Weekend VinopolPick 7-24-20

In Today’s Newsletter:

Featured New Arrival:
New Cristom Case Specials


Bruna Grimaldi’s Top Value Barolo

Hartford Court & Paul Hobbs
Standout Sonoma Chardonnay and Pinot Noir


Snowden:
Napa Valley’s Best-Kept Open Secret


Trending Wines

Rose of the Day
Cassis’ Beauty


Collector’s Corner
Rare Henri Bonneau
Direct from the Cellar of the Local Importer/Distributor


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Featured New Arrival:

New Cristom Case Specials


Cristom is one of the Hallowed Names in Oregon.  They’ve been a top name since their inception in 1993 and make reference point wines from their beautiful estate vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills.  Much of the credit for their success goes to their vineyards—located just below Bethel Heights and Temperance Hill, truly Cristom is one of the Grand Cru sites of Oregon.  The rest of the credit goes to Steve Doerner, their winemaker since the beginning, who made a name for Calera in the 80’s before moving to Oregon and becoming a local legend.

These are wines that have powerful personalities allied to a Burgundian sense of proportion and savor.  Doerner loves to use a lot of whole clusters in fermentations and so the wines always have a grip and earthiness that grounds their deep fruit and rich textures. 2017 was a bit of a return to older school Oregon, as vintages go, warmer than historical averages but much cooler than the heat years of ’14-’16.  We’ve been thrilled with many of the wines we’ve tasted from the year and Cristom is no exception—these are some stunning wines, beautiful and nuanced already.

We brought in new stock at exceptional new case prices—these are wines to stock away in your cellar, and at prices that mean you can easily afford to do so.


Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Case-12 Cristom ‘Marjorie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($959.95) $719 special (that’s only $59.92/bottle!)
Case-6 Cristom ‘Marjorie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($479.95) $376 special (that’s only $62.76/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds 95 points
“Translucent red. A wild, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, exotic spices and candied flowers, with smoky mineral and incense notes that acquire strength as this youthful wine gains its footing. Stains the palate with vibrant raspberry, bitter cherry, star anise and rose pastille flavors that show a compelling blend of depth and litheness. Fine-grained tannins build slowly on a strikingly long, finely etched finish that features baking spice, floral and subtle earth notes.”
James Suckling 95 points “An earthy thread here with more savory, herbal and gently spicy notes, as well as graphite. Latent red cherries, too. The palate has a very sleek and succulent feel with evenly cast, sturdy tannins that harness great length and depth. Powerful yet measured and all about the earth. Try from 2023.”
Erin Brooks – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Pinot Noir Marjorie Vineyard was made with 51% whole clusters and aged 18 months in 75% new French oak. Medium ruby, it has a very pretty nose: nuances of crushed stone, Campari, earth and blood orange mingle over a core of red and black cherries, rhubarb and cranberry. The medium-bodied palate has lovely, nuanced, amaro-laced flavor layers with a softly chalky frame and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed. 384 cases produced.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $70

Case-12 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($839.95) $636 special (that’s only $53/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Case-6 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($419.95) $336 special (that’s only $56/bottle!)
James Suckling 95 points
“This cuvée has a very energetic and intense feel with a wealth of fresh and attractive red cherries and raspberries, plenty of florals and subtle herbal, forest-wood and light-chocolate notes. There’s a very keenly articulated feel to the palate with a plush, very fleshy and assertively long, detailed finish. Deep fruit presence here. Drink across the next decade.”
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Vivid red. Expansive aromas of ripe red berries, candied flowers and baking spices, with a smoky mineral topnote that gains strength as the wine opens up. Coats the palate with appealing sweet raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors that tighten up and become spicier on the back half. Shows excellent clarity and floral lift on an impressively long finish that’s shaped by fine-grained, even tannins.”
 
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Bruna Grimaldi’s Top Value Barolo

Bruna Grimaldi remains one of the best sleeper Barolo producers, making dense and powerful wines at exceptional pricing.  The two cru bottlings are absolutely stellar and neither tops $50—a remarkable feat that’s aided by our strong relationship with their Oregon importer.  These have been top sellers whenever we’ve brought them in for good reason.

On the whole, Grimaldi wines are beautifully expressive, polished wines that combine the cleanliness and rich, round flavors of a modern producer with a more traditional sensibility when it comes to oak usage.  That’s a beautiful thing in her Barolos and also in her value-driven Barbera and Nebbiolo.

Both the Barbera and Nebbiolo are some of the best examples we’ve tasted for their prices.  Both are surprisingly serious wines, with the Barbera having more power and structure.  It bears the “Superiore” tag and wears it well, with rich fruit and an approachable texture.  The Nebbiolo is carefree enough for dinner tonight but has all the characeritistic tar and roses of the variety.


In Stock Now;

Bruna Grimaldi Bricco Ambrogio, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points
“($80) From the less-traveled Roddi township, the 2015 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is a balanced and pretty expression that shows floral aromas of wild rose and pressed violets, followed by wild berry and blackcurrant. The wine is simple and straightforward in delivery with a clean and accessible personality. Bruna and Franco Grimaldi purchased this vineyard site in 2006, and this wine has improved in complexity and depth with each vintage that I taste. Some 6,000 bottles are made.”

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

Bruna Grimaldi Badarina, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93+ points
“($90) This wine has already evolved to show some tar and savory aromas. The 2015 Barolo Badarina offers pretty color saturation with linear and fresh lines of plum, black fruit, dark spice and tilled earth. The wine delivers much of the heft and power promised by this Badarina cru in Serralunga d’Alba. If you’re looking for a Barolo vintage to pair with a rich meat like liver or game, this could be the one. This is Bruna Grimaldi’s flagship Barolo, as her mother was born in Badarina and this site has always had special meaning to her family. Some 8,000 bottles were produced.”

Bruna Grimaldi Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points
“The 2016 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Scassa is a meaty red wine to pair with simple beef or pork dishes. This Barbera is characterized by a dark concentration (from 12 days of skin maceration), a sweet tone of blackberry fruit and plum and integrated notes of spice, tar and licorice. It is aged for up to 15 months in tonneaux. You’ll appreciate the soft, fruit richness. Some 25,000 bottles were made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Bruna Grimaldi Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
James Suckling 91 points
“Candied orange peel, raspberry fool, rhubarb and hibiscus. Medium body, medium-firm tannins and plenty of vibrant cherries. Mineral and savory on the finish. Tightly wound. Drink now.”

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

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Standout Sonoma Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

Hartford Court & Paul Hobbs


Paul Hobbs

Paul Hobbs needs little in the way of introduction to anyone who pays attention to the top tier of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  He’s been at the top of the game in Napa and Sonoma for several decades and based on recent releases, doesn’t seem to be slipping any time soon.  These are bold, powerful wines, with the rich textures and intense fruit you expect from some of the best vineyards in the state.

We’ve got these top Pinots and Chards in stock now, but unfortunately allocations are limited, so these won’t be regular stock items for us.  No, if you want some, you should act quickly—once these beauties disappear, they’re gone until next vintage.

Paul Hobbs Goldrock Estate Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points
“The 2017 Pinot Noir Goldrock Estate is even more impressive from bottle than it was from barrel. Gravel, graphite, smoke, leather, and whole range of dark fruit notes give the Goldrock Estate a decidedly somber feel that pairs well with its brooding structure. A Pinot of gravitas and power, the Goldrock needs time to fully come together, but it is super impressive today.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Another Sonoma Coast release, the 2017 Pinot Noir Goldrock Estate saw a touch of stems as well as the standard 45-55% new barrels. Its ruby/purple hue gives way to notes of Caramelized black raspberries, candied cherries, crushed flowers, and exotic spices. Rich, powerful, medium to full-bodied, and nicely structured, it’s a big, mouthfilling 2017 that does everything right.”

Paul Hobbs Hyde Vineyard Pinot Noir, Carneros 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points
“From the Carneros region in the southern part of the valley, the 2018 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard gives up a Burgundian bouquet of black cherries, mulberries, smoked earth, and candied violets. It shows more and more floral tones with time in the glass and is beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, and has silky tannins. It’s terrific today, yet it has a solid spine of acidity that’s going to allow it to evolve gracefully for a solid decade or more. This cuvée was just about all destemmed (there are 8% stems) and spent 15 months in 53% new French oak.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2018 Pinot Noir Hyde Vineyard is unusually refined this year. The savory, earthy notes typical of Hyde are present, and yet the wine has an extra kick of polish that helps to balance what are sometimes slightly rustic qualities. Elegant and polished, the 2018 is light on its feet and impeccable in its balance. It is also one of the finest Hyde Pinots I can remember tasting from Paul Hobbs.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Paul Hobbs Richard Dinner Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Mountain 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points
“Last of the Chardonnay and first made in 1991, the 2018 Chardonnay Richard Dinner Vineyard comes from a vineyard in the Sonoma Mountain AVA and spent 15 months in 53% new French oak. It’s certainly the most exotic Chardonnay in the lineup, with a complex bouquet of Meyer lemons, flower oil, toasted spice, candle wax, and honeyed citrus. Rich, full-bodied, and stacked on the palate, it has loads of fruit, vibrant acidity, and a great finish. It’s another powerful, concentrated Chardonnay.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Chardonnay Richard Dinner Vineyard is quite floral and perfumed in this vintage. Jasmine, white pepper, mint and lemon peel give the 2018 a brilliant aromatic upper register. In most vintages the Richard Dinner Chardonnay is distinguished by more of a phenolic character, but the 2018 is all about lift and energy.”

Paul Hobbs Ellen Lane Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points
“More tart citrus, caramelized pineapple, white flowers, and Meyer lemon notes emerge from the 2018 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate, another flawlessly balanced Chardonnay from Hobbs. Medium to full-bodied, with terrific acidity yet also terrific concentration, it’s drinking spot on already, with the more flattering, charming style of the 2018 vintage, yet is going to evolve for 5-7 years with no problems.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chardonnay Ellen Lane Estate is creamy, open-knit and sensual, with no hard edges and impeccable balance. Apricot and lemon confit give the Ellen Lane inner sweetness and perfume to match its gracious, mid-weight personality. This is very nicely done.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


Hartford Court

Hartford Court is a leader in top tier Pinot and Chardonnay from Sonoma—regularly making wines that out-score names like Martinelli, Kosta Browne, Williams-Selyem and more.  Based on scores and critical press, Hartford belongs in the conversation with names like Peter Michel—except that they do it for a steep discount over those glitzy producers.

We’ve featured high scoring wines from them in the past and they’ve always been crowd favorites—for good reason.  It’s hard to find wines with this sort of quality at these prices and Hartford Court manages to deliver thoroughly California wines at very high quality for not a lot of money.  


Hartford Court Far Coast Vineyards Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points
“The 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Far Coast Vineyard is a little youthfully closed with crushed rocks and chalk dust notes over a core of mandarin peel, Golden Delicious apples, pear tart and lightly browned toast. Medium to full-bodied, the palate simply vibrates with electric tension, offering vibrant citrus and apple layers and finishing long and stony. 323 cases produced.”

Hartford Court Jennifer’s Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97+ points
“The 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Jennifer’s Vineyard displays intense notes of grapefruit, green guava, mango and pineapple with nuances of talc, oyster shells and fresh ginger. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and super intense with tightly wound layers of citrus and tropical fruits and bags of mineral notions on the epically long finish. This needs time but should emerge from the cellar gloriously in 2-3 years! 337 cases produced.”

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Snowden:

Napa Valley’s Best-Kept Open Secret



Offering one of Napa Valley’s best quality-to-price ratios, Snowden has earned the respect of both its peers and consumers alike. Today we’re thrilled to offer their 2016 “Brother” bottling, as well as two vintages (2016 and 2017) of “The Ranch” bottling. Both wines punch well above their weight, offering what many consider the region’s best sub-$100 and sub-$50 Cabs respectively.

Located at the confluence of several of Napa Valley’s most acclaimed appellations, including Rutherford and St. Helena, Snowden is a Beverly Hills estate without the 90210 zip code. This location, on the gentle hillside of the Vaca Mountains, allows the estate’s third generation winemaker Diana Snowden Seysses to produce wines of power and nuance. Having trained in both Napa and Europe, her wines combine prototypical Napa muscle with freshness and intricate fruit. Napa Valley producers, especially those with comparable pedigrees that so convincingly achieve this balancing act, are notoriously expensive. Snowden is a rare Napa classic which remains relatively affordable.

The quality of the estate’s fruit has been an open secret within the valley for decades, and many of Napa’s most respected names have purchased fruit over the years, including Silver Oak and Caymus. However, we’re here to publically out Snowden for the greater good. These prices do not reflect the quality on offer, and the wines deserve a place on your dinner table.


In Stock Now:

Snowden Vineyards ‘Brothers Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special 

#91 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2019
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Brothers is the best wine I have tasted from Diana Snowden-Seysses. Rich, explosive and savory, the 2016 dazzles with intensity in all of its dimensions. Graphite, smoke, savory herbs and spice notes wrap around a core of dark fruit in a vertical, towering Cabernet Sauvignon that captures all the vintage has to offer.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Offers a tasty core of plum and blackberry fruit, backed by lively anise and apple wood notes. Restrained overall, with an alluring freshness and a subtle charcoal hint lingering deftly at the end. Drink now through 2032. 639 cases made.”

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

Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points
“Snowden’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is gorgeous. Dark, powerful and beautifully structured, the 2016 Ranch is a huge overachiever. In 2016, the Ranch is a wine of real power, gravitas and character. Black cherry, plum, lavender and savory herbs all develop in the glass, but it is the wine’s persistence and overall balance that stands out in this deeply flavorful, classically built Cabernet from Snowden. Best of all, the 2016 is a superb wine for the money.”
James Suckling 92 points “Elderberries, blueberries, blackberries and hints of hazelnuts and walnuts. Medium to full body, focused acidity and a medium-chewy finish. Drink in 2022.”

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

Snowden Vineyards The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 special
Antonio Galloni 90 points
“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon The Ranch is an attractive, mid-weight wine that shows the more gracious, understated side of the year. Floral and spice notes give the 2017 lovely aromatics to play off a core of sweet red berry fruit. This is a very pretty wine.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $55

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#503-223-6002
 
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Trending Wines

Powerful wine from a legendary name
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2016 750ML ($44.95) $33 special
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2016 750ML ($279.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points
“The 2016 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes from more schist and gneiss soils and spent 10-14 months in mostly used barrels, with a small part in tank to preserve more freshness. It’s another ruby/purple-colored effort from this estate and gives up lots of blackberry and blueberry fruits intermixed with earthy minerality, ground pepper, and hints of damp earth. Rich, layered, and textured, it will be better in a year or two and keep for 8-10, if not longer.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Features a solid core of dark currant and blackberry fruit, inlaid with notes of tar, anise and warm tobacco leaf. Reveals a tug of iron through the fruit-laden finish. Best from 2020 through 2026. 1,033 cases made, 123 cases imported. — JM”
James Suckling 92-93 points “This has fragrant and floral character with wild raspberries and red plums. The peppery palate has a vibrant array of ripe, red and purple fruit. Good depth and drive here. Barrel sample.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

A delicious “Super Umbrian” that’s a steal at this price.
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!

When a certain Hollywood couple bought a winery to make Miraval, the original owner kept the best vineyard so he could keep making this…
Chateau la Mascaronne Cotes de Provence Quat’Saisons Rose 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Wine Advocate 92 points
“Ultra pale and coppery-hued, La Mascaronne’s certified-organic 2019 Cotes de Provence Rose Quat’Saisons is a blend of Cinsault and Grenache. Like previous vintages, it starts with notes of crushed stone and citrus, then adds the merest hints of red fruit. It’s medium-bodied but focused and streamlined, coming to an elongated, mouthwatering, complex finish that adds peach, melon and anise to the mix.”

The most approachable wine from one of the rising stars of the appellation.
Domaine Garon Cote Rotie Les Triotes, Rhone 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Domaine Garon Cote Rotie Les Triotes, Rhone 2016 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points
“(40% new oak) Opaque ruby. Smoky, mineral-accented cherry and blueberry scents are complicated by hints of vanilla, Indian spices and licorice. Supple and broad on the palate, offering pliant blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. A sexy floral pastille note emerges on the clinging finish, which shows excellent clarity and gentle, slow-building tannins.”
Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 points “From a mix of the La Triotes, Mollard, Combard, and Lancement lieux-dits, the 2016 Côte Rôtie Les Triotes is charming and elegant, with lots of black raspberries, vanilla oak, candied flowers and hints of meatiness. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and silky on the palate, it’s going to drink nicely right out of the gate, yet should evolve gracefully on its balance.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

La Fortuna is one of absolute favorite Brunello estates and their Rosso is a stellar deal, even by their standards.  
La Fortuna Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Grapelive 91 points
“The 2018 La Fortuna Rosso di Montalcino is ripe, textured and silky smooth with pure Sangiovese character. It goes wonderfully with simple cuisine and shows a good cut of freshness for easy youthful drinking pleasure. The 2018 vintage is less serious than 2016 in the Montalcino area, but still offers plenty of flavor and value to savvy Tuscan fans. The Rosso di Montalcino “Baby Brunello” offerings are going to be fun and there will be plenty of bargains to be found, like this La Fortuna with its polished and elegant styling. Fresh out the box the La Fortuna is smoothly rich with vine-picked tangy blackberry, wild plum, cranberry, strawberry and tart cherry fruits along with blood orange, tobacco leaf, potpourri florals, rosemary, lavender and spiced cedar notes. A richer form comes out with air and food, making it a medium to full bodied Sangiovese that has a lot of charm, especially for the price. This 100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello clone) was crafted with traditional care and made for early drinking with grapes coming from vineyard parcels that range from 15 to 25 years on the semi volcanic soils of the region and was fermented in temperature controlled tanks with about a 20 day maceration on the skins to give it that dark burgundy hue in the glass. After fermentation this La Fortuna Rosso di Montalcino is racked mostly to large Slovenian oak casks for six months and aged a further six months in mainly 1 and 2 times filled small French barriques, which explains the luxurious velvety mouth feel, before bottling. This estate goes back a long way with the Zannoni [family] first arriving at “La Fortuna” back in 1907 to work the farmstead and through the generations rose up to finally purchase the property and become a private winery and label with fifth generation Gioberto Zannoni now in charge at this highly regarded Brunello label. I suggest buying the 2013 and 2016 if you can still find them, but don’t overlook these tasty and graceful 2018s either.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
 
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Rose of the Day

Cassis’ Beauty


Cassis is one of the most singularly beautiful places on earth, so it makes (emotional, if not logical) sense that the wines from the village are similarly stunning in their beauty and purity.  Perhaps our favorite from the town is the version offered up by the Domain du Bagnol, whose estate is perched on hillside (mountainside, really) that overlooks the village and the sparkling blue waters just beyond.  The wine seems to capture this, with elegant, crystalline fruit and a hint of sea-side air.  The 2019 version just arrived and is as wonderful as ever.


In Stock Now:

Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose, Provence 2019 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Domaine du Bagnol Cassis Rose, Provence 2019 1.5L ($69.95) $61.90 special
Importer note
“The Rosé is produced from several parcels that comprise slightly less than 7 hectares of vineyards. The vineyards are clay and limestone, situated on a gentle slope with a north – northwest exposure. The blend is Grenache (55%), Mourvedre (31%) and Cinsault (14%). This Rosé is vinified by “pressurage direct, the must is chilled to 12 degrees Celsius, the wine ferments at 18 degrees Celsius until it is completely dry; then, the wine is bottled during the first three months of the following year after a light filtration. Production tops out at about 40,000 bottles per annum; approximately 6000 bottles are allocated to the US market.”

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Collector’s Corner

Rare Henri Bonneau


Direct from the Cellar of the Local Importer/Distributor

“The Chateauneufs here have become legends in their maker’s lifetime, and anyone fortunate enough to try them can attest to the fact that these wines are utterly unique examples of the category, as well as some of the most idiosyncratic wines being made anywhere today. A visit to Bonneau is a step back in time-both in terms of the character of the wines and the bewildering maze of ancient cellars where the wines are raised. Tasting through the range of wines resting in cask here must not be much different today than a century or more ago.” –Josh Raynolds, Vinous

Henri Bonneau is a producer without peer in the Southern Rhone.  No other winemaker (pace Rayas) has produced as many epic bottles of Cheateauneuf as he has and at the top of his pyramid is the legendary Reserve des Celestins.

Produced only in the best years, it’s generally the best Southern Rhone wine made in the years that it’s bottled.  We have four bottles of the absolutely legendary 2005 and one lone bottle of the remarkable ’98 Cuvee Special. 

Of particular note is the provenance of these wines—from the personal cellar of the original importer/distributor of these wines.  They’ve been stored perfectly since release and are only hitting the market today—these aren’t wines that have been bought and sold 4-5 times.  Opportunities like this don’t come around often and we’re excited to offer these to you today.

In Stock Now

Only one bottle available
Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Speciale, Rhone 1998 750ML ($1,399.95) $1,199 special
Wine Spectator 98 points
“This offers an aroma of chocolate-covered prunes stewing on the stove, along with notes of brick dust, black currant preserve, fresh espresso and powdered rust. Powerfully tannic and very heady, with layers of overripe fruit on the finish. Drinks like a Bual Madeira infused with black truffles, yet it somehow manages to maintain a sense of freshness. Amazing, but not for everyone. Drink now through 2025. — JM”
Robert Parker 96 points “Bonneau’s 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Speciale is something along the lines of 16.5%-plus natural alcohol with about 4-5% residual sugar. It is an amazing wine that tastes relatively dry, with huge extract of blackberries, roasted meats, and sweet strawberries and cherries intermixed with licorice, smoke and pepper. It makes a massive introduction on the palate and expands vertically, as if it were a skyscraper. It is intense, rich, and compelling, and no doubt capable of lasting 30-40 years. (The 1990 Cuvee Speciale, which has much in common with this wine, is still an infant in terms of its development.) This is a remarkable, but controversial wine.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Only four bottles available
Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve des Celestins, Rhone 2005 750ML ($799.95) $599 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points
“A big, muscular Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the 2005 Henri Bonneau Réserve des Célestins delivers a thrilling array of plum, crème de cassis, roasted garrigue, blood, and hints of graphite on the nose. Absolutely compelling aromatically, with awesome typicity and complexity, this full-bodied, structured effort is thick and rich on the palate, with a layered, concentrated mid-palate, integrated acidity, and blockbuster length on the finish. Given the almost voluptuous texture and quality of fruit, this is a profound drink now; nevertheless, it will benefit from 5-7 years of bottle age, and keep for 2 decades or more. If I had to choose one bottle to represents the essence of traditionally made Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this would be it!”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96 points “Full ruby. Huge, room-filling bouquet of blackberry compote, cherry, potpourri and cured tobacco, along with an intense spicy quality and a hint of orange zest. Palate-staining dark fruit flavors are braced by a strong mineral component and complicated by star anise and candied lavender nuances. Refuses to let up on the finish, which emphatically echoes the dark berry and lavender notes. There are tannins lurking in here but they’re buried beneath this wine’s powerful fruit.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $681

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Thanks for reading!