In This Newsletter:
A Trio of West Coast Staff Picks
Hundred Suns – Willamette Valley Star
New Rosé Reviews
New Reviews from Decanter and Grapelive
Featured New Arrival:
De Montille’s Hidden Red Value
New Lilbert Vintage Champagnes
Abbatucci’s Faustine Blanc
A World-Class White Priced to Move
Collector’s Corner
Poderi Colla:
One of the Piedmont’s Great Names
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A Trio of West Coast Staff Picks
Brianne Day is one of the Oregon wine industry’s rising stars, building a reputation that lead to a recent James Beard nomination. 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 able to offer it for nearly half off
Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($53.95) $28 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 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.”
Winery Note “Momtazi Vineyard is a certified biodynamic site nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Range, composed primarily of uplifted marine sedimentary loams and silts with alluvial overlays and an underlying base of basalt. One of the revered vineyards in Willamette, this is our cornerstone source for Pinot noir. We are always thrilled to work with this fruit, as it’s some of the most coveted in in the Valley. Many people wish they could get their hands on it, and we’re fortunate that we do. Easily our most intense and deeply fruited Pinot noir, the wine displays hallmark Momtazi notes of black cherry and black raspberry, both on the nose and on the palate. Additional notes of sandalwood spice and forest floor emerge with air, giving a glimpse at the complexity to come. It’s a moody, broody teenager at present, which is no surprise given the vineyard’s reputation for structure. The tannins are suave but sturdy, and the well-integrated acidity holds everything together seamlessly in an enchanting marriage of power and finesse. As flagship wines go, the 2016 Momtazi is a worthy standard-bearer.”
Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($53.95) $28 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 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.”
Winery Note “Momtazi Vineyard is a certified biodynamic site nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Range, composed primarily of uplifted marine sedimentary loams and silts with alluvial overlays and an underlying base of basalt. One of the revered vineyards in Willamette, this is our cornerstone source for Pinot noir. We are always thrilled to work with this fruit, as it’s some of the most coveted in in the Valley. Many people wish they could get their hands on it, and we’re fortunate that we do. Easily our most intense and deeply fruited Pinot noir, the wine displays hallmark Momtazi notes of black cherry and black raspberry, both on the nose and on the palate. Additional notes of sandalwood spice and forest floor emerge with air, giving a glimpse at the complexity to come. It’s a moody, broody teenager at present, which is no surprise given the vineyard’s reputation for structure. The tannins are suave but sturdy, and the well-integrated acidity holds everything together seamlessly in an enchanting marriage of power and finesse. As flagship wines go, the 2016 Momtazi is a worthy standard-bearer.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($399.95) $339 special (that’s only $28.25/bottle!)
VinopolNote: Cameron’s Dundee Hills Pinot Noir is always one of the most anticipated offerings of the year. It delivers classic Cameron character and quality at a price that’s half what John Paul’s single-vineyard wines sell for—and the ’19 is a fantastic vintage. Cooler than 14/15/16/18, it’s a return to the “classic” style of the Willamette Valley, with a bit more texture and richness than wines from the 90’s. This edition is mostly from Abbey Ridge vineyard, with a bit of Clos Electrique blended in. We’re smitten.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Bright and lively, it’s a distinctly costal version of California Chardonnay, with good acidity that will appeal to lovers of cool-climate wines. The few years of bottle-age seems to have allowed the wine to knit together beautifully, and the individual components have all blended to a seamless whole. Made made by star winemaker Sashi Moorman (Evening Land, Stoplman, Piedrasassi) and super-sommelier Raj Parr, for the legendary Zuni Café in San Francisco, from some of the best vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills and old vines at Bien Nacido. These are all windy sites that benefit from rocky soils and cool Pacific breezes, allowing for bright natural acidity in the finished wine. It’s easy to see how Zuni sold cases-upon-cases of this at $72 per bottle off their list, making it an absolute steal at our price.
Sandhi Zuni Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2016 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 2016 Sandhi Zuni Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2016 750ML ($399.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
Winery note “If you’ve ever sat at San Francisco’s iconic Zuni Café with a plate of oysters in front of you while you wait for the iconic whole roast chicken, you may have had a glass or two of this collaboration between longtime friends Rajat Parr of Sandhi and Zuni wine director Thierry Lovato. The wine is a barrel selection from some of Sandhi’s iconic Sta. Rita Hills sites, (think Mt. Carmel, Sanford & Benedict) with enough own-rooted, 1973 Wente selection Bien Nacido Chardonnay blended in to warrant a Santa Barbara County designation. Add to that the favorable 2016 vintage in which a very warm spring and early summer gave way to cool nights and moderate daytime temperatures in July & August. These conditions allowed the medium-sized crop to mature perfectly with small berries in pristine condition and yield a remarkably balanced wine with fine depth and intensity.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Hundred Suns – Willamette Valley Star
Grant Coulter is one of the Pacific Northwest’s rising stars. The former managing winemaker at Beaux Frères (under tutelage of the legendary Mike Etzel), Grant’s made a name for himself as Flâneur’s Head Winemaker, as well as with his own label: Hundred Suns. Anyone who loves the Beaux Frères or Flâneur wines needs to be paying attention to what Grant is doing.
Named for the number of days between flowering and harvest, the Hundred Suns Pinots drink like a love letter to the Willamette Valley. You can taste the Beaux Freres-inspired style, but these are wines that are uniquely Grant, from an assortment of some of the most interesting vineyards in the Willamette Valley.
Their 2019’s are a fantastic collection of wines, showcasing some of the best vineyards in the valley. Shea needs no introduction among Willamette aficionados—a grand cru of a vineyard in Yamhill Carlton. The Hundred Suns edition is spectacular, full of dark, plummy fruit and the spices that the site is known for. Bednarik is a vineyard that flies under the radar a bit more, but Ken Wright fans from the 90’s know the site well. This version is more compact than the Shea, with beautiful, crunchy structure allied to a beguiling mixture of black cherry fruit and savory overtones. It’s a cool vineyard and that shows in the brightness on the finish, though this wine still shows great power. Sequitur is classic Ribbon Ridge, just up the hill from Grant’s familiar grounds at Beaux Freres, and it displays the classic sleekly-rich fruit and structure that made his name.
In Stock Now:
Hundred Suns Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
This is the final vintage of Shea from Hundred Suns – only 60 cases produced.
Winery note “Winemaking & Tasting: 2019 was a return to familiar Oregon vintages as we dodged rainstorms to pick in late September. By keeping yields low, full ripeness was achieved. Fruit was divided into two native yeast fermentations: one destemmed and one 33% whole cluster. Floral aromatics mix with pops of refreshing cherry and raspberry, carried by undertones of spice. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Vineyard: In the late 1980s, Dick and Deirdre Shea planted what is now one of Willamette Valley’s most esteemed and iconic vineyards. Our 1 acre block of Dijon Clone 777 sits at 450 feet on a south/southwest exposure. This warm site in Yamhill-Carlton AVA is planted on Marine Sedimentary soil. 40% whole clust. Elevage: 10 months in neutral wood. Farming practices: dry farmed.”
Named for the number of days between flowering and harvest, the Hundred Suns Pinots drink like a love letter to the Willamette Valley. You can taste the Beaux Freres-inspired style, but these are wines that are uniquely Grant, from an assortment of some of the most interesting vineyards in the Willamette Valley.
Their 2019’s are a fantastic collection of wines, showcasing some of the best vineyards in the valley. Shea needs no introduction among Willamette aficionados—a grand cru of a vineyard in Yamhill Carlton. The Hundred Suns edition is spectacular, full of dark, plummy fruit and the spices that the site is known for. Bednarik is a vineyard that flies under the radar a bit more, but Ken Wright fans from the 90’s know the site well. This version is more compact than the Shea, with beautiful, crunchy structure allied to a beguiling mixture of black cherry fruit and savory overtones. It’s a cool vineyard and that shows in the brightness on the finish, though this wine still shows great power. Sequitur is classic Ribbon Ridge, just up the hill from Grant’s familiar grounds at Beaux Freres, and it displays the classic sleekly-rich fruit and structure that made his name.
In Stock Now:
Hundred Suns Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
This is the final vintage of Shea from Hundred Suns – only 60 cases produced.
Winery note “Winemaking & Tasting: 2019 was a return to familiar Oregon vintages as we dodged rainstorms to pick in late September. By keeping yields low, full ripeness was achieved. Fruit was divided into two native yeast fermentations: one destemmed and one 33% whole cluster. Floral aromatics mix with pops of refreshing cherry and raspberry, carried by undertones of spice. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Vineyard: In the late 1980s, Dick and Deirdre Shea planted what is now one of Willamette Valley’s most esteemed and iconic vineyards. Our 1 acre block of Dijon Clone 777 sits at 450 feet on a south/southwest exposure. This warm site in Yamhill-Carlton AVA is planted on Marine Sedimentary soil. 40% whole clust. Elevage: 10 months in neutral wood. Farming practices: dry farmed.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Suns ‘Bednarik Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “2019 marked a return to the cool temperate conditions that make Oregon ideal for Pinot Noir. Harvested October 1st with modest sugars and intense flavor. The Pommard and Wadensvil were split into 5 unique lots. One amphora and one tank were filled and sealed to rest untouched for twelve days. The remaining fruit was destemmed into small open-top fermenters. With these cooler conditions, red loganberry and Rainier cherry take front stage, accompanied by delicate tannins and bright acid that will carry this wine for years to come. Planted deep in the cool hills near Cherry Grove, this six acre, own-rooted vineyard was planted in 1988 by William Bednarik to Pommard and Wadensvil clones. Our block is situated at 350 feet on a south/southwest exposure, overlying marine sedimentary soil. Native yeast fermentation. Destemmed. Elevage: 10 months in neutral, 5 year, air-dried 228L barrels. Farming practices: dry farmed / Organic.”
This is the only listing 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-dried 228L barrels. Farming practices: dry farmed, Organic, Biodynamic.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($31.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “The 2019 vintage was a return to a classic, cool Willamette Valley growing season. Dodging rain showers, we harvested our collection of vineyards starting in late September and into mid-October. Tasting Notes: By design, this wine evolves and changes in glass through a broad spectrum of nuanced characteristics. Opening notes of ripe cranberry and cherry give way to complexities of black licorice, black currant, dried sage, and freshly-tilled earth. The succulent fruit wraps around a framework of delicate tannins and mouth-watering acidity. Old Eight Cut: A diamond cut dating back to the 1400s using simple tools and few cuts to enhance the natural brilliance of the stone without disguising its true nature. This cellar selection stitches together pieces from unique sites across the Willamette Valley. Lots are fermented with native yeast & a variety of traditional & experimental techniques to create a layered wine of great complexity, but that is, first and foremost, totally delicious. Winemaking was kept to a bare minimum; fermented with native yeast and 25% whole cluster; aged on the lees for 11 months; gently racked to tank and bottled unfined and unfiltered.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Hundred Suns ‘Tualatin Estate’ Gamay Noir Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vintage & Vinification: A cool and lengthy growing season gave us wines of modest alcohol and incredible flavor. Once harvested our Gamay was divided into three lots. The first 100% de-stemmed, the second 50% whole cluster and the third 100% whole cluster Carbonic. Aged in a combination of Amphora and neutral oak for 11 months. This bottling is filled with juicy red fruit, crunchy textures and refined acidity. Bottled Unfined and Unfiltered. Vineyard: This historic estate was established in the early 1970s by pioneer Bill Fuller. Our parcel of Gamay (in fact, the only gamay planted at the site) came from a hidden corner of the vineyard and was uncovered by our friend, Evan Martin, who offered us a one-acre piece of this amazing site planted on marine sedimentary soils.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Hundred Suns ‘Super Moon’ Vidon Vineyard Syrah, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Super Moon is a rare and beautiful lunar event that occurs when the full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit, making the moon seem brighter and more close than usual. It felt an appropriate name for a wine that could only have come to being in this particular vintage. Our Super Moon Syrah was grown on a warm site for the Willamette Valley during a classic, cool Oregon vintage. It was fermented 100% whole cluster in a sealed tank. On the 12th day we opened the tank and foot-stomped the clusters one time before pressing. The resulting wine is initially shy with savory tones of black pepper and beef bouillon, but after time the wine opens to offer juicy pomegranate & cranberry with a light, refreshing palate surprising for Syrah.”
New Rosé Reviews
From Vinous Media’s Josh Raynolds & Joaquin Hidalgo
J.K. Carriere Glass White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 12+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 J.K. Carriere Glass White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 91 points “Glistening orange-pink. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying an array of red berry and citrus fruit qualities and building mineral and floral notes. Dry and sharply focused on the palate, offering zesty red currant, pomegranate and orange pith flavors and a hint of spicy white pepper. Closes long and silky, with repeating florality and a refreshing touch of orange zest.”
Case-12 J.K. Carriere Glass White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 91 points “Glistening orange-pink. Fresh and incisive on the nose, displaying an array of red berry and citrus fruit qualities and building mineral and floral notes. Dry and sharply focused on the palate, offering zesty red currant, pomegranate and orange pith flavors and a hint of spicy white pepper. Closes long and silky, with repeating florality and a refreshing touch of orange zest.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Brick House Intentional Rose of Pinot Noir 2020 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 91 points “Extremely pale onion skin. Nervy and focused on the nose, displaying fresh citrus fruit and red berry aromas and subtle floral, spice and mineral topnotes. Dry and tightly wound, offering tangy pomegranate, red currant and orange zest flavors and a spicy jolt of white pepper. Finishes long and silky, with a repeating orange note and strong, spicy cut. “
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Chateau Gassier Cotes de Provence ‘Esprit Gassier’ Rose France 2019 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points “Limpid orange-pink. Bright and sharply focused on the nose, displaying fresh red berry, pit fruit and orange zest aromas. Silky and precise on the palate, offering juicy strawberry and nectarine flavors and a hint of blood orange. Shows good depth but comes off lithe, closing with very good, minerally persistence. “
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose, France 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 33+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose, France 2020 750ML ($479.95) $369 special (that’s only $30.75/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Light, brilliant orange-pink. Highly perfumed, mineral-accented red berry and pit fruit aromas are complemented by a floral note that builds in the glass. Juicy and sharply focused in the mouth, offering vibrant strawberry, blood orange and white peach flavors and a suave touch of honeysuckle. Concentrated yet lithe in style, finishing with intense mineral- and floral-driven thrust.”
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Cuvee des Commandeurs’ Rose, France 2020 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 34+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Cuvee des Commandeurs’ Rose, France 2020 750ML ($279.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
91 points Josh Raynolds – Vinous “Bright onion skin. Incisive red berry, cherry and citrus fruit aromas are complemented by building mineral and floral accents. Silky and energetic on the palate, offering intense strawberry, blood orange and honeysuckle flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Finishes long and gently chewy, repeating the orange and floral notes.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaines Ott Cotes de Provence ‘By.Ott’ Rose, France 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaines Ott Cotes de Provence ‘By.Ott’ Rose, France 2020 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points “Light orange-pink. Ripe pit fruits and red berries on the nose, along with a hint of smokiness. Juicy and open-knit, offering strawberry and nectarine flavors that show very good clarity and back-end cut. Finishes smooth and long, leaving a suggestion of pit fruits behind.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Arriving ETA June:
Chateau du Seuil Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence ‘La Chapelle du Seuil’ Rose, France 2020 750ML ($17.95) $15.50 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points “Light orange-pink. Bright and sharply focused on the nose, displaying fresh red berry and pit fruit aromas and a suggestion of orange peel. Lively strawberry and nectarine flavors stretch out with air and take on a succulent herb nuance. Clings strongly on the silky finish, which leaves a subtle peach note behind.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
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(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
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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 Reviews from Decanter and Grapelive
Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG, 2017 ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special, ETA July
Decanter 95 points “Vietti owns two hectares in Lazzarito, a stunning amphitheatre facing southwest on clay-limestone soil. Planted to about 4,500 plants per hectare, the vines here have an average age of 38 years. Sweet, filigreed notes of cinnamon, strawberry candy and violet unfold in the glass. The attack is polished, with ripe, crunchy tannins. The austerity of Serralunga here becomes density and volume, kept lively by lifted acidity and finishing with liquorice root and cinnamon. Perfect balance and great elegance. This will develop more complexity with ageing. Drinking Window 2021 – 2040. –Aldo Fiordelli.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Francois Merlin Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2018 750ML ($39.95) $26 special, 27+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine Francois Merlin Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2018 750ML ($479.95) $279 special (that’s only $23.25/bottle!)
Grapelive 93 points “A stylish and pure example of Northern Rhone Syrah that delivers a fine performance in the glass and is a stellar value. The Saint-Joseph Rouge is made from various small plots with a mix of sandy soils and granite, with a bit of limestone and was all de-stemmed to promote elegance and opulence in the wine, which was easily achieved here in this 2018 version. The wine saw a short cold soak maceration and gentle hand punch downs while fermenting after which this dark purple/garnet Syrah is raised in a combination of wood casks with about 20% being new 228L barrels with the majority seeing neutral oak in various sizes to allow for freshness and balance to shine here. This is quite impactful Saint-Joesph in the glass with more than expected density and presence, in fact it is almost as impressive as the winery’s top Cote-Rotie with loads of blue and black fruits, delicate spices, perfume and textural pleasures. This is solid stuff with a classic medium to full bodied palate with lush layers of boysenberry, damson plum, kirsch and cedary wood notes, a touch of feral/earthy savoriness (the good kind of Syrah funk) and pretty violets, adding hints of anise, flinty mineral and a lingering sense of creme de cassis…. The Domaine gets exceptionally small yields from their vines and the concentration of fruit is utterly sensual and divine. Francois credits his son Laurent, for playing a big part in the vineyards, that has taken the quality to the next level, and this 2018 Saint-Joseph is proof.…With extended air, the 2018 Merlin Saint-Joseph gains depth and richness, but stays gracefully detailed and it is at its best with food, be sure to look for this bottling as it offers a ton of quality and personality for the price, this is a producer to add to your watch list, especially for Syrah lovers.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
2016 Domaine de l’Oiselet Vacqueyras, Rhone, Rhone Valley, France ($34.95) $27 Special
Grapelive 92 points “The 2016 L’Oiselet Vacqueyras is brilliantly focused and layered with rich and opulent dark fruits, this drinks very close to a top Chateauneuf du Pape in style, led by concentrated Grenache, making it very impressive and heady in the glass. Located at the foot of Mont Ventoux and of the Dentelles de Montmirail, the Domaine de L’Oiselet sits right in the middle of the Vacqueyras appellation, on a rocky plateau that has the classic clay and limestone soils with a warm exposure, all of which allows a deep ripening of the grapes. This Vacqueyras opens with crushed red berries, creme de cassis, anise, fig paste and a dusting of peppery spices with a soft tannic structure and a mouth filling roundness adding sweet dried flowers, chalky stone and a mocha note. This luxurious wine is all from organic grapes with mainly Grenache being used here at L’Oiselet along with small portions of Syrah, Mourvedre, Carignan and Cinsault usually which are all fermented together in tank. I’ve always enjoyed Gigondas and Vacqueyras and think, especially Vacqueyras, they are wonderfully complex and expressive wines that are great values, with this L’Oiselet 2016 being a poster child for this point. This full bodied wine, coming in at 14.5% natural alcohol, is best enjoyed with robust cuisine and will go great with BBQ and lamb dishes. “
Featured New Arrival
De Montille’s Hidden Red Value
Château de Puligny-Montrachet’s reds are some of the greatest insider secrets in Burgundy. Made by the de Montille family, whose Volnays regularly run north of $100 per bottle—and whose Bourgogne rouge hits $50—this Monthelie has all the same expertise for just $28. Unfortunately, that hidden-gem status is about to come to an end, as this is the last year that the wines will be labeled with the name Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet—soon this will be a “de Montille” wine, with a price-tag to match.
De Montille actually purchased the estate in 2012, and has gradually brought Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet into the fold. Monthelie is a village known for producing masterful examples of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay alike (a rarity for Burgundian villages). Featuring a unique flavor and aroma intensity after extensive frost damage earlier in the vintage, this is a Pinot made for a collector. Made to age, this is best purchased in multiples in order to observe the trademark metamorphosis of red Burgundy
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Domaine de Montille Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet Monthelie Rouge 2016 750ML ($49.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The village of Monthélie, nestled between Volnay and Meursault, is one of the prettiest of the viticultural landscape. The wines are vibrant, sweet with red fruit notes and often with a light touch of spice and minerality. For the medium-bodied reds, it is important to extract only noble tannins because the other kind can be overwhelming and hard. Our red Monthélie is an honest wine that translates with great authenticity and simplicity the quality of Burgundian Pinot Noir. Often vinified with whole cluster and aged in barrels – none of which are new, and sulphured very litle, it proudly flies the colors of our Domaine.”
De Montille actually purchased the estate in 2012, and has gradually brought Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet into the fold. Monthelie is a village known for producing masterful examples of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay alike (a rarity for Burgundian villages). Featuring a unique flavor and aroma intensity after extensive frost damage earlier in the vintage, this is a Pinot made for a collector. Made to age, this is best purchased in multiples in order to observe the trademark metamorphosis of red Burgundy
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Domaine de Montille Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet Monthelie Rouge 2016 750ML ($49.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The village of Monthélie, nestled between Volnay and Meursault, is one of the prettiest of the viticultural landscape. The wines are vibrant, sweet with red fruit notes and often with a light touch of spice and minerality. For the medium-bodied reds, it is important to extract only noble tannins because the other kind can be overwhelming and hard. Our red Monthélie is an honest wine that translates with great authenticity and simplicity the quality of Burgundian Pinot Noir. Often vinified with whole cluster and aged in barrels – none of which are new, and sulphured very litle, it proudly flies the colors of our Domaine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Trending Wines
A Washington masterpiece that isn’t Syrah
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) Was $149, Now $135 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Showing beautifully, with pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as loads of dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, the 2018 Impulsivo is medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, an d a great finish. It shows more meaty, almost bloody nuances with time in the glass, and it’s certainly a singular expression of Tempranillo. The tannins are present yet polished and ripe, and it has a great mid-palate as well as the balance and elegance to drink nicely today yet also improve with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades.”
Grenache with Girl power!
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $114.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points “A masterclass of finesse and elegance, the 2017 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard explodes with seductive floral tones that immediately capture your attention. Brilliantly defined dark cherry notions with aromas of rose hip and black spice tones sashay out of the glass. Nuances of dusty leather and wild strawberry float on top of the glass with red floral bouquet aromas. With 13.5% alcohol, this pure, medium-bodied wine is chock-full of flavor, bursting at the seams with a subtle smoky tone that perfectly frames the ripe red fruit. The palate is balanced with a velvety mouthfeel and energizing acidity to age for more than a decade. It displays expertly managed tannins and spiced red fruit that continues to unpack and evolve with mind-blowing complexity. The long-lived finish has a mineral tension and offers up notions of wild strawberry, dark cherry skin, newly opened peonies and luxurious and elegant black spice tones—another brilliant bottling from Christophe Baron. The only thing that is disappointing about this wine is that there are only 347 cases for the world to share.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) Was $149, Now $135 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Showing beautifully, with pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as loads of dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, the 2018 Impulsivo is medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, an d a great finish. It shows more meaty, almost bloody nuances with time in the glass, and it’s certainly a singular expression of Tempranillo. The tannins are present yet polished and ripe, and it has a great mid-palate as well as the balance and elegance to drink nicely today yet also improve with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades.”
Grenache with Girl power!
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $114.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points “A masterclass of finesse and elegance, the 2017 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard explodes with seductive floral tones that immediately capture your attention. Brilliantly defined dark cherry notions with aromas of rose hip and black spice tones sashay out of the glass. Nuances of dusty leather and wild strawberry float on top of the glass with red floral bouquet aromas. With 13.5% alcohol, this pure, medium-bodied wine is chock-full of flavor, bursting at the seams with a subtle smoky tone that perfectly frames the ripe red fruit. The palate is balanced with a velvety mouthfeel and energizing acidity to age for more than a decade. It displays expertly managed tannins and spiced red fruit that continues to unpack and evolve with mind-blowing complexity. The long-lived finish has a mineral tension and offers up notions of wild strawberry, dark cherry skin, newly opened peonies and luxurious and elegant black spice tones—another brilliant bottling from Christophe Baron. The only thing that is disappointing about this wine is that there are only 347 cases for the world to share.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
An intensely flavored vintage currently at it’s peak!
Duval-Leroy Femme de Champagne Grand Cru Millesime France ($349.95) $299 special, 27 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “A rich version, with beautiful integration and mouthwatering acidity that seems to amplify the flavors of toasted raisin bread, black currant, candied orange zest and salted almond. Fresh and focused, showing hints of oyster shell and spice on the lasting finish.”
This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!
The gem of the Mayacamas Mountains
Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace is a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 4.5% Malbec and 4.5% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple, it comes bounding out of the glass with exuberant notes of cassis, plum preserves, cedar chest and pencil lead, plus wafts of black truffles, damp soil and unsmoked cigars. Medium to full-bodied, the palate bursts with black berry flavors and wonderful freshness, packed with loads of subtle savory layers and textured by approachable, plush tannins, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. 599 cases were made.”
Winery notes “Red Rock Terrace, a warm microclimate, is 7 acres of north facing vineyard. The red tinted soil is high in iron content. The wine from Red Rock Terrace is the most accessible and earliest drinkable of all our wines. Our winemaker describes Red Rock Terrace as “having velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The “Backbone of the Bordeaux Blend” from an exceptional vintage
B. Leighton Olsen’s Brothers Vineyard Petit Verdot, Yakima Valley 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Lastly, the 2016 Petit Verdot comes from a higher elevation block and was brought up in 40% new French oak. It has a great bouquet of white pepper, chocolatey dark fruits, tobacco, and a kiss of violets to go with a full-bodied, incredible elegant profile on the palate. You don’t find Petit Verdot with this level of finesse very often, and it has silky tannins, good mid-palate concentration, and a great finish. It’s another stunning wine from Leighton I’d be thrilled to drink over the coming 10-15 years.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
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.
Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) Super Special Pricing: $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now – To order, call, email, or stop by!
Case-12 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!) – To order, call, email, or stop by!
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
New Lilbert Vintage Champagnes
Lilbert is one of the best kept secrets in Champagne. Drawing from Grand Cru vineyards in the Cote des Blancs, Lilbert makes blanc de blancs wines from some excellent vineyards in a finessed, minerally style. Their wines have notable brioche-y character, as well, due to the large quantities of reserve wines in their various blends. At the prices asked, these are wines that massively over-deliver, and they’re hard to acquire, as a result.
The last time we offered their vintage wines, they sold out in 48 hours, and we don’t expect anything different this time. Act quickly to get your hands on these while you can.
Arriving ETA Late Fall 2021:
Only 24 bottles available
Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Cramant Grand Cru Vintage Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($149.95) $109 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Produced from grand cru grapes grown in Cramant, this is a magnificent vintage Champagne. Its texture and perfumed acidity are joined by white fruits and hints of peach in a blend that encompasses richness and total intensity. Drink the wine now, although it will age further. -Roger Voss”
The last time we offered their vintage wines, they sold out in 48 hours, and we don’t expect anything different this time. Act quickly to get your hands on these while you can.
Arriving ETA Late Fall 2021:
Only 24 bottles available
Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Cramant Grand Cru Vintage Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($149.95) $109 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. Produced from grand cru grapes grown in Cramant, this is a magnificent vintage Champagne. Its texture and perfumed acidity are joined by white fruits and hints of peach in a blend that encompasses richness and total intensity. Drink the wine now, although it will age further. -Roger Voss”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Only 24 bottles available
Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Cramant Grand Cru Vintage Brut Champagne 2015 750ML ($149.95) $109 pre-arrival special
*No reviews available for 2015*
This is the only listing in the USA today!
In Stock Now:
Lilbert-Fils Perle Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV ($79.95) $59 special, 13 bottles in stock now
45% 2015, 45% 2014, 10% Reserve wine. Disgorged in autumn 2018
Wine Enthusiast 93 points ” The Perle style is a comparative rarity in Champagne, bottling the wine at a lower than usual pressure. This dry Champagne is therefore softly textured with an open mousse. It does however have all the fine, tight minerality of great Chardonnay in Champagne and will surely develop further. Drink from 2021.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points ” The latest release of the NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Perle was disgorged in fall 2018 with five grams per liter dosage, and it’s a blend of equal parts 2015 and 2014, complemented by some 10% reserve wines. Offering up a lovely bouquet of fresh peach, lemon oil, white flowers and hints of the elegantly nutty complexity to come, the wine is medium to full-bodied and textural but incisive, with a creamy low-pressure mousse, a tight-knit core that needs a little time on cork to unwind and an elegantly chalky finish.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Ripe pineapple and white cherry fruit flavors are accented by honeysuckle and spice notes in this appealing blanc de blancs Champagne, which is lithe and harmonious, with a fresh, lightly chalky finish. Disgorged autumn 2018. Drink now through 2023. 200 cases made, 40 cases imported.”
Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne (69.95) $49 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “This graceful Champagne is like the finely tailored suit that somehow never goes out of style, with a lovely overtone of minerally chalk and brine enticing you into the glass, where flavors of apricot and Marcona almond, and hints of passionfruit coulis and pickled ginger, ride the fine, satinlike mousse. Disgorged autumn 2018. Drink now through 2028.”
Abbatucci’s Faustine Blanc
A World-Class White Priced to Move
Abbatucci remains the premier producer of aristocratic Corsican wine—noble expressions of a wild island. We’re offering you a great deal on two vintages of their “Faustine” Blanc—always one of the best examples of Vermentino in the world. This is a wine that is somehow both powerful and delicate, a rare combination in the world of white wine. These were already amongst the smartest buys in the shop before we further reduced our national best prices. Now they’re absolute steals.
In Stock Now:
2016 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvee Faustine Vieilles Vignes Blanc, Vin de France 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $29 Now $24, 13 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “At the domaine, Jean-Charles Abbatucci often greets his guests with copious platters of Corsican charcuterie: heaping piles of coppa, lonzu, panzetta, and prisuttu saturated with wild, smoky, gamy flavors. Made from nustrale black pigs, a breed exclusive to the island, these meats feature savory, salty flavors that inspire gulp after gulp of crips, stony Vermentinu or spicy, juicy reds from native grapes. This delicate, floral white guarantees palate-cleansing refreshment when heavenly Corsican meats and cheeses are on the table.”
In Stock Now:
2016 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvee Faustine Vieilles Vignes Blanc, Vin de France 2016 750ML ($49.95) Was $29 Now $24, 13 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “At the domaine, Jean-Charles Abbatucci often greets his guests with copious platters of Corsican charcuterie: heaping piles of coppa, lonzu, panzetta, and prisuttu saturated with wild, smoky, gamy flavors. Made from nustrale black pigs, a breed exclusive to the island, these meats feature savory, salty flavors that inspire gulp after gulp of crips, stony Vermentinu or spicy, juicy reds from native grapes. This delicate, floral white guarantees palate-cleansing refreshment when heavenly Corsican meats and cheeses are on the table.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $38.50
The next lowest listed price is $38.50
Domaine Comte Abbatucci Cuvee Faustine Vieilles Vignes Blanc, Vin de France 2017 750ML ($49.95) Was $29, Now $26, 7 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Summing up Jean-Charles Abbatucci’s contagious energy in just a few lines is virtually impossible. The best way to experience it is to stand in his vineyards in central Corsica and feel it radiate through your body from the ground up. Luckily, that energy finds its way into every bottle he makes, and this gentle, breezy white from old-vine Vermentinu delivers it without compromise—each sip is like a gust of warm Mediterranean air flooding your senses with a perfume of flowers and wild maquis.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next lowest listed price is $35.99
The next lowest listed price is $35.99
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.
In Stock Now:
Poderi Colla Dardi Le Rose Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 23 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 Tenuta Roncaglia ‘Roncaglie’ Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 17 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 Piedmont 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States.
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