Vinopolis Tuesday Newsletter 4-27-2021

In Today’s Newsletter:

Cayuse 2018 Bionic Frog
Restocked


Caiarossa’s 2016 ‘Pergolaia’
Super-Tuscan from a Legendary Vintage


Abbatucci’s Faustine Blanc
A World-Class White Priced to Move


New Arrivals from Bordeaux Land Friday

Great Values from Oregon
All Under $20


Weingut Tement
The Best Chardonnay You’ve Never Heard Of?


Staff Recommended Rhône Wines
$75 – $100


Collector’s Corner
Emidio Pepe’s Cellar-Worthy Treasures

 
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Cayuse 2018 Bionic Frog

Restocked


Cayuse is one of the most in-demand wineries in North America, and likely needs little in the way of introductions for many of our subscribers. Our allocations always go fast, so we’re always on the hunt for more of these sought-after wines. Perhaps Cayuse’s most coveted wine of all is Bionic Frog. A serious wine with a playful name, it is one of America’s most collectable bottles. We’ve just received another modest allocation of the 2018 Bionic Frog, and are excited to offer it (while it lasts) to you.

Just Arrived, in Stock Now:

Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 9 bottles in stock now

No reviews for 2018. 2017 included for reference.
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 98 points “Part of the magic that happens with the 2017 Syrah Bionic Frog is that it is opaque with neon purple edges without being inky and massive. With classic Syrah tones of smoked meat, leather, lavender, lilac and black pepper, the wine is rich with aromas of blackberry, black raspberry and smoked plum. Medium to full-bodied, the wine explodes with intention and precision on the palate, with an immaculate balance and crystal-clear focus. Brilliantly structured, the wine continues to evolve with subtle and seamlessly integrated spice tones compounded by a mineral tension and a floral lift to make this wine float across the mid-palate. The wine glides effortlessly to a long, winding finish with persistence and the elegance of silk. The vibrancy of flavor remains in the mouth long after the wine has left. For a wine this dark and this full-flavored, yet as graceful and agile on the palate as it is, you’ll be hard-pressed to put down the glass; I certainly can’t keep my hands off of it. This is stunningly beautiful, and with only 516 cases made, it should be sought after by top collectors from around the world.”


Love Washington Syrah? We have 15 different options in stock. Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Betz, K Vintners, Reynvaan and more, on our web store now.

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Caiarossa’s 2016 ‘Pergolaia’

Super-Tuscan from a Legendary Vintage


Looking for a critically-acclaimed sub-$30 Super Tuscan that is drinking beautifully today? We’ve got you covered. In stock now, and with more arriving this Friday, Caiarossa’s 2016 ‘Pergolaia’ is ready for your table (or cellar!).

Caiarossa was founded along the Tuscan coast in 1998. A thoughtful exploration of the land’s terroir led the original owners to subdivide the vineyard into 12 parcels as defined by their soil type. Careful selection of varieties for planting in each parcel followed. Over two decades later, new oak is kept to a minimum to highlight rather than overwhelm the estate’s cherished terroirs. And the results are impressive.

Caiarossa’s 2016 ‘Pergolaia’ was named one of ‘Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines’ in 2020 for good reason. Made with slightly less Sangiovese than usual, the wine is more accessible in its youth than past vintages. But similar to previous bottlings, it is built to age gracefully. If there’s a better $26 Super Tuscan out there, we’d love to know about.

In Stock Now:

Caiarossa ‘Pergolaia’ Toscana IGT 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.”


Love Tuscany? We have over 165 different options in stock. Shop our entire selection, including staff favorites like Castell’in Villa, Fèlsina, Fontodi and more, on our web store now.

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Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up

Order Online / By Phone / By Email

When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.


(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)

www.vinopoliswineshop.com

info@vinopoliswineshop.com

503-223-6002

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Abbatucci’s Faustine Blanc

A World-Class White Priced to Move


Abbatucci remains the premier producer of aristocratic Corsican wine—noble expressions of a wild island. We’re offering you a great deal on two vintages of their “Faustine” Blanc—always one of the best examples of Vermentino in the world. This is a wine that is somehow both powerful and delicate, a rare combination in the world of white wine. These were already amongst the smartest buys in the shop before we further reduced our national best prices. Now they’re absolute steals.

In Stock Now:

Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvée Faustine Vieilles Vignes Blanc 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $29 Now $24, 18 bottles in stock now
Importer Note
“At the domaine, Jean-Charles Abbatucci often greets his guests with copious platters of Corsican charcuterie: heaping piles of coppa, lonzu, panzetta, and prisuttu saturated with wild, smoky, gamy flavors. Made from nustrale black pigs, a breed exclusive to the island, these meats feature savory, salty flavors that inspire gulp after gulp of crips, stony Vermentinu or spicy, juicy reds from native grapes. This delicate, floral white guarantees palate-cleansing refreshment when heavenly Corsican meats and cheeses are on the table.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $38.50


Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvée Faustine Vieilles Vignes Blanc 2017 750ML ($49.95) Was $29 Now $26, 9 bottles in stock now
Importer Note
“Summing up Jean-Charles Abbatucci’s contagious energy in just a few lines is virtually impossible. The best way to experience it is to stand in his vineyards in central Corsica and feel it radiate through your body from the ground up. Luckily, that energy finds its way into every bottle he makes, and this gentle, breezy white from old-vine Vermentinu delivers it without compromise—each sip is like a gust of warm Mediterranean air flooding your senses with a perfume of flowers and wild maquis.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $35.99


Shop the entire selection, from Corsica and beyond, on our web store now.

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New Arrivals from Bordeaux Land Friday


Arriving Friday, April 30th:

Château Grand Corbin, Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Château Grand Corbin, Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($299.95) $239 pre-arrival special (that’s only $39.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Château Grand Corbin, Saint-Émilion 2016 750ML ($599.95) $449 pre-arrival special (that’s only $37.42/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points
“Attractive dark-stone aromas with graphite and ripe dark berries sit fresh on the nose. The palate has a riper feel with very rich, dense fruit presence and a heavier, tannin line weight. Full body. Try from 2022.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2016 Grand Corbin has grown into a powerful, dense Saint-Émilion. This is a fairly rich, bombastic style, and yet all the elements fall into place. I would give the 2016 a few years in bottle to allow the tannins to soften, but there is good depth and plenty of potential. A rush of chocolate, leather, licorice, smoke and black cherry meld into the potent finish. Tasted three times with consistent notes.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $49.99


Château Lilian Ladouys, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Château Lilian Ladouys, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($239.95) $206 pre-arrival special (that’s only $34.33/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points
“The blueberry and blackberry aromas are certainly attractive here. Full-bodied and dense with a very velvety texture and a long, generous finish of ripe fruit and spice. Drink from 2022.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “A perennial overachiever, the 2016 Château Lilian Ladouys brings the goods in 2016 and has a complex, medium to full-bodied, character-filled style to go with loads of blue fruits, incense, dried herbs, and a hint of violets. A blend of 62% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot all raised in 30% new barrels, this charming, front end-loaded effort is well worth seeking out. It should keep for 10-15 years.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 92 points “This is the third time I have tasted the 2016 Lilian Ladouys in bottle. It retains a very intense blackberry and boysenberry bouquet laced with minerals, but displays a little more amplitude than it did in August. The tightly knit palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and still shows the graphite seam that I remarked upon previously. There is a little more persistence now, hence the slightly higher score. Good potential.”


Love red Bordeaux? We have over 25 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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Great Values from Oregon

All Under $20


Whites

In Stock Now:

A food-friendly, Alsatian-inspired Pinot Gris
Belle Pente Willamette Valley Pinot Gris, Oregon 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery Note
“We have always gravitated to a rich, ripe style of Pinot Gris inspired by the great wines of Alsace, and the warm 2015 growing season gave us exactly what we needed!  Fans of innocuous, dilute, mass-produced Pinot Grigio may not find a lot to like in this wine.  But if your reference point is a Grand Cru from Turckheim or Hunawihr, you’ve come to the right place!…The marine sedimentary soils of Yamhill-Carlton tend to impart a compelling savory saline quality and stony minerality to frame the apple and pear flavors and aromas of the Pinot gris grape.  As per our normal protocol, roughly half of the wine is vinified and aged in wood (foudre & neutral barrel) and the other half in stainless steel tanks.  Fermentation takes place slowly at cool temperatures and the wine is not bottled until right before the next harvest.  It is then held for at least another year before release. The hybrid vinification, coupled with sur lie and bottle aging, creates a wine that has both richness and freshness.   It is easy to enjoy on it’s own, and there is not a dish on the planet that it won’t compliment splendidly!”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


What’s the opposite of a butter bomb?
Ansel Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note
“A crisp Chardonnay from the Chehalem Mountains AVA. A classic balance of fruit and acid to make it perfect for every occasion.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


A fun, refreshing white blend
Ovum ‘Big Salt’, Elkton 2020 750ML ($21.95) $17 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Winery note
“2020 Big Salt is wildly aromatic, laced with Gewurz and Muscat overtones, but framed by citrusy Riesling. Salty bergamot, lemon, nectarine and white tea– exotic fruits fill out the nose. The palate is filled with the texture of Gewurz, herbal hints from Pinot Blanc, but quickly washed back with classic Riesling acidity. 2020 Big Salt pairs well with fish tacos, pesto chicken pasta, pad thai…or just chilling. Cellar: 3-8 years of optimal drinking. 45% Riesling, 35% Gewurztraminer, 11% Pinot Blanc, 9% Early Muscat, 1% others. Soils: Volcanic ash, basalt, marine sediment, alluvial, serpentine.”

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


Proof that Oregon should be growing far more Melon de Bourgogne
Bow & Arrow Melon Johan Vineyard, Oregon 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Winery Note
“Better known as Muscadet, this is the grape responsible for the classic French wine famous for its versatility with all things Ocean born.  Sourced from multiple vineyards and aged in vat for 6 – 8 months our version treads the same ground as the wines that inspired it.  Briney, crystalline, and quenching this wine is made for summer feasts as well as winter seafood sessions.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Oregon’s best flagship Chardonnay?
Cameron Winery Dundee Hills Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote
“One of the greatest bargains in Oregon Chardonnay out there. Barrel-fermented, which imparts a kiss of vanilla and new oak to the apple- and green pear-driven palate. A refreshing mineral note on the finish keeps you coming back for more.”


A perennial staff favorite
Vincent Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 10 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote
“Vincent makes deeply profound WV Pinot Blanc made in a traditional Burgundian style. Naturally fermented and aged in neutral French oak with extended aging on the lees. This is always a staff favorite.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Reds

In Stock Now:

Oregon’s best value in Pinot Noir?
Biggio Hamina Cellars Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($24.95) $14 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Cellars Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($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.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Always one of Oregon’s best Gamays
Vincent Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 4 bottles in stock now

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


“Ansel makes it way too easy to pour a second glass”
Ansel Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 34 bottles in stock now
Michael Alberty, The Oregonian/OregonLive
“This wine has a secret. I can tell you it is made by Graham Markel of Buona Notte Wines and experienced wine hand Jeremy Byrd. I can tell you they purchased barrels of pinot noir from a handful of well-known Willamette Valley wineries to make the Ansel. I can’t, however, tell you which wineries as Markel and Byrd are sworn to secrecy… It smells like cherries and carnations, with a whiff of a grape popsicle in the background. Flavors of bittersweet dark chocolate and wild strawberries positively glide over taste buds like Yuzuru Hanyu on open ice. The Ansel makes it way too easy to pour a second glass. If you do, make sure something from The Bar-Kays is on the turntable.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Generous & complex
Averaen Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 16 bottles in stock now
No reviews for 2019. 2018 included for reference.
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Editor’s Choice. Fruit sourced from six Willamette Valley AVAs and well over a dozen vineyards combines in this sweetly fruity wine. Pretty plum and marionberry flavors are enhanced with a light touch of herbs, putting a frame around the finish.”


Love supporting local wineries? We have over 275 different options from Oregon and Washington in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Championship Bottle, Crowley, Hundred Suns and more, on our web store now.

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Weingut Tement

The Best Chardonnay You’ve Never Heard Of?


Weingut Tement is one of the blue-chip names in Austrian wine, and yet virtually unknown to American drinkers, for one simple reason: the Austrians drink almost all of it. Their wines have a cult-like following in their native land, with tiny allocations heading to all the top restaurants around the country.

The demand is high for good reason—the wines are stunning, and incredible values. Their single-vineyard bottlings, like today’s Ried Rossberg Morillon, are made to rival France’s finest. Made with Chardonnay, the Ried Rossberg Morillon rivals Burgundy’s finest whites, but sells for a fraction of its French competitors.

We’ve already sold through most of their excellent Sauvignon Blancs, with only one bottle remaining, but are excited to feature the thrilling Chardonnay today. So take advantage of this rare opportunity to taste what the Viennese have been selfishly keeping to themselves.

In Stock Now:

Weingut Tement Ried Rossberg Morillon, Südsteiermark 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Stephen Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points
“The 2017 Ried Rossberg Morillon is from a very calcareous marl soil rich in iron and manganese. Vinified in old Burgundian pièces, this is a deep, rich and round, wonderfully aromatic yet pure and flinty [Chardonnay] with very fine tannins and a very elegant and lush texture. The finish is powerful yet pure and persistently salty, with lots of mineral tension and grip. This is an excellent, perfectly balanced but thrilling white whose lush and iodine character is a bit like a Jura wine. Tasted in May 2019.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Weingut Tement Grassnitzberg Sauvignon Blanc Erste STK Lage, Steiermark 2017 750ML ($41.95) $38 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Falstaff 95 points
“Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Delicate tangerine zest, a hint of yellow tropical fruit, dark minerality, fine-spicy bouquet. Tight, close-knit, white fruit, salty structure, fine gooseberry nuances in the finish, lime touch, very piquant, stays on for a long time, probably the best Grassnitzberg so far. [Translated]
Winery Note “Single-vineyard Grassnitzberg was the first vineyards owned by family Tement and was planted in the early 50ies. The old vines of the south south-east facing slopes grow on massive shell-limestone soil. Thee aromatic and elegant vintage 2017 impresses with mineral flavours such as pear, caper salt as well as black currant. A lot of limestone spices are present and leave an eternally long taste. May be drunk young but after 3-5 years bottle ageing the typical „Grassnitzberg terroir notes“ emerge.”
Importer Note “A very cool Premier Cru vineyard for elegant wines. Destemmed, harvested by hand, 12 hour skin contact, natural yeast fermentation, 12-18 month on the lees without sulphor, bottled without filtration “


Love Austrian wine? We have over 40 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like FX Pichler, Nikolaihof, Weingut Knoll and more, on our web store now.

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Staff Recommended Rhône Wines

$75 – $100


Northern Rhône

In Stock Now:

A “blockbuster” white
Delas Frères Condrieu Clos Boucher, Rhône 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points
“Pale green-hued yellow. Penetrating, mineral-tinged aromas of fresh citrus and pit fruits are complemented by chalky minerals, violet and fennel accents. Juicy, focused and concentrated, offering intense pear nectar, Meyer lemon and honeysuckle flavors that show outstanding clarity and minerally lift. The mineral and floral notes carry emphatically through a silky, appealingly sweet finish that hangs on with superb focus and tenacity.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “A step up, the bigger, richer 2016 Condrieu Clos Boucher is blockbuster stuff, offering serious notes of crushed rock, buttered citrus, orange blossom, and a smoky, meaty, mineral character that’s hard to describe. Possessing full-bodied richness, beautiful mid-palate concentration and a seamless texture, this beauty will be even better this time next year and keep for 4-6 years.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


One of the Rhône greatest old-school producers
Vignobles Levet Côte Rôtie La Chavaroche, Rhône 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 96 points
“Dark purple. Ripe dark fruit, floral and spice qualities on the expressive nose, along with hints of licorice, black cardamom, espresso and smoky minerals. Stains the palate with deeply concentrated cassis, bitter cherry and candied violet flavors that slowly unfold and take a sweeter turn through the midpalate. Youthfully chewy tannins add firm grip to a strikingly long, energetic finish that emphatically echoes the cassis and mineral notes. Made with 100% whole clusters.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Complex & concentrated
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas, Rhône 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points
“Deep ruby. A complex, expressive bouquet displays aromas of ripe, mineral-accented dark berries, cola, incense, olive and candied violet. Deeply concentrated black and blue fruit flavors show superb focus and energy, and suave floral pastille and Moroccan spice qualities emerge as the wine opens up. Shows a deft blend of richness and vivacity and finishes with strong lift, building tannins and minerally persistence.”

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


“Classic in every way”
Matthieu Barret Domaine du Coulet Cornas Billes Noires 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points
“Coming from the upper part of Cornas and seeing 24 months in 400-500 Liter barrels (none new), the 2012 Cornas Domaine du Coulet Billes Noires is an incredible effort that’s up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Its inky purple color is followed by an awesome bouquet of cassis, bacon fat, olive, peppered meat and iron, with additional minerality coming through with air. Classic in every way, with full-bodied richness, stunning purity and integrated acidity, it’s a big, brooding and concentrated effort that’s reasonably approachable now due to its fruit and texture, yet won’t hit prime time until 6-7 years after the vintage and will have two decades of longevity.”


A 2011 just entering its prime drinking window
Delas Frères Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes – Marquise de la Tourette, Rhône 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck-Wine Advocate 95+ points
“Starting off the 2011s, both of which were tasted out of bottle numerous times, the 2011 Hermitage Domaine de Tourettes is another blockbuster from this producer. Full-bodied, rich, layered and voluptuously textured, it offers up a beautiful bouquet of smoked herbs, leather, ground pepper and assorted meaty nuances that are grounded by a rich core of cassis and darker berry fruit. While a big wine, it has remarkable freshness and purity, serious mid-palate depth and silky tannin, all of which allow it to dish out loads of pleasure, even now. Enjoy it over the coming 15-20 years.”


Southern Rhône

In Stock Now:

“A thrill a minute”
Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2017 750ML ($119.95) $75 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points
“The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is a bigger, richer, more opulent wine. Beautiful notes of blackcurrants, scorched earth, graphite, and crushed violets, all flow to a full-bodied, Châteauneuf Du Pape that has a voluptuous, sexy texture, brilliant depth of fruit, fine tannins, and a purity of fruit that’s hard to find in this vintage. It’s a thrill a minute, and while it’s approachable today, it will keep for 15-20 years. 416 cases.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $95


Generous yet soulful
Château Pesquié Ventoux Ascensio, Rhône 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points
“Mostly Grenache (5% Syrah) made with 30% stems, brought up all in concrete, the 2016 Ventoux Ascensio sports an inky purple color as well as sensational notes of blackberries, plums, licorice, violets, and crushed rocks. It’s deep, full-bodied, pure, and primordial, with ample tannin and a great finish. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age but is blockbuster stuff.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


“Dreamy”
Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points
“This delivers a lush, enticing blast of cassis and raspberry and boysenberry preserve flavors, carried by a silky structure that lets the fruit play out at length, giving adequate time for black tea, singed apple wood, dried anise and fruitcake notes to fill in throughout. Dreamy. Grenache. Best from 2020 through 2040.”


“This magical, thrilling beauty needs to be tasted to be believed”
Château de Vaudieu Châteauneuf-du-Pape L’Avenue, Rhône 2016 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points
“The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Amiral G. is, as always, all Grenache brought up all in demi-muids. It’s unquestionably the most opulent, sexy, and expansive in the lineup, with overflowing notes of kirsch and blackberry fruits, incense, dried garrigue, and spice, full body, and no hard edges. Its incredible opulence and decadence are delivered with no sensation of weight or heaviness. This magical, thrilling beauty needs to be tasted to be believed. It’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 15+ years or more.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $109.99


“Built for the cellar”
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhône 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95-97 points
“Everything about the all-Grenache 2018 Gigondas le Claux is big. From the huge black cherry and blackberry fruit, to the insane levels of concentration, the rich, velvety tannins and the never-ending, licorice-tinged finish, this beauty should evolve positively for at least a decade and a half.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Quite ripe, with waves of warmed plum sauce and blackberry preserves rolling through, wrapped liberally with licorice root, sage and lavender notes. Iron minerality runs through the finish, letting the fruit and savory notes meld wonderfully. Built for the cellar. Best from 2022 through 2035.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $109


Love Rhône reds? We have over 150 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Chapoutier, Domaine Clape, Henri Bonneau and more, on our web store now.

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Collector’s Corner

Emidio Pepe’s Cellar-Worthy Treasures


Abruzzo is an Italian wine region best known for two standout producers: Valentini and Emidio Pepe. Both deliver world-class bottlings, but we’re focusing on the latter today. Pepe’s wines are known for their unique blend of rusticity, power and just enough polish to highlight their remarkable vibrancy and complexity. The Montepulciano shows rich, powerful fruit layered with beautiful spicy/gamey aromatics; and is capable of aging gracefully for decades.

The Trebbiano is made from old selections of Trebbiano Abruzzese—a rare clonal selection that provides wines of depth and complexity rarely found in this neck of the woods. It’s hard for us to acquire these wines and we’re excited to feature them again today.

In Stock Now:

Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points
“This is one of the cornerstone producers of the Abruzzo, a winery that follows strict tradition but that also appeals to every new generation of wine drinker that encounters a bottle. The wines of Emidio Pepe are in a word, timeless. The 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo flaunts its pedigree with elegant aromas of black fruit, smoke, tar and powdery licorice. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo fares well in the hot vintages such as 2017 thanks to the cool mountain climates of the region, and not only do you get deep textural richness here, the acidity is beautifully preserved and fresh as well. The tannins are firm and polished, all followed by delicate little accents of dried herb and crushed stone.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


Emidio Pepe Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 93 points
“Bright yellow. Apple jelly, lime, lemon curd and sweet herbs on the captivating nose. Then mellow and suave, featuring flavors similar to the aromas and a hint of gingery spiciness on the long, juicy finish. A lovely result from a very hot year, and one of the better Trebbiano d’Abruzzo wines from Emidio Pepe in recent memory.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $99.90


Shop the entire selection, from Abruzzo and beyond, on our web store now.

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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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