Vinopolis Newsletter 12-2-24

In This Newsletter:

Special Arrivals
JC Somers

New Arrivals
Great value, great Burgundies and more!

 

Special Arrivals

 

Oregon

JC Somers

JC Somers is the fantastic new project from longtime Willamette Valley mainstay Jay Christopher and his professional partner (and spouse) Ronda Newell-Somers. With over 30 years under his belt in the Oregon wine industry, the majority spent as the owner and winemaker at the acclaimed J. Christopher, his first winery, Jay knows exactly what kind of wines he wants to make. “We do not make fruit bombs. We want wines that have a fine balance of fruit, acidity and texture,” Jay and Ronda’s website states, “Wines that are complete.”
 
Jay and his immense talents are no longer associated with the J. Christopher wines. Instead, he and Ronda are pouring everything into his new winery, doing it all themselves and doing it exactly as they want to.


JC Somers Abbey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $61.90 special, 12 bottles available
Not reviewed yet, 2021 review provided for reference
Michael Alberty Wine Enthusiast 95 Points “This wine’s bright red boysenberry aromas and hyacinth aromas join with an earthy scent similar to wet wicker drying in the sun. A wall of sweet red cherries is breached by a battering ram of lemon, while brawny tannins offer support. If the Willamette Valley had grand cru vineyard designations, Abbey Ridge would have one. Bravo.”
Winemaker’s Note “I have worked with Abbey Ridge since 1993 (while at Adelshiem) and in 1994 with Cameron Winery. In 2001, I was lucky to be offered a block of Pinot Noir at Abbey Ridge and have been working with the fruit ever since. Abbey Ridge is the cornerstone to our Pinot Noir program and I believe it to be the best Pinot Noir site in the Willamette Valley. Owned by my friends Bill and Julia Wayne, this vineyard is the platonic form of what the Dundee Hills AVA is all about – elegance.”

JC Somers Garnier Vineyard Tempranillo, Columbia Gorge, USA 2021 750ml $18 special, 11 bottles available
Winemaker’s Note 
“I have been working with Tom Garnier and this super interesting vineyard site in the Columbia Gorge AVA near the town of Mosier since the early 2000’s. If you ever had my Rosé wines form my previous winery you know this vineyard well.”

JC Somers ‘Joie De Chien’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $26.50 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note 
“Joie de Chien is the fun side of the JC Somers collection of wine. This Dundee Hills Pinot Noir is sourced from some of our favorite vineyards and is perfect for enjoying with friends. Cheers from our dogs to you and yours.”

JC Somers ‘Joie de Chien’ Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $19 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note 
“Joie de Chien is the fun side of the JC Somers collection of wine. This Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from some of our favorite vineyards and is perfect for enjoying with friends. Cheers from our dogs to you and yours.”

Lowest Price in the USA!
 

JC Somers ‘La Revanche’ Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, USA 2022 750ml $19 special, 12 bottles available
Winery Note 
“The La Revanche Chardonnay is blended from some of the best sites in the Willamette Valley. It is fermented and aged in 500 and 600-liter French oak Barrels without the use of the secondary malolactic fermentation. This wine is pure, bright, mineral driven and delicious. Cheers and enjoy with friend.”

JC Somers ‘Nouvelle Lune’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, USA 2022 750ml $33 special, 11 bottles available
Winery Note 
“The Nouvelle Lune (new moon) is a blend of our favorite Pinot Noir sites. We work with the Abbey Ridge and La Colina Vineyards to produce this exceptional and elegant terroir driven Pinot Noir.”
 

New Arrivals

 

France

Unbelievable values from one of the world’s great producers!
These are the lowest prices in the USA:
 

Winemaker’s Note “A complex and generous wine, with a rare elegance. The color is extraordinarily luminous. On the nose, a palette of interesting and varied aromas: syrup, grilled almond, preserved fruit. In the mouth, a silky and ample texture which does not exclude freshness or lightness. Long on the palate, with flavors recalling grilled bread and fruit jam. Always a consummate example of a white Burgundy, this wine is perfection!”
Joseph Drouhin Perrieres, Meursault Premier Cru, France 2019 750ml $124.50 special, 12 bottles available

Average Price is $135

Winemaker’s Note “A wine of great elegance with a vivid and bright colour. When the wine is young, the aromas are reminiscent of violet and black currant. With age, the aromas take on notes of ripe or candied fruit, mushroom and mild spices. On the palate, a pleasant sensation of roundness and velvety texture. Long aftertaste, with touches of candied fruit and vanilla.”
Joseph Drouhin Volnay, Cote de Beaune, France 2018 750ml $49 special, 21 bottles available

Average Price is $65


Joseph Drouhin Volnay, Cote de Beaune, France 2019 750ml $34.50 special, 24 bottles available

Average Price is $60
 

 

California
 
 hot deal!  Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, USA 2022 750ml $16 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery Note “We are proud to have produced Dry Chenin Blanc each and every year since our family winery was founded in 1972. Extremely versatile and food friendly, it is the perfect aperitif and one of our most beloved wines. Fermented in 100% stainless steel barrels, this beautiful wine is wonderfully bright and consistent vintage after vintage. At first swirl, aromatics of honeydew, watermelon and pineapple spring forward from the glass with floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle. On the palate, the wine has refreshing flavors of cucumber, lime and nectarine with hints of geranium, sweet basil and ripe orange. The mouthfeel is soft but inviting, with a lively acidity. This classic, Loire Valley-style wine is excellent when paired with fresh oysters, seafood, or just about anything!”