VinopolPick Weekend Edition 2-18-17

Trending Wines / Staff Pizza Pick / New Wines from Italy and Spain / Lopez’s Majesty / Dujac Grand Crus / Schlossgut Diel / Chablis: Land of Value / Italian Sale Wines / Warm Weather Wines / Arriving Wednesday

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Trending

From all around the world – check out these popular picks from the last few days!
Matello ‘Souris’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($41.95) $28 special
Library Release
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “(from fruit grown in the Whistling Ridge and Durant vineyards; made with 55% whole clusters and raised in 40% new oak):  Vivid red.  Vibrant red berry and Asian spice aromas are given depth by notes of vanilla and licorice and pick up a minerally nuance with air.  Juicy raspberry and cherry-cola flavors tighten up in the mid-palate and show very good clarity.  Finishes spicy and long, with silky tannins adding structure.” ST
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The next lowest price of any other vintage is $36.89

Three Wine Company Spinelli Mataro, Contra Costa County 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “Mataro, also known as Mourvèdre (France) and Monastrell (Spain), is an international varietal fermented into many different styles of wine, from fruity rosés to concentrated dark-reds with strong tannic structures. The Spinelli Mataro is a blend of 81% Mataro, 4% Carignane, 7% Black Malvoisie, 7% Petite Sirah, and 1% Alicante Bouschet. The dusty nose of violets, ripe black-cherries, and chocolate is draped with rich French Vanilla, Provencal herbs, tobacco leaf, and a minerality that sneaks through to the finish. The Petite Sirah adds structure, color, and blue-fruit character while the Black Malvoisie adds softness and a perfumed raspberry aroma. Due to a high level of anti-oxidants, Mataro is an exceptional aging wine. Don’t be afraid to cellar this vintage for five to ten years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $29

Patrick Piuze Val de Mer Cremant de Bourgogne Non Dose NV 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Vinopolnote: Maybe we should have classified this as Champagne. It is a collaboration between Chablisienne Piuze and the Champagnois Moutard et Fils. Essentially still wine from the Piuze vineyard in Tonnerre escorted through the Methode Champagnois by Moutard. Great Value here.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Poncie, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Poncie, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($299.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
John Gilman 94+ points “The 2015 Poncié from Pierre-Marie Chermette’s Domaine du Vissoux is a superb followup to the brilliant 2014 bottling of this wine. The bouquet is deep, very, very pure and shows a nice touch of sappiness in its aromatic constellation of black cherries, pomegranate, intense violets, bitter chocolate, a fine base of dark soil tones, fresh thyme, a hint of cedar and a topnote of spit-roasted gamebirds. On the palate the wine is deep, pure, full-bodied and hauntingly wellbalanced, with tangy acids, a fair bit of tannin (particularly for a young Fleurie), lovely midpalate concentration and superb intensity of flavor on the very, very long and minerally finish. I loved the 2014 Poncié, but this seems likely, with sufficient bottle age, to be even better! 2020-2045+. 94+.”

Thibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne Rouge Les Grands Chaillots, Burgundy 2011 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 special
Winery note “Situated on the district of Nuits Saint Georges, exactly in front of “les Saint-Georges”, this parcel produces a red Bourgogne build for aging: structured and very aromatic, that it will be necessary to keep two or three years before tasting.”

Domaine de la Berangeraie Cuvee Maurin, Cahors 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Importer note “In 1971 André Berenger came to Cahors from Provence with his wife Sylvie, who is originally from Champagne, and planted their vineyard near Grezels, on the red clay/ iron stone soil known as Grèzes. Their two children, Maurin & Juline not only joined them in the family business, but brought in their respective spouses. Thus the 3 couples all work together and do everything on this 35 hectare domaine themselves. Pruning, the sustainable farming of the vineyards (Terra Vitis certified) and harvesting are all done by hand; a disappearing practice in Cahors where harvesting is now done almost exclusively by machine. Moreover, Maurin, and his wife, Marlène, are graduates of oenology school with diplomas in oenology. Complemetary, Juline and her husband, Henri, both studied at viticulture school. The Bérangeraie wines are proof that hand-made artisanal wines of character yet accessibility, are still being made in Cahors today.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $16

Xavier Vins Rasteau, Rhone 2012 750ML ($34.95) $28.80 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “One of my favorite wines from this estate, the 2012 Rasteau offers tons of ripe dark fruit, crushed rock, licorice and minerality in its full-bodied, concentrated profile. Made from 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, it’s a classic Rasteau to drink over the coming 7-8 years.”

Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($219.95) $179 special
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2010 1.5L ($499.95) $369 special
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is extraordinary. A wine of pedigree and class, the 2010 boasts magnificent intensity and depth yet never comes across as heavy. The flavors are layered, nuanced and beautifully delineated in the glass. Plum, black cherry, spice, menthol and sweet spices are laced into the exquisite finish. The 2010 is a stunner today, but also has plenty of upside for the future. A reduction of time in barrel vis-a-vis the 2006 has paid off handsomely. The 2010 is going to be expensive, but it is worth every penny. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot round out the blend.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $215

Weingut Keller Riesling Trocken, Rheinhessen 2015 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Wine Advocate 89 points “Keller’s 2015 Riesling Trocken is clear, precise, ripe and fresh. This is an aromatic, limestone-Riesling classic with some lovely flavors of crushed stones. The wine is dry, but round and aromatic, very elegant and finesse-full. This is a charming Riesling that finishes with a pretty long, intense and aromatic aftertaste with a stimulating purity and salinity. A Best Buy and probably the finest VDP Rheinhessen Gutswein of the vintage.”
Importer note “For those that love their limestone.  Keller’s signature style is on display.  Make no mistake – this is Kimmeridgian wine.  It’s about minerality and finesse.  This is possibly the most singular domaine in all of Germany.  Kellers top wines now sell for hundreds of dollars a bottle.  This is the frugal Riesling lover’s backdoor.”

Bodegas Llurce Rio Madre Graciano, Rioja DOCa 2014 750ML ($14.95) $9.90 special
Case-12 Bodegas Llurce Rio Madre Graciano, Rioja DOCa 2014 750ML ($149.95) $99 special (that’s only $8.25/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Brilliant violet color. Intensely perfumed dark berry and floral pastille scents, along with suggestions of anise, violet and pipe tobacco. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering sappy black and blue fruit flavors that put on weight with air. Shows very good energy and power on the long, gently tannic finish, leaving behind notes of blueberry and peppery spices.”

Numanthia Termes, Toro 2012 750ML ($27.95) $16 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Since its inception, Numanthia has never once bottled a disappointing Termes. Aromas of lemon peel and orange rind mix with blackberry and cassis notes. This feels tight and tannic, but structured and appropriate. Dark-berry and chocolate flavors finish tannic but healthy. This is true-to-form Toro.”
Robert Parker 90 points “The 2012 Termes is pure Tinta de Toro (aka Tempranillo) from a number of vineyards on sandy and stony soils aged in 30% new barrels for 12 to 15 months. There are some savory aromas mixing cured meat with the classical Tempranillo black raspberries, and some lactic and spice aromas (cola nut), with hints of granite and licorice. The palate shows good freshness within the ripe and powerful style of the zone; it has good balance between tannins, alcohol and acidity. This is the more drinkable of the three.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Staff Pick: Pizza Night Edition

Marco Porello’s Mommiano

Our Favorite Under $15 Barbera
Pizza Night Wine.  It’s a category, we swear.  We’re always looking for wines that are vibrant, fresh and easy on the wallet.  Wines that are great with pizza or pasta.  That often means Barbera or Dolcetto.  Marco Porello is a young grower in the Roero, just north of Barbaresco.  His Barbera, from the Mommiano vineyard, is everything we love about the grape.  Good fruit and vibrant acidity with just enough body to round everything out.  It’s a wine you always wish you had another glass of. Luckily, at this price, you can afford to keep another bottle on hand for just that occasion. -Saul

Marco Porello ‘Mommiano’ Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery note: “Ageing: the wine is kept for 8 months in oak barrels before bottling. Nose: fruity with hints of ripe cherry and red fruit. Taste: full bodied, round, hints of red fruit and brilliant acidity”
This is the only listing in the USA today!

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New Arrivals from Italy & Spain
Pojer e Sandri Nosiola Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Producer Notes–“The colour is straw/yellow with greenish reflections. Its bouquet is very delicate, fleeting but very characteristic, with fruity hints of golden apples. On the palate it is flavorful and fragrant, with a mildly tangy quality on the palate. There’s a subtle flavor which may remind you of hazelnuts. It pairs well both with light appetizers of fish and meat, soup, raw shellfish and it’s also good with soft cheeses. Excellent as an aperitif, too, as it sets up bigger, richer wines.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

G. B. Burlotto Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Producer notes: “Deep purple with a full bouquet of cherry fruits on the nose. This wine has good strength and character and is filled with juicy black fruits.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $23

Fattoria Montellori ‘Poggio Alla Luna’, Chianti DOCG 2014 750ML ($14.95) $10.90 special
VinopolNote: A unique blend of mostly Sangiovese with a touch of Merlot and Canaiolo.

Fattoria Montellori Vin Santo della Signora Bianco dell’Empolese, Tuscany 2010 500ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “Variety: 100% Trebbiano. Area of origin: Fucecchio. The best selected grapes start to dry naturally on rough mats until December. After this time grapes are pressed and fermentation starts in small barrels called “Caratelli” where the Vinsanto Montellori stays for a minimum time of 3 years. The wine continues to age in bottle. Tasting notes: Golden yellow colour. Perfumes of dried apricot and almond. Taste remembers sweet notes and honey. Very persistent and deep in aromas. A classic Vin Santo, … for a nice Cantuccino !”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $23.99

Hacienda Solano ‘Finca Pena Lobera’, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($67.95) $51.90 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2012 Hacienda Ernestina Solano Finca Peña Lobera is a noteworthy follow-up of the 2010 vintage (the wine was not produced in the warm 2011). The grapes come from a single vineyard, a small plot of very old plants with a lot of white vines and some dead ones, so the yields are very low. The soil is very poor, very stony, and shallow with a calcareous subsoil equating to fresh soils and also a fresh climate, as the vineyard is surrounded by forests. The vines only yield two or three bunches per plant. The final blend includes 5% Albillo in the bottled wine. The wine was raised exclusively in used barrels in this vintage and there are bare traces of oak-related aromas after 18 months in barrel. The wine is ripe, aromatic, expressive and showy with notes of blueberries; it’s a little heady, with aromas of decayed violets and perhaps hints of malt whisky. The palate is powerful and elegant at the same time with a very fine, silky texture, great balance and length, plus a fresh, mineral finish. Great Ribera and a good value for the quality it delivers. There was only two barriques of this wine, so only 568 bottles were produced.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Hacienda Solano Roble, Ribera del Duero 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Importer note “Hacienda Solano is a small, family run winery with centuries of winemaking tradition set in the Medieval village of La Aguilera. All grapes are from high altitude, estate vineyards, including very old vine plots. Their wines are made in a more elegant and refined style than typical of Ribera del Duero–yet with the depth found in the best examples. Sophie Kuhn is their talented winemaker from Alsace, with international training, including at famed Cheval Blanc.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Lopez de Heredia

The Rioja Tradition
Lopez Heredia’s Reservas and Gran Reservas remain the most undervalued of the worlds profoundly great red wines. This isn’t a shock if you’ve been drinking the wines for a while, but it bears repeating.  You can purchase the entry level wine from the greatest traditional Rioja estate for less than $30.  You can buy their Reservas (for which the current releases are 2003/4!!) for under $40.  Even their great wines—old (1960’s!) Gran Reservas will set you back less than the average bottle of 2010 Mouton.

How can this be?  The idea that you can buy a bottle of Gran Reserva Tondonia from the 1960’s, directly from the winery’s cellar, for the same price or less than a current vintage of top-tier Bordeaux?  We don’t think this will last that long.  We’ve got some new wines from Lopez coming in–from up and down the range, price wise. They all over-deliver.

Lopez de Heredia Wines On Sale and Available Here Now

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 1964 750ML ($1,199.95) Was $999, Now $899, 3 bottles available
Winery-direct cellar released bottles
Decanter 98 points, Wine Spectator 95 points “Extraordinary. Sweet vanilla and dried berry aromas and flavors have an unexpected richness in this vibrant red. Impressive for its balance of concentration and elegance; firm tannins meld with a creamy texture. The long finish defines traditional Rioja at its best.”

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 1981 750ML ($249.95) Was $199, Now $179.10, 15 bottles available
Winery-direct cellar released bottles
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 1981 Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva has a vibrant nose reminiscent of coeval Burgundy, with scents of citrus peel, orange rind, singed leather and a Tuscan delicatessen. The palate has a penetrating orange peel and tart cherry entry with potent earthy notes at its core. It is supremely well-balanced with an energetic finish underpinned by crisp dry tannins. This wonderful Rioja is drinking perfectly now and will age effortlessly. Drink now-2020+” (08/2012)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

We offer seven bottlings from Lopez de Heredia available here now including these two popular selections. You can see the full list online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2007 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2007 Viña Cubillo Crianza is the most affordable red. It is a wine that was born to go with tapas and to be sold at local restaurants showing a combination of fruit and the earth where the vines grow. It is a blend of the usual 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo fermented in old oak vats with natural yeasts and matured in barrel for three years. The intoxicating nose shows blood orange, bitter cherries, leather and spices in a subtle and balanced way. The palate is sinewy, polished, has good acidity and is not terribly complex nor powerful, but is built more on the subtlety and lightness. This could well be the best Cubillo of recent times.”

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2004 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 35 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2004 Viña Tondonia Reserva is a completely different story. It is a worthy follower of the 2001, the greatest of the Viña Tondonia Reservas of recent times. It has the usual blend and usual levels of alcohol and acidity, bottled after six years in oak barrels. The nose feels savory (if that’s possible–umami?) and developed, with tertiary aromas and good balance between spices, leathery notes, cherries and balsamic notes of cigar box and incense. The palate is both round and crisp, with refined tannins. It has very good balance with subtle acidity and very good persistence.”
See the complete list of all Spanish wines on super sale now below! To read reviews and shop, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com

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Our Current
Shipping Promos:

Welcome to the club, Colorado!

Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:

Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:

-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25

Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!

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The Grands Crus of Domaine Dujac
We don’t have to say too much about Dujac.  They’re undisputedly one of the top handful of producers of Burgundy and their collection of Grand Crus is impressive by any measure.  The wines are incredible.  Dujac is known for the twin clos of Morey-St-Denis, Clos de la Roche and Clos St Denis, but they make excellent Charmes-Chambertin as well (and others, including Echezeaux, which we’re unfortunately sold out of).  We’ve got the highlights here, including some rare large formats, but don’t forget you can always check www.vinopoliswineshop.com for the other wines we have in stock from Dujac!

Domaine Dujac Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2014 750ML ($499.95) $299 special, 3 bottles available
John Gilman 93-94+ points  “The 2014 Charmes-Chambertin was also late finishing up its malo, and unlike the Eche´zeaux, it was not all that happy about being tasted. This wine had not yet absorbed all its new wood and was showing a bit chewy, but all the constituent components are in place for this wine to snap into place with a bit more elevage. The nose is a promising blend of black cherries, cassis, grilled meat, espresso, dark soil tones and spicy new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, long and rock solid at the core, with fine focus and soil signature, ripe tannins and a long, chewy and adolescent finish.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has an exquisite bouquet with blackberry, bilberry and cassis fruit. This is very elegant and linear, great precision here. The palate is very well balanced, structured with citrus-infused blackcurrant fruit. There is that titillating prickle of salinity on the finish, a Mazoyères-like Charmes that should age well over the next 15-20 years.”

Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2013 1.5L ($1499.95) $1249 special, 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 94-97 points “Another superb, multidimensional wine, the 2013 Clos de La Roche boasts remarkable complexity, starting with exquisite aromatics, finely-sculpted fruit and firm yet polished tannins. Layers of flavor flesh out in all directions in a resonant, expansive Burgundy endowed with pure pedigree. There is a lot going on in the glass, although it is the wine’s totally sublime sense of harmony that is most captivating at this early stage. I can’t wait to taste the 2013 from bottle.” AG
This is the only listing for a magnum in the USA today!

Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2014 750ML ($799.95) $599 special, 6 bottles available
John Gilman 96 points “In contrast to the Charmes, the 2014 Dujac Clos de la Roche was in fine spirits and showing enormous potential. The brilliant bouquet offers up scents of cherries, red plums, pomegranate, gamebirds, superb soil tones, woodsmoke, raw cocoa and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very suave on the attack, with a sappy core, fine transparency and a very, very long, fine-grained and elegant finish. A great vintage of Clos de la Roche from the Seysses family this year!”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92-95 points “Bright, dark red. Pure, vibrant, perfumed aromas of raspberry, red licorice, rose petal and spices. Silky, seamless and pristine, with terrific mineral energy to the raspberry, saline and earth flavors. Conveys an impression of sucrosité but this youthfully imploded wine is classically dry. Diana Snowden ventured the opinion that 2014 is a great year for Clos de la Roche.”

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

Domaine Dujac Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2013 1.5L ($1499.95) $1289 special, 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 93-96 points “The 2013 Clos St. Denis is a wine of detail, nuance and precision. All the classic Clos St. Denis signatures are present, but it’s almost as if they are expressive in miniature in the 2013. Feminine and supple throughout, the 2013 Clos St. Denis shows the more finessed side of Morey, and it does so in grand style.” AG

This is the only listing for a magnum in the USA today!

Domaine Dujac Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2014 750ML ($599.95) $479 special, 4 bottles available
John Gilman 97 points “The style of the 2014 vintage perfectly dovetails with the great elegance inherent in this terroir, so it is not surprising that the Domaine Dujac version is utterly stunning this year. The wine soars from the glass in a blaze of cherries, red plums, cocoa powder, fresh nutmeg, a fabulous base of soil tones, woodsmoke, lovely spice tones and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and utterly seamless, with a velvety attack, a sappy core of red fruit, stunning transparency and a supremely elegant, fine-grained and tangy finish. Hauntingly beautiful Clos St. Denis in 2014!”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93-95 points “Bright ruby-red. Subtle perfume of raspberry, red cherry, rose petal and flinty minerality. Silky on entry, then less sweet and more soil-driven in the mid-palate than the Clos de la Roche. But this impeccably balanced wine boasts an insidiously tactile mouth feel and opens out spectacularly on the back end. Finishes wonderfully juicy and suave, with noble tannins and a sneaky whiplash of flavor. I’d love to try this wine next to the Clos de la Roche again in ten years.”

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

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Give the Gift that Never Expires!

Can’t decide on the perfect gift?

Let them!

We offer gift certificates in any amount with no taxes, fees or expiration date.

Gift certificates are not available through our web store. To order, please stop in, call or email. We are happy to mail gift certificates to any domestic address at no charge.

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Schlossgut Diel

Diel is one of those producers whose primacy in Germany doesn’t always connect with American drinkers, yet the wines deserve all the acclaim and glory they get in their native land.  Armin Diel is one of the pre-eminent wine writers in Germany and also one of the most acclaimed winemakers, and it’s hard to know which brings him more respect (imagine if Antonio Galloni also owned a winery like Schrader or Spottswoode).  As a result, the wines are snapped up inside Germany and very little makes it to our shores.  We have a little to offer you today from the excellent 2015 vintage and some cellar selections from 2012 and 2004. Even if you’re only casually interested in German wines, sweet or dry, you should try these beauties from the Nahe!

Schlossgut Diel Wines Available Here Now:

Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Located next to the Goldloch the 2012 Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs comes from a 3.8 ha vineyard where Diel holds 1.8 hectares. The quartzite of the soil shines through here on the nose as on the palate and makes this a really great, precise, mineral and unique Riesling with some similarities to the Schloss Johannisberg Rieslings which are also grown on quartzite. The aroma is very pure, coolish and earthy in its flintiness and there is also a refreshing dash of lime juice. The purity is also to be found on the palate which is breathtakingly elegant but also firm and leading to a stimulatingly salty and persistent finish. This is Riesling for terroir fetishists and the aging potential should be terrific here. This wine is so full of tension that I almost can’t go to the next wine…”RP

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2004 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 19 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Resplendent aromas of papaya, pineapple and oyster shell. Dense but juicy, with a finely spiced acidity that seizes one’s palate. Finishes with impressive concentration and length. One of the finest spatleses of the vintage.” ST

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59.99

Schlossgut Diel Eierfels Riesling Trocken, Nahe 2015 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 11 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2015 Dorsheim Riesling Trocken Eierfels is the negative selection of the Dorsheim grands crus Burgberg and Goldloch. It comes along as a pretty rich and intensely flavored Riesling with spicy/stony notes and ripe fruit aromas. Full-bodied and complex, this is a piquant and salty Riesling with impressive intensity and length. It is pretty accessible already.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $37

Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 7 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2015 Goldloch Riesling GG opens super ripe, intense and concentrated on the nose, with ripe fruit and Mediterranean herbal aromas–like dried white bread with olive oil and rosemary flavors. On the palate, this is a rich, powerful though pure, complex and elegant Riesling with herbal flavors and a super ripe, concentrated fruit aroma in the finish. This wine is pure and rich at the same time, and I wonder where it goes from here. The finish is long and intense, showing good grip and intensity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $67

Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Pittermannchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2012 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2012 Dorsheimer Pittermannchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs has noble, coolish and piquant Riesling aromas with juicy pineapple flavors leading to a medium to full-bodied, very juicy and piquant Riesling with extremely animating acidity, salinity and mineral piquancy in the finish. This is a top dry Riesling from slate soils with a dancing, alive and kicking character. Just beautiful and almost ready to drink. Go for it!”RP

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Pittermannchen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 9 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2015 Pittermännchen Riesling GG trocken is lovely, pure, ripe and intense on the nose, offering flavors of freshly crushed stones along with ripe fruit aromas. Rich but refined on the palate, this is a pure, piquant and finesse-full dry Riesling with a dense, intense, very long and complex finish that keeps the purity and tension util the very end. A gorgeous Riesling.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $65

Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2015 750ML ($37.95) $28 special, 8 bottles available
“The 2015 Goldloch Riesling Kabinett from the village of Dorsheim offers some honey wax and rice flavors on the youthful nose. On the palate, the wine is pure, fresh and piquant, a classic Kabinett with ripe yellow stone fruit aromas. Straight and piquant.” Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Goldloch Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 9 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “On the nose, the 2015 Goldloch Riesling Auslese is smoky, pure and deep in its fruity flavors. On the palate, it is a rich and intense Riesling with purity, piquant acidity and a lot of grip and tension. It has a persistent finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Pittermannchen Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 9 bottles available
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2015 Pittermännchen Riesling Spätlese opens clear and slatey on the nose, with flinty, dusty flavors and lovely purity. On the palate, this is a very piquant and refined Riesling with lots of juice, finesse and elegance. It’s a light-hearted wine with white fruit flavors and good salinity. You can enjoy the 2015 for more than 20 years yet I’d keep it under cork for another 4-5 years.”

Schlossgut Diel Dorsheimer Pittermannchen Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2015 375ML ($44.95) $33 special, 4 half-bottles available
Terry Theise notes: “I couldn’t help it, the wine was too lovely. Throw my ass out to pasture when I ever become indifferent to a wine like this. Salty, sassafrass, any sweetness it has seems to wash away to stones and zinginess; like fruit that spent six months in zero-gravity.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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Chablis: The last best value in White Burgundy
White Burgundy is getting out of hand, generally.  The wines keep climbing in price and allocation quantities keep shrinking.  We love the wines, but are constantly looking for cool climate Chardonnay that won’t break the bank.  Oregon is a (great) option, but sometimes, we just want that old-worldness in our glasses.  For that, we still thankfully have Chablis.
Sure, the wines are leaner than the Cote d’Or, but for sheer terroir-infused bang for your buck, they’re impossible to beat.  They go with anything you’d like to pour white wine for and age beautifully, developing richness and complexity along the way.  Best yet, the wines are underpriced.  Premier Cru wines are usually under $35 and almost always under $50, with Grands Cru not much more.  Entry level wines which are full of character hover around $20.  It’s really impressive and we wanted to highlight the selection of wines we had in stock and a bunch more we have coming in next week.

In Stock Now:

Domaine Costal Chablis Les Truffieres, Burgundy 2014 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Importer note “Wine is vinified in stainless steel and aged for another 10 months in stainless steel. Wine spends 3 months in demi-muid barrels (600-L). The wine is neither fined nor filtered. The Truffières vineyard is located in the commune of Villy, north of the town of Chablis. Limestone soil.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Costal Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($44.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles available
Importer note “Fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless tank. After racking, wine goes through malolactic fermentation in 1/3 stainless tank, 1/3 neutral barrel (228 L), and 1/3 used demi-muid barrel (600 L). Kimmeridgian limestone soil.”

Domaine Servin Blanchot, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 22 bottles available
Burghound 92-94 points “The refined and admirably pure nose is comprised by white flower, tidal pool and subtle spice aromas that are followed by citrus and mineral-infused flavors that are attractively textured, precise and explosive on the hugely long and very dry finish. This beauty is a lovely combination of power and finesse while delivering buckets of Chablis character. In a word, lovely.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91+ points “Very pale yellow. Delicate, high-pitched aromas of peach, ginger and white pepper. Wonderfully penetrating and pure but very tight today and not yet showing the detail of the Monteé de Tonnerre. Strong lemony acidity (4.7 grams per liter, according to Cameron) contributes to an impression of chalky austerity and carries the wine’s finish. Still an infant and likely to merit an even higher score as it matures in the cellar.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Servin Bougerots, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Marc Cameron described his 2014 Chablis Grand Cru Bougros as the “big bad boy of the group.” It has a glorious bouquet, perhaps partly because unlike other vintages there is some new oak in the blend. But it works well. The palate is clean and fresh with bright citrus peel and orange zest notes, the wood element more expressive toward the finish. It perhaps lacks Chablis typicité, but you’ll still polish off a bottle without a murmur of complaint.”
Burghound 90-93 points “Ample but not dominating oak influence surrounds the ripe green fruit and floral aromas that also exhibit plenty of Chablis typicity. The big-bodied, muscular and overtly powerful flavors possess good concentration and impressive amounts of dry extract, all wrapped in an explosively long finish where the wood reappears. This is not really my style but it is clearly a Bougros of quality.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91+ points “(done entirely in oak): Brisk aromas of lime, white peach, spearmint, white pepper and fresh-cut grass are complemented but not overwhelmed by a strong note of cinnamon spice. Juicy, savory and nicely concentrated; less oaky in the mouth than on the nose, with the orchard fruit and lime flavors leading to a saline finish featuring a touch of sweetness from the wood and good tannic grip. A very promising Bougros.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Servin Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos, which like the Bougros was extracted from a new barrel, has a potent mineral/wet pavement bouquet that gains vigor in the glass. The palate is fresh and crisp with a fine line of acidity, brushing off the new oak with ease and fanning out wonderfully on the poised finish. This is a more sophisticated proposition than the Bougros at the moment – harmonious, intense and with great breeding.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “Very pale yellow with a green tinge. Wonderfully subtle nose combines orchard fruits, lime blossom, white pepper, wet stone and gunflint. Conveys captivating sweetness to its penetrating flavors of white peach, flowers and saline minerality, with perfectly integrated acidity accentuating the impression of clarity. The high-pitched spicy, floral finish features terrific limey thrust and length.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Servin Chablis Premiere Cuvee Les Pargues, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Domaine Servin Chablis Premiere Cuvee Les Pargues, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($279.95) $239 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
“(made from a variety of parcels near Préhy): Bright, light yellow. Pineapple, melon and menthol on the nose, accented by a minty nuance. A step up in energy and intensity from the of pineapple, melon and menthol; touch of mint. A step up in energy and intensity from the slightly diffuse Petit Chablis Sur Le Clos but still a bit minty and awkward. This dry, stony wine finishes with a lemony streak.”–Stephen Tanzer

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

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Chablis, Burgundy 2014 750ML ($27.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 89 points “Pale, bright yellow. Fresh, musky aromas of pink grapefruit and flinty minerality. Juicy, citrussy and penetrating, with ripe apple and lemon flavors providing immediate appeal. This energetic village wine finishes lemony, dry and persistent.”

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

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 21 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90 points “Pale, bright yellow with a green tinge. Meaty, musky scents of lemon, lavender sea salt and pungent white flowers. Juicy and penetrating on the palate, conveying lipsmacking salinity and noteworthy inner-mouth energy to the flavors of grapefruit and flowers. Nicely dry and reticent on the youthfully tight but already very persistent finish.”

Arriving Wednesday:

William Fevre Bougros Cote Bouguerots, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Burghound 96 points “Once again, based on the nose alone, this could be nothing else but Chablis with its mélange of tidal pool, mineral reduction, citrus blossom and discreet spice nuances. There is fantastic detail to the focused, mineral-driven and powerful middle weight plus flavors that do a slow build from the mid-palate all the way back to the explosively long, balanced and bone dry finish. This appears to be drawn directly from liquid Kimmeridgian and should also amply reward longer-term cellaring. In a word, brilliant.”

William Fevre Fourchaume, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “This white reveals richness and breadth, with a hint of spice framing the apple, melon, yellow plum and mineral flavors. The terrific finish keeps pumping out the fruit and stone notes. Drink now through 2020.”

William Fevre Les Lys, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93 points “Very pale lemon-yellow. Alsace Riesling-like aromas of lime zest and powdered stone complicated by a touch of olive tapenade reduction. Wonderfully dense and energetic but not hard, conveying terrific breadth and a refined texture to its tactile, saline lime and pineapple flavors. This outstanding, classy wine finishes with subtle rising length and terrific grip. Didier Séguier predicts that this bottling will be at its apogee in five to ten years.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

William Fevre Montee de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Burghound 93 points “An ultra-fresh, cool and admirably pure nose features notes of white flowers, shellfish, pear, mineral reduction and pungent iodine nuances. There is outstanding volume and intensity to the medium weight plus flavors that deliver beautifully focused power on the palate coating, mineral-driven and hugely persistent finale. Once again if tasted blind it would be all but impossible not to identify this as Chablis and a first-rate example at that!”

William Fevre Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Burghound 96 points “Along with the Côte Bouguerots and Les Lys, this possesses the most elegant nose in the range with an ultra-pure mixture of green fruit, tidal pool, white flower, citrus rind and iodine hints. There is terrific intensity and delineation to the attractively textured and refined yet powerful flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the gorgeously long, balanced and Zen-like finale. The Vaudésir and Les Clos are both genuinely remarkable but there is another dimension present here. Once again it’s worth pointing out that this is going to need plenty of cellaring. Another ‘wow’ wine.”

William Fevre Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru  2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93 points “Pale, green-tinged yellow. Smells riper than the Montmains but also displays pungently fresh iodiney minerality. Densely packed and sweet, with youthful grapefruit and pineapple flavors dominated on the back end by the strong iodiney minerality. Very firm but not austere, this superb premier cru saturates the mouth without leaving any impression of excess weight. Built to age.”

William Fevre Vaudesir, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Burghound 95 points “Here the wood is so subtle as to be all but invisible as it easily allows the riper and denser mix of both white and yellow orchard fruit, petrol, spice and sea breeze scents to shine. The ripeness exhibited by the nose continues onto the juicy, even succulent yet beautifully focused flavors that deliver superb complexity on the impressively lingering finale. This should age effortlessly and I would expect the minerality to develop even more with age. A ‘wow’ wine.”

William Fevre Vaulorent, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Burghound 93 points “Yet again the ultra-fresh and strikingly layered white flower nose is packed with typical Chablis aromas that include cool mineral reduction, citrus and oyster shell nuances. The medium weight flavors are almost painfully intense while brimming with minerality on the chiseled and moderately austere finish that is tight to the point of being linear. This terrific effort will require at least 5 to 7 years of cellaring to reveal its full, and considerable, potential. In a word, impressive.”

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Italian Wine Sales

Special Focus: Montevertine

One of Chianti’s greatest wines isn’t labeled as a Chianti, despite being made in the heart of the Classico zone.  This, on face, isn’t surprising, because lots of winemakers in Tuscany use Cabernet or make wines that are otherwise unlike traditional Chianti and bottle them as IGT wines, but Montevertine is different.  Montevertine originally left the appellation because at the time, white grapes were required to call a wine Chianti and Sergio Manetti, the owner, wanted to make a wine that was 100% Sangiovese, a scandalous thing at the time. Thus Le Pergole Torte was born.

Time has gone by and rules have changed, but the wines of Montevertine, despite being very traditional in style, are not called Chianti, out of pride and because the wines have built their own following.  Le Pergole Torte is the top wine that the Manetti family makes and is among the most expensive wines made in Chianti.  It’s something, though, that stops you in your tracks whenever you get a chance to try it because the wine is that special.  We’ll have the 2013 arriving in February and wanted to highlight that, as well as the two vintages we stock, for you today.

In Stock and On Sale Now from Montevertine

Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($149.95) Was $119, Now $107.10, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Le Pergole Torte is brilliant. In fact, this is one of the best showings of the 2012 that I can recall. The flavors are bright, focused and pulsing with energy. Because of its mid-weight structure and not overly complex personality, the 2012 looks like it will start drinking well sooner rather than later. Even today, the 2012 is extremely beautiful. This is a terrific showing for the 2012.”

Also Available Here Now from Montevertine

Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 29 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “A vivid, beautiful wine, the 2011 Pergole Torte is superb. Warm, early-maturing harvests often attenuate the differences between sites, but not here. The old vines weathered the heat better, resulting in a wine that is very much in line with the past, but with more body, amplitude and resonance. Rose petals, bright red stone fruits and mint are some of the many notes that grace the super-expressive finish. The 2011 spent one year in French oak barrels and a second year in cask.” AG

Montevertine ‘Montevertine’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 4 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “The 2013 Montevertine is pliant and expressive, with lovely mid-palate resonance and gorgeous depth. Today, the Montevertine comes across as a bit raw and unpolished, especially next to the sublime Pergole Torte, but it nevertheless shows ample potential as well as pedigree, not to mention multiple dimensions to its personality. This sample was a bit unsettled, which suggests it might have been racked recently. Still, the overall texture is impossible to miss.”

Montevertine Pian del Ciampolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 7 bottles available
Winery note “90% Sangiovese with Canaiolo and Colorino. Fermentation occurred in cement vats over approximately 25 days. Aged in Slavonian oak barrels for 12 months and in bottle for approximately 3 months.”

Arriving This Month – February 2017

Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98 points “Perhaps no Tuscan wine is a better vintage ambassador than the Montevertine 2013 Le Pergole Torte. This gorgeous wine seems to have captured the energy, the freshness, the spirit and the edginess of this classic vintage. It really speaks to my palate thanks to its silky consistency, its steady aromatic momentum and its understated elegance. The wine shows an uncanny level of the proverbial Tuscan nobility. The bouquet offers a delicate embroidery of wild berry and underbrush, with lingering tones of dark fruit and spice that appear on second nose. The mouthfeel is ethereal and polished with tannins that already show a superior level of integration despite the wine’s young age. The aging future looks very bright for the 2013 Le Pergole Torte.”

See the complete list of all Italian wines on super sale now below! To read reviews and shop, visit our web store at www.vinopoliswineshop.com

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Warm Weather Wines to Bring Back the Sun

Temperatures have spiked across the country making us crave some warmer-weather wines to celebrate. We’ve pulled together a list of some of our favorite whites, roses and refreshing reds. While it might not quite be time to fire up the grill, these picks will help wash away some of the cold weather blues! Of course these are all the best or only listings in the USA today!

2014 was a great vintage in German for lovers of a leaner, more mineral style. Enjoy this bone-dry Riesling from Karthauserhof – the name in finesse-ful Riesling
Weingut Karthauserhof ‘Ruwer’ Riesling Trocken, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 25 bottles available
Jean Fisch & David Rayer, Mosel Fine Wines #28: “This delivers a clean feel of grapefruit, herbs, spices and fresh fruits. The wine is still on the sharp and reduced side on the palate and is best left alone until next year to give it a chance to flesh out and gain in aromatic zest and fruity presence. 2016-2018”
John Gilman, View From The Cellar #56: “The basic estate Riesling Trocken from Karthäuserhof is really an excellent basic bottling from the 2014 vintage, as it offers up impressive focus and cut in its medium-bodied, dry and quite complex format. The lovely nose is still on the young side, but deep and pure, as it wafts from the glass in a mix of grapefruit, wild yeasts, lemongrass, petrol, slate and dried flowers. On the palate the wine is medium-bodied, crisp and still fairly primary in personality, with an impressive core of fruit, excellent cut and grip for the vintage and a long, youthful and beautifully balanced finish. 2015-2035.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

As spring vegetables start to make their appearance, pop a Gruner to pair with hard-to-pair green veggies like asparagus!
F.X. Pichler Loibner Frauenweingarten Gruner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2013 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 13 bottles available
David Schildknecht–Vinous 91 points “There is a delightful and unusual sweet nuttiness here suggestive of raw cashew and frangipane, beautifully integrated with juicy honeydew melon and cooling green herb infusion. High-toned aromatic suggestions of floral and herbal distillates as well as maraschino cherry add equally unexpected allure. “I’m happy that the acidity is a bit high,” remarked Lucas, but the thing is that this aspect is not really overt, but rather perceived as positive refreshment and animation, driving what is nonetheless a downright soothingly persistent performance.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Our perennial best-buy white for warm weather – sure to sweep away the snow!
Domaine des Cassagnoles Gros Manseng, IGP Cotes de Gascogne 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Domaine des Cassagnoles Gros Manseng, IGP Cotes de Gascogne 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $9.92/bottle!)
Winery Notes–“The Gros Manseng produces fleshier, more ample wines with fruity apricot and pear aromas. It is a lively wine, but not to excess, with a persistent final. It may be kept for several years and should be drunk chilled, at a temperature of 50-53°”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

This unusual blend is all about flavor and impact – a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc!
Chateau du Retout ‘Le Retout Blanc’, Bordeaux 2014 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 points “Alluring, with lemon curd, citrus oil, white peach and candied grapefruit peel notes streaking along together, backed by a twinge of quinine that beautifully offsets the rich feel. Gros Manseng, Sauvignon Gris, Savagnin and Mondeuse Blanche. Drink now through 2017.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $25

Speaking of alternative – try this Sauv Blanc. It’s aged in egg-shaped vats (thus the name ‘Eggo’), which winemakers say imparts added body and texture.
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Blanc de Cal is pure Sauvignon Blanc from two different vineyards in Gualtallary. The full clusters are pressed and the must was fermented and aged in contact with the lees for nine to ten months in their famous egg-shaped cement vats. This is more subtle and earthy, less Sauvignon, with the fruit expressing itself in a lower-pitched voice, more of a baritone. It’s also has a little wider, pungent and powerful character in the mouth. This is only around 13% alcohol, and even though in 2014 it didn’t go through malolactic fermentation, it’s still a very light and fresh wine. Groundbreaking Sauvignon. 4,800 bottles were produced, fruit of two eggs.” LG

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $24

Warm yourself with island wine; this obscure varietal offers all the salty-sea breeze aromas you need to drift off to your summer escape.
Domaine Antoine Arena ‘BG’ Bianco Gentile, Corsica 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $24, Now $18, 22 bottles available
Vinopolnote: From a miniscule, half-hectare vineyard of clay and limestone soils planted in the late-90’s. Bianco Gentile is an ancient varietal which Arena had discovered and had genetically tested; the wine is rich, complex, tangy, and broad. Salty sea air and peach fruit qualities make for great concentration and a long, lingering finish – this would be fantastic with rich seafood dishes!

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Rose:

Fun, crisp & fruity – not much more to demand of a rose!
Domaine des Cassagnoles Rose, IGP Cotes de Gascogne ROSE 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Vinopolnote: A Cabernet Sauvignon-based rose from the Southwest of France. Raspberry and cherry fruits lead into a round, mouthfilling presence on the palate and a very refreshing finish.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Try this fun rose next time you fire up the grill – or the wood stove!
Domaine de la Berangeraie ‘Tu Bois Coa’ Rose, IGP Cotes du Lot 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery note: 100% Malbec. Very aromatic (raspberry, wild strawberry, blueberry), with a pronounced pomegranate color. The palate is rich, vinous, and unctuous. Drink as an aperitif, or with BBQ and exotic fruits.
Vinopolnote: A rich and pronounced rose of 100% Malbec from Cahors, France. Great for picnics and all things within the great outdoors.

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Light and mineral, elegant and racy – a patio-ready rose
Le Clos du Caillou Cotes du Rhone Rose, Rhone 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Pale peach skin color. Vibrant strawberry, blood orange and floral scents carry a building mineral topnote. Taut and linear on entry and then fleshier in the middle, offering nervy red berry and succulent herb flavors that turn sweeter with air. Smoothly plays power off finesse and finishes racy and long, leaving a hint of lavender behind.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Reds:

Get crazy and give this light & tart Beaujolais a slight chill before serving for the ultimate refresher!
Celine et Nicolas Hirsch Chenas, Beaujolais 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 11 bottles available
Importer note “The Hirsch Chénas is a tour de force, offering soft dark red fruit, chalky minerality, spices, black pepper, all on a medium fat structure that ends in a nice finish.  It’s from densely-planted vines aged 40-90 years of age, on steep and high-altitude hills (250 meters).  The grapes are not destemmed, and fermentation is done via wild yeasts in cement tanks, then it spends 6 months in stainless.  At bottling, there’s a light filtering but no fining.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

The perfect wine for burgers? Maybe! The perfect rustic red for summer? Definitely!
Cantina del Glicine Sconsolata Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 23 bottles available
Winery note “Color: an intense ruby red, tending towards a garnet-red color. Flavor: dry and pleasantly tart, fruity. Following an old local tradition, during fermentation we add 10%-15% of Nebbiolo grapes to the Barbera grapes. This process makes Barbera d’Alba Nebbiolata wine mellower and enhances its bouquet.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99

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Arriving Wednesday
France – Bordeaux

Vieux Chateau Mazerat, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 95+ points “This is one of the tightest, most backward wines in the Jonathan Malthus portfolio. The grapes come from an old-vine parcel near Angelus and Beausejour-Duffau, and the final product is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc. Again displaying plenty of minerality, which seems to be a prevailing theme throughout the 2010s from Malthus, the 2010 Vieux Chateau Mazerat is full-bodied, with an abundance of floral notes as well as black currant and blackberry fruit. Impressively endowed and built like a skyscraper, this full-bodied wine needs a good 7-8 years of cellaring and should keep for 25-30 years. Interestingly, the vines were planted in 1947.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $85

Chateau Malescot-St-Exupery, Margaux 2009 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 98 points “A wine with intense spice and berry character with hints of sweet tobacco. It changes all the time from flowers to fruit and wet earth. Full-bodied with super fine tannins and ripe fruit. It’s long and juicy with lovely fruit. Super long and beautiful with fine tannins that last for minutes. Tight now but juicy and gorgeous. Best ever from here.”

Italy – Tuscany

Podere Poggio Scalette Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 92 points “Dried flowers and dark berries come through on the nose. Full body, silky tannins and a bright and fruity finish. Crisp and very, very clean. Almost steely. Very well done this year. Drink now.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Chianti Classico is a delicious wine with a very clean entry to the palate. The wine makes its mark thanks to shapely aromas of dark fruit, dried cherry and plum. The quality of the fruit is evident in the classic 2013 vintage. Clean acidity and bright berry flavors move towards the palate where they are both refreshing and invigorating. This is a great wine to pair with grilled meat or flatbread with smoked bacon or sausage.”

Germany- Ruwer

Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($31.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “Harvested at 86° Oechsle, this offers a rather smooth Spätlese-styled nose of pear, cassis, ginger, star anise, flowers and flinty slate. The wine is on the rich and round side on the palate (by Kabinett standards of this Estate) but already hints at the elegance and finesse to come. This offers a long and beautifully refined nose of herbs and spices. The overall structure is still rather reduced and backward and we expect this beauty to only truly shine at maturity. So patience is required! 2025-2040.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Auslese #31, Mosel 2015 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 95+ points “Harvested at approx. 110° Oechsle, this offers a gorgeous and vibrant nose of pear, grapefruit, quince, cassis and mint. The wine is gorgeously zesty and smooth on the palate, with lively scents of grassy herbs and cassis providing a superb freshness in the long and mineral finish. This is a racy expression of Auslese which should age beautifully well. We would not be surprised if it ultimately even exceeds our high expectations wen reaching maturity. 2025-2045”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Mosel Fine Wines 94 points “This offers some grapefruit, melon, pear and minty herbs on the nose. The wine has some creamy pear at first which gives way to racy cassis and spices. The finish is elegant and to die for as mouth-watering minerals play with one’s senses. This will enter its maturity window in a good decade and will then prove a great expression of “feine Auslese.” 2025-2040”

This is the only listing in the USA today!