Vinopolis Newsletter 11-11-24 PM

 
 
Oregon
 

 

The wonderful wines of John Paul from Cameron Winery never fail to impress us. Born in France and possessing a degree in Microbiology, he began his wine journey when he discovered “that winemaking offered opportunities to use the right side of his brain and to drink at work.” Eventually his passions took him to Burgundy where he learned how to vinify Pinot Noir from its source.
 
Cameron ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $79 special, 12 bottles available
Vinopolnote “One of the great Pinot Noirs of the vintage so far… if not decade. Intense Loganberry and sandalwood on the nose and palette make this an anything but a standard Willamette Pinot Noir. Just phenomenal.”
 
Cameron Clos Electrique Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA  2022 750ml $79 special, 19 bottles available
Vinopolnote “This bottling is a finely etched masterpiece with lifted acidity, fruit notes of blueberry and baked boysenberry and a hint of iron rich earth.”
 
Cameron Clos Electrique Blanc Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $79 special, 7 bottles available
VinopolNote “The Clos Electrique is Cameron’s estate vineyard, named after the electric deer fence that surrounds it.  This is planted to a mix of clones and is vinified traditionally—no racking and all in older barrels.  This is crisp and coiled, with distinct minerality and a lot of power in a lithe frame.  Like most vintages of the Electrique Blanc, this is quite good now but will be stellar in a few years.”
 
Cameron Dundee Hills Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, USA 2023 750ml $24 special, 36 bottles available
Winery Notes “Vinified from Abbey Ridge & Clos Electrique fruit, this is the best Chardonnay in its price range on the market. Lime leaf and orange blossom aromatics with a light touch of vanilla make me think of lemon tart! A lovely rich mouth with some tartness and a long, mineral finish allows it to be both an aperitif while you’re cooking and it will go with the meal afterward, though if you drink enough while you’re cooking, this latter point will be unimportant!”
 
…also currently available from Cameron Winery, priced as marked:
 
Rare and extremely ageable! This is the crème de la crème of Oregon Pinot!
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Cuvee Julia Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, USA 2020 750ml $112 special, 4 bottles available
Winery Notes “A small portion of Abbey Ridge (1 acre) is planted with the fabled Martin Ray clones of Pinot noir.  Fruit from this block is fermented separately in a small batch.  When it produces something truly outstanding, we bottle it separately, its eponym Julia after Abbey Ridge’s Julia Wayne.”
 
Somewhere between a white wine and an orange wine.
Cameron Winery Pinot Gris Ramato, Dundee Hills, USA 2023 750ml $31.90 special, 4 bottles available
Winery Note “Cameron Ramato takes its name from the Italian word Rame, which means copper.  Our beautiful copper-hued wine is made in the tradition of north-eastern Italy, where Pinot grigio is macerated on the skins for 4-5 hours before pressing. With moderate texture and luscious stone fruit, honey comb, and fennel aromas, the ’23 Ramato pairs beautifully with grilled and even spicy foods.”
 
 
France
 
Yohan Lardy Moulin-a-Vent Les Michelons, Beaujolais, France 2023 750ml $26 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Note “With its 71 localities, the Moulin-à-Vent appellation is rich in history. Recognized as the 1er cru of Beaujolais in 1924, it was sold at the same price as a Vosne-Romanée 1er cru until the dawn of the Second World War. On my plot, the old vines were planted in 1950 and 1911 on the “Les Michelons” climate in the heights of Moulin a Vent. The vines form an enclosure surrounded by a low stone wall and poppies. A setting that I preserve every day.”
 
Yohan Lardy Moulin-a-Vent Vieilles Vignes de 1903, Beaujolais, France 2022 750ml $33 special, 5 bottles available
Winery Note “The former owner of the vineyards, now 62 years old, told me that his grandfather had planted the vines in 1903. He had carefully chosen quality rootstocks (Riparia Gloire). At the time, the work was manual and natural. Generations have followed one another, time has passed and the vines remain. Out of homage and conviction, I have worked these “1903 vines” with particular care, respecting the work of yesteryear, naturally! A micro-plot of 75 ares that I am keen to pamper.”
 
 
Italy
 
Mauro Molino Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, Italy 2022 750ml $19.50 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 91 Points “This wine presents classic notes of raspberry, sour cherry and wild herbs, reflecting on the palate with raspberry seeds, green herbs and dusty tannins. Its traditional yet nuanced characteristics offer a rich and complex finish.”
 
 
Spain
 
Raul Perez ‘Las Gundinas’ Lomas de Valtuille, Bierzo, Spain 2020 750ml $31.90 special, 8 bottles available
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 95+ Points “The 2020 La Vizcaína Las Gundiñas has a new plot, a west-facing vineyard that is steeper and cooler. Pérez likes Gundiñas and Rapolao in warmer years like this. In 2020, 50% of the wine matured in 2,000-liter oak foudre and the other half in used 500-liter barrels. It was harvested much earlier, and the wine shows more freshness even if it shows more tannin today. He likes long macerations (40 to 45 days) and works toward having tannins and weight in his wines. Some 6,000 bottles were filled in August 2021.”
 
Raul Perez ‘El Rapolao’ Lomas de Valtuille, Bierzo, Spain 2020 750ml $31.90 special, 20 bottles available
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 96 Points “There is more freshness in the 2020 La Vizcaína El Rapolao, where I even found notes of eucalyptus. It’s medium-bodied and has fine tannins, very tasty and balanced. There are two new plots in 2020, so they produced some 7,500 bottles. He wants to reach 20,000 bottles here, and there will be a white Rapolao from a plot that he planted with Godello.”
 
Raul Perez ‘La Vitoriana’ Lomas de Valtuille, Bierzo, Spain 2020 750ml $34.50 special, 2 bottles available
Luis Gutiérrez-Wine Advocate 97 Points “The 2020 La Vizcaína La Vitoriana matured mostly in a troncoconic oak foudre and had a very short time in barrel. This wine has more Alicante Bouschet in the blend than others, and they didn’t include the white grapes in the vineyard. But against all logic, the wine has more finesse than the 2019. 6,000 bottles produced.”
 
 
New Zealand
 
Certified Organic!
Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2023 750ml $14.50 special, 36 bottles available
No reviews for the 2023 vintage. 2022 review provided for reference.
Christina Pickard-Wine Enthusiast 92 Points “There’s a lovely lift of passion fruit, guava, citrus and floral aromas to start, backed by a gunflint and briny note. The palate is a graceful balance of texture, acidity, flavor and length. The long, lifted acidity and chalky bite to the finish make one want to reach for another glass. This is classy and food-friendly.”
 

Lowest Price in the USA
Average Price $19

 

 
 

Alex Fullerton caught the wine bug early in life on a family trip through Bordeaux and Burgundy. After studying at Oregon State Univeristy, he worked for a spell in the vineyards of New Zealand and the cellars of local heavyweights like Bergström and Penner-Ash. At this point he began making wines in the family garage, but with his enthusiasm and passion, it wasn’t long until he had a winery up and going and contracts with some of the best vineyards in Oregon.
 
From garage to table, Fullerton is a true Pacific Northwestern success story, with bio-dynamic, food friendly wines that combines Alex’s love of food, wine, and nature.
 
Winery Note “At the foot of the Blue Mountains where the Walla Walla River runs into the valley below, lies the Rocks District of Milton Freewater. Here 100 vertical feet of basalt cobblestones have been deposited over the ages, as the river meandered back and forth. Syrah is a grape that shines in this unique combination of climate and geology, showing perfumed aromatics coupled with velvety texture. Great by itself or with heartier fare.”
Fullerton Wines Rocks District Syrah, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Oregon 2020 750ml $21.90 special, 36 bottles available
Audrey Frick-Jebdunnuck.com 93 Points “Pouring a deep but transparent purple, the 2020 Syrah Rocks District Of Milton-Freewater is elegant with balanced aromas of primary blackberry fruit, pencil shavings, toasted black pepper, and fresh violets. Supple and full-bodied, though weightless and elegant, it delivers a silky, chocolaty texture, sweet tannins, and a hint of charcuterie. It is in a great spot now, and I like where this is going over the next 6-8 years.”
VinopolNote “This scrumptious Syrah opens with savory notes of black pepper and fresh roasted coffee. Swirl it in the glass a little bit and whiffs of dusty, iron enriched earth and wet river bank emerge, with high-toned black cherry on the palette as well. This is a very giving and complex wine, nurturing through the darkest of winter nights and lithe enough to pair with seared steelhead, roasted lamb, and rich tomato sauces.”
 

Lowest price on the West Coast

Winery Note “A Biodynamic vineyard in the McMinnville AVA, the site benefits from long, warm days. However, it is also one of the first vineyards in the Willamette Valley to cool down every evening due to its proximity to the Van Duzer Corridor, which funnels cold, coastal winds into the valley. A mix of sedimentary and volcanic soils, Momtazi Vineyard provides ripe flavors of dark berries and Eastern spices, backed by firm tannins and lively acidity.”
Fullerton Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville, Oregon 2018 750ml $44.50 special, 33 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 94 Points “This fine-tuned elaboration emphasizes the fruit component of this biodynamic vineyard with crisp, fresh raspberry flavors upfront. The wet rock minerality of the AVA and the inherent herbal pungency of the site are threaded in, and the finish is buoyed with juicy acidity that brightens it. Slightly more than one-quarter of the barrels were new.”
James Suckling 94 Points “Cool ocean-breeze influence here, with a very fragrant violet, red-cherry and blueberry nose, really pristine. The palate has impressive weight, richness and round, ripe blueberry and cherry flavors. Really expressive and juicy pinot here. 320 dozen produced. Drink or hold.”
 

Lowest price in the United States by far
Average price $65
 

Marietta Cellars Arme, Sonoma – Mendocino County, USA 2021 750ml $26 special, 36 bottles available
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 Points “The 2021 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon is blended with 10% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. It has pretty tones of blueberries and black cherries with nuances of lavender, thyme and underbrush. The palate is medium-bodied, chalky and refreshing, with surprising depth of crunchy fruit and floral sparks across the long, juicy finish.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 Points “The 2021 Armé is a tasty Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from Marietta. Gravel, scorched earth, tobacco, incense, leather and menthol add layers of nuance to a core of dark-toned fruit. This somber, virile red packs plenty of intensity into its mid-weight frame.”

 

 
 
Burgundy
 

 
“Domaine Rapet Père et Fils is an old winemaking family that can trace its roots in Pernand-Vergelesses back to 1765, thanks to the testimonial of a “tastevin” (a wine tasting cup traditionally carried by a sommelier) stamped with the year and the family name.” –Weygandt Wines
 
WAS $39
Rapet Bourgogne Rouge en Bully 2020 750ml $33 special, 19 bottles available
Producer Note “You discover a garnet red wine, with a “pinote” bouquet, revealing notes of cherry and raspberry. The mouth is full and generous, the silky tannins give it a velvety character which persists on the palate. Excellent with a leg of lamb or a nice piece of beef.”
 
WAS $49
Rapet Sauvigny Les-Beaune Aux Fournaux 2020 750ml $41.90 special, 6 bottles available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89 Points “Offering up aromas of sweet plums, red berries, raw cocoa and spices, the 2020 Savigny-lès-Beaune Aux Fourneaux is medium to full-bodied, supple and concentrated, with velvety tannins and lively acids. It’s often more rustic than its premier cru counterpart, but this year it’s simply more demonstrative.”
 
WAS $49
Rapet Sauvigny 1er Cru Aux Fournaux Rouge 2020 750ml $41.90 special, 10 bottles available
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 Points “The 2020 Savigny-lès-Beaune Aux Fourneaux offers attractive tertiary, red berry fruit mixed with briary and light tobacco scents. The palate is mediumbodied with lithe tannins, a fine bead of acidity, very harmonious with a lovely elegant finish. This is absolutely delicious.”
 

 
WAS $69
Moillard Chassagne-Montrachet 2020 750ml $59 special, 10 bottles available
Producer Note “To the south of the Côte de Beaune, the vineyard surrounds the village of Chassagne-Montrachet. This shares with Puligny-Montrachet the undisputed prince of all dry white wines: the Grand Cru Montrachet.”
 
WAS $69   
Moillard Meursault 2020 750ml $59 special, 13 bottles available
Producer Note “In the heart of the Côte de Beaune, located between 200 and 300 meters above sea level and facing east/southeast, this vineyard surrounds the picturesque village of Meursault.”
 
WAS $79
Moillard Pommard Les Grands Epenots 1er Cru 2019 750ml $69 special, 12 bottles available
Anna Lee C Ijima-Wine Enthusiast 94 Points “While the nose is subtle, the palate of this powerful Pinot Noir is lavish, with sun-kissed blackberry and black-plum flavors. Generous and weighty in mouthfeel, it’s structured by firm, bristling tannins and a vibrant lift of acidity. The forward fruit is charming young but the wine should gain complexity and finesse through 2035 and hold further.”
 

 
Domaine Dujac is a wine that is synonymous with luxury and greatness. These new Close-out wines provide a fantastic opportunity to sample some of the finest vineyards in all of Burgundy at some of the lowest prices in the United States!
 
WAS $899
Domaine Dujac Clos St. Denis 2021 750ml $749 special, just 1 bottle available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94-95 Points “The 2021 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru is brilliant, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, summer fruit compote, sweet spices, licorice, peony and coniferous forest floor. Full-bodied, ample and layered, it’s fleshy and textural, its satiny attack segueing into a deep, seamless mid-palate and a perfumed, penetrating finish.”
 
WAS $1,449
Domaine Dujac Charmes-Chambertin 2019 1.5L $1,119 special, just 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 95-97 Points “The 2019 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has an airy and generous bouquet with lifted black fruit, hoisin and light roasted chestnut aromas, all well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a beautiful line of acidity, svelte and harmonious with a slightly grainy-textured finish. I adore the discrete crescendo in this Grand Cru and the unimposing but long aftertaste. “It’s been growing in stature over the last 10 to 15 years,” remarked Alex Seysses. Proof of that is evident by tasting this superb Charmes-Chambertin.”
 

 
“Domaine Armand Rousseau ranks with Romanée-Conti, Leflaive, Jacques Prieur, and a small handful of names that are the stuff of Burgundy legend. These domaines produce impeccable quality wines from vintage to vintage, and consistently place Burgundy at the top of the wine world.” –Frederick Wildman, Importer
 
WAS $2,199
Armand Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Beze 2011 750ml $1,999 special, just 1 bottle available
Burghound 95 Points “A potently expressive nose blends both wood and natural spice together with distinctly cool, pure and ripe wild red berries, earth and underbrush. The palate impression is a gorgeous combination of power and refinement along with flat out superb complexity on the explosively long, focused and beautifully well-balanced finish. The supporting structure is dense but fine and this should prove to be a moderately long-lived example.”
 
WAS $2,499
Armand Rousseau Chambertin Clos de Beze 2008 750ml $2,199 special, just 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni-Wine Advocate 96+ Points “Rousseau’s 2008 Chambertin-Clos de Beze is off the charts. Textured and layered throughout, this exquisite, captivating wine graces the palate with endless fruit framed by silky, refined tannins. All of the elements build effortlessly to the dazzling, impeccably crafted finish.”