2/13/16
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Screaming Eagle; The Rosé Sale Ends Tomorrow!; New Arrivals from Cameron, Silver Oak, & Didier Dagueneau; Evening Land Arriving Next Week; Final Drop from Resonance; Exploring Northern Rhone: Hermitage & Crozes-Hermitage; Oregon Back-Vintages; Piedmont Case Deals; German Vineyards: Erderner Treppchen & Erdener Prälat
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3 x $1,699 =
Arriving Mid-March
Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($1,995.95) $1,699 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “Continuing along a similar theme, the 2013 Screaming Eagle is incredibly concentrated and powerful. Today, the 2013 tastes like a concoction of liquefied rocks, crème de cassis, blackberry jam and lavender. Deep, dense and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2013 captivates all the senses with its majestic complexity. With time in the glass, the 2013 gets better and better, to the point I would have liked to follow it over several hours and perhaps days, which was not practical. Screaming Eagle fans will not want to miss the 2013s, although these wines will not be ready to deliver maximum pleasure for a number of years.” AG
Note: Original wooden case for the 3-pack is available with the purchase of all three bottles.
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Valentine’s Day Rosé Sale Ends Tomorrow at 6pm!
Take 10% off all Rosé Wines!
Enjoy the discount on any rosé in the shop – Champagne, Provence, Oregon, Jura, German, Italian, Spanish, Beaujolais… Everything pink!
Includes Domaine de Triennes Triennes Rose, Christophe Mignon Brut Rose Champagne, Ameztoi Txakolina Hijos Rubentis Rosado (750s & magnums!) and Les Aphillanthes Cote du Rhone Rosé among 20 others!
Sale ends Sunday, February 14th at 11:59:59 PM
Does not apply to pre-arrival items; wines must be paid for during the promotional period.
10% discount not displayed nor calculated on our website.
Fill your cart at the displayed price and we’ll deduct the 10% further discount before charging.
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New Arrivals
OREGON
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Vinopolnote: Declassified Yamhill-Carlton bottling from, as always, non-irrigated vines. Sourced from the Briscoe Vineyard, all-Wadensweil clone. Also, delicious.
CALIFORNIA
Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Winery notes:”Our 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant representation of Napa Valley Cabernet from a cool vintage. It presents an opaque garnet hue in the glass and reveals aromas of sandalwood and roasted meats. Flavors of vanilla, coffee beans and raspberries are buttressed by dusty tannins, firm acidity and a mouth-coating texture. Given proper cellaring, this wine should provide drinking pleasure through 2029.”
FRANCE-LOIRE
Didier Dagueneau Blanc Fume de Pouilly 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Joel Payne–Vinous 89 points “Pale straw. Pure aromas of lemon, lime and white flowers. Finely grained and youthful, showing precise citrus and orchard fruit flavors and brisk energy. Tactile and taut, this sauvignon blanc finishes with pleasing structure and mineral grip.”
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Evening Land
Arriving February 19th
Following their success in being awarded the #3 Wine of the Year from Wine Spectator, we’re happy to present three new releases from Evening Land:
Evening Land Gold Label Seven Springs Vineyard Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Fresh and inviting, lively on balance, with tangy citrus and lemon marmalade notes underlying the apple and spice flavors, lingering on the finish. Drink now through 2020.” WS
Evening Land Silver Label ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Crisp and tangy, with a mineral character running through the raspberry and cherry flavors at the core, coming together with harmony and structural tension on the vibrant finish. Best from 2017 through 2023.”
Evening Land Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir, Oregon 2013 750ML ($44.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Light and polished, with a nubby texture underlying the transparent raspberry and peppermint flavors that pick up mineral and spice notes as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2021.”
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Round 2 for Resonance
Final Re-Arrival for Jadot’s
First Endeavor Outside France!
Resonance Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 re-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Light and focused, showing distinctive subtlety. A layer of crinkly tannins underlies a pulsing core of mineral-accented cherry and red berry flavors, hinting at cinnamon as the finish lingers gently.” HS
Vinopolnote: Maison Louis Jadot’s first venture outside France since their inception in 1859; First vineyard purchased outside France since 1826 (Clos des Ursules); Made by famed Jadot Winemaker, Jacques Lardière. Dry-farmed vineyard with original rootstock and farmed Biodynamically
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Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and the Northern Rhone
Continuing our series exploring the Northern Rhone…
The rocky soils of the northern Rhone are ideal for the vines; many vineyards are terraced along the banks of the Rhone River and benefit from “la bise”, which is local nomenclature for the winds which sweep through the valley. Syrah, Viogner, Marsanne and Rousanne are vinified within the sub region. Of eight total AOC’s, the most famous are Cote-Rotie, Cornas, Hermitage, and Saint-Joseph, with the other four being Condrieu, Crozes-Hermitage, St. Peray, and Chateau-Grillet. Let’s dig a little deeper into each of these Hermitage and Crozes- Hermitage …
Perhaps thirty miles southward, Hermitage AOC lies along the river Rhone above the town of Tain. Between this town and the neighboring town of Tournon, many of the stars of the Rhone make their finest wines: among them, JL Chave and the historic houses of Delas Freres, Paul Jaboulet, and Chapoutier. Syrah is the star here, of course, and up to 15% of Marsanne or Roussane may be employed as well. Some of the world’s earliest instances of Syrah are traced back to here!
Hermitage & Crozes-Hermitage Wines Available Here Now:
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2011 1.5L ($549.95) $419 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Still a bit reserved aromatically, with hints of orange blossom and crème anglaise peeking out, this features a captivating display of racy quinine, honeysuckle and white peach flavors inlaid into a rich core of brioche, Cavaillon melon, white truffle, smoked almond and heather honey. Incredibly long. Hard to resist now, but ideal for when your toddler graduates college. Best from 2019 through 2030.” WS
Wine Advocate 96 points “Just bottled, the 2011 Hermitage Blanc also shows the richer side of Hermitage with its full-bodied, voluptuously textured and up-front profile. Honeysuckle, licorice, toast, citrus oil and liquid mineral-like qualities all emerge from this beauty, and it stays beautifully fresh and focused on the palate. A blend of mostly Marsanne, yet with roughly 20% Roussanne, from the l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, this substantial white should be consumed over the coming 2-4 years, or forgotten for a decade or more. It will have over two decades of longevity.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 750ML ($319.95) $219 special, 23 bottles available
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 1.5L ($699.95) $499 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Spectator 97 points “A stunner from the start, with distinct depth to the creamed mango, white peach and heather flavors, this maintains superior precision and definition as the singed almond, chamomile, salted butter and ginger notes fill in. Glazed pear, elderflower honey and beeswax details chime in on the extremely long finish. Enjoyable now, but needs serious cellaring to show its full potential. Best from 2016 through 2037. 500 cases made.” JM
Wine Advocate 96 points “Much more open, fleshy and sexy, the 2012 Hermitage Blanc was just bottled a month prior to this tasting. Coming from l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, it’s always a rough blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne that’s aged in barrel. Loaded with notions of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, powered rock, buttered citrus and green almond, it’s full-bodied, rich, upfront and fruit loaded. While I think it will be a relatively accessible early in its life, it has the concentration to hold for two decades.” WA
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “Tasted in single-site components from tanks as the wine awaited blending: #1, from Peleat: Ripe pear and honey aromas, with a suave floral accent and a hint of smoky minerals. At once rich and lively, showing excellent back-end power. #2, from Rocoules: Intense, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with a sexy floral nuance building with air. Bright, focused and mineral-driven, with a strong Meyer lemon quality lingering on the tangy finish. #3, also from Rocoules: Showing more emphasis on orchard fruit than the first Rocoules tank, with powerful quince and pear flavors and a touch of bitter quinine. Dusty minerals sharpen the long, sappy finish. #4, from l’Ermite: Spicy citrus zest and ginger scents along with a chalky mineral note and a hint of anise. Smoky and penetrating, with superb finishing clarity and lingering spiciness. #5, also from l’Ermite: More floral and masculine than the previous l’Ermite, with strong jasmine and orchard fruit character and a touch of bitter quinine. Bright and nervy on the finish, which doesn’t want to let up.” JR
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Rouge 2011 1.5L ($649.95) $419 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “The 2011 Hermitage (also still in barrel), in comparison, is more focused and straight, with a slightly more serious feel to its tannin profile and overall structure. All of the samples (again, tasted in individual components) were beautifully perfumed, with the Les Bessards (which will make up the bulk of the blend) showing surprising density and concentration in a vintage that generally produced more up-front and supple wines. A serious 2011 that will certainly be one of the stars of the vintage, it should be reasonably approachable on release and have an easy two decades of longevity.” WA
Wine Spectator 96 points “A grippy, mouthwatering style, with solid, briary tannins inlaid with finely beaded acidity, all of which meld into the core of anise, blackberry paste and fig sauce flavors. Shows terrific energy on the singed apple wood-filled finish. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2030.” JM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2012 750ML ($319.95) $228 special, 25 bottles available
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2012 3L ($1,799.95) $1,249 special, 1 jeroboam available
Wine Advocate 94-97 points “Looking at the 2012 Hermitage, which is still resting in barrels and getting ready to be bottled, it’s a much more classic, easy to read Hermitage that has lots of ripe, sweet fruit in its full-bodied, concentrated, textured profile. It has copious sweet blackberry and cassis fruit, violet and serious granite-like minerality, superb mid-palate depth and a focused, structured finish. It’s a beautiful, classy 2012 that will have 20-25+ years of longevity.” WA
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 95-97 points “Presented as components from four different barrels: #1, from Beaume: Exotic scents of candied licorice, dark berries and smoky Indian spices. Fleshy and broad on entry, then tighter in the middle, displaying superb depth to its bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors. #2, from Peleat: Explosive red fruit and potpourri aromas, with a bright mineral overtone. Silky and sweet, offering vibrant raspberry and cherry compote flavors and a touch of bitter chocolate. The red fruit note echoes strongly on the back half. #3, from Meal: Fleshier and rounder than the first two components, offering plush dark berry and violet flavors that coat the palate. Chewy tannins build on the finish and fold smoothly into the wine’s dense fruit. #4, from Bessards: Emphatic mineral and dark berry aromas pick up a sexy floral note and a hint of cola. Sappy, penetrating and sharply focused, displaying an impressive array of red fruit and floral qualities and strong finishing spiciness. Jean-Louis Chave told me he thinks this wine will be “classic Hermitage with an emphasis on fruit, not structure, but not lacking in structure at all–just compared to, say, 2010 and 2005.” JR
Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Rouge 2010 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 99 points “From the warmest site of these three vineyards, the 2010 Ermitage Le Meal has sweet creme de cassis, blackberry, bacon fat and a meaty, bloody steak component to its richness. It has good acidity, but is clearly the most voluptuous and succulent of this quartet of monumental wines from one of the greatest appellations for wine in the world, Hermitage. This wine needs a good decade of cellaring and should continue to evolve for 40-50+ years.”WA
Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 2010 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 2 bottles available
Robert Parker 100 points “Tasting like the concentrated blood from an aged and grilled strip steak, the 2010 Ermitage Le Pavillon boasts a black/purple color along with creme de cassis, camphor, pen ink, white flower and lead pencil shaving characteristics in its massive, full-bodied personality. It almost defies description because of its ethereal concentration and off-the-charts extract levels. This is not for the faint of heart, or those who lack patience, as it will require 10-15 years of bottle age, and, as previously stated, will keep for 50 or more. There are just over 1,000 cases of the 2010 Le Pavillon, another perfect wine in the constellation of profound wines produced by Michel Chapoutier.” RP
Chapoutier Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne 2007 750ML ($129.95) $79 special, 9 bottles available
Robert Parker 90-93 points “The 2007 Ermitage La Sizeranne displays a similar deep ruby/purple-tinged color in addition to sweet aromas of raspberries, black currants, smoke, gun flint, and spice. This full-bodied, well-made wine reveals outstanding richness, purity, and overall balance. Consume it over the next 15-20 years.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $100
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes-Marquise de la Tourette 2009 1.5L ($279.95) $249 special, 3 magnums available
Robert Parker 98 points “The magnificent 2009 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes boasts a black/purple color as well as a wonderful nose of creosote, incense, charcoal, blackberry jam, acacia flowers, white chocolate and a hint of espresso roast. Full-bodied and unctuously textured with low acidity and magnificent density, this 2009 can be drunk in 5-6 years or cellared for 30-50 years.”RP
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes-Marquise de la Tourette 2010 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 15 bottles available
Robert Parker 96 points “One of the finest Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes I have ever tasted is the 2010, which comes close to rivaling their prodigious 2009. A wine of great intensity, it possesses an inky/purple color, plenty of creme de cassis, licorice, lead pencil shavings, camphor, flint and barbecue smoke characteristics, and a thickness and viscosity that eclipse that of the 2009. Full-bodied and powerful with sweet tannins, a striking floral/mineral component in the mid-palate, and a huge, massive finish, this brilliant Hermitage should be consumed between 2018-2035.” RP
Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Roure Crozes-Hermitage 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Coming from a small three-hectare plot of granite soils in the northern part of the appellation (which is the prime terroir), the blockbuster 2012 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Raymond Roure exhibits incredible minerality in its black raspberry, olive tapenade, spring flower, and subtle chocolate-laced aromatics. Tasting like it was filtered through a bed of rocks, it’s full-bodied, thrillingly concentrated and has superb underlying structure. In short, it’s a smoking Crozes Hermitage to drink anytime over the coming 15+ years. Unfortunately, there’s only 500 cases made.” WA
Maison Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 92 points “This red offers a broad, fleshy feel, delivering flavors of dark plum, cherry and blackberry embedded with notes of fruitcake, black licorice and sweet spices. The toasty frame is well-integrated, and the sanguine-tinged finish offsets the fruit. Drink now through 2015.” WS
Yann Chave Hermitage 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Also inky colored, full-bodied and seriously rich, the 2011 Hermitage boasts knockout aromas and flavors of blueberry, creme de cassis, plum pit, scorched earth and crushed rock. Dense, concentrated, yet also voluptuously textured, with sweet tannin and notable freshness and purity, it will have an easy 12-15 years of longevity.” WA
Hermitage & Crozes- Hermitage Wines Arriving Late February
Chapoutier Ermitage de l’Oree Blanc 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 100 points “The 2011 Ermitage Cuvee de l’Oree comes from a lieu-dit known as Les Murets planted with 80- to 90-year-old Marsanne vines. The bouquet offers up scents of Asian spices, lychee nuts, white currant liqueur and peach and apricot marmalade. This stunning, honeyed, flamboyant white is perfection in a glass. Drink it over the next half century.” RP
Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Blanc 2011 750ML ($219.95) $159 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 99 points “Surprisingly, I preferred the 2011 Ermitage le Meal Blanc over the 2012 on this occasion and it showed a more flamboyant, sexy style in its caramelized pineapple, tropical, honeyed and floral personality. Big, rich and decadent, with fabulous fruit intensity and length, this rock star flirts with perfection and will keep for another 3-4 decades.”
Chapoutier Ermitage Le Pavillon 2011 750ML ($349.95) $289 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 100 points “Even better and a prodigious effort that hits all my sweet spots, the 2011 Ermitage Le Pavillon comes from one of the top terroirs on Hermitage hill, the granite soils of the Les Bessards lieu-dit. Spectacularly perfumed, with raspberry, blackberry, licorice, toasted spices and assorted floral nuances, this full-bodied effort has massive depth and richness, no hard edges and masses of finely polished tannin that emerge on and frame the finish. It will be approachable at an earlier age than either the 2009 or 2010, yet should nevertheless have 2-3 decades of ultimate longevity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $348
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Vintages from the Valley
Oregon Back-Vintages
One of the benefits of being situated so close to Oregon wine country is the ability to watch various wines over time and across vintages. Below, we share bottles with a bit more age from some of our favorite cellars…
Belle Pente ‘Willamette Valley’ Riesling, Oregon 2008 750ML ($18.95) $15.90 special, 8 bottles available
Winery note: As with all of our Rieslings since 2007, the grapes for this wine are exclusively from Yamhill Vineyards, less than one mile from the winery on the “back side” of our hill here in the heart of the Yamhill-Carlton appellation. The vineyard was planted in 1984 on soils and at an elevation very similar to our Belle Pente estate vineyard, and has been a source of Riesling for us since 1998.
Enjoy this captivating Oregon Riesling now and over the next decade as an aperitif or with shellfish, raw or in cream sauces.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Belle Pente ‘Belle Pente Vineyard’ Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton District 2010 750ML ($29.95) $26.60 special, 24 bottles available
Winery note “Our 100% Estate Grown Chardonnay comes from a little 2 acre parcel planted in 1999. In keeping with our normal practice, we divided the block into an “early” and a “late” picking, harvesting half of the grapes on October 14th and the balance on October 22nd. The earlier harvest date allows us to maintain good natural acidity in the wines, and the second provides more developed and nuanced flavors and aromas. Blending the two lots together allows us to achieve complex, balanced wines every year. With the cool growing season, the alcohol came in at 13%, and even with a complete malolactic fermentation, the wine is bright, fresh, and lively. We have pioneered the use of Oregon oak in Chardonnay, deploying them 50/50 with French oak barrels for over 10 years. The wines are 100% barrel fermented, but with very modest use of new oak, typically in the 10-15% range. At almost 4 years from vintage, this wine is beginning to hit it’s prime. Enjoy now and over the next six years with rich white fish dishes, baked mac and cheese, fresh pesto, and dozens of other white and green foods!”
Arterberry Maresh Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2011 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Bottled after 20 months of long but passive lees contact, the Arterberry-Maresh 2011 Chardonnay Maresh Vineyard is alluringly and stimulatingly scented with fresh lime, tangerine, iris and ginseng, whose pits, rinds and roots piquantly lace an at once brightly juicy and subtly creamy palate. There are lovely clarity, buoyancy, and salvia-inducing salinity here such as one misses in Chardonnay from anywhere outside of Chablis or the Jura. Interestingly, Maresh will typically allow his Chardonnay must to settle, chilled, for two full weeks before letting it ferment spontaneously. I wonder what influence that might have on its longevity. All I know for sure is that from analogy with the corresponding 2009, I’m pretty confident that this long-finishing 2011 will reward through at least 2016.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Johan Vineyards Nils Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2008 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Bright ruby. Black raspberry, cherry-cola and spicecake aromas show very good clarity and a suave hint of fresh rose. Bright and incisive on the palate, offering tangy red and dark berry flavors and a late note of blood orange. Finishes spicy, energetic and focused. This lithe, sexy pinot clocks in at 12.8% alcohol.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Willamette Valley 2009 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2009 Pinot Noir Clos Electrique Rouge displays a similar elegant personality. It is a high-toned, beautifully perfumed Pinot with aromas of spice box, wild berries, incense, and smoke. In the glass it has excellent balance, a bit of structure, and lots of finesse. It has 1-2 years of aging potential and will offer a drinking window extending from 2012 to 2021.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Crowley La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2010 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 90 points “A Crowley 2010 Pinot Noir La Colina – from the eponymous site at 700 foot elevation near the southwestern edge of the Dundee Hills, planted with Pommard and Wadenswil selections – offers tart-edged fresh elderberry accented with nutmeg and blond tobacco on a lean but polished, bright, and downright succulent palate. A sweet, saline mineral suffusion akin to shrimp shell reduction conveys satisfying saliva-inducement to a lingering finish in this deliciously fascinating, in some respects rather white wine-like Pinot Noir that should prove intriguing as well as versatile over at least the next half dozen years.”DS
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Willamette Valley 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 91-92+ points “From four barrels of Cameron 2010 Pinot Noir Clos Electrique, only three were selected for separate bottling. Tart-edged cherry and cranberry strongly marked by toasted nut and piquant fruit pit inform the nose; then make for a brashly intense palate impression. Yet this is also the most seductively-, silken-textured of the Cameron 2010 Pinots. Herbal and smoky notes add further complexity to a gripping finish. This promises to keep you actively engaged as tasters for a long time – perhaps even two decades.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-92+ points “In thinking about the personality evoked here, I’m imagining a blend of Lafarge Volnay with Erich Weber’s non-malo Saar Spatburgunder! Tasted in pieces from barrel, Cameron’s 2011 Pinot Noir Abbey Ridge – eventually around two-thirds Wadenswil and one-third Pommard clones – is dominated by tart, fresh ginger-tinged juicy red fruits shadowed by their distilled counterparts, traits by now firmly associated with its vintage; and while it’s marked by an impression of maceration on their pits and seeds, the tannins still come off as mild and conducive to considerable textural allure even in youth. A saline, sweet, iodine-tinged evocation of lobster shell reduction makes for mouthwatering savor; shitakes add to the umami effect; and even with a stony undertone as well as cyanic fruit pit notes none of the component lots here manages to come off as overly austere. I suspect this will thrill through at least 2022.” DS
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-92+ points “the Cameron 2011 Pinot Noir Clos Electrique leads with strikingly penetrating and high-toned scents of kirsch, holly berry distillate, black pepper and green herbs. “Since this is an earlier, warmer site than Abbey Ridge,” relates Paul, “I usually think of a vintage like this as favoring it.” Moreover, tiny berries and a high rate of millerandage associated with the heritage vine selections planted here (for more about which consult my Issue 202 Cameron coverage) tend toward concentration of acids as well as ripe flavors. The overall effect is richly flavored yet vividly bright, a downright mouth-shaking as well as refreshing finishing the wine’s myriad pungent, tart, piquant, and incisive elements.” WA
Crowley Entre Nous Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 13 bottles available
Winery note “This Pinot noir is our flagship blend. The wine is comprised exclusively of Pommard and Wadenswil clone Pinot noir from our best vineyard sites. Each barrel is hand selected resulting in a quintessential Oregon Pinot noir with extreme purity and depth of character.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 13 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright, hazy red. Assertive smoke- and spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, sassafras and incense. Supple, tangy and sharply focused on entry, then broader in the middle, offering smoky cherry, blood orange and dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter herbs. Shows a refreshingly tangy quality on the finish, which clings with outstanding tenacity and no obvious tannins. Distinctly elegant in style, showing the best attributes of this cool vintage.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2011 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 13 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright, hazy red. Assertive smoke- and spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, sassafras and incense. Supple, tangy and sharply focused on entry, then broader in the middle, offering smoky cherry, blood orange and dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter herbs. Shows a refreshingly tangy quality on the finish, which clings with outstanding tenacity and no obvious tannins. Distinctly elegant in style, showing the best attributes of this cool vintage.” ST
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2011 1.5L (99.95) $89 special, 1 magnum available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of blackberry, cherry-cola and fresh lavender, with a hint of spicecake in the background. Silky, seamless and expansive, displaying intense red and dark berry flavors and a hint of allspice. Puts on weigh with aeration while maintaining vivacity. The mineral and floral qualities build on the persistent finish, which is firmed by fine-grained, harmonious tannins.” ST
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Pinot Noir Estate Reserve is a vineyard parcel and barrel selection. It was picked October 27 at 22 Brix and 100% de-stemmed, undergoing 45% new French oak. It has quite a dense bouquet with plenty of raspberry and crushed strawberry fruit that is well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin. There is plenty of backbone here, but it is very focused and harmonious with superb tension on the finish. This is an excellent contribution to the vintage—one of the best of Belle Pente’s current releases and well worth hunting down.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Westrey Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 3 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89 points “Bright red. Dried cherry, redcurrant and peppery spices on the incisive nose. Tangy and precise, offering lively red berry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of blood orange that builds with air. Finishes with good tangy cut, a hint of cherry pit and lingering spiciness.” JR
Trisaetum Estates Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Vivid ruby-red. Deeply pitched dark berry preserve, cola and incense aromas show very good energy, with a smoky quality emerging as the wine opens in the glass. On the palate, juicy blackberry and cherry compote flavors are lifted and sharpened by a zesty mineral nuance and a hint of fresh flowers. Sweet vanilla and berry liqueur notes build on the finish, which is firmed by youthful, deftly integrated tannins. ” ST
Arterberry Maresh Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “Tart skin to ripe plum and singed edges to bloody red meat – along with impressions of moss, lichen and peat – mark the intriguingly complex Arterberry Maresh 2011 Pinot Noir Weber Vineyard. Polished but firm, it displays impressive penetration and grip. There is a stony impression here that adds to the metaphoric noir of this pinot, yet allied to the levity realized by low alcohol and to energetic, incisive juiciness courtesy inter alia of low pH. This paradoxical alliance of dark and bright elements, brooding and energy, is something I associate with many of the finest Burgundies; and I suspect that the bottling in question will only gain in intrigue through 2025, if not beyond, while retaining its stamina and even its ability to refresh.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Piedmont Case Deals
The Northern Italian region of Piedmont is home to a great range of reds, from the soft and easy-drinking Dolcetto to the ponderous and tightly-tannic Barolo. We’re pleased to offer 10 in-stock Piedmont wines by the case and the bottle, at great savings to you. You can browse our entire selections of 154 case deals here (including the 9 Piedmont case deals arriving later this month): www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Case-12 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($419.95) $359 special, 8 cases available
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $41.90, 33 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich and velvety, yet also vibrant and complex, this red boasts floral, berry, anise, leather and mineral flavors. Harmonious, this turns slightly chewy in texture on the lingering finish. Best from 2017 through 2027. 1,000 cases made.” WS
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, spices and mint race across the palate in the 2011 Barbaresco Serra. This is one of the most intense, tannic 2011 Barbarescos readers will come across. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2011 is going to need considerable patience. Hints of sweet tobacco, mint and anise add nuance on the layered, super-expressive finish. The 2011 Serra spent two years in 50-hectoliter casks.” AG
Both the case and the bottle are the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($579.95) $469 special, 2 cases available
Case-6 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) $249 special, 1 half-case available
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino ‘Vigna dei Dardi’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia hits all the right marks with a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that is immediately apparent. The aromas dangle in front of you, delicately and seductively, with ethereal layers of spice, blue flower, almond paste, anisette and dried cherry or wild berry. The workmanship here reflects an attention to the minute details offered by Nebbiolo. The tannins are silky and long with deeply polished texture. Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia is a fine, poised and super-confident expression. Drink: 2016-2026.” WA
The case price is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Rosso dei Dardi Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 2 cases available
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Rosso dei Dardi Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 31 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2014 Rosso dei Dardi is 100% Nebbiolo from Dardi, done in steel, with carbonic maceration. A textbook example of the vintage, the 2014 exudes class and personality. A host of dark cherry, plum, violet, spice and mint nuances open up effortlessly. The 2014 is at once translucent yet powerful as only Nebbiolo can be. Readers who can find the 2014 should not hesitate, as it is truly special.” AG
Both are the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Case-12 Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($1,549.95) $1,319 special, 3 cases available
Case-6 Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($799.95) $689 special, 8 half-cases available
Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 34 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is soft, silky and very nicely balanced, especially in its tannins, where the wine really stands out next to so many peers. Readers should open the 2003 at least an hour in advance to allow the aromatics to open up. This is a very sexy and open young Barolo from Conterno with very little signs of the challenging growing season.” (6/2014)
The case and half-case prices are both the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Case-12 Giovanni Corino Dolcetto d’Alba 2011 750ML ($249.95) $149 special, 8 cases available (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Giovanni Corino Dolcetto d’Alba 2011 750ML ($29.95) $14 special, 34 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 88 points “Corino’s 2011 Dolcetto d’Alba is an absolutely joyous, delicious wine bursting with juicy, varietal fruit. Plums, violets, tar and exotic spices flesh out on the vinous, inviting finish.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $17
Case-12 Giovanni Corino Barbera d’Alba 2012 750ML ($249.95) $179 special, 4 cases available (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Giovanni Corino Barbera d’Alba 2012 750ML ($24.95) $17 special, 25 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 88 points “The 2012 Barbera d’Alba is juicy, expressive and generous. Dark red cherries, plums, spices and licorice meld together in a pretty, vinous Barbera to drink over the next few years.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Case-12 Giovanni Corino Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($479.95) $319 special (was $359), 6 cases available (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
Giovanni Corino Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($44.95) $29 special (was $33), 22 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “A fresh, elegant red, showing cherry, floral, loam and underbrush flavors. This is firm, yet ripe and long, with gripping tannins on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2030.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $36
Case-12 Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($599.95) $479 special, 6 cases available (that’s only $39.92/bottle!)
Case-6 Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($299.95) $264 special, 5 six-packs available (that’s only $44/bottle!)
Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $47 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Focused, juicy and long, this red is packed with cherry, floral, tobacco and underbrush flavors. Still a bit tight now, but stays long. The sweet fruit returns on the finish. Best from 2018 through 2030.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $59
Case-12 Michele Reverdito Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($319.95) $259 special, 4 cases available (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Michele Reverdito Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 25 bottles available
Importer notes “Michele Reverdito is what they call a “rising star” winemaker in Barolo. His winery is based in La Morra, a hill town that sits high above Barolo. Michele Reverdito works with two acres of Dolcetto d’Alba, two of Barbera d’Alba, five of Lange Nebbiolo and eighteen acres of Barolo, all stretching along the steep road to Verduno in the villages of La Morra and Serralunga d’Alba. Michele prides himself on using traditional, “old school,” methods to make his wines. These include hand harvesting and sorting and the use of wild yeasts and 1,000 liter barrels to age the wines.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $32
Case-12 Tenuta La Pergola Monferrato Rosso 2013 750ML ($179.95) $119 special, 1 case available
Tenuta La Pergola Monferrato Rosso 2013 750ML ($17.95) $11.90 special, 17 bottles available
50% Barbera , 20% Dolcetto, 15% Bonarda, 10% Croatina, 5% Freisa
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $14.99
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Germany – By the Vineyard
Erderner Treppchen & Erdener Prälat
The small German village of Erden (population 379!) lies along the meandering bank of the Mosel. Three vineyards lie within its borders: Erderner Treppchen, the largest vineyard, and Erdener Prälat, alongside it, are both situated on terraced slate across the river from the village. Erdener Busslay, the third, lies alongside tiny bed and breakfasts and the tiny village’s center. Though small – Erden itself occupies a mere 1.5 square miles – these vineyards account for some of the most beautiful wines of all the Middle Mosel.
Erdener Treppchen slops southward, allowing long stretches of exposure. The soil comprises of deep layers of iron-infused slate, steeply terraced from the river’s banks up to the rough and rocky summit of nearby hills. The vineyard’s terrain inspired the name, based off of ‘treppe’, or ‘staircase’, in German.
The nearby Erderner Prälat occupies a mere 2.2 hectares. Entirely south-facing, the vineyard is surrounded by cliffs which insulate the vines – as a result, Prälat is one of the warmest plots in the region. Over time, it has also become one of the most sought-after vineyards. Given the limited space, only a few winemakers have access to the vineyard.
One of the finest producers working in these vineyards is Weingut Meulenhof. Within their Prälat and Treppchen holdings, vines have been trained to posts – mostly ungrafted. Fruit is harvested by hand, and scraps from pruning are made into compost for the vines. Vinification is done separately parcel-by-parcel, with native yeasts used for fermentation.
Also working in the area is the Christoffel family, who has been making wine since the 17th Century. The four hectares they work are mostly split between Treppchen and a plot at the very top of Prälat, where winemaking has been recorded since the 7th century.
At Christoffel, many plantings are over 100 years old, coming from their original rootstocks. Similar to Meulenhof, Christoffel vinifies each parcel separately, designated by a star system. Wines are pressed whole-cluster, cool-fermented in large wooden casks, and allowed to rest on the fine lees for a brief time before early bottling.
These wines are marked by brilliant clarity, structure, and balance. Vines benefit greatly from the iron-rich soils, with resultant wines brimming with minerality and well-aligned acidity. Great aging potential lies here, though there’s nothing wrong with popping a cork anytime soon…
Erdener Treppchen and Erdener Pralat Wines Available Here Now:
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2013 ($29.95) $24 special, 10 bottles available
Joel B. Payne–Vinous 92 points “Karl-Joseph Christoffel’s 2013 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett is the Mosel at its finest: pure, finely chiseled and unbelievable elegant! It is a tribute to how Riesling blossoms on slate soils. Delicately off-dry, it is my top value pick for Germany in 2013.” JP
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2012 ($39.95) $29 special, 17 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “A supple and seductive sweetie, with peach cobbler, cream and glazed apricot flavors. Red currant and ripe melon notes appear midpalate, leading to a spicy finish. Drink now through 2030.” WS
Terry Theise notes: “Now this is explosively expressive. If I say “apple and slate” yet again, it’s boring but true. It’s the combo of hi-def clarity and torque, firmness and brilliance yet many-layered density, and this goose-flesh tingle threaded through it all—that makes it uncanny.”
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2013 ($39.95) $29 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Shows a raciness to the pure-tasting flavors of fresh-cut green apple and white currant, with grapefruit accents. Hints of mustard greens show on the richly spiced finish. Drink now through 2034. 35 cases imported.” WS
Meulenhof Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese #22 2011 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 23 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Meulenhof Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese Alte Reben (Old Vine) 2010 750ML ($37.95) $29.90 special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Pale golden-yellow. Appealing aromas of ripe peach, mango and acacia honey. Glazed apricot infused with sweet herbal spices on the creamy, glossy palate. Rich and dense yet ethereal. Finishes with fine length.”ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese *** 2004 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 5 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese ** “Herzlay” 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles available
Terry Theise note “That suffix “Lay” is local dialect for slate. This is from an old ungrafted parcel among the cliffs, and the wine has its usual swollen mass, firm richness and length. I’m glad of the relatively moderate sweetness; it thins the hugeness of fruit and makes it tinkle down the palate in snaky rivulets of salty terroir and tart apple. Also a sponti.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $64.99
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese ** “Herzlay” 2013 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Offers lots of pastry puff notes to the airy peach and melon flavors. Spicy and lush, with a pillowy finish that lingers with dried ginger accents. A delicate style. Drink now through 2038. 5 cases imported.” WS
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese *** 2004 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 4 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90+ points “This is a nicely made wine with great balance and freshness. The remarkable thing is that a very subtle touch of botrytis smoke kicks in on the mid-palate and finish. This should develop remarkable well even if the wine may remain somewhat on the austere and structured side. 2012-2024.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese *** 2007 750ML ($54.95) $33 special, 16 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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“Wine improves with age;
the older I get, the better I like it.”
– anonymous