In Today’s Newsletter:
Alzinger: Hidden Star of the Wachau
Two Exceptional Bordeaux Values
L’Hêtre & Saint Jacques de Siran
Smart Buys from the Rhône
$25 – $35
Oregon’s Best Value?
Biggio Hamina’s Site-Expressive Pinot Noir
Collector’s Corner #1
Duval-Leroy’s Rare Femme de Champagne
Collector’s Corner #2
Four 100-Point Bordeaux Reds
Alzinger: Hidden Star of the Wachau
The beauty of Austria is something to experience, but there is one area that truly stands out, both for its charm and the amazing wine: the Wachau. This is where you’ll find legends like F.X Pichler and Weingut Knoll within strolling distance of one another. And there is little doubt that having Knoll across the street, creating one of the most iconic white wines in the world, inspired a young Leo Alzinger.
Representing the second generation of winemaking in the Alzinger family, Leo developed a style reflecting his analytical and precise nature that allowed each parcel to shine through individually. The subtle, but clear differences in each of his wines created a stir, and the demand started to grow. The wines would soon rival their more famous neighbors in quality, though stylistically they could be said to stand out for their leanness and tight acidity.
Leo Alzinger Jr. watched his father, studying at his elbow in the vineyard and the cellar. His decision to continue making wine in the style of his father speaks to their shared belief that the character of the individual vineyards of the Wachau are clear and that they deserve their place amongst growing areas in the world. Today, Alzinger showcases this fact with spectacular finesse and care.
In Stock Now:
Weingut Leo Alzinger Dürnstein Grüner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Skurnik Wines note “Inviting and lively, often stone fruit and fine vegetable aromas; delicate, filigree and subtle texture. Never pushy, always direct, straightforward & digestible. Animating and juicy finish. The Danube makes its mark on the plain in Loiben and Dürnstein. Gravel, sand and sediments form the basis for the village Grüner Veltliner , which is juicy and elegantly exemplary for a classic spring game version.”
Weingut Leo Alzinger Loibner Loibenberg Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 2 bottles in stock now
No reviews for 2019. 2018 included for reference.
Anne Krebiehl MW – Wine Enthusiast 95 points “A whiff of passion fruit lends a tropical overtone to the full-on ripeness on the nose. The palate continues with this swishing, generous juiciness that showcases Mirabelle plum and ripe pear. Structural elements of bitter pith, salty yeast and tingling zest complete the picture of a most concentrated, energetic and driven wine that resonates with life and flavor. This is warm and powerful but beautifully streamlined. Drink 2030–2045.”
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Weingut Leo Alzinger Loibner Steinertal Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Skurnik Wines note “Steinertal is an extremely complex location that offers optimal terrain for both Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. The situation turns a little to the southwest, so in the evening always gets some heat, which are relativized by air currents from the north accordingly. The ground thickness varies considerably, as does the temperature within the location. The foundation of the Grüner Veltliner lies in the lower and deeper terraces, although here too, despite a slightly creamier texture, vital acidity and profound minerality set the tone.”
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Weingut Leo Alzinger Dürnsteiner Höllerin Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2015 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 91 points “From the bottom of the Loibenberg and preselections of the single-vineyard Rieslings, the 2015 Riesling Smaragd Dürnsteiner opens with a very clear, intense and aromatic bouquet of crushed stones, smoke, herbs and white fruits. Medium to full-bodied, cool and fresh on the palate, this is a very mineral but also aromatic and fruit-driven Riesling with great elegance and finesse and a long and salty finish with purity and stimulating grip.”
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Weingut Leo Alzinger Ried Höhereck Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 93 points “From steep, southeast-facing terraces with weathered gneiss soils, the 2017 Ried Höhereck Riesling Smaragd is concentrated, fresh and piquant on the nose, displaying ripe white fruit aromas but also some greenish fruits. Dense and piquant on the palate, this elegant, tightly woven Riesling has remarkable phenolic grip, freshness and a stimulating astringency on the salty finish. Stunningly fresh given this steep and warm terraced vineyard. Tasted in Unterloiben, Wachau, September 2018.”
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Weingut Leo Alzinger Ried Höhereck Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2018 750ML ($64.95) $49 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 91+ points “From a very small cru between Höllerin and Loibenberg and cultivated in pretty shallow soils, the 2018 Riesling Smaragd Ried Höhereck is concentrated and warm on the nose, with dried white fruit aromas intermixed with lovely herbal and stony aromas. Rich and concentrated on the lush and fleshy palate, this is a full-bodied, dense and firmly structured Riesling that combines warmth and ripeness with the coolish mineral drive of the terroir. The acidity is remarkably fresh, and the wine develops a long, tensioned finish that is still a bit drying. Keep for three or so years before drinking.”
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Weingut Leo Alzinger Höllerin Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2018 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2018 Riesling Smaragd Ried Höllerin is the most charming, fruity and powerful Riesling of the domain. From the vineyard looking onto the coolest part of the Kellerberg and cultivated on large terraces with deeper soils, the 2018 opens with an intensely fruity and only slightly flinty nose. Rich, round and massive but still elegant, with delicate tannins and pretty sweetish stone fruit, this is the dry dessert wine of Leo Alzinger. Tasted at the domain in September 2019.”
Weingut Leo Alzinger Ried Liebenberg Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 1 bottle in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 90 points “The deeper soil and loess influence of Liebenberg is what Alzinger credits with the relative breadth and softness of this bottling when compared with the other Rieslings of his 2015 collection. Mirabelle and apricot are shadowed in the nose by their high-toned, distilled counterparts and accompanied by equally penetrating intimations of fresh ginger and lime zest. The palate is expansive and oily, with piquant and incisive counterpoints. Happily, a briny note lends saliva-inducement to the prolonged finish. The alcohol here is around 13.2 percent, though frankly I would have guessed higher.”
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Love Austrian wine? We have 50 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like FX Pichler, Nikolaihof, Weingut Knoll and more, on our web store now.
Two Exceptional Bordeaux Values
L’Hêtre & Saint Jacques de Siran
L’Hêtre
Jacques Thienpoint is the iconic owner of Le Pin, the hyper-rare and sought after Pomerol, and L’if, a cult property in St. Émilion. He’s recently added a third property to that list—L’Hêtre, also named after a tree, in the emerging region of Castillon in Bordeaux. There are a lot of reasons to think that Castillon is going to be the next big thing in Bordeaux (for one, it’s one of the highest points in the region) and Thienpoint’s investment is an important marker. However, unlike Le Pin (one of the most expensive wines in the world) L’Hêtre is very much a value proposition, at least for now. We’ve got the debut 2016 vintage in stock now, and it is as fantastic as any sub-$30 (let alone sub-$20 by the case) Bordeaux we can remember.
In Stock Now:
L’Hêtre, Côtes de Bordeaux Castillon 2016 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Case-12 L’Hêtre, Côtes de Bordeaux Castillon 2016 750ML ($359.95) $269 special (that’s only $22.42/bottle!)
Julia Harding MW – jancisrobinson .com “L’Hêtre 2016 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux is the first release of this wine from the organically farmed estate perched at 100 m on the end of the St-Philippe d’Aiguilhe limestone plateau, the highest point in Bordeaux…‘Rich in blackcurrant fruit with a savoury dark glow to make it more than just fruit. Just a touch of smoky char even though the oak is well in the background, a seductive fruit sweetness. On the palate, this is beautifully balanced, the alcohol perfectly integrated in the tannic structure and fruit core with a fresh tang that runs through the middle. There’s a cool fluidity to it even with its depth and length. Fine, dry, lingering and savoury aftertaste. Impressive first vintage with a promising future in the bottle. I opened this on a Sunday evening and it was still tasting fresh and vibrant four days later. This is a very classy wine, and the tannins tell you everything: fine, definite, building in the mouth but in perfect balance with the fruit and freshness. Blue-blooded Castillon. Catch it while you can.’”
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Saint Jacques de Siran
Thin lines separate legendary deals from standard-issue value. Case in point? Saint Jacques de Siran—technically the third wine from the legendary Château Siran—is made entirely from vines that immediate border their main vineyard. Château Siran is in Margaux, Saint Jacques de Siran is not—they’re separated by a line on a map, and not much else.
As a result, the wine we’re featuring today is a mere $16.60 per bottle (and just $14.92 on cases); despite the fact that it’s an age-worthy, serious wine, made with the same care as the much more famous bottlings from the main vineyard.
2016 is one of our favorite Bordeaux vintages in recent memory—a classical year that nonetheless provided an extra layer of richness and texture. It’s a year that raised the floor of all the entry-level wines—to the great benefit of bottlings like Saint Jacques de Siran.
In Stock Now:
Château Siran Saint-Jacques de Siran, Bordeaux Supérieur 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Château Siran Saint-Jacques de Siran, Bordeaux Supérieur2016 750ML ($239.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast “This spicy wine with firm tannins is setting out well. Black-currant flavors are balanced with generous tannins and a rich character that will give the wine a full and juicy character. Drink from 2022.”
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Love red Bordeaux? We have 30 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Château La Bastienne, Château Puygueraud, Château Tour de Pez and more, on our web store now.
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When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Smart Buys from the Rhône
$25 – $35
Northern Rhône
In Stock Now:
Soulful yet approachable
Domaine François Merlin Saint-Joseph, Rhône 2018 750ML ($39.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine François Merlin Saint-Joseph, Rhône 2018 750ML ($479.95) $279 special (that’s only $23.25/bottle!)
Decanter 91 points “An approachable wine that has lifted cedar and incense on the nose. Very plush with soft fruits, slightly lacking in acidity perhaps, but it’s an authentic representation of the vintage, not overly corrected. Good natural sense to the fruit, it’s expressive, unrestrained. Not overly marked by oak spice. South-facing granite terroir, 70% of vines are 45-years-old, the rest are 15-years-old. All destemmed, 12 months in barriques and demi-muids, from 1 to 4 years-old.”
Elegant & terroir-driven
Domaine Éric et Joël Durand Saint-Joseph Les Coteaux, Rhône 2017 750ML ($39.95) $26.10 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Sourced from 15- to 30-year-old vines on granite soils towards the south of the appellation, the fruit for this wine is all destemmed, spending 12 months maturing in barriques and demi-muids, 15% new. It has a lovely purity of expression, the fruit using the oak for support, not influence. It’s a medium-bodied, very fresh expression with no overextraction and an elegant finish. It has refined tannins and good persistence. An unforced, easy to drink with with good typicity.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Bright and juicy, with lots of blackberry and plum compote flavors, inlaid with licorice and singed apple wood notes. A lively briar accent through the finish offsets the toast. Best from 2021 through 2030. 2,000 cases made, 450 cases imported.”
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“Thrilling”
Château de Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône 2018 750ML ($34.95) $27 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Grapelive 93 points “The 2018 Crozes-Hermitage is a thrilling Syrah that adds touches of lavender, cracked pepper, farm bacon (meatiness) and subtle cedary wood notes as well as creme de cassis, it will go gloriously well with winter cuisine, especially lamb, wild mushrooms dishes and or sweet and smoky BBQ, as well as hard cheeses…Louis Barroul’s negociant line of Northern Rhône bottlings seem to get better and better every year and I am a huge fan of this Crozes-Hermitage, which always delivers a full array of classic flavors in the purest form possible with this 2018 showcasing the vintage’s energy and charm, this is a wonderful youthful Syrah to enjoy over the next three to ten years….The Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage unfolds with crushed violets, boysenberry, damson plum, blueberry preserves, forest floor notes, snappy licorice and olive tapenade flavors along with good acidity and well judged tannins that hold things tight, but still allow for a graceful mouth feel that is impressive for this appellation, which has in the last decade has become one of my absolute favorite go to regions…. The Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage Rouge is crafted from 100% Serine clone, the area’s ancient Syrah variety that many winemakers here covet and think is the region’s best expression of the grape that really transmits the terroir in perfect clarity, which this one certainly does. For the 2018 vintage Barroul went with 100% de-stemmed grapes with no whole cluster, preferring to promote a more elegant profile and excluding the bite of stems in this version… .Barruol sources his Crozes-Hermitage from the granite hillsides of Gervans and Erome, just behind Hermitage hill, noted himself that the wines are often quite similar to those of Hermitage, which is no small claim. Going on, he says that where these grapes are grown, could almost be an appellation in its own right because there is a huge difference within the ‘Chaissis’ terroirs of Crozes-Hermitage. Interesting, Barruol describes his 2018 Crozes as a long, broad, flavorful, ripe and balanced, exclaiming “what a vintage!” calling it probably one of the best since he started making it, which I find hard to argue with.”
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A cellar pick
Delas Frères Saint-Joseph François de Tournon, Rhône 2015 750ML ($44.95) $28 special, 9 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 93 points “Inky and concentrated, the 2015 Saint-Joseph François de Tournon is no easy-drinking Saint-Joseph. It’s smoky, herbal and ashy all at once, yet it’s buoyed by ample black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity. This medium to full-bodied Syrah has plenty of tannins, but they’re ultimately silky and most apparent on the long, licorice-tinged finish. This is approachable now but should be even better in 3 years and should drink well for at least another 10 after that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Both Saint Joseph releases are brilliant in 2015. The 2015 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes vines around Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion, and is always destemmed and aged in 30% new barrels. This full-bodied, rounded, sexy beauty shows the power and fruit of the vintage. With classic notes of black and blue fruits, violets, incense and pepper, drink this textured, expansive, terrific Saint Joseph over the coming 10-15 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $39.99
The next lowest listed price is $39.99
“A standout that is nearly impossible to resist”
Paul Jaboulet Aîné Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône 2018 750ML ($37.95) $29.90 special, 3 bottles in stock
Grapelive 95 points “After a fabulous series of successful vintages for this Domaine de Thalabert Crozes, Caroline Frey’s Domaine Jaboulet has raised the game again with this 2018 version, helped by the year’s deep fruit characteristics and striking freshness energy with its natural acidity making everything pop perfectly on the medium/full palate along with an exceptional long aftertaste. As with the last five vintages I’ve tasted…, this Domaine Paul Jaboulet Aîné Crozes-Hermintage Rouge “Domaine de Thalabert” is a northern Rhône, 100% Syrah, classic with a heightened aromatic perfume and an inviting deep inky color that leads to a remarkably pure cascade of flavors in the mouth. It shows notable layers of boysenberry, damson plum, kirsch, blueberry compote and creme de cassis as well as gorgeous crushed violets, delicate anise, earthy camphor, peppercorns, fig paste and black olives. The finish brings elegant echoes of the core elements that are accented by subtle oak usage, nice mineral tones and graceful weightlessness with everything here seeming to be just that bit more lifted and thrilling to experience. This Syrah would be a great one to watch over the next decade… The famous Thalabert parcel, as I’ve noted in past reviews, is located in Croze’s pebble-strewn granite soiled lieu-dit of Les Chassis. [It] has been owned by Jaboulet since its founding back in 1834 and is regarded as maybe the greatest set of vines in the Crores-Hermitage AOC, all organic and biodynamic. Frey uses partial whole bunches and well-judged use of new wood, really putting the focus on the vintage and trying for transparency and luxurious texture in her recent releases… Caroline, who studied in Bordeaux, is one of France’s rising stars and has her hand in many projects… The Jaboulet lineup is full of quality efforts, but without question this one is a standout that is nearly impossible to resist. I know I’m hooked!”
Classic smoke & spice notes
Maxime Graillot Domaine des Lises Equis Crozes-Hermitage, Rhône 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 21 bottles in stock
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Opaque ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented dark berries and a hint of licorice on the lively nose. Subtly sweet blackberry and cherry flavors show very good clarity and energy and pick up a suave floral quality with aeration. Displays fine definition and strong, spicy lift on the persistent, gently tannic finish, which leaves lingering cherry and exotic spice notes behind. 30% whole clusters.”
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A staff favorite
Domaine Vincent Paris Cornas Granit 30, Rhône 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 34 bottles in stock
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “(no new oak) Opaque ruby. Potent, mineral-accented dark berry scents are complicated by floral oil and peppery spice nuances. Smooth and seamless on the palate, offering gently sweet black raspberry, blueberry and violet pastille flavors that become livelier with air. Sappy and open-knit, closing with solid thrust, silky, even tannins and strong persistence.”
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Southern Rhône
In Stock Now:
Structured & savory
Domaine de l’Oiselet Vacqueyras, Rhône 2016 750ML ($34.95) $27 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 92 points “More structured than the 2015, this estate’s 2016 Vacqueyras is a full-bodied, richly textured and firm wine that should drink well over the next 5-8 years. Hints of rosemary and cola accent the mixed-berry fruit, finishing dry and savory.”
A charming effort from a best-selling producer
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2018 750ML ($219.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2018 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes shows impressive levels of black cherry fruit, joined by hints of garrigue and licorice. It’s full-bodied, silky and easy to drink, finishing long, briny and savory.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The base Gigondas, the 2018 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a blend from both the La Louisiane and Pigière lieux-dits near the estate (due to the dismal yields, there’s no Souteyrade cuvée in 2018) and is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah brought up in foudre. It has a wonderful flowery incense and blue fruit quality as well as medium to full body, a ripe, rounded mid-palate, and a great texture. It’s a more forward, charming, sexy wine that’s going to drink nicely in its youth yet also evolve gracefully.”
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“Reminds me of Barruol’s Châteauneuf du Pape and is almost half the price!”
Château de Rouanne Vinsobres 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “Wow, what a gorgeous and explosive new wine by Louis Barruol, owner of the famed Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas. This Château de Rouanne Vinsobres is a meaty and deep purple/garnet Rhône red co-fermentation of Barruol’s old vine Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Louis Barruol has long used fruit from this remote area and has recently added this estate to his lineup as a separate label within the Saint Cosme family. [This] makes sense as Vinsobres has been recognized as its own appellation, an upgrade from a generic Côtes du Rhône, which I would argue was long overdue, since this cooler and high quality terroir is unique and deserves to be more widely known as this wine certainly proves. Louis Barruol has coveted this site for years. He notes that, like his famous Château de Saint Cosme, Château de Rouanne was first founded during Gallo-Roman times, probably dating back to the 1400s. Barruol adds that, most of Rouanne’s vineyards date from the 1960s and are massale selections (special old clones) that offer substantial genetic diversity and low yields that shows in the wine, giving it concentration and depth, while the elevation and soils allow for natural acidity and heightened aromatics. These qualities and characteristics shine in this 2018, like Saint Cosme’s Gigondas it is brilliantly dark and inviting with polished texture and a full body delivering black raspberry, damson plum, boysenberry compote, creme de cassis and cherry fruit along with whole bunches influences highlighted with peppercorns, violets, earthiness and herbs de provence. The Château de Rouanne Vinsobres Rouge was crafted in this vintage from 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre grown on sandy, iron rich soils set on a limestone marl base with some clay and was, as noted above, all co-fermented primarily with whole cluster and all indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks, where it was also aged. The wine rested in the cement vat for 18 months, which allows the wine to show absolute purity in its final form and gave it time to fill out before bottling. The vines in Louis Barruol’s Vinsobres are all organic and head trained with a very high percentage of Syrah interplanted here, much more than you’d find in other southern Rhône Crus, which adds to this wine’s distinct profile that seems more northern Rhône in first impression, though the lush Grenache takes the stage mid palate and creates a luxurious harmony here and there is a velvety almost chocolatey element with the touch of Mourvedre adding a contrasting gamey note. This 2018 GSM got way better as the bottle went down and fans of Saint Cosme with want to stock up on this one. It actually reminds me of Barruol’s Châteauneuf du Pape and is almost half the price! Barruol says Château de Rouanne is an extraordinary (and historic) place in many respects, primarily for its terroir – very few locations in the southern Rhône can boast vineyard sites of this pedigree and that he very excited for the potential here, which he compares with Côtes de Nuits Burgundies…, believing that this site will only get better and better as he focuses more attention to it. I can’t wait to see what the future holds, but this stuff is delicious now!”
A staff favorite
Domaine Santa Duc Gigondas Aux Lieux-Dits, Rhône 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A fluid, fleshy and deeply structured wine with dark cherry and blackberry fruit flavors amid sturdy yet supple tannins. Good weight and presence. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Ripe but fresh, with a slightly high pitch to the mix of damson plum, cherry and rooibos tea aromas and flavors, backed by singed vanilla, tobacco and licorice root notes that give this a darker shade through the finish. Best from 2020 through 2030. 2,400 cases made, 700 cases imported.”
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“A suave blend of power and finesse”
Aline Bonfils Domaine du Gour de Chaulé Gigondas Tradition, Rhône 2016 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 23 bottles in stock
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Vivid ruby. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and pit fruits, potpourri and garrigue, and an exotic spice note emerges in the glass. Stains the palate with sweet raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors that steadily put on weight with air. Conveys a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes extremely long and floral, with fine-grained tannins lending discreet grip.”
Love Rhône reds? We have over 150 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Maison Ferraton, Olivier Hillaire, Yves Cuilleron and more, on our web store now.
Oregon’s Best Value?
Biggio Hamina’s Site-Expressive Pinot Noir
Todd Hamina is one of the most respected winemakers in the Willamette Valley—think of him as your favorite winemaker’s favorite winemaker. After a decade working for other people, including Beaux Frères, Archery Summit, and Maysara, he launched a label with his wife, Caroline Biggio—and has been making some of the most exciting Pinot Noir in the valley ever since.
His wines are perfumed, elegant and site-expressive: exactly what we look for in Willamette Valley Pinot. Stylistically, Todd loves to use whole clusters and extended macerations to provide savory undertones that balance out his rich fruit. Think of them as a less-delicate, more fruit forward version of the wines that Marcus Goodfellow makes.
Most importantly, his wines deliver outstanding value. Based their quality, vineyard sources, and critical praise, these should easily be $15–20 more expensive. These are wines that lovers of Oregon Pinot need to have in their cellars and on their tables. With enough fruit and richness to remind you that they’re from the new world, but with a savory, elegant edge that echos Burgundy, they’re classic Willamette Valley. And for the prices that we’re offering them at, they’re tough to beat.
In Stock Now:
Biggio Hamina Cellars ‘Caroline’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Brilliant red. A sexy, highly perfumed bouquet displays ripe red fruit and incense aromas, along with a suave floral nuance and a mineral overtone. Juicy and concentrated on the palate, with a jolty of tangy acidity giving spine to the sweet raspberry liqueur and spicecake flavors. Plays power off of finesse smoothly and finishes spicy and long, with subtle tannins contributing grip.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Biggio Hamina Cellars Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($24.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Cellars Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 ($119.95) $79 special (that’s only $13.17/bottle!)
No reviews for 2017. 2016 included for reference.
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 91 points “Shimmering red. Vibrant, mineral- and spice-accented red fruit and floral scents, along with a savory herb nuance and a hint of smokiness. Appealingly sweet and sharply focused on the palate, offering lively redcurrant, raspberry and rose pastille flavors that deepen slowly on the back half. Silky tannins come on late and support a seamless, floral-driven finish that hangs on with strong tenacity.”
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Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays intense red fruit, potpourri and incense qualities. Spice and savory herb nuances build as the wine opens up. Bright and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed and appealingly sweet raspberry liqueur, cherry and spicecake flavors that pick up a smoky mineral note on the back half. Plays power off of finesse deftly and finishes extremely long and floral, with sneaky, fine-grained tannins and a touch of exotic spices.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Shimmering magenta. Displays perfumed red fruit preserve aromas, along with suggestions of licorice, cola, earth and candied flowers. Seamless and focused on the palate the Claygate Vineyard offers concentrated raspberry, boysenberry and cherry flavors that slowly unfurl and become spicier through the mid-palate. Round, even tannins build slowly on a very long, floral-tinged finish that leaves cherry and baking spice notes behind. All de-stemmed fruit.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Biggio Hamina Cellars Holmes Gap Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($39.95) $27 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Light bright red. Highly perfumed aromas of red berry preserves, Asian spices and mocha take on a bright mineral overtone as the wine opens up. Lively, appealingly sweet and penetrating in the mouth, offering fresh raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors that gain weight with aeration. Cola and floral pastille nuances appear on a very long, spice-tinged finish framed by silky, well-knit tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Biggio Hamina Cellars Johnson Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($39.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid garnet. Highly perfumed red fruit, potpourri, incense and a hint of succulent herbs on the assertively perfumed nose, which is lifted by a vibrant mineral quality. Silky and energetic on the palate, offering alluringly sweet, spice-tinged cherry and raspberry liqueur and rose pastille flavors and a hint of five-spice powder. Becomes deeper with air, with no loss of urgency, and finishes with firm, spicy thrust, well-knit tannins and a floral pastille note that lingers with strong tenacity. 100% whole clusters.”
Biggio Hamina Cellars Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($45.95) $27 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Limpid red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red berries, Asian spices and smoky minerals, plus a sexy floral nuance that builds quickly with air. Sharply defined bitter cherry, raspberry, blood orange, spicecake and rose pastille flavors show excellent depth but no excess weight. Gentle, well-integrated tannins frame a strikingly long, spice- and floral-driven finish that conveys a suave blend of power and delicacy. 100% whole clusters.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Biggio Hamina Noel Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Noel Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Limpid ruby-red. An expansive, spice-accented bouquet evokes fresh red/blue fruits, vanilla and cola. A floral note builds as the wine stretches out. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, the Noel Vineyard shows very good depth and sharp delineation to its raspberry, boysenberry and cherry flavors. A hint of smokiness emerges on a very long, penetrating finish that’s framed by smooth, even tannins. Made with 50% whole clusters.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Biggio Hamina Cellars Youngberg Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2014 750ML ($39.95) $26 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Ruby-red. Deep-pitched aromas of cherry pit, black raspberry and licorice are energized by a bright floral topnote. Sappy, concentrated and expansive in the mouth, offering sweet red and blue fruit and lavender pastille flavors plus a touch of spicecake. Smoothly combines richness and vivacity and finishes very long and subtly tannic, with a lingering sweet floral pastille note.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Oregon Pinot Noir? We have over 130 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Cameron, Crowley, Goodfellow and more, on our web store now.
Collector’s Corner #1
Duval-Leroy’s Rare Femme de Champagne
True to its name, Duval-Leroy’s ‘Femme de Champagne” is the brainchild of Carol Duval-Leroy and Sandrine Logette-Jardin. The former is one of Champagne’s few female Presidents, the latter one of its few female Head Winemakers. This is their rarest bottling, only made in the most spectacular years (just three vintages were made in the 1990s), and we’re thrilled to have sourced a limited quantity from the underrated 2000 vintage.
It was a year that delighted Duval-Leroy with top quality fruit and the decision to make “Femme” was easy. When you taste this wine you will understand why. Long known for elegance and finesse, this bottle exemplifies Duval-Leroy’s house style. This is not the loudest voice at your dinner party, but instead the most compelling, with silky textures and rich, understated brioche tones.
In Stock Now:
Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne 2000 1.5L ($349.95) $299 special, 27 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “A rich version, with beautiful integration and mouthwatering acidity that seems to amplify the flavors of toasted raisin bread, black currant, candied orange zest and salted almond. Fresh and focused, showing hints of oyster shell and spice on the lasting finish.”
This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!
Love Champagne? We have over 175 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Bérêche, Eric Rodez, Pierre Péters and more, on our web store now.
Collector’s Corner #2
Four 100-Point Bordeaux Reds
3 in Stock Now, 1 Arriving in May
In Stock Now:
Wine Enthusiast’s #2 Cellar Selection in 2019
Château Pontet-Canet, Pauillac 2016 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Roger Voss – Wine Enthusiast 100 points “#2 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2019. A voluptuous wine, this is rich and fruity yet properly balanced by a magnificent structure. Pure, crisp and packed with a black currant flavor, this will be a remarkable wine as it develops. Still young, it needs many years to develop. Don’t think about drinking before 2025.”
“Unquestionably one of the top 2-3 wines of the vintage”
Château Montrose, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Unquestionably one of the top 2-3 wines of the vintage, the 2016 Château Montrose is a monument in the making. Checking in as a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc raised in 60% new French oak (the balance was in once-used barrels) and representing a tiny 36% of the production, this deep purple-colored 2016 possesses powerful, incredibly classic Saint-Estèphe notes of creme de cassis, graphite, damp earth, lead pencil shavings, and burning embers. With a powerful, full-bodied style on the palate, a huge mid-palate, lots of underlying structure and tannic grip, and perfect balance, this magical wine will need upwards of a decade or cellaring and keep for 40-50 years.”
James Suckling’s #1 Wine of the Year
Château Canon, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru2015 750ML ($399.95) $349 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 100 points “From the very beginning, the 2015 Canon has made an eloquent case for itself as one of the wines of the vintage. Multiple tastings from bottle only confirm what several early tastings hinted at: the 2015 Canon is simply extraordinary in every way. Sumptuous and exotic, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 grabs hold of all the senses and never lets up. A rush of red fruit intermingled with floral notes, spice and smoke notes effortlessly runs up the wine’s vertical structure as the 2015 thrills with every twist and turn. The 2015 Canon is a rare wine that is both hedonistic and intellectual – well, maybe it is a bit more hedonistic-leaning. It doesn’t matter. Don’t miss it. This 2015 is masterpiece from General Manager Nicolas Auderbert and his team at Canon.”
Neal Martin 100 points “The 2015 Canon was a benchmark wine that seemed to revitalize this historic estate. I was crossing my fingers that it would not disappoint in bottle and I am glad to say that it delivers the goods. It has a very intense bouquet (just as it showed out of barrel) with laser-like precision offering wild strawberry, raspberry preserve, wet limestone and hints of truffle. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, clean and fresh with pure black and red fruit whose every atom appears infused with minerals. The mouth is tingling long after the wine has exited and your brain is thinking…when is the next sip coming? It is frankly heads and shoulders above almost every Saint Émilion this vintage, to reaffirm, a benchmark for this historic estate that will give pleasure to many over the coming years. Astonishing.”
James Suckling 100 points “Seductive. The nose draws you in deep: It’s like staring into a well of pristine dark cherries, dark plums, blackberries and mulberries. All the oak is perfectly subsumed. The palate’s flawless with immense depth and power and it’s so balanced as to appear to float. Immaculate fresh dark-berry and plum flavors. Silky and deep, ribbon-like finish. Perfect. Best from 2022.”
Pre-Arrival ETA May:
“A monumental, benchmark Cos d’Estournel that will give not years but decades of pleasure”
Château Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($319.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavors that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Just. Magic.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 100 points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel was a bona fide showstopper out of barrel, the best that I had encountered in over 20 years of visiting the estate during en primeur, so my expectations were piled high when I returned to find out how it performs in bottle. Deep, almost opaque in color, it sports a very intense but broody bouquet with fathomless deep black fruit tinged with blueberry and violet. The aromas almost seem to envelop the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannin that I have never witnessed in any other vintage of Cos d’Estournel. There is a beguiling symmetry to this Saint-Estèphe, as well as unerring mineralité. The persistent, tobacco-tinged finish can be felt 60 second after the wine has departed. This is a monumental, benchmark Cos d’Estournel that will give not years but decades of pleasure, though I suspect it will close down for a period in its youth, hence my drinking window. 13.07% alcohol.”
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.
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