Vinopolis Wednesday Newsletter 1/25/23

We have the best rosé selection around! Why wait for spring? 

We’re having a huge sale on Rosé throughout the entire month of February.

Sale Began at 4pm on Friday, January 20th 
Sale Ends at 6pm on Tuesday, February 28th 
     
5% off 6-11 bottles and/or large format rosés. 

10% off 12 or more bottles and/or large formats of rosés. 

Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card.
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or to case discounts. 
This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand.

Buying a case-6 unlocks an additional 5% discount on 1-5 additional bottles of rosé purchased. Buying a case-12 unlocks an additional 10% discount on all additional bottles of rosé purchased. 

This sale applies to ALL rosé wines. That’s over 85 wines and thousands of bottles discounted! Here are a few recommendations to get you started.

Proprieta Sperino ‘Rosa del Rosa’ Rosato Coste della Sesia, Piedmont 2021 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock 
Vinous 93 points “Good luck pulling away from the 2021 Rosa del Rosa, with its sweetly scented bouquet that mixes notes of dusty rose and ripe strawberries with enriching hints of butter cream and vanilla bean. This sets off all of the pleasure indicators with soft textures complemented by sweet red fruits, then contrasted by sour citrus and, finally, a bump of juicy acidity that keeps the energy high. There’s plenty of length to keep the palate reeling with mouthwatering pleasure, as the Rosa del Rosa, a varietal Nebbiolo Rosato, tapers off wickedly fresh and long. This is, yet again, one of the top Italian Rosès of the vintage.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2021 750ml $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock 
Vinous 91 points “Pale orange. Finely etched red berry, citrus zest and floral aromas, along with building herb and mineral flourishes. Taut and nervy in the mouth, offering sappy strawberry, cherry and tangerine flavors that show fine delineation and spicy lift. Closes firm and right, with persistent red fruit notes and a refreshingly bitter edge.”
De Maison importer note “The iconic Ameztoi Rubentis rosé is a field blend of the local, indigenous hondarrabi zuri and hondarrabi beltza varieties, grown on traditional trellises high on the slopes rising above Getaria, an ancient Basque fishing village on Spain’s rugged northern coast. In the 2000s, when almost all of the other local wineries gave up on the indigenous red hondarrabi beltza vines, the Ameztoi family retained their old vines, in turn, lending their rosé such exceptional vibrancy and complexity. Rubentis, the region’s first pink wine, was inspired by the historic claret style wines which were once produced in the area long before the current global craze made rosé famous. The backbone of the blend comes from an old hondarrabi beltza vineyard planted in 1840, preserved by the Ameztoi family for generations. Ameztoi Rubentis is an authentic original, a wine that is often imitated but never replicated.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose, Provence 2021 750ml $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock 
Rosenthal Wine Merchant note “Cassis Rosé: The Rosé is produced from several parcels that comprise slightly less than 7 hectares of vineyards. The vineyards are clay and limestone, situated on a gentle slope with a north – northwest exposure. The blend is Grenache (55%), Mourvedre (31%) and Cinsault (14%). This Rosé is vinified by “pressurage direct, the must is chilled to 12 degrees Celsius, the wine ferments at 18 degrees Celsius until it is completely dry; then, the wine is bottled during the first three months of the following year after a light filtration. Production tops out at about 40,000 bottles per annum; approximately 6000 bottles are allocated to the US market.”

J. Mourat Collection Rose, Fiefs Vendeens Mareuil 2021 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles in stock 
Importer note “Organic. 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Gamay 40% Cabernet Franc grown on a mix of schist and rhyolite. Average age of the vines is 20 years. Hand-harvested, destemmed, pressed and settled with spontaneous fermentation at cool temperatures in stainless steel. Aged 5 months in tank before bottling.”
Importer note “Bright and thirst quenching Loire rose. Bursting with aromas of crushed cherry, watermelon & herb, it is fleshy on the palate with intense flavors of cherry and raspberry.”

Chateau Les Mesclances Cotes de Provence Cuvee Romane Rose 2020 750ml $24 special, 30 bottles in stock
Rosenthal Wine note ““Romane” Côtes de Provence Rosé From 20 year-old vines at the base of the hill overlooking the estate, the Romane is made up of 70% Grenache, along with Cinsault and Mourvedre, the latter of which provides a point of amertume (a fresh, bitter note) and a salinity that quickly draws one back to the wine. The Grenache spends a few hours macerating with the skins, providing an extra layer of depth and structure to this classic wine.”

Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rose, Rhône 2021 750ml $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock 
Wine Advocate 89 points “The medium salmon-hued 2021 Gigondas Rose features scents of pink grapefruit, guava and melon. A blend of 50% Cinsault, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache, it’s medium-bodied, with a lovely, silky texture and a long finish that echoes of crushed stone and paraffin.”
Importer note “From the lieu dit “La Moutte” this tiny production rosé is from mostly 45 year old Cinsault planted in 1970, and 10-15 year old Mourvèdre and Syrah. Cold maceration for 6 hours in the press and slow pneumatic pressing. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with occasional lees stirring. 70% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre. Soil: Red sandy clay soil with broken round stones (cailloux). Organic.”

If you’re thinking about buying one you might as well get three. Here are our best Case-3 specials! 

Case-3 Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ml $375 special, 3 Cases in stock 
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Showing beautifully, with pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as loads of dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, the 2018 Impulsivo is medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shows more meaty, almost bloody nuances with time in the glass, and it’s certainly a singular expression of Tempranillo. The tannins are present yet polished and ripe, and it has a great mid-palate as well as the balance and elegance to drink nicely today yet also improve with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2020 750ml $365 special, 1 case in stock 
No review available for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “Leading off the Syrahs and showing gorgeously, the 2019 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard offers a seamless, layered, multi-dimensional style in its sweet black raspberry, currant, leafy herb, charcoal, spring flower, and violet-laced aromas and flavors. More medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has flawless balance, ultra-fine tannins, a thrilling core of sweet fruit, and one hell of an impressive finish. Rocks Syrah doesn’t get much better.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today! 

Cayuse Vineyards En Cerise Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2020 750ml $359 special, 1 case in stock 
No review available for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 96 points “Cured meat jumps out on the nose, together with notes of black cherry, basil leaf and tar. Medium-bodied with rock-salt salinity. Silky tannins. Very elegant with succulent fruit and mineral character that keeps the palate going on and on. Delicious. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ml $345 special, 1 case in stock
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Similarly colored, the 2016 Tempranillo La Paciencia Vineyard offers an exotic bouquet of black cherries, violets, chocolate, tobacco, smoke, and candied orange rind. It’s deep, beautiful, savory, and full-bodied, with a thrilling texture. It’s another incredibly elegant, singular wine from this estate.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Not yet released when I tasted it in November 2019, the 2016 Tempranillo la Paciencia has a dusty core of dark fruit on the nose, with blackberry, wild strawberry and hints of soft leather and wet river rock. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied and shows a subtle spiciness that persists through to the finish, with building and structuring tannins. It ends with a long, mineral finish and lingering tannins that make this wine ready for food. 321 cases produced.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Petrolo Boggina Combo Pack Tuscany 2014 750ml $119 special, 3 cases in stock
A case of three 750ml Bottles 
2 Bottles of 2014 Boggina, 1 bottle of 2014 Boggina Anfora
2014 Petrolo Boggina:
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2014 Bòggina is stunning. Although a touch compact in this vintage, the Bòggina impresses for its energy and overall freshness. Red cherry, raspberry, rose petal, tobacco and savory herbs are some of the many notes that continue to open up as the wine takes shape in the glass. It will be interesting to see if the 2014 puts on more weight with time in bottle. It certainly improved over the time I followed it.”
James Suckling 93 points “Very fine and silky with a tight and polished texture that shows wonderful length and definition. Medium body, pretty cherry and citrus character and a long and subtle finish. Well done for a difficult vintage. Delicious now.”
2014 Petrolo Boggina Anfora:
Antonio Galloni 93 points “It’s interesting to taste the 2014 Bòggina Anfora (Bògginanfora), Petrolo’s Sangiovese done in amphora next to the same wine aged in oak. The amphora wine is initially a bit softer and creamier in its contours, but it also offers less development in the glass. Lavender, plum, menthol, sage and sweet herbs lead into the expressive finish. This is another very pretty wine from Petrolo and proprietor Luca Sanjust.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Elvio Cogno is a premier producer in the Langhe. There wines capture the elegance and complexity of Barolo exquisitely, and they’ve been doing it for generations! If you haven’t tried this producer, take my word for it, they know what they’re doing. It would be a shame to go a lifetime without trying Elvio Cogno! Don’t miss out.
    
Here’s some of what we have in stock now at Vinopolis Wine Shop. 

Elvio Cogno Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ml $94.50 special, 36 bottles in stock 
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2017 Barolo Ravera makes a statement with its intense aromas of licorice, kirsch, pipe tobacco, and spice. Revealing a balanced and chiseled structure, the palate conveys dried raspberry, blood orange, and dried herbs. A great wine from the 2017 vintage, it feels like it will hold up to the test of time.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The Ravera cru is seeing renewed energy and interest, thanks to the hard work of the Elvio Cogno team. They believed in Novello from the very beginning, and today a wine like the 2017 Barolo Ravera shows special confidence and pride. This pretty Barolo made with a blend of Nebbiolo clones (Lampia and Michet) reveals a slow succession of aromas with dark cherry and blackberry. The results are lasting, contoured and beautifully focused, thanks to mineral notes of rusty iron or brick. Nuanced notes of licorice and campfire ash round off the finish.” 

Elvio Cogno Ravera Bricco Pernice, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ml $99 special, 36+ bottles in stock 
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Ravera Bricco Pernice, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ml $559 special (that’s only $93.16/bottle)
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. Enticing scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry and an earthy whiff of truffle shape the fragrant nose on this dazzling wine. The delicious, full-bodied palate boasts structure and a weightless elegance, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, cherry compote, cinnamon and star anise. Taut polished tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and an elegant structure. It’s already irresistible but will also age well for years. Drink 2022–2035.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The Elvio Cogno 2015 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice delivers the depth, richness and concentration that are a hallmark of this pretty vintage. This wine is a pure expression of the productive Lampia clone of Nebbiolo. Generous layers of blackberry, wild cherry, rose hip, ferrous earth and campfire ash are neatly folded together to build the wine’s intensity. Like the other wines from this estate, the tannic management is spot-on. You are aware of the wine’s youthful structure, but it is delivered without hard edges or sharp points. A mere 4,000 bottles were produced.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Elvio Cogno Barolo Cascina Nuova, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ml $54.50 special, 28 bottles in stock 
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Barolo Cascina Nuova, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ml $299 special (that’s only $49.83/bottle)
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Rose, woodland berry and baking spice shape the nose along with crushed mint notes on this fragrant red. The savory, polished palate boasts succulent raspberry, ripe strawberry and white pepper before taut tannins and bright acidity reveal a firm, elegant structure. Star anise lingers on the finish.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Of the four Elvio Cogno Baroli out on the market now, this wine is the most immediate and accessible of the bunch. Production is an ample 20,000 bottles. The 2016 Barolo Cascina Nuova is a terrific wine with impeccable balance. The bouquet offers dark fruit aromas, licorice, smoke, tar and spice. These aromatic pieces slide together with precision to create an intriguing and multifaceted puzzle. It shows good fruit weight and concentration, reinforced by firm tannins, freshness and a silky mouthfeel. This is a terrific go-to Barolo from a classic vintage. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then ages for two years in botte grande made with Slavonian oak. “

Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2019 750ml $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock 
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2019 750ml $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle)
Wine Advocate 92+ points “This is a terrific Piedmont red to pair with a classic quiche Lorraine. The Elvio Cogno 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli is a delicate and fragile expression with bright accents of chopped mint and medicinal herb that hover over a core of wild cherry and dried raspberry. The wine delivers soft and smooth aromas that define the character of this pretty wine. Dusty tannins and some lingering mineral notes frame a polished finish. A portion of the wine sees whole-cluster fermentation, and winemaking is straightforward in stainless steel. Some 10,000 bottles were released.”

Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2017 750ml $29 special, 20 bottles in stock 
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2017 Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli is a very pretty wine. The warm, dry vintage has give Cogno’s Nebbiolo an extra kick of richness, but without robbing the wine of its personality. Sweet dried cherry, mint, tobacco, crushed flowers and anise all flesh out in an expansive, inviting Nebbiolo that will drink nicely for at least a number of years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

 PRE-ARRIVAL ETA FEBUARY 2023

Case-6 Jacques Selosse Lieux-dits Collection Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $6689 special, 2 cases available 
This collection of six consists of 
1 btl Avize les Chantereines 
1 btl Cramant Chemin de Chalons
1 btl La Côte Faron 
1 btl Le Bout du Clos 
1 btl Les Carelles 
1 btl Sous le Mont 

Antoni Galloni Vinous “Anselme Selosse’s wines are among the most coveted bottles in Champagne. In recent years, Selosse’s lieu-dit Champagnes have ascended into the realm of the nearly unobtainable because of their tiny production. Two of the lieux-dits are sold only as part of the 300 or so boxed sets that are released each year, which makes tasting all six Champagnes together virtually impossible.”
Vineyard notes: “Situated 150kms east of Paris, the Champagne vineyards cover over 33,000 hectares and yield yearly approximately 320 million bottles of the most prestigious wine in the world. Between the cities of Reims and Châlons-en- Champagne, grapes have been cultivated since the Gallo –Roman period, but it was at the beginning of the 18th century that the blending of the different villages or crus and a method of vinification that permitted the obtainment of effervescent wines began to make them well-known throughout the world. Ever since this time, Champagne wines have been come recognizable not only for their famous bubbles, but also their finesse, vivacity and freshness and their famous thick glass bottles and corks held on by wire muzzles. The first official boundaries were drawn in 1927. The Champagne producing region was divided into 4 zones, the Montagne de Reims, the Marne Valley, la Côte des Blancs and la Côte des Bar in the very south of the appellation.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!