Vinopolis Newsletter 11-27-24

Holiday Hours:
 
We will be Closed Tomorrow the 28th for Thanksgiving
However, orders can still be placed through our Webstore

We will be Open Again Friday morning at 10 AM

In This Newsletter:

Special Arrivals
We are thankful for Cayuse

New Arrivals
Roederer, Arnot-Roberts, GD Vajra, Terlato, Two Hands, and more!

 

Washington
 

 

“The Cayuse wines continue to set the benchmark for Rhône varieties in Washington State…Cayuse Vineyards remains one of only a handful of biodynamic estates in Washington, which I have always found odd, as they prove that biodynamic principles are possible in the region and can create world-class wines. The closed mailing list often dissuades readers looking to explore the range. However, Cayuse continues to release a limited amount of wines into the market that can be found with a bit of searching.” -Eric Guido, March 2023
 

These are the lowest listed price on the West Coast:

 
Cayuse Vineyards Armada Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2021 750ml $159 special, 12 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ Points “One of the bigger, richer wines in the lineup, the 2021 Syrah Armada Vineyard comes from a high-density vineyard located just beside the cellar and was brought up all in demi-muids. This deeper ruby/plum-hued Syrah boasts a big, masculine bouquet of smoked red and black fruits, sauteed mushrooms, cured meats, iron, and cold fireplace nuances (it almost has a Graves-like character) that flows to a medium to full-bodied, rich, concentrated Syrah with terrific overall balance, ripe tannins, and a great finish. As with the other 2021s here, it needs lots of air to show at its best and will ideally be given 4-5 years in the cellar. It’s going to hit its 20th birthday in fine form.”
 
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2022 750ml $135 special, 3 bottles available
(not reviewed yet, 2021 review provided for reference)
Jeb Dunnuck 98 Points “Meatier red and black fruits, smoke, ground pepper, and savory herb notes all define the 2021 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard, a concentrated, medium to full-bodied Syrah with a classic Northern Rhône-like style in its aromas as well as structure. Fermented with a splash of Viognier, it picks up violet and floral notes with time in the glass, and this darker, more gamey expression of this vineyard is a dead ringer for a great Côte Rôtie. I love it today (with a decant), but it’s going to benefit from 2-4 years in the cellar and evolve for 15 years or more.”
 
Cayuse Vineyards En Cerise Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2022 750ml $135 special, 6 bottles available
(not reviewed yet, 2021 review provided for reference)
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points “Ripe black cherries, darker raspberries, sappy flowers, shiitake mushrooms, and a kiss of black pepper all define the 2021 Syrah En Cerise Vineyard, an incredibly pure, seamless, elegant Syrah from this estate. It’s always a perfumed, exotic wine, yet the 2021 shines for its incredible purity, precision, and length. It benefits from air and will drink beautifully over the coming 15 years or more.”
 
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2022 750ml $135 special, 3 bottles available
(not reviewed yet, 2021 review provided for reference)
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points “One of the more black and blue-fruited Syrahs in the lineup in 2021, the 2021 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard is deep ruby/plum-hued and offers a beautiful perfume of ground pepper, liquid violets, crushed stone, and bouquet garni. It’s rich, medium to full-bodied, has a concentrated, layered mouthfeel, and ripe, polished tannins. It has a little bit of Cayuse funk, but this is a pure, focused, impressive Syrah that will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar.”
 
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2021 750ml $149 special, 3 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points “Rocking raspberries, strawberries, rose petals, ground pepper, sappy garrigue, and a hint of iron all emerge from the 2021 Grenache God Only Knows, another pretty, medium-bodied, elegant, finesse-driven Grenache from this team that’s just about overflowing with character. With ripe, polished tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish, it has the class to evolve gracefully for 10-12 years.”
 

These are the only listings for these wines in the USA:

 
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2022 750ml $149 special, 9 bottles available
(not reviewed yet, 2021 review provided for reference)
Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points “Another expressive red from this estate, the 2021 Impulsivo (100% Tempranillo) has a great nose of both red and black fruits as well as iron, sandalwood, and violets. A rich, medium to full-bodied, structured wine on the palate, it has building tannins, a nicely balanced, layered mouthfeel, and plenty of meaty, gamey, umami character on the finish. It will benefit from just a few years in the cellar and will evolve for at least two decades.”
 
Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley, USA 2022 750ml $149 special, 6 bottles available
(not reviewed yet, 2021 review provided for reference)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points “Leading off the Bordeaux variety releases, the 2021 Camaspelo is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, and I believe it’s raised in larger barrels. It always reminds me of a Margaux with its more spicy, complex, perfumed style, and it has lots of savory red and black fruits as well as notes of dried tobacco, underbrush, chocolate, and lead pencil. Medium to full-bodied, supple, layered, and elegant, it has an already irresistible profile yet should evolve for 15 years or more.”

 California
 

For over 40 years, Roederer Estate has produced the very best sparkling wines in California. From their outpost in the Anderson Valley, the Rouzard family, owners of Louis Roederer and makers of Cristal, crafts these California wines in the same meticulous traditional method as their Champagnes. In addition, every bottle of their estate wine contains 12% of reserve wine from past vintages on top of the wine’s base vintage.
 
 HOT DEAL  Roederer Estate Brut, Anderson Valley, USA NV 750ml $24 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 Points “Dynamic yet sleekly elegant, with rich strawberry and apple flavors that are accented by spiced cinnamon and yeast roll as this dances toward the vibrant finish.”
 

 

“Arnot-Roberts has become a leading force in producing understated, charming wines from some of California’s most prized vineyard sources.” –Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate
 
At the forefront of the “New California” are small, pioneering producers such as Arnot-Roberts. Started by childhood friends Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts in 2001, they’ve quickly established themselves as some of the best producers of restrained and elegant small-parcel wines. In 2013 the San Francisco Chronicle named them “Winemakers of the Year” in recognition of the quality and consistency of the wines they’re producing, and they’ve racked up professional accolades ever since.
 
Arnot-Roberts Randle Hill Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Yorkville Highlands, USA 2023 750ml $36 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Notes “The gnarled old Sauvignon Blanc vines at the Randle Hill Vineyard were planted in 1982 in the Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County. This rugged and remote site is farmed organically on a steep hillside of eroding shale, situated at 1,100’ elevation, where it enjoys warm days and cool nights. We love the mineral driven Sauvignon Blancs of France’s Loire Valley and have long hoped we would find a site here in California that could grow Sauvignon Blanc that leaned in that direction. We knew that vine age, clone, elevation, soil, and farming all had to be right for us to achieve that expression and this vineyard met all the criteria.  The resulting wine exhibits mineral and saline flavors balanced with a hint of herbaceous and floral aromatics.”
 

These are the lowest listed prices in the USA:

 
Arnot-Roberts Watson Ranch Chardonnay, Napa Valley, USA 2023 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
(Not reviewed yet, 2022 vintage provided for reference)
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 Points “The 2022 Chardonnay Watson Ranch comes from vines planted in calcareous clay over limestone in 1993 in southern Napa County. Matured for 10 months in used French oak, it has savory scents of cheese rind, button mushrooms, beeswax, jasmine and white orchard fruit. The light-bodied palate is understated and perfumed. Its creamy texture is balanced by bright acidity, and it has a long, fragrant finish.”
 
Arnot-Roberts Gamay Noir, El Dorado, USA 2023 750ml $28 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Notes “We first began working with Gamay in 2011 as a collaborative effort with our friend Rajat Parr under the RPM label, until the final vintage for the RPM project in 2015. The original sources were Barsotti and Witters vineyards grown in the granitic soils of the Sierra Foothills, situated at around 3000’ elevation. In 2022 we were fortunate to begin working with Gamay from the Ascona Vineyard high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 2,500′ elevation. We employ the carbonic maceration technique where the uncrushed grapes are sealed up for several days, allowing the berries to begin fermentation from the inside out. This method is used by many of our favorite Beaujolais producers and adds a spicy fruitiness that infuses freshness and energy in the resulting wines.”
 
Arnot-Roberts Kirschenmann Vineyard Zinfandel, Mokelumne River, USA 2023 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note “In the spring of 2012, our friends Tegan and Olivia Passalacqua purchased an incredible old vineyard east of Lodi in the tiny town of Victor, California named Kirschenmann. The site is located on an oxbow of the Mokelumne River, which over centuries has deposited loads of fine, sandy, granitic loam from erosion of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the East. The vineyard was planted in 1915 on its own roots and is primarily Zinfandel, with a little Carignane, Cinsault and Mondeuse Noir spread throughout the block. The old, twisted, dry-farmed vines are thriving under the watchful eye of Tegan, one of the foremost experts on old vines in California. Tegan also produces his own wine under the Sandlands label and is the current winemaker for Turley Vineyards in Napa. We are lucky to be offered one ton of this fruit per year allowing us to vinify just 2-3 barrels annually.”
 

These are the Lowest listed prices on the West Coast:

 
Arnot-Roberts Syrah, California, USA 2023 750ml $39 special, 12 bottles available
(Not reviewed yet, 2022 review provided for reference)
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 92 Points “The 2022 Syrah (California) is bold, rich and explosive. As is so often the case, the Syrah is flat-out gorgeous. In this vintage, the Arnot-Roberts Syrah used the broader California appellation. All the elements are so well balanced. Juicy dark cherry, plum, sage, menthol, new leather and lavender build into the dense, textured finish.”
 
 STAFF PICK  Arnot-Roberts Trousseau, North Coast, USA 2023 750ml $36 special, 12 bottles available
Importer’s Note “A perennial favorite, this wine seems to form a seamless connection between Arnot-Roberts’ new world approach and the old world terroirs and styles that inform their work year in and year out. The deft touch used to vinify this temperamental varietal results in an expression of candied new world style fruit wrapped up in a package that expresses subtle nuances and complexity rarely encountered in young California wine. Light-bodied, but gracefully perfumed, it seems to match whatever food you’d like to throw at it with surprising dexterity.”
 

 
 HOT DEAL  Rutherford Hill Napa Valley Merlot 2019 750ml $19 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 Points “Firm and minerally, with graphite accents to the dried red currant and berry flavors. Bright acidity and savory richness linger on the lithe finish.”
 
 
Italy
 

 

It’s rare to find benchmark wines that remain affordable, but not impossible. Rarer still if we’re talking about a wine-growing region considered one of the finest in the world for centuries. Well, if you’ve read very many of our newsletters, there’s no surprise which producer we have in mind: G.D. Vajra.
 
The technical skill of Vajra is on full display with these old vines, resulting in wines that live up to the heritage of the estate and a wholly different interpretation of Nebbiolo in terms of aromatic lift and fruit profile. Their two estate vineyards offer perfumed and fruit driven expressions of Nebbiolo against minerality with clear aging potential.
 
GD Vajra Ravera, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $89 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 97 Points “The Ravera cru, one of the estate’s prized holdings, is known for its calcareous soil and old vines that contribute to the wine’s depth and ageability. This Barolo showcases crushed raspberries and red currants intertwined with wild thyme and fresh laurel. Subtle notes of cinchona bark, whole cinnamon, and fresh porcini add complexity. On the palate, warmed mixed berry jam is dusted with crushed cloves, pepper, and earthy hints of truffle and underbrush. Fine and elegant tannins provide structure, while the well-balanced warmth envelops the senses like a comforting hug. Drink Now – 2045.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 Points “The G.D. Vajra 2020 Barolo Ravera reveals wild forest berry, cherry, licorice root and sweet summer fruit. The effect is focused or chiseled thanks to animating acidity and pinpoint fruit flavors. Located in the village of Novello, Ravera benefits from open panoramas and cooler temperatures from the mountains. These factors make this cru one of the most promising in this era of climate change. This is a Barolo for the purists.”
 
GD Vajra Bricco delle Viole, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $89 special, 10 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 96 Points “The 2020 Barolo Bricco delle Viole, Vajra’s flagship, is very fine. Dark cherry, kirsch, blood orange, spice and lavender are nicely amplified. The 2020 is gracious and elegant, but its youthful Nebbiolo tannins will require some time to soften. The 2020 is another wine that captures my keen interests with its sublime balance. I would be thrilled to own it.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 Points “The nose of this Barolo is exhilarating, with spiced cherries, damson alongside warmed violets in blossom. Notes of leather, truffle, and forest floor add depth that keep flowing from the glass. The palate is a panoply of cherries in all their glory: fresh, macerated, preserved, you name it, it is there. Accompanied by sweet tea with cola and sassafras that lead to supple tannins that provide needed structure without overpowering the wine.Lifted acidity keeps each sip pure and fresh, making the bottle empty too soon. Drink Now – 2045.”
 
GD Vajra ‘Coste di Rose’, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 750ml $69 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 94 Points “A Barolo of remarkable elegance and complexity. Lifted aromas of mixed wild berries, candied rose petals, cinnamon, and whole clove, are accompanied by warm, earthy notes. Tart cherries and cranberries dominate the palate, with woodsy undertones and chewy tannins that provide heft without overpowering. Savory and medicinal herbs linger on the finish, making this a captivating expression of this renowned cru. Drink Now – 2045.”
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 Points “The 2020 Barolo Coste di Rose is an attractive, mid-weight wine. Black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol and licorice are nicely woven together. The Coste di Rose is not the most complex Barolo in the range but offers tons of sheer appeal, in a sensual, open-knit style that can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring.”
 

 
 HOT DEAL  Terlato Vineyards Pinot Grigio Friuli 2022 750ml $16 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 Points “Fresh and balanced, with a citrusy overtone of grapefruit pith and citronella, this shows flavors of crunchy white peach, chive blossoms and minerally saline and stone, followed by a creamy finish. Drink now through 2026. 40,000 cases imported.”
 
 
Australia
 
 HOT DEAL  Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Barossa Shiraz 2020 750ml $19 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 Points “There’s lots to admire in this compact red, which offers dense, firm tannins and accents of Earl Grey tea, smoked paprika, bay leaf, blackberry, blueberry and a hint of sweet mint on the finish. Drink now through 2036. 4,500 cases imported.”