Monday, June 22, 2015
New Arrival Special Feature
Bergstrom Wines ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Winery note “The Bergström Vineyard Pinot Noir is our flagship single vineyard Pinot Noir. Our first estate vineyard, planted in 1999, located in the red volcanic Jory soils of the Dundee Hills. This wine is usually one of our more cellar-worthy Pinot Noirs sometimes taking two or three years after bottling to fully blossom and unfurl its potential. The 2013 Bergström Vineyard Pinot Noir is vibrant ruby in color with pink reflections and has aromas of pipe tobacco, dark chocolate, citrus oils, savory herb garden, black cherries, and mint. There is sweet bright crunch of fruit in the mouth with succulent mouthwatering acidity which drives this wine’s energy. This wine possesses a core of dark red fruits and sweet spices in the mid palate with very fine dusting of sweet tannins and a long finish. A very unique but special bottling from this great vineyard site. Behaving much more like a young Burgundy, this great Oregon Pinot Noir should be consumed between 2017 and 2025, but could drink well for two decades or more.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Mid-West, East & South – Summer Shipping Saver
Whisk your wine through warmer weather!
Now for the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments normally travelling 4 or more business days.
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CALIFORNIA
Hartford Family Winery ‘Hartford’ Dina’s Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2011 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Opaque purple. Extremely fragrant, with red and dark berry aromas and suggestions of anise and fresh rose. Smells and tastes like a ripe pinot, with elegant raspberry and blackberry flavors and supple, seamless texture. Finishes smooth and long, with resonating spiciness and well-judged tannins. This is surprisingly delicious now but I’d let it age for at least a few years. As with the rest of these zins, from a vineyard that was planted over 100 years ago.”ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $55
Hartford Family Winery ‘Hartford’ Highwire Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-12 Hartford Family Winery ‘Hartford’ Highwire Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2012 750ML ($599.95) $499 special (that’s only $41.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2012 Zinfandel Highwire Vineyard, a site that is half head-pruned and half on a high wire trellising system, sees more new French oak (52%). A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a rich, full-bodied wine displaying lots of boysenberry, black raspberry and cherry fruit intermixed with hints of incense and Asian spice. Supple tannins and a big, pedal-to-the-metal, juicy, succulent style suggest it will drink well for 5-6 years.”RP
Hartford Family Winery ‘Hartford’ Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2013 750ML ($37.95) $27.50 special
Case-12 Hartford Family Winery ‘Hartford’ Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2013 750ML ($349.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2013 Zinfandel Russian River Valley is an attractive, boisterous wine to drink now and over the next few years. Dark red cherry, raspberry, spice, and mint inform the juicy finish. The 2013 is gracious, inviting and pretty much impossible to resist.” AG
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Inky ruby. Bright cherry and black raspberry aromas are complemented by hints of dried rose, black tea and star anise. Lively cherry and dark berry flavors pick up spiciness with air, along with a touch of candied flowers. Shows good energy on the finish, which is armed by youthful, fine-grained tannins. This rich but energetic zin will work well with strongly seasoned foods.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $35
FRANCE-LOIRE
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Clisson 2012 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Clisson 2012 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Made for aging, this wine is structured and firm. It has a dense texture surrounded by ripe white and yellow fruits. With a touch of spice and a pepper character, it is rich, impressive and full-bodied. Drink from 2017. — R.V. (6/1/2015).”
The 750ML is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Cuvee 4 (Quatre) 2010 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Cuvee 4 (Quatre) 2010 1.5L ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “The light-gold color of this wine shows its maturity. It’s a rich wine that is rounded, full and with a touch of honey. With its toasty character and full-bodied character, this is an impressive wine for drinking now.-(6/1/2015)” WE
FRANCE-PROVENCE
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2014 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2014 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2014 3L ($299.95) $259 special, 1 three liter available
Wine Spectator 92 points “Bright and high-pitched, this features a talc note that gives way to rosemary and white cherry hints, while the finish races along with sea salt and blood orange details. Long, chiseled and pure. A delicious rosé that should unwind further with some cellaring. Drink now through 2016.” WS
ITALY-TUSCANY
Pian dell’Orino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2008 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “One of the very best wines of the year, Pian dell’Orino’s 2008 Brunello di Montalcino is drop-dead gorgeous. Sweet dark cherries, cloves, menthol, tar and licorice are some of the many notes that are woven into fabric of superb elegance and finesse. All the elements are in perfect balance in this utterly harmonious Brunello. Deeply layered and spiced throughout, the 2008 is simply stunning. The 2008 isn’t as explosive as the very best vintages, but it is still a remarkable achievement for the year. Hints of orange peel and cloves add an exotic flair on the finish. This is a dazzling effort.” AG
ITALY-OTHER
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG, Campania 2007 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2007 Taurasi is a gorgeous, round Taurasi with impeccable class and elegance. Ripe dark fruit, smoke, minerals and ash flow from this graceful, elegant wine. The Taurasi here can at times be a touch rustic, but not in this vintage. The 2007 impresses for its sensual personality and harmony. It is a brilliant effort that makes me look forward to the Riserva with great anticipation. The Taurasi saw 30 days of contact on the skins and was subsequently aged for 18 months in 500-liter French oak barrels. The wine was bottled unfiltered and unfined.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $41.99
Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Coste, Taurasi DOCG 2009 750ML ($89.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2009 Taurasi Coste will reward readers with glorious drinking over the next 15-20 years, perhaps longer. Rich, ample and racy on the palate, the 2009 shows the more voluptuous side of Taurasi, with layers of dark fruit that continue to open up in the glass. Earthy, leathery notes add nuance on the powerful finish. The 2009 is very much old school in style, but with a touch of early approachability that is a positive for such a big wine.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $65
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Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
For the Mid-West, East, and South during the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments that would normally travel four or more business days to their destination.
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
Pazo de Senorans Albarino, Rias Baixas 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
“Looking for a refreshing dry white wine to serve on its own or with light snacks in this warm weather? This Albarino is sure to please. It shows classic notes of white flowers, sea breezes, white peach and a hint of fresh grass. On the palate, it has a vibrant acidity with a smooth texture. It finishes long with a pleasant savory note.”
-Suzanne
Giordano Lombardo Vigne di San Martino, Gavi del Comune di Gavi DOCG 2014 ($17.95) $14 special
“The winery, owned by Giordano Lombardo, a meticulous, bio-dynamic producer, lies close to the Medieval Village of Gavi, on the border between Piedmont and Liguria. A nice structured wine that has a fresh, floral nose, white peach and melon fruit on the palate, and refreshing acidity. The wine spends eight months on the lees, then 3 months in bottle prior to releasing, which adds to the delightful texture. Medium bodied. Great with seafood, salad and soft cheeses.”
-Troy
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Arriving This Week
Arriving Tuesday, June 23rd
“Brovia remains one of the most impressive estates in Piedmont. Even after a string of impressive recent vintages, the wines remain less well known than quality would suggest. The 2011s will give Brovia fans plenty to enjoy while the epic 2010s rest in the cellar. The Brovia Barolos remain quite classic in style.” — Antonio Galloni
Brovia Sori del Drago Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($31.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Brovia Sori del Drago Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($349.95) $289 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.08/bottle!)
“Perennially, this is my favorite Barbera I represent. These 70 year old vines are from the famed “Garblet Sué” parcel (more commonly referred to as “Bricco del Fiasc”) in Castiglione Falletto. Any other estate would have long since cashed in by planting Nebbiolo. This vineyard is planted at almost 1,000 feet elevation which is about as high as Falletto gets. As always, juice is fermented at a relatively brisk temp and then racked into stainless steel for 18mos. Simple, perfect Barbera. 120 cases imported to the USA.” –Importer note
Brovia Valmaggione Nebbiolo d’Alba 2012 750ML ($37.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Brovia Valmaggione Nebbiolo d’Alba 2012 750ML ($419.95) $349 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.08/bottle!)
“Sorry to double down with the superlatives, but for me, this is the most exciting wine the Brovia family bottles. It is the cheapest, lowest abv%, highest elevation, most northerly, most north facing Nebbiolo bottling in the family’s lineup — and the most limited production wine they make. Always a huge winner for me. “Valmaggione” (the actual name of the vineyard is ValmaggioRe, but the printer misspelled the label during the first vintage and the Brovia family decided to stick with it as a joke) is a parcel in Vezza d’Alba that produces some very expensive and sought after wines by more modernist producers like Sandrone. Super steep, sandy soils with great drainage that make for a wine with pronounced freshness and lift. No oak, no extended élevage. Pure, great wine.”–Importer Notes
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Brovia Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Brovia Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($619.95) $519 pre-arrival special (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2011 Barolo is sumptuous and expressive, with all of the immediacy that is so typical of the year. Dark red cherry, plums, hard candy, spice and tobacco are all woven into a layered finish graced with soft contours and fabulous overall balance for a straight Barolo. As Brovia fans know, the straight Barolo is 70% young-vine fruit from Brea (above 20 years of age), plus the wine that is left over when the single-vineyard Barolos go into cask.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arriving Friday June 26th
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Barbaresco DOCG’ 2011 750ML ($37.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Marked by ripe cherry, strawberry, floral and tar flavors, this red is graceful and detailed, with the fruit intensity persisting on the finish. This is well-integrated, and just needs time for the tannins to soften. Excellent length. Best from 2018 through 2030.”
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JJ Christoffel Rieslings
Arriving Tuesday
The Christoffel family has produced wine since the 17th century in Germany. Today, and since 2001, Hans Leo Christoffel leases vineyard management to the owner and winemaker of the Monchhof estate (one of the oldest estates in the Mosel), Robert Eymael. There are 4 hectares of vines in Ürziger Würzgarten and Erdener Treppchen, prized sites recognized for their quality for over 1000 years. Ürziger Würzgarten or ‘spice garden’ is known for producing spicy wines from the steep, iron-rich red slate vineyard. Recently, the winery has used the star system to indicate specific parcels that are vinified and bottled separately. To this day Eymael employs the estate’s traditional practices; a style that emphasizes precision and typicity.
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Estate Riesling Feinherb 2012 750ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Feinherb, an unregulated term often substituted for halbtrocken, indicates a wine that has residual sugar but tastes dry or nearly dry.
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett 2013 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Joel B. Payne–Vinous 92 points “Karl-Joseph Christoffel’s 2013 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Kabinett is the Mosel at its finest: pure, finely chiseled and unbelievable elegant! It is a tribute to how Riesling blossoms on slate soils. Delicately off-dry, it is my top value pick for Germany in 2013.” JP
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese 2013 750ML ($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.”
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese 2012 750ML ($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”
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese * * “Herzlay” 2013 750ML ($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.”
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Refresh Yourself
Looking for a red wine to enjoy this summer? Beaujolais is a refreshing red wine made from Gamay Noir, which can make some of the lightest of reds, with vibrant acidity and notes of berries, flowers and crushed minerals. They pair well with light summer dishes, such as salad, chicken or salmon, and are enjoyable on their own. Some winemakers produce more serious wines that offer richness, tannin and aromatic complexity.
Red Beaujolais Wines Available Here Now
Domaine Cedric Vincent Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes 2010 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 4 bottles available
John Gilman 91+ points “I had absolutely loved Cédric Vincent 2010 old vine bottling of Beaujolais at the start of the year and the wine has blossomed beautifully over the course of the year and is every bit as superb today as it was in January, with a fair bit of its tannin having fallen away and the wine now wide open on the attack. The outstanding bouquet is deep, bright and beautifully classic in its aromatic mélange of black cherries, woodsmoke, a touch of dark berry, really lovely, dark soil tones, blossoming notes of nutskin, pepper and a lovely topnote of fresh thyme. On the palate the wine is medium-full, bright and sappy at the core, with beautiful transparency and soil signature, modest tannins, tangy acids and truly exceptional length and grip on the complex and palate staining finish. This is very serious Beaujolais that is drinking very well today, but is just beginning to show the first vestiges of its autumnal layer of secondary complexity and will continue to improve for many years to come. Lovely wine. 2012-2025+.” JG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Cote du Py 2012 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 88 points “The 2012 Morgon Cote du Py comes from eight hectare of parcels at the bottom of the southern slope that average 55 years in age and aged in cuves for seven months. It has a more floral bouquet of blackberry, apricot, a touch of quince and orange rind — quite complex for a 2012. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. The Grands Cras a little more refinement than the Cote du Py, although you have to admire the ‘guts’ to this Cote du Py in a difficult vintage. Drink 2015-2024” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($29.95) $19 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2012 Morgon Corcelette comes from 60-year-old vines and IS aged in foudres. It has a broodier nose than the Cote de Brouilly with dusky blackberry and briary scents, touches of wild hedgerow and woodland. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins. It is very well-balanced, but there is something introspective toward the finish that is very engaging and urges you to take another sip. Drink now-2020.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Moulin-a-Vent Les Trois Roches 2012 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 17 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Bright violet. Pungent dark berry, cherry pit, rose oil and licorice scents, with hints of cracked pepper and woodsmoke in the background. Shows very good clarity and lift on the palate, offering juicy blackcurrant, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors that flesh out and gain sweetness with air. Sappy and focused on the finish, which features fine-grained tannins and a whiplash of vibrant dark fruit and floral pastille qualities.”JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie les Garants 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 18 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Bright ruby. High-pitched, mineral-laced red and dark berry scents are complicated by notes of white pepper and anise. Silky and open-knit, offering sappy black raspberry and lavender pastille flavors that tighten up with air and pick up an exotic blood orange note. Shows very good clarity and lift on the finish, which is framed by silky, even tannins.”JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $26.99
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Poncie 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 38 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Vivid ruby-red. High-pitched black raspberry, cherry and lavender scents, along with hints of smoky minerals and blood orange. Fresh, sappy and light on its feet, offering tangy red and dark berry flavors that open up and deepen with air. Quite approachable already, showing no obvious tannins and finishing spicy and long.”JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jean-Paul Thevenet Morgon Vieilles Vignes 2013 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2013 Morgon Vieilles Vignes, from Charly’s father Jean-Paul, comes from two parcels of vine, one of which was planted before World War I. It sees 6 to 8 months in old Burgundy barrels. It has a very suave bouquet of red currant and raspberry coulis, well-defined and unfolding with every swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with rounded and smooth tannins, finely tuned acidity, but just missing a little tension and delineation toward the finish. There is certainly good weight here, although I would give it two years in bottle as it is so backward at the moment.Thevenet is one of the region’s best known biodynamic practitioners. Their old vines naturally produced low yields that are hand-harvested, whole cluster fermented and aged in old Burgundy barrels with no fining or filtration.” WA
Fabien Duperray Domaine Jules Desjourneys L’Interdit 2008 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 40 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The wine that will be known as 2008 Desjourneys is none other than Duperray’s 2008 Fleurie–combining Chapelle des Bois and Les Moriers–that was refused appellation and so is officially, merely, “vin de France.” Believe me, this is “vin de France” in the same sense that Debussy signed many of his late masterpieces “musicien francais.” The high-toned floral, herbal, and fruit distillate esters that memorably marked the Chapelle des Bois from cask as well as the black tea-tinged and more bittersweetly herbal and concentrated dark berries of the original Les Moriers, have been preserved in this marriage-in fact, after recovering from my chagrin at this wine’s having been denied its rightful appellation, I am now entirely reconciled to the two sites having been blended, inasmuch as the whole seems, remarkably, even greater than the sum of its already profoundly delicious parts! This finishes with mouthwatering salinity and a tenacious, almost Gewurztraminer-like meld of brown spices concentrated floral and herbal essences. I would anticipate it being worth following for half a dozen years, but on no account should it be missed earlier-on.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $34.98
Thibault Liger-Belair Moulin-a-Vent La Roche 2010 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Deep, bright ruby. Candied red and dark berries on the nose, with notes of violet and star anise adding complexity. Juicy and gently sweet, offering plush black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a broad, velvety texture. A weighty but energetic Beaujolais that finishes with intense spiciness and a lingering note of floral pastilles.”ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.97
Coudert Pere ‘Clos de la Roilette’ Fleurie Griffe du Marquis 2012 750ML ($49.95) $37 special, 25 bottles available
Lucien Le Moine Chenas 2011 1.5 LITERS ($149.95) $133 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 92-93+ points “…it mingles striking wisteria perfume with scents and flavors of blueberry, pomegranate, black raspberry and smoked meat. Mouthwateringly salt-tinged and with crystalline suggestions of stony counterpoint, its infectiously juicy primary fruit informs a silken-texture palate and strikingly vibrant and persistent finish.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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New Arrivals of Cayuse
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2003 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Incredible fruit intensity. Cranberry, pomegranate and cherry meet rock, gravel and pepper. Lovely focus and purity; it’s concentrated and tight, with a minerality that is compelling and distinctive. The best yet from Cailloux. Syrah is co-fermented with 4 or 5% Viognier. It’s a world-class effort, still quite young and tight, but built for beautiful aging.” WE
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2004 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Flowers, white pepper, iodine, seashell, lemon oil, this is amazingly concentrated. It shoots off an amazing panoply of flavors—all the density, complexity and detail is maintained at rather high alcohol (15.5%). The fruits run from berries through stone fruits to tropical, woven together into a delicious tangle. This is so compact and distinctive that words fail” WE
Cayuse Recap
Cayuse Vineyards Bionic Frog Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2010 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Dark and peppery, this vibrates with mineral and black olive overtones, featuring a supple core of dark plum and spice flavors, finishing with remarkable intensity, tension and refinement. Shows power, exuberance and finesse in equal measure.”
Wine Advocate 96+ points “The deepest colored of the Syrahs, the 2010 Syrah Bionic Frog is a smoking 100% Syrah that comes from the Coccinelle (“Ladybug” in French) Vineyard, which is a four- acre plot that was planted to Syrah in 1998. Showing beautifully from bottle (I first tasted this from barrel close to two years ago), it offers up a deep, layered and complex aromatic profile of black currants, smoked herbs, mulch, game and hints of pepper. This flows to a full-bodied, ethereally textured Syrah that has surprising polish, building richness and a rock star finish that doesn’t lack for length. A classic Bionic Frog that has both richness and elegance, it will benefit from another year or three in the cellar and shine for 15+ years. Drink 2015-2025.”
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Good bright, deep red with ruby highlights. Knockout Hermitage-like nose combines blackberry, gunflint, clove, pepper and rose petal. Sweet and densely packed, with dark berry and pepper flavors complemented by deeper-pitched elements of smoke and leather. The utterly palate-saturating finish features substantial dusty tannins and outstanding clarity and lift for such a rich wine.”
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2008 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Baron’s 2008 Grenache Armada Vineyard God Only Knows displays delectable scents and luscious palate presence of lightly-cooked strawberry and plum laced with nut oils and shadowed by plum and herb distillates. Seamlessly polished, almost velvety and glycerol-rich as well as sweetly ripe, this, nonetheless, projects a torrent of primary fruit juiciness along with levity and energy. Saliva-inducing salinity along with piquant fruit pit, and iodine accents add riveting counterpoint to a finish of prodigious length that manages to simultaneously sooth and stimulate. I would expect this to reward attention for at least another decade.” WA
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The normal cuvee of 2005 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard has an alluring perfume of spice box meat game and blueberry compote. Opulent yet elegant this hedonistic effort will benefit from 4-6 years of cellaring and provide pleasure through 2020.”
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Good bright dark red. Raspberry, pepper, woodsmoke, spices and dried herbs on the highly nuanced nose. Darker in its fruit character than the special Walla Walla bottling and less perfumed and expressive today in spite of its silky sweetness. Not especially creamy right now but boasts terrific lift toward the back and palate-staining length. Already delivers great appeal, but needs time to lose some of its baby fat.”
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2006 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 98 points “The first of the Syrahs is the saturated purple 2006 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard (with 4% Viognier in the blend). It displays a Cote-Rotie-like nose of smoked meat, game, and bacon with a dollop of burnt sugar and blueberry making an appearance. Layered, plush, and super-rich, this full-bodied, pleasure-bent effort has exceptional length. Difficult to resist now, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Highly Recommended and #26 on Top 100 Wines of 2009. Plush and polished, this brims with cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors that are nicely shaded with streaks of mineral and green olive. Supple, harmonious and expressive as the finish keeps sailing on and on. Best from 2011 through 2018.”
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2008 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 1 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2008 Cailloux Vineyard Syrah contains 4% Viognier. Expressive game, bacon, and blueberry aromas are given uplift by the Viognier component. This savory, rich, lengthy Syrah can be enjoyed now and over the next 10-12 years.”
Wine Enthusist 97 points “This is the only Cayuse Syrah that is co-fermented (with 8% Viognier), which adds nuances of white flower and floral, though the citrus rind scents override them. In the nose it’s hugely expressive, though still quite tight and compact in the mouth; it must be decanted. It’s a three ring circus of a wine, with things moving and shaking in all directions. Mineral, berry, mountain complexity, nuanced herb and earth and citrus, all in proportion, and all flowing in the mouth.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Polished, refined in structure and exuberant in flavor, bursting with cherry, smoke, paprika and tar character, finishing with a mineral edge. This has a steely balance behind the open texture, and the finish just rolls and rolls. Drink now through 2020. 785 cases made.”
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Deep ruby-red. Dark fruits, black pepper, licorice, mocha and brown spices on the nose: Baron’s answer to La Landonne? Wonderfully intense and deep, with powerful dark fruit flavors sexed up by an exotic note of apricot. Finishes with outstanding mounting persistence and restrained sweetness. It would be a treat to see this trio of vineyard-designated syrahs in about five years. Baron told me that this vineyard was the first syrah planted on its own rootstock in Walla Walla Valley”
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2008 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2008 En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah offers up notes of tar licorice earthy minerals blueberry and blackberry. Dense and powerful on the palate this appears to be Baron’s take on Hermitage.”WA
Wine Spectator 94 points “Dark and brooding youthful and vibrant with plum currant dried tomato and fresh leather flavors picking up stony notes as the finish persists impressively. This has richness minerality and depth. Drink now through 2018.”WS
Cayuse Vineyards Armada Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2009 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 98 points “From his high-density 2001 planting, Baron’s 2009 Syrah Armada Vineyard leads with a high-toned, penetrating nose that one can scarcely avoid calling Côte Rôtie-like: bacon fat, fresh cherry, kirsch, framboise, and violet. But there are also black tea, caramel, and a penetrating note of sealing wax that’s reminiscent of mature Bordeaux. Around one quarter of the 600-liter barrels in which this was raised (following fermentation in a mixture of cement and wood) were new. Dense, fine-grained but more evident tannins than in most of the present collection appear on a palate whose savory salinity and saliva-inducement, however, are utterly Cayuesque. The interplay of flavors here is kaleidoscopic and at the same time almost eye-squintingly bright. What’s more, as the wine opens to the air, a real layering and interplay emerges of diverse carnal elements alone: smoked meat, game, bloody roasted red meat, marrow and bone meal. This Syrah’s phenomenal sense of energy as well as of sheer, sappy, expansive presence, make for a finish whose vibratory intensity shakes-up my entire mouth. A truly awesome effort, it will surely be worth following for at least 15 years”
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Good deep red with ruby highlights. Distinctly decadent aromas of superripe plum, dried berries, mocha and smoked meat. Extremely dense, lush and thick, offering sweet, wild flavors of black raspberry, mocha and brown spices. Finishes very long, with big, ripe tannins. This large-scaled, mouthfilling, saline syrah will need time in bottle to express itself.”ST
Cayuse Vineyards En Cerise Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2008 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2008 En Cerise Vineyard Syrah offers up a remarkably complex, sexy perfume that leaps from the glass. Exotic spices, a velvety texture, and a succulent richness on the palate are sublime. It, too, can be enjoyed for a decade or more.”
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “A subtle, complex, utterly distinctive mix of flavors, with opening streaks of butter cookie, then mushroom broth, tightly wound berry fruit, earthy coffee grounds and even darker streaks of espresso and smoke and licorice. It is deeply layered with flavors that just keep piling on. Amazing wine.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Rich and round, yet amazingly transparent as the cherry, mineral, tar and sassafras flavors expand over the long, expressive palate. This has richness and depth balanced with vibrant acidity, finishing with intensity. Best from 2012 through 2020. 355 cases made.”
Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker’ En Chamberlin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2010 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 97 points “A silky, supple and downright sexy 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard offers up notes of sweet red and black currants, leaf tobacco, mulled spices and cedar to go with a full-bodied, rich and gorgeously textured and polished palate. Already approachable and surprisingly civilized, with a core of sweet fruit and ripe, polished tannin, it nevertheless holds up beautifully with air and drank well for the three days I had the bottle open. Enjoy it over the coming 12-15+ years. Drink now-2025+.” WA
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Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage
Newly Released Cellar Selections Arriving June 26th
“The Chave line…could make a fair claim to be France’s winemaking royal family: in no other of France’s great terroirs is the largest individual landholder so deeply rooted in time and place, so supremely competent, and so modest a custodian of the insights and craftsmanship of the past.” Andrew Jeffords, The New France
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Arriving June 26th
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2007 750ML ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2007 1.5L ($499.95) $419 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 95 points “The exuberant 2007 Hermitage Blanc reveals notes of petroleum, crushed rocks, earth, white currants and peaches, an unctuous texture, high glycerin and good acidity. This big, thick white Hermitage will not be as long lived as the 2009, but for drinking over the next two decades, it is impossible to resist. Jean-Louis and Gerard Chave opened a bottle of the 2003 Hermitage Blanc to give me an idea of how this vintage is aging. This monumental offering, which flirts with perfection, has virtually no acidity and is aging beautifully. The Chaves believe it is a repeat of what Gerard’s father made in 1929.”
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2008 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Lush yet precise, with green tea, honeysuckle and quinine notes rippling through the core of green plum, pear and Jonagold apple fruit. The finish has mouthwatering minerality and subtle persistence. Seamless and long. Best from 2012 through 2022.”WS
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2007 750ML ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2007 1.5L ($499.95) $419 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Tight but already alluring, with gorgeous fig cake and warm cocoa aromas slowly yielding to a dark, dense core of plum, blueberry, hoisin sauce, currant reduction and maduro tobacco. Muscular but supervelvety, with a long finish. There’s impressive density for the vintage. Best from 2011 through 2026.”
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2008 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2008 1.5L ($499.95) $419 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is suave, with a smoldering tobacco note running from start to finish, while truffle, cocoa, braised fig and warm black currant confiture notes fill in the remaining space. Dense, but very silky along the edges, with remarkable harmony for the vintage.” WS
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Arriving Mid-July
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 750ML ($319.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 1.5L ($699.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Much more open, fleshy and sexy, the 2012 Hermitage Blanc was just bottled a month prior to this tasting. Coming from l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, it’s always a rough blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne that’s aged in barrel. Loaded with notions of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, powered rock, buttered citrus and green almond, it’s full-bodied, rich, upfront and fruit loaded. While I think it will be a relatively accessible early in its life, it has the concentration to hold for two decades.” WA
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “Tasted in single-site components from tanks as the wine awaited blending: #1, from Peleat: Ripe pear and honey aromas, with a suave floral accent and a hint of smoky minerals. At once rich and lively, showing excellent back-end power. #2, from Rocoules: Intense, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with a sexy floral nuance building with air. Bright, focused and mineral-driven, with a strong Meyer lemon quality lingering on the tangy finish. #3, also from Rocoules: Showing more emphasis on orchard fruit than the first Rocoules tank, with powerful quince and pear flavors and a touch of bitter quinine. Dusty minerals sharpen the long, sappy finish. #4, from l’Ermite: Spicy citrus zest and ginger scents along with a chalky mineral note and a hint of anise. Smoky and penetrating, with superb finishing clarity and lingering spiciness. #5, also from l’Ermite: More floral and masculine than the previous l’Ermite, with strong jasmine and orchard fruit character and a touch of bitter quinine. Bright and nervy on the finish, which doesn’t want to let up.” JR
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2012 750ML ($319.95) $228 pre-arrival special
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2012 3L ($1,799.95) $1,249 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-97 points “Looking at the 2012 Hermitage, which is still resting in barrels and getting ready to be bottled, it’s a much more classic, easy to read Hermitage that has lots of ripe, sweet fruit in its full-bodied, concentrated, textured profile. It has copious sweet blackberry and cassis fruit, violet and serious granite-like minerality, superb mid-palate depth and a focused, structured finish. It’s a beautiful, classy 2012 that will have 20-25+ years of longevity.” WA
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 95-97 points “Presented as components from four different barrels: #1, from Beaume: Exotic scents of candied licorice, dark berries and smoky Indian spices. Fleshy and broad on entry, then tighter in the middle, displaying superb depth to its bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors. #2, from Peleat: Explosive red fruit and potpourri aromas, with a bright mineral overtone. Silky and sweet, offering vibrant raspberry and cherry compote flavors and a touch of bitter chocolate. The red fruit note echoes strongly on the back half. #3, from Meal: Fleshier and rounder than the first two components, offering plush dark berry and violet flavors that coat the palate. Chewy tannins build on the finish and fold smoothly into the wine’s dense fruit. #4, from Bessards: Emphatic mineral and dark berry aromas pick up a sexy floral note and a hint of cola. Sappy, penetrating and sharply focused, displaying an impressive array of red fruit and floral qualities and strong finishing spiciness. Jean-Louis Chave told me he thinks this wine will be “classic Hermitage with an emphasis on fruit, not structure, but not lacking in structure at all–just compared to, say, 2010 and 2005.” JR
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Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Available Here Now
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2011 1.5L ($549.95) $499 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Still a bit reserved aromatically, with hints of orange blossom and crème anglaise peeking out, this features a captivating display of racy quinine, honeysuckle and white peach flavors inlaid into a rich core of brioche, Cavaillon melon, white truffle, smoked almond and heather honey. Incredibly long. Hard to resist now, but ideal for when your toddler graduates college. Best from 2019 through 2030.” WS
Wine Advocate 96 points “Just bottled, the 2011 Hermitage Blanc also shows the richer side of Hermitage with its full-bodied, voluptuously textured and up-front profile. Honeysuckle, licorice, toast, citrus oil and liquid mineral-like qualities all emerge from this beauty, and it stays beautifully fresh and focused on the palate. A blend of mostly Marsanne, yet with roughly 20% Roussanne, from the l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, this substantial white should be consumed over the coming 2-4 years, or forgotten for a decade or more. It will have over two decades of longevity.” WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2011 750ML ($319.95) $219 special, 1 bottle available
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage 2011 1.5L ($649.95) $499 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “The 2011 Hermitage (also still in barrel), in comparison, is more focused and straight, with a slightly more serious feel to its tannin profile and overall structure. All of the samples (again, tasted in individual components) were beautifully perfumed, with the Les Bessards (which will make up the bulk of the blend) showing surprising density and concentration in a vintage that generally produced more up-front and supple wines. A serious 2011 that will certainly be one of the stars of the vintage, it should be reasonably approachable on release and have an easy two decades of longevity.” WA
Wine Spectator 96 points “A grippy, mouthwatering style, with solid, briary tannins inlaid with finely beaded acidity, all of which meld into the core of anise, blackberry paste and fig sauce flavors. Shows terrific energy on the singed apple wood-filled finish. Should cruise in the cellar. Best from 2016 through 2030.” JM
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Available Through Off-Site Storage
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Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Ermitage Cuvee Cathelin 2000 750ML ($2,999.95) $2,499 special, 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 97 points, Robert Parker 96 points, Stephen Tanzer 95-96 points “Bright saturated ruby. Aromas of cassis, black cherry, pepper and spices, with a hint of exotic fruits. Silky and seamless but also primary and precise, with a great lightness of touch. Utterly spherical wine, like Romanee-Conti to the basic bottling’s La Tache. Wonderfully subtle and extremely long on the aftertaste, with the expanding flavors maintaining near-magical focus. Interestingly, the regular 2000 is more open today despite the fact that it was recently bottled.”ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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