In This Newsletter:
Featured New Arrival:
Renato Ratti Ochetti
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Cava Specials
Hidden Gem Rieslings
Featured New Arrival:
Renato Ratti Ochetti
Our newly arrived 2019 Renato Ratti Ochetti Nebbiolo d’Alba is already a staff favorite. For $19 a bottle it’s an absolute steal!
Renato Ratti Ochetti Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2019 750ml $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 91 points “Softly pliant and silky, the Renato Ratti 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Ochetti shows fine and nuanced detailing with lots of genuine and delicate character of the grape. The fruit is subtle in this wine, but the bouquet affords more room to crushed stone, blue flower and powdered licorice. The wine’s finely shaped texture would work next to a simple plate of egg noodles and grated Parmigiano.”
Renato Ratti Ochetti Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2019 750ml $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 91 points “Softly pliant and silky, the Renato Ratti 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Ochetti shows fine and nuanced detailing with lots of genuine and delicate character of the grape. The fruit is subtle in this wine, but the bouquet affords more room to crushed stone, blue flower and powdered licorice. The wine’s finely shaped texture would work next to a simple plate of egg noodles and grated Parmigiano.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Need some more Châteauneuf-du-Pape in your life but not sure where to start? Shop our staff picks below.
Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Imperiale, Rhone 2020 750ml $69 special, 34 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “Tasted from the concrete tank, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Imperiale is reassuringly on form, with intricate herbal nuances overlaid on ripe purple raspberries and black cherries. Full-bodied, silky and plush, with soft tannins cushioning the lengthy finish, this should be a real beauty to enjoy over the course of two decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Imperiale, Rhone 2019 750ml $79 special, 18 bottles in stock
James Suckling 96 points “Deep, spicy and fragrant, this is a very concentrated and elegant Chateauneuf-du-Pape with remarkably fine tannins and floral delicacy alongside its earthy primacy. Mainly produced from grenache vines planted in 1901 and 1902. From Demeter-certified biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points “The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Impériale is almost all Grenache (there’s 5% of other varieties), and it’s another gorgeous wine from this estate. Reminding me of a great Gevrey-Chambertin with its darker red and black fruits, peppery herbs, earth, and flowery incense, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness and has ripe tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish. This pure, unadulterated, incredibly compelling Grenache needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will deliver the goods for upwards of two decades. Drink: 2023-2044.”
Paul Avril Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2017 750ml $119 special, 24 bottles in stock
Josh Raynolds 95-96 points “Shimmering violet. Pungent aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, potpourri and smoky minerals, along with a spicy nuance that builds as the wine opens up. Youthfully chewy and deeply concentrated, displaying sappy black raspberry, bitter cherry and boysenberry flavors and suggestions of candied lavender and licorice. Shows impressive finesse for its depth and finishes extremely long and precise, with building tannins that meld smoothly with the wine’s densely packed fruit.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “As predicted last year by Paul-Vincent Avril, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 45% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, about 10% Syrah and the rest other permitted varieties. It boasts a cool, fresh nose of strawberries, cola and tree bark, yet it’s full-bodied and tannic on the palate. Dense and chewy, albeit with a mouthwatering sense of freshness, this will need a few years to relax and unwind, but it looks very promising.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Supple and alluring in feel, with a silky edge to the mix of anise, plum sauce and raspberry pâte de fruit flavors. A twinge of roasted apple wood shows on the finish, followed by an echo of lavender. Displays lovely range. The texture makes this approachable now, though there’s no rush. Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2038. 700 cases imported.”
Le Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape ‘Le Caillou’, Rhone 2017 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Vinous 91-92 points “Glistening ruby-red. Pungent cherry pit and black currant aromas, along with hints of licorice, musky herbs and cracked pepper. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering slow-to-open bitter cherry and dark berry flavors braced by an undercurrent of juicy acidity. Shows firm tannic grip on the persistent finish, which leaves suggestions of candied licorice and cherry preserves behind. This is a pretty serious example of a “basic” bottling, and it deserves some patience.”
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “Kirsch, blackberry, ground pepper, and incense notes all dominate the bouquet of the medium to full-bodied 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Caillou. It offers beautiful purity of fruit, a rounded, mouthfilling texture, and a great finish. Drink it over the coming decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Alain Jaume & Fils Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ml $75 special, 25 bottles in stock
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a bigger, richer, more opulent wine. Beautiful notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, graphite, and crushed violets, all flow to a full-bodied, Châteauneuf Du Pape that has a voluptuous, sexy texture, brilliant depth of fruit, fine tannins, and a purity of fruit that’s hard to find in this vintage. It’s a thrill a minute, and while it’s approachable today, it will keep for 15-20 years. 416 cases.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “Another fine showing, from a wine that has seemingly yet to go through a closed phase, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes—45% each Grenache and Mourvèdre, plus 10% Syrah—exudes scents of chocolate, mocha and dark fruit. Full-bodied, concentrated and velvety in the mouth, it’s nonetheless deceptively easy to drink, finishing long and mouthwatering.”
Wine & Spirits 96 points “The Jaume family has been growing grapes in Chateauneuf-du-Pape since 1826; they now own four Rhone wineries, including Domaine Grand Veneur, established in 1976. This wine comes off the estate’s oldest vines, a blend of half Grenache, the rest mourvedre, syrah and small bits of other varieties, all the parcels farmed organically. It’s a stunning wine, exuberantly fresh in its red-berry flavors while sophisticated in its detail, weaving in notes of licorice and pepper, flowers and wood spice. Even after the bottle has been open for a couple of days, the wine’s freshness doesn’t flag, the smooth, fine tannins holding it steady. This should age well for a decade at least.”
Chapelle Saint Theodoric Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Sablons, Rhone 2019 750ml $51.90 special, 16 bottles in stock
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “Looking at the 2019s, all of which are still aging in barrel, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Sablons can be thought of as the entry level Grenache. Destemmed and aged in older barrels, this round, mouth-filling, medium to full-bodied Grenache offers lots of red and black fruits as well as some meaty, spicy nuances. It will have plenty of up-front appeal.”
Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape les Sablons comes from young vines (planted in 2013) in La Guigasse. Those grapes were kept separate and are being aged in older barrels. There’s a bit of lifted character on the nose, plus herbal-stemmy notes and ripe black cherries, black olives and dark chocolate. Full-bodied and powerful (around 16% alcohol, according to the winemaker, Baptiste Grangeon), the tannins remain lush and silky on the finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme, Rhone 2015 750ml $49 special, 14 bottles in stock
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The inky colored 2015 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a serious winner in the vintage. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and the rest counoise, Vaccarese and Muscardin, it offers a huge nose of blackberry jam, garrigue, crushed violets, and incense. Ripe, unctuous and opulent, yet not over the top, it reminds me of the Trois Source cuvee from Vieille Julienne. This is a smoking good release that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine of over a decade.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Xavier Vignon is one of the Rhône’s leading winemaking consultants, and so it’s no surprise he had access to some great fruit for his 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme. Tellingly, the blend entirely omits Syrah, containing 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 8% Counoise, 4% Vaccarèse and 3% Muscardin. Floral notes and ripe cherries appear along licorice and vanilla (one-fourth of the wine was matured in new barriques), yet this is no drink-now version of CdP. This full-bodied wine boasts broad shoulders, a plush, creamy center and a muscular finish loaded with ripe tannins and spice. Give it a few years to mellow, and drink it over the next 15.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2020 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles in stock
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Another beautiful wine from Laurent, his 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is a classic blend of 82% Grenache, 5% each of Syrah and Mourvedre, and the rest Vaccarese and Counoise, all from the northern part of the appellation, aged in tank. Perfumed red fruits, rose petals, spice, and sappy, peppery garrigue all flow to a medium to full-bodied, seamless 2020 with silky tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish. It needs 3-5 years in the cellar to hit the early stages of its drink window, where it should keep nicely for over a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2019 750ml $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “A bigger, richer wine than the 2018, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Bravay boasts a deeper purple/plum color as well as a powerful bouquet of smoked black fruits, roasted garrigue, black licorice, and ground pepper. This rich, full-bodied wine has loads of Provençal character, a stacked mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and provide upwards of two decades of prime drinking. It’s beautifully done and well worth seeking out. The blend is 85% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, and Bourboulenc, from the Cabrières and La Gardiole lieux-dits, brought up all in concrete.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “An assemblage of 85% Grenache and bits of Bourboulenc, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah, Ferrand’s tank-aged 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape features attractive notes of star anise, roses, lavender and ripe cherries. It’s full-bodied, rich, concentrated and rather extracted and tannic—give it a few years in the cellar.”
Holiday hours reminder
We are closing at 4pm sharp on Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24th) and closed all day on Christmas Day (Sunday, December 25th).
Happy holidays!
Happy holidays!
Cava specials
As the year comes to a close you’re probably in the mood to open some bubbles. Cava is always fun and the prices can’t be beat! Consider our picks below!
Mont Marcal Brut Rosado Cava, Catalonia 2020 750ml $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Winery note “Tasting notes: Colour: Intense and attractive redcurrant with violet tones. Fine bubbles and mousse. Bouquet: Dominated by berries such as cherries and blackberries, with a base of plum and fig compote and slight evolution of the lees. Palate: On the palate it is young, fruity, fresh, soft and above all very elegant. This is an ideal cava to drink as an aperitif and with a great variety of dishes, from croquettes, soft creamy cheeses, light white fish dishes, pasta, salads of red berries, carpaccios, to dishes made with cured sausages, white meats (veal, rabbit, milk fed lamb), poultry (quails, chicken wings), strong spiced and smoked food and a great variety of cakes. The fine mousse makes it refreshing and an ideal complement to help the digestion.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Mont Marcal Cava Brut Reserva, Catalonia 2019 750ml $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock
James Suckling 89 points “Crisp and bubbly Cava with some chalky, earthy lemons, stones and brioche. Very frothy with direct effervescence. Made from organically grown grapes. Drink now.”
AA Alta Alella Mirgin Reserva Brut Nature Cava, Catalonia 2017 750ml $18 special, 9 bottles in stock
Vinous 91 points “Light, bright yellow-gold. Displays pungent, mineral-accented aromas of dried pear, lemon pith, fennel and chamomile that show very good clarity and spicy lift. Weighty, focused and dry on the palate, which displays refreshingly bitter citrus pith, pear skin and quinine flavors and a hint of peachiness. Manages to come off hefty as well as graceful and finishes long and taut, with resonating stoniness and a touch of spicy ginger. (disgorged after 15 months on its lees).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Agusti Torello Mata Kripta Gran Reserva Cava, Catalonia 2013 750ml $79 special, 3 bottles in stock
Winery note “1978 is the first vintage with which AGUSTI TORELLO MATA makes his dream come true: to make an exceptional cava. With 20 years of professional experience, he makes his first KRIPTA bottles in his private winery in Can Rossell with a blend from three unique plots in the Penedès. Macabeo, Xare·lo and Parellada begin a long aging with cork stopper, obtaining a unique bouquet that consolidates it as one of the great wines of the world. The amphorae shape bottle, which was designed and patented, is a tribute to Ancient Rome. The label was designed by Rafael Bartolozzi and evokes the Mediterranean Sea of Cadaqués, the vine and the olive tree: a trilogy of the classics. KRIPTA has been the most awarded cava since its first gold medal in Bratislava in 1984. Every vintage is an award that reinforces excellence.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Agusti Torello Mata Trepat Rosat Brut Cava, Catalonia 2019 750ml $24.40 special, 3 bottles in stock
Winery note “Vintage 2019: One of the best harvests with the right amount of rain that led to an excellent sugar and acidity balance giving notes of red fruit to this vintage. Tasting notes: Notes of strawberry, wild berries and cherries. An aromatic, fresh and agile cava to accompany appetizers, starters, fruits, fresh cheeses, or puff pastry sweets.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Gramona Imperial Brut, Catalonia 2015 750ml $36 special, 5 bottles in stock
Winery note “Based on careful observation and the management of the factors which influence our terroir and its habitat. We do not apply chemical herbicides or pesticides, but instead we use natural resources, with the primary aim of maintaining a balance in the environment, and we preserve spontaneous ground cover in order to obtain spongy soils. We use heads and hearts (52.5%) of the must fraction with our presses specialized in the pressing of whole grapes, coming from 12 different plots of our association Aliances per la Terra. The touch of ‘expedition liqueur’ from our solera, which is well over a century old, gives this cava our unmistakable signature, a symbol of elegance that has made this cava a classic for its loyal drinkers. Medium dosage of 7 grams/litre. This sparkling wine is aged for more than 50 months.”
Hidden Gem Rieslings
These Rieslings are little known now but won’t be for long. Shop our hidden gem Rieslings below.
Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ml $39 special, 35 bottles in stock
Grapelive 94 points “The radiant and graceful Korrell Paradies Trocken leads with expressive pure apple tones. [It] impresses for its elegance and subtle character. It’s a wine of great poise and delicacy, especially admirable for such a young Riesling. The monopole estate vineyard, Paradies, is the oldest single site Korrell has and is the flagship wine from winemaker Martin Korrell. It comes from his family’s vines that are set on limestone and clay soils in Bad Kreuznach area of the Nahe region. The Paradies Riesling Trocken is a gorgeous white of depth and precise winemaking that takes advantage of this unique site in the Nahe. This wine is the heart and soul of Korrell and it is product of its unique climat,or terroir. It sees more sunshine and the limestone allows for serious concentration, while retaining acidity, though there is always great attention paid to pick dates to finely tune this signature bottling to place and vintage. Korrell mixes some traditional stainless fermentations with some native yeast and barrel ferments to craft his wines. The Paradies shows a beautiful leesy finesse that reminds me a bit of the Von Winning GG’s, with a long time on the lees adding a beautiful glycerin density to this gorgeous dry Riesling. Coming off Korrel’s incredible Riesling Cup win for his Von den Grossen Lagen (Grand Crus) Riesling Trocken, I was absolutely thrilled to be able to try this wine, and found this particular wine just as intriguing. Martin focuses on preserving heightened aromatics and crisp mineral tones, while allowing the mouth feel and depth to shine through. It is an amazing accomplishment to get it all right, and Korrell deserves his time in the limelight. This is complex and glorious stuff. Layers of green apple, peach, mixed fresh citrus and melon fruits are lifted by liquid rock, steely mineral and faint perfume of white flowers along with a silkiness of mouth feel. While still delightfully crisp, [this delivers] an exciting energy filled performance. This is a winery that about to break out and join some elite company, in fact they are riding high after winning, as mentioned, the famous Riesling Cup award with their unique multi (Grand) cru Von den Grossen Lagen Trocken Riesling. This wine is just extra proof there is real quality here! The lightly golden hued and generously textured Paradies will age well. It’s full of charm, class and potential. Best to let this one have another 3 to 5 years, though it certainly is delicious right now.”
Stuart Pigott 94 points “Very clean and fresh, but behind the effusive, fruit-salad character that makes this so seductive, there is a lot of structure and the finish keeps pumping out the fruit and chalky minerality. Drink or hold.”
Weingut Korrell Johanneshof Kreuznacher Paradies Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2017 750ml $39 special, 35 bottles in stock
Grapelive 94 points “The radiant and graceful Korrell Paradies Trocken leads with expressive pure apple tones. [It] impresses for its elegance and subtle character. It’s a wine of great poise and delicacy, especially admirable for such a young Riesling. The monopole estate vineyard, Paradies, is the oldest single site Korrell has and is the flagship wine from winemaker Martin Korrell. It comes from his family’s vines that are set on limestone and clay soils in Bad Kreuznach area of the Nahe region. The Paradies Riesling Trocken is a gorgeous white of depth and precise winemaking that takes advantage of this unique site in the Nahe. This wine is the heart and soul of Korrell and it is product of its unique climat,or terroir. It sees more sunshine and the limestone allows for serious concentration, while retaining acidity, though there is always great attention paid to pick dates to finely tune this signature bottling to place and vintage. Korrell mixes some traditional stainless fermentations with some native yeast and barrel ferments to craft his wines. The Paradies shows a beautiful leesy finesse that reminds me a bit of the Von Winning GG’s, with a long time on the lees adding a beautiful glycerin density to this gorgeous dry Riesling. Coming off Korrel’s incredible Riesling Cup win for his Von den Grossen Lagen (Grand Crus) Riesling Trocken, I was absolutely thrilled to be able to try this wine, and found this particular wine just as intriguing. Martin focuses on preserving heightened aromatics and crisp mineral tones, while allowing the mouth feel and depth to shine through. It is an amazing accomplishment to get it all right, and Korrell deserves his time in the limelight. This is complex and glorious stuff. Layers of green apple, peach, mixed fresh citrus and melon fruits are lifted by liquid rock, steely mineral and faint perfume of white flowers along with a silkiness of mouth feel. While still delightfully crisp, [this delivers] an exciting energy filled performance. This is a winery that about to break out and join some elite company, in fact they are riding high after winning, as mentioned, the famous Riesling Cup award with their unique multi (Grand) cru Von den Grossen Lagen Trocken Riesling. This wine is just extra proof there is real quality here! The lightly golden hued and generously textured Paradies will age well. It’s full of charm, class and potential. Best to let this one have another 3 to 5 years, though it certainly is delicious right now.”
Stuart Pigott 94 points “Very clean and fresh, but behind the effusive, fruit-salad character that makes this so seductive, there is a lot of structure and the finish keeps pumping out the fruit and chalky minerality. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Wein-Erbhof Stein Palmberg Alte Reben Kabinett Trocken, Mosel 2021 750ml $36 special, 23 bottles in stock
Vom Boden importer note “The Palmberg is Stein’s ‘Grand Cru’ and a vineyard to measure against any other vineyard in the Mosel, period. It is an awesome site, an ancient wall of vines filled with ungrafted plantings that are 90+ years old. The Palmberg is cut on one side by a stream, so the vineyard angles away from the Mosel. In former times this was likely a liability, the cool wind pouring down the valley and the distance from the river keeping optimum ripeness in all but the top vintages just beyond grasp. This is no longer an issue and these cooler vineyards, especially when they have old vines, are a massive asset. This wine is ruthless, cut, mineral, fresh and phenolic. It is quite simply one of my favorite wines of this vintage and it will age, easily, for 10-20+ years.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Dr. Burklin-Wolf Estate Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2020 750ml $19.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock
James Suckling 92 points “Open pear and reine-claude plum nose with delicate baking-spice aromas!. Generous and well-structured palate with a long, refreshing finish that’s supported nicely by a touch of chalky tannin. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Weingut Kunstler Riesling Feinherb, Rheingau 2020 750ml $26 special, 11 bottles in stock
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The Riesling Weiser-Künstler, as it is referred to on the main label (the reference to the vintage is left for the back label), is a barely off-dry wine (with 15 g/l of residual sugar) made from Estate’s holdings and from grapes sourced at a befriended organic grower in the Enkircher Steffensberg. It offers a stunning and pure nose which screams Mosel as beautifully scents of freshly cut flowers, white peach, a dash of whipped cream, a hint of blood orange, and slate emerge from the glass. The wine proves delicately off dry on the delicious and well-balanced palate and leaves a subtly ample feel of ripe fruits, zest of citrusy fruits, slate, and smoke. This is a truly remarkable Estate wine! Now-2030.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2019 750ml $34.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Stuart Pigott 97 points “Give yourself a holiday and forget all your cares! This super fine Spätlese has a stunning floral-honey, white-currant and dried-herb nose. Very succulent and concentrated with super bright acidity that interlocks beautifully. At the very mineral finish it’s almost dry. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Prinz Jungfer Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau 2020 750ml $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock
James Suckling 94 points “A stunning Kabinett that’s brimming with red apple, white peach and pomegranate. Very tense interplay of fruit, racy acidity and mountain-stream freshness. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Prinz Hallgartener Jungfer Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Rheingau 2020 750ml $49 special, 34 bottles in stock
Stuart Pigott 97 points “Very cool and reserved, but with great underplayed power, this is in every sense a very serious wine. Major structure crammed into a sleek package. Stunning depth at the very long, herbal and mineral finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
F.X. Pichler Loibner Burgstall Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2019 750ml $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock
James Suckling 92 points “Super crisp and crunchy with a slightly tart peach character that is so invigorating. Great mineral freshness at the finish. Drink or hold.”
Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.