In Today’s Newsletter:
Featured New Arrival
A Stellar Super Tuscan Value
Collector’s Corner
First Offer: 2017 Sassicaia
Staff Pick
A Tuscan Estate to Investigate
New Reviews for Kruger-Rumpf
Secret Star of the Nahe
#Trending
Rose of the Day
47 Hour No Girls Sale
Ending Saturday at 6 PM Pacific
Featured New Arrival
A Stellar Super Tuscan Value
Collector’s Corner
First Offer: 2017 Sassicaia
Staff Pick
A Tuscan Estate to Investigate
Gagliole Rosso Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 33 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “This shows delicious plum and black-cherry essence as well as richer notes such as chocolate, coffee beans and licorice. Pepper. Full body, round tannins and an extremely juicy finish indeed. So enjoyable now, but will come together from 2019.”
Have Wine Ready to Pick Up?
Stop by our shop 10 am – 6 pm daily
Feel free to call ahead before you arrive or for curbside service:
#503-223-6002
(You’ll help free up some space for your next order!)
New Reviews for Kruger-Rumpf
Secret Star of the Nahe
Featured New Arrival
A Stellar Super Tuscan Value
Collector’s Corner
First Offer: 2017 Sassicaia
Staff Pick
A Tuscan Estate to Investigate
New Reviews for Kruger-Rumpf
Secret Star of the Nahe
#Trending
Rose of the Day
47 Hour No Girls Sale
Ending Saturday at 6 PM Pacific
Featured New Arrival
A Stellar Super Tuscan Value
We love having a go-to Super Tuscan under $15 in house and the impending arrival of Tenuta Lunelli’s Aliotto is going to fill a void that the Il Poggione Rosso left when it sold out in April. This is a fantastic value, with its 60% Sangiovese complemented by a Cab/Merlot blend that provides fruit and structure. It’s already selling briskly, so don’t hesitate.
In Stock Now:
Tenute Lunelli Podernovo Aliotto Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($21.95) $14 special
Case-6 Tenute Lunelli Podernovo Aliotto Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($119.95) $79 special (that’s only $13.17/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “This has plenty of classic red cherries and herb character on the nose before following through to a medium- to full-bodied palate that is extremely fresh and elegant. Drink-me style. Drink now.”
In Stock Now:
Tenute Lunelli Podernovo Aliotto Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($21.95) $14 special
Case-6 Tenute Lunelli Podernovo Aliotto Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($119.95) $79 special (that’s only $13.17/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “This has plenty of classic red cherries and herb character on the nose before following through to a medium- to full-bodied palate that is extremely fresh and elegant. Drink-me style. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner
First Offer: 2017 Sassicaia
Sassicaia is a wine that needs no introduction. The original Super Tuscan, it’s one of the few truly blue-chip collectible wines from Italy. The 2017 version is richer and more powerful than usual, the result of a warm, dry growing season. It reminds us of other great warm-year Sassicaias like 2007 and 2009. Like those two wines, it’s likely to disappear quickly, especially since there are only twenty four bottles to go around.
Arriving ETA Late June:
Only twenty four bottles available
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($279.95) $225 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. Aromas of exotic spice, baked plum and French oak mingle with camphor and blue flower on the nose. This boasts extraordinary elegance and freshness despite the hot vintage, delivering flavors of juicy Marasca cherry, spiced blueberry, tobacco and licorice. Velvety, fine-grained tannins provide support while coffee and crushed mint linger on the finish. Drink 2022–2032.”
James Suckling 96 points “The balance and beauty to this is impressive, offering sweet, ripe currants and flowers with some crushed-stone and dry-earth undertones. Full-bodied with soft, polished tannins and a long, creamy-textured finish. It’s polished, yet concentrated. Better after 2022, but already very seductive.”
Antonio Galloni 93-96 points “The 2017 Sassicaia is dark, sensual and rich, which is a good thing, as the tannins – the result of a warm, dry year in which phenolic ripening was difficult to fully reach – are also quite powerful. I tasted the 2017 from an approximate blend from barrel, where the wines are still aging in separate lots. It will be interesting to see where things end up once the wine is in bottle.”
Arriving ETA Late June:
Only twenty four bottles available
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($279.95) $225 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. Aromas of exotic spice, baked plum and French oak mingle with camphor and blue flower on the nose. This boasts extraordinary elegance and freshness despite the hot vintage, delivering flavors of juicy Marasca cherry, spiced blueberry, tobacco and licorice. Velvety, fine-grained tannins provide support while coffee and crushed mint linger on the finish. Drink 2022–2032.”
James Suckling 96 points “The balance and beauty to this is impressive, offering sweet, ripe currants and flowers with some crushed-stone and dry-earth undertones. Full-bodied with soft, polished tannins and a long, creamy-textured finish. It’s polished, yet concentrated. Better after 2022, but already very seductive.”
Antonio Galloni 93-96 points “The 2017 Sassicaia is dark, sensual and rich, which is a good thing, as the tannins – the result of a warm, dry year in which phenolic ripening was difficult to fully reach – are also quite powerful. I tasted the 2017 from an approximate blend from barrel, where the wines are still aging in separate lots. It will be interesting to see where things end up once the wine is in bottle.”
Staff Pick
A Tuscan Estate to Investigate
Andy:
The recent arrival of the Gagliole lineup was a fun review for me, especially as a fan of the tuscan blends of late vintages. The wines were all very well built and have some time to go before they truly peak; even the $16 Rubiolo. For the fans of a little coffee or dark chocolate with their dark red cherries, then these are worth investigating.
The ’17 Rubiolo, surprised me immediately with the serious structure that one normally does not look for in a sub $20 Classico. The fruit was extremely bright up front, but dove into a chasm of darker notes and depth that doesn’t reflect the approachable intentions of the winemakers. It of course didn’t have the complexity of the other wines, but it certainly had character and great flavors that will develop nicely over the next 3 to 5 years. The silky and delightful tannins make it seem like it could go even further than that.
The 2015 Valetta is a joy for Merlot fans. The heat of the vintage reminds me of the 09 Right Bank BDX, but with an Italian thumbprint. 50/50 Merlot and Sangiovese, showing plenty of tobacco and leather, but with a core of dark black cherry, violets, and cassis. They were not shy with the barrel, though the intensity of the fruit seems to be able to maintain its vivacity. If I was comparing this to wines I’d had recently, it would be similar to the 09 Petrolo, but not as sauvage, probably due to the lovely Sangiovese. It’s also 1/4 of the price, and that is a bargain.
I was a little concerned that the ’14 Gagliole would be a little bit of a let down as the vintage was mixed at best in Tuscany. Lesser scores didn’t translate into a disappointing bottle, however, as the wine was surprisingly well balanced and showed a lot of style. 10 percent Cabernet adds a different spice chest for the Sangiovese, throwing in a little baked plum, brown spices and dusty cocoa to match the central cherry character. The tannins and finish were substantial, but not overwhelming; quite nice, really. Perhaps it didn’t stand out like it should because it had a very hard time opening up for the last bottle in the line up.
The 2016 Gallule might be the best Gagliole I’ve ever had. It certainly has the potential to be. I always look for a red earth note with my favorite Chiantis, and the Gallule seemed to be made of pure schist. Whole cluster fermentation gives the wine a wild note now, but I could see this aging similar to the Castell’in Villa Poggio Delle Rose. The depth of the fruit will likely never be diminished, only refined with time. As all of the components integrate, this will be one of the most lovely wines that will seem like a veritable bargain at the current price point.
In Stock Now:
Gagliole Rubiolo, Chianti Classico DOCG 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 23 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “This has lovely dark plums, fresh herbs and violets. On the palate it’s tightly knit and elegant with a firm row of tannins, running through layers of pretty berries. Drink from 2020.”
Gagliole ‘Valletta’ Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($39.95) $24 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, the 2015 Valletta is a deep and velvety wine with a bright load of dark fruit intensity. The Merlot (from Panzano in Chianti) makes a big contribution to the lasting effects of this wine. That grape—especially in a warm vintage like 2015—adds richness and a velvety nature. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit that is carefully intermingled with sweet spice. The Sangiovese (from Castellina in Chianti) contributes to the wine’s fresh and bright mouthfeel.”
The recent arrival of the Gagliole lineup was a fun review for me, especially as a fan of the tuscan blends of late vintages. The wines were all very well built and have some time to go before they truly peak; even the $16 Rubiolo. For the fans of a little coffee or dark chocolate with their dark red cherries, then these are worth investigating.
The ’17 Rubiolo, surprised me immediately with the serious structure that one normally does not look for in a sub $20 Classico. The fruit was extremely bright up front, but dove into a chasm of darker notes and depth that doesn’t reflect the approachable intentions of the winemakers. It of course didn’t have the complexity of the other wines, but it certainly had character and great flavors that will develop nicely over the next 3 to 5 years. The silky and delightful tannins make it seem like it could go even further than that.
The 2015 Valetta is a joy for Merlot fans. The heat of the vintage reminds me of the 09 Right Bank BDX, but with an Italian thumbprint. 50/50 Merlot and Sangiovese, showing plenty of tobacco and leather, but with a core of dark black cherry, violets, and cassis. They were not shy with the barrel, though the intensity of the fruit seems to be able to maintain its vivacity. If I was comparing this to wines I’d had recently, it would be similar to the 09 Petrolo, but not as sauvage, probably due to the lovely Sangiovese. It’s also 1/4 of the price, and that is a bargain.
I was a little concerned that the ’14 Gagliole would be a little bit of a let down as the vintage was mixed at best in Tuscany. Lesser scores didn’t translate into a disappointing bottle, however, as the wine was surprisingly well balanced and showed a lot of style. 10 percent Cabernet adds a different spice chest for the Sangiovese, throwing in a little baked plum, brown spices and dusty cocoa to match the central cherry character. The tannins and finish were substantial, but not overwhelming; quite nice, really. Perhaps it didn’t stand out like it should because it had a very hard time opening up for the last bottle in the line up.
The 2016 Gallule might be the best Gagliole I’ve ever had. It certainly has the potential to be. I always look for a red earth note with my favorite Chiantis, and the Gallule seemed to be made of pure schist. Whole cluster fermentation gives the wine a wild note now, but I could see this aging similar to the Castell’in Villa Poggio Delle Rose. The depth of the fruit will likely never be diminished, only refined with time. As all of the components integrate, this will be one of the most lovely wines that will seem like a veritable bargain at the current price point.
In Stock Now:
Gagliole Rubiolo, Chianti Classico DOCG 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 23 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “This has lovely dark plums, fresh herbs and violets. On the palate it’s tightly knit and elegant with a firm row of tannins, running through layers of pretty berries. Drink from 2020.”
Gagliole ‘Valletta’ Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($39.95) $24 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, the 2015 Valletta is a deep and velvety wine with a bright load of dark fruit intensity. The Merlot (from Panzano in Chianti) makes a big contribution to the lasting effects of this wine. That grape—especially in a warm vintage like 2015—adds richness and a velvety nature. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit that is carefully intermingled with sweet spice. The Sangiovese (from Castellina in Chianti) contributes to the wine’s fresh and bright mouthfeel.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $32
The average price is $32
Gagliole Rosso Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 33 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “This shows delicious plum and black-cherry essence as well as richer notes such as chocolate, coffee beans and licorice. Pepper. Full body, round tannins and an extremely juicy finish indeed. So enjoyable now, but will come together from 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $37.99
The next best price is $37.99
Gagliole Gallule, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Extremely fine tuned and precise, the 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Gallule offers depth and a long succession of delicate nuances with dark fruit, balsam herb, licorice and freshly tilled potting soil. This is complete and beautiful wine executed in a very classic style. This wine is all about the smaller details, best accentuated with a Porcini mushroom risotto. The Sangiovese grapes are harvested from an ancient terraced vineyard in Castellina in Chianti. A precious few 2,000 bottles were made.”
James Suckling 95 points “This is a great Chianti Classico with an overload of floral aromas, such as violets and rose petals, in addition to blackcurrants, tar, asphalt and vanilla. Full-bodied but very subtle and restrained on the palate with a finely woven web of tannins and a long, taut finish. Drink from 2023.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Extremely fine tuned and precise, the 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva Gallule offers depth and a long succession of delicate nuances with dark fruit, balsam herb, licorice and freshly tilled potting soil. This is complete and beautiful wine executed in a very classic style. This wine is all about the smaller details, best accentuated with a Porcini mushroom risotto. The Sangiovese grapes are harvested from an ancient terraced vineyard in Castellina in Chianti. A precious few 2,000 bottles were made.”
James Suckling 95 points “This is a great Chianti Classico with an overload of floral aromas, such as violets and rose petals, in addition to blackcurrants, tar, asphalt and vanilla. Full-bodied but very subtle and restrained on the palate with a finely woven web of tannins and a long, taut finish. Drink from 2023.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $94
The average price is $94
Have Wine Ready to Pick Up?
Stop by our shop 10 am – 6 pm daily
Feel free to call ahead before you arrive or for curbside service:
#503-223-6002
(You’ll help free up some space for your next order!)
New Reviews for Kruger-Rumpf
Secret Star of the Nahe
Kruger-Rumpf may not have the star power of Dönnhoff or Diel, but they’re clearly an estate on the rise, with excellent wines that have become a Vinopolis favorite—in part because they’re quite reasonably priced. These are wines that deliver some serious Nahe quality at prices that remind us of Dönnhoff ~5+ years ago. David Schildknecht of Vinous just published a set of reviews for the excellent 2018’s, which we’re featuring below, but you can see all the Kruger-Rumpf wines in our webstore.
“there is no question that the Rumpfs’ 2018s are qualitatively consistent with their string of successes in 2016 and 2017…” – David Schildknecht, Vinous
In Stock Now:
Kruger-Rumpf Abtei “1937” Riesling, Nahe 2018 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 8 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 91 points “This bottling is sourced from the oldest vines, planted in 1937, on an exciting steep, stony site that the Rumpfs are restoring (and about which you can read much more in my reviews of the Rumpfs’ vintage 2016 and inaugural vintage 2015 renditions of Abtei Riesling, both of which originated entirely in this oldest parcel). In electing to segregate the fruit of these old vines for a separate bottling – while fruit from younger parcels 2020 informs the “regular” Abtei bottling (which in 2018 is designated A.P. #30) – the Rumpfs also decided to permit the fruit a bit longer skin contact and to raise the wine in a relatively new 1,200-liter cask. The nose anticipates the deeper sense of peachy fruit on tap here vis-à-vis the A.P. #30. The feel is glossy and silken, and the impressively sustained finish features a stony, alkaline and as such rather hard and austere sense of mineral matter, which serves for suitable counterpart to the fruit. What I miss are the mouthwatering salinity, herbal pungency and brightly juicy abundance of the A.P. #30. Those are not virtues that I anticipate emerging here with time in bottle, and since they were characteristics of previous Abtei bottlings, I tend to believe that skin contact and wood influence have made the unfortunate difference. But would that I might be lucky enough to one day re-taste the two wines side by side and perhaps be contradicted!”
“there is no question that the Rumpfs’ 2018s are qualitatively consistent with their string of successes in 2016 and 2017…” – David Schildknecht, Vinous
In Stock Now:
Kruger-Rumpf Abtei “1937” Riesling, Nahe 2018 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 8 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 91 points “This bottling is sourced from the oldest vines, planted in 1937, on an exciting steep, stony site that the Rumpfs are restoring (and about which you can read much more in my reviews of the Rumpfs’ vintage 2016 and inaugural vintage 2015 renditions of Abtei Riesling, both of which originated entirely in this oldest parcel). In electing to segregate the fruit of these old vines for a separate bottling – while fruit from younger parcels 2020 informs the “regular” Abtei bottling (which in 2018 is designated A.P. #30) – the Rumpfs also decided to permit the fruit a bit longer skin contact and to raise the wine in a relatively new 1,200-liter cask. The nose anticipates the deeper sense of peachy fruit on tap here vis-à-vis the A.P. #30. The feel is glossy and silken, and the impressively sustained finish features a stony, alkaline and as such rather hard and austere sense of mineral matter, which serves for suitable counterpart to the fruit. What I miss are the mouthwatering salinity, herbal pungency and brightly juicy abundance of the A.P. #30. Those are not virtues that I anticipate emerging here with time in bottle, and since they were characteristics of previous Abtei bottlings, I tend to believe that skin contact and wood influence have made the unfortunate difference. But would that I might be lucky enough to one day re-taste the two wines side by side and perhaps be contradicted!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Kruger-Rumpf Dorsheimer Burgberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 9 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Scents and luscious palate presence of white peach, yellow plum and grapefruit are wreathed in iris. Gloss and textural plushness – there is an almost doughy midpalate impression – are allied to a striking finishing sense of buoyancy and clarity. The salinity tugs at the salivary glands and, along with the wine’s sense of animation, leaves the tongue quivering. I tend to believe that the conjunction of such pronounced salinity and the site’s high percentage of quartzite is more than mere coincidence, though it would be nice to learn of relevant scientific investigation.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Kruger-Rumpf Munsterer Dautenpflanzer Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 11 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “An effusively fruity nose anticipates the generously juicy peach and nectarine that feature on a glossy palate, with a hint of almond paste as well as pronounced sweetness tugging things in a confectionary direction. Happily, an influx of limey brightness and tangy fresh-fruitedness serve for welcome pushback as well as animation and refreshment on a long-lasting finish. As with others of the best Kruger-Rumpf 2018s, this manages to combine richness and high ripeness with brightness and transparency to stony inflections. That juxtaposition may have been underscored in the case of this Spätlese by its having been raised partly in cask and partly in tank.”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “An effusively fruity nose anticipates the generously juicy peach and nectarine that feature on a glossy palate, with a hint of almond paste as well as pronounced sweetness tugging things in a confectionary direction. Happily, an influx of limey brightness and tangy fresh-fruitedness serve for welcome pushback as well as animation and refreshment on a long-lasting finish. As with others of the best Kruger-Rumpf 2018s, this manages to combine richness and high ripeness with brightness and transparency to stony inflections. That juxtaposition may have been underscored in the case of this Spätlese by its having been raised partly in cask and partly in tank.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Kruger-Rumpf Munsterer Pitterberg Riesling Spatlese Goldkapsule, Nahe 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 9 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 95 points “Picked at the end of October but with minimal botrytis, this certainly stands in magnificent contradiction to my vintage generalization that picking past the middle of that month was not advantageous. Unlike its counterpart form the Dautenpflänzer, this was raised in cask, and was allowed to ferment to a lower level of residual sugar. It comes off as a riper, richer sibling of the corresponding Im Pitterberg Riesling Kabinett, its gloss merging with creaminess, yet with fresh white peach and lime juiciness complementing ripe quince and serving for animation and refreshment. The finish is unexpectedly electrifying in its vibrancy and mouthwateringly saline, and gains stimulating counterpoint from peach kernel piquancy, peach fuzz prickle and a crystalline sense of stone-showering mineral impingement. (If there is a second, “regular” Im Pitterberg Spätlese from this vintage, I am not aware of it.)”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Kruger-Rumpf Munsterer Im Pitterberg Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2018 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “While marginally lower in alcohol – at 9% – than its Rheinberg counterpart, this was picked early at a significantly lower 82 Oechsle, so its sense of sweetness is nicely restrained. Luscious and invigoratingly tart-edged white peach, apple and lime are wreathed in honeysuckle, while a billowing sense of levity and inner-mouth perfume perfectly complements a subtly creamy texture that owes something to lees exposure in cask. (In fact, Georg Rumpf performed a bit of lees stirring and an extra racking, yet the wine retains an invigorating hint of CO2 spritz.) The sustained finish delivers a superb sense of vibrancy, clarity and focus, its intense fruitiness matched by a salinity that tugs at the salivary glands. (For background on the origination and style of this Kabinett, consult my reviews of its vintage 2015 and vintage 2016 predecessors.)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Kruger-Rumpf Munsterer Pitterberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 750ML ($51.95) $46 pre-arrival special, ETA June
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “Scents of white peach anticipate the cool juiciness as well as the peach fuzz invigoration and peach kernel piquancy that emerge on a firm palate. A bright influx of fresh lime lends animation and enhances refreshment on a finish that also features mouthwatering veal stock savor and vivid wet stone. (For background on the naming of this site and the origin of its fruit, consult my review of the corresponding 2015.)”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “Scents of white peach anticipate the cool juiciness as well as the peach fuzz invigoration and peach kernel piquancy that emerge on a firm palate. A bright influx of fresh lime lends animation and enhances refreshment on a finish that also features mouthwatering veal stock savor and vivid wet stone. (For background on the naming of this site and the origin of its fruit, consult my review of the corresponding 2015.)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Trending
A stellar value from the team behind St. Cosme.
Chateau de Rouanne, Vinsobres 2018 750ML ($31.95) Was $28, Now $24 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Decanter 90 points “There’s some interest here – it’s just a touch rustic perhaps from the ample use of stems, the tannins are a little fibrous and grainy. A good intensity of fruit however, bright, juicy and fresh. Tannins are pretty fierce, so give it a year or two to settle. There’s a whiff of Provençale herbs and oregano with a saline finish. Alcohol is high, but overall the effect is balanced. A solid start. In organic conversion, old vines on limestone marls. The first vintage since this estate was bought by Louis Barruol of Château de Saint-Cosme.”
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “The 2018 Vinsobres comes from an estate owned by Louis Barruol (of Château Saint Cosme in Gigondas) and checks in as a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, all from a single parcel just outside the village of Vinsobres. Revealing a deep purple, translucent hue as well as lots of mulberry and black raspberry fruit interwoven with notes of ground pepper, violets, and game, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a rounded, supple, elegant texture, notable purity, and outstanding length. Seeming to have one foot in the Northern Rhône with its gamey, violet characteristics and one foot in the south with its richness and opulence on the palate, it’s a terrific, noteworthy Vinsobres to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years.”
Chateau de Rouanne, Vinsobres 2018 750ML ($31.95) Was $28, Now $24 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Decanter 90 points “There’s some interest here – it’s just a touch rustic perhaps from the ample use of stems, the tannins are a little fibrous and grainy. A good intensity of fruit however, bright, juicy and fresh. Tannins are pretty fierce, so give it a year or two to settle. There’s a whiff of Provençale herbs and oregano with a saline finish. Alcohol is high, but overall the effect is balanced. A solid start. In organic conversion, old vines on limestone marls. The first vintage since this estate was bought by Louis Barruol of Château de Saint-Cosme.”
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “The 2018 Vinsobres comes from an estate owned by Louis Barruol (of Château Saint Cosme in Gigondas) and checks in as a blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre, all from a single parcel just outside the village of Vinsobres. Revealing a deep purple, translucent hue as well as lots of mulberry and black raspberry fruit interwoven with notes of ground pepper, violets, and game, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a rounded, supple, elegant texture, notable purity, and outstanding length. Seeming to have one foot in the Northern Rhône with its gamey, violet characteristics and one foot in the south with its richness and opulence on the palate, it’s a terrific, noteworthy Vinsobres to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $31
The average price nationally is $31
Single vineyard Owen Roe—at a crazy price.
Owen Roe Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah, Yakima Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $33 special
Case-12 Owen Roe Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah, Yakima Valley 2013 750ML ($719.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “Bright medium ruby. Musky, earthy aromas of raspberry, roasted strawberry, smoked meat and charred oak. Fat, sweet and deep, with good spicy lift to the very ripe flavors of plum, blueberry, dark chocolate and spices. A very rich, tactile Syrah with sexy sweetness but plenty of ripe, dusty tannins to support a graceful evolution in bottle. Ultimately richer than the Union Gap Syrah but also more tannic.”
Owen Roe Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah, Yakima Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $33 special
Case-12 Owen Roe Red Willow Vineyard Chapel Block Syrah, Yakima Valley 2013 750ML ($719.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “Bright medium ruby. Musky, earthy aromas of raspberry, roasted strawberry, smoked meat and charred oak. Fat, sweet and deep, with good spicy lift to the very ripe flavors of plum, blueberry, dark chocolate and spices. A very rich, tactile Syrah with sexy sweetness but plenty of ripe, dusty tannins to support a graceful evolution in bottle. Ultimately richer than the Union Gap Syrah but also more tannic.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price in any vintage is $49.50
The average listed price across all vintages is $55
The next best price in any vintage is $49.50
The average listed price across all vintages is $55
Another Owen Roe deal, but for one of their budget stars.
Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Merlot, Yakima Valley 2015 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special
Case-12 Owen Roe Sharecropper’s Merlot, Yakima Valley 2015 750ML ($249.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Winery note “This new bottling of Sharecropper’s Merlot shows aromas of cranberry, tart cherry, violet and spice. Dazzling flavors of black cherry, currant, plum and hints of pepper are nicely balanced with bright acidity and firm tannins, finishing with a hint of baking cocoa. Vineyard Sources- Elerding, Outlook, Red Willow and Union Gap. Barrel aged in 14% new oak for 10 months.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $18.99
The next best price is $18.99
Cote de Blancs goodness at a price that’s an easy buy.
Michel Mailliard Cuvee Gregory Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
VinopolNote: Mailliard is a Cote des Blancs grower based in Vertus. This bottling is 95% Chardonnay with 5% Pinot Noir made without malolactic fermentation with approximately 5.5g/L residual sugar. L12/4/17
Importer note “Michel Mailliard is a complex man. Besides being a vigneron and champagne maker, he is an innovator, entrepreneur, and leader with a touch of politician. While his name is unknown in America, among the champagne producers of Vertus, he is a very prominent figure. Decades ago Michel saw many of his neighbors with small vineyard plots of very good quality grapes in need of a better place to produce their champagnes. So, he created one of the first in champagne of what we call today custom crush facilities. These types of facilities are now common place in many wine regions around the world, helping artisan producers and garagists. Over time, the small start-up grew to house the current state-of-the-art champagne producing equipment and perfect storage facilities. Each vigneron controls the production of his/her champagne separately from the other producers. It has allowed even the smallest of champagne producers to make their own style of champagne. A number of years ago Michel turned his focus to further expanding and developing his family vineyards and brand Champagne Michel Mailliard. The objective of the House is to grow and create champagnes that reflect the vision and sensory cues that have been passed on from father to son. Until recently, Champagne Michel Mailliard was only available in France, sold mostly to private customers and poured in restaurants in Paris. Michel and his son, Gregory, are dedicated to presenting to the world their highly precise expressions of Champagne.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $48.98
The next best price is $48.98
Looking for a bright, un-oaked Italian white with a bit of texture? Look here.
Tiberio Pecorino Colline Pescaresi IGT, Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 90 points “Abruzzo’s Tiberio winery has quickly risen to the top of the hierarchy not just in Abruzzo’s but in all of Italy. What the talented Cristiana Tiberio has achieved in the very hot 2017 vintage with Pecorino (a variety that does not like heat) is a testament to her talent. The 2017 Tiberio Pecorino is by no means the best Pecorino she has ever made (and frankly, it would have been very strange if it was otherwise, given the year’s weather), but it offers lovely balance with pure sage and kiwi notes that mingle with ripe orchard fruit nuances complicated by a saline edge. Both these wines made for a wonderful start to my meal, but they would have paired very well with all the other dishes I chose to eat this evening.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $23
The average price is $23
Rose of the Day
La Belle Etoile is Manissy’s lighter, more delicate bottling and a longtime shop favorite as well. Based around Cinsault’s light freshness, this is a delicately fruity wine with a really clean, refreshing profile.
In Stock Now:
Chateau de Manissy ‘La Belle Etoile’ Rose, Rhone 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Importer note “Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache from clay & limestone soil. Crushed stone, pressed flowers and white cherries. Medium body with a long finish… Covering an area of 1.5ha, this site is bathed by the sun and swept by the mistral on a flat plain that rich in limestone with a clay subsoil. Entirely hand-harvested organic grapes that have a cold maceration before being pressed. Low temperature fermentation with indigenous yeasts, which allow the yeast to develop its fruit flavors. Aged in stainless steel tank. Given the name “beautiful star” by the Manissy Brotherhood’s missionary preist, the grapes originate from organically certified vineyards owned by wine-maker Florian André’s mother.”
In Stock Now:
Chateau de Manissy ‘La Belle Etoile’ Rose, Rhone 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Importer note “Cinsault, Syrah and Grenache from clay & limestone soil. Crushed stone, pressed flowers and white cherries. Medium body with a long finish… Covering an area of 1.5ha, this site is bathed by the sun and swept by the mistral on a flat plain that rich in limestone with a clay subsoil. Entirely hand-harvested organic grapes that have a cold maceration before being pressed. Low temperature fermentation with indigenous yeasts, which allow the yeast to develop its fruit flavors. Aged in stainless steel tank. Given the name “beautiful star” by the Manissy Brotherhood’s missionary preist, the grapes originate from organically certified vineyards owned by wine-maker Florian André’s mother.”
47 Hour No Girls Sale
Ending Saturday at 6 PM Pacific
Ending Saturday at 6 PM Pacific
“Made by Elizabeth Boucier of Cayuse (the wines are made at Cayuse), these latest releases under her No Girls label are unquestionably some of the best to date. While the wines always lean towards the more fresh, elegant end of the spectrum, they’ve gained depth and richness over the past handful of years. Today, they’re certainly on par with anything coming out of the region.” – Jeb Dunnuck
Buy Any 3-5 bottles of in stock No Girls wines, save 5%
Buy Any 6+ bottles of in stock No Girls wines, save 10%
Discount Will Not Display Online/In Cart
We Will Apply Discount Manually Before Finalizing Your Order
Sale Limited to Stock On Hand
Subscriber Special Ends Saturday, June 13th at 6 PM Pacific
Only seven bottles in stock!
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $119, That’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off!
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “EDITOR’S CHOICE. Aromas of potpourri, white pepper, charcuterie, crushed flowers, soot and raspberry captivate on the nose. Exuberant and outrageously flavorful on the palate, intense accents of smoked meat and earth arise alongside the fruit. An extremely long finish of earth and flowers completes it.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Not yet released when I tasted it, the 2016 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard has a nose that opens with a bang, boasting majestic and explosive notes of dusty red fruit—raspberries, cherries and spiced red plum—with a rocky core of minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine expresses the semi-carbonic notes of sweet red fruit and dusty red flower petals with iron and lava rocks. It has expressive and silky tannins that linger on the long, ethereal finish. I am impressed! This is delicious juice and is a must-have for serious collectors. Only 338 cases made.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2016 Grenache La Paciencia Vineyard sports a translucent ruby color as well as a terrific bouquet of black cherries, strawberries, cold fireplace, white flowers, and spice. Seamless, elegant, and vibrant, with great tension, it’s a thrilling, Rayas look-alike to drink over the coming 10-15 years. 338 cases.”
Buy Any 3-5 bottles of in stock No Girls wines, save 5%
Buy Any 6+ bottles of in stock No Girls wines, save 10%
Discount Will Not Display Online/In Cart
We Will Apply Discount Manually Before Finalizing Your Order
Sale Limited to Stock On Hand
Subscriber Special Ends Saturday, June 13th at 6 PM Pacific
Only seven bottles in stock!
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $119, That’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off!
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “EDITOR’S CHOICE. Aromas of potpourri, white pepper, charcuterie, crushed flowers, soot and raspberry captivate on the nose. Exuberant and outrageously flavorful on the palate, intense accents of smoked meat and earth arise alongside the fruit. An extremely long finish of earth and flowers completes it.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Not yet released when I tasted it, the 2016 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard has a nose that opens with a bang, boasting majestic and explosive notes of dusty red fruit—raspberries, cherries and spiced red plum—with a rocky core of minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine expresses the semi-carbonic notes of sweet red fruit and dusty red flower petals with iron and lava rocks. It has expressive and silky tannins that linger on the long, ethereal finish. I am impressed! This is delicious juice and is a must-have for serious collectors. Only 338 cases made.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2016 Grenache La Paciencia Vineyard sports a translucent ruby color as well as a terrific bouquet of black cherries, strawberries, cold fireplace, white flowers, and spice. Seamless, elegant, and vibrant, with great tension, it’s a thrilling, Rayas look-alike to drink over the coming 10-15 years. 338 cases.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Only two bottles in stock!
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $119, That’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off!
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Similarly colored, the 2016 Tempranillo La Paciencia Vineyard offers an exotic bouquet of black cherries, violets, chocolate, tobacco, smoke, and candied orange rind. It’s deep, beautiful, savory, and full-bodied, with a thrilling texture. It’s another incredibly elegant, singular wine from this estate. 321 cases.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Not yet released when I tasted it in November 2019, the 2016 Tempranillo la Paciencia has a dusty core of dark fruit on the nose, with blackberry, wild strawberry and hints of soft leather and wet river rock. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied and shows a subtle spiciness that persists through to the finish, with building and structuring tannins. It ends with a long, mineral finish and lingering tannins that make this wine ready for food. 321 cases produced.”
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $119, That’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off!
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Similarly colored, the 2016 Tempranillo La Paciencia Vineyard offers an exotic bouquet of black cherries, violets, chocolate, tobacco, smoke, and candied orange rind. It’s deep, beautiful, savory, and full-bodied, with a thrilling texture. It’s another incredibly elegant, singular wine from this estate. 321 cases.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Not yet released when I tasted it in November 2019, the 2016 Tempranillo la Paciencia has a dusty core of dark fruit on the nose, with blackberry, wild strawberry and hints of soft leather and wet river rock. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied and shows a subtle spiciness that persists through to the finish, with building and structuring tannins. It ends with a long, mineral finish and lingering tannins that make this wine ready for food. 321 cases produced.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Thanks for reading!