In Today’s Newsletter:
Lucien le Moine’s Exceptional White Burgundy
Arriving Friday
A Drink Now 96-Point Gran Reserva
Viñedos de Páganos’ 2007 El Puntido
An Oregon Rising Star
Hundred Suns’ Gamay, Grenache & Syrah
Saint Cosme’s Stunning Single Vineyard Gigondas
Back-Vintage Classics from Castell’in Villa
Bodegas San Román
Spanish Treasure
Collector’s Corner
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz
Lucien le Moine’s Exceptional White Burgundy
Arriving Friday
Lucien Le Moine is one of the hottest names in Burgundy. The rise has been meteoric due to the scarcity of the wines and also the fact that they work almost exclusively with grand and premier cru vineyards. To understand why Le Moine’s wines are so exceptional, the first thing to understand is that the house doesn’t make, or set out to make, anything close to average. Jaspar Morris MW calls them a “haute-coture negociant” and just like a high-end designer, they strive to make statement wines.
In addition to famous grand cru vineyards like Corton-Charlemagne and Echezeaux, Le Moine sources from some of the region’s most in-demand premier cru vineyards (think Perrières and La Grande Montagne). When you couple together Le Moine’s exceptional raw material with their house style, which is heavily influenced by Jayer, you end up with wines in a very exclusive club. That style produces exceptionally sensual wines—wines that have textures like silk and explosive fruit that seems to arrive in waves from nowhere. They’re the opposite of rustic—instead polished and luxurious. These are wines that any wine lover should covet and deserve a place in your cellar.
Arriving Friday, January 15th:
Lucien Le Moine Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
In addition to famous grand cru vineyards like Corton-Charlemagne and Echezeaux, Le Moine sources from some of the region’s most in-demand premier cru vineyards (think Perrières and La Grande Montagne). When you couple together Le Moine’s exceptional raw material with their house style, which is heavily influenced by Jayer, you end up with wines in a very exclusive club. That style produces exceptionally sensual wines—wines that have textures like silk and explosive fruit that seems to arrive in waves from nowhere. They’re the opposite of rustic—instead polished and luxurious. These are wines that any wine lover should covet and deserve a place in your cellar.
Arriving Friday, January 15th:
Lucien Le Moine Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Lucien Le Moine En Remilly, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Lucien Le Moine La Grande Montagne, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($189.95) $159 pre-arrival special
Lucien Le Moine Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2017 750ML ($319.95) $289 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 points “This intense version grabs your attention, with effusive aromas of lemon curd, pine forest, wood smoke and stone. There is something wild about this, yet at the core lies sweet, ripe peach and apple fruit, shaded by lanolin and peat notes. Bracing acidity keeps all the elements in line, driving the long finish. Best from 2022 through 2032. 25 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Lucien Le Moine Les Gouttes d’Or, Meursault Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Wine & Spirits 93 points “This wine’s dense fruit richness bursts out of a silken, mineral structure. The oak presence is significant, but the wine readily absorbs that oak with air. This is Meursault in all its delicious elegance, a classic wine that captured the imagination of the Meursault enthusiasts on the panel.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Lucien Le Moine Poruzot, Meursault Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Lucien Le Moine Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2016 1.5L ($449.95) $379 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92-95 points “Musky scents of citrus fruits, gardenia, white rose, anise, smoke, fresh herbs and earth. Very dry, rich and thick, but with a remarkably sappy, penetrating quality to its citrus and floral flavors. The extremely slow-building, edge-free finish stains the palate with licorice and menthol. Utterly distinctive grand cru Chablis–but then this bottling has been consistently stunning since its inaugural 2012 vintage.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Le Moine Reds, In Stock Now:
Lucien Le Moine Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 31 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Lucien Le Moine Echezaux Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2014 750ML ($349.95) $299 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Black cherry and black currant flavors are framed by sweet, toasted oak in this stylish red. Ripe and polished, with sweet fruit and bright acidity offsetting a solid base of tannins. Firms up on the finish, boding well for a long future. Fine length. Best from 2021 through 2042. 41 cases imported. — BS”
Burghound 91-94 points “This is the first wine to this point to display any appreciable amount of wood though it’s not so much as to fight with the spicy and ripe nose of cassis, dark cherry and Asian-style tea aromas. There is once again a lovely sense of energy to the velvet-textured and seductive middle weight flavors that possess a solidly well-muscled but refined and stony finish where a touch of youthful austerity arises. This well-balanced effort will need a few years of cellar time but will probably be approachable after only 5 to 7 years.”
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Lucien Le Moine Les Vaucrains, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($169.95) $136 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Lean and concentrated, displaying wild cherry, kirsch and mineral flavors. Turns supple with air, yet remains firmly structured, with a lingering aftertaste of fruit and chalky, mineral elements. Best from 2019 through 2030. 20 cases imported. — BS”
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2013 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru les Vaucrains has a precise bouquet that is more floral and more expressive than the Les Saint Georges at this stage. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp chalky tannin, very good acidity and a long and persistent tensile finish. This would be my pick of the domaine’s three NSG ’13s based on the barrel samples. This just struts its stuff with a bit more gumption.”
Burghound 91-94 points “An overtly sauvage infused nose reflects notes of red and dark currant, various floral elements and plenty of spice and pungent earth aromas. Here too there is excellent volume and intensity to the powerful, concentrated and palate coating flavors that conclude in an explosively long, serious and exceptionally firm yet not particularly austere finish. This is terrific but note that it’s a good buy only if you have plenty of patience.”
Lucien Le Moine Les Grands Epenots, Pommard Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92-94 points “Bright, dark red. Less purely black on the nose than the Epenots, showing enticing spicy lift to its raspberry and mint aromas. At once sweet and brisk in the mouth, with its red berry flavors complicated by notes of honeysuckle and citrus fruits. This penetrating, energetic wine boasts a tight core of fruit and terrific definition. Finishes energetic, classy and long, with noble tannins.”
Burghound 91-93 points “Here too the super-fresh nose is expressive with a redder fruit profile that is laced with plenty of earth and spice along with a hint of wood. The more refined middle weight flavors are notably less mineral-inflected though more seductive, all wrapped in a balanced and beautifully persistent finish.”
Lucien Le Moine Clos des Chênes, Volnay Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 5 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes unwinds in the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis, plums, incense and smoked meats, framed by a generous application of spicy oak. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, muscular and structured, with a concentrated core of fruit, lively acids and fine but firm structuring tannins. While this is not austere to the point of causing concern, it certainly won’t be approachable young. So, readers contemplating this Clos des Chênes should factor in a decade’s patience.”
Burghound 90-93 points “A well-layered nose combines notes of red and dark currant, spice and a pretty hint of lavender. The denser, serious and more powerful big-bodied flavors brim with both dry extract and minerality that carries over to the super-intense, youthfully austere and linear finish. This very firm effort also needs to develop more depth but if it does this could be a first-rate Clos des Chênes.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 91-93 points “Dark red-ruby. More serious on the nose than the Pitures Dessus, with its currant, chocolate, menthol and oak aromas complicated by a mineral quality. Sappy and chewy on the palate, with flavors of redcurrant, mocha and tobacco leaf conveying a red-clay character. The firmly structured finish shows surprising freshness and lift, not to mention excellent length.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love White Burgundy? We have over 40 white wines from Burgundy in stock now. Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Dujac, Jadot, Leflaive and more, on our web store now.
A Drink Now 96-Point Gran Reserva
Viñedos de Páganos’ 2007 El Puntido
“Putting my nose in the glass of the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva transported me to the classical Riojas from yesteryear…It has what I love about the best red wine—it’s salty rather than sweet, there is no room for sweetness here, and it’s sapid and tasty and has great balance and freshness. This is developing at a very slow pace and should continue doing so for a very long time. A great Gran Reserva in the making!” – Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate, June 2019
In Stock Now:
Viñedos de Páganos El Puntido Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2007 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points “[Reviewed June 2019] Putting my nose in the glass of the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva transported me to the classical Riojas from yesteryear. The wine has a fully developed nose with all the textbook descriptors of a good aged Rioja—forest floor, cigar ash, cold bonfire, truffle, cherries in liqueur, blonde tobacco, spices and iodine. But this is a classical Gran Reserva that has something that was not that traditional, and it comes from a single vineyard and matured in brand new French oak barrels for 28 months. But time in bottle has polished it (it was bottled in June 2010, almost nine years ago); the tannins are mostly resolved and it’s nicely textured. It has what I love about the best red wine—it’s salty rather than sweet, there is no room for sweetness here, and it’s sapid and tasty and has great balance and freshness. This is developing at a very slow pace and should continue doing so for a very long time. A great Gran Reserva in the making. Only 5,000 bottles were produced from 2007, a very cold vintage, when the grapes were harvested the last three days of October, and it snowed the first of November!”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “[Reviewed Sept 2019] A much smaller production that was aged longer (28 months) in new French oak, the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva comes from the same vineyard as the El Puntido but is a parcel selection. Blackcurrants, plums, smoked earth, incense, and violet notes all emerge from this elegant, silky, beautifully polished wine that’s full-bodied, has fine tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It has power, but this is more about finesse and elegance.”
In Stock Now:
Viñedos de Páganos El Puntido Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2007 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points “[Reviewed June 2019] Putting my nose in the glass of the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva transported me to the classical Riojas from yesteryear. The wine has a fully developed nose with all the textbook descriptors of a good aged Rioja—forest floor, cigar ash, cold bonfire, truffle, cherries in liqueur, blonde tobacco, spices and iodine. But this is a classical Gran Reserva that has something that was not that traditional, and it comes from a single vineyard and matured in brand new French oak barrels for 28 months. But time in bottle has polished it (it was bottled in June 2010, almost nine years ago); the tannins are mostly resolved and it’s nicely textured. It has what I love about the best red wine—it’s salty rather than sweet, there is no room for sweetness here, and it’s sapid and tasty and has great balance and freshness. This is developing at a very slow pace and should continue doing so for a very long time. A great Gran Reserva in the making. Only 5,000 bottles were produced from 2007, a very cold vintage, when the grapes were harvested the last three days of October, and it snowed the first of November!”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “[Reviewed Sept 2019] A much smaller production that was aged longer (28 months) in new French oak, the 2007 El Puntido Gran Reserva comes from the same vineyard as the El Puntido but is a parcel selection. Blackcurrants, plums, smoked earth, incense, and violet notes all emerge from this elegant, silky, beautifully polished wine that’s full-bodied, has fine tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It has power, but this is more about finesse and elegance.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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An Oregon Rising Star
Hundred Suns’ Gamay, Grenache & Syrah
Grant Coulter is one of the Pacific Northwest’s rising stars. The former assistant winemaker at Beaux Frères (under tutelage of the legendary Mike Etzel), Grant’s made a name for himself as Flâneur’s Head Winemaker, as well as with his own label: Hundred Suns. Anyone who’s loved the Beaux Frères or Flâneur wines in the past needs to be paying attention to what Grant is doing.
A product of the Willamette Valley, Grant has made a name for himself producing inspired Pinot Noir. However, he is also passionate about exploring the region’s potential beyond its trademark variety. Hundred Suns’ Gamay and Syrah are perfect examples. Both hail from the Willamette Valley, and offer persuasive evidence that both have a future here. The Grenache is sourced from Elephant Mountain Vineyard in Washington’s Yakima Valley, and is a high-toned, intensely aromatic stunner.
Hundred Suns represents one of the most exciting new labels in Oregon and we’ve struggled to keep the wines in stock ever since they first arrived last summer. So take this opportunity to taste the future of Oregon while you still can.
In Stock Now:
Hundred Suns Tualatin Estate Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vintage & Vinification: A cool and lengthy growing season gave us wines of modest alcohol and incredible flavor. Once harvested our Gamay was divided into three lots. The first 100% de-stemmed, the second 50% whole cluster and the third 100% whole cluster Carbonic. Aged in a combination of Amphora and neutral oak for 11 months. This bottling is filled with juicy red fruit, crunchy textures and refined acidity. Bottled Unfined and Unfiltered. Vineyard: This historic estate was established in the early 1970s by pioneer Bill Fuller. Our parcel of Gamay (in fact, the only gamay planted at the site) came from a hidden corner of the vineyard and was uncovered by our friend, Evan Martin, who offered us a one-acre piece of this amazing site planted on marine sedimentary soils.”
A product of the Willamette Valley, Grant has made a name for himself producing inspired Pinot Noir. However, he is also passionate about exploring the region’s potential beyond its trademark variety. Hundred Suns’ Gamay and Syrah are perfect examples. Both hail from the Willamette Valley, and offer persuasive evidence that both have a future here. The Grenache is sourced from Elephant Mountain Vineyard in Washington’s Yakima Valley, and is a high-toned, intensely aromatic stunner.
Hundred Suns represents one of the most exciting new labels in Oregon and we’ve struggled to keep the wines in stock ever since they first arrived last summer. So take this opportunity to taste the future of Oregon while you still can.
In Stock Now:
Hundred Suns Tualatin Estate Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vintage & Vinification: A cool and lengthy growing season gave us wines of modest alcohol and incredible flavor. Once harvested our Gamay was divided into three lots. The first 100% de-stemmed, the second 50% whole cluster and the third 100% whole cluster Carbonic. Aged in a combination of Amphora and neutral oak for 11 months. This bottling is filled with juicy red fruit, crunchy textures and refined acidity. Bottled Unfined and Unfiltered. Vineyard: This historic estate was established in the early 1970s by pioneer Bill Fuller. Our parcel of Gamay (in fact, the only gamay planted at the site) came from a hidden corner of the vineyard and was uncovered by our friend, Evan Martin, who offered us a one-acre piece of this amazing site planted on marine sedimentary soils.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Suns Elephant Mountain Vineyard Grenache, Yakima Valley 2018 750ML ($49.95) $35 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Grenache was left 100% whole cluster in a sealed tank for 20 days. Once opened, the fully intact grapes were pressed and fermentation was completed with native yeast. The wine then aged in a terracotta amphora for 12 months until it was transferred to neutral oak, where it aged for five additional months. This yielded a wine with layers of decadent strawberry and raspberry fruit accented with cinnamon.Bottled unfined and unfiltered.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Suns Super Moon – Vidon Vineyard Syrah, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Super Moon is a rare and beautiful lunar event that occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit, making the moon seem brighter and more close than usual. It felt an appropriate name for a wine that could only have come to being in this particular vintage. Our Super Moon Syrah was grown on a warm site for the Willamette Valley during a classic, cool Oregon vintage. It was fermented 100% whole cluster in a sealed tank. On the 12th day we opened the tank and foot-stomped the clusters one time before pressing. The resulting wine is initially shy with savory tones of black pepper and beef bouillon, but after time the wine opens to offer juicy pomegranate & cranberry with a light, refreshing palate surprising for Syrah.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Other “Alternative” Oregon Reds, in Stock Now:
Matello Fool’s Journey Deux Vert Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points “Bright violet. Smoke-tinged dark berries and pungent flowers on the nose. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors that take a sweeter turn on the back half. Dusty tannins make a late appearance and add gentle grip to the smooth, energetic finish.”
Winery note “From the Willamette Valley’s first planting of Syrah, this cool climate, low alcohol wine will redefine your idea of the possibilities of new-world Syrah. If you like your Syrah French, here is a kindred but one of a kind wine from Oregon.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Ayres Vineyard Gamay Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2019 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($299.95) $239 special
VinopolNote: This is a beautifully crisp and crunchy red from the 2019 vintage. We love it with a light chill all on its own, or enjoy with cheeses, salads, or roast chicken. Buy a case or two to carry you through the fall (and to be prepared for Thanksgiving!)
Winery note “This release is a bit of a change from the past as it no longer is a multi AVA blend but is entirely from Eola-Amity Hills AVA fruit. I think this may be the best AVA for Gamay in the WV. This is sourced exclusively this year from Jubilee Vineyard which I’m happy to say we lured into transitioning into organic farming. There’s more fruit and less savory/sappy/barky vibes. It’s still made using a traditional semi-carbonic maceration in concrete vats. It lives there for eight months before bottling. Again, no nothing until the devil’s piss at bottling – 25ppm. This is probably the best expression of Gamay I’ve produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Loop de Loop Syrah, Columbia Gorge 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Benefiting NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Intensely aromatic, this is a special clone of Northern Rhône Syrah. 100% whole cluster and co-fermented with our Riesling instead of the traditional co-fermentation with viognier. We expect this will not last long as it has generated a very excited response from our friends who have barrel tasted it with us. We wish we had more of it.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Deux Vert Vineyard Syrah, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($47.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91+ points “Marcus Goodfellow’s 2015 Deux Vert Vineyard (Reserve) bottling of Syrah includes five percent viognier, which grows alongside these syrah vines, which were the first to be planted in the Willamette Valley in 1994. The 2015 version comes in at 13.8 percent octane and delivers a refined and red fruity bouquet of raspberries, pepper, woodsmoke, roasted meats, lovely soil tones, plenty of spice elements and a nice framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with excellent transparency and grip, ripe tannins and a long, focused and nascently complex finish. This will be a lovely bottle in due course, but it needs some time in the cellar to allow its backend tannins to resolve a bit. Fine juice. 2030- 2055+. 91+.”
VinopolNote: The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result. While the wine is rich and intense, don’t expect over-the-top fruit here. This reminds us of high quality Northern Rhône wines, with dark, fresh fruits and a distinct meaty, savory overtone. One for the table with some air or for the cellar.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Brick House Vineyards Due East Gamay Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 21 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cameron Winery Nebbiolo, Dundee Hills 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 95 points “The 2016 Cameron Nebbiolo is truly a gorgeous wine and can easily be considered an American Barolo with its pure varietal character and profile. This vintage is just stunning and shows that this grape can be just as majestic in the Willamette Valley as it is in the Langhe! The Cameron Dundee Hills Nebbiolo shows a deep garnet color with just a hint of classic brickish magenta on the edges. The wine displays an earthy element along with pretty floral notes on the nose before revealing exceptional layers of traditional dark berries, plum, brandied cherries and black fig fruits along with blood orange, anise, dried lavender and a light cedrary spiciness. There’s so much to love here, the supple tannins and velvety mouth feel, but with structure at its core this wine gets better and better as it opens in the glass, filling out completely and becoming seamless and gaining depth with every sip, making for an exquisite Nebbiolo experience. The Cameron Nebbiolo shines in this vintage and the warmer site here allows riper flavors to come through and a lovely sense of richness, while still having the energy, leathery-earthiness and natural acidity the grape is known for. Interesting enough the alcohol is somewhat lower than warm year Barolo(s) that are coming in at 14.5% and higher. At 13% this wine delivers a fine balance and is fantastic with rustic cuisine. The Cameron Nebbiolo is sourced from the winery’s Clos Electrique cru vineyard in the Dundee Hills, set on the Jory (volcanic) soils, famous for winemaker John Paul’s Pinot Noirs, which are some of Oregon’s greatest wines. This estate vineyard consists of, according to the winery, approximately 3 acres of Pinot Noir, 2 acres of Chardonnay, half an acre of Italian white grape varieties, including Friulano and 1 acre of Nebbiolo that was first planted back in 1994. Cameron’s John Paul, who is a huge Italian wine geek and Barolo enthusiast, believed that Nebbiolo could thrive here as it was on a similar parallel and [since] hazelnut trees do well in both Piedmont and in the Willamette Valley. In fact Paul cleared an ex-hazelnut orchard to plant his two clones of Nebbiolo. Very early on it was clear he was right and that Nebbiolo could be a huge success, and this 2016 rises to a level of greatness. Cameron uses non irrigated vines that are farmed all organically which adds to the wine’s concentration and traditional old world winemaking techniques in the cellar with this Nebbiolo seeing extended elevage having adopted, as Paul notes, the long aging regimen typical of Barolo and Barbaresco to be more evolved and mature on release. The Cameron or Cameroni Italian inspired wines are outstanding, especially this Nebbiolo, plus their series of whites, like the Friuli style blend and the Pinot Bianco and the Ramato, skin contact Pinot Gris.”
Winery note “Our Nebbiolo is denominated “Willamette Valley” because the wine is a blend of fruit from Clos Electrique (Dundee Hills AVA) and Foster Farms (Ribbon Ridge AVA). It is garnet red, with a complex bouquet of tart cherries, rosehips, tobacco and dried orange peel. The palate has bright acidity, a long finish and firm “sand on the teeth” tannins that typify the Nebbiolo grape. Just like the “real deal” from Northern Piedmont!”
Cristom ‘Estate’ Syrah, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “Inky ruby-red. Mineral- and smoke-accented blackberry, cherry and olive scents pick up floral and incense accents with air. Sappy, energetic black and blue fruit and violet pastille flavors open up steadily and reveal a potent, spicy topnote. Concentrated yet graceful in style, showing a smoky mineral quality that adds lift to an impressively long, floral- and spice-tinged finish.”
Winery Note “Cristom began experimenting with Syrah in 2002, by grafting over plantings of Chardonnay on the lower slopes of our estate. We carefully selected which vines to graft over, choosing a low-lying block on our hillside where heat accumulation is at its highest on the estate, giving our Syrah the best opportunity to ripen in a moderate maritime climate. We produce an extremely limited quantities of this wine, resulting in a bit of a cult following for it over the years. The Cristom Estate Syrah wines are defined by spice, balance, perfume, texture and nuance, gaining complexity in the bottle for a decade or more.”
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Saint Cosme’s Stunning Single Vineyard Gigondas
Saint Cosme is one of the notable estates of the Southern Rhône. Louis Barroul is a talented winemaker and is the 14th generation of his family to make wines in the domaine that was founded in the 1500s. The wines he makes are rich and powerful, with undeniable terroir signatures. To highlight these varying terroirs, the estate bottles a handful of single vineyard Gigondas which are the most interesting and coveted wines in the portfolio.
The 2018s are some of the best wines they’ve yet made. The Valbelle cuvée is gone—blended in to the base level Gigondas. The remaining single vineyards are stunning. From the “best of everything” Hominis Fides to the more elegant Le Claux or the richer, more powerful Le Poste, these are a world-beating set of wine—at fantastic, best in country pricing.
In Stock Now:
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhône 2014 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense, with lots of grip along the edges, as rosemary, tobacco and charcoal notes coil around the core of steeped plum, blackberry and red currant fruit. Best from 2018 through 2024.”J.M.
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The most mineral-driven in the lineup, the 2014 Gigondas le Claux is almost 100% Grenache, and was fermented with 100% stems and aged in Burgundy barrels. Freshly crushed rocks, black currants, forest floor and truffle notes all flow beautifully to a medium to full-bodied, layered, sexy and nicely concentrated Gigondas that has enough fruit to drink well on release, yet the structure, balance and depth to evolve for 10-15 years. It’s an undeniable success in the vintage.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “Vivid ruby-red. Highly perfumed red fruit liqueur, potpourri and Asian spice scents show impressive clarity and vivacity. Sappy, tangy and precise, offering lively raspberry and floral pastille flavors and a touch of spicecake. Closes on a smoky mineral note, displaying superb focus, silky tannins and emphatic, floral-driven persistence.”
The 2018s are some of the best wines they’ve yet made. The Valbelle cuvée is gone—blended in to the base level Gigondas. The remaining single vineyards are stunning. From the “best of everything” Hominis Fides to the more elegant Le Claux or the richer, more powerful Le Poste, these are a world-beating set of wine—at fantastic, best in country pricing.
In Stock Now:
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhône 2014 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense, with lots of grip along the edges, as rosemary, tobacco and charcoal notes coil around the core of steeped plum, blackberry and red currant fruit. Best from 2018 through 2024.”J.M.
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The most mineral-driven in the lineup, the 2014 Gigondas le Claux is almost 100% Grenache, and was fermented with 100% stems and aged in Burgundy barrels. Freshly crushed rocks, black currants, forest floor and truffle notes all flow beautifully to a medium to full-bodied, layered, sexy and nicely concentrated Gigondas that has enough fruit to drink well on release, yet the structure, balance and depth to evolve for 10-15 years. It’s an undeniable success in the vintage.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “Vivid ruby-red. Highly perfumed red fruit liqueur, potpourri and Asian spice scents show impressive clarity and vivacity. Sappy, tangy and precise, offering lively raspberry and floral pastille flavors and a touch of spicecake. Closes on a smoky mineral note, displaying superb focus, silky tannins and emphatic, floral-driven persistence.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhône 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 96 points “Brilliant violet. Highly perfumed black raspberry and cherry liqueur aromas are accompanied by potpourri, mocha, vanilla and baking spice nuances, along with a smoky mineral flourish that builds in the glass. Juicy and appealingly sweet, displaying palate-staining red and blue fruit, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that show superb depth and a smooth, seamless texture. Deftly balances richness and vivacity and finishes extremely long and spicy, with smooth, harmonious tannins and a subtle echo of candied flowers and kirsch.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “Notes of camphor, dried soil, crushed rocks, and loads of red and black fruits define the 2017 Gigondas Le Claux, which is 100% Grenache from a site just down the road from the estate. I always find a certain Burgundian character in this cuvée and it’s certainly present in the 2017. With medium to full body, a beautiful elegance and purity, and fine tannins, give bottles a few years and enjoy over the following decade or more.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Gigondas le Claux features deep blue and black fruit on the nose. It’s full-bodied in the mouth, with a generous, silky mouthfeel and an expansive, voluptuous finish that folds in hints of dark chocolate and salted licorice. All Grenache, from vines planted in the 19th century, it’s a terrific Gigondas.”
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhône 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Everything about the all-Grenache 2018 Gigondas le Claux is big. From the huge black cherry and blackberry fruit, to the insane levels of concentration, the rich, velvety tannins and the never-ending, licorice-tinged finish, this beauty should evolve positively for at least a decade and a half.-JC”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Quite ripe, with waves of warmed plum sauce and blackberry preserves rolling through, wrapped liberally with licorice root, sage and lavender notes. Iron minerality runs through the finish, letting the fruit and savory notes meld wonderfully. Built for the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2035.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Coming from a site just across the road from the Hominis Fides vineyard, the 2018 Gigondas Le Claux was not destemmed and brought up mostly in used, larger barrels. Beautifully Provençal notes of black raspberries, camphor, flowery incense, and peppery spice and emerge from the glass and this beauty is reminds me of a Grand Cru Red Burgundy on the palate with its seamless, elegant, layered texture. It’s not a blockbuster like the 2016 and 2017 yet shines for its complex aromatics and flawless balance. It also has more than enough structure to evolve for two decades.”
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Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste, Rhône 2017 750ML ($139.95) $109 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “More closed and backward than either the Hominis Fides or Le Claux, the 2017 Gigondas Le Poste is nevertheless just as impressive and offers its hallmark purity and elegance paired with stunning richness and depth. Black and blue fruits, crushed rocks, graphite, and a beautiful violet character all define the bouquet. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it’s the purity of fruit and balance that set this beauty above just about every other Gigondas out there. Do your best to hide bottles for at least 4-5 years.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “More civilized than it was last year out of barrel, the 2017 Gigondas le Poste boasts lovely blueberry and cassis fruit. It’s full-bodied and intense yet silky and darn near elegant on the palate. Don’t underestimate the quantity of (ripe) tannins here, which provide a pleasant chewiness to the long, salted-licorice finish.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is packed with steeped fig, blackberry and boysenberry confiture notes, laced liberally with violet, anise, tobacco and lavender accents. Has enough grip through the finish to keep it honest, with tar and juniper notes adding spine and heft. A beauty. Best from 2020 through 2035. From France.—J.M.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Deep lurid ruby. Highly fragrant suggestions of ripe red berries, cherry preserves, exotic spices and candied flowers are accompanied by a smoky mineral element that builds steadily with air. Smooth and seamless on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, cherry cola, spicecake and candied lavender flavors that convey a suave mix of power and delicacy. Closes smooth, gently tannic and impressively long, leaving sappy red fruit and floral pastille notes behind.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste, Rhône 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 98 points “In spring 2018, the outlook for the vintage was bleak. ‘Never before had we experienced so many issues with mildew,’ Louis Barruol reported in his annual newsletter. ‘ When it rains every three days and the temperature peaks at 28 degrees C, everything becomes difficult.’ And yet the estate’s 2018 Gigondas are some of the most profound wines we tasted this year. Barruol credits the health of his vines, which have been tended under organic principles since his father, Henri, began working there in 1957; they’ve been certified organic by Ecocert since 2010. And there’s also the quality of his parcels, such as Le Poste, a steep two and a half acres of limestone soils that his father planted to vines in 1963. At a cool elevation of 918 feet, Le Poste yielded a wine that’s monumental in size and scope, clearly built to last for ages. It feels all of a piece, with no signle flavor taking precedence. There’s hints of foie gras and leg of lamb layered into fruit notes of figs and cherries, an enticing play of freshness and funk, light and dark, lift and gravitas. And the flavors last, held up by a structure that promises to carry the wine for many years in the cellar.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Another sensational wine, the 2018 Gigondas Le Poste comes from a hillside parcel just up from the domaine, just to the east of the village of Gigondas. Deep ruby/purple-hued with killer notes of blackcurrants, ground pepper, violets, tobacco leaf, and obvious minerality, it’s full-bodied, has a fleshy, layered, opulent texture, building tannins, and a great, great finish. It shows the more approachable style of the vintage yet still bring incredible richness and depth. It will blow you away anytime over the coming 10-15 years.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Packed, with a core of steeped plum, boysenberry and blackberry confiture flavors layered nicely with violet, anise and applewood notes. Dense but vibrant throughout, with a bundle of energetic grip on the finish that melds nicely with the fruit. Deeply buried minerality lurks at the very end. This should be long-lived. Best from 2022 through 2036.”
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “Given the intensity of every cuvée at this estate, I was blown away by the elegance shown by the 2018 Gigondas le Poste. Violet and aniseed aromas accent plum and black cherry fruit, while this full-bodied wine is creamy-velvety in texture, with a long, silky finish that folds in distinct salted-licorice notes. Wow!-JC”
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Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
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
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
Back-Vintage Classics from Castell’in Villa
In Chianti, there are the producers who reliably produce beautiful examples of Sangiovese. We talk about our favorites regularly, and we’ve flown the Castell’in Villa flag before. But each time a member of our staff reacquaints themselves with one of these magnificent wines, we feel we the need to remind our customers.
In every way these are classic, offering very old-school flavor profiles (dried tart cherries, herbs and floral notes, all backed up with a red earth dustiness), with the stuffing to last for decades. They seem timeless and perfect on the table with anything you’d like to throw at them. It has become easy to find Chianti that is rushed to market, disjointed and flabby, missing the fresh acidity that is a hallmark of this food-friendly wine. Castell’in Villa, in contrast, takes pride in how long their wines age and the winery keeps (and releases) significant library wines. They’re significant both in age and also in importance—it’s very hard to find older Chianti in the secondary market (most collectors who buy Castell’in Villa are loathe to sell it). These are reference point wines, capable of being utterly profound experiences for decades. We’ve got a number of cellar releases on hand, and are thrilled to feature them once again today.
In Stock Now:
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 1993 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1993 Chianti Classico Riserva is another stunning wine. It boasts gorgeous depth and purity, not to mention fabulous overall balance. Sweet dark cherries, licorice, mint and spices are woven together in this fleshy, supple Riserva. The firm tannins are there, but the 1993 has more than enough fruit to stand up to the wine’s structural components. Today the 1993 comes across as slightly smaller scaled version of the 1990. This is a fabulous wine with at least another decade of fine drinking ahead of it.”
In every way these are classic, offering very old-school flavor profiles (dried tart cherries, herbs and floral notes, all backed up with a red earth dustiness), with the stuffing to last for decades. They seem timeless and perfect on the table with anything you’d like to throw at them. It has become easy to find Chianti that is rushed to market, disjointed and flabby, missing the fresh acidity that is a hallmark of this food-friendly wine. Castell’in Villa, in contrast, takes pride in how long their wines age and the winery keeps (and releases) significant library wines. They’re significant both in age and also in importance—it’s very hard to find older Chianti in the secondary market (most collectors who buy Castell’in Villa are loathe to sell it). These are reference point wines, capable of being utterly profound experiences for decades. We’ve got a number of cellar releases on hand, and are thrilled to feature them once again today.
In Stock Now:
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 1993 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1993 Chianti Classico Riserva is another stunning wine. It boasts gorgeous depth and purity, not to mention fabulous overall balance. Sweet dark cherries, licorice, mint and spices are woven together in this fleshy, supple Riserva. The firm tannins are there, but the 1993 has more than enough fruit to stand up to the wine’s structural components. Today the 1993 comes across as slightly smaller scaled version of the 1990. This is a fabulous wine with at least another decade of fine drinking ahead of it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Castell’in Villa ‘Poggio delle Rose’, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 1996 750ML ($159.95) $128 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1996 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose emerges from the glass with generous fruit, which is given additional volume and richness from the French oak. The 1996 is a big, big wine, especially within the context of the vintage. Because 1996 is the debut vintage, the percentage of new barrels is higher than in subsequent years, and the wine remains marked by the oak. Smoke, licorice and tar wrap around a muscular finish supported by firm, insistent tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2005 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva is an impressive wine for the vintage. It boasts a serious core of fruit backed up by considerable structure. The sheer purity and delineation is fabulous. I won’t at all be surprised if the 2005 blossoms into an even better wine than this note suggests. There is no shortage of potential. Ideally the 2005 should be cellared for at least a few years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Castell’in Villa ‘Poggio delle Rose’, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2006 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose brings together all of the best elements of this site and house style. Firm tannins frame a core of deeply expressive, opulent fruit in this full-throttle, huge Chianti Classico. Threads of sweet perfumed fruit run through the 2006 as it shows off its class and personality. Mint, flowers and sweet red berries punctuate the explosive finish. This is a dazzling showing from Castell’in Villa.”
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Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2008 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 3 bottle in stock now
Ian D’agata–Vinous 92+ points “Good bright red. Nose began closed and brooding, but showed vibrant notes of redcurrant, mint and dried flowers with aeration, complicated by a strong mineral quality. Sweet and nicely lush in the mouth, with suave flavors of redcurrant, herbs and tobacco joined on the back end by a very strong element of gunflint. The long finish features a firm acid spine and youthfully chewy but noble tannins.”
Also in Stock from Castell’in Villa:
Castell’in Villa Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Tuscany 1998 500ML ($119.95) $99 special, 3 bottle in stock now
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Castell’in Villa Santacroce Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2004 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 15 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2004 Santacroce is silky, layered and impeccably balanced. Sweet red roses, red berries and spices are all woven together beautifully in this refined, expressive wine. This is a lovely showing. The 2004 captures the essence of the 2004 vintage in a relatively soft, supple style built for near and mid-term enjoyment.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Tuscany? We have 160 wines from Tuscany in stock now. Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Castello di Ama, Felsina and Fontodi, on our web store now.
Bodegas San Román
Spanish Treasure
“The Toro region of Spain has been famous for centuries. Its rich, robust Tempranillos are loaded with complexity, in part because of the dramatic temperature swings during the scorching summer days and frigid evenings in the high elevation vineyards. Despite the fame and the obvious appeal to modern day drinkers, like most Spanish regions, the wines still fly under the radar and thus are insane values. Consider the flagship eponymous wine from Bodegas San Román. Despite the famed founding winemaker, despite the consistent high praise, despite the knife-edge balance, this wine is just $40. Try to find a bargain like that in Napa. I have been absolutely enchanted by this wine since I first tried it while in graduate school more than a decade ago. The combination of richness and poise was just amazing to me. The wine can be quite powerful but maintains an amazing sense of balance and terroir. Simply put, it is one of the great wines of the world.” –Dr. Owen Bargreen, Washington Wine Blog
In Stock Now:
(Maurodos) Bodegas San Román, Toro 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93 points “(aged for two years in 75 percent French and 25 percent American oak barrels, half of them new) Inky purple. Heady cherry, dark berry, vanilla and violet pastille qualities on the oak-accented nose. At once rich and energetic; a firm spine of acidity provides lift to sweet cassis, blueberry and vanilla flavors. Closes with youthful tannic grip and impressive persistence, leaving dark berry and licorice candy notes behind.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 San Román was produced with fruit from older vineyards in Toro. In 2012 they started reducing the amount of the new oak in this wine and the change is quite noticeable. There is something leafy and floral showing elegance within the power that the place provides naturally. 2013 was quite different in Toro from Ribera del Duero, here the cooler years are a plus, as they balance the extra ripeness the place provides. In 2013 there was no rain during the harvest and the grapes were very healthy. There are some fine tannins and the profile of a more austere and transparent vintage, a mineral year. But it does have the smokey and slightly wild character of Toro. 87,000 bottles produced.”
Also in Stock from Toro:
Tritón’ Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Tritón’ Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($239.95) $179 special
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Made from 100% Tinta de Toro aged a year in used barrels (and some demi-muids), the 2017 Tritón comes from multiple vineyards and is made in decent amounts. It’s a rich, powerful wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, licorice, crushed rocks, and crushed violets. It’s full-bodied, has impressive depth of fruit, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s a rocking wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years or more.”
James Suckling 91 points “An array of ripe dark-berry and raspberry aromas with biscuity nuances, as well as boysenberries. The palate has a sleek, essence-like feel. Such richness. Open-knit with soft berries. Very long and very ripe. Drink or hold.”
Vatan Tinta de Toro, Toro 2015 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Seeing the same élevage as the 2016, the 2015 Vatan offers a slightly more saturated color as well as smoking good notes of blackcurrants, smoked earth, melted licorice, violets, and dark chocolate. Fabulous on the palate as well, with full-bodied richness, flawless balance, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish, it’s a primordial baby at the moment, yet this thrilling wine could compete with wine costing 3-4 times the price.”
Love Spanish reds? We have 120 red wines from Spain in stock now. Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Marqués de Murrieta, Terroir al Límit, Vega Sicilia and more, on our web store now.
Collector’s Corner
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz – Viognier, Barossa Valley 2016 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “A blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier made just prior to bottling, the 2016 RunRig is a complete masterpiece. It kicks off with elegant notes of pencil shavings accenting blueberries and blackberries on the nose, then shows incredible, palate-staining intensity of fruit in the mouth. It’s full-bodied, plush and velvety without being unstructured and manages to be fruit-forward yet savory on the long-lasting finish, where it picks up hints of mocha and black olives. This should be drinkable with pleasure throughout its entire two-decade life (it may live longer from cold cellars or in larger formats), but if I were lucky enough to have a bottle or two, I’d try the first one about 10 years out.”
In Stock Now:
(Maurodos) Bodegas San Román, Toro 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93 points “(aged for two years in 75 percent French and 25 percent American oak barrels, half of them new) Inky purple. Heady cherry, dark berry, vanilla and violet pastille qualities on the oak-accented nose. At once rich and energetic; a firm spine of acidity provides lift to sweet cassis, blueberry and vanilla flavors. Closes with youthful tannic grip and impressive persistence, leaving dark berry and licorice candy notes behind.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 San Román was produced with fruit from older vineyards in Toro. In 2012 they started reducing the amount of the new oak in this wine and the change is quite noticeable. There is something leafy and floral showing elegance within the power that the place provides naturally. 2013 was quite different in Toro from Ribera del Duero, here the cooler years are a plus, as they balance the extra ripeness the place provides. In 2013 there was no rain during the harvest and the grapes were very healthy. There are some fine tannins and the profile of a more austere and transparent vintage, a mineral year. But it does have the smokey and slightly wild character of Toro. 87,000 bottles produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Also in Stock from Toro:
Tritón’ Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Tritón’ Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($239.95) $179 special
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Made from 100% Tinta de Toro aged a year in used barrels (and some demi-muids), the 2017 Tritón comes from multiple vineyards and is made in decent amounts. It’s a rich, powerful wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, licorice, crushed rocks, and crushed violets. It’s full-bodied, has impressive depth of fruit, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s a rocking wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years or more.”
James Suckling 91 points “An array of ripe dark-berry and raspberry aromas with biscuity nuances, as well as boysenberries. The palate has a sleek, essence-like feel. Such richness. Open-knit with soft berries. Very long and very ripe. Drink or hold.”
Vatan Tinta de Toro, Toro 2015 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Seeing the same élevage as the 2016, the 2015 Vatan offers a slightly more saturated color as well as smoking good notes of blackcurrants, smoked earth, melted licorice, violets, and dark chocolate. Fabulous on the palate as well, with full-bodied richness, flawless balance, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish, it’s a primordial baby at the moment, yet this thrilling wine could compete with wine costing 3-4 times the price.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Spanish reds? We have 120 red wines from Spain in stock now. Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Marqués de Murrieta, Terroir al Límit, Vega Sicilia and more, on our web store now.
Collector’s Corner
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz
Torbreck is one of the truly iconic Australian wineries. They produce wines at every price-point, but in their native land Torbreck is a legendary name thanks to their ‘RunRig’ Shiraz—a towering bottling that sits with Penfold’s Grange and Henschke’s Hill of Grace as one of the country’s best wines. Both the 2015 and 2016 iterations combine the raw power of Barossa with enough polish to take these wines into transcendent realms. Unsurprisingly they have been heralded by both critics (Wine Advocate 98 and 100 points respectively) and consumers alike. These are apex examples of Australian Shiraz, bottlings that should not be missed by any collector of prestige new world reds.
In Stock Now:
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz – Viognier, Barossa Valley 2015 750ML ($199.95) $166 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “Who would’ve thought that in the context of Barossa Shiraz, the 2015 RunRig would seem like a relative bargain? It’s certainly much less expensive than Grange or Hill of Grace will be when they’re released. It’s also more approachable in its youth, with enormously appealing aromas of grilled fruit, savory complexities and rich, velvety tannins. Of course, it’s full-bodied and concentrated, with the stuffing to age for up to a couple of decades, and it has a long, licorice-tinged finish. Winemaker Ian Hongell, who joined Torbreck from Peter Lehmann, may not have made this wine, but he deserves a lot of credit for the blending and finishing of this tour de force.”
In Stock Now:
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz – Viognier, Barossa Valley 2015 750ML ($199.95) $166 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “Who would’ve thought that in the context of Barossa Shiraz, the 2015 RunRig would seem like a relative bargain? It’s certainly much less expensive than Grange or Hill of Grace will be when they’re released. It’s also more approachable in its youth, with enormously appealing aromas of grilled fruit, savory complexities and rich, velvety tannins. Of course, it’s full-bodied and concentrated, with the stuffing to age for up to a couple of decades, and it has a long, licorice-tinged finish. Winemaker Ian Hongell, who joined Torbreck from Peter Lehmann, may not have made this wine, but he deserves a lot of credit for the blending and finishing of this tour de force.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Torbreck RunRig Shiraz – Viognier, Barossa Valley 2016 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “A blend of 98% Shiraz and 2% Viognier made just prior to bottling, the 2016 RunRig is a complete masterpiece. It kicks off with elegant notes of pencil shavings accenting blueberries and blackberries on the nose, then shows incredible, palate-staining intensity of fruit in the mouth. It’s full-bodied, plush and velvety without being unstructured and manages to be fruit-forward yet savory on the long-lasting finish, where it picks up hints of mocha and black olives. This should be drinkable with pleasure throughout its entire two-decade life (it may live longer from cold cellars or in larger formats), but if I were lucky enough to have a bottle or two, I’d try the first one about 10 years out.”
Thanks for reading!