In This Newsletter:ArrivalsEvesham Wood, Nicolas Jay, Woodward Canyon, Haut BagesWine Of The WeekVeuve Clicquot Grand Dame 2012New Accolades
Kruger-RumpfClose-Out SalesDiscounts on top Rieslings, Burgundies, and Sicilian wines
All Week Sale“L’Aventure” in SavingsCollector’s Corner
Big, Bold Bordeaux
 New ArrivalsUnited States
Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2022 750ml $24 special, 36 bottles availableWinery Notes “Although the Willamette Valley bottling is our least expensive and largest production bottling we put just as much of ourselves into it as our top cuvées. Vineyards such as Illahe (Mt. Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA) and Mahonia (Willamette Valley, in the Jory hills just south of Salem) that Evesham Wood has been working with for decades make up the bulk of the blend along with Eola-Amity Hills AVA sites: Prophet, Koosah, Jubilee, and Sojeau. Those grapes are fermented in small lots (1.25 ton, open-topped fermenters) and punched down twice a day. This vintage of the WV blend shows a bright nose with cherry, red apple, fresh flowers, and a touch of loam along with a textural creamy/silkiness component that’s balanced by juicy acid. Showing well now, watch this wine evolve over the next 3 months to 8-10 years.” Woodward Canyon Cabernet Franc 2020 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles availableOwen Bargreen 93 Points “The 2020 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc is a beautiful new wine by Woodward Canyon. Black and red florals combine with green herbs, blackberry and shades of roasted plum. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and serious length. Showing good weight, this is beautiful Cabernet Franc that will cellar well for another ten plus years.”
“Nicolas-Jay”
Built from the unlikely friendship that bloomed between an American Music Executive and a famous French Winemaker, Jean-Nicholas Meo of Meo-Camuzet and Jay Boberg, formerly of MCA and IRS Records, Nicolas-Jay is dedicated to producing organic, dry-farmed, old-vine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the spirit of Burgundy’s most esteemed Grand Crus. Nicolas Jay Affinites Chardonnay 2020 750ml $49 special, 8 bottles availableWine Enthusiast Editor’s Choice- Clarified butter, toast and spice aromas lead to a bright, lively, lemony palate. It’s completely captivating. Decant and pair with shrimp scampi with butter, lemon and fresh parsley. Nicolas Jay Affinites Chardonnay 2021 750ml $49 special, 11 bottles availableDecanter 94 Points “Whispers of lemon curd and fresh mint soften the brace of crisp green apples and limes in this spirited, salt-licked Chardonnay produced by Jean-Nicolas Méo of Méo-Camuzet fame, music mogul Jay Boberg, and the American winemaker Tracy Kendall. Vinified entirely in neautral French oak with ambient yeast, it’s full-bodied.” Nicolas Jay Bishop Creek Chardonnay 2018 750ml $79 special, 4 bottles availableTasting Note “The wine is still reserved aromatically, but shows a pale straw color in the glass and offers pear, pear skin, meyer lemon and wet stone on the nose. The palate is defined by minerality and a vibrant core of acidity. Some oak impact is still present in the wine, which contributes subtle flavors of vanilla and toast. Juicy pear and citrus persist through the lengthy finish. A young wine which will improve greatly with age.” Nicolas Jay Own Rooted Pinot Noir 2019 750ml $89 special, 6 bottles availableWine Spectator 94 Points “Floral and savory, this Pinot offers elegance and dimension, with cherry and pomegranate flavors that mingle with orange peel, fresh violet and dusky spice. Finishes with polished tannins. Drink now through 2030.”
Nicolas Jay Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2021 750ml $49 special, 34 bottles available
Winery Notes “A beautiful garnet color is the first indication of a dense, concentrated harvest. It’s stunning at first approach with red cherry, black tea and subtle splashes of toasted clove, spices and citrus aromas. The fruit is crunchy and wet at this early stage, but a core of cinnamon spice and light menthol arrive to inter-mingle with these cold-pressed red fruit elements as the wine begins to stretch out. Alert acidity on the front-end gives way to granite, medium-weight tannins.”
France
Langoa Barton St Julien 2019 750ml $69 special, 5 bottles availableJames Suckling 96 Points “Plenty of blackberry, currant and floral aromas. Some mint as well, following through to a full-bodied palate with layers of ultra-fine tannins and wonderful length. This is sophisticated and beautifully crafted with style and personality, displaying its terroir. Extremely well done.” Clos De Sarpe St Emilion 2015 750ml $89 special, 13 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 97+ Points “Showing even better now than on release, the 2015 Château Clos de Sarpe might be one of the greatest wines to ever emerge from this tiny vineyard just outside of Saint Emilion. Dense purple/plum-hued, with an enormous bouquet of blueberries, blackberries, white truffles, violets, and spring flowers, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, an incredible sense of opulence, and silky, polished tannins. It’s absorbed just about every trace of its oak élevage, and while it’s an incredible drink today, it’s going to evolve for 30+ years or more.” Chateau Le Crock Saint Estephe 2016 750ml $41.90 special, 24 bottles availableChateau Le Crock Saint Estephe 2016 Case of 12 750ml bottles $449 special, 2 bottles availableChateau Le Crock Saint Estephe 2016 Case of 6 750ml bottles $239 special, 2 bottles availableWine Enthusiast 94 Points “Cellar Sellection. Under the same management as Château Léoville-Poyferré in Saint-Julien, this estate belongs to the Cuvelier family. With its structured Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is made to age. Big tannins and concentrated fruits are full and dense.” Chateau Leoville Barton St Julien 2019 750ml $119 special, 22 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 97 Points – #7 TOP 100 “The flagship 2019 Château Léoville Barton is brilliant, showing both the style of the estate as well as the vintage beautifully. It’s never the biggest or richest wine, yet it has a classic, vibrant, structured style that ages beautifully. Pure cassis, black currants, scorched earth, new leather, and graphite are just some of its nuances, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a lively spine of acidity, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. This textbook Léoville Barton demands a decade of bottle age and will keep for 30-40 years.”
Chateau Goubau “La Source” Cotes De Castillon 2015 $18 special, 24 bottles availableChateau Goubau “La Source” Castillon 2015 Case of 6 bottles $99, 6 availableWinery note “The second wine of Chateau Goubau comes from the vineyard parcels facing south and south-west on the slopes bordering the domain’s natural source. Made from a blend of 95% Merlot grapes and 5% Cabernet Franc grapes, the wine is spicy and fresh with aromas of red fruits, plums and spice. On the palate the wine is crunchy and fruity with black fruit flavours and a touch of spice; the finish is lively and appealing. Drink now for next three years.”
Jaboulet Hermitage La Maison Bleu 2019 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 Points “Even richer, darker and more powerful than the 2018 version, the 2019 Hermitage La Maison Bleue offers up some lifted, minty notes to accent its potent cassis fruit. Dark, dense, and Port-like without being overly heavy or dense, this full-bodied effort is long, intense and concentrated, with softly dusty tannins on the finish.”
Italy
Rocca Di Castagnoli Gran Selezione Stielle 2016 $49 special, 17 bottles availableRocca Di Castagnoli Gran Selezione Stielle 2016 Case of 12 bottles $519 special, 2 cases availableRocca Di Castagnoli Gran Selezione Stielle 2016 Case of 6 bottles $279 special, 1 case availableVinous 95 Points “The 2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Stielle is a beautiful and distinctive wine, but it also needs time to come together. Sangiovese bristles with energy and cut as this nervy, tightly wound wine shows off its personality. The combination of a high altitude site and whole clusters in fermentation yields a Chianti Classico endowed with notable power and intensity.”
Arriving Tuesday
Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 750ml $21.90 special, 36 bottles available
95 Points Wine Spectator “Distinctive, succulent and wonderfully complex, offering stone fruit flavors on a rich, smooth and mouthwateringly juicy frame, with notes of honeysuckle, honey-preserved ginger, creamy lemon curd, ripe mango and flowers. Hints of spices linger on the long, expressive finish”
Re-Arrivals
Andre Clouet Brut Grande Reserve Nv 750ml $39 special, 36+ bottles available100% GRAND CRU BOUZY PINOT NOIR!Decanter 92 Points “[Reviewed 2021] Incredible value for a blanc de noirs (100% Pinot Noir) grower Champagne from the grand cru vineyards of Bouzy. It shows gorgeous aromas of stone fruit, citrus and strawberry, with complex brioche nuances, remarkable balance, ongoing elegance and a rich, refined, persistent finish.” Coe Cellars Mission Hill Sangiovese 2020 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles availableVinopolnote “Coe Cellars produces just one wine: a 100% Sangiovese Grosso (the specific clone used in Brunello Di Montalcino production) grown exclusively in the Mission Hill Vineyard in Walla Walla. Dedicated to making “as old world of a wine in the New World as possible,” Coe Cellars’ Sangiovese has a ripe cherry profile, with hints of savory dried herbs around the edges, lithe tannins, and a pleasantly tart finish. Blind fold us and we’d swear this is from Tuscany.” Paillard Parcelles Bouzy Grand Cru Extra Brut $47.50 special, 36 bottles availableNot yet reviewed; 2017 base (XVII) version rated 92 points by William Kelley (Wine Advocate): “Disgorged in July 2021 with one gram per liter dosage… based on the 2017 vintage. Offering up aromas of lemon oil, nectarine, freshly baked bread and hints of honeycomb, it’s medium to full-bodied, deep and vinous, with a layered core of fruit, racy acids and a saline, bone-dry finish. Complemented by an elegant pinpoint mousse, this is a classy, impeccably balanced wine that transcends the challenging vintage. Produttori Del Barbaresco Don Fiorino Rsva 2016 $169 special, 4 bottles availableKerin O’keefe 98 Points “A new edition to the winery’s already impressive lineup, the gorgeous Produttori del Barbaresco 2016 Don Fiorino Riserva stuns with its impeccable class, structure and youthful tension. Made with 50% grapes from the Produttori’s nine famous crus and 50% from other top sites (Basarin, Cottà, Cole, Fasèt and San Cristoforo), it boasts aromas and flavors of ripe raspberry, star anise, cake spice and almost salty mineral notes. An ode to the the parish priest who united 19 growers in 1958 and created the Produttori del Barbaresco cooperative, it’s linear, precise and still youthfully austere. Aged for thirty months in 15hl French casks, it’s extremely well balanced, with firm, refined tannins and fresh acidity.”
Wine of the Week
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Yayoi Kusama 2012 750ml $189 special, 12 bottles available(Yayoi Kusama Limited Edition)Wine Enthusiast “#3 Wine Of The Year (2020) – With a slight preponderance of Pinot Noir in the blend, this wine is rich and impressive. It is still young, with a crisp edge that makes the fruit shine. Apple and citrus flavors are integrated into a mineral vein.” Decanter 96 Points “A generous golden colour betrays the dominance of Pinot Noir in the blend; this theme thereafter maintained by aromatics of fig, wild strawberries and Mirabelle plums; behind that, jasmine, red apples and a distant whiff of woodsmoke. Engaging already, in other words. One’s impressions are confirmed and amplified on the palate, with the aspiration voiced by both chef de caves Dominique and Didier, to allow the ‘cooler’ Pinot Noir sites full rein. This is eloquently evidenced by a subtle and deftly textured structure, the primary fruit notes of nectarine and citrus peel underscored by a richer, still somewhat reticent, core, darker and more savoury of intent and oh, so subtle at the moment. I have every confidence that this characteristic will come into its own over the longer term and mark the 2012 as one of the more successful outings for this outstanding cuvée. Drinking Window 2020 – 2036.”
Recently Reviewed
Kruger-Rumpf Munsterer Rheinberg Riesling Kabinett 2018 750ml $16 special, 17 bottles availableGrapelive 92 Points “One of my favorites, Kruger-Rumpf’s Münsterer Rheinberg Kabinett is an excellent value and offering with subtle fruit sweetness and loads of mineral driven personality, which is all here in this 2018 vintage that is developing nicely, showing flinty stony character, a hint of diesel and rounded white orchard fruits. This pale gold Kabinett starts with crisp citrus, peach and green apple on the lighter and brighter framed medium bodied palate with zesty acidity that helps hide overt sweetness and gives the impression of a drier style, while still having a certain fleshy mouth feel, making it refreshing and flexible with a range of cuisine choices, it goes nicely indeed with spicy and or briny dishes. I last visited Georg Rumpf and the winery at harvest time in 2016, when I was able to see most of his vineyard sites, that are farmed with sustainable and organic methods, including the area where this Münsterer Rheinberg comes from, it’s pretty close to where the Nahe flows into the mighty Rhein River. Georg has really done an amazing job with these Kruger-Rumpf wines and there’s sublime array of top notch Rieslings to chose from here, with his classic Kabinett and Spatlese being exceptional examples, as well as his set of GGs and Erste Lage single vineyard Trockens, that are outstanding, with the Dautenpflänzer Grosses Gewächs and the Abtei Erstes Gewächs being my absolute favorites.”
Also Featured
Kruger-Rumpf Dautenpflanzer Riesling GG 2021 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles availableMosel Fine Wines 91 Points “The 2021er Dautenpflänzer Riesling GG, as it is referred to on the consumer label, has a delicately ripe and aromatic nose of lily flowers, canned yellow peach, William’s pear, orange blossom, may tree, violet, and a dash of litchi. The wine is playful and zesty on the palate, where fresh flavors of orchard fruits make for a very attractive side. The finish is long and bone-dry in taste, with a hint of tartness in need of integration. This fruit-driven and aromatic dry wine will please lovers of the style. 2024-2031” Kruger-Rumpf Abtei “1937” Riesling (Reserve) 2018 750ml $36 special, 36+ bottles availableGrapelive 94-96 Points “The 2018 barrel sample of Kruger-Rumpf’s Abtei 1937 was stunningly gorgeous with brilliant details, ripe extract density, vivid mineral tones and vibrant acidity showing a purity and vitality of youth, but with the complexity and length of its old vine material. Georg Rumpf has crafted a Trocken beauty here with layers of delicacy and substance. You will not be disappointed, I know I will be hustling to get some myself. The regular Abtei offering is one of my new favorite Nahe Rieslings and while I love all the latest Kruger-Rumpf wines, especially from the Grosse Lage: Münsterer Dautenpflänzer, Münsterer im Pitterberg and Dorsheimer Burgberg, as well as exotic Rumpf’s Scheurebe plus their off dry Kabinett, Feinherb and wonderfully balanced Spatlese(s) I have become obsessed with the Bingerbrücker Abtei im Ruppertsberg vineyard and wines. This ’18 starts with subtle aromatic charm with orange blossom, rosewater, flinty stones, salt lick and quinces before thrilling the palate with energy and white peach, tangerine, lime intensity, verbena, mint tea and tart green apple. This light/medium dry Riesling is brisk and racy, at first but gains depth and builds with air in the glass adding some leesy texture, it is totally thrilling and will only get better with bottle age. Terry Theise adds that, Kuger-Rumpf’s vineyards are farmed sustainably; bees are kept nearby to facilitate pollination and aid in overall bio-diversity. Periodically sheep are allowed to roam the vines helping to control underbrush. All vineyards are hand harvested to ensure that only optimally ripe grapes are selected. Stefan believed that “you can’t improve wine in the cellar, only make it worse…” and Georg has Kruger-Rumpf Abtei “1937” Riesling (Reserve) 2020 750ml $39 special, 5 bottles availableJames Suckling 97 Points “A truly unique wine that has the most beautiful golden nose that is fruity, but so much more than that. So many wild herb and flower nuances. Stunning concentration, combined with a feeling of weightlessness. Super-mineral finish that dances over the palate and off into the far distance. Drink or hold.” Kruger-Rumpf Abtei “1937” Riesling (Reserve) 2021 750ml $41.90 special, 24 bottles availableWine Advocate 93 Points “The 2021 Bingerbrücker Abtei Rupertsberg “1937” Riesling trocken shows a deep, clear, refined and elegant, complex and predominantly stony bouquet with notes of fresh lemon juice and some herbal nuances. Mouthfilling, round and vital on the palate, with crystalline and savory acidity, this is a silky, supple and fruit-intense but always elegant and refined dry Riesling from vines planted in 1937. The 2021 reveals a palatable phenolic structure and currently lacks some charm, but its stimulating lemon notes and saline vitality are highly promising. 12% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in October 2022.”
Close-out Sale – Price Reductions
Germany
Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Spatlese 2018 750ml WAS $45 NOW $38 special, 36+ bottles availableDecanter 95 Points “The 1.1ha vineyard of Brücke is a monopole of the estate. The vines are planted in loess loam soils over a slate bedrock, and its sheltered location down by the river is perfect for producing spätlese. The 2018 has a ripe green apple character on the nose, joined by notes of white flowers and a touch of honey. The palate is incredibly intense and limey, sweet yet elegant and balanced. It almost appears to be drier than the Leistenberg Kabinett at this early stage, such is its impeccable harmony, absorbing its 85g/l of residual sugar effortlessly. Snap this up when you can, but don’t touch it for a good six years or more. Barrel sample.” Muller-Catoir Burgergarten Im Breumel GG 2018 WAS $49 NOW $39 special, 36+ bottles availableJames Suckling 97 Points “Very floral with pretty herbal undertones, ranging from coriander to dill to mint. The flowers range from jasmine to honeysuckle to almond blossom. Understated and elegant from the outset. The palate has a very chalky feel to the texture with overlapping, firm lines of acidity and dainty citrus fruit. Immaculately ironed-out edges and well-defined, linear crease. Drink now or hold.” Muller-Catoir Burgergarten Riesling Trocken 2018 WAS $33 NOW $28 special, 36+ bottles availableWine Advocate 90+ Points “The 2018 Riesling Bürgergarten “VDP. Erste Lage” needed three bottles to convince me until it opened clear, pure and intense, with crushed stones and fresh ginger aromas on the nose. Pure, fresh and bright on the palate, this is a lithe, lush and salty dry Riesling with refreshing mineral grip and tension on the finish. Tasted in Haardt, December 2019.” Muller-Catoir Burgergarten Riesling Spatlese 2018 WAS $33 NOW $28 special, 36+ bottles availableStuart Pigott 94 Points “Crushed dill and coriander meet with bright citrus, loquats and pears. Only off-dry and very balanced with a well-judged component of acidity doing wonders for the mineral, expressive finish. Dialed-in and beautiful to drink now, but better to cellar for a decade. Drink now.” Muller-Catoir Mandelgarten Riesling Trocken 2018 750ml WAS $33 NOW $28 special, 36+ bottles availableWine Advocate 91+ Points “The 2018 Riesling (Gimmeldinger) Mandelgarten “VDP. Erste Lage” is pure, fresh and fine but also ripe and aromatic on the nose. The palate is pure, fresh and straight, less juicy now than the 2017 but nuanced and stimulating due to an earlier harvest. Stimulatingly salty and piquant on the finish.”
France
Denis Chaput Noir de Jade Champagne Blanc de Noir Extra-Brut NV WAS $49 NOW $39 special, 24 bottles
Le Guide Hachette “Built from the 2014 harvest, this pure pink gold Pinot Noir blends breadcrumbs with delicate nuances of acacia and peach on the nose. The honeyed flower, the fruit and the fruit coulis blossom in a mouth balanced between freshness and roundness, which ends on a minty touch. Character and elegance.” 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, 12 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, 26 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.”
All Week SaleL’Aventure
In 1996 the respected Bordeaux winemaker Stephan Asseo wanted to break out of a creative rut and moved his family to California. Now in Paso Robles, about as far west as he could possibly move he began mixing Bordeaux and Rhone varietals, aging wines in clay amphora as well as oak barrels, and many new adventures that strict French winemaking regulations had prevented in the past. His new project became a runaway hit with collectors and was quickly followed by accolades from top wine reviewers.
Buy 3-5 bottles for a 5% discount
Buy 6+ bottles for a 10% discount
L’Aventure Estate Cuvee Paso Robles 2019 750ml $119 special, 20 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 100 Points “Pure perfection from Paso Robles […] Incredible cassis and black berry fruits as well as violets, chocolate, graphite, and who knows what else emerges from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a concentrated yet weightless mouthfeel, building tannins, and a great finish. It’s more seamless and approachable than the more backward, structured 2018 and will have two decades of prime drinking.” L’Aventure Estate Cuvee Paso Robles Red 2020 750ml $119 special, 12 bottles availableWine Advocate 99 Points “Deep ruby-purple, it has a pure core of cassis and slowly unfolding accents of licorice, cured meats, tobacco leaves, cedar and truffle. Full-bodied, juicy and alluring, it floods the mouth with layers of blue fruit, floral perfume and spice. It is supported by powdery tannins and boasts a tremendously long, detailed finish.” L’Aventure Cote A Cote Paso Robles Red 2020 750ml $109 special, 12 bottles availableWine Advocate 98 Points “The 2020 Côte a Côte is a beautiful blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre and one of the most successful wines I tasted from the challenging 2020 vintage. Deep ruby-purple, it offers pure aromas of blackcurrant, boysenberry, tar and pipe tobacco, continually unfolding with each return to the glass. The full-bodied palate offers wave after wave of perfumed fruit and tremendous spicy accents. It’s powerful yet harmoniously structured with powdery tannins and seamless acidity, and it offers a very long, detailed finish.”
SALE ENDS @6PM FRIDAY
Collector’s CornerBig, Bold Bordeaux
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.” Pichon Baron Pauillac 2019 750ml $199 special, 14 bottles availableWine Advocate 97-100 Points “Very deep purple-black in color, the nose skyrockets from the glass with vibrant scents of freshly crushed blackberries, black raspberries and blackcurrant pastilles followed by perfumed sparks of fragrant earth, clove oil, lilacs, crushed rocks, molten chocolate and cinnamon toast. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with layer upon layer of black fruit, mineral and exotic spices, framed by beautifully ripe, finely-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with a lingering soft-spoken whisper of floral and earth notions. This is an absolutely beguiling expression that is classic Pauillac, and yet it is Pauillac like no other.”Chateau Leoville Barton St Julien 2019 750ml $119 special, 19 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 97 Points – #7 TOP 100 “The flagship 2019 Château Léoville Barton is brilliant, showing both the style of the estate as well as the vintage beautifully. It’s never the biggest or richest wine, yet it has a classic, vibrant, structured style that ages beautifully. Pure cassis, black currants, scorched earth, new leather, and graphite are just some of its nuances, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a lively spine of acidity, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. This textbook Léoville Barton demands a decade of bottle age and will keep for 30-40 years.” 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.” Larcis Ducasse Saint Emilion 2016 750ml $119 special, 6 bottles availableJames Suckling 99 Points- #7 James Suckling’s Top 100 Wines of 2019- “The aromas here are so spellbinding with shitake mushrooms, wet earth and moss, as well as tree bark and, finally, dark fruit. The palate is incredible as it builds and grows with full body, but always tight and reserved. It shows so much depth and complexity. Please try not to touch this until 2025” Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere St Emilion 2019 750ml $89 special, 6 bottles availableVinous 97 Points “The 2019 Canon La Gaffelière is utterly fabulous. All the elements come together in a Saint-Émilion that dazzles with its completeness and total sense of balance. Raspberry jam, blood orange, spice, lavender and dried flowers infuse the 2019 with captivating nuance. La Gaffelière is a rich, potent wine that exudes class and pedigree right out of the gate. In a word: superb.” Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points “The 2019 Château Canon-La-Gaffelière is another brilliantly perfumed wine in the vintage that shines for its complexity, finesse, and nuances. Giving up awesome notes of red and black currants, tobacco, exotic flowers, cedarwood, and loamy earth, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, beautifully polished, integrated tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is serious juice that warrants at least 4-5 years of bottle age and will evolve for 30 to 40 years.” Chateau Leoville Barton St Julien 2019 750ml $119 special, 19 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 97 Points – #7 TOP 100 – “The flagship 2019 Château Léoville Barton is brilliant, showing both the style of the estate as well as the vintage beautifully. It’s never the biggest or richest wine, yet it has a classic, vibrant, structured style that ages beautifully. Pure cassis, black currants, scorched earth, new leather, and graphite are just some of its nuances, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a lively spine of acidity, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. This textbook Léoville Barton demands a decade of bottle age and will keep for 30-40 years.” Pichon Baron Pauillac 2019 750ml $199 special, 14 bottles availableInside Bordeaux 98 Points “Highest proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon on record, a reflection of how exceptionally well this grape did in 2019. The aromatics are all-enveloping, powerful and nuanced and totally delicious, drawing you in and refusing to let go. Slate, pencil lead, cassis, damson, layer upon layer of brilliance, if not quite the over-aweing concentration and enveloping character of the 2016. 80% new oak.” Wine Advocate 97-100 Points “Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with layer upon layer of black fruit, mineral and exotic spices, framed by beautifully ripe, finely-grained tannins and tons of freshness, finishing with a lingering soft-spoken whisper of floral and earth notions. This is an absolutely beguiling expression that is classic Pauillac, and yet it is Pauillac like no other.” Pichon Lalande Pauillac 2019 750ml $249 special, 17 bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 99 Points “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.”
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