Saturday, October 31st, 2015
Two Day Burgundy Extravaganza!; Know Your Knoll; Giacomo Conterno; Bodegas Muga; Pierre Gimonnet; Il Poggione; Bruna Grimaldi; Case Deals on Champagne
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Jump Start Sale
Two Days Only
Burgundy Blitz
Take 10% off all Burgundy wines
10% discount not displayed nor calculated on our website.
Fill your cart at the displayed price and we’ll deduct the 10% further discount before charging.
We offer today 4,173 bottles of red Burgundy, 1,446 bottles of still white Burgundy, 29 bottles of rose and 6 bottles of Cremant. After discount, these two day special prices start at $11.97 net on Drouhin Bourgogne Chardonnay LaForet 2013 and go up to $1,439.10 net for Leroy Clos de la Roche 2007 or Rousseau Clos de Beze 2012.
Discount includes selections from Henri Gouges, Dom. Dujac, Dugat-Py, Armand Rousseau, Pierre Yves Colin-Morey, Rene & Vincent Dauvissat, Robert Chevillon, and many more!
Don’t miss out. We offer some of the lowest listed prices in the USA prior to the additional 10% discount, so you’ll have difficulty finding a better deal anywhere else.
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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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Know Your Knoll – Knewly Arrived
Weingut Emmerich Knoll
Located in the town of Unterloiben in the Wachau of Austria, Weingut Knoll occupies some of Austria’s most celebrated vineyards. Across 15 hectares, a stunning array of (predominantly) Riesling and Gruner Veltiner is cultivated by third-generation members of the Knoll family: Emmerich III oversees the cellar, and August is head of vineyard work.
The estate produces over 25 cuvees each year, with over half of them Rieslings – relatively many for the Gruner-thirsty Austrian. The Rieslings are planted mostly on granite bedrock, while the Gruner plantings live higher up the banks of the Danube on a rich, mixed topsoil of granite and loess. The wines of Knoll are marked with beautifully textural, layered, aromatic qualities.
Weingut Emmerich Knoll Wines Available Here Now
Weingut Emmerich Knoll Loibner Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2013 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Weingut Emmerich Knoll ‘Vinothekfullung’ Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Always made with botrytis grapes, the 2013 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Loibner Vinothekfullung offers a very clear and intense, though noble and fresh, aroma of honeydew melon, pineapples and hints of lychee. Very rich in extract and highly concentrated on the palate, this opulent yet still well-balanced wine is one to be enjoyed in small sips rather than in bottles (at least when it’s so young). This is an impressively rich and velvety textured wine, indeed, though it lacks the tension and freshness of the Schütt at the moment.” WA
Weingut Emmerich Knoll Ried Kellerberg Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Grapefruit, lemon and green tea flavors, along with hyacinth notes on the nose, welcome you to the 2013 Dürnsteiner Riesling Smaragd Ried Kellerberg, another monument in the Knoll portfolio. Pure, rich and elegant on the palate this enervating mineral, vibrant and complex Riesling reveals a great elegance and lingering salty finish. Purity and terroir in the Wachau? It really exists! This Kellerberg Riesling is long!” WA
Weingut Emmerich Knoll Ried Schutt Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Purity, density and minerality – this trilogy seems to be the leitmotif of the 2013 Dürnsteiner Riesling Smaragd Ried Schütt, which reveals a clear and deep bouquet of ripe fruit aromas and some vegetal notes. Pure and elegant on the palate, the Schütt Riesling combines complexity and intensity with elegance and persistence for a great and expressive Riesling monument of the Wachau. It is even finer than the Kellerberg Riesling Smaragd.” WA
Weingut Emmerich Knoll Riesling Ried Pfaffenberg Auslese 2013 500ML ($69.95) $59 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Emmerich Knoll Wines Arriving Next Week
Weingut Emmerich Knoll Gelber Traminer Smaragd, Wachau 2013 500ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Emmerich Knoll ‘Vinothekfullung’ Loibner Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Giacomo Conterno
Discount Prices, New Releases and Cellar Gems
Newly Discounted
Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barbera d’Alba 2012 1.5L ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89, 9 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia stands out for its exceptional finesse and delicacy. Sweet rose petals, mint, cinnamon and red berries are all laced together in a soft, polished Barbera long on class and finesse. Perfumed notes continues to open up in the glass, while brighter, more saline-inflected notes give the wine its sense of energy and tension. This is a magnificent showing. Ideally, readers will be able to give the 2012 at least another year or two in bottle.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $97.89
Newly Discounted & Arriving November 5th
Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barbera d’Alba 2012 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia stands out for its exceptional finesse and delicacy. Sweet rose petals, mint, cinnamon and red berries are all laced together in a soft, polished Barbera long on class and finesse. Perfumed notes continues to open up in the glass, while brighter, more saline-inflected notes give the wine its sense of energy and tension. This is a magnificent showing. Ideally, readers will be able to give the 2012 at least another year or two in bottle.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $46
Arriving in November
Giacomo Conterno Cerretta Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92-94 points “The 2013 Barbera d’Alba Cerretta is fabulous. Dark and explosive on the palate, the 2013 has more than enough depth to stand up to the brilliant, incisive acidity of the year. Pomegranate, raspberry jam, wild flowers and spices flesh out in an impeccable, explosive Barbera endowed with real pedigree. Today, the Cerretta offer a bit better balance than the Francia.” AG
Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($499.95) $449 pre-arrival special (that’s only $37.42/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 91-93 points “Conterno’s 2013 Barbera d’Alba Francia is dark, piercing and intensely mineral. Graphite, smoke, black cherries and crushed rocks open up in a powerful, intense Barbera that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to settle down. The Francia Barbera is usually quite savory and mineral. In 2013, those qualities are pushed forward, with the vibrancy acidity of the vintage front and center. The 2013 will appeal most to readers who enjoy pulsating, tense Barberas. Hints of violet and lavender add the final nuances of complexity.” AG
Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 98 points “Glorious aromas of roses, whole white truffles, earth and raspberry. Dusty. Subtle rosemary and lemon grass too. Full-bodied, tight and structured. Yet it opens and caresses every inch of your palate. So gorgeous now to drink. No Monfortino in this year; so absolutely amazing because it all went in here. Wow. Drink or hold.”
Antonio Galloni 94-96 points “A model of pure sensuality and grace, the 2011 Barolo Francia is utterly captivating today. An exquisite bouquet laced with crushed flowers and spices melds into a core of silky fruit in a deceptively mid-weight, regal Barolo. A host of chalky, mineral and savory notes – all signatures of Francia – underpin the fruit. The 2011 is polished and graceful to the core. In 2011, there is no Monfortino. Roberto Conterno opted to blend in that cask with his Francia casks. For about as long as I have known him, Conterno has been fervent in his belief that Nebbiolo can often overcome rain, even heavy rain, while excess heat and dryness are more challenging. Given that view, it’s hardly a surprise Conterno did not make a Monfortino in 2003, 2007 or 2009. Next to the Francia Barolos in those vintages, the 2011 is quite a bit more lifted in style.”
Arriving in December
Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia, Barolo DOCG 2003 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia, Barolo DOCG 2003 750ML ($799.95) $686 pre-arrival special (that’s only $114.33/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Case-12 Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia, Barolo DOCG 2003 750ML ($1,549.95) $1,319 pre-arrival special (that’s only $109.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is a remarkable wine for the vintage. This deep, powerful Barolo reveals awesome richness and an almost liqueur-like quality to its fruit that is balanced by the chalky mineral notes that provide freshness on the finish and help convey an impression of notable balance. In 2003 there is no Monfortino, and the Cascina Francia surely benefits from the addition of that juice which is mostly felt in the wine’s depth. Resisting the temptation to harvest too early, Roberto Conterno waited until October 8 to start picking in his Cascina Francia vineyard, long after most producers had already brought the fruit in. He had the benefit of the late September rains that helped restore at least a little freshness to the fruit, and as a result his 2003 Cascina Francia doesn’t have the aggressive tannins that plague so many wines. Simply put, this is a stunning Barolo made all the more notable by the challenging conditions the vintage presented. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2023.”WA
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Bodegas Muga
Bodegas Muga is one of the historic cellars of La Rioja, and was founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga and his wife Aurora Caño. Throughout the years of dedication and family tradition, Muga has continued to create wines born from both inspiration and authenticity. The vineyards of Bodegas Muga are located on the foot of the Montes Obarenses within Rioja Alta, and planted up to 480 meters above sea level on clay-limestone soils. Their ideal location involves influences marked by Atlantic, Continental and Mediterranean influences. This fortunate abundance of climates and different soils produce prolonged stages in the vine growth cycle and work harmoniously to create the perfect situation for grape growing. The plots are divided into small terroirs with different physical and chemical qualities between them, attributing to each terroir having individually defined personalities.
Bodegas Muga ‘Prado Enea’ Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2006 Prado Enea is a phenomenal bottle of traditional Rioja at its best. A blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and the remaining 10% Mazuelo and Graciano aged for a long time in oak and bottled before release. This is a practice quite common from yesteryear, but that is a true rarity today. The technical data provided talks about incredible parameters, 14% alcohol and a pH of 3.39, both extremely low for a warm vintage like 2006. The grapes are sourced from higher-altitude terraced plots where the climate is cooler and drier and the soils are rich in clay. This is a wine that is not automatically produced every year. The wine spends its elevage in oak containers of different size, origin and age for no less than three years. The nose is intoxicating with a superb mixture of tertiary and more primary aromas like old furniture, cloves, cracked pepper, incense and cigar ash plus cherries in liqueur (that Garnacha!). The palate is medium-bodied, with great freshness (Jorge Muga tells me the pH is stabilized with aging in barrel), acidity and balance, with a silky texture, ultra-fine tannins and great persistence and length. This wine feels younger than it is, and seems to be aging at a glacial pace. With the stuffing and balance it has this should make very old bones, and drink greatly throughout its life. Superb! At this quality level the price seems like a bargain. 90,000 bottles produced. The next Prado Enea will be 2009 as they didn’t get what they look for in this wine in either 2007 and 2008. Those were two cold vintages, and 2007 had 100 liters of rain during the harvest. Prado Enea is harvested in November and in 2008 there was frost at the end of October.” LG
Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($59.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Bodegas Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($499.95) $439 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $36.58/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Tight as a drum on the nose, this rambunctious Rioja is throbbing with blackberry, plum and floral aromas. Intense and staunch on the palate, with plum, raspberry, cherry, herb and chocolate flavors, this runs long on the finish, with power and acidity to spare. Hold until 2017, then drink through 2035. Cellar Selection.” WE
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(70% tempranillo, 20% garnacha, 7% mazuelo and 3% graciano; fermented in large oak vats and aged for 28 months in small French and American oak barrels of varying age): Inky purple. Flamboyant aromas of ripe berries, incense, potpourri, smoky oak and pungent minerals. Lush, fleshy and alluringly sweet, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors that coat the palate. Smooth, seamless and impressively concentrated but also lively, with sneaky tannins giving shape to the long, spice-accented finish.” ST
Bodegas Muga Arriving in November
Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ML ($299.95) $236 pre-arrival special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2011 Reserva is mostly Tempranillo complemented with some 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. There are no stainless-steel vats at Muga, so everything is fermented in oak vats and this wine is then aged for one year in new French oak barrels and a further year in used ones (three to six years old), fined with egg white and bottled. It is a Rioja that mixes the traditional and modern character with ripe fruit and contains oak aromas that are quite spicy and have some toast and smoke that should integrate with a bit of time in bottle. The palate is medium-bodied, has clean flavors that are balanced with sweet tannins. This is easy to drink, pleasant but not banal, and delivers a lot for its price. An impressive half-million bottles are produced of this wine, which is sold as Crianza in Spain and as Reserva in the rest of the world. Year after year, one of the most reliable and affordable Reservas.” LG
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Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne, France
“Gimonnet’s wines are pure, sleek and lithe, demonstrating a classical character of the northern Côte des Blancs. They are polished in the best sense of the word, demonstrating a fine elegance and sophistication while remaining highly individual in personality and true to their terroir origins.” – Peter Liem, Wine Critic, Wine Writer, & Champagne Guru (Champagne Guide)
In 1935, Pierre Gimonnet began bottling his own estate Champagnes in the village of Cuis in the Cote des Blanc. The family has a long history in Champagne and has been growing grapes there since 1750. His son, Michel, took over the estate in 1955 and retired in 1996, handing off leadership to his two sons, Didier and Olivier. They are a Récoltant-Manipulant (Grower-Producer): they produce Champagne from grapes grown in their own vineyards. The estate is composed primarily of Chardonnay vineyards spread between premier cru and grand cru sites. 33 acres is in their home village of Cuis, and the remaining majority of sites are in the Grand Cru villages of Cramant and Chouilly, with small holdings in Oger (Grand Cru) and Vertus (Premier Cru). Their sole acre of Pinot Noir is split between Grand Cru Aÿ and Premier Cru Mareuil-sur Aÿ.
The family produces a distinctive and fresh house style based on Chardonnay, and four important practices help them achieve this goal: thorough knowledge of their vineyards, controlled yields, high average vine age and the inclusion of Cuis base wine in many of their blends. Didier keeps a well-used notebook, passed down from his father, which contains handwritten notes on each harvest. This exemplifies the knowledge and understanding the family has of its vines and vineyards. The vineyards are hand-harvested and grown at a higher density than is common in the region, but at a lower yield per vine. Didier explains this method is a way of finding moderation between the dilute results of high yields and the over-concentration of too-small yields. The estate’s vines are on average older than most in the region. Over 70% of the vines are at least 30 years old, 40% are over 40 years old, and in two lieux-dits in Cramant, Le Fond du Bateau and Buisson, the vines are over 100 years old. Old vines produce wines great complexity. Terry Theise describes Le Fond du Bateau as providing a Gruner Veltliner-like forceful smokiness and Buisson as providing a Riesling-like green tanginess.
The brothers use the Chardonnay base wine from Cuis for many of their blends, which causes them to lose Grand Cru labelling for these wines. The Cuis wines are important to Didier because he feels it is “indispensable to his style.” Cuis, the coolest village in the Cote des Blancs, provides the blends with a fresh and lively essence of acidity, lightness and finesse. Thus, Cuis provides the underlying core of freshness, acidity and delicacy that gives the Pierre Gimonnet Champagnes much of their distinctive character. The base wines are stored between vintages in magnums instead of tanks to preserve their delicacy and fresh aromas. Of the Grand Crus blended, Chouilly provides structure and complexity, while Cramant provides an expressive complexity and roundness.
We are pleased to present several selections from Pierre Gimonnet; all of which are Blanc de Blancs except the Paradoxe. Their house style is evident throughout all of their wines. The Cuis Premier Cru NV shows off the bright and fresh chalky minerality of these cool village vineyards. The Fleuron, their traditional house vintage wine, is leesy, chalky and can age for 7-10 years. The Gastronome is a complex and rich Champagne with high acidity that Didier and Olivier recommend as an aperitif. At 66% Pinot Noir, the Paradoxe shows a balance between richness and acidity. The Special Club is composed primarily of Cramant Grand Cru, including some of the estate’s oldest vines, and underwent strict berry selection. We also offer the 2005 Vintage Vieille Vignes (Old Vine), available only in magnums, which has decades of ageing potential.
Pierre Gimonnet Champagnes Available Here Now
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $38 special, 36 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Pale green. High-pitched citrus fruit and floral scents, along with intense mineral and spice nuances. Dry and seamless on the palate, offering juicy lemon, tarragon and ginger flavors and a deeper suggestion of buttered toast. Finishes on a zesty minerally note, with lingering spiciness and strong persistence. This bottling is a blend of wines from 2011 (77%), 2010 (6%), 2009 (12%), 2007 (4%) and 2006 (1%).” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $52/bottle
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut NV 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 9 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “80% 2010 wine, 10% 2009, 4% 2008, 5% 2007 and 1% 2002; disgorged in May, 2013 after 30 months on its lees): Green-tinged yellow. Intense, mineral-accented aromas of orange zest, pear and white flowers, with an iodiney quality building in the glass. Chewy in texture and nicely concentrated, offering precise citrus and bitter quinine flavors and a strong topnote of dusty minerals. Finishes clean, bright and very long, with lingering chalkiness. This would make a superb match with fresh oysters or crab.” ST
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Gastronome 2009 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 19 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Bright and creamy, this firm version is powerful and harmonious, offering a minerally underpinning and flavors of apricot, chalk and biscotti. Spice and citrus peel notes linger on the finish. Disgorged November 2013.”
Wine Advocate 90+ points “From the Côte des Blancs grands crus Cramant, Chouilly and Oger plus the premiers Cuis and Vertus, the 2009 Cuvée Gastronomique 1er Cru Brut opens very clear on the nose indicating fully ripe (partly brown), cooked and also baked apples, ripe pears, butter, some exotic spicy and limey flavors as well as tobacco and brazil nut along with discreet yeasty flavors and a mineral touch. Full-bodied and very rich, this well structured and persistent Champagne develops an intense taste of cooked, brown apples with cinnamon but keeps its citric freshness also in the finish. I sniffed the bouquet for 15 minutes and the bouquet became more and more complex with every single minute. I was also impressed by the long lasting purity and minerality on the palate and this is why I recommend to spend more time with this excellent Champagne and to pour it into a big wine glass.”
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Paradoxe Premier Cru Brut 2007 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “A fine and creamy mousse carries subtle flavors of pastry dough, green pear, lemon zest and mineral. Disgorged September 2013. Drink now through 2027.” WS
Josh Raynolds–Vinous Media 91 points “Bright yellow. High-pitched citrus fruit and floral aromas show very good clarity and pick up a leesy quality with aeration. Rich but lively and precise on the palate, offering intense tangerine and melon flavors and an undercurrent of chalky minerality. Carries the mineral and citrus fruit notes through on the finish, with a subtle anise quality sneaking in late.” JR
Pierre Gimonnet Brut Special Club 2006 750ML ($119.95) $71.90 special, 5 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Light, green-tinged yellow. Aromas of melon, fresh fig, honey and pear skin, along with a citrussy overtone. Dense and broad but lively too, boasting very good concentration to its orange, honeydew and poached pear flavors. Energetic, fruity and very long on the finish, featuring a bright, chalky quality and a hint of sweet butter. Disgorged in January, 2014.”
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 91 points “The 2006 Brut Spécial Club is deep, powerful and intense. Dried pear, spice, licorice, honey, roasted nuts and caramel emerge as the wine opens up in glass. A big, powerful Champagne, the 2006 is built on a core of serious depth, with tropical overtones that grace the broad finish. Even with all of its obvious muscle, the flavors are a bit forward. I would prefer to drink the 2006 over the near and medium-term. The Spécial Club is made mostly from parcels in Cramant, although 35% of the fruit is from Chouilly and Cuis. Disgorged January 2014. Dosage is 5 grams per liter.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $75.59
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Cuvee Fleuron Millesime Premier Cru Brut 2006 1.5L ($149.95) $133 special, 3 magnums available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93 points “Pale gold. Smoky pear and nectarine aromas are brightened by zesty minerals and deepened by hints of toasty lees and iodine. Intense orchard fruit and melon flavors stain the palate, picking up citrus pith and floral honey qualities with air. Turns firmer and more minerally with air, finishing with excellent lift and smoky persistence.” ST
Wine Advocate 92 points “Intense golden yellow in color, the 2006 Cuvée Fleuron 1er Cru from 100% Chardonnay offers a deep, rich and complex aroma of ripe apples, quinces and other autumn fruits. Full-bodied, rich and intense on the palate, this excellent Champagne is also very pure, elegant, fine and well balanced and finishes with a stunningly intense and ripe aroma of ripe apples. This is not only a real character but also a great value Champagne.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $139.95
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs ‘Millesime de Collection Vieilles Vignes de Chardonnay’ 2005 1.5L ($249.95) $199 special, 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 94 points “The 2005 Brut Vintage Collection, tasted from magnum, is stunning. Intense, layered and drop-dead gorgeous, the 2005 covers every corner of the palate with layers of mineral-infused fruit. Smoke, slate, crushed rocks and flowers appear later, adding gorgeous dimensions of pure nuance. Still young, the 2005 appears to have a bright future. This is one of the best 2005 vintage Champagnes I have tasted. The 2005 is 100% Chardonnay from Cramant, Chouilly and Cuis. This bottle was disgorged in January 2013 after spending 84 months on its lees.” AG
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Rose de Blancs Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 7 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Pale orange-pink. High-pitched, mineral-laced aromas of redcurrant and strawberry, with sexy floral and Asian spice notes building with air. Tangy and precise, offering intense red fruit and floral pastille flavors and a touch of bitter quinine. Closes precise and very long, with impressive vivacity and a hint of dusty minerals.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $64.99
Pierre Gimonnet Champagnes Arriving Mid-November
Case-12 Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($499.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Pale green. High-pitched citrus fruit and floral scents, along with intense mineral and spice nuances. Dry and seamless on the palate, offering juicy lemon, tarragon and ginger flavors and a deeper suggestion of buttered toast. Finishes on a zesty minerally note, with lingering spiciness and strong persistence. This bottling is a blend of wines from 2011 (77%), 2010 (6%), 2009 (12%), 2007 (4%) and 2006 (1%).” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $52/bottle
The next best price is $38.29
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Il Poggione – Wines of Montalcino
One of the original producers of Brunello di Montalcino, Tenuta Il Poggione was established at the end of the 19th century by Lavinio Franceschi and is still owned today by the 5th generation of the family, siblings Leopoldo and Livia Franceschi. Il Poggione owns approximately 250 acres of vineyards in the Brunello di Montalcino zone, with 118 acres producing the Brunello Riserva and Brunello wines, the remaining 132 acres produced for the Rosso, as well as scattered plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and several white varietals. Many of the vines are grown at more than 1,315 feet above sea level and are among the oldest in the appellation, with cool maritime breezes from the southwest the Sangiovese grape reaches its maximum ripeness here, giving fuller and richer wines than anywhere else in Tuscany.
A historic winery in harmony with its territory, Il Poggione’s guiding principle is to pay meticulous attention to their vineyards. Regular monitoring of vineyard conditions is a priority along with constant efforts to preserve the typical characteristics yet improve grape quality through research and selection. Father and son winemaking team Fabrizio and Alessandro Bindocci coax the best from their privileged vineyard sites, conducting harvest entirely by hand. The wine is made in the traditional method, though modern, state-of-the-art equipment is used, aging the wines in large French oak casks before bottling. The degree of cask aging will vary depending on the vintage, the Rosso sees 12 months in cask, while the Brunello receives an average of 36 months in cask. The Riserva Paganelli, made only in the finest vintages, receives at least one year extra ageing in French oak casks. A benchmark wine capable of ageing, Il Poggione’s typical style is full-bodied and powerful, packed with dark fruit, sweet smoke, and spice flavors.
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2004 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino is awesome. This finessed, regal Brunello flows onto the palate with seamless layers of perfumed fruit framed by silky, finessed tannins. The wine remains extremely primary at this stage, and its full range of aromas and flavors have yet to emerge, but the sheer pedigree of this Brunello is unmistakable. The elegant, refined finish lasts an eternity, and subtle notes of menthol, spices, licorice and leather add final notes of complexity. The estate’s 2004 Brunello is a wine to buy and bury in the deepest corner of the cellar. Brunello is never inexpensive, but this is the real deal, and in relative terms, it is one of the world’s great values in fine, cellar worthy wine. Incredibly, there are 18,000+ cases of the 2004 Brunello, so it should be fairly easy to source in various markets. The Brunello is made from four vineyards ranging from 250 to 400 meters in altitude, all in Sant’Angelo in Colle. The wines from the various vineyards were aged separately in French oak casks prior to being assembled and bottled.” AG
Il Poggione Arriving in November
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a striking wine that shows uncompromising varietal pureness, albeit in a most concentrated and elaborate form. This is what great Sangiovese is all about. There’s so much happening on the nose and the wine brings you to cherry, spice, licorice, cured meat, pressed rose and grilled meat in equal measure. No one element overpowers the next. The mouthfeel is also tight and bright with the kind of fruit intensity that promises long cellar aging. This Brunello is only at the beginning of a long road ahead. The longer the wine stays in the glass, the more it offers in terms of complexity and intensity. This is a true standout that can be enjoyed for up to 20 years ahead.” ML
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Bruna Grimaldi
Bruna Grimaldi took over her family’s estate from her father, Giovanni, and produced her first wine in 1999 with her husband, Franco Fiorino. The estate she inherited included vineyards in Grinzane Cavour from her father’s side and the Badarina vineyard in Serralunga from her mother’s side. Since taking over, she has replanted in some areas where necessary and purchased additional parcels including in the Bricco Ambrogio.
In the vineyard, she green harvests to ensure optimum maturity. No herbicides or pesticides are used in the vineyard. Ripening is measured by analyzing sugar content, acidity and polyphenols so harvest is performed at peak ripeness. The grapes are harvested in bunches to preserve their integrity until they reach the winery where they undergo rigorous sorting. The goal is to produce full-bodied wines with intense aromas that highlight the best of the soil and vineyards.
In the family winery and cellar, the wines undergo natural fermentation in stainless steel before being aged in large wood barrels and tonneaux. She produces three cru Barolos: Barolo Badarina from Serralunga, Barolo Camilla from Grinzane Cavour and Barolo Bricco Ambrogio from Roddi.
Bruna Grimaldi Wines Available Here Now
Bruna Grimaldi Badarina Vigna Regnola, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ points “this 1.5-hectare plot, planted on shallow white soil at a high altitude of 420 meters in Serralunga, is the estate’s “original” vineyard, where Bruna Grimaldi’s grandfather was born; the only Barolo for which Grimaldi uses cappello sommerso for extraction): Medium-deep red. Complex aromas of raspberry, truffle, smoke and underbrush. Large-scaled, concentrated and rich, offering powerful, lightly medicinal flavors of raspberry and strawberry complicated by licorice and menthol. This very young wine finishes dry and broad, with serious granular tannins calling for extended aging. The Badarina spends a full 36 months in oak and is released a year later than the other Barolos of its vintage. (Grimaldi kept a bit of this fruit in both 2010 and 2009 to make a reserve bottling, but the 2009 will not be released until 2015.)” ST
Bruna Grimaldi Camilla, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 92 points “Aromas of minerals, walnut shells and dark fruits follow through to a full body. Fine tannins and a succulent finish. Drink or hold. Much better than 2010.”
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VinSanity Goes Bubbly
Champagnes by the Dozen, Triplet, Sextuplet and Bottle!
‘Tis nearly the season for celebration, holidays and a bottle or more of Champagne.
Stock up and save!
Case-12 R.H. Coutier Brut Tradition Grand Cru NV 375ML ($279.95) $219 special, 1 case available (that’s only $18.25/half-bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
R.H. Coutier Brut Tradition Grand Cru NV 375ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 28 half-bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “The firm acidity is finely meshed in this seamless Champagne, with a rich note of chalky minerality underscoring the creamy palate’s flavors of chopped almond, black currant, fleur de sel and candied lemon zest. Disgorged Oct. 2014. Drink now through 2020.” WS
Case-12 L. Aubry Brut Premier Cru NV 750ML ($449.95) $349 special, 4 cases available (that’s only $29.08/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
L. Aubry Brut Premier Cru NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 24 bottles available
Importer’s note: The N.V. Brut is 55% 2010 and 45% reserve wine, with 55% of the reserve coming from a solera containing all vintages from 1998 to 2009. The blend is 45% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 5% of the ancient varieties Arbanne, Petit Meslier, and Fromenteau.
Case-12 Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut NV 750ML ($449.95) $349 special, 1 case available (that’s only $29.08/bottle!)
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 16 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The NV Brut Grande Reserve emerges from the glass with layers of hazelnut, pear, spice and dried flower aromas. This rich, creamy wine impresses for its balance and sheer richness. I loved it.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $44
Case-12 Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature NV 750ML ($449.95) $349 special, 4 cases available (that’s only $29.08/bottle!)
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature NV 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 17 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The NV Brut Nature Silver is naturally a very focused, driven wine given the no-dosage style. This shows wonderful nuance and depth all the way through to the long finish, with bright aromas and flavors but less of the toastiness than some of the house’s other wines. The mousse and finish are both utterly impeccable in their elegance.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $36.89
Case-12 Andre Clouet Brut Millesime 2008 750ML ($689.95) $599 special, 1 case available (that’s only $49.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Andre Clouet Brut Millesime 2008 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 19 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Clouet’s 2008 Brut Millesime shows quite a bit more tension and focus than the 2007, hardly a surprise given then personality of the vintage. Bright, saline notes frame expressive red fruits, flowers and sweet spices. The 2008 Brut is a gorgeous wine with plenty of appeal today, but it will also develop beautifully in bottle. Stylistically it is less overt than the 2007 but places more emphasis on length. Brut Millesime is mostly Pinot, with 30-40% Chardonnay.” AG
Case-12 Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 5 cases available (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Blanc de Blancs Cuis Premier Cru Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $38 special, 36 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Pale green. High-pitched citrus fruit and floral scents, along with intense mineral and spice nuances. Dry and seamless on the palate, offering juicy lemon, tarragon and ginger flavors and a deeper suggestion of buttered toast. Finishes on a zesty minerally note, with lingering spiciness and strong persistence. This bottling is a blend of wines from 2011 (77%), 2010 (6%), 2009 (12%), 2007 (4%) and 2006 (1%).” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $52
Case-12 A. Margaine ‘Le Brut’ Premier Cru NV 750ML ($479.95) $379 special, 1 case available (that’s only $31.58/bottle!)
A. Margaine ‘Le Brut’ Premier Cru NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 18 bottles available
Importer’s note: “Violet and hyacinth aromas make you think of Riesling (as these wines often do), but the palate is all apples and Rainier cherries with a chalk-powder sprinkle; wonderfully silky and generous, refined and accurate. A virtual Blanc de Blancs; 90% Chardonnay to 10% Pinot Noir.”
Case-3 Dom Perignon Brut 2004 With Ice Bucket 750ML ($599.95) $479 special, 1 three-pack available (that’s only $159.67/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2004 Dom Pérignon continues to develop beautifully. A vibrant, focused Champagne, the 2004 clearly reflects the personality of the year. Freshly cut flowers, white peaches and pears are woven together in a Champagne that impresses for its focus and energy. Chiseled saline note support the crystalline finish. I imagine the 2004 will always remain relatively bright and linear, but at the same time, each time I have tasted it over the last two years the 2004 seems to have a little more body and broader shoulders. The 2004 will appeal most to readers who find the 2002 and 2003 too exuberant. There is a lot to like in the glass.” AG
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Have a nice weekend!