Vinopolis Will Be Closed Today for Labor Day
(We are otherwise open for our regularly scheduled hours, 10 AM – 6 PM daily)
This shop never closes: www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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Brovia Subscriber Special; Forman Chardonnay—Return of a Legend; Massican’s “Other” Napa Valley Experience; Trending: Goodfellow’s Exemplary Chards; Chablis from Servin, a Rising Star; Exciting Imminent Arrivals: Quintarelli, Arnoux, Merry Edwards and More…
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Brovia: Ascendant Star of Barolo
Subscriber-Only Special
Expires Tuesday Night At Midnight
Buy 6-11 bottles of Brovia and get a 5% Discount
Buy 12+ bottles of Brovia and get a 10% Discount
(Discount Will Not Appear Online—We Will Apply Before Finalizing Your Order)
It’s seems remarkable that even as Brovia’s star is rising in the echelons of Barolo, prices have yet to seriously escalate for these wines. They stand with any producer’s collection of Baroli and yet are priced below many ‘name’ producers that are making wines of less character and interest. For traditionally made Barolo, these are some of the best wines you can buy (at any price, really, but especially for the price).
If you’re new to Brovia, here’s the scoop: Wonderful, expressive wines made in traditional methods (no small barrels, native ferments, etc) from some of excellent vineyard holdings that are mostly in Serralunga. Villero is obviously a top vineyard that’s well known, but the other gem in the portfolio is the Brea “Ca’Mia” which is a wine that stands out in any lineup for its combination of Serralunga power and elegance.
We try and carry as many of their wines as we can, from their delicious (and underrated Arneis) to their legendary wines from the cru’s of Barolo. The 2011’s, in particular, are notable successes. Brovia’s normal style is lean and coiled, so the extra warmth of the vintage pushed the wines to be a little grander than usual. The Garblet Sue, Villero and Ca Mia are all wines that are shaping up to be epics and are also wines that you’ll look back on and wish you had bought more of (especially the way Brovia’s star is rising).
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Lavender, mint, sage, smoke, tobacco and plums are all laced together in the 2011 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’Mia. As always, the Ca’Mia is a decidedly vertical Barolo built on a spine of persistent tannin, but in 2011 there is a little bit of added polish that serves to soften the contours. Tucked off the main road, Brea remains one of the least well-known vineyards in Serralunga. The 2011 is a great wine to start exploring some of the nuances of this site. A huge finish that brings together power and voluptuousness captures the pure radiance of the year.” AG
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Brovia Garblet Sue Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 17 bottles in stock now
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
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $66 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Barolo Villero is one of the most structured wines in the range. Here the firm tannins and ample frame both suggest the 2011 will drink well for many years, once the tannins start softening. Orange peel, wild flowers, red stone fruits and spices flesh out on the creamy finish. It’s always interesting to taste the Villero next to the Rocche, as the two sites are pretty close to the other, yet the wines are remarkably different. Here the heat of the year is quite evident, while the Rocche benefits from greater ventilation and therefore a bit more freshness.” AG
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Brovia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2012 750ML ($51.95) $46 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 89 points “Brovia’s 2012 Barolo is classy, polished and absolutely delicious. With a little bit of air, the 2012 can be enjoyed now, but it also has enough freshness and balance to drink well for at least a handful of years. I have seen Brovia’s straight Barolo age well, so I won’t be surprised if that turns out to be the case here as well. Floral and red stone fruit notes give the 2012 much of its freshness and mid-weight feel. This is an especially lifted, gracious Barolo for the vintage.”
Brovia Sori del Drago Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($31.95) $24 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 89 points “Expressive floral notes meld into sweet plum and raspberry in Brovia’s 2013 Barbera d’Alba Sorì del Drago. Silky and open-knit, the mid-weight Sorì del Drago will drink well for another handful of years. Despite its deceptively medium-bodied feel, the Sorì del Drago packs quite a punch.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Brovia Vignavillej Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Harvested from classic clay-limestone soils from plots in Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba, some planted in 1981 and the other portion in 1993. The grapes are crushed and fermented in stainless steel at 29 degrees Celsius for a period of a week to 10 days; then aged in stainless steel for seven to nine months before the bottling (unfiltered).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Brovia Valmaggione Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2012 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 33 bottles in stock now
“Sorry to double down with the superlatives, but for me, this is the most exciting wine the Brovia family bottles. It is the cheapest, lowest abv%, highest elevation, most northerly, most north facing Nebbiolo bottling in the family’s lineup — and the most limited production wine they make. Always a huge winner for me. “Valmaggione” (the actual name of the vineyard is ValmaggioRe, but the printer misspelled the label during the first vintage and the Brovia family decided to stick with it as a joke) is a parcel in Vezza d’Alba that produces some very expensive and sought after wines by more modernist producers like Sandrone. Super steep, sandy soils with great drainage that make for a wine with pronounced freshness and lift. No oak, no extended élevage. Pure, great wine.”–Importer Notes
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Brovia Roero Arneis DOCG, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The sole white wine of the estate is produced in the Roero district from an 0.80 hectare plot in Vezza d’Alba. The soil is essentially sandy in composition and sits at 340 meters altitude on south-facing slopes. The vineyard was planted in 1980. Harvest (manual) normally occurs in mid-September. The grapes are briefly macerated and the fermentation occurs at controlled temperatures (around 15 degrees Celsius) for two to three weeks. The wine rests in stainless steel until the early spring months of the following year and is usually released to the market, after several months of bottle aging, in late summer/early fall.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Subscriber-Only Special
Expires Tuesday Night At Midnight
Buy 6-11 bottles of Brovia and get a 5% Discount
Buy 12+ bottles of Brovia and get a 10% Discount
(Discount Will Not Appear Online—We Will Apply Before Finalizing Your Order)
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The Man, The Myth, The Legend
Forman’s Finest at Top Pricing
Ric Forman needs no introduction, but we’re going to do it anyway. He started his career with a bang—after a few harvests he helped design, build and then run Sterling winery and was responsible for the incredible quality of their early wines. In 1978, only 11 years after his first harvest, he left Sterling to found Newton vineyards. He designed the vineyards and made the wines for the first decade of its existence. He planted what would become his estate vineyard in 1979 and sold grapes to Newton (the Unfiltered Chardonnay that made Newton famous was based around Forman’s grapes) and launched his winery in the mid-eighties.
We’re excited to offer some of Ric’s 2015 Chardonnay at thebest price in the country. This wine is a bit of an anachronism—made in barrel but without malolactic fermentation. It combines the lushness you might expect from Napa Chard with a brightness and vivacity that sets his wine above the rest. It’s fantastic stuff.
Arriving Friday:
Forman Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 93 points “Veteran winemaker Ric Forman, who is celebrating his 50th vintage in 2016 (which is astonishing), has turned out one of his riper and richer Chardonnays in memory. The 2015 Chardonnay (totally non-malolactic) offers up 13.8% natural alcohol, which is probably slightly more than Forman prefers. Tangerine, nectarine, white currant and quince are all present in this medium to full-bodied, fresh, lively style. I have never had much luck with these wines aging, but they are delicious young, and the oak is always pushed way to the background. Drink this over the next 2-3 years.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Forman 2015 Chardonnay is a bit creamier and more voluptuous than it usually is. Even so, the flavors are bright and precise throughout. Lemon confit, flowers, chamomile and white pepper are all nicely pushed forward. The 2015 is a rare wine that won’t require much cellaring.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Alternative Napa: How Massican
Brings the Magic of Friuli to Napa Valley
Dan Petroski leads two different winemaking lives. By day, he’s the winemaker at Larkmead, a historic California winery known for high point scores and powerful Cabernet-based reds. By night (proverbially), he runs his own tiny label, called Massican, and produces white wines inspired by the majestic whites of Friuli, in northeastern Italy. Starting in 2009, he’s produced these quietly-revolutionary white blends, challenging Napa orthodoxy with some stunning stuff.
Stylistically, the wines he makes are finely balanced between richness and freshness. Sauvignon Blanc, Ribolla Gialla and Friulano all have steely acidity, so either by themselves or paired with Chardonnay (which is a traditional grape in Friuli), the wines always have great brightness. Napa sun gives the wines richness and the resulting blend is a wine that is able to pair with a seemingly endless variety of foods. These are wines that are destined to become modern classics and we’re excited that they’re finally available outside the winery’s mailing list.
Arriving Friday:
Massican Annia White, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
“This is only the second vintage of annia that ribolla gialla takes the lead in the blend, 2012 being the other. there is a story that george vare liked to tell us about ribolla, according to the late, great stanko radikon, ribolla is the consummate supporting actor when blended into a wine under the 50% threshold. at that minority level, the grape will truly morph into the background, providing the floors, the walls and the ceiling for the other grapes to adorn. in our 2016 annia, the 60% of ribolla in the wine is flattering; stone fruit and baked apple with green almond on the palate that plays off the tocai’s citrus blossom and pear skin. the 9% of hyde chardonnay in the blend tightens the wine a bit, but in reality it just steps aside and gives the two friulian varieties a stage to play on; however, expect the chardonnay to get involved as the wine ages.”–Winery note
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Massican Hyde Vineyards Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
“We harvested our hyde vineyards chardonnay on two separate occasions in the 2016 growing season. there was an early august pick with the intention of these grapes being blended into annia to provide the wine with a hint of freshness and structure. the second harvest happened a bit later than expected due to the weather in carneros being moderate to slightly below average temps. as for the wine itself, this is an atypical hyde vineyards chardonnay that lands on the lighter, brighter side of vineyard’s potential of making some of the greatest chardonnays in california. next year we plan on putting a toe in the water, testing a little of the crop on the riper and richer side of hyde; so hang on for the ride but in the short term give this bottling a little time to settle into itself and start drinking in the fall of 2017.”–Winery note
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Massican Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
“The vines that produce the sauvignon blanc for our wine were originally planted in 1993 for the robert mondavi winery and their napa valley fume blanc. we were excited to work with this fruit in our first vintage, but had no intention of making a 100% sauvignon blanc; the original goal was to blend a little into annia to support the tocai and ribolla. however, the blend didn’t work, the sauvignon was too intense for the subtle, floral notes of the annia. we were a bit disappointed at the time but we needed to let the wines be themselves, and since this sauvignon has become one of the stars of the line-up year in and year out. last year we extended our contract with the vineyard, not only for the next couple of years, but for a couple of more acres. this is the most wine we have ever bottled under the sauvignon label.”–Winery note
Massican Gaspare Bianco Colli Orientali del Friulii, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2015 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: This wine was produced in collaboration with (and at) legendary Friuli estate Ronco del Gnemiz. The blend is composed of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Ribolla Gialla and 25% Friulano, aged in French oak of varying age. A really stunning wine (especially for the price) and a perfect example of richness balanced with freshness and minerality.
Summer Shipping Special:
Midwest, East, & South
For the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments normally traveling 4 or more business days by ground.
Free service upgrade only applies on single orders purchased and shipped during the promotional period. Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period and shipped by Three Day Select. Offer not valid on items purchased before the promotional period or on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period ends.
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Trending: Marcus Goodfellow’s
High-Flying, High-Scoring Chardonnay
Marcus Goodfellow’s Matello and Goodfellow Family Cellars labels have been mainstays at the shop for some time now—wines that we carry regardless of vintage, scores or overall hype. The wines are amongst the best in Oregon and consistently some of the most inspiring wines we taste. It looks like we aren’t alone in our love—the new Wine Advocate reviews for our fair state lavish (deserved) praise on Marcus’ wines, particularly two Chardonnays which we wanted to feature today.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($39.95) $36 special
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2014 375ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Richard’s Cuvee knocks it out of the park with a nose of ripe apricots, pink grapefruit and guava underscored by fresh ginger, baking bread, beeswax and yeast extract hints with a waft of jasmine. Medium-bodied, the palate is very elegant and refined, with incredible freshness and depth wrapped in a lovely satiny texture, finishing with long lasting mineral and spices layers. Wow!”-LPB
Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Case-6 Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2014 ($179.95) $156 special (that’s only $26/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2014 Chardonnay Durant Vineyard delivers an intense minerally/struck match and crushed stones nose over a core of lemon pie, orange blossoms and grapefruit plus hints of toasted almonds and brioche. Medium-bodied, very fresh and very fine, the palate reveals a gorgeous creamy texture and wonderful flavor intensity, with the citrus, savory and mineral flavors lingering long and multi-layered in the mouth.” –LPB
Also, Arriving Tomorrow:
The world premier of the 2015 version of Marcus’ amazingly good entry level Pinot:
Goodfellow Family Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Goodfellow Family Cellars Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 750ML ($279.95) $219 pre-arrival special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 92+ points “Pale ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir is scented of roses, wild thyme and lavender with a core of Bing cherries and warm cranberries plus an earthy/forest floor waft. Light to medium-bodied, the palate provides a wonderful intensity of perfumed red berry flavors with silken tannins and a long earthy finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Servin, Chablis Star
Domaine Servin is one of the oldest and most prestigeous estates in Chablis, with 32 hectares of vines spread throughout the region and much of it in top vineyards. The Servin family has been in Chablis since 1654 and involved in the wine industry for much of that time. Today, Francois Servin runs the domaine with the assistance of his Australian brother-in-law, Mark Cameron.
François, while appreciating the great traditions that are very important to the Servin family, strives to modernize and improve the estate. He has resumed hand harvesting of grapes over most of the Premier Cru and all of the Grand Cru vineyards. Where necessary, he has replanted with improved Chardonnay vines. The wines are aged in a mix of stainless steel and wooden barrel, depending on the cuvee, and bottled without filtration—this is an estate that has made a wholesale commitment to quality and it shows in the wines.
Arriving Friday:
Domaine Servin Les Forets, Chablis Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 90 points “A ripe, fruity style, displaying peach, apple and lemon flavors. Stays within the confines of the region, with hints of flower and seashore. Fine length. Drink now through 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Servin Butteaux, Chablis Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2015 Chablis 1er Cru Butteaux has a crisp and tensile bouquet with more precision than the Les Forets on the nose. The palate is fresh and crisp with an edgy opening, quite spicy in the mouth with white pepper on the back palate, complex and almost broody in the finish. Marc Cameron described this as a “connoisseur’s Chablis” and I know where he is coming from with regard to that sentiment. There is an intellect behind this Chablis.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Apple, melon, stone and earth aromas and flavors combine in this succulent white. Though lean in profile, this shows fine intensity and length. Drink now through 2023.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Servin Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Chablis Grand Cru les Preuses, which Marc Cameron told me is now the last of the grand crus to be bottled, has a well-defined bouquet that is clean and pure, but perhaps needing a little more spiciness to articulate this vineyard. The palate is better with crisp acidity, nicely poised with fine salinity toward the finish. Keep this in the cellar for 4 or 5 years and this will evolve into a formidable Les Preuses.”
Also Currently In Stock From Servin:
Domaine Servin Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos, which like the Bougros was extracted from a new barrel, has a potent mineral/wet pavement bouquet that gains vigor in the glass. The palate is fresh and crisp with a fine line of acidity, brushing off the new oak with ease and fanning out wonderfully on the poised finish. This is a more sophisticated proposition than the Bougros at the moment – harmonious, intense and with great breeding.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “Very pale yellow with a green tinge. Wonderfully subtle nose combines orchard fruits, lime blossom, white pepper, wet stone and gunflint. Conveys captivating sweetness to its penetrating flavors of white peach, flowers and saline minerality, with perfectly integrated acidity accentuating the impression of clarity. The high-pitched spicy, floral finish features terrific limey thrust and length.”
Domaine Servin Bougerots, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Marc Cameron described his 2014 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros as the “big bad boy of the group.” It has a glorious bouquet, perhaps partly because unlike other vintages there is some new oak in the blend. But it works well. The palate is clean and fresh with bright citrus peel and orange zest notes, the wood element more expressive toward the finish. It perhaps lacks Chablis typicité, but you’ll still polish off a bottle without a murmur of complaint.”
Burghound 90-93 points “Ample but not dominating oak influence surrounds the ripe green fruit and floral aromas that also exhibit plenty of Chablis typicity. The big-bodied, muscular and overtly powerful flavors possess good concentration and impressive amounts of dry extract, all wrapped in an explosively long finish where the wood reappears. This is not really my style but it is clearly a Bougros of quality.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91+ points “(done entirely in oak): Brisk aromas of lime, white peach, spearmint, white pepper and fresh-cut grass are complemented but not overwhelmed by a strong note of cinnamon spice. Juicy, savory and nicely concentrated; less oaky in the mouth than on the nose, with the orchard fruit and lime flavors leading to a saline finish featuring a touch of sweetness from the wood and good tannic grip. A very promising Bougros.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Servin Chablis Premiere Cuvee Les Pargues, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine Servin Chablis Premiere Cuvee Les Pargues, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($279.95) $239 special, 2 cases in stock now (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
“(made from a variety of parcels near Préhy): Bright, light yellow. Pineapple, melon and menthol on the nose, accented by a minty nuance. A step up in energy and intensity from the of pineapple, melon and menthol; touch of mint. A step up in energy and intensity from the slightly diffuse Petit Chablis Sur Le Clos but still a bit minty and awkward. This dry, stony wine finishes with a lemony streak.”–Stephen Tanzer
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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More Exciting Arrivals, Friday and Beyond…
We have more cool stuff coming in that can be neatly contained in a series of features, so forgive us this motley assortment of wines—everything in this list was way too cool to leave out of the newsletter. At the end of the list, we’ll also throw in some things arriving in a few weeks, as well.
Arriving Friday:
Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Veneto 2009 ($89.95) $73.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Valpolicella Classico is a wine of pedigree and depth. The blend is Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara, and other loose odds and ends found in the vineyards. Half the grapes are pressed as fresh fruit. The other half sees a brief two-month appassimento. The two are blended and macerated on the leftover skins of Amarone. The wine then goes into botte grande for six years and bottle for an additional six months for full integration. This classic vintage shows sweet fruit and black spice with lingering sweetness on the close. The wine imparts a round and slightly sweet flavor profile with earthy end notes of spice and campfire ash.”
VinopolNote: Giuseppe Quintarelli, the “Master of the Veneto,” established a fantastic reputation as the benchmark producer in the Veneto in the northeast of Italy and the inspiration for and instructor of many well-known producers in the region, including Romano Dal Forno. When he passed away at the age of 84 in 2012, he left behind a sixty-year legacy as the stalwart supporter of a traditional and conscientious approach to winemaking. His family now follows in his footsteps as the managers of the estate. Giuseppe’s attention to detail and quality in the vineyard and during the long process of winemaking are what set him apart. He encouraged drastically small yields and trained the vines in the traditional Pergola Veronese system. The Valpolicellas are intense with structure, finesse and great aging potential. Due to the limited production levels, the exacting production methods requiring almost a decade before release, and the high demand for these wines, they are often difficult to find.
R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-12 R.H. Coutier Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($719.95) $519 pre-arrival special (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Coutier’s 2008 Brut Grand Cru is interesting to taste next to the Grands Vintages. Here the brightness, focus and tension of the 2008 vintage are front and center. Lemon peel, white, flowers, mint and chalky notes infuse this bright, finely sculpted Champagne. The interplay of Ambonnay Pinot with Chardonnay, along with the chiseled style of the year adds up a compelling and absolutely delicious bottle of Champagne. I very much like the sense of energy here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Raul Perez Ultreia de Valtuille, Bierzo 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2014 Ultreia de Valtuille was very open and expressive, impressive too, with notes of freshness, blood orange, red cherries and also flowers (violets, lilies) and an earthy touch. It’s elegant and complex, with very fine tannins and a velvety sensation. As with all the reds, the oak is unnoticeable, perfectly integrated and folded into the wine.”
Merry Edwards Olivet Lane Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2014 750ML ($99.95) $75 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2014 Pinot Noir Olivet Lane offers an earthy nose of underbrush, moss, dusty soil and truffles over notes of crushed Bing cherries and cranberries, plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium-bodied, elegant and fresh in the mouth, the red berry and earth flavors are well-supported by chewy tannins and give a nice long finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arriving Wednesday, September 13th:
France:
Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2014 750ML ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special
Burghound 95 points “An even more elegant nose of spicy and floral red and black pinot fruit is nuanced by subtle traces of sandalwood, Asian-style tea, soy and anise. There is fine concentration to the relatively powerful sappy and mouth coating flavors that are shaped by wonderfully fine-grained tannins on the hugely long, balanced and moderately austere finale. This terrific and notably powerful effort is also quite silky yet it should have zero difficulty rewarding at least 15 to 20 years of cellar time.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93-96 points “(100% vendange entier; 80% new oak): Deep red-ruby. Alluring aromas of black raspberry, licorice and minerals show a noble, deep vegetal nuance that reminded me of a young Romanée-Conti. The youthfully unevolved middle palate displays the depth, pliancy and freshness of the vintage at its best. Finishes extremely long and ripely tannic, with palate-saturating sweetness and mineral pungency. These 90-year-old vines were originally planted by the father of Robert Arnoux, according to Pascal, who added that the estate’s vines in Suchots are even older, at 94.”
Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Les Suchots, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2014 750 ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Burghound 93-95 points “On the nose it’s as though the Reignots and Suchots have switched places as this is much, much more restrained with its intensely floral red berry and spice suffused nose that merges seamlessly into impressively rich and full-bodied middle weight flavors that possess just a hint of minerality on the hugely long and palate staining finish. This lightly austere and beautifully well-balanced effort is an obvious wine of class and grace.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 points “(100% vendange entier; 80% new oak; from a healthy crop of 42 hectoliters per hectare):Bright red-ruby. A touch of reduction mostly dissipated to reveal classic Suchots scents of black raspberry, Oriental spices, flowers and fresh herbs, plus an intriguing note of paprika. Wonderfully silky, plush, generous wine with sneaky inner-mouth energy. The wine’s sweet oak component will need a few years to harmonize with its fruits and flowers. Finishes with terrific length and substantial ripe tannins. This should ultimately make a wonderfully complete Burgundy.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chateau La Vieille Cure, Fronsac 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2014 La Vieille Cure is soft, supple and radiant throughout. Succulent red cherry, sweet tobacco, raspberry and flowers all flesh out in a deep, expressive Fronsac endowed with real class. Bright fruit-toned fruit and lively acids give the 2014 its distinctive personality. The interplay of succulent fruit and lifted aromatics is compelling.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Ripe and structured, this sports a vivid core of cassis and plum that races along, with fine-grained structure and light anise, bay and chalk notes hanging in the background. The long finish has cut and drive, with the cassis accent pushing through with determination. Rock-solid. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2018 through 2026.”
Chateau de Pressac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “A gorgeous wine, the 2014 de Pressac is dark, bold and voluptuous. Dark cherry, plum, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, lavender, sage and licorice all run through it. Deeply expressive, pliant and succulent, the 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring. The dark, flamboyant style works beautifully here.The blend is 69% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon plus dollops of Malbec and Carmenère. Tasted two times.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italy:
Tenuta di Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95 points “Lots of balsamic and dried-cherry character. Full-bodied, rich and silky with beautiful fruit and intensity. Long and flavorful. Gorgeous wine. One of best from here in a long time.”
Passopisciaro ‘Passorosso’ Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 97 points “Bright red-ruby. The captivating nose combines strawberry, raspberry, minerals, violet and flint aromas. Creamy-sweet but amazingly light on its feet, offering palate-staining, perfumed flavors of soft red berries, ripe red cherry, vanilla, aromatic herbs and crushed rock. Rich, ripe and suave, but displays a penetrating, saline and energetic quality that gives this beauty a three-dimensional mouthfeel and a light-on-its-feet quality. Finishes with great length and wonderfully polished tannins. Absolute knockout wine: from a memorable vintage on Etna, this is most likely the best Passorosso ever (in earlier vintages, it used to be called simply Passopisciaro). Mainly Nerello Mascalese.”
Spain:
Remelluri Granja Nuestra Senora de Remulleri Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($99.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “I was really blown away by the 2010 Granja Remelluri Gran Reserva, their take on more classical Rioja; IT is aged in oak for a longer time, but not without having selected grapes from their very best plots that would benefit from the extended élevage. The varietal composition is approximately 75% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 5% Graciano. Like all of the wines here, it fermented in small stainless steel and oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and then matured in oak barrels for some 26 months. The nose is full of flowers, blood orange, sweet spices, violet pastille and curry. It’s very aromatic and perfumed, with the herbs that you find in the Remelluri mountains, rosemary especially. It is extremely attractive, with a nose that makes you go back to it over and over again. This is still very young, but terribly balanced. The tannins are refined and there is a fine thread of acidity going through its core and lifting it up. This could very well be the best vintage of Granja so far. And having seen the improvements in the vineyards, my feeling is that the best is yet to come.”
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