In Today’s Newsletter:
Jump Start Specials:
Dutton-Goldfield @ Pricing Too Low for Wine-Searcher
&
New Super Pricing on Day Momtazi Vyd PN!
Vie de Romans: Star Italian Whites
Staff Pick:
Classic Chinon Personified
First Offer: Vietti’s Landmark ’17 Barolos
Podere La Boncie – The New Montevertine
Roagna’s Stunning 2015 Barbarescos
Trending Wines
Collector’s Corner
Poderi Colla: One of the Piedmont’s Great Names
Jump Start Specials
Dutton-Goldfield Chardonnay
at Pricing Too Low to List On Wine-Searcher
Dutton-Goldfield is one of the premier producers in the Russian River Valley—and we’re bringing you a deal on their Dutton Ranch Chardonnay that is so good, we can’t list it on wine-searcher. If you head to our webstore, you’ll see the single-bottle price—which is already the lowest in the country by $12—but our case price is even lower.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) Super Special Pricing: $28 special
Case-12 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This is a 100% barrel-fermented wine from such stellar sites as Mill Station, Sullivan and Walker Hill. Lively, fresh and focused, it has great acidity and tension, a pleasing energy and minerality that boosts lovely flavors of green apple, Meyer lemon and mango, finishing with balanced richness. -Virginie Boone”
Bonus Best Buy:
New Super Special Pricing on Day Momtazi Vyd PN!
Brianne Day is one of the Oregon wine industry’s rising stars, building a reputation that led to a recent James Beard nomination. Sourcing fruit from throughout the Pacific Northwest, she crafts some of the region’s most distinctive and exciting wines. Today we’re thrilled to again feature an incredible deal on Day’s 2016 Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir at almost half off the winery’s price per bottle.
Day describes their Momtazi bottling as their “flagship Pinot Noir from one of Willamette Valley’s most prized biodynamic vineyards and our most age-worthy wine.” It‘s normally the most expensive Pinot in the Day Wines lineup at $54, but we’re offering it for just $28!
For those unfamiliar with Momtazi Vineyard, it is one of the Willamette Valley’s most prized biodynamic vineyards. This reputation owes to the fact that no chemicals have been used on the property since it was planted to vine in 1997. And today, the Momtazi family uses strict biodynamic practices. This is a vineyard that many of the state’s most celebrated wineries source from and display the vineyard name proudly on their label.
So take advantage of this killer deal and see what one of Oregon’s up and coming winemakers can do with some of Oregon’s most cherished fruit.
Jump Start Specials:
Dutton-Goldfield @ Pricing Too Low for Wine-Searcher
&
New Super Pricing on Day Momtazi Vyd PN!
Vie de Romans: Star Italian Whites
Staff Pick:
Classic Chinon Personified
First Offer: Vietti’s Landmark ’17 Barolos
Podere La Boncie – The New Montevertine
Roagna’s Stunning 2015 Barbarescos
Trending Wines
Collector’s Corner
Poderi Colla: One of the Piedmont’s Great Names
Jump Start Specials
Dutton-Goldfield Chardonnay
at Pricing Too Low to List On Wine-Searcher
Dutton-Goldfield is one of the premier producers in the Russian River Valley—and we’re bringing you a deal on their Dutton Ranch Chardonnay that is so good, we can’t list it on wine-searcher. If you head to our webstore, you’ll see the single-bottle price—which is already the lowest in the country by $12—but our case price is even lower.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) Super Special Pricing: $28 special
Case-12 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This is a 100% barrel-fermented wine from such stellar sites as Mill Station, Sullivan and Walker Hill. Lively, fresh and focused, it has great acidity and tension, a pleasing energy and minerality that boosts lovely flavors of green apple, Meyer lemon and mango, finishing with balanced richness. -Virginie Boone”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.99
The next best price is $39.99
Bonus Best Buy:
New Super Special Pricing on Day Momtazi Vyd PN!
Brianne Day is one of the Oregon wine industry’s rising stars, building a reputation that led to a recent James Beard nomination. Sourcing fruit from throughout the Pacific Northwest, she crafts some of the region’s most distinctive and exciting wines. Today we’re thrilled to again feature an incredible deal on Day’s 2016 Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir at almost half off the winery’s price per bottle.
Day describes their Momtazi bottling as their “flagship Pinot Noir from one of Willamette Valley’s most prized biodynamic vineyards and our most age-worthy wine.” It‘s normally the most expensive Pinot in the Day Wines lineup at $54, but we’re offering it for just $28!
For those unfamiliar with Momtazi Vineyard, it is one of the Willamette Valley’s most prized biodynamic vineyards. This reputation owes to the fact that no chemicals have been used on the property since it was planted to vine in 1997. And today, the Momtazi family uses strict biodynamic practices. This is a vineyard that many of the state’s most celebrated wineries source from and display the vineyard name proudly on their label.
So take advantage of this killer deal and see what one of Oregon’s up and coming winemakers can do with some of Oregon’s most cherished fruit.
Sale Ends Tuesday, April 20th at 6 PM Pacific
Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($53.95) Was $33, Now $28 Super Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 93 points “The 2016 Momtazi Vineyard bottling of Pinot Noir from Day Wines is the ripest of these 2016s, as it comes in at fourteen percent octane. It is beautifully black fruity on the nose (as all the examples from Momtazi have been that I have been fortunate enough to taste), offering up scents of black plum, sweet dark berry, black tea, balsam bough, a beautiful base of soil tones, chicory, gentle spice tones and a bit of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and beautifully balanced, with a fine core of fruit, great mineral drive and grip, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a long, tangy and promising finish. While this is the ripest of the 2016 pinots from Brianne Day, it is no less pure or precise and is a great bottle in the making. 2024-2055.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Limpid red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes fresh dark berries and baking spices, along with smoky mineral and musky earth overtones. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and energy and finishes with finely woven tannins and strong, floral-driven persistence.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Sale Ends Tuesday, April 20th at 6 PM Pacific
Vie de Romans: Star Italian Whites
“Year after year, Vie di Romans makes some of my favorite Italian Chardonnays… Gianfranco Gallo’s Vie di Romans is one of the most accomplished, quality-minded estates in Italy. I am always impressed by their offerings” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Vie di Romans is one of the flagship wineries of Friuli—arguably the greatest white-wine producing region of Italy. Named for the ancient Roman road that defines one of their vineyards, they sit in the prestigious Isonzo section of the region, with a warmer micro-climate that makes developing powerful, rich whites easier.
Those whites are held back an extra year before release and age beautifully, as well—a tribute to the fine balance between power and minerality that makes these some of the most intriguing, food-friendly bottles around. Their attention to detail is the key to producing wines with beauty, mystery, wildness and elegance all in one bottle.
Given the quality of the wines, we always expect their prices to be higher—but Friuli remains one of the last great bargains for exceptional bottles. If you’re a drinker of Sancerre, top-end California Chardonnay, or white Burgundy, you owe it to yourself to stock your cellar with these.
The wines have been moving briskly, and so we’ve brought in additional stock—plus a new single-vineyard Chardonnay.
In Stock Now:
Vie di Romans Chardonnay Ciampagnis Vieris 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay Ciampagnis is beautifully contoured with aromas of peach, melon, honey and passion fruit. The bouquet is perfumed and bright, driving a long finish and silky consistency. Like most of the other whites in this portfolio, it ages on the lees (for nine months, in this case). Instead of oak, it completes this process in stainless steel for an anaerobic environment that serves to capture those direct and linear aromas. The wine concludes with a hint of dusty mineral or crushed stone that ties it to one of the most prominent characteristics of Friuli Venezia Giulia.”
James Suckling 94 points “A rich, aromatic white with sliced and cooked apple, steel and stone. Full-bodied with layers of fruit, but in a focused and polished way. It’s creamy and fruity with a round texture and a delicious, flavorful finish. Mineral and steely notes at the end. Drink or hold.”
Vie di Romans is one of the flagship wineries of Friuli—arguably the greatest white-wine producing region of Italy. Named for the ancient Roman road that defines one of their vineyards, they sit in the prestigious Isonzo section of the region, with a warmer micro-climate that makes developing powerful, rich whites easier.
Those whites are held back an extra year before release and age beautifully, as well—a tribute to the fine balance between power and minerality that makes these some of the most intriguing, food-friendly bottles around. Their attention to detail is the key to producing wines with beauty, mystery, wildness and elegance all in one bottle.
Given the quality of the wines, we always expect their prices to be higher—but Friuli remains one of the last great bargains for exceptional bottles. If you’re a drinker of Sancerre, top-end California Chardonnay, or white Burgundy, you owe it to yourself to stock your cellar with these.
The wines have been moving briskly, and so we’ve brought in additional stock—plus a new single-vineyard Chardonnay.
In Stock Now:
Vie di Romans Chardonnay Ciampagnis Vieris 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay Ciampagnis is beautifully contoured with aromas of peach, melon, honey and passion fruit. The bouquet is perfumed and bright, driving a long finish and silky consistency. Like most of the other whites in this portfolio, it ages on the lees (for nine months, in this case). Instead of oak, it completes this process in stainless steel for an anaerobic environment that serves to capture those direct and linear aromas. The wine concludes with a hint of dusty mineral or crushed stone that ties it to one of the most prominent characteristics of Friuli Venezia Giulia.”
James Suckling 94 points “A rich, aromatic white with sliced and cooked apple, steel and stone. Full-bodied with layers of fruit, but in a focused and polished way. It’s creamy and fruity with a round texture and a delicious, flavorful finish. Mineral and steely notes at the end. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Vie di Romans Chardonnay Vie Di Romans 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29.50 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Polished, clear and silky, the Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay Vie di Romans is a beautifully balanced wine that gives equal weight to the intensity and quality of the fruit and the abundantly enriched texture of the mouthfeel. This is Chardonnay presented in 360-degree splendor with peach, melon, honey, pastry crust and cream custard. Ten months of aging on the yeasts gives the wine added dimension and opulent richness. Saffron, spice, cumin and fragrant sandstone are intermingled on the long and silky finish.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “As is usually the case, the Chardonnay Vie di Romans really stands out amongst its peers, especially in the 2018 vintage. There’s an undeniable richness to the bouquet as this gorgeous expression slowly blossoms in the glass. Pretty white and yellow florals, lemon confit, hints of custard, peach and sweet melon all come forward over time. It’s silky and pliant in texture, with formidable weight, yet balanced by brisk acids, as ripe citrus-tinged fruits and minerals excite the senses. A subtle hint of sweet exotic spice and almond lingers on the long and dramatic finish. The 2018 is charming today, yet also full of potential.”
James Suckling 94 points “A rich, aromatic white with sliced and cooked apple, steel and stone. Full-bodied with layers of fruit, but in a focused and polished way. It’s creamy and fruity with a round texture and a delicious, flavorful finish. Mineral and steely notes at the end. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vie di Romans Pinot Grigio Dessimis 2018 750ML ($33.95) $29 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Pinot Grigio Dessimis boasts a pale copper color with amber and peachy pink highlights. This vintage is not as wide or as texturally generous as the 2017 vintage also tasted in this report. However, the 2018 offers lifted, sharp fruit that is delineated and pure. Those subtle mineral nuances also appear with more clarity. There is tart berry, white cherry, wild mint and bitter almond. I also taste a mild tannic crunch. That structure comes from extended maceration on Pinot Grigio skins, as does the wine’s pretty color. It would be interesting to check in on its evolution in five year’s time. The wine ages on the lees for two months in French barrique.”
James Suckling 96 points “Beautiful rose-gold color with lots of ripe pear, golden apple, mango and pineapple on the nose. Hint of honey. It’s full-bodied and creamy on the palate with toasted almonds alongside tropical fruit. Smoky minerality, too. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Vie di Romans Dolee Friulano 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Friulano Dolée reveals a wide spectrum of aromas with stone fruit, citrus, wild sage, rain-soaked sandstone and honey. The bouquet is pure and fine, but the Friulano grape—especially in the hands of a winery of these credentials—is especially impressive in terms of mouthfeel and texture. There is a sweet softness and textural creaminess that gives the wine solid, mid-weight appeal. Then, all of that abundant fruit comes to an elegant close with a pristine note of salty mineral. This wine is aged on the lees in stainless steel containers for 10 months.”
Vie di Romans Flors Di Uis 2018 750ML ($31.95) $27 special
Malvasia Istriana 57%, Tocai 8% and Rhein Riesling 35%
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Vie di Romans 2018 Cuvée Friuli Isonzo Flors di Uis is an assembly of Malvasia, Riesling and Friulano that builds beautiful intensity on both the nose and the palate. Attempting to dissect the bouquet is not easy because there are so many elements to take under consideration, from orchard fruit and ripe apple to custard cream. The protagonist of the blend is Malvasia, and the wine’s floral notes of honeysuckle and yellow rose are quite amplified as a result. Thanks to nine months of aging on the lees, the wine is broad, rich and generous to the end.”
James Suckling 93 points “Lovely, perfumed nose of lilies, lime blossom, passion fruit and lychee. More citrus-peel and lightly herbaceous notes on the palate. This is full-bodied and very intense, yet there’s some good acidity. Warm finish. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Vie di Romans Sauvignon Blanc Vieris 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This was a vintage that saw reduced yields across the board with quite a few climatic challenges thrown at winemakers in Friuli. The team at Vie di Romans was evidently undeterred by the bad weather, instead producing a wine with some hot-vintage aromas of ripe apricot and honey that are well balanced against the fleshy richness of the mouthfeel. The 2017 Friuli Isonzo Sauvignon Blanc Vieris (which is aged on the lees in oak) shows softness and silkiness, all capped by abundant stone fruit, melon and pear. The results are impressive, and 33,753 bottles were released.”
James Suckling 95 points “Extremely fresh and intense with waxy and lemony character, as well as candied apples. Full body. Lots of fruit and flavor. Layered and powerful. Excellent depth and flavor intensity. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Staff Pick
Classic Chinon Personified
Saul:
Like many wine lovers, I adore Kermit Lynch’s classic, Adventures on the Wine Route. It’s responsible for my interest in a lot of wine regions, but none more so than Chinon. Lynch’s description of the magnetic Charles Joguet captivated me and is certainly part of the reason I love the wines of the Loire. The dirty secret, though, was that for a period of time in the late 1990s/very early 2000s, the wines from Joguet weren’t particularly great. Charles had retired and the new winemaking team wasn’t quite up to his exacting standards.
Thankfully, Kevin Fontaine, the current winemaker, is a talented individual who has fully restored Charles Joguet to the very top tier of producers in Chinon—recent releases have made me a believer again. The wines have more polish than in the past, but they do so without sacrificing the character of the place or the ageability of the wines. He’s really doing justice to one of the best collections of vineyards in the Loire—and this being Chinon, prices are still reasonable.
On the lower end of their lineup, I really enjoy the Petites Roches bottling. It’s a perfect bistro Cabernet Franc, showing off the elegance and charm of gravelly terroirs in Chinon. This is a step up from their entry-level bottling (the Cuvée Terroir, which is a bit more fruit-driven) that we’re able to offer for entry level pricing (less than $25/btl). Whether I’m looking for a wine to drink with a roast chicken, steak, or kale and bean soup, this is always a perfect weeknight warrior.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2018 750ML ($31.95) $24 special
Vinous 91 points “This deep ruby red comes from 35-year-old clay and chalky soils. The 2018 vintage is more lively than the 2017. On the palate aromas of violet and blackberry, fresh berry and black pepper come alive. Thrilling acidity dances throughout.”
Kermit Lynch note “A young, peppery nose with tart red currant aromas that practically jump out of the glass. On the palate, the fruit follows through to a spicy, astonishingly lengthy finish. A satisfying match for charcuterie or creamy fresh goat cheese, which complement the refreshing acidity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvée Terroir, Loire 2018 750ML ($31.95) $24 special
Kermit Lynch note “Cuvée Terroir is born of a parcel of vines just west of Chinon known for its mysteriously Mediterranean vegetation. Fragrant pines replace the emblematic plane trees that typically line the river Vienne, and tiny wildflowers called silènes pop up in the sandy soil amid the vines, a colorful symbol of the area’s extraordinary biodiversity. Domaine Joguet lets the terroir speak for itself, aging the wine in stainless steel to respect its supple, delicate freshness. They call it their “vin des copains”: the wine you want to open with friends, and frequently.”
Like many wine lovers, I adore Kermit Lynch’s classic, Adventures on the Wine Route. It’s responsible for my interest in a lot of wine regions, but none more so than Chinon. Lynch’s description of the magnetic Charles Joguet captivated me and is certainly part of the reason I love the wines of the Loire. The dirty secret, though, was that for a period of time in the late 1990s/very early 2000s, the wines from Joguet weren’t particularly great. Charles had retired and the new winemaking team wasn’t quite up to his exacting standards.
Thankfully, Kevin Fontaine, the current winemaker, is a talented individual who has fully restored Charles Joguet to the very top tier of producers in Chinon—recent releases have made me a believer again. The wines have more polish than in the past, but they do so without sacrificing the character of the place or the ageability of the wines. He’s really doing justice to one of the best collections of vineyards in the Loire—and this being Chinon, prices are still reasonable.
On the lower end of their lineup, I really enjoy the Petites Roches bottling. It’s a perfect bistro Cabernet Franc, showing off the elegance and charm of gravelly terroirs in Chinon. This is a step up from their entry-level bottling (the Cuvée Terroir, which is a bit more fruit-driven) that we’re able to offer for entry level pricing (less than $25/btl). Whether I’m looking for a wine to drink with a roast chicken, steak, or kale and bean soup, this is always a perfect weeknight warrior.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2018 750ML ($31.95) $24 special
Vinous 91 points “This deep ruby red comes from 35-year-old clay and chalky soils. The 2018 vintage is more lively than the 2017. On the palate aromas of violet and blackberry, fresh berry and black pepper come alive. Thrilling acidity dances throughout.”
Kermit Lynch note “A young, peppery nose with tart red currant aromas that practically jump out of the glass. On the palate, the fruit follows through to a spicy, astonishingly lengthy finish. A satisfying match for charcuterie or creamy fresh goat cheese, which complement the refreshing acidity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Cuvée Terroir, Loire 2018 750ML ($31.95) $24 special
Kermit Lynch note “Cuvée Terroir is born of a parcel of vines just west of Chinon known for its mysteriously Mediterranean vegetation. Fragrant pines replace the emblematic plane trees that typically line the river Vienne, and tiny wildflowers called silènes pop up in the sandy soil amid the vines, a colorful symbol of the area’s extraordinary biodiversity. Domaine Joguet lets the terroir speak for itself, aging the wine in stainless steel to respect its supple, delicate freshness. They call it their “vin des copains”: the wine you want to open with friends, and frequently.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Varennes du Grand Clos, Loire 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Very pure, featuring beautiful acidity that imparts freshness and energy, with cherry pit and red currant fruit notes gliding along. Medium tannins provide structure and support. The finish is long and expressive. Best from 2021 through 2029. 170 cases imported. — AZ”
Vinous 93 points “From one Charles Joguet’s prime sites at the foot of a gravelly terrace, from 40 to 50 year old vines in siliceous chalk and clay soil. Aged 12 months in barrel, then in stainless steel for 10 months. Cherry, pepper, and herb on the nose. Rich and plush in the mouth with big gravelly tannins. Balanced by cool, fresh dark fruit and a thrilling finish of spice and graphite. Great value.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Kermit Lynch note “When Charles Joguet took over the family vineyards in 1957, he set out to do something that was unheard of in the Loire Valley. Rather than blending all the fruit from his varied parcels, he opted for a more Burgundian approach and began vinifying each individually, highlighting Chinon’s diversity of soils and exposures and playing with the nuances of vine age to propose a gamut of different wines of unique character. It is in this spirit that the domaine’s current vigneron, Kevin Fontaine, crafts the cuvée Les Petites Roches, named for the estate’s gravelly terroirs. Given light treatment in the cellar, this wine shows off Cabernet in its most delicate, charming form, rife with aromas of roses, damp earth, and little red berries, along with a gentle tannin holding it all together. This classic representation of Cabernet Franc from Chinon can be enjoyed over the next five or so years with roast chicken, pork chops, or game.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
First Offer: Vietti’s Landmark ’17 Barolos
Vietti is one of the benchmark producers in Barolo—a name that belongs alongside Conterno, Mascarello, and Gaja in the short-list for the greatest in the region. This isn’t exactly news—our allocations get smaller and smaller ever year. The 2017’s are outstanding: one of the finest collections of a fantastic vintage.
We’ve finally secured our lot of the ’17 crus—and quantities are extremely limited. These wines arrive in July, perfect for a long sleep in your cellar.
Arriving ETA July:
Only six bottles available
Vietti Barolo Brunate 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Brunate is a powerful, brooding wine. Huge dark fruit, leather, spice, menthol and dried herbs all build in a potent Barolo that is enshrouded by tannins. The 2017 is going to need quite a bit of time in the cellar. Today, it is very much a brooding powerhouse. Dark wild cherry, licorice, tar, menthol and spice take shape in the glass, but the 2017 is clearly an infant, and an unruly one at that.”
We’ve finally secured our lot of the ’17 crus—and quantities are extremely limited. These wines arrive in July, perfect for a long sleep in your cellar.
Arriving ETA July:
Only six bottles available
Vietti Barolo Brunate 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Brunate is a powerful, brooding wine. Huge dark fruit, leather, spice, menthol and dried herbs all build in a potent Barolo that is enshrouded by tannins. The 2017 is going to need quite a bit of time in the cellar. Today, it is very much a brooding powerhouse. Dark wild cherry, licorice, tar, menthol and spice take shape in the glass, but the 2017 is clearly an infant, and an unruly one at that.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Only 19 bottles available
Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Vietti’s 2017 Barolo Lazzarito is absolutely gorgeous. Whatever the challenges of the growing season, they appear to have been no problem here. More than anything else, the Lazzarito impresses with its magnificent depth and stature. Super-ripe red fruit, white pepper, mint, tobacco, cured meat, spice and rose petal open gradually with time in the glass. I would not be in a rush to open bottles anytime soon. The Lazzarito has been one of the most improved wines at Vietti for a number of years. The 2017 is so captivating.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Only 17 bottles available
Vietti Barolo Ravera 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Ravera is a powerhouse. My impression is that the 2017 is going to develop into something truly special. It has all the energy that makes this site so distinctive, but with an extra kick of fruit density and a whole range of exotic aromatics that make for a truly drop dead gorgeous wine. Bright red/purplish fruit, rose petal, chalk and white pepper build into a finish laced with searing intensity. This is such and impressive wine.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Only six bottles available
Vietti Barolo Rocche di Castiglione 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione shows all the signatures of this site, all turned up to the maximum. I am not sure I have ever tasted a Vietti Castiglione with this much heft. Super-ripe dark red fruit, rose petal, mocha, dried herbs and menthol all build in an ample, resonant Barolo. Readers should be prepared to cellar the 2017 for the next handful of years, perhaps longer. A whole range of floral and savory notes punctuates the explosive finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Have Wine Ready to Pick Up?
Stop by our shop 10 am – 6 pm daily
Feel free to call ahead before you arrive or for curbside service:
#503-223-6002
(You’ll help free up some space for your next order!)
Podere La Boncie: The New Montevertine
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
The average price nationally is $58
Speaking of Montevertine, the new vintage of Le Pergole Torte just arrived:
Montevertine Le Pergole Torte Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, only 17 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.”
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Roagna’s Stunning 2015 Barbaresco
Roagna has joined the very upper echelon of Piedmont producers over the past decade and a half. These resolutely traditional wines hail from some of the best parcels in Paje and Pira (a Roagna monopole), plus recently acquired vineyards including Albasani. Perennial staff favorites, the entire lineup is absolutely brilliant.
We’re set to receive our allocation from the celebrated 2015 vintage (Roagna holds their wine back before release—another old-school commitment) in February. But quantities are once again modest, and we expect our knowledgeable Piedmont buyers to move quickly, so don’t sleep on these benchmark wines.
In Stock Now:
Roagna Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, only 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “A combination of spicy cherry, iron, tobacco and tar aromas and flavors are woven into the dense tannins in this sinewy red. There’s an essence of ripe fruit, yet this requires time to reconcile its gripping structure. Best from 2024 through 2043. 218 cases made. — BS”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Albesani is gracious, floral and lifted, which is not common in Albesani, where the wines tend to be more powerful. Bright acids and lively tannins give the 2015 its shape and energy. This translucent, inviting Barbaresco has so much to offer. “
Roagna Faset, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, only 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “This red shows some breadth and muscle, with lively cherry, strawberry, iron, tobacco and earth flavors. Taut yet balanced, with plenty of sweet fruit offsetting the tannins on the finish. Combines grace with power. Best from 2022 through 2040. 172 cases made. — BS”
Roagna Gallina, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, only 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Very aromatic, boasting rose, strawberry, cherry and wild herb, with a mineral element emerging midpalate as this becomes even more supple and complex, changing from beginning to end. Beguiling and harmonious. Drink now through 2030. 239 cases made. — BS”
Roagna Paje, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, only 22 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “Mulled cherry, plum and spice flavors are shaded by rose, mineral and tar in this nimble yet powerful red, which gains intensity as it builds to a lingering aftertaste of dried fruit, mineral and spice. Offers superb energy and length. Best from 2023 through 2042. 634 cases made. — BS”
We’re set to receive our allocation from the celebrated 2015 vintage (Roagna holds their wine back before release—another old-school commitment) in February. But quantities are once again modest, and we expect our knowledgeable Piedmont buyers to move quickly, so don’t sleep on these benchmark wines.
In Stock Now:
Roagna Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, only 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “A combination of spicy cherry, iron, tobacco and tar aromas and flavors are woven into the dense tannins in this sinewy red. There’s an essence of ripe fruit, yet this requires time to reconcile its gripping structure. Best from 2024 through 2043. 218 cases made. — BS”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Albesani is gracious, floral and lifted, which is not common in Albesani, where the wines tend to be more powerful. Bright acids and lively tannins give the 2015 its shape and energy. This translucent, inviting Barbaresco has so much to offer. “
Roagna Faset, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, only 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “This red shows some breadth and muscle, with lively cherry, strawberry, iron, tobacco and earth flavors. Taut yet balanced, with plenty of sweet fruit offsetting the tannins on the finish. Combines grace with power. Best from 2022 through 2040. 172 cases made. — BS”
Roagna Gallina, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, only 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Very aromatic, boasting rose, strawberry, cherry and wild herb, with a mineral element emerging midpalate as this becomes even more supple and complex, changing from beginning to end. Beguiling and harmonious. Drink now through 2030. 239 cases made. — BS”
Roagna Paje, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, only 22 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “Mulled cherry, plum and spice flavors are shaded by rose, mineral and tar in this nimble yet powerful red, which gains intensity as it builds to a lingering aftertaste of dried fruit, mineral and spice. Offers superb energy and length. Best from 2023 through 2042. 634 cases made. — BS”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $121
The average price nationally is $121
Roagna La Pira, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Supple and polished, featuring the essence of cherry and strawberry fruit, accented by menthol, mineral and sage flavors. This shows intensity, with a tightly wound structure that is so well-integrated you don’t notice it at first. Plays out on the linear profile with echoes of fruit, mineral and Langhe scrub. Best from 2022 through 2045. 148 cases made. — BS”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Roagna Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Importer note “The grapes for this wine come from Roagna’s younger vines (25 years old and younger ) in Pira in Castiglione Falletto (Barolo) and in Paje in Barbaresco. Most vines are 20-25 years old. Orientation: South, southeast (Pira) and South, southwest. (Paje). Soil: Varying – Marl, calcareous & Sandy, calcareous. Viticulture: Hand-harvested at the end of September, beginning of October. Vinification: Fermentation lasts ten days in large wood casks. They ferment with a pied de cuvee made from their indigenous yeasts. They then use the technique of submerged cap — which can last 60 days. Aging: The wine is then aged in large neutral French botti. The oak Luca uses is never toasted but instead made by using hot steam instead of flame. The wine is normally aged for five years in wood before release. Notes: While this wine is made from Luca’s “younger vines,” most producers would use this fruit for their Barbaresco or Barolo. The wine could easily be mistaken for either in a blind tasting.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Trending Wines
#36 – James Suckling’s Top 100 Wines of the Year
Schäfer-Fröhlich Monzinger Halenberg Riesling Großes Gewächs, Nahe 2018 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Stuart Pigott – jamessuckling.com 99 points “This has discreet aromatics, showing very fine stones and yellow grapefruit with a delicate, lemon-blossom perfume. The palate has a scintillatingly intense and focused feel with laser-guided acidity, driving a very long, pure and thrilling palate. Yellow citrus fruit abounds. Such precision is really special and the concentration in 2018 is immense. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
A brilliant bottle from exceptionally old vines—and a stunning value at this level.
Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Impériale, Rhône 2017 750ML ($79.95) Was $66 Now $59 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2017 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Impériale (from vines planted in 1902) is firm and structured to age magnificently. Roses, black tea and red raspberries all appear on the nose and palate, framed by fine-grained tannins. I suspect it will close down shortly, but there is terrific material here, and the wine will drink well for two decades.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2017 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Impériale kicks the intensity up a notch and offers rocking notes of black cherries, garrigue, ground pepper, and incense. More expansive, full-bodied, concentrated, and pure, it’s a brilliant, brilliant wine that stays tight and compact at the moment yet has beautiful concentration, present tannins, and a great finish. It has everything, but it needs 4-5 years or bottle age.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
From one of our favorite sections of the north coast, made famous by Peter Michael.
Galerie Wines ‘Latro’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2015 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Galerie Wines ‘Latro’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley 2015 750ML ($239.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 93 points “Deep purple-black colored, the 2015 Latro Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers up warm blueberry and plum notions with hints of black soil, stewed tea, menthol and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the fruits flavors completely fill the mouth, with blue fruit preserves and a lovely perfumed nature, featuring plush tannins and plenty of freshness defining the long finish. 425 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59.99
The next best price is $59.99
#whatthestaffisdrinking
Cameron Winery Spritz Rose, Willamette Valley NV 250ML Can ($9.95) $6.60 special
Case-6 Cameron Winery Spritz Rose, Willamette Valley NV 250ML Can ($59.95) $35 special (that’s only $5.83/can!) ***In store pick up-only on the six-pack
Cameron Winery Official Drinking Song:
All the folks in Oregon
Love to drink the Cameron
Kick their legs up in the air
Shake, shake, shake their derriere
If you buy the Cameron brand
You can drink our spritz in can
Easy now as un deux trois
Everybody ooh la la //
Oh, can you drink the Can Can?
If you can then I can
I drink Can Can if you drink Can Can…
VinopolNote: What do you get when you take some of the finest dry-farmed Dundee Hills Pinot Noir fruit, add a dash of Pinot Blanc, a smidge of carbonation, and a pinch of wizardry? The best can of wine money can buy. 90% La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Blanc from the Coast Range.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
“This is really complex”
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millésimé, Champagne 1996 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 24 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “This is really complex, old Champagne with puff-pastry, dried-apple, spice and salted-nut aromas and flavors. Full body. Ultra fine bubbles with an extremely fine and creamy mouth feel. Extreme edge to it. This spent 21 years on the lees. Disgorged in 2018. Every year they disgorge 3,000 bottles”
Polished & complex—a standout bottle every year, but especially in 2015.
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $46.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful aromos of flowers, plums, terracotta and white pepper. Intense, yet ever so subtle. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins, and a long and intense finish. Shows excellent length. Drink after 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A classic bottle from a Barolo icon.
Armando Parusso Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Parusso 2016 Barolo offers that distinctive Parusso nose that I have come to understand over the years I have been tasting these wines. There is a touch of ripe fruit, dried grape skins and stems that pop out over rich black fruit, tar and black spice. There’s a sultry and smoky aspect to the wine with extra concentration and tannic astringency on the finish. This vintage is even more structured, suggesting a longer cellar aging time. If you are invested in the Parusso philosophy, this is a good place to start.”
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2016 Barolo is a terrific example of the year. Unusually dark and somber, the 2016 packs a real punch. Black cherry, plum, espresso, licorice, spice and menthol add to the wine’s richness and overall intensity. Far from an easygoing straight Barolo, Parusso’s 2016 is a very serious wine; I wouldn’t dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. Vineyard sources are Mariondino, Mosconi and Bussia – all top sites that are also bottled separately here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner
Poderi Colla:
One of the Piedmont’s Great Names
Prunotto is one of the most historically significant producers in Barolo and Barbaresco. The first to bottle Barolo with the name of the cru on the label, the first to bottle a named Montestefano in Barbaresco… the list goes on—and Beppe Colla made them great. He owned the winery during its heyday, until selling the brand to Antinori in the early 90’s—and it’s his last name that adorns the label of Poderi Colla today.
The Colla family took the money from the sale of Prunotto and turned around to buy land in some of the most prestigious plots in the Piedmont. The highlights were the Dardi Le Rose vineyard in Barolo and Roncaglie in Barbaresco, two famous parcels that produce wines of sheer delight and extravagant complexity.
Colla takes those prime parcels and keeps out of the way of their perfect grapes. Macerations are kept short enough to avoid extracting harsh tannins, but long enough to build texture and structure for the wines to age gracefully. Those wines are matured in large, old oak botti, which allow for graceful development and polish without woody flavors.
The resulting wines are some of the best in the Piedmont, even if they’re still priced well under $100 per bottle. In the transcendent 2016 vintage, they’re even better than usual—which is to say, must-buys for serious Piedmont drinkers.
Newly Arrived, In Stock Now:
Poderi Colla Barolo Dardi Le Rose Bussia 2016 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose is just as gorgeous as it always has been. Dark and translucent, the 2016 possesses striking layers of complexity. Spice, menthol, leather, sage and tobacco lend compelling nuance throughout. Although the 2016 is fabulous, it has also started to close down in bottle to a greater degree than I original envisaged. I wouldn’t be in any rush to open it.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Classic Nebbiolo aromas of woodland berry, forest floor, new leather and a whiff of rose lift out of the glass along with a whiff of botanical herb. Delivering elegance and structure in equal measure, the linear palate features red cherry, strawberry compote, baking spice and licorice framed in firm, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well balanced. Drink 2024–2036.”
Poderi Colla Barbaresco Roncaglie 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “A stellar wine, the 2016 Barbaresco Roncaglie is pretty, delicate and understated to the core. Rose petal, sweet spice, tobacco, mint, anise and sweet red cherry all grace this translucent, super-expressive Barbaresco from Poderi Colla. A Barbaresco of understatement and class, the 2016 is light on its feet, persistent and finely sculpted. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s inner sweetness and perfume, but the 2016 also needs time in bottle to be at its best. This is such a gorgeous wine.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Raspberry compote, truffle, camphor and leather aromas lead the nose along with a hint of hazelnut. The palate is focused and youthfully assertive, showing red cherry, rhubarb, game, clove and wild mint alongside tight, fine-grained tannins and firm acidity. Give it time to fully unwind and develop. Drink 2026–2036.”
Poderi Colla Bricco del Drago Langhe Rosso 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Thanks for reading!