In This Newsletter:
New Week – New Arrivals
Featured New Arrival
Dr. H. Thanisch
First Offer
The Hottest Wines in Cornas?
Staff Pick: Exceptional Rhone Value
Benchmark Brunello for Less Than $50?
You’re Not Dreaming!
Classic Rose, Arriving Next Week
We are back open for in-store shopping
Vinopolis will be closed July 4th in observance of the holiday We will reopen for regular hours on Monday the 5th (10:00 am to 6:00 Pm, 7 days per week)
Properly worn masks over the nose and mouth
will be required at all times.
Our maximum capacity will be six customers at one time.
New Arrivals
Rose
Domaine de Triennes Rose, IGP Var, France 2020 750ML ($19.95) $14.90 special
Winery note “Cinsault – Syrah -Grenache – Merlot. This wine has a bouquet of strawberries and white flowers with hints of vanilla. It has the harmony and elegance that has earned world-wide appreciation of the rosés of Provence. Triennes Rosé is the perfect accompaniment to a sunny summer afternoon.”
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rose Rhone 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvedre. Organic. Sand, clay & cailloux. Tasting note: Ripe raspberry, bitter cherry, blood orange and stone. Medium body with a long finish.”
M Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche Rose Loire 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Cabernet Franc. Sustainable. River gravel & pebbles. Sustainable. Tasting note: Rich raspberry, hints of freen pepper and touch of white peach. Medium body with a long, elegant finish.”
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Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Bourgogne Rose de Pinot Noir Burgundy 2020 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Importer Note: 100% Pinot Noir, 55 year old vines grown in Clay and limestone soil with Southwest exposure, Direct press rosé. Sourced from 85% Hautes Cotes de Beaune in a High altitude village of Cormot-le-grand Near Saint-Aubin Lieu dit ‘En vignes Baudet’. The remaining 15% from Santenay. Aged in large 2-3 year old barrels and unfined and unfiltered
Bodegas Ostatu Rosado Rioja DOCa 2020 750ML ($19.95) $14.50 special
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This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Clement & Florian Berthier l’Instant Pinot Noir Rose Vin de France 2020 ($17.95) $14 special
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Oregon
The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
Winery Note: This vintage is highly aromatic, with dense layers of lime, pea shoots, and white strawberry, finishing with a spicy uplift. The texture is round and full. The forepalate is dominated by ripe lychee and passionfruit that hint at sweetness – although the wine is absolutely dry. Flavors of dried sea grass, kiwi, and currants fill out the rich and very long finish. Complex, precise, and substantial, this latest release form Eyrie continues to define the best of Oregon Pinot gris.
Winery Note: This vintage is highly aromatic, with dense layers of lime, pea shoots, and white strawberry, finishing with a spicy uplift. The texture is round and full. The forepalate is dominated by ripe lychee and passionfruit that hint at sweetness – although the wine is absolutely dry. Flavors of dried sea grass, kiwi, and currants fill out the rich and very long finish. Complex, precise, and substantial, this latest release form Eyrie continues to define the best of Oregon Pinot gris.
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Roserock Zephirine Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($64.95) $55 special
James Suckling 96 Points “This has a very impressive sense of density and power with such immaculate detail and definition, in terms of tannin and fruit. The aromas are in the spicy and floral zone with blue-fruit and leafy nuances. Deceptively elegant and convincingly excellent pinot noir. Drink across the next decade.”
Josh Raynolds 94 Points -VINOUS “Limpid ruby-red. Highly perfumed, mineral- and spice-accented red fruit liqueur, incense and potpourri scents show fine definition and assertive lift. Appealingly sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering vibrant raspberry, cherry, red currant and blood orange flavors that deepen and take on spicecake and floral pastille nuances on the back half. Shows outstanding focus and solid thrust on a long, floral-tinged finish shaped by subtle, polished tannins.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2017 Zéphirine Pinot Noir is a selection of the best barrels from the Roserock vineyard. Pale to medium ruby-purple, it’s scented of crushed boysenberries, blackberries, cranberries, bergamot and forest floor with touches of dried rose petals and violets. Medium-bodied and über silky, it offers great intensity and flavor layers, grainy and fresh with a long, layered finish.”
Wine Spectator 94 Points “A dynamic wine, showing both grace and structure, this opens like a flower bloom, revealing notes of raspberry, crushed stone, fresh violet and savory tea. Builds richness and tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2027. 1,830 cases made.”
Patricia Green Cellars Durant Vineyard Bishop Block Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($59.95) $45 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 Points “Deep, shimmering garnet. Expressive aromas of fresh red berries, cherry, blood orange and exotic spices, energized by a touch of minerality. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering vibrant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that put on weight and turn sweeter with air. Displays very good breadth and seamless texture, and finishes with impressive clarity, harmonious tannins and a resonating red fruit preserve quality. Roughly 80% whole clusters and 25% new oak.”
92 Points Wine Enthusiast “Smooth and fruity, the flavors run to strawberry and pomegranate rather than darker fruits. It’s an elegant, medium-bodied wine, all Pommard clone, balanced and good for near-term drinking.”
Colene Clemens Vineyards ‘Dopp Creek’ Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($39.95) $28 special
Wine Spectator 94 Points ” Defined by a brisk and refreshing minerality that brings focus to refined and expressive raspberry, rose petal and toasty spice flavors and builds intensity toward fine-grain tannins. Drink now through 2029. 3,241 cases made
France
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Pessac-Leognan 2016 750ML ($149.95) $138 special
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98 Points “Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered.”
Wine Spectator 97 Points “Quite ripe, with lush waves of cassis, cherry preserve and raspberry puree flavors gliding through in no hurry, but maintaining definition and cut along the way as bramble, tar and melted licorice snap notes slowly emerge throughout. The finish features an intense echo of pastis and sweet tobacco, showing serious latent grip. Best from 2023 through 2038. 8,333 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusiast 97 Points “Cellar Selection. This hugely dense wine is complex and full of juicy, succulent, smoky Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are at the service of the fruits. The wine still has a long way to go before maturity. Don’t think about drinking it before 2025. -Roger Voss”
Neal Martin-Vinous 95+ Points “The 2016 Smith Haut-Lafitte has an opulent, lavish bouquet with layers of black cherry, Christmas cake, dark chocolate and vanilla. This wants to make an impression. The palate is very seductive, featuring lush red berry fruit, brown spices and saturated tannins. Some new oak is evident on the finish, but that will be subsumed with bottle age. I can see this aging well. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.”
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 Points “Glistening ruby. Mineral-inflected red/blue fruits on the assertively perfumed nose, along with incense, exotic spices and fresh flowers. Alluringly sweet and penetrating, offering intense boysenberry and raspberry flavors braced by juicy acidity. Fine-grained tannins add spine to a wonderfully long, sappy finish that strongly repeats the floral and mineral notes.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98 Points “Composed of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and matured in 60% new oak for 18 months, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte has a very deep garnet-purple color, opening with sensuous scents of warm black cherries, blackberry pie, star anise and fragrant lilacs with hints of chocolate box, cigar box and pencil lead plus wafts of truffles and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied, rich and seductive, it completely fills the palate with perfumed black berry preserves and superbly plush tannins, finishing epically long and beautifully layered.”
Wine Spectator 97 Points “Quite ripe, with lush waves of cassis, cherry preserve and raspberry puree flavors gliding through in no hurry, but maintaining definition and cut along the way as bramble, tar and melted licorice snap notes slowly emerge throughout. The finish features an intense echo of pastis and sweet tobacco, showing serious latent grip. Best from 2023 through 2038. 8,333 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusiast 97 Points “Cellar Selection. This hugely dense wine is complex and full of juicy, succulent, smoky Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannins are at the service of the fruits. The wine still has a long way to go before maturity. Don’t think about drinking it before 2025. -Roger Voss”
Neal Martin-Vinous 95+ Points “The 2016 Smith Haut-Lafitte has an opulent, lavish bouquet with layers of black cherry, Christmas cake, dark chocolate and vanilla. This wants to make an impression. The palate is very seductive, featuring lush red berry fruit, brown spices and saturated tannins. Some new oak is evident on the finish, but that will be subsumed with bottle age. I can see this aging well. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.”
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 Points “Glistening ruby. Mineral-inflected red/blue fruits on the assertively perfumed nose, along with incense, exotic spices and fresh flowers. Alluringly sweet and penetrating, offering intense boysenberry and raspberry flavors braced by juicy acidity. Fine-grained tannins add spine to a wonderfully long, sappy finish that strongly repeats the floral and mineral notes.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Confidence Rhone 2018 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “One of my favorite Cornas, the 2018 Cornas Confidence comes from pure granite soils and was partially destemmed and brought up in 30% new French oak. The 2018 is a head-turner, revealing a dense purple color as well as sensational notes of crème de cassis, smoked bacon, graphite, bouquet garni, and liquid rock-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, with sweet tannins, this is one sexy Cornas that’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 10-15 years in cold cellars.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94 Points “From the family’s mature vines (average of 30 years old) on granitic sites, the 2018 Cornas Confidence matured in 30% new oak, yet that has been “soaked up” by the wine to the point that nearly no cedar notes are discernible. Instead, there are scents of crushed stone, dark plum and dusty earth. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it’s concentrated and tannic but not unapproachable, with a silky, lingering finish and a sprinkling of ground pepper and aniseed.”
Wine Spectator 93 Points “Lush, with lots of dark plum, raspberry and blackberry compote taking the lead, flecked with sweet bay and rosemary hints that add detail and energy through the finish. Shows a toasty back end, but the fruit wins out easily. For fans of the modern style. Best from 2022 through 2034. 140 cases made, 30 cases imported. –JM”
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes Rhone 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ Points “The 2018 Cornas Empreintes offers a riper, more concentrated style, delivering lots of plum and darker currant fruits intermixed with notions of smoked herbs, ground pepper, violets, lavender, and spice box. It’s rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, yet the tannins here are more present, and it has a closed, angular style that’s going to benefit from bottle age. Give bottles 3-4 years at a minimum and it should have a solid decade of longevity after that.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92-94 Points “Nearly as good as the Confidence, the Durands’ 2018 Cornas Empreintes is more open and approachable, with sexy blueberry, blackberry and vanilla nuances. It’s full-bodied, creamy and plush, with a long, vibrant finish.”
Wine Spectator 92 Points “Lush and inviting, with crushed plum and warm blackberry compote notes leading the way, along with sweet bay, anise and violet accents. Has a buried iron hint but this is fairly plush overall for a Cornas. Drink now through 2032. 800 cases made, 90 cases imported. –JM”
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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Premices Rhone 2018 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points “Starting with the 2018 Cornas Prémices, which can be thought of as the entry-level Cornas, it reveals a deep purple hue as well as stunning purity in its blue fruits, violets, ground pepper, and charred meat-like aromas and flavors. Rich and full-bodied, it has loads of fruit, silky tannins, and is just a killer Cornas to enjoy over the coming decade or so.”
Wine Spectator 94 Points “Solidly built, with ripe and vivid waves of crushed plum, blackberry and boysenberry fruit rolling through, laced with sweet bay and violet notes. Long twang of iron minerality pierces the finish to keep it all honest. Best from 2022 through 2036. 875 cases made, 100 cases imported. –JM”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 91 Points “The 2018 Cornas Premices comes from the brothers’ young vines, but it is a concentrated, stony example in its own right. Dark in hue, it offers up scents of red plums and crushed stone, plus subtle herb and floral shadings. Medium to full-bodied, with a silky texture and a refreshing hit of licorice on the lengthy finish, it’s approachable now, yet should drink well for at least 5-6 years.”
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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray Rhone 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points “Lots of peach, white flowers, and quince notes emerge from the 2019 Saint-Péray, another textbook white that shows its appellation in its salinity and minerality. This beauty is medium-bodied, elegant, and perfectly balanced. Both whites from this estate are class acts and well worth buying.”
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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Blanc Rhone 2019 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 Points “This straddles the line nicely between racy and ripe, with a mix of peach, pear and melon flavors allied to chamomile, quinine and honeysuckle notes. The interplay is even-handed throughout and there’s nice length on the finish. Drink now through 2026. 360 cases made, 50 cases imported. — JM”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Based on 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne, the 2019 Saint Joseph Blanc is a beauty that’s well worth seeking out. Lots of buttered citrus, pineapple, and subtle quince as well as some toasty, nutty, honeyed notions emerge from this medium to full-bodied, pure, elegant white. It’s a classic Saint Joseph white to enjoy over the coming decade.”
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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Les Coteaux Rhone 2018 750ML ($36.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 Points “If the Lauteret bottling is a lovable puppy dog of a wine, the 2018 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux is a veteran bird dog—cool, taut and contained, with coiled energy and terrific poise. Scents of cedar and crushed stone appear on the nose alongside hints of mint, black cherries and cassis. It’s medium to full-bodied and sleek on the palate, with a lithe musculature and a graceful movement as it eases into a long, cool finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 Points “Starting off the two Saint Joseph releases, the 2018 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux is a deeply colored, ripe, opulent effort with rocking levels of black and blue fruits, peppery herbs, game, and violet aromas and flavors. Textured, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it already offers pleasure yet should evolve for a decade.”
Wine Spectator 92 Points “Bright, pure style, with a beam of cassis and plum purée racing through, lined with violet and iron notes, ending with a dash of anise amidst an encore of fruit. Yummy. Best from 2021 through 2029. 2,000 cases made, 400 cases imported. –JM”
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Lautaret Rhone 2018 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points “Slightly more expensive, the 2018 Saint Joseph Lautaret offers more smoky minerality as well as impressive darker currants, blackberries, violets, and barbecued meat-like aromas and flavors. These carry to a rich, meaty, almost bloody/iron-laced Saint-Joseph that has full-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish. With moderate acidity and a fleshy, already hard to resist style, enjoy bottles over the coming 10-15 years.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92+ Points “The 2018 Saint Joseph Lautaret comes across as intense but slightly jammy, giving up scents of blueberry pie balanced against more savory notes of black olives and cracked pepper. Medium to full-bodied, with a ripe, supple feel and a long, silky finish, it’s a sexy Saint Joseph to drink over the near term, yet one that should also develop more complexity and improve over the next decade.”
Wine Spectator 92 Points “Alluring, with blackberry and raspberry pâte de fruit notes forming the core while anise, black tea and singed woodspice hints fill in throughout. Subtle floral and bay accents on the finish. Seductive style. Drink now through 2028. 340 cases made, 50 cases imported. –JM”
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Chateau de Breze – Arnaud Lambert Saumur Clos de Midi Loire 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 Points “This offers an expressive mix of yellow apple, persimmon and Meyer lemon flavors infused with light notes of hazelnut and hints of smoke. The acidity is electric, giving this plenty of verve and carrying all the elements to the long and seductive, lightly floral finish. Best from 2022 through 2034. 3,750 cases made, 627 cases imported.
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Italy
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’ Piedmont 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’ Piedmont 2017 CASE-6 ($299.95) $239 special
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’ Piedmont 2017 CASE-12 ($599.95) $459 special
Antonio Galloni 94 Points “The 2017 Barbaresco shows just how appealing this vintage can be. In 2017, the warm, dry growing season gave the Barbaresco an extra kick of richness that fills out its frame and adds so much immediacy. Sweet red berry fruit, cinnamon, rose petal and mint are open in the glass, but it is the wine’s seductive radiance that wins the day. Pora, Ovello, Montestefano, Muncagota and Rio Sordo are the main vineyards used for the straight Barbaresco. The 2017 is such an inviting and expressive wine. Don’t miss it!”
Spain
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Clos Mogador ‘Com Tu’ Montsant 2017 750ML ($59.95) $48 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 Points “Saturated ruby. Intense dark berry, cherry pit and floral pastille aromas are complicated by suggestions of licorice and smoky minerals. Sappy and concentrated on the palate, offering vibrant bitter cherry, black raspberry and candied violet flavors that show strong, spicy back-end cut. Youthfully gripping tannins come in slowly on the persistent finish, which features lingering mineral and spice flourishes.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 Points “The 2017 Com Tu is a Garnacha from La Figuera, from white and red soils (with some more clay). It matured in old 4,000- and 5,000-liter oak vats for one year, a shorter élevage, as it’s a lighter year. The fruit is a little riper, and the wine is juicy and has the austere tannins of the limestone soils. It reminds me of a Garnacha from Châteauneuf. 12,000 bottles produced.”
Vinedos de Paganos La Nieta Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 Points “Dark, brilliant ruby. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes red and blue fruit preserves, incense and potpourri, along with building mineral and exotic spice nuances. Juicy, appealingly sweet and concentrated on the palate, offering intense black raspberry, cherry liqueur and spicecake flavors that become livelier with air. Smoothly blends power and delicacy and finishes extremely long and smooth, with well-knit tannins and resonating florality.”
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Sierra Cantabria Finca El Bosque Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($149.95) $135 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96 Points “Inky ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented cherry liqueur and blueberry scents are complicated by building floral, vanilla and exotic spice notes. Sappy, sweet and broad in the mouth, offering densely packed black and blue fruit, mocha and violet pastille flavors that slowly become spicier and livelier as the wine opens up. Shows excellent definition and mineral lift on a strikingly long, oak spice- and floral-driven finish framed by fine-grained, even tannins.”
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Argentina
Bodega Amalaya Malbec Calchaqui Valley 2019 750ML ($17.95) $16 special
Bodega Amalaya Malbec Calchaqui Valley 2019 750ML CASE-12 ($199.95) $169 special
Decanter Wwa 2020 97 Points “Perfumed attractive nose with layers of spice, crunchy strawberries, ripe red plums and fresh violets. Vibrant on the palate with a lovely freshness in harmony with a dense chocolatey character, ending in an elegant spicy finish.”
Featured New Arrival
Dr. H. Thanisch
Weingut Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch Erben Thanisch is classic Germany, a spectacular Riesling producer that is a mouthful to say. Named after the widow (wwe being the German abbreviation) who inherited the estate in the 19th century, Thanisch has been producing wine since 1636. Already considered one Germany’s most exceptional producers, Thanisch was one of the first estates to join the VDP Consortium in 1910, and the estate has continued to pursue excellence ever since.
Working entirely with old vines and some of the most lauded vineyards in the Mosel, it should come as no surprise that Thanisch holds the crown for highest price ever fetched at auction for a German producer. The wine in question? A bottle of 1921 Berncastler Doctor Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese that had been secretly hidden in their underground cellar for decades. It was sold in 1986 for over $16,000.
When one thinks of extreme vineyards, most point to the Northern Rhône, Liguria, or the Canary islands. But the verdant slopes of the Mosel hide some of the most dangerous and challenging sites in the world. Any slope over 30 degrees makes mechanized assistance nearly impossible, further exacerbating backbreaking work for farmhands. If that wasn’t difficult enough, the various types of slate found in the Mosel become dangerously slippery when wet, oftentimes requiring safety winches and harnesses for laborers. About half of the estate vineyards farmed by Thanisch have aspects of 60 degrees or more, offering mind-bending views of the village of Bernkastel and the Mosel River. And the resulting wines are absolute marvels across the board.
Germany’s 2019 vintage is expected to be an instant classic, having already been hailed as “Germany’s Breakout Vintage” by British critic Jancis Robinson. While Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate has declared that the 2019s “are worth cellaring for decades”. Thanks to almost perfect weather conditions, 2019 has yielded marvels across the Prädikat spectrum, and Thanisch’s are unsurprisingly some of the finest.
Just Arrived:
Only 3 cases arriving!
Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Mosel 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2019 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett feinherb is clear, refined and flinty on the crunchy/slatey nose. Round and salty-piquant on the palate, this is a delicate and delicious Kabinett with white stone fruit aromas and a juicy finish with a stimulating slate structure and salinity. Remarkably fine. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2019er Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett Feinherb is an off-dry wine (with 21 g/l of residual sugar) with a superbly complex and refined nose of almond cream, candied grapefruit, laurel, rosemary, mint, and freshly cut lemon. The wine develops a very beautifully juicy and fruity presence on the palate and leaves one with a refreshing feel of ripe acidity in the superbly long finish. The after-taste is beautifully animating and zesty with minty flavors of tangerine and lime. This succulent off-dry Riesling has quite some aging potential. 2024-2039.”
Working entirely with old vines and some of the most lauded vineyards in the Mosel, it should come as no surprise that Thanisch holds the crown for highest price ever fetched at auction for a German producer. The wine in question? A bottle of 1921 Berncastler Doctor Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese that had been secretly hidden in their underground cellar for decades. It was sold in 1986 for over $16,000.
When one thinks of extreme vineyards, most point to the Northern Rhône, Liguria, or the Canary islands. But the verdant slopes of the Mosel hide some of the most dangerous and challenging sites in the world. Any slope over 30 degrees makes mechanized assistance nearly impossible, further exacerbating backbreaking work for farmhands. If that wasn’t difficult enough, the various types of slate found in the Mosel become dangerously slippery when wet, oftentimes requiring safety winches and harnesses for laborers. About half of the estate vineyards farmed by Thanisch have aspects of 60 degrees or more, offering mind-bending views of the village of Bernkastel and the Mosel River. And the resulting wines are absolute marvels across the board.
Germany’s 2019 vintage is expected to be an instant classic, having already been hailed as “Germany’s Breakout Vintage” by British critic Jancis Robinson. While Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate has declared that the 2019s “are worth cellaring for decades”. Thanks to almost perfect weather conditions, 2019 has yielded marvels across the Prädikat spectrum, and Thanisch’s are unsurprisingly some of the finest.
Just Arrived:
Only 3 cases arriving!
Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett Feinherb, Mosel 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2019 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett feinherb is clear, refined and flinty on the crunchy/slatey nose. Round and salty-piquant on the palate, this is a delicate and delicious Kabinett with white stone fruit aromas and a juicy finish with a stimulating slate structure and salinity. Remarkably fine. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2019er Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett Feinherb is an off-dry wine (with 21 g/l of residual sugar) with a superbly complex and refined nose of almond cream, candied grapefruit, laurel, rosemary, mint, and freshly cut lemon. The wine develops a very beautifully juicy and fruity presence on the palate and leaves one with a refreshing feel of ripe acidity in the superbly long finish. The after-taste is beautifully animating and zesty with minty flavors of tangerine and lime. This succulent off-dry Riesling has quite some aging potential. 2024-2039.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Only 2 cases arriving!
Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese, Mosel 2019 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 93 points “Vinified in old fuder vats until May and bottled at the end of August this year, the 2019 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is clear, precise and elegant on the flinty and crunchy nose. On the palate, this is a perfectly round, textured, finessed and stimulatingly salty Spätlese of great elegance and finesse. I tried to spit it three times and always failed. There is this very rare reflex that you can’t avoid, and before you even think about it, you want to swallow it. Gorgeous. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “The 2019er Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese is a sweet wine with a refined and floral nose of whipped cream, vineyard peach, smoke, herbs, orange blossom, and fine spices. It proves gorgeously playful and creamy on the palate and leaves a great feeling of energy and finesse in the finish. This is a great and juicy Spätlese in the making. 2029-2049.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Only 3 cases arriving!
Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Mosel Fine Wines 95 points “The 2019er Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Auslese was made from fruit harvested at approx. 100° Oechsle and was fermented down to sweet levels of residual sugar. It offers a hugely restrained, aniseed, and smoky nose of honeyed yellow peach, minty herbs, pear, melon, quince jelly, and vanilla touch. The wine coats the palate with ample juicy and exotic fruits, as well as apricot, black berry, and a hint of smoky raisin. The finish is still on the smooth and creamy side, even if the after-taste more than hints already at the depth, complexity, and freshness to come. Patience will be needed for this beautiful Auslese to come around and deliver all its nuances. But the wait will be more than worth it! 2034-2069.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Only 2 cases arriving!
Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkastel-Kues Alte Reben, Mosel 2019 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “The 2019er Bernkastel-Kues Riesling Alte Reben is a barely off-dry wine (with 12 g/l of residual sugar) made from grapes harvested from 40-year-old vines in the Kueser part of the city. It offers a superbly complex and refreshing nose of anise, pink grapefruit, orange peel, tangerine, mint, lead pencil, and smoke. The wine proves hugely enjoyable thanks its animating presence on the palate and leaves a precise and dry-tasting feel in the long finish. The wine develops more weight and presence with airing, but retains a great sense of grip and playfulness in the animating and beautifully balanced after-taste. Now-2034.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Only 2 cases arriving!
Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Graben Riesling Grosses Gewächs, Mosel 2019 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2019 Bernkasteler Graben Riesling GG is adjacent to Thanisch’s Doctor parcel yet a bit less warm. From 60- to 70-year-old-vines, this is a smoky, intense and elegant Riesling with very fine, precise and crunchy gray slate aromas. Medium-bodied, intense and complex on the palate, this is a tight, long and structured dry Graben Riesling with a refreshing lemon aroma on the concentrated and refreshing finish. This is complex but very promising and currently pretty closed, although the bottle was opened two days earlier. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Other highlights, in stock now:
Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 750ML ($34.95) $24 special, 23 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous 91 points “Ripe pear and apple dominate on the nose as well as on a silken, buoyant palate, supported by subtle sweetness. Mouthwatering salinity and transparency to crystalline stony nuances give the long, refreshingly juicy finish a fascinating and delightful sense of shimmer.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese, Mosel 2016 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2016 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese offers a clear, elegant nose with bright fruit, green asparagus and flinty aromas. Racy and lush on the palate, this is a refreshing, elegant but still pretty sweet Spätlese with crystalline, piquant acidity and structure. The finish is long and complex, but the wine needs a decade to integrate all its components into a fine and elegant Spätlese. Tasted March 2018.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The 2016er Badstube Spätlese offers a nice nose made of pear, white peach, cassis, minty herbs and a hint of whipped cream. The wine is nicely playful and loaded with white fruits and minerals on the palate. The finish is beautifully playful and complex. While still young, this hints at great potential. 2026-2041”
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Dr. H. Thanisch Bernkasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese, Mosel 2017 750ML ($54.95) $39 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt – Wine Advocate 95+ points “The coolish, precise and elegant 2017 Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spätlese (AP 3 18) opens to very fine tropical fruit aromas intermixed with the smoky scents of crushed black rocks. Lush and finessed on the palate, this is a firmly structured, very elegant and persistently mineral Doctor Spätlese whose salty-piquant finish and fine, crystalline structure develops enormous length and tension but also finesse and a highly elaborate style. Highly stimulating. Tasted in March 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love German Riesling? We have over 350 different options (not a typo!) in stock. Shop the entire selection on our web store now, including famous names like Dönnhoff and JJ Prüm, as well as more from Thanisch.
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Classic Rose, Arriving Next Week
In Stock Now:
Chateau de Manissy ‘La Belle Etoile’ Rose Rhone 2020 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Cinsault, Syrah, Grenache. Clay & limestone. Tasting note: Crushed stone, pressed flowers and white cherries. Medium body with a long finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rose Rhone 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Grenache, Cinsault. Organic. Clay, galets roules & sand. Tasting note: Crushed strawberry, Bing cherry with hints of grapefruit and crushed stone. Medium body with a long finish.”
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Les Griottes Rose Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Gamay. Sustainable. Quartz & clay. Tasting note: Bright watermelon, strawberry and citrus rind with a touch of rosemary. Medium body with a short finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rose Cote de Nuits 2020 750ML (21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Pinot Noir. Sustainable. Clay & limestone. Tasting note: Ripe pomegranate, strawberries and raspberries. Medium body with a short finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
First Offer
The Hottest Wines in Cornas?
Guillaume Gilles is a hot name in the Northern Rhone for good reason—he’s making some of the most exceptional bottles to come out of Cornas. That’s a big statement, but Gilles delivers, with an ultra-traditional, whole-cluster driven style that’s intensely influenced by his mentor, the legendary Robert Michel.
In the decade-and-a-half since Michel retired, Gilles has taken over his plot in Chaillot, as well as his cave/winery. As his importer, Neal Rosenthal, put it, “it has been, then, a nearly seamless transition for us from Michel to Gilles.”
The wines remind us of Michel’s in their wild personality that combines austere tannin with a savory take on the appellation, however they’re decidedly cleaner and more consistent. The 2018’s show the heat of the vintage with a bit more fruit, but still display the classicism that has thrilled collectors.
We’ve secured an exceptionally limited allocation of these beauties, arriving soon, but we expect that there will be intense interest in the wines before they arrive, so lock in yours now
Arriving Next Week:
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas Rhone 2018 750ML ($199.95) $108 pre-arrival special
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas Rhone 2018 1.5L ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Wine note “Cornas: This is the grand wine of this tiny domaine. The vines are situation on the higher slopes of the Chaillot vineyard. The “terroir” is more complex here with a mixture of soil types and expositions. There are terraces of pure granite that are oriented east – southeast; then, these are supplemented by terraces that sit on a clay-limestone base that have a full southern exposure. The grapes are never destemmed, the cuvaison is long (30 days) and the elevage is in demi-muids for eighteen months. As with the other wines of the domaine, this wine is neither fined nor filtered.”
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas Nouvelle Les Rieux Rhone 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Wine note “Cornas “Nouvelle R”: The “R” in this wine’s name stands for Les Rieux, a vineyard situated up above the main amphitheater of Cornas at a lofty 450 meters altitude. Guillaume acquired acreage here in 2010, immediately planting vines on its soils of white granite which had never before borne wine. Whereas before the turn of the century there was really nothing planted above 300 meters in Cornas, today’s warmer climate allows for wines from plots like this one to reach full maturity at modest alcohol levels—in the case of the 2016, a mere 12.5%. Robert Michel remarked that it reminded him of the Cornas he and his village-mates made in the ‘70s and ’80, an era in which even Geynale and Chaillot rarely pushed past 13% alcohol. The purity of fruit here—its brightness and its spice-saturated red character—provides a fascinating contrast to Gilles’ more brooding and black-fruited flagship Cornas.”
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses France 2018 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses France 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Wine note “Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses: This wine, feral and exciting, issues from an old vines parcel on the flats in Cornas. The soil is sand and clay overlain with large “galet” stones. The vinification is the same as is used for the more prestigious wines of the cellar. Best described as a “mini-Cornas”, it’s outside of its generic category of Cotes du Rhone.”
In the decade-and-a-half since Michel retired, Gilles has taken over his plot in Chaillot, as well as his cave/winery. As his importer, Neal Rosenthal, put it, “it has been, then, a nearly seamless transition for us from Michel to Gilles.”
The wines remind us of Michel’s in their wild personality that combines austere tannin with a savory take on the appellation, however they’re decidedly cleaner and more consistent. The 2018’s show the heat of the vintage with a bit more fruit, but still display the classicism that has thrilled collectors.
We’ve secured an exceptionally limited allocation of these beauties, arriving soon, but we expect that there will be intense interest in the wines before they arrive, so lock in yours now
Arriving Next Week:
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas Rhone 2018 750ML ($199.95) $108 pre-arrival special
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas Rhone 2018 1.5L ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Wine note “Cornas: This is the grand wine of this tiny domaine. The vines are situation on the higher slopes of the Chaillot vineyard. The “terroir” is more complex here with a mixture of soil types and expositions. There are terraces of pure granite that are oriented east – southeast; then, these are supplemented by terraces that sit on a clay-limestone base that have a full southern exposure. The grapes are never destemmed, the cuvaison is long (30 days) and the elevage is in demi-muids for eighteen months. As with the other wines of the domaine, this wine is neither fined nor filtered.”
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cornas Nouvelle Les Rieux Rhone 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Wine note “Cornas “Nouvelle R”: The “R” in this wine’s name stands for Les Rieux, a vineyard situated up above the main amphitheater of Cornas at a lofty 450 meters altitude. Guillaume acquired acreage here in 2010, immediately planting vines on its soils of white granite which had never before borne wine. Whereas before the turn of the century there was really nothing planted above 300 meters in Cornas, today’s warmer climate allows for wines from plots like this one to reach full maturity at modest alcohol levels—in the case of the 2016, a mere 12.5%. Robert Michel remarked that it reminded him of the Cornas he and his village-mates made in the ‘70s and ’80, an era in which even Geynale and Chaillot rarely pushed past 13% alcohol. The purity of fruit here—its brightness and its spice-saturated red character—provides a fascinating contrast to Gilles’ more brooding and black-fruited flagship Cornas.”
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses France 2018 1.5L ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Domaine Guillaume Gilles Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses France 2018 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Rosenthal Wine note “Cotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses: This wine, feral and exciting, issues from an old vines parcel on the flats in Cornas. The soil is sand and clay overlain with large “galet” stones. The vinification is the same as is used for the more prestigious wines of the cellar. Best described as a “mini-Cornas”, it’s outside of its generic category of Cotes du Rhone.”
Staff Pick: Exceptional Rhone Value
Grant
St. Cosme is synonymous with the Rhone, with bottlings coming from the very top of the Northern appellations all the way to the sprawl of the south. Known for their massive return on quality for cost, they’ve remained a consistent favorite amongst the staff. Sourced from their estate holdings, this wine is evocative of Gigondas in character and locus. Their Deux Albion is a perfect example of why they are a beloved producer. Intoxicatingly heady aromas of strawberry jam, kirsch cherry, oregano flower and hyssop fly out of the glass, bolstering a full bodied and savory palate and finish. Tertiary flavors of polished leather and dusty loam makes this unmistakably Rhone with a finish of pebble and blackberry compote. Unlike most cote du rhones, the Deux Albion is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Clairette making it more akin to a Chateauneuf than anything else. This is drinking beautifully now and will reward cellaring for at least 5 more years.
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion, Rhone 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion, Rhone 2018 1.5L ($49.95) $39 special
Grapelive 93 points “Louis Barruol uniquely with the Chateau version of Cotes du Rhone, Les Deux Albions, uses multiple vineyard sites to gain complexity, but still co-ferments all the grapes (together) which includes mainly Syrah, but with a good dose of Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Clairette.
Also Available from St. Cosme
Chateau de Saint Cosme Condrieu Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
James Suckling 93 Points “A very powerful, rich and attractively fleshy Condrieu with intense and concentrated fruit and a wealth of apricots and some baking spices on offer. The palate has such intensity and depth. Citrus and fleshy apricots abound. Drink in the next three years.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 Points “I was able to taste two vintages of Louis Barruol’s Condrieu, and both are terrific. The 2018 Condrieu comes from a cooler terroir near Malleval and offers lots of apricot, tangerine, and honeysuckle notes as well as classic Condrieu richness and depth on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, silky, and elegant, with plenty of granite character, it has a forward, fleshy style that’s going to shine right out of the gate.”
Importer Note “Saint Cosme Condrieu is produced from fully-ripened Viognier which Louis Barruol believes is essential to achieving the variety’s full potential. “But ripeness must not imply excessive alcohol,” says Barruol, “We seek balance.” The wine is matured for eight months in used 228-liter barrels and undergoes full malolactic fermentation on fine lees for 12 months. Saint Cosme Condrieu shows classic aromas and flavors of dried apricot, peach, and orange blossom with fennel, anise, and elderflower. Twelve months of aging on its fine lees in used Burgundian pièce brings texture to the palate. This is a classic Condrieu.”
St. Cosme is synonymous with the Rhone, with bottlings coming from the very top of the Northern appellations all the way to the sprawl of the south. Known for their massive return on quality for cost, they’ve remained a consistent favorite amongst the staff. Sourced from their estate holdings, this wine is evocative of Gigondas in character and locus. Their Deux Albion is a perfect example of why they are a beloved producer. Intoxicatingly heady aromas of strawberry jam, kirsch cherry, oregano flower and hyssop fly out of the glass, bolstering a full bodied and savory palate and finish. Tertiary flavors of polished leather and dusty loam makes this unmistakably Rhone with a finish of pebble and blackberry compote. Unlike most cote du rhones, the Deux Albion is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre, and Clairette making it more akin to a Chateauneuf than anything else. This is drinking beautifully now and will reward cellaring for at least 5 more years.
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion, Rhone 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion, Rhone 2018 1.5L ($49.95) $39 special
Grapelive 93 points “Louis Barruol uniquely with the Chateau version of Cotes du Rhone, Les Deux Albions, uses multiple vineyard sites to gain complexity, but still co-ferments all the grapes (together) which includes mainly Syrah, but with a good dose of Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Clairette.
Also Available from St. Cosme
Chateau de Saint Cosme Condrieu Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
James Suckling 93 Points “A very powerful, rich and attractively fleshy Condrieu with intense and concentrated fruit and a wealth of apricots and some baking spices on offer. The palate has such intensity and depth. Citrus and fleshy apricots abound. Drink in the next three years.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 Points “I was able to taste two vintages of Louis Barruol’s Condrieu, and both are terrific. The 2018 Condrieu comes from a cooler terroir near Malleval and offers lots of apricot, tangerine, and honeysuckle notes as well as classic Condrieu richness and depth on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, silky, and elegant, with plenty of granite character, it has a forward, fleshy style that’s going to shine right out of the gate.”
Importer Note “Saint Cosme Condrieu is produced from fully-ripened Viognier which Louis Barruol believes is essential to achieving the variety’s full potential. “But ripeness must not imply excessive alcohol,” says Barruol, “We seek balance.” The wine is matured for eight months in used 228-liter barrels and undergoes full malolactic fermentation on fine lees for 12 months. Saint Cosme Condrieu shows classic aromas and flavors of dried apricot, peach, and orange blossom with fennel, anise, and elderflower. Twelve months of aging on its fine lees in used Burgundian pièce brings texture to the palate. This is a classic Condrieu.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone 2017 750ML ($49.95) $45 special
Wine Spectator 95 Points “Offers mulled plum, blackberry and black cherry fruit mixed in with steeped black tea, sandalwood and tobacco leaf notes. A mineral edge adds cut and drive to the finish, while the black tea note smolders seductively. Built for the cellar. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Best from 2022 through 2036.”
Wine Advocate 94-96 Points “Still awaiting bottling during my June visit, the 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape features bold notes of black cherries, cassis and spice cake. Owner Barruol says the Christmas cake is typical of La Crau. Full-bodied and voluptuous, with a long, fine and silky finish, this great effort provides one intense ride from start to finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie Rhone 2017 750ML ($79.95) $55 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points “The 2017 Côte Rôtie is another satisfying, character-filled wine. Complex notes of blackberries, ground herbs, new leather, and violets flow to a medium to full-bodied, layered, complete, balanced Côte Rotie that’s going to shine for 10-15 years. It has some feral, wild notes as well as plenty of old-school character.”
Josh Raynolds 94 Points “Saturated ruby. An expansive bouquet evokes ripe, spice-tinged red and blue fruits, potpourri, violet and olive paste, and a smoky mineral nuance builds in the glass. Shows impressive depth and energy, offering sappy dark berry, cherry cola, spicecake and floral pastille flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows a welcome light touch for its heft and finishes on a gently tannic note, displaying fine delineation and mineral thrust.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 Points “Notes of smoked meat and cold fireplace mark the nose of Saint Cosme’s 2017 Cote Rotie. It’s medium to full-bodied, with a plush, seductive mouthfeel, supple tannins and a long finish. It should be a beauty.-JC”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage Rhone 2018 750ML ($34.95) $27 special
Grapelive 93 Points “The 2018 Crozes-Hermitage is a thrilling Syrah that adds touches of lavender, cracked pepper, farm bacon (meatiness) and subtle cedary wood notes as well as creme de cassis, it will go gloriously well with winter cuisine, especially lamb, wild mushrooms dishes and or sweet and smoky BBQ, as well as hard cheeses…Louis Barroul’s negociant line of Northern Rhone bottlings seem to get better and better every year and I am a huge fan of this Crozes-Hermitage, which always delivers a full array of classic flavors in the purest form possible with this 2018 showcasing the vintage’s energy and charm, this is a wonderful youthful Syrah to enjoy over the next three to ten years….The Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage unfolds with crushed violets, boysenberry, damson plum, blueberry preserves, forest floor notes, snappy licorice and olive tapenade flavors along with good acidity and well judged tannins that hold things tight, but still allow for a graceful mouth feel that is impressive for this appellation, which has in the last decade has become one of my absolute favorite go to regions…. The Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage Rouge is crafted from 100% Serine clone, the area’s ancient Syrah variety that many winemakers here covet and think is the region’s best expression of the grape that really transmits the terroir in perfect clarity, which this one certainly does. For the 2018 vintage Barroul went with 100% de-stemmed grapes with no whole cluster, preferring to promote a more elegant profile and excluding the bite of stems in this version… .Barruol sources his Crozes-Hermitage from the granite hillsides of Gervans and Erome, just behind Hermitage hill, noted himself that the wines are often quite similar to those of Hermitage, which is no small claim. Going on, he says that where these grapes are grown, could almost be an appellation in its own right because there is a huge difference within the ‘Chaissis’ terroirs of Crozes-Hermitage. Interesting, Barruol describes his 2018 Crozes as a long, broad, flavorful, ripe and balanced, exclaiming “what a vintage!” calling it probably one of the best since he started making it, which I find hard to argue with.”
Jeb Dunnuck 90-92 Points “Looking at the Northern Rhône releases from Louis, the 2018 Crozes Hermitage offers terrific depth of fruit as well as hints of violets and pepper, medium body, and fine tannins. It’s beautifully textured and just sings of Syrah.”
Importer Note “Saint Cosme Crozes-Hermitage is produced from 100% Sérine, an ancient and local variety of Syrah that is markedly different from modern selections. It is more oval, with lots of space in the bunch, resulting in a very aromatic wine. It is sourced from the hillside vineyards of Erôme, Gervans, and Larnage in the northern part of the appellation. It is made from 100% destemmed grapes, fermented with indigenous yeasts, aged in 20% new 228-liter barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration. Granite slopes rather than flatlands give Saint Cosme’s Crozes-Hermitage greater structure and complexity. The wine shows classic aromas and flavors of black fruits, smoked bacon, black peppercorn, and incense.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Benchmark Brunello for less than $50?
You’re not dreaming!
Caparzo is a benchmark producer for Brunello. There are only a handful of wineries that can match their consistency, quality and price in the genre—and their newest release, the 2016, is stunning. This remains a producer to stock up on every year as the wines drink well young (and the 2016 looks to follow in this mode) and also age beautifully.
Although we think of Caparzo as a historic producer because of their modern success, the modern vineyard wasn’t established until the 1960’s and then passed from owner to owner until 1998, when Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini purchased the struggling estate. In her opinion, Caparzo had strayed from its primary purpose over time and Elisabetta planned to refocus on what she thought the estate does best: Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino.
She and winemaker Massimo Bracalente poured time (and money) into reviving the estate, with the goal of making wines that were inspired by Tuscan tradition but used the best technology available to produce grand wines. You know the rest of the story—Caparzo is seen as an unqualified success. 2016 may be their best vintage yet, too!
Arriving Late July:
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 CASE-6 ($289.95) $255 pre-arrival special
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 CASE-12 ($499.95) $479 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 Points “Ripe, sweet cherry and raspberry fruit are accented by floral, mineral and wild herbs in this alluring red. A backbone of dense, dusty tannins provides support, and the ripe fruit returns on the savory finish. Excellent length. Best from 2023 through 2043. 15,000 cases made, 8,500 cases imported. — BS”
Although we think of Caparzo as a historic producer because of their modern success, the modern vineyard wasn’t established until the 1960’s and then passed from owner to owner until 1998, when Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini purchased the struggling estate. In her opinion, Caparzo had strayed from its primary purpose over time and Elisabetta planned to refocus on what she thought the estate does best: Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino.
She and winemaker Massimo Bracalente poured time (and money) into reviving the estate, with the goal of making wines that were inspired by Tuscan tradition but used the best technology available to produce grand wines. You know the rest of the story—Caparzo is seen as an unqualified success. 2016 may be their best vintage yet, too!
Arriving Late July:
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 CASE-6 ($289.95) $255 pre-arrival special
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Tuscany 2016 CASE-12 ($499.95) $479 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 Points “Ripe, sweet cherry and raspberry fruit are accented by floral, mineral and wild herbs in this alluring red. A backbone of dense, dusty tannins provides support, and the ripe fruit returns on the savory finish. Excellent length. Best from 2023 through 2043. 15,000 cases made, 8,500 cases imported. — BS”
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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