perfect balance and a great texture. Few in the US are doing Cabernet Franc better this, and I suspect it will hold nicely for 15-20 years.” JD
While we’re at it, here are a few more fantastic Washington state wines from Mark Ryan:
Mark Ryan Winery Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2013 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “More straightforward and focused, with lots of mineral nuances intermixed with graphite, ground herbs, black cherry and blackberry fruit, the 2013 Dead Horse Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Petit Verdot) is full-bodied, structured and backward, yet certainly has potential. Holding things a little closer to the vest at the moment, I suspect it is best left alone for 3-4 years once released.”
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The average price is $52
Mark Ryan Winery Long Haul Proprietary Red, Red Mountain 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2012 Long Haul Ciel du Cheval Vineyard is another terrific Bordeaux blend from this team. Made from 49% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Franc and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, it was vinified in stainless steel and aged in once used French oak barrels. It exhibits subtle hints of coffee bean in its red and black fruits, roasted meats, spice and licorice-styled bouquet, and picks up more and more floral nuances with time. Full-bodied, tight, focused and a little backward, it opens up nicely in the glass, has integrated acidity and a clean finish. Give it 2-4 years and drink it through 2032.”
Mark Ryan Winery Lost Soul Syrah, Yakima Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2013 Lost Soul Syrah should be as good as the ’12, if not better. Inky purple in color, it exhibits lots of cooler-climate notes of pepper, bouquet garni, crushed rock and pure blackberry fruit. Aged in 40% new French oak puncheons and all from the Red Willow Vineyard in the Yakima Valley, it’s rich, medium to full-bodied, and perfectly balanced, with lively acidity and no shortage of texture or depth. It should benefit from short-term cellaring and age gracefully.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $48
Still thirsty? We have a whole lot more Washington wine, including cuvees from Doubleback, Figgins, Cayuse, Quilceda Creek, K Vintners, Sineann, Betz, and Woodwark Canyon. Give us a call at 503-223-6002 to find out more, or simply visit our webstore at vinopoliswineshop.com.
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Re-Arrival from Maison Roy
Petit Incline 2014
Maison Roy Et Fils Pinot Noir Petit Incline 2014 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Grapelive 94 points “Even better and more dense than the glorious premier release 2013, the new 2014 Petite Incline from Marc-Andre Roy and Jared Etzel is the real deal with expressive fruit, depth and multi layered texture. The deep color and almost blackberry first impression lead into a rich and decedent Pinot Noir with violets, rose oil, smoky/toasty wood, framboise and mixed spices, briar notes and sweet herbs highlighting a core of cherry and plum fruit. Hints of earth and mineral float well in to background in this well crafted wine, both Marc-Andre and Jared are sons of the founders of Beaux Freres, and yes there are similarities and a pedigree of style that flows in this next generation project. This wine has balance, length, vitality and gorgeous detail and should develop nicely in bottle with smooth ripe tannins, perfectly judged acidity and energy even hard-core Burgundy lovers will be smitten with this new Maison Roy Pinot. The Petite Incline is made from grapes from well established vineyards in the Willamette Valley and oh my is is a great value for the quality, it is much the same in terms of quality and price to St. Innocent and certainly is a wine to hunt for if you like Oregon Pinot. The 2014 vintage in Oregon, like 2008 in style, will be one you want to own, check the new Ken Wright’s, Johan as well as this one, they are all available now and will go fast. Drink the stunning 2014 Petite Incline from Maison Roy from 2017 to 2027, don’t miss out on this rising star.”
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Montevertine
Simply Sangiovese,
But Not So Simple
Halfway between Florence and Siena lies a beautiful domaine with perhaps unrivaled devotion to the Sangiovese grape. Montevertine has earned great acclaim as a vanguard Tuscan producer; their detailed labels have adorned the wine lists of some of the most acclaimed restaurants worldwide.
Even so, success did not come overnight. Sergio Manetti purchased the property in 1967 as a vacation home. Manetti thought it’d be nice to make a little wine for friends and family, and so he planted two hectares of vines and built a small cantina. Come 1971, his first bottling effort impressed those he poured it for. Not long after, he jumped on the occasion and devoted himself to winemaking full-time.
In refusing to included Trebbiano in his blend, Montevertine departed from the Chianti Classico consortium, heretofore bottling under the “Rosso di Toscana” nomenclature. Very small amounts of Colorino and Canaiolo are used in their blends, but Sangiovese has always – and likely will always – perform the vast majority of the heavy lifting in Montevertine’s wines.
The estate now includes 18 hectares of vineyards, the oldest of which being the “Pergole Torte” vineyard. These parcels go towards the estate’s benchmark wine and is only bottled in vintages deemed extraordinary. . Signor Manetti has since passed, and his son Sergio is currently in charge alongside Paolo Salvi. The estate continues to be one to watch, to savor, and to share with friends and family, just as Sergio intended.
Montevertine Wines Available Here Now:
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “A vivid, beautiful wine, the 2011 Pergole Torte is superb. Warm, early-maturing harvests often attenuate the differences between sites, but not here. The old vines weathered the heat better, resulting in a wine that is very much in line with the past, but with more body, amplitude and resonance. Rose petals, bright red stone fruits and mint are some of the many notes that grace the super-expressive finish. The 2011 spent one year in French oak barrels and a second year in cask.” AG
Montevertine Toscana IGT 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 4 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2012 Montevertine offers lovely depth and freshness, even if the mid-weight structure is that of a challenging vintage. Red cherry, plum, tobacco, wild flowers and mint open up in a soft Montevertine that should give up its charms relatively early. The 2012 Montevertine is the perfect choice for readers who need something to drink while some of the more important vintages of Montevertine and Pergole Torte age in the cellar. Given the interest that is sure to surround the 2013s, the 2012 should also be relatively easy to pick up. The 2012 is not a great Montevertine, but it sure is delicious right now.”
Montevertine Wine Arriving Friday, February 26th:
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Le Pergole Torte is brilliant. In fact, this is one of the best showings of the 2012 that I can recall. The flavors are bright, focused and pulsing with energy. Because of its mid-weight structure and not overly complex personality, the 2012 looks like it will start drinking well sooner rather than later. Even today, the 2012 is extremely beautiful. This is a terrific showing for the 2012.”
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Remi Jobard
The Jobard family works with some of the finest parcels in all of Meursault. As powerful as they are graceful, the estate’s wines see the longest fermentation in the region – topping out at two months! Remi bottles the wines, unfiltered, sixteen months after vintage after aging in large Austrian barrels. Many of the vines are over 50 years old, and the wines are known for their mineral-laden, opulently concentrated style. It’d be a bit unfair to dub the Jobard estate as “up and coming”, as they’ve enjoyed high praise (and scores!) for some time now. Still, they’re one to look out for. We’re happy to stock some of the finest Jobard bottlings currently, all viewable below.
Remi Jobard Wines Available Here Now:
Domaine Remi Jobard Le Poruzot Dessus, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 32 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “A deep, earthy wine, the 2011 Meursault 1er Cru Poruzots-Dessus hits the palate with tons of muscle and power. The style is bold and direct. There isn’t a whole lot of complexity here, but there is plenty of pure stuffing. It will be interesting to see where the 2011 goes over the coming year. Today structural elements dominate over fruit.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $99.99
Domaine Remi Jobard Bourgogne Blanc Vignes Nouvelles, Burgundy 2013 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 8 bottles available
Case-12 Domaine Remi Jobard Bourgogne Blanc Vignes Nouvelles, Burgundy 2013 750ML ($279.95) $239 special, 1 case available
Burghound – “A very fresh nose features a pretty mix of apple, citrus, petrol and soft floral hints. There is both good volume and punch to the detailed and delicious flavors that possess only average complexity but very solid persistence. This balanced effort should drink well almost immediately.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Remi Jobard Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy 2012 750ML ($37.95) $28 special, 16 bottles available
Importer note “To capture all of the texture and nuance Remi now bottles all of his wines without filtration sixteen months after vintage. He does the longest fermentation in Meursault 2 months long! To enhance the mineral character over sweetness or bitterness, Remi ages all his wines in tight-grained 1200L Stockinger barrels from Austria.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Remi Jobard Meursault Les Chevaliers, Cote de Beaune 2012 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2012 Meursault Les Chevaliers has a very vibrant, shimmering bouquet with citrus peel, orange blossom, hints of tropical fruit and minerals. The palate is well balanced with finely judged acidity, excellent tension and a cheeky, oyster shell finish. This surpasses everything you could ask from Meursault village cru.”
Domaine Remi Jobard Les Genevrieres, Meursault Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 Meursault 1er Cru Les Genevrieres is blessed with another compelling bouquet with a surfeit of mineralite spilling over from the glass. The palate is very harmonious with citrus lemon, orange rind, dovetailing into a tense, bitter lemon finish that is vigorous and persistent. This is a great Genevrieres that should age gracefully over 10 to 15 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $99.08
Domaine Remi Jobard Les Genevrieres, Meursault Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 15 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93 points “Pale-medium yellow. Bright aromas of lemon, lime, peach skin and nut oil. Densely packed and tactile but with lovely minty lift and energy to its lightly saline fruit salad flavors. Tactile and slightly phenolic but still shows a lovely light touch. Finishes with resounding minerality. Half of this wine is from vines between 25 and 30 years of age, the other half from 85-year-old vines.”
Domaine Remi Jobard Meursault Les Narvaux, Cote de Beaune 2012 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2012 Meursault Les Narvaux comes from 40 and 50-year old vines in the lieu-dit “Narvaux-Dessus” that was purchased in 2008. It has more potency on the nose compared to the En Luraule and the Sous la Velle, whilst the palate is crisp and taut with good focus and impressive tension on the vibrant finish. This is another great Narvaux – premier cru in all but name as far as I am concerned.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Remi Jobard Le Poruzot Dessus, Meursault Premier Cru 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 Meursault 1er Cru Le Poruzot-Dessus comes from a 0.57-hectare parcel of vines planted in 1944 and 1985. It has a lovely bouquet bursting with mineralite and tension. It actually reminds me of one of Jean-Marc Roulot’s gems. The palate is very well balanced with a crisp, very focused, citric entry. There is lovely poise and freshness here – a wine leaves you craving to taste it out of bottle tout de suite.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Time to Say Good Buy,
Time to Say Hello!
Available Here Now From Buil & Gine:
Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant, Spain 2012 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant, Spain 2012 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 3 cases available
Wine Spectator 90 points “This focused red offers flavors of black cherry, kirsch, licorice, toast and mineral, with juicy acidity and well-integrated tannins. Features a nice balance of fruit and savory character. Garnacha, Cariñena and Tempranillo. Drink now through 2020. 2,500 cases made.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Brilliant ruby. Spice- and mineral-accented raspberry and cherry scents, with hints of candied flowers and anise. The juicy, precise palate offers bitter cherry and redcurrant flavors that deepen and become sweeter with air. Powerful yet lithe, finishing with strong thrust, sappy persistence and gentle, gripping tannins.” JR
The case is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pre-Arrival from Buil & Gine Arriving May 2016:
Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant, Spain 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Buil & Gine 17-XI, Montsant, Spain 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
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
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Au Revoir, George!
New, Lower Price on Duboeuf Beaujolais
Georges Duboeuf Jean Claude Debeaune Morgon Belles Grives, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($17.95) Was $14, Now $11.90, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Morgon Belles Grives has a more taciturn nose compared to Duboeuf’s other 2014 Morgons, so be patient with it, since it reveals traces of blackcurrant and kirsch with time, all nicely defined but constantly demanding coaxing from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-balanced and focused, with cracked black pepper enlivening the structured finish. Don’t be afraid to give this a little decanting before pouring.” NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Georges Duboeuf Morgon, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($17.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Morgon Flower Label, the bottles sporting their “Medaille d’Or Coucours Générale Agricole de Paris” stickers, has a smudged strawberry and blackcurrant-scented nose with a hint of wild hedgerow developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry, an engaging spiciness from the start continuing throughout. This is a linear but energetic Morgon with pleasing cracked pepper notes sprinkled over the aftertaste. This is very fine.” NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Georges Duboeuf Domaine Mont Chavy Morgon, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($17.95) Was $14, Now $11.90, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Morgon Domaine Mont Chavy was cropped at 45 hectoliters per hectare this year. It has a precise red cherry and bergamot-scented nose that unfurls in the glass. The palate is juicy and quite dense – thick tannin shrouded in lightly spiced redcurrant and blackcurrant fruit that lead to a sharp, nicely focused finish that demonstrates fine backbone. This is probably the best from Georges Duboeuf this year. Very fine.” NM
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Georges Duboeuf Domaine des Rosiers Moulin-a-Vent, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($21.95) Was $18, Now $14, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2014 Moulin-à-Vent Domaine des Rosiers, which sees a judicious 15% oak barrel aging, has a precocious and lively bouquet of maraschino cherry, cola and mineral scents that are nicely defined and feminine. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, fine acidity and harmony with a mineral-driven finish that leaves the mouth tingling. This is just lovely.” NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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2010 Roagna
Arriving May 2016
Roagna Paje, Barbaresco DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2010 Barbaresco Pajé is the most complete of Luca Roagna’s 2010 Barbarescos today. A host of dark cherry, plum, leather, savory herbs, tobacco and menthol all open up in the glass, enshrouded by the balsamic notes that are so typical of this site. The tannins are firm and incisive, yet there is a density and pure vibrancy in the fruit that balances things out. All the elements are in the right place. The straight Pajé is a bit more lifted and delicate than the Vecchie Viti.”
Roagna Paje Vecchie Viti, Barbaresco DOCG 2010 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “A rich, heady wine, the 2010 Barbaresco Pajé Vecchie Viti is arguably the most complex and nuanced of Luca Roagna’s 2010 Barbarescos, as the balance of fruit, acidity and tannin is magnificent. Deep, pliant and beautifully structured in the glass, the 2010 impresses with its superb harmony. Sweet red stone fruits, chalk, iron, mint and wild flowers are laced into the incisive, tannic finish. This super-classic, old-vine Nebbiolo is the epitome of the ‘iron fist in a velvet glove’ that is often invoked to describe Barolo and Barbaresco. Patience is key.” AG
Roagna La Pira, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2010 Barolo Pira is the first wine vinified in Roagna’s new cellar in Castiglione Falletto. Powerful and virile, the Barolo Pira possesses a level of density far and above that found in any of the Barbarescos of the same vintage. Then again, that’s why it is Barolo. Crushed rose petal, game, sweet red cherry, plum, , dried herbs, mint and smoke are some of the many notes that flesh out in this beautifully delineated, super-classic wine, while hints of game, smoke, licorice and tobacco add the final shades of nuance. The 2010 Barolo Pira is an old-school knockout. It’s as simple as that.”
Roagna La Pira Vecchie Viti, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2010 Barolo Pira Vecchie Viti emerges from the estate’s oldest vines planted in 1937. Here, the wine is deep, powerful and explosive, with striking inner sweetness but also imposing, searing tannins that are likely to require extended bottle age to soften. A crescendo of aromas and flavors hits the rich, concentrated finish. When will the 2010 be ready to drink? That is anybody’s guess.”
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