12/15/2021 Mid-Week Newsletter


In This Newsletter:

The Exponent of Épernay
Charles Ellner 


First Offer: Arriving Friday
Domaine de Montille


La Ca’ Nova: Masters of Montestefano

Arriving Friday:
Marietta, Yann Chave and more!


Vinopolis Top 10 of 2021 List: Nina



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be closed Christmas Day
& reopen on Sunday the 26th on regular hours.


10AM – 6PM Daily
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Order Online / By Phone / By Email



The Exponent of Épernay:

Charles Ellner Champagne 

Considering the market dominance formerly held by the Grand Marques, there is much to be said about smaller negociants. Often combining their family’s holdings with purchased fruit from other vineyards, negociant champagne represents the juxtaposition of art and science that is assemblage.You’d be hard pressed to find a better example of this expertise than the Charles Ellner portfolio. Originally working as a riddler for the other houses, Charles Ellner decided to hold back some of his family’s production for his own project, and the rest is history! 

Charles Ellner’s origin as a passion project is clearly evident even to this day, with the estate fruit being grown organically and without synthetic inputs whatsoever. This commitment to quality does not stop in the vineyard however; the minimum time his Champagnes receive on the lees is double the required time. The resulting wines capture the beauty of autolysis and the freshness of a current vintage along with the juxtaposing toast, fruit and mineral character.  

Charles Ellner Wines Arriving December 17th:

Charles Ellner Carte Blanche Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Importer note
“This elegant and subtle blend offers an attractive freshness. On the palate, it is fruity and round with floral hints and citrus notes.”

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

Charles Ellner Grande Reserve Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points
“[Reviewed 2016] Deliciously balanced, this wine is on the dry side while keeping its fruitiness up front. A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, it has both minerality and rich apple and pear fruits with a tangy texture. It is ready to drink. -Roger Voss”.
 
This is the only listing in the USA today!

Charles Ellner Premier Cru Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points
“[Reviewed 2016] Editor’s Choice. As its name indicates, this is a blend of premier cru wines. Holding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it is ripe with yellow fruit and apple flavors tinged attractively with touches of toastiness. This rich Champagne is ready to drink. -Roger Voss”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Charles Ellner Brut Rose Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special 
Charles Ellner Brut Rose Champagne NV 375ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Winery note
“Soft pink: an invitation to the eyes, strong on the nose with hints of strawberry, this champagne offers intensive fruity aromas. The chardonnay that represents half of the blend gives freshness, but also longevity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Charles Ellner Seduction Brut Millesime Champagne 2006 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points
“This rich, opulent prestige cuvée lives up to the Séduction name, instantly appealing with its ripe yellow fruit and generous texture. It is just approaching maturity, with hints of toast. Drink now or, even better, from 2017. -Roger Voss”
Winery note “Mature, expressive nose opening up to candied figs and dried fruits with pastry aromas in the background. A wonderful vinosity on the palate, balanced by a beautiful freshness and fine delicate bubbles.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Love Champagne? We have over 228 different bottles in our shop.

 

First Offer:

Domaine de Montille


Arriving Friday

It goes without saying that the best houses in Burgundy have generations of “sweat equity” behind their meticulous production. Domaine de Montille is no exception, having one of the greatest revival stories in all of France. Winemaking operations within the family began in 1750 but they fell on hard time post-phylloxera and sold the majority of their holdings. Hubert de Montille is credited with turning the house’s fortunes, working as both a lawyer and vigneron for over 50 years before handing off the estate to his son in 1974. The work continued under Étienne Montille who converted the estate to biodynamics and began to expand the house’s portfolio to include exceptional parcels from elsewhere in Burgundy. Today the estate has 20 hectares under their spade, with additional holdings in Champagne, California and Japan all dedicated to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 

Of all their holdings, the most treasured are those in Aux Malconsorts. Once considered a contemporary of the legendary Domaine Romanée-Conti vineyard, La Tâche the vineyard was mysteriously not classified as Grand Cru in 1935 (In spite of records indicating it was set to be). As you can expect, the resulting wines are compared to their exponentially more expensive siblings in everything but price.   

Domaine de Montille Wines Arriving Friday, December 17th: 

Chardonnay 


Domaine de Montille Puligny-Montrachet Cote de Beaune 2019 750ML ($99.95)  $89 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles arriving
Decanter 93 Points
“The majority of the fruit for this village Puligny is from a section of the Chalumeaux Premier Cru, that was declassified as village when a former owner brought in topsoil from outside the appellation in 1975. The bunches are lightly crushed and gently pressed, before being vinified in mostly old casks. The result has a beautiful, lemony fruit, with hints of flint and beeswax, plus a luxurious texture that splits the difference between opulence and racy finesse.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine de Montille Les Perrieres Meursault Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($199.95) $189 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles arriving
Domaine de Montille Les Perrieres Meursault Premier Cru 2019 1.5L ($449.95) $389 pre-arrival special, 2 bottles arriving
Decanter 95 Points
“This site at the top of the Perrières slope does well in a hot year such as 2019. The wine is vinified with its lees in large and small casks, where it spends a year before being racked into tank. The result is a wine of superb precision and laser-bright lemony fruit, with an edge of mineral. The texture is lively, but there is enough heft to balance the freshness, leading to an elegant finish.”

Montille Meursault 1er Les Poruzots, Meursault Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($149.95) $119 Pre-arrival special, 6 bottles arriving 
Decanter 92 Points “There are two distinct parts to the de Montille holding in Porusots: the upper part in sandy, loamy soils and the lower part with a south-east exposition that can ripen a bit too quickly, so is always picked early. The result is a wine with tropical aromas that are enlivened on the palate by fresh acidity. This is a rich mouthful of wine, but not one that is out of balance.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine de Montille En Remilly Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles arriving

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine de Montille Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Cote de Beaune 2019 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles arriving 
Domaine de Montille Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Cote de Beaune 2019 1.5L ($489.95) $439 pre-arrival special, one magnum arriving
Decanter 94 Points
“Just over one hectare in Chardonnay, purchased in 2004, on south-facing slopes in Corton Pougets. This is truly a regal style of wine, from lightly crushed fruit run into cask with most of its lees for fermentation, aged a year before racking and then a further four to six months maturation. This is truly grand cru in style – rich and lush, with still-smoky, spicy ripe fruit on the nose, lovely density and a massive finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine de Montille Le Cailleret Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles arriving 
Domaine de Montille Le Cailleret Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2019 1.5L ($449.95) $389 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum arriving 
Decanter 94 Points
“A superb 0.85ha holding in Cailleret, one parcel away from Montrachet, and acquired in 1993. Given its location, the wine is astonishing for its restraint and elegance. There is a superbly ripe pear character, complemented with lemony citrus notes and aromas of fresh white flowers, but there is nothing overdone here. On the palate, the wine is rich and broad, but eminently well balanced, fresh, crisp and very long.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 Points “The 2019 Puligny-Montrachet Les Caillerets 1er Cru is more backward and reticent compared to the Folatières at the moment. Matured in 30% new oak, but I agreed with winemaker Brian Sieve that the wood is barely noticeable. The palate is well balanced with very subtle tropical notes of mango and passion fruit on the entry, dovetailing into more citric notes toward the tensile finish. Great potential. This should be superb once in bottle”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Pinot Noir 

Montille Monthelie Rouge Vin Nature 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles arriving 


This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine de Montille Les Champans Volnay Premier Cru 2017 ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles arriving 
Decanter 94 Points
“There were only 50% whole bunches here in 2017 – it’s usually more like 65% – but that was because yields were such that Brian Sieve couldn’t fit all the bunches into the tanks. Pale in colour, this is very spicy and serious, with lot of pepper spice, savoury tannins, sweet berry fruit and racy acidity.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 Points “The 2017 Volnay Les Champans 1er Cru matures with 50% whole clusters and 30% new oak. It has a very comely bouquet with open-knit red cherries, raspberry and wild strawberry aromas tinged with violet. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, good acidity, fine grip and backbone. The finish feels very long. This has the sense of authority you look for in this vineyard. Excellent.”

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

Domaine de Montille Les Taillepieds Volnay Premier Cru 2018 1.5L ($419.95) $369 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum arriving 
Decanter 94 Points
“Sourced from an 80-year-old vineyard of gravel over limestone, this is one of only a handful of de Montille reds that are fermented with 100% whole bunches. Spicy forest floor and tobacco pouch aromas lead you into a palate that is grippy, peppery and firm, with layers of red cherry and raspberry fruit embellished by 30% new wood. Drinking Window 2026 – 2032.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94+ Points “Vinified entirely with whole clusters, de Montille’s 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds delivers a lovely bouquet of orange rind, dark berries, peonies, baking chocolate and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, this is a lively and serious wine, underpinned by a muscular chassis of rich, powdery tannin.”

Domaine de Montille Les Grands Epenots Pommard Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles arriving 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine de Montille Les Malconsorts Cuvee Christiane Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($899.95) $749 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles arriving
Neal Martin- Vinous 94-96 Points
“The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts Cuvée Christiane 1er Cru is whole cluster fruit and has a touch more intensity on the nose, while the fruit is a little darker: bilberry and blackberry, plus touches of violet petals. The medium-bodied palate is rounded with a refined opening, a smooth texture and good grip. Plenty of freshness here, and then the structure synonymous with Malconsorts kicks in on the finish. Superb”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine de Montille Les Malconsorts Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($499.95) $419 pre-arrival special, 3 bottles arriving 
Domaine de Montille Les Malconsorts Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2017 1.5L ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum arriving 
Decanter 95 Points
“The de Montille Malconsorts has lightened up in 2017, which may be a vintage thing. This is less oaky and chewy than some of its predecessors. The 100% whole bunches are very well done, adding some savoury, sappy notes to the layered red and black fruits, with floral top-notes wafting above the surface. Sensitive winemaking from Brian Sieve.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 Points “The 2017 Vosne-Romanée Les Malconsorts 1er Cru is entirely whole cluster fruit matured in 50% new oak. It has a backward and reticent bouquet, yet one can tell there are coiled up black fruit here, mixed with raspberry coulis and mulberry scents. The palate is medium-bodied with dense, slightly chewy tannin at first, grippy and assertive in style. Yet it manages to retain admirable balance with an engaging, quite saline, lightly spiced finish that fans out with style. Excellent.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ Points “The 2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Malconsorts is also showing beautifully, soaring from the glass with aromas of cassis, peonies, orange rind and dark berry fruit, with little hint of the tertiary complexity to come. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, but it has real depth and concentration at the core too, despite the charm of the vintage. The finish is long and penetrating.”

Domaine de Montille Les Malconsorts Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2017 1.5L ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum arriving 
Wine Advocate – William Kelley 93+ Points
“The 2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Malconsorts is also showing beautifully, soaring from the glass with aromas of cassis, peonies, orange rind and dark berry fruit, with little hint of the tertiary complexity to come. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, supple and fleshy, but it has real depth and concentration at the core too, despite the charm of the vintage. The finish is long and penetrating.”

Shop our full selection of Cote de Nuits Burgundy on our web store now! 

 




La Ca’ Nova: Masters of Montestefano

Arriving Friday, December 17th
 
La Ca Nova ‘Montefico’ Vigna Bric Mentina Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles arriving
Antonio Galloni 95+ Points
“The 2016 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina is dark, dense, powerful and super expressive. Black cherry, mocha, leather, licorice and menthol are some of the many notes that take shape in a Barbaresco that is bursting with energy. Chalk, orange peel, dried flowers and mint add layers of nuance as the wine opens up in the glass. This brooding, potent Barbaresco needs time to be at its best, but it is clearly a great wine in the making.”

La Ca Nova ‘Montefico’ Vigna Bric Mentina Barbaresco DOCG  2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 Points
“The 2017 Barbaresco Montefico balances the structural framework typical of this site with the radiance of the year so well. Powerful and intensely mineral, the Montefico is a bit wild in its first approach, yet it has so much character. Bright red berry fruit, chalk, mint, sage and white pepper give the Montefico a brilliant upper register to play off its natural cut. I would plan on cellaring the 2017 for at least a few years.”

La Ca Nova Loreto Barbera d’Alba Piedmont 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 Points
“The 2018 Barbera d’Alba shows the mid-weight, restrained style of the year nicely. Silky, aromatic and understated, the Barbera is a winner. Raspberry, spice, mint and leather linger beautifully.”

La Ca Nova Dolcetto d’Alba Piedmont 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 88 points
“The 2019 Dolcetto d’Alba is an attractive mid-weight wine with a super-classic profile of blue/purplish fruits, cloves and licorice, and that slightly bitterish note that is typical of Dolcetto.”

Other Single Vineyard, Barbaresco Riservas in stock now: 

Castello di Verduno Rabaja-Bas Barbaresco DOCG  2016 750ML ($79.95) $64 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 91 Points
“Wild herbs, camphor, tilled soil, rose and clove aromas mingle with whiffs of oak and star anise. The palate is lean and linear, offering sour cherry, orange zest, licorice and salty note before an espresso finish. Fine-grained tannins and racy acidity provide support.”
Importer note “Rabajà-Bas was formerly a portion of the Rabajà cru, one of the three or four most famous vineyards in Italy. In the 1990’s the cru was divided in two, taking a road that separated the two sites into account. Aromas of wild herbs, rose, and red fruit with a mouth-filling texture. Big, but elegant. Will aged gracefully, and will pair wonderfully with risottos, and braised meat dishes.”

Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Rabaja Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($269.95) $199 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“Rabajà represents one of the most important single vineyards of Barbaresco. Bruno Giacosa’s vineyards are comprised of 0.6 hectares, planted in calcareous clay soils. Tasting Notes: Red garnet color with orange highlights. A complex nose of spice, violets and fresh red fruit aromas leads to a palate that is full bodied, structured and refined with a persistent finish marked by minerality and fine tannins.”
No reviews for the 2017 available. 2016 review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 95 Points “Elegant and graceful, this offers cherry, strawberry, rose, tobacco, iron and spice flavors on a linear frame. The steely structure and tension deliver plenty of grip. Balanced in the end, with a chalky feel on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2045. 40 cases imported. — BS”

Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Muncagota’ Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is another of the overachievers in this range. White pepper, bright red cherry, floral notes and mint cut through the fruit in this beautifully vivid, crystalline Barbaresco. There is a level of energy, drive and overall nuance in the 2014 I don’t recall having seen in the past. The 2014 is a terrific Muncagota.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is beautifully polished and bright, with dark berry fruit, ripe cherry, crushed stone and pressed flowers. The wine is compact and firm, and you feel the tannins and power in the mouth. The Muncagota remains slightly more closed in terms of the bouquet, but this will open up with some time.”
Wine Spectator 93 Points “Lean and taut, this reveals mint, menthol, licorice, orange peel and subtle cherry flavors, all underscored by assertive tannins and lively acidity. An austere style, this will need time to come around. Best from 2023 through 2042.—B.S.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast – Cellar Selection 97 points
“Still young but already boasting extraordinary pedigree, this fantastic wine opens with hallmark scents of wild berry, new leather, chopped herb, tilled soil and a whiff of violet. The polished, full-bodied palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and licorice while youthfully assertive, noble tannins and bright acidity provide age-worthy structure. A pipe tobacco note lingers on the finish. Drink 2023–2038.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The Barbaresco Riserva Montefico shows all the energy and focus that is typical of this great site, but there is so much depth to the fruit that some of the more angular contours have been softened. Bright saline-infused notes lead to wild flowers and an exotic melange of red fruits in this beautifully delineated, vivid Barbaresco. All the elements are simply in the right place.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96+ points “I am absolutely impressed by the stunning 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico. The Montefico growing site is very small and only 13,000 bottles are produced as a result. There are just three farmers who tend to this vineyard cru, and because their respective plots are very small, they rely on the Produttori del Barbaresco co-operative model for survival. This wine shows amazing depth and enlarged dimension. Aromas of black fruit, spice, tar and crushed mineral contribute to the considerable volume and power of the wine. That precise and focused mineral definition is outstanding, recalling brimstone and pencil shavings. Montefico can underperform in the hot vintages, but it hits all the high notes in the cooler 2013.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This beefy red evokes cherry, licorice, herb, mineral and tobacco aromas and flavors. Rich and densely structured, with iron, tobacco and cherry notes lingering on the long finish. Best from 2023 through 2035.”

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



Hot Offers Arriving Friday
 
California 

Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee Alexander Valley 2019 750ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95 Points
“The 2019 Angeli Zinfandel has a medium ruby color and elegant perfume of white peaches, white pepper, tea leaves, licorice and wild berries. The palate balances intense, ultra-perfumed fruit with loads of lift, and it finishes long and full of flavor. This is notable for its stellar price-to-quality ratio.”
Antonio Galloni 93 Points “The 2019 Zinfandel Angeli is an absolutely gorgeous wine. It offers all the aromatic intensity and punchy fruit of Zinfandel in a style that is especially gracious and finessed. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berry fruit, cedar and mint build effortlessly. The 2019 is such a classy wine.”


France- Rhone 

Stephane Montez Domaine du Monteillet Condrieu Chanson Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Decanter 96 Points
“Fresh, keen and tense, with lime marmalade and touches of bubblegum. There’s delicious richness and real depth to the fruit, delivering great concentration and lovely acidity. From lieu-dit Chanson and aged for 22 months in oak on the lees, Stéphane Montez explains that a long élevage like this helps to decrease alcohol levels, is better for ageing, stimulates complex tertiary flavours and means you can decrease sulfite levels as the wine is protected from oxidation by the lees.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Translucent straw color. Penetrating aromas of fresh citrus, orchard fruits and jasmine are complicated by suggestions of chalky minerals and iodine. Juicy and concentrated on the palate, offering sharply delineated pear nectar, orange pith and honeysuckle flavors that show superb clarity and mineral drive. The floral and mineral notes carry emphatically on the incisive finish, which shows outstanding definition and energetic lift.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “Not yet bottled, the 2018 Condrieu Chanson should come close to the 2017. It’s another rich, powerful Condrieu from this terrific winemaker and has classic notes of honeyed stone fruits, apricot, brioche, and toast. It has the purity and elegance as well as the opulence of the vintage.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Stephane Montez Domaine du Monteillet Condrieu Les Grandes Chaillees Rhone 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points
“Pale chartreuse color. Incisive aromas of fresh citrus, orchard fruits and violet are complemented by hints of chalky minerals, fennel and ginger. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering vibrant pear and Meyer lemon flavors that show impressive clarity and mineral drive. The citrus fruit and floral notes echo strongly on the vibrant finish, which hangs on with sharp focus and tenacity.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Slightly deeper colored, the 2018 Condrieu Les Grandes Chaillées was brought up all in barrels, with 10% being new. It has a honeyed, brioche, and spiced orange-driven flavor profile and is medium to full-bodied, with loads of fruit as well as bright acidity. Drink it over the coming 2-4 years. It shows the more rounded, sexy style of the vintage perfectly.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Stephane Montez Domaine du Monteillet Cote Rotie Fortis Rhone 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-93 points
“Dark purple. Spice-accented aromas of dark berry preserves and candied flowers gain a bright mineral nuance in the glass. Fresh and incisive on the palate, offering sappy blackberry and boysenberry flavors and hints of allspice and licorice. Fine-grained tannins give shape to a long, juicy, penetrating finish that emphatically echoes the floral note.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Stephane Montez Domaine du Monteillet Cote Rotie Fortis Rhone 2015 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points
“The 2015 Côte Rôtie Fortis is mind-blowing stuff and rivals the 2010. Made with a big chunk of Viognier, it offers loads of floral and peach marmalade notes as well as awesome black and blue fruits, wet stone, and violets aromas and flavors. This puppy is full-bodied and massive on the palate, with a thick, opulent texture, yet it never seems heavy or cumbersome, has incredible purity, ripe tannin and a great, great finish. This tour de force can be enjoyed anytime over the coming two decades or more.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Rhone 2019 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special 

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Yann Chave Hermitage Rhone 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points
“Gorgeous black raspberry and cassis fruits as well as complex saddle leather, dried flower, spice, and stony minerality all emerge from the 2018 Hermitage. One of the finest wines I’ve tasted from Yann Chave, this beautiful wine is full-bodied and has a rounded, expansive texture, building tannins, and again, a wonderful sense of minerality. This stunning Hermitage will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise for two decades. Bravo!”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 Points “Youthful purple. Smoke- and mineral-accented black and blue fruit preserve, licorice and incense scents, along with a hint of exotic spices in the background. Impressively concentrated yet lively as well, offering spice-laced black currant, bitter cherry and candied violet flavors that become sweeter with air. Delivers solid punch but comes off graceful, finishing with superb, floral-driven persistence and dusty, slow-building tannins. Chave owns vines in the Peleat and Les Beaumes lieux-dits. Raised in a combination of new and used demi-muids.”

Yann Chave Hermitage Rhone 2019 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-96 Points
“A complex bouquet evokes ripe blackberry, cherry compote, licorice and violet, energized by a spicy cracked pepper nuance. Broad and fleshy in the mouth, offering densely packed, smoke-tinged black/blue fruit, exotic spice and floral pastille flavors that pick up a minerally nuance as the wine opens up. Shows superb delineation and spicy lift on a long, silky finish framed by steadily building tannins. There were five demi-muids of this wine in 2019, all of them new.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Spain – Sanlucar 

Rainera Perez Marin ‘La Guita’ Manzanilla Manzanilla Sanlucar de Barrameda 375ML ($14.95) $9 pre-arrival special 
Wine & Spirits 91 points
“As usual, La Guita is one of the best values in Spain. For a ridiculous price, you can get all the sun of Sanlúcar, saline aromas of the sea and notes of apricot and walnuts in a refreshing and vital Manzanilla, ready for fried anchovies.”


Vinopolis Top 10 of 2021 List: Nina
 
The staff at Vinopolis is curating their top 10 lists of wine in 2021. We’re selecting our favorite wines of 2021, no ties to points, price or prestige, but rather wines we simply enjoyed the most this year.

A robust cider that offers a heady spice character with a resinous finish and tactile structure that’s compatible with a whole spectrum of foods just like its English counterpart. 
Dragons Head Kingston Black Cider Washington NV 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Cidery note
“Kingston Black apples are often considered the epitome of cider apples. They produce a cider rich in flavor, slightly bitter, and medium bodied. Kingston Black takes its name from the town of Kingston near Taunton in Somerset, England–the heart of cider in the UK. It is thought to have been originally identified in the 19th century. This is a limited bottling. Appearance – Golden color, slight haze. Aroma – Dried apricot, clover, resinous cedar. Taste – Dried apple, clementine, hints of honey, slightly bitter. Mouthfeel – Medium body, lingering astringent finish; lightly effervescent.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

A dry sherry with all the complexity you would expect to find in an Amontillado but priced like a Fino. Saline, Chalky and savory with pear skin, white lily, quince and miso make this seriously refreshing as well as compelling.  
A.R. Valdespino Manzanilla Deliciosa Sherry Andalucia 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points
“About five to six years old, from La Guita bodega. Bright astringency and vivid intensity, with a long, refreshing finish. Not subtle, or washed out; and in this case, I preferred this to the en rama version.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Deliciosa grows at the Pago Miraflores in Sanlucar de Barrameda and it’s typically aged for five years under flor. This latest saca shows a lovely mix of almond flavors, salt and white fruit, all melding into the wine’s deep mineral notes. It’s substantial enough to serve in the company of blackened redfish.”

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

Pleasantly dimensional with a plethora of oranges ranging from Seville, blood and Mandarin and accentuated by notes of crushed rose petal and white peach. There’s also a slight spice on the finish in addition to a refreshing melon component on the finish. 
Proprieta Sperino ‘Rosa del Rosa’ Rosato Coste della Sesia Piedmont 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Vinous 92 points
“The 2020 is an understated and delicate rendition of Rosa Del Rosa. Nuances of peach tea, chamomile, green apple and hints of ginger can all be found with coaxing. It’s silky and pliant in feel, the vibrant acids and mineral tones mixing to create a tug-of-war of sweet and salty tension, as notes of ripe melon give way to pretty inner florals. This taper off persistent, lightly structured and buzzing with residual energy, completely refreshing the palate with a twang of sour citrus. The Rosa Del Rosa is a blend of Nebbiolo and Vespolina. It’s very enjoyable already, but it will likely blossom further with a bit more time in bottle. – Eric Guido”

Lemon and pear blossom aromatics tempered by a hollowing acidity, with a cushion of Yuzu, chalk, Meyer lemon oil and black lime. There’s a classic Côte des Blancs “Electric Minerality” that’s perceivable across the aromas, flavors and finish.     
Diebolt-Vallois Tradition Brut Champagne  NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Diebolt-Vallois Tradition Brut Champagne NV NV 750ML ($249.95) $219 special (That’s only $36.50 per bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points
“Like an orchard in late spring, this blends floral and fruit notes of ripe apple, white cherry and apricot. There’s a firm backbone of zesty acidity and underlying minerality, with a lingering hint of ginger on the finish.”

Quintessential Alpine wine, with a cool, dewy character in the aromatics and flavors that bring to mind a hike in the wintertime.  
Domaine Jean Masson & Fils Vieilles Vignes Traditionelle Savoie Apremont 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“The VV bottling is the entry bottling, but the vines are over 60 years old, thus the VV designation. He does two bottlings and I always wait for the 2nd bottling so that the wine has more lees time. At the 2nd bottling the wine has spent 8-9 months on the lees. The wine has great texture and mouthfeel, closer to Muscadet than most Jacquere. On the palate you get citrus and herbs.”
VinopolNote: The Massons own some of the highest and oldest vines in the appellation, including some planted by Jean-Claude’s grandfather that are over 100 years old. At a whopping 450 meters above sea level, the family is always the last to harvest in the area. The resulting wines are fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

My go-to for a “Ballpark $20 German Riesling” that has just enough residual sugar to keep the acids in line. Sublime with Southeast Asian cuisine, especially with elevated spice levels. 
Wein-Erbhof Stein Blauschiefer – Blue Slate Riesling Trocken – Dry Mosel 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Vom Boden Imports
“Sourced from old vines (up to and over 75+ yo ungrafted vines) in and around the St. Aldegunder Himmelreich” –

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Lighter than your typical Barbaresco or Barolo, this is meant to be fresh, fruity and floral and succeeds on all counts. 
G.D. Vajra ‘Clare J.C.’ Langhe Nebbiolo Piedmont 2020 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points
“This was one of my favorite discovery wines from last year, and it sure is a pleasure to circle back to this G.D. Vajra 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo Claré J.C. today. Showing a luminous and bright ruby color, the bouquet shyly reveals wild cherry fruit and cassis. In a second moment, you taste bitter almond, candied lilac and hints of fresh garden herb or rosemary blossom. It’s hard to image such a young wine tasting so good at this unbelievable price. Production is 12,000 bottles.”
Giuseppe Vajra note “Claré J.C. is a Nebbiolo made according to a 1606 note by Gian Battista Croce, the jeweler of the House of Savoia. This wine is a time-capsule into an era when Nebbiolo wines tasted fresher, slightly crisp and smooth. This is a wine for people who are young at heart and curious about the forgotten past of Piemonte.”

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

A native Piedmontese varietal that’s along the lines of Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling with high acid, red apple, honeysuckle with an resounding alpine minerality on the finish.    
Cieck ‘Erbaluce’ Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG Piedmont 2019 750ML ($26.95) $19 Special, 11 bottles in stock now
Importer note
“This wine is simply called Erbaluce as it represents the most straightfoward expression of our erbaluce grapes. Aiming to preserve the fruity sensations at their best, the bunches are pressed whole, then the pips, stems and skins are immediately removed. The must is then cold fermented so that the aromatic and flavour compounds, typical of the fruit, are not lost. After a few months in stainless steel tanks, the wine is bottled at the beginning of spring, the year after harvesting.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

A perfectly quaffable iteration of Sangiovese that delivers the juicier, fruit driven side of Sangiovese that’s divine with Pizza or anything in a tomato sauce. 
Castell’in Villa Gazzarina Toscana IGT Tuscany 2019 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Castell’in Villa Gazzarina Toscana IGT Tuscany 2019 750ML ($239.95) $195 special (That’s only $16.25 per bottle!) 

Pure form Sangiovese vinified in stainless steel. Light, bright & fruity.

A Muscadet offering more breadth and nuance after almost 3 years of élevage prior to bottling, giving multispectral flavors of granite, salinity and hedgerow.  
Domaine de la Pepiere Chateau Thebaud Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Morines Loire 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 11 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92-93 points
“Last tasted in late July 2016 – more than a year ahead of its anticipated bottling – this delivers an unusually rich, polished palate impression while retaining vivacity and refreshment thanks to juicy ripe pear and fresh lime. The mineral and animal dimensions – anticipated on the nose – suggest sea breeze and urchin roe, yielding a savor that positively milks the salivary glands. This is going to be fascinating to follow and likely to stand among the high points for Muscadet of its vintage. Drink 2018 – 2026.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Shows development, with hints of wax and salted caramel, but still exhibits plenty of life, offering chamomile, rosemary, salt, lemon pith and wet stone notes. Features a long, lively and inviting finish. Drink now through 2025. 294 cases imported.”


 
 
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop located in Portland, Oregon 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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