November 17, 2014
California Cabernet, Clos des Papes 2012, Riesling, and much more below
Jump Start Sale
Limited Time Champagne Sale
Sale Ends November 22nd
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut NV ($49.95) $36 limited time special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Granny Smith apple, toasted almond, currant and whole-grain toast flavors are fresh and well-meshed, structured by bright acidity and a lively bead. Offers a creamy finish, with hints of smoke and honeycomb. Drink now through 2018.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 36% higher at $49/ bottle
Guy Charlemagne Brut Nature NV ($44.95) $29 limited time special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “(70% chardonnay and 30% pinot noir; no dosage): Pale gold. Fresh lime, lemongrass and white flowers on the mineral-tinged nose. Dry and tightly focused, offering an array of bitter citrus fruit flavors and a strong chalky quality. Finishes with very good clarity, bite and lingering minerality. This nervy, uncompromising Champagne would be fantastic with oysters.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is over 30% higher at $39/ bottle
Price Reductions in Effect until November 22nd
Limited to Stock on Hand
~~~~~~~~~
New Week – New Arrivals
OREGON
Brick House Cuvee de Tonnelier Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2012 ($59.95) $47 special
Winery’s notes: “From our oldest vines, a wine whose name means “the Cooper’s Cuvee.” It honors the winemaker’s father whose French family long ago took the name “Tonnelier” or cooper, after the craft by which they earned their livelihood. “Dad’s wine” is a tribute to a man as soft-spoken and generous as the Pinot Noir that honors him.”
Belle Pente Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Ruby-red. Ripe red berries, anise, potpourri and a hint of woodsmoke on the fragrant nose. Offers pliant black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors braced by tangy acidity and a touch of bitter orange zest. Sappy, penetrating and precise, with a good whack of peppery spices enlivening the long, gently tannic finish. Distinctly powerful for the O’Donnells’ entry-level bottling, which is in keeping with this vintage. At 13.6% alcohol it’s a big departure from, for example, the 2010 version, which registered at 12.3%, which is consistent with that year’s tendencies.”
Apolloni Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2012 ($27.95) $24 special
Et Fille Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard Dundee Hills 2011 ($49.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Deep red. Sexy, expansive aromas of red berries, potpourri and allspice show very good purity and an emerging smoky quality. Silky, sweet and penetrating, offering vibrant raspberry and rose pastille flavors and a touch of spicecake. Delicate and precise in the style of this vintage’s best wines, finishing with excellent cut and sneaky tannins that add grip. Open-minded Burgundy freaks should check this one out–and any of this producer’s pinots, in fact.”
Boedecker Stewart Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($34.95) $29 special
Boedecker Athena Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($34.95) $29 special
Winemaker notes” Stewart and Athena Winemaker Cuvees represent both the Yin and Yang of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. At once unctuous and lush; subtle, evocative and aromatic, their distinct blends are reflective of their palates and the nuances of each vintage. These are wines you may drink upon release or cellar for years, your patience will be rewarded.”
CALIFORNIA
Joseph Phelps Freestone Vineyards Fogdog Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2010 ($29.95) $26 special
Winemaker notes: “The 2010 Fogdog Pinot Noir fills the senses with ripe raspberry, red cherry and plum aromas with touches of fragrant violet, earth and tangerine peel. Youthful, with great energy and racy acidity, this wine is loaded with juicy blackberry, black cherry and black pepper with lingering notes of baking spices.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is $31 / bottle
Rodney Strong Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2009 ($79.95) $59 special
Robert Parker 92+ points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander’s Crown bursts from the glass with dark cherry jam, blackberries, exotic spices, flowers, grilled herbs and graphite. It boasts gorgeous depth and a rich, sumptuous personality. Higher-toned floral notes add lift and brightness on the finish. The style is decidedly on the opulent side, yet all of the elements are nicely balanced. The 2009 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 23 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is 20% higher at $71 / bottle
Sandhi Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 93+ points “Showing a streamlined, focused and straight feel, the 2012 Pinot Noir Sanford and & Benedict knocks it out of the park with its nose of underbrush, rose petal, red berry and cranberry-slanted aromatics. Still tight on the palate, it has a serious core of fruit and will benefit from another year in bottle and drink nicely through 2020.”
Sandhi Rinconada Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “From a vineyard just beside Sanford & Benedict, but further up the slope and with less top soil, the 2012 Pinot Noir Rinconada is thrilling stuff. Loaded with minerality, spice, earth and darker berry fruits, there’s a slight rusticity here, but I love the underlying structure and depth. Showing more floral notes with air, give it another year and it will dish out loads of pleasure through 2020.”
Antoni Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Pinot Noir Rinconada is deep, layered and vibrant to the core. Dark red cherry, smoke, game, blood orange and sage meld together in a structured, intense Pinot that needs at least another year or two in barrel for the tannins to soften. This is an impressive showing.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The next best listed price is $65 / bottle
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Dom Perignon Plenitude P2 1998 ($419.95) $379 special
Wine Spectator 98 points “Offers precision and finely detailed form, powered by an expansive palate of flavor. The layers of ripe crushed blackberry and glazed apricot fruit complement the saline-tinged minerality and oyster shell notes, graced by hints of pastry, honeycomb and exotic spice. Mouthwatering and persistent on the zesty finish. Drink now through 2030.”
James Suckling 97 points “A P2 release indicating it has been matured to the 2nd Plenitude, the middle stage of Dom Perignon’s three-phase life as defined by Richard Geoffroy. This is a wine with some real tension between complexity and freshness that makes for incredibly engaging drinking. The nose offers up a little white peppery edge from the pinot; oyster shell saline freshness, red florals, sweet smelling woody spices and brioche, spiced biscuits and subtle roasted coffee notes – impressively complex. The phenolics register on the palate as a discreetly mineral, saline character, there’s sorbet-like texture through the middle before finishing with comet-like line and length.”
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Jacques Prieur Clos De Vougeot Grand Cru Cote de Nuits 2008 ($199.95) $179 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Impressively rich and dense, with dark plum and sweet fruits signalling opulence. The wine has power and intensity although it never loses the acidity of the vintage.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “A red full of macerated cherry, vanilla, sweet spices and mineral, this is both stylish and powerful. Still a bit rigid, but well-proportioned, with grip on the finish. Just a bit rustic in the end. Best from 2014 through 2030. 15 cases imported”
Jean Thevenet Domaine de La Bongran Vire Clesse 2008 ($47.95) $39 special
Vinopolnotes- A single bottling of Viré-Clessé is produced Jean and Gautier Thevenet, and is undoubtedly one of the most unique expressions of Chardonnay being made today. The wine’s natural fermentation usually takes close to two years, at which time it is bottled and held in the Thévenet’s cellar, to be released at their discretion (2006 is the currently available vintage). Grapes here mature much later than the norm, and produce a wine that is naturally high in alcohol, rich in body, bright in minerality, acidity and invariably has traces of residual sugar.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
FRANCE- RHONE
Maison Nicolas Perrin Crozes Hermitage 2012 ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “This red offers a broad, fleshy feel, delivering flavors of dark plum, cherry and blackberry embedded with notes of fruitcake, black licorice and sweet spices. The toasty frame is well-integrated, and the sanguine-tinged finish offsets the fruit. Drink now through 2015.”
St Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Slightly richer and my favorite of the ‘12s, with full-bodied depth and richness, the 2012 Gigondas Louisiane delivers classic spice-box, licorice, herbs, ground pepper and sweet Grenache driven fruit in a seamless, sexy and textured package. It shows the purity of the vintage, yet has knockout richness and fruit. Drink it over the coming decade.”
St Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades 2012 ($39.95) $31.90 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 Gigondas Souteyrades is a perfumed, elegant version of the cuvee and exhibits classic berry fruit, spice-box, licorice and wild herb aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, pure, layered and textured, with building richness and fine tannin, it should be reasonably approachable on release, yet age gracefully for 12-15 years.”
St Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2012 ($37.95) $29 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Looking at Saurel’s 2012s, the 2012 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a medium to full-bodied, awesomely textured effort that reveals loads of black raspberry, licorice and ground herbs. Already approachable, it nevertheless has fine tannin, beautiful mid-palate depth and impressive balance. It should impress for 10-12 years.”
JL Chave Selection Crozes-Hermitage Silene 2011 ($34.95) $28 special
Vinopolnotes- Jean-Louis Chave, who is in his mid-40s, has managed to craft some of the finest wines in the Rhone today. He started the negociant J-L Chave Selection in the mid-1990s with the goal of sourcing expressive, terroir-driven wines from outside the Hermitage AOC. The vineyards for Silène are hillside vineyards located in Larnage and Gervans. It is rare for Crozes to come from hillside granitic soil as most Crozes is situated on the alluvial valley floor. The granite soil produces a wine with more backbone and structure, producing a bold and well balanced 100% Syrah.
Clos Des Papes Chateauneuf Du Pape Rouge 2012 ($149.95) $125 special
Wine Spectator 97 points –#7 TOP 100 2014–“A stunner, with a gorgeous cassis aroma that soars from the glass, reinforced by a core of cassis, cherry and plum pâte de fruit, hoisin sauce, warm ganache and well-roasted apple wood notes. Hefty, but suave and seamless. The finish lets graphite and licorice elements glide through. The structure is dense, polished and perfectly integrated, resulting in lovely length. Should be a beauty after cellaring. Best from 2017 through 2032.”
Wine Advocate 95-98 points “Tasted from multiple foudres, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape is stunning! Showing surprising depth and concentration in the vintage, with full-bodied richness and texture, all of the samples showed perfumed, complex aromatics, fantastic mid-palates and serious back-end structure. Less forward than the 2011, with plenty of oomph, it will most likely require short-term cellaring to come around, and have a broad drink window.”
FRANCE-BORDEAUX
Chateau Cap Leon Veyrin Listrac Medoc 2010 ($29.95) $20.90 special
Case-6 Chateau Cap Leon Veyrin Listrac Medoc 2010 ($179.95) $114 special (that’s only $19 / bottle!)**
James Suckling & Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Smooth and rich, this showcases both the structure and ripe black fruits of the vintage. It has wood-aging flavors, with a touch of caramel and fine acidity. This is for medium- to long-term aging.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average price is $27 / bottle.
Chateau Leoville Las Cases Saint Julien 2011 ($219.95) $199 special
Wine Spectator 95 points, #10 Top 100 2014–“This has some toast to shed, but retains a terrific core of crushed plum and blackberry confiture. Has a beautiful ripple of charcoal for texture, honest acidity for balance and a bolt of iron that keeps this firmly grounded. A brick-house Cabernet. Best from 2018 through 2030.”
FRANCE-SAVOIE
Carrel Vin De Savoie Jongieux Gamay Prestige 2011 ($17.95) $14 special
Vinopolnotes- Developed for the first time in 1996, this cuvee comes from vineyards selections whose vines are between 35 and 45 years old.
ITALY-PIEDMONT
Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili 2003 ($219.95) $99 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Medium red. Very ripe aromas and flavors of strawberry liqueur and smoke. Surprisingly sappy and fresh, with a sexy sweetness leavened by lively acidity. There’s a liqueur-like quality to this 2003 along with a creamy richness of texture. Features a rising, fresh finish rare for the vintage and fine, granular, building tannins.”
Vinopolnotes-This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is over 25% higher at $126 / bottle.
Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Rabaja 2005 ($219.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2005 Barbaresco Rabaja is the densest and richest of these 2005 Barbarescos. Because it is aged in a slightly smaller cask, the wine shows an explosive personality along with some oak nuances that require bottle age to settle down. This muscular Barbaresco resonates on the palate with layers of spiced, mentholated dark cherries, minerals and licorice. It remains a dense, structured and primary wine in need of serious bottle age for the firm tannins to melt away. This, too, is a sublime wine from Bruno Giacosa. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is over 30% higher at $197 / bottle.
Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2003 ($179.95) $99 special
Stephen Tanzer & Wine Advocate 91 points “Moderately saturated medium red. Reticent nose hints at red fruit liqueur and marzipan. Sweet on entry, then quite firm in the middle, with fresh acids giving definition and penetration to this rather inexpressive wine. Today this is less rich and sweet than the Barbaresco Asili, but there’s enticing ripeness here and excellent lift on the firmly tannic finish. This really went into a shell in the glass and would appear to need at least five or six years of bottle aging.”ST
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is over 40% higher at $143 / bottle.
Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2005 ($249.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 94 points “The 2005 Barolo Falletto offers up a gorgeous bouquet of red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is a relatively delicate, elegant Barolo Falletto yet it offers gorgeous balance, tons of inner perfume and a long, refined finish. It is one of the overachievers in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”WA
Vinopolnotes- This is the best listed price in the USA! The average listed price is over 40% higher at $216 / bottle.
Gianfranco Bovio Langhe Nebbiolo 2011 ($27.95) $24 special
Importer notes “All Annunziata, all delicious. The Annunziata is a belt of land that has had Nebbiolo planted to it since the 12th century. This approachable, sought-after bottling always gives us a fine preview of the Barolo vintage to come. Handpicked fruit, destemmed and bladder pressed, then onto stainless steel for 21 days, lastly finished in Bovio’s grand old botti. Fruit forward, rose and tar.”
Spinetta Barbaresco Starderi 2008 ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Bilberry, raspberry, floral and spice aromas and flavors grace this elegant, intense Barbaresco. Rich and fruity, with a spine of tannins underneath. Shows fine harmony and length. Best from 2014 through 2026.”
ITALY-TUSCANY
Avignonesi Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano DOCG 2010 375ML ($21.95) $16 special
Wine Spectator 91 points –#58 TOP 100 2013–“This round version is laced with black cherry and raspberry fruit, showing hints of cocoa and spice. Firm tannins lend support, making this well-balanced overall, with a lingering finish of warm chocolate cake. Drink now through 2022.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
ITALY-VENETO
Allegrini La Grola Veronese IGT 2011($29.95) $26 special
Winery notes “A full-bodied, intense and elegant wine. Deep ruby red in colour, it has a wide and embracing bouquet with scents of wild berries and juniper, tobacco and coffee essence. Made from Corvina Veronese, Oseleta and Syrah grapes grown in La Grola, one of the most prestigious vineyards in the Valpolicella Classico area in terms both of history and position. The high plant density and the resulting low yield work together to give this wine its unique concentration.It can age for 10-12 years.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
ITALY- FRANCIACORTA
Berlucchi Cuvee ’61 Brut Metodo Classico Franciacorta DOCG NV ($29.95) $16 special
Case-12 Berlucchi Cuvee ’61 Brut Metodo Classico Franciacorta DOCG NV ($299.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.41 / bottle!)**
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This fresh, creamy Chardonnay-based sparkler is making waves thanks to its crisp acidity and full-bodied mouthfeel. The balance is spot-on, with delicate aromas of apricot, baked bread and sweet citrus that are backed by smooth and persistent perlage.”
Berlucchi Cuvee’61 Brut Rose Metodo Classico Franciacorta NV ($34.95) $18 special
Case-12 Berlucchi Cuvee’61 Brut Rose Metodo Classico Franciacorta NV ($359.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.91 / bottle!)**
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “A delicate pink color sets the stage for feminine aromas of pink rose, yeasty baked bread, small berries, savory forest and pine nut nuances. A fresh citrus note brings life to the finish and helps to enhance the wine’s sharp and lively perlage.”
GERMANY
Eugen Muller Forster Riesling Kirchenstuck Auslese 2011 500ML ($24.95) $27 special
Wine & Spirits Magazine 91 points “Kirchenstuck is named for the church (kirche) that fronts it, but it could just as well be kirschenstuck (cherry-piece), this is so redolent of pale red berries. It falls toward the lighter end of Auslese, the sugar more rounding than sweetening, with salty mineral and rose petal notes confirming the delicacy. Try it with pork dusted with sumac or other richly spiced dishes.”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese*** Kranklay 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Terry Theise: “The parcel is below the sundial, and spreads to either side, lower down where the slate is more crumbled and the wines have more finesse. It isn’t the greater intensity or power that asks the higher price; it’s the greater finesse and texture, and if I didn’t already love these wines, this alone would make me love them. It’s a tender, delicate wine, and a celestial wild strawberry note arrives. Almost no botrytis. Masterly and bewitching.”
SPAIN
Bodegas Marquesa Valserrano Rioja Reserva 2005 ($27.95) $17.70 special
Case-12 Bodegas Marquesa Valserrano Rioja Reserva 2005 ($299.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75 / bottle!)**
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(90% tempranillo and 10% graciano): Deep ruby. Highly fragrant scents of redcurrant, cherry, dried rose and spicecake, with hints of smoke and pipe tobacco. Packs a punch, displaying very good vivacity to the cherry preserve and floral pastille flavors. Finishes sappy, focused and long, with silky tannins and lingering sweetness. This elegant wine is drinking well now but has the balance to age.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA! The average listed price is $21 / bottle.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spotlight Highlight
New Arrival
Lewis Cellars (Lizzy)
Napa Valley’s Lewis Cellars was established in 1992 by former Indy 500 racecar driver Randy Lewis and his wife, Debbie. Small, high-quality production and family are just a few of the main focuses coming from this winery. The Lewis family works hard in being 100% hands-on within every aspect from vine to bottle, starting with vineyard management and winemaking, to sales and distribution. Low vigor rootstocks and carefully selected clones were part of the meticulous decisions when determining where to source fruit, followed by numerous small lots vinified by vineyard block, varietal, clone and rootstock. With just 9,000 cases made annually, this winery is one to seek out, consistently producing wines full of opulence and plenty of character.
Available Here Now
Lewis Cellars Alec’s Blend Napa Valley Red 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “There’s lots to admire in this richly flavored effort, offering tiers of graphite, mocha, dark berry, toasty oak and savory notes. Maintains a bold profile on the long and persistent finish, and promises to develop in the future. Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. Drink now through 2026.”
Lewis Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2012 ($99.95) $89 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Beautifully crafted, rich and layered, this offers tiers of currant, blackberry, mocha, espresso and vanilla notes. The flavors slowly build depth while retaining an elegant mouthfeel, ending with a long, persistent finish that keeps echoing the core components. Best from 2015 through 2030.”
Lewis Cellars Chardonnay Napa Valley 2013 ($59.95) $49 special
Winery notes “The bountiful yields of 2013 had tons of character too, as seen in our superb Napa Valley Chardonnay. Creamy pear, lime and caramel apple fruit basks in brioche, clove and sweet mineral spices. Loads of tree-ripened fruit form a dense, silky core rooted in natural acidity that gives the wine balance and sound structure. Flecks of gun metal, flint and whetstone add complexity to the long leesy finish. 2,200 cases produced.”
This shop never closes!
Shop online at
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
~~~~~~~~
Arriving This Week
Cayuse Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “Possibly the best vintage of this cuvee to date, don’t miss it. More savory and chewy, the 2012 Syrah En Chamberlin Vineyard gives up more toasted spices, herbs de Provence, chocolate, dried herbs and mulled dark fruits in its full-bodied, hedonistically styled personality. It should benefit from short-term cellaring.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95-98 points “The Syrahs are gorgeous across the board. The 2012 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard (5% Viognier) is surprisingly meaty and masculine, with plenty of pepper, smoke, blood and dark-plum fruits. Full-bodied, rich and layered on the palate, with massive minerality that comes out on the finish, it will be a 20-year wine.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Cayuse Edith Armada Vineyard Grenache Rose Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91 points “Looking like a white wine, with barely any pink color, the 2012 Grenache Rose Edith is nevertheless a gorgeous effort that will be hard to beat on a hot summer day. Juicy and lively, with tangerine, grapefruit and citrus aromas and flavors, this medium-bodied drinker has fabulous purity, refreshing acidity and a clean finish. I’d enjoy it over the coming summer months. ”
G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 2010 ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2010 Barolo Albe has begun to close down in bottle. Today, the tannins dominate over the fruit, although from time to time the wine’s personality begins to emerge. Rose petal, mint, sage and licorice meld together in a supple, racy Barolo endowed with both tons of near-term appeal and the potential to develop beautifully in bottle. Vajra crafts the Albe to be accessible young, but 2010 is a vintage in which a few years in bottle will only help. The Albe is one of the very finest Barolos in its price range.”
G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera 2010 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “Vajra’s 2010 Barolo is striking. Freshly cut flowers, mint, crushed rocks, pine and aromatic spices all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ravera. Vibrant and pulsating to the core, the 2010 impresses for its pure tension. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet spices add lift, but ultimately the 2010 is a dark, brooding Barolo that is going to require cellaring. There is so much to like here.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco Delle Viole 2010 ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2010 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is going to need quite a bit of time to fully come together. Dark cherries, plums, tobacco and spices burst from the glass in an intense, structured Barolo that hits all the high notes. Next to the Ravera, the Bricco delle Viole is more floral, lifted and finessed, especially with time in the glass. Rose petals, savory herbs and sweet spices add the last nuance of complexity. The 2010 is fabulous; it’s as simple as that.”
Domaine Ostertag Gewurztraminer Vignoble d’E 2013 ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Muscat Fronholz 2012 ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Pinot Blanc Barriques 2013 ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Pinot Gris Fronholz 2012 ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Les Vieilles Vignes de Sylvaner 2012 ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Riesling Vignoble d’E 2012 ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Riesling Fronholz 2012 ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Riesling Heissenberg 2012 ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Riesling Muenchberg, Alsace Grand Cru 2012 ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Riesling Muenchberg, Alsace Grand Cru 2011 ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Ostertag’s 2011 Riesling Muenchberg mingles fresh, very ripe apple and pear with candied grapefruit and kumquat rinds, caramelized parsnip, caraway, and fresh ginger, all wreathed in peat-like and charred smokiness, and putting me in mind of a Riesling dosed with Gewurztraminer. There is an uncanny combination of body and high glycerol with brightness here, leading to a finish of exuberant juiciness, zesty cut, interactive complexity and formidable sheer grip. I would anticipate this meriting return visits though at least 2025.” WA
Domaine Ostertag Pinot Noir Vignoble d’E 2013 ($29.95) $27 pre-arrival special
Domaine Ostertag Pinot Noir Fronholz 2012 ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason. Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Few of Many Salebration Offers
Lopez Heredia Rioja Bosconia Reserva 2003 ($37.95) $26 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(80% tempranillo, 15% garnacha, 3% graciano and 2% mazuelo): Medium red. Ripe red fruit, flowers and spices on the nose, with a smoky nuance emerging with aeration; very fresh for this notoriously hot vintage. Concentrated but not at all heavy, with intense red berry and floral pastille flavors and a deeper note of singed plum. The finish is bright and high-pitched, with lingering cherry and raspberry flavors and a hint of candied licorice.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA
The average listed price is 38% higher at $36 / bottle
Arroyo Val Sotillo Ribera del Duero Crianza 2006 ($34.95) $19 special
CASE-12 Arroyo Val Sotillo Ribera del Duero Crianza 2006 ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58 / bottle!)**
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Vibrant and honest, with expressive raspberry and cherry aromas and flavors accented by mint leaf, liqueur and cassis. Really hits the spot and then fades away in no hurry. A smoking-good crianza that hammers home the fact that Ismael Arroyo’s wines are still leaders in RDD. Drink now-2015”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 26% higher at $24 / bottle
Remelluri Rioja 2008 ($39.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(mostly tempranillo, with garnacha, graciano, viura and malvasia): Ruby-red. Redcurrant, cherry, rose pastille and spicecake on the highly perfumed nose and in the mouth. Silky, sweet and penetrating, with slow-building tannins and excellent finishing cut and length. A very successful wine for this difficult vintage, and it’s built to reward at least another ten years of aging.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 33% higher at $44
Elio Perrone Tasmorcan Barbera D’asti 2012 ($19.95) $11.90 special
Case-12 Elio Perrone Tasmorcan Barbera D’asti 2012 ($179.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 88 points “The Barbera d’Asti Tasmorcan is a wonderfully joyous, exuberant, vinous Barbera to drink over the next few years. Sweet spices, flowers, mint and dark berries all jump from the glass in this hugely delicious, mid-weight Barbera from Perrone. 2013 – 2016”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 42% higher at $17 / bottle
Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2009 ($49.95) $37 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Barolo Castiglione delivers a radiant but subdued quality with polished notes of dry mineral, black fruit, tar, licorice, leather and many more levels of complexity. This entry-level Barolo demonstrates that great results are achieved in 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 32% higher at $49 / bottle
Ca Del Baio Barbaresco Valgrande 2010 ($37.95) $29 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Of course, the Nebbiolos are nothing to sneeze at. The 2010 Barbaresco Valgrande, on the other hand, delivers a heightened sense of elegance and feminine restraint. The bouquet is redolent of cola, tar, blue flower, rosehip with faint hints of exotic spice. The tight grip of the tannins–firm without being astringent–gives this wine the attributes needed for longer cellar time. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 41% higher at $40 / bottle
Cantina Del Pino Barbaresco 2008 ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2008 Barbaresco comes across as quite elegant and Burgundian in this vintage. Sweet dark cherries, spices, mint and crushed flowers are some of the notes that take shape in the glass in this, bright, focused Barbaresco. The 2008 possesses terrific energy and polish from start to finish. This is a beautifully balanced wine from Cantina del Pino. The 2008 was made 50% from an east facing parcel of Ovello in the Morassino district. The other 50% of the fruit was sourced from the west-facing part of Ovello, plus Vacca’s smaller holdings in Starderi, Gallina and Albesani. How’s that for a superb quartet of vineyards? Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 33% higher at $44/ bottle
~~~~~~~~~~~
Eric Solomon Selections
Arriving This Friday, November 21st
Jeb Dunnuck writes in The Wine Advocate “This was a brilliant tasting with importer Eric Solomon, and he continues to pull the best from France, Spain and now Macedonia. This tasting covered his latest releases from France, and focused primarily on the 2013s. While we went through a number of wines from the Rhône Valley, those reviews are included in the Southern Rhône article in Issue 215. Without a doubt, Solomon is one of the top importers out there, and he excels at all price points. As I think these notes and scores show, you can drink incredible wines without breaking the bank”
Cecilio Black Slate Priorat Gratallops 2013 ($21.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Mas Alta Black Slate La Vilella Alta Priorat 2012 ($21.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90 points “Two brilliant efforts from the Bodegas Mas Alta include the 2012 Black Slate, a project of Rhone negociant Michel Tardieu, Philippe Cambie and Eric Solomon. From vineyards planted at a 1,000+ foot elevation, it was produced from 50- to 60-year-old vines and reveals a Burgundy-like personality. Copious notes of black cherry and black currant fruit intermixed with subtle spice, vanillin, crushed rock and spring flowers are found in this medium-bodied, elegant, stylish 2012. A blend of 60% Grenache, 35% Carignan and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, it was aged 12 months in French oak, of which 60% was new. It should drink well for 3-6 years.”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Scala Dei Priorat Escaladei Black Slate 2011 ($24.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(80% garnatxa and 20% carinena; aged for ten months in French and American oak tanks): Opaque ruby. Assertive, mineral-accented dark berry and cherry aromas are complemented by notes of licorice, candied violet and black cardamom. Rich and broad but lively, offering sharply focused blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. Closes tangy and long, with mounting tannins and impressive length. According to the importer, these vines range from 40 to 100 years of age.”
Finca Villacreces Pruno Ribera Del Duero 2012 ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 93 points “This blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon emerges from a vineyard situated adjacent to one of the famous vineyards utilized to produce Spain’s greatest red wine, Vega Sicilia. Made from relatively old vines, the 2012 Pruno is a sexy, opulent, voluptuously textured effort that spent 12 months in two-year-old French oak barrels. Reminiscent of a baby Vega Sicilia, it possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as notes of high-class, unsmoked cigar tobacco, creme de cassis, licorice, graphite and spice box. Full-bodied, deep, velvety textured, lush and heady, at $20 a bottle, it is another sensational bargain from Eric Solomon. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years.”
Bodegas Abanico Hazana Rioja 2012 ($14.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “(85% tempranillo and 15% graciano; aged for a year in a combination of French and American oak): Bright violet color. Highly aromatic scents of black and blue fruits, Indian spices and fresh flowers are complemented by a deeper note of candied licorice. Juicy and broad on the palate, with intense dark berry and floral pastille flavors that become spicier with aeration. Dusty tannins give shape to the clinging finish.”
La Peira Les Orbriers De La Peira 2010 ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The least expensive cuvee, the 2010 Les Obriers Terrasses du Larzac is a special selection made for American importer Eric Solomon. The brilliant Claude Gros, who also produces what I believe is the best wine of the Roussillon, Chateau de Negly, oversees this unfined and unfiltered beauty made from an intriguing blend of 65% Cinsault and 35% Carignan aged 18-24 months in wood foudres. This much Cinsault usually produces a light wine as well as magnificent roses, but this offering is surprisingly deep. The flowery component of this varietal, combined with deep raspberry and kirsch-like fruit, medium body and an elegant style give this wine a Burgundian sensuality and finesse. I do not believe this remarkable 2010 will age well given its varietal composition, but who really knows? Certainly it is brilliant now and should continue to drink well for 3-4 years. Don’t miss it, especially if you love flowers, raspberries and finesse.”
La Garrigue Cotes Du Rhone Cuvee Romaine 2013 ($19.95) $16 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90 points “Domaine La Garrigue has always been one of my favorite Eric Solomon estates. Solomon has the producer bottle this cuvee two or three years before La Garrigue’s other wines. It is essentially declassified Vacqueyras from 60- to 90-year-old vines. Another wine looked after by Philippe Cambie, it has been a consistent winner in every vintage I have tasted, and the 2013 is again an outstanding effort. A blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Mourvedre and 10% Syrah aged in concrete, it is a quintessential Provencal fruit bomb offering abundant notes of black cherries, black currants, roasted Provencal herbs, licorice, incense and background earth. It possesses a dark ruby/plum/purple color, medium to full body, and a ripe, fleshy, hedonistic personality. Drink it over the next 2-3 years.”
Tirecul La Graviere Les Pins Monbazillac 2012 500ml ($21.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker on Tirecul “Monbazillac is well-known in French history. The vineyard is planted with a high percentage of Muscadelle (50%), along with Semillon (45%), and Sauvignon (5%). These grapes are picked grape by grape (as they develop the noble rot), not by bunch. The proprietors, Claudia and Bruno Bilancini, actually pass through the vineyard a minimum of four to five times a day. It is an understatement to say these are the greatest wines I have ever tasted from Monbazillac; in fact, they are among the greatest sweet wines I have tasted … from anywhere!”
Vinopolnotes- This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
Tirecul La Graviere Cuvee Chateau Barsac 2004 500ml ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 95 points “Tirecul’s sweet and decadent 2004 Cuvee Chateau exhibits apricot/peach marmalade, creme brulee and maple syrup aromas and flavors in a full-bodied, unctuous, but well-balanced, pure style. This dessert wine is already remarkably evolved, and should drink well for another 10-15 years–good luck deferring your gratification! As always, this wine is a sensational value.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Staff Picks
Belle Pente Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($.95) $21.90 staff pick special
“This WV Pinot is an excellent introduction to the style of this family-owned and biodynamic winery. The fruit is sourced mostly from their estate vineyard, which is part of their 70 acre farm in the Yamhill-Carlton. The remaining 1/3 of the fruit is from the Bella Vida vineyard in the Dundee Hills, which has been as source for this blend since 2001. The wine has concentrated aromas of roses and black raspberries, with savory and earthy undertones. The acidity is well balanced for this warmer year. This 2012 release is a standout in terms of its potential longevity, value and complexity.”
-Suzanne
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 2002 ($34.95) $28 staff pick special
“Lovely wine that is the essence of old-school Loire Valley Cabernet Franc. Intense green pepper and herbal aromas are well balanced by fresh dark cherry and subtle smoky notes. Mild tannins and bright minerality give this wine a lovely finish that would be perfect for any evening by the grill.”
-Afton
~~~~~~~~~~
JJ Christoffel Riesling
“(along) With Schaefer and Selbach-Oster, the “big three” among the Mosels I offer; Christoffel has been constantly stellar, not just “often” or “regularly,” but EVERY SINGLE TIME, EVERY SINGLE WINE stellar since the 1992 vintage. ” -Terry Theise
Weingut Joh. Jos Christoffel (aka Christoffel Erben) has long been established as one of the most prominent wineries in the Mosel region. The Christoffel family of Ürzig has been involved in wine production dating back to the 17th century. With Robert Eymael of the Mönchhof estate managing the vineyards and winemaking since 2011, the wines continue to be made in the Christoffel style of pure, racy Rieslings.
All of the estates 4 hectares are based in Ürziger Würzgarten and Erdener Treppchen, an area prized for centuries for its southern exposure, deep Devonian slate, and steep gradients. With steep hills of 70 degrees the Würzgarten is incredibly difficult to farm, as is the adjacent Erdener Treppchen. Because of the sheer steepness of these sites, the majority of Christoffel’s plantings are over 100 years old and on their original rootstock. Named the “Spice Garden”, the Wurzgarten vineyard is a natural amphitheater of steep hills with the village of Urzig at its base. The iron rich red soils add drama to the view of this bend in the River Mosel, but also add a unique power to the wines. Nowhere else does Riesling showcase tropical spice and fruits as you’ll taste from here. Erden, to the East with its equally steep vineyards, produces slightly different flavors, also known for their power and depth but accompanied by an intense minerality.
Available Here Now
JJ Christoffel Riesling Erdener Treppchen Kabinett 2009 ($29.95) $21.90 special 2 bottles available
Wine Spectator 88 points “Light-weight and crisp, with apple and peach flavors getting lift from citrus accents and vibrant acidity. Mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2020. 90 cases imported.”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Erdener Treppchen Spatlese 2011 ($29.95) $24 special 8 bottles available
JJ Christoffel Riesling Erdener Treppchen Auslese** Herzlay 2012 ($59.95) $49 special 12 bottles available
Terry Theise: “That suffix “Lay” is local dialect for slate. This is from an old ungrafted parcel among the cliffs, and the wine has its usual swollen mass, firm richness and length. I’m glad of the relatively moderate sweetness; it thins the hugeness of fruit and makes it tinkle down the palate in snaky rivulets of salty terroir and tart apple. Also a sponti.”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese 2011 ($29.95) $21.90 special 12+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Subtle bouquet of peach pit, cinnamon and lemon zest. The elegant apricot fruit is decidedly light on the palate and highlighted by refreshing acidity. Mineral salts accent the succulent, spicy finish.”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese* Kauen 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special 12+ bottles available
JJ Christoffel Riesling Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese*** 2011 ($69.95) $59 special 10 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Golden yellow. Scents of apple blossom, white raisin and quince are given depth by honeyed botrytis on the nose. Rich, candied papaya fruit shows a velvety texture, but minty acidity keeps the palate fresh. At once dense and light on its feet, with mineral salts providing spice on the long, elegant finish. This will need time to reveal its full potential.”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese*** Kranklay 2012 ($69.95) $59 special 12 bottles available
Terry Theise: “The parcel is below the sundial, and spreads to either side, lower down where the slate is more crumbled and the wines have more finesse. It isn’t the greater intensity or power that asks the higher price; it’s the greater finesse and texture, and if I didn’t already love these wines, this alone would make me love them. It’s a tender, delicate wine, and a celestial wild strawberry note arrives. Almost no botrytis. Masterly and bewitching.”
Pre-arrival Wines
Arriving Late November
JJ Christoffel Riesling Feinherb 2012 ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
JJ Christoffel Riesling Erdener Treppchen Kabinett 2013 ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: ” Steady as she goes; a teensy tic of ’13 saltiness but otherwise polished and silky, very ripe and salty-sweet. It has some of the ’13 cling, but check this out—over 110º Oechsle with acids over 9g/l and RS 62g/l/. It makes me wonder, what do we mean by “Kabinett” any more?”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Erdener Treppchen Spatlese 2012 ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Now this is explosively expressive. If I say “apple and slate” yet again, it’s boring but true. It’s the combo of hi-def clarity and torque, firmness and brilliance yet many-layered density, and this goose-flesh tingle threaded through it all—that makes it uncanny”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Erdener Treppchen Spatlese 2013 ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “Curiously, though this is sweeter now, it also seems cooler and shadier than the two Kabinetts. (This sometimes happens at Diel too.) Another salty wine but not a beast; it’s ultra-refined and crystalline.”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Erdener Treppchen Auslese** Herzlay 2013 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “‘Lay’ is old dialect for slate. This is from an old ungrafted parcel among the cliffs, and as it often it, it’s masterly. Divine apple and walnutty slate; stunning salty length, like having an old Comté with those crunchy crystals and putting that and an apple in your mouth together. Somehow with “only” 115º it tastes markedly riper than the (110º) Kabinett. This is the spectacular wine; next up is the compelling riddle.”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett 2013 ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “The one and only Kabinett of their vintage! The first wine I tasted, not knowing what was to come, I wrote that it overcomes the vintage’s botrytis by sheer density of spicy material, and an almost incredibly fervent expressiveness, so absurdly spicy it’s almost a caricature of Würzgarten.”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Urziger Wurzgarten Spatlese 2013 ($39.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes:” Now we really do taste botrytis, which is curiously reassuring. It has the semi-solid construction of ’13, and all sorts of lime zest and lime blossom and if you could concentrate lime juice and strain it through pulverized slate, it would also taste like that. The complexity unfolds tart and salty but in a basic matrix of sweetness. It unfolds deliberately, like an opening rose. A wine with secrets, and plenty of time to tell them”
JJ Christoffel Riesling Urziger Wurzgarten Auslese*** Kranklay 2013 ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise notes: “We’re making a change in labeling. When we did stars – 1-star, 2-star, 3-star – it tended to create a false hierarchy, and led buyers to suppose they had to have the “best” one or the bullies would kick sand in their faces. So now we’re going to use the actual micro-parcel name, because the wines do in fact hail from single small pieces of land. It’s more informative, more truthful. This parcel is way up in the most forbidding terraces, and its wines have a kind of para-sensual slate expression, a sonnet of the rocks. It’ll buzz your fillings, this wine. ”
~~~~~~~~
Time to Say Goodbye
Penfolds RWT Shiraz Barossa Valley 2007 ($149.95) $99 special 14 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “presents youthfully mute aromas of warm blackberries, stewed plums, kirsch, cedar and cloves with an array of Indian spices opening out with air. In the full-bodied mouth it gives very firm, coarsely grained tannins, very crisp acid and good concentration, finishing long and chewy.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA!
The average listed price is 50% higher at $149 / bottle
The next best listed price is 28% higher at $127 / bottle
**Case Prices are offered on a limited time, limited quantity basis. Prices are subject to change