Vinopolpick Monday Bonus 5-17-21

Grant:
If you’re a fan of the Rhone, this is the wine for you. Coming from one of the oldest plantings of Syrah in California, the 2017 Marietta Gibson Block drinks like a bottle twice if not quintuple it’s cost. Sourced from the minuscule McDowell Valley AVA (540 planted acres) along the Mendocino Ridge, the Gibson block expresses quintessential Syrah in that both richness and elegance are present. An aroma of ligero tobacco, violets, elderflower and yerba mate hijacks the nose and leaves you wanting another smell instantaneously. The flavor profile is loaded with a spectrum of blue and purple fruits like blueberries, Italian plums and figs in a way that cleanses the palate and leaves a long finish of marionberry compote and pours over coffee. There’s additional notes of warm gravel and basil that is reminiscent of a farm in summer and really speak to the exceptionally old vines that create the fruit. Unlike Syrah from other regions there are no hard edges to this wine and exceptionally smooth, and priced in a way that allows for a whole variety of applications from a weekly sipper to a dinner party.

In Stock Now:

Marietta Cellars Gibson Block Syrah, McDowell Valley 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92-95 points “The 2017 Syrah Estate Gibson Block is a total knockout. Inky, rich and voluptuous in the glass, the 2017 possesses off-the-charts fruit intensity. Even with all of its density, the 2017 retains a terrific backbone of acidity and graphite-infused minerality that gives the wine unreal brightness. The 2017 is such a distinctive wine. I can’t wait to taste it from bottle.”


Also in Stock from Marietta:

Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvée, Alexander Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91-94 points “Marietta’s 2018 Zinfandel Angeli is dark, sumptuous and super-expressive. Inky dark plum, blueberry, mint, spice, lavender and licorice infuse the 2018 with striking depth and character. Readers will find a powerful Zinfandel with the structure and personality to age gracefully for many years.”


Marietta Cellars Armé, Sonoma – Mendocino County 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “An exemplary California Cabernet aromatic experience filled with dried, minty herbs, and lavender. Blackberries, bright cherries and plums, with hints of leather and tobacco, all intertwine for a wonderfully balanced mouthfeel. This wine is sumptuous yet racy, polished yet spirited, delicious and gratifying- an iconic result in the glass.”

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Marietta Cellars ‘Christo’, California 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90-93 points “The 2017 Christo, Marietta’s Syrah/Grenache-based red, is another compelling wine in this range. Inky red/purplish berry fruit, rose petal, mint, spice and floral notes are front and center. Sumptuous and racy, the 2017 is so inviting from the very first taste.”


Marietta Cellars ‘Game Trail’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Yorkville Highlands 2017 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90-93 points “The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Game Trail is decidedly aromatic and peppery in its flavor profile, much of that a reflection of the personality of this site planted at 1400 feet. Hints of spice, licorice and chocolate add complexity to the dark-toned flavors, but the wine’s overall feel leans towards the more savory side of Cabernet.”


Marietta Cellars Gibson Block Syrah, McDowell Valley 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Syrah Estate Gibson Block is the star of this range from Marietta. From a dry-farmed site planted in the 1880s, the Gibson Block is powerful, sumptuous and racy to the core. A whole range of complementary varieties give the Gibson Block striking inner perfume and lift to play off the intense dark fruit, while silky tannins add to the wine’s racy, inviting personality.”

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Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Lot 71 Red, California NV 750ML ($15.95) $14 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Old Vine Red is a proprietary red wine made to replicate the field blends of many of the old vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Predominantly comprised of Zinfandel, Old Vine Red combines pure fruit, a supple mouth feel and a rich, solid structure. A groundbreaking combination of varietals and multiple vintages first produced in 1982, this wine has blazed the path for red blends for decades. With a historic underground following, it is one of the longest lasting and best known red blends produced today.”


Marietta Cellars ‘Román’ Estate Grown Zinfandel, North Coast 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2018 Román is bright, punchy and full of Zinfandel character. Dark red and purplish fruit, spice and mint all race out of the glass effortlessly. Dollops of Petite Sirah and Barbera bring added complexity to the field blend. The 2018 is one of the best wines readers will find for the money. Quite simply, it is a screaming value.”


Love California wine? We have over 75 different options from the Golden State in stock. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Arnot-Roberts, Freemark Abbey, Ridge Vineyards and more, on our web store now.

Arriving this fall, an exciting lineup of three celebrated Fino/Manzanilla sherrys offering a wonderful introduction to Jerez’s ‘briny triangle’.

“The “3 En Rama” range comprises a fino, from Jerez de la Frontera, another fino from El Puerto de Santa María and a manzanilla from Sanlúcar de Barrrameda. Sergio Martínez carefully selects the most outstanding casks from every single solera to create this exclusive range. To obtain the purest sherry, Lustua brings back the “En Rama” style, which means bottling the wine straight from cask with on additional treatment. This process usually takes place in spring, when the layer of living yeast, known as “flor” reaches its zenith. Thus, sherry’s natural character is fully maintained and the resulting wine is one of personality, influenced by the microclimate of the town in which it is aged.” – Winery Note

Pre-Arrivals ETA September 2021:

Emilio Lustau ‘3 En Rama’ Fino de Jerez de la Frontera Sherry, Andalucía 2021 Edition 500ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Winery Note “The inland climate in the town of Jerez de la Frontera has an important influence in the development of the Finos aged in this area. Its long hot summers and mild winters, provide a more rounded and fuller style of wine.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Emilio Lustau ‘3 En Rama’ Fino de El Puerto de Santa María Sherry, Andalucía 2021 Edition 500ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Winery Note “The coastal town of El Puerto de Santa María enjoys mild weather all the year round. This has a crucial influence on briny and light Finos aged therein since the “flor” grows in ideal environmental conditions.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Emilio Lustau ‘3 En Rama’ Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda Sherry, Andalucía 2021 Edition 500ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Winery Note “Sanlúcar de Barrrameda sits between the Atlantic Ocean the estuary of the Guadalquivir River with Atlantic breezes coming off the ocean. Its microclimate impregnates the yeast growing on the surface of the Manzanilla with a rare sea salt character.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Love Sherry? We have 18 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like César Florido, Toro Albalá, Valdespino and more, on our web store now.

In Stock Now:

“Readers looking for a Barolo to drink now will find so much to admire”
Pecchenino Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Barolo Bussia is a very pretty, effusive wine that will drink well right out of the gate. Spice and floral notes open first. Silky and pliant, with lovely depth, the 2015 is so expressive today. Fine mineral notes extend the finish effortlessly while adding freshness and cut to balance the open-knit fruit. Readers looking for a Barolo to drink now will find so much to admire in the 2015 Bussia.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2015 Barolo Bussia offers a deeper level of identity, grit and structure compared to the estate’s Barolo from San Giusepppe. This wine reveals a tight inner core of fruit with lovely contours of spice, leather, tar, licorice and dried violets. You get a clean sense of the grape without too many bells or whistles. The finish is elegant and fine. Pair it with an authentic tajarin and white truffle shavings.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A sleek red, displaying cherry, strawberry, floral, earth and tobacco flavors. Starts out with a fleshy feel, firming up as this winds down on the finish. Balanced and refreshing, lingering with earth, tobacco and spice notes in the end. Best from 2022 through 2038. 500 cases made, 200 cases imported.”

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An elegant expression from Scavino’s highest elevation vineyard
Paolo Scavino Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “Here is another rookie in the lineup for Paolo Scavino. The Ravera vineyard was purchased in 2015, at 2.7 hectares and about 360 meters in altitude. It is their highest vineyard and the last to be harvested every year. This east-facing parcel is never too hot, always showing cooler-climate conditions than the others, with fine tannins and a good dose of acidity. The 2015 Barolo Ravera is a very tight and and precise wine, with notes of exotic tea that follow blackberry, dried cherry and licorice. This is a great new addition to the Scavino portfolio at this time of important changes for the winery.”
Importer Note “Another debut release, Scavino acquired 3 adjacent parcels totaling 2.69 hectares before the start of the 2015 growing season. A very cool site, these east facing vines planted in loose white marls are the highest amongst all of Scavino’s holdings, reaching 430 meters, and consequently the last of the estate’s crus to be harvested.”


“Fast becoming a must have wine for Nebbiolo enthusiasts”
G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 95 points “Bricco delle Viole, a cru that rises up to 1,575 feet on the Barolo commune’s western edge, has clear views of the Alps. This wine channels some of that Alpine coolness in its elegant feel: Vibrant acidity propels the wine’s spiced cherry and plum fruit while lush, polished tannins draw it out through a long finish.”
Grapelive 95 points “One of Italian’s treasures, the Vajra Bricco delle Viole Barolo is fast becoming a must have wine for Nebbiolo enthusiasts…you would be rewarded by not missing this gorgeous 2015 version, which lacks for nothing in the big league of top Barolo bottlings!….The 2015 Bricco delle Viole is luxurious and has Burgundy like grace on the palate enjoying its plush and youthful fruit, but underneath there is classic structure and character with pure Nebbiolo seduction flowing across the full bodied palate with deep red berry, plum and black cherry fruit along with flashes of mulberry and strawberry as well as a subtle meatiness, anise, chalky stones, cedar and delicate rose petals. This wine, which is already drinking fabulous should continue to grown in dimension and add layers, if you can’t wait you’ll find it ever changing in the glass and certainly I would suggest building and evening and meal around exploring it.  The Bricco delle Viole, the hill of violets, is an iconic wine and sets the tone for understanding the Vajra’s wines….The Bricco delle Viole is one of the last sites to be picked in Barolo and this long hang time really elevates this wine with incredible depth and there is always a Grand Cru Core d’Or feel here with a sense of minerallity and finesse. Vajra is traditional in the winemaking, taking great care in the vineyard and it the cellars with each cluster being rigorously sorts and individually berry de-stemming before a lengthy maceration and gentle handling of the wine through primary fermentation. The top Vajra Barolo sees close to 42 months in large Slavonian casks, mostly 25 and 50 hectoliters to allow this fantastic Nebbiolo to fully develop all of its beauty and stunning nuances… I am always grateful for being able to try his wines, these are too good to miss!”

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Brovia’s finest Garblèt Sue to date?
Brovia Garblèt Sue Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2015 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is dense and powerful in the glass. A rush of black cherry, plum, lavender, iron and sage literally burst from the glass. Ample, full-bodied and intense, the Garblèt Sue’ is another stellar wine in this range. The typically incisive Garblèt Sue’ tannins are nearly buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. Today, the Garblèt Sue’ is distinguished by its wild, feral profile and huge core of fruit. In this vintage, the Garblèt is the overachiever in the range relative to how it shows in most vintages.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “Showing some immediate softness, the 2015 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is beautifully approachable and generously accommodating, even at this early stage in the wine’s drinking window. Bring it out with a selection of goat cheeses. It’s interesting to note that, at 40 years old, the vines of this cru in Castiglione Falletto actually rank as some of the youngest held by the Brovia estate, founded in 1863, before the unification of Italy.”

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A cellar pick
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 34 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 99 points “Aromas of woodland berry, underbrush, hazelnut and camphor form the nose along with a whiff of rose petal on this captivating, delicious wine. The full-bodied structured palate is still young and primary but already shows raspberry compote, ripe Marasca cherry, star anise, tobacco and the barest hint of game. Tightly knit noble tannins and fresh acidity provide the firm frame and impart serious aging potential. Hold for even more complexity. Drink 2026–2056.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “All of these wines from Cavallotto deliver a very floral and perfumed subtext that gives lift and delicate buoyancy to the overall bouquet. This is the Castiglione Falletto magic that shows so well in this classic vintage. The 2016 Barolo Bricco Boschis offers dried cherry, sandalwood, bramble and forest floor. The wine reveals a slightly wild and untamed character that adds to its interest and personality. Overall, this is an elegant wine with a streamlined and elegant finish. The aromas are focused and bright. I can’t wait to taste the Riserva expression from this site when it is released in three years’ time.”


“One of the greatest wines I have ever had from here”
Parusso Armando Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 10 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “This is one of the greatest wines I have ever had from here. So much ripe cherry, raspberry and floral character. Medium body, super-refined tannins and a long and flavorful finish. So much going on here. Better in 2021.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2013 Barolo Bussia is my favorite wine among Marco Parusso’s new releases. This wine shows an extraordinary level of richness and softness that speaks to the unique winemaking style proposed by this innovative producer. The Bussia cru tends to produce softer and finer fruit characteristics. The bouquet delivers elegant notes of wild berry, forest floor and white truffle with mineral notes such as pencil shaving delicately tucked in at the back. The wine sees up to 60% stem inclusion and maceration times are long. This Barolo is articulate and profoundly expressive.”


“This is placed in the top league of 2015 Barolo wines”
E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Mosconi, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
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.”


A cellar pick
Poderi Colla Dardi Le Rose Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose is just as gorgeous as it always has been. Dark and translucent, the 2016 possesses striking layers of complexity. Spice, menthol, leather, sage and tobacco lend compelling nuance throughout. Although the 2016 is fabulous, it has also started to close down in bottle to a greater degree than I original envisaged. I wouldn’t be in any rush to open it.”
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Classic Nebbiolo aromas of woodland berry, forest floor, new leather and a whiff of rose lift out of the glass along with a whiff of botanical herb. Delivering elegance and structure in equal measure, the linear palate features red cherry, strawberry compote, baking spice and licorice framed in firm, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well balanced. Drink 2024–2036.”


Intense, polished & classic
Roagna La Pira, Barolo DOCG2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Supple and polished, featuring the essence of cherry and strawberry fruit, accented by menthol, mineral and sage flavors. This shows intensity, with a tightly wound structure that is so well-integrated you don’t notice it at first. Plays out on the linear profile with echoes of fruit, mineral and Langhe scrub. Best from 2022 through 2045. 148 cases made.”

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A Barolo vintage that is drinking beautifully today
Poderi Oddero Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2012 750ML ($149.95) $99 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “Enticing aromas of cherry, rose and spice lead off, while the flavors pick up tar and tobacco, echoing the spice. This is rich and balanced, with oak tannins adding another layer on the long sweet-fruit finish. Best from 2018 through 2032. 180 cases made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price $118.99

Love Barolo? We have over 75 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Burlotto, Cappellano, Vietti and more, on our web store now.