Sunday Newsletter 7-24-22

 

In This Newsletter:


New Week – New Arrivals

Cameron Winery


Fèlsina: A Tuscan Treasure

Staff Pick: La Solitude Côtes du Rhône

Rosé All Day

  

New Week – New Arrivals

Rosé

“The most prestigious cuvée of the domain, Le Clos Peyrassol Rosé [is from] one of the most beautiful plots on the estate, surrounded by low stone walls, at the foot of the Templar buildings. The soils are rich in clay and limestone, dating from the Triassic period, with a high proportion of pebbles. Currently under organic conversion.” –Importer note
Peyrassol ‘Le Clos’ Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2021 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid onion skin color. A highly perfumed and complex bouquet evokes fresh citrus and pit fruits, strawberry and pungent flowers, along with building mineral and succulent herb elements. Shows excellent clarity and depth to its juicy red fruit, nectarine and mango flavors, which are sweetened by a background of vanilla note. Finishes impressively long and silky, with the mineral and floral note resonating. “
Wine & Spirits 93 points “In 2021, Peyrassol credits the micro climate at their estate for the late budbreak that evaded late-April frosts, also escaping a fire (merci, le mistral), a hailstorm in nearby Pignan *blocked by hills) and flooding. More than a vintage survivor, this wine is chewy and immediately pleasurable; it captured our panel’s attention in the sweetness of its fruit. Its substantial weight would work well with a range of dishes, or stand as a meal on its own, letting it saturate your mouth, cherry-blossom accents peeking out around the edges of the finish. Its complexity is subtle but present, like a carefully-measured craft cocktail.”

Domaine Charvin Côtes du Rhône Rosé, Rhône 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Pale orange. Expressive, spice-tinged red berry, blood orange and pit fruit aromas are accompanied by building mineral and floral nuances. Taut and energetic on the palate, offering intense strawberry, orange zest and lavender flavors that are braced by a spine of chalky minerality. Finishes very long and precise, with repeating red fruit and floral notes and firm, minerally tension.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Les Aphillanthes Nymphea Côtes du Rhône Rosé, Rhône 2021 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 88 points “Bright orange. Ripe cherry, orange pith and floral qualities on the nose. Offers juicy red fruit and blood orange flavors. The warm, smooth finish echoes the cherry note and hangs on with good tenacity.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Rosé, California 2021 750ML ($19.95) $16.50 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points “Medium cherry pink in color, the 2021 Old Vine Rosé has deep scents of yellow peaches, watermelon and red cherries with touches of stone and potpourri. The palate boasts concentrated, fruity flavors balanced by zippy acidity, and it finishes with pretty orange peel accents. This is such a delicious rosé! It’s made up of co-fermented Grenache Gris, Grenache Noir and Syrah.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!


Oregon

J.C. Somers Croft Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($29.95) $27 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The Croft Vineyard located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley is organically farmed and grown in ancient marine sediment soils. We have worked with this vineyard since 1999 and it consistently produces a classic style of Sauvignon Blanc with a purity of fruit, balanced acidity and a focused minerality. ?Truly one of the top white wine vineyard sites in the Willamette Valley. The Croft Vineyard is located southwest of the Eola Hills near the town of Monmouth. The organically farmed Croft Vineyard is in the foothills of the coast range and grown in ancient marine sediment soils. It is owned by Chancy and Toni Croft and farmed by Lee Croft and I have been working with the Sauvignon Blanc since 1999. The 2004 Croft Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc I made won best white wine of the year in Sunset Magazine and has been a little bit of a cult wine ever since. It is the most distinctive white wine I produce and it is great to continue to work with this magical site. We work with 1 acre of the clone 1 Sauvignon Blanc.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $33.95

Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A brilliant core of red and bramble fruits dances with hints of cedar, passion fruit, rose petal, and turned earth. The palate is balanced, with a plush texture and a vibrant, juicy finish.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!


California

Marietta Cellars OVR Old Vine Red Lot 73, California NV 750ML ($19.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 95 points “The NV OVR Lot 73 is composed mainly of Zinfandel with smaller portions of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan and Barbera. Medium ruby, it offers intense red cherry, blood orange and apricot perfume with accents of rooibos tea leaves, red licorice, saline, lilac and loads of spicy nuances. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet with soft tannins, bursts of refreshing acidity and detailed amaro accents on the long finish. This is so easy to drink!”

Marietta Cellars ‘Roman’ Estate Grown Zinfandel, North Coast 2020 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 points “A blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Barbera, the 2020 Román Zinfandel has a medium ruby-purple color and aromatic layers of raspberry, red cherry, rhubarb, aniseed and lilac with touches of iron and orange peel. The medium-bodied palate is gently chewy, with tart, juicy fruits and a spicy finish.”


France – Burgundy

Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2019 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Burghound 93 points “Moderate though not subtle wood influence frames overtly exotic aromas of white peach, apricot, lychee and a hint of sea breeze. There is outstanding volume and mid-palate density to the large-scaled, intense and powerful flavors that coat the mouth with dry extract on the robust, bitter lemon and stony finish. This is definitely not a classic rendition of Les Clos but it’s impressive nonetheless.”
Decanter 93 points “Showing more of a barrel sample nature than the Fevre wine, Bichot’s Les Clos has power and richness on the palate. With a hint of toasty oak, and ripe stoned fruit characters, this will develop into a fine Grand Cru given a couple of years in bottle. There is plenty of precision here – this barrel sample doesn’t quite do the wine justice but there is clearly so much to come. Drinking Window 2022 – 2030.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $104


France – Beaujolais

Domaine Anita Morgon Prestige, Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 29 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Welcome to the black heart of Morgon! So dense, concentrated and ripe with serious tannins, but a wonderfully plush texture on the expansive palate. Then the mineral freshness pushes through at the powerful, yet finely etched finish. If you can find actual black cherries that smell like this, then let me know! Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Anita Moulin-a-Vent La Rochelle, Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “This Beaujolais masterpiece is so concentrated and so pure, with lush, velvety sensuality that reminds me of great Pomerol. But there’s also almost breathtaking brightness, thanks to the magical combination of gamay and granite. Great mineral freshness at the ripe yet pristine finish. Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Anita Moulin-a-Vent ‘Les Caves’ Tres Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 34 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “What a beautiful nose of violets and ripe (but not overripe) blackberries this has! So succulent, with a wonderful interplay of creaminess, fine tannins and mineral freshness on the concentrated, medium-bodied palate. Very long, velvety finish with so much finesse! Drink or hold.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!


France – Rhône

Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Télégramme Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2019 750ML ($59.95) $48 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Télégramme Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Rhône 2019 750ML ($649.95) $519 special (that’s only $43.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Deep violet. Ripe, spice-accented dark berry and cherry preserve scents show strong garrigue and floral accents. Pliant in texture and broad in the mouth, offering sappy boysenberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors and a peppery topnote. Finishes long and gently chewy, with the floral and spice notes repeating.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “Full-bodied, rich and highly textural, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Telegramme is atypically concentrated and dense, reflecting the addition of more old-vine Grenache to the cuvée. Black cherries, salted licorice and dark chocolate all make appearances, and the wine finishes long and velvety.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “Bottled early in May, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Télégramme offers a big, up-front, impressive style with classic red and blue fruits as well as licorice, peppery herbs, and crushed stone-like minerality. It has medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a terrific level of class and elegance.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $55


France – Loire

Arnaud Lambert Brézé Saumur Blanc Clos de Midi, Loire 2021 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No review available for the 2021 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 93 points “This offers an expressive mix of yellow apple, persimmon and Meyer lemon flavors infused with light notes of hazelnut and hints of smoke. The acidity is electric, giving this plenty of verve and carrying all the elements to the long and seductive, lightly floral finish. Best from 2022 through 2034. 3,750 cases made, 627 cases imported.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Arnaud Lambert Cremant de Loire Blanc NV 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
50% Chardonnay / 50% Chenin blanc
Importer note “Vine Age: Planted in 1990. Terroir: From the Clos of the Château, 60 cm deep silt and clay sand soil on a soft Turonian limestone bedrock. Viticulture: Organic (certified). Vinification: Indigenous yeast fermentation. Aged for 24 months.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Arnaud Lambert Cremant de Loire Rosé NV 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “100% Cabernet Franc.”
Becky Wasserman note “Vine Age: Planted in 1981. Terroir: Lower part of the Clos du Midi, silty sand soil on 1 meter of soft Turonian limestone bedrock. Viticulture: Organic (certified). Vinification: Indigenous yeast fermentation, traditional Champagne method. Aged for 24 months.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!


Spain

Alvear 3 Miradas Vino de Pueblo, Montilla-Moriles 2019 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Case-6 Alvear 3 Miradas Vino de Pueblo, Montilla-Moriles 2019 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Light gold. Vibrant, mineral-tinged Meyer lemon and quince aromas are complemented by suggestions of honeysuckle, toasted nuts and green cardamom. Taut and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy, mineral-laced citrus and orchard fruit flavors that unfurl slowly and take on a smoky aspect on the back half. Shows very good focus and minerally cut on the impressively long, salty finish, which leaves behind notes of chamomile and fennel.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Wine Enthusiast Top 100 in 2021
Alvear Asuncion Oloroso, Montilla-Moriles NV 375ML ($34.95) $29 special, 12 half-bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A burnished orange-meets-tawny color and lively aromas of caramel and apricot get this oloroso off to a fine start. A richly intense palate with bold acidity offers plenty of depth, while toasty flavors of coffee and walnuts finish with notes of chocolate and café latte. Overall, this is stylish and a cut above. -Michael Schachner”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “A fortified sherry (it’s fortified to prevent the growth of Flor), the NV Alvear Oloroso Asunción (100% Pedro Ximénez) is a beautiful effort that has a great nose of candied figs, white currants, salted nuts, and malty, brown sugar notes. More medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, with slightly less sweetness than past versions, it would make a terrific aperitif.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 90+ points “The NV Oloroso Asunción was produced with Pedro Ximénez grapes (like all in Montilla), and as the grape achieves higher ripeness than the Palomino, the wines have a higher natural alcohol and need less fortification to reach the 19% alcohol that it is bottled with. It’s aged in a solera system believed to be over 25 years of age, according to the documentation I received, but this used to be bottled at around 12 years old. This is still a little sweet, as it contains around 15 grams of sugar. It has a mellow character, quite approachable, with signs of medium age, not that old, aromatic and gentle in the palate, with the sugar making an appearance in the finish, balancing the faint bitterness. I prefer drier Oloroso, but here the sugar is not too noticeable. 2,600 half bottles were filled in March, in the first saca of 2019. The price is for a half bottle.”


Austria

Weingut Tement Grassnitzberg Sauvignon Blanc Erste Lage, Steiermark 2019 750ML ($49.95) $47 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2019 Ried Grassnitzberg Sauvignon Blanc is sometimes quite reductive and needs a lot of air, but it is precise, deep and clear. A second bottle was far better and a clearer Grassnitzberg representative, with a deep, cool and intensely fruity nose with mango notes and fine, smoky spice. Complex, elegant and fine on the palate, this is a full-bodied, juicy, ripe, savory, salty and grippy Sauvignon from Grassnitzberg that is tartly bitter on the finish and needs plenty of time to shine. The 2019 is not at all for young-wine or brand drinkers, but for collectors and connoisseurs of demanding wines. This is a tightly knit, taut, big wine that needs around 10 years before its journey really begins. 13% stated alcohol. Glass stopper. Tasted in Grafenegg in September 2021.”

Weingut Tement Kalk & Kreide Sauvignon Blanc, Sudsteiermark DAC 2020 750ML ($34.95) $26 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Although this is a bit shy at first, it blossoms with aeration, a wide spectrum of citrus aromas emerging, plus some quince and wild herbs. Complex texture on the medium-to full-bodied palate, the chalky acidity beautifully integrated at the long finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Glass closure.”

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Cameron Winery

Cameron holds a special place in the heart of anyone who loves Oregon wine. John Paul has been making some of the best wines to come out of the Willamette Valley since 1984. The wines have Burgundian sensibilities, in that they age extremely well and have impeccable balance, but they are as ‘Oregon’ as they come. If you were to ask a selection of winemakers here who their top five wineries are, Cameron will be in every list.

Cameron produces some of the best wines of the Dundee Hills from fun and silly Italian-esque wines to serious and ageworthy Pinots and Chards. The winery is also notable for being the leading member of the Deep Roots Coalition—an organization of wineries that are committed to dry farming – and for being one of the most thoughtful farmers in the Valley. 

Transcending varietal, price and vintage there is something to be enamored by in every bottling in the way they express terroir and John Paul’s winemaking mastery. Each bottling represents a different facet of Oregon’s terroir with a thorough line of elegance, and the same is true in cans. In every measurable respect these are some of the finest wines made in the US today, and we’re proud to offer them to you.

“Burgundy or Oregon–what really matters is that Cameron produces some of the latter’s finest Pinot Noir and in winemaker John Paul, one of its most erudite, principled, forward-thinking/traditional and charismatic personalities that I encountered during my time there.” – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate

Highlights In Stock Now:

Cameron Abbey Ridge Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 22 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge sits high atop the Dundee Hills; a collection of vines planted on their own roots in the mid-70’s. It’s unquestionably one of the most special sites in the Willamette Valley and though it’s better known for Pinot Noir, the Abbey Chard is fantastic. This is the most limited of the Chardonnay bottlings from Cameron and isn’t produced every year.

Cameron Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Winery note “The 2019 vintage offers the same density and earthy qualities you expect from Abbey Ridge but with more subtlety. Aromatics of violets, raspberries, and lavender meld into a lingering palate of cracked pepper, mushrooms and black olives. Our 2019 Abbey Ridge Pinot Noir is an elegant and complex madame draped in pure silk.”
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge is one of the most hallowed sites in the Willamette Valley. Planted in 1975, the Pinot Noir here is own rooted and at one of the highest elevations in the Dundee Hills. The elevation and classic Jory soils give the wine an intense personality—high toned, elegant and tensile, with good power and a strong voice. This bottling has been one of the defining Oregon Pinots since John Paul started making it.

Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2020 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: This represents a step up from Cameron’s Willamette Valley bottling and is sourced exclusively from Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique. It tends to be softer and more accessible than some of the higher end wines, but still shows loads of Dundee Hills character and Cameron personality.

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Cameron Winery Giuliano White, Dundee Hills 2021 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2021. 2020 review provided for reference.
Grapelive 93 points “The light and crisp Giuliano, an Italian inspired white blend, is from Cameron’s Dundee Hills estate vineyards, Clos Electrique and White Oak. It is a delicious wine, one that has become one of my favorites, when I can get it of course. All of these Cameroni (the Italian style wines) are highly sought after by fans of the legendary John Paul, famous for his Pinots, but who is an Italian wine fanatic himself, so they sell out fast, especially this one. Highly refreshing, slightly effervescent from the capture of CO2 during tank fermentation and with a lovely white flowers bouquet the latest Giuliano delivers a zingy palate of racy citrus, green apple, bosc pear and tart quince fruits, saline infused wet rock, sweet and sour herbs, spearmint and lingering mineral tones. This is a wine to enjoy with oysters, sushi and or linguine pasta with Manila claims. It is jazzy stuff that gets more interesting with food and is rather more than the sum of its parts. The nose, the fruit and tanginess mixed with the stony dimension and orange blossoms add up to a very compelling white wine that gains texture and spice with air highlighting the volcanic Jory soils. Those that like the whites and or field blends of Northeastern Italy will find this wine faithful if not a riveting new world example, full of personality with no pretense and with a raw transparency that is wonderfully addictive…”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $38

Cameron Winery Spritz Rose, Willamette Valley NV 250ML CAN ($9.95) $7 special, 36+ cans in stock now
Cameron Winery Official Drinking Song:
All the folks in Oregon
Love to drink the Cameron
Kick their legs up in the air
Shake, shake, shake their derriere
If you buy the Cameron brand
You can drink our spritz in can
Easy now as un deux trois
Everybody ooh la la

Oh, can you drink the Can Can?
If you can then I can
I drink Can Can if you drink Can Can…

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Cameron Winery Pinot Gris Ramato, Dundee Hills 2021 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Pinot Gris that spent time on its skins, contributing the barest hint of tannin, a dollop of color and a completely different interpretation of the classic Oregon varietal.
Winery note “Rame: Italian for copper, ramato: copper-colored. Ramato is a copper-colored Pinot grigio made in the tradition of north-eastern Italy. A very tricky wine to pull off. Very limited production.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $40

Fèlsina:

A Tuscan Treasure

Situated in the province of Siena in the Chianti Classico appellation of Tuscany, the Fèlsina farm was acquired by Domenico Poggiali in the mid-1960’s. Fèlsina’s scope goes far beyond being just a wine estate as it is actually a full agricultural operation including the production of olive oil.

Domenico and his family have focused on the modernization, expansion and commercial growth of the farm and its vineyards while preserving the tradition of the estate. With their ownership of the historical Pagliarese estate, they have expanded their portfolio to include wines from iconic vineyards.

Don’t miss the 2018s, which capture the grace and immense pleasure of the vintage (to paraphrase Antonio Galloni) with the “power and breadth” that most others lack.

“The Fèlsina Chianti Classicos have generally been wines of power. What impresses me most about the flagship Rancia and Colonia in 2018 is their finesse… In short, this is another stellar set of wines from the team led by Giuseppe Mazzocolin and Giovanni Poggiali. Fèlsina fans will also want to check out the wines of sister estates Castello di Farnetella and Pagliarese.” — Antonio Galloni, September 2021

Highlights In Stock Now:

Fèlsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Fèlsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2018 750ML ($359.95) $285 special (that’s only $47.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Fèlsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2018 750ML ($719.95) $549 special (that’s only $45.75/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!) 
Fèlsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2018 1.5L ($129.95) $115 special, 10 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is an absolutely stunning wine. The archetype of Rancia in the past has been of a big, potent Chianti Classico but in 2018, Rancia is a wine of mind-blowing elegance and finesse. Silky, perfumed and indescribably finessed, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. It’s a magical wine in every way.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2018 is an unusual vintage that shows an especially austere character. Off the bat, it must be said that the Fèlsina 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia would certainly benefit from more cellar time and a long drinking window. The Rancia is elegant and streamlined with a medium-bodied style that breaks from some of the more concentrated vintages we’ve seen in the past. The bouquet reveals a lot of dark or black character with blackcurrant, tar, resin, iron ore and a dusty hint of dry graham cracker (which reminds us of the vintage heat). Structurally, the wine offers a solid and firm footing, but it would benefit from further evolution.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $56

Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2018 750ML ($419.95) $343 special (that’s only $57.17/bottle!)
Case-12 Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2018 750ML ($839.95) $663 special (that’s only $55.25/bottle!)
Fèlsina Berardenga Fontalloro Toscana IGT 2018 1.5L ($149.95) $128 special, 11 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Fontalloro is bright, floral and full of energy. In most vintages, Fontalloro is quite open, but the 2018 is especially nervy and taut. That won’t be an issue in time, of course, but readers should plan on being patient. Sangiovese is so expressive here. A whole range of floral and savory accents lingers on the close.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “To my palate, the 2018 vintage sometimes feels a little too ripe or baked. I was reminded of those characteristics when tasting the Fèlsina 2018 Fontalloro. There is plenty of dark fruit at its core, but this wine also reveals dry tones of jarred oregano, grilled Mediterranean herb, crushed aspirin and graham cracker. The mouthfeel is pleasantly lean and silky, and perhaps the wine delivers more in terms of length than it does weight or texture. A little more bottle age should help flesh out and soften these results.”

Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “This is a very solid, full-bodied riserva with firm and chewy yet fine-grained tannins that are nicely layered and intense. Very drinkable now, but a year or two of bottle age will soften it. Drink or hold.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva is a powerful, brooding wine. Readers will have to be patient with the 2018, as it needs time to soften. The tannins are especially potent today. Time brings out a whole range of black cherry, plum, gravel, spice, game and leather notes. The Riserva spent 16 months in oak of various sizes.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Sporting broad shoulders and a brawny texture, the 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga is one of those wines that you can drink throughout the entire meal from antipasto, to pasta to the meat dish. This Riserva offers dark fruit, ripe cherry, plum and soft concentration throughout. Its ample textual fiber is loosened up and refreshed by the pretty vein of crisp acidity that is so characteristic of Sangiovese.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dusty tannins set the stage for this cherry and wild herb-inflected red. Boasts plenty of fruit, orange zest and iron, yet still has to reveal all its charms. Compact finish in the end, but be patient. Best from 2024 through 2042. 5,833 cases made. — BS”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Pagliarese Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva is another gorgeous old-school wine from Pagliarese. Black cherry, cloves, licorice, leather and woodsmoke give the 2018 its distinctive, somber feel. This dense, super-expressive Riserva certainly has tons of character. Tasting the 2018 is like stepping back in time thirty years.”
 


Staff Pick: La Solitude Côtes du Rhône

Get in the zone, with this Côtes du Rhône!

Xavier:
Just in time for triple digit temperatures in the Portland area, this is my fresh summer red wine choice: the 2020 La Solitude Côtes du Rhône is a traditional GSM (50% grenache, 40% syrah and 10% Mourvèdre) grown in the rocky clay and limestone soils of the southern Rhône. The Lançon family has been producing wine in the region for eight generations and offers a selection of Côtes du Rhône, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas wines.

The 2020 La Solitude Côtes du Rhône features an overall bold style with deep berry flavors, spicy notes and soft tannins. Aged in concrete and stainless steel, this wine drinks best in its youth and pairs well with charcuterie, cheeses or lamb. A very reasonable price point for a well crafted Rhône wine.

Domaine de la Solitude Cotes du Rhône Rouge 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine de la Solitude Cotes du Rhône Rouge 2020 750ML ($239.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “Tons of black-cherry and ripe-blackberry fruit, but not a jot overripe. This is a bold and substantial wine for the appellation, thanks to the healthy dose of soft tannin. Plenty of licorice and spice, plus a hint of tar at the long finish. Carries 14% alcohol effortlessly! A GSM blend of 50% grenache, 40% syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Drink now.”
 


Rosé All Day

A bolder and richer style of rosé with powerful flavors that goes beyond the traditional easy drinking Rosé wines thanks to its true age-worthiness.
Chateau Pradeaux ‘Vesprée’ Rose, Bandol 2020 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchant importer note ““Vesprée” represents a small portion of Pradeaux’s Bandol Rosé production vinified and aged in a combination of foudre and cement egg, and with an additional six months of ageing before bottling. Our tastings from the individual vessels in the cellars every year show a wine full of energy, slightly leaner and more focused than the basic Bandol above, but with similar concentration and grip.”

Fresh, bright with definite citrus highlights, this multi-layered rosé also makes a perfect food wine.
Clos Cibonne “Tentations” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Clos Cibonne “Tentations” Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2020 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
De Maison Selections note “Tentations offers an accessible entry-point into Provence wine. Tentations is made with exceptional ingredients, including fruit from young tibouren vines and some purchased fruit from farmers they have long-standing relationships with, in prime spots in La Londe. The Tentations wines do not undergo the extensive aging process of the Clos Cibonne line. Offering immediate and unpretentious enjoyment, they are incredible food wines and represent one of the best wine values in the Côtes de Provence region. Site: La Londe. Grapes: 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Tibouren.”

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Made in concrete vessels, this pale salmon color Rosé reveals bright minerality and soft fruit notes.
Bastide du Claux Luberon Poudriere Rosé, Rhône 2021 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchant importer note “Côtes du Luberon Rosé: is a real standout, offering the ethereal pale salmon color and bright salty snap we’ve come to love about Provençal rosé, but without the confected, “commercial,” overly aromatically exuberant character that sometimes mars those wines. Sylvain picks all of the grapes at “rosé ripeness,” aiming for balancing acidity and brightness rather than sun-drenched ripeness. It’s composed of 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, and 10% each Carignan and Syrah, from vines between 25 and 60 years of age. All of the grapes are pressed directly, and the majority undergo no maceration, with a portion of Grenache and Cinsault spending six or so hours on their skins after the pressing. Everything is done in cement, and the wine ferments naturally. This is a non-flashy rosé of great mineral character, showing its soil influence clearly, and offering subtle red fruits and vigorous acidity on the palate.”

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An organically produced rosé from Cabernet Franc with floral and herbal notes. Its zesty finish makes it a refreshing cocktail wine or a great accompaniment to a light fare.
Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche Rose, Loire 2021 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Wegandt-Metzler importer note “100% Cabernet Franc. Organic.”

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This rosé from Pinot Noir features rich tannins in spite of its soft color. Its deep red fruit flavor profile lends itself to food pairings such as charcuterie, salads or grilled meats. Drink now or age 2 to 3 years.
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Pinot Rosé, Loire 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Sancerre Pinot Rosé: Made exclusively of Pinot Noir harvested from several parcels … a mix of Oxfordian “caillottes” and Kimmeridgian “marne”. This Rosé is made using the direct press method with the whole berries entering the pressoir. The musts ferment in temperature-controlled cuves (85%) as well as a small percentage in older barrels (15%). The fermentation occurs over three weeks. The wine is bottled in the spring of the following year.”

R&B meets Pinot Grigio Ramato! As its blush color suggests, this unusual bottling features rich melon and stone fruit accents with a smooth creamy texture.  Mary J Blige lives up to her musical star status with this delicious wine creation.
Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2019 750ML ($21.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 90 points “A fun, tasty rosé made with pinot grigio that shows light strawberry and lemon-rind aromas with hints of white pepper. It’s medium-bodied with pretty fruit and a delicious finish. Drink now.”

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The average price is $19

Sustainably farmed and aged in stainless steel, this lush, dry rosé features aromas of stone fruit, confectioners’ sugar and rich red fruit.
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rosé, Cote de Nuits 2021 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Vivid orange-pink. Fresh red berries, candied rose and a dusty mineral nuance on the fragrant nose. Gently chewy and tightly wound on entry, then more fleshy in the mid-palate, displaying juicy cherry and tangerine flavors that turn sweeter on the back half. The floral note repeats on a long, focused finish that leaves a refreshingly bitter suggestion of cherry pit behind.”
Weygandt-Metzler Import note “Pinot Noir. Sustainable. Clay & limestone.”

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A truly elegant rosé from an iconic producer, the 2021 Ott by.Ott’s soft radiant color suggests its delicate tropical notes highlighted with stone fruit, and citrus aromas. The 2021 vintage is true to its legendary reputation.
Domaines Ott ‘By.Ott’ Rosé Côtes de Provence 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Bright, peach skin color. Fresh pit fruit and red berry scents are complemented by building floral and orange pith nuances. Smooth and open knit, showing good breadth and depth to its juicy strawberry, tangerine and white peach flavors. The floral note recurs on the nicely persistent finish, which features a subtle hint of fennel.”

Made from a GSM blend  (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre), the  2020 Fenouillet rosé shows a distinct minerality from the rocky clay and limestone soil it grows in within the Ventoux region.  A medium-bodied rosé, the 2020 vintage is a fresh blend of crisp red fruit, citrus and stone fruit.
Domaine de Fenouillet Ventoux Rosé, Rhône 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Wine Merchant note “Ventoux Rosé: This Rosé: is vinified partially by direct press and partially by “saignée”, the juice is naturally clarified after a cold “débourbage” of 24 hours, the wine ferments at temperature that never exceeds 16 degrees Celsius and then it is aged on the fine lees for four to six months before bottling. It is a blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache and 10% Syrah, all of which is planted to soils of clay, limestone and silex. Production is limited: we import approximately 6000 bottles per annum for the US market. Certified organic.”

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Produced from bio-dynamic farming, this secret gem from the Loire Valley features a nice balance of fresh red fruit and minerality.  Pairs well with white meats or fattier fish.
Domaine Brazilier Tradition Rosé, Coteaux du Vendomois, Loire 2020 750ML ($18.95) $12.50 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Pineau d’Aunis. Brazilier’s vineyards are farmed organically. This wine stems from vines averaging 20 years old. The fruit is harvested with a machine that selects during harvest, delivering only grapes to the cellar. Yield 55 hl/ha. Situated between Vendôme and Montoire, Coteaux du Vendômois stretches across the banks of the Loire. An AOC since May 2000, Coteaux du Vendômois have a historic reputation…Ronsard, Balzac, Henri IV were particularly fond of these wines.”

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