In Today’s Newsletter:
Belle Glos at Best in the Country Pricing
Staff Pick: Magical Massican
Trending Wines of the Week
Champagne Madness Continued: Top Value Picks
Willi Haag – Excellence in Brauneberg
The High Scoring, Excellent Value Beaujolais of Vissoux
Rare as Olivier Bernstein
Hot Deal
Belle Glos La Alturas Pinot Noir
At the Best Price in the Country
Arriving Today:
Belle Glos ‘Las Alturas Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2015 750ML ($54.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Dark-hued, rich and spicy, with an enticing core of mocha-laced blackberry, cherry, spice and floral scents. Ends as it begins, bold and rich. Drink now through 2026.”
The next best price is $35
The average price is $51
Chateau Montfaucon
Throwback Chateauneuf
While the modern conception of the Southern Rhone is all 15%+ alcohol monsters with lots of new wood, there are still a few holdouts who value an old school style. Montfaucon is one such producer, in the heart of the Southern Rhone but with drinkability in their hearts. These are powerful wines, but with a soulful edge and a freshness that makes them immensely appealing. When you factor in their pricing, they become can’t miss offerings for anyone who longs for older style wines from the Rhone. We just secured the stellar (and highly rated) 2016 Chateauneuf, arriving next week, but also have a few other vintages in stock now if you don’t want to wait.
Arriving ETA December 14th
Chateau Montfaucon Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “From a single patch of 80-year-old vines in the lieu-dit of les Escondudes, the 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape is 95% Grenache, matured in barrel. Yet it’s not oaky at all, revealing scents of black cherries and plums, plus hints of garrigue and dark chocolate. It’s full-bodied, creamy and plush yet also vibrant, mouthwatering and long. It should drink well for at least a decade. This historic property sits next to the Rhône on its western bank, looking across the valley to the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux in the distance. The current owner, Rodolphe du Pins, has been making wine at the property since 1995. He’s a proponent of the Lirac appellation and the Clairette grape, with the estate’s top white wine coming from 140-year-old Clairette vines. ‘Sixteen was just an amazing year,’ he said. ‘For whites as well as reds.'”
In Stock Now:
Chateau Montfaucon Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Youthfully taut, with singed alder and cedar notes framing the core of red currant and cherry fruit paste flavors. Light savory and sanguine accents emerge steadily through the finish. A light echo of brick dust at the end keeps this in the old-school camp. Best from 2018 through 2025. 490 cases made.”
Wine Spectator 89 points “This has a lovely, silky feel along the edges, while the core of dark plum and boysenberry fruit notes stretches out through the anise- and shiso leaf-tinged finish. Drink now through 2022.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Stylish, with a perfumed mix of raspberry, cassis, bergamot, rooibos tea and mineral notes. Offers a long, silky finish. Shows lots of charm. Drink now through 2021. 3,450 cases made.”
Staff Pick
Magical Massican
Massican, the personal wine project of star winemaker Dan Petroski, makes some of my favorite white wines in the Western Hemisphere. They’re perfect examples of what’s been called the “New California”—wines that are clearly influenced by old-school, old world sensibilities (especially regarding ripeness and balance) but have a certain California-ness about them that they don’t run from. These wines are the epitome of that—bright, fresh and mineral but with a density and generosity that speaks of Napa.*
*There’s one wine, Gaspare, made in Fruili in collaboration with the legendary producer
Ronco del Gnemiz. I’d urge you to check that out, as well—it’s great, but definitely speaks solely of Italy, not California.The flagship wine for Massican. Beautiful in 2017 and a great intro to the estate.
Massican Annia White, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
#86 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2018
Wine Spectator 92 points “A complex and inviting white, showing intricate nuances of roasting almonds, matcha, honeysuckle and orange zest flavors, mingling with supple, juicy Asian pear, tangerine and ripe melon notes. The smooth texture and thread of acidity just add to the appeal. Ribolla Gialla, Tocai Friulano and Chardonnay.”
Winery note “Grapes: ribolla gialla – 55%, tocai friulano – 39%, chardonnay – 6%. The 2017 vintage in napa will always be remembered because of the wildfires that began on the evening of Sunday, October 8. We are very fortunate that not only were all our grapes harvested before the fires broke out but also that our vineyards were spared from harm; however, we cannot say that for all our neighbors who have been impacted by this tragedy. Our ANNIA in this vintage shows the quiet side of her persona an opportunity to remain thoughtful and thankful for all the good graces we receive not only this year but every year.”
Greco provides minerality and cut to this wine, which is rich and fresh at once.
Massican Gemina, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “Grapes: pinot grigio – 77%, greco – 23%. With our hearts and minds attached to the wildfires that ravaged our community during the early part of October we often forget that the vintage was defined by another incredible weather event – the record breaking heat wave that lasted from June through Deptember. It was a relentless heat wave but we are fortunate for GEMINA to be made from two grape varieties, one of those varieties is greco which is accustom to savage climate of southern Italy and can face the intensity of one hundred degree days.”
One of the best domestic SB’s. Not subtle, but energetic.
Massican Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “Sauvignon blanc – 100%. The 2017 vintage in Napa Valley will always be remembered because of the wildfires that began in the late evening of Sunday, October 8. The fires spread with lightening speed because of the heavy winds that night and not only many homes were lost but also many lives in the area. Each day we take a step to repair the physical and emotional loss due to the fires but we will never forget how fragile our planet is and how quickly mother nature will remind us of the breadth and ferocity of her power.”
This is the wine they produce in Italy and is a great introduction to Friuli.
Massican Gaspare Bianco Colli Orientali del Friulii, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2016 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
Winery note “Grapes: tocai friulano – 43%, ribolla gialla – 29%, chardonnay – 28%. This is a wine about friends and family. without massimo there would be no trip to Sicily. without George there would be no ribolla gialla in the United States without Christian and Serena there would be no inspiration for this wine. All my friends are my heroes and my motivation. annia is named after my American mother and our first Italian wine vintage is named after massimo’s father GASPARE. Without massimo there would be no massican he gave the support to make this dream a reality a million thanks to friends and family we could not have done it without you.”
Trending Wines of the Week
Cristom ‘Mt. Jefferson Cuvee’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir is pale to medium ruby with a hint of purple. It has a lovely spicy nose of Bing cherries, red licorice, cranberries and black cherries over a core of cardamom, wet leaves, Bergamot and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied and silky textured, it has wonderful concentration of dark fruits in the mouth with great layers of earth and spice—wet leaves, mushroom, clove—with firm tannins to hold up all those layers and delightfully juicy acidity to carry the long, spicy finish.”-EB
Winery Note “Mt. Jefferson Cuvée is a blend of the Cristom estate Pinot Noir vineyards [68%] along with exceptional fruit we source from neighboring vineyards in the Willamette Valley. These contributing sites have been thoughtfully selected over the years, and are planted on a variety of soil types, elevations and aspects, representing the Willamette Valley Appellation as a broader whole. Each of these vineyards are farmed by committed winegrowers we are proud to partner with, with each site adding to the character, fruit, and structure of the wine, giving “Mt. Jeff” its deserved reputation as one of the most stylistically consistent Pinot Noirs in the world.”
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
VinopolNote: The Clos Electrique is Cameron’s estate vineyard, named after the electric deer fence that surrounds it. This is planted to a mix of clones and is vinified traditionally—no racking and all in older barrels. This is crisp and coiled, with distinct minerality and a lot of power in a lithe frame. Like most vintages of the Electrique Blanc, this is quite good now but will be stellar in a few years.From Seattle Magazine’s “Winemaker of the Year” Chris Peterson
Avennia Gravura Red, Columbia Valley 2015 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Gravura exhibits a classic bouquet of cassis, pencil shavings and rich soil, followed by a medium-bodied, velvety and layered palate, with a rich core of fruit that’s attractively vibrant and already incipiently complex. This is a sophisticated, well-balanced and keenly priced Bordeaux blend that definitely impressed me.”
James Suckling 93 points “Love the blackberry, blackcurrant and blueberry character. Dried spices and cinnamon. Full body, polished and velvety tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Bigger style but holds together. Blend of 46% cabernet sauvignon, 47% merlot and 7% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.”One of the top scoring 2016 Willamette Pinots. Cristom delivers again.
Cristom ‘Jessie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Medium ruby colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard is a touch reticent on the nose, opening to broody scents of black cherries and licorice with notes of herbs, Bergamot and grated baking spice with earthy touches of soil and wet leaves. Medium to full-bodied and wonderfully silky in the mouth, it’s packed with layers of ripe fruit, spice and earth. It gives fine, firm tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing very long and very layered. This is wonderfully complex with loads of layers—give it some time in bottle to show its best.”-EB
Wine & Spirits 93 points “The 2016 Jessie comes from Cristom’s steepest vineyard, an east-facing slope planted in 1994. It’s so attractive that, at first, you may miss its complexity. Sure it has the Early Grey tea character that’s typical of Steve Doerner’s whole-cluster style, but it’s surrounded by a bright dark-berry flavor, gentle and clean, lightly propelled by savory spice.”
Case-12 Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray, Rhone 2016 750ML ($349.95) Was $288, Now $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray, Rhone 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
December Case Special!
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “This team has made a terrific 2016 Saint-Péray, (50/50 Marsanne and Roussanne aged in 15% new oak) from an appellation that continues to produce more and more outstanding wines. Honeysuckle, white flowers, caramelized peach and white currant notes give way to a pure, elegant, layered white that has terrific purity and length. It’s going to drink beautifully for 3-4 years or more.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Pale yellow-gold. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying vibrant citrus and orchard fruit scents complemented by hints of honeysuckle and chalky minerals. Shows very good depth of flavor but comes off lithe, offering juicy Meyer lemon and bitter pear skin flavors that pick up a spicy ginger note on the back half. Closes very long and precise, delivering a firm snap of minerality and lingering floral character.”
Chateau de Pizay Morgon, Beaujolais 2016 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Case-12 Chateau de Pizay Morgon, Beaujolais 2016 750ML ($219.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Vivid ruby. Lively cherry and raspberry aromas are energized by a bracing suggestion of peppery spices. Silky and precise on the palate, offering bitter cherry and red berry flavors that turn sweeter and rounder with air. Silky tannins lend shape to a lively finish that leaves a hint of bitter cherry pit behind.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Champagne Madness Continues
Top Value Champagnes
The grower Champagne market is a wonderful thing, expanding our understanding of terroir in the region. It’s brought us more choice and great value—there are too many good deals out there to pass up. Each year we’ve expanded our selection and this year are excited to introduce a number of excellent new growers to the Vinopolis lineup. These wines arrive next month (try as we might, the Champagne business is still very winter holidays focused) and you’d do well to secure these now, while stocks are available.
Arriving Today:
R. Dumont & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Case-12 R. Dumont & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($419.95) $319 pre-arrival special (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
R. Dumont & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($24.95) $18 pre-arrival special
R. Dumont & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 1.5L ($89.95) $66 pre-arrival special
R. Dumont & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 3L ($249.95) $199 special
R. Dumont & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 6L ($499.95) $389 special
Importer note “The Dumont Brut NV is a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. The grapes from their vineyard have qualities that seem less aggressive and more sumptuous than those from the northern districts. In addition, vinification of whole berries at low temperatures enhances this quality of soft elegance. The NV is a blend of vintages typically between two and five years old. It is aged for two years on the lees before disgorgement. Dosage is 9 grams.”
Thierry Triolet Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2012 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Importer note “The Vieilles Vignes is a vintage Champagne produced only in the best years. It is made entirely from Chardonnay and is harvested from one parcel with vines that are at least 40 years old. Dosage is 9 grams. This cuvée evolves beautifully over time.”
Importer note “The “C. de Pinots” is a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. A gentle pressing is done with a vertical press and the juice is vinified in stainless steel vats and in barrels (not new). A part of the wine goes through a malolactic fermentation. This cuvée is typically a blend of several vintages with at least 40% being reserve wine. The Champagne rests 48 months “sur lattes” before being disgorged. The dosage is 7g/L.”
Importer note “The Terre de Sables is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. As referenced in its name, the cuvée is made from grapes grown on the domain’s sandiest soils and is sharply marked by it, with notes of marine minerals being supported by bright acidity. This cuvee is a blend of vintages, with 50% of reserve wine. It is held “sur lattes” for four years before disgorgement and finished with a dosage of 7g/L.”
Case-12 Bourdaire-Gallois Brut Non Dosage, Champagne NV 750ML ($499.95) $349 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.08/bottle!)
Importer note “The Brut NV is 100% Pinot Meunier harvested from six different parcels. After a slow and gentle pressing in a traditional Coquard vertical press, the juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks. It undergoes a malo-lactic fermentation and then rests “sur lattes” for a minimum of 18 months. The Champagne is finished with a dosage of 0g/l.”
Importer note “The Brut Rosé NV is 100% Pinot Meunier harvested from six different parcels. It is made by combining 21% red wine with 79% white wine from Pinot Meunier (blanc de noir). The juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks and an “assemblage is made that includes 20%reserve wine from the previous vintage. The wine goes through a malo-lactic fermentation and then rests “sur lattes” for a minimum of 3 years. The Champagne is finished with a dosage of 0g/l.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Willi Haag
Excellent in Brauneberg
The Haag family dates its history in the region back to the 1500s. The Willi Haag branch, the less famous of the two Haag wineries, makes more-than-solid Mosel wines (in styles ranging from dry to slightly off dry to fruity) and all are outstandingly reasonable for their prices. The grandson of the estate’s found, Marcus Haag, runs the winery today from his modest holdings on steeply planted vineyards in the village of Brauneberg.
In Stock Now:
David Schildknecht – Vinous 90 points “Picked from October 17 to 19, this bottling reflects the characteristic ripeness of Juffer-Sonnenuhr as well as relatively early noble rot. Muskmelon, peach and mango are laced with rowan and almond extract on an impressively heady nose. The extremely ripe fruits reconvene on a sumptuously creamy, glycerol-rich palate, with peach kernel piquancy adding welcome counterpoint and pushback to the wine’s prominent sweetness. While lusciously long, this finishes less brightly than the corresponding Juffer and without its mineral savor.”Weingut Willi Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
David Schildknecht – Vinous 91 points “Originating in the Haags’ prime parcel of Bürgerslay, this delivers a headily ripe, tropical nose of mango, muskmelon and peach. Hints of almond turn into suggestions of marzipan on a creamy and lusciously fruited palate, whose tropicality is nicely cut by tangy and piquant suggestions of peach near the pit. Fresh lime adds welcome brightness and a pinch of salt lends saliva-inducement to a lingering finish. Picking here was relatively early – October 18. Markus Haag said that these vines being trained to wires, rather than in the old single-post style still prevalent in his vineyards, is one reason their fruit tends to ripen more rapidly than elsewhere in the Juffer.”Weingut Willi Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
David Schildknecht – Vinous “Fresh lime, white peach and apple are incisively tinged with fresh ginger on the nose and on a silken, glycerol-rich palate, displaying textural allure that is regrettably rare among the Willi Haag 2016s. But that sense of richness has not come at the expense of refreshing primary juiciness. Peach kernel and almond lend bittersweet counterpoint, fresh ginger invigoration and a touch of salinity saliva-inducement to a lingering finish. There is a faintly dank, earthy note hiding out there, but it is, for now at least, not upsetting. “If there was any botrytis here, it was minimal,” noted Markus Haag, a remark by implication revealing of how widespread it was for him in 2016, depriving some wines of edge, clarity and brightness that they might otherwise have possessed.”
Weingut Willi Haag Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
David Schildknecht – Vinous “Penetrating scents of lemon and grapefruit laced with woodruff and wintergreen usher in a palate unusually citric and coolingly herbal when compared with the Willi Haag 2016s from Brauneberg or Veldenz. But given that midpalate citricity, I’m surprised at a finish that proves rather sedate and only modest in length. Still, it offers admirable refreshment and a hint of counterpoint by way of stony impingement. Last year’s more exciting inaugural bottling from this famous site was also a Kabinett. Hopefully we’ll soon get to experience a Willi Haag Goldtröpfchen Spätlese.”
Weingut Willi Haag Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
David Schildknecht – Vinous 91 points “A gorgeous nose offers rowan, almond extract, ripe white peach, honeydew melon and quince. The glycerol-slicked palate offers a similarly colorful array of flavors. And for a wine obviously marked by botrytis, this finishes with unexpected clarity and abundance of fresh fruit juiciness (aided by an influx of grapefruit) to accompany its honeyed undertone and heady inner-mouth perfume. The overall effect is irresistibly luscious. This fermented until February, long by estate standards, which seems to have been all to the good.”
Weingut Willi Haag Brauneberger Juffer Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
David Schildknecht – Vinous “Mirabelle, muskmelon and pineapple inform the nose and a juicy yet creamy, subtly glossy palate, on which an appealing slick of quince jelly points to the influence of botrytis. The finish here is lusciously sustained albeit rather sedate, lacking in non-fruit nuances and dominantly sweet.”
2017 Domaine du Vissoux
High Scoring, Great Value Beaujolais
Poor little Beaujolais; so often overlooked for big wines that promise so much power in only 750 ml. It has influenced a number of producers to push their Gamay further and further in order to try and grab the attention of the critics. This is why I send out a heartfelt thank you to the beautiful wines coming from Le Vissoux. Pierre-Marie Chermette has been making the wine since the 1982, showcasing old vines and pure Beaujolais flavor.
The Le Vissoux wines are a great value; the quality is uncompromised and the wine is joyful and vibrant. From their simplest bottlings through their top crus, the wine expresses Beaujolais terroir in spades. The fruit is deep and pure, but it doesn’t go beyond perfectly ripe. The top wines age beautifully over a 5-15 year period but always seem to drink well on release. We’ve never managed to avoid drinking the less expensive bottles to find out how they age. The wines are quite simply a near perfect reflection of what Beaujolais should be. Chermette killed it in 2017 and these wines are as good as have ever been produced by the estate.
Arriving This Month:
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux ‘Origine’ Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($19.95) $16 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “A superb wine, the 2017 Beaujolais-Villages Origine unfurls in the glass with a classy bouquet of smoky cassis, plums and subtle notions of loamy soil. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, juicy and ample, with supple tannins, succulent acids and impressive concentration, concluding with a mouthwatering, flavorful finish”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “A wine that would embarrass many more expensive bottlings from Moulin-à-Vent or Fleurie, Chermette’s 2017 Beaujolais-Villages Coeur de Vendanges bursts with aromas of crushed cassis, raspberries, potpourri and rich soil tones. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with melting tannins, a generous core of sappy fruit and a long, beautifully delineated finish. Intensely flavorful but refreshing, accessible but substantive, this is a fabulous wine that exemplifies the appeal of Beaujolais. Given its unabashed deliciousness and decidedly modest tariff, this wine must be one of French wine’s greatest values.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90+ points “Notes of crushed cassis, ripe plums and dried flowers introduce the 2017 Brouilly Pierreux, a crunchy, medium to full-bodied wine with good depth at the core, juicy balancing acids and a somewhat rustic chassis of structuring tannin. I’d be inclined to forget it in the cellar for a year or two and drink it over the following five.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Fleurie Garants is a warmer, southwest-facing site, and its bouquet is correspondingly richer and more sun-kissed than that of Chermette’s Poncié, exhibiting notes of ripe, plummy fruit, rich spices and subtle hints of loamy soil. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, ample and expansive, with a generous core of fruit, framed by fine tannins.”Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Poncie, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($31.95) $27 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Fleurie Poncié hails from a southeast-facing, higher-altitude site that’s typically quite cool, and that’s reflected in its bright, perfumed bouquet of raspberries, rose petals and Griotte cherries, with suggestions of darker fruits emerging with air. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, pure and nicely concentrated, with fine tannins, a bright line of acidity and good length on the finish.”Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Moulin-a-Vent Les Trois Roches, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Moulin-à-Vent Les Trois Roches is superb—and likely the king of the cellar chez Chermette this year—wafting from the glass with a beautiful bouquet of raspberries, potpourri, orange rind and rose petal. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and supple, with the most depth and amplitude of any wine in the portfolio and the most held in reserve, too. This is a fantastic expression of Moulin-à-Vent from one of Beaujolais’s greatest winemakers, and it comes warmly recommended.”
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Saint Amour, Beaujolais 2017 750ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Nick Stock-Jamessuckling.Com 93 points “Rich aromas of poached strawberries and pastries, as well as pomegranate and blood oranges. Really fresh. The palate has a very plush and lively strawberry core. Raspberries, too. Juicy, sapid appeal. Drink now or hold.”
Rarity and quality drive Burgundy. There’s no other way around it—high quality, scarce wines appreciate and become scarcer and more expensive. A prime example: Olivier Bernstein’s high flying Grand Crus.Olivier Bernstein founded his micro-negociant in 2007, choosing to buy grapes from only the best vineyards he could find. As a result, the only wines to bear his name are grand and premier crus, from old vines (40+ years, at a minimum). They’ve become incredibly hot items, reference points, really, in the Burgundy world, due both to that magic touch and the tiny, tiny amounts they’re produced and imported in. (Less than 30 six-packs of many of these wines make it to the US.)
These are wines for serious collectors looking for the pinnacle of Burgundy (or for excellent arbitrage opportunities). The 2016’s are stunning wines (the vintage is as good as 2015 and more expressive of terroir) and although we were able to negotiate a large allocation of these wines, quantities for each individual bottling does not exceed 6 bottles. Many shops might not let these hit the open market, but we’d like to think that anyone interested should have a shot. Act quickly, though, it’s first come, first served.
Arriving This Month:
“Boasts terrific precision and inner-mouth mineral grip”
Olivier Bernstein Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($869.95) $779 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93-96 points “(Bernstein works with two strips of vines that extend from the bottom to the top of the cru on the Chambolle side, thus giving him both red and white soil influences): Healthy dark red with ruby suggestions. Reticent, pure aromas of musky raspberry, spices and rocky minerality, lifted by a floral topnote. Boasts terrific precision and inner-mouth mineral grip but this is youthfully imploded today and less accessible than the Clos de la Roche, with a touch of peppery stems contributing to the impression of tension. The very long, building finish stimulates the salivary glands, leaving behind notes of black and white pepper in the empty glass. This wine, too, should be long-lived. Bernstein vinified in 2016 with an average of 50% whole clusters but this one was more like two-thirds.”
Olivier Bernstein Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($1299.95) $1199 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 95-98 points “Full dark red; more saturated than the Clos de Bèze. Shows a brooding, dark character on the nose, with aromas of blackberry and licorice complicated by a subtle animal quality. Incredibly concentrated but youthfully imploded, with its sappy dark berry, spice and earth flavors intensified by underlying saline minerality. Despite the impression of pent-up power, there’s nothing hard about this beauty. The extraordinary slow-mounting finish goes on and on with uncanny subtle persistence, leaving the taste buds quivering.”
Importer note “The story has been told that the great reputation of Clos-de-Beze inspired a neighbor to become a vigneron: a certain Mr. Bertin whose name of Germanic origin denotes the son of Bert, the brilliant. He planted vines in his field in place of cereals, using cuttings from his neighbor’s plants and adopted the same work methods. Success was not long in coming and in due course the field was named the champ de Mr. Bertin, hence Chambertin.”
Olivier Bernstein Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($1299.95) $1199 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94-97 points “Dark red-ruby. Knockout nose combines raspberry, cherry, game and saline underbrush, plus a whiff of torrefaction. At once fully ripe and delicate; in a distinctly more feminine style than the Mazis. The plush, rich yet elegant flavors of medicinal dark fruits, spices and exotic flowers are complicated by salty minerality. Less sweet in the early going than the Mazis, finishing precise, classic and extremely long, with serious but fully buffered tannins that melt into the palate.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Olivier Bernstein Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($579.95) $519 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92-95 points “Bright, dark red. Wild yet precise nose combines aromas of musky small red berries, dried flowers and game. Dense, sappy and thick but gentle too, offering outstanding intensity to its fine-grained flavors of purple fruits, flowers and animal fur. There’s a juicy delicacy here in the style of the vintage’s best examples. Spreads out to dust the palate on the very pure, rising finish, leaving behind a distinctly dark impression of blackberry and boysenberry.”
The next best price is $525
Olivier Bernstein Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($729.95) $649 pre-arrival special, only 2 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93-95 points “(the fruit Bernstein buys comes from lower down in this grand cru, where vine yields are always around 30 hectoliters per hectare, and thus he didn’t notice “a clear reduction in production” in 2016): Bright, dark red. Musky raspberry, spicy underbrush and flowers on the expressive, terroir-driven nose. At once thick and sappy, conveying outstanding subtle intensity to its flavors of bitter cherry, spices and minerals. Finishes with very fine-grained tannins. This elegant young Clos de la Roche really dances on the palate. It should evolve positively in bottle for a long time.”“wonderfully rich… expands impressively on the back half”
Olivier Bernstein Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($869.95) $779 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94-96 points “Dark red-ruby. Wild but reticent nose offers scents of black raspberry, spices, game, coffee and mint. Then wonderfully rich and surprisingly sweet in the mouth, with a deep core of dark berry, Asian spice and licorice flavors accented by a tangy peppery quality. Expands impressively on the back half, finishing with suave, fine-grained tannins, a captivating blend of sweetness and spiciness, and lingering perfume that goes on and on.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!“a worthy follow-up to the superb 2015.”
Olivier Bernstein Clos Vougeot Grand Cru, Vougeot 2016 750ML ($579.95) $519 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92-95 points “Healthy dark red. Quite tight and youthfully unforthcoming on the nose, hinting at black cherry and licorice. Then juicy and imploded in the mouth, but showing atypical energy for young Clos Vougeot, with its dark fruit flavors sharpened by violet and stony minerality. Finishes firmly tannic, precise and very long, with a subtle coffee nuance. Should make a worthy follow-up to the superb 2015.”
The next best price is $525
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 91-94 points “Dark red. Highly perfumed nose combines purple fruits, animal fur, spices and musky coffee. Enters the mouth broader and sweeter than the Champeaux, then tightens up in the middle palate, showing terrific mineral spine to its flavors of medicinal red cherry, spicy oak and flowers. This seriously sappy premier cru is tough going today, with its tannins more obvious than those of the Champeaux. The yield here was just 30 hectoliters per hectare, as these vines are in the Combe Lavaux and were thus touched by the frost.”
The next best price is $315
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 91-93 points “(no frost here): Healthy dark red. Aromas of raspberry, rose petal and musky espresso convey a noble reduction. Then pure, juicy and penetrating on the palate, boasting terrific inner-mouth floral precision and lift. Finishes firmly tannic but not at all dry, with a piquant hint of black pepper.”
Olivier Bernstein Les Champeaux, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($319.95) $299 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92-94 points “(the crop level here was 35 hectoliters per hectare): Medium red. Complex, alluring scents of raspberry, animal fur and pepper. A step up in finesse of texture from the village Gevrey, but still with terrific nuance and inner-mouth lift to its youthfully tight flavors of raspberry, crushed rock and flowers. The energetic yet edge-free finish is juicy, palate-cleansing and very subtle.”“terrific finesse for village wine”
Olivier Bernstein Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Villages’, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($169.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 90-92 points “(aging in 70% new oak, vs. 100% for the rest of these ’16s): Good full red. Alluring aromas of dark raspberry, smoked meat and mocha torrefaction. Then surprisingly subtle and precise on the palate, offering complex flavors of black raspberry, coffee and game lifted by a floral element. Finishes juicy and pure, with a restrained sweetness, resounding length and terrific finesse for village wine.”
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