In Today’s Newsletter:
A Collection of Collector’s Corner Wines
New French Arrivals
Spanish Wine Highlights
$40-50
Daniel Bouland’s High Scoring ’19 Beaujolais
Podere La Boncie
New Cali Offers from
Bellacosa,
Arnot-Roberts & Radio-Coteau
A Collection of Collector’s Corner Wines
Arriving in April
Domaine du Clos de Tart ‘Clos de Tart’ Grand Cru Monopole, Cote de Nuits 2010 750ML ($799.95) $599 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
*Light label scuffing
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 97 points “The man with the bluest eyes in Burgundy, a.k.a. winemaker Sylvain Pitiot, told me that the 2010 Clos de Tart was picked almost a month later than the 2011 on 6 October with a yield hovering around 26 hectoliters per hectare and that the smallness of the berries meant that bunches were not compact. The bouquet is very seductive with introspective black fruit rather than red. The mineralite is tangible just below the surface, then a hint of oyster shell emerging with aeration. The palate has wonderful volume, coming over all fleshy and silky in the mouth thanks to the layered fresh strawberry and red cherry fruit. There is nigh perfectly judged acidity and a feminine finish that is totally entrancing. What a beautiful, feminine, refined Clos de Tart! Drink 2016-2030+.”
Antonio Galloni 94-96 points “The 2010 Clos de Tart is still a work in progress, but this early tasting is fascinating. Layers of deep, dark fruit nearly jump from the glass in this exotic, full-bodied Clos de Tart. Crushed flowers, violets and spices develop over time as the wine gains its easy upper register. The tannins are very firm, but there appears to be more than enough fruit to provide balance. This is going to be a fascinating wine to follow over the coming years and decades. Today it is shaping up to be a gem.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Rich and dense, this red exhibits deep aromas of cherry, raspberry, flowers and spice, with the oak spice more prevalent on the palate. A beautifully balanced wine, giving an effortless impression overall, with a lingering aftertaste of ripe fruit, oak and mineral. Best from 2017 through 2040. 2,000 cases made. — BS”
*Light label scuffing
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 97 points “The man with the bluest eyes in Burgundy, a.k.a. winemaker Sylvain Pitiot, told me that the 2010 Clos de Tart was picked almost a month later than the 2011 on 6 October with a yield hovering around 26 hectoliters per hectare and that the smallness of the berries meant that bunches were not compact. The bouquet is very seductive with introspective black fruit rather than red. The mineralite is tangible just below the surface, then a hint of oyster shell emerging with aeration. The palate has wonderful volume, coming over all fleshy and silky in the mouth thanks to the layered fresh strawberry and red cherry fruit. There is nigh perfectly judged acidity and a feminine finish that is totally entrancing. What a beautiful, feminine, refined Clos de Tart! Drink 2016-2030+.”
Antonio Galloni 94-96 points “The 2010 Clos de Tart is still a work in progress, but this early tasting is fascinating. Layers of deep, dark fruit nearly jump from the glass in this exotic, full-bodied Clos de Tart. Crushed flowers, violets and spices develop over time as the wine gains its easy upper register. The tannins are very firm, but there appears to be more than enough fruit to provide balance. This is going to be a fascinating wine to follow over the coming years and decades. Today it is shaping up to be a gem.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Rich and dense, this red exhibits deep aromas of cherry, raspberry, flowers and spice, with the oak spice more prevalent on the palate. A beautifully balanced wine, giving an effortless impression overall, with a lingering aftertaste of ripe fruit, oak and mineral. Best from 2017 through 2040. 2,000 cases made. — BS”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $714
Domaine Henri Gouges Les Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($169.95) $135 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “Medium red. Reticent but complex nose offers high-pitched scents of raspberry, licorice, bitter chocolate and minerals. At once dense and juicy, displaying a distinctly sappy character but also a refined texture to its intense raspberry, spice, mineral and soil flavors. This very classy wine mounts slowly on the suavely tannic, vibrant finish. Beautifully balanced already but there’s more to come with bottle age. From a crop level of just 26 hectoliters per hectare, according to Gregory Gouges, who noted that these 50-year-old vines always produce a light load of grapes. I’d love to taste this wine next to its 2015 sibling in about ten years.”
Burghound 92-94 points “Once again there is subtle wood present on the spicy, cool and beautifully well-layered nose of ripe dark currant, plum, violet and humus scents. There is a sleek mouth feel to the solidly concentrated and mineral-driven middle weight plus flavors that exhibit outstanding length on the markedly firm finale that is also impeccably well-balanced. Ample patience absolutely required.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2014 Nuits Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges has a perfumed nose with blackberry and bilberry fruit, tangible mineral scents, very fine delineation, cold flint and limestone emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, impressive structure, cool, calm and collected, building towards a crisp, tensile tobacco-tinged finish that is deceptively powerful. This will have a lot more to give after bottling, seems resentful that someone would awaken it from its barrel slumber.”
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Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Monprivato, Barolo DOCG 2007 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2007 Barolo Monprivato is stunningly beautiful. Monprivato is seldom this rich when it is young. It is most often intensely aromatic, mid-weight and frequently out of balance, especially right after bottling. The 2007 is none of those things. It is a rich, dramatic wine endowed with tons of fruit and a sweeping, enveloping personality. It is also primary and at the beginning of what is likely to be a long, long life. Despite its seeming fragility, Monprivato is one if the most long-lived of all Baroli, even its weakest vintages. The 2007 is spectacular, but it is very, very young and in need of significant cellaring to shed some its baby fat. Purists may prefer the 2006. I have not tasted both wines side by side from bottle, but 10 years from now it won’t matter. Readers will be thrilled to own either. In 2007 Mascarello opted not to bottle his Riserva Ca’ d’Morssio as he didn’t think there was a huge difference between the Riserva and the straight Monprivato. I guess we will never know for sure, although my barrel tastings have always suggested otherwise. In any event, savvy readers know what happens when there is no Ca’ d’Morissio in a good to great vintage. Recent examples include the 1999 and 2005. By now, its pretty clear the direction those wines have taken. Barolo lovers will not want to be without the 2007 Monprivato. It is a stratospheric Barolo in the making.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A pure, ethereal Barolo, boasting rose, cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors, with a touch of tar. Very harmonious and elegant, with firm yet well-delineated tannins supporting the whole. Old-school and refined. Best from 2016 through 2035. 1,830 cases made, 400 cases imported.”
Jean-Marc Millot Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Burghound 91-93 points “Here too reduction completely masks the fruit. The richer and even more full-bodied flavors possess outstanding concentration and a velvety mouthfeel thanks to the abundance of dry extract that coats the palate and buffers the slightly more structured finale on the powerful and driving finish that offers excellent depth. Impressive.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jean-Marc Millot Vosne-Romanee, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Burghound 89-91 points “Outstanding Top Value. A fresh, spicy and appealingly layered nose is composed by notes of red currant, violet, lavender and a whiff of oak. The notably more refined medium weight flavors possess both fine intensity and density while exhibiting solid length on firm but not austere finish. This is a very good Vosne villages and worth checking out.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Jean-Marc Millot Les Suchots, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Burghound 90-92 points “Reduction and wood dominate the fruit. Otherwise, there is good freshness and a finer mouthfeel to the overtly powerful, indeed even muscular, and energetic large-scaled flavors that culminate in a dusty, austere and long finish. This is a firm and very serious ‘take no prisoners’ Suchots and patience is absolutely required.”
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Domaine Roumier Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Aux Mazoyeres, Cote de Nuits 2010 750ML ($899.95) $719 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Burghound 92 points “This is also remarkably fresh with cool and markedly earthy dark berry fruit aromas that exhibit much more floral influence as well. There is good concentration to the moderately powerful, intense and muscular medium-bodied flavors that are supported by firm and mildly rustic tannins on the impressively long finish. This is not an especially big Charmes but I like the delivery and balance.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Roumier Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru Aux Mazoyeres, Cote de Nuits 2002 750ML ($899.95) $719 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Armand Rousseau Pere et Fils Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2012 750ML ($799.95) $699 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “Intensity and volume are the first things that come to mind in the 2012 Charmes-Chambertin. Layers if blue/blackish fruit blossom in a wine that is beautifully textured and vibrant throughout. I very much like the intensity here. I tasted two different barrels of Charmes, both in different states of their evolution, which is why generally speaking I feel the wines aren’t fully formed just yet.”
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Michel Lafarge Volnay Clos du Chateau des Ducs 1er 2003 750ML ($349.95) $299 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 91 points “Good full red. Expressive nose offers redcurrant, minerals, coffee and menthol. Sweet, juicy and tangy, with much more lift and energy in the middle than the Vendanges Selectionnees. Here the tannins are broad and horizontal and arrive later. Lovely lingering perfume on the aftertaste. Impressive.”
Burghound 91 points “A superbly elegant and very pure nose of notably ripe yet fresh red small berry fruits, subtle earth, clove, anise and underbrush is just now beginning to display the initial hints of secondary development. There is fine intensity to the sweet and unusually precise flavors that are the epitome of a high class Volnay. In particular, the finishing minerality contributes to the overall impression of elegance and precision, two characteristics that are relatively rare in this hot and generous vintage. In short, this is a really beautiful effort that should continue to cellar well for years to come. Tasted several times over the years and this only seems to get better even though to my taste this has now probably arrived at its peak.”
New French Arrivals
France – Champagne
Since 2008, Elise Dechannes has been working her family’s vineyards in the region of Les Riceys, Champagne. A stone’s throw from Chablis, the 100% Pinot Noir wines express elegance and joy in their enthusiastic freshness and fruitiness. Never clunky or cloying, these are profoundly delicious. She is a member of the Terr’Avenir Association, a group of French farmers committed to a respect for the environment and dedication to their products, terroir, and historical roots.
Elise Dechannes ‘Essentielle’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2016 750ML ($89.95) $66 special
Winery note “Nose: Citrus fruits, lemon and orange zest; refreshing and hydrating. Mouth: A delicate initial mouthfeel with great presence; light, tangy and pure. A soft, enveloping finish.”
Since 2008, Elise Dechannes has been working her family’s vineyards in the region of Les Riceys, Champagne. A stone’s throw from Chablis, the 100% Pinot Noir wines express elegance and joy in their enthusiastic freshness and fruitiness. Never clunky or cloying, these are profoundly delicious. She is a member of the Terr’Avenir Association, a group of French farmers committed to a respect for the environment and dedication to their products, terroir, and historical roots.
Elise Dechannes ‘Essentielle’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2016 750ML ($89.95) $66 special
Winery note “Nose: Citrus fruits, lemon and orange zest; refreshing and hydrating. Mouth: A delicate initial mouthfeel with great presence; light, tangy and pure. A soft, enveloping finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Elise Dechannes Tradition Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne (2017) 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “Nose: Intense, complex and fruity with notes of brioche, hawthorn, plum and liquorice. Mouth: Fresh fruit, strawberry, raspberry and white peach. Very palatable finish.”
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Explore other Champagne producers, including women-owned estates such as Marie-Courtin, Noel Bazin, Louis Nicaise, and more, on our web store!
France – Provence
We think of Peyrassol roses as being especially elegant and nuanced, with excellent minerality and poise and they’ve been customer favorites every year for the quality and value they deliver, and the wines gain polish and elegance the further up the quality spectrum you go.
These are historic wines from the foothills of the massif des Maures along the Mediterranean coast. Wine production dates back to 1256 under the Knights Templar. Since 2001, the estate has been run by the Austruy family, which has invested in the vineyard and winery and has expanded the line up to include non-estate bottlings. The wines are produced organically with limited yields due to the severe climate, low-vigor soils, and age of the vines.
Peyrassol ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Case-12 Peyrassol ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($479.95) $369 special (that’s only $30.75/bottle!)
Importer note “100% estate fruit, offering the purest expression of a great Provencal terroir. [These are] the oldest vines of the estate from the Girette and Longchamps areas, currently under organic conversion. Pale in color, with soft rose-tinted overtones, Château Peyrassol radiates freshness. It’s subtle nose of citrus, vine peach, apricot and delicate florals is inviting. It has a dense palate, poised and lively, and is notable for its balance, punctuated by a long, fruity finish. Harvested during the cool temperature of the night, the fruits are destemmed and pressed with minimal exposure to oxygen to preserve freshness and aromas. The grapes are vinified by direct pressing and in the course of this process the wine develops its delicate pink color. After fermentation in stainless steel at a controlled temperature, a light racking is completed to retain only the best lees which are then worked carefully to promote both the aromatic expression and the potential of the wine to last over time. 45% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, 12% Ugni Blanc, 10% Syrah, 8% Rolle.”
Winery note “Pale in colour, with soft rose-tinted overtones, Château Peyrassol radiates freshness. Its subtle nose of citrus, vine peach, apricot and fine floral notes is inviting. It has a beautiful, dense palate, delicate and lively, and is notable for its balance and full body, punctuated by a long, fruity finish. It is the perfect accompaniment to fish soups, carpaccios and all varieties of grilled fish, but will also add sparkle to red berry desserts.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peyrassol ‘Cuvee des Commandeurs’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Peyrassol ‘Cuvee des Commandeurs’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($279.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Importer note “Cuvée des Commandeurs bottles the essence of quality fruit, seeking to evoke pleasure and delight the senses. This accessible rosé was crafted to provide thirst-quenching freshness with vibrant fruitiness, without sacrificing elegance and complexity. Its rosy appearance is delicate in color and an expressive nose lends charm to this blend. A palate dominated by wild berries: gooseberry and raspberry that reveal themselves in a crisp, silky mouthfeel enhanced with a touch of minerality. 40% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Rolle. Harvested at night to preserve the acidity and in double floor boxes to prevent any early maceration and coloration of the juice. The fruit is directly destemmed and pressed on arrival in the cellar. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Peyrassol ‘La Croix de Peyrassol’ Rose, IGP Mediterranee 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Case-12 Peyrassol ‘La Croix de Peyrassol’ Rose, IGP Mediterranee 2020 750ML ($199.95) $169 special (that’s only $14.08/bottle!)
Importer note “Beautiful pale pink in color, with distinct bluish hues. This expressive blend opens immediately with notes of small red fruits carried on a savory undertone of garrigue. There is a refreshing touch of greenness on the palate which gives this fresh, lively wine its truly thirst-quenching character. An accessible blend in the true style of Provençal rosé: delicate with flavors of white fruit and a hint of minerality. Varietal Composition: 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Syrah. With a long history of producing Provençal wines, the Commanderie de Peyrassol has broadened its offering using fruit from its IGP classified vineyards around the Coudonnier area and completed with sourcings from local partnerships. The winery produces this rosé with the goal of creating a more accessible wine with a focus on quality and freshness.”
Château Pradeaux Bandol, Provence 2015 750ML ($54.95) $47.50 special
Importer note “The Bandol from Pradeaux is a creature whose soul emerges from Mourvedre. The classic Cuvée is 95% Mourvedre and 5% Grenache, with the Grenache adding spice to the bouquet and leavening some of the drama provided by the intimidating structure of the Mourvedre. One of the hallmarks of Pradeaux is that the grapes are never destemmed. The result is a wine of ferocious tannin in its youth, another reason for the prolonged aging in these large wooden barrels, a time for the wine to repose and find its identity as it emerges from the cocoon of tannins to reveal an exceptionally complex crowd of aromas and flavors. Although situated mere steps from the Mediterranean, harvest at Pradeaux (always manual) frequently starts in earnest for the Mourvedre during the first weeks of October. The average age of the vines is approximately 35 years and harvest levels are quite low, often in the range of 25 hectoliters per hectare. Fermention occurs at temperatures between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius and the wines are racked into large oak ovals and foudres where they rest with occasional rackings for four years before being bottled. Neither new oak nor small barrels are ever used at Pradeaux and the red wines are never fined nor filtered.”
Spanish Wine Highlights
$40-50
Jorge Ordonez built Numanthia into a phenomenon, sold it to LVMH, and promptly started Vatan.
Bodegas Ordonez Vatan Toro Tinta De Toro, Toro 2015 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Seeing the same élevage as the 2016, the 2015 Vatan offers a slightly more saturated color as well as smoking good notes of blackcurrants, smoked earth, melted licorice, violets, and dark chocolate. Fabulous on the palate as well, with full-bodied richness, flawless balance, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish, it’s a primordial baby at the moment, yet this thrilling wine could compete with wine costing 3-4 times the price.”
Bodegas Ordonez Vatan Toro Tinta De Toro, Toro 2015 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Seeing the same élevage as the 2016, the 2015 Vatan offers a slightly more saturated color as well as smoking good notes of blackcurrants, smoked earth, melted licorice, violets, and dark chocolate. Fabulous on the palate as well, with full-bodied richness, flawless balance, ripe tannins, and a great, great finish, it’s a primordial baby at the moment, yet this thrilling wine could compete with wine costing 3-4 times the price.”
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Familia Nin-Ortiz ‘Planetes de Nin’ Garnatxes en Amfora Priorat 2018 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “Produced with Garnacha grapes from their four hectares in Finca Planetes in Porrera, the 2018 Planetes de Nin Garnatxes en Amfora fermented with indigenous yeasts for four weeks and matured in 700- and 1,000-liter terracotta amphorae for seven months. The nose jumps out of the glass with very clean aromas that are expressive, floral and pure, with a profile of juicy fruit, like biting into a bunch of ripe Garnacha. Delicious! 6,200 bottles were filled in June 2019.”
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Bodegas El Regajal ‘Galia’ Villages Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2015 750ML ($49.95) $45 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The regular Galia has been renamed and is now the 2015 Villages since there are two more reds in the portfolio this year. It’s a blend of grapes from different soils in all the villages they work (Piquera de San Esteban, Fuentelcesped, Hontangas, Cuevas de Provanco and Trigueros del Valle), trying to represent the Duero Valley as a whole. It has an intoxicating, perfumed and really attractive nose full of flowers, wild herbs and spices. The palate is medium-bodied and has the elegance and poise the nose was pointing out, with ultra refined tannins, great balance and freshness. It has to be one of the most elegant wines produced from the Ribera del Duero zone, and it doesn’t show any of the heat from the warm and dry 2015 vintage. They included the white grapes from their vineyards in Piquera, Fuentelcesped and Trigueros, so the estimated breakdown of the blend is 88% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha and 2% Albillo—and 100% produced in their own, brand new winery. All this must have contributed to a more relaxed wine, with perfectly integrated oak and a sense of harmony and elegance despite the 15% alcohol and relatively high pH (3.8). It fermented with indigenous yeasts, with some full clusters and aged in oak barrels and vats of different sizes for some 20 months. 14,559 bottles and 196 magnums were filled in June 2017. I was really blown away by this.”
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2007 750ML ($57.95) $49 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points “Following the appreciation of the 2007 vintage from María José López de Heredia, the red 2007 Viña Tondonia Reserva is showing great, revealing unusual finesse and elegance. The nose is a little reticent but nuanced and complex, a little shy rather than explosive. The palate is medium-bodied, and the tannins are very refined. This has to be one of the finest vintages of Viña Tondonia Reserva of recent years. 200,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2015.”
James Suckling 95 points “This wine spends six years in barrique (tradtionally it needed six winters to stabilize naturally), before racking into large casks and then bottling three years before the expected release. Attractive, dark earth and dried sage with a strong aroma of attractive, rich dried cherries, as well as blackberries and hints of cedar, cigar tobacco and fresh leather. The palate has a smooth array of fine but quite powerful tannin that builds seamlessly into the long, rich, dark cherry-flavored finish. Great wine! Drink or hold.”
Compania de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez ‘Pegaso Barrancos de Pizarra’ Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Pegaso Barrancos de Pizarra has subtler tannins and has a more Mediterranean twist with notes of thyme and rosemary, ripe without excess. In fact, it felt quite elegant for the natural conditions of the harvest. On the palate, it is rounder and more approachable than the granite version, with the rusticity of the zone but more elegant. less extracted and with better oak integration than the initial vintages. It gives me the feeling that the best is yet to come… 2,700 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2017.”
Importer note “Cebreros, a village within the Sierra de Gredos mountains outside of Madrid, was a forgotten region Telmo Rodriguez discovered while traversing the Cañadas Reales with his father in 1999. Then, the region was known only for bulk wine and the idea was to write a book. However, enchanted by the old-vines and incredible natural beauty of the terrain, Telmo began to make his first wine that year. He decided to use the name Pegaso, a tribute to the famous Spanish car and truck manufacturer of the 1940s, which is dear to collectors with an eye for design and style. In the village of Cebreros, a rare band of brown slate is folded into the mostly granitic mountain range. They began by recovering the gran cru slope of Arrebatacapas, at an elevation of over 1100m, which is the most important pizarra (slate) landscape in all of Gredos. The wine from this special slate vineyard and other slate vineyards they have recovered is called Pegaso Barrancos de Pizarra. Barrancos de Pizarra is sourced from 930m to 1100m slate vineyards near Cebreros. Produced with 100% traditional, EU organic, bush-trained garnacha vines. Hand-picked grapes are fermented with native yeasts. The wine is then aged for 24 months in French oak barrels sourced from different forests.”
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Bonus Spanish Arrivals
Back in stock!
La Vizcaina Bierzo Las Gundinas Bierzo 2016 750ML ($39.95) Was $30.90, Now $28 Subscriber Special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2016 La Vizcaína Las Gundiñas comes from a plot with deeper soils, and the wine feels quite immediate and fruit driven. There is a bitter touch in the palate. I’ve seen some ups and downs with this wine, and Raúl Pérez confirmed that the wines are variable, but they tend to deliver in the medium term. It’s not particularly complex, but it drinks well. 4,500 bottles produced.”
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The next best price is $40.60
The next best price is $40.60
One lonely magnum looking to mingle…
Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, Rioja DOCa 2010 1.5L ($499.95) $449 special
Wine Spectator #1 of Top 100 in 2020
Falstaff Magazine 100 points “[Translated] Dark ruby garnet, violet reflections, subtle brightening of the edges. Fine mint, fine black cherries, fine herbs, fresh heart cherries, mineral and inviting, a multi-faceted, young bouquet. Juicy, complex, elegant, extract-sweet texture, fine round tannins, ripe heart cherries, delicate nougat, sticks for minutes, enormous future potential. Simple calculation: buy what is possible.”
James Suckling 99 points “Marvelous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cedar and mushrooms. Some dried cheese. Then turns to flowers. Very complex. Full and intense with fantastic depth and power. It goes on for minutes. It is a wine that exudes tradition but gives a sense of modernity with precise winemaking. Two years in oak, one in concrete and three or four in bottle. Drink on release and age onwards.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 97 points “I had very high expectations for the 2010 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, and the wine delivered as expected. 2010 was one of the finest vintages in Rioja in recent years, and this blend of Tempranillo with 15% Mazuelo (Cariñena) has to be one of the finest modern day Castillo de Ygays. The grapes come from a plot planted in 1966 at 485 meters in altitude, the highest in the estate, and the vines yielded 3,500 kilos per hectare. The two varieties fermented separately in stainless steel for 11 days, and the wine spent 26 months in a mixture of American and French oak barrels. I tasted the 2009 next to this 2010, and I had also had a bottle two nights before. So, I was able to compare this with the 2009, which was a very different year, as 2010 was a cooler year and a priori a more adequate year for long-aging wines like this Gran Reserva. The difference was the vegetative cycle, as the vinification and élevage was the same. This is sleeker and sharper, less developed and livelier than the 2009, which already shows some signs of “old wine” with aromas that remind me of the old classical Rioja reds. It has greatness and finesse and is a very attractive wine with all the stuffing and balance that is needed for a long (and positive) aging in bottle. This is one of the finest modern day vintages of Castillo Ygay. This is going to develop in the direction of the classical bottlings from yesteryear. 130,853 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2015.”
Decanter 97 points “Ygay these days is a blend of Tempranilo and Mazuelo, the later making up 15% in this vintage. 2010 will be remembered in the great vineyards of Europe as a classic year, elegant restraint and wonderful harmonious balance, even in youth, its key characteristics. The Ygay fits this template perfectly; plums and sloes, hints of blueberry and cassis, then figs, cocoa and sousbois, a distinct balsamic note to underline provenance. The Mazuelo etches fresh acidity and a powerful finish, leaving the Tempranillo the opportunity to dance flamboyantly on the mid-palate, the bringer of joy and harmony.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Maturing well, this round red is a lovely example of the traditional style. Orange peel, dried cherry, forest floor, vanilla and black tea flavors mingle harmoniously over round tannins and citrusy acidity. Generous but gentle, lively, balanced and harmonious. Tempranillo and Mazuelo. Drink now through 2030. From Spain. —T.M.”
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The next best price is $499
Daniel Bouland’s High Scoring ’19 Beaujolais
Daniel Bouland makes gutsy wines from old vines in the heart of Beaujolais premier appellations. You often hear that they’re traditionally made and, although that’s true, it doesn’t begin to describe what makes the wines unique. These are wines that recall what Beaujolais would have been like before industrial farming and certainly before industrial winemaking. They’re special, powerful and age-worthy.
From a winemaking perspective, the closest comparison to what Daniel Bouland is doing is probably Domaine Dujac. The cross-regional comparison probably violates some sort of law of wine-writing, but when you look at what Bouland does with his grapes, it makes sense. There’s almost exclusively whole cluster fermentation at both houses and Bouland’s wine show as muscular and robust—capable of very long aging and transformation into profound wines.
The difference, of course, is that working with Gamay, Bouland’s wines are more immediately drinkable than anything from Dujac (Bouland also doesn’t use new oak on his wines). And the prices are far below what top Burgundy can command. Young, the Bouland bottles show both intense fruit and structure—you wouldn’t necessarily think to drink Beaujolais with steak, but these are incredible pairings with even very hearty foods -especially since Gamay has a zesty freshness to it that can lighten, nay elevate, any meal. The 2019s just landed and we’re thrilled to feature them here today at national best prices.
In Stock Now:
Daniel Bouland Chiroubles Châtenay, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($37.95) $28.80 special, 24 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Exuberant aromas of raspberries, blackberries and cherries introduce the 2019 Chiroubles Châtenay, a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy wine that’s round and enveloping, with a charming core of fruit and melting, delicately powdery tannins. It will drink well young.”
From a winemaking perspective, the closest comparison to what Daniel Bouland is doing is probably Domaine Dujac. The cross-regional comparison probably violates some sort of law of wine-writing, but when you look at what Bouland does with his grapes, it makes sense. There’s almost exclusively whole cluster fermentation at both houses and Bouland’s wine show as muscular and robust—capable of very long aging and transformation into profound wines.
The difference, of course, is that working with Gamay, Bouland’s wines are more immediately drinkable than anything from Dujac (Bouland also doesn’t use new oak on his wines). And the prices are far below what top Burgundy can command. Young, the Bouland bottles show both intense fruit and structure—you wouldn’t necessarily think to drink Beaujolais with steak, but these are incredible pairings with even very hearty foods -especially since Gamay has a zesty freshness to it that can lighten, nay elevate, any meal. The 2019s just landed and we’re thrilled to feature them here today at national best prices.
In Stock Now:
Daniel Bouland Chiroubles Châtenay, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($37.95) $28.80 special, 24 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Exuberant aromas of raspberries, blackberries and cherries introduce the 2019 Chiroubles Châtenay, a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy wine that’s round and enveloping, with a charming core of fruit and melting, delicately powdery tannins. It will drink well young.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $32
Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes Cailloux, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($41.95) $31.90 special, 27 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2019 Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes Cailloux is once again quite structured this year, though it’s not as brooding and muscular as its 2018 counterpart. Revealing aromas of raspberries, cherries, burning embers and sweet soil tones, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of fruit, lively acids and a chassis of fine but abundant tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $35
Daniel Bouland Corcelette Vieilles Vignes Sable, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($41.95) $31.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2019 Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes Sable is excellent, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cherries, plums, violets and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and muscular, built around succulent acids and powdery tannins, it’s elegantly structured and built to age, even if it’s charming enough to be enjoyed young—the 2011 vintage from my own cellar is drinking brilliantly.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Daniel Bouland Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Mélanie, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($37.95) $29.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Offering up aromas of red plums, berries, raw cocoa and spices, the 2019 Côte de Brouilly Cuvée Melanie is medium to full-bodied, supple and velvety, with a fleshy core of fruit, melting tannins and lively acids. Bright and charming, it’s produced from a south-facing site near Château Thivin.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Daniel Bouland Morgon Bellevue Cailloux, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 35 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Derived from older vines in rockier soils, the 2019 Morgon Bellevue Cailloux is even more sensuous and textural than its Sable counterpart. Mingling notions of raspberries and plums with hints of rose petals and spices, it’s medium to full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, its powdery tannins almost entirely cloaked in succulent, perfumed fruit.”
Daniel Bouland Morgon Les Delys, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($49.95) $34.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2019 Morgon Les Delys Vignes plantées en 1926 has turned out brilliantly, wafting from the glass with aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, strawberries, sweet soil tones and spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it’s seamless and multidimensional, and with striking concentration, succulent acids and powdery tannins, it’s long and penetrating. While this is carrying less puppy fat than the 2018 at the same age, it’s still quite a demonstrative, fruit-driven vintage of Les Delys, and while it will be long-lived, it can also be approached young.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $37
The average price is $37
Daniel Bouland Morgon Bellevue Sable, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($41.95) $29.90 special, 34 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2019 Morgon Bellevue Sable is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries, cherries, orange rind and plums. Medium to full-bodied, supple and succulent, it’s bright and fleshy, with powdery tannins and a generous core of fruit, girdled by lively acids. Bottled only a week before I tasted it, I suspect it will perform even better with six months’ bottle age. As readers will remember, this cuvée comes from younger vines, planted on Viala rootstock in sandy soils—as the “Sable” newly added to its label makes clear.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Beaujolais?
We have 35 Beaujolais wines in stock now.
Shop our entire selection, including staff favorites like Clos de la Roilette, Domaine du Vissoux, and more on our web store!
Podere La Boncie
Attention lovers of elegant, pure, Tuscan wines. If you’re a big fan of Montevertine, Castell’in Villa or Stella di Campalto, you need to stockpile the wines that Giovanna Morganti makes under her Podere Le Boncie label. The estate is a mere three hectares in Chianti Classico, planted to a high-density mix that’s anchored around Sangiovese, but with a smattering of old-school Tuscan grapes like Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Foglia tonda Mammolo and Prugnolo, as well.
Importer Neal Rosenthal describes the wines as “ferociously elegant”—as pithy a description as we’ve seen. The two wines are hyper-classical Chianti, with beautiful aromatics and aristocratic structure. They’re based near Castelnuovo Berardenga, a town best known as the home of Felsina, but the Boncie wines are based around grace rather than power and richness—a real study in contrast to their famous neighbors. Unfortunately, total production is less than 1,500 cases, of which only a few hundred make it to the US. This is already turning into a cult producer, so act accordingly.
Podere Le Boncie ‘Cinque’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine note “Giovanna calls her second wine “Cinque,” a dual reference to the five grape varieties planted at Le Boncie and to the Italian grading system, in which a 5 (out of 10) constitutes not quite passing (Giovanna is atypically and charmingly self-effacing for a Tuscan). Part comes from the non-gobelet-trained vines of her original three-hectare farm, and another part from a recently acquired 1.3-hectare parcel called “Chiesa Monte,” three kilometers from Le Boncie and just outside the limit of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Giovanna ferments “Cinque” in a combination of cement and steel, with a slightly briefer maceration than “Le Trame,” and ages it in large botti for roughly one year less than the flagship wine. The result is slightly less structured and gentler, but still deeply expressive of both the warm generosity of Castelnuovo Berardenga and of Giovanna’s caressingly pure style. 2018 was a rainy and relatively tough growing season, but one would never know if from this wine, which is lithe, supple, and open for business even at this youthful stage.”
Podere Le Boncie Le Trame, Toscana Rosso 2017 750ML ($59.95) $54.50 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine note “Giovanna’s flagship wine—formerly a “Chianti Classico” but proudly a “Toscana Rosso” since she wearied of the red tape and exited the appellation in 2012—comprises almost entirely Sangiovese, head-trained and densely planted, with splashes of interplanted indigenous varieties (Colorino, Mammolo, Foglia Tonda, and Ciliegiolo). Fermented in open-top oak casks and aged in a combination of large botti and 500-liter barrels (all well used), “Le Trame” expresses powerful, punchy minerality and a purity of fruit—robustly healthy, untampered fruit—that soars from the glass. The 2017 was birthed from a rollercoaster vintage (frost, heat, drought) but drinks with silken grace, brimming with darkly dusty cherry fruit possessing a gently medicinal edge, and framed by bracing acidity and palate-cleansing freshness.”
Importer Neal Rosenthal describes the wines as “ferociously elegant”—as pithy a description as we’ve seen. The two wines are hyper-classical Chianti, with beautiful aromatics and aristocratic structure. They’re based near Castelnuovo Berardenga, a town best known as the home of Felsina, but the Boncie wines are based around grace rather than power and richness—a real study in contrast to their famous neighbors. Unfortunately, total production is less than 1,500 cases, of which only a few hundred make it to the US. This is already turning into a cult producer, so act accordingly.
Podere Le Boncie ‘Cinque’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine note “Giovanna calls her second wine “Cinque,” a dual reference to the five grape varieties planted at Le Boncie and to the Italian grading system, in which a 5 (out of 10) constitutes not quite passing (Giovanna is atypically and charmingly self-effacing for a Tuscan). Part comes from the non-gobelet-trained vines of her original three-hectare farm, and another part from a recently acquired 1.3-hectare parcel called “Chiesa Monte,” three kilometers from Le Boncie and just outside the limit of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Giovanna ferments “Cinque” in a combination of cement and steel, with a slightly briefer maceration than “Le Trame,” and ages it in large botti for roughly one year less than the flagship wine. The result is slightly less structured and gentler, but still deeply expressive of both the warm generosity of Castelnuovo Berardenga and of Giovanna’s caressingly pure style. 2018 was a rainy and relatively tough growing season, but one would never know if from this wine, which is lithe, supple, and open for business even at this youthful stage.”
Podere Le Boncie Le Trame, Toscana Rosso 2017 750ML ($59.95) $54.50 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine note “Giovanna’s flagship wine—formerly a “Chianti Classico” but proudly a “Toscana Rosso” since she wearied of the red tape and exited the appellation in 2012—comprises almost entirely Sangiovese, head-trained and densely planted, with splashes of interplanted indigenous varieties (Colorino, Mammolo, Foglia Tonda, and Ciliegiolo). Fermented in open-top oak casks and aged in a combination of large botti and 500-liter barrels (all well used), “Le Trame” expresses powerful, punchy minerality and a purity of fruit—robustly healthy, untampered fruit—that soars from the glass. The 2017 was birthed from a rollercoaster vintage (frost, heat, drought) but drinks with silken grace, brimming with darkly dusty cherry fruit possessing a gently medicinal edge, and framed by bracing acidity and palate-cleansing freshness.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $58
Speaking of Montevertine, we have the latest vintage arriving in April:
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special, only 18 bottles available!
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2017 Le Pergole Torte is a wine of pure and total sensuality. I imagine the 2017 is one of those wines that will always offer tremendous pleasure. Pliant and inviting, with soft, voluptuous curves, the 2017 is off the charts gorgeous. Layers of deep Sangiovese fruit gradually reveal themselves with air. The flavors are so intense but also so primary. I wouldn’t touch a bottle before age ten. Readers lucky enough to find the 2017 should not hesitate, as it is magnificent. I can’t imagine anyone who loves Le Pergole Torte not wanting a good supply of the 2017 in the cellar. The 2017 has come together beautifully over the last year.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Montevertine 2017 Le Pergole Torte is a dark and sensuous expression with a well-matched “portrait of a lady” by artist Alberto Manfredi depicted on the iconic label of this vintage. Her full, ruby-colored lips speak of the generous and abundant fruit displayed here, and her slanted mascara-lined eyes underline the heat and power of the vintage. The Montevertine school matches the character of a wine to its bottle artwork with unparalleled success. This edition reflects the heat and the dry growing conditions of the vintage, however there is more sweetness and opulent fruit here compared to the Montevertine. It’s not that this wine is riper per se, it just tastes more voluptuous and soft. It finishes with elegant tannins and a long, polished mouthfeel.”
Can’t wait?
We have the 2016 three liter in stock now!
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 3L ($999.95) $799 special, 2 double-magnums available
Antonio Galloni 99 points “The 2016 Le Pergole Torte is magnificent, just as it was last year. Rich, dense and explosive, with stunning depth and texture, the 2016 possesses off the charts intensity while remaining light on its feet for such rich a powerful, layered wine. There is almost no perception of tannin. Black cherry, plum, lavender, menthol, spice and new leather all meld together in a pliant, striking Pergole Torte endowed with tremendous pedigree and nuance. Put simply, the 2016 is off the charts great. The only reason the 2016 does not earn a perfect score is that cramped quarters in the cellar oblige Montevertine to bottle Pergole Torte in several lots.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Shop our Tuscan selections on our web store!
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
New Cali Offers from
Bellacosa, Arnot-Roberts & Radio-Coteau
Bellacosa, Arnot-Roberts & Radio-Coteau
Daniel Cohn garnered fame when he took over his family’s winery, BR Cohn. After his father sold the winery in 2015, he launched Bellacosa, producing one of the best under $25 California cabs on the market. And at Vinopolis, it is well below $25/bottle…
Newly Arrived:
Daniel Cohn Bellacosa Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast 2014 750ML ($24.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
The Tasting Panel 94 points “Deep, earthy chocolate notes invigorate the palate. Raspberry painted on blue-berry painted on blackberry makes for layers of sumptuous fruit, with a juiciness that goes to the max. The acidity is just right and pinpoints the pleasure principle for pairing with duck, grilled meats and cheese.”
Newly Arrived:
Daniel Cohn Bellacosa Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast 2014 750ML ($24.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
The Tasting Panel 94 points “Deep, earthy chocolate notes invigorate the palate. Raspberry painted on blue-berry painted on blackberry makes for layers of sumptuous fruit, with a juiciness that goes to the max. The acidity is just right and pinpoints the pleasure principle for pairing with duck, grilled meats and cheese.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $22
Arriving Friday:Arnot–Roberts has been one of the vanguard producers of the “New California” movement, making wines that deserve to be paid attention to as some of the best in the United States. Started by childhood friends Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts in 2001, they’ve quickly established themselves as some of the best producers of restrained, elegant California wines.
Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2017 750ML ($49.59) $45 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Chardonnay Watson Ranch is a gorgeous wine. Apricot, chamomile, dried flowers, sage and dried pear are all laced together in this super-expressive, inviting Chardonnay. Readers should be prepared to cellar the 2017, as it is quite closed today. Bright saline notes add freshness and zip to this super-expressive Chardonnay.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Chardonnay Watson Ranch is a gorgeous wine. Apricot, chamomile, dried flowers, sage and dried pear are all laced together in this super-expressive, inviting Chardonnay. Readers should be prepared to cellar the 2017, as it is quite closed today. Bright saline notes add freshness and zip to this super-expressive Chardonnay.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Sonoma Coast Syrah, California 2017 750ML ($44.95) $39.50 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Syrah (Sonoma Coast) is a gorgeous wine and a huge overachiever in its peer group. Bright red cherry and plum fruit, rose petal, lavender and spice abound in this super-expressive, pliant Syrah. The purity of the flavors is simply remarkable. Medium in body, gracious and beautifully perfumed, the 2017 is a rock-star wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Radio-Coteau ‘Wingtine’ Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2018 750ML ($74.95) $66 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93-95 points “The 2018 Chardonnay Wingtine is a blend of fruit from the estate and Charles Heintz, which is right next door. Precise and beautifully focused, the Wingtine is a brilliant wine with tons of potential. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint, chalk and chamomile all grace this exquisite, vibrant Chardonnay. The 2018 is just gorgeous. The blend of the two sites works so well here.”