In Today’s Newsletter:
2017 G.D. Vajra & Luigi Baudana Barolo
First Offer!
2008 Dom Pérignon Luminous
More Stock Arriving Friday
Staff Pick
New ‘Bistro Chinon’ from Charles Joguet
Smart Buys from Champagne
All $40-$50
Best Sellers from Italy
Oregon Icons
Beaux Frères & Sequitur
Domaine Château du Grand Pré
A New Natural Star in Fleurie
2017 G.D. Vajra & Luigi Baudana Barolo
First Offer!
We’re excited to present one of the most anticipated offerings of the year—G.D. Vajra’s 2017 Barolos. Across all three crus (plus the Luigi Baudana wines, which Vajra owns and makes), these are some of the best wines made in Barolo, at any price. That they’re all under $80 a bottle seems inconceivable to us—especially compared to their peer group in the Piedmont. From top to bottom, the wines are excellent and they’re a real reference point that others are judged against. The estate has always been good, but seems to have reached another level over the last decade.
It’s probably no coincidence that the quality of the estate’s wine has improved so much in recent years. In 2009, Vajra was entrusted by Luigi and Fiorina Baudana to carry on the legacy of their cherished property. This honor undoubtedly helped motivate Vajra to take its quality commitment to an even higher level. And both the G.D. Vajra and Luigi Baudana wines have reflected this commitment ever since. Anyone serious about their Piedmontese drinking ought to be stocking up.
Pre-arrivals ETA June 2021:
G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is classy and elegant to the core. Medium in body and wonderfully translucent, the 2017 captures all of the finesse of this site. Naturally, the 2017 also shows the ripeness of the year, but it retains its sublime sense of poise. The 2017 Bricco delle Viole is one of the clear stand outs of the year.”
It’s probably no coincidence that the quality of the estate’s wine has improved so much in recent years. In 2009, Vajra was entrusted by Luigi and Fiorina Baudana to carry on the legacy of their cherished property. This honor undoubtedly helped motivate Vajra to take its quality commitment to an even higher level. And both the G.D. Vajra and Luigi Baudana wines have reflected this commitment ever since. Anyone serious about their Piedmontese drinking ought to be stocking up.
Pre-arrivals ETA June 2021:
G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is classy and elegant to the core. Medium in body and wonderfully translucent, the 2017 captures all of the finesse of this site. Naturally, the 2017 also shows the ripeness of the year, but it retains its sublime sense of poise. The 2017 Bricco delle Viole is one of the clear stand outs of the year.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
G.D. Vajra ‘Coste di Rose’, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Barolo Coste di Rose is pretty, supple and inviting. Some of the tannins need to resolve, but this is a young Barolo after all. The Coste di Rose doesn’t have the sensuality of the Albe or the pedigree of the Viole, but it nevertheless has so much to give. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint, crushed rocks and sage are some of the many notes that linger. I won’t be surprised if the 2017 is even better than this note suggests once it softens a bit.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
G.D. Vajra Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Ravera is gorgeous right out of the gate. I am so impressed with its depth and pedigree. Rose petal, sweet red berry fruit, lavender, spice and dried herbs are all finely delineated in a Barolo of tremendous presence. Orange peel, cinnamon and cedar develop later, adding shades of dimension. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s stature and power. The 2017 is going to be fascinating to follow. Today, it is just breathtaking. That’s all there is to it.”
Luigi Baudana ‘Baudana’, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Baudana is such a gorgeous wine. It, too conveys the power of Serralunga, but with a bit less heft than is typically the case. Sweet dark cherry, iron, cedar, rose petal, mint and white pepper give the 2017 its effusive, inviting personality. This is such a tremendous showing.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Luigi Baudana Cerretta, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “A dark, somber wine, the 2017 Barolo Cerretta shows the more potent, brooding side of Serralunga. Black cherry, gravel, smoke, cured meats, cloves and menthol add to an impression of virile intensity and pure power. Readers will have to be patient here, but there is certainly a ton to look forward to. This is another impressive showing from Baudana and the Vajra family.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Luigi Baudana Serralunga, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba may very well turn out to be one of the best wines of the year in its peer group. Dark and wonderfully expressive, yet also light on its feet for a Serralunga Barolo, the 2017 has so much going on. Black cherry, plum, spice, gravel, cured meats, lavender and sage all meld together in this dark yet translucent Barolo.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Piedmont? We have 190 different Piedmontese wines in stock. Shop the entire selection, including more options from GD Vajra and Luigi Baudana, on our web store now.
2008 Dom Pérignon Luminous
More Stock Arriving Friday
The 2008 vintage of Dom Pérignon has quickly established a reputation as the best iteration in a decade. We’re excited to receive another limited quantity of the Luminous Label edition (Wine Spectator’s #5 Wine of the Year in 2018) this Friday. Orders will be processed first come, first served, so the online store is the best and most effective way to get your bottle secured.
Arriving Friday, March 12th:
#5 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2018
Dom Pérignon Luminous Collection Brut Millésimé, Champagne 2008 750ML ($279.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2008 Dom Pérignon is fabulous, but quite remarkably, it was even more open when I tasted it a year ago. Bright, focused and crystalline in its precision, the 2008 is going to need a number of years before it is at its best. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint and white pepper give the 2008 its chiseled, bright profile. Several recent bottles have all been magnificent. What I admire most about the 2008 is the way it shows all the focus, translucence and energy that is such a signature of the year, and yet it is also remarkably deep and vertical. In other words, the 2008 is a Champagne that plays in three dimensions.”
John Gilman 98 points “The 2008 vintage of Dom Pérignon is an absolute classic in the making and this is destined to be one of the great recent years for this iconic cuvée. It is far more classically structured out of the blocks than the relatively generous 2009 version, offering up a deep, complex and very youthful bouquet of menthol, green apple, a touch of tangerine, a very complex base of minerality and notes of dried flowers in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with precise mousse, brisk acids and stunning length and grip on the primary and laser-like finish. This will demand some cellaring to start to really stir and should prove to be an extremely long-lived vintage of DP. Stellar juice.”
James Suckling 98 points “The best Dom since 2002. A vintage with very restrained, powerful style that has been released non-sequentially after the 2009. This has a lighter stamp of highly curated, autolytic, toasty aromas than many recent releases. Instead, this delivers super fresh and intense aromas of lemons, grapefruit and blood-orange peel. Incredible freshness here. The palate has a very smoothly delivered, berry-pastry thread with light, sweet spices, stone fruit and fine citrus fruit. This really delivers. Drink now or hold.”
Arriving Friday, March 12th:
#5 Wine of the Year – Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2018
Dom Pérignon Luminous Collection Brut Millésimé, Champagne 2008 750ML ($279.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2008 Dom Pérignon is fabulous, but quite remarkably, it was even more open when I tasted it a year ago. Bright, focused and crystalline in its precision, the 2008 is going to need a number of years before it is at its best. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint and white pepper give the 2008 its chiseled, bright profile. Several recent bottles have all been magnificent. What I admire most about the 2008 is the way it shows all the focus, translucence and energy that is such a signature of the year, and yet it is also remarkably deep and vertical. In other words, the 2008 is a Champagne that plays in three dimensions.”
John Gilman 98 points “The 2008 vintage of Dom Pérignon is an absolute classic in the making and this is destined to be one of the great recent years for this iconic cuvée. It is far more classically structured out of the blocks than the relatively generous 2009 version, offering up a deep, complex and very youthful bouquet of menthol, green apple, a touch of tangerine, a very complex base of minerality and notes of dried flowers in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with precise mousse, brisk acids and stunning length and grip on the primary and laser-like finish. This will demand some cellaring to start to really stir and should prove to be an extremely long-lived vintage of DP. Stellar juice.”
James Suckling 98 points “The best Dom since 2002. A vintage with very restrained, powerful style that has been released non-sequentially after the 2009. This has a lighter stamp of highly curated, autolytic, toasty aromas than many recent releases. Instead, this delivers super fresh and intense aromas of lemons, grapefruit and blood-orange peel. Incredible freshness here. The palate has a very smoothly delivered, berry-pastry thread with light, sweet spices, stone fruit and fine citrus fruit. This really delivers. Drink now or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $281
The average listed price is $281
Love Champagne? Check out some smart buys from $40-$50 below. Or shop the entire selection of 190 different Champagnes on our web store now.
Staff Pick
New ‘Bistro Chinon’ from Charles Joguet
New ‘Bistro Chinon’ from Charles Joguet
Saul:
Like many wine lovers, I adore Kermit Lynch’s classic Adventures on the Wine Route. It’s responsible for my interest in a lot of wine regions, but none more so than Chinon. Lynch’s description of the magnetic Charles Joguet captivated me and is certainly part of the reason I love the wines of the Loire. The dirty secret, though, was that for a period of time in the late 1990s/very early 2000s, the wines from Joguet weren’t particularly great. Charles had retired and the new winemaking team wasn’t quite up to his exacting standards.
Thankfully, Kevin Fontaine, the current winemaker, is a talented individual who has fully restored the Charles Joguet to the very top tier of producers in Chinon—recent releases have made me a believer again. The wines have more polish than in the past, but they do so without sacrificing the character of the place or the ageability of the wines. He’s really doing justice to one of the best collections of vineyards in the Loire—and being Chinon, prices are still reasonable.
On the lower end of their lineup, I really enjoy the Petites Roches bottling. It’s a perfect bistro Cabernet Franc, showing off the elegance and charm of gravelly terroirs in Chinon. This is a step up from their entry-level bottling (the Cuvée Terroir) that we’re able to offer for entry level pricing (less than $25/btl). Whether I’m looking for a wine to drink with a roast chicken, steak, or kale and bean soup, this is always a perfect weeknight warrior.
Arriving Friday, March 12th:
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2018 750ML ($31.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Vinous 91 points “This deep ruby red comes from 35-year-old clay and chalky soils. The 2018 vintage is more lively than the 2017. On the palate aromas of violet and blackberry, fresh berry and black pepper come alive. Thrilling acidity dances throughout.”
Kermit Lynch note “A young, peppery nose with tart red currant aromas that practically jump out of the glass. On the palate, the fruit follows through to a spicy, astonishingly lengthy finish. A satisfying match for charcuterie or creamy fresh goat cheese, which complement the refreshing acidity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvée Terroir, Loire 2018 750ML ($31.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Kermit Lynch note “Cuvée Terroir is born of a parcel of vines just west of Chinon known for its mysteriously Mediterranean vegetation. Fragrant pines replace the emblematic plane trees that typically line the river Vienne, and tiny wildflowers called silènes pop up in the sandy soil amid the vines, a colorful symbol of the area’s extraordinary biodiversity. Domaine Joguet lets the terroir speak for itself, aging the wine in stainless steel to respect its supple, delicate freshness. They call it their “vin des copains”: the wine you want to open with friends, and frequently.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos, Loire 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Very pure, featuring beautiful acidity that imparts freshness and energy, with cherry pit and red currant fruit notes gliding along. Medium tannins provide structure and support. The finish is long and expressive. Best from 2021 through 2029. 170 cases imported. — AZ”
Vinous 93 points “From one Charles Joguet’s prime sites at the foot of a gravelly terrace, from 40 to 50 year old vines in siliceous chalk and clay soil. Aged 12 months in barrel, then in stainless steel for 10 months. Cherry, pepper, and herb on the nose. Rich and plush in the mouth with big gravelly tannins. Balanced by cool, fresh dark fruit and a thrilling finish of spice and graphite. Great value.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
In Stock Now:
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Kermit Lynch note “When Charles Joguet took over the family vineyards in 1957, he set out to do something that was unheard of in the Loire Valley. Rather than blending all the fruit from his varied parcels, he opted for a more Burgundian approach and began vinifying each individually, highlighting Chinon’s diversity of soils and exposures and playing with the nuances of vine age to propose a gamut of different wines of unique character. It is in this spirit that the domaine’s current vigneron, Kevin Fontaine, crafts the cuvée Les Petites Roches, named for the estate’s gravelly terroirs. Given light treatment in the cellar, this wine shows off Cabernet in its most delicate, charming form, rife with aromas of roses, damp earth, and little red berries, along with a gentle tannin holding it all together. This classic representation of Cabernet Franc from Chinon can be enjoyed over the next five or so years with roast chicken, pork chops, or game.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Love Loire wines? We have 88 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Bernard Baudry, Domaine Huet, Thibaud Boudignon and more, on our web store now.
Smart Buys from Champagne
All $40-$50
In Stock Now:
Refined, balanced, charming
Gaston Chiquet Premier Cru Brut Tradition, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Importer note “40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. Disgorged May 2019”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “Disgorged in May 2019, the latest release of Chiquet’s supremely dependable NV Brut Premier Cru Tradition reveals an inviting bouquet of crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, honeycomb, Meyer lemon and warm biscuits. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with a youthfully frothy but refined mousse, a succulent core of fruit and ripe but racy balancing acids. It’s already drinking well.”
A cellar pick
Chartogne-Taillet Cuvée Sainte Anne Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($51.95) $44 special, 19 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 90+ points “The current release of Alexandre Chartogne’s Cuvée Ste. Anne non-vintage Brut is from the base year of 2017. The vins clairs were raised in a combination of both stainless steel and oak and the wine was not bottled up for secondary fermentation until July of 2018. The cépages is its customary blend of nearly equal parts of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier and the wine was disgorged in February of 2020, with a finishing dosage of just over five grams per liter. The wine offers up a vibrant bouquet of apple, white peach, a fine base of soil tones, brioche, gentle smokiness and a topnote of white flowers. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a good core, elegant bubbles, fine balance and grip and a long, zesty and quite classy finish. This seems a touch longer on the backend to me than the last couple of iterations of this bottling that I have tasted and is first class, non-vintage Brut. But, this is still a fairly young wine and I would be inclined to give it some bottle age to let it start to blossom properly. 2022-2040.”
Importer note “60% 2017 base, 40% from 2016 & 2015.”
Refined, balanced, charming
Gaston Chiquet Premier Cru Brut Tradition, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Importer note “40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. Disgorged May 2019”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “Disgorged in May 2019, the latest release of Chiquet’s supremely dependable NV Brut Premier Cru Tradition reveals an inviting bouquet of crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, honeycomb, Meyer lemon and warm biscuits. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with a youthfully frothy but refined mousse, a succulent core of fruit and ripe but racy balancing acids. It’s already drinking well.”
A cellar pick
Chartogne-Taillet Cuvée Sainte Anne Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($51.95) $44 special, 19 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 90+ points “The current release of Alexandre Chartogne’s Cuvée Ste. Anne non-vintage Brut is from the base year of 2017. The vins clairs were raised in a combination of both stainless steel and oak and the wine was not bottled up for secondary fermentation until July of 2018. The cépages is its customary blend of nearly equal parts of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier and the wine was disgorged in February of 2020, with a finishing dosage of just over five grams per liter. The wine offers up a vibrant bouquet of apple, white peach, a fine base of soil tones, brioche, gentle smokiness and a topnote of white flowers. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a good core, elegant bubbles, fine balance and grip and a long, zesty and quite classy finish. This seems a touch longer on the backend to me than the last couple of iterations of this bottling that I have tasted and is first class, non-vintage Brut. But, this is still a fairly young wine and I would be inclined to give it some bottle age to let it start to blossom properly. 2022-2040.”
Importer note “60% 2017 base, 40% from 2016 & 2015.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
A rare solera method Champagne
R. Dumont & Fils Solera Réserve Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $44.50 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Dumont is one of the very few Champagne producers who produces a champagne using the solera method. Bernard Dumont has dedicated one stainless steel tank to the project which was first filled in 1991. He works exclusively with chardonnay for this cuvée and has been adding to the tank every year, making it at present, a blend of approximately 20 vintages. This solera system produced its first release in 2010. One of the most striking features of this champagne is the different effect created by producing a champagne from aged wine (the aging occurs after the first fermentation) followed by the typical duration of two years “sur lattes” as contrasted with a champagne produced from relatively young wines which are aged for a long time after the secondary fermentation and thus remain in contact with the lees “sur lattes” for an extended period. The dosage is 6 grams. Production is about 400 cases annually.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Our best-selling Rosé Champagne
Andre Clouet Grand Cru Brut Rosé, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $45 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Andre Clouet Grand Cru Brut Rosé, Champagne NV 750ML ($319.95) $249 special (that’s only $41.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Andre Clouet Grand Cru Brut Rosé, Champagne NV 750ML ($599.95) $469 special (that’s only $39.08/bottle!)
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “[Review from prior disgorgement] The latest release of Clouet’s deeply colored NV Brut Rosé No 3 Grand Cru is showing well, opening in the glass with notes of blood orange, red berries, ripe apples and oatmeal. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, broad and vinous, with ripe acids, a frothy mousse and a moderately intense finish. This is an attractive, gastronomic rosé that hails exclusively from Bouzy.”
A staff favorite
Nicolas Maillart Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $45 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “A blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the NV Extra-Brut Premier Cru was disgorged in February 2019 with three grams per liter dosage. Offering up aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, dried white flowers and citrus oil, it’s medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive, with a perceptibly drier, tangier profile than Maillart’s more enveloping Brut Platine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead. Aroma: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a sligth toastiness. Taste: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Food and wine: Aperitif, white fish like haddock or cod. Pinot Noir is dominant, with a complement of Chardonnay that brings freshness to the blend. The high percentage of reserve wines (30 to 40%), aged in barrels, confers a high regularity and style to this Brut Platine. Only “Grand” and premier crus are used in this wine, with origins in the Montagne de Reims, on vineyards managed by us. With a very gentle process, we keep all the richness of the grapes. Aged around three years on its lees, this Brut Platine develops all its richness. A natural balance and freshness allows a low dosage (3 g/l).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A fashionable Brut Nature
Lombard & Cie Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $47 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “50% Pinot Noir (Ambonnay and Verzenay) & 50% Chardonnay (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Chouilly, Avize and Cramant). 20% reserve wine. 4-5 years sur lattes. Disgorged 7/24/2018. 0g/L dosage.”
A coveted 100% Pinot Blanc Champagne
Piollot Père et Fils Colas Robin Pinot Blanc Extra Brut, Champagne (2014) NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Importer note “From the Val Colas Robin vineyard in Polisot. Organic farming. The first vintage produced from grapes harvested in 2010. A fuller bodied, unique expression of Champagne. Production: 4,000 bottles/year.”
Winery note “100% Pinot Blanc – Zéro dosage – Tank aging and 20% of oak – Malolactic fermentation – Sur lattes : 5 years.”
Elegant & lively
Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé, Champagne 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “This elegant blanc de blancs shows a pleasing vibrancy from the lively bead and bright acidity, both well-meshed to pretty floral and spice accents and flavors of Gala apple, biscuit and lemon zest. Creamy. Drink now through 2025. 16 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $57.98
The next lowest listed price is $57.98
Best Sellers from Italy
Piedmont
Rich & generous
Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($419.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Conca Tre Pile is piled high with dark fruit intensity, soft tannins and a pinch of fresh acidity that breaks apart the wine’s rich fruit flavors. The hot vintage has taken well to the Barbera grape, accentuating its volume, richness and generosity. The bouquet offers black fruit, dried plum, spice, truffle-infused earth and toasted hazelnut. Some 20,000 bottles were made.”
Balanced & food-friendly
Cascina delle Rose Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
“Here is a comparably food-friendly red wine to pair with simple roast meats or risotto with wild mushrooms. The Cascina delle Rose 2018 Barbera d’Alba is an easier wine when contrasted with the Barbera d’Alba Superiore Donna Elena from 2017 that I also tasted in this report. Yet this wine does not show that jammy ripeness that you get in the Superiore and ultimately shows more balance as a result. There is some softness with dried blackberry and Morello cherry, but the cooler 2018 vintage manages those aromas with more precision and a softer touch. Some 4,500 bottles were released.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Sicily
A blend of two of Sicily’s most beloved grapes
Azienda Agricola Cos Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG, Sicily 2016 750ML ($49.95) $37 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico is a very nice wine that shows a smooth texture and a delicate approach that grows in intensity. There are small-berry aromas with cassis, wild raspberry and dried blueberry, which would spruce up any pasta like a Sicilian pasta alla Norma. A blend of 40% Frappato and 60% Nero d’Avola aged in oak barrels for 12 months, the wine is delicate and smooth, with tiny steps that go the long haul. The tannins are well integrated and give the wine a firm, upstanding backbone. Some 83,000 bottles were made.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “A blend of nero d’Avola with 40 percent Frappato and aged in large Slavonian oak cases, this feels cool and slightly tangy, with dynamic acidity driving its red and black berry flavors. It picks up notes of wild herbs and orange peel as the flavors progress across the palate, adding to the wine’s lean, vertical profile.”
“The elegant side of Nero d’Avola”
Gulfi Nerosanlore Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Gulfi Nerosanlore Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($299.95) $237 special (that’s only $39.50/bottle!)
Ian D’agata-Vinous 97 points “Luminous red. Precise, brooding aromas of ripe red cherry, flint, orange rind, cinnamon, lavender and violet, complicated by iodine and earth. Silky and sappy with refined but very concentrated extract, this smothers the taste buds but stays vibrant and not at all heavy, offering lovely definition and lift to the red cherry, raspberry, floral and mineral flavors. Finishes extremely deep and long, with ultra-suave tannins, mesmerizing inner-mouth perfume and extreme refinement; very Barolo-like. A lovely multilayered wine showcasing the elegant side of Nero d’Avola that very few producers ever manage to showcase.”
Tuscany
A terrific sub-$30 ‘Super Tuscan’
Caiarossa ‘Pergolaia’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Flavors of black cherry and blackberry stand up to the dense tannins in this fresh, deep and intense red, but this is equally about the vibrant acidity driving the fruit, wild herb nuances and spice-infused aftertaste. Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2040. 4,700 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “Mostly Sangiovese with the other 30% composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Pergolaia is all about matching grapes to soils, a tribute to Tuscany from a French-owned estate better known for its international approach. This vintage has slightly less Sangiovese than usual in order to create a more accessible wine, with more freshness and juiciness. It’s almost crunchy in texture, a full-bodied red that covers the whole mouth. The aging is spread out evenly between botte and tonneaux, as they reserved the big wood for the more delicate Sangiovese grape. The fruit here shows perfect ripeness with lots of primary intensity and freshness. It’s a versatile red to match with all kinds of pastas and meats. It’s ready to open now or to age for just a few more years.”
“Pure class and built for the cellar”
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $62.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($539.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows a darker and more concentrated appearance than many of its peers. The wine is beautifully abundant and fragrant in the most exuberant and expressive manner. You will recognize aromas of moist soil, tobacco and smoke. Candied cherry hovers over the entire bouquet. Fruit is sourced from older vines (all over 25 years old). Il Poggione occupies a special spot within the Montalcino appellation, and the area always produces slightly more concentrated and powerful wines. I find that to be particularly true in this gorgeous 2015 vintage. I am also very attracted to that almost dusty note of crushed mineral that rides long on the full-bodied finish. Il Poggione’s Brunello is also distinguished by firm, youthful tannin that need a few more years to unwind. Luckily, there are quite a few bottles to go around, with some 200,000 made.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 97 points “Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino offers up a dark, earthy, almost animal-like expression, showing black soil and undergrowth, giving way to crushed black cherry, dusty spice, and dried florals which lift the experience. On the palate, soft, fleshy textures usher in fresh cherry and strawberry, as brisk acids add energy, with savory herbs and minerals saturating, as the 2015 Il Poggione’s fruit nearly masks its structural core. The finish is long yet fresh, with classic, fine tannins, dried red fruits and pretty inner floral tones lingering throughout this perfectly balanced expression. The 2015 s pure class and built for the cellar.”
Rich & generous
Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($419.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Conca Tre Pile is piled high with dark fruit intensity, soft tannins and a pinch of fresh acidity that breaks apart the wine’s rich fruit flavors. The hot vintage has taken well to the Barbera grape, accentuating its volume, richness and generosity. The bouquet offers black fruit, dried plum, spice, truffle-infused earth and toasted hazelnut. Some 20,000 bottles were made.”
Balanced & food-friendly
Cascina delle Rose Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
“Here is a comparably food-friendly red wine to pair with simple roast meats or risotto with wild mushrooms. The Cascina delle Rose 2018 Barbera d’Alba is an easier wine when contrasted with the Barbera d’Alba Superiore Donna Elena from 2017 that I also tasted in this report. Yet this wine does not show that jammy ripeness that you get in the Superiore and ultimately shows more balance as a result. There is some softness with dried blackberry and Morello cherry, but the cooler 2018 vintage manages those aromas with more precision and a softer touch. Some 4,500 bottles were released.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Sicily
A blend of two of Sicily’s most beloved grapes
Azienda Agricola Cos Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG, Sicily 2016 750ML ($49.95) $37 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico is a very nice wine that shows a smooth texture and a delicate approach that grows in intensity. There are small-berry aromas with cassis, wild raspberry and dried blueberry, which would spruce up any pasta like a Sicilian pasta alla Norma. A blend of 40% Frappato and 60% Nero d’Avola aged in oak barrels for 12 months, the wine is delicate and smooth, with tiny steps that go the long haul. The tannins are well integrated and give the wine a firm, upstanding backbone. Some 83,000 bottles were made.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “A blend of nero d’Avola with 40 percent Frappato and aged in large Slavonian oak cases, this feels cool and slightly tangy, with dynamic acidity driving its red and black berry flavors. It picks up notes of wild herbs and orange peel as the flavors progress across the palate, adding to the wine’s lean, vertical profile.”
“The elegant side of Nero d’Avola”
Gulfi Nerosanlore Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Gulfi Nerosanlore Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($299.95) $237 special (that’s only $39.50/bottle!)
Ian D’agata-Vinous 97 points “Luminous red. Precise, brooding aromas of ripe red cherry, flint, orange rind, cinnamon, lavender and violet, complicated by iodine and earth. Silky and sappy with refined but very concentrated extract, this smothers the taste buds but stays vibrant and not at all heavy, offering lovely definition and lift to the red cherry, raspberry, floral and mineral flavors. Finishes extremely deep and long, with ultra-suave tannins, mesmerizing inner-mouth perfume and extreme refinement; very Barolo-like. A lovely multilayered wine showcasing the elegant side of Nero d’Avola that very few producers ever manage to showcase.”
Tuscany
A terrific sub-$30 ‘Super Tuscan’
Caiarossa ‘Pergolaia’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Flavors of black cherry and blackberry stand up to the dense tannins in this fresh, deep and intense red, but this is equally about the vibrant acidity driving the fruit, wild herb nuances and spice-infused aftertaste. Sangiovese with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2022 through 2040. 4,700 cases made, 1,200 cases imported.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “Mostly Sangiovese with the other 30% composed of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Pergolaia is all about matching grapes to soils, a tribute to Tuscany from a French-owned estate better known for its international approach. This vintage has slightly less Sangiovese than usual in order to create a more accessible wine, with more freshness and juiciness. It’s almost crunchy in texture, a full-bodied red that covers the whole mouth. The aging is spread out evenly between botte and tonneaux, as they reserved the big wood for the more delicate Sangiovese grape. The fruit here shows perfect ripeness with lots of primary intensity and freshness. It’s a versatile red to match with all kinds of pastas and meats. It’s ready to open now or to age for just a few more years.”
“Pure class and built for the cellar”
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $62.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($539.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows a darker and more concentrated appearance than many of its peers. The wine is beautifully abundant and fragrant in the most exuberant and expressive manner. You will recognize aromas of moist soil, tobacco and smoke. Candied cherry hovers over the entire bouquet. Fruit is sourced from older vines (all over 25 years old). Il Poggione occupies a special spot within the Montalcino appellation, and the area always produces slightly more concentrated and powerful wines. I find that to be particularly true in this gorgeous 2015 vintage. I am also very attracted to that almost dusty note of crushed mineral that rides long on the full-bodied finish. Il Poggione’s Brunello is also distinguished by firm, youthful tannin that need a few more years to unwind. Luckily, there are quite a few bottles to go around, with some 200,000 made.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 97 points “Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino offers up a dark, earthy, almost animal-like expression, showing black soil and undergrowth, giving way to crushed black cherry, dusty spice, and dried florals which lift the experience. On the palate, soft, fleshy textures usher in fresh cherry and strawberry, as brisk acids add energy, with savory herbs and minerals saturating, as the 2015 Il Poggione’s fruit nearly masks its structural core. The finish is long yet fresh, with classic, fine tannins, dried red fruits and pretty inner floral tones lingering throughout this perfectly balanced expression. The 2015 s pure class and built for the cellar.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
A ‘Super Tuscan’ drinking beautifully today
Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($39.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 ($249.95) $132 special (that’s only $22/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “A balanced and fresh red for the hot 2017 vintage with medium body, fine tannins and plenty of currants, blackberries and blueberries on the finish. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A beam of pure blackberry runs through this otherwise dense and focused red. Shows elegance, with balance and complexity, but needs time to integrate and reveal all its facets. Offers fine, minerally length. Sangiovese and Merlot. Best from 2021 through 2032. 7,500 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Crognolo is laced with crushed red berry, spice, orange peel and mint flavors. In this vintage, Crognolo is a bit light in body and structured. I would prefer to drink it on the young side.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
“Very easy to like”
Tenuta Fanti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The extroverted 2018 Fanti Rosso di Montalcino is showing masses of ripe strawberry, sweet spices and exotic florals with grounding notes of worn leather and hints of undergrowth. Silky textures meld into tart red berries with a peppery-herbal twist, in a soft and easygoing effort that’s energized by bright acids that only come forward toward the finale. A mix of red fruits resonate on the finish, along with wild herbs and florals, punctuating the experience on a Rosso that is very easy to like.”
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
Oregon Icons
Beaux Frères & Sequitur
Beaux Frères is one of the great names in Oregon wine—a producer that helped put the Willamette Valley on the wine map. Big, rich wines with lots of character (plus a familial relation to the Mayor of Monkton) mean that these wines were some of the first collectable bottles from our corner of the wine world.
Beaux Frères’ continued excellence was recently rewarded by Wine Spectator, who recognized the 2018 Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir as its #9 wine of 2020. Here at the shop Beaux Frères’ wines always generate a lot of interest, and considering the praise that this particular bottle has garnered it’s no surprise that only a handful remain.
In Stock Now:
The 3L & 5L cannot be listed online. To order, reply to this email, call, or stop in!
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($109.95) $85 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 3L ($399.95) $379 special, 2 double-magnums available
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 5L ($699.95) $619 special, 1 five-liter bottle available ***Shipping not available on the 5L***
#9 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby. Intense red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with hints of cola and licorice. Juicy and precise, offering concentrated raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that take on a five-spice-powder nuance with air. Plays power off delicacy with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and silky, with polished tannins framing lingering red fruit and candied rose notes. 45% new oak.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. 3,088 cases made.”
James Suckling 96 points “This is a trademark, deeply rich impression with an unctuous, violet-flower layer, together with blueberries, cherries and sweetly toasty woody spices, as well as forest wood and fresh, leafy and sappy nuances. The palate has a very succulent, fresh and lithe, almost tangy feel, delivering such succulent, mouthwatering energy at the finish. Ready now, but better from 2024.”
Love Beaux Frères? Don’t Miss Sequitur!
Mike Etzel, the founder and winemaker of Sequitur, is a living legend in the Willamette Valley. He co-founded Beaux Frères in the late 1980s and was the winemaker there until recently passing the duties to his son. Never one to rest on his laurels or stay still, though, he began planting a vineyard adjacent to Beaux Frères in 2010—a project that became what we know as Sequitur.
It’s helpful to think of Sequitur as a distillation of everything Mike Etzel learned while starting and producing Beaux Frères over the decades. The Sequitur vineyard sits right next to the Beaux Frères “Upper Terrace” but is planted to a wider array of clones at tighter spacing. It’s been farmed biodynamically since the beginning and is sheltered with Douglas Fir—in short, it’s the fully realized vision of a man who’s helped define Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
The winemaking style is exactly what you’d expect—these are wines that are made by the same hand that delivered so many high scores to Beaux Frères. Big, powerful and bold, these nevertheless have energy and grace that we think comes from the extra-attentive farming and unique clonal selection in the vineyard. In short order, Sequitur has established itself as one of the very best producers in the Willamette Valley and deserves your attention as such.
In Stock Now:
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Sequitur Chardonnay delivers toasted almonds, baker’s yeast, fresh ginger and coriander seed on the nose with a core of grapefruit, white peaches and spiced apples. Light to medium-bodied, it gives a great intensity of savory flavor layers intermingled with stone fruit and citrus notions, finishing long with great freshness and mineral notes.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Light, brilliant yellow. Powerful, spice-accented orchard and pit fruit aromas pick up lemon pith, honey and floral nuances with air. Fleshy and broad on entry, offering white peach and pear nectar flavors that steadily firm up on the back half. Blends power and finesse with a smooth hand and finishes very long and precise, with resonating mineral and floral notes.”
Beaux Frères’ continued excellence was recently rewarded by Wine Spectator, who recognized the 2018 Beaux Frères Vineyard Pinot Noir as its #9 wine of 2020. Here at the shop Beaux Frères’ wines always generate a lot of interest, and considering the praise that this particular bottle has garnered it’s no surprise that only a handful remain.
In Stock Now:
The 3L & 5L cannot be listed online. To order, reply to this email, call, or stop in!
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($109.95) $85 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special, 2 magnums in stock now
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 3L ($399.95) $379 special, 2 double-magnums available
Beaux Frères ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 5L ($699.95) $619 special, 1 five-liter bottle available ***Shipping not available on the 5L***
#9 in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 2020
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby. Intense red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with hints of cola and licorice. Juicy and precise, offering concentrated raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that take on a five-spice-powder nuance with air. Plays power off delicacy with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and silky, with polished tannins framing lingering red fruit and candied rose notes. 45% new oak.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. 3,088 cases made.”
James Suckling 96 points “This is a trademark, deeply rich impression with an unctuous, violet-flower layer, together with blueberries, cherries and sweetly toasty woody spices, as well as forest wood and fresh, leafy and sappy nuances. The palate has a very succulent, fresh and lithe, almost tangy feel, delivering such succulent, mouthwatering energy at the finish. Ready now, but better from 2024.”
Love Beaux Frères? Don’t Miss Sequitur!
Mike Etzel, the founder and winemaker of Sequitur, is a living legend in the Willamette Valley. He co-founded Beaux Frères in the late 1980s and was the winemaker there until recently passing the duties to his son. Never one to rest on his laurels or stay still, though, he began planting a vineyard adjacent to Beaux Frères in 2010—a project that became what we know as Sequitur.
It’s helpful to think of Sequitur as a distillation of everything Mike Etzel learned while starting and producing Beaux Frères over the decades. The Sequitur vineyard sits right next to the Beaux Frères “Upper Terrace” but is planted to a wider array of clones at tighter spacing. It’s been farmed biodynamically since the beginning and is sheltered with Douglas Fir—in short, it’s the fully realized vision of a man who’s helped define Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
The winemaking style is exactly what you’d expect—these are wines that are made by the same hand that delivered so many high scores to Beaux Frères. Big, powerful and bold, these nevertheless have energy and grace that we think comes from the extra-attentive farming and unique clonal selection in the vineyard. In short order, Sequitur has established itself as one of the very best producers in the Willamette Valley and deserves your attention as such.
In Stock Now:
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Sequitur Chardonnay delivers toasted almonds, baker’s yeast, fresh ginger and coriander seed on the nose with a core of grapefruit, white peaches and spiced apples. Light to medium-bodied, it gives a great intensity of savory flavor layers intermingled with stone fruit and citrus notions, finishing long with great freshness and mineral notes.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Light, brilliant yellow. Powerful, spice-accented orchard and pit fruit aromas pick up lemon pith, honey and floral nuances with air. Fleshy and broad on entry, offering white peach and pear nectar flavors that steadily firm up on the back half. Blends power and finesse with a smooth hand and finishes very long and precise, with resonating mineral and floral notes.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 94 points “Pale yellow-gold. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying intense citrus and orchard fruit scents complemented by suggestions of toasty lees, iodine and sweet butter. Sappy, penetrating and seamless in texture, offering concentrated pear nectar, peach, tangerine and honeysuckle flavors that deepen slowly on the back half while maintaining energy. Finishes with repeating pear and floral notes, with a late jolt of dusty minerality pulling things together.”
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2016 Sequitur Chardonnay has a gregarious nose of spiced, baked yellow apples and warm pineapple with notes of toast, honey, hazelnut and hay. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm orchard and tropical fruits accented by nuances of baking spice, nuts and honey, with a touch of creaminess to the texture, juicy acidity and a long, mineral-laced finish. 85 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Translucent yellow. A highly complex, oak-spice-laced bouquet evokes fresh citrus and orchard fruits, iodine, toasted brioche and white flowers, and a tarragon nuance emerges with air. Shows superb depth and fine delineation, offering vibrant orange, pear, honeysuckle, sweet butter and anise flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. Powerful yet graceful in character, displaying superb focus and thrust on an impressively long finish that features lingering floral, spice and mineral flourishes.”
Erin Brooks – Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2017 Sequitur Chardonnay was aged mainly in amphorae this vintage. It opens with fresh scents of poached pears, baked apples, honey and hazelnuts with notes of chamomile, crème fraîche and lemon peel with an undercurrent of crushed stone. Medium-bodied, it fleshes out in the mouth with honey-nut accents, seamlessly integrated acidity and a long, honeyed finish. This is a more open-knit style of Chardonnay compared to the mineral-driven version from Beaux Frères.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Glistening straw-yellow. Vibrant, mineral-accented aromas of white peach, Anjou pear, melon and Meyer lemon carry a bright floral overtone. Juicy and densely packed, displaying a suave blend of richness and vivacity to the mineral-drenched citrus and orchard fruit and floral flavors. Picks up smoky lees, honey and iodine notes with air and shows outstanding clarity on a strikingly long, penetrating finish that echoes the mineral and citrus fruit notes.”
Winery Note “The 2018 growing season was warm and dry, resulting in yet another remarkable vintage on Ribbon Ridge. Towards the end of the summer, just before harvest, Jack was born. With the arrival of our first grandchild, we felt for the first time the presence of a new generation on the farm, reminding us of the cycle of renewal and growth. This vintage has the bright freshness of new breath—we hope you enjoy it!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Limpid ruby-red. Smoky, mineral-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry cola and incense carry a strong spicecake overtone. Stains the palate with sappy red berry liqueur, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that are lifted and given definition and tension by juicy acidity. At once rich and nervy, with no excess fat but showing excellent depth and intensity of flavor. Finishes with sexy notes of candied violet and smoky Indian spices and superb, gently tannic persistence. This wine’s Beaux Frères bloodline is very clear to see.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Broad and spicy, open-textured and generous, with ripe plum and currant flavors, shaded by pepper, sage and coffee notes as the finish sails past fine-grained tannins. Completely harmonious and made to age. Drink now through 2024.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price nationally is $100
The average price nationally is $100
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Deep brilliant red. A strikingly complex bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented red berries, cherry cola, vanilla, five-spice powder and sandalwood. Alluringly sweet, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Delivers a compelling blend of power and delicacy and finishes extremely long and smooth; rounded tannins frame the lingering red fruit preserve notes.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Pale to medium ruby purple in color, the 2015 Sequitur Pinot Noir has a very provocative nose of Bing cherries and cranberries over a core of red roses, game, yeast extract and underbrush. Medium-bodied, with wonderful energy and freshness, it has a lively backbone and long finish paved with very fine, ripe tannins.”
Winery note “Sequitur 2015 Pinot Noir “Two fold,” a collaboration between our Mother, the earth, those of us who “play” in the vineyard and winery, and you, the wine lover.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price nationally is $100
The average price nationally is $100
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96 points “Glimmering red. A hugely aromatic bouquet evokes fresh red fruits, Asian spices and potpourri, along with a bright mineral overtone and a touch of smokiness. Juicy, seamless and precise on the palate, offering potent, mineral-laced raspberry preserve, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out steadily on the back half. Delivers a compelling blend of power and finesse and finishes with silky tannins, outstanding clarity and floral- and mineral-driven persistence.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Sequitur Pinot Noir has a lovely, open nose of black and red cherries and blackberries with notions of wood smoke, turned earth, autumn leaves, cardamom and potpourri. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with ripe black and red fruits with wonderful earthy/spicy accents, very fine, grainy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing long with spice and floral layers. 480 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price nationally is $97
The average price nationally is $97
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-95 points “Lurid red. Spice-tinged blackberry and cherry aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola, incense and smoky minerals. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated dark berry and spicecake flavors and suggestions of rose pastille and mocha that build with air. Concentrated but also vibrant and precise in style, delivering superb finishing cut, well-knit tannins and impressive, fruit-driven persistence. (30% new French oak).”
Nick Stock-JamesSuckling 96 points “Beautifully deep, blueberries and plums on offer with notes of fresh violets and moist, fresh-tilled earth. This is full of life and very pure. The palate has focused and fresh tannins that sit in very vibrant style with a deep push of concentrated blue fruit, holding the finish in superb style. So fresh and long, this will age well. Drink across the next decade or more.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Bright ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, cherry pie, potpourri and exotic spices, all sharpened by a smoky mineral overtone. Deeply concentrated and energetic in the mouth, offering sappy, mineral- and spice-drenched black raspberry, cherry cola and rose pastille flavors that spread out steadily on the back half. Shows fine definition and finishes extremely long and sappy, with polished tannins and lingering floral and blue fruit liqueur notes. 25% new oak.”
James Suckling 97 points “A very succulent, concentrated pinot with a strong (40%) whole-cluster influence, delivering sappy, fresh and aromatic lift to the blueberry and ripe-cherry aromas. The palate has such succulent and assertive tannin drive, yet the textural interface remains silky and fluid. It has depth and volume and a very commanding finish. Give this some time. Try from 2024.”
Winery Note “The 2018 growing season was warm and dry, resulting in yet another remarkable vintage on Ribbon Ridge. Towards the end of the summer, just before harvest, Jack was born. With the arrival of our first grandchild, we felt for the first time the presence of a new generation on the farm, reminding us of the cycle of renewal and growth. This vintage has the bright freshness of new breath—we hope you enjoy it! “
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price nationally is $90
The average price nationally is $90
Love Oregon Pinot Noir? We have 135 options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Cameron, Domaine Drouhin, White Rose Estate and more, on our web store now.
Domaine Château du Grand Pré
A New Natural Star in Fleurie
Beaujolais is a region in a constant state of revolution—new faces are re-energizing venerable producers and starting their own wineries seemingly every year, leading to new gems that we’re thrilled to be able to taste and sell.
Case in point? The Château de Grand Pré—an estate that’s been around since the 1970s but was radically transformed in the last decade. The estate became certified organic in 2012 and has moved towards a natural-influenced winemaking style under the direction Romain Zordan, the grandson of the estate’s founders. The resulting wines are brilliant, combining a freshness and verve typical of natural Beaujolais producers with a structure and power (and cleanliness) that’s more typical of a classical estate. The old vines help here, as well, lending to depth and complexity.
In Stock Now:
Domaine du Château de Grand Pré Fleurie ‘Cuvée Spaciale’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 91 points “I really enjoyed their classically styled and smooth Fleurie Cuvée Spaciale with the Spaceman on the label, its a beautifully textured and fruit forward wine on the lighter side showing the regions delicate and elegant side… This 100% Gamay comes from 60 to 70 year old vines planted on sandy soils, with a granitic core with some of the pink veins of iron rich subsoil(s) helping to give this wine its terroir flavors and character. The 2018 Château de Grand Pré Cuvée Spaciale flows across the palate with racy raspberry, plum, bright cherry and cranberry fruits along with snappy herbs and spices adding a cool sense of minerallity, crushed dark flowers an d a subtle earthiness that is very much welcome in this soft and expressive Gamay. This is a fun new discovery for me and I can’t wait to dig into some of the other bottlings here soon…. After a bit of studying I came up with some details about the estate, which has been certified organic since 2009 and has many old vine parcels within the main Crus and most are over 60 years old.…The grapes at Château de Grand Pré are all hand-tended and picked with only carefully ripe whole bunches being used, then the wine undergoes a semi-carbonic maceration for 15-20 days at very low temperatures. Zordan allows the natural fermentation to occur without any interference, in fact no remonatge or pigeage takes place during the process in the cellar. Once fermentation is complete, in the case of the Cuvée Spaciale, as noted, a low temperature vinification and maceration with wild yeast in a spherical vat with no sulphur added, the Fleurie was then matured for about 8 months in large used 600L barrels. The finished wine was bottled based on biodynamic and lunar cycles and gently handled throughout to preserve purity and freshness.”
Importer Note “100% Gamay from 60 to 70 year old vines planted on sandy soil, with a granitic subsoil. The yields are tiny and average 15 hl/ha. The grapes are hand harvested, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfite during the vinification. Aged for 7 months in older demi-muids (600 liters). Pronounced aromas of sour cherries, fruity and plump palate with well-integrated tannins. Serve at 59 to 61F.”
Domaine du Château de Grand Pré Morgon T Rex, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “100% Gamay from 50 year old vines planted in decomposed rock and crumbly schist soil. The yields average 35 to 40 hl/ha. The grapes are hand harvested over several passages in the vineyard. Maceration for 10 to 15 days in temperature-controlled tanks, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfite during the vinification. The wine is aged on its lees for 3 to 4 months in 3 to 5 year old barrels from Meursault. A structured and balanced red with aromas of ripe red fruits and powerful tannins. The cellaring potential is 3 to 9 years and the wine deserves a little aging to reach its peak. Serve at 59 to 61F.”
Case in point? The Château de Grand Pré—an estate that’s been around since the 1970s but was radically transformed in the last decade. The estate became certified organic in 2012 and has moved towards a natural-influenced winemaking style under the direction Romain Zordan, the grandson of the estate’s founders. The resulting wines are brilliant, combining a freshness and verve typical of natural Beaujolais producers with a structure and power (and cleanliness) that’s more typical of a classical estate. The old vines help here, as well, lending to depth and complexity.
In Stock Now:
Domaine du Château de Grand Pré Fleurie ‘Cuvée Spaciale’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 91 points “I really enjoyed their classically styled and smooth Fleurie Cuvée Spaciale with the Spaceman on the label, its a beautifully textured and fruit forward wine on the lighter side showing the regions delicate and elegant side… This 100% Gamay comes from 60 to 70 year old vines planted on sandy soils, with a granitic core with some of the pink veins of iron rich subsoil(s) helping to give this wine its terroir flavors and character. The 2018 Château de Grand Pré Cuvée Spaciale flows across the palate with racy raspberry, plum, bright cherry and cranberry fruits along with snappy herbs and spices adding a cool sense of minerallity, crushed dark flowers an d a subtle earthiness that is very much welcome in this soft and expressive Gamay. This is a fun new discovery for me and I can’t wait to dig into some of the other bottlings here soon…. After a bit of studying I came up with some details about the estate, which has been certified organic since 2009 and has many old vine parcels within the main Crus and most are over 60 years old.…The grapes at Château de Grand Pré are all hand-tended and picked with only carefully ripe whole bunches being used, then the wine undergoes a semi-carbonic maceration for 15-20 days at very low temperatures. Zordan allows the natural fermentation to occur without any interference, in fact no remonatge or pigeage takes place during the process in the cellar. Once fermentation is complete, in the case of the Cuvée Spaciale, as noted, a low temperature vinification and maceration with wild yeast in a spherical vat with no sulphur added, the Fleurie was then matured for about 8 months in large used 600L barrels. The finished wine was bottled based on biodynamic and lunar cycles and gently handled throughout to preserve purity and freshness.”
Importer Note “100% Gamay from 60 to 70 year old vines planted on sandy soil, with a granitic subsoil. The yields are tiny and average 15 hl/ha. The grapes are hand harvested, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfite during the vinification. Aged for 7 months in older demi-muids (600 liters). Pronounced aromas of sour cherries, fruity and plump palate with well-integrated tannins. Serve at 59 to 61F.”
Domaine du Château de Grand Pré Morgon T Rex, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “100% Gamay from 50 year old vines planted in decomposed rock and crumbly schist soil. The yields average 35 to 40 hl/ha. The grapes are hand harvested over several passages in the vineyard. Maceration for 10 to 15 days in temperature-controlled tanks, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfite during the vinification. The wine is aged on its lees for 3 to 4 months in 3 to 5 year old barrels from Meursault. A structured and balanced red with aromas of ripe red fruits and powerful tannins. The cellaring potential is 3 to 9 years and the wine deserves a little aging to reach its peak. Serve at 59 to 61F.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Love Beaujolais? We have 42 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Anne-Sophie Dubois, Daniel Bouland, Clos de la Roilette and more, on our web store now.
Thanks for reading!