In This Newsletter:
Winery-Cellared Library Releases from
Goodfellow Family Cellars
New Week – New Arrivals
Winery-Cellared Library Releases from
Goodfellow Family Cellars
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage #6 Pinot Noir Fir Crest Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Translucent red. A highly perfumed bouquet displays fresh red fruit, blood orange and Asian spice qualities, and vibrant mineral and floral notes build in the glass. Juicy and sharply delineated on the palate, offering intense red currant, raspberry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that unfurl slowly on the back half. Shows distinct tension and clarity and finishes with finely woven tannins and emphatic spice- and mineral-driven persistence. (made with fruit from the Fir Crest vineyard and with 75% whole clusters; 50% new French oak).”
Winery note “Beginning in 2012, Goodfellow Family Cellars began bottling our Heritage selections. Each bottling in this series originates from a single site, and typically a single block within the vineyard. The wines represent our most perfect marriage of new world site and old world soul. They are wines that will stand the test of time and improve within their years of rest. Our Heritage selections are our ambassadors for the quality of the terroirs in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The vineyard selection for Heritage Number 6 is the Fir Crest Vineyard, and presents flavors of black tea, raspberry and cinnamon.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
In 2015 Marcus Goodfellow produced a Syrah Reserve bottling—and boy is it fantastic. The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Deux Vert Vineyard Syrah Reserve, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($47.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91+ points “Marcus Goodfellow’s 2015 Deux Vert Vineyard (Reserve) bottling of Syrah includes five percent viognier, which grows alongside these syrah vines, which were the first to be planted in the Willamette Valley in 1994. The 2015 version comes in at 13.8 percent octane and delivers a refined and red fruity bouquet of raspberries, pepper, woodsmoke, roasted meats, lovely soil tones, plenty of spice elements and a nice framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with excellent transparency and grip, ripe tannins and a long, focused and nascently complex finish. This will be a lovely bottle in due course, but it needs some time in the cellar to allow its backend tannins to resolve a bit. Fine juice. 2030- 2055+. 91+.”
VinopolNote: The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result. While the wine is rich and intense, don’t expect over-the-top fruit here. This reminds us of high quality Northern Rhone wines, with dark, fresh fruits and a distinct meaty, savory overtone. One for the table with some air or for the cellar.
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Whistling Ridge is Marcus Goodfellow’s Cros Parantoux—a site he seems to have particular affinity with, producing exceptional wines. It’s located on top of a hill in Ribbon Ridge, adjoining Patricia Green and the Beaux Freres Upper Terrace. This is often his most “Burgundian” bottling and takes a few years to open up. Case in point: the now-stunning 2015 edition, which showed immeasurable promise when young (but not very much immediate pleasure). Recently, though, the wine seems to have turned a corner and offers an exceptional experience. Red cherry, spice and orange notes linger over a powerful palate that features a beautiful measure of red and black fruit over a beam of mineral energy. It’s gonna age for a while more, but is delicious right now.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 93 points “From a vineyard planted in 1990, the pale to medium ruby colored 2015 Pinot Noir Whistling Ridge Vineyard has a spicy nose of coriander, warm cinnamon, potpourri and dried leaves over a core of baked cranberry and red cherry fruit with meaty/savory touches. Light to medium-bodied, it has spice-laced red fruits in the mouth, with a great frame of fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and very spicy. 270 cases produced.”
VinopolNote: Whistling Ridge has become Marcus Goodfellow’s Cros Parantoux-a vineyard that somehow went overlooked but now produces exceptional wines in the right hands. Nestled on the ridgetop abutting the Beaux Freres Upper Terrace, wines from Whistling Ridge tend to be compact and powerful-built for aging. Lots of spice and floral notes blend with a mix of black and red fruits for a stellar wine that’s one of the best versions yet.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New Week – New Arrivals
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
California
Arnot-Roberts Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2020 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2020 Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard is laser focused and vibrant, as it is in its best years. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper, lemon peel and white flowers all race out of the glass. Bright saline notes extend the finish effortlessly. The 2020 is very nicely done, and also a great example of this Santa Cruz Mountains site.”
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Arnot-Roberts Rosé Blend California 2021 750ML ($33.95) $28 special, 10 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: This is one of the California wines the diehard Oregon loving-staff at the shop buy every year. It’s elegant, interesting, and dry-farmed.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arnot-Roberts Syrah California 2020 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “One of the highlights in this range, the 2020 Syrah (California) is bright, punchy and explosive. Inky dark fruit, spice, licorice and leather are all kicked up in this juicy, exuberant Syrah. In 2020, a large percentage of the fruit is from Santa Maria, hence the broader California designation this year. Floral and savory accents linger. The 2020 is flat-out delicious.”
France – Champagne
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($359.95) $319 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “[Reviewed 2018] Editor’s Choice. This is the latest release of this legendary wine. A blend, although with a majority of Pinot Noir (Churchill’s preference), the wine is rich, just beginning to show wonderful signs of maturity. It still has intense fruit along with the taut mineral texture that will allow the wine to age further. It is a standout Champagne from this vintage. Drink now, although this Champagne will age for many years. -Roger Voss”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “[Reviewed 2018] Made in the very best vintages, Pol Roger’s white-golden colored 2006 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill offers a very clear, precise, ripe and complex bouquet with fruity and refreshingly chalky, nutty and brioche notes. Full-bodied and complex on the palate, the 2006 is supple, round and rich but also fine, elegant, fresh and well structured. It has a harmonious yet tight, persistent and very promising finish that puts this silky textured, Pinot-dominated cuvée (the exact blend is a closely guarded family secret) on the border of fatty richness. But the mousse gives so much freshness and finesse that everything seems lifted here. Though I have very limited experience with matured Champagnes from Pol Roger and namely Churchill, I suppose the 2006 will benefit a lot from further bottle aging. But don’t get me wrong: the wine is already gorgeous.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “[Reviewed 2017] This dances gracefully on the palate, with rich and expressive flavors of peach tart, raspberry sorbet, candied ginger and orange peel, and sleek acidity that leaves a mouthwatering impression on the satiny finish. Drink now through 2031. 600 cases imported. — AN”
James Suckling 95 points “[Reviewed 2017] Some reductive meaty notes of bacon fat and flint, with lemon cream and butter too, as well as a light forest berry edge and toasted hazelnuts. The palate has attractive lemon citrus cream flavor. Super pure, there’s power amongst the charm. This is a great ’06. Drink now.”
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France – Alsace
Agathe Bursin Riesling Dirstelberg, Alsace 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 6 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Old vines grown in pink sandstone.
No reviews available for the 2020 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “The subtle nose on this wine suggests wet chalk and just-cut apple. The palate adds intense apple freshness and a zesty edge of lemon. More air also awakens additional lemon notes with their ripe zestiness. The finish is dry, long and fresh with apple and lemon. -Anne Krebiehl MW.”
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Agathe Bursin L’As de B, Alsace 2020 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Bollenberg is part of 3 dry hillsides bordering the village of Westhalten. A fine layer of loess (wind blown silt sized sediment) covers the sides of the hill. This deposit, from the quartenary glaciation, was brought by the wind. It is a pale yellow silt, very fine, sandy and limestone, with very little clay. This soil is particularly favorable to the full expression of the different Alsatian varietals… Our ancestors co-planted 6 white varietals in one parcel (5% muscat, 15% pinot-gris, 20% riesling, 20% sylvaner, 20% gewurztraminer and 20% pinot-blanc). In this wine, one discovers the fullness and richness of Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris, allied with the freshness of Riesling, and the lightness of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. As for the Muscat, it contributes the delicate aroma which only this varietal can transmit.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
France – Rhone
Domaine la Remejeanne Cotes du Rhone Les Arbousiers Blanc, Rhone 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Certified organic. 25% Roussanne, 25% Viognier, 25% Clairette, 13% Marsanne, 12% Bourbolenc. 25+ year old vines. Owned by the dynamic Oliver Klein, this certified organic domaine is located in the small high altitude village of Sabran, nestled in dramatic hills divided between forests of green oak and sun-soaked vineyards. All of the vines at the estate are found at high altitudes between 200 and 280 meters. This results in a cooler climate than most of the Southern Rhone, and endows the wines with a freshness and liveliness not often encountered in the region. Klein is an extremely conscientious winemaker, using very traditional methods to maintain the highest quality of wine. All the grapes are hand-harvested, undergoing long, slow fermentations with indigenous yeasts before being aged in concrete or older wood. This hands off approach creates wines of elegance and class.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
France – Beaujolais
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Kermit Lynch note “This estate comprises nearly fourteen hectares. Foillard’s Morgons are deep, structured, and complex, with a velvety lushness that makes them irresistible when young despite their aging potential. Jean raises his wines in older barrels sourced from top estates in Burgundy, a logical decision for someone crafting Gamay in a Burgundian style. It is the passion and dedication of vignerons like this that have brought pride back to the crus of the Beaujolais.”
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Les Charmes Eponym, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($57.95) $46 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Glistening ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented cherry, black raspberry, violet and black cardamom scents pick up a spicy nuance as the wine opens up. Chewy and tightly wound on entry, offering juicy dark berry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that deepen and slowly spread out through the back half. Shows firm tension and impressive energy on a very long, mineral-driven finish framed by polished, even tannins.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Aromas of sweet red berries, plums and smoke introduce the 2019 Morgon Eponym, a medium to full-bodied, supple and charming wine that’s fine boned and elegant, with powdery tannins and lively acids, concluding with a perfumed finish. This is a pretty rendition of this cuvée derived from climat Les Charmes.”
Italy – Veneto
Zanotto Col Fondo Frizzante Colli Trevigiani IGT, Veneto NV 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A slightly sparkling, natural, unfiltered white wine. The second fermentation takes place once a year around Easter. Pale yellow with greenish hues. The aroma recalls toasted bread crust with delicate notes of apple and citrus. On the palate, the wine is dry, complex and pleasant with its typical notes of yeast and fruit. Lightly salty and very mineral on the finish. Can be served clear by leaving the lees deposited or slightly opaque, with a slight shake of the bottle for a more rustic, decisive flavour.”
Importer note “Riccardo [Zanotto] vinifies a portion of his family’s grapes in the Col Fundo style each year. The family’s vineyards are located near Tarzo – which is in the heart of the Prosecco region. The grapes are hand harvested in September. A first fermentation happens where the must is left in contact with the skins for 2 days. Then the wine is decanted off to stop the fermentation and stored in refrigerated tanks over the winter. The following spring the wines is placed into bottle for the second fermentation. These wines are natural, unfiltered, and with no added sulphites. Zanotto wines are the traditional grapes vinified in the traditional way before the large autoclaves came to Prosecco. These rich and falvourful wines will remind you more of Champagne than Prosecco.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Spain – Montsant
Sindicat La Figuera, Montsant 2019 750ML ($27.95) $19 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 90 points “The unoaked Garnacha red 2019 Sindicat La Figuera is produced in a very simple and traditional way—fermented with a short maceration in underground concrete vats where the wine matured with abundant rackings in the beginning. It’s pure Garnacha from vines planted at 400 to 600 meters in altitude, mostly on white clay soils. There are notes of flowers and ripe fruit and an earthy touch. It’s juicy, has ripe flavors without excess and some dusty tannins. There were some 35,000 bottles in this very dry year.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Portugal – Port
Kopke Colheita TawnyPort 1941 750ML ($849.95) $799 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 1941 Colheita Tawny Port, bottled in November 2015 with 126 grams per liter of residual sugar, is a marvel. The acidity here makes this very lively, startlingly fresh and young. Add the endless finish and lingering flavors to the very fine structure, and this becomes irresistible. Penetrating and intense, it is also simply delicious, the intensity of flavor matching the structure easily. The aromatics are fabulous, too. Put this next to an open window and walk towards it. You should probably be able to smell it from about ten feet away. It is also perfectly balanced. The first time around, at the beginning of my note I wrote “gorgeous” and then repeated it. At the end, I wrote “love, love this.” That still seems to sum it up nicely.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $881
Chateau Palmer 2016
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $192
Chateau Montrose, Saint-Estephe 2016 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Unquestionably one of the top 2-3 wines of the vintage, the 2016 Château Montrose is a monument in the making. Checking in as a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc raised in 60% new French oak (the balance was in once-used barrels) and representing a tiny 36% of the production, this deep purple-colored 2016 possesses powerful, incredibly classic Saint-Estephe notes of creme de cassis, graphite, damp earth, lead pencil shavings, and burning embers. With a powerful, full-bodied style on the palate, a huge mid-palate, lots of underlying structure and tannic grip, and perfect balance, this magical wine will need upwards of a decade or cellaring and keep for 40-50 years.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99 points “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Montrose is a little youthfully shy to begin, but with coaxing, it unfurls to reveal the most beguiling scents of wilted roses, oolong tea, crushed rocks, wild sage, star anise and candied violets over a wonderfully pristine, well-defined core of crushed blackcurrants, black raspberries and kirsch plus wafts of pencil lead and wood smoke. The taut, muscular, medium to full-bodied palate straddles jaw-dropping intensity and finesse superbly, featuring a solid backbone of ripe tannins and giving a firm frame right through the incredibly long, exquisitely nuanced finish.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 99 points “The 2016 Montrose has a tightly wound bouquet that is extremely well focused. This is one of the most pixelated aromatics I can remember on a Montrose at this stage, featuring blackberry, boysenberry and cedar and real mineralité underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with fine density and wonderful salinity. There is tremendous precision with razor-sharp tannin, and a brightness on the finish that is exceptional. This is a Montrose that will comfortably sit alongside the canon of great vintages from this Saint-Estèphe estate. As my score implies, it’s up there with the first growths. Stunning.”
Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Margaux 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “I continue to love the 2016 Rauzan-Ségla, a thrillingly complete, flawlessly balanced, and borderline perfect Margaux that should be snatched up by readers. Notes of cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, and earth all give way to a full-bodied effort that has building tannins, no hard edges, and a level of purity and elegance that’s just about off the charts. Given its purity and balance, it’s accessible today, but it will be best with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 3-4 decades.”
James Suckling 98 points “The aromas of blackcurrants, sweet tobacco and sandalwood are tantalizing. Then it turns to subtle, dried fruit. Full-bodied with dense and powerful tannins, yet ending with finesse and vertical nature. Very deep. Power with finesse. Try after 2025.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 97 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Rauzan-Ségla drifts effortlessly from the glass with fragrant rose hip tea, candied violets and chocolate box scents over a core of fresh blackcurrants and black cherry compote plus wafts of tobacco and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers a great mid-palate of softly textured black and blue fruits with loads of floral nuances and a refreshing lift on the finish. The blend this year is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, harvested between September 20th and October 15th at an average yield of 45 hectoliters per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. The alcohol is 13.5%, and the pH is 3.6.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 97 points “The 2016 Rauzan-Ségla has an intense bouquet, one of the most perfumed that I encountered during my round of tastings. Violets infuse the ebullient black fruit, and traces of pencil lead emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied, very pure and supple, displaying wonderful balance and a satiny texture that belongs in a lingerie shop. This is an utterly seductive Margaux, one of the finest in recent years as this estate continues its upsurge in quality. Few 2016s will dole out such inhibited pleasure.”
The de Bouard family, owners and stewards of Angelus, is synonymous with Bordeaux, with family records showing a presence in the region as early as 1544. Over the centuries their reputation for producing some of the best wine on the Right Bank has ebbed and flowed but never budged from the upper echelon. This stellar reputation can be attributed to the family’s acumen for combining tradition with modern technology.
Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L ($1049.95) $899 special, 6+ magnums in stock now
Case-6 Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L ($5999.95) $5099 special (That’s only $849.83/ magnum)
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection In 2019. This is a rich, perfumed wine, with dense tannins and intense layers of black plum and spice. The palate is firmly built yet broadened out by plump dark-fruit tones and honed by a solid, dry core. Drink from 2025. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 97 points “The 2016 Angélus has an intense, powerful bouquet with copious black cherries, boysenberry, orange pith and iodine scents that threaten to overwhelm the senses. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a dash of black pepper and impressive detail and persistence on the finish. This is an outstanding Angélus that clearly requires several years in bottle to realize its full potential. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Château Angélus is incredibly elegant and finesse-driven, with a soaring perfume of crème de cassis, white flowers, crayon, forest floor, and spice. Compared to the 1996 by the Angélus team, it has a deep, layered style, its oak is beautifully integrated, there are ample tannins, and despite leaning toward the finesse-driven side of the spectrum, it has thrilling depth of fruit and length. It’s a brilliant wine from this estate that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 30+ years or more. The blend of the 2016 is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, brought up all in new French oak.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This goes for the gusto, with a deep and broad swath of well-roasted tobacco, espresso and loam out front. The core of dark currant and fig fruit will have to catch up, but this red has the energy and juicy drive to eventually do so. When it melds fully, this will be a smoky, alluring, tobacco-fueled wine. Best from 2024 through 2040. 8,333 cases made. — JM”
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Winery-Cellared Library Releases from
Goodfellow Family Cellars
New Week – New Arrivals
Chateau Palmer 2016
First Offer:
2019 F.X. Pichler
First Offer:
2019 F.X. Pichler
Winery-Cellared Library Releases from
Goodfellow Family Cellars
Marcus Goodfellow is one of the most talented winemakers in Oregon. He founded Matello wines, his original label, in 2002 and hasn’t looked back, making wines that have continually improved—both in bottle and from vintage to vintage. These are profound wines, both white and red, that are made in a style that’s distinctly savory—no fruit bombs here. We love them for their coiled power and Burgundian structure. These are wines that speak with an Oregon voice, but the tannin and acidity comes from an old-world point of view. If you haven’t tried Marcus’ wines with some age, well, now’s your chance to grab some winery-cellared releases.
New Winery Cellared Releases:
This vineyard was recently sold to famed Burgundy producer Meo-Camuzet. While they’re making fine examples under the Nicolas-Jay label, don’t miss your last chance to try Marcus Goodfellow’s rendition from this ungrafted, dry-farmed site.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Bishop Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, only 24 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Vivid red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red berries, cherry, candied flowers and musky earth, backed by a touch of smokiness. Lively black raspberry and floral pastille flavors pick up hints of bitter chocolate and licorice with aeration. The clinging, focused finish features fine-grained, slow-mounting tannins and repeating floral character. Give this one a little air time.”
Grapelive 91 points “Delicately layered and spicy, the 2014 Bishop Creek is a pretty effort, especially for a richer vintage in Oregon. Made by Marcus Goodfellow, the ex-Evesham Wood and Westrey man, [he] is coming into his own as a talent, inspired by Doerner of Cristom and John Paul of Cameron. You can see the style showing through here. Bishop Creek, planted to Pommard and Wadenswil (old Swiss clone), [is] now owned by Nicolas Meo of the famed Burgundy Domaine Meo-Camuzet. [The vineyard] ([which is] not far from Shea Vineyards) formed this wine with its distinct strawberry and racy red cherry core along with the mixed spice, mineral tones and light wood influence. Its southern exposure and Willakenzie soils (dark rocky marine sediment) give warmth and grace. Planted in 1988, the vines ripen without flamboyant extraction, allowing more finesse to show through. At 13.9% this medium weight wine offers fine detail, opulence and restrained, almost earthy, soulfulness. Hints of bitter herb, cedar and candied citrus rind add a tangy note to the whole and the finish echoes the red fruits in subtle fashion with a touch of wilted roses lingering on. It shines right now, though best to enjoy it with cuisine to match as it is a tad shier than other 2014 Oregon Pinots (I’ve tried) and needs time and coaxing to reach its beautiful peak. Best from 2018 to 2022.”
Winery note “Twenty five year old un-grafted Wadensville vines, dry farmed in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA are handpicked for this wine. From 3 acres, each clone is fermented separately with native yeasts in small lots, typically with 50-60% whole-clusters. The wine is aged in 0%-40% new French oak barrels for 18-21 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered. There is intensity at Bishop Creek, with deep, dark toned fruit, a spicy floral edge and savory tones with acidity and length.”
VinopolNote: This wine occupies a sweet-spot in the world of Oregon Pinot Noir, not flamboyant and over the top like some ‘Jamhill Carlton’ wines, but not as lean and savory as some of the wines in the Goodfellow stable. In many respects, this may be some of Marcus Goodfellow’s finest work (with a vineyard he’s been making wine from since 2008). Due to the generosity of the 2014 vintage, this wine is pretty approachable now (though it loves a decant) but it should age effortlessly for 15-20 years.
New Winery Cellared Releases:
This vineyard was recently sold to famed Burgundy producer Meo-Camuzet. While they’re making fine examples under the Nicolas-Jay label, don’t miss your last chance to try Marcus Goodfellow’s rendition from this ungrafted, dry-farmed site.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Bishop Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton 2014 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, only 24 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Vivid red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red berries, cherry, candied flowers and musky earth, backed by a touch of smokiness. Lively black raspberry and floral pastille flavors pick up hints of bitter chocolate and licorice with aeration. The clinging, focused finish features fine-grained, slow-mounting tannins and repeating floral character. Give this one a little air time.”
Grapelive 91 points “Delicately layered and spicy, the 2014 Bishop Creek is a pretty effort, especially for a richer vintage in Oregon. Made by Marcus Goodfellow, the ex-Evesham Wood and Westrey man, [he] is coming into his own as a talent, inspired by Doerner of Cristom and John Paul of Cameron. You can see the style showing through here. Bishop Creek, planted to Pommard and Wadenswil (old Swiss clone), [is] now owned by Nicolas Meo of the famed Burgundy Domaine Meo-Camuzet. [The vineyard] ([which is] not far from Shea Vineyards) formed this wine with its distinct strawberry and racy red cherry core along with the mixed spice, mineral tones and light wood influence. Its southern exposure and Willakenzie soils (dark rocky marine sediment) give warmth and grace. Planted in 1988, the vines ripen without flamboyant extraction, allowing more finesse to show through. At 13.9% this medium weight wine offers fine detail, opulence and restrained, almost earthy, soulfulness. Hints of bitter herb, cedar and candied citrus rind add a tangy note to the whole and the finish echoes the red fruits in subtle fashion with a touch of wilted roses lingering on. It shines right now, though best to enjoy it with cuisine to match as it is a tad shier than other 2014 Oregon Pinots (I’ve tried) and needs time and coaxing to reach its beautiful peak. Best from 2018 to 2022.”
Winery note “Twenty five year old un-grafted Wadensville vines, dry farmed in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA are handpicked for this wine. From 3 acres, each clone is fermented separately with native yeasts in small lots, typically with 50-60% whole-clusters. The wine is aged in 0%-40% new French oak barrels for 18-21 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered. There is intensity at Bishop Creek, with deep, dark toned fruit, a spicy floral edge and savory tones with acidity and length.”
VinopolNote: This wine occupies a sweet-spot in the world of Oregon Pinot Noir, not flamboyant and over the top like some ‘Jamhill Carlton’ wines, but not as lean and savory as some of the wines in the Goodfellow stable. In many respects, this may be some of Marcus Goodfellow’s finest work (with a vineyard he’s been making wine from since 2008). Due to the generosity of the 2014 vintage, this wine is pretty approachable now (though it loves a decant) but it should age effortlessly for 15-20 years.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage #6 Pinot Noir Fir Crest Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Translucent red. A highly perfumed bouquet displays fresh red fruit, blood orange and Asian spice qualities, and vibrant mineral and floral notes build in the glass. Juicy and sharply delineated on the palate, offering intense red currant, raspberry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that unfurl slowly on the back half. Shows distinct tension and clarity and finishes with finely woven tannins and emphatic spice- and mineral-driven persistence. (made with fruit from the Fir Crest vineyard and with 75% whole clusters; 50% new French oak).”
Winery note “Beginning in 2012, Goodfellow Family Cellars began bottling our Heritage selections. Each bottling in this series originates from a single site, and typically a single block within the vineyard. The wines represent our most perfect marriage of new world site and old world soul. They are wines that will stand the test of time and improve within their years of rest. Our Heritage selections are our ambassadors for the quality of the terroirs in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The vineyard selection for Heritage Number 6 is the Fir Crest Vineyard, and presents flavors of black tea, raspberry and cinnamon.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
In 2015 Marcus Goodfellow produced a Syrah Reserve bottling—and boy is it fantastic. The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Deux Vert Vineyard Syrah Reserve, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($47.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91+ points “Marcus Goodfellow’s 2015 Deux Vert Vineyard (Reserve) bottling of Syrah includes five percent viognier, which grows alongside these syrah vines, which were the first to be planted in the Willamette Valley in 1994. The 2015 version comes in at 13.8 percent octane and delivers a refined and red fruity bouquet of raspberries, pepper, woodsmoke, roasted meats, lovely soil tones, plenty of spice elements and a nice framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with excellent transparency and grip, ripe tannins and a long, focused and nascently complex finish. This will be a lovely bottle in due course, but it needs some time in the cellar to allow its backend tannins to resolve a bit. Fine juice. 2030- 2055+. 91+.”
VinopolNote: The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result. While the wine is rich and intense, don’t expect over-the-top fruit here. This reminds us of high quality Northern Rhone wines, with dark, fresh fruits and a distinct meaty, savory overtone. One for the table with some air or for the cellar.
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Whistling Ridge is Marcus Goodfellow’s Cros Parantoux—a site he seems to have particular affinity with, producing exceptional wines. It’s located on top of a hill in Ribbon Ridge, adjoining Patricia Green and the Beaux Freres Upper Terrace. This is often his most “Burgundian” bottling and takes a few years to open up. Case in point: the now-stunning 2015 edition, which showed immeasurable promise when young (but not very much immediate pleasure). Recently, though, the wine seems to have turned a corner and offers an exceptional experience. Red cherry, spice and orange notes linger over a powerful palate that features a beautiful measure of red and black fruit over a beam of mineral energy. It’s gonna age for a while more, but is delicious right now.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 93 points “From a vineyard planted in 1990, the pale to medium ruby colored 2015 Pinot Noir Whistling Ridge Vineyard has a spicy nose of coriander, warm cinnamon, potpourri and dried leaves over a core of baked cranberry and red cherry fruit with meaty/savory touches. Light to medium-bodied, it has spice-laced red fruits in the mouth, with a great frame of fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and very spicy. 270 cases produced.”
VinopolNote: Whistling Ridge has become Marcus Goodfellow’s Cros Parantoux-a vineyard that somehow went overlooked but now produces exceptional wines in the right hands. Nestled on the ridgetop abutting the Beaux Freres Upper Terrace, wines from Whistling Ridge tend to be compact and powerful-built for aging. Lots of spice and floral notes blend with a mix of black and red fruits for a stellar wine that’s one of the best versions yet.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon
Timothy Malone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Former assistant winemaker under Jay Somers (when he owned J. Christopher), Tim crafts minimal-intervention and elegant Pinots that will impress for the price.
Timothy Malone Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Former assistant winemaker under Jay Somers (when he owned J. Christopher), Tim crafts minimal-intervention and elegant Pinots that will impress for the price.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
California
Arnot-Roberts Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2020 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2020 Chardonnay Trout Gulch Vineyard is laser focused and vibrant, as it is in its best years. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper, lemon peel and white flowers all race out of the glass. Bright saline notes extend the finish effortlessly. The 2020 is very nicely done, and also a great example of this Santa Cruz Mountains site.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arnot-Roberts Rosé Blend California 2021 750ML ($33.95) $28 special, 10 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: This is one of the California wines the diehard Oregon loving-staff at the shop buy every year. It’s elegant, interesting, and dry-farmed.
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Arnot-Roberts Syrah California 2020 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “One of the highlights in this range, the 2020 Syrah (California) is bright, punchy and explosive. Inky dark fruit, spice, licorice and leather are all kicked up in this juicy, exuberant Syrah. In 2020, a large percentage of the fruit is from Santa Maria, hence the broader California designation this year. Floral and savory accents linger. The 2020 is flat-out delicious.”
France – Champagne
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut, Champagne 2006 750ML ($359.95) $319 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “[Reviewed 2018] Editor’s Choice. This is the latest release of this legendary wine. A blend, although with a majority of Pinot Noir (Churchill’s preference), the wine is rich, just beginning to show wonderful signs of maturity. It still has intense fruit along with the taut mineral texture that will allow the wine to age further. It is a standout Champagne from this vintage. Drink now, although this Champagne will age for many years. -Roger Voss”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “[Reviewed 2018] Made in the very best vintages, Pol Roger’s white-golden colored 2006 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill offers a very clear, precise, ripe and complex bouquet with fruity and refreshingly chalky, nutty and brioche notes. Full-bodied and complex on the palate, the 2006 is supple, round and rich but also fine, elegant, fresh and well structured. It has a harmonious yet tight, persistent and very promising finish that puts this silky textured, Pinot-dominated cuvée (the exact blend is a closely guarded family secret) on the border of fatty richness. But the mousse gives so much freshness and finesse that everything seems lifted here. Though I have very limited experience with matured Champagnes from Pol Roger and namely Churchill, I suppose the 2006 will benefit a lot from further bottle aging. But don’t get me wrong: the wine is already gorgeous.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “[Reviewed 2017] This dances gracefully on the palate, with rich and expressive flavors of peach tart, raspberry sorbet, candied ginger and orange peel, and sleek acidity that leaves a mouthwatering impression on the satiny finish. Drink now through 2031. 600 cases imported. — AN”
James Suckling 95 points “[Reviewed 2017] Some reductive meaty notes of bacon fat and flint, with lemon cream and butter too, as well as a light forest berry edge and toasted hazelnuts. The palate has attractive lemon citrus cream flavor. Super pure, there’s power amongst the charm. This is a great ’06. Drink now.”
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France – Alsace
Agathe Bursin Riesling Dirstelberg, Alsace 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 6 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Old vines grown in pink sandstone.
No reviews available for the 2020 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “The subtle nose on this wine suggests wet chalk and just-cut apple. The palate adds intense apple freshness and a zesty edge of lemon. More air also awakens additional lemon notes with their ripe zestiness. The finish is dry, long and fresh with apple and lemon. -Anne Krebiehl MW.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Agathe Bursin L’As de B, Alsace 2020 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Bollenberg is part of 3 dry hillsides bordering the village of Westhalten. A fine layer of loess (wind blown silt sized sediment) covers the sides of the hill. This deposit, from the quartenary glaciation, was brought by the wind. It is a pale yellow silt, very fine, sandy and limestone, with very little clay. This soil is particularly favorable to the full expression of the different Alsatian varietals… Our ancestors co-planted 6 white varietals in one parcel (5% muscat, 15% pinot-gris, 20% riesling, 20% sylvaner, 20% gewurztraminer and 20% pinot-blanc). In this wine, one discovers the fullness and richness of Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris, allied with the freshness of Riesling, and the lightness of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. As for the Muscat, it contributes the delicate aroma which only this varietal can transmit.”
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France – Rhone
Domaine la Remejeanne Cotes du Rhone Les Arbousiers Blanc, Rhone 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Certified organic. 25% Roussanne, 25% Viognier, 25% Clairette, 13% Marsanne, 12% Bourbolenc. 25+ year old vines. Owned by the dynamic Oliver Klein, this certified organic domaine is located in the small high altitude village of Sabran, nestled in dramatic hills divided between forests of green oak and sun-soaked vineyards. All of the vines at the estate are found at high altitudes between 200 and 280 meters. This results in a cooler climate than most of the Southern Rhone, and endows the wines with a freshness and liveliness not often encountered in the region. Klein is an extremely conscientious winemaker, using very traditional methods to maintain the highest quality of wine. All the grapes are hand-harvested, undergoing long, slow fermentations with indigenous yeasts before being aged in concrete or older wood. This hands off approach creates wines of elegance and class.”
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France – Beaujolais
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Kermit Lynch note “This estate comprises nearly fourteen hectares. Foillard’s Morgons are deep, structured, and complex, with a velvety lushness that makes them irresistible when young despite their aging potential. Jean raises his wines in older barrels sourced from top estates in Burgundy, a logical decision for someone crafting Gamay in a Burgundian style. It is the passion and dedication of vignerons like this that have brought pride back to the crus of the Beaujolais.”
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Les Charmes Eponym, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($57.95) $46 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Glistening ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented cherry, black raspberry, violet and black cardamom scents pick up a spicy nuance as the wine opens up. Chewy and tightly wound on entry, offering juicy dark berry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that deepen and slowly spread out through the back half. Shows firm tension and impressive energy on a very long, mineral-driven finish framed by polished, even tannins.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Aromas of sweet red berries, plums and smoke introduce the 2019 Morgon Eponym, a medium to full-bodied, supple and charming wine that’s fine boned and elegant, with powdery tannins and lively acids, concluding with a perfumed finish. This is a pretty rendition of this cuvée derived from climat Les Charmes.”
Italy – Veneto
Zanotto Col Fondo Frizzante Colli Trevigiani IGT, Veneto NV 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A slightly sparkling, natural, unfiltered white wine. The second fermentation takes place once a year around Easter. Pale yellow with greenish hues. The aroma recalls toasted bread crust with delicate notes of apple and citrus. On the palate, the wine is dry, complex and pleasant with its typical notes of yeast and fruit. Lightly salty and very mineral on the finish. Can be served clear by leaving the lees deposited or slightly opaque, with a slight shake of the bottle for a more rustic, decisive flavour.”
Importer note “Riccardo [Zanotto] vinifies a portion of his family’s grapes in the Col Fundo style each year. The family’s vineyards are located near Tarzo – which is in the heart of the Prosecco region. The grapes are hand harvested in September. A first fermentation happens where the must is left in contact with the skins for 2 days. Then the wine is decanted off to stop the fermentation and stored in refrigerated tanks over the winter. The following spring the wines is placed into bottle for the second fermentation. These wines are natural, unfiltered, and with no added sulphites. Zanotto wines are the traditional grapes vinified in the traditional way before the large autoclaves came to Prosecco. These rich and falvourful wines will remind you more of Champagne than Prosecco.”
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Spain – Montsant
Sindicat La Figuera, Montsant 2019 750ML ($27.95) $19 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 90 points “The unoaked Garnacha red 2019 Sindicat La Figuera is produced in a very simple and traditional way—fermented with a short maceration in underground concrete vats where the wine matured with abundant rackings in the beginning. It’s pure Garnacha from vines planted at 400 to 600 meters in altitude, mostly on white clay soils. There are notes of flowers and ripe fruit and an earthy touch. It’s juicy, has ripe flavors without excess and some dusty tannins. There were some 35,000 bottles in this very dry year.”
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Portugal – Port
Kopke Colheita TawnyPort 1941 750ML ($849.95) $799 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Mark Squires-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 1941 Colheita Tawny Port, bottled in November 2015 with 126 grams per liter of residual sugar, is a marvel. The acidity here makes this very lively, startlingly fresh and young. Add the endless finish and lingering flavors to the very fine structure, and this becomes irresistible. Penetrating and intense, it is also simply delicious, the intensity of flavor matching the structure easily. The aromatics are fabulous, too. Put this next to an open window and walk towards it. You should probably be able to smell it from about ten feet away. It is also perfectly balanced. The first time around, at the beginning of my note I wrote “gorgeous” and then repeated it. At the end, I wrote “love, love this.” That still seems to sum it up nicely.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $881
Chateau Palmer 2016
We were lucky to secure one of the best recent examples of Château Palmer in Margaux. The Chateau began practicing biodynamic farming in 2011, something Château Margaux is still “experimenting” with (just say no to conventional farming!). With old vines ranging from 25-70 years old and ideal soil conditions, you can see why people compare them favorably to their more expensive First Growth neighbor.
Château Palmer has reinvented itself with modern winemaking in the past 25 years, transitioning to temperature controlled fermentation and using gravity to transport wines instead of pumps. With a house style described as “silk wrapped in satin with layers of velvet”, this is one of the most collectable houses in general before price is even factored in.
Arriving Late February:
Chateau Palmer, Margaux 2016 750ML ($499.95) $419 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available!
Antonio Galloni 100 points “Technical Director Thomas Duroux and his team made one of the most brilliant wines of the 2016 vintage. Palmer is simply exceptional. Rich and dramatically sweeping in the glass, the 2016 is breathtaking. All the elements simply fall into place in a wine of mesmerizing beauty. The counterpoint of dark, sumptuous fruit and floral notes makes for an utterly compelling Palmer that will take its place among the estate’s finest vintages. Dark cherry, lavender, spice and mocha are some of the many notes that build into a deep, substantial finish that is truly unforgettable. In a word: magnificent!”
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The finest vintage I’ve ever tasted from this estate, surpassing the 2009 and 2010, the 2016 Château Palmer is a blend of 47% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Petit Verdot, all of which was brought up in 65% new French oak. This magical effort reveals a saturated purple color as well as a huge nose of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed rocks, and spring flowers, and it develops beautifully with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, incredibly concentrated and powerful, it nevertheless just glides over the palate with flawless purity and balance, present, ripe tannins, and a finish that just won’t quit. This is Bordeaux at its most regal and classic. It will be drinkable with just 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for half a century.”
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “#27 Cellar Selection in 2019. Powerful tannins and hugely rich fruit balance together in this superb wine. The velvet texture belies the power behind the concentrated, ripe black-fruit flavor, with vibrant acidity giving ample lift. The wine’s structure will ensure aging for many years. Drink from 2024. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2016 Palmer is a blend of 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Opaque garnet-purple colored, it slowly glides out of the glass with compelling notes of blueberry compote, warm cassis and kirsch with emerging hints of violets, cigar box, black tea, sandalwood and Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, wonderfully rich, concentrated and packed with latent energy, the palate literally grows in the mouth, revealing layer upon layer of black, blue and red fruits and tons of floral sparks, framed by super ripe, incredibly fine-grained tannins and finishing with epic length. It’s a wine that makes you wanna drape yourself languidly over a chaise lounge, glass of Palmer in hand, sighing with deep satisfaction, ‘This is so wonderfully Palmer.'”
Decanter 98 points “As is always the case with Palmer, the richness, depth and silkiness is just so impressive. Sophisticated and well constructed, with a vertical lift-off, there’s a creamy richness on the palate which supports pencil-lead, liquorice, damson, black cherry and slate. I love the smoky cocoa bean finish. Like the Alter Ego, it’s a different style this year but no less impressive, displaying width, heft and incredible persistency. It’s a wine that’s going to age far into the future and is extremely easy to recommend. The highest ever proportion of grand vin was produced in 2016. Drinking Window 2025 – 2042.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 98 points “The 2016 Palmer has a generous, slightly lactic bouquet of opulent red fruit infused with touches of dark chocolate, although it calms down and gains more grace with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and well-judged acidity. Very harmonious, revealing cedar and mint toward the extraordinarily persistent finish. This is another classy, persistent Margaux with a long future ahead. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.”
James Suckling 98 points “Such attractive fruit and alluring ripeness that it draws you in from the get-go. The discreet power here is delivered with a very astute touch. Assorted dark-berry aromas, as well as red plums, abound on the nose. The richness and depth in the mouth is stunning. The tannins are super polished and layered and they draw pristine dark fruit flavors deep into the finish in effortless mode. This is a star of the vintage. A blend of 47 per cent merlot, 47 per cent cabernet sauvignon and six per cent petit verdot. Try from 2024.”
Can’t Wait?
Check out these 2016 Bordeaux wines in stock now:
Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estephe 2016 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavors that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Just. Magic.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 100 points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel was a bona fide showstopper out of barrel, the best that I had encountered in over 20 years of visiting the estate during en primeur, so my expectations were piled high when I returned to find out how it performs in bottle. Deep, almost opaque in color, it sports a very intense but broody bouquet with fathomless deep black fruit tinged with blueberry and violet. The aromas almost seem to envelop the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannin that I have never witnessed in any other vintage of Cos d’Estournel. There is a beguiling symmetry to this Saint-Estèphe, as well as unerring mineralité. The persistent, tobacco-tinged finish can be felt 60 second after the wine has departed. This is a monumental, benchmark Cos d’Estournel that will give not years but decades of pleasure, though I suspect it will close down for a period in its youth, hence my drinking window. 13.07% alcohol.”
Chateau Pichon-Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville, Pauillac 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is beauty and is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Tasting like a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful yet sensationally pure bouquet of crème de cassis, blackberries, lead pencil shavings, and graphite, and is just about as quintessentially Pauillac as it gets. Full-bodied, fleshy and even a touch flamboyant, it has sweet tannins and a monster texture that coats the palate. Count me in as a huge fan. This fabulous wine will be relatively approachable in just 3-5 years but will age for 30 years or more.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron offers a suave and seductive nose of warm red and black currants, black plum preserves, truffles, tapenade and rose hip tea with touches of sandalwood and Chinese five spice plus a waft of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, firmly structured and packed with mineral and exotic spice-laced black fruits, it finishes very long with compelling herbal sparks.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Pichon Baron is seamless and racy from start to finish. Sensual and super-expressive, with soft contours, silky tannins and exceptional finesse, Pichon Baron is one of the more accessible wines in its peer group today. Plum, mocha, leather, spice and chocolate all build effortlessly. As outstanding as Pichon Baron is, the 2016 gives the impression it is playing things safe. It would be nice to see a little more daring and risk.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This gushes with dark fig and black currant compote flavors backed by lively sweet tobacco and singed alder edges. Very fleshy in feel, though there’s ample grip to keep this red grounded, echoing with tar and humus accents through the finish. A thumper. Best from 2025 through 2040. 13,500 cases made. — JM”
Decanter 96 points “There’s no question that we are in Pauillac with this wine: it’s a deep, dark purple in colour and a little more reserved on the nose than some, with more of that pencil-lead and slate character. The texture is almost as important as the flavour, and it shows its quality. This is all cassis, wet stone and loganberry, and conveys heft rather than sinew. It tightens through the mid-palate to the point that it contracts – a serious wine. Matured in 80% new oak.”
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan 2016 750ML ($149.95) $138 special, 16 bottles in stock now
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.”
Château Palmer has reinvented itself with modern winemaking in the past 25 years, transitioning to temperature controlled fermentation and using gravity to transport wines instead of pumps. With a house style described as “silk wrapped in satin with layers of velvet”, this is one of the most collectable houses in general before price is even factored in.
Arriving Late February:
Chateau Palmer, Margaux 2016 750ML ($499.95) $419 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available!
Antonio Galloni 100 points “Technical Director Thomas Duroux and his team made one of the most brilliant wines of the 2016 vintage. Palmer is simply exceptional. Rich and dramatically sweeping in the glass, the 2016 is breathtaking. All the elements simply fall into place in a wine of mesmerizing beauty. The counterpoint of dark, sumptuous fruit and floral notes makes for an utterly compelling Palmer that will take its place among the estate’s finest vintages. Dark cherry, lavender, spice and mocha are some of the many notes that build into a deep, substantial finish that is truly unforgettable. In a word: magnificent!”
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The finest vintage I’ve ever tasted from this estate, surpassing the 2009 and 2010, the 2016 Château Palmer is a blend of 47% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Petit Verdot, all of which was brought up in 65% new French oak. This magical effort reveals a saturated purple color as well as a huge nose of crème de cassis, graphite, crushed rocks, and spring flowers, and it develops beautifully with time in the glass. Full-bodied, deep, incredibly concentrated and powerful, it nevertheless just glides over the palate with flawless purity and balance, present, ripe tannins, and a finish that just won’t quit. This is Bordeaux at its most regal and classic. It will be drinkable with just 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for half a century.”
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “#27 Cellar Selection in 2019. Powerful tannins and hugely rich fruit balance together in this superb wine. The velvet texture belies the power behind the concentrated, ripe black-fruit flavor, with vibrant acidity giving ample lift. The wine’s structure will ensure aging for many years. Drink from 2024. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2016 Palmer is a blend of 47% Merlot, 47% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot. Opaque garnet-purple colored, it slowly glides out of the glass with compelling notes of blueberry compote, warm cassis and kirsch with emerging hints of violets, cigar box, black tea, sandalwood and Sichuan pepper. Medium to full-bodied, wonderfully rich, concentrated and packed with latent energy, the palate literally grows in the mouth, revealing layer upon layer of black, blue and red fruits and tons of floral sparks, framed by super ripe, incredibly fine-grained tannins and finishing with epic length. It’s a wine that makes you wanna drape yourself languidly over a chaise lounge, glass of Palmer in hand, sighing with deep satisfaction, ‘This is so wonderfully Palmer.'”
Decanter 98 points “As is always the case with Palmer, the richness, depth and silkiness is just so impressive. Sophisticated and well constructed, with a vertical lift-off, there’s a creamy richness on the palate which supports pencil-lead, liquorice, damson, black cherry and slate. I love the smoky cocoa bean finish. Like the Alter Ego, it’s a different style this year but no less impressive, displaying width, heft and incredible persistency. It’s a wine that’s going to age far into the future and is extremely easy to recommend. The highest ever proportion of grand vin was produced in 2016. Drinking Window 2025 – 2042.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 98 points “The 2016 Palmer has a generous, slightly lactic bouquet of opulent red fruit infused with touches of dark chocolate, although it calms down and gains more grace with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and well-judged acidity. Very harmonious, revealing cedar and mint toward the extraordinarily persistent finish. This is another classy, persistent Margaux with a long future ahead. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.”
James Suckling 98 points “Such attractive fruit and alluring ripeness that it draws you in from the get-go. The discreet power here is delivered with a very astute touch. Assorted dark-berry aromas, as well as red plums, abound on the nose. The richness and depth in the mouth is stunning. The tannins are super polished and layered and they draw pristine dark fruit flavors deep into the finish in effortless mode. This is a star of the vintage. A blend of 47 per cent merlot, 47 per cent cabernet sauvignon and six per cent petit verdot. Try from 2024.”
Can’t Wait?
Check out these 2016 Bordeaux wines in stock now:
Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estephe 2016 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavors that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Just. Magic.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 100 points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel was a bona fide showstopper out of barrel, the best that I had encountered in over 20 years of visiting the estate during en primeur, so my expectations were piled high when I returned to find out how it performs in bottle. Deep, almost opaque in color, it sports a very intense but broody bouquet with fathomless deep black fruit tinged with blueberry and violet. The aromas almost seem to envelop the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannin that I have never witnessed in any other vintage of Cos d’Estournel. There is a beguiling symmetry to this Saint-Estèphe, as well as unerring mineralité. The persistent, tobacco-tinged finish can be felt 60 second after the wine has departed. This is a monumental, benchmark Cos d’Estournel that will give not years but decades of pleasure, though I suspect it will close down for a period in its youth, hence my drinking window. 13.07% alcohol.”
Chateau Pichon-Longueville au Baron de Pichon-Longueville, Pauillac 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is beauty and is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Tasting like a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful yet sensationally pure bouquet of crème de cassis, blackberries, lead pencil shavings, and graphite, and is just about as quintessentially Pauillac as it gets. Full-bodied, fleshy and even a touch flamboyant, it has sweet tannins and a monster texture that coats the palate. Count me in as a huge fan. This fabulous wine will be relatively approachable in just 3-5 years but will age for 30 years or more.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron offers a suave and seductive nose of warm red and black currants, black plum preserves, truffles, tapenade and rose hip tea with touches of sandalwood and Chinese five spice plus a waft of iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, firmly structured and packed with mineral and exotic spice-laced black fruits, it finishes very long with compelling herbal sparks.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Pichon Baron is seamless and racy from start to finish. Sensual and super-expressive, with soft contours, silky tannins and exceptional finesse, Pichon Baron is one of the more accessible wines in its peer group today. Plum, mocha, leather, spice and chocolate all build effortlessly. As outstanding as Pichon Baron is, the 2016 gives the impression it is playing things safe. It would be nice to see a little more daring and risk.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This gushes with dark fig and black currant compote flavors backed by lively sweet tobacco and singed alder edges. Very fleshy in feel, though there’s ample grip to keep this red grounded, echoing with tar and humus accents through the finish. A thumper. Best from 2025 through 2040. 13,500 cases made. — JM”
Decanter 96 points “There’s no question that we are in Pauillac with this wine: it’s a deep, dark purple in colour and a little more reserved on the nose than some, with more of that pencil-lead and slate character. The texture is almost as important as the flavour, and it shows its quality. This is all cassis, wet stone and loganberry, and conveys heft rather than sinew. It tightens through the mid-palate to the point that it contracts – a serious wine. Matured in 80% new oak.”
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan 2016 750ML ($149.95) $138 special, 16 bottles in stock now
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.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $192
Chateau Montrose, Saint-Estephe 2016 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “Unquestionably one of the top 2-3 wines of the vintage, the 2016 Château Montrose is a monument in the making. Checking in as a blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc raised in 60% new French oak (the balance was in once-used barrels) and representing a tiny 36% of the production, this deep purple-colored 2016 possesses powerful, incredibly classic Saint-Estephe notes of creme de cassis, graphite, damp earth, lead pencil shavings, and burning embers. With a powerful, full-bodied style on the palate, a huge mid-palate, lots of underlying structure and tannic grip, and perfect balance, this magical wine will need upwards of a decade or cellaring and keep for 40-50 years.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99 points “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Montrose is a little youthfully shy to begin, but with coaxing, it unfurls to reveal the most beguiling scents of wilted roses, oolong tea, crushed rocks, wild sage, star anise and candied violets over a wonderfully pristine, well-defined core of crushed blackcurrants, black raspberries and kirsch plus wafts of pencil lead and wood smoke. The taut, muscular, medium to full-bodied palate straddles jaw-dropping intensity and finesse superbly, featuring a solid backbone of ripe tannins and giving a firm frame right through the incredibly long, exquisitely nuanced finish.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 99 points “The 2016 Montrose has a tightly wound bouquet that is extremely well focused. This is one of the most pixelated aromatics I can remember on a Montrose at this stage, featuring blackberry, boysenberry and cedar and real mineralité underneath. The palate is medium-bodied with fine density and wonderful salinity. There is tremendous precision with razor-sharp tannin, and a brightness on the finish that is exceptional. This is a Montrose that will comfortably sit alongside the canon of great vintages from this Saint-Estèphe estate. As my score implies, it’s up there with the first growths. Stunning.”
Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Margaux 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “I continue to love the 2016 Rauzan-Ségla, a thrillingly complete, flawlessly balanced, and borderline perfect Margaux that should be snatched up by readers. Notes of cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, and earth all give way to a full-bodied effort that has building tannins, no hard edges, and a level of purity and elegance that’s just about off the charts. Given its purity and balance, it’s accessible today, but it will be best with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 3-4 decades.”
James Suckling 98 points “The aromas of blackcurrants, sweet tobacco and sandalwood are tantalizing. Then it turns to subtle, dried fruit. Full-bodied with dense and powerful tannins, yet ending with finesse and vertical nature. Very deep. Power with finesse. Try after 2025.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown – Wine Advocate 97 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Rauzan-Ségla drifts effortlessly from the glass with fragrant rose hip tea, candied violets and chocolate box scents over a core of fresh blackcurrants and black cherry compote plus wafts of tobacco and dusty soil. Medium to full-bodied, it delivers a great mid-palate of softly textured black and blue fruits with loads of floral nuances and a refreshing lift on the finish. The blend this year is 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot, harvested between September 20th and October 15th at an average yield of 45 hectoliters per hectare. It was aged for 18 months in French oak, 60% new. The alcohol is 13.5%, and the pH is 3.6.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 97 points “The 2016 Rauzan-Ségla has an intense bouquet, one of the most perfumed that I encountered during my round of tastings. Violets infuse the ebullient black fruit, and traces of pencil lead emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied, very pure and supple, displaying wonderful balance and a satiny texture that belongs in a lingerie shop. This is an utterly seductive Margaux, one of the finest in recent years as this estate continues its upsurge in quality. Few 2016s will dole out such inhibited pleasure.”
The de Bouard family, owners and stewards of Angelus, is synonymous with Bordeaux, with family records showing a presence in the region as early as 1544. Over the centuries their reputation for producing some of the best wine on the Right Bank has ebbed and flowed but never budged from the upper echelon. This stellar reputation can be attributed to the family’s acumen for combining tradition with modern technology.
Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L ($1049.95) $899 special, 6+ magnums in stock now
Case-6 Chateau Angelus Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 1.5L ($5999.95) $5099 special (That’s only $849.83/ magnum)
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection In 2019. This is a rich, perfumed wine, with dense tannins and intense layers of black plum and spice. The palate is firmly built yet broadened out by plump dark-fruit tones and honed by a solid, dry core. Drink from 2025. -Roger Voss”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 98+ points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 97 points “The 2016 Angélus has an intense, powerful bouquet with copious black cherries, boysenberry, orange pith and iodine scents that threaten to overwhelm the senses. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a dash of black pepper and impressive detail and persistence on the finish. This is an outstanding Angélus that clearly requires several years in bottle to realize its full potential. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Château Angélus is incredibly elegant and finesse-driven, with a soaring perfume of crème de cassis, white flowers, crayon, forest floor, and spice. Compared to the 1996 by the Angélus team, it has a deep, layered style, its oak is beautifully integrated, there are ample tannins, and despite leaning toward the finesse-driven side of the spectrum, it has thrilling depth of fruit and length. It’s a brilliant wine from this estate that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 30+ years or more. The blend of the 2016 is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, brought up all in new French oak.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This goes for the gusto, with a deep and broad swath of well-roasted tobacco, espresso and loam out front. The core of dark currant and fig fruit will have to catch up, but this red has the energy and juicy drive to eventually do so. When it melds fully, this will be a smoky, alluring, tobacco-fueled wine. Best from 2024 through 2040. 8,333 cases made. — JM”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
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