In Today’s Newsletter:
Perfect Holiday Champagnes
Under $50
Cavallotto’s 100-Point 2013 San Guiseppe Riserva
Arriving Friday
Il Poggione’s 2015 Brunello
Time is Running Out!
Black Friday Sales End Tuesday
Apex of Abruzzo
Emidio Pepe’s Cellar-Worthy Treasures
Trending
Collector’s Corner
E. Pira’s Compelling 2015 Barolo
Perfect Holiday Champagnes
Under $50
A ton of bottle age for the price
André Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 André Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($249.95) $189 special
Case-12 André Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($499.95) $359 special
John Gilman 90 points “I believe that this bottle of André Clouet “Silver” Blanc de Noirs non-vintage Brut Nature is from the base year of 2013, as it has a small code printed on the back of the neck label that says “LS13”. In any case, the wine is quite good, showing that lovely structural rounding from a bit of additional aging in the cellars. The bouquet offers up scents of apple, nectarine, bread dough, a good base of soil and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and nicely balanced, with refined mousse, bright, nicely-integrated acids and a long, complex finish. This is a quite good bottle of Brut Nature. 2019-2030+.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
“Crowd-pleasing but connoisseur-pleasing too”
Boizel Réserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Decanter World Wine Awards 97 points ” 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier. Liquorice aromatic notes with resonant plum and red apple. Deep, exuberant, mouth-filling, vigorous and long, this is an exuberant, vinous Champagne with plenty of richly-textured aromatic lift. Crowd-pleasing but connoisseur-pleasing too.”
Elegant, long, complex
Henriot Brut Souverain, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Allen Meadows – Burghound 91 points “There is a whiff of quinine to the softly yeasty and citrus-inflected nose of mostly green apple and brioche scents. I like the intensity of the middle weight flavors that have an equally firm effervescence, all wrapped in a clean and very dry finish. This is notably drier than the 8 g/L dosage would suggest and while this is not an especially refined Champagne, I like the depth and character.(10/2019)”
John Gilman 91 points “The new bottling in the market of Henriot “Brut Souverain” is composed of a blend of fifty percent chardonnay, forty-five percent pinot noir and five percent pinot meunier. It spent three years aging sur latte and was finished with a dosage of less than eight grams per liter. The wine offers up a vibrant and precise bouquet of apple, pear, plenty of smokiness, chalky soil tones, fresh-baked bread and a topnote of dried flowers. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and fairly youthful in structure, with bright acids, lovely focus and grip, a good core, elegant mousse and a long, nascently complex finish. This non-vintage cuvée has a fine record of aging in my cellar and I would not hesitate to tuck this away for a few years and really let it blossom completely. (Drink between 2019-2040) (5/2019)”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “The standard nonvintage from this producer benefits from its policy of blending in a high percentage of older reserve wines. That gives the wine its richness and smooth, ripe character. Hints of apples are still there along with a good balance between acidity and toastiness. Drink now. (8/2018)”
Wine Spectator 91 points “A touch of vanilla-laced pastry cream sweetness accents this fresh and focused Champagne, with a fine mousse. This is well-balanced by crunchy acidity and flavors of lemon peel, green pear and spring blossom. Drink now through 2022. (11/2019)”
A perpetual top value
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “[Reviewed Nov 2017] This bright and zesty Champagne is lightly juicy and appealing, offering flavors of Honeycrisp apple, ripe white cherry, biscuit and pickled ginger. Balanced and lacy in texture, with a lingering, spiced finish. Drink now through 2022. 2,200 cases imported.”
Decanter 91 points “[Reviewed Oct 2019] Described by Drappier as ‘almost a blanc de noirs’, this Pinot Noir-dominant wine sourced from the Côte des Bar is the house’s calling card. 5% of the cuvée is matured in barrels for a year for added complexity and texture, and it’s bottled unfiltered with a fairly low dosage of 7g/l. There are some melon and apple scents on the nose along with a splash of red fruits, while the palate is intense, with notes of apple, quince and grape wrapped in a red-fruit veil. It’s full-bodied and long, with a lovely texture from the red wine tannins and oak-matured portion.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “[Reviewed Apr 2020] Disgorged in June 2019, the latest rendition of Drappier’s NV Brut Carte d’Or is showing well, bursting with pretty aromas of peach, honeyed orchard fruit and white flowers. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, chalky and incisive, with fine depth and tension and a penetrating finish.”
[Disgorgement may vary from reviews]
A new staff favorite
Guiborat Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Disgorged March 19th, 2015
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Champagne you’ll want to keep drinking with dinner
Nicolas Maillart Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $43.50 special, 15 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “A blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the NV Extra-Brut Premier Cru was disgorged in February 2019 with three grams per liter dosage. Offering up aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, dried white flowers and citrus oil, it’s medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive, with a perceptibly drier, tangier profile than Maillart’s more enveloping Brut Platine.”
Winery Note “Golden in colour with a fine, lingering bead. Aroma: Intense with notes of fruit and hazelnuts and a sligth toastiness. Taste: The initial impact is wonderfully fresh and vinous, followed by great finesse. Food and wine: Aperitif, white fish like haddock or cod. Pinot Noir is dominant, with a complement of Chardonnay that brings freshness to the blend. The high percentage of reserve wines (30 to 40%), aged in barrels, confers a high regularity and style to this Brut Platine. Only “Grand” and premier crus are used in this wine, with origins in the Montagne de Reims, on vineyards managed by us. With a very gentle process, we keep all the richness of the grapes. Aged around three years on its lees, this Brut Platine develops all its richness. A natural balance and freshness allows a low dosage (3 g/l).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Grower Champagne drinking beautifully
Gaston Chiquet Premier Cru Brut Tradition, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $44 special, 21 bottles in stock now
40% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. Disgorged May 2019
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “Disgorged in May 2019, the latest release of Chiquet’s supremely dependable NV Brut Premier Cru Tradition reveals an inviting bouquet of crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, honeycomb, Meyer lemon and warm biscuits. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, with a youthfully frothy but refined mousse, a succulent core of fruit and ripe but racy balancing acids. It’s already drinking well.”
You’ll be hard pressed to find a better value on vintage BdB
Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésimé, Champagne 2011 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2011 vintage. 2010 review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 92 points “This elegant blanc de blancs shows a pleasing vibrancy from the lively bead and bright acidity, both well-meshed to pretty floral and spice accents and flavors of Gala apple, biscuit and lemon zest. Creamy. Drink now through 2025. 16 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
“A fuller bodied, unique expression of Champagne”
Piollot Père et Fils Colas Robin Pinot Blanc Extra Brut, Champagne (2014) NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 34 bottles in stock now
Importer note “From the Val Colas Robin vineyard in Polisot. Organic farming. The first vintage produced from grapes harvested in 2010. A fuller bodied, unique expression of Champagne. Production: 4,000 bottles/year.”
Winery note “100% Pinot Blanc – Zéro dosage – Tank aging and 20% of oak – Malolactic fermentation – Sur lattes : 5 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cavallotto’s 100-Point 2013 San Guiseppe Riserva
Cavallotto is a top-tier, old-school producer of Barolo. They make wines that are impressively age-worthy, rivalling some of the region’s most expensive wines. We notice that our customers who buy Cavallotto buy a lot of Piemontese wines—they’re very in-the-know drinkers.
These are incredibly expressive wines and are very true to their vineyard terroirs. Antoni Galloni describes them as “made in a style that offers the fruit density of contemporary Barolos with the structural underpinnings that are found in more traditionally made wines.”
We’ve secured an allocation of Cavallotto’s 100-point 2013 San Guiseppe Riserva, and it is another stunner. Combining traditional Barolo structure with a level of elegance that typifies the region’s finest Nebbiolo based wines, this bottling is entering a beautiful drinking window and deserves the attention of anyone who considers themselves a connoisseur of Barolo.
Pre-arrival ETA December 9th:
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “A dazzling showing that combines Old School structure with finesse, this stunning red offers sublime aromas of rose, camphor, dark-skinned berry and new leather. Full bodied and delicious, the compelling palate delivers fruit purity and complexity, featuring ripe Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and tobacco. A backbone of noble tannins and vibrant acidity keeps it impeccably balanced.”
Wine Advocate 99 points “The Cavallotto 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe feels magically cool even as the wine warms in the glass. Eucalyptus, menthol and medicinal herbs rise from the bouquet, with dark fruit and savory spice in tow. When you first open the bottle, it shows a distinct mineral character with crushed aspirin, limestone and graphite. I opened a second bottle a few days before this tasting and had both bottles side by side to compare. Both showed impressive results with a pristine level of focus, sharpness and linearity. With aeration, those dark fruit nuances come to the forefront, showing dried cherry, plum and candied orange peel. A few hours later, you pick up on leather, tobacco and cedar wood. This is a fluid and ever-changing wine that is well worth adding to your cellar selection. What a beauty.”
Antonio Galloni Vinous 96 points “The 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is fabulous. The aromatics alone are thrilling. This is what Barolo is all about. Rose petal, holiday spice cake, leather, blood orange and macerated cherry abound. Silky and powerful, the 2013 shows tons of density on the palate and yet remains light on its feet for such a big wine. The wine’s sensuality offers a mirage of accessibility, but the 2013 is best cellared for at least a handful of years. There is nothing like Barolo, and this is a terrific example. The 2013 saw 36-38 days on the skins followed by five years in cask, with a preference for larger and more neutral oak that allows for a more gradual pace of aging in the cellar than smaller casks.”
These are incredibly expressive wines and are very true to their vineyard terroirs. Antoni Galloni describes them as “made in a style that offers the fruit density of contemporary Barolos with the structural underpinnings that are found in more traditionally made wines.”
We’ve secured an allocation of Cavallotto’s 100-point 2013 San Guiseppe Riserva, and it is another stunner. Combining traditional Barolo structure with a level of elegance that typifies the region’s finest Nebbiolo based wines, this bottling is entering a beautiful drinking window and deserves the attention of anyone who considers themselves a connoisseur of Barolo.
Pre-arrival ETA December 9th:
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “A dazzling showing that combines Old School structure with finesse, this stunning red offers sublime aromas of rose, camphor, dark-skinned berry and new leather. Full bodied and delicious, the compelling palate delivers fruit purity and complexity, featuring ripe Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and tobacco. A backbone of noble tannins and vibrant acidity keeps it impeccably balanced.”
Wine Advocate 99 points “The Cavallotto 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe feels magically cool even as the wine warms in the glass. Eucalyptus, menthol and medicinal herbs rise from the bouquet, with dark fruit and savory spice in tow. When you first open the bottle, it shows a distinct mineral character with crushed aspirin, limestone and graphite. I opened a second bottle a few days before this tasting and had both bottles side by side to compare. Both showed impressive results with a pristine level of focus, sharpness and linearity. With aeration, those dark fruit nuances come to the forefront, showing dried cherry, plum and candied orange peel. A few hours later, you pick up on leather, tobacco and cedar wood. This is a fluid and ever-changing wine that is well worth adding to your cellar selection. What a beauty.”
Antonio Galloni Vinous 96 points “The 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is fabulous. The aromatics alone are thrilling. This is what Barolo is all about. Rose petal, holiday spice cake, leather, blood orange and macerated cherry abound. Silky and powerful, the 2013 shows tons of density on the palate and yet remains light on its feet for such a big wine. The wine’s sensuality offers a mirage of accessibility, but the 2013 is best cellared for at least a handful of years. There is nothing like Barolo, and this is a terrific example. The 2013 saw 36-38 days on the skins followed by five years in cask, with a preference for larger and more neutral oak that allows for a more gradual pace of aging in the cellar than smaller casks.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Love Barolo? We have over 85 Barolos currently available.
Shop our entire selection, including famous names like Brovia, Bruno Giacosa, Cappellano and more, on our web store!
Arriving Friday
Il Poggione’s 2015 Brunello
For those unfamiliar with the wines of Il Poggione, let’s catch you up quickly. They are a classic Brunello producer working with very traditional methods in the subzone of Sant’Angelo in Colle, a region that tends to produce wines with big, bold personality. The resulting wines are both crowd pleasing (rich fruit, up front aromatics) and intellectually stimulating (age-worthy, not obstructed by new oak) in way that is unique in Brunello, outside of names that trade for significantly more money per bottle.
Il Poggione is a contradiction in the best way—a traditional Brunello that’s often approachable young. An age-worthy wine that doesn’t have to be aged. A wine that’s top-tier collectible and respected, while remaining in the reasonable stratosphere of affordability. And the 2015 is a phenomenal vintage to explore, full of rich fruit, dark minerals, savory/spice notes wrapped around a classic tannic profile. This will age gracefully in your cellar or blow your socks off this weekend.
Pre-arrival ETA Friday, December 4th:
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $62.50 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($539.95) $359 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows a darker and more concentrated appearance than many of its peers. The wine is beautifully abundant and fragrant in the most exuberant and expressive manner. You will recognize aromas of moist soil, tobacco and smoke. Candied cherry hovers over the entire bouquet. Fruit is sourced from older vines (all over 25 years old). Il Poggione occupies a special spot within the Montalcino appellation, and the area always produces slightly more concentrated and powerful wines. I find that to be particularly true in this gorgeous 2015 vintage. I am also very attracted to that almost dusty note of crushed mineral that rides long on the full-bodied finish. Il Poggione’s Brunello is also distinguished by firm, youthful tannin that need a few more years to unwind. Luckily, there are quite a few bottles to go around, with some 200,000 made.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 97 points “Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino offers up a dark, earthy, almost animal-like expression, showing black soil and undergrowth, giving way to crushed black cherry, dusty spice, and dried florals which lift the experience. On the palate, soft, fleshy textures usher in fresh cherry and strawberry, as brisk acids add energy, with savory herbs and minerals saturating, as the 2015 Il Poggione’s fruit nearly masks its structural core. The finish is long yet fresh, with classic, fine tannins, dried red fruits and pretty inner floral tones lingering throughout this perfectly balanced expression. The 2015 s pure class and built for the cellar.”
James Suckling 96 points “So many sour cherries rise up from the glass, along with orange rind and lemon peel. The full-bodied palate has a very serious and concentrated core of florals and fruit, and the tannins have an iron-fisted, strapping build. Long, chewy and structured. One of the best in years from here. Drink from 2025.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Wild herb and Mediterranean macchia notes mark this expressive red. Though well-endowed with tannins, this is on the sleek side, showing vibrant acidity. Cherry, strawberry, floral and tobacco flavors join the party as this cruises to a long finish. Best from 2023 through 2042. 9,000 cases made, 1,750 cases imported.”
Il Poggione is a contradiction in the best way—a traditional Brunello that’s often approachable young. An age-worthy wine that doesn’t have to be aged. A wine that’s top-tier collectible and respected, while remaining in the reasonable stratosphere of affordability. And the 2015 is a phenomenal vintage to explore, full of rich fruit, dark minerals, savory/spice notes wrapped around a classic tannic profile. This will age gracefully in your cellar or blow your socks off this weekend.
Pre-arrival ETA Friday, December 4th:
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $62.50 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($539.95) $359 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows a darker and more concentrated appearance than many of its peers. The wine is beautifully abundant and fragrant in the most exuberant and expressive manner. You will recognize aromas of moist soil, tobacco and smoke. Candied cherry hovers over the entire bouquet. Fruit is sourced from older vines (all over 25 years old). Il Poggione occupies a special spot within the Montalcino appellation, and the area always produces slightly more concentrated and powerful wines. I find that to be particularly true in this gorgeous 2015 vintage. I am also very attracted to that almost dusty note of crushed mineral that rides long on the full-bodied finish. Il Poggione’s Brunello is also distinguished by firm, youthful tannin that need a few more years to unwind. Luckily, there are quite a few bottles to go around, with some 200,000 made.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 97 points “Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino offers up a dark, earthy, almost animal-like expression, showing black soil and undergrowth, giving way to crushed black cherry, dusty spice, and dried florals which lift the experience. On the palate, soft, fleshy textures usher in fresh cherry and strawberry, as brisk acids add energy, with savory herbs and minerals saturating, as the 2015 Il Poggione’s fruit nearly masks its structural core. The finish is long yet fresh, with classic, fine tannins, dried red fruits and pretty inner floral tones lingering throughout this perfectly balanced expression. The 2015 s pure class and built for the cellar.”
James Suckling 96 points “So many sour cherries rise up from the glass, along with orange rind and lemon peel. The full-bodied palate has a very serious and concentrated core of florals and fruit, and the tannins have an iron-fisted, strapping build. Long, chewy and structured. One of the best in years from here. Drink from 2025.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Wild herb and Mediterranean macchia notes mark this expressive red. Though well-endowed with tannins, this is on the sleek side, showing vibrant acidity. Cherry, strawberry, floral and tobacco flavors join the party as this cruises to a long finish. Best from 2023 through 2042. 9,000 cases made, 1,750 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Brunello? We offer 58 Brunello wines in stock now, including picks from Casanova di Neri, La Fortuna, and Stella di Campalto! Shop the entire selection on our web store.
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503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Time is Running Out!
Black Friday Sales End Tuesday
Just hours remain to take advantage of our most popular sale of the year! All Black Friday 10% Off Sales end Tuesday, December 1st at 6 PM Pacific.
All Black Friday 10% off discounts will not display online or in cart.
We will manually apply discount before finalizing your order.
Current Black Friday Sales:
10% off all of Durand Rhone wines!
“…classic, pure, beautifully made wines that speak clearly to their region and terroir.” –Jeb Dunnuck
10% off all of Darnaud Rhone wines!
Syrah with soul and immediate appeal
10% off all of Baumard’s Wine Spectator Top 100 Quart de Chaume!
“Highly Recommended” per WS, this hedonistic dessert wine will delight now and for decades
10% off all of Faiveley’s outstanding Burgundy!
Superlative Burgundy that is the star of this sale – multiple vintages still available
10% off all Diamond Creek’s legendary single-vineyard Cabernets!
Powerful Cabernets of grace & glory
10% off all 2019 Daniel Bouland Beaujolais!
Excellent in Beaujolais, profound & muscular
10% off all Xavier Vignon’s star Chateauneuf!
Choice barrels from the best vineyards carefully crafted by the hottest name in CDP
10% off all Kapcsandy’s landmark Napa cabs and blends!
Legendary producer with Bordeaux sensibilities
10% off all Jos. Christoffel Jr. Rieslings!
A storied & traditional estate, these are some of the last bottles available in the country
10% off Giacomo Conterno’s 2013 Monfortino—in magnum!
A hallowed wine from one of the greatest recent vintages in Barolo. Only one magnum available!
10% off 2002 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg!
Superb year, this ’02 has wowed critics in recent tastings. Only one bottle available!
10% off 1998 Henri Bonneau Cuvee Speciale Chateauneuf!
An epic wine from the cellar of the importer. Only one bottle available!
10% off Castello di Ama magnums of 2013 San Lorenzo & 2015 Chianti Classico!
First growth of Chianti at already bargain prices by the magnum
10% off all De Venoge Champagne!
One of the more overlooked old-school Champagne houses
10% off all Cristom wines!
Classic wines from a classic Oregon producer
10% off all Eisele Vineyard wines!
One of the most hallowed terroirs in the Napa Valley
10% off all still rosé!
All Black Friday 10% off discounts will not display online or in cart.
We will manually apply discount before finalizing your order.
10% off discounts listed above expire Tuesday, December 1st at 6 PM Pacific
All Black Friday 10% off discounts will not display online or in cart.
We will manually apply discount before finalizing your order.
Current Black Friday Sales:
10% off all of Durand Rhone wines!
“…classic, pure, beautifully made wines that speak clearly to their region and terroir.” –Jeb Dunnuck
10% off all of Darnaud Rhone wines!
Syrah with soul and immediate appeal
10% off all of Baumard’s Wine Spectator Top 100 Quart de Chaume!
“Highly Recommended” per WS, this hedonistic dessert wine will delight now and for decades
10% off all of Faiveley’s outstanding Burgundy!
Superlative Burgundy that is the star of this sale – multiple vintages still available
10% off all Diamond Creek’s legendary single-vineyard Cabernets!
Powerful Cabernets of grace & glory
10% off all 2019 Daniel Bouland Beaujolais!
Excellent in Beaujolais, profound & muscular
10% off all Xavier Vignon’s star Chateauneuf!
Choice barrels from the best vineyards carefully crafted by the hottest name in CDP
10% off all Kapcsandy’s landmark Napa cabs and blends!
Legendary producer with Bordeaux sensibilities
10% off all Jos. Christoffel Jr. Rieslings!
A storied & traditional estate, these are some of the last bottles available in the country
10% off Giacomo Conterno’s 2013 Monfortino—in magnum!
A hallowed wine from one of the greatest recent vintages in Barolo. Only one magnum available!
10% off 2002 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg!
Superb year, this ’02 has wowed critics in recent tastings. Only one bottle available!
10% off 1998 Henri Bonneau Cuvee Speciale Chateauneuf!
An epic wine from the cellar of the importer. Only one bottle available!
10% off Castello di Ama magnums of 2013 San Lorenzo & 2015 Chianti Classico!
First growth of Chianti at already bargain prices by the magnum
10% off all De Venoge Champagne!
One of the more overlooked old-school Champagne houses
10% off all Cristom wines!
Classic wines from a classic Oregon producer
10% off all Eisele Vineyard wines!
One of the most hallowed terroirs in the Napa Valley
10% off all still rosé!
All Black Friday 10% off discounts will not display online or in cart.
We will manually apply discount before finalizing your order.
10% off discounts listed above expire Tuesday, December 1st at 6 PM Pacific
Apex of Abruzzo
Emidio Pepe’s Cellar-Worthy Treasures
Emidio Pepe’s Cellar-Worthy Treasures
Abruzzo is an Italian wine region best known for two standout producers: Valentini and Emidio Pepe. Both deliver world-class bottlings, but we’re focusing on the latter today. Pepe’s wines are known for their unique blend of rusticity, power and just enough polish to highlight their remarkable vibrancy and complexity. The Montepulciano is a wine that has powerful, rich fruit and beautiful, spicy/gamey aromatics and is seemingly capable of aging forever. The Trebbiano is made from old selections of Trebbiano Abruzzese—a rare clonal selection that provides wines of depth and complexity rarely found in their neck of the woods. It’s hard for us to acquire these wines and we’re excited to offer them to you today.
In stock now:
Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “This is one of the cornerstone producers of the Abruzzo, a winery that follows strict tradition but that also appeals to every new generation of wine drinker that encounters a bottle. The wines of Emidio Pepe are in a word, timeless. The 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo flaunts its pedigree with elegant aromas of black fruit, smoke, tar and powdery licorice. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo fares well in the hot vintages such as 2017 thanks to the cool mountain climates of the region, and not only do you get deep textural richness here, the acidity is beautifully preserved and fresh as well. The tannins are firm and polished, all followed by delicate little accents of dried herb and crushed stone.”
In stock now:
Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “This is one of the cornerstone producers of the Abruzzo, a winery that follows strict tradition but that also appeals to every new generation of wine drinker that encounters a bottle. The wines of Emidio Pepe are in a word, timeless. The 2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo flaunts its pedigree with elegant aromas of black fruit, smoke, tar and powdery licorice. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo fares well in the hot vintages such as 2017 thanks to the cool mountain climates of the region, and not only do you get deep textural richness here, the acidity is beautifully preserved and fresh as well. The tannins are firm and polished, all followed by delicate little accents of dried herb and crushed stone.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Emidio Pepe Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 93 points “Bright yellow. Apple jelly, lime, lemon curd and sweet herbs on the captivating nose. Then mellow and suave, featuring flavors similar to the aromas and a hint of gingery spiciness on the long, juicy finish. A lovely result from a very hot year, and one of the better Trebbiano d’Abruzzo wines from Emidio Pepe in recent memory.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Trending
France
“70-year-old vines in the domaine’s highest-altitude holdings”
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre Chiroubles Aux Craz, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 9 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Offering up aromas of ripe cherries and raspberries as well as hints of rose petal and peony, the 2018 Chiroubles Aux Craz is medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, its deep core of succulent fruit framed by satiny tannins. This bottling derives from 70-year-old vines in the domaine’s highest-altitude holdings in lieu-dit Grosse Pierre.”
“70-year-old vines in the domaine’s highest-altitude holdings”
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre Chiroubles Aux Craz, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 9 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Offering up aromas of ripe cherries and raspberries as well as hints of rose petal and peony, the 2018 Chiroubles Aux Craz is medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, its deep core of succulent fruit framed by satiny tannins. This bottling derives from 70-year-old vines in the domaine’s highest-altitude holdings in lieu-dit Grosse Pierre.”
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From the family behind Beaucastel, a Gigondas winner
Famille Perrin Gigondas Domaine du Clos des Tourelles, Rhône 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The finest vintage to date, the 2015 Gigondas Le Clos des Tourelles comes from a tiny vineyard located just inside the village of Gigondas. Incorporating a touch of Syrah, this Grenache dominated beauty reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as off the chart notes of black raspberries, black cherries, pepper, garrigue, and tons of that classic Gigondas spice. I wrote “Wow” more than once in my notes and this full-bodied 2015 has ultra-fine tannin, perfect balance, and a stacked mid-palate. Give bottles 2-3 years and drink over the following 15+ years.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby color. Powerful cherry, blackberry and floral pastille aromas are energized by building spice and floral notes. Stains the palate with sappy red/dark berry preserve, candied lavender and spicecake flavors and shows a touch of licorice on the back half. Refuses to let up on the powerful finish, which features gently chewy tannins and resonating cherry and floral notes.”
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Margaux’s vintage of the century?
Château Lascombes, Margaux 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The wine hits all cylinders in 2010. The average alcohol for the bottled wine is 14%. It has a gorgeously sweet nose of creme de cassis, spring flowers, subtle barbecue smoke and charcoal followed by full body, beautiful intensity, great purity, stature and length. The influence of any oak is minimal, despite the fact that 90% new French oak was used. Needless to say, this is an example of modern-styled winemaking at its finest, and arguments that such wines will not age well, do not represent their terroir , and are soul-less, are totally groundless. Give it five or so years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years. This is one of the great Margaux wines of the vintage.”
Decanter 94 points “Lascombes in 2010 has exuberance and precision and confidence, and a sense of fun. At the 10 year mark the power of the tannins is clear and evident. It’s a big, concentrated, exuberant wine but it has delicacy and construction and persistency. Drinking Window 2020 – 2042.”
James Suckling 94 points “Pinpoint but rich fruit in the form of blackcurrants, licorice, fresh herbs, blackberry leaf and cedar. Full body, structured tannins, vibrant acidity and a long finish. Wonderful combination of freshness and fruit. Delicious now but this will hold for many more years.”
Oregon
“Effortlessly drinkable”
Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $20.90 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($319.95) $228 special
Winery note “To understand Rhinestones we have to talk about the Cheverny region of France’s Loire Valley where, by law, the red wines must be a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. We follow this stricture with all the Pinot and Gamay fruit we source from Johan Vineyard. The blend is determined by nature and vintage. Aged in a mixture of concrete and old barriques, this wine is the flagship of the Bow & Arrow operation and communicates what we’re about as much as anything we make. Effortlessly drinkable but rewards detective work if you’re in the mood.”
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“One of the best hand crafted and small lot Pinots from the vintage”
Evesham Wood Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 92 points “The special nine barrel Evesham Wood Dundee Hills Pinot Noir from Winemaker and owner Erin Nuccio is one of the best hand crafted and small lot Pinots from the vintage, especially for the price, in Oregon, with its beautiful details and texture it is a class act and joins Evesham’s stellar and value priced lineup. For the last twelve years I’ve been following this label after my first visit to the Willamette Valley wine country and the Portland wine scene when a friend up there clued me in on some underwear the radar wineries, if you are into Oregon Pinot and looking for bargains, Nuccio’s wines are a must try collection, especially the Evesham Wood’s basic Willamette Valley cuvee and this one if you can still find it. With classic Dundee Hills, Jory soil (volcanic and iron rich) influence showing, the Evesham Wood Dundee Hills Pinot delivers layers of dusty red spiced black cherry, plum and strawberry fruits along with a touch of earthy reduction, rose petals, snappy herbs, moro orange tea and delicate wood accents, all of which caresses the medium bodied palate. With air the ruby/garnet 2018 Dundee Hills Pinot gains a darker almost blue fruit tone and becomes wonderfully expressive and pure in a performance that you’d expect from a wine two or three times the cost, I knew I should have bought a few more bottles. Nuccio says his Dundee Hills Cuvée, which came from a very famous single vineyard, is most likely one-time only wine for Evesham Wood and came about when a friend who is the winemaker this well known, but can’t be named, winery in the Dundee Hills asked if Erin was interested in some Dundee Hills fruit and as she adds, after initially saying he had enough grapes booked, he came back with a price that was too good to pass up. The plan was to have it go into the regular Willamette Valley blend, but when Nuccio started seriously tasting the barrels it became apparent he had some special barrels, so made the choice to do this bottling from those 9 barrels, which in hindsight was an awesome decision.”
VinopolNote: A rare, one-off bottling from Evesham Wood. Erin Nuccio crafted this wine from [cough, cough] estate fruit. A one of a kind wine and an exceptional value. Evesham Wood meets a prime Dundee site for one vintage and magic happens.
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An Oregon wine that needs no introduction
Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($44.95) $38.90 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Deep scarlet. Highly fragrant red and dark berries, baking spices, vanilla and candied flowers on the seductively perfumed nose. A smoky mineral accent adds definition and lift to sappy, alluringly sweet cherry cola, black raspberry and spicecake flavors that show very good depth and fine definition. Smooth and seamless in texture, finishing with impressive power, a hint of smokiness and discreet, well-knit tannins.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir has lovely, layered aromatics of crushed boysenberries, red currant jelly, cinnamon stick, autumn leaves, violets, orange peel and amaro. It’s light to medium-bodied with a silky texture, oodles of spice, a grainy frame and seamless freshness, finishing spicy.”
Collector’s Corner
E. Pira’s Compelling 2015 Barolo
E. Pira’s Compelling 2015 Barolo
“Year in, year out Chiara Boschis quietly makes some of the most compelling wines in Barolo without getting either the attention or recognition of some of her neighbors.” – Antonio Galloni
In stock now:
E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Via Nuova, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($99.95) $69 special
James Suckling 95 points “This delivers a fresh and vibrant impression on the nose with ripe red cherries and a deep-set, rose perfume. The palate has impressive power and focus with chiseled, driving tannins that cut a straight line of pure, red and black-cherry flavor. Long and assertive in 2015. Try this from 2023.”
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Once again, the 2015 Barolo Via Nuova shows why the blending of several sites was the approach favored by Barolo producers until the 1960s, when the fascination for single-vineyard wines started to take off. Maybe the old-times knew something after all. Silky and fragrant, with exceptional balance, the 2015 is positively striking. Medium in body and layered, the 2015 has a very bright future. What a gorgeous wine it is. The Via Nuova was aged in equal parts cask and barrique.”
In stock now:
E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Via Nuova, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($99.95) $69 special
James Suckling 95 points “This delivers a fresh and vibrant impression on the nose with ripe red cherries and a deep-set, rose perfume. The palate has impressive power and focus with chiseled, driving tannins that cut a straight line of pure, red and black-cherry flavor. Long and assertive in 2015. Try this from 2023.”
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Once again, the 2015 Barolo Via Nuova shows why the blending of several sites was the approach favored by Barolo producers until the 1960s, when the fascination for single-vineyard wines started to take off. Maybe the old-times knew something after all. Silky and fragrant, with exceptional balance, the 2015 is positively striking. Medium in body and layered, the 2015 has a very bright future. What a gorgeous wine it is. The Via Nuova was aged in equal parts cask and barrique.”
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#33 – James Suckling’s Top 100 Wines of the Year
E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
James Suckling 99 points “Impressive roses and finely ground spices with a bright red-cherry core, as well as a fresh wild-herb thread. The sense of focus and purity here is stunning. The palate has a deeply juicy and fresh core of tightly knit tannins that carry immense power with impeccable balance. Elegantly executed wine with profound length. Try from 2025.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “My sample bottle of 2015 Barolo Cannubi was allowed to breathe overnight, and I really got a glimpse of how the wine evolves, showing beautiful minty notes on the bouquet with time. This Barolo is more compact in terms of build than the others and more streamlined in the mouth, but it comes across as extremely delicate, light and elegant. There is a sweet spot on the close. This wine has a unique style that is both graceful and petite, and given ample time to breathe, it would put a smile on any Barolo lover’s face.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A beam of rose, raspberry and kirsch notes highlights this aromatic, elegant red. Racy and structured, this focuses the fruit flavors, picking up leafy underbrush, mint, spice and tar elements, building to a firm finish. Best from 2022 through 2040.”
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Arriving ETA Winter 2020:
E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Mosconi, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 97 points “Aromatic depth here, drawing you in with cascading layers of flowers and leaves, fresh-tilled earth laced with woody spices, white pepper and fresh red fruit. The palate carries a very sturdy frame of fine, dense tannins. This is placed in the top league of 2015 Barolo wines. Long and succulent build through the finish. Try from 2024.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “All of the wines from Chiara Boschis are more vinous this year, more natural. They feel authentic, genuine and traditional. They show an extra degree of richness or texture, and the 2015 Barolo Mosconi is no exception. Its dark and spicy notes are very polished and graceful in this vintage but with considerable tightness to the tannins that will soften with time. This wine offers ample volume and girth, but it carries its weight with elegance. Once the bottle has reached maturity, it would be a great pairing match to rabbit.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Barolo Mosconi is striking in this vintage. The natural richness of the year seems especially well suited to this Monforte site, where the wines tend to be born with a natural sense of textural breadth and volume. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, new leather and menthol grow in the glass in a full-bodied, virile Barolo that speaks to power above all else.”
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