In This Newsletter:
Arrivals
Spanish history in a bottle
-PLUS-
Beat the tariffs with Oregon and California wines!
Arrivals
Spanish history in a bottle
-PLUS-
Beat the tariffs with Oregon and California wines!
Special Arrivals
Spain
Lopez Heredia: Spanish history in a bottle!
The French vineyards? Destroyed by bugs. Spain? Untouched potential.
Rafael’s choice was clear.
Rafael’s choice was clear.
The story of Lopez Heredia starts with a bug. Actually millions of little parasites called “Grape Phylloxera” that ate about 60% of France’s grape vines in the late nineteenth century. Now in survival mode, French estates were presented with two options: ruin or innovation. Many sold or abandoned their land, while others set their eyes on viticultural regions still untouched by the Phylloxera.
It was this opportunity that savvy businessmen like Lopez Heredia’s founder, Rafael López de Heredia y Landet, took advantage of: buying land in Spain to grow grapes, producing and selling wines for French Vignerons, and most importantly, learning all about what it was that made the wines of Bordeaux the most sought after wines on the planet. He introduced barrel aging, extended bottle aging, and careful blending among many other techniques that he learned from the French, helping to create the vinicultural style and traditions which shaped Rioja into one of the world’s most beloved wine regions.
Today, Lopez de Heredia’s wines follow the path started by Rafael, using only estate grown fruit, including the famous Tondonia vineyard, which produces many of the most coveted wines in all of Rioja. These bottles are as classic as they come, representative of the accumulated wisdom of many generations of Spanish and French wine masters.
…Lopez Heredia wines arriving Friday, April 11th:
The Cubillo is an amazing, value priced entrée to the wines of Lopez Heredia. The quality here is astounding; in most wineries this would be Reserva level. How do they do it?
Lopez Heredia Cubillo Tinto Crianza 2016 750ml $33 special, 12 bottles available
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2016 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza was surprising, spectacular, elegant, clean and fresh like few vintages before. It was a superb year, with quality, quantity and freshness. It’s quite the opposite from the previous 2015, which was a much warmer and riper year. The 2016s have moderate alcohol and especially the perception of less ripeness (even though the alcohol is very similar). It feels very young, still quite primary. Mercedes explained, “Cubillas, a 24-hectare plot, is a vineyard that could produce Gran Reserva wines. It’s a very good vineyard, but we would miss the Crianza in our range”. In fact, the comment was that this vintage is even a challenge for the Viña Tondonia red “because of its price.” It is indeed a bargain. “But it doesn’t have the finesse of Tondonia,” concluded María José. Anyway, it’s super tasty. 92,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022.”
This Tondonia Reserva features an incredible 6 years of barrel aging before being clarified with egg whites to ensure the purity and longevity of the wines without filtration.
Lopez Heredia Tondonia Reserva Rioja 2011 750ml $56 special, 12 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 94 Points “The 2011 Vina Tondonia Reserva Rioja was ordered during a run of disappointing wines. It has a youthful nose, probably still too young to broach, with black plum, clove, hints of star anis and smoke. Lovely definition, though not as powerful as other vintages tasted. The palate is quite firm and structured with grippy tannins that frame the dusky black fruit with veins of blue fruit towards the finish. There is a seriousness about this Tondonia that I appreciate, though frankly, I would cellar for another decade. Tasted at Premnord in Burgundy.”
It was this opportunity that savvy businessmen like Lopez Heredia’s founder, Rafael López de Heredia y Landet, took advantage of: buying land in Spain to grow grapes, producing and selling wines for French Vignerons, and most importantly, learning all about what it was that made the wines of Bordeaux the most sought after wines on the planet. He introduced barrel aging, extended bottle aging, and careful blending among many other techniques that he learned from the French, helping to create the vinicultural style and traditions which shaped Rioja into one of the world’s most beloved wine regions.
Today, Lopez de Heredia’s wines follow the path started by Rafael, using only estate grown fruit, including the famous Tondonia vineyard, which produces many of the most coveted wines in all of Rioja. These bottles are as classic as they come, representative of the accumulated wisdom of many generations of Spanish and French wine masters.
…Lopez Heredia wines arriving Friday, April 11th:
The Cubillo is an amazing, value priced entrée to the wines of Lopez Heredia. The quality here is astounding; in most wineries this would be Reserva level. How do they do it?
Lopez Heredia Cubillo Tinto Crianza 2016 750ml $33 special, 12 bottles available
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2016 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza was surprising, spectacular, elegant, clean and fresh like few vintages before. It was a superb year, with quality, quantity and freshness. It’s quite the opposite from the previous 2015, which was a much warmer and riper year. The 2016s have moderate alcohol and especially the perception of less ripeness (even though the alcohol is very similar). It feels very young, still quite primary. Mercedes explained, “Cubillas, a 24-hectare plot, is a vineyard that could produce Gran Reserva wines. It’s a very good vineyard, but we would miss the Crianza in our range”. In fact, the comment was that this vintage is even a challenge for the Viña Tondonia red “because of its price.” It is indeed a bargain. “But it doesn’t have the finesse of Tondonia,” concluded María José. Anyway, it’s super tasty. 92,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022.”
This Tondonia Reserva features an incredible 6 years of barrel aging before being clarified with egg whites to ensure the purity and longevity of the wines without filtration.
Lopez Heredia Tondonia Reserva Rioja 2011 750ml $56 special, 12 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 94 Points “The 2011 Vina Tondonia Reserva Rioja was ordered during a run of disappointing wines. It has a youthful nose, probably still too young to broach, with black plum, clove, hints of star anis and smoke. Lovely definition, though not as powerful as other vintages tasted. The palate is quite firm and structured with grippy tannins that frame the dusky black fruit with veins of blue fruit towards the finish. There is a seriousness about this Tondonia that I appreciate, though frankly, I would cellar for another decade. Tasted at Premnord in Burgundy.”
Arriving Friday
Oregon Odyssey; Or, how I learned to beat the tariffs and drink local wines
“Beaux Freres”
So you’ve been a wine salesman in Colorado Springs for years, dreaming of starting your own winery. But where?
It was a detour onto a foreclosed pig farm while on a family road trip that sealed Mike Etzel’s fate. Once he’d found the vineyard that would become Beaux Freres everything else began to fall into place. He traded his suit for boots and a shovel and dug right into Oregon’s burgeoning wine industry.
Beaux Freres The Beaux Freres Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 750ml $124.50 special, 6 bottles available
Decanter 97 Points “A gorgeous Pinot Noir, the plantings from 1988 are being replanted as the phyloxerated vines are being removed. This wine shows elegance and grace while maintaining depth and concentration, but make no mistake, it’s built to age. The Beaux Frères Vineyard is clonally diverse with a massale selection of Pommard and Wadenswil and 115. Red fruited aromas and beautiful interplay between bright berries mixed with fresh mint and savoury herbs. The palate remains fresh and elegant, with red-fruited generosity and savoury depth of spearmint and wild anise. (Drink between 2024-2040).”
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 Points “This wine shows elegance and grace while maintaining depth and concentration, but make no mistake, it’s built to age. The Beaux Frères Vineyard is clonally diverse with a massale selection of Pommard and Wadenswil and 115. Red fruited aromas and beautiful interplay between bright berries mixed with fresh mint and savoury herbs. The palate remains fresh and elegant, with red-fruited generosity and savoury depth of spearmint and wild anise. (Drink between 2024-2040).”
“The Eyrie”
Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris Dundee Hills 2023 750ml $26 special, 12 bottles available
(not reviewed yet, 2022 review provided for reference)
Wine Advocate 93 Points “The 2022 Estate Pinot Gris is particularly pure and expressive this year. Spring frost affected some varieties in 2022, but winemaker Jason Lett says these old Pinot Gris vines, planted in 1979, are located at higher elevations and didn’t suffer frost damage because the buds were not yet out. “The result is a higher proportion of old vines,” he says, of the fruit in this 2022. It has detailed scents of green pear and apple blossom, cashews and bread dough. The light-bodied palate is layered and floral, a touch of textural grip balanced by mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, expressive finish.”
Eyrie Vineyards Trifolium Red Dundee Hills 2020 750ml $20.90 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 Points “This blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Trousseau is the poster child for balance. The show starts with blackberry and thyme aromas, along with notes of earth and citrus. The Trifolium’s zingy acidity and optimal tannic structure support flavors like black cherry, cocoa nibs and a nice pot roast. Best trio since Rush.”
Eyrie Trousseau Dundee Hills 2022 750ml $36 special, 14 bottles available
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 Points “Remarkably pretty, the 2022 Trousseau mixes savory woodland berries with rosemary, sage and hints of wet stone. It opens with a pretty inner sweetness and crisp red berry fruits, taking on a tinge of spice and white pepper toward the close. It finishes incredibly fresh and clean, tapering off with medium length and a pleasantly crunchy sensation.”
Eyrie Estate Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Willamette Valley 2021 750ml $49 special, 18 bottles available
Eric Guido-Vinous 94+ Points “The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate lifts from the glass with a mentholated freshness, giving way to dried roses and strawberries. Silky and enveloping, it possesses a core of vividly ripe wild berries and sweet herbal tones that resonate over a tactile staining of saline minerals. Grippy tannins saturate through the long, spicy finish as repleting inner florals and bitter hints of licorice fade.”
“Haden Fig”
Haden Fig Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2023 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Note “This year’s HF Willamette Valley is led by Cancilla accompanied by Croft and Freedom Hill, and–for the first time!—our new Torres Hill vineyard located just outside of Dallas, OR. The cool vintage worked wonders in these warmer, mostly sedimentary sites. Blackberry liquor, fresh Italian plums, hibiscus, and black raspberry coulis rest atop antique cabinets, black tea, and bitter roots.”
“JK Carriere”
Jim Prosser, of JK Carriere remains a “winemaker’s winemaker.” His entry level Pinots are outstanding and provide a beautiful window into his style. On the “pretty words” that drive his winemaking and business philosoph, Jim says, “Early pick/high acid/wild-yeast/minimal sulfur/moderate extraction/targeted kinetics/lees ageing/subterranean cellaring/18 mo/French oak/wild-malo/unfined/unfiltered.”
It’s all poetry to our ears.
JK Carriere Glass White Pinot Noir 2024 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “Our ultimate summer sipper is 100% Pinot intentionally pressed into a serious and dry rosé.”
JK Carriere Provocateur Pinot Noir 2022 750ml $27 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “Our first-rung Pinot is a blend from vineyards in the Willamette Valley and features the winemaker’s grandfather, a true provocateur, on the label.”
“Patricia Green”
Patricia Green Sauvignon Blanc 2024 750ml $24 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “The Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is a denser, richer more stately version of Sauvignon Blanc than one would generally find in the universe of this grape. The 2024 version has a unique tension to it between its tropical lime-infused papaya notes and the crystalline minerality that is on display at a level we have never experienced before. As is always the case, it is at once very high in acidity but rich in texture which adds to the complexity of the fruit/minerality interplay in the wine and makes the wine profound even at a young age. While this wine is capable of aging (a 2019 consumed early in 2025 was in fabulous condition) we believe it is best served in its relative youth to capture these fresh and delicious flavors.”
New Arrivals
California
“Marietta Cellars”
“Scot Bilbro has the magic touch when it comes to crafting wines that deliver superb quality for the money across the various tiers in this range.” — Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Founded by the late, great Chris Bilbro, this winery has been crafting incredible, value-driven California wines for decades. Nowhere else can you find high quality cab blends, single vineyard Syrahs and old vine zinfandels for the price.
Marietta Cellars Christo Rhone Blend 2021 750ml $24 special, 24 bottles available
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 Points “The 2021 Christo is a blend of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 8% Petite Sirah and 4% Viognier. The nose features fresh blackcurrant and blueberry aromas with tones of cast iron, violet, sagebrush and conifer. The full-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with restrained, mineral-driven fruit and a long, perfumed finish. Give it 2-3 years in bottle or a couple hours in a decanter.”
VinopolNote This wine is packed with French grape varietals, made by a classic California producer. The blend of this wine is Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Viognier. On the palate it tastes of full and ripe blackberry, is rounded out with notes of pepper, licorice, and violets. The structure and tannins are full, with tons of smoothness and resolve. It will age for days (let’s be clear here, years), or can be opened and decanted to pair with a grilled meat of your choice.
…also currently available from Marietta
Marietta Cellars Game Trail Cabernet 2021 750ml $39 special, 25 bottles available
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2021 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon is crunchy, refreshing and easy to drink. It’s scented of fresh blackcurrants and cherries, plus nuances of garrigue and charcuterie. The full-bodied palate is light on its feet with softly chalky tannins, bursts of mouthwatering acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish.”
Marietta Cellars Roman Zinfandel 2022 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 Points “The 2022 Román Zinfandel is a blend of 93% Zinfandel, 4% Barbera, 3% Petite Sirah. It has pure, layered scents of apricot, graham cracker, raspberry jam, mossy bark and spice. The palate is light-bodied, soft and juicy with a core of nuanced berry fruit and a mouthwatering, perfumed finish. This is ideal for spicy food! 2,000 cases produced.”