Category Archives: Wineries We Cherish

Il Poggione Special Offer

Il Poggione Rosso Special

March 17th, 2020

Il Poggione BottleIl Poggione is best known as one of the best producers of Brunello out there—a verified legend in Tuscany, making some of the best bottles in Montalcino.  What most people don’t know, though, is they make a baby-Super-Tuscan and it’s an absolute stellar value.  A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet, this is one of the best pizza/pasta night wines we’ve seen in a while.

What takes the wine from a good to a great value is our price on it.  We’re able to offer you this wine for $14 even and under $12.50/bottle by the case.  Either price is the lowest in the country.  You’re going to want to stock up by the case, because once we run out, the price does too.

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Il Poggione Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($24.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Il Poggione Rosso Toscana IGT, Tuscany2017 750ML ($299.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Winery Note
“A younger, more fruity wine, it is produced from Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet grapes. After the fermentation it ages in large French oak barrels and barriques. The winemaking and the combination of these three varieties, make this wine soft and ideal for the everyday enjoyment. Ruby red in colour; on the nose it is intense, with notes of red fruit, sweet spices and vanilla. On the palate it is soft and with a good and pleasant acidity. A wine for every meal, ideal with white meats, pasta and medium strength cheeses, and even a casual pizza.”
 
Looking for other great deals on Il Poggione wines? Check out our stellar prices on their 2012 and 2013 Brunello and 2012 Brunello Riserva:

In Stock Now:

Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95+ points
“Il Poggione is a Brunello superstar and a vintage like this reveals every reason why that affirmation is true. From the second the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino pours into the glass, you know you are in for something special. The wine is darkly saturated and rich in appearance. Absent are those slightly amber or browning hues you often get with Sangiovese in a hot vintage. Nor does the wine show flat or tired characteristics. Instead, the quality of fruit is vibrant and rich. This is a healthy, generous and exuberant Brunello with dark density and succulent fruit flavors that are followed by integrated spice and tobacco. The balance is impressive and one thing you get here is fresh acidity. This is not to be underestimated, because the acidity quota in the 2012 vintage across the appellation is not as high or evident as usual. This is one of the year’s best Brunellos.”
 
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($89.95) $61.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points
“The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino lives up to the impeccable reputation garnered by this estate over the years. This is a profound and beautifully rendered Sangiovese that delivers bold and luscious fruit quality with black cherry and spicy plum at the start. The bouquet follows through with mild oak notes of smoke, tar and toasted nut. There is another aromatic component that includes crushed stone and dried herb or mint. This Brunello shows elegant evolution in the glass and promises a very long aging future ahead. Some 200,000 bottles were made, so it should be easy to locate this excellent wine.”
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 95 points “Bright red. Pure, refined red cherry and wild strawberry aromas and flavors complicated by sweet spices and aromatic herbs. Deep and multilayered, the wine boasts polished tannins and a harmonious acid spine that lifts and extends the red fruit on the long, suave finish. An essence of Sant’Angelo in Colle with bigger body and palate weight than, for example, the Brunellos of Montosoli, but still sleek and refined as the best wines of Sant’Angelo in Colle can be. The cool-climate-styled 2013 vintage is precisely the type of year in which Il Poggione excels: this lovely, focused wine is the best classico Brunello from Il Poggione in years. Superb.”
 
Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2012 750ML ($129.95) $79 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Rather sweet due to the super ripe vintage. But there’s also great subtlety, enormous depth and a ton of tannin behind the opulence. The super long finish is incredibly focused. Try to wait until at least 2020. This stunning Brunello has decades of life ahead of it.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Here’s a beautifully rich and succulent Brunello that drinks very nicely straight out of the gate. The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli delivers a warm, inviting and velvety presentation. This bold wine is redolent of black cherry and dried blackberry with sweet almond, toasted spice and balsam herb on the long finish. What stands out most, however, is the wine’s rich texture that floods the mouth from front to back. That richness is fueled by the warmth of the vintage but also by the magnificent oak integration. This Riserva is aged in botti grandi for four long years. Bottle production is 45,000 strong.-ML”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Big, but polished, this full-bodied wine offers subtle, alluring aromas of baked plum, fragrant blue flower and pipe tobacco. The succulent, chewy palate brings juicy Morello cherry, raspberry jam and licorice tones framed in firm, velvety tannins. Drink 2020–2030.-Kerin O’Keefe”

Big Deals on Big Deal Wines from Jaboulet: March 2020

Subscriber Special

Big Deals on Big Deal Wines from Jaboulet

Plus, Mix Six or More and Save an Extra 5%!


-Not a subscriber? Buy some and you will be!-
 
The hill of Hermitage is both one of the most famous wine landmarks in the world and also so much more interesting than common lore purports it to be. The story goes that the hill of Hermitage was the home of a knight seeking solace from the horrors of the Crusades upon his return home. He planted the vineyards that would become Hermitage and then built a chapel to pray in and that building, the Chapel of Saint Christopher, is the defining marker of the hillside. The name, Hermitage, takes the name of the hermit’s refuge.

Jaboulet purchased the Chapel of Saint Christopher and the surrounding plot of land in 1919—possibly the choicest part of the whole appellation. This is the core of their blend for La Chapelle, which for many defines what Hermitage can be, though the entire line of wines Jaboulet makes from the AOC (and its neighbor) is exceptional.  These are big, dense wines, with loads of Hermitage character and those effortless Syrah flavors that just don’t quit on extremely long finishes.  Both 2017 (arriving later this month) and 2018 (this summer) look to be incredible successes for the northern Rhone, with Jaboulet one of the standout producers.  These are wines to stock up on and savor.

We’re making these deals even better by offering an exclusive discount to our subscribers. Buy any mix of six or more bottles of 2017 or 2018 Jaboulet wines from this offer, and we will give you a 5% discount. Offer ends Sunday, March 15th at 6 PM Pacific.

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2017’s, Arriving ETA March:

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $31.35
Jaboulet Aine Domaine Mule Blanche Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points
“A barrel-fermented blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Roussanne, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche is a terrific example of what those varieties can do when they’re grown in the right location and vinified with care. Gentle toasted grain scents waft from the glass, along with notes of marshmallow and melon. It’s full-bodied and richly textured, with notes of pineapple, crème brûlée and citrus on the long finish.”

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $56.05
Jaboulet Aine Chevalier de Sterimberg Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-97 points
“Jaboulet’s 2017 Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg is approximately two-thirds Marsanne and one-third Roussanne. Subtle notes of crushed stone and pencil shavings frame honey, pineapple and baking spices, all wrapped around a tensile core of tangerine and lime. In a year when no La Chapelle Blanc is being made, this is the top white Hermitage from Jaboulet, and it’s a beauty, with a silky texture and a long, mouthwatering finish.”

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $179.55
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 97-99 points
“In need of serious air to open up, the 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle became more and more impressive the longer I kept it in the glass. At first it seemed a bit simple, if admirably plummy and rich, but by the time ten minutes had elapsed, it was showing off elegant notes of crushed stone, pencil shavings and cassis, while remaining full-bodied, rich and concentrated. It’s velvety and long on the finish, but something left me wanting a bit more. It’s surely a great La Chapelle, but will it reach that elusive triple-digit score?”
James Suckling 98 points “The icon is in dangerously seductive form. Such pristine dark cherries, blackberries and dark plums, dark chocolate, finely crushed spices and plenty of crushed dark stones on offer. The palate is very intense, very slick and fine tannins deliver an almost playfully soft impression. The oak is super integrated. Like La Maison Bleue, this approachability is an aberration, as it has immense power, concentration and length with such regal and alluring swagger at the finish. But there is so much more to come. Try from 2024, better after 2030.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95-96 points “Brilliant magenta. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur, incense and potpourri, while olive and exotic spice nuances build in the glass. Displays intense, alluringly sweet black/blue fruit, spicecake and violet pastille flavors that show sharp delineation and are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Closes extremely long and precise, displaying a smoky, intensifying mineral quality and youthfully gripping tannins that build steadily.”

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $56.53—the lowest listed price in the country!
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Maison Bleue, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points
“Full-bodied, creamy and supple, the 2017 Hermitage La Maison Bleue looks to be a thrilling Hermitage to drink over the next 10-15 years. It’s loaded with mixed blueberries and raspberries, adds subtle notes of mocha and baking spices and picks up a savory hint of black olives on the long, silky finish. Don’t make the mistake of thinking only the La Chapelle is worth drinking, this should be a real beauty when it’s released next year.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is utterly delicious and has a very plush and sweetly fruited core of flavor with a sweepingly fleshy, rich and quite plush feel. The tannins are very fine here; sleek and assertive, they seem to suggest early drinking. It’s so balanced, too. However, this deserves to be reserved for later, as there’s a lot more to come. Try from 2024.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $31.35
Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points
“From a scorcher of a vintage that had tiny yields, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert offers a deep purple color as well as a classic Thalabert bouquet of black fruits, black olive, iodine, and peppery herbs. It’s a rich, rounded, sumptuous beauty that has plenty of sweet fruit, moderate tannins, and a great finish. It’s not going to match the 2015, but it’s a rocking wine I’d be thrilled to drink.”

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2018’s Arriving ETA September:

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $58.81 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Chevalier de Sterimberg Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $61.90 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points
“This is two-thirds marsanne and one-third roussanne and it sees some demi-muid elevage. Very fresh, peach and pear aromas with a focused, ripe and juicy palate that wields glycerol and smooth fruit flesh. Long finish with pears, white peaches and melon. Very even. Drink or hold.”

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $31.35 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine Mule Blanche Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points
“Burgundian notes of crushed citrus, white flowers, salty minerality, orange pith, and honeysuckle all emerge from the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Mule Blanc, and it’s fresh, medium to full-bodied, concentrated and elegant on the palate. Give it a year or two.”

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $28.41 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2018 750ML ($37.95) $29.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points
“Although the fruit sourcing has changed from the old days, the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert remains a solid offering in the Jaboulet lineup. Violets accent blackberries and plums on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, lush and velvety, underscored by doses of salinity and licorice on the lengthy finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert comes from deeper, pebbly soils and is a full-bodied, opulent wine. Notes of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, ground pepper, and melted licorice all flow to a full-bodied wine that has tons of baby fat as well as sound underlying structure.”

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $179.55 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2018 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98-100 points
“Jaboulet’s 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle features scents of crushed stone, violets and cassis. It’s a classic trio, backed by a wine that’s full-bodied, rich and powerful yet also airy, somehow carrying intense plum and black olive flavors without any sense of heaviness or excess weight. Then the wine finishes long and softly dusty, with tannins that accentuate its savory character, picking up delicious hints of licorice at the very end. The proportion of new oak has been trimmed back to a very reasonable 20% and is hardly noticeable in the wine.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points “A deep, powerful, primordial wine (which is exactly what you’d expect for a great vintage of this cuvée), the inky hued 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle offers tons of crème de cassis as well as a liquid rock-like minerality, peppery herbs, burning embers, and graphite aromas and flavors. The palate mirrors the intensity of the bouquet and is full-bodied, concentrated, and tight, yet still packs a huge amount of baby fat. The 2018 is a beautifully pure, balanced, massively endowed La Chapelle that will need a decade of cellaring and keep for 3-4 decades with no problems.”

Mix Six or More Discount Price: $56.05 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Maison Bleue, Rhone 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points
“The 2,000-case 2018 Hermitage Maison Bleue comes from the eastern side of the appellation and is a much more fleshy, opulent wine compared to the more mineral-laced La Chapelle. Jammy blackberry and cassis fruit, notes of ground herbs, graphite, and violets, full-bodied richness, beautiful concentration, and a great finish all make for a compelling Hermitage. It’s going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age.”
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2018 Hermitage La Maison Bleue offers up aromas of mocha, raspberries and a hint of black olive. It’s full-bodied, velvety and plush, with a finish that’s marked by hints of maple syrup and a slightly open-knit quality. It should drink well for at least a decade after release.”

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Armand Rousseau New Offer

Armand Rousseau

New Offer: 3-09-2020

Arriving Late March


The wines of Rousseau have no peer in Gevrey-Chambertin. No other grower has produced wines with their level of profundity and a similar track record over the decades. From top to bottom, they are the class of the village. We are always on the hunt for their wines—as you’d expect they’re maddeningly scarce and correspondingly expensive, but worth the trouble to track down.

These are some of the pinnacles of Burgundy, up there with anything made by DRC, Roumier, Leroy or any of the other usual suspects, all with excellent provenance and in good condition.  There are only small quantities of each bottling available, so if something strikes your fancy, don’t delay—it’s not often we can get these wines in.
 
Shop our selection of Armand Rousseau wines in stock or arriving this month on our webstore!

La Gerla and La Fortuna Brunello: March 2020

Two New 2015 Brunellos: La Gerla & La Fortuna

Vinopolis Favorite Estates


la gerla brunelloYou can tell a lot about a Brunello vintage by how early we start getting asked about it.  In the case of the 2015s, well, let’s just say this is a pretty anticipated set of wines.  ’15 was a warm year across Europe and the vintage produced Brunello di Montalcino of exceptional concentration.  Even for a region known for richer wines, these are powerful—yet they maintain an expressiveness that’s delightfully fresh to go along with their intensity.

We’re just starting to get allocations and pricing lined up for the 2015’s, starting with two of our favorite producers.  Both La Gerla and La Fortuna are some of the bestselling wineries in Vinopolis history for good reason, producing fantastic wines year in and out.  Their 2015s, though, are some of the finest bottles ever from each estate and should be paid attention to accordingly.

La Gerla

La Gerla makes fantastic Brunello in a traditional (yet approachable) way.  The wines always have striking purity of fruit and elegant structures but are free of the sweet tinted oak that masks many “easy drinking” Brunellos. The pricing is on-point and the combination of all of the above has turned the estate into a Vinopolis staple.

Arriving ETA Late March:

La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $55 pre-arrival special
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 93 points
“Lots of raspberry coulis, dried redcurrants and red-plum compote here. The medium-to full-bodied palate has fleshy and succulent appeal with juicy tannins and a fruit-forward finish. Drink now or hold.”

Other Highlights from La Gerla, in stock now:

La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($599.95) $489 special (that’s only $40.75/bottle!)
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points
“The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is elegant, balanced and bright. The pretty luminosity of the wine’s appearance helps to underline this positive impression. The bouquet is nuanced and layered with dried fruit aromas that segue to spice, tar and balsam herb. You get sassy aromas of licorice, tar and cola on the close.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 93+ points “Bright red. Pure and very flinty nuances complement aromas and flavors of strawberry-rhubarb and wild berries on the nose and palate. Dense and juicy and boasting a focused, penetrating mouthfeel, this finishes long and clean with a very strong note of licorice. Best classico Brunello from La Gerla in some time.”

La Fortuna

La Fortuna is a top producer of Brunello, having turned their small (11 hectare) estate into one of the most consistently excellent in all of Tuscany.  The winery leans modern, with rich, ripe fruit and plush textures, but the wines all maintain an earthiness that keeps them grounded and allows them to age beautifully.

Arriving ETA Late March:

la fortuna brunelloLa Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $45 pre-arrival special
Case-12 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($719.95) $489 pre-arrival special (that’s only $40.75/bottle!)
James Suckling 95 points
“The sliced plums and peaches are plentiful here on the nose. Full-bodied and dense with round and rich tannins and a long, long finish. Shows structure and intensity. Serious Brunello. Better after 2022.”

Other Highlights from La Fortuna, in stock now:

La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($699.95) $564 special (that’s only $94/bottle!)
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 1.5L ($259.95) $219 special, 5 magnums in stock now
La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2012 3L ($499.95) $428 special, 3 double-magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points
“Perfumed, with wild herb aromas and a subtle mix of strawberry and cherry fruit. Vibrant and dense, with fine acidity driving the long finish. Though elegant, there is intensity and fine energy on the aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2028.”

La Fortuna Giobi, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 20 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points
“Some ash and spice undertones to the cherry and berry aromas. Medium to full body, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Linear and focused. Better in 2020.”

La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($119.95) $88 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($619.95) $499 special (that’s only $83.17/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 95 points
“Fluid and fruity, supported by a matrix of dense tannins, this features a fine texture and structure, offsetting the saturated flavors of cherry, red berry, leather, iron and tar. Stays focused while cruising to a lingering finish. Really youthful, intense and long. Best from 2022 through 2045. 330 cases made, 200 cases imported.”
James Suckling 95 points “Very attractive and intense aromas of ripe black cherries and plums, leading to a palate that has a quite firm tannin core and finishes with a convincing serving of rich, ripe darker plums and berries. Drink or hold.”

Want to see all 12 bottlings available for purchase from La Fortuna?

Head to our web store for the complete list.

Domaine de Montille Hommage 2015 Magnums: February 2020

Collector’s Corner

De Montille’s “Hommage” Bottlings


montille hommage magnumDe Montille’s Malconsorts “Cuvee Christiane” is one of the rarest, most prized wines in Burgundy.  A special cuvee, it’s from a small plot of Vosne-Romanée Malconsorts that is separated from the rest of the vineyard by a foot-path and, most importantly, sits right next to La Tâche.  

It’s significantly different and better than their (already excellent) Vosne Malconsorts, more than meriting its status as a separate cuvee.  While Malconsorts wines are often sold as “La Tâche like,” the de Montille is one of the few bottlings that truly delivers on the comparison.  From quality to rarity to pricing, this is truly Grand Cru stuff.

Due to the small production, this isn’t a wine we’re able to source every vintage.  With the death of Hubert de Montille that year, the Christiane and the Pommard “Rugiens-Bas” were only bottled in magnum both with a special “Hommage” neck label.  These are some of the rarest and most collectible bottles of Burgundy we’ve offered in a while.

Just Arrived, In Stock Now:

Only one magnum available
Domaine de Montille Les Malconsorts Cuvee Christiane Hommage, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($2,799.95) $1,899 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 95-97 points
“The 2015 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Malconsorts Cuvée Christiane is 100% whole bunch matured in 65% new oak. It has a very intense bouquet, perhaps a little more opaque than the regular Malconsorts, gradually opening with grey slate aromas tincturing the dark berry fruit. The palate is very well balanced with filigree tannin, supremely well-judged acidity, harmonious and focused with a long and tensile finish. Just a fabulous Malconsorts.”
Stephen Tanzer 94-97 points “(100% vendange entier; 65% new oak; from slightly heavier soil than the “regular” Malconsorts): Deep red. Much more closed on the nose than the Malconsorts, offering perfumed but slightly stunted scents of medicinal dark cherry and spices. Very rich and deep but without the screaming perfume of the first Malconsorts. But this wine is inkier, denser, chewier and even longer, with building tannins and a powerful structure to support a very long evolution in bottle. Both of these Malconsorts cuvées finished their malos very late, in September.”
 
Only two magnums available
Domaine de Montille Les Rugiens-Bas Hommage, Pommard Premier Cru 2015 1.5L ($1199.95) $899 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 94-96 points
“The re-christened 2015 Pommard 1er Cru Rugiens Cuvée Hubert is 100% whole cluster fruit from Rugien-Bas, matured in 45% new oak. The grapes went through a selection process and will be labelled as “Cuvée Hubert” and will only be bottled in magnums. It has a beautiful bouquet, so pure and refined, with red cherry, wild strawberry and wet limestone aromas. The palate is very well defined with a crisp line of acidity and very fine tension; the wine is very focused, a gentle grip on the finish with a long and persistent, minerally finish. I think Hubert de Montille would appreciate this.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 points “(100% vendange entier; from the upper part of Les Rugiens-Bas): Bright, dark red. Pungent iron-like minerality and terrific floral lift to the nose. Wonderfully juicy, deeply spicy wine with compelling floral delicacy and blazing definition. Really distinctive minerality here. Finishes firmly tannic, racy and extremely long, with razor-sharp delineation. Etienne de Montille will bottle this homage to his late father Hubert entirely in magnums.”