Vinopolis Tuesday Newsletter 5-4-21

When you first think of Vajra, you likely think of their top Barolos—we certainly do. Their crus represent some of the pinnacle bottlings of Barolo. And while we have a couple 2015 & 2016 crus remaining (and are eagerly awaiting the 2017s to land this summer), we wanted to focus on their Langhe Rosso—a steal of a wine that’s going to be our staff pizza wine over the next few months.

Made from a blend or Nebbiolo, Barbera and Dolcetto (with a few other odds and ends thrown in) it’s lighter and more delicate than many of the Vajra wines, with a freshness and verve that’s hard to beat. So stock up while you can, because at a national best price of $12.50/bottle, our allocation is undoubtedly going to move fast.

In Stock Now:

G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($17.95) $12.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019. 2018 review provided for reference.
Grapelive 90 points “Vajra’s Langhe Rosso blend is primarily the classic varietals Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, and Barbera, but also has an interesting addition of Albarossa, Freisa and even a touch of Pinot Noir all of which makes for a unique Piedmonte red that shows silky tannins, tangy vibrant fruits including brandied cherries, plum, cranberry, grilled citrus (Moro orange) and tart red currant along with wild herbs, delicate rustic notes, floral elements, mineral and savory spices….Giuseppe Vajra continues the traditions of his father Aldo, who was a big advocate for organic and holistic farming and promoted a sense of lightness in the wines always searching out vineyard sites thought to be too cold and too high up to ripen, but as history shows he was spot on and Vajra’s high elevation Barolo is one of the most prized wines in the world. The Vajra Rosso is mostly all stainless steel fermented with each lot and varietal done separately and blended before an early bottling to preserve fresh brightness, which this dark ruby/blue hued 2018 shows with lovely transparent clarity. This 2018 opens up nicely with air adding pipe tobacco, black tea, cola bean and dried rose petals, but the minty zesty tartness remains until the finish, in fact it is really nice with a bit of chill and with a picnic spread and or pasta dishes. The 2017 vintage was very warm and the wines are a bit bigger and fruit driven, with these 2018 shows a little more finesse and acidity, which shows through in this Langhe Rosso, it is wine to enjoy now and often, it has a hand crafted feel, but has no pretense, it is easy and delicious. For those looking for value with want this one, no question, but if you want to stay varietal pure, I highly recommend Vajra’s Dolcello, Barbera and Nebbiolo bottlings, there’s quality, value and grace throughout the lineup here.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Other Highlights, in Stock Now:

G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
G.D. Vajra Albe, Barolo DOCG 3L ($299.95) $249 special, 2 double magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Elegant and expressive, this red evokes cherry, raspberry and floral notes, aligned to a refined structure. This is balanced and leaves an aftertaste of fruit, tobacco and iron. Best from 2023 through 2043.”
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Aromas of woodland berry, new leather, camphor and pressed rose waft out of the glass. Juicy and delicious, the chewy palate doles out succulent Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry and white pepper. Polished tannins and fresh acidity give it an immediate appeal but this also offers several years of drinking pleasure. Drink through 2028. Editor’s choice.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “If you were to consider the entire portfolio of wines made in the Barolo appellation, this wine always stands in its own little corner. Albe is a brand on its own, and it represents one of the most versatile, accessible and well-priced Baroli to emerge from the appellation. The G.D. Vajra 2016 Barolo Albe sets off on the right foot, offering forthcoming intensity with forest fruit, wild cherry, crushed stone and blue flowers. Winemaking is straightforward in stainless steel, and the wine finishes in Slavonian oak casks. Some 40,000 bottles are hitting the market now.

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

G.D. Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine & Spirits 95 points “Bricco delle Viole, a cru that rises up to 1,575 feet on the Barolo commune’s western edge, has clear views of the Alps. This wine channels some of that Alpine coolness in its elegant feel: Vibrant acidity propels the wine’s spiced cherry and plum fruit while lush, polished tannins draw it out through a long finish.”

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G.D. Vajra ‘Coste di Rose’, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Dusty cherry, black currant, eucalyptus and hay aromas and flavors highlight this energetic red. There is purity to the beam of fruit, and while the structure is muscular, the lasting impression is of sweet fruit. Best from 2023 through 2045.”


Love Piedmontese wine? We have over 200 different options in stock. Shop the entire selection on our web store now, including staff favorites like Cantalupo and Produttori, as well as more from Vajra.

Reds

In Stock Now:

Fresh & balanced
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($389.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Winery note “Traditional vinification is carried out in cement tanks with skin-contact fermentation for 15-20 days and automatic pump-overs.  The wine is aged for one year in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels.  This is followed by refinement in bottles for several months to enhance the freshness and bouquet of the wine. The color is ruby-red, not too intense, respecting the character of the Nebbiolo grape variety. The aroma is ethereal with scents of flowers and fresh fruit.  The taste is dry with a good body.”

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Mineral-driven & polished
Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Elvio Cogno Montegrilli Langhe Rosso, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92+ points “This is a terrific Piedmont red to pair with a classic quiche Lorraine. The Elvio Cogno 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo Montegrilli is a delicate and fragile expression with bright accents of chopped mint and medicinal herb that hover over a core of wild cherry and dried raspberry. The wine delivers soft and smooth aromas that define the character of this pretty wine. Dusty tannins and some lingering mineral notes frame a polished finish. A portion of the wine sees whole-cluster fermentation, and winemaking is straightforward in stainless steel. Some 10,000 bottles were released.”


“Plush, racy and flat-out delicious”
G.D. Vajra Viola delle Viole Barbera d’Alba Superiore, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93+ points “This wine carries the fantasy name “Viola delle Viole,” when in fact, its fruit comes from the Bricco delle Viole vineyard and the Bricco Bertone, two sites with different soil types, one adding structure and one adding aromatic purity. The G.D. Vajra 2017 Barbera d’Alba Superiore Viola delle Viole opens to an inky almost impenetrable appearance. The bouquet opens to robust aromas of blackberry jam and cherry preserves. You feel the heat and richness of the vintage, and there’s no way around it. The 2017 growing season produced very concentrated fruit with smaller berry size due to heat and drought. In effect, you get a super-sized Barbera that ups the ante in terms of extraction and intensity. There is a point of almost-sweetness on the close followed by good acidity. A pairing with marinated or spicy barbecued meat might work best. Some 12,000 bottles were released. Honestly, I’m not a fan of overripe wines, but I make an exception with Barbera because this grape handles the warmest growing seasons with grace and always offers enough acidity to balance things out.
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Superiore is plush, racy and flat-out delicious. Raspberry jam, cinnamon, dried flowers, sweet tobacco and cedar all flesh out in a forward, plush Barbera that will drink well right out the gate. The Superiore always needs a few years to fully emerge. I imagine that will be the case here as well. Even so, the 2017 is an especially open-knit version of this wine.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

An affordable bottle from a Piedmont icon
Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Poderi Aldo Conterno Conca Tre Pile Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($419.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Barbera d’Alba Conca Tre Pile is piled high with dark fruit intensity, soft tannins and a pinch of fresh acidity that breaks apart the wine’s rich fruit flavors. The hot vintage has taken well to the Barbera grape, accentuating its volume, richness and generosity. The bouquet offers black fruit, dried plum, spice, truffle-infused earth and toasted hazelnut. Some 20,000 bottles were made.”

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

“Deep and yet also weightless as only Nebbiolo can be, the 2013 hits all the right notes”
Socre Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 92+ points “The 2013 Socre Barbaresco is a pure and ripe Nebbiolo with striking profile and rich character… Socre’s Barbaresco comes from estate vines in the sub zone of Roncaglie that form the heart and soul of the winery. The soils are formed by 50 million year old deposits of alluvial material, with a composition that is a majority clay, with a limestone base derived from the ancient seabed. I’ve always admired what I’ve tasted from Socre and this 2013 does not disappoint with the vintage’s open knit palate and sweet tannins. It’s a great value to for such pleasing Barbaresco. This winery near the tiny hamlet Tre Stelle, which is a village of Barbaresco, not far from the historic town of Alba, is a label to discover if you’ve not done so. Heady on the nose and richly opulent in the mouth this Barbaresco leads with classic earth, flowers, cedar and minty herbs along with its deep cherry, damson plum and distilled strawberry fruits adding a touch of tar, anise and mineral with air. While 14% natural alcohol, it remains lively and sharply detailed delivering everything in seductive layers and with plenty of charm and vigor. The Socre 2013 is an impressive wine and a real winner for the price. It can be enjoyed now and certainly will be rewarding Nebbiolo for another 5 to 10 years easy.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Socré’s 2013 Barbaresco is a terrific example of the vintage at its best. The aromatics alone are enticing. Sweet dark cherry, plum, sage, lavender, rose petal mint and licorice give the 2013 a dark, mysterious quality that is hard to fully describe. Deep and yet also weightless as only Nebbiolo can be, the 2013 hits all the right notes. This is a vivid and impeccable Barbaresco from Socré.”

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Old-school winemaking
Luigi Giordano Cavana, Barbaresco DOCG2017 750ML ($44.95) $37.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer note “Brilliant garnet red colour with orange highlights developing with age; ample and intense perfume with fruity, jammy and spicy notes; dry, full and aristocratic flavour. Traditional red wine maceration for 15-20 days with temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats and frequent pumping-over. This wine is left to age for at least 18-24 months in large (30-50hectolitre)  barrels of Slavonian oak and is then refined in horizontally-placed bottles for at least 6 months.”

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

A cellar pick
Parusso Armando Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 12 bottles in stock now
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.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

“There is something incredibly wild and untamed about the 2015 that is so incredibly enticing”
Noah Bramaterra, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Bramaterra is rich and explosive in the glass. Blood orange, chalk, mint, white pepper and macerated cherry are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop in the glass. There is something incredibly wild and untamed about the 2015 that is so incredibly enticing. In the glass, the 2015 is deep, powerful and built for the long-haul. It is a wine of tremendous character and breeding.”


Sparkling / White

In Stock Now:

A delicious traditional method rosé bubbly
Luigi Giordano Metodo Classico Rosé Brut Nature, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Importer note “After soft pressing, rosé maceration is performed for two hours, followed by cold draining of the must. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures. The Champagne method (‘metodo classico’) is used, with the second fermentation occurring in the bottle. Abundant, rose-tinted effervescence with a fine andpersistent perlage. The wine is rose to cherry-pink in colour with salmon highlights. The perfume is intense and ample with notes of raspberry, red berries, citrus fruits and a hint of wilted roses. The flavour is fresh and full-bodied with a soft,clean aftertaste and a slightly tannic finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

“Not your typically light and simply refreshing Italian aperitivo”
Vigneti Massa Derthona Timorasso Colli Tortonesi, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Derthona is the ancient name for Tortona, the town in southeast Piemonte after which the appellation Colli Tortonesi (Tortona Hills) is named. We often say that Timorasso is like Ali: “Float like a butterfly (baroque fruit and honeyed minerality) and sting like a bee (lots of well-integrated acidity)”. Timorasso is one of the longest-aging white varieties in Italy. In fact, the wine often needs an extra year or two in bottle before it becomes expressive and fun to drink. Good vintages easily age five to 10 years, and we’ve has bottles going back to the 1980s that remained alive. It’s especially fun to pour this wine blind for your friends who love aged white Burgundy or Riesling — after which you can point out that it costs half or a third of what a village-level white Burgundy would cost. A Tavola… / At the Table… This is not your typically light and simply refreshing Italian aperitivo white wine. It’s got substance and structure and deserves substantial food, such as richer fish, poultry, and pork dishes. Use it as you would an Austrian or (dry) Alsatian Riesling. It’s also an excellent vino da meditazione at the end of a meal.”

In Stock Now:

Crowley Four Winds Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($49.95) $45 special, 16 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The 2018 is dark and leads with alluring graphite and light oak that gives way to rich blackberry and anise on the nose. Four Winds’ rocky soils also express wet stone and mineral to keep the aromatics lighter and lifted. 2018 delivers a richer than normal flavor profile, a result of a dry summer. The mouth is succulent, broad, and full. Sweet strawberry, clove, sage, and vanilla mix it up as does a trace of new wood. The structure is soft and delicate as is typical of the more feminine Four Winds. The length is excellent and the old vine Pommard is supremely balanced and composed.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Goodfellow Family Cellars Long Acre Whistling Ridge Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Pinot Noir Beloved Acre Whistling Ridge, pale ruby in color, is scented of tobacco leaves, aniseed and charcuterie with spicy accents and bright red berry fruits at the core. The medium-bodied palate is lovely, with detailed, savory character, a silky texture and addicting juiciness calling you back on the long finish.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Limpid ruby-red. Expansive red and blue fruit scents show superb clarity and complementary suggestions of succulent flowers, exotic spices and a hint of smoky minerality that builds with air. Juicy, appealingly sweet and energetic on the palate, offering boysenberry, black raspberry, five-spice powder and candied rose flavors that are supported by a spine of juicy acidity. The floral note carries emphatically through an impressively long finish that features well-integrated tannins and lingering red fruit character.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Hundred Suns ‘Sequitur Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “A cool winter led into a warm spring. Consistent temperatures with low heat spikes and rapid cooling, coupled with plenty of showers in autumn, created the perfect combination for this warm site. Low yields and meticulous farming delivered perfectly ripe fruit bursting with flavor. One fermenter each of destemmed fruit, 50% whole cluster, and a small carbonic lot were blended together this year to yield the classic plum and floral characters that make this vineyard so distinctive. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. This selection came from Mike Etzel’s home vineyard, Sequitur, located at 425 feet elevation on a southeast slope of the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Marine Sedimentary (Willakenzie Series) soils. Clones: Chalone, 943, Pommard. Native yeast fermentation. Elevage: 10 months in neutral, 5 year, air-drived 228L barrels. Farming practices: dry farmed, Organic, Biodynamic.”

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Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote “Deep and concentrated. This wine pulls at you. It’s no surprise that John Paul announced to us that it is his favorite wine of the vintage.”
Winery note “Arley’s leap harkens from a block of Pinot noir planted in 1990 at Abbey Ridge Vineyard. The eponymous hero was Bill and Julia Wayne’s old dog Arley, who survived a jump from a second story balcony when startled by a cat.”


Maggy Hawk Jory Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Pinot Noir Jory Hills Vineyard is an extroverted, luscious Pinot loaded with character. Black cherry, plum, lavender and spice come together in a bold, creamy Pinot endowed with plenty of richness and exuberance. The Jory Hills, from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, is a bit out of place in [this tasting report on] Anderson Valley Pinots, but it is undeniably impressive.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $64.99

Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 2017 750ML ($419.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 95 points “This cuvée has a very energetic and intense feel with a wealth of fresh and attractive red cherries and raspberries, plenty of florals and subtle herbal, forest-wood and light-chocolate notes. There’s a very keenly articulated feel to the palate with a plush, very fleshy and assertively long, detailed finish. Deep fruit presence here. Drink across the next decade.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $64.99

Bethel Heights Vineyard Justice Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 9 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “This is very fresh and composed with a very smoothly rendered and glossy feel and an inherently complex, spiced-plum edge. The palate has a very approachable, fine-grained core with blueberry and plum flavors that hold fresh and pure. Adjoining vineyard, purchased in 1999. Drink or hold.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

St. Innocent Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Lurid red. Heady, mineral- and spice-accented red and blue fruit, incense and a sexy floral nuance on the seductively perfumed nose. Deeply concentrated yet energetic on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake and candied rose flavors and a building suggestion of Asian spices on the back half. Finishes silky, sweet and extremely long, with resonating floral and spice notes and round, even tannins that lend shape and gentle grip.”


Ken Wright Cellars Bonnie Jean Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2017 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Vibrant and detailed, with expressive raspberry and blueberry flavors, featuring hints of sandalwood and tea that build richness and structure toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2027. 708 cases made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Love supporting local wineries? We have over 220 different options from Oregon in stock. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Beaux Frères, Sequitur, White Rose Estate and more, on our web store now.