New Cameron Release: Dundee Hills Reserve; Featured New Arrival: Clos St Jean Best Price CDP VV; New Weekend – New Arrivals; Staff Pick; #Trending; Burgundy Preview: Arriving Next Friday; Spanish Wines – Arriving Next Week – Popular Picks & Tasty New Sherries; Super-Size Me: Extra-Large Formats of Andre Clouet; Dom Perignon 2009; Late Breaking News: Colgin New Release
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Cameron New Release
2015 Dundee Hills Reserve Pinot
Arrives Friday
Cameron Winery Reserve Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Staff note: Suggesting a long life ahead of it, the Reserve opens with aromas of baked cherries, spicy cinnamon and a streak of iron on the nose. The palate is zippy with spice and acidity. Pomegranate juice, red cherries, toast and cinnamon are tightly packed on the palate. A loamy note is layered beneath the red fruits and spice, like brewed black tea leaves. Just lovely.
Winery note: A blend of 5 barrels of Abbey Ridge Pommard clone, two barrels of Arley’s Leap (Abbey Ridge) and two barrels of Clos Electrique estate fruit.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Featured New Arrival
Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2014 750ML ($54.95) $38 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92-94 points “Brilliant ruby. A powerfully scented bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, incense and pungent flowers, and a smoky Indian spice nuance builds in the glass. Fleshy and broad on entry and then tighter in the middle, offering juicy, concentrated black raspberry and boysenberry flavors given spine by juicy acidity. Rich yet energetic, finishing with outstanding clarity and sweet persistence and shaped by smooth tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $49
See more great lowest-priced picks from the Rhone below!
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New Weekend – New Arrivals
Oregon
Back in stock!
Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Vivid red. Mineral- and spice-laced aromas of fresh red berries and rose, joined by a hint of blood orange that builds in the glass. Clean and nervy on entry, then deeper and broader in the midpalate, offering energetic black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors complemented by a sweet touch of floral pastilles. Supple tannins build slowly on the sappy, penetrating finish, which hangs on with strong, spicy persistence.”
50% Belle Pente Estate Vineyard (Yamhill-Carlton), 25% Bella Vida Vineyard (Dundee Hills), 25% Murto Vineyard (Dundee Hills)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
Back in stock!
Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Vivid ruby with a bright rim. The nose displays an array of red fruit and floral scents, with suggestions of allspice, smoky minerals and sassafras adding complexity. On the palate, vibrant raspberry and cherry flavors show an appealing sweetness and very good depth. Juicy acidity lends lift and spine, and fine-grained tannins shape the very long, focused finish, which leaves a sweet floral pastille note behind.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Back in stock – IPNC top pick!
Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Highly perfumed aromas of red fruit liqueur, Asian spices, rose oil and musky underbrush, with a subtle touch of smokiness in the background. Silky and penetrating on the palate, showing very good clarity to its spicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors. The spiciness builds on the finish, which is firmed by silky, building tannins. Quite elegant in style and balanced to age, although it’s already delicious.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $37
Washington
Super Substance ‘Cs’ Stoneridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($54.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Super Substance Cabernet Sauvignon Stoneridge has a sexy profile (compared to the Merlot Stoneridge) and has amble black currants, licorice, graphite and spice to go with medium to full-bodied richness, ultra-fine tannin, solid mid-palate concentration and a great finish. Like all of the wines here, the winemaking is impeccable and while this can be enjoyed in its youth, it will have 15+ years of longevity as well.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $49.99
Charles Smith K Vintners Klein Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 96-99 points “Another candidate for the wine of the vintage will be the 2014 Syrah Klein, which comes from the rocky soils of the Klein Vineyard in Walla Walla. Possessing a liquid rock like character as well as lots of gunpowder, graphite, savory herbs, olives and background meatiness, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a thick, unctuous texture, sweet tannin and terrific length. While it has tons of fruit and texture, it still has a concentrated core of fruit and serious underlying structure. It should benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for 10-15 years.”
Charles Smith K Vintners Morrison Lane Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2014 Syrah Morrison Lane Vineyard from Walla Walla offers a perfumed bouquet of incense, white pepper, plum and hoisin sauce, as well as full-bodied richness, building tannin and a great finish. It needs short term cellaring to integrate those tannin, but is an impressive Syrah.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Charles Smith K Vintners ‘Ovide’ Jack’s Vineyard Cabernet – Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “A new Walla Walla release, the 2014 Ovide Jack’s Vineyard is a gorgeous black fruit, black olive, dried herbs and chocolate layered beauty that has ultra-fine tannin, a seamless profile and a great finish. It has more elegance and purity than the Roma release, and is a beauty!”
Charles Smith K Vintners The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Coming from the Wahluke slope and 100% Syrah fermented (all native) with no destemming and aged in 30% new 500-liter or larger barrels, the 2014 Syrah The Deal Sundance Vineyard has a killer bouquet of black pepper, currants, blueberries, graphite and dried herbs. Full-bodied, seamless, pure and with no hard edges, it is indeed a screaming “deal”!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Bordeaux
Back in stock!
Chateau Quinault L’Enclos, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
James Suckling 93 points “A soft and fruity wine, with orange peel and berries and plums. Full body, with super fine tannins and a fruity finish. Refined and very pretty. Structured in the end. Fresh. Succulent. A style away from the over extracted one a few years ago. Try after 2018.” JS
Wine Spectator 92 points “This is very distinctive, with live-wire acidity running through the core of damson plum, linzer torte and blackberry fruit that’s framed by a mouthwatering roasted apple wood note. The long and driven finish has a piercing iron edge and a smoldering tobacco note that adds to the dramatic profile. Best from 2015 through 2025.” WA
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
France – Rhone
Baron de Montfaucon Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “The spirit I search for in Montfaucon wines is elegance and finesse. I like wines that are complex, but also enjoyable and easy to drink; like the wines of Burgundy, but working with the Southern Rhône varietals and climate. All my work is to find harmony and balance in the wine.”
Domaine La Garrigue Vacqueyras, Rhone 2014 750ML ($27.95) $19 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 89-91 points “(aged in concrete tanks): Brilliant ruby. Perfumed red berry, peppery spice, smoked meat and floral scents develop a minerally nuance in the glass. Spicy and sharply focused, showing very good depth and vivacity to the smoke-tinged raspberry and bitter cherry flavors. The mineral note comes back on the finish, which is framed by slow-building tannins that meld smoothly with the fruit.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Loire
Domaine de la Guilloterie Saumur Blanc Elegance, Loire 2015 750ML ($21.95) $16 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Very focused, with a lovely streak of salted butter running through the core of peach, lemon peel and blanched almond notes. Offers a racy, mineral-edged finish. Drink now through 2018.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $20.99
Italy – Tuscany
Castello di Ama Rosato Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($19.95) $9.90 special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 91 points “Pale pink-red. Apricot, peach and flowers on the nose. Fresh and savory in the mouth; hints of pomegranate and vanilla complicate the stone fruit and sweet spice flavors. Finishes long and tactile, with insidiousness sweetness. One of the best Rosatos from Ama in memory.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Castello di Ama Rosato Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($19.95) $11.90 special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 90 points “Pale red. Pungent floral aromas and flavors of red berries, apple and spicy underbrush. Vibrant acidity leaves a very clean and fresh mouthfeel which features hints of earth tones and red orchard fruit. Sangiovese and Merlot.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $15.99
The average price is $18
Italy – Sicily
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Bianco Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
VinopolNote: A Blend of Albanello and Zibbibo (Moscato di Alessandria). Fermented on the skins for a few weeks, but not an ‘orange’ wine, this is pretty and perfumed, with bright, sparkling acidity and slight herbal notes overlayed across stone fruit flavors. A really standout Sicilian white.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti ‘Tami’ Grillo Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2015 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Case-12 Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti Il Frappato Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2015 750ML ($499.95) $419 special (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Ian D’agata–Vinous 94 points “Bright red. Perfumed red cherry, minerals and fresh flowers on the captivating nose. Then rich and thick, with clean flavors of red berries and candied violet boasting noteworthy inner-mouth perfume. Finishes long and fresh, with a repeating note of violet and a hint of strawberry. This light-bodied, perfumed, lovely red is yet another in a long line of delicious Frappato wines from this producer; it’s a wine that offers a ton of flavor, bright acids and floral lift, but only 13% alcohol. Well done.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti ‘Siccagno’ Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2014 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 93+ points “Good full ruby. Deep, spicy and sweet aromas and flavors of plums and vanilla complicated by botanical herbs and flint. Peppery acids and polished tannins frame the flavors nicely on the perfumed back end, that features hints of violet and lingering salinity. Another great red from Arianna Occhipinti this year. (13% alcohol)”
Winery note “Siccagno is my Nero d’Avola, born from those concentrated grapes which we precisely call Siccagna. Nero relates mostly Sicily, that it is wild, but it is also fresh and elegant and it is red fruit flavoured. That it has something noble and aristocratic, but it is also melancholic as a poet or a philosopher. That it is passionate, full of warmth and contrasts. The Nero which is the grape of our fathers and unites Sicily from corner to corner and it better gathers the spirit for centuries. A wine which I deeply love and since the first year it has always been with me.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Sicilia Rosso IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 93 points “Dark ruby. Archetypal Frappato aromas that are pungently floral and bright, complicated by hints of dried herbs and spicy red berries. Then fresh, bright and lovely, with blackberry, raspberry and delicate herb flavors that are very complex and multilayered. Finishes long, mineral and juicy. Arianna Occhipinti has the Frappato variety nailed down and rarely makes anything but a great wine with it, so this blend comes up aces, offering a ton of flavor and only 12.5% alcohol.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti ‘Tami’ Frappato Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti ‘Tami’ Nero d’Avola Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Bianco Etna, Sicily 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 90 points “Bright straw. Harmonious, lively aromas and flavors of white stone fruit and aromatic herbs. Bright and juicy, with a refreshing saline bite on the long smooth finish. Less concentrated than some past vintages of Etna Bianco from Terre Nere, but remarkably fresh and easy to drink. A lovely Etna Bianco that mercifully doesn’t taste of Chardonnay or other varieties that have no place on Etna. This is a steal for the price.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosato Etna, Sicily 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 93 points “Copper-tinged pale pink. Enticing nose and flavors of fresh red berries, botanical herbs, sweet spices, aromatic oils and woodsy spices. Sneaky concentration and size with wonderful sugar-acid balance and a welcome saline twist. Best rosato from Terre Nere in years. A blend of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Mantellato.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Tenuta delle Terre Nere Rosso Etna, Sicily 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 90 points “Bright red. The very fruity nose is complicated by notes of rhubarb and aromatic herbs. Then both ripe and mineral, with an underlying earthtone to its sweet luscious and ripe flavors of red fruit and wild herbs. Finishes long with noteworthy spicy bite.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2015 Etna Rosso is mostly Nerello Mascalese with some Nerello Mantellato. Old vines range from 40 to 140 years in age. This is the estate’s blended red. It does not see fruit selected from a single Contrada. Instead, this wine offers a panoramic expression with fruit from various sites, soil types and altitudes. The wine displays a moderate ruby hue and offers mild aromatic intensity. You get wild berry, ash and dried rose petal, but the delivery is subdued and understated. The mouthfeel is polished and tight.”
Germany – Mosel
Weingut Geltz-Zilliken Estate Riesling 2014 750ML ($21.95) $14 special
John Gilman 89 points “The off-dry 2014 Estate Riesling is really very good this year, with its forty grams per liter of residual sugar nicely balanced with eight grams per liter of acidity. The lovely wine offers up a succulent nose of lime, apple, slate minerality, white flowers and incipient notes of sea salts. On the palate the wine is medium-full, bright and bouncy, with a good core, bright, ripe acids and a long, filigreed finish that is quite Kabinett-like in profile. A lovely wine. 2015-2025. 89.”
“Tropical hints of papaya and mango mingle with dominant apple on a juicy, buoyant, and even at 40 grams of residual sugar, only discreetly sweet palate. This finishes with caressing tenderness and polish, nicely poised between lightly crunchy and lushly tropical fruit.” -David Schildknecht
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $21.99
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Staff Pick
Chateau de Pressac Saint Emilion 2014
Andy:
This past weekend someone flipped the switch in the sky and it is officially autumn. There was rain, cool temperatures, and a need for something braised. I grabbed the Chateau de Pressac thinking it would pair nicely with whatever we decided to throw in the oven. The Pressac stole the show, to be honest. I knew that the “new” owners (since 1997) had been working hard to rebuild the brand: vineyards were replanted and serious investments were made to help improve quality. It is a fairly forward 2014, but doesn’t seem to have fallen prey to becoming completely modern in style despite the new toys.
We opened the bottle and threw it in a decanter as we put the lamb shank in the oven. We ate two hours later and the wine was lit up. In ‘14 the Merlot seems to have done very well and the Cab Franc adds a lovely spice to the ripe fruit. Smokiness, chocolate, and Asian spices came around too. It’s not lush or heavy, but very ready to show off. This bottle can provide a lot of pleasure over the next few years. I wouldn’t hold on to it for outside of a decade, but you’re not going to be disappointed anytime you decide to open it.
Chateau de Pressac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 36 bottles in stock
Antonio Galloni 92 points “A gorgeous wine, the 2014 de Pressac is dark, bold and voluptuous. Dark cherry, plum, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, lavender, sage and licorice all run through it. Deeply expressive, pliant and succulent, the 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring. The dark, flamboyant style works beautifully here.The blend is 69% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon plus dollops of Malbec and Carmenère. Tasted two times.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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#Trending
Hot, Hot Wines
To Chase Away the Rain
Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2014 Chardonnay Durant Vineyard delivers an intense minerally/struck match and crushed stones nose over a core of lemon pie, orange blossoms and grapefruit plus hints of toasted almonds and brioche. Medium-bodied, very fresh and very fine, the palate reveals a gorgeous creamy texture and wonderful flavor intensity, with the citrus, savory and mineral flavors lingering long and multi-layered in the mouth.” –LPB
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Whistling Ridge Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge 2015 375ML ($24.95) $19.50 special, 19 half-bottles in stock now
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Whistling Ridge Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Richard’s Cuvee knocks it out of the park with a nose of ripe apricots, pink grapefruit and guava underscored by fresh ginger, baking bread, beeswax and yeast extract hints with a waft of jasmine. Medium-bodied, the palate is very elegant and refined, with incredible freshness and depth wrapped in a lovely satiny texture, finishing with long lasting mineral and spices layers. Wow!”-LPB
Winery note “Dry-farmed chardonnay from a 1-acre parcel at Whistling Ridge, hand-picked, whole-cluster pressed. After a brief period settling the wine is racked into large French oak vessels. Fermentation and elevage lasts about 21 months on the gross lees. The shallow marine sediment soils and windy environs at Whislting Ridge produce a Chardonnay that is mineral, deep and long with chalky citrus fruit.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 2014 750ML ($31.95) $24 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 92 points “The 2014 Stonestreet Estate Chardonnay is superb, with plenty of white peach and poached pear notes, beautiful purity, a lusty, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, subtle French oak, and terrific fruit and honeysuckle. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $33
Bootleg Red Blend, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 94 points “The 2013 Proprietary Red from Bootleg is a major sleeper of not only the vintage, but in its entire concept. There are just over 8,000 cases of this wine, which has been culled from KJ vineyards on Atlas Peak, Oakville, Mt. Veeder, Rutherford and Spring Mountain. The wine is a blend of 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petite Sirah, 21% Zinfandel, 12% Merlot, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot. That’s like throwing in the entire kitchen sink, but the result is a stunningly delicious, complex, big-time, sexy style of wine with a deep, opaque purple color, a beautiful nose of blackberries and blueberries, with some lavender Provençal herbs, licorice and a touch of espresso. The wine has a fabulous texture, a plush, full-bodied mouthfeel, and beautiful purity and depth. It’s something that could only be made in California, given the blend, but it is off-the-charts in terms of its hedonistic appeal. At the same time, it is complex enough to satisfy the intellectual senses as well. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. A big-time winner.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Terlato Family Vineyards Angel’s Peak, Napa Valley 2009 750ML ($69.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “Soft and fleshy on entry, showcasing fine depth, focus, purity and a range of flavors, with crushed rock, red berry, spice and mineral notes that turn elegant and silky on the finish. Drink now through 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $39.17!
The average listed price is $48!
Lavau Gigondas, Rhone 2012 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 90 points “Features a dark profile, with steeped plum, black licorice and graphite notes framed by Lapsang souchong tea and carrying through the fleshy, well-defined finish. Very solid.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99!
Domaine Paul Autard Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Cote Ronde, Rhone 2010 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 94 points “A sensational effort, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee La Cote Ronde reveals a touch of toasty oak in the aromatics, but it is beautifully integrated with kirsch, roasted Provencal herb, espresso and black currant aromas. This full-throttle, masculine and rich wine possesses sweet tannins as well as good integration of structure and acidity. It is built for the long haul, yet can be drunk in 2-3 years or cellared for two decades.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “This isn’t shy, with flashy mocha, toasted raisin, cinnamon and pastis aromas rushing forth, but there’s sleek, integrated structure and solid layers of linzer torte, plum pâte de fruit and bramble to fill it out. A tarry edge lingers on the finish. Best from 2014 through 2026.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $63
Gulfi Rossojbleo Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92 points “Bright red. Perfumed, precise aromas and flavors of red cherry, flinty minerals and aromatic herbs. Fresh and juicy, with a delicately savory twist and a refreshing aftertaste on the long finish. A lovely midweight wine packed with flavor. I also think it’s by far the best RossoJbleo in years, which had recently become too herbal and dark, both in color and fruit aromas and flavors. I much, much prefer this year’s version. (13% alcohol)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Burgundy Preview
Arriving Next Friday
Thibault Liger-Belair Richebourg Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($499.95) $399 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 95 points “(bottled in late August): Bright, dark red. Delicate, nuanced aromas of wild blueberry, macerated red fruits, crushed rock and exotic flowers. Wonderfully smooth and sweet yet still tight in the mouth, conveying an urgent character to its vibrant crushed raspberry and mineral flavors. Boasts amazing retention of primary berry fruit, but today this wine is even more spectacular on the nose and on the terrific gripping finish, where the noble tannins are thoroughly coated. Offers outstanding subtle length and lift.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $462
Arriving This Fall
Domaine Faiveley Les Porets-Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dark tones of black currant, blackberry and violet mark this broad, muscular red, which is burly on the compact finish, with an earthy aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2037.”
Burghound 90-93 points “A pretty if restrained nose speaks of various wild red berries, earth and once again sauvage nuances. The supple yet concentrated medium weight flavors possess both fine volume and detail on the punchy and lightly mineral-inflected finale that is less rustic than usual. What is entirely typical though is the expected aging curve as this is almost certainly to be extremely long-lived.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine du Clos de Tart ‘Clos de Tart’ Grand Cru Monopole 2015 750ML ($599.95) $489 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 97-99 points “The 2015 Clos de Tart Grand Cru was tasted both as separate cuvées from individual parcels around the vineyard (always a stimulating and insightful exercise) and of course, as the final blend, assembled in the same proportion as eventually bottled. It has a classic bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, hints of dried rose petals in a vase and a distant sea-spray scent that becomes more accentuated with time in the glass. There is a sense of restraint here, keeping lock and key on the precocity of the growing season. The palate is very well balanced with a superb line of razor-sharp acidity, palpable “coolness” imparted by the assiduous early picking. It is equipped with fine tannin, imbued with natural poise and gathers more black fruit towards the finish that offers a subtle slate-like note. It is one of the best I have tasted from this ancient vineyard, so assured and regal, destined to last more than 30 years with ease.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $495
The average price is $505
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Spanish Pre-Arrivals
New Vintage of Popular Picks & Tasty, Affordable Sherries
Arriving Next Friday
Bernabeleva Camino de Navaherreros Garnacha, Madrid 2015 750ML ($19.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Bernabeleva Camino de Navaherreros Garnacha, Madrid 2015 750ML ($219.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 90 points “The entry-level red 2015 Camino de Navaherreros is always produced with Garnacha from organically farmed vineyards in the zone of Navaherreros in San Martín de Valdeiglesias. It fermented in stainless steel with some 45% full clusters and aged in 5,000- and 10,000-liter oak vats for nine months. This is a very serious red Garnacha for the price asked, with an herbal touch, faint phenolic twist and no oak whatsoever, as well as a very balanced palate, refined tannins and the austere texture provided by the granite minerality. Very impressive. 33,000 bottles produced.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Arriving October 6th
Bodegas Ordonez Vatan Tinta de Toro, Toro 2013 750ML ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “I also tasted the just-bottled 2013 Vatan, from a completely different vintage that despite the cooler growing season, achieved 2% more alcohol than the 2012 (this is 16% and remained with 3.5 grams unfermented sugar). The wine is ripe and hedonistic, juicier and fresher than the 2012, and despite having more alcohol it feels much more balanced. It is still a baby with plenty of puppy fat to be rendered by the time in bottle. There are some lactic aromas, ripe black berry fruit and integrated oak scents; it has plenty of spices and some underbrush hints. The palate is full-bodied with glossy tannins; it is juicy, chewy and nicely balanced within its XXL size. The velvety tannins make it approachable now, but it should develop more complexity in bottle, and for sure it should have a long life ahead. It is a nice representation of a powerful Toro style, and at this quality level, the price is quite good.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Bodegas Perez Barquero ‘Gran Barquero’ Fino, Montilla-Moriles NV 375ML ($17.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
Bodegas Perez Barquero ‘Gran Barquero’ Fino, Montilla-Moriles NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The NV Fino Gran Barquero is aged 8-10 years under flor, pushing the limits of biological aging, which gives it a different profile: It is a big step up in quality, but it would probably be better with less filtration. It has a fresh, flowery nose hinting at some citric and even tropical fruits intermixed with the dry hay, straw, yeasty and chalky notes. It has the profile of a serious, first-class Fino that shows in a clean, pungent, balanced palate, with incisive flavors, supple and long. A good-value, great Fino that could develop some more complexity in bottle. Drink 2013-2016.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the 375ML!
Bodegas Perez Barquero La Canada Pedro Ximenez, Montilla-Moriles NV 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The NV La Canada PX is sourced from a vineyard in the Moriles Mountains called Cerro de La Canada, ‘the canyon hill’ and undergoes oxidative aging in solera and is bottled at an average of 25 years old. It boasts the characteristics of a very old PX, incense, licorice, roasted coffee and the sweetness is nicely compensated by a bitter chocolate touch. What is surprising in such an old wine is the overall sensation of freshness and elegance of fruit, with balsamic flavors of dried herbs, flowers and camphor. A truly elegant sticky. Drink 2013-2025.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $47.79
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Super-Size Me
3L Formats of Andre Clouet
Arriving Mid-October
Andre Clouet is a Champagne house known for many things, chief among them being some of the best values in the appellation. The wines they’re making are fantastic, from their base non-vintage blend all the way through the prestige “1911” cuvee, which is perpetually one of the best under $100 Champagnes out there.
We’re getting in our yearly allotment of the Andre Clouet wines in mid-October, and amongst the collection are a few three-liter bottles (aka jeroboams) of the Grand Reserve NV and the Rose NV. These are really fun for us as most of extra-large size Champagne we can get a hold of has a XXXXL price tag. These, though, look cool and are priced approachably—which is nice if you’re buying for a large party. As with the rest of the Clouet wines arriving this October, we’re not going to be able to re-order, so when they’re out, they’re out.
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 3L ($319.95) $269 pre-arrival special
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($47.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($519.95) $359 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The NV Brut Grande Reserve emerges from the glass with layers of hazelnut, pear, spice and dried flower aromas. This rich, creamy wine impresses for its balance and sheer richness. I loved it.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today for the jeroboam!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the 750ML!
Andre Clouet Grand Cru Brut Rose, Champagne NV 3L ($299.95) $279 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Vivid orange-pink. Aromas and flavors of ripe red berries, candied rose and toasty lees. Fleshy but nervy and focused, with strong mineral cut and hints of bitter herbs on the very long, energetic finish. Smoothly blends richness and vivacity, making it extremely flexible with food or without.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the jeroboam!
Also Arriving mid-October:
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($47.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($519.95) $359 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The NV Brut Nature Silver is naturally a very focused, driven wine given the no-dosage style. This shows wonderful nuance and depth all the way through to the long finish, with bright aromas and flavors but less of the toastiness than some of the house’s other wines. The mousse and finish are both utterly impeccable in their elegance.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Andre Clouet Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Clouet’s 2008 Brut Millesime shows quite a bit more tension and focus than the 2007, hardly a surprise given then personality of the vintage. Bright, saline notes frame expressive red fruits, flowers and sweet spices. The 2008 Brut is a gorgeous wine with plenty of appeal today, but it will also develop beautifully in bottle. Stylistically it is less overt than the 2007 but places more emphasis on length. Brut Millesime is mostly Pinot, with 30-40% Chardonnay.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $53.78
Andre Clouet Un Jour de 1911… Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Importer note: 100% Pinot Noir with 5 g/L dosage. 50% 2008 and 50% reserve wine from a 10 year old solera.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Dom Perignon 2009
Everything in the Right Place
ETA October 22nd
The 2009 vintage is a Great One in Champagne if you like big, powerful bubbles (that look to drink well young) and the 2009 Dom Perignon, arriving in about a month, is a perfect example of everything to love about the year. Like the heralded 2006 edition of the wine, this is a rich, powerful Dom, however it seems to be drinking much better now than its more structured brother. This is the Dom Perignon to buy and drink while your ‘06s and ‘04s mature.
Arriving October 22nd:
Dom Perignon Brut, Champagne 2009 750ML ($179.95) $159 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2009 Dom Pérignon is a gorgeous, totally seductive Champagne that will drink well right out of the gate. Medium in body and unusually open-knit at this stage, the 2009 is one of the most accessible young Dom Pérignons I can remember tasting. It is an excellent choice to drink while waiting for the release of the stellar 2008 and some recent vintages that remain very young, including the 2006. Despite the warm, ripe personality of the 2009 Dom Pérignon is quite gracious, but there is plenty of depth underpinning the fruit. With each successive tasting, the 2009 seems to have gained more power and breadth, especially on the finish. Above all else, the 2009 is decidedly restrained for a warm, radiant vintage. It is not as overtly flamboyant as the 2002 nor as phenolically intense as years like 2003 and 2006. Instead, the 2009 is a beautifully balanced Champagne, with all of its elements in the right place. Tasted three times.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $178
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Late Breaking News
New Release of Colgin IX Estate
Arriving in November
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Red, Napa Valley2014 750ML ($699.95) $589 pre-arrival special, 12 bottles available
Robert Parker 98+ points “From their steep hillside vineyards on Pritchard Hill, the 2014 Proprietary Red IX Estate is an old-fashioned Médoc blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, but with some Cabernet Franc (rarely seen in the Médoc these years) as well as Merlot and Petit Verdot. Striking aromatics of violets, forest floor, loamy soil nuances, blueberry, black raspberry and blackberry soar from the glass of this spectacular 2014. The acidity seems reasonable but on the lower side, the texture is magnificent, and the overall purity and equilibrium flawless. This is a wine pushing, even demanding, a three-digit score once again, but I’m holding back – at least for now. This magnificent effort from Colgin should drink beautifully for 25-30 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $750!
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Thanks for reading!