In This Newsletter:Weekend ArrivalsBret Brothers, La Soufrandiere, Paolo Scavino, Jean-Claude Bessin, Vietti
Close Out Sales
Brand New Price Reductions in Burgundy and BordeauxOne Week SaleElvio Cogno Meets 5-10% Discounts
Collector’s Corner
Bordeaux: The Best of Both Banks
Arriving July 21st
France
“Jean-Claude Bessin: Among Chablis’s top half-dozen domaines (The Wine Advocate)“
Jean-Claude Bessin Chablis Fourchaume La Piece Au Comte 2021 750ml $69 special, 3 bottles availableImporter’s Note The climat La Pièce au Comte translates to “the Count’s Room.” It is home to some of the domaine’s oldest vines. Jean-Claude Bessin Chablis VV 2021 750ml $36 special, 12 bottles availableVinopolnote “From Kimmeridgian marl and Portlandian soils, this selection of old vine Chablis is the flagship wine of the domaine.” Jean-Claude Bessin Chablis Valmur Grand Cru 2021 $79 special, 7 bottles availableVinopolnote “Northeastern side of Chablis, Kimmeridgian clay and limestone soil, surrounded by Grand Cru vineyards. Sustainably farmed, aged 6-8 years on the lees.”
“Two great domains from one producer”
Bret Brothers Pouilly-Fuisse Carementrant 2021 750ml $69 special, 4 bottles availableWinery Note “Our Pouilly-Fuissé is a blending of two small plots of old vines, one on the East-facing slope of the village of Fuissé, the other on the plateau of white marl (type of limestone) characteristic of the lower part of the village. A bottle that may be savoured now but which will take some years before it fully blooms into a rich and mineral.” La Soufrandiere St Veran La Bonnode Ovoide 2021 750ml $59 special, 4 bottles available
Winery Note “As of this year, we’re producing another version of our Saint-Véran La Bonnode. The juice fermented naturally in a cement ovoid tank (19hl) for one year, with no added sulfur. In August, the wine was racked to stainless steel tank for a final ageing period on fine lees. It will be bottled, without filtration, in January 2020. A pure, magnificent, ethereal wine. One rediscovers Chardonnay in a new light. The experiment will continue with a second ovoid tank in 2019.” La Soufrandiere Pouilly-Vinzelles Climat Quarts 2021 750ml $79 special, 7 bottles available
Winery Note “The earth here is soft, aerated, perfumed. It is alive. The soul of the terroir is undeniably present. With an almost magical exposure at the top of a southeast-facing slope, our oldest Chardonnay vines (45 to 80 years old) are rooted in an active limestone and clay soil (Bajocian, rich with siliceous crystals), giving birth to powerful, age-worthy wines. The nose is citrusy and mineral, and the balanced palate shows complexity and a long finish.”
La Soufrandiere Les Quarts Cuvee Zen 2021 750ml $79 special, 5 bottles available
Winery Note “We produce a “Zen” version of multiple cuvées, with no added sulfur until bottling… Walk, listen, smell. You are in the middle of the plowed La Soufrandière vineyard of Pouilly-Vinzelles Climat “Les Quarts,” on a terroir that we think is one of the best in Burgundy. The nose is citrusy and mineral, and the balanced palate shows complexity and a long finish.”
Arriving July 28th
“Paolo Scavino”
…Barolo bounces back with a stellar vintage in 2019 that could very well represent the beginning of a new cycle of strong, outstanding years for this historic appellation. The 2019s are potent, tightly wound wines that will thrill readers who appreciate the nuance, subtlety, and structure of Nebbiolo. Today, the 2019s show elements that, at times, recall vintages such as 2016, 2005, and 1995.
-Vinous
Paolo Scavino Barolo 2019 750ml $39.50 special, 36+ bottles availablePaolo Scavino Barolo 2019 1.5L $99 special, 6 magnum bottles availablePaolo Scavino Barolo 2019 375ml $24 special, 24 half-bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 92 Points “Pouring a jeweled ruby hue, the 2019 Barolo is lovely and detailed, with floral perfume and notes of candied roses, raspberry preserves, and sweet baking spices. This medium-bodied red is mouthwatering from the start and is balanced with ripe red berries, orange peel, and cinnamon. Fine yet present tannins are propelled forward by fresh acidity and a mineral-tinged finish. I continue to be impressed with the direction this estate has been heading in, and this wine is certainly no exception, lending great insight into the work they have put in. Drink 2024-2034.” Paolo Scavino Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 2019 750ml $59 special, 24 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 93 Points “Moving into the single cru wines, the 2019 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is lifted and appealing, with spice and floral notes weaving together, along with wild strawberry, candied flowers, and fresh sage. This continues gracefully to the palate while taking on the tension and linear drive that readers should come to expect from the 2019 vintage. Medium-bodied and long on the palate, it has present but refined tannins throughout. Drink 2025-2045.” Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric Del Fiasc 2019 750ml $99 special, 36 bottles availablePaolo Scavino Barolo Bric Del Fiasc 2019 1.5L $249 special, 4 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 98 Points “The 2019 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is the hallmark wine of the estate, and it shows. Taking on more concentration, it is pure and generous with kirsch, star anise, nutmeg, and menthol and moves impressively to the palate with ease and nobility. It offers fantastic depth while remaining true to the vintage and propels forward through an arch of acidity, while having grounded notes of Earl Grey tea, black cherry, and crushed stones as well as ripe tannins. Drink 2026-2046.” Paolo Scavino Barolo Monvigliero 2019 750ml $71.90 special, 18 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 94 Points “Coming from Verduno, the 2019 Barolo Monvigliero is nuanced with spices and floral elegance and is pure and ripe with raspberry liqueur, rose petal, peppercorn, and cedar. This medium-bodied red is svelte and refined while having good concentration and drive, with notes of pomegranate, orange zest, and dusty earth. Zesty and lifted, this will take another couple of years to open and mature into the graceful wine it is destined to become. Drink 2025-2040” Paolo Scavino Barolo Prapo 2019 750ml $75 special, 30 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 95 Points “Taking on a deeper profile, the 2019 Barolo Prapo exudes notes of kirsch, black licorice, polished leather, and lavender. Full-bodied and approachable, its refined, ripe tannins do well to accept the ripeness of the fruit that remains pure. It has a silkiness in its texture and fruit profile without losing structure and delivers notes of black tea, truffle, and blackberry as well as a long finish. Drink 2025-2045.” Paolo Scavino Barolo Ravera 2019 750ml $75 special, 36 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 95 Points “Aromatically more expressive and ripe with red flowers and fruits, the 2019 Barolo Ravera is more exuberant and open at this stage, with candied cherry, menthol, and sweet balsamic herbs. The palate takes a more savory and coiled stance at this youthful stage, with iron-rich earth, grenadine, and salted orange. Building tannins are in concert with a persistent spine of acidity that will need time to loosen its grip, but this is a fantastic wine to hold and drink 2026-2046.”
Arriving Late July
“Vietti”
Vietti Barolo Riserva 2015 750ml $149 special, 12 bottles availableVinous 94 Points “The 2015 Barolo Riserva is a new wine from Vietti conceived as a blend that changes every year, a sort of Riserva of the Castiglione, in that it is a Barolo made from the many lots Vietti has at their disposal. Exotic red fruit, blood orange, spice, leather and cedar are some of the aromas and flavors that emerge from the glass. The 2015 shows the aromatic complexity of a wine that has been in bottle for a few years, naturally it does not offer the singularity of the vineyard designates. I won’t be surprised if this bottling improves in future vintages as the direction becomes even more clearly defined.”
Newly Arrived
Washington
Secret Squirrel (Corliss) Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 $19 special, 36+ bottles availableSecrets revealed – Secret Squirrel is owned and operated by Michael and Lauri Corliss. Made by the crew at Corliss Estates, Tranche Cellars consistently delivers serious, impeccably made wines that over-deliver. Secret Squirrel wines are made from declassified Corliss and Tranche fruit with all estate fruit on all wines. The Secret Squirrel is heavily Red Mountain estate fruit (70%) and the remainder is from their Blue Mountain Estate vineyard in Walla Walla Valley.
Was a $30+ wine until good fortune came our way
France
“Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis”
These are textural, complex wines that evoke the white Burgundies of yesteryear, and they may confuse consumers habituated to the tart, brittle, processed wines that are often passed off as expressions of region’s ‘terroir.’ Their potential to develop in bottle and their capacity to pair with a thrilling variety of foods, however, make them fascinating, at least to this writer. Much of the production is sold to France’s best restaurants, but what reaches the export market is well worth seeking out.
-Wine Advocate
Italy
Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2019 – $34.50 special, 36 bottles availableJames Suckling 94 points ” This has a perfumed nose of wild cherries, strawberries, sandalwood, peppercorns, cloves, rosemary and truffles. Elegant and refined, with firm, fine tannins. Long and deliciously wild, with savory spice notes.” Jeb Dunnuck 93 points ” Aromatically more intense, the 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga is concentrated with candied raspberry, licorice, and menthol. This is true to the palate as well, with a core of cherry fruit, blood orange, and a lasting floral finish. It has a ripe and sunny feel, fine tannin structure, and a cleansing freshness of acidity. Although it is open and generous in its showing now, this will be worth holding onto for the next 8-10 years.” Decanter 92 points “At the southeastern limit of Chianti Classico, Fèlsina’s expansive vineyards look towards Montalcino. The annata is assembled from various parcels rising from 320 to 420 metres on rocky calcareous soil with layers of sandstone. As usual, it is more earthy than fruity, bringing in evocative accents of violet, liquorice and pepper. The palate is superbly textured with fine, grainy tannins providing a sensuous grip. Dark fruited and tangy with admirable depth, it will drink well now and over the next decade. Finishes with a sprinkle of cinnamon.”
 Close-out Sale – More Price Reductions
Roc Des Boutires Pouilly-Fuisse Bertilionne 2020 750ml WAS $61.90 NOW $49 special, 23 bottles availableImporter’s Note “In the village of Pouilly, in the middle of the Pouilly-Fuissé AOC lies Domaine du Roc des Boutires. The winery’s name draws on both terroir and tradition: its proximity with the Roche de Solutré, an emblem of the appellation and a testament to the extraordinary geologic richness of this vineyard; as well as the domaine’s settlement in the very heart of one of the best terroirs of the appellation —“Aux Bouthières.” In the ancient French vocabulary, a “boutière” was a secondary road that mule skinners used for the transportation of oils and wines in remote parts of the country. The Wine’s color can be described as vibrant straw with green-gold reflections. Complex aromas of citrus and orchard fruit, lemon, pear, peach and honey with layers of minerality and subtle oak. Classic and elegant.” Chateau Du Moulin-A-Vent Moulin-A-Vent 2019 750ml WAS $33 NOW $29 36+ bottles availableWine Enthusiast 93 Points “Cellar Selection. A selection of fruit from the three best parcels of the estate, this wine shows great ripeness, solid tannins and impressive berry fruits. It is developing into a fine wine that needs more aging. Drink from 2024.” Chateau Sissan Cadillac Cotes De Bordeaux 2020 750ml WAS $16 NOW $14 special, 36+ bottles availableChateau Sissan Cadillac Bordeaux 2020 Case of 12 750ml bottles WAS $169 NOW $149, 5 availableDecanter 93 Points “From a gravel-strewn vineyard undergoing organic conversion, Sissan’s 2020 release is intensely aromatic with the signature fine palate texture that keeps all of us coming back to Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux as a can’t-miss source for value in the overall category.” Chevalerie Bourgueil Diptyque 2018 750ml WAS $24 NOW $19 special, 19 bottles availableVinopolNote “The “bistro” wine of the bunch, easy-drinking with crushed berry notes. Serve lightly chilled with just about any food you can think of. Like all of the estate’s wines, this is farmed biodynamically.” Chevalerie Bourgueil Breteche 2015 750ml WAS $31.90 NOW $26, 27 bottles availableImporter Note “Bretêche is an old word referring to a window or entrance to a fortified building, often above a gate to enable defenders to rain arrows or what have you upon attackers. It can also refer to entrances and exits in general, and this particular vineyard grows on the edge of the Restigné commune, where a road comes in. Pierre Caslot planted his parcel between 1988 and 1992 after his wife inherited the rights to rent it from her family. They farm just over 13 acres here. The soils are young limestone and a little clay, and this makes for a long, more linear wine than Galichets or Chevalerie, one with evident stony aromatics, lift and focus given by the limestone.” Coche-Dury Hospices Cuvee Chaudron Pommard 2019 750ml WAS $899 NOW $799 special, 1 bottle availableImporter Note “Hospices de Civiles de Beaune is a former charitable almshouse founded in 1443 in the town of Beaune. It is now a modern hospital, with the original buildings serving as a museum. Since 1859, a charity wine auction has raised funds for the hospital with the wines produced being released under the Hospice’s umbrella label.” Burghound 90 points “An attractively fresh nose is comprised by notes of both red and dark currant, earth and a whiff of oak. The medium weight flavors possess reasonably good underlying tension and complexity though the finish, while reasonably persistent, is slightly drying. There are aspects to admire but it would be fair to say that the balance isn’t quite completely dialed in. In sum, this is good but not really distinguished.” Collotte Marsannay Le Clos De Jeu 2018 750ml WAS $33 NOW $29 special, 36+ bottles availableWeygandt-Metzler Importer Note “The Clos de Jeu Marsannay comes from several parcels of 50 year old vines from Clos de Jeu on soft limestone crinoidal soil. Aged in oak, 25% new, this wine is harmonious in its flavors and tannins.” Clos Des Fees Roussillon Villages 2015 750ml WAS $54.50 NOW $49 special, 12 bottles availableClos Des Fees Roussillon Villages 2015 750m Case of 6 750ml bottles WAS $299 NOW $279, 3 availableWine Advocate 96 Points “Eighteen months in new French oak barrels has given the 2015 Côtes du Roussillon Villages le Clos des Fées a certain tightness and discipline lacking in the Vieilles Vignes bottling. There’s still massive fruit and buried complexity, full body and rich tannins, but there’s also firmness of structure that shows the serious, age-worthy side of Bizeul’s winemaking. Vanilla and baking spices accent deep, dark cherries and plums, ending in a long, velvety finish.” Denis Chaput Noir de Jade Champagne Blanc de Noir Extra-Brut NV WAS $49 NOW $39 special, 24 bottles
Le Guide Hachette “Construit sur la récolte 2014, ce pur pinot noir or rose mêle au nez la mie de pain à des nuances délicates d’acacia et de pêche. La fleur miellée, le fruit et le coulis de fruits s’épanouissent dans une bouche équilibrée entre fraîcheur et rondeur, qui finit sur une touche mentholée. Du caractère et de l’élégance.” La Chablisienne Les Clos Chablis 2018 WAS $69 NOW $59 special, 21 bottles available Le Guide Hachette “The Chablis Grand Cru are complete wines, with strong personality, and never cease improving with age. These nectars with their elegant colour and strong nose are particularly racy on the palate, offering a gloriously long finish and a remarkable keeping potential.” La Chablisienne L’Homme Mort Chablis 2019 WAS $39 NOW $34.50 special, 30 bottles availableLe Guide Hachette “Pale gold in color, a limpid and brilliant wine. Initially fresh and deliciously floral on the nose, enhanced by a touch of minerality. Becomes more intense on aeration. Nicely fresh, taut and immediate in the mouth with fine precision. Long, finely mineral finish. A Chablis 1er Cru designed for keeping.”
USA
Cadence Bel Canto Red 2019 WAS $69 NOW $59 special, 18 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2019 Bel Canto is more Cabernet Franc-dominated and includes 17% Merlot. While it doesn’t match the 2018, it’s a beauty offering impressive redcurrant and spiced plum fruits, notes of spicy oak, dried flowers, and leafy herbs, medium to full body, a pure, seamless, gorgeous texture, and ultra-fine tannins. It’s just a stunning Cabernet Franc from Washington State that offers incredible pleasure today given its balance and texture yet will evolve for 20+ years. 290 cases.” Cayuse Impulsivo Tempranillo 2020 WAS $133 NOW $119 special, 28 bottles available
James Suckling 95+ points; Jeb Dunnuck 94+ points “Tight and closed, with notions of bloody blue fruits, iodine, rose petals, and cedarwood, the 2020 Impulsivo hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a nicely balanced, layered mouthfeel, and ripe tannins that emerge on the finish. I like its concentration, and its tannins are polished and beautifully integrated, but this is in need of a solid 4-5 years of bottle age to show its full potential. It should have 20-25 years of overall longevity when all is said and done.”
Germany
Clemens – Busch Marienberg Riesling Kabinett 2018 WAS $24 NOW $19 special, 36+ bottles availableJames Suckling 92+ points “Lightly smoky with some lemon pith and dried spices. There’s some light sweetness here, but it’s nicely balanced out by the edgy acidity. Taut and very precise on the finish. Drink now.” Vinous 91 points “White peach, apple, honeydew melon and lime are tinged with lemongrass and cilantro on the nose, and with nippy cress on an otherwise polished, lusciously fruited and subtly soothing palate. Nearly 60 grams of sugar manage to come off as entirely supportive, and the lingering finish both soothes and stimulates.” Wine Spectator 91 points “Shows yeasty notes at first, with accents of jasmine and hops, followed by electric acidity that fuels the green apple, lemon and nectarine flavors. Balanced and beautiful in terms of texture, exhibiting substance. Smoky details emerge on the well-defined finish.”
Italy
Carpineta Fontalpino Do Ut Des Tuscany 2016 WAS $59 NOW $49 special, 36+ bottles availableJames Suckling 95 points “The fruit here really takes your breath away with its intensity, as well as purity. Blackberry crumble, pressed violets, ink, iodine, charcoal, vanilla and resin. It’s the polish of the tannins that really makes this wine, carrying itself effortlessly over a shimmer of electric acidity to the long finish. Drink in 2023. Made from organically grown grapes.” Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Do Ut Des (a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a generous and expansive personality that hits the palate like a warm embrace from a favorite friend. This is a succulent and smooth red wine with thick layers of bold cherry, dried blackberry, leather, rose hip and scorched earth. In the mouth, the wine proceeds with medium- to full-bodied texture and elegantly contoured fruit flavors.” Wine Spectator 94 points “Sleek and focused, with black currant, black cherry, plum, iron and tobacco flavors coursing through from start to finish. Tightly wound and vibrant, this lingers with subtle licorice and spice elements. Shows fine harmony and length. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2036. 1,650 cases made, 200 cases imported. — BS” Caruso E Minini Pericone Sicily 2019 WAS $19 NOW $16 special, 36+ bottles available“The Perricone [grape], or the so-called pignatello, had been the undisputed leader of the red grapes in western Sicily. Rich with red fruits…Wine of great power and harmony while expressing…fresh and lively character” -Winery notes
SPECIAL FOR A WEEK – ELVIO COGNO!
Buy 6-11 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 12+ bottles for a 10% discount
SALE ENDS 6PM FRIDAY JULY 21ST
Elvio Cogno gained experience as wine-maker and partner at Marcarini, and in the middle 1990’s acquired the lands to support his own new venture. Cogno’s wines, now vinified by Valter Fissore, are amongst the highest caliber produced in Langhe. They are well-known and consistently well received by critics both in Europe and the United States. Antonio Galloni, founder of Vinous Media, states, “the truth is that all of the wines in the estate’s lineup are fabulous from top to bottom… Elvio Cogno (is) one of Barolo’s leading estates.” Elvio Cogno has been named “Winery of the Year” by Wine & Spirits Magazine for four of the past six years.
Elvio Cogno Barbera d’Alba Bricco di Merli 2020 750ML- $33 pre-discount, 36 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 92 points “Starting with its bright ruby color to its long-lasting finish, this is a classic Barbera. Aromas of bright tart cherries and wild raspberries mixed with fresh herbs and forest floor. The palate is electric with vibrant acidity, amazing texture and wild fresh plums mixed with deep earthy notes.” Wine Spectator 91 points “A supple, even creamy texture embraces the blackberry, plum and leather flavors in this concentrated red. Firms up, with well-meshed tannins flexing on the finish. Drink now through 2027. 830 cases made, 250 cases imported.” Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice 2015 750 ML- $99 pre-discount, 38 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. Enticing scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry and an earthy whiff of truffle shape the fragrant nose on this dazzling wine. The delicious, full-bodied palate boasts structure and a weightless elegance, delivering juicy Marasca cherry, cherry compote, cinnamon and star anise. Taut polished tannins and fresh acidity provide balance and an elegant structure. It’s already irresistible but will also age well for years. Drink 2022–2035.” Wine Advocate 96 points “The Elvio Cogno 2015 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice delivers the depth, richness and concentration that are a hallmark of this pretty vintage. This wine is a pure expression of the productive Lampia clone of Nebbiolo. Generous layers of blackberry, wild cherry, rose hip, ferrous earth and campfire ash are neatly folded together to build the wine’s intensity. Like the other wines from this estate, the tannic management is spot-on. You are aware of the wine’s youthful structure, but it is delivered without hard edges or sharp points. A mere 4,000 bottles were produced.” Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Barolo Bricco Pernice is an exotic, beguiling wine. Blood orange, mint, sweet red cherry, star anise and a range of spice notes give the Bricco Pernice striking aromatic and flavor complexity. Medium in body, refined and super-expressive, the 2015 has so much to offer. Best of all, it will drink well with just a few years in bottle. It is such an effortless, gracious wine. Very polished, nuanced and elegant, this silky Barolo has a ton of structure but is also impeccable in its balance.” Wine Spectator 95 points “Aromas of camphor and sweet pipe tobacco give way to cherry, tar and wild scrub flavors in this densely structured red, which is elegant and sinewy, with a lingering, chewy finish. Best from 2023 through 2045.” Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice 2017 750ML – $135 pre-discount, 18 bottles availableWine Advocate 95 points “This is a medium-bodied Nebbiolo from a hot vintage with a ruby-tinged appearance. The 2017 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice shows generous inner fiber and richness with dried cherry, blackberry, plum and dark spice. Fruit for this wine comes from a beautiful amphitheater of vines with the perched town of Novello high up on the skyline. I love the especially smooth and soft quality to what is a powerful and lasting wine. Only 3,500 bottles were made.” Elvio Cogno Barolo Cascina Nuova 2016 750ML- $54.50 pre-discount, 22 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 96 points “Rose, woodland berry and baking spice shape the nose along with crushed mint notes on this fragrant red. The savory, polished palate boasts succulent raspberry, ripe strawberry and white pepper before taut tannins and bright acidity reveal a firm, elegant structure. Star anise lingers on the finish. Drink 2023–2036.” Wine Advocate 94 points “Of the four Elvio Cogno Baroli out on the market now, this wine is the most immediate and accessible of the bunch. Production is an ample 20,000 bottles. The 2016 Barolo Cascina Nuova is a terrific wine with impeccable balance. The bouquet offers dark fruit aromas, licorice, smoke, tar and spice. These aromatic pieces slide together with precision to create an intriguing and multifaceted puzzle. It shows good fruit weight and concentration, reinforced by firm tannins, freshness and a silky mouthfeel. This is a terrific go-to Barolo from a classic vintage. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then ages for two years in botte grande made with Slavonian oak. “ Elvio Cogno Barolo Cascina Nuova 2018 750ML- $59 pre-discount, 36 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 94 points “Floral aromas of rose and iris mingle with red berry and tilled earth on this perfumed red. Elegantly structured, the vibrant palate offers juicy red cherry, crushed raspberry and star anise before a savory, almost salty finish. Taut, refined tannins and bright acidity keep it balanced. Drink through 2030.” Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Barolo Cascina Nuova is fine-tuned with plenty of wild berry, cassis, grilled herb and crushed stone. The aromas are quite classic for Nebbiolo, but what stands out here is the directness and freshness with which they are delivered. The tannins are tucked carefully inside the smooth, silky character of this elegant wine.” Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 2017 750ML- $94.50 pre-discount, 35 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2017 Barolo Ravera makes a statement with its intense aromas of licorice, kirsch, pipe tobacco, and spice. Revealing a balanced and chiseled structure, the palate conveys dried raspberry, blood orange, and dried herbs. A great wine from the 2017 vintage, it feels like it will hold up to the test of time. Drink 2024-2042” Wine Advocate 94 points “The Ravera cru is seeing renewed energy and interest, thanks to the hard work of the Elvio Cogno team. They believed in Novello from the very beginning, and today a wine like the 2017 Barolo Ravera shows special confidence and pride. This pretty Barolo made with a blend of Nebbiolo clones (Lampia and Michet) reveals a slow succession of aromas with dark cherry and blackberry. The results are lasting, contoured and beautifully focused, thanks to mineral notes of rusty iron or brick. Nuanced notes of licorice and campfire ash round off the finish.” Monica Larner Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 2018 750ML- $94.50 pre-discount, 18 bottles availableWine Advocate 94 points “The Elvio Cogno 2018 Barolo Ravera is becoming one of the most important wines in Novello, and it performs very nicely in this more challenging vintage. In fact, 2018 helps to cement Ravera’s steadfast reputation precisely because it performs so well despite spells of humidity and heat. The wine shows small-berry detailing with rust and crushed stone at the back. There is a point of bitterness that accompanies the tannins of this full-bodied wine.”
Collector’s Corner
Bordeaux: The Best of Both Banks
 Angelus Saint Emilion 2016 1.5L $899 special, 12+ bottles availableWine 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.” 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.” Chateau Belair Monange Saint-Emilion 2018 750ml $249 special, 11 bottles availableJames Suckling 99 Points “Very intense blackberries, black olives, blueberries and dried flowers. Stony minerality. Even some pine. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and ultra fine tannins that are intense and polished. The finish is so long and delivers so much flavor, from wet earth to blackberry again. Seamless palate. Try after 2026.” Chateau Canon St. Emilion 2015 750ml $349 special, 12+ bottles availableJames Suckling #1 Wine of the YearVinous 100 Points “From the very beginning, the 2015 Canon has made an eloquent case for itself as one of the wines of the vintage. Multiple tastings from bottle only confirm what several early tastings hinted at: the 2015 Canon is simply extraordinary in every way. Sumptuous and exotic, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 grabs hold of all the senses and never lets up. A rush of red fruit intermingled with floral notes, spice and smoke notes effortlessly runs up the wine’s vertical structure as the 2015 thrills with every twist and turn. The 2015 Canon is a rare wine that is both hedonistic and intellectual – well, maybe it is a bit more hedonistic-leaning. It doesn’t matter. Don’t miss it. This 2015 is masterpiece from General Manager Nicolas Auderbert and his team at Canon.” Chapelle D’ausone St Emilion 2009 750ml $249 special, 1 bottle availableJames Suckling 96 Points “This is always made with the young vines. Full-bodied, with super velvety tannins and gorgeous mineral, dark berry and spice character. Lovely velvet texture. Amazing quality for a second wine.” Cos D’estournel Saint Estephe 2016 750ml $299 special, 5 bottle availableWine 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.” 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.” Ducru Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2018 750ml $269 special, 4 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 100 Points, #6 Top 100 Cellar Selections in 2021 “Vintage 2018 was generous to the style of Ducru-Beaucaillou. The rich character of this wine is enhanced by the ripeness and concentration of the vintage, yet at the same time it keeps an amazing freshness. This will go down in the annals of this historic estate. It is not likely to approach drinkability before 2028. -Roger Voss” Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points “The Grand Vin 2018 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou checks in as 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was harvested at the end of September through October 10 and brought up all in new French oak. This is a gorgeous, incredibly complete, classic expression of this terroir, offering a heavenly nose of crème de cassis, cedarwood, unsmoked tobacco, new leather, spring flowers, chocolate, and a touch of chalky minerality. With full-bodied richness, a monster of a mid-palate, remarkable purity, and a great, great finish, it’s one of the most concentrated, impressive wines of the vintage, and might also be one of the longest lived. It actually reminds me of an improved version of the 1996 or a hypothetical mix of the 2010 and 2016. For the tech geeks out there, the IPT checks in at a massive 95 and the pH is 3.7.” Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 2010 750ml $1199 special, 1 bottle availableDecanter 100 Points “Smoked grilled tar on the nose, it feels both very 2010 and supremely Mouton – accomplished and confident. A more glamorous, enticing edge than the other Pauillac Firsts at this 10 year window. There are plentiful tannins but they are lined with air, and the overall feel is of plush, plumped fruits, like being rolled-up in luxurious sheets. It is very different in character to the other two Pauillac Firsts, but no less enjoyable. It feels higher in alcohol, more Cos than Lafite in terms of personality, in the way that Pichon Baron is more Latour than Comtesse, but it is nuanced and clever and surprising. Drinking Window 2025 – 2050.” Wine Spectator 99 Points “This remains the stunner, a battleship of a wine, brimming with cassis, blackberry and fig fruit that has melded together now, with the backdrop of alder, bay leaf and menthol starting to emerge a bit more. The long finish is loaded with grip, pulling the fruit and other components together. And then there’s that flash of iron at the very end. Awesome wine. Best from 2025 through 2060.” Chateau L’eglise-Clinet Pomerol 2014 750ml $239 special, 6 bottles availableVinous 94-97 Points “The 2014 L’Eglise Clinet is a real head-turner. Gorgeous, super-expressive aromatics meld into a core of dark, sumptuous fruit. Lavender, mint, violets, graphite and crème de cassis notes abound in a powerful, structured wine endowed with magnificent purity and a skyscraper-like sense of lift. Finesse and power collide in a crystalline Pomerol of exceptional beauty. Powerful and dense to the core, the 2014 is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage. The blend is 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.” Leoville Las Cases St Julien 2012 750ml $219 special, 3 bottles availableRobert Parker 93+ Points “The bigger sister or brother of Le Petit Lion, depending on your point of view, the 2012 Leoville Las Cases has gorgeous minerality, plenty of blueberry and blackcurrant fruit that is super-pure, an opaque ruby/purple color, medium body and firm structured, slightly austere personality. This wine is built for the long-term. A blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, it attained 13.5% alcohol, which is substantial for a 2012 Médoc. It has depth and richness, but also a boatload of tannin. Forget it for 8-10 years and drink over the following 15-20.” Pichon Lalande Pauillac 2016 750ml $319 special, 4 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 100 Points “Outer quote mark Coming from the genius winemaking talent of Nicolas Glumineau, the 2016 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande matches the 1982 and is a perfect, legendary wine in the making. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, and 4% Cabernet Franc brought up in 60% new oak, it’s not the most powerful Left Bank but offers perfect balance and thrilling intensity as well as heavenly aromatics of crème de cassis, leafy herbs, jammy blackberries, tobacco leaf, and freshly sharpened lead pencils as well as more violets and minerality with time in the glass. Possessing a deep, full-bodied, singular character, the purity of fruit that’s the hallmark of the vintage, building tannins, and a sense of class and elegance that’s hard to describe, it’s a 50-year-wine. While this cuvée has included a fair chunk of Merlot in the past that gave it more upfront appeal, it’s important for readers to know it’s much more Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated today, and while it is slightly more approachable than some of its neighbors, it shuts down rather quickly with time in the glass. (I followed this wine for multiple days.) I suspect a solid decade of cellaring is warranted.” Pichon Lalande Pauillac 2018 750ml $279 special, 12+ bottles available#2 Wine Spectator – Wine Of The Year In 2021Jeb Dunnuck 98+ Points “The 2018 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande is a monster of a wine with an almost Château Latour-like stature and structure, offering deep, backward, slightly reductive notes of blackcurrants, crushed stone, scorched earth, lead pencil shavings, and tobacco leaf. Based largely on Cabernet Sauvignon mixed with 23% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot, it’s full-bodied, concentrated, and powerful on the palate, with masses of tannins, beautiful mid-palate density, and a great finish. As I’ve commented previously, the up-front, sexy style of the past (due to the larger Merlot content, I believe) has been replaced by a more regal, at times austere profile. Nevertheless, it’s still its own wine and very Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in style. This 2018 is going to need 5-7 years of bottle age and will evolve for 40+ years.” Pichon Lalande Pauillac 2019 750ml $249 special, 5 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 99 Points “Pure class, the 2019 Château Pichon-Longueville Comtesse De Lalande is another brilliant wine from director Nicolas Glumineau that checks in at the top of the vintage. A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that was harvested from mid-September through October 8th. Brought up in roughly 60% new French oak, it hit 14.1% natural alcohol with a pH of 3.7. More elegant and poised from bottle than barrel, it offers a brilliant perfume of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, tobacco leaf, damp earth, and graphite. Deep, full-bodied, and pure perfection on the palate, it has this incredible marriage of Latour-like stature and regalness buffered by wonderful, sexy, seamless fruit, which no doubt comes from the higher Merlot content and makes Comtesse de Lalande so singular and unique. It builds slowly with time in the glass and has remarkable purity of fruit, ultra-fine tannins, perfect balance, and a finish that just begs you to pour another glass. It has a seductive, seamless profile that offers pleasure even today (although it needs lots of air to show at its best) yet needs 7-8 years of bottle age to hit the early stages of its prime drink window and will evolve for another 40-50 years if stored properly.” Trotanoy Pomerol 2018 750ml $399 special, 4 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 100 Points “Another heavenly Pomerol in the vintage, the 2018 Château Trotanoy checks in as 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc brought up in (I suspect) lots of new French oak (although it’s certainly not apparent). Revealing a dense purple hue as well as a smorgasbord-like bouquet of blackcurrants, dried flowers, cured meats, violets, tobacco, and chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a sexy, seductive texture, building yet sweet tannins, and just a rich, concentrated, yet flawless profile on the palate that’s already impossible to resist. Nevertheless, a good 7-8 years of bottle age are warranted, and this magical elixir is going to evolve for 40 years or more.”
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