In This Newsletter:
Just Landed:
Friday Arrivals and Re-Arrivals
Bonkers for Beaujo:
Wines arriving May, 2022
Domaine Charvin’s Champion single cuvee
The Vertex of the Veneto: Farina’s Amarone
Collector’s Corner:
Venoge Champagne and their portfolio of Gold!
This Shop Never Closes: www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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Just Landed:
Friday Arrivals and Re-Arrivals
Friday Arrivals and Re-Arrivals
Oregon: Willamette Valley
Kelley Fox Wines ‘Mirabai’ Pinot Noir McMinnville 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “Oh, I love 2019. The Mirabai 2019 is a light-to-medium, youthful blue-red with brilliant transparency. Like all of my other 2019 bottlings, it is certainly lighter in colour and more nuanced than my 2018. True to the Dundee Hills, this Mirabai begins with a beautiful, fresh strawberry nose with subtle spices and tastes of the same carried by the lightest drape of silk. To me, this luminous Mirabai is both heart-warming and uplifting.”
Oregon- Eola Amity Hills
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 97 points “Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir surprises with its concentration of cranberry and spice, pennyroyal and tobacco leaves, its autumnal character notably pure this vintage. Medium-bodied, it has a slender frame that supports incredible depth of fruit, finishing with persistent spice and energy. Such a beautiful expression!”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This version is defined by a beam of vibrant acidity and tannins that’s framed by refined blueberry and cherry flavors, accented by stony minerality and dusky spiced tea. Drink now through 2031. 6,745 cases made. — TF”
Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Chardonnay Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
Wine & Spirits 94 points “Roserock lies on the southern reaches of the Eola–Amity Hills near the outskirts of Salem, Oregon’s state capital. It’s a large vineyard, planted mostly to pinot noir save for about 11 acres of chardonnay planted a little over a decade ago. Those vines grew an opulent wine in 2018, made firm and shapely by the coolness of the site and of the Oregon summer. It leads with scents of honey and peach, and has a hazelnut breadth. It’s built like a Beaune wine (no surprise there); for a chicken fricassee.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Editor’s Choice. Drouhin Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills Roserock vineyard is maturing nicely, as this rich, almost unctuous new Chardonnay demonstrates. Rippled with butterscotch around fruit flavors of apples and nectarines, this tasty bottle is buoyed with Meyer lemon acidity, and accented with whiffs of toasted hazelnuts. -Paul Gregutt”
Erin Brooks 92 points “The 2018 Chardonnay offers bright, fresh apple fruit with deeper, more savory bass notes of honeycomb, almonds and spice. The medium-bodied palate is super silky and bursts with tensile, mineral-laced fruits, expanding into a long, juicy and gently honeyed finish.”
Zena Crown Vineyard Slope Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “A wine of presence and personality, with dynamic black raspberry and guava flavors that take on stony mineral and dusky spice accents as this gathers richness and tension toward broad-shouldered tannins. Best from 2022 through 2032. 487 cases made. — TF”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $74.95
The next best price is $74.95
France- Champagne
Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale ‘Les Chetillons’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne 2002 1.5L ($1499.95) $1199 special, only one magnum in stock now!
Antonio Galloni 97 points “[Reviewed 2018] The 2002 Brut Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons, the original release and aged on crown seal, is tremendous. Wow. Ample, sweeping and dramatic, the 2002 is utterly captivating. Smoke, graphite, ash, apricot jam and pastry are some of the many nuances that come alive in the glass, with a top note of reduction that is very appealing. On this day, the regular release is just a touch ahead of the Oenothèque. It’s hard to say exactly why that is, but I suspect that the post-disgorgement time is optimal. This is the finest bottle of the 2002 I have ever tasted. Disgorged July 2010.”
Disgorged January 2011
Louis Roederer Collection Brut Champagne 242 NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Decanter 97 points “Fresh, vibrant nose displaying aromas of orange, lime peel, almond, honey and brioche with ripe quince and sweet pear undertones. Great focus and length on the palate, seriously harmonious, joyful and unforced. Wines of the Year 2021: the top Classic wines. Drinking Window: 2022-2040.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The NV Collection 242 is a new wine from Roederer that replaces the Brut Premier in the range. The Collection (which now will be numbered by harvest) is a blend of three components: a perpetual reserve done in the classic non-malo Roederer style, reserve wines in oak with a touch of malo, and a base vintage, in this case 2017. That blend results in a NV Champagne that offers lovely richness and resonance, with plenty of yellow orchard fruit and floral character. Whereas Brut Premier was typically a focused, nervy wine that, while consistently excellent, also was not always in line with the Roederer house style, the 242 tastes more like a Roederer Champagne in terms of its complexity. Incidentally, there is no Vintage, Cristal or Cristal Rosé in 2017, so all the best lots went into this bottling. Dosage is 8 grams per liter, so lower than the 9 or so that was typical for recent Brut Premier and much lower than the 12-13 that was once customary. The 242 was also bottled with a bit less sugar than the norm, which results in lower atmospheres of pressure in the bottle and silkier texture. ‘Brut Premier was created in the late 1970s and 1980s, when we struggled to ripen,’ Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon explained. ‘It was our way of compensating for lack of ripeness in the field and the variability of quality across vintages. Because of climate change, achieving ripeness is not an issue today. Instead, our challenge is maintaining freshness and precision. For that reason, we decided to re-think our NV and start from a place of positive rather than negative selection.'”
Camille Saves Carte Blanche Premier Cru Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Fall 2021 Release!
Wine Spectator 91 points “[Review for 2020 release] Pretty floral and nut aromas waft through the flavors of poached pear and ripe black currant fruit, toast point and candied lemon peel in this sleek, mouthwatering Champagne. Creamy in texture, with a salty, mineral-laced finish. Disgorged May 2019. Drink now through 2023. 3,000 cases made. –AN”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Camille Saves Carte d’Or Grand Cru Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Importer Note: Grand Cru vines in Bouzy. Aged in stainless steel and 20% old oak barrels. 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Serveaux et Fils Carte d’Or Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Importer Note: 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir. Partial malolactic fermentation.
Winery note “This cuvee with its pale color has a beautifully mature bouquet. In the mouth, the delicacy of the Chardonnay rubs shoulders with the ample, mineral Meunier and the overall impression is enhanced by a structure marked by the Pinot Noir.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Serveaux et Fils Carte Noire Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “[Reviewed 2020] A lithe and mouthwatering Champagne, with a light plushness to the mousse as it carries well-knit notes of melon, raspberry and chopped almond. Hints of chalk and spice play on the lively finish. Disgorged November 2019. Drink now through 2022. 2,000 cases made, 170 cases imported. –AN”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Jose Dhondt Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “[Reviewed 2021] Ripe nectarine and melon flavors are backed by a firm spine of acidity in this graceful blanc de blancs. It’s plush and creamy in texture, with accents of smoked almond, candied ginger, preserved lemon and spun honey riding adding complexity to the juicy fruit profile. Disgorged January 2021. Drink now through 2024. 2,000 cases made, 250 cases imported. –AN”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jeaunaux-Robin ‘Instinct Meunier’ Brut Nature Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) $66 special
Importer Note: La Vallee du Petit Morin – Biodynamic. 100% Pinot Meunier. A rare Champagne produced from the nearly 60 year old vineyard Le Grand Morceau.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
France- Alsace
F E Trimbach Riesling Selection de Vieilles Vignes Alsace 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “#2 WOTY 2020. Initial smoky notes of reduction make way for a pervasive, subtle but luminous lemon freshness on the nose of this wine. The palate shows exquisite concentration in lemon freshness. It’s bone dry, vivid and fresh. Drink until 2045. -Anne Krebiehl MW”
James Suckling 95 points “Solid white with density and searing dryness and minerality that is very impressive with sliced apples, lemons and white peaches. Super energy. Drink now or hold.”
France – Bordeaux
Chateau de Pez Saint-Estephe 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Chateau de Pez Saint-Estephe 2018 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “From the team of Nicolas Glumineau at Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, the 2018 Château De Pez is a gorgeous 2018 that should be on every Bordeaux lover’s radar (and should be a great value as well). Notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, candied violets, and graphite define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, rockingly polished tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish. It’s terrific and is going to have 15-20 years or more of longevity. The blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Under the same Rouzaud family ownership as Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, this estate has produced a structured wine. It offers dense and solid tannins, rich with a firm texture and black currant fruits. The wine has weight and density that need aging. Drink from 2026. -Roger Voss”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2018 de Pez is even more impressive from bottle than it was from barrel. Time has given the Pez gorgeous finesse, softening the contours, to match the natural radiance of the year. Silky tannins wrap around a core of inky red/purplish fruit, pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, spice and leather. The en primeur sample was decidedly flashier, but, then again, that wine was presented in 100% new oak. The finished wine, with one-third each new, one year-old and two year-old barrels, is wonderfully refined and poised.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 de Pez leaps from the glass with vibrant black cherries, ripe blackberries and blackcurrant pastilles notes, giving way to nuances of black olives, lavender and forest floor. The medium-bodied palate offers nicely rounded tannins and a lively backbone to counter the bold fruit, finishing savory.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Fresh red currant and bitter cherry notes are laced with floral and chalk notes. Piercing in feel through the finish, with the fruit and minerality in lockstep as a touch of cedar appears, leaving a mouthwatering edge. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2032. — JM”
Decanter 92 points “Always an extremely classy St-Estèphe, and this is an excellent wine that has restraint but punch, and plenty of cassis and blackberry fruits, with a governing hand of tannins that are never overdone. Drinking Window 2023 – 2036.”
Italy- Bolgheri
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri Tuscany 2018 750ML ($279.95) $249 special
Kerin O’keefe Wine Enthusiast 98 points “All about radiance and finesse, this iconic Tuscan red has beguiling aromas of cedar, wild red berry, menthol and pipe tobacco that mingle with fragrant blue flowers. Made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc, the focused, elegantly structured palate is vibrant and savory, delivering cassis, orange zest, licorice and a hint of coffee framed in taut, polished tannins. Bright acidity keeps it energized and balanced. Drink through 2033.”
Bs – Wine Spectator 98 points “Refined and complex, this red is all about finesse and restraint, starting out with floral and black currant flavors that build steadily on the palate, with olive, cedar, tobacco and spice notes adding detail as this lingers on the terrific finish. Needs five to seven years to fully emerge. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2025 through 2045. 25,000 cases made, 4,000 cases imported.”
James Suckling 97 points “Beautiful, serene aromas of sweet berries and wild flowers with light lavender and fresh sage. Really aromatic. A firm, silky red with medium to full body and ultra fine tannins that are polished and beautiful. Lots of blue fruit and blackberries follow through to a beautiful finish. Really tight and polished. Bright acidity. Will be lovely to drink in a few years. The 2017 and 2016 were about power, but the 2018 is about finesse and subtlety. Try after 2024.”
Aldo Fiordelli – Decanter 97 points “This is the fiftieth Sassicaia, representing a milestone for Italian winemaking and viticulture. Restrained cassis aromas with hints of kiwi peel, dried herbs and eucalyptus leading up to citrus notes and juicy acidity. Few months ago, at the release, this acidity was still quite aggressive and chewy, while now it is fragrant and integrated with refined tannins in a finely woven palate. Don’t look for large powerful body which is not typical of Sassicaia. It is different from all other Bolgheri and stands out as a result. The value of this Tuscan wine is the consistency of its style across decades, proving what seems to be obvious: it is the expression of its terroir. ‘Reminds me the 1988 which was chewy and tense like 2018 at the release’ says Carlo Paoli, managing director of Tenuta San Guido.”
Spain- Extremadura
Alvear Palacio Quemado La Raya Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2018 750ML ($34.95) $27 special
Case-12 Alvear Palacio Quemado La Raya Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2018 750ML 2018 750ML ($419.95) $299 special, (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Dark garnet. Intensely perfumed, mineral-driven red and blue fruit, potpourri and incense scents show excellent clarity and spicy lift. Palate-staining raspberry, boysenberry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors deepen steadily through the back half. Manages to come off powerful as well as lithe and shows no rough edges. Finishes smooth and extremely long, featuring sneaky tannins and lingering red fruit, mineral and floral notes.”
Vinopolnote– A vineyard blend of the rich and dark Port grapes Trincadeira Prieta and Touriga Nacional in addition to Garnacha and Syrah
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Alvear Palacio Quemado La Zarcita Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Alvear Palacio Quemado La Zarcita Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2018 750ML ($259.95) $199 special, (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Opaque magenta. Red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the expressive nose. Supple and appealingly sweet, offering spice-accented raspberry and boysenberry flavors and a musky hint of licorice. Finishes long and juicy, with repeating florality and gentle tannins adding final grip.”
Alvear Palacio Quemado Los Acilates Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2016 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Case-12 Alvear Palacio Quemado Los Acilates Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura Spain 2016 750ML ($359.95) $259 special, (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Deep, shimmering ruby. A pungent, mineral-accented bouquet evokes fresh cherry, boysenberry and exotic spices, along with a suave floral overtone. Sappy and expansive on the palate, offering appealingly sweet red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors and a suggestion of baking spices. The impressively long, sweet, floral-tinged finish is shaped by fine-grained tannins that fold smoothly into the wine’s vibrant fruit.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “The elegant, floral and perfumed 2016 Los Acilates reflected a cooler year with a longer growing season, which resulted in higher yields that achieved perfect ripeness. The aromas and flavors are precise and pure, and there is a sense of harmony that I like very much. The spectrum of aromas is about red fruit and flowers with just a pinch of spices. The palate is very elegant, with fine-grained tannins and a dry, chalky texture that I often associate with limestone soils. Delicious! 7,000 bottles produced.”
Lebanon – Bekka Valley
Chateau Musar Blanc Bekaa Valley 2013 750ML ($69.95) $57 special,
Winery note “In their youth: yellow-gold, subtly oaky, and creamy-textured, rich yet dry and intensely citrusy, with honeyed nuances. Wholly unique, the style has been described as resembling ‘dry Sauternes’ or mature white Graves. Chateau Musar Whites develop tawny hues and mellow spicy characters as they age. The cellars at Ghazir holds bottles of this wine dating as far back as 1954. Seven years in the making, Chateau Musar White is a blend of ancient grape varieties Obaideh and Merwah, indigenous to the mountains of Lebanon and said to be related to Chardonnay and Semillon. The Obaideh vineyards are in the foothills of the Anti-Lebanon Mountains on stony, chalky soils, while the Merwah vines are on the seaward side of Mount Lebanon, on calcareous gravels. Yields are very low for these untrained bushvines: 10 – 20 hl per hectare. At high altitude (around 1400m) they are still on their own roots, among very few vineyards in the world of this calibre.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
South Africa- Robertson
De Wetshof Limestone Hill Chardonnay Robertson 2021 750ML ($19.95) $17.70 special
Winery Note: “De Wetshof is a third generation wine estate in South Africa’s Robertson Valley, where wine has been made for over 150 years. This family owned estate is a pioneer of noble white wines in South Africa, and has also introduced superior red cultivars to the Robertson Wine Valley. Millennia ago the Robertson Valley teamed with termite colonies who built magnificent nests from the soil. Over time these structures and their contents were calcified leading to the region having an exceptionally high limestone content. One of De Wetshof’s vineyards is planted on a hill where the limestone is so abundant it shimmers in low light, and this is where the grapes of the Limestone Hill originate from. Heavy clay soils rich in limestone allow this Chardonnay to emit optimum varietal expression in a cloak of rich complexity. ”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
South Africa- Swartland
Mother Rock ‘Force Celeste’ Cinsault, Swartland 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Importer note “A medium-bodied red with ripe tannins, depth and drinkability from whole bunch fermentation. A great addition to the Force Majeure range.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Mother Rock ‘Holocene’, Swartland 2018 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Fragrant and distinctive, this tangy red is light- to medium-bodied and racy, offering an expressive profile of steeped raspberry and peach fruit flavors meshed with notes of dried flowers, blood orange zest and medicinal herbs. Lingering, zesty finish. Carignan, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Drink now through 2025. 222 cases made, 56 cases imported. — AN”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Mother Rock ‘Force Majeure – Force Celeste’ Cuvee PN Pet Nat, Swartland 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Importer note “A Pet-Nat that puts Pinotage in the spotlight. South Africa’s native grape is best known for its bright fruit and deep earthy character, which translate beautifully in this joyful rosé fizz. Slightly hazy salmon-pink in the glass, with aromas of raspberries, blood orange and earthy rhubarb. Fresh in the mouth, with crunchy cranberry fruit and a savoury edge. Delicious and dangerously drinkable at only 11%!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Australia – Hunter Valley
Tyrrell’s Wines Semillon Hunter Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19 special,
Winery Note: “A selection of some of our top Semillon vineyards around the Hunter Valley. Most of the vineyards are dry grown and have an average vine age of 40 years. The grapes were machine picked in the cool of the night before gentle pressing and fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine then spent a short amount of time on yeast lees to gain extra complexity and mouth feel.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Bonkers for Beaujo:
Wines arriving May, 2022
Wines arriving May, 2022
Domaine Anita Chenas Cuvee P’tit Co Les Brureaux Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “Pure violets on the nose pull you into this Chenas, which is brimming with sour-cherry fruit, wrapped around a core of fine tannins. Intense, stony minerality at the powerful yet refined finish. So focused and uplifting! Drink or hold.”
James Suckling 94 points “Pure violets on the nose pull you into this Chenas, which is brimming with sour-cherry fruit, wrapped around a core of fine tannins. Intense, stony minerality at the powerful yet refined finish. So focused and uplifting! Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Anita Fleurie Les Moriers Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 93 points “Stunning black-cherry fruit is married to generous, fine tannins and very lively acidity that lights up this rather bold wine. So many violets and ripe blackberries that this well-structured wine slips down very easily. Quite some allspice character at the long finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Anita Fleurie Les Poncie Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 93 points “Dense violet and sour-cherry nose with just a hint of licorice. Very fresh and vital with quite a serious tannins structure for a Beaujolais Cru, this is still very young with tremendous energy. Quite dry finish, but in a very positive way, and one that reminds me of wines from cooler locations in the Northern Rhone. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Anita Morgon ‘Chateau-Gaillard’ Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “Stunning nose of ripe blackberries, the blackest cherries and smoke, with just a touch of balsamic vinegar. Ripe and firm with a ton of crushed-stone minerality. Very radical, but in the best possible way! All this needs is a bit of time in the bottle to resolve the substantial, fine tannins and crisp acidity. Great aging potential! Drinkable now, but best from 2024.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Anita Prestige Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95 points “Welcome to the black heart of Morgon! So dense, concentrated and ripe with serious tannins, but a wonderfully plush texture on the expansive palate. Then the mineral freshness pushes through at the powerful, yet finely etched finish. If you can find actual black cherries that smell like this, then let me know! Drink or hold.”
Domaine Anita Moulin-a-Vent La Rochelle Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “This Beaujolais masterpiece is so concentrated and so pure, with lush, velvety sensuality that reminds me of great Pomerol. But there’s also almost breathtaking brightness, thanks to the magical combination of gamay and granite. Great mineral freshness at the ripe yet pristine finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Anita Moulin-a-Vent ‘Les Caves’ Tres Vieilles Vignes Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “What a beautiful nose of violets and ripe (but not overripe) blackberries this has! So succulent, with a wonderful interplay of creaminess, fine tannins and mineral freshness on the concentrated, medium-bodied palate. Very long, velvety finish with so much finesse! Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Charvin is a quintessential Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer originally founded in 1851. Producing only a single cuvee from their estate, their bottling is among the most complete pictures of the regions terroir. With an average vine age of 35 years old, organic farming practices and 5 different component grapes; delightful doesn’t begin to cover the experience of their wines. Located in the northern section of the village, there is a mix of soil types that further exemplify the wine as a benchmark in the classic garrigue and mineral components.
Charvin Wines in stock now:
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $52.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-96 points “Dark glistening red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, baking spices, garrigue and candied flowers, and a smoky mineral flourish appears as the wine opens up. Sappy, sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors joined by hints of allspice and bitter chocolate. Smooth and seamless in texture, showing superb finishing clarity, gently gripping tannins and strong, spicy persistence. This is a somewhat more brawny wine than usual for Laurent Charvin, but it still retains the domaine’s trademark balance and energy.”
James Suckling 95-96 points “A very tidy array of fresh strawberries, raspberries and poached, red plums. Sweet perfume and light, sappy, spicy complexity, too. The palate delivers an array of succulent, smooth tannins that offer fluid, suave, textural allure. Silky. Barrel sample.”
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone 2019 750ML ( $69.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Case-6 ($419.95) $333 special, (That’s only $55.50 per bottle!)
Matt Walls – Decanter 95 points “Dark fruited but so alive and bright on the nose. Plums, damsons, and their crushed stones. Very rounded and generous this year, it has strong inner architecture to back up the fruit, and a long, structured and textural finish from the stems. Ends proud and mineral. This will be very good indeed when it’s ready – structured and fresh enough to stay the course and give complexity when the time comes. 82% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, 4% Counoise, 4% Vaccarèse. Organically grown at the north-west of the appellation, lieux-dits Cabrières and Maucoil, galets roulés and sand. It’s fermented and then aged for 21 months in concrete using indigenous yeasts, then bottled unfiltered.”
Charvin Wines in stock now:
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $52.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-96 points “Dark glistening red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, baking spices, garrigue and candied flowers, and a smoky mineral flourish appears as the wine opens up. Sappy, sweet and penetrating on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry, cherry and lavender pastille flavors joined by hints of allspice and bitter chocolate. Smooth and seamless in texture, showing superb finishing clarity, gently gripping tannins and strong, spicy persistence. This is a somewhat more brawny wine than usual for Laurent Charvin, but it still retains the domaine’s trademark balance and energy.”
James Suckling 95-96 points “A very tidy array of fresh strawberries, raspberries and poached, red plums. Sweet perfume and light, sappy, spicy complexity, too. The palate delivers an array of succulent, smooth tannins that offer fluid, suave, textural allure. Silky. Barrel sample.”
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone 2019 750ML ( $69.95) $59 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Case-6 ($419.95) $333 special, (That’s only $55.50 per bottle!)
Matt Walls – Decanter 95 points “Dark fruited but so alive and bright on the nose. Plums, damsons, and their crushed stones. Very rounded and generous this year, it has strong inner architecture to back up the fruit, and a long, structured and textural finish from the stems. Ends proud and mineral. This will be very good indeed when it’s ready – structured and fresh enough to stay the course and give complexity when the time comes. 82% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, 4% Counoise, 4% Vaccarèse. Organically grown at the north-west of the appellation, lieux-dits Cabrières and Maucoil, galets roulés and sand. It’s fermented and then aged for 21 months in concrete using indigenous yeasts, then bottled unfiltered.”
The Vertex of the Veneto: Farina’s Amarone
Have you ever wanted to try an Amarone wine but found the cost prohibitive? Farina has something for you!
The pride of the Veneto for hundreds of years, Amarone’s are among the most labor intensive and expensive wines to produce. This is attributable to a number of factors including the finicky nature of the grapes used for the blend, the months of drying prior to fermentation and extensive aging required prior to release.
Sourced from a collection of vines that range from 25-40 years old this is a quintessential Amarone experience at a fraction of the typical cost. Made from the traditional blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella; There are the classic flavors of Morello Cherry, Prunes and dark chocolate underscored by violets, pipe tobacco and roses with a finish of butterscotch. The body of the wine slightly edges out the acid and has an exceptionally long finish that goes on for minutes.
In stock and available now:
Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Veneto 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A nose of redcurrants, plums, spices, nuts and mocha. It’s medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Balanced and focused with a nice structure and a creamy texture on the palate. Flavorful finish with delicious length. Supple. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico opens up with an inviting yet somewhat understated mix of peppery florals, cherry liquor, plums and sage. Here I’m finding silky textures offset by tart wild berry fruits, salty minerals and brisk acids in an expression that is much more savory than sweet. A coating of fine tannins lingers, along with a note of baker’s chocolate. I have to give Farina credit for creating such a versatile and balanced expression of Amarone.”
We carry a number of wines from the Veneto, available both online and in-store
The pride of the Veneto for hundreds of years, Amarone’s are among the most labor intensive and expensive wines to produce. This is attributable to a number of factors including the finicky nature of the grapes used for the blend, the months of drying prior to fermentation and extensive aging required prior to release.
Sourced from a collection of vines that range from 25-40 years old this is a quintessential Amarone experience at a fraction of the typical cost. Made from the traditional blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella; There are the classic flavors of Morello Cherry, Prunes and dark chocolate underscored by violets, pipe tobacco and roses with a finish of butterscotch. The body of the wine slightly edges out the acid and has an exceptionally long finish that goes on for minutes.
In stock and available now:
Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Veneto 2017 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “A nose of redcurrants, plums, spices, nuts and mocha. It’s medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins. Balanced and focused with a nice structure and a creamy texture on the palate. Flavorful finish with delicious length. Supple. Drink or hold.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2017 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico opens up with an inviting yet somewhat understated mix of peppery florals, cherry liquor, plums and sage. Here I’m finding silky textures offset by tart wild berry fruits, salty minerals and brisk acids in an expression that is much more savory than sweet. A coating of fine tannins lingers, along with a note of baker’s chocolate. I have to give Farina credit for creating such a versatile and balanced expression of Amarone.”
We carry a number of wines from the Veneto, available both online and in-store
Collector’s Corner:
Venoge Champagne and their portfolio of Gold!
Venoge Champagne and their portfolio of Gold!
De Venoge is an old-school Champagne house that’s relatively unknown in the United States, a fact that means even their finest and rarest wines continue to be undervalued relative to their peers. This is no better exemplified than their prestige cuvee, the LXV bottling. Named after Louis the 14th (The Sun King) it sees extensive aging on it’s lees and are true monuments of vintage champagne.
De Venoge has a strong following in Europe for good reason—they source from some of the best vineyards in Champagne and produce prestige cuvées of immense quality, built on long lees aging. They source Pinot Noir from Grand Cru villages like Verzenay, Ambonnay and Bouzy and pair it with a murderer’s row of Chardonnay sources, including Avize, Mesnil, and Cramant. The resulting wines capture the essence of classical Champagne and are in high demand in Europe’s top restaurants.
De Venoge prestige cuvées are outstanding wines for lovers of truly mature Champagne in all its glory, rich, creamy textures from extended lees aging married to surprisingly fresh, mineral personalities. There’s a reason this house has such a following overseas, they produce stunning wines and then age them until they’re ready to go, so consumers don’t need to leave them in the cellar for decades. We have a handful of options left here, including two that are almost 20 years old. Now’s your chance to try them for yourself! These are perfect “occasion” wines that make for fantastic birth year or anniversary gifts.
In Stock Now:
De Venoge ‘Princes’ Tour Eiffel 130 Anniversary Edition NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 Special, 24 bottles in stock now
Envie de Champagne “The Maison De Venoge was founded in 1837 by Henri-Marc De Venoge. Innovation in the production and marketing of champagnes were the founding values of this of champagne house, which won the Excellence Price in Philadelphia in 1876. A few years later, in 1889, during the World Fair in Paris, the house became the partner of the event. This exhibition celebrated the centenary of the French Revolution and it is on this occasion that the Tower designed by Gustave Eiffel has been inaugurated. This monument, with a height of 312 meters during its construction can now 337 meters in 2019 following the installation of antennas. In addition to its cultural and tourist use, the Eiffel Tower is used as a transmitter for TV and radio programs. The Eiffel Tower, object of discord at the time of its creation has become today the most visited paying monument of France. It has about 7 million visitors a year. It is also inseparable from the history of the French capital. For the 130 years of this first collaboration, De Venoge signs a beautiful partnership with the company in charge of the exploitation of the iron lady (surname of the Eiffel Tower). This collaboration is obvious because of the common history of both parties but also because of the characteristic shape of the bottles of the Princes cuvée. This limited edition vintage is named “Cuvée Princes Tour Eiffel”. Only 10,000 bottles have been marketed for this partnership.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millesime 2006 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The assemblage of the 2006 Louis XV Brut Millésimé is about the same as the 1995 and 1996—composed of 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from grand cru villages. The only difference is that the Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (10% of the assemblage) spent 12 months in oak barrels. Disgorged in January 2017 (dosage: six grams per liter), the 2006 has a golden color and opens with a deep, ripe, elegant and vinous bouquet with toasty and chalky lemon and fresh white fruit flavors. On the palate, this is an intense, round, fresh and complex Louis XV with great purity and finesse. The wine opens on the palate like a soufflé, coating the whole palate without any pressure or weight—gorgeous! This is a delicate and fresh yet well-structured and persistent Louis XV whose intense and long but weightless finish reveals lovely, almost juicy fruit concentration with perfectly integrated freshness and lasting minerality that seems to give additional structure. The 2006 shows a lot of Chardonnay features right now and drinks perfectly today; however, it can be kept under perfect conditions for decades. Just keep it in the box, because the bottle is white and nothing makes a Champagne age faster than exposure to daylight. (Tasted in November 2017 from Lot LL15067017BT.)-SR”
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Brut Millesime 2008 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 16 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “This is really punchy and broad-shouldered with muscular structure and citrusy undertones. Full body. Lightly tannic and a fresh and vivid finish. This is the first vintage without malolactic fermentation ever. One for the cellar. Better in 2022.”
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The straw-yellow/white-golden colored 2008 Louis XV Brut Millésimé blends 50% Chardonnay (20 % from Avize, 15% from Oger and 15% from Mesnil) with 50% Pinot Noir (41.5% from Verzenay and 8.5% from Bouzy). Disgorged in January 2018 with a dosage of six grams per liter, the 2008 displays a clear, pure, fresh, chalky-tinged and vinous nose with lemon, white fruits, brioche, hazelnuts, white blossoms and some caramel notes. Pure, lean, fresh and elegant on the palate, with a lingering hazelnut flavor, this is a straight yet complex cuvée with grip and a long, well-structured and textured finish. This 2008 is still terribly fresh and should benefit from further bottle aging. For the moment, I am missing the mouth-filling generosity of the 2006 and 1995. Mind that this is the first vintage of de Venoge’s prestigious Louis XV where the base wines didn’t undergo malolactic fermentation! Total production: 10,326 bottles. Tasted October 2018.”
De Venoge Louis XV de Venoge Extra Brut Rose Millesime 2002 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 93 points “Harmonious, with fine intensity, offering rich notes of spice cake, toasted almond, dried cherry, grilled plum and smoky mineral. Almost velvety in texture, with juicy acidity that brings you back for another sip. Delicious. Drink now through 2022. 54 cases made.”
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.
Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!
Stay safe, be well, & drink well.
Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team!
Stay safe, be well, & drink well.