Vinopolis May 5 Newsletter

May 5, 2014

Stocks arriving tomorrow May 06:

Chartogne- Taillet Champagne Brut Cuvee Ste Anne NV ($49.95) $34.90 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Full-bodied and powerful, offering toast and malt aromas followed by honey, roasted almond and ginger flavors. Rich, this finishes dry, with a long aftertaste of honey and nut.”

USA-OREGON
Crowley Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special

Purple Hands Pinot Noir Holstein Vineyard Dundee Hills 2012 ($34.95) $29.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Taut in structure, this is focused and expansive in flavor, brimming with currant and blackberry fruit and festooned with floral and mineral grace notes, lingering expressively and intensely. Drink now through 2022.”

Purple Hands Pinot Noir Barron Wahl Vineyard Chehalem Mountains AVA 2012 ($34.95) $29.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Bright and expressive, weaving toasty, spicy accents into brilliant raspberry and mulberry flavors, picking up a guava note as the finish persists with intensity. Drink now through 2022.”

Purple Hands Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2012 ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Taut, vibrant and expressive, this brims with blackberry and currant fruit, with layers of wet stone and floral aromatics, persisting with grace on the finish.”

USA – WASHINGTON
Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Red 2011 ($79.95) $69 special
Quilceda Creek Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($249.95) $199 special

USA-CALIFORNIA
Chateau Souverain North Coast Chardonnay 2011 ($17.95) $9.90 special
Winemaker’s notes: “Inviting aromas of roasted pears, lemon citrus and subtle baking spice meet elegant layers of pineapple, lemon-lime and crème brûlée flavors. The full-bodied Chardonnay offers a lush texture and balanced acidity. The wine has a lengthy, flavorful finish.”

Chateau Souverain North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 ($17.95) $9.90 special
Winemaker’s notes: “Deep ruby-purple in color, this Cabernet boasts bright and vivid aromas of roasted vanilla, mocha and baking spices which meet elegant layers of blackberry and ripe cherry flavors. The full mouth feel is extracted and rich and framed by thick mouth coating tannins. The fully balanced fruit, tannins and acidity, lead to a juicy and lengthy finish.”

FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2010 ($249.95) $179 special
Stephen Tanzer 95-97 points “Aroma of cold steel.  Great energy to the flavors of crushed rock and citrus fruits.  A wine of outstanding richness and chewy texture, this Corton-Charlemagne washes over the palate like a wave.  An infant today but destined for a long life in bottle.  Conveys an impression of great solidity.  (I also loved the Bienvenue-Batard-Montrachet for its exhilarating acid/sugar balance and spicy, citric intensity, but neither it nor Faiveley’s more austere Batard was near the end of its secondary fermentation.  The Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatieres showed a piquant floral quality and terrific sappy length.)”

Domaine Dujac Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 ($299.95) $249 special
Burghound 93 points “A completely different aromatic profile presents itself here with a wild mix of red berries, especially sour cherry and currant, along with lavender, rose petal and warm earth nuances. There is fine detail to the intense, cool and pure medium weight plus flavors that possess superb depth on the strikingly persistent finish. I’ve observed this before but the Dujac Charmes just seems to be consistently performing well after some years of being the weak sister in this great group of grand crus. It is weak no more.”

FRANCE-SANCERRE
Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Rose Terre De Maimbray 2013 ($29.95) $21.90 special
100% Pinot Noir

FRANCE-PROVENCE
Chateau De Calavon D’Aix-En-Provence Rose 2013 ($21.95) $18 special 
Chateau notes: “Château de Calavon, a domain of 115 acres, is located in Lambesc, in the heart of the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence appellation. It is the first winery to be founded in this village. Owned by the Audibert family for five generations, it is now run by Michel Audibert and his team.  The vines are planted on terraces facing southeast, in stony soil that is a mixture of limestone and clay. The grape varieties grown for rosé wines are Grenache, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, and Cinsault. No pesticides, herbicides, or chemical products are used in the vineyards, as the estate is in the process of converting to organic production.”

A centuries old winery that has been passed down through the Saah family since the late 1800’s, Nikolaihof specializes in traditional, bone dry Rieslings and Gruner Veltliners from their old vine plantings. Their winemaking philosophy is focused around a belief in organic and sustainable growing methods, great care and attention in the vineyards, and little to no intervention in the cellar. Nikolaihof has been practicing Bio-dynamics since 1971, making them one of the longest Bio-dynamic practicing wineries in the world, if not the first. Natural fermentations are the rule, in Austrian oak vessels, deep in their cold, 700-year-old cellar. Long lees contact and aging are the norm, with some wines aging as long as 15 years before being bottled. In their youth the Nikolaihof wines are tight and reticent, showing bright, mineral flavors with good acidity. In recent years, Weingut Nikolaihof has been releasing small amounts of old, bottle-aged library wines called Vinothek, as well as recently bottled Rieslings that have aged in old casks for several years, Steinrieslers. These library release wines are a perfect example that these wines greatly repay cellaring, producing wines with sublime purity and balance.

Nikolaihof Riesling Vinothek Wachau 1995 ($219.95) $199 special 2 cases available
Wine Advocate 100 points “Words nearly (!) failed when faced with Nikolaihof’s 1995 Riesling Vinothek, a Smaragd of 12.5% alcohol bottled after seventeen years in cask, and without question one of the most haunting Riesling wines of my experience. Frangipane, chamomile, freesia and rowan in the nose liquefy in a most extraordinary way on a silken palate to achieve an impression of virtually weightless floral perfume that glides all the way through to … well, can you speak of “finish” when a wine doesn’t? Piquant nut oils and peach kernel along with a shadow-like shifting of subtly stony undertones lend counterpoint, enveloping richness, and further mystery to this amazing libation, bringing it, if you will – or at least, trying to bring it – down to earth. I won’t attempt to suggest how long this might continue on its magnificent way, though the closest precedent – Nikolaihof’s 1990 “Vinothek” bottling – isn’t fading. And this 1995 held up superbly for days after opening.”Nikolaihof Riesling Steinriesler 1998 ($84.95) $69 special 7 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Rich bouquet of brioche, acacia blossom, pine resin, sweet hawthorn and lime zest. On the palate, this riesling’s subtler elements are drowned in its supple, yeasty character, but its caramel fruit sweetness is leavened by understated acidity. Finishes long, with flavors of wet stone, anise and baked apple. Very unusual, but in its own way astonishing.”Nikolaihof Riesling Weingebirge Jungfernlese 1999 ($109.95) $89 special 2 bottles available

Nikolaihof Riesling Vom Stein Jungfernlese 2006 ($59.95) $49 special 21 bottles available
Terry Theise notes “It means the virgin-vintage, the first crop from young vines. And it’s what the Germans would call Feinherb, and it’s what any sane person would call irresistible! A potion of iris and lavender, spicy and penetrating; very long, seductively earthy, like a really profound Nahe Spätlese, almost the 5-spice and wildflower of Dönnhoff’s Felsenberg.”

Nikolaihof Riesling Steiner Hund Reserve 2008 ($79.95) $66 special 13 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Creamy and juicy, this delivers an enticing floral aroma, with powerful, well-structured flavors of ripe cherry, baked apple and dried pear. The long finish resonates with rich and refined accents of vibrant mineral and spice. Drink now through 2018. 28 cases imported”

Nikolaihof Riesling Vom Stein Smaragd 2009 ($69.95) $59 special 12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 91 points “Features a honeyed, floral aroma, with rich, decadent flavors of baked apple, licorice, dried pineapple and slate. Dried basil and mango notes linger on the complex and powerful finish. Drink now through 2018. 38 cases imported. ”

Nikolaihof Riesling Vom Stein Smaragd 2010 750ml ($64.95) $55 special 5 bottles available
Nikolaihof Riesling Vom Stein Smaragd 2010 1.5L ($139.95) $119 special 4 bottles available
Terry Theise notes “Almost rugged and gnarly-that’s ’10 baby. Flowering fields aroma doesn’t specifically signal “Riesling,” but the stretchy sinewy palate scratches that very itch; it’s the sting of mint without the mint of mint.”

Nikolaihof Riesling Vom Stein Federspiel 2012 ($37.95) $31.90 special 8 bottles available
Terry Theise notes “Adorable aromas of quince and currant leaf lead into a lively spicy fennel-y palate. The direct attack is really, ah, striking. Though they didn’t design it, of course. It’s like tatsoi leaves you eat from the bag.”

Nikolaihof Gruner Veltliner Weinberge Smaragd 2010 ($69.95) $59 special 3 bottles available
Terry Theise notes “Their non-vinificationvinification removes all trace of severity from 2010; it’s like a complex deciduous forest on a warm rainy day, the scent of the leaves and the dripping bark. The finish is haunting and poetic. It’s deep and sweet and will be amazingly complex in 4-6 years.I should emphasize, I don’t need to or want to summon any kind of spell when I’m tasting here. I try instead to erase my screen and then transcribe whatever takes place. I mean, the wines are how they are, and I seem to feel my only authentic response is directly into image and metaphor. And the tasting itself is quite workmanlike; 4-5 glasses are lined up and the wines poured into flights, just like anywhere else. And then they start to peal, and the usual deconstruction of flavors just isn’t called for. Better to fall into the aura of the pealing, to hear the complicated overtones, to feel the air between the wine and me. That’s what seems to work. + +”

Nikolaihof Gruner Veltliner Weingebirge Smaragd 2011 ($64.95) $55 special 9 bottles available
Terry Theise notes “Delicate and soulful. Not a flashy first impression. 12.6% alc. Pea shoot and vetiver and a curious tickle of tannin; a careful beautiful wine with nothing to prove. Again a stirringly mineral finish.I should emphasize, I don’t need to or want to summon any kind of spell when I’m tasting here. I try instead to erase my screen and then transcribe whatever takes place. I mean, the wines are how they are, and I seem to feel my only authentic response is directly into image and metaphor. And the tasting itself is quite workmanlike; 4-5 glasses are lined up and the wines poured into flights, just like anywhere else. And then they start to peal, and the usual deconstruction of flavors just isn’t called for. Better to fall into the aura of the pealing, to hear the complicated overtones, to feel the air between the wine and me. That’s what seems to work.”

Nikolaihof Gruner Veltliner Weingebirge Federspiel 2012 ($34.94) $27 special 11 bottles available
Terry Theise notes “Markedly lissome and chiseled, slate-blue eyes and high cheekbones; even a little phenolic and certainly mineral, especially for this estate. The finish is clipped but the alc is below 12%, and the clarity and oyster grip is almost more typical for Hefeabzug.”

Palazzo Cabernet Franc Napa 2008 750ml ($79.95) $44 special
Robert Parker 92 points “The 2008 Cabernet Franc, a wine Palazzo seems to have a Midas’ touch with, has a deep bluish/ruby/purple color. Notes of cedar wood, spice box, bay leaf, black currant and black cherry fruit jump from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, elegant, ethereal wine. It displays good ripeness and moderately sweet tannin. It should be better in 2-3 years and evolve for 12-15+.”

Kalin Cellars Semillon 2000 ($39.95) $29 special
Robert Parker 93 points (in December 2013) “Even better, the 2000 Semillon is a blend of 75% Semillon and 25% Sauvignon Blanc with some of the Semillon coming from 100-year-old vines. The wine was fermented in French oak for ten months and bottled without filtration in August, 2001. It displays a light gold color as well as aromas of wet gravel, honeysuckle, candle wax, orange marmalade and earth. Full-bodied, exceptionally fresh, rich and long, this remarkable white wine should drink well for 10+ more years.”

Amuse Bouche Proprietary Red Napa 2009 ($299.95) $149 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 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”

FRANCE
Domaine Pavelot Savigny les Beaune 2010 ($44.95) $24 special
Burghound 88 points “Here the fruit is ripe though distinctly different as the Savigny style earth character is quite prominent on the somber dark pinot fruit nose. There is a velvety texture to the supple and relatively forward flavors that possess good concentration and fine balance on the sappy finish. This isn’t an especially elegant effort but it is certainly delicious and satisfying.”

Tempier Bandol 2010 ($41.95) $29 special
Wine Spectator 90 points  “Notes of sanguine and rosemary line the core of taut cherry preserves and red currant paste. A singed alder hint flitters through the finish, showing good persistence. Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan. Drink now through 2020.”

L. Aubry Champagne Brut Premier Cru NV ($44.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds 91 points “(45% pinot meunier, 25% pinot noir and 25% chardonnay, with the rest arbanne, petit meslier and fromenteau; disgorged in April, 2013):  Bright straw.  Pungent aromas of Meyer lemon, pear and fig, with a gingery accent adding lift.  Sappy, penetrating citrus fruit and floral flavors are given a refreshingly bitter character by notes of pear skin and peach pit, with a waxy note coming up on the back half.  A smoky nuance lingers on the finish, which shows very good clarity and length.  Fifty-five percent of this blend is from 2010 and the rest is reserve wines, mostly from a solera that was begun in 1998.”

A.Margaine Champagne Premier Cuvee Le Brut NV ($49.95) $36 special
Josh Raynolds 90 points “(90% chardonnay and 10% pinot noir; bottled in July, 2013 after 26 months on its lees):  Bright straw.  Fresh melon and peach on the nose, with a dusty mineral quality adding complexity and lift.  Juicy honeydew and pit fruit flavors are concentrated and energetic, picking up bitter quinine and toasty lees notes with air.  Finishes with good focus and lingering floral and spice qualities.”

Trimbach Pinot Noir Reserve Alsace 2009 ($29.95) $14 special
Here is a wine for Pinot Lovers with a distaste for wood barrels. None at all used here. An earthy-spicy expression of Pinot Noir. Will pair well with anything along the poultry-pork-veal-lamb spectrum, and also a red selection to accompany spicier Asian foods.

Trimbach Riesling Clos Sainte Hune 2005 ($249.95) $179 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “In its aromas of lime, apricot, narcissus, chalk dust, red currant, and musk, the 2005 Riesling Clos Ste-Hune is surprisingly a bit more open and expressive than the Frederic Emile. On the palate this exhibits amazing, chalky density, firm citricity and a satiny, slippery, glycerin-rich texture. Tart red berry, pungent citrus zest, and quarry dust dominate in a finish that is unsurprisingly unyielding but promisingly long. Only time can reveal this wine’s true degree of superiority to the Frederic Emile, and the latter might well nip at its heels indefinitely! “

ITALY
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora Riserva 2008 ($79.95) $44 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Playing true to type, the 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is another of the more open wines in this vintage. But that is only in relative terms. Layers of expressive red fruit, crushed flowers and spices flesh out in this radiant Barbaresco. In most vintages the Pora is one of the more accessible of the Riservas when young. The close proximity of the vineyard to the Tanaro River results in a warm microclimate that ripens the fruit earlier than elsewhere. In 2008, though, the Pora packs a serious punch. The coolness of the late harvest comes through in a finish laced with considerable tension and minerality. This is easily one of the very best Poras I have ever tasted from the Produttori. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.”

Castello di Ama Chianti Riserva 2008 ($41.95) $28 special
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Good medium-deep red.  Black cherry, redcurrant, licorice and menthol aromas are lifted by a floral element that carries through on the palate. Flavors of dark cherry, licorice and underbrush are complicated by a tarry quality.  Finishes suave and smooth, with harmonious tannins and good subtle, spicy length.  I was impressed by the purity of the sangiovese fruit, given the fact that the wine also includes cabernet franc and merlot components; chalk up another winner to the dynamic duo of Lorenza Sebaste and Marco Pallanti.”

Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino 2008 ($59.95) $33 special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2008 Brunello di Montalcino sweeps across the palate with superb richness and depth. Dark cherries, plums, spices, tobacco and menthol blossom as the wine opens up in the glass. A decidedly large-scaled, dramatic wine for the year, the 2008 impresses for its pure resonance and rich, enveloping finish. This is one of the most rewarding 2008s to drink upon release, but it should also age well for a number of years.”

Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico Reserva 2007 ($59.95) $44 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2007 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico is all about energy and sheer power. The Montefico is quite virile, even in this vintage, with a certain austerity in the tannin that will require time in bottle to soften. Dark red fruit, leather, anise and spices are some of the notes that wrap around the insistent, pointed finish. There is plenty of nuance here, but not the early appeal of the year. This is a great showing, but readers will need to be patient.

Marziano Abbona Barolo Terlo Ravera 2007 ($79.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2007 Barolo Terlo Ravera is a little more reserved than the Pressenda. It comes across as rather inward, with lovely definition in its sweet red fruit, mint and floral notes. The Terlo Ravera impresses for its length and energy rather than for its sheer power. It, too, is dazzling, though, and should drink well for a number of years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

Cerbaiona di Diego Molinari Brunello di Montalcino 2005 ($149.95) $89 special
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 93+ points “Succulent red cherries, dried roses, violets, tar and spices are some of the many notes that are woven together in the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Intensely perfumed, the 2008 shows many of the classic Cerbaiona signatures, even if it is a touch less polished than some of the recent vintages. At the same time, the 2008 has come together nicely over the last few years, so it will be interesting to watch what happens with further time in bottle. Dried rose petals and spices add complexity to the subtle, layered flavors. This is one of the stronger wines of the year.”

SPAIN
Amezola Inigo Rioja 2010($39.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2009 Inigo Amezola is 100% Tempranillo. It has a super-ripe, almost Rancio-like bouquet with notes of kirsch and eau-de-vie. The palate has supple entry and is beautifully balanced with notes of allspice and a touch of sweet raisin. This is very composed and supremely well-crafted. Drink: 2012-2018+.”

Dominio Pingus Flor de Pingus Ribera del Duero 2011 ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2011 Flor de Pingus demonstrates wonderful purity on the nose, perhaps more feminine and wily than the 2010 with luscious raspberry, blackberry and forest floor notes. The palate is full-bodied with filigree tannins and a little more volume than the 2010. It seems generous and very supple at this early juncture with a caressing, peppery finish that is extremely well focused. There 2011 has awesome potential and I cannot wait to taste this after two or three years in bottle.”

Bodega Riojanas Monte Real Rioja Gran Reserva 1998 ($59.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Dark red with a pale rim. Pungent, spicy nose shows pure cherry, redcurrant and plum complemented by succulent herbs, vanillin oak spice and a hint of dried flowers. Supple, lush and deep, with sweet red fruit flavors framed by gentle, harmonious tannins. Fleshy and sweet on the back end, with impressive concentration and focus. This should age well.”

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE
Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2012 ($12.95) $7.50 special
Case 12: Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2012 $79 special (That’s $6.583 / bottle)
Wine Spectator 88 points “Offers a lightly roasted feel, with an espresso frame and notes of ganache, steeped plum and blackberry fruit hanging through the finish, where white pepper flickers”

Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2008 ($99.95) $59 special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Clos Apalta, depending on your point of view, is arguably Chile’s best wine. And this vintage is outstanding! Earth, minty spice, ripe berry, minerality and smoky aromas cover the bases. It’s superbly structured, with a fine texture and depth. Tastes lush and complex, with blackberry, crème de cassis, fine herbs and tobacco. Finishes classy. Drink now through 2016.”

GERMANY
Selbach- Oster Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese* 2010 ($59.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Honeysuckle, lily and heliotrope; apple and white peach essences ravishingly scent the Selbach-Oster “one-star” 2010 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese*, then reconvene on a creamily-textured yet insistently juicy palate that conveys an irresistible sense of tenderness, delicacy, caress, yet at the same time vibrancy. The savor of browned butter, salt, and deep nut oils here are like catnip to the salivary glands. This glorious epitome of its great site finishes with extraordinary, multi-layered, and in the end almost ethereal persistence. The berries here were still largely green-gold, freckled, but only delicately (“perhaps 20-25%”) botrytized, relates Johannes Selbach, and this seems to me entirely recognizable in the glass. I would hope to follow and be spoiled by some of the 2,000 liters of this for the next quarter century.”

Donnhoff Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett 2010 ($34.95) $21.90 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “Enhanced levity to Donnhoff’s 2010 Oberhauser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett, even when compared with the corresponding Krotenpfuhl, may well be the effect of these vines’ literally slate underpinnings. In any event, this displays a lovely hint of creaminess allied to refreshment, and features a dynamic finishing interaction of fresh lemon and grapefruit, herbs, and wet stone. I would anticipate 12-15 years of high-performance.”

Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Riesling Kabinett 2012 ($18.95) $14 special
Terry Theise: “The `12 richness and weight gives a lot of middle to a wine that’s sometimes almost constricted by its Altoid mintiness; this really is the best vintage ever, loads of lemon and eucalyptus but with a dense doughy mirabelle cream and saltiness. Vinous and rich.”

Two BrunellosLast Chance at Moving Sale Price!
Only $39 / bottle, regularly $49+
Our move might be over, but the special price will last until Sunday, May 11th

Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2007 ($59.95) $39 last chance special
James Suckling 95 points “A very structured 2007 Brunello, with ripe and firm tannins and beautiful fresh fruit. Full body, chewy and intense, with a long finish. This is the best from here in years. Wonderful depth of fruit.”La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2006 ($74.95) $39 last chance special
James Suckling 95 points “Blueberries, flowers and raspberries. Love the nose, like so many others. Full body, with fine tannins and a silky textured finish. So much going on here. Class”