August 12th Newsletter

August 12th, 2013 Newsletter

Jump Start Sale
Wines arriving Wednesday:

Amuse Bouche Proprietary Red Napa 2009 ($299.95) $149 jump start special
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Amuse Bouche is laced with freshly cut flowers, sweet spices and expressive red berries. Today, I find the 2009 beautifully expressive, with gorgeous aromatics, layers of fruit and lovely overall balance. This is a decidedly feminine, refined style, but it all works nicely. Layers of fruit continue to blossom through to the structured, powerful finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.”

Au Sommet Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak Napa 2009 ($299.95) $149 jump start special
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Au Sommet is a bit lighter on its feet than the 2008. Sweet, silky tannins frame the fruit. Unlike the 2008, the 2009 is not particularly wild or exotic. Instead, it is a wine that stands out for its textural finesse and understated personality. This mid-weight, gracious Cabernet Sauvignon should be cellared for another year or two and enjoyed over the following decade. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024”

USA
Ken Wright Cellars Chardonnay Celilo Vineyard 2010 ($31.95) $26 special
Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2011 ($24.95) $21.90 special

Foxglove (Varner) Chardonnay Central Coast 2011 ($14.95) $11.90 special
“I was blown away by the two wines I tasted from Foxglove, Bob and Jim Varner’s negociant label. The Varners clearly have the magic touch. These are among the finest values readers will find anywhere in the world.” Pierre Rovani

FRANCE
R.H. Coutier Champagne Brut Tradition Ambonnay Grand Cru 375ml ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Bright and crisp, with crunchy green apple and pear, anise, chalky mineral and lemon curd flavors that are focused by firm acidity. The finish is fresh, with a light grain to the texture. Drink now through 2016.”

Ulysse Collin Champagne Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Pierrieres (NV) 2009 ($79.95) $69 special
Ulysse Collin Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Roises (NV) 2009 ($99.95) $89 special
Ulysse Collin Champagne Extra-Brut Blanc Noir Maillon (NV) 2009 ($99.95) $79 special
An Anselme Selosse protégé, with a well-deserved following of his own.  No reviews yet on these new releases, look for these to be somewhat lusher than there very well rated 2008 counterparts.

Chandon de Briailles Corton Blanc 2010 ($119.95) $99 special
John Gilman 94+ Points “The 2010 Corton Blanc from Chandon de Briailles is an utterly classic vintage for this fine wine. The nose offers up a lovely mélange of pear, tangerine, lemon, chalky soil tones, smoke and spring flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very refined on the attack, with a beautiful core of silky fruit, laser-like focus, bright, zesty acids and outstanding length and grip on the very pure, dancing and seamless finish. A beautiful, beautiful bottle of wine.” Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Pale golden-yellow color.  Highly perfumed scents of peach, lemon peel, licorice, ginger, nutmeg, aromatic herbs, licorice and mint.  Dense and tactile on entry, they nicely sweet in the middle, with strong flavors of minerals, botanical herbs and mint.  Quite powerful on the end, even a bit youthfully aggressive, with multidimensional finishing flavors of talc, citrus zest, brown spices and salty minerality.  Outstanding soil-driven wine in the making, from vines that average about 30 years of age.”

Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses Les Vergelesses 2010 ($44.95) $37 special
Burghound 90 points “A very pretty, indeed perfumed nose combines both red and dark berry fruit with plenty of earth nuances as well as a background hint of wet stone. There is fine complexity to the rich and voluminous flavors that also possess excellent cut and plenty of underlying tension before terminating in a firm, linear and moderately austere finish. This will need time to flesh out as it’s decidedly compact today.”

Chandon de Briailles Corton Marechaudes 2010 ($99.95) $88 special
Burghound 92 Points “This is quite ripe with its earthy and distinctly sauvage nose of dark berry fruit, plum and violet aromas. There is excellent volume to the very rich and textured large-scaled flavors that possess an impressively persistent, complex, velvety and mouth coating finish. This is well-balanced and harmonious and frankly better than what I usually find with this wine, which is typically very good but rarely truly distinguished. I would go so far as to say that 2010 is the best vintage for this wine that I have seen since the 1990.”

Chandon de Briailles Corton Bressandes 2010 ($119.95) $91.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 94 Points “Moderately saturated medium red.  Initially smelled like a white wine, with its wild mint and citrus peel scents, then opened to reveal cherry, raspberry and red licorice.  Densely packed and utterly seamless, with a restrained sweetness and excellent energy to the tactile, lightly saline middle palate.  Conveys a strong impression of solidity without any excess weight.  With its perfectly integrated acidity, this grand cru really stimulates the taste buds on the superb, rising finish.  Should age a long time.” John Gilman 95 points “The 2010 Corton “Bressandes” here is a beautiful wine in the making. The wine was made with sixty percent whole clusters in this vintage. The deep and utterly brilliant nose soars from the glass in a blaze of red plums, currants, strawberries, a touch of cinnamon, a magically complex base of soil, orange zest and a gentle topnote of smokiness. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and stunningly pure on the attack, with a sappy core of fruit, superb transparency, plenty of fine-grained tannins and outstanding length and grip on the young seamless and stony finish. A beautiful bottle of Corton.”

Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Rouge 2010 ($349.95) $299 special
Robert Parker 99 points “From the warmest site of these three vineyards, the 2010 Ermitage Le Meal has sweet creme de cassis, blackberry, bacon fat and a meaty, bloody steak component to its richness. It has good acidity, but is clearly the most voluptuous and succulent of this quartet of monumental wines from one of the greatest appellations for wine in the world, Hermitage. This wine needs a good decade of cellaring and should continue to evolve for 40-50+ years.”

Mas de Boislauzon Cotes du Rhone Villages 2011 ($19.95) $16 special
Domaine les Ondines Cotes du Rhone la Buissonade 2010 ($11.95) $9.90 special
The Buissonade vineyard is only two miles from Vacqueyras. 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, this wine is dark but not heavy, and very expressive of the region’s signature ‘garrigue’ scents and flavors

Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape 2011 ($37.95) $29 special
Stephen Tanzer  “Bright violet color.  Wild aromas of blackberry, cherry pit, dried herbs and smoked meat.  Juicy and tightly wound, offering chewy dark fruit flavors that show a vaguely rude quality.  Dusty tannins add grip to a focused, smoky finish, which sustains the meaty note.”

Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Baron 2011 ($39.95) $30.90 special
Stephen Tanzer “Vivid ruby.  Showing the same wild, slightly feral character as the previous wine, with scents and flavors of dried red fruits, game and smoky herbs.  Finishes on a note of bitter cherry, with firm grip and lingering smokiness.”

Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2012 750ml ($44.95) $37 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Light, bright orange-pink.  Complex scents of fresh red berries, nectarine and orange zest, with a sexy floral overtone.  Silky and expansive on the palate, offering juicy cherry and pit fruit flavors and an exotic touch of honey.  A dusty mineral quality adds bite and lift to the strikingly long, chewy, floral back end.”

Chateau Aney Haut-Medoc 2010 ($29.95) $24 special
Chateau Aney Haut-Medoc 1995 500ml ($24.95) $21.90 special
Classically shaped Bordeaux reminiscent of wines from the ‘60’s and ’70’s.

Chateau Leoville-Poyferre Saint Julien 2010 375ml ($139.95) $119 special
Robert Parker 98+ points “The wine out distances both Leoville Las Cases and Leoville Barton, but all three of them are compelling efforts. Full-bodied, dense purple in color, with floral notes intermixed with blackberries, cassis, graphite and spring flowers, this full-bodied, legendary effort is long and opulent, with wonderfully abundant yet sweet tannin, a skyscraper-like mid-palate and a thrilling, nearly one-minute finish. This spectacular effort from Poyferre that should drink well for 30+ years.”

Le Dome Saint Emilion 2010 ($299.95) $269 special
Robert Parker 100 points “A full-bodied wine, but ethereal in its elegance and finesse, the wine has a strikingly provocative bouquet of camphor, blueberry jam, violets, new saddle leather, white chocolate and spice. Extremely full-bodied, but again, not showing any weighty fatigue or any type of aggressiveness, this wine has extraordinary purity and richness as well as a blockbuster finish of close to a minute, yet is so flawless, seamless and compelling, it’s hard to believe the wine is this concentrated and rich. It will be interesting to see how it evolves, but it certainly can be drunk in 3-4 years and, I’m sure, cellared for as long as 25-35 years from now.”

Domaine des Forges Savennieres Roche aux Moines 2011 ($24.95) $21.90 special

Domaine JM Raffault Chinon Les Picasses Rouge 2010 ($19.95) $16 special
Domaine JM Raffault Chinon Clos de l’Hospice Rouge 2011 ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Spectator 90 Points “Well-defined, showing solid depth for the vintage, this features a bright chalky frame that carries the mouthwatering bitter cherry, black currant, savory and olive notes. The chalky edge adds length on the finish. Drink now through 2016.”

Domaine Olga Raffault Chinon Rouge Les Picasses 1989 ($59.95) $51.90 special
Recent release from the amazing cellar selections of O. Raffault.

Bernard Baudry Chinon Rose 2012 ($21.95) $18 special
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Pale orange color.  Bright, mineral-driven aromas of strawberry and citrus pith, with a sexy floral topnote.  Dry, incisive red fruit flavors show good concentration and pick up a spicy nuance with air.  In a graceful, nervy style, finishing with strong cut and impressive persistence.”

ITALY
Vaona Valpolicella Classico 2012 ($14.95) $11.95 special Vinopolpick
Very nice. Mid-weight, fresh, bright.  In summer, try one chilled down to around 50 degrees.

Feudo di San Maurizio Saro Djablo Valle d’Aosta 2010 ($34.95) $28 special
A blend of Barbera, Freisa, Ciliegiolo, Dolcetto, Gamay, Petit Rouge, Fumin, Premetta – coming from 7 different steeply sloped vineyard sites comprised of vines between 35-65 years of age, each situated at the high altitude of around 2000 feet above sea-level.

Vigneti Massa ‘Derthona’ Timarosso Colli Tortonese Piedmont 2010 ($27.95) $21.90 special
Timarosso Bianco was a popular grape variety in northwestern Italy until the advent of phylloxera, when it virtually disappeared. It was brought back to the fold by Walter Massa, who makes wines in the eastern province of Alessandria (Piedmont). The grape is of ancient origins and produces tiny yields but of intense concentration. It holds more body than the Cortese grape, which is the top white grape in a region where red grapes prevail. It also has pronounced mineral characters that you do not find in other Piedmont whites. It is distinct and in a class of its own. The name Derthona is the ancient name of the city of Tortona. This wine features inviting, fresh and expressive aromas of peach skin and yellow fruits, and delicate touches of dried herbs, white florals, and mineral nuances. Roundness is juxtaposed by nervous acidity and some serious spice and mineral strength at the finish. This wine sees no oak however the extended lees contact provides the unexpected creaminess.

Antoniolo Bricco Lorella Coste della Sesia Nebbiolo Rosato Gattinara 2012 ($19.95) $16 special

Nada Fiorenzo Nebbiolo Langhe 2011 ($21.95) $18 special Vinopolpick
From a Barbaresco Vineyard, and in fact an early release Barbaresco . That is, the same grapes vinification as Nada’s Barbaresco, without the requisite aging.

Sottimano Barbaresco Riserva 2008 ($99.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva is pure silk and elegance from start to finish. Violets, flowers and sweet Pinot-like fruit meld together in this sensual, mid-weight Barbaresco. The 2008 boasts striking inner perfume, great textural richness and fabulous depth, all backed by silky, polished tannins. It is as impressive in bottle as the separate components were when I tasted them from barrel as young wines. Sottimano’s Riserva is an old-vines bottling from Cotta and Pajore. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028”

Fattoria Petrolo Il Torrione Toscana IGT 2009 ($39.95) $28 super special
James Suckling 94 points “Aromas of lightly stewed fruit, with hints of fresh herbs and spices. Full bodied, with soft tannins and a fruity finish. This is balanced and long, with a caressing finish. Best ever. Mostly Sangiovese, with a hint of Merlot. Better after 2013”

SPAIN
Bodegas Hidalgo Gitana Manzanilla Jerez La Gitana NV 500ml ($19.95) $14 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Bright, with saline, sunchoke and blanched almond notes backed by a piercing, chalk-framed finish. This is all precision and cut. Drink now.”

Bodegas Hidalgo Gitana Manzanilla Pasada Jerez Pastrana NV ($31.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Dried lemon peel, fennel seed, salted almond and citrus oil notes course along here, featuring crunchy acidity through the finish, with a briny energy. Drink now.”

Bodegas Hidalgo Gitana Palo Cortado Jerez Wellington 20 Years V.O.S. NV ($49.95) $38 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “A clean, racy style, with almond and hazelnut husk notes backed by toasted corn, walnut and singed sandalwood accents. A touch of dried persimmon echoes on the very dry finish. Drink now.”

Valdespino Fino Jerez Inocente NV 750ml ($21.95) $17 special
Valdespino Fino Jerez Inocente NV 375ml ($14.95) $10.90 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “High-pitched, featuring talc, chamomile, chalk and jicama notes, followed by a pure, stone-tinged finish. Very graceful, lacy and long. Drink now.”

Valdespino Amontillado Jerez Tio Diego Single Vineyard NV ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Smoky and taut, featuring date, dried orange peel, clove, singed sandalwood and salted caramel notes. The dry, nervy finish has lots of tension. Begs for salted almonds. Drink now.”

Valdespino Pedro Ximénez Jerez El Candado NV 375ml ($15.95) $11.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Offers layers of  macerated date, ganache, warm caraway, buckwheat  honey and chocolate-covered orange peel notes, with a deep, intense finish that lets a wonderfully smoky hint curl through. The power is obvious, the range and definition  more subtle. Drink now.”

Andre Neveu  Sancerre Rosé Les Grands Fricambaults 2012 ($27.95) $20.90 special
Saignee of Pinot Noir, juicy and bright.

Andre Neveu Sancerre Blanc  Les Grands Fricambaults Silex 2012 ($27.95) $21.90 special
A terroir composed exclusively of silex. Vinification is carried out in temperature controlled inox tanks. Dry and fruity, it shows mineral typicity, and its particular “gun flint” taste over several years.

Andre Neveu  Sancerre Blanc  Les Longues Fins 2012 ($29.95) $24 special
From a chalky soil, this one has the body and mineral nature of a Chablis.

Andre Neveu Sancerre Blanc  Le Manoir 2012 ($31.95) $26 special
Produced from 50 year old vines planted on a limestone pebble soil, this wine gives intense aromas, a pleasing roundness, and length in the mouth. This is a wine that will keep well for several years.

Antinori Tignanello 2010 ($109.95) $88 special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Antinori’s 2010 Tignanello is stunning, as it has been since I started tasting the component wines in 2011. Firm yet sweet, silky tannins form the backbone for this gorgeous, vivid wine. Dark red cherries, plums, cloves, mint and sage inform a Tignanello that impresses for its delineation, nuance and power. Clean, saline notes support the mineral-drenched finish. The 2010 isn’t huge, but rather is a vertical wine endowed with tremendous energy and vibrancy. I can’t remember a Tignanello with this much crystalline tension and pure energy. Simply put, the 2010 Tignanello is a magnificent, towering wine from Antinori.”

Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione 2010 ($89.95) $69 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2010 Carbonaione (Sangiovese) is a stunner. Deep, rich and utterly impeccable, the 2010 boasts breathtaking richness, energy and power. The flavors remain incredibly primary in a wine that will require years to develop. Graphite, crushed rocks, blue/black fruit, plums and smoke emerge over time. As phenomenal as the 2010 is today, it really should be cellared for at least a few years. This is a drop dead gorgeous wine from Vittorio and Jurij Fiore.”