Vinopolis Newsletter – Monday Bonus 7-20-20

In This Newsletter:

Subscriber Special:
Priorat  Superstar Clos Erasmus


Trending

Arriving Next Month
Andre Neveu’s Epic Sancerre


Arriving in November
Legendary Tawny & Colheita Port from Kopke


Subscriber Special:
Continuum’s Powerhouse Napa Red




Subscriber Special:


Priorat Superstar Clos Erasmus


It seems nearly impossible for any winery to have collected the scores and praise that Clos Erasmus has, while still being available for purchase in the open market.  Since the turn of the century, their flagship wine has scored over 96 points fifteen times—from the Wine Advocate alone!  That’s across multiple critics (Robert Parker to Luis Guitierrez) who have all recognized the impressive class and iconic power of one of Spain’s greatest wines.

Daphne Glorian, who was born in Switzerland, seems an unlikely figure to be a leading winemaker in Priorat.  However, she fell in love with the region, moving there to help revive old vines and she’s now a rock star in the region on the level of Palacios and Barbier.

Clos Erasmus represents her finest wine and a truly spectacular example of what the region is capable of.  Rich, bold and powerful, the wine is quintessential Priorat through and through and is one of the truly iconic bottlings of Spain.  She also produces a second wine, called Laurel, which displays all of the style and panache of the estate at a very approachable price.

Mix any 6+ bottles of Clos Erasmus for 10% off
Offer valid on stock on hand
Discount will not display online
We will adjust your order manually before finalizing
Clos Erasmus Special valid until Wednesday, July 22nd at 10AM



In Stock Now:

Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($59.95) Displayed price: $49,
that’s $44.10 at 10% off!
Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa 2017 1.5L ($149.95) Displayed price: $119, that’s $107.10 at 10% off!
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Laurel is a blend of the younger vines, some barrels that were declassified from Clos Erasmus and the remaining Cabernet Sauvignon, and in the low-yielding and dry 2017 vintage, it’s 70% Garnacha, 20% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 15% alcohol. The wine fermented mostly in concrete and oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in a combination of oak vats, concrete, used barriques and amphorae for 16 months. They produce this to be approachable from the moment it’s released. The 2017s feel very aromatic, open, expressive and young, quite primary, tender and juicy and surprisingly fresh for a dry, warm year that resulted in a very early harvest. There is a peachy, soft, approachable quality here that I like very much. Surprisingly enough, winemaker and proprietor Daphne Glorian sees reminiscences of the 2013s in the 2017s, and I have to agree. Different from 2016, but at the same quality level. 19,126 bottles were filled in May 2019.-Luis Gutierrez”

Clos i Terrasses Clos Erasmus, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($219.95) Displayed price $199, that’s $179.10 at 10% off!
Wine Advocate 98 points “The just-bottled 2017 Clos Erasmus is a blend of Garnacha with 25% Syrah that fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats and matured in 228-liter oak barrels (40% new). It feels very aromatic, expressive and open, floral and elegant and surprisingly fresh for the conditions of the year. It’s still young and undeveloped, with the puppy fat still to be rendered, and right now, it comes through as juicy and elegant, with very good freshness and super fine tannins. It’s very aromatic and floral, really impressive for 2017. It seems like the year was much better in the Mediterranean part of Spain than in the rest of the country. 3,000 bottles produced.-Luis Gutierrez”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 

Trending


Oregon

Staff pick “a youthful wine with old world grace”
Biggio Hamina “Biha” Pinot Noir, Van Duzer 2017 750ML ($24.95) $17 special
Case-12 Biggio Hamina “Biha” Pinot Noir, Van Duzer 2017 750ML ($299.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
No reviews for the 2017 vintage. Review is for reference.
Josh Raynolds 91 points
“[2016 Vintage] Shimmering red. Vibrant, mineral- and spice-accented red fruit and floral scents, along with a savory herb nuance and a hint of smokiness. Appealingly sweet and sharply focused on the palate, offering lively redcurrant, raspberry and rose pastille flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. Silky tannins come on late and support a seamless, floral-driven finish that hangs on with strong tenacity.”
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!

A standout from our top selling Oregon producer
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Oregon 2015 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Wine Advocate 93 points
“From a vineyard planted in 1990, the pale to medium ruby colored 2015 Pinot Noir Whistling Ridge Vineyard has a spicy nose of coriander, warm cinnamon, potpourri and dried leaves over a core of baked cranberry and red cherry fruit with meaty/savory touches. Light to medium-bodied, it has spice-laced red fruits in the mouth, with a great frame of fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and very spicy. 270 cases produced.”
VinopolNote “Whistling Ridge has become Marcus Goodfellow’s Cros Parantoux-a vineyard that somehow went overlooked but now produces exceptional wines in the right hands.  Nestled on the ridgetop abutting the Beaux Freres Upper Terrace, wines from Whistling Ridge tend to be compact and powerful-built for aging.  Lots of spice and floral notes blend with a mix of black and red fruits for a stellar wine that’s one of the best versions yet.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
France

Classic is cool again!
Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas Tradition, Rhone 2016 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points
“Vivid ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and pit fruits, potpourri and garrigue, and an exotic spice note emerges in the glass. Stains the palate with sweet raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors that steadily put on weight with air. Conveys a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes extremely long and floral, with fine-grained tannins lending discreet grip.”

A powerful wine from a legendary name
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2016 750ML ($44.95) $33 special
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2016 750ML ($279.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points
“The 2016 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes from more schist and gneiss soils and spent 10-14 months in mostly used barrels, with a small part in tank to preserve more freshness. It’s another ruby/purple-colored effort from this estate and gives up lots of blackberry and blueberry fruits intermixed with earthy minerality, ground pepper, and hints of damp earth. Rich, layered, and textured, it will be better in a year or two and keep for 8-10, if not longer.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Features a solid core of dark currant and blackberry fruit, inlaid with notes of tar, anise and warm tobacco leaf. Reveals a tug of iron through the fruit-laden finish. Best from 2020 through 2026. 1,033 cases made, 123 cases imported. — JM”
James Suckling 92-93 points “This has fragrant and floral character with wild raspberries and red plums. The peppery palate has a vibrant array of ripe, red and purple fruit. Good depth and drive here. Barrel sample.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Italy

Beautifully fresh white that’s perfect for summer
Ronchi di Pietro Friulano Friul Colli Orientali 2017 750ML ($19.95) $14 special
Winery note
“Yellow-straw colour with beautiful greenish tinges. Its intense aroma recalls wild flowers, hay and almond. Fine, delicate, and full-bodied, with a remarkable scent of bitter almond.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

A delicious “Super Umbrian”
Titignano Tenuta di Salviano Turlo, Lago di Corbara 2015 750ML ($21.95) $14 special
50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
James Suckling 92 points
“A soft and silky red with a soft, ripe-fruit and cedar texture. Medium to full body, round tannins and a juicy finish. Drink now or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 
Spain

Fantastic value from Spain’s most underrated region
Vina Zorzal Corral De Los Altos, Navarra 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 92 points
“All the guest winemakers that take part in the Lecciones de Vuelo joint venture with Viña Zorzal are offered to produce their interpretation of the paraje Corral de los Altos in Fitero. The 2018 Corral de los Altos is Zorzal’s own interpretation of a 45-year-old plot of 2.1 hectares of Garnacha planted on a north-facing stony part of the village. The grapes fermented in stainless steel with some 25% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in seven used (second and third use) 500-liter oak barrels. This has contained ripeness and a medium to full-bodied palate with the classical chalky tannins and texture from the limestone-rich soils and the length and tastiness they provide”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Trending pre-arrival from a Spanish superstar
Comando G ‘La Bruja de Rozas’ Sierra de Gredos 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points
“I tasted a very young and recently bottled 2018 La Bruja de Rozas, their village Garnacha from the village of Las Rozas de Puerto Real. It’s from a vintage that feels very complete and balanced and delivered very healthy grapes, good yields and grapes with ripe flavors and very good freshness. The wine is juicy but also sharp and mineral, backward and nuanced; it’s shy now, but it has great depth and is finely knitted, textured, mineral and salty. I think this will surpass the already-amazing 2016. It fermented and matured in oak vats of different sizes, yet there is such purity of fruit and the wine is so intense that the oak is completely transparent. I had the chance to drink this wine on repeated occasions, as I find it has an unbeatable price for the quality. It’s a more complete version of the 2016—it’s pale, bright and transparent, spicy, elegant, nuanced, juicy but complex, with not only fruit but also violets and an herbal side, and it’s characterful and a bit funky with finesse and a texture of chalk and granite. Like a Poulsard from Chambolle. High drinkability with aging potential. 53,478 bottles produced (the second largest vintage after 2016). It was bottled in August 2019.”
Grapelive 93 points “Every year these Comando G wines seem to get better and better, this is true especially with this 2018 La Bruja de Rozas, their base cuvee, which is absolutely delicious with Burgundy like class, in fact with its slight reduction and light graphite notes at the start reminds me of a Premier Cru Nuits-Saint-Georges, but with dark Grenache purity…. This 2018 version is as mentioned very dark and starts with earthy intensity before opening gracefully into a generous Garnacha that really turns up the charms with a gorgeous layering of black raspberry, plum, pomegranate and cherry fruit along with wild herbs, delicate floral notes, mineral and snappy spices. Air time brings out there best and allows the La Bruja de Rozas to become wonderfully textural and extends the length, it slowly unveils its true personality and gains loads of depth and bringing up to the quality level of Comando G’s single Cru offerings almost! ….Comando G, celebrating 10 years with this 2018 vintage, is a small winery in the Sierra de Gredos, this special terroir in the mountains above Madrid in Castilla y Leon, central Spain, making hand crafted wines, it is led by the talented duo of Daniel Landi and Fernando Garcia…As widely noted, and reported here, the Sierra de Gredos is a Garnacha region that rivals the world’s great sites for this grape, these wines show high elevation elegance and detail, but with old vine concentration and amazing aromatics as well as length. Using organic grapes, farmed with biodynamic methods, Comando G’s Rozas, the Village wine, was all hand harvested, with Dani and Fernando employing a natural yeast fermentation with partial whole cluster (depending on vintage) and a long maceration, that as they note, was followed by nine months in large 30-60HL oak vats to mature. The 2018 La Bruja de Rozas, which has at least a decade of serious quality life ahead of it, gains more on more in the glass revealing its inner perfume and its tannin structure turns silky, all the while retaining its presence on the palate and is nicely lifted by its natural acidity making it wonderful with cuisine and a fine companion for an evening of drinking pleasure!”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
 





Arriving Next Month

Andre Neveu’s Epic Sancerre


Andre Neveu makes some of our favorite Sancerre bottlings every year.  Combining intensity with characteristic minerality, the wines demand your attention while remaining insanely refreshing.  These are apex summer sippers.

The Grand Fricambault comes from Silex soils, typical of Sancerre, and expresses the terroir beautifully.  Vinified in large tanks, dry fruit and flinty minerality are the star attractions, a style that calls out for seafood and sunshine.  Coming from 50+ year old vines, Le Manoir offers more intensity and roundness.  As such, the bottling delivers serious pleasure now, but will undoubtedly age beautifully.  Finally, Les Monts Damnés is the most versatile of the lineup.  The perfect pairing for everything from seafood to poultry, it too is stunning today but is likely to improve with several years of cellaring.

So regardless of which meets your (immediate or future) summer drinking needs, do yourself a favor and pre-order a case today.  You’ll thank yourself next month when they arrive just in time for the dog days of summer.

Arriving in August:

Andre Neveu Sancerre Grands Fricambault, Loire 2019 750ML ($29.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Andre Neveu Sancerre Grands Fricambault, Loire 2019 750ML ($359.95) $279 pre-arrival special (that’s only $23.25/bottle!)
Winery note
“From the sauvignon grape whose vines are planted on the Sancerre hillside, a terroir composed exclusively of Silex. Vinification is carried out in temperature controlled inox tanks. Dry and fruity, it shows mineral typicity, and its particular ‘gun flint’ taste over several years. Best served chilled (10-12°C). It goes well with oysters, shellfish, and goat’s cheese, such as the famous ‘Crottin de Chavignol’.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Le Manoir Vieilles Vignes, Loire 2019 750ML ($36.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Le Manoir Vieilles Vignes, Loire 2019 750ML ($419.95) $312 pre-arrival special (that’s only $26/bottle!)
Winery note
“Produced from 50 year old vines planted on a limestone pebble soil, this wine gives intense aromas, a pleasing roundness, and length in the mouth. This is a wine that will keep well for several years. Drink as an aperitif or with Loire river fish, and white meats.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Les Monts Damnes, Loire 2017 750ML ($44.95) $37 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Les Monts Damnes, Loire 2017 750ML ($499.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)


This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!


Arriving in November

Legendary Tawny & Colheita Port from Kopke


As the world’s oldest Port House, Kopke has been producing legendary wines for nearly four centuries.  And fortunately for Port enthusiasts, they have not rested on their laurels.  Instead, Kopke has spent the past few decades becoming arguably the foremost producer of both Tawny and Colheita Port.  Due to their popularity, the competition for allocations has increased in recent years.  However, in yet another Vinopolis coup we’ve secured an impressive trove for our valued customers.

Set to land in time for your winter festivities, we’re offering pre-arrival pricing on Kopke’s 30-year and 40-year Tawny, as well as a handful of rare Colheita Ports spanning six decades.  Bottled to order yearly, these are well-aged wines with perfect provenance, something truly special for your holiday table.  But quantities are limited, so many of these wines are unlikely to ever reach our shelves.

Arriving in November:

Kopke 30 Year Old Tawny Port 750ML ($179.95) $128 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points
“A very inviting, open style, with butterscotch and caramel notes framing the core of glazed pear, caramelized peach, golden raisin and warm fig flavors. The lush finish lets crème brûlée and ginger cream details hang, showing a flash of honeysuckle for lift. Drink now. 200 cases imported.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Dark gold in color, this Port relishes its age. Like an aged tawny, it has lost its fruit at this mature stage, while gaining the rich, intense character that comes from long wood aging. It has concentrated acidity and a long, lingering aftertaste. Drink now.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The NV 30 Year Old Tawny Port  was bottled in 2017 with a bar-top cork and 130 grams per liter of residual sugar. The last release I saw of this was pretty fine. So, too, here. This adds a layer of depth and more complexity to the Burmester, although it lacks the Burmester’s elegance and sex appeal. While the finish here is bigger and more gripping, it is no more flavorful (actually, less so). Still, as this rolls around the mouth, it is impressive, not necessarily more exciting than the Burmester, but definitely different stylistically. They are good examples of the diversity you can get in one portfolio. As always, these last indefinitely, barring cork failures, but they are not really meant to be held.”
[Bottling year may vary from review]

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Kopke 40 Years Old Tawny Port 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points
“This offers a dreamy mix of caramelized pear, fig and peach flavors at the core, while caramel, sesame oil and date notes fill in through the expansive finish. At first glance this is quite lush, but the finish lingers with cut and drive. Drink now. 200 cases imported.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The NV 40 Year Old Tawny Port was bottled in 2016 with a bar top cork and 145 grams per liter of residual sugar. This adds a bit more brandy as a nuance on the finish to the 30, reviewed this issue, but it still seems much like the 30 Year Old, surprisingly fresh and easy, beautifully balanced and on the lighter side in terms of mid-palate concentration. It is a lovely tawny on its own terms–I’m just not sure it delivers enough of an uptick to justify the price spike from the 30 (or, perhaps even the 20). On its own, though, it won’t disappoint. The price references a 750 milliliter bottle.”
[Bottling year may vary from review]

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Kopke Colheita Port 1957 750ML ($479.95) $379 pre-arrival special
Jamie Goode-Wine Anorak 96 points
“There’s a hint of treacle here. It’s rich and dense with old furniture notes and lovely concentration and intensity. Nice depth.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1957 Colheita Tawny Port was seen before, but it’s worth revisiting in the USA, since it’s a great wine. This is also the new 2015 bottling. It has 127 grams per liter of residual sugar. It is stunning how youthful this is. Lush and rich on opening, it has mature flavors that emerge, easily demonstrating the complexity and concentrated aromatics one expects. Gripping on the finish, this delivers fruit flavor and seems to linger indefinitely. When I first saw this, it was tasted next to even more brilliant Colheitas and a bit overshadowed. On its own, it is even more stunning. It was pretty fine next to some other greats here as well.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “There is a great balance between acidity and impressively fresh fruit considering the age of this venerable Port. Of course there are many flavors from the wood aging, but they are combined with orange marmalade, fig and raisin flavors in a riot of complex flavors that have created a very great wine. It comes from a year that was not generally declared as a vintage.”

Kopke Colheita Port 1958 750ML ($399.95) $319 pre-arrival special

Kopke Colheita Port 1966 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96 points
“The 1966 Colheita Tawny Port was bottled in 2015 with 126.3 grams per liter of residual sugar, and comes with a bar top cork (as is typical here). As we start getting seriously old in the lineup from Sogevinus this issue, this shows what you get with increasing age: the superb concentration of flavor, the long, intense finishes and the complex medley of flavors that old Tawnies deliver effortlessly. That, to me, is what makes them worth the extra bucks. If some of the youngsters lean more to caramel, this adds more molasses with a touch of Brandy in the background. The concentrated flavors linger more or less endlessly, driven into the palate by the wine’s power and acidity. You can smell and taste this for a long time. The graceful mid-palate is deceptively friendly at first. It sure does grip the palate at the end, though, finishing with juicy bursts of fruit and sugar. Over several days, it acquired a bit more harmony and shed a touch of aggression. The alcohol, speaking relatively, is not as well integrated here as with the 1965, also reviewed, but that is relative. I tended to like this just slightly better anyway for its complexity and concentration on several fronts. The freshness on the 1965 is quite enticing, though. It tastes younger. It depends on what you want: that old-wine complexity and depth or a livelier feel. They both have plenty of power on the finish. You can’t go wrong, really.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Bottled in 2015, this wine from a great Port vintage is dark in color and so concentrated. It is powered by intense acidity from the wood aging as much as any residual fruit. Spice, dried fruits and a perfect balance give this great wine elegance and surprising freshness. Drink now.”
[Bottling year may vary from reviews.]

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Kopke Colheita Port 1979 750ML ($149.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points
“The 1979 Colheita Tawny Port is an equal blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and Tinta Barroca bottled in May of 2019 with 134 grams of residual sugar and a bar-top cork. Lovely, this has a remarkably fresh feel for what amounts to a 40 Year Tawny. It’s a bit light and not terribly intense, but its caramel edge and flavor-filled finish is a treasure.”

Kopke Colheita Port 1981 750ML ($144.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Jamie Goode-Wine Anorak 96 points
“This is quite special. Wonderfully spicy and raisiny with some fresher citrus and mineral characters, as well as cedary notes. Direct, thrilling and intense.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Kopke Colheita Port 1989 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special

Kopke Colheita Port 1999 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Jamie Goode-Wine Anorak 94 points
“Complex, spicy and raising with an appealing saline edge. Some lovely savoury notes developing here. Has warmth and complexity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Kopke Colheita Port 2000 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special

This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
 


Subscriber Special:

Continuum’s Powerhouse Napa Red

 
Continuum has emerged over the last several years as one of the most important wineries in eastern Napa Valley.  With a beautiful estate vineyard located on a prime, west-facing exposure on Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessey, Tim Mondavi honors his family’s heritage while making some of the most exciting wines in the Valley.  Big, bold, seductive, and hard to find, Continuum’s flagship red is sought after by collectors, enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. It’s getting harder and hard to find, but we’ve just brought in our allocation, which is on sale just for you until we open on Wednesday.

Mix any 2-4 bottles of Continuum 2017 for 5% off
Mix any 5+ bottles of Continuum 2017 for 10% off
Offer valid on stock on hand
Discount will not display online
We will adjust your order manually before finalizing
Continuum Special valid until Wednesday, July 22nd at 10 AM


Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Continuum Proprietary Red, Oakville 2017 750ML ($299.95) Displayed price: $259,
that’s $246.05 at 5% off or $233.10 at 10% off!
Continuum Proprietary Red, Oakville 2017 375ML ($149.95) Displayed price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off or $115.20 at 10% off!
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2017 Proprietary Red Wine Sage Mountain Vineyard comes across as remarkably primary. Bright red-toned fruit and floral notes give the 2017 striking freshness as well as nuance. Deep and layered on the palate, with superb depth, the 2017 Continuum is easily one of the wines of the year. Even in the early going, it is truly magnificent.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
 

 
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.

Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team at Vinopolis!

Stay safe, be well & drink well.