12/7/15
Golfer’s Gift: Jack Nicklaus; Staff Picks; New Week, New Arrivals; Champagne Magnums; Gift Certificates; DozenDeals: Rhone Valley; Gift Guide: Rare Washington Wines
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Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear
A Gift for Golfers!
Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear Reserve, Napa Valley 2010 1.5L ($399.95) $99 special, 6 magnums available
Case-6 Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear Reserve, Napa Valley 2010 1.5L ($1,199.95) $519 special, 2 6-packs available
Vinopolnotes- Jack Nicklaus Wines, a line of handcrafted, limited-production wines from California’s famed Napa Valley is a partnership between Terlato Wines and golf legend Jack Nicklaus and his family. The Golden Bear Reserve Commemorative Series was inspired by the 50th anniversary of Jack’s first major championship. Each year for the next 18 years, Nicklaus wines will release a single limited-edition 1.5-liter bottle Napa Valley red blend to celebrate each one of Nicklaus’ major championships. Produced by Terlato Wine Group, each release will be limited to 1,000 bottles and each bottle will be packaged in an individual wooden display box and accompanied by a letter from Jack that includes his reflections on that major victory.
Both are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
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Staff Picks
Peter Lauer Ayler Kupp Kabinett Fass 8 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This Kabinett Riesling from Peter Lauer is loaded with hedonistic displays of lime zest and fresh green herbs alongside a light, elegant sweetness. While the Barrel X 2014 is all lean minerals, this Kabinett really shows off the opulent citrusy notes Riesling can offer with the same lightness in body on the palate.
– Suzanne
Passopisciaro Contrada S Sciaranuova, Sicily 2011 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 6 bottles available
Let me tell you about a beautiful wine. The first time I discovered this wine was in a blind tasting and I was dead sure that what I was drinking was Barolo. Its perfumed leather nose, dusted with violets and herbs, and topped with a handful of ripe cherries. To my surprise the wine was made with 100% Nerello Mascalese.
Andrea Frachetti’s Passopisciaro estate sits on the active and steep slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily where he tends to his Nerello Mascalese grapes. These grapes are thin skinned and dark and recent DNA tests suggest they are an offspring to Sangiovese.
The 2011 single vineyard Contrada ‘Sciaranuova’ is a tiny 1.5 acre plot comprised of 80 year old vines giving off intense complexity. It is a rich and fleshy wine with a nose of cherries and herbs and a balanced grip of tannin. It’s easily drinkable right now can age for at least 10 years. Pair this with some foraged mushroom and linguini in a San Marzano sauce.
– Tara
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut NV (2011) 750ML ($79.95) $47 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Champagne, to me, is too often a mere flash in the pan. The bottle empties, the coupes overflow; the glass clinks, the bubbles rush along the tongue; it’s all gone too fast! Vouette et Sorbee, thankfully, make Champagnes to savor and to contemplate.
This bottle reads like capital-w Wine, to be snooty about it. The bright-fruited nose conjures up thought of light reds from the Loire as the bubbles coat the palate and deliver this brilliant mix acid-tinged cranberries, sun-soaked lemons, and an enduring finish. There’s something electric about it, and a little daring – ‘Cuvee Fidele’ pushes gently at the boundaries of everything we’ve grown comfortable with in terms of bubbly. Gently, though – it’s a surprising, refreshing, well-integrated bottle of wine. One to swirl, to savor, and to saber. ‘Tis the season, n’est-ce pas?
– Tyler
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New Week, New Arrivals
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine Bart Marsannay Chardonnay Musque Les Favieres 2013 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bart Bourgogne Rouge 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 89 points “Black cherry, floral and earth flavors are married to a rich texture, underlined by vibrant acidity and light tannins. Fine length. Drink now through 2018” WS
Domaine Bart “Les Ouzeloy” Marsannay Rouge 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Rich, with black cherry, black currant, violet and mineral flavors, this is flavorful and smooth. The vibrant structure and fine harmony carry through the long finish. Best from 2017 through 2027. 75 cases made.”
Domaine Bart “Les Grands Vignes” Marsannay Rouge 2013 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Burghound 89-91 points “Outstanding top value. Reduction presently dominates the nose and renders it unreadable. By contrast there is good punch and freshness to the velvety and very round medium-bodied flavors that also possess plenty of structure-buffering sap before concluding in a persistent and impressively complex finish. This concentrated and serious effort should age very well and is recommended.” BH
Domaine Bart Fixin 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Candied cherry, raspberry, licorice and mineral flavors mark this succulent style. Though elegant, this shows depth and fine length. Best from 2016 through 2023. 200 cases made.”
Domaine Bart Les Hervelets, Fixin Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Burghound 89-91 points “A softly spicy nose displays notes of plum, violets and plenty of earth. The rich, round and delicious middle weight flavors are finer than those of the Fixin villages though here too there is a note of rusticity on the balanced, persistent and focused finale. This is worth checking out as well, particularly for value.” BH
Domaine Bart Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($179.95) $159 special
Burghound 92-94 points “Here the layered nose is much more restrained with more subtle spice elements on the aromas of green tea, plum and floral scents. The powerful and concentrated flavors possess a robust and muscular mouth feel though without any overt rusticity before terminating in a mouth coating and almost painfully intense finish. This will also need at least 8 to 10 years of cellar time first though like the Bèze it should be capable of amply rewarding 12 to 15.” BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Bart Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($199.95) $169 special
Burghound 92-94 points “An exuberantly spicy nose combines notes of plum, dark currant, violets and underbrush. There is terrific intensity and a lovely minerality to the ripe and well-delineated medium weight plus flavors that are shaped by firm but not hard tannins on the balanced, long and impressively complex finale. This should drink well after 8 to 10 years of bottle age though it is unlikely to reach its full peak until 12 to 15 years have passed.” BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $175.99
OREGON
Ayres Lewis Rogers Lane Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Winery note “If our vineyard could speak, this bottle is what it would say. All of our producing clones are represented in this superbly elegant Estate Pinot Noir. Lewis Rogers Lane is always a crowd pleaser.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $36
Ayres Pioneer Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “Big and bold and earthy and fruity in a brambly kind of way! Once a Pioneer fan, always a Pioneer fan. Those who like their Pinots to live large like Pioneer. It is named for a family member who endured the Oregon Trail in 1860. This wine could have stood up to that kind of journey.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $42
WASHINGTON
Case-6 Long Shadows Vintners Collection, Columbia Valley MV 750ML ($399.95) $319 special
Contains one 750ML bottle each of Long Shadows’ six acclaimed red wines, packaged together in a beautifully etched wood box.
2013 Pirouette, 2013 Feather, 2013 Pedestal, 2013 Sequel, 2013 Saggi, 2012 Chester-Kidder
CALIFORNIA
Turley Wine Cellars Ueberroth Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
*Not available online. Please call or email to order
Robert Parker 95 points “Consistently spectacular in the capable, meticulous winemaking hands at Turley Cellars, the 2013 Zinfandel Ueberroth Vineyard comes from one of the oldest Zinfandel vineyards in California (planted in 1885). The ungrafted, head-trained vines from steep limestone slopes just down the road from Justin Smith’s Saxum Winery have produced a monster and a fascinating Zinfandel in 2013. Coming in at 15.8% alcohol, the wine displays deep black raspberry and black cherry fruit, hints of crushed rock, and fresh acidity that is no doubt attributable to the pH of the limestone soils. The wine, in spite of its relatively lofty alcohol, comes across as remarkably elegant, concentrated, and stunningly proportioned. This full-bodied tour de force in Zinfandel winemaking should drink well for a decade or more.” RP
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Moet & Chandon Dom Perignon Rose 2002 750ML ($399.95) $299 special
*The Luminous Collection Label
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 98 points “The 2002 Brut Rose explodes from the glass with endless layers of huge, voluptuous fruit, A big, full-bodied wine, the 2002 is probably the most overly vinous, intense Rose ever made by long-time Chef de Caves Richard Geoffroy. Layers of cool, insistent minerality balance the fruit beautifully on the crystalline, vivid finish. The 2002 will be nearly impossible to resist young, but take my word for it; the wine is extremely closed right now. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2032.” AG
Krug Grande Cuvee NV 750ML ($189.95) $149 special
Krug Grande Cuvee Gold Box NV 750ML ($199.95) $159 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Rich, with smoky hints of roasted almond and toasted brioche, this crystalline Champagne offers a finely detailed mousse that carries the firm, citrusy acidity and flavors of patisserie apple, spun honey and tangy black cherry, accented by subtle, aromatic hints of ground cumin and clove, bergamot and chamomile. Disgorged August 2013. Drink now through 2027.” WS
Thierry Triolet Cuvee Grande Reserve Blanc de Blancs NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(11 g/l dosage): Pale gold. Intense citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complicated by notes of honeysuckle, tarragon and iodine. Chewy tangerine and pear skin flavors become silkier and spicier with aeration. Shows a seductive floral quality on the clinging finish, which features a dusty mineral nuance and a touch of buttered toast.” JR
Benoit Déhu Cuvée La Rue des Noyers Extra Brut NV (2011) 750ML ($199.95) $99 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Benoit Déhu’s NV (2011) Cuvée La Rue des Noyers is one of the most impressive wines I tasted this year. A vivid and crystalline Champagne, the Cuvée La Rue des Noyers possesses stunning depth, intensity and volume. The green notes of the vintage are present, but they are pretty much buried by the opulence of the fruit. Mint, savory herbs and crushed flowers are some of the many notes that are laced into a finish gently shaped by vinification in oak. What a gorgeous expression of Pinot Meunier this is. Dosage is 1 gram per liter”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut NV (2011) 750ML ($79.95) $47 special
Winery note “[Translated] Our desire as a domaine is to remain discreet stylistically while genuinely showcasing the character of each vintage. Cuvee Fidele does so by definition. This wine shows all of the vinous flavors of Pinot Noir with expressions of limestone (a sign of the pure Kimmeridgian soil) and persistent aromas due to vinification completely in wood.”
Vinopolnote- 100% Pinot Noir; no reviews yet on this 2011 edition. Antonio Galloni found 94 points of pleasures in the 2010: “The Extra Brut Fidèle bursts from the glass with an exciting melange of aromas and flavors. The Pinot is very much alive in the glass in a rich, textured Champagne loaded with class and elegance. Dried pears, marzipan, dried flowers and licorice flesh beautifully. This striking wine from Vouette et Sorbée is oozing with personality. Disgorged: October 30, 2012.” The 2008 & 2009 also 94 & 93 points respectively.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $56
The average price is $74
Larmandier-Bernier ‘Longitude’ Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Extra Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $44 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “(mostly from Vertus, with some fruit sourced from the grand crus Cramant, Avize and Oger; 4 g/l dosage): Bright straw. Intensely perfumed bouquet displays aromas of green apple, Anjou pear and quinine, plus a strong chalky mineral overtone. Spicy citrus and orchard fruit flavors are complemented by deeper notes of sweet butter, toasty lees and anise, gaining power with air. Impressively focused on the finish, with strong mineral cut and lingering spiciness.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Blanc de Blancs Non-Dose Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Larmandier-Bernier Les Chemins d’Avize Grand Cru Extra Brut 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2010 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d’Avize bristles with a real sense of energy. Bright, focused and linear, the 2010 races across the palate with a bevy of lemon peel, grapefruit, mint and white pepper. The flavors are precise and lifted in a finely sculpted, crystalline Champagne that impresses with its exceptional balance. The Chemins d’Avize is a blend of fruit from the Chemin de Plivot and Chemin de Flavigny lieux-dits, which were previously used in the Longitude, fermented and aged in a combination of neutral barriques and foudres. Dosage is 2 grams/liter.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
“The 2013 Bourgogne Blanc has plenty of light citrus fruit and orange blossom scents on the nose. The palate is fresh and clean with crisp lime and green apple notes, leading to a light, easy-drinking finish….” Wine Advocate
Domaine Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2007 1.5L ($499.95) $399 special
David Schildknecht- Wine Advocate 94 points “De la Moriniere is always at pains to caution that his white “shuts down” for several years soon after bottling, but in that case I must have tasted his 2007 Corton-Charlemagne before that happened. Cooling herbal, restrained floral and bitter-sweet hints of black currant and citrus rind on the nose lead to a luscious tide of ripe yellow plum, white peach, lime, and grapefruit tinged with chalk, salt, and iodine. A silken texture in no way diminishes the impression of clarity and refreshment. Faintly honeyed and nut oil notes add a sense of richness and depth in a finish of utmost purity of refreshing fruit; clarity to mineral nuances; and vibratory energy. When one compares the 2006 side-by-side today, the latter does indeed show a more overt stoniness and – for all of its textural richness and additional amplitude – suffers slightly in comparison with such fresh fruit vivacity as accrues to the 2007. But either of these contrasting reflections of a great site should be well worth following for more than a decade.” DS
Domaine Bart Marsannay Chardonnay Musque Les Favieres 2013 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Bart Bourgogne Rouge 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 89 points “Black cherry, floral and earth flavors are married to a rich texture, underlined by vibrant acidity and light tannins. Fine length. Drink now through 2018” WS
Domaine Bart “Les Ouzeloy” Marsannay Rouge 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Rich, with black cherry, black currant, violet and mineral flavors, this is flavorful and smooth. The vibrant structure and fine harmony carry through the long finish. Best from 2017 through 2027. 75 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Bart “Les Grands Vignes” Marsannay Rouge 2013 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Burghound 89-91 points “Outstanding top value. Reduction presently dominates the nose and renders it unreadable. By contrast there is good punch and freshness to the velvety and very round medium-bodied flavors that also possess plenty of structure-buffering sap before concluding in a persistent and impressively complex finish. This concentrated and serious effort should age very well and is recommended.” BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Bart Fixin 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Candied cherry, raspberry, licorice and mineral flavors mark this succulent style. Though elegant, this shows depth and fine length. Best from 2016 through 2023. 200 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Bart Les Hervelets, Fixin Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Burghound 89-91 points “A softly spicy nose displays notes of plum, violets and plenty of earth. The rich, round and delicious middle weight flavors are finer than those of the Fixin villages though here too there is a note of rusticity on the balanced, persistent and focused finale. This is worth checking out as well, particularly for value.” BH
Domaine Bart Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($179.95) $159 special
Burghound 92-94 points “Here the layered nose is much more restrained with more subtle spice elements on the aromas of green tea, plum and floral scents. The powerful and concentrated flavors possess a robust and muscular mouth feel though without any overt rusticity before terminating in a mouth coating and almost painfully intense finish. This will also need at least 8 to 10 years of cellar time first though like the Bèze it should be capable of amply rewarding 12 to 15.” BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Bart Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($199.95) $169 special
Burghound 92-94 points “An exuberantly spicy nose combines notes of plum, dark currant, violets and underbrush. There is terrific intensity and a lovely minerality to the ripe and well-delineated medium weight plus flavors that are shaped by firm but not hard tannins on the balanced, long and impressively complex finale. This should drink well after 8 to 10 years of bottle age though it is unlikely to reach its full peak until 12 to 15 years have passed.” BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $175.99
FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Pascal Granger Beaujolais Villages ‘La Jacarde’ Beaujolais Blanc 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Producer note “The only white wine produced at this domaine, the Beaujolais Blanc is sourced from vines in the village of Leynes just south of the villages of Chaintré and Fuissé, a notable area for the production of wines produced from the Chardonnay grape. This single vineyard site of “La Jacarde” is planted to old vines and was formerly part of the Domaine Bernard Dalicieux, the first Beaujolais producer to grace the RWM portfolio. Upon Dalicieux’s retirement, we helped arrange the purchase of this prestigious vineyard site by Pascal Granger. The wine, vinified in stainless steel, is dry with citrus and almond notes, not as flamboyant nor as powerful as the best of the wines from the neighboring appellations of Pouilly-Fuissé and Saint Véran but quite distinguished and satisfying nonetheless.”
FRANCE-RHONE
Domaine de La Janasse Cotes du Rhone Reserve 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
“A ripe, fruit-driven style, with raspberry and plum pâte de fruit flavors, backed by a lively red licorice note. Drink now.”–Wine Spectator
Cave Yves Cuilleron Syrah Les Candives, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “Selection of the best vines in Chavanay. ‘Les Candives’ is not a district but the local name for Syrah. The grapes are hand-picked, then sorted, destemmed and crushed. Alcoholic-fermented in open vats. Macerated for about 2 weeks. Fermented with native yeasts. Matures 8 months in barriques.”
Domaine la Remejeanne Cotes du Rhone Les Arbousiers 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Vinopolpick- old school Rhone, balanced and pure.
FRANCE-LOIRE
Caves Louis de Grenelle Cremant de Loire Platine Brut NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
“A plump sparkler, with a light kiss of brioche around the pear and green apple flavors. A white ginger hint shows on the friendly finish. Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.”–Wine Spectator
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Clos Roche Blanche Touraine Cuvee Pif 2014 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
VinopolNote: This is the final vintage as the winemakers have retired.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Marc Deschamps Pouilly-Fume Vinealis 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Importer note “In the best of vintages, Marc Deschamps isolates the grapes from the oldest vines in the Champs de Cri vineyard (60 plus years of age as of 2012) which sits on the classic kimmeridgian marne of this region and vinifies a small amount of wine in barrel (4 to 8 barrels or 1200 to 2400 bottles in the vintages when it is produced). Both fermentation and elevage occur in small oak barrels between one and five years of age with extensive lees contact. This produces a broad, rich wine which maintains a lively acidity in the finish; it is round and fleshy with a hint of menthol and citrus on the palate. 600 or so bottles are allocated to us for the US market.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $40.94
ITALY-TUSCANY
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $78 special
#4 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2015
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a striking wine that shows uncompromising varietal pureness, albeit in a most concentrated and elaborate form. This is what great Sangiovese is all about. There’s so much happening on the nose and the wine brings you to cherry, spice, licorice, cured meat, pressed rose and grilled meat in equal measure. No one element overpowers the next. The mouthfeel is also tight and bright with the kind of fruit intensity that promises long cellar aging. This Brunello is only at the beginning of a long road ahead. The longer the wine stays in the glass, the more it offers in terms of complexity and intensity. This is a true standout that can be enjoyed for up to 20 years ahead.” ML
Wine Spectator 95 points “Rich, with excellent density, ripe cherry and plum fruit, and a well-integrated structure. Licorice, earth and tobacco notes add depth while this cruises to a long, tobacco- and mineral-tinged finish. Shows balance and grip. Best from 2018 through 2033.”
Fattoria dei Barbi Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $44.50 special
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of burnt orange peel and cherry with hints of dried bark and mahogany. Full-bodied and very tight and dense, with a beautiful fruit, tannin and acid balance. Finesse and strength. Best wine from here for ages. Needs until 2018 to show its true quality.” JS
Wine Advocate 94 points “Fattoria dei Barbi’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino starts with a tightly wound personality that begins to unravel slowly, one delicate layer at a time. As it does, you become aware of dried fruit, cigar box, crushed mineral, plum, tar and cola. The wine puts on a beautiful display. I also loved the mouthfeel of this beautiful wine: It is tonic, tight and brimming with energy. Well-integrated oak notes give the wine a spot of softness and velvety spice. This is one beautiful Sangiovese.” ML
ITALY-PIEDMONT
Deltetto Roero 2011 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Vinopolpick- 100% Nebbiolo; and in this vintage, Barbaresco-like.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Michele Reverdito Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Michele Reverdito Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($319.95) $259 special
Importer Notes “Michele Reverdito is what they call a “rising star” winemaker in Barolo. His winery is based in La Morra, a hill town that sits high above Barolo. Michele Reverdito works with two acres of Dolcetto d’Alba, two of Barbera d’Alba, five of Lange Nebbiolo and eighteen acres of Barolo, all stretching along the steep road to Verduno in the villages of La Morra and Serralunga d’Alba. Michele prides himself on using traditional, “old school,” methods to make his wines. These include hand harvesting and sorting and the use of wild yeasts and 1,000 liter barrels to age the wines.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $31
Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2008 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “One of the absolute highlights in this portfolio of utterly amazing wines, the 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Asili possesses marvelous depth and richness, but also little of the early approachability and sexiness of Asili. With time in the glass, the wine’s inner perfume gradually emerges, but ultimately this is a Barbaresco to bury in the deepest corner of the cellar. Once again, the Produttori have done a fabulous job with the Asili. The 2008 has nerves of steel and a huge, never-ending finish. It is by far the most imposing and structured Asili I have ever tasted from the Produttori. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.” AG
Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2008 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico hits the palate with a blast of fruit intermingled with copious acidity and pure structure. Montefico shares a boundary with Ovello, and shows many of the structural elements typically associated with that side, but with more depth in its fruit, probably because of the southern exposure. The high altitude of these parcels ensures there is plenty of freshness and vibrancy. The Montefico is dazzling, but it will require considerable patience. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2048” AG
Produttori del Barbaresco Paje, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2008 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Paje wraps around the palate with layers of dark fruit, spices and menthol. Today, the Paje is one of the more open of the 2008 Riservas, but there is plenty going on in the glass. Sweet floral and spiced notes add lift on the finish. As good as the Paje is, it also tends to shut down quickly in the glass. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.” WA
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2008 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is utterly magnificent in this vintage. Usually a powerhouse, the 2008 is incredibly refined to the point it seems to literally hover on the palate. It is a wine of exquisite grace and beauty. All the elements are in place. I could describe the aromas and flavors, but that would be doing this majestic Barbaresco a huge disservice. Ultimately, the 2008 Rabaja, is all about textural finesse and pure elegance. This is another breathtaking wine from the Produttori. A king among kings. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048”
ITALY-ALTO ADIGE/FRUILI
i Clivi di Ferdinando Zanusso Brazzano di Cormons ‘Clivi Brazan’ Collio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2001 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
James Suckling 94 points “This is a wonderful white with flint, dried apple and pineapple character. Full body, tangy acidity and a mineral and dried fruit finish. Reminds me of great dry white Bordeaux with age. Pure Friulano. Amazing old white. Drink now.” JS
GERMANY
Schloss Saarstein Pinot Blanc, Mosel 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
“The early picked 2013 Pinot Blanc offers a Saar-typical clarity and spicy/fresh slate aromas along with pears and just ripe apples on the nose. Medium-bodied, lean and elegant, with green-apple-skin flavors on the palate, this is a rather small and short Pinot Blanc, but it still has Saar character.”–Wine Advocate
This is the only listing in the USA today!
AUSTRIA
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steinriesler Riesling, Wachau 2002 750ML ($119.95) $88 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $96.99
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2012 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling Steiner Hund Reserve Riesling, Wachau 2010 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 95 points “The nose here fascinates in a distinctively Nikolaihof manner. Elusive suggestions of moss and lichen on wet stone, mothball and salt spray, along with herbal and floral essences introduce a palate performance that adds to their presence roasted peanut, white asparagus, almond and pear for an effect at once satiny and soothing, juicy and subtly piquant. The combination of mouthwatering salinity and mineral intrigue to the nearly endless finish resembles a mouthful of oyster with its green innards and briny liquor. This remarkable libation was bottled in the spring of 2014.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2010 Riesling Steiner Hund is a pure and cool, rather vegetal than fruity flavored Riesling with flinty notes along with aromas of fennel seeds and celery. Still very young, restrained and edgy on the palate, this full-bodied, very pure and mineral wine with its firm and long, tension-filled structure does not show any flesh or juiciness at the moment. However, I wouldn’t call it ascetic, just a little bit drying. This densely woven Riesling is much too rich and too electrifying in the mouth and too long and powerful in the finish to end up as a joyless wine. However, I suppose this promising, firmly structured long-distance runner will never get that round and juicy, but will remain a vital and scraggy (in a positive sense) wine for many years. I would keep it for another 7-10 years before I retaste it again.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
SPAIN
Sarmiento Cuatro Pasos Bierzo 2011 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(all mencia; made in stainless steel): Bright purple. Smoke- and mineral-accented dark berry and licorice scents are lifted by a peppery quality. Spicy and precise, offering tangy black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a silky texture. The minerally quality sharpens the long, tactile finish, which features dusty tannins and a note of allspice.” JR
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Champagne Magnums
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill 2000 1.5L ($519.95) $449 special, 11 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The first thing that is evident about the 2000 Brut Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill is its finesse and total silkiness. The 2000 is a rich, creamy and deeply expressive Winston Churchill. I don’t see the 2000 being an especially long-term ager, but it is wonderfully radiant and open today. Hints of pastry, spice, apricots and succulent ripe pears blossom on the expansive, broad-shouldered finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.” AG
A. Margaine Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut 2006 1.5L ($159.95) $137 special, 1 magnum available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Light gold. White peach, pear, smoky minerals and buttered toast on the sexy, highly perfumed nose. At once rich and lithe, with crackling minerality giving lift and verve to the wine’s intense pit and orchard fruit flavors. Sappy, fine-grained and pure, finishing long and precise, with hints of licorice and iodine.”
Demarne-Frison Goustan Brut Nature NV 1.5L ($149.95) $99 special, 4 magnums available
Distributor note “50% pinot noir from Les Clos de la Cote, 50% Chardonnay from Les Cotannes, and all from 2007. As the bulk of a tiny production from a new producer Goustan is a superb first effort, showing a hearty core with vibrant acidity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Gaston Chiquet Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs d’Ay Brut 2005 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 4 magnums available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Green-tinged gold. Exuberant pear, white peach and honey on the nose, with anise, cherry pit and mineral qualities adding complexity. Zesty mineral-accented orchard and pit fruit flavors show very good depth and clarity, picking up a smoky element with air. Finishes sappy, broad and long, with repeating minerality and a hint of smokiness. Disgorged in October, 2013 and bottled exclusively in magnums.” JR
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Guy Charlemagne Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru Reserve Brut NV 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 9 magnums available
Guy Charlemagne Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru Reserve Brut NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 21 bottles available
Guy Charlemagne Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru Reserve Brut NV 375ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 8 half-bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(made with fruit from the Cote de Blancs, mostly from Mesnil-sur-Oger): Light yellow. Vibrant lemon, orange zest, jasmine and mineral scents are complemented by deeper notes of anise and buttered toast. Spreads out nicely on the palate, offering lively citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a touch of bitter quinine. Closes smooth and long, with echoing minerality and a touch of bitter pear skin. There’s very good depth here, as well as verve.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut NV 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 1 magnum available
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $38 special, 7 bottles available
Case-12 Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 1 case available (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “80% 2010 wine, 10% 2009, 4% 2008, 5% 2007 and 1% 2002; disgorged in May, 2013 after 30 months on its lees): Green-tinged yellow. Intense, mineral-accented aromas of orange zest, pear and white flowers, with an iodiney quality building in the glass. Chewy in texture and nicely concentrated, offering precise citrus and bitter quinine flavors and a strong topnote of dusty minerals. Finishes clean, bright and very long, with lingering chalkiness. This would make a superb match with fresh oysters or crab.” ST
Rene Geoffroy Extra Brut Millesime 2002 1.5L ($319.95) $279 special, 2 magnums available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous Media 94 points “Light, bright gold. Peach nectar, poached pear, passion fruit, smoky lees and white flowers on the perfumed nose. Chewy orchard and pit fruit flavors are broad and palate-staining, with a late note of Meyer lemon adding lift and cut. Finishes with lingering honey, lees and vanilla notes and excellent clarity.” JR
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2002 Extra Brut Millesime is a rich, broad shouldered wine graced with tons of fruit. Vinification in French oak barriques gives the wine considerable depth, volume and spiciness. Layers of ripe, expressive varietal fruit flow from this rich, dramatic Champagne. A caressing, multi-dimensional finish rounds things out in style. As good as this is – and it is outstanding – I prefer Geoffroy’s wines made in steel. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Meunier, with 2 grams per liter of dosage”WA
Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier d’Or Premier Cru Brut 2007 1.5L ($299.95) $239 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Spectator 94 points “A skein of ground spice unravels through flavors of black cherry coulis, crème de cassis, honeycomb and brioche in this elegant version. Mouthwatering acidity and a lightly chalky texture push through to the lasting finish. Drink now through 2025.” WS
Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier d’Or Premier Cru Brut 2008 1.5L ($299.95) $279 special, 5 magnums available
Wine Advocate 94 points “An 80-20 Chardonnay-Pinot blend from a single 45-year-old vineyard planted solely to selection massale in Rilly, Vilmart’s 2008 Brut Grand Cellier d’Or is scented with gentian and iris, along with intimations of the lemony juiciness and the alkaline, saline, chalky mineral bath that follow on the palate. A miso and clam stock-like savor serves for saliva-inducement in a finish at once gripping and glowing, with an exuberantly invigorating meld of lemon, nuts, musky rose radish and diverse sprouts of grains and legumes, not to mention the palate-coating persistence of mineral elements. I imagine that this will prove worth following for the next half dozen or more years.” DS
Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 19 magnums available
Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV 3L ($499.95) $399 special, 3 jerobaums available
Wine Spectator 91 points “Fresh and floral, with dogwood and spring blossom accents, this mouthwatering blanc de blancs offers a lively bead, carrying flavors of white cherry, fresh ginger, slivered almond and yellow plum. Disgorged February 2015. Drink now through 2018. 900 cases imported.” WS
Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale Les Chetillons Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2009 1.5L ($299.95) $269 special, 1 magnum available
Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale Les Chetillons Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2009 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 31 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The flagship 2009 Brut Les Chétillons looks like it will reward readers with a long and broad drinking window of pure pleasure. The warmth of the vintage has given the 2009 Chétillons a bit more mid-palate richness and sweetness than is typical, yet there is plenty of Mesnil drive and precision in the glass. Dense, powerful and explosive, the 2009 hits all the right notes. Best of all, it won’t need years in bottle to come together. Dosage is 4.7 grams/liter. Disgorged: February 2015.”
Egly-Ouriet Tradition Grand Cru Brut 2002 1.5L ($599.95) $445 special, 2 magnums available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “(70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay): Light yellow-gold. Fresh orchard and pit fruits on the deeply scented nose, with notes of musky rhubarb and smoky minerals emerging with air. Deeply pitched poached pear and nectarine flavors show impressive power and are lifted by notes of chalk and ginger. Packs a serious punch but manages to come off as elegant. Finishes very long, with a strong jolt of minerality and slow-building leesiness.” JR
Gaston Chiquet Carte Verte Premier Cru Brut Tradition NV 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 21 magnums available
Gaston Chiquet Carte Verte Premier Cru Brut Tradition NV 375ML ($27.95) $24 special, 22 half-bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Light yellow. Suave, floral aromas of poached pear, blood orange, melon and honey. A dusty mineral quality adds lift to spicy red berry and citrus fruit flavors. Closes nervy and long, with resonating minerality and a touch of gingerbread.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jean Vesselle Oeil de Perdrix Blanc de Noirs Brut NV 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 9 magnums available
Jean Vesselle Oeil de Perdrix Blanc de Noirs Brut NV 375ML ($29.95) $26 special, 36+ half-bottles available
Jean Vesselle Oeil de Perdrix Blanc de Noirs Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 20 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Jean Vesselle’s NV Brut Oeil de Perdrix is fabulous. Rich and textured to the core, the Oeil de Perdrix captures the beauty of Bouzy Pinot to the core. Bright chalky notes give the wine its sense of energy and tension. Red berries, stone fruits, chalk, white pepper and crushed flowers are some of the notes that inform the finish. There is so much to like here” AG
The 375ML and the 1.5L are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
L. Aubry Champagne Brut Premier Cru NV 1.5L ($119.95) $89 special, 12 magnums available
L. Aubry Champagne Brut Premier Cru NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 19 bottles available
Case-12 L. Aubry Brut Premier Cru NV 750ML ($449.95) $349 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $29.08/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright straw. Pungent aromas of Meyer lemon, pear and fig, with a gingery accent adding lift. Sappy, penetrating citrus fruit and floral flavors are given a refreshingly bitter character by notes of pear skin and peach pit, with a waxy note coming up on the back half. A smoky nuance lingers on the finish, which shows very good clarity and length.” ST
The magnum is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jacques Lassaigne ‘La Colline Inspiree’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 5 magnums available
Wine Advocate & Wine Spectator 92 points “Aromatic, featuring apple blossom, bread dough and sous-bois notes, this well-structured version is underscored by a hint of chalk-tinged minerality, with the mouthwatering impression enlivening refined layers of poached apple and pear, crystallized honey, lemon curd and candied ginger. Drink now through 2020.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jacques Lassaigne ‘Le Cotet’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut NV 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The Lassaigne NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Cotet L100713 – from an especially thinly soiled lower-slope parcel – incorporates 10% of older reserve wines from barrel with its 2009 base, 10% of which was also aged in barrel. Apple and grapefruit offer aromatic pungency and exuberant juiciness on the palate, but this cuvee is dominated by stony, saline, chalky and otherwise mineral elements. Toasted nuts, incisive cress and a twist of lemon rind lend invigoration; musky notes intrigue; and maritime salinity milks the salivary glands in a long, mouth-coating finish. The Montgueux-typical sense of overt density manages not to weigh down the wine or sap its formidable sense of energy and vivacity. This should prove enormously versatile at table over the next 3-5 years.” DS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Maillart Brut Platine Degorgement Tardif NV 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 6 magnums available
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DozenDeals: Rhone Valley Edition
A great way to start a cellar, watch a wine develop over time, or design an event around a theme!
Case-12 Vignobles Brunier Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau Blanc 2013 750ML ($699.95) $599 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $49.92/bottle!)
Vignobles Brunier Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau Blanc 13 750ML ($79.95) $53.50 special, 24 bottles available
Vignobles Brunier Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau Blanc 2013 1.5L ($159.95) $99 special, 3 magnums available
Wine Spectator 92 points “Very pure, with fennel, white peach, yellow apple and melon rind notes that are racy and nicely detailed, followed by quinine and wet stone accents on the long, unadorned finish. Drink now through 2018.” WS
Case-12 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Trois Cepages 2012 750ML ($279.95) $239 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $19.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone Villages Cuvee Trois Cepages 2012 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “A blend of equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, the 2012 Cotes du Rhone Village Cuvee 3 Cepages also shows the purity and suppleness of the vintage, with ample floral, berry, mint and incense-like qualities flowing to a medium to full-bodied, textured and beautifully balanced feel on the palate. Coming from tiny, tiny yields (we’re talking on the order of 10 hectoliters per hectare), it is a stunning success in the vintage and should evolve gracefully for 7-8 years.” WA
Case-12 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($349.95) $289 special, 1 case available (that’s only $24.08/bottle!)
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Easily one of the top Cotes du Rhones in the vintage, the spectacular 2012 Cotes du Rhone Village Vieilles Vignes, which is a blend of 100% old vine Grenache, aged half in barrel and half in tank, sports off the hook aromas and flavors (garrigue, strawberry, spice), full-bodied richness and a seamless, silky textured that has to be tasted to be believed. Getting more than one “Wow” in my notes, this is one barrel sample I can’t wait to taste from bottle. It should be ready to go on release and evolve gracefully for 7-8 years.” WA
Case-12 Domaine La Barroche Chateauneuf-du-Pape Signature 2012 750ML ($649.95) $619 special, 1 case available (that’s only $51.58/bottle!)
Domaine La Barroche Chateauneuf-du-Pape Signature 2012 750ML ($74.95) $59 special, 10 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “The direct black currant and fig paste notes are underscored with tobacco, tar and roasted alder hints, revealing an echo of Black Forest cake. The finish rumbles along, leaving a dark, slightly muscular feel. Best from 2015 through 2027.” WS
Case-12 Vignobles Brunier Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas Terrasses du Diable 2010 750ML ($479.95) $359 special, 1 case available (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Vignobles Brunier Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas Terrasses du Diable 2010 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 24 bottles available
Vignobles Brunier Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas Terrasses du Diable 2010 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Avocate 93 points “Slightly superior, revealing more minerality and a subtle, incremental building of flavor intensity, the 2010 Gigondas Terrasse du Diable offers lots of black raspberry, kirsch and floral characteristics along with an undeniable crushed rock minerality. Medium to full-bodied and elegant as well as impressively built, rich, pure and beautifully balanced, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 15 years.”
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright ruby-red. A complex, heady bouquet evokes candied red fruits, potpourri and Asian spices. Silky and seamless in texture, offering vibrant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and an exotic touch of blood orange. Anise and herb notes come up with air and carry through a long, bright and focused finish. I underestimated this sexy wine last year.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Case-12 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $24.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 16 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Coming from the sandy, clay soils of the La Louisianne lieu-dit, the 2012 Gigondas Louisiane is made from 80% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah and Cinsault that was vinified in concrete tank and aged 12 months in older foudre. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, ripe and textured, it gives up terrific kirsch, blackberry, toasted spice and cured meat-like aromas and flavors. Of the three Gigondas releases, this was my favorite in 2012, but all of these releases are superb.”
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Gift Ideas for the Wine Lover
Hard-to-Find Bottles, Critics’ Picks,
and Must-Have Wines
Washington State Edition!
Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 97 points “A blend of 48% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc, the 2012 Flying Pig is one of the Bordeaux blends of the vintage. Offering lots of cassis, graphite, chocolate, violet and floral notes, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, fine-grained tannin and stunning length. Like the majority of Christoph’s 2012s, it’s structured, tight and backward, and needs short-term cellaring.” JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “I loved the Merlot dominated 2013 Flying Pig, and it offers full-bodied richness and depth, as well as a stacked mid-palate, to go with classic plum, cassis, wild herbs and dried flower nuances. There’s tons of dry extract here, and the tannin is notable, yet ripe, all of which make me believe it will be long lived. Like the 2012, short-term cellaring will be the name of the game.” JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Structured and backward, the 2012 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard offers lots of framboise, black cherries, bouquet garni and spice to go with a full-bodied, seamless, elegant feel on the palate. It picks up more and more tannin with time in the glass, and needs 3-4 years of cellaring, but should keep for 15 years or more.” JD
Cayuse Horsepower Syrah ‘Sur Echalas’ 2012 750ml ($349.95) $279 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 97 points “Another wine I was able to taste multiple times, the 2012 Syrah Sur Echalas Vineyard is the most voluptuous, sexy and textured of the lineup. Giving up classic, Old World Syrah notes of blackcurrants, black olives, smoked meats, ground pepper and violets, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness and is gorgeous, concentrated and expansiveness on the palate, with plenty of of mid-palate depth and length. The tannin becomes more and more apparent with time in the glass. This needs 3-4 years to round into form, and will keep for 15-20 years. As with all of these 2012s, decant if drinking anytime soon.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards En Cerise Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2008 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2008 En Cerise Vineyard Syrah offers up a remarkably complex, sexy perfume that leaps from the glass. Exotic spices, a velvety texture, and a succulent richness on the palate are sublime. It, too, can be enjoyed for a decade or more.”
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “A subtle, complex, utterly distinctive mix of flavors, with opening streaks of butter cookie, then mushroom broth, tightly wound berry fruit, earthy coffee grounds and even darker streaks of espresso and smoke and licorice. It is deeply layered with flavors that just keep piling on. Amazing wine.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Rich and round, yet amazingly transparent as the cherry, mineral, tar and sassafras flavors expand over the long, expressive palate. This has richness and depth balanced with vibrant acidity, finishing with intensity. Best from 2012 through 2020. 355 cases made.”
DeLille Cellars ‘Four Flags’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 6 bottles available
Case-6 DeLille Cellars ‘Four Flags’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 750ML ($419.95) $359 special,1 half-case available
Case-12 DeLille Cellars ‘Four Flags’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 750ML ($819.95) $659 special 1 case available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The limited production 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Four Flags is an off-the-hook effort. Decadent, layered, unctuous and rich, with classic Cabernet notes of blackcurrants, chocolate, lead pencil, crushed rock and graphite, this awesome 2012 hits the palate with full-bodied richness, no hard edges, a stacked, rich, concentrated mid-palate, and loads of sweet tannin that are almost completely hidden under all of the wine’s fruit and texture. Given the wealth of material here, it’s already hard to resist, but don’t let that fool you, this has the balance, concentration and structure to keep for 2-3 decades. It’s a sensational Cabernet from this team that should not be missed.” WA
The half-case and case are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Betz Family Winery Besoleil, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles available
Betz Family Winery Besoleil, Columbia Valley 2013 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 1 magnum available
92 points Wine Advocate “Bottled last November, the 2013 Grenache Besoleil has slightly more Syrah, with the final blend being 49% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 16% Cinsault, 9% Mourvedre and the rest Counoise. Aged 11 months in a combination of different sized barrels, 25% being new, it’s a elegant, medium to full-bodied, Provencal-styled effort that has lots of sweet red and black fruits, garrigue and hints of cured meats. It’s a total charmer that will have 10-12 years of overall longevity.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
(and the magnums is the only listing!)
Betz Family Winery Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “More Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated, the 2012 Pere de Famille incorporates 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Sporting the standard Bob Betz preferred inky-purple color, this knockout effort has masculine, earthy notes of black currants, smoke, graphite, crushed rock and dusty soil to go with a full-bodied, powerful and focused feel on the palate. Give it 4-5 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following decade or two.” WA
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “(14.5% alcohol; includes 2.5% each Merlot and petit verdot; aged in 70% new oak): Bright red-ruby. Ineffable wild aromas of blackberry, espresso, licorice, pepper, mint tea and cinnamon, complicated by a whiff of game. Boasts an utterly aristocratic texture and great lift but shows little obvious sweetness in the early going. Great incipient complexity to the suave, fine-grained flavors of red fruits, spices, flowers and minerals. More taut and backward on the end than the Clos de Betz but not at all hard, this seriously structured cabernet displays a slow-building, inexorable finish, with tannins buried in flavor.”ST
Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Tasted as a barrel sample and Betz’s take on a right bank Bordeaux, the 2012 Clos de Betz is 67% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot. Inky-purple in color (has anyone seen a Betz wine not inky purple?), if offers impressive cassis, plum liqueur, spring flowers and underbrush-style aromas and flavors to go with a mouth-filling, layered and voluptuous style on the palate. I love the mid-palate here, and the tannin builds through the finish, so, while it should have plenty of up-front appeal, it should also evolve for 15+ years.” WA
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(14.5% alcohol; 66% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% petit verdot): Dark red-ruby. Aromas of blackcurrant, cocoa powder, bitter chocolate, licorice and burnished oak, lifted by a violet topnote. Densely packed but light on its feet, with perfectly integrated acidity energizing the fine-grained flavors of black raspberry, black cherry, cocoa powder and violet. Boasts a rare combination of bullet-proof, youthfully impenetrable tight grain and outstanding floral, white-peppery lift. Superb noble tannins dust the front teeth on the very young, long, juicy finish. An outstanding 2012 blend built for a long and graceful evolution in bottle. This is the first vintage of this wine to include Merlot from DuBrul Vineyard; incidentally, Betz noted that Merlot on Red Mountain was extremely successful in 2012.”ST
Betz Family Winery La Cote Rousse Syrah, Red Mountain 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 16 bottles available
Betz Family Winery La Cote Rousse Syrah, Red Mountain 2013 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Much more mineral driven than the La Serenne release, the 2013 Syrah la Cote Rousse comes all from Red Mountain and is always 100% Syrah. Like the other Syrahs here, it saw 11 months in barrel and won’t be released until the fall of 2015. Exhibiting lots of blackberry, black raspberry, graphite, smoke and crushed rock, it’s beautifully concentrated, has top-notch purity of fruit and a great finish. I love its mid-palate density, and while it has a lot of tannins, they’re nicely integrated into the body of the wine. Give it 2-3 years in the cellar and enjoy bottles through 2033. It should be one of the longest-lived Syrahs in the vintage.” WA
Both are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘The Contender’ Syrah – Marsanne, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Blended with 3% Marsanne, the 2013 Syrah The Contender is still aging in 35% new French oak, some of which are larger puncheons. Showing the purity and focus of the vintage, it gives up lots of cassis, black raspberry, licorice and some meatiness to go with a full-bodied, elegant and fabulously textured feel on the palate. I’m not sure it matches the awesome 2012, but it’s no lightweight and will certainly impress on release and over the following decade.” JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards ‘Foothills in the Sun’ Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 ($89.95) $79 special, 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “Incorporating less stems than the 2012, the 2013 Syrah Foothills Reserve is more masculine and powerful than the Syrah In the Hills. I offers lots of black raspberry, cracked pepper, graphite and dried violet characteristics to go with a full-bodied, seamless, concentration profile on the palate. This is a thrilling Syrah that does everything right, and while it has the fruit and texture to drink nicely now, it will continue to knock your socks off for another 10-12 years.” JD
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Hills Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 27 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2013 Syrah In The Hills is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier and is only the second vintage for this cuvee, which was first made in 2012. Sporting a distinctly northern Rhone style in its peppery herb, olive tapenade, violet and spice filled bouquet, this beauty is medium to full-bodied, elegant and layered, with striking purity of fruit. Reminding me of a quality Cote Rotie, enjoy this beauty over the coming decade.” JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards In The Rocks Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 -95 points “A cofermented blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier, the 2013 Syrah In The Rocks, which saw 25% new oak, is another pretty, layered, medium to full-bodied and elegant 2013 that has perfumed raspberry, pepper, dried herbs and assorted floral aromas and flavors. Juicy and lively, with good acidity, it should be approachable on release and have 10-12 years of overall longevity.” JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards Stonessence Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-96 points “Also lacking some of the weight found in the ’12, the 2013 Syrah Stonessence saw only 5% stem inclusion to go with a similar elevage as the ’12. It’s still full-bodied and concentrated, however, and offers classic raspberry, big minerality, cracked pepper and some Cornas-like iron and bloody notes. Shining for its complexity and elegance, it should merit a score in the upper end of this range if it puts on weight in bottle.” JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Reynvaan Family Vineyards The Unnamed Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 28 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Tasted out of barrel, the 2013 The Unnamed Syrah, which also incorporates 10% Grenache Blanc, has a Pinot Noir vibe in its rose petal, forest floor, kirsch, blackberry and dried herb-laced bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless, I’ve liked past vintages slightly more, but this is still a pretty, elegant Syrah to drink over the coming 8-10 years.” JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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