Weekend VinopolPick 5-29-20

In Today’s Newsletter:

The Irreplaceable Dugat-Py
Star Burgundies from the Top 2010 Vintage


A White to Remember
Josh Raynolds Reviews ’17 & ’18 White Northern Rhones


Newly Restocked: Vocoret- Classic Chablis Value

Just Arrived
Domaine Forey’s Not Yet Cult 2017 Burgundies


Levet’s Cult Cote Rotie:
The Coveted 2017’s Arrive Next Week


Four Great Italian Values

New Praise for Peyrassol Rose
From Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate


Rollin In the Deep
The Finest Whites in Pernand


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The Irreplaceable Dugat-Py

Star Burgundies from the Top 2010 Vintage


Dugat-Py makes some of the most coveted wines in Burgundy—powerful, rich versions of Pinot Noir that have made the estate one of the most admired and talked about in the world of wine.  They’ve been a coveted producer for decades, focusing on extremely careful farming, low yields and old vines in a way that most other domaines only talk about.

In 2011, Antonio Galloni remarked that “The Dugat-Py wines are breathtaking for their richness and depth. Despite their sheer concentration, the wines retain tons of vineyard and vintage character. These are some of the most viscerally thrilling, exciting wines I tasted on my recent trip through Burgundy.” High praise, certainly, but he was echoing a line of other writers praising these gems of the Cote de Nuits.

We’ve secured an assortment of some of their wines from one of the finest vintages in recent memory, 2010, directly from the distributor, The Wine Advocate once asked “can anyone think of an easier job than having to sell Bernard Dugat’s wines?” and we don’t think so.

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Domaine Dugat-Py Petite Chapelle, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($399.95) $299 special, only 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93-95 points
“The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Petite Chappelle emerges from the glass with freshly cut flowers, spices, mint and licorice. This is a totally harmonious, gracious wine from Bernard Dugat. The richness and weight of the fruit are very nicely balanced by the cooler, more vibrant qualities of the year. This is all class and elegance. Small red berries, flowers and licorice reappear on the finish. The Petite Chapelle was vinified with 50% whole clusters and aged in 100% new oak.”
Burghound 93 points “Outstanding. Here the nose is more elegant and airier with an almost Chambolle-like aromatic profile. The floral and liqueur of red raspberry fruit notes are refined and pure. There is beautiful precision and intensity to the medium-bodied flavors that brim with an almost pungent minerality on the complex, long and balanced finish. Though this is lacy and indeed delicate, the Gevrey roots express themselves via the sleek but taut muscularity that arrives right on the finish. Impressive juice with plenty of upside potential.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $369.99
That’s a difference of over $70!

Domaine Dugat-Py Champeaux Tres Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2010 750ML ($399.95) $299 special, only 6 bottles available
Burghound 92-95 points
“outstanding. This is almost like a hypothetical combination of the Gevrey “1er” and the Petite Chapelle with a ripe and admirably pure nose of cassis, spiced plum, wet stone and pungent earth aromas. There is genuinely brilliant complexity to the exceptionally rich and equally stony broad-shouldered flavors that possess perhaps a bit more refinement than usual on the strikingly persistent finish. This is a stunner of a Champeaux in a vintage that produced any number of them.”
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Champeaux is a more structured, tannic wine than the Petite Chappelle. The fruit tends towards the redder end of the spectrum, but ultimately the Champeaux is more about minerality and sheer length. This is a 2010 with firm, imposing tannins that is going to require quite a bit of cellaring.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $325
The average listed price is $347

Domaine Dugat-Py Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvee Coeur de Roy Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2010 750ML ($249.95) $169 special, only 10 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91 points
“The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Coeur du Roi is racy, deep and totally sensual. Clean veins of minerality support a core of expressive blue and black fruit. The 2010 is both deep and long. All the elements are beautifully balanced in this impeccable, mineral driven wine. Cassis, blueberries, sweet flower and mint inform the energetic, palate staining finish. Dugat used 75% whole clusters, which gives the wine an attractive aromatic lift throughout. These vines are between 50-100 years old.”
Burghound 90 points “outstanding. A ripe and attractively perfumed nose features notes of black cherry, cassis and plum that are given added lift from the copious floral nuances. There is simply incredible concentration to the round and suave medium weight plus flavors that possess a velvety mouth feel on the powerful, precise and superbly focused and persistent finish. This explosive effort delivers knockout quality for its level.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $201.99
That’s a difference of over $32

Domaine Dugat-Py Bourgogne Cuvee Halinard, Burgundy 2010 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, only 10 bottles available

This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
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A White to Remember

Josh Raynolds Reviews ’17 & ’18 White Northern Rhones


“The hot growing conditions that defined the 2017, 2018 and 2019 vintages in the Northern Rhône show in the white wines, but the best examples also offer a good bit of energy to counterbalance their richness and ripeness. Simply put, the whites here have never been better, while the top bottlings are easily some of the world’s finest wines.” –Josh Raynolds, Vinous


Newly Reviewed Rhone Wines In Stock Now:

Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 90 points
“Pale gold. Ripe citrus and pit fruits on the fragrant nose, along with suggestions of honey and pungent flowers. Silky and broad on the palate, offering mineral-laced pear and nectarine flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of citrus pith. Finishes subtly chewy and long, with repeating florality and a lingering peach pit note.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray, Rhone 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 90 points
“Light, vivid straw-yellow. Vibrant and sharply focused on the nose and in the mouth, displaying fresh citrus and orchard fruit qualities complemented by suggestions of jasmine, ginger and dusty minerals. In an energetic style, carrying no excess fat. The silky finish echoes the citrus fruit and mineral notes and clings with good tenacity.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Delas Freres Condrieu Clos Boucher, Rhone 2017 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 94 points
“Pale, shimmering gold. Incisive aromas of fresh citrus and orchard fruits, ginger and violet are complemented by suggestions of chalky minerals, fennel and white pepper. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering concentrated pear, melon, white peach and Meyer lemon flavors that show impressive clarity and mineral drive. The pit fruit and floral notes come back emphatically on the vibrant finish, which hangs on with excellent, mineral-driven tenacity.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $74.95

Newly Reviewed Wines Arriving This Fall:

Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine Mule Blanche Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special, ETA September
Josh Raynolds 92 points
“Vivid straw. Tangerine, peach and chamomile on the fragrant nose, along with subtle honey and tarragon nuances. Sappy, expansive orchard and pit fruit flavors show very good concentration, velvety texture and a refreshingly bitter touch of orange zest. Finishes youthfully chewy, long and subtly spicy, leaving a hint of pear nectar behind.”

Paul Jaboulet Aine Chevalier de Sterimberg Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $61.90 pre-arrival special, ETA September
Josh Raynolds 94 points
“Diaphanous gold. Expressive, mineral-tinged orchard and pit fruits on the highly perfumed nose, with floral and lemon curd nuances building in the glass. Shows very good depth as well as energy to the sappy, mineral-accented tangerine, Anjou pear and honey flavors, which steadily tighten up through the midpalate. The floral element comes back on the lively, focused finish, sweetened by a discreet honey accent.”

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Newly Restocked

Vocoret- Classic Chablis Value

Classic Chablis at reasonable prices is an increasingly rare beast.  The best producers make exceptional and classic wines, but at prices that are hard to stomach for casual drinking.  There are an ocean of affordable but mass-market wines that seem to lack any sort of typicity. Domaine Vocoret, on the other hand, exists in a perfect overlap—the wines are delicious and have an essentialness about them that screams Chablis.  The pricing, too, is within reach, with even the Grand Cru wines under $70 a bottle.

When you combine the quality of the estate with the excellent 2017 vintage, you have a truly winning set of wines on your hands.  Writing for the Wine Advocate, William Kelley declared that “there can be little argument that 2017 is the finest Chablis vintage since 2014.”  We just restocked two of our most popular bottlings, the previously sold out 2017 Montee de Tonnerre and (also previously sold out) Foret VV.  Both of these were so popular they quickly disappeared—until today, when we reloaded.


Just Arrived, Back in Stock:

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Les Forets VV, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
VinopolNote
“This is a richer, more powerful version of Foret, sourced from an old vine-parcel of particular note. Like all of the other Premier and Grand Cru wines from Vocoret, this is fermented and aged in wood, though it sees a touch more new oak than the “regular” Foret bottling.  A stunner, especially in 2017.”

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Montee de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90 points
“Aromas of orange rind, green apples and white flowers introduce the 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre, a medium to full-bodied wine that’s quite powerful and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit but lively balancing acids.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $48.60


Also Available from Vocoret:

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Blanchot, Chablis Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 10 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90 points
“The 2017 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot bursts from the glass with a fragrant bouquet of orange rind, citrus blossom and honeysuckle. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with ripe but succulent flavors and good dry extract.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Valmur, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points
“Much less expressive on the nose than the Blanchots but still with noteworthy incipient complexity to the aromas of citrus peel, white flowers, wet stone, white pepper and clove. Boasts terrific grain and thrust, but this youthfully dry, uncompromising wine is downright brooding today in spite of its essential light touch. Incisive flavors of citrus fruits, white flowers and ginger are further lifted by subtle herbal accents. This is excellent.”
Burghound 92 points “In contrast to the Vaudésir this is much better with much more evident Chablis character on the green fruit and citrus-infused nose that displays an appealing hint of mineral-reduction. There is excellent punch and detail to the relatively rich and powerful flavors that possess reasonably good mid-palate concentration before culminating in a notably stony and lingering finish that is presently quite tightly wound. This is definitely going to require a few years to further flesh out and develop better depth but the balance and underlying material are present for that to occur.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $91
That’s a difference of $32

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Valmur, Chablis Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 6 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote
“Valmur is always one of the most mineral inflected, stony and long-aging of the Grand Crus and so it is here at Vocoret. This is an impressive, coiled Chablis that’s built for the cellar but will repay that time admirably.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Domaine Vocoret et Fils Vaudesir, Chablis Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 4 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote
“Vaudesir is always the ‘overlooked’ Grand Cru, which is a shame.  This is a beautiful, expressive bottle of Chablis that’s the most open of Vocoret Grand Crus.  Big aromatics, mineral detail and delicately orchard fruit frame beautiful acidities and a fantastic texture.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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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!)


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Just Arrived

Domaine Forey’s Not-Yet-Cult 2017 Burgundies


The wines from Domaine Forey exist in a (blessed) medium place of collectibility—quantities are extremely scarce because of the size of the domaine (and demand on the east coast) but somehow they aren’t quite a “name” in the sense of a Coche or Roumier.  The result is that we actually get to offer the wines to you, however briefly.

We’re expecting the wines (especially the Premier and Grand Cru wines) to disappear quickly, but it’s remarkable for wines of this quality and rarity to even be offered on the newsletter like this.  The 2017
vintage is, of course, a great year and more importantly it’s a year that plays into the style of the house.  These look to be monumental wines with more freshness and liveliness allied to Forey’s usual power.

“the finished 2017s display a gorgeously silken, fresh character, with fine tannins, vibrant red fruit, and a sense of harmonious digestibility which belies their inherent complexity. Regis’s lighter touch suits the vintage particularly well, allowing its innate energy to emerge without obfuscation, and Forey fans both historic and recent will find much to celebrate in this inspired collection of 2017s.” –Neal Rosenthal

“Régis Forey describes the 2017 growing season as ‘easy sailing relative to 2016… Unlike several other recent vintages where it seemed as though the maturities arrived all of sudden, in 2017 they increased progressively so there was no rush to begin picking or to finish.… I used an even higher percentage of whole clusters than the 40% I used in 2016, which is to say between 50 and 70%. As to the style of the 2017s, they’re pretty, fresh and transparent and should drink well on the younger side but there is no reason that those who prefer the aromas and flavors of mature wines couldn’t age them over the medium-term.’ ” –Burghound

Just Arrived:

Only six bottles remaining
Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special
Burghound 92 points
“An attractively fresh nose is comprised by notes of essence of various red berries, a plethora of splice elements and even a hint of the sauvage. There is fine intensity and a bit more volume if less minerality to the medium weight plus flavors that are more structured still on the serious, austere and even more backward finish. Patience definitely advised.”

Only two bottles remaining
Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special
Burghound 93 points
“An overtly spicy nose is comprised by notes of dark berries, cassis, plum and a whiff of violet. The suave and super-rich larger-scaled flavors retain a lovely sense of energy that can also be found on the sleek, focused and sneaky long finale that isn’t quite as structured as that of the Echézeaux but there is a bit more overall depth.”

Only three bottles remaining
Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Forey Les Saint Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($149.95) $125 special
Burghound 91 points – Outstanding
“The wood influence is more subtle if not invisible as it easily allows the elegant and airy floral and spice-inflected red pinot, cherry and soft earth-suffused aromas to shine. There is once again good detail to the bigger, richer and more obviously muscular flavors that manage to remain refined on the youthfully austere, refreshing and lightly stony flavors. This is a bit less structured than it usually is though it should still reward extended keeping.”

Only six bottles remaining
Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Les Perrieres, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Burghound 89-92 points
“Here too there is noticeable but not intrusive wood interwoven into the slightly earthier nose that displays both spice and floral elements on the fruit profile that derives more from the red side of the spectrum. There is excellent punch and delineation to the lightly mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that exhibit focused power on the lingering finish. This is an interesting wine in that the mid-palate is an exercise in finesse while the finish is muscular and almost robust.”
Neal Rosenthal “Regis works a 0.42-hectare parcel of 75-to-80-year-old vines in this vaunted cru, and this 2017—vinified with 30% whole clusters—is an immediate leap forward in complexity from the previous wines. All its elements present with greater force: juicier fruit, firmer yet more fully enrobed tannins, and a more intense earth-mineral interplay. 2017’s inherent silkiness emerges in the wine’s caressing and lengthy finish.”

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Vosne-Romanee, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Neal Rosenthal
“As one would expect from the appellation, this 2017 Vosne-Romanée is notably silkier and more elegant than its village-level cousins above. Produced from fourteen small parcels planted between 1942 and 1974, mostly in the northern sector of the appellation, it was aged in a combination of demi-muids and smaller barrels. What it lacks in flesh it more than compensates for in its mineral drive, and its tight-grained tannins counterbalance the fruit’s suaveness with an appealing hint of austerity. 40% whole clusters.”
Burghound “A riper nose offers up notes of poached plum, dark currant, sandalwood and whiffs of menthol and oak toast. The supple and very forward medium-bodied flavors possess a velvety and seductive mouthfeel, all wrapped in a sappy finish that progressively tightens up as it sits on the palate. This mildly austere and grippy effort will need at least 2 to 3 years of cellaring first and reward up to a decade.”

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Morey-Saint-Denis, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Neal Rosenthal
“Forey’s village-level Morey-Saint-Denis consists of two minuscule holdings of vines between 30 and 50 years of age (one in Clos Solon and one in Les Crais.). Fermented with 70% whole clusters and aged in demi-muids like the Bourgogne above, the 2017 displays impressive density on its otherwise lithe and energetic frame.”
Burghound “An expressive nose of red currant, pomegranate and a floral whiff possesses good freshness. There is once again good verve to the caressing and round middle weight flavors that also culminate in a refreshingly delicious and lingering finish if not especially complex finale. This too should be approachable on the younger side.”

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Nuits-Saint-Georges, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($84.95) $69 special
Neal Rosenthal
“A villages-level wine of considerable depth, Forey’s Nuits-Saint-Georges comprises a hectare’s worth of 60-year-old vines in the lieux-dits of Charbonnières and Plantes Aux Barons. Despite its relative wildness and a glimmer of that classic Nuits-Saint-Georges rambunctiousness, it offers a similarly alert freshness to the Morey above and displays terrific poise. Regis employed 30% whole clusters during the vinification here.”
Burghound “A markedly earthy yet still nicely elegant nose of mostly red berries and soft oak is cut with plenty of sauvage character. There is a touch of leather to the bigger, richer and slightly more concentrated flavors that are at once caressing but serious while offering acceptable depth and persistence on the slightly lean finish. This will likely be approachable young but also reward up to a decade of cellaring.”

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Neal Rosenthal
“The 40-to-60-year-old vines of Forey’s Bourgogne Rouge—produced from various parcels in Nuits and Vosne—typically yield a wine of impressive depth for its category. Vinified with 50% whole clusters and aged in 10% new 500-liter demi-muids, this 2017 is a vibrant, lip-smacking example of pure Pinot Noir pleasure, offering beaming red fruits and an attractive dusting of spices in its juicy and easygoing personality.”
Burghound “An attractively fresh and softly oaked nose reflects notes of a variety of red berries and a healthy dose of earth that can also be found on the nicely detailed and vibrant flavors that are refreshing, persistent and reasonably complex on the crunchy finish. This delicious effort should drink well early on.”

Domaine Forey Pere et Fils Bourgogne Passetoutgrain, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

We also have limited stock available of a number of different wines from 2015 and ’16.  Want to see them all? Check out the full list in our online store!

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Don’t want to stop in?

Order Online / By Phone / By Email


When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car. 


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their name when placing your order.)


#503-223-6002
 
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Levet’s Cult Cote Rotie

The Coveted 2017’s Arrive Next Week


Bernard Levet has moved from an unsung hero of the Northern Rhone to a genuine star.  The Cote Rotie he bottles is unlike anyone else’s.  Feral, tannic and uncompromising, his wines need time to blossom, but when they do, there’s nothing in the world of Syrah (or wine, in general) quite like them.  These should disappear very quickly, so if you’re interested, now’s the time to act—these are only going to become scarcer and hard to find. 


Arriving Friday, June 5th:

Vignobles Bernard Levet Cote Rotie La Chavaroche, Rhone 2017 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds 96 points
“Dark purple. Ripe dark fruit, floral and spice qualities on the expressive nose, along with hints of licorice, black cardamom, espresso and smoky minerals. Stains the palate with deeply concentrated cassis, bitter cherry and candied violet flavors that slowly unfold and take a sweeter turn through the midpalate. Youthfully chewy tannins add firm grip to a strikingly long, energetic finish that emphatically echoes the cassis and mineral notes. Made with 100% whole clusters.”

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

Vignobles Bernard Levet Cote Rotie Les Journaries, Rhone 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds 95 points
“Inky ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, licorice, exotic spices and potpourri and shows outstanding definition. Stains the palate with appealingly sweet black raspberry, blueberry and cherry preserve flavors that slowly tighten up on the back half. Shows superb energy and floral lift on an impressively long, focused finish shaped by steadily mounting tannins. This is quite a powerful wine (about 70% of the fruit comes from La Landonne, by the way) for one that checks in at only 13% alcohol. Made entirely with whole clusters.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

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Four Great Italian Values

Both Umbria and Sardinia are sources for some of the most exceptional values in the world of Italian wine.  Largely, that’s because both regions remain undiscovered by international travelers and drinkers, but both offer something really special.  Umbrian wines tend to be wilder versions of neighboring Tuscan styles where Sardinian bottles reflect their center-of-the-Mediterranean origins.


Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Tenuta di Salviano Orvieto Classico Superiore, Umbria 2017 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
James Suckling 92 points
“Aromas of pears, green apples and citrus skin follow through to a full body, bright acidity and a crisp and clean finish. Steely and minerally. Drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $18

Tenuta di Salviano Turlo, Lago di Corbara 2015 750ML ($21.95) $14 special
50% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot
James Suckling 92 points “A soft and silky red with a soft, ripe-fruit and cedar texture. Medium to full body, round tannins and a juicy finish. Drink now or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $17

Agricola Punica Samas Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia 2018 750ML ($21.95) $16 special
James Suckling 93 points
“I like the energy and intensity to the nose here, which paints a picture of fresh herbs, preserved lemons, honeysuckle and jasmine. Real density and oiliness on the palate, but the acidity refreshens and drives this through to a medium-long finish. Drink now. Screw cap.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Agricola Punica ‘Barrua’ Isola dei Nuraghi IGT, Sardinia 2014 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special
James Suckling 95 points
“Aromas of rosemary, lavender, blackberries and black licorice follow through to a full body that shows licorice, walnut shell, tar and dark fruit. Fascinating wine with real personality. Always refined. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “An elegant, medium- to full-bodied red, this is long and supple, with fine-grained tannins married to a pleasing range of crème de cassis, fig cake and aromatic hints of espresso, wild sage, iron and smoke. Lingering, lightly spiced finish. Carignano with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2029. 8,333 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.”

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New Praise for Peyrassol Rose

From Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate


Chateau Peyrassol has long been one of our favorite rosé producers out there, so it’s no surprise to see them receive more critical praise for their latest set of releases.  It’s hard to say more than the Wine Advocate did when they announced (about the Chateau bottling) “Yum!”

“a strident, intense rosé that demands attention….Yum!”
Peyrassol ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose , Cotes de Provence 2019 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 91 points
“A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, Ugni Blanc and Rolle from estate fruit, Peyrassol’s 2019 Cotes de Provence Rose is a strident, intense rosé that demands attention. It hints at passion fruit at first, then broadens out to include notes of pink grapefruit, red currant and even a touch of peach, but it always retains a sinewy structure and bright acidity. It’s medium-bodied, with a silky texture in the mouth and a long, mouthwatering finish. Yum!”

“One of the best wines in this year’s tasting”
Peyrassol ‘Le Clos Peyrassol’ Rose 2019, Cotes de Provence 750ML ($69.95) $55 pre-arrival special, ETA June 5th
Peyrassol ‘Le Clos Peyrassol’ Rose 2019, Cotes de Provence 2019 1.5L ($149.95) $129 pre-arrival special, ETA June 5th
Wine Advocate 93 points
“Predominantly Tibouren, with the balance of the blend being Grenache and Rolle, Peyrassol’s super pale 2019 Cotes de Provence Rose Le Clos Peyrassol offers up scents of crushed stone, garrigue, white peach and lime, all tinged with tart red berries. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with a silky-wet stone feel and a lingering finish that seems to build in red fruit intensity while remaining citrusy and refreshing at the same time. One of the best wines in this year’s tasting, this is a limited-production cuvée from a walled vineyard located on the estate.”


Also In Stock Now from Chateau Peyrassol

Peyrassol ‘Commanderie de Peyrassol’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchant note
“For us, this wine is the classic representation of the pink-tinted wines of this region and is the workhorse wine of the estate. It carries a pale rose color, a lovely fruit blossom nose and finishes crisply dry with a stony touch that gives it class and elegance. The grape blend is usually Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah in varying percentages. The average age of the vines is 25 years or more. The Rosés of Peyrassol are made from the direct press method. The grapes undergo cold maceration before being pressed. This gives them their beautiful watermelon pink color. The fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures and is exceptionally long, resulting in rosés that are both lively, fresh and full-bodied. As production has increased at Peyrassol with the additional plantings, we too have increased our purchases.”

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Rollin In the Deep

The Finest Whites in Pernand



Domaine Rollin remains a bit of an open secret in Burgundy—great producer, imported by one of the best palates out there (Rosenthal), but resolutely not-talked about as much as they should be.  From a quick survey of some great Burgundy palates, it seems like the sharpest buyers know and buy these wines, but no one is willing to tell their friends—the prices are still too reasonable to let the secret out.

Well, sorry guys (you know who you are), but we’re going to tell you about one of the best under-the-radar Burgundy domains out there.  Rollin is based in Pernand Vergelesses, a village whose challenging spelling and pronunciation has kept it from the stardom it deserves.  They make both red and white Pernand, which shares something in common with neighboring Aloxe-Corton as well as some of the fruit and structure of Beaune.

Their best values might be their whites, though, which have lots in common with Corton-Charlemagne in profile and structure, at prices that are incredibly reasonable for their quality.  We have the 2017’s arriving next week and you’d be a smart buyer to lock these down now.


Rollin 2017s Arriving Friday, June 5th

Only twenty-four bottles available
Domaine Rollin Pere et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Note
“The Rollin family for many years has exploited two separate parcels totaling about one-half hectare within the appellation of Corton Charlemagne. One parcel is on the Aloxe-Corton side within “Le Charlemagne” and the other piece is on the Pernand side of the hill known as “En Charlemagne”. The grapes from each parcel are harvested and vinified separately and are then assembled prior to bottling (after more or less fifteen months of elevage). From our personal perspective, the Corton Charlemagne from Rollin is one of the finest white wines in our portfolio, a true Grand Cru. We purchase two barrels a year … and a small amount of magnums are drawn for us annually.”

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The average listed price is $169

Domaine Rollin Pere et Fils Sous Fretille, Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Note
“This vineyard is a relatively recent acquisition by the Rollin family (the 2000 vintage was the first to issue from the domaine) but it is a parcel of old vines in one of the elite lieu-dits of the village. The vineyard is situated on slopes overlooking the village and is just around the corner from Corton Charlemagne. A powerful wine that benefits from several years of bottle age … only 35 cases per annum are allocated to us for the USA.”

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Domaine Rollin Pere et Fils Les Cloux, Pernand-Vergelesses 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Note
“‘Les Cloux’ is a well-situated lieu-dit on the north side of the hill of Corton, adjacent to the premier cru ‘Sous Fretille’. It faces southeast on a high, steep part of the hillside, and a general lack of any direct breeze there encourages notable ripeness. The wine possesses a lower-pitched, deeper nose than the basic Pernand-Vergelesses above, but with an equivalent limestone intensity more solid in its character than powdered. The palate is richer and thicker as well, but suffused with the alert acidity typical of the Rollin style. Only 20% of the oak employed during the elevage is new.”

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The average listed price is $58

Domaine Rollin Pere et Fils Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc, Cote de Beaune 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Note
“A consistently formidable wine that is sourced from four separate vineyard sites within the boundaries of Pernand. The average age of the vines (as of 2011) is approximately 35 years. A classic representation of the “taste” of Pernand with its intense minerality, hints of fennel and honey and broad-shouldered appearance. Aged on its lees for twelve months and bottled without filtration, it is particularly ageworthy. We buy five barrels per year (1500 bottles) for the US market.”

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