VinopolPick Weekend – May 23rd

May 23, 2015

Perrier-Jouet Flash Sale; Distributor Closeouts; Produttori; Vietti; Carr

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New Arrival

Flash Sale

Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque – Fleur de Champagne Brut Rose 2004 750ML ($319.95) $159 special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “With just the right amount of toasty age, this is gorgeous. Its strawberry note is woven into its rich texture, with a flavor of fresh croissant and a final burst of acidity. It could age, but why wait?” WE

Wine Spectator 93 points “Delicate acidity and subtle flavors of black cherry, plum, black licorice and spice are well-meshed with the fine texture and creamy minerality of this elegant rosé, which has a smoky finish. Drink now through 2020. 2,000 cases imported.”

Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “(50% pinot noir from the Montagne de Reims, 45% chardonnay from Cramant and Avize, and 5% pinot meunier from Dizy; 9% of the red wine component was still red wine; 8 g/l of dosage; L339110774 11:20): Pale, vivid orange. Sexy flower- and spice-tinged red berry and citrus fruit aromas are complemented by hints of buttery brioche, anise and musky herbs. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering intense blood orange, strawberry and musky rhubarb flavors. A toasty, leesy quality come up on the finish, which clings with impressive tenacity and alluring sweetness.”

1/2 Price!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $301

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New Arrivals

Distributor Cleans House

Goldschmidt Vineyard PLUS Single Vineyard Selection Yoeman Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2009 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This is a fabulous Cab, packed with blackberries, cherries, mocha and anise notes; toasty oak adds smoky, caramelized sweetness. There’s enough tannin structure for balance, although the wine is soft enough to drink now. But you can age it, and it will reward cellaring for at least eight years.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Duval-Leroy Clos des Bouveries Blanc de Blancs Millesime, Champagne 2005 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “Bright and mouthwatering, featuring rich hints of pastry cream and marzipan, layered with tangy peach, blackberry, chalk, verbena and fleur de sel notes. Refined in texture, with a fresh, lingering finish. Drink now through 2025.” WS

Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne 2000 750ML ($179.95) $119 special, 10 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2000 Femme de Champagne is another noble prestige cuvée of Duval-Leroy and, honestly, it is even finer, purer and more delicate than the tight and tension-full 1996. The purity, elegance and finesse is as obvious on the nose (russet apples, brioche, white chocolate, hazelnut, floral/herbal flavors) as on the palate where this medium to full-bodied wine leads to a firm and complex mineral finish of great persistence.” WA

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $149.99

Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2012 750ML ($29.95) $19 special, 25 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2012 Morgon Corcelette comes from 60-year-old vines and IS aged in foudres. It has a broodier nose than the Cote de Brouilly with dusky blackberry and briary scents, touches of wild hedgerow and woodland. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It is very well-balanced, but there is something introspective toward the finish that is very engaging and urges you to take another sip. Drink now-2020.” WA

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

Chateau des Roques Vacqueyras, Rhone 2010 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 points “Solid, with a chalky spine holding the core of crushed plum, red currant and blackberry fruit together. There’s a nice floral lift on the finish, as the chalky edge persists nicely. Drink now through 2017. ” WS

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Les Grands Bois Rasteau Cuvee Marc, Rhone 2011 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 26 bottles available
Case-12 Domaine Les Grands Bois Rasteau Cuvee Marc, Rhone 2011 750ML ($299.95) $219 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Rasteau Cuvee Marc comes from an up-and-coming appellation that should be regarded with increasing interest by Rhone wine lovers. This blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 25% Syrah was aged in demi-muids for 11 months, and bottled unfiltered. Spectacularly rich and ripe, it could easily pass for a 2010 or 2007 in a blind tasting. It boasts an inky/purple color as well as a big, sweet bouquet of espresso roast, blueberry and blackberry liqueur, incense and violets. Medium to full-bodied, unctuously textured, thick and juicy, this loaded Rasteau should drink well for a decade or more.” WA

Gerard & Pierre Morin Sancerre Chene Marchand, Loire 2011 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-92 points “From tank, Morin’s 2011 Sancerre Chene Marchand adds to juicy, fruitful abundance such as exhibited by the corresponding Vieilles Vignes a more active and differentiated impression of mineral impingement and a yet more tactile dimension to its zesty, vibrant finish. There is the same sense of buoyancy and refreshment here as well, while a streak of salinity engenders welcome salivation, complementing the wine’s luscious honeydew melon and tart apple-rhubarb melange.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine le Clos du Serres l’Humeur Vagabonde, IGP Pays de l’Herault 2011 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 14 bottle available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2011 Coteaux du Languedoc Terrasses du Larzac l’Humeur Vagabonde highlights the old-vines Carignan of the estate. Comprised of 50% Carignan (100-year-old vines) and 25% each of Grenache and Syrah, it gives up a brilliant array of blackcurrants, licorice, old leather, damp earth and liquefied herbs to go with a medium to full-bodied, layered and seamless profile on the palate. Gaining additional structure with time in the glass, this beauty has solid mid-palate depth, ample underlying structure and a big finish. Give it another year and enjoy bottles through 2021. ” WA

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Jean-Louis Tribouley Les Bacs Vieilles Vignes, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “More focused, firm and edgy than the riper Orchis, the 2012 Les Bacs Vieilles Vignes offers a thrilling bouquet of liquid violets, distilled herbs, pepper, leather and assorted black and blue fruits. Complex, perfumed and elegant, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, high, yet integrated acidity and firm tannin, all of which suggest it will benefit from short-term cellaring, and have 10-12 years of overall longevity.” WA

Les Granges Paquenesses Cotes du Jura ‘La Mamette’ Chardonnay, Jura 2012 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 15 bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 points “Ginger, heather and honeysuckle notes lead the way, followed by juicy Jonagold apple and Cavaillon melon fruit. A pear skin accent adds contrast and length on the finish. Drink now through 2015. 75 cases imported.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Les Granges Paquenesses Cotes du Jura ‘Le Plou’ Ploussard, Jura 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 6 bottles available

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

Weingut Pfeffingen M Ungsteiner Herrenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Pfalz 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles available
Joel Payne – Vinous 90 points “Discreet aromas of white peach, cherry blossom and spearmint. Apricot and salty mineral flavors are tightly wound and densely structured. The long, persistently spicy finish shows very good grip. This alluringly chalky wine is my favorite of the two dry Grosses Gewächs.” JP

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $44.95

Weingut Pfeffingen Ungsteiner Weilberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Pfalz 2013 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “Rather discreet and loaded with green aromas of limes and apples on the nose that are followed by a medium-bodied, pure and aromatic wine with an animating minerality, this 2013 Ungsteiner Weilberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs is very well balanced and quite accessible already.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Pfeffingen Scheurebe Trocken, Pfalz 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 10 bottles available

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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New Weekend – New Arrivals

FRANCE-BORDEAUX
Chateau Kirwan, Margaux 2009 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Robert Parker 92+ points “A big, powerful Margaux that should age for 20+ years, this inky purple-colored wine exhibits notes of spring flowers intermixed with blackberries, raspberries and cassis. Some lead pencil shavings and toasty oak are also present in this powerful yet at the same time very pure, textured, full-throttle Kirwan. It needs about 5-7 years of cellaring and will be among the longest-lived wines of the vintage.”

ITALY-PIEDMONT
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Cascina Dardi, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
Case-6 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Cascina Dardi, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) $249 special (that’s only $41.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Cascina Dardi, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($579.95) $469 special (that’s only $39.08/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia hits all the right marks with a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that is immediately apparent. The aromas dangle in front of you, delicately and seductively, with ethereal layers of spice, blue flower, almond paste, anisette and dried cherry or wild berry. The workmanship here reflects an attention to the minute details offered by Nebbiolo. The tannins are silky and long with deeply polished texture. Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia is a fine, posed and super-confident expression. Drink 2016-2026.”

SPAIN
Familia Eguren Teso La Monja Romanico, Toro 2012 750ML ($17.95) $11.90 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2012 Romanico (1,500 cases produced) is made from 100% Tinta de Toro (the local name for Tempranillo), and is aged for six months in a combination of new and used French oak. Malolactic is done in oak, and the result is full-bodied, opaque purple-colored wine with superb richness as well as lots of blackberry, charcoal and cassis intermixed with licorice, new saddle leather, pepper and bouquet garni. This nearly viscous red should drink beautifully for 7-10 years.”
Josh Raynolds- Vinous 91 points “Brilliant ruby. Expansive, highly perfumed aromas of black and blue fruits, allspice, vanilla and woodsmoke. Spicy and seamless on the palate, offering sweet boysenberry and cherry compote flavors given bite by a suggestion of black pepper. A sexy floral note comes up on the finish, which hangs on with excellent focus and persistence.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Produttori del Barbaresco 2011 Cru Riservas

Arriving in August

“The 2011 Barbarescos have turned out beautifully. Racy and pliant, the best 2011s are gorgeous and will drink well early.” – Antonio Galloni – Vinuos “Overall, the 2011 Barbarescos are racy and seductive. The richness and intensity of the year are perceptible, but the wines retain plenty of site-specific signatures, albeit with softer edges than is typically the case. My impression is that the 2011s will drink well pretty much out of the gate, which should be welcomed by readers cellaring wines from more structured Barbaresco and Barolo vintages.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $47 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: In Asili, the grapes are from calcium-rich limestone vineyard land. The vineyard produces exceptionally rich and age-worthy wines.

Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: The Montefico vineyard produces intensely mineral wines with spicy fruit and exceptional ageing potential from the calcareous limestone.

Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: The Montestefano vineyard produces a dark, ripe and rich wine with thick texture.

Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($469.95) $419 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Muncagota has a South-Eastern exposure and produces elegant and floral wines with lingering tannins.

Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 1.5 ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Expect the Ovello wines to be full with rich red fruit.

Produttori del Barbaresco Paje, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Paje, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($469.95) $419 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: With its South-Western and Western exposure, the Paje vineyard produces complex wines with bright fruit aromas.

Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Pora vineyard wines are lighter, with rich fruit and earthy notes, and integrates tannin more quickly.

Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Wines from the Rabaja vineyard are complex with silky tannins and dark fruit aromas.

Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($469.95) $419 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: The Rio Sordo vineyard produces elegant, lingering wines with silky tannins and medium body.

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2011 Vietti Cru Barolos

“The 2011 Barolos continue to surprise. Radiant, open and already quite expressive, the 2011s show terrific potential… The best 2011 Barolos are pretty, silky wines that are likely to drink well pretty much upon release. My impression is that this is not a vintage to cellar for the long term, but, then again, Nebbiolo has a way of transforming in bottle, so we will see. The 2011s are a step down from the 2010s but more consistent and higher in quality than the 2009s. Overall, 2011 is a vintage with more variability than is the norm in a truly great year, but there are plenty of highlights nonetheless.

“The 2011s have turned out to be very much a vintage of place. In the top sites the wines often speak with true nobility and a sense of terroir, whereas in second and third tier vineyards the vintage covers some of those nuances.” –Antonio Galloni
Limited Supplies Arriving May 29th

Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $125 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2011 Barolo Lazzarito is fabulous in this vintage. Rich, ample and structured, the 2011 is both opulent and savory in style. Iron, plums, dark red cherries, smoke, licorice and tobacco meld together in a remarkably harmonious young Serralunga Barolo. This is the first year the Vietti Lazzarito includes a second recently acquired parcel, which may be one of the factors that influences quality, but at the same time, the Lazzarito has been the most improved Barolo in the range. All the elements come together in the 2011, a wine that has it all. This is a great showing from the Lazzarito. Best of all, readers won’t have to wait forever to enjoy this beautiful, pedigreed Barolo.”AG

Vietti Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $125 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “A dark, exotic Barolo, the 2011 Brunate boasts tons of density and volume. Black cherry, plum, spice, licorice, new leather and menthol are some of the many nuances that flesh out in the glass. Ultimately, though, the 2011 is largely defined by the texture and amplitude of the year. Brunate is often slow out of the gate, so I will not be surprised if that is the case here as well. Ideally, readers should plan on giving the 2011 at least a few years in bottle to fully come together.”AG

Vietti Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $129 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2011 Barolo Ravera is once again the most vibrant and nuanced of the Vietti Barolos. Freshly cut flowers, crushed rocks, mint and bright red stone fruits are all shaped by a very classic sense of mineral-inflected drive that is such a Ravera signature. The 2011 is a more than worthy follow up to the epic 2010. It’s great to see this high-altitude district in Novello finally getting its due.”AG
These are all offered at the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:

We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25

These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason. Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.

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Joseph Carr Wines

Praised by New York Times wine writer Eric Asimov as producing “wines of balance and restraint,” Joseph Carr Wines provide exceptional value. Joseph Carr founded his wine company in 2005 after 10 years of experience as a sommelier and 10 years as a wine industry executive. He strove to create wines of balance, sophistication and approachability, with a distinctive Californian character. He sourced grapes from some of the state’s top AVAs: Rutherford, Oakville and Stags Leap District. In 2010, Aaron Pott became the winemaker at Joseph Carr Wines. Pott has worked at such prestigious estates as Newton Vineyard (under John Kongsgaard), Chatuea Troplong-Mondot and Chateau La Tour Figeac and was recognized as Winemaker of the Year by Food & Wine. Pott believes in producing wines of balance with minimal intervention.

We offer their 2013 Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast AVA, which is known for its cool climate, and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County. The long dry and sunny summer days combined with cool nights, ocean breezes and fog, produce the ideal condition for growing wine grapes. The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa County is sourced from hillside vineyards with thin, poor soils that produce smaller berries with more intense flavors. The yields are kept low. Wines produced from these mountainside vineyards tend to be characterized by deep inky colors and strong berry aromas. The Cabernet also shows savory, peppery and smoky notes.

Joseph Carr Wines Available Here Now

Joseph Carr Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Joseph Carr Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2013 750ML ($249.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Winemaker notes: “Wet stone, apricot, strawberry, vanilla, and peach in the nose. Rich attack with good acidity and length. Bright citrus, apricot with a finish of strawberry, hints of vanilla and lemon.”

Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Joseph Carr Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($249.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle)
Wine Enthusiast “This full-bodied, concentrated wine is dry, quite firm and tannic in texture. It smells rich and a bit earthy, and tastes like blackberries, cranberries and beef. The style will accompany rich, meaty food very well.”
Winery note: “Toffee, cherry, mint, fig, violets and chocolate in the nose, medium bodied attack with raspberry, cherry and roasted meats finishes with great length with roasted meats, chocolate and candied violets.”

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Time to Say Good Buy!

Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi, Priorat DOCa 2012 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 33 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “(100% garnacha): Brilliant ruby. Potent red berry liqueur and floral scents are complemented by deeper notes of licorice, cola and licorice, with a mineral nuance adding lift and focus. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated but lively spice-tinged raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a touch of candied flowers. Silky tannins add shape to the extremely long, fruit-driven finish, which leaves a sexy spicecake note behind. In the context of elite Priorat wines this is a serious value.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $73