In This Newsletter:
New 2018 Paolo Scavino Reviews
From the Wine Advocate
Trending French Wines
Newly Arrived from Durand & Darnaud
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New 2018 Paolo Scavino Reviews
From the Wine Advocate
Scavino is one of the truly great estates in Barolo, a region with no shortage of famous names. Despite a recent trend towards a more traditional approach, the wines still skew modernist. Rich and powerful in their youth, their true greatness develops after time in the cellar – something that can’t be said about all of Scavino’s modernist peers. Complex and nuanced upon release, the wines are built to age. With access to some of Barolo’s most prized vineyards and a winemaking team that embraces the best of both modern and traditional techniques, the wines are arguably the smartest buys in Barolo today.
“To me, 2018 will be remembered as the vintage that cements the deep expertise and knowledge of growers in a rapidly changing environment. They have proven to be dexterous and flexible, especially in terms of vineyard management, considering the damp of 2014, the heat of 2015, the classic conditions of 2016, the drought-prone 2017, and now 2018, which started humid and ended hot….I enjoyed this tasting of 2018 Barolo (and the many other wines included in this report) and recommend that consumers make their buying decisions based on producers they know and have counted on in the past.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Newly Reviewed Releases Arriving in July:
Paolo Scavino Barolo DOCG 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Paolo Scavino 2018 Barolo is a pretty wine with sweet primary intensity that appears as tart cherry and dried raspberry. With Enrico Scavino’s signature on the front label, this is a classic package with silky tannins and a long, polished mouthfeel. Fruit comes from multiple vineyard sites across the appellation, and an ample 38,000 bottles were made.”
“To me, 2018 will be remembered as the vintage that cements the deep expertise and knowledge of growers in a rapidly changing environment. They have proven to be dexterous and flexible, especially in terms of vineyard management, considering the damp of 2014, the heat of 2015, the classic conditions of 2016, the drought-prone 2017, and now 2018, which started humid and ended hot….I enjoyed this tasting of 2018 Barolo (and the many other wines included in this report) and recommend that consumers make their buying decisions based on producers they know and have counted on in the past.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Newly Reviewed Releases Arriving in July:
Paolo Scavino Barolo DOCG 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The Paolo Scavino 2018 Barolo is a pretty wine with sweet primary intensity that appears as tart cherry and dried raspberry. With Enrico Scavino’s signature on the front label, this is a classic package with silky tannins and a long, polished mouthfeel. Fruit comes from multiple vineyard sites across the appellation, and an ample 38,000 bottles were made.”
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Paolo Scavino Bricco Ambrogio, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “With fruit from Roddi, the 2018 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is open-knit and broad, and its aromas focus on dark fruit, ripe cherry and plum. This vintage does not have the extreme aromatic definition that we saw in past vintages, but it delivers a long and polished mouthfeel nonetheless. Production is 7,000 bottles.”
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The average price is $70
Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “With aromas of earth, dried spice and crushed stone, the Paolo Scavino 2018 Barolo Bric dël Fiasc holds its own in this vintage. Thanks to its wide shoulders, the wine gives emphasis to a core of dark fruit, licorice and grilled herb. This 9,000-bottle production uses fruit from the Fiasco vineyard in Castiglione Falletto.”
Paolo Scavino Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Packaged with a black label, the Paolo Scavino 2018 Barolo Cannubi (with 3,000 bottles released) opens to a delicate and luminous appearance with lifted aromas wild rose, lilac, wild berry and crushed stone. The wine shows great depth and complexity compared to some of the more subdued wines found in this vintage. This is one for the cellar.”
Paolo Scavino Carobric, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Made with fruit from Rocche di Castiglione, Cannubi and Bric dël Fiasc, the Paolo Scavino 2018 Barolo Carobric needs a few moments to open before the aromas come into full view. Sweet cherry, earth, licorice and rusty nail rise from the top, and on second nose, you might recognize truffle essence as well. I like the vibrant, lifted character of this wine. This is a 5,800-bottle production.”
Paolo Scavino Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ML ($89.95) $71.90 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Paolo Scavino 2018 Barolo Monvigliero offers dried rose and smoky notes with crushed stone and peppery spice. This is a steady and careful production of 4,800 bottles, and the wine has a lean or compact mouthfeel and a special personality with rigid pinpoint aromas that rise tall from the glass.”
Paolo Scavino Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Moving over to Novello, the Paolo Scavino 2018 Barolo Ravera is slightly more simplistic in this vintage with a tart cherry element that opens loud over the bouquet. You might also notice crushed white pepper, salty limestone and crushed earth. The wine remains subtle in texture with silky tannins and medium weight. Some 6,500 bottles were made.”
Paolo Scavino Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “This is a stunner. The Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell’Annunziata is a beautifully balanced and memorable wine that will continue to delight for years to come. It is compact and silky in texture with abundant and very lively aromas of dark fruit and wild cherry. The Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard is located in La Morra. This is a gorgeous wine that awards lots of emotion. Production is 6,800 bottles.”
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Trending French Wines
While Vinopolis doesn’t have a “house” Champagne, we seem to recommend Andre Clouet more than any others. While many zero dosage wines can seem austere, the Silver Brut Nature has clear notes of dried fruits and warm pie crust. And the Pinot Noir shines through with aplomb. While this wine is not shy, it is well-balanced and delivers delicious flavor without seeming flabby.
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 3L ($349.95) $279 special, 20 double magnums in stock now
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Champagne NV 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 9 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “[Reviewed Apr 2021] Clouet’s NV Silver Brut Nature Grand Cru is a pure Bouzy Pinot Noir that was disgorged without any dosage. This disgorgement displays a medium intense golden color and a complex and refined bouquet of ripe and pureed apples and discreet chalky as well as brioche aromas. The palate is elegant, straight and fresh, very pure and salty on the finish. This is a challenging Brut Nature that needs to be aged for two or three years to gain complexity and finesse and to smooth its current edges. The finish is mineral, limestone and salty but also a bit drying at this moment.”
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Chateau Peyrassol crafts historic wines from the foothills of the Massif des Maures along the Mediterranean coast. Wine production dates back to 1256 under the Knights Templar and has been in continuous production since. Few places have been cultivating wine grapes for as long as the region of Provence, and few wineries can date winemaking production to the 13th century. These are always some of the finest examples of Provence rosés up and down the range.
Peyrassol ‘La Croix des Templiers’ Rose IGP Mediterranee 2021 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer note “50% Cinsault ; 40% Grenache ; 8% Syrah ; 2% Carignan. Beautiful pale pink in color, with distinct bluish hues. This expressive blend opens immediately with notes of small red fruits carried on a savory undertone of garrigue. There is a refreshing touch of greenness on the palate which gives this fresh, lively wine its truly thirst-quenching character.”
The crown jewel of Yohan Lardy’s estate is an inherited parcel that was planted in 1903. Hand farmed and without any synthetic inputs whatsoever, this is an incredibly transparent example of Moulin a Vent’s terroir from an increasingly hard to source producer.
Yohan Lardy “Vieilles Vignes de 1903” Moulin-a-Vent 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Staggeringly deep and complex nose that ranges from sour cherry to candied orange peel via a slew of wild herbs and a touch of cocoa powder. Enormously concentrated and structured, yet with a wonderful lightness of touch. Then comes the very powerful, multifaceted finish that sweeps you away. Drink or hold.”
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Peter Weygandt knows something about great Chateauneuf du Pape. He imports a fantastic selection of wines from the Southern Rhone. Two of his core CdP estates are Charvin and Ferrand, both of whom produce excellent wines at superb prices every year. Ferrand makes wines that are a bit more fruit driven, with softer textures than Charvin, making them more friendly young, including this 2019.
Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2019 750ML ($64.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2019 750ML ($389.95) $333 special (that’s only $55.50/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “A bigger, richer wine than the 2018, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape from Bravay boasts a deeper purple/plum color as well as a powerful bouquet of smoked black fruits, roasted garrigue, black licorice, and ground pepper. This rich, full-bodied wine has loads of Provençal character, a stacked mid-palate, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and provide upwards of two decades of prime drinking. It’s beautifully done and well worth seeking out. The blend is 85% Grenache, 5% Mourvèdre, and the rest Syrah, Cinsault, and Bourboulenc, from the Cabrières and La Gardiole lieux-dits, brought up all in concrete.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92+ points “An assemblage of 85% Grenache and bits of Bourboulenc, Cinsault, Mourvèdre and Syrah, Ferrand’s tank-aged 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape features attractive notes of star anise, roses, lavender and ripe cherries. It’s full-bodied, rich, concentrated and rather extracted and tannic—give it a few years in the cellar.”
With a “magnificently mustachioed Joël Saurel at the helm,” to quote Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate, this humble, family-owned domain creates head-turning, traditionally styled old-vine Grenache-based blends. The wines show deep, earthy flavors and superior style due to their intensely rigorous quality standards. The 2019 is being lauded as one of the rare vintages that captured both phenolic ripeness and elegance thanks to cool evenings and perfectly timed rains during the season. The exceptionally old vines on the St. Damien estate were able to weather the heat spells and drought conditions well. The house style of utilizing whole clusters during fermentation paid off tremendously this vintage, with the stems being perfectly ripe and contributing further tannic structure. Don’t overlook the pink, this is always our most popular Rhône rosé!
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2019 750ML ($34.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Moving to the 2019s, this is a great vintage for this estate, and all of the wines showed brilliantly. The 2019 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is its usual 80/20 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre and has awesome dark fruits, ground pepper, licorice, truffle, and earthy mineral-like aromas and flavors. I love its mid-palate, it has elegance as well as power, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I finished my note with ‘Wow.'”
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rosé, Rhône 2021 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer note “From the lieu dit “La Moutte” this tiny production rosé is from mostly 45 year old Cinsault planted in 1970, and 10-15 year old Mourvèdre and Syrah. Cold maceration for 6 hours in the press and slow pneumatic pressing. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with occasional lees stirring. 70% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 15% Mourvèdre. Soil: Red sandy clay soil with broken round stones (cailloux). Organic.”
Newly Arrived from Durand & Darnaud
The Durand brothers are making it look easy. It’s hard to find Northern Rhône wines that combine soul and polish—it seems as if most of the new wines we taste are either hyper glossy or very rustic. To hit that sweet spot, crafting wines that speak very loudly of place but are elegant, drinkable and age-worthy—that’s special indeed.
“Consistently brilliant wines emerge from Domaine Durand, which is run with incredible talent and passion by Eric and Joël Durand… The brothers took over the estate in 1991, and while the winemaking is relatively modern, these are classic, pure, beautifully made wines that speak clearly to their region and terroir.” – Jeb Dunnuck
“Among the under-the-radar producers in the northern Rhône, this 20-hectare domaine, has been run by brothers Eric and Joël Durand since 1996. It’s a shame because the wines warrant more attention while pricing is quite friendly given the quality delivered. Domaine Durand produces a collection of generous, fruit-driven and polished wines that’s led by four Cornas bottlings consistently among the most approachable of the appellation…” – Josh Raynolds, Vinous
“Located in the tiny village of Châteaubourg, Joël and Eric Durand are quietly turning out some impressive wines from their family holdings in Saint-Joseph and Cornas.” – Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
Newly Arrived from Durand
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes, Rhône 2019 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Iron, peppered game, smoked black and blue fruits, and new leather notes emerge from the 2019 Cornas Empreintes, and it’s medium to full-bodied and wonderfully balanced, with ripe tannins and one hell of a great finish. It’s another pure, balanced, fruit-loaded beauty from this estate that has tons of character. This cuvée comes from hillside parcels (a mix of granite and limestone) and 30-year-old vines. It was 75% destemmed and spent a year in 20% new barrels.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95 points “Sure, the 2019 Cornas Empreintes is lightly cedary up front, but those notes are more than balanced by crushed stone, salted licorice, and bold cassis and blueberry flavors. Full-bodied and concentrated, this is a rock-solid Cornas with a long, dusty finish, capable of aging and improving up to two decades. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Youthfully compact, but it’s all there, with a core of steeped red and black currant and cherry fruit inlaid with a chalky spine that stays in the background while black tea, sanguine and alder notes linger. There’s good latent energy too. Best from 2023 through 2036. 950 cases made, 150 cases imported. –JM”
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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Premices, Rhône 2019 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is packed with dark fig and blackberry paste flavors that roll through slowly but steadily, unveiling extra dark olive, sweet bay leaf, singed alder and juniper accents along the way. There’s buried minerality that should rise to prominence with cellaring. Best from 2023 through 2035. 900 cases made, 140 cases imported. –JM”
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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Lautaret, Rhône 2019 750ML ($41.95) $34.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94 points “Hints of mocha and roast meat add interest to the cassis and licorice in the 2019 Saint Joseph Lautaret. Big, tannic and concentrated, this full-bodied effort looks likely to improve with short-term cellaring and drink well for at least a decade thereafter. Plentiful ripe tannins frame the palate and linger in velvety-textured form on the finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2019 Saint Joseph Lautaret is terrific, and one of the top vintages of this cuvée I can remember. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as a textbook nose of blackberry fruits, ground pepper, violets, and subtle smoke, it shows a touch of gravelly earth on the palate, full body, and considerable depth and richness. All Syrah that was 85% destemmed, it saw a standard 3-week maceration and aging in just 15% new barrels.”
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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray, Rhône 2020 750ML ($31.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Readers looking for a great Saint-Péray that will offer pleasure any time over the coming 5-7 years or more should check out the 2020 Saint-Péray, an evenly split blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. Clean, pure pineapple and citrus fruits, some honeysuckle, sappy flower, and obvious chalky minerality all emerge from the glass, and this is medium-bodied, nicely textured, and impeccably balanced. It’s not a blockbuster, but it shows the more focused, fresh, salty style of this appellation beautifully.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 90 points “A seriously refreshing Saint-Péray, the 2020 Saint Peray features more citrus and chalk notes than most. A 50-50 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne fermented in a mix of stainless steel tank (70%) and barrique (30%), it’s medium to full-bodied but zesty, clean and charming, with a bright, lively finish marked by notes of lime and tangerine. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
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The next best price is $31.99
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Blanc, Rhône 2020 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Caramelized peach, quince, honeyed flowers, and spice all emerge from the 2020 Saint Joseph Blanc, a medium to full-bodied, mouth-filling, pleasure-bent white that has notable purity, building richness, and a great finish. It’s another impeccably made wine from this terrific estate. The blend is 60% Marsanne and 40% Roussanne, aged in 15% new barrels, 15% once used barrels, and the rest in tank.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 90 points “Honeyed pineapple and pear aromas dominate the nose of the 2020 Saint Joseph Blanc, a 60-40 blend of Marsanne and Roussanne. It’s full-bodied and well-rounded but balances those attributes with ample citrus, a touch of bitterness and a silky feel on the long finish. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
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Emmanuel Darnaud has been one of our favorite surprises of the past few years. Relatively new to Vinopolis, this small producer makes spectacular reds from the Northern Rhône -wines that have become some of our best deals when in stock. From top to bottom, the Darnaud wines over-perform, with density, power and drinkability.
Newly Arrived from Emanuel Darnaud:
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chenes, Rhône 2019 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chenes, Rhône 2019 375ML ($19.95) $16 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “Shows a sappy, dense fruit core, with kirsch and plum paste flavors rolled together, while licorice snap, sweet tobacco and a tarry streak assert themselves through the finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,600 cases made, 150 cases imported. –JM”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2019 Crozes Hermitage Les Trois Chênes features attractive aromas of cassis and blueberries on the nose, a broad, expansive feel in the mouth and a long, softly dusty finish. Full-bodied, concentrated and intense, it avoids any sense of heaviness despite its size, while at the same time interweaving complex notes of dark chocolate, coffee and dried herbs. Tasted twice (once blind), with consistent notes.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “The 2019 Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chênes sports a deep purple hue as well as a great bouquet of ripe darker berry fruits, violets, and peppery herbs. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has terrific purity of fruit, a solid spine of acidity, and the balance to evolve gracefully for 10-12 years. It’s another impressive, rock-solid wine from this talented winemaker.”
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This is the only listing in the USA today for the 375ml!
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Mise en Bouche, Rhône 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 91-93 points “The 2020 Crozes-Hermitage Mise En Bouche showed beautifully, with a rich, medium to full-bodied, nicely textured style as well as classy notes of darker currants, blackberries, spice, chocolate, and some meaty nuances. It fleshes out nicely with time in the glass and is another beautiful wine from this talented winemaker that will evolve for 10-12 years.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “I tasted the 2020 Crozes Hermitage Mis en Bouche from tank, as it had been blended a week before my visit. Hints of tar and black olive accent blackberries and spice on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate is plush and velvety in texture. Long and mouthwatering on the finish, this is really good entry-level stuff for drinking over the next 5 years or so.”
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Emmanuel Darnaud Saint Joseph La Dardouille, Rhône 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Cassis, crushed violets, ground pepper, and rocking levels of minerality emerge from the 2019 Saint Joseph Lieu-Dit La Dardouille, and this beauty is full-bodied and has a great mid-palate. Its layered, pure, incredibly impressive style is already hard to resist, yet it will unquestionably evolve for 15 years or more.”
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Also In Stock Now from Durand & Darnaud:
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Confidence, Rhône 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “One of my favorite Cornas, the 2018 Cornas Confidence comes from pure granite soils and was partially destemmed and brought up in 30% new French oak. The 2018 is a head-turner, revealing a dense purple color as well as sensational notes of crème de cassis, smoked bacon, graphite, bouquet garni, and liquid rock-like minerality. Rich, full-bodied, and opulent, with sweet tannins, this is one sexy Cornas that’s going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 10-15 years in cold cellars.”
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes, Rhône 2017 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “One of the flagship releases is the 2017 Cornas Empreintes, which comes from the steep, granite hillsides of Cornas, sees 25% stems, and is brought up in 20% new French oak. This full-bodied, concentrated effort boasts a deep purple hue, notes of peppery herbs, plums, blackberries, and smoked game, building tannins, and just about overflowing amounts of character. It’s a stunning, brilliant Cornas that’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15+ years. Bravo!”
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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Empreintes, Rhône 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points “The 2018 Cornas Empreintes offers a riper, more concentrated style, delivering lots of plum and darker currant fruits intermixed with notions of smoked herbs, ground pepper, violets, lavender, and spice box. It’s rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, yet the tannins here are more present, and it has a closed, angular style that’s going to benefit from bottle age. Give bottles 3-4 years at a minimum and it should have a solid decade of longevity after that.”
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Cornas Premices, Rhône 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29.70 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Lots of blueberries, jammy blackberries, violets, licorice, and floral notes emerge from the 2017 Cornas Prémices. This fleshy, sexy, full-bodied beauty is a quintessential, hedonistic Cornas that’s already hard to resist. Nevertheless, it has enough sweet tannins to keep for over a decade. This cuvée comes from slightly younger vines (15 to 30-year-old vines) and is aged in 20% new French oak.”
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Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Les Coteaux, Rhône 2018 750ML ($36.95) $29 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “If the Lauteret bottling is a lovable puppy dog of a wine, the 2018 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux is a veteran bird dog—cool, taut and contained, with coiled energy and terrific poise. Scents of cedar and crushed stone appear on the nose alongside hints of mint, black cherries and cassis. It’s medium to full-bodied and sleek on the palate, with a lithe musculature and a graceful movement as it eases into a long, cool finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Starting off the two Saint Joseph releases, the 2018 Saint Joseph Les Coteaux is a deeply colored, ripe, opulent effort with rocking levels of black and blue fruits, peppery herbs, game, and violet aromas and flavors. Textured, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, it already offers pleasure yet should evolve for a decade.”
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Lautaret, Rhône 2018 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Slightly more expensive, the 2018 Saint Joseph Lautaret offers more smoky minerality as well as impressive darker currants, blackberries, violets, and barbecued meat-like aromas and flavors. These carry to a rich, meaty, almost bloody/iron-laced Saint-Joseph that has full-bodied richness, ripe, polished tannins, wonderful balance, and a great finish. With moderate acidity and a fleshy, already hard to resist style, enjoy bottles over the coming 10-15 years.”
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Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil du Temps, Rhône 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94 points “Marked by intense aromas of licorice and seared beefsteak, Darnaud’s 2018 Crozes Hermitage Au Fil du Temps backs those up with notes of blueberries and black olives. Full-bodied, richly concentrated and tannic—but supple and ripe—with a bright, refreshing and lengthy finish, it’s a beauty of a Crozes to drink over the next decade.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “More chocolatey black and blue fruits, violets, damp earth, and bouquet garni-like notes emerge from the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil Du Temps. This rich, powerful, full-bodied Crozes shows the classic balance, elegance, and purity that are present in all of Emmanuel’s wines. With plenty of mid-palate depth, ripe, mouth-coating tannins, and outstanding length, this brilliant effort will keep for 10-15 years.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “On the exotic side, with a mix of açaí, blueberry and boysenberry reduction flavors entwined with licorice root and singed alder notes. Everything knits wonderfully through the finish, letting the fruit drip while the background notes flicker. Drink now through 2028. 210 cases made, 40 cases imported. –JM”
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chenes, Rhone 2018 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 93 points “The remarkable thing about Darnaud’s 2018 Crozes Hermitage Les Trois Chênes is how unforced it feels, showing great amplitude and length while at the same time remaining silky and elegant. Hints of violets and blueberries emerge on the nose of this full-bodied effort. Expansive and enveloping yet effortless, it should drink well for a decade or so.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Looking first at the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chênes, this can be thought of as the entry-level release from this great estate and comes from a mix of different terroirs as well as young and old vines. Its deep purple hue is followed by a meaty, spicy, complex Crozes that delivers serious intensity in its black and blue fruits as well as its floral and mineral-laced aromas and flavors. Beautifully balanced, it’s a wine that gains richness and depth with time in the glass, offering ripe tannins and remarkable purity of fruit. It’s ideal for enjoying over the coming 10-12 years.”
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Emmanuel Darnaud Saint Joseph La Dardouille, Rhône 2018 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Emmanuel Darnaud Saint Joseph La Dardouille, Rhône 2018 1.5L ($119.95) $95 special, 11 magnums in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 96 points “Every bit as good as I thought it was from barrel, the monumental 2018 Saint Joseph La Dardouille is one of the best Saint Josephs to have ever crossed this taster’s lips—certainly in the Top 10. Hints of cedar accent deep notes of blackberry liqueur, underlain by a bed of crushed granite. Full-bodied, richly concentrated and textured, it’s a prodigious effort that must be tasted to be believed. Despite the size and extract, there’s a sense of cool restraint and even a bit of refreshment on the lengthy finish. Give it another year or two; it should drink well for at least a decade beyond that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The Saint Joseph release from Darnaud, the 2018 Saint Joseph Lieu Dit La Dardouille comes from a well-known lieu-dit located in the southern part of the appellation. More cassis, violets, gunflint, and gamey notions emerge from this beauty. Medium to full-bodied, it has a classic Saint Joseph focused, mineral-laced style, fabulous purity, and a great finish. This brilliant 2018 can be drunk any time over the coming 15 years or more.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Stay safe, be well, & drink well.