In This Newsletter:
Los Bermejos
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette: Guy Charlemagne
Los Bermejos
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Los Bermejos
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette: Guy Charlemagne
Los Bermejos
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Walk the moonscape of the Spanish island of Lanzarote, and you would never suspect the volcanic ash could support life of any kind. But grapevines, and in particular high-quality wine grapes, thrive in marginal conditions.
The few growers that remained on the island after volcanic eruptions in the 18th century carved hollows into the ash to help direct rain and dew towards the roots. The vines see half the average rainfall of typical wine regions. The ash provides unique protective properties, as it prevents phylloxera from taking hold. Grafting is unnecessary under traditional methods.
Ignacio Valdera founded Bodegas Los Bermejos in 2001. It quickly attained international acclaim for its expressive wines. Today, Daniel Martín is the head winemaker, as well as a grapegrower himself. He returned to his home region of Lanzarote after working for the iconic Vega Sicilia. The winery’s estate vineyard grows around 10% of the winery’s production; the rest is purchased from a network some 300 growers that practice sustainable methods.
Los Bermejos works with several grape varieties that are indigenous or unique to the island. Malvasía Volcánica, an indigenous white grape, is the most commonly planted variety overall on the island despite producing tiny yields. It was a spontaneous cross of Malvasía Aromatica and the indigenous Marmajuelo. Los Bermejos also works with the rare Diego grape variety, also known as Vijariego Blanco. This variety was wiped out on the mainland of Spain by phylloxera. According to the winery, it creates a dry wine with high acidity, is highly aromatic, and ages well. Of reds, Listán Negro is the most commonly planted and is used for rosés and reds. Though it can struggle to produce consistent yields, the wines are balanced and aromatic with gentle tannins and spice notes.
Explore these incredible, affordable, and unique wines now during our three-day sale!
5% off any 4-8 in-stock bottles of Los Bermejos
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of Los Bermejos
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Sunday, May 26th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of Los Bermejos
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Sunday, May 26th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer six options from Los Bermejos on sale now, including:
Bodegas Los Bermejos Brut Nature Espumoso, Lanzarote 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Light gold. Aromas of dried pear, quince, jasmine and green tea, with a mineral overtone and a hint of fig. Chewy and dry on the palate, offering a refreshingly bitter edge to orchard and citrus fruit flavors. The penetrating finish strongly echoes the mineral note and lingers with strong, tangy tenacity. I like the interplay of power and delicacy here.”
Bodegas Los Bermejos Rosado Brut Nature, Lanzarote 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “The base wine is 100% Listán Negro from a single vintage. The grapes are very gently pressed in a pneumatic press, resulting in a very pale salmon-hued wine. Aged 15 months sur lie and made using Méthode Champenoise. Zero dosage.”
No reviews for the 2022 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Pale pink. Fresh, mineral-accented blood orange and strawberry aromas, along with a suave floral note building in the glass. Dry and precise on the palate, showing impressive tension and lively red berry and citrus fruit flavors. The long, nervy finish displays very good clarity and an appealingly light touch, with the floral element echoing strongly. Very graceful and intensely flavorful, showing no excess weight.”
Bodegas Los Bermejos Malvasía Volcanica Seco, Lanzarote 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $29.50, that’s $28.03 at 5% off and $26.55 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Producer Notes “Bermejo Malvasía Seco 2022 is an enchanting white wine that captivates from the initial sip with its zest and vibrancy. As one brings it closer to the nose, a spectrum of scents unfurls, with lemon and mango taking a prominent stance, accompanied by subtle floral undertones. On the palate, its silky and faintly creamy texture guides us through a journey of citrus flavors, dried herbs, and a hint of peach skin. The finish is enduring, leaving a distinct impression of the Malvasía grape variety.”
No reviews for the 2022 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Silver-tinged straw. Fresh citrus fruits, melon, quinine and pungent flowers on the assertively perfumed nose. Seamless and incisive in the mouth, showing very good clarity and vivacity to the mineral-tinged honeydew and Meyer lemon flavors. Finishes dry, chewy and very long, with lingering stoniness and a touch of honeysuckle.”
Bodegas Los Bermejos Diego Seco Ecologico, Lanzarote 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 4 bottles in stock now
Producer notes “Bermejo Diego Seco Ecológico 2022 unfurls a subtle charm with its bouquet of white flowers and hints of anise, conjuring the invigorating spirit of spring. On the palate, it boasts a robust structure and a velvety texture that astonish, unveiling a spectrum of intricately woven nuances. Its finish is luminous and enduring, leaving behind an impression of elegance and sophistication. This youthful and delicate white wine is a definitive representation of varietal expression, encapsulating the essence of the grape with each sip.”
No review for the 2022 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Very light, bright yellow. Highly aromatic, vibrant and minerally, displaying intense citrus and orchard fruit, along with suggestions of quinine and honeysuckle. The dry, fleshy palate offers incisive Meyer lemon and bitter pear skin flavors that deepen on the back half. Nicely concentrated but lithe, with a firm grip and a lingering floral character.”
Bodegas Los Bermejos Listán Negro Rosado, Lanzarote 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $31.90, that’s $30.31 at 5% off and $28.71 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “After a string of hard years of extreme drought for Bermejos, 2023 has turned out to be an incredible vintage for the Lanzarote pioneering winery and its marquee wine. It was an early harvest again due to the heat, but the crop was plentiful and the grapes balanced. The wine was directly pressed, with no maceration, and the wine has its classic pale color, with marked aromas of pomegranate, strawberries, and subtle flavors with refreshing acidity.”
No reviews for the 2023 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Shimmering orange-pink. An expressive and complex bouquet displays an array of mineral-accented red berry and citrus fruit qualities, along with suave floral and spice topnotes. Nicely concentrated and taut, offering fresh strawberry and blood orange flavors braced by a core of juicy acidity. The mineral note drives an impressively long, nervy finish that echoes the berry and floral notes.”
Bodegas Los Bermejos Listán Negro Tinto, Lanzarote 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $29.50, that’s $28.03 at 5% off and $26.55 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Producer Notes “100% Listán Negro aged 5 months in French oak from the Allier forest. The more structured and concentrated sibling of the more fruit-forward, easy-going Maceracion Carbonica Listán Negro cuvée.”
No reviews for the 2022 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Ruby-red. Potent, mineral-accented cherry and cassis scents are complicated by suave floral and candied licorice nuances. The sappy, penetrating, smoky palate offers bitter cherry and dark berry flavors that spread out slowly on the back half. Concentrated yet lithe, with outstanding finishing power and silky, harmonious tannins adding shape and grip.”
Shop all six wines on our webstore now!
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Guy Charlemagne: Our Guy In Champagne
Situated in Mesnil-sur-Oger in the heart of Côte des Blancs is the grower Champagne house of Guy Charlemagne. This producer is special, turning out artisanal, traditionally structured and refined Champagnes using ancient vines grown in some of the most sought-after terroir in the world.
The Charlemagne family has been making wine in Mesnil-sur-Oger since 1892, five generations bringing new breath to their land, while continuing the tradition of producing world class Champagne. Per Peter Liem, this is a grower to hunt for, especially their top bottling, Mesnillésime, which is “a vintage-dated blanc de blancs from Charlemagne’s oldest vines in Le Mesnil: like all of his wines, it’s brisk and racy, although it has a layered depth of fruit and a prominent chalkiness to counter its high acidity.” This cuvee is made from 100% Chardonnay hand-harvested from sixty-year-old vines grown in the chalky, limestone soil of Mesnil-sur-Oger. Champagne expert and author Richard Juhlin writes that the “Mesnillésime is a wine for every serious collector,” and goes on to note that Guy Charlemagne “is a grower to watch with the greatest respect in the future.”
If you’re familiar with the producer, you’re probably aware of how difficult their wines are to find. We’re lucky to have a strong connection with a local importer that simply adores the Champagne estate as much as we do. We have just a smidge left of the 2014 vintage, a charming year just entering its prime drinking window, per Anne Krebiehl MW, of Vinous, whose recent review underscores its food-friendly and delicious nature.
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Guy Charlemagne Mesnillésime Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2014 750ml Was $119, Now $99 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 93 points “The 2014 Extra Brut Mesnillésime Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru is a pure Chardonnay from on average 60-year-old vines in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, vinified in oak with blocked malolactic fermentation. Notes of dried corn husk and salty maize meal on the nose take turns with yellow apple on the nose. The oak is apparent in savoriness rather than vanilla and a certain roundness on the body, beautifully handled. The mousse is still bright and sprightly, highlighting saltiness and fresh apple equally. This has an assertive personality, and comes across as a muscular, toned blanc de blancs, bracing at first, then relaxing into a warm smile. The umami finish can absolutely take on food.”
Winery note “A Grand Champagne with character from the Côte des Blancs terroir, specifically from Le Mesnil sur Oger (limestone parcels averaging 60 years of age). This champagne produced from first press of Le Mesnil sur Oger Grand Cru juices, highlights the exact characteristic of our village. Jewel of the Charlemagne house, this vintage wine combines both authenticity and the search for perfect quality. Elegantly presented with exceptional labelling, this Mesnillesime cuvee is produced with rigorous vinification, partially in oak barrels without malolactic fermentation, and a very light dosage of 4 grams per liter. Matured for 6 years in our chalk underground cellars, this cuvee highlights the excellence of our production. Chardonnay, the only grape here, shows what balance, harmony and purity can mean. A rare champagne for unforgettable moments. Pale yellow with green hues. Persistent mousse with very fine bubbles. Powerful yet elegant nose dominated by acacia honey eventually shows notes of candied lemon, smoke and a blend of pepper. Unctuous, lightly oaked and complex on the palate, candied fruit and citrus aromas pave the way to a fresh, vanilla finish.”
The Charlemagne family has been making wine in Mesnil-sur-Oger since 1892, five generations bringing new breath to their land, while continuing the tradition of producing world class Champagne. Per Peter Liem, this is a grower to hunt for, especially their top bottling, Mesnillésime, which is “a vintage-dated blanc de blancs from Charlemagne’s oldest vines in Le Mesnil: like all of his wines, it’s brisk and racy, although it has a layered depth of fruit and a prominent chalkiness to counter its high acidity.” This cuvee is made from 100% Chardonnay hand-harvested from sixty-year-old vines grown in the chalky, limestone soil of Mesnil-sur-Oger. Champagne expert and author Richard Juhlin writes that the “Mesnillésime is a wine for every serious collector,” and goes on to note that Guy Charlemagne “is a grower to watch with the greatest respect in the future.”
If you’re familiar with the producer, you’re probably aware of how difficult their wines are to find. We’re lucky to have a strong connection with a local importer that simply adores the Champagne estate as much as we do. We have just a smidge left of the 2014 vintage, a charming year just entering its prime drinking window, per Anne Krebiehl MW, of Vinous, whose recent review underscores its food-friendly and delicious nature.
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Guy Charlemagne Mesnillésime Vieilles Vignes Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2014 750ml Was $119, Now $99 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Anne Krebiehl MW-Vinous 93 points “The 2014 Extra Brut Mesnillésime Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru is a pure Chardonnay from on average 60-year-old vines in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, vinified in oak with blocked malolactic fermentation. Notes of dried corn husk and salty maize meal on the nose take turns with yellow apple on the nose. The oak is apparent in savoriness rather than vanilla and a certain roundness on the body, beautifully handled. The mousse is still bright and sprightly, highlighting saltiness and fresh apple equally. This has an assertive personality, and comes across as a muscular, toned blanc de blancs, bracing at first, then relaxing into a warm smile. The umami finish can absolutely take on food.”
Winery note “A Grand Champagne with character from the Côte des Blancs terroir, specifically from Le Mesnil sur Oger (limestone parcels averaging 60 years of age). This champagne produced from first press of Le Mesnil sur Oger Grand Cru juices, highlights the exact characteristic of our village. Jewel of the Charlemagne house, this vintage wine combines both authenticity and the search for perfect quality. Elegantly presented with exceptional labelling, this Mesnillesime cuvee is produced with rigorous vinification, partially in oak barrels without malolactic fermentation, and a very light dosage of 4 grams per liter. Matured for 6 years in our chalk underground cellars, this cuvee highlights the excellence of our production. Chardonnay, the only grape here, shows what balance, harmony and purity can mean. A rare champagne for unforgettable moments. Pale yellow with green hues. Persistent mousse with very fine bubbles. Powerful yet elegant nose dominated by acacia honey eventually shows notes of candied lemon, smoke and a blend of pepper. Unctuous, lightly oaked and complex on the palate, candied fruit and citrus aromas pave the way to a fresh, vanilla finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
We offer 207 wines on our close-out sale, including gems from the Barolo producer G.D. Vajra, Austrian producer Hirtzberger, and Brunello producer Mastrojanni. Shop the list here!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
G.D. Vajra & Luigi Baudana
5% off any 4-8 in-stock bottles of G.D. Vajra and/or Luigi Baudana
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of G.D. Vajra and/or Luigi Baudana
ArPePe
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of ArPePe
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of ArPePe
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
G.D. Vajra & Luigi Baudana sale ends Friday, May 24th at 9 am Pacific. ArPePe sale ends Saturday, May 25th at 9 am Pacific.