Monday, May 18, 2015
48 Hour Sale
Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750 ML ($219.95) Was $199, Now $149, 7 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill is soft, pliant and nicely resonant in the glass. Plums, black cherries, mocha, spices and new leather are all laced together. This is a distinctly forward, supple Volcanic Hill to drink now and over the next 15-20 years, give or take.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $198
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2008 750ML ($599.95) Was $419, Now $399, 5 bottles available
Robert Parker 99 points “The 2008 Robertas Reserve State Lane Vineyard is virtually perfect. This offering is just as strong as the 2007, but slightly more forward and irresistible than the backward 2007. It boasts a dense inky/purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of blackberry liqueur intermixed with cocoa, forest floor, graphite and subtle hints of smoke as well as camphor. The wine reveals fresh acids, laser-like precision and an extraordinary plump, fleshy mouthfeel. Already approachable, it should evolve for 20-25 years.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $534
More 48 Hour Sales Listed Below!
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New Arrival Special Feature
Signorello Vineyards Hopes Cuvee Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Robert Parker 92 points “The 2012 Chardonnay Hope’s Cuvée is a successful rendition of an old-styled California Chardonnay with lots of oak intermixed with a buttery richness as well as plenty of freshness and precision. Made from old vines (33 years), it is a dense, rich, generously wooded effort with plenty of fruit and character. Think of it as a blend of a French white and a traditionally styled California Chardonnay. Not everyone will like it, but I love it. Drink now-2018.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $64
Signorello Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
case-6 Signorello Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($549.95) $428 special (that’s only $71.33/bottle!)
Robert Parker 91+ points “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a blend of 93.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6.5% Cabernet Franc from the estate vineyards on the Silverado Trail, south of Stags Leap. Made in a good structural style with plenty of barrique in the background as well as lots of blackcurrant, licorice, new saddle leather and spice characteristics, this tastes like a Cabernet Sauvignon made by someone of Italian origin. I say that because of its tannic structure and spice. This serious, full-bodied, concentrated 2012 will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age, and should drink well for two decades.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $85
Signorello Vineyards Padrone Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($199.95) $149 special
Robert Parker 94 points “The 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Padrone is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot. It reveals more structure and tannin than its younger sibling following its élevage in barriques. The color is a saturated purple and the nose offers up aromas of blackberries, blueberries, forest floor and charcoal. While approachable, this full-bodied 2012 requires 3-4 years of bottle age, and should evolve for two decades or more.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $178.99
Also available from Signorello:
Signorello Vineyards Padrone Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2010 750ML ($199.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Padrone (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) boasts a blockbuster nose of blackberries, blueberries, camphor and acacia flowers. Sweet tannins and a wonderful sucrosity and ripeness on the palate conceal some serious structure. This pure, long, full, rich wine possesses lots of black fruits as well as an impressive finish that lasts nearly 45 seconds. It should be consumed over the next 15-20 years.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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This Week’s New Arrivals
OREGON
Goodfellow Family Cellars “Clover” Pinot Gris Reserve 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Formerly bottled under the Matello label.
Winery note “Pinot Gris in the style of white Burgundy, from the older vines at the highest point of the vineyard. Fermented in neutral wood, then aged for 15-17 months on the lees.”
Lemelson Vineyards ‘Six Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Winery note “Six Vineyards Pinot noir is farmed and produced using the same organic viticulture techniques and attention to detail as all of our Pinot noirs. The result is a high quality example of Pinot noir at a modest price. The 2012 may be our best Six Vineyards yet. With fragrant, spicy aromatics, the nose combines dried flowers, red currant, cherry compote and earth. Meanwhile, the silky, lithe palate intermingles spice and red fruit to create a vibrant reflection of a vintage that might, if the winemaker was not careful and attentive, produce heavy, high alcohol wines. Bottled for the first time under screwcap, this wine has a long life in bottle and can be stocked away by the case and enjoyed for years to come.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Westrey Oracle Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 ($29.95) $26 special
Westrey Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Archery Summit ‘Premier Cuvee’ Estate Bottled Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “This delectable wine opens expansively with lifted floral aromas of gardenia and carnation intermingled with hints of cinnamon stick, white pepper and cigar box, creating an expressive bouquet that is characteristic of the 2013 vintage. The palate is cerebral and extremely detailed, showing a wine that is both approachable and refined. The entry exposes juicy, dark fruit tones and plush flavors of forest floor and crushed truffles, supported by fine grained tannins that lead into a sophisticated finish with persistent notes of molasses.”
Archery Summit Arcus Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 750ML ($99.95) $88 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby. Explosive dark berry and cherry liqueur aromas are complicated by suggestions of Indian spices, licorice and vanilla, with a subtle mineral quality adding vibrancy. Palate-staining blackberry and lavender pastille flavors are sweetened and deepened by mocha and fruitcake notes that build with air. Shows excellent vivacity for its heft and power. Closes spice, smoky and long, with supple tannins coming in slowly.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Archery Summit Red Hills Estate Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. Powerful raspberry compote, cola, licorice and floral aromas are lifted by pepper, spice and mineral nuances. Sweet, deeply pitched black raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors reach every corner of the palate, offering a compelling blend of richness and vivacity. Notes of vanilla and star anise come up with air, along with a hint of cola. Finishes very long, sappy and precise, with just a hint of velvety tannins.” JR
WASHINGTON
Owen Roe Sinister Hand Red, Columbia Valley 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “We may have said this the last two vintages, but our staff just can’t get enough of the Sinister Hand. The 2014 vintage far exceeds our expectations of this wine. This Rhone styled blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Cinsault, is a crowd favorite and we think you will be just as pleased with the 2014. Ideal growing conditions in the Prosser and Union Gap areas conspired to create a wealth of deep and brightly flavored Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cinsault for our much anticipated 2014 Sinister Hand. These heat loving Rhone varieties clearly had their days in the sun this vintage, as the finished wine is a beautifully balanced example of all that 2014 had to offer. Ripe, rich, and round; but still punctuated and defined with nuances of spice, acidity, and elegant tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
See our new Charles Smith K Vintners arrivals below!
CALIFORNIA
Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($22.95) $18 special
Winery note “An elegant and refined style of Sauvignon Blanc that is subtle and balanced, with minerality and bright natural acidity. On the nose, aromas of citrus, iron, wet stone and a hint of D’Anjou pear tempt your senses, while a crisp lightness and underlying notes of fleshy grapefruit and lime zest please the palate.”
Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands 2013 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Winery note “The Mer Soleil Vineyard is named for the two natural forces that create its growing conditions: sea (mer) and sun (soleil). With plantings at two separate locations in the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation of Monterey County, our Mer Soleil Chardonnay vines are nestled on east-facing lower slopes of the Sierra de Salinas range in what is one of the coolest, direct grape-growing area in Califormia. The climate of this coastal appellation causes morning and evening fog and warm, bright afternoons, a combination that produces the high-quality fruit we use to make this bright, elegant Chardonnay.”’
Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($179.95) $159 special
Winery note “Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is the only wine in the world twice honored as “Wine of the Year” by Wine Spectator Magazine (chosen amongst approximately 10,000 wines). Our quality is the result of a singular focus on cabernet grape growing in a climate where the soils and vines respond very well.”
See our special feature above for more California new arrivals!
FRANCE-LOIRE
Eric Chevalier Val de Loire Rosé “Grolleau” 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
VinopolNote: 100% Grolleau Noir from 20 year old vines.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Philippe Foreau Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray Sec 1999 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Importer note “When Foreau issues a “Sec” (and the decision to do so relates entirely to the vintage conditions and the composition of the grapes at harvest), the wine can carry from 1 to 2 grams of residual sugar but never more than 6 grams. Because of the vibrant acidity that accompanies these wines, the sensation one experiences is of drinking a scintillatingly dry wine, although one with considerable body and a honeyed texture. We tend to have several vintages available at all times so that our clients can have the option of enjoying the Vouvray Sec in its youth but also with several years of bottle age.”
FRANCE-RHONE
Vignobles Brunier Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf-du-Pape Clos La Roquete Blanc 2013 750ML ($47.95) $34.80 special
Case-12 Vignobles Brunier Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf-du-Pape Clos La Roquete Blanc 2013 750ML ($449.95) $376 special (that’s only $31.33/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich, racy and very pure, with a gorgeous medley of yellow apple, star fruit, fennel, white peach, honeysuckle and wet stone notes that all ripple through the bright, mouthwatering finish. Long and well-cut. This has quietly become one of the appellation’s top whites. Drink now through 2020.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Rene Rostaing Les Lezardes Viognier, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes 2012 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cote du Rhone Rose 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
VinopolNote: Cinsault-based Southern Rhone blend.
Domaine Rene Rostaing Les Lezardes Syrah, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes 2012 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vignobles Brunier Domaine Les Pallieres Gigondas Terrasses du Diable 2012 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2012 Gigondas les Terraces de Diable is outstanding. Made from roughly 85% Grenache and the balance Mourvedre and Clairette (which also makes its way into the Racines) and coming all from the upper, cooler terraces of the appellation, it exhibits ample garrigue, dried spices, dried soil and toast to go with medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful depth and richness and building, fine tannin. It picks up a salty minerality with air, and while already drinking nicely, will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink well through 2024.” WA
FRANCE-OTHER
Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Blanc, Provence 2012 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “Light yellow color bright and clear. Delicate nose with hints of toast, minerals, spice. Pepper and white flowers. To taste, the start is lively and opulent with a mellow and unctuous evolution. End with flavours of honey and a light of bitterness.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Rose, Provence 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Rose, Provence 2014 1.5L ($89.95) $79 special
Winery note “Grenache: Principal grape variety strong and heady: 45% – Cinsault: Fresh and fruity, low in acidity, perfect for the blend: 40% – Mourvedre: Tannic and strong body: 15%. Delicate wild flowers aromas. The palate is redolent of ripe, red berry fruits. Fresh underlying acidity and crisp finish.”
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Les Griottes Rose, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
100% Gamay
Chateau la Mascaronne Cotes de Provence Quat’Saisons Rose, Provence 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Chateau la Mascaronne Cotes de Provence Quat’Saisons Rose, Provence 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Winery note “Syrah with Cabernet Sauvignon. Powerful, complex nose with intense aromas of dark berries and cherry with generous palate of red and black fruits and a long spicy finish.”
Vinopolnote- superb; better than Miraval ever was; way better than it ever will be.
Chateau la Mascaronne Cotes de Provence Fazioli Rouge, Provence 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Case-12 Chateau la Mascaronne Cotes de Provence Fazioli Rouge, Provence 2012 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Winery note “Cinsault, Grenache. Beautiful pale colour yet with intense nose of peach and lemon with large depth of flavor and remarkably long finish.”
Vinopolnote- tres tres elegante! Lovers of mid weight nuanced reds..come here.
Domaine La Tour Vieille Collioure La Pinede, Languedoc-Roussillon 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
VinopolNote: 80% Grenache Noir, 7% Carignan, 7% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre
ITALY-PIEDMONT
Benevelli Piero Langhe Nebbiolo 2013 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Importer note “[Piero Benevelli’s] Langhe Nebbiolo is a true Piemontese delight—classic and full of pleasure.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Benevelli Piero Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Importer note “The Benevelli holdings are mostly concentrated in the southeastern-facing hillside cru of “Ravera” in the deep southeast of the Barolo zone. The wines from Ravera have the distinction of combining the structural strength of neighboring Serralunga d’Alba with the concentration and richness of Bussia and the other crus further north. Massimo’s Baroli are approachable young but like any great Barolo, reveal their true potential after at least five years or more in bottle. The vines were planted in 1960.”
Vietti Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 89+ points “The 2011 Barolo Castiglione is an excellent choice for drinking over the next decade or so. Open and resonant in the glass, the 2011 captures all the raciness of the years in its expressive red-toned fruit. Sweet spices, flowers and mint add attractive overtones. Today, the Castiglione appears to be showing some ill effects from its recent bottling, something I am seeing for the first time in the 2011.” AG
Sottimano Curra, Barbaresco DOCG 2010 750ML ($79.95) $60.90 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Firm tannins provide the backbone for the 2010 Barbaresco Currà. A wonderfully layered, rich wine, the 2010 impresses for its resonance, beauty and class. Nothing in particular stands out, the 2010 is a wine of total harmony and symmetry. The Currà is quite floral, high-toned and spiced, not unlike the Fausoni, but with a little more mid-palate pliancy. At the same time, the tannins remain a bit firm, so a measure of patience is required.” AG
Sottimano Cotta, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Rich and fleshy, exhibiting flavors of plum and black cherry, buoyed by vivid acidity and beefy tannins. Exhibits a sweet character and plenty of tannins on the finish, so be patient. Best from 2017 through 2027.” WS
Sottimano Fausoni, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Crushed raspberry, blue flower, tilled soil and graphite aromas lead the nose on this firmly structured wine. It’s still very young and needs to open up fully, but the palate already displays breeding and class. It offers ripe black cherry, ground black pepper, licorice and grilled sage alongside tightly wound but fine tannins. Drink 2018–2026.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $55.99
Sottimano Pajore, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Ripe and delicious, this starts off with aromas of fresh violet, rose, perfumed berry, exotic spice and tilled earth. It’s still young but the palate already delivers a great depth of flavors including juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and black pepper alongside chewy tannins. Drink 2016 to 2021.” WE
ITALY-VENETO
Giuseppe Quintarelli Bianco Secco Ca’ del Merlo Veneto IGT ($49.95) $37 special
VinopolNote: Garganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Sauvignon Bianco, Chardonnay, Saorin
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
ITALY-OTHER
Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
James Suckling 91 points “Lots of sliced green apple and lime character to this young white with lively acidity and a long and flavorful finish. Energetic and tangy. Always an excellent pinot bianco from environmentally sustainable vineyards. Screw cap. Drink now.” JS
Fongoli Montefalco Rosso, Umbria 2011 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Importer note “This classic Umbrian table wine is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino, and small amounts of Montepulciano and Merlot, harvested by hand in mid-October. After 10 days on the skins in cold-soak maceration, the wine is aged 18 months in large Slovenian oak barrels, followed by 6 months in bottle. With a deep ruby color, the wine’s intense flavor features hints of oak, spice, cherry and blackberry.”
SPAIN
Bodegas Nekeas ‘El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa’, Navarra 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Winery note “[Translated] 100% old vine Garnacha. Each plot is fermented separately. Barrel aged for 5-6 months in oak. Only produced in better vintages.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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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.
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Staff Picks
Owen Roe Sinister Hand Red, Columbia Valley 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Rhone style blend (43% Grenache, 27% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre, 12% Cinsault) from the Yakima Valley. Ripe fruit jumps out of the glass in this easy-drinking red. It’s not over the top though(14.1% Alcohol). Soft, integrated tannins, balanced by 6 months of French oak(26% new), help give the wine length. A fun wine that will surely please the masses. Cheers!”
-Troy
Chateau la Mascaronne Cotes de Provence Quat’Saisons Rose, Provence 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Chateau la Mascaronne Cotes de Provence Fazioli Rouge, Provence 2012 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
“When Tom Bove sold Chateau Miraval, he kept the estate of La Mascaronne. From its vineyards and some of the Miraval vineyards that he retained, he produces a red, white and rose. The rose has phenomenal complexity, showing notes of raw honey, fresh Provençal herbs, red berries, and a long, smoky finish. The beautiful red opens with a slight rusticity and shows notes of grilled herbs, black raspberries and a hint of iron. It is a blend of mostly Syrah.”
-Suzanne
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Special Feature
Small Batch Washington Syrah
Charles Smith left Sacramento to travel the world before opening a wine shop just outside of Seattle. When traveling through Walla Walla, he met a young French winemaker who eventually convinced him to move there and start his own winery: K Vintners. The 1999 K Syrah was his inaugural release, and since that vintage he has expanded the lineup just as he has developed other projects. The winery focuses on small lots of single-vineyard Syrah wines and field blends based around Syrah. The winemaking leans heavily toward natural: grapes are hand-picked, foot-stomped, basket-pressed and fermented with naturally present yeasts.
Newly Arrived K Vintners Wines
Charles Smith K Vintners River Rock Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2012 Syrah River Rock Vineyards comes all from The Rocks region of Walla Walla and was fermented with 100% whole clusters. Giving up massive minerality, with ground herbs, gunpowder, smoked earth, olive and assorted dark fruits, this beauty hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a layered, elegant feel and notable tannin that comes through on the finish. As with the Rock Garden Syrah, it should have 10 to 15 years of prime drinking.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners Northridge Vineyard Merlot, Wahluke Slope 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-95 points “The 2012 Merlot Northridge comes from the Wahluke Slope and is made from 100% Merlot that was aged in 60% new French oak. Vibrant and up-front, with pure layered aromas and flavors of plum liqueur, graphite, mineral and assorted wild flowers, it is full-bodied, sweetly fruited and downright sexy on the palate, with a voluptuous, hard to resist profile. Loaded with fruit, it nevertheless stays graceful and very drinkable. It should drink nicely on release and evolve nicely for upward of a decade.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners Rock Garden Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The first vintage for the cuvee, the 2012 Syrah Rock Garden has fabulous aromas and flavors of plum, pepper, earth, spiced meats and underbrush that flow seamlessly to a full-bodied, layered and decadently textured Syrah that has polished tannin, no hard edges and a great finish. Given the amount of fruit and texture, it should be approachable on release, yet evolve gracefully for 10 to 15 years.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners ‘El Jefe’ Tempranillo, Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Aged in 80% new French oak, the 2012 El Jefe Tempranillo Stoneridge Vineyard gives up classic Christmas spice, cedar and graphite to go with a core of both red and black styled fruit. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and with the tannic grip of the variety, this solid effort will benefit from short-term cellaring and evolve gracefully for over a decade.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners ‘The Boy’ Grenache – Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles available
Winery notes “88% Grenache, 12% Syrah from the Northridge & River Rock Vineyards. A regal wine. A beautiful ruby robe, velvety and revealing – layer upon layer of supple and refined fruit. Layers of ‘je ne sais quoi,’ complex, sophisticated and elegant wine.”
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Arriving Next Week
Arriving Tuesday, May 19th
Domaine Louis Michel & Fils Montee de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “Lemon, white flowers, sage, herbs and mint all jump from the glass in the 2013 Chablis Montée de Tonnerre. A classic and highly representative wine from this great site, the 2013 sizzles with energy, tension and pure class. Petrol, graphite and smoke add nuance on the brilliant finish. This is a great, great showing.”AG
VinopolNote: An unoaked Chablis from the best 1er Cru in Chablis. Montee de Tonnerre has soils and aspect similar to the hillside cluster of the Grand Cru sites nearby, northwest of Montee de Tonnere. In fact, in AG’s ratings for Louis Michel wines in 2013 vintage the Montee de Tonnerre bested Les Clos Grand Cru; and drew the match against Vaudesir Grand Cru.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $48.99
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Cascina Dardi, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $46 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Cascina Dardi, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($579.95) $469 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Cascina Dardi, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia hits all the right marks with a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that is immediately apparent. The aromas dangle in front of you, delicately and seductively, with ethereal layers of spice, blue flower, almond paste, anisette and dried cherry or wild berry. The workmanship here reflects an attention to the minute details offered by Nebbiolo. The tannins are silky and long with deeply polished texture. Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia is a fine, poised and super-confident expression. Drink: 2016-2026.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vilmart & Cie Coeur de Cuvee Premier Cru Brut 2004 1.5L ($399.95) $379 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “A totally dazzling wine, the 2004 Coeur de Cuvée (magnum) has acquired lovely complexity and nuance over the last few years. Mirabelle plums, savory herbs and crushed rocks all take shape in the glass in a Champagne loaded with aromatic nuance and complexity. The 2004 stands out for its remarkable precision and elegance. This is a great showing from Vilmart. This bottle was disgorged in August 2013. Dosage is 8 grams per liter.” AG
Familia Eguren Teso La Monja Romanico, Toro 2012 750ML ($17.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2012 Romanico (1,500 cases produced) is made from 100% Tinta de Toro (the local name for Tempranillo), and is aged for six months in a combination of new and used French oak. Malolactic is done in oak, and the result is full-bodied, opaque purple-colored wine with superb richness as well as lots of blackberry, charcoal and cassis intermixed with licorice, new saddle leather, pepper and bouquet garni. This nearly viscous red should drink beautifully for 7-10 years.” WA
Arriving Thursday, May 21st
Vilmart & Cie Cuvee Rubis Brut Rose NV 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(90% pinot noir and 10% chardonnay, from 2010 and 2009; aged on its lees for 15 months and disgorged in September, 2012): Pale pink. High-pitched raspberry, floral pastille and spicecake aromas are deepened by notes of iodine and anise. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering intense red berry flavors and a hint of honeysuckle. Finishes sappy and long, with exotic spice and floral nuances and lingering minerality.” ST
Wine Spectator 93 points “Smoke and graphite notes underscore the ripe strawberry and cherry fruit in this lacy, finely meshed rosé Champagne, accented by ginger biscuit and ground clove notes. Fresh and mouthwatering, presenting a lasting, chalky finish.”AN
Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier Premier Cru Brut 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Well-spiced, this Champagne is open-knit and airy in texture, with bright, juicy acidity and flavors of gingerbread, yellow plum, slivered almonds, chalk and citrus. A crowd-pleaser, with a long, mouthwatering finish.”AN
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Grand Cru Corton and Corton-Charlemagne
The Corton and Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru appellations encircle the Montagne de Corton hill near the northern edge of the Cote de Beaune. The hill was once owned by the Emperor Charlemagne. Legend has it that his wife’s distain for his red wine-stained beard caused him to convert part of the hillside to white wine grapes.
The hill is a limestone outcrop covered in vineyards and forested land. Along the western side of the hill is the Corton-Charlemagne appellation, dedicated to high quality white wine. Limestone is prevalent in this portion, imparting a flinty note to the wines and reflecting sunlight from the soil. The predominately-red wine vineyards of Corton are composed of red, chalky clay rich in marlstone – an excellent soil for Pinot Noir. Within the Corton appellation, wines are labeled with the climat appended.
Grand Cru Corton Wines Available Here Now
Olivier Leflaive Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($149.95) $115 special, 33 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is well-marked by new oak, with plenty of stuffing underneath. Notes of lime, white flowers, apple, sweet spice and petrol ride a wave of vibrant acidity as this stays linear and defined through the long finish. The lime and mineral accents are enhanced by spice details in the aftertaste. Best from 2017 through 2028. 62 cases imported.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $121.34
Nicolas Potel Maison Roche de Bellene Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($199.95) $119 special, 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “Good bright yellow. Pure, perfumed aromas of lime, pineapple, spearmint and crushed rock. Juicy, steely and dense, with penetrating citrus and mineral flavors complicated by a saline quality that contributes to the wine’s savory, tactile mouth feel. Very dense, clean, precise and persistent wine that avoids austerity thanks to its touch of sweetness.” ST
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Louis Jadot Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($139.95) $119 special, 6 bottles available
Burghound 92-95 points “Like the Montrachet, this is also presently quite aromatically reticent with its aromas of lemon/lime, wet stone and Granny Smith apples that are trimmed in a subtle application of warm oak. The equally expansive, taut and well-muscled broad-shouldered flavors possess an ample amount of dry extract and intensity on the driving finish that exhibits a faint saline character. I very much like the intensity here as well as the very dry backend and this should be superb if allowed adequate cellar time.”
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Louis Jadot Domaine des Heritiers Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($189.95) $129 special, 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 96 points “Brilliant pale yellow. Precise, penetrating aromas of green melon, ginger, quinine and dusty stone. Silky on entry, then sappy and deep in the middle, with a powerful crushed stone character and strong limey acidity combining to give the wine uncanny energy. This is almost painful today. This extremely dense, long wine may ultimately surpass Jadot’s Chevalier-Montrachet.”
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Domaine Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 17 bottles available
Burghound 92-94 points “Here too the wood treatment is quite deft which allows the cool Granny Smith apples, pear, wet stone and spice scents to shine. There is also a seductive mouth feel to the broad-shouldered, supple and round flavors that brim with dry extract before displaying plenty of power and punch on the seriously long finish. This is easily the most backward wine in the range at present yet the impression is unusually fine, both in the context of the appellation but also in the context of this wine in general as it’s usually more robust. Be all of that as it may, this is very, very promising.”BH
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Domaine Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 6 bottles available
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.)”ST
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 2 bottles available
Burghound 91-93 points “Once again reduction flattens the fruit and renders the nose difficult to evaluate. There is excellent richness and superb volume to the muscular and quite fleshy middle weight plus flavors that display plenty of stoniness on the very rich and mouth coating finish. This is a big wine even by the typically full-sized standards of the appellation yet there is no sense of heaviness or lack of vibrancy.” BH
Louis Latour Clos de la Vigne au Saint Corton Grand Cru 2002 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 11 bottles available
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Domaine d’Ardhuy Corton Pougets Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 16 bottles available
Burghound 91 points “An openly earthy nose also offers up notes of dark berries, plum, stone and dried floral nuances. There is a velvety and utterly delicious quality to the solidly concentrated and mouth coating flavors that also reflect an underlying minerality on the long finish that displays fine balance. This isn’t quite as complete as the other examples of Corton in the range but it’s the finest among them.”
Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2006 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 6 bottles available
Burghound 89-91 points “A pretty and only moderately sauvage nose of crushed red berries, oak spice and warm earth gives way to reveal round, supple and slightly light flavors relative to what this wine usually possesses, all wrapped in a firm finish with grand cru finesse and elegance if not necessarily the power and depth. Still, this is most attractive.” BH
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Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2005 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 4 bottles available
Burghound 90-93 points “A very subtle touch of wood frames a spicy red berry fruit nose that dissolves into rich, full, well-muscled and sweet flavors that possess a good deal more volume and while the mid-palate is supple and round, the finish has the firmness that one expects from a big Corton. There is much better balance here and this should age well.” BH
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Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2008 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 11 bottles available
Burghound 89-92 points “Mild wood influence does not compromise the transparency of the fresh and earthy red pinot fruit nose that exhibits a slight sauvage character that can also be found on the energetic, detailed and tautly muscled middle weight flavors that possess good richness and more refinement than usual on the serious, long and linear finish where a touch of austerity can also be seen.” BH
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Domaine Dupont-Tisserandot Corton-Rognet Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 19 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “Strong oak aromas presently dominate the otherwise ripe red and dark berry fruit nose. There is good freshness and energy to the powerfully concentrated big-bodied flavors that are shaped by forceful and phenolically mature tannins that are buffered by the copious extract. This is an imposing wine, and very Corton in character, that possesses excellent depth and length on the moderately austere finish where about the only nit is a trace of backend warmth. This is also one to strongly consider as long as you’re prepared to cellar it for a minimum of 10 years.”BH
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Louis Jadot Corton Greves Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 1 bottle available
John Gilman 93+ points, Antonio Galloni 93-95 points “The 2010 Corton ‘Grèves’ from Maison Jadot is the most broad-shouldered and potentially complex of these three excellent Cortons, as it offers up a deep and very precise bouquet of red and black cherries, coffee, iron-like soil tones, woodsmoke, coriander seed and cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite reserved,with a rock solid core of fruit, outstanding transparency, firm tannins and excellent focus and grip on the very long, very young and soil-driven finish. This is a classic young Corton that will need some patience, but which should be absolutely stellar at its apogee.”JG
Domaine d’Ardhuy Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 8 bottles available
Burghound 93 points “This is surprisingly elegant with its strikingly pure nose of red currants, spice and distinctly pungent earth. There is a coolness to the relatively supple mid-palate with ample minerality to the firm, balanced, long and imposing finish. This is a dazzlingly good Clos du Roi though note that this will need a minimum of 12 to 15 years to be at its best and thus I would not advise buying this if you’re not planning to bury it deep in your cellar.” BH
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Domaine Maillard Pere et Fils Corton Renardes Grand Cru 2002 750ML ($139.95) $119 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Gamy and untamed, with a core of cherry and mineral backed by a firm structure. A traditional style, with little, if any, new oak. Ripe and unevolved; wait for the charms to be revealed. Best from 2007 through 2015.” WS
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Domaine Faiveley Corton ‘Clos des Cortons’ Faiveley Monopole Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($199.95) $136 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Faiveley’s 2011 Corton Clos des Corton is a fitting conclusion to this great night of wine and food. Intensely saline and pointed, the 2011 impresses for its pure energy and tension. The flavors are vibrant and impeccably delineated in a Burgundy that is all about finesse. This is a great showing from the Clos des Corton.” AG
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Medium red. Ineffable nose and palate offer red fruits, minerals, spices and flowers, complicated by game, earth and leather. Sweet, concentrated and very intense, boasting outstanding density and a fine-grained texture, with salty minerality giving the wine a weightless impression that’s remarkable considering its density. A strong tannic spine and brisk acidity energize and draw out the finish of this sharply delineated, pristine grand cru.” ST
Domaine Maillard Pere et Fils Corton Renardes Grand Cru 1996 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Gorgeous fruit. Black raspberries, cherries and spice comingle in this elegant, silky ’96. Everything is there in the right proportions, including ripe, fine tannins and a lingering finish. Very forward and accessible.” WS
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Domaine Maillard Pere et Fils Corton Renardes Grand Cru 2005 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
Grand Cru Corton Wines Arriving in June
Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine Pere et Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru comes from 0.75-hectare of vineyards planted in the Pernand-Vergelesses: two parcels, one just in front of the “Le Charlemagne” restaurant. It has a very mineral-driven bouquet that is tightly wound at the moment, with a subtle walnut note scampering around in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with a very pure, quite spicy entry with notes of dried honey and nutmeg. Good weight in the mouth here, nicely balanced with a crisp, tense finish, this is a very fine Corton-Charlemagne that should age well.” WA
Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine Pere et Fils Corton Bressandes Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru comes from a 0.73-hectare parcel of 35-year old vines that is raised in around 30% new oak. It has a lovely, rather regal bouquet with broody black fruit that open nicely in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, lively black fruit, a lovely citric seam and great nervosite towards the finish. This is a very fine grand cru.” WA
Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine Pere et Fils Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 Corton Clos du Roi Grand Cru comes from 0.60-hectare of vine located just next to the Hospices’ vines. It has a more feminine, slightly more rounded bouquet compared to the Bressandes at the moment, the fruit leaning a little more to the red. The palate is very well balanced with a firm backbone. There is plenty of spice tinged black and red fruit with a generous sprinkle of white pepper over the long, tender finish. Excellent.” WA
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48 Hour Sale, Continued
Egon Muller-Scharzhof Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2011 750ML ($399.95) Was $279, Now $249, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Mullers 2011 Scharzhofberger Riesling Auslese delivers a penetrating and multifarious nose of heliotrope, lily, candied lime rind, quince preserves, white peach preserves, distilled herbal essences, marzipan and brown spices. Almost weightlessly delicate yet simultaneously expansive and creamy, this both caresses and stimulates the palate with a kaleidoscopically interactive array of those diverse and exotic elements that on the nose signaled its ripeness and botrytis ennoblement. An almost syrupy sense of white peach along with hints of white raisin that emerge in that prodigious finish fails to tip the scales in too-confectionary a direction thanks to a vibratory sense of energy and refreshing rivulet of juicy fresh peach and lime that is threaded throughout.” WA
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The average price is $411
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Monprivato, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($179.95) Was $149, Now $133, 28 bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “Starts out elegant and perfumed, sporting cherry and berry flavors, picking up earth, licorice, leather and spice notes. This is all about the silky texture and civilized tannins that should come together in the next few years. Spice and earth accents line the finish. Best from 2017 through 2033.” WS
Stephen Tanzer 93-96 points “(this was a treat Mascarello pulled from cask at the end of my tasting): Medium red. Knockout nose showcases tangy red fruits, minerals and porcini. Conveys an impression of superb concentration and dusty extract, with the tactile solidity of the best young 2010s already coming through in spades. A wine of great length and potential. I’ll play the interventionist wine writer and wonder out loud why this won’t be bottled for another year. But as devil’s advocate to my devil’s advocate, 2010 is one vintage that generally has the extract and energy to benefit from an extended elevage.” ST
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The average price is $166
Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous, Rhone 2006 750ML ($299.95) Was $199, Now $169, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 99 points “Shockingly, the 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Combe des Fous is almost as good. From a vintage that flies under the radar, it boasts a classic Clos Saint Jean profile of kirsch liqueur, ripe black raspberries, ground herbs and sweet garrigue to go with full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. Always slightly more elegant and silky than the more powerful Deus ex Machina, this thrill ride of a Chateauneuf will continue to drink well for another decade.” RP
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Clos Saint-Jean Deus-Ex Machina Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2006 750ML ($299.95) Was $199, Now $169, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 99 points “The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus ex Machina was flirting with perfection on this go around, and was open, layered and sexy. Possessing rock-star kirsch, blackberry liqueur, incense, spice, garrigue and ground pepper, it’s a full-bodied, incredibly textured 2006 that has thrilling concentration, sweet tannin and a finish this just keeps going. If forced to pick one of these bottles for current drinking, it’s showing spectacularly.” RP
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Vietti Villero, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2006 750ML ($349.95) Was $299, Now $249, 21 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points, Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The last wine of the flight is the outstanding 2006 Barolo Riserva Villero. It literally bursts open to full force intensity and beauty. It’s a mind-blowing interpretation of the often austere and brooding Nebbiolo grape that shows abundant life and vigor. Dark leather, cured beef, pressed rose petal, candied fruit, prune, cola, dried herbs and crushed mineral emerge from the glass like an aromatic marching band. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.” WA
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The average price is $314
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