In Today’s Newsletter:
Champagne Marguet:
Subscriber Special Preview Offer
Vinopolis Great Champagne Sale Continues!
Special Focus: Aubry
Cayuse:
New 2017 Arrivals
Staff Pick: Terre Nere’s Etna Rosso
Trending
Pierre Peters Reserve BDB
Arriving Mid-November
Collector’s Corner:
Bruno Giacosa
New Reviews from Wine Spectator Insider
Champagne Marguet
Subscriber Special Preview Offer
Benoit Marguet farms several hectares of Ambonnay vineyards and two hectare of Bouzy (eight of the total are farmed biodynamically), purchasing small amounts of certified organic or organically farmed fruit. In the cellar, he works according to the lunar calendar with minimal sulfur and ages the wines in barrel for added complexity, eschewing stainless steel. The wines are full of character, vividly expressing their Grand Cru terroir, with open and easy appeal right from the start. He releases single vineyard (lieu-dix) in the best years, including 2015, and single village wines alongside the entry-level blends.
His lineup has drawn increasing attention over the past couple of vintages. Although the latest releases have yet to be reviewed, we expect fireworks.
“One of Champagne’s most passionate advocates of biodynamic viticulture and aromatherapy since he undertook his family estate’s biodynamic conversion in 2009, Benoît Marguet farms just over seven hectares in Ambonnay, as well as small holdings in Bouzy, which he complements with purchased organically farmed grapes from the Côte de Blancs. Working with indigenous yeasts and minimal sulfites—indeed, increasingly, with no sulfites whatsoever—Marguet’s vins clairs are vinified in wood and see long élevage before tirage. These days, disgorgement is without dosage. Framed by a delicate patina from their time in oak, these are concentrated, intense and beautifully balanced Champagnes that are invariably precisely defined by site—and, moreover, revolutionary in their ambitions. I have followed Marguet’s wines since my student days, and it is clear that Benoît is well on his way to realizing all his ambitions.” –William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Subscriber Special Champagnes Arriving Tuesday, October 6th:
Sale Pricing Ends Tuesday, October 6th!
Champagne Marguet Ay Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 750ML ($149.95) Will be: $119, Subscriber price: $99 pre-arrival special, only 18 bottles available
His lineup has drawn increasing attention over the past couple of vintages. Although the latest releases have yet to be reviewed, we expect fireworks.
“One of Champagne’s most passionate advocates of biodynamic viticulture and aromatherapy since he undertook his family estate’s biodynamic conversion in 2009, Benoît Marguet farms just over seven hectares in Ambonnay, as well as small holdings in Bouzy, which he complements with purchased organically farmed grapes from the Côte de Blancs. Working with indigenous yeasts and minimal sulfites—indeed, increasingly, with no sulfites whatsoever—Marguet’s vins clairs are vinified in wood and see long élevage before tirage. These days, disgorgement is without dosage. Framed by a delicate patina from their time in oak, these are concentrated, intense and beautifully balanced Champagnes that are invariably precisely defined by site—and, moreover, revolutionary in their ambitions. I have followed Marguet’s wines since my student days, and it is clear that Benoît is well on his way to realizing all his ambitions.” –William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Subscriber Special Champagnes Arriving Tuesday, October 6th:
Sale Pricing Ends Tuesday, October 6th!
Champagne Marguet Ay Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 750ML ($149.95) Will be: $119, Subscriber price: $99 pre-arrival special, only 18 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Champagne Marguet ‘La Grande Ruelle’ Ambonnay Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 750ML ($149.95) Will be: $119, Subscriber price: $99 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
A 100% Pinot Noir cuvee from the Grande Ruelle lieu-dit. The vineyard “produces ample, structured wines” –Peter Liem
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Champagne Marguet ‘Les Crayeres’ Ambonnay Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 750ML ($149.95) Will be: $119, Subscriber price: $99 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
A 100% Pinot Noir cuvee from the Les Crayeres lieu-dit, “a prized parcel of massale-selected vines on Ambonnay’s mid-slope, planted in 1970” –Peter Liem
Also Arriving Tuesday, October 6th from Champagne Marguet:
Champagne Marguet Yuman Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $45 pre-arrival special, only 36 bottles available
100% Chardonnay
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $48
Champagne Marguet ‘Shaman 16’ Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, only 36 bottles available
A blend of mostly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay.
Champagne Marguet ‘Shaman 17’ Grand Cru Rose Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special, only 36 bottles available
A blend of mostly Chardonnay with Pinot Noir.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $59
Champagne Marguet ‘Shaman 17’ Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne NV 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, only 16 magnums available
Champagne Marguet ‘Shaman 17’ Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne NV 3L ($319.95) $279 pre-arrival special, only 3 double-magnums available
69% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Champagne Marguet Ambonnay Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
53% Pinot Noir, 47% Chardonnay. The vines average 42 years and are grown on lime, clay and sandy soils.
Champagne Marguet Avize & Cramant Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, only 18 bottles available
Peter Liem note “[Writing on the 2011 release] This comes from two chardonnay vineyards, both farmed organically: Les Chantereines in Avize and Les Fourches du Levant in Cramant. It combines breadth and finesse in the inimitable style of the northern Côte des Blancs, with a pinpoint texture and a racy, elongated structure.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Champagne Marguet Bouzy Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special, only 18 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $95
Champagne Marguet Cramant Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, only 7 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Champagne Marguet Verzenay Grand Cru Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The Vinopolis Great Champagne Sale Continues!
Special Focus: Aubry
Aubry is an interesting estate, in that stylistically (and from a zeitgeist perspective) they’re very much thought of as a “classical” producer, but when you look at the wines they make, they appear very avant-garde. That’s largely due to a desire to work with what might be termed as “heirloom” varieties (Pinot Blanc, Arbanne, Petit Meslier) which goes back to time before that might have been seen as cool (and was instead thought of as crazy). The winemaking, though, is classic.
Their “other” wines are what they’ve become known for recently—field blends that incorporate the old grapes that aren’t planted anymore. The bubbles produced from these grapes are the opposite of their basic wines—you recognize them instantly as Champagne, but as though through a filter or mirror that subtly distorts what you expect to be there. The wines are delicious and approachable but you leave with the impression that the world of Champagne has a few more layers than you’d previously assumed were there.
“…Finesse and understatement are two of the signatures that run through these brilliant Champagnes. As always, a number of the wines incorporate some or all of Champagne’s nearly forgotten heritage varities. Aubry’s Sablé series wines are bottled with 4 atmospheres of pressure as opposed to the more typical 6, an approach that seems add further textural delicacy.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The essential point of Aubry is to limn the very fine line between a kind of country classicism and an absolute embrace of the avant-garde… When I first introduced the wines I was thrilled to highlight all the heirloom varieties, and the many ways Aubrys were true originals. I still am, and they still are. But what’s striking me more and more of late is the dignity these wines have been showing. My marketing side—as pathetic as that is—keeps wanting to be playful about the novelties of the wines, but my human side keeps pausing before them, noticing their basic and unfussy truths.” –Terry Theise
On Sale Now from Aubry:
Aubry ‘Ivoire et Ebene’ Premier Cru Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $45 pre-arrival special, 26 bottles arriving October 30th
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Offering up a lovely bouquet of blanched almonds, citrus oil, white flowers and subtle hints of peat, Aubry’s 2013 Brut Ivoire et Ebene is medium to full-bodied, taut and incisive, with racy acids, a vibrant core of fruit and a penetratingly saline finish. The wine’s delicate, low-pressure mousse sets off its racy profile to fine effect. This new release was disgorged in November 2018.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2013 Ivoire et Ebène is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir and 25% Meunier done in oak. Still very reticent, the 2013 needs time to soften. It is another wine in this range built on serious power and textural resonance, both of which make it a wine for the dinner table.”
Their “other” wines are what they’ve become known for recently—field blends that incorporate the old grapes that aren’t planted anymore. The bubbles produced from these grapes are the opposite of their basic wines—you recognize them instantly as Champagne, but as though through a filter or mirror that subtly distorts what you expect to be there. The wines are delicious and approachable but you leave with the impression that the world of Champagne has a few more layers than you’d previously assumed were there.
“…Finesse and understatement are two of the signatures that run through these brilliant Champagnes. As always, a number of the wines incorporate some or all of Champagne’s nearly forgotten heritage varities. Aubry’s Sablé series wines are bottled with 4 atmospheres of pressure as opposed to the more typical 6, an approach that seems add further textural delicacy.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous
“The essential point of Aubry is to limn the very fine line between a kind of country classicism and an absolute embrace of the avant-garde… When I first introduced the wines I was thrilled to highlight all the heirloom varieties, and the many ways Aubrys were true originals. I still am, and they still are. But what’s striking me more and more of late is the dignity these wines have been showing. My marketing side—as pathetic as that is—keeps wanting to be playful about the novelties of the wines, but my human side keeps pausing before them, noticing their basic and unfussy truths.” –Terry Theise
On Sale Now from Aubry:
Aubry ‘Ivoire et Ebene’ Premier Cru Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $45 pre-arrival special, 26 bottles arriving October 30th
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Offering up a lovely bouquet of blanched almonds, citrus oil, white flowers and subtle hints of peat, Aubry’s 2013 Brut Ivoire et Ebene is medium to full-bodied, taut and incisive, with racy acids, a vibrant core of fruit and a penetratingly saline finish. The wine’s delicate, low-pressure mousse sets off its racy profile to fine effect. This new release was disgorged in November 2018.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2013 Ivoire et Ebène is a blend of 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir and 25% Meunier done in oak. Still very reticent, the 2013 needs time to soften. It is another wine in this range built on serious power and textural resonance, both of which make it a wine for the dinner table.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $53
New case-6 special!
Champagne Aubry ‘Sable’ Premier Cru Brut Rose, Champagne 2014 750ML ($119.95) Was $89, Now $79 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Champagne Aubry ‘Sable’ Premier Cru Brut Rose, Champagne 2014 750ML ($599.95) $449 pre-arrival special (that’s only $74.83/bottle!), ETA October 30th
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2014 Rosé Sablé Nicolas Francois Aubry is a real pleasure to taste. It is also much more giving than the 2013 at this stage. Crushed flowers, cranberry and chalk all flesh out in a Rosé that offers terrific depth as well as energy. It is another classy, polished Champagne from the Aubry brothers.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Disgorged in October 2018, Aubry’s 2014 Brut Nature Rosé Sablé Premier Cru is showing very well, wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of oatmeal, fresh peach, woodsmoke, orange oil and dried linden blossom. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, vinous and crisply textural, with racy acids, a delicate low-pressure mousse and a long, penetrating finish. While I found the 2013 rendition—reviewed last year—a little austere, the more generous 2014 vintage is more naturally giving and inviting in the wine’s chiseled, bone-dry register. A saignée of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier gives the wine its color and amounts to some 30% of the unusual blend, complemented by fully 20% Arbanne and 25% Petit Meslier, the balance coming from Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $86
Champagne Aubry Le Nombre d’Or Campanae Veteres Vites Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($89.95) Was $69, Now $59 pre-arrival special, only 36 bottles available
Importer note “Cépages: 25% Chardonnay, 25% Arbanne, 25% Petit Meslier, 25% Pinot Blanc. Vineyard/Village: Jouy-lès-Reims 1er Cru. Malo: yes. Elevage: Stainless steel. En Tirage Aging: 48 months.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $71
The average price is $80
New case-6 special!
Champagne Aubry Le Nombre d’Or Sable Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($99.95) Was $79, Now $69 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Champagne Aubry Le Nombre d’Or Sable Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($489.95) $389 pre-arrival special (that’s only $64.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2013 Blanc des Blancs Sablé Le Nombre d’Or Sable is a Champagne of extraordinary precision and class. Bright, lifted and wonderfully nuanced, the 2013 toes the line between Champagne and wine because of the low pressure Aubry uses in bottling this cuvée. In a word: dazzling.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Disgorged in April 2019, Aubry’s 2013 Brut Nature Sablé Blanc de Blancs Le Nombre d’Or Campaniae Veteres Vites is showing well, opening in the glass with scents of grapefruit oil, white flowers, crisp green apple and rock salt. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, vinous and elegantly textural, with terrific tension at the minimalist but multidimensional core, ripe but racy acids and a mineral finish. As usual, this represents an unusual field blend of 25% Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, 25% Petit Meslier, 20% Arbanne, 20% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $72
Please note: disgorgement dates may vary from reviews.
Cayuse
New Arrivals
Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($349.95) $279 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “Part of the magic that happens with the 2017 Syrah Bionic Frog is that it is opaque with neon purple edges without being inky and massive. With classic Syrah tones of smoked meat, leather, lavender, lilac and black pepper, the wine is rich with aromas of blackberry, black raspberry and smoked plum. Medium to full-bodied, the wine explodes with intention and precision on the palate, with an immaculate balance and crystal-clear focus. Brilliantly structured, the wine continues to evolve with subtle and seamlessly integrated spice tones compounded by a mineral tension and a floral lift to make this wine float across the mid-palate. The wine glides effortlessly to a long, winding finish with persistence and the elegance of silk. The vibrancy of flavor remains in the mouth long after the wine has left. For a wine this dark and this full-flavored, yet as graceful and agile on the palate as it is, you’ll be hard-pressed to put down the glass; I certainly can’t keep my hands off of it. This is stunningly beautiful, and with only 516 cases made, it should be sought after by top collectors from around the world.”
James Suckling 98 points “Fantastic decadence and richness to this, but not overdone, offering intense dried fruit, tar, roasted walnuts and smoked almonds. It’s full-bodied, but remains fresh. The aromas follow through to a flavorful. round and juicy palate. Drink or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2017 Syrah Bionic Frog is in the running for the wine of the vintage. An incredibly elegant expression of this cuvée, it reveals an almost opaque purple hue to go with stunning, Jamet Cote Rotie-like notes of black raspberries, spring flowers, bacon fat, green olives, and sweet mulch. More cured meats and salted pork notes develop with time in the glass, and it’s a wonderfully complex, layered, nuanced Syrah. Boasting medium to full-bodied richness on the palate, flawless balance, and a great, great finish, it’s the polish, elegance, and silky feel to the tannins that set this beauty above just about every other wine out there. It’s unquestionably gorgeous today (give it an hour or more in a decanter) yet has a solid 15-20 years of prime drinking ahead of it.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Editor’s Choice. The aromas start off reserved and then ramp up intensity, with notes of peat, black pepper, crushed flower, soot and charcuterie. The flavors are intense but far from full throttle, showing a mesmerizing sense of restraint to the savory and potpourri notes. A lingering finish caps it off.”
Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker’ En Chamberlin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2017 The Widowmaker En Chamberlin is another Bordeaux look-alike (it reminds me of a wine from the Graves region) that has loads of blackcurrant and cassis as well as leafy tobacco, cedar pencil, chocolate, cold fireplace and Asian spices on both the nose and palate. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it has a wonderfully seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. This beautiful, elegant yet powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will drink well for 20-30 years or more.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 The Widowmaker en Chamberlin Vineyard begins with boisterous black fruits on the nose with subtleties of graphite, blackcurrant and dried violets before expressing hints of crème de cassis and smoked earth. Full-bodied, the wine is rich and round, offering a generous yet balanced structure to last about two decades. Accessible in youth, the wine ends with a silky, supple finish that continues to evolve with complexity for moments after the wine has left the palate and will surely deliver pleasure. 232 cases produced. Good luck finding some.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. The aromas offer beguiling, complex notes of funk, cedar, plum, moist earth and black currant. Intensely pure, ripe, dense, palate-coating flavors follow, showing impressive staying power. It’s an outrageously pleasurable wine—a textbook example of what Cabernet can achieve in this sub-appellation of the valley. Best after 2024.”
Wine Advocate 98 points “Part of the magic that happens with the 2017 Syrah Bionic Frog is that it is opaque with neon purple edges without being inky and massive. With classic Syrah tones of smoked meat, leather, lavender, lilac and black pepper, the wine is rich with aromas of blackberry, black raspberry and smoked plum. Medium to full-bodied, the wine explodes with intention and precision on the palate, with an immaculate balance and crystal-clear focus. Brilliantly structured, the wine continues to evolve with subtle and seamlessly integrated spice tones compounded by a mineral tension and a floral lift to make this wine float across the mid-palate. The wine glides effortlessly to a long, winding finish with persistence and the elegance of silk. The vibrancy of flavor remains in the mouth long after the wine has left. For a wine this dark and this full-flavored, yet as graceful and agile on the palate as it is, you’ll be hard-pressed to put down the glass; I certainly can’t keep my hands off of it. This is stunningly beautiful, and with only 516 cases made, it should be sought after by top collectors from around the world.”
James Suckling 98 points “Fantastic decadence and richness to this, but not overdone, offering intense dried fruit, tar, roasted walnuts and smoked almonds. It’s full-bodied, but remains fresh. The aromas follow through to a flavorful. round and juicy palate. Drink or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2017 Syrah Bionic Frog is in the running for the wine of the vintage. An incredibly elegant expression of this cuvée, it reveals an almost opaque purple hue to go with stunning, Jamet Cote Rotie-like notes of black raspberries, spring flowers, bacon fat, green olives, and sweet mulch. More cured meats and salted pork notes develop with time in the glass, and it’s a wonderfully complex, layered, nuanced Syrah. Boasting medium to full-bodied richness on the palate, flawless balance, and a great, great finish, it’s the polish, elegance, and silky feel to the tannins that set this beauty above just about every other wine out there. It’s unquestionably gorgeous today (give it an hour or more in a decanter) yet has a solid 15-20 years of prime drinking ahead of it.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Editor’s Choice. The aromas start off reserved and then ramp up intensity, with notes of peat, black pepper, crushed flower, soot and charcuterie. The flavors are intense but far from full throttle, showing a mesmerizing sense of restraint to the savory and potpourri notes. A lingering finish caps it off.”
Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker’ En Chamberlin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2017 The Widowmaker En Chamberlin is another Bordeaux look-alike (it reminds me of a wine from the Graves region) that has loads of blackcurrant and cassis as well as leafy tobacco, cedar pencil, chocolate, cold fireplace and Asian spices on both the nose and palate. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it has a wonderfully seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. This beautiful, elegant yet powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will drink well for 20-30 years or more.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 The Widowmaker en Chamberlin Vineyard begins with boisterous black fruits on the nose with subtleties of graphite, blackcurrant and dried violets before expressing hints of crème de cassis and smoked earth. Full-bodied, the wine is rich and round, offering a generous yet balanced structure to last about two decades. Accessible in youth, the wine ends with a silky, supple finish that continues to evolve with complexity for moments after the wine has left the palate and will surely deliver pleasure. 232 cases produced. Good luck finding some.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. The aromas offer beguiling, complex notes of funk, cedar, plum, moist earth and black currant. Intensely pure, ripe, dense, palate-coating flavors follow, showing impressive staying power. It’s an outrageously pleasurable wine—a textbook example of what Cabernet can achieve in this sub-appellation of the valley. Best after 2024.”
Staff Pick: Terre Nere’s Etna Rosso
Andy:
20 years ago it seemed Sicilian wines were looked at as value driven, rustic, roughhewn, tannic beasts. To insiders, however, the wines of Mt. Etna were the hidden stars. Nerello Mascalese from the high altitude vineyards on the sides of the active volcano sounded intriguing enough, but one whiff of these wines was enough to inspire further exploration. Wild strawberry, candied cherry, smoke, leather, brown spices combined with food friendly acidity and silky tannins made one wonder if these were the answer to the ever increasing prices of Barolos.
Tenuta Terre Nere has always had the official stamp of approval from me. While there are contenders to the throne, there hasn’t been a producer that stood out year after year with shining consistency like Terre Nere. When feeling like really digging into the nuance of the vineyards, I’m torn between the Fuedo di Mezzo and San Lorenzo (Pure fruity OOMph vs more savory polish), but more often than not, I will just get into the Etna Rosso. I find this to be one of the most complete wines from anywhere on the island, standing up to higher price tags and producers with more cachet. It has all the bright red, early summer fruit aromas on the nose you could desire, but brings a slightly more tart and herbed note to your palate, like dark cherries and sage. It’s a wonderful bottle of wine and will hold nicely for five years or so, but will drink incredibly well this fall.
Terre Nere Etna Rosso 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Best Buy. Produced from a mix of young and old vines on Etna’s north slope, this wine unfolds with flavors of wild strawberry and blood orange accented by notes of crunchy herbs. High-toned and transparent, it gains depth with air, developing a dark current of smoke and tar that offers a superb introduction to Etna Rosso.”
Don’t miss the other new arrivals from Terre Nere in stock now:
Terre Nere Etna Bianco 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 91 points “In 2019, moderate warmth from July through September, followed by a cool October, provided near-perfect conditions for carricante, which comprises about 70 percent of this blend, the balance coming from catarratto, gracanico and minella. The wine is tautly structured, its assertive flavors of white peach, crisp pear and lemon riding on a zipline of acidity that leads to a clean, chiseled finish.”
Terre Nere Etna Rosato 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 90 points “Delicate floral scents introduce this wine; then racy acidity draws its flavors of juicy peach and soft red berries together in a graceful, refined finish.”
20 years ago it seemed Sicilian wines were looked at as value driven, rustic, roughhewn, tannic beasts. To insiders, however, the wines of Mt. Etna were the hidden stars. Nerello Mascalese from the high altitude vineyards on the sides of the active volcano sounded intriguing enough, but one whiff of these wines was enough to inspire further exploration. Wild strawberry, candied cherry, smoke, leather, brown spices combined with food friendly acidity and silky tannins made one wonder if these were the answer to the ever increasing prices of Barolos. Tenuta Terre Nere has always had the official stamp of approval from me. While there are contenders to the throne, there hasn’t been a producer that stood out year after year with shining consistency like Terre Nere. When feeling like really digging into the nuance of the vineyards, I’m torn between the Fuedo di Mezzo and San Lorenzo (Pure fruity OOMph vs more savory polish), but more often than not, I will just get into the Etna Rosso. I find this to be one of the most complete wines from anywhere on the island, standing up to higher price tags and producers with more cachet. It has all the bright red, early summer fruit aromas on the nose you could desire, but brings a slightly more tart and herbed note to your palate, like dark cherries and sage. It’s a wonderful bottle of wine and will hold nicely for five years or so, but will drink incredibly well this fall.
Terre Nere Etna Rosso 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Best Buy. Produced from a mix of young and old vines on Etna’s north slope, this wine unfolds with flavors of wild strawberry and blood orange accented by notes of crunchy herbs. High-toned and transparent, it gains depth with air, developing a dark current of smoke and tar that offers a superb introduction to Etna Rosso.”
Don’t miss the other new arrivals from Terre Nere in stock now:
Terre Nere Etna Bianco 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 91 points “In 2019, moderate warmth from July through September, followed by a cool October, provided near-perfect conditions for carricante, which comprises about 70 percent of this blend, the balance coming from catarratto, gracanico and minella. The wine is tautly structured, its assertive flavors of white peach, crisp pear and lemon riding on a zipline of acidity that leads to a clean, chiseled finish.”
Terre Nere Etna Rosato 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 90 points “Delicate floral scents introduce this wine; then racy acidity draws its flavors of juicy peach and soft red berries together in a graceful, refined finish.”
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503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Trending
From local hero/rock star/DJ/all-around cool person
Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
This is a beautifully crisp and crunchy red from the 2019 vintage. We love it with a light chill all on its own, or enjoy with cheeses, salads, or roast chicken. Buy a case or two to carry you through the fall (and to be prepared for Thanksgiving!)
Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 specialCase-12 Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
This is a beautifully crisp and crunchy red from the 2019 vintage. We love it with a light chill all on its own, or enjoy with cheeses, salads, or roast chicken. Buy a case or two to carry you through the fall (and to be prepared for Thanksgiving!)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
K Vintners ‘M.C.K. Motor City Kitty’ Syrah, Washington 2017 750ML ($41.95) Was $36, Now $33, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Coming from the Oldfield and Boushey Vineyards (basically the same vineyard), the 2017 Syrah Motor City Kitty Oldfield-Boushey Vineyard is slightly darker colored and, as with all the Rhones here, wasn’t destemmed and was brought up in mostly neutral puncheons. Blackberries, smoked earth, game, chocolate, and chalky minerality all emerge from this beauty, and it’s a powerful, full-bodied, concentrated effort that will evolve positively for 2-4 years and keep for a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $36
One of the Southern Rhone’s finest winemaking talents
Xavier Vignon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme X, Rhone 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck – Rhone Report 96 points “The inky colored 2015 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a serious winner in the vintage. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and the rest counoise, Vaccarese and Muscardin, it offers a huge nose of blackberry jam, garrigue, crushed violets, and incense. Ripe, unctuous and opulent, yet not over the top, it reminds me of the Trois Source cuvee from Vieille Julienne. This is a smoking good release that will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and shine of over a decade.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Xavier Vignon is one of the Rhône’s leading winemaking consultants, and so it’s no surprise he had access to some great fruit for his 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme. Tellingly, the blend entirely omits Syrah, containing 60% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 8% Counoise, 4% Vaccarèse and 3% Muscardin. Floral notes and ripe cherries appear along licorice and vanilla (one-fourth of the wine was matured in new barriques), yet this is no drink-now version of CdP. This full-bodied wine boasts broad shoulders, a plush, creamy center and a muscular finish loaded with ripe tannins and spice. Give it a few years to mellow, and drink it over the next 15.”
Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($119.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($599.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Importer Note “The nose opens with fresh and sweet flavors consisting of white melon and white nectarine peach combined with elder and jasmine. On the entry, this wine opens with citrus fruits and fresh hints menthol (reminiscent of pepper mint). The sharp acidity gives freshness and incredible length to a crisp, lingering finish. This wine is produced from grapes grown in several estate-owned vineyards. The Rossj vineyard, planted in 1984, is named for Angelo Gaja’s younger daughter Rossana (Rossj). Bass is Piedmontese for the Italian basso, meaning low, a name derived from the vineyard’s position. Pheasants are featured on Rossj-Bass’ label to commemorate the beautiful birds that inhabit the forests adjacent to GAJA’s vineyards.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $100
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful aromos of flowers, plums, terracotta and white pepper. Intense, yet ever so subtle. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins, and a long and intense finish. Shows excellent length. Drink after 2021.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Good deep red. Complex aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, graphite, mocha, and mint. Focused and suave with very attractive sweetness and standout purity to its flavors of red berries and candied flowers. Finishes with polished tannins and outstanding length.”
Arriving in October
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2013 750ML ($89.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2013 750ML ($519.95) $336 pre-arrival special (that’s only $56/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino lives up to the impeccable reputation garnered by this estate over the years. This is a profound and beautifully rendered Sangiovese that delivers bold and luscious fruit quality with black cherry and spicy plum at the start. The bouquet follows through with mild oak notes of smoke, tar and toasted nut. There is another aromatic component that includes crushed stone and dried herb or mint. This Brunello shows elegant evolution in the glass and promises a very long aging future ahead. Some 200,000 bottles were made, so it should be easy to locate this excellent wine.”
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 95 points “Bright red. Pure, refined red cherry and wild strawberry aromas and flavors complicated by sweet spices and aromatic herbs. Deep and multilayered, the wine boasts polished tannins and a harmonious acid spine that lifts and extends the red fruit on the long, suave finish. An essence of Sant’Angelo in Colle with bigger body and palate weight than, for example, the Brunellos of Montosoli, but still sleek and refined as the best wines of Sant’Angelo in Colle can be. The cool-climate-styled 2013 vintage is precisely the type of year in which Il Poggione excels: this lovely, focused wine is the best classico Brunello from Il Poggione in years. Superb.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $78
Pierre Peters Reserve BDB
Arriving Mid-November
The Pierre Peters Reserve BDB should be your staple for any festivities. At under $50/bottle by the six-pack, this is easily the best Champagne in its price range coming out of the Cote des Blancs. The 2016-base is phenomenal and a charming expression of the Cote des Blancs. Pick up a case or two to sip over the next 10 years.Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $52.50 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
2016-base.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Disgorged in June 2019, the latest rendition of Péters’ NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cuvée de Réserve offers up a lovely bouquet of citrus oil, pear, pastry cream, dried white flowers, hazelnuts and crushed chalk. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, fine-boned and elegant, with ripe but racy acids, a delicate pinpoint mousse and a long, saline finish. As usual, this is an immensely refined Champagne that exemplifies the timeless style of this Mesnil-based Chardonnay specialist.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The NV Cuvée de Réserve (base 2016) is absolutely delicious and also shows the greater natural harmony of 2016 vis-à-vis 2015. Creamy and open-knit, the 2016 will be easy to drink pretty much upon release, as it is a Champagne of absolutely exquisite balance. White orchard fruit, crushed rocks, flowers and mint all grace this sublime, wonderfully nuanced Champagne from Rodolphe Péters. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.”
Disgorgement date may vary from reviews.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $49.99
The average price is $63
Need more Champagne sales?
These on-sale-now wines are arriving Friday:
These on-sale-now wines are arriving Friday:
Lallement is a small but mighty producer in Verzenay. These striking Champagnes are virile and vinous.
Jean Lallement et Fils Reserve Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49 pre-arrival special
80% 2013, 20% 2014, Aug ’18 disgorgement
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The NV Brut Resérve is a gorgeous wine. Finely cut and chiseled, the Resérve captures the savory energy and tension that are such signatures of Verzenay and Verzy, the two Grand Cru villages that inform this cuvée. The interplay of rich Pinot fruit with chiseled style that is a signature of these sites makes for an absolutely compelling Champagne. Dried herbs, graphite, white pepper and game add striking Pinot inflections throughout. Lallement is a tiny domaine with just four hectares of vineyards. Because of that, the wines naturally don’t enjoy a ton of visibility. The Brut Resérve is absolutely brilliant though, and well worth your attention. Disgorged: August 21, 2018.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $63
Exquisitely poised and high-energy, the Champagnes of Marie Courtin seem to dance with all the grace and perfection of Russian ballet.
Marie Courtin Concordance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2015 750ML ($119.95) Was $75, Now $69 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Extra Brut Concordance Sans Soufre (100% Pinot Noir) is bright, precise and absolutely gorgeous. Dominique Moreau seems to have really dialed in her approach over the last few years. I can’t remember tasting a Concordance with this much translucent energy. Pinot Noir in the Aube has rarely been this weightless and nuanced. The purity of the flavors is just striking. No dosage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $87
Marie Courtin Efflorescence Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($99.95) Was $61.90, Now $59 special
No reviews yet for the 2014 vintage – Reviews for 2013 vintage provided for reference.
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A complete and wonderfully nuanced wine, the 2013 Extra Brut Efflorescence is fabulous. Bright and sculpted to the core, the 2013 exudes energy. Chalk, mint, jasmine and orchard fruit add complexity, but it is the wine’s overall balance that is most impressive. The Efflorescence offers striking translucence and energy from start to finish. The non-dosé style is especially successful here. Disgorged in April 2017 with no dosage.”
“Efflorescence is from an east-facing vineyard with 40-year-old vines (sélection massale) on Kimmeridgian soils. Fermented and aged for one year in pièces and 36 months on the second lees before the disgorgement…” –Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate, writing on the 2013 vintage
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $71
Collector’s Corner
Bruno Giacosa
New Reviews from Wine Spectator Insider
Bruno Giacosa Falletto Vigna Le Rocche Riserva Barolo DOCG 2014 750ML ($499.95) $419 special, 3 bottles in stock nowWine Spectator 96 points “This is lean, taut and expressive, with rose, cherry, white pepper and mint flavors allied to the steely structure. Leaves a chalky impression on the long finish. Best from 2022 through 2042.
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “This pretty red offers distinctive mint, black tea, cherry, tar, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. Firm and dry, with the tobacco and tea notes echoing on the finish. Shows plenty of finesse. Best from 2024 through 2045.”
Bruno Giacosa Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “A ripe style, delivering macerated plum, cherry, mineral and tea aromas and flavors allied to a steely structure, this is linear in profile, with vibrant acidity and a lingering aftertaste of sweet fruit. Best from 2023 through 2042.”
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States. Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team.
Stay safe, be well, & drink well.
Stay safe, be well, & drink well.