In Today’s Newsletter:
Daniel Bouland
New Offer / New Sale
Featured New Arrivals from France
2014 & 2015 St Emilion from Canon La Gaffeliere
New Week, New Arrivals from Italy
Daniel Bouland
New Offer / New Sale
Daniel Bouland makes gutsy wines from old vines in the heart of Beaujolais premier appellations. You often hear that they’re traditionally made and, although that’s true, it doesn’t begin to describe what makes the wines unique. These are wines that recall what Beaujolais would have been like before industrial farming and certainly before industrial winemaking. They’re special, powerful and age-worthy.
From a winemaking perspective, the closest comparison to what Daniel Bouland is doing is probably Domaine Dujac. The cross-regional comparison probably violates some sort of law of wine-writing, but when you look at what Bouland does with his grapes, it makes sense. There’s almost exclusively whole cluster fermentation at both houses and Bouland’s wine show as muscular and robust—capable of very long aging and transformation into profound wines.
The difference, of course, is that working with Gamay, Bouland’s wines are more immediately drinkable than anything from Dujac (Bouland also doesn’t use new oak on his wines). And the prices are far below what top Burgundy can command. Young, the Bouland bottles show both intense fruit and structure—you wouldn’t necessarily think to drink Beaujolais with steak, but these are incredible pairings with even very hearty foods -especially since Gamay has a zesty freshness to it that can lighten, nay elevate, any meal.
We’re offering 10% off our listed prices for any mix of 3 or more bottles of 2019 Daniel Bouland Beaujolais!
2019 Daniel Bouland Subscriber Special
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We will manually adjust the price before finalizing your order and running your credit card.
Arriving early December:
Daniel Bouland Chiroubles Chatenay, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Exuberant aromas of raspberries, blackberries and cherries introduce the 2019 Chiroubles Chatenay, a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy wine that’s round and enveloping, with a charming core of fruit and melting, delicately powdery tannins. It will drink well young.”
From a winemaking perspective, the closest comparison to what Daniel Bouland is doing is probably Domaine Dujac. The cross-regional comparison probably violates some sort of law of wine-writing, but when you look at what Bouland does with his grapes, it makes sense. There’s almost exclusively whole cluster fermentation at both houses and Bouland’s wine show as muscular and robust—capable of very long aging and transformation into profound wines.
The difference, of course, is that working with Gamay, Bouland’s wines are more immediately drinkable than anything from Dujac (Bouland also doesn’t use new oak on his wines). And the prices are far below what top Burgundy can command. Young, the Bouland bottles show both intense fruit and structure—you wouldn’t necessarily think to drink Beaujolais with steak, but these are incredible pairings with even very hearty foods -especially since Gamay has a zesty freshness to it that can lighten, nay elevate, any meal.
We’re offering 10% off our listed prices for any mix of 3 or more bottles of 2019 Daniel Bouland Beaujolais!
2019 Daniel Bouland Subscriber Special
Subscriber Special pricing will not display online
We will manually adjust the price before finalizing your order and running your credit card.
Arriving early December:
Daniel Bouland Chiroubles Chatenay, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Exuberant aromas of raspberries, blackberries and cherries introduce the 2019 Chiroubles Chatenay, a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy wine that’s round and enveloping, with a charming core of fruit and melting, delicately powdery tannins. It will drink well young.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes Cailloux, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($41.95) $38 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2019 Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes Cailloux is once again quite structured this year, though it’s not as brooding and muscular as its 2018 counterpart. Revealing aromas of raspberries, cherries, burning embers and sweet soil tones, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of fruit, lively acids and a chassis of fine but abundant tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Daniel Bouland Corcelette Vieilles Vignes Sable, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($41.95) $38 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2019 Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes Sable is excellent, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cherries, plums, violets and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and muscular, built around succulent acids and powdery tannins, it’s elegantly structured and built to age, even if it’s charming enough to be enjoyed young—the 2011 vintage from my own cellar is drinking brilliantly.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Daniel Bouland Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Melanie, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Offering up aromas of red plums, berries, raw cocoa and spices, the 2019 Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Melanie is medium to full-bodied, supple and velvety, with a fleshy core of fruit, melting tannins and lively acids. Bright and charming, it’s produced from a south-facing site near Château Thivin.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Daniel Bouland Morgon Bellevue Cailloux, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($41.95) $38 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Derived from older vines in rockier soils, the 2019 Morgon Bellevue Cailloux is even more sensuous and textural than its Sable counterpart. Mingling notions of raspberries and plums with hints of rose petals and spices, it’s medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, its powdery tannins almost entirely cloaked in succulent, perfumed fruit.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Daniel Bouland Morgon Les Delys, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2019 Morgon Les Delys Vignes plantées en 1926 has turned out brilliantly, wafting from the glass with aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, strawberries, sweet soil tones and spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it’s seamless and multidimensional, and with striking concentration, succulent acids and powdery tannins, it’s long and penetrating. While this is carrying less puppy fat than the 2018 at the same age, it’s still quite a demonstrative, fruit-driven vintage of Les Delys, and while it will be long-lived, it can also be approached young.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Daniel Bouland Morgon Bellevue Sable, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2019 Morgon Bellevue Sable is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries, cherries, orange rind and plums. Medium to full-bodied, supple and succulent, it’s bright and fleshy, with powdery tannins and a generous core of fruit, girdled by lively acids. Bottled only a week before I tasted it, I suspect it will perform even better with six months’ bottle age. As readers will remember, this cuvée comes from younger vines, planted on Viala rootstock in sandy soils—as the “Sable” newly added to its label makes clear.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Beaujolais? We offer 42 wines from Beaujolais in stock now, including favorites from Anne-Sophie Dubois, Chermette Vissoux, and Clos de la Roilette. Shop the entire selection on our web store.
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When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Featured New Arrivals from France
One of Champagne’s best known houses for a reason
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($419.95) $312 special (that’s only $52/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “Fine bubbles combine nicely with the cooked apples, pie crust and lemon rind. Some biscuit, too. Full body. Layered and creamy with a crisp finish. Always delicious. Drink now.” [Reviewed July 2019]
There’s never a bad time for tasty and affordable Bordeaux
Chateau Goubau, Cotes de Castillon 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Chateau Goubau, Cotes de Castillon 2015 750ML ($299.95) $228 special (that’s only $19/bottle!)
Importer note “It is well known that gifted winemaker Jacques Thienpont has a knack for sourcing unique and exceptional properties. His latest acquisition reaches beyond the ultra-premium micro-cuvees he is known for with Chateau Le Pin and Chateau L’If. Chateau Goubau (to be renamed Chateau l’Hetre with the 2016 vintage) matches exception quality with value, and naturally, a unique microclimate within the Cotes de Castillon appellation. At 100m on the Saint Philippe d’Aiguilhe plateau, the property is situated at the highest point in Bordeaux. Produced from 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the clay and chalk subsoil is perfectly suited to the biodynamically-farmed vines. Here is an exclusive opportunity to explore M. Theinpont’s first vintage with the property, which is all but certain to go up in value in vintages to come… as demonstrated by Thienpont’s l’If, which has more than tripled in price since the first release in 2012.”
Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($419.95) $312 special (that’s only $52/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “Fine bubbles combine nicely with the cooked apples, pie crust and lemon rind. Some biscuit, too. Full body. Layered and creamy with a crisp finish. Always delicious. Drink now.” [Reviewed July 2019]
There’s never a bad time for tasty and affordable Bordeaux
Chateau Goubau, Cotes de Castillon 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Chateau Goubau, Cotes de Castillon 2015 750ML ($299.95) $228 special (that’s only $19/bottle!)
Importer note “It is well known that gifted winemaker Jacques Thienpont has a knack for sourcing unique and exceptional properties. His latest acquisition reaches beyond the ultra-premium micro-cuvees he is known for with Chateau Le Pin and Chateau L’If. Chateau Goubau (to be renamed Chateau l’Hetre with the 2016 vintage) matches exception quality with value, and naturally, a unique microclimate within the Cotes de Castillon appellation. At 100m on the Saint Philippe d’Aiguilhe plateau, the property is situated at the highest point in Bordeaux. Produced from 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the clay and chalk subsoil is perfectly suited to the biodynamically-farmed vines. Here is an exclusive opportunity to explore M. Theinpont’s first vintage with the property, which is all but certain to go up in value in vintages to come… as demonstrated by Thienpont’s l’If, which has more than tripled in price since the first release in 2012.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Monbousquet’s second wine is a prime drinker right now
Angelique de Monbousquet, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($39.95) $30.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Angelique de Monbousquet, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($239.95) $175 special (that’s only $29.17/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points “Unique aromas of cherries, ash and grilled meat. Full body with juicy tannins and round texture. Delicious finish. Very soft and approachable. Hard not to drink now. Better in 2024.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2016 Angelique de Monbousquet is deep garnet-purple colored and features bold scents of crushed blackberries, warm plums and raspberry pie with hints of dried herbs, underbrush and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals loads of minerally sparks interspersed with the vibrant red and black fruit layers, finishing pleasantly chewy.”
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “From the stellar team at Château Pavie, the 2016 Angélique de Monbousquet is a sexy, medium to full-bodied, incredibly delicious Saint-Emilion that boasts a huge nose of blackcurrants, chocolate, tobacco leaf, and graphite. It has outstanding purity, ripe tannins, and is one seriously good mouthful of wine. Drink it over the coming decade.”
2014 & 2015 St Emilion from Canon La Gaffeliere
Climate change has been a blessing and a curse for the classic regions. While there are rarely any “bad” vintages anymore, there are vintages that play better to different styles and thus sometimes to very different palates. The differences between the 2014 and 2015 vintages of Canon La Gaffeliere show their strengths in very different ways, and I would pay attention to which one would match your preferred style.
First and foremost, both of these wines are lovely albeit for very different reasons. The von Nipperg family has taken great pains to improve the various estates they own or manage, and La Gaffeliere seems to be the crown jewel. Merlot is their passion, even in their Left Bank property, and the quality and care that goes into the vineyard management, fruit selection, and cellaring shows their commitment. Even though the Merlot is the preferred varietal, the cépage is nearly 50/50 with the Cabernets making up the balance. Different properties have slightly different styles, due to the microclimate of each site, but the Gaffeliere stands out as the most aromatic, elegant and balanced of the lot. However, even the most elegant wines can change from year to year, following the dictation of the weather. Both vintages were almost identically blended (55% Merlot, 37% Cab Franc, 8% Cab Sauvignon) so it is a fun exercise to try them in close enough proximity to appreciate the differences.
2014 was a vintage that stood out to me as being classic in that the wine showed the cedar-y, floral notes quite clearly and stood apart from the tobacco and warm chocolate aromatics. Flavors of pomegranate and warm raspberry, with a very tightly wound core of mineral laden cassis. No shrinking violet, the wine was impressively solid in the glass even now, but the vintage has a lift and vibrancy that leads you to believe that the best is yet to come. There is plenty more to reveal over the next decade or two, and the price tag will seem like a steal when you are enjoying this a decade from now.
2015 brought the heat and turned an already warm site into a crucible. While not as bright in aromatics, the deeper scents are very powerful. Rose petal, pastille, coffee and tobacco are all swirling around. The concentration of dark rich flavors abounds. If 2014 was tart pomegranate and Mirabelle plum, 2015 was warm fig and dates, blackberries and dark cherries, tobacco, and iron. If I had friends who were avowed CA wine drinkers, this is the gateway wine for them. It is definitely still a Bordeaux, but the warmth in the glass will grab the attention of anyone fond of something perhaps a little more hedonistic and lush. I know that this wine will age and begin to show off some of the other layers, but I have a hard time telling fans of CA wine to hold off. With a good day in the decanter, the wine will show nearly everything it has in store.
In stock now:
Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 36 bottles in stock now
#7 Wine Spectator Wine Of The Year 2017
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “One of the wines of the vintage, the 2014 Canon La Gaffelière is explosive, lifted and aristocratic in its breeding. Bright Cabernet Franc aromatics give the wine its signature lift and precision. Raspberry jam, rose petal, mint, blood orange, tobacco and pomegranate build slowly on the palate, leading to a super-expressive, finely knit finish. Powerful yet also impeccably refined, the 2014 has it all. The 2014 is 55 % Merlot, 37 % Cabernet Franc and 8 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t miss it. Tasted two times.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This cuts a wide swath, with mouthwatering tobacco and warm ganache notes leading the way, followed by a wave of fig, blackberry and black currant preserves. Shows remarkable definition already, even though the structure is strident. Tempting now, but just put this in the back of the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2035. 4,083 cases made.”
Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($159.95) $138 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2015 Canon La Gaffelière is deep, powerful and explosive. Seamless and captivating in the glass, it possesses magnificent richness, volume and intensity in every dimension. The Cabernet Franc, usually such a strong signature, is nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the Merlot fruit. Espresso, mocha, licorice and plum infuse the racy finish. The 2015 is going to need the better part of a decade to be expressive. Tasted two times.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “Composed of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in French oak, 55% new, for 17 months, the 2015 Canon la Gaffeliere features a deep garnet-purple color and a cedar-laced nose to begin, giving way to fragrant underlying scents of roses and violets with a core of crushed black currants, blackberries and Bing cherries plus hints of fallen leaves and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, the seductively perfumed red and black fruit fills the mouth, framed with plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing very long and minerally.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Still youthfully tight and backward, with a well-roasted frame of alder and juniper holding sway for now, but the core of cassis, blackberry and plum fruit waits in reserve, showing prodigious depth. When the toast and fruit melds, the backdrop of tobacco, singed iron and chalky minerality will get a turn to show. There’s a lot here. Built for the cellar. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040. 6,250 cases made.”
James Suckling 96 points “The aromas of violets and rose petals are prevalent here with blue fruits as well. Full body, integrated and firm tannins and a long finish. Structured yet fine and shows such finesse. Give it five or six years to come together.”
Love Bordeaux reds? We offer 25 red wines from Bordeaux in stock now, including famous names like Mouton Rothschild, Leoville Poyferre, and Latour. Shop the entire selection on our web store.
First and foremost, both of these wines are lovely albeit for very different reasons. The von Nipperg family has taken great pains to improve the various estates they own or manage, and La Gaffeliere seems to be the crown jewel. Merlot is their passion, even in their Left Bank property, and the quality and care that goes into the vineyard management, fruit selection, and cellaring shows their commitment. Even though the Merlot is the preferred varietal, the cépage is nearly 50/50 with the Cabernets making up the balance. Different properties have slightly different styles, due to the microclimate of each site, but the Gaffeliere stands out as the most aromatic, elegant and balanced of the lot. However, even the most elegant wines can change from year to year, following the dictation of the weather. Both vintages were almost identically blended (55% Merlot, 37% Cab Franc, 8% Cab Sauvignon) so it is a fun exercise to try them in close enough proximity to appreciate the differences.
2014 was a vintage that stood out to me as being classic in that the wine showed the cedar-y, floral notes quite clearly and stood apart from the tobacco and warm chocolate aromatics. Flavors of pomegranate and warm raspberry, with a very tightly wound core of mineral laden cassis. No shrinking violet, the wine was impressively solid in the glass even now, but the vintage has a lift and vibrancy that leads you to believe that the best is yet to come. There is plenty more to reveal over the next decade or two, and the price tag will seem like a steal when you are enjoying this a decade from now.
2015 brought the heat and turned an already warm site into a crucible. While not as bright in aromatics, the deeper scents are very powerful. Rose petal, pastille, coffee and tobacco are all swirling around. The concentration of dark rich flavors abounds. If 2014 was tart pomegranate and Mirabelle plum, 2015 was warm fig and dates, blackberries and dark cherries, tobacco, and iron. If I had friends who were avowed CA wine drinkers, this is the gateway wine for them. It is definitely still a Bordeaux, but the warmth in the glass will grab the attention of anyone fond of something perhaps a little more hedonistic and lush. I know that this wine will age and begin to show off some of the other layers, but I have a hard time telling fans of CA wine to hold off. With a good day in the decanter, the wine will show nearly everything it has in store.
In stock now:
Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 36 bottles in stock now
#7 Wine Spectator Wine Of The Year 2017
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “One of the wines of the vintage, the 2014 Canon La Gaffelière is explosive, lifted and aristocratic in its breeding. Bright Cabernet Franc aromatics give the wine its signature lift and precision. Raspberry jam, rose petal, mint, blood orange, tobacco and pomegranate build slowly on the palate, leading to a super-expressive, finely knit finish. Powerful yet also impeccably refined, the 2014 has it all. The 2014 is 55 % Merlot, 37 % Cabernet Franc and 8 % Cabernet Sauvignon. Don’t miss it. Tasted two times.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This cuts a wide swath, with mouthwatering tobacco and warm ganache notes leading the way, followed by a wave of fig, blackberry and black currant preserves. Shows remarkable definition already, even though the structure is strident. Tempting now, but just put this in the back of the cellar. Best from 2020 through 2035. 4,083 cases made.”
Chateau Canon la Gaffeliere, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 750ML ($159.95) $138 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2015 Canon La Gaffelière is deep, powerful and explosive. Seamless and captivating in the glass, it possesses magnificent richness, volume and intensity in every dimension. The Cabernet Franc, usually such a strong signature, is nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the Merlot fruit. Espresso, mocha, licorice and plum infuse the racy finish. The 2015 is going to need the better part of a decade to be expressive. Tasted two times.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “Composed of 55% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in French oak, 55% new, for 17 months, the 2015 Canon la Gaffeliere features a deep garnet-purple color and a cedar-laced nose to begin, giving way to fragrant underlying scents of roses and violets with a core of crushed black currants, blackberries and Bing cherries plus hints of fallen leaves and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied, the seductively perfumed red and black fruit fills the mouth, framed with plush tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing very long and minerally.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Still youthfully tight and backward, with a well-roasted frame of alder and juniper holding sway for now, but the core of cassis, blackberry and plum fruit waits in reserve, showing prodigious depth. When the toast and fruit melds, the backdrop of tobacco, singed iron and chalky minerality will get a turn to show. There’s a lot here. Built for the cellar. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2025 through 2040. 6,250 cases made.”
James Suckling 96 points “The aromas of violets and rose petals are prevalent here with blue fruits as well. Full body, integrated and firm tannins and a long finish. Structured yet fine and shows such finesse. Give it five or six years to come together.”
Love Bordeaux reds? We offer 25 red wines from Bordeaux in stock now, including famous names like Mouton Rothschild, Leoville Poyferre, and Latour. Shop the entire selection on our web store.
New Week, New Arrivals from Italy
Classical, dusty and Right Bank inspired
Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96-97 points ” Best Giusto di Notri ever? Full body, ripe and powerful tannins, as well as beautiful fruit. Chewy yet polished tannins and a lingering finish. This is dense and structured with beautifully polished tannins and plenty of currant and blackberry character. Full body and chewy tannins yet refined and juicy. Lots of Mediterranean herbs with the dark fruit. Blend of mostly cabernet sauvignon with merlot and cabernet franc. Pretty barrel sample. This is coming along very nicely. Can’t wait to taste in bottle. Made from organic grapes.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “Here is a high performance wine from Stefano Frascolla and his family. The 2015 Giusto di Notri is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wine is contemporary, complex and gorgeous from tip to toe. You get a lot of power here and generous oak-driven tones of sweet espresso, chocolate and spice that surround a succulent core of dark fruit and candied cherry. All these elements appear even bigger and bolder in this warm vintage.”
One of Brunello’s pioneering estates
Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($89.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($419.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “Some earthy and savory aromas dominate the dried red cherries initially, then dried wild herbs and quite intense notes of spicy dried red cherries emerge. The palate has a very taut, structured feel with handsomely proportioned tannins carrying gently leathery dried red cherries. Long finish. Drink or hold.”
Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96-97 points ” Best Giusto di Notri ever? Full body, ripe and powerful tannins, as well as beautiful fruit. Chewy yet polished tannins and a lingering finish. This is dense and structured with beautifully polished tannins and plenty of currant and blackberry character. Full body and chewy tannins yet refined and juicy. Lots of Mediterranean herbs with the dark fruit. Blend of mostly cabernet sauvignon with merlot and cabernet franc. Pretty barrel sample. This is coming along very nicely. Can’t wait to taste in bottle. Made from organic grapes.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “Here is a high performance wine from Stefano Frascolla and his family. The 2015 Giusto di Notri is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wine is contemporary, complex and gorgeous from tip to toe. You get a lot of power here and generous oak-driven tones of sweet espresso, chocolate and spice that surround a succulent core of dark fruit and candied cherry. All these elements appear even bigger and bolder in this warm vintage.”
One of Brunello’s pioneering estates
Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($89.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($419.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “Some earthy and savory aromas dominate the dried red cherries initially, then dried wild herbs and quite intense notes of spicy dried red cherries emerge. The palate has a very taut, structured feel with handsomely proportioned tannins carrying gently leathery dried red cherries. Long finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Destined for greatness
Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany2015 750ML ($549.95) $399 special (that’s only $56.50/bottle!)
Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($189.95) $159 special
Case-3 Sassetti Livio Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($599.95) $449 special (that’s only $149.67/magnum!)
James Suckling 98 points “There’s something ethereal in the nose with flowers, cherries, strawberries and shitake mushrooms. Full body. This grows on the palate with super tannin and fruit structure. So much berry flavor and round, caressing tannins that fill your mouth. Tight at the end. This needs four to five years to show its true greatness. Try after 2023.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A perfect example of why they’re called “Super” Tuscans
Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Sunbaked earth, mature black-plum, fragrant blue-flower and leather aromas mingle with balsamic whiffs of camphor on this full-bodied, delicious red. Made with 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Sangiovese, the creamy palate is earthy and full of flavor, boasting juicy blackberry, raspberry, dried mint, cocoa and licorice. Taut velvety tannins provide plenty of support and finesse. Drink through 2035.”
James Suckling 98 points “I love the meatiness to this wine, but also the purity of fruit; think charcuterie, prosciutto, bay leaf, capsicum, blueberries, blackcurrants and crushed stones. You just can’t get over the way this manages to deliver a powerful, muscular package with stunning finesse and poise. The tapestry of intricate texture and detail is wrought in a flashy but sincere and heartwarming style. The balance takes your breath away. Best ever from here. Impossible to resist now, but better from 2025.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Sammarco (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese) shines the brightest spotlight onto the Cabernet Sauvignon element, and you can immediately make out the distinctive sharpness and structure of that variety. The bouquet offers notes of black fruit, toasted spice and grilled herb, along with wild flower, terracotta and tilled earth. There is some spice on the close, and the tannins do leave their mark with youthful astringency. Give the wine some time in the cellar, and one day it will be fantastic with a tagliatelle and porcini.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2015 Sammarco is a wine of exquisite and total finesse. Understated and nuanced, as few wines are in 2015, Sammarco is sublime. Wild flowers, cedar, spice, leather and mint give the 2015 striking aromatic dimension. On the palate, the 2015 is subtle and classy. In 2015, the Merlot crop was a bit higher than normal as newer plantings entered production, and that is reflected in the blend here as well. Because of that, the 2015 is an unusually open, forthcoming Sammarco. In fact, I can’t remember tasting a young Sammarco with this much early appeal. I can’t wait to see how it ages. The 2015 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 5% Sangiovese, with the Cabernet and Merlot aged in concrete and tonneaux, and the Sangiovese exclusively in cask.”
Because 750ml of Produttori is simply not enough
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’, Piedmont 2016 1.5L ($99.95) $88 special, 18 magnums in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Barbaresco is a tight and beautiful wine that will require more time to unwind and soften. This beautifully balanced vintage is characterized by a tight inner core of fruit that underlines the graceful aging capacity of these wines. The 2016 is shaping up to be one destined for long cellar aging. Now in its youth, the wine offers wild berry, rose and licorice aromas.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Enticing aromas of violet, woodland berry, loose vineyard soil, wild mint and a hint of spearmint shape the intensely fragrant nose. The tense, young palate is still nervous but already boasts finesse, showing wild raspberry, crunchy red cherry, white pepper and star anise. Firm, refined tannins and racy acidity give it a linear, almost austere elegance, while bright acidity keeps it focused and balanced. Drink 2026-2036.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barbaresco is a stunning wine with tremendous richness for this bottling. Ample, deep and powerful, the 2016 exudes pedigree and class from start to finish. I can’t remember a straight Barbaresco here with this much fruit density and unctuous richness, and yet there is more than enough tannin and overall structure to give the wine its classically leaning feel. A blast of sweet red cherry fruit, tobacco, menthol licorice and smoke hits the potent finish. What a wine!”
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