6/6/16
~~~~~
Nero d’Avola- of the classical, superb,
evolved, and hard to find kind
Gulfi Nerosanlore Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2010 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 95 points “Fully saturated ruby. Pure, very deep aromas of black cherry, red plum, medicinal herbs and minerals. Rich, dense and suave, with complex flavors of saline red berries and dark plum complicated by repeating botanical herb and balsamic nuances. Finishes seamless an long. A wine of noteworthy purity, with an excellent balance of sweetness, acidity and tannins. This is Gulfi’s closest vineyard to the sea and almost always gives the estate’s most elegant, refined wine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Featured New Arrival
Oregon’s own & only in Oregon
This is all declassified Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique Pinot Noir that shows its pedigree: there are classic notes of dusty Dundee spice with fresh thyme and black raspberry. It’s elegant. It’s age-worthy. And it’s simply the best value we’ve tasted from the 2014 vintage. Only 400 cases made.
Limited supply today- more arriving Friday
OREGON
Winery note “Starting in 2014, our Pinot blanc comes from an unnamed vineyard outside of Newberg, OR, farmed by the Vineyard Brothers, three hardworking brothers and their crew that look after a few very high quality sites around the northern Willamette Valley.”
Vincent Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Vincent Pinot Noir Eola Amity Hills 2013 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “As with our Ribbon Ridge AVA bottling in the fall, this blend includes all barrels produced from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA that did not make the cut for our single vineyard bottlings. Thus, this wine blends Crowley Station Vineyard with Zenith and Bjornson, including all the press wine, for a slightly softer, broad flavored wine for drinking over the next several years. This fragrant, medium bodied wine shows all the bright fruit of the 2013 growing season tempered by end of season cool weather that allowed for ripeness at moderate sugar levels in the grapes. Nine barrels.”
Belle Pente Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Typically only available by the glass at restaurants, we are the only listing in the USA today
Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Chardonnay, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
A deep-hued, easy-drinking rose of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Gamay.
Vinopolnote: Floral aromas and red-violet fruits leapt from the glass; the wine registers as a little on the light-to-medium side of the spectrum. Think of the structure of a Moulin-a-Vent with the fruit n’ flower attributes of Juliénas – broad on the palate, with ample spice, wild flowers, and red fruit on offer. A nice acid kick on the finish – all in great harmony.
50% Belle Pente Estate Vineyard (Yamhill-Carlton), 25% Bella Vida Vineyard (Dundee Hills), 25% Murto Vineyard (Dundee Hills)
Bethel Heights Vineyard ‘Aeolian’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 750ML ($44.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “Brilliant ruby. High-pitched, mineral-laced red and dark berry scents are complemented by notes of cola, anise and vanilla bean. Silky and open-knit on entry, offering sweet black raspberry and rose pastille flavors that tighten up with air and pick up an exotic blood orange nuance. Shows excellent clarity and lift on the finish, which is framed by silky tannins.”
CALIFORNIA
*Not available through our web store. Please call or email to order.
Antonio Galloni 93-95 points “Bright, floral and energetic, the 2013 Syrah Timbervine is shaping up to be a real jewel of wine. Beams of supporting acidity and tannin give the Timbervine much of its considerable vibrancy. Sweet floral and savory notes add lift on the precise, striking finish. Readers who appreciate finely-sculpted, mineral-driven Syrahs will flip out over the Timbervine.”
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Grapelive.com 92 points “Eric Sussman’s Radio-Coteau 2013 La Neblina is a juicy and expressive Pinot Noir with vibrant flavors and rich detail, exuberant in it’s youth, but with solid underlying balance. The 2013 feels fuller and riper than the last few vintages with more body, though you’d expect that from a more normal growing year and the tannin is super plush and satiny making for a lush and forward wine. I expect this wine with mellow a bit in bottle and age remarkably well, it certainly will focus out in with some time, even though it will thrill and excite in it’s youth. The palate shows layers of fruit with black cherry leading the way with plum, sweet raspberry and pomegranate adding to the whole along with subtle mineral, spice and polished acidity. The nose is fruity, but with pretty floral tones and color is a vivid ruby in this native yeast fermented and very naturally crafted Pinot Noir. Elements of earth, cinnamon, cedar and red peach flesh come out with air adding complexity, so I believe there is more potential rewards to come in this Radio-Coteau, with patience this wine should reach the next level. While you allow this one to gain in the cellar, be sure to check out the County Line wines also by Sussman, they are a stunning value, especially the Pinot, Rose and Zinfandel offerings and don’t forget the Radio-Coteau Syrah, another killer wine. The upfront La Neblina Pinot Noir can be enjoyed now, it is very joyous and giving, but more pleasure awaits, best from 2018 to 2024.”
From 20 year old vines
Broc Cellars Valdiguie, Solano County Green Valley 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Partial carbonic maceration
VinopolNote: Chris Brockway produces small lots of obscure varietal and old-school-styled wines. Below you’ll find a lean and zippy Zinfandel, a Carignan from 139 year old vines, an intriguingly aromatic Valdiguie (known as ‘Napa Gamay’ until the 1980s) and a peppery 100% Counoise from iron-rich soils. The Cellar is set up much like Edmunds St John and Donkey & Goat: a small scale, urban negociant making head-turning and fascinating wines. The Valdiguie and Zinfandel arrive next Friday. Stay tuned in late June when the old, old vine Carignan and the Counoise arrive.
Araujo Estate Altagracia Red, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($149.95) $125 special
James Suckling 95 points “Glorious aromas, like walking into a flower shop, from roses to lilacs. Lots of dark fruit too. Then goes to slate and dark mushroom. Full body, super refined tannins and refresh and ultra-clean finish. A thoroughly balanced and refined wine. 80% cabernet sauvignon, 10% cabernet franc, 6% petit verdot, and 4% malbec. So delicious to drink now.”
Robert Parker 93 points “As for the 2013 Proprietary Red Altagracia, the blend is slightly different, at 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec. One of the finest Altagracias I’ve tasted to date, the color is saturated ruby/purple, much darker than the 2012 and the wine slightly less fragrant and more coiled tight. Yet, it is also more concentrated and promising. The wine is a heck of a second wine, but does require some patience. For now, deep, rich blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with floral notes (white flowers?), medium to full body and sweet tannin are all present in this relatively larger-scaled Altagracia than we’ve seen in the past (14.8% alcohol). The finish is long, still youthful and certainly approachable, but this wine will be better with 2-4 years bottle age and should keep for at least two decades.”
Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Winemaker’s notes: While winter rainfall in Napa Valley was half the normal amount, heavy rains in March deeply soaked the Eisele Vineyard soils immediately before emergence of the first shoots, stimulating humification and healthy vine growth. Warm weather without frosts led to one of the earliest bud breaks on record. Bloom was two weeks earlier than in 2013, and fast, homogenous flowering ensured good fruit set. Mild July weather allowed slow ripening of the grapes, which progressed rapidly during August heat to early, complete maturity. Harvest started August 18th and the last parcel of Sauvignon Blanc was picked on August 28th. The fruit was fresh and very aromatic, with bright acidity. The grapes are certified ‘Organic’ by California Certified Organic Farmers and ‘Biodynamic’ by Demeter. The wines were aged on their lees for 12 months, in a combination of stainless steel (30%), concrete eggs (25%), used oak (30%) and new oak (15%)
Tasting note: Nose is shy at first with a whiff of flint stone, then it opens up to a perfume of bright white musk giving place to grapefruit and passion fruit notes, with a twist of basil leaf. The mouthfeel is round, savory with flavors of candied citrus and coriander accompanied by a hint of vanilla lingering in a crisp and mineral finish.
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. This is a full-bodied and ripe wine, showing some toastiness as well as concentrated apple and peach flavors. There is a crisp edge to this opulent and rich wine. It has a great future: it is drinkable now, but will continue well into the 2020s.” WE
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The average price is $144
Wine Spectator 90 points “Spring blossom and smoke notes mix in this lively Champagne, with a creamy bead carrying hints of lemon shortbread, peach and ground ginger. Drink now through 2017.” WS
FRANCE-ROSE
Winery note “[Translated] This Rose is a blend of Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache. It is well built, with ample structure from the Mourvèdre, and an irresistible fleshy fruit flavor.”
FRANCE-BURGUNDY
John Gilman 94 points “The 2012 Clos de la Roche from Éric Rousseau was raised in somewhere between ten and fifteen percent new oak in this vintage, which has allowed all of the beautiful fruit and soil tones to stay front and center in this seamless beauty. The deep and very sappy nose wafts from the glass in a complex mélange of cherries, pomegranate, mustard seed, venison, very complex soil tones, woodsmoke and a faint whisper of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and nicely reserved out of the blocks, with a sappy core of pure fruit, great mineral drive, fine-grained tannins and a very, very long and utterly refined finish. Another great wine! 2022-2060.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “For the first time a little new oak (10%) has been used on the 2012 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, where part of the vineyard was replanted five years ago. The fruit here is a little blacker than the Mazis-Chambertin tasted prior, that new oak ‘plugging’ the gaps that might have been there without the new wood. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins on the entry. There is a citric core of fruit here, touches of marmalade infusing the black and red fruit on the linear, mineral finish. This should age very well — a Clos de la Roche with substance and presence.”
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 points “(10% new oak; from very ripe fruit picked early, according to Rousseau): Bright, dark red. Complex, primary nose melds sappy cherry, spices and rose petal. Tangy, sweet and fine-grained in the mouth, offering an exhilarating combination of urgent crushed fruits, flowers and loamy earth tones. Finishes with lovely stony length and reserve. Really shimmers on the aftertaste.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $407
ITALY-PIEDMONT
See our special feature below on Cantalupo for new arrivals from Piedmont and two pre-arrival offers
ITALY-SICILY
Importer notes “Slow Food’s current Slow Wine guide describes Calabretta’s style as “a thousand miles away” from other Italian wine, but the gap might be better measured in time, since the estate seems stuck somewhere in the 19th century. Today, few adhere to Etna’s ancient practices. But one great estate, Calabretta, continues to make its majestic reds as in the past, releasing them only after a decade in their cellar. The wines are extraordinary—and the prices are extraordinarily low.”
“95% Nerello Mascalese & 5% Nerello Cappuccio from various parcels around Etna that Calabretta owns and aged partially in large botti and partially in stainless steel. Sourced from a mix of young and old vines. Cala Cala means “Gulp, Gulp” says Massimiliano, meaning you should gulp this one down because it’s so tasty!”
ITALY-ALTO ADIGE/FRIUILI
Winery note “100% Friulano om marl and sandstone Flysch of Eocene origin soils. 60 year old vines. Vinification: gentle pressing of the whole grape with no prior destemming, no pellicular maceration, fermentation in stainless steel on indigenous yeasts only, no malolactic fermentation, 6 months maturation on lees in stainless steel, no oak, no fining.”
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Winery note “100% Ribolla Gialla from marl and sandstone Flysch of Eocene origin soils. 30 year old vines. Sparkling wine without re-fermentation – the gas of this wine is the one naturally produced by the fermentation of the must, and not by the refermentation of the wine. Hence, no sugars are added. 11% alcohol. Residual natural sugars <1.6 g/L.”
I Clivi di Ferdinando Zanusso Ribolla Colli Orientali del Friuli, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “100% Ribolla Gialla from marl and sandstone Flysch of Eocene origin soils. 30 year old vines. Vinification: gentle pressing of the whole grape with no prior destemming, no pellicular maceration, fermentation in stainless steel on indigenous yeasts only, no malolactic fermentation, 6 months maturation on lees in stainless steel, no oak, no fining.”
SPAIN
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2008 Pie Franco was aged for 19 months in 500-liter barrels. It’s quite smoky and feels fresh but might lack the structure and power of the 2006 (my benchmark for Pie Franco) but it’s still true Monastrell and true Jumilla. With toasty sesame seeds, supple, mineral (saline) and finesse, maybe it should have had less time in wood, as the year produced more fragile wines. Drink 2013-2019. ”
Trending this Week!
Wines That Should Be On Your Radar
An Exquisite Bru + Cambie Collaboration:
Case-12 Chateau Puech-Haut Coteaux du Languedoc Saint-Drezery Prestige Rouge 2013 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2013 Coteaux du Languedoc Prestige (which was already in bottle at the time of this tasting) is a blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Syrah aged all in concrete tank. Fresh, elegant and thrillingly pure, with first rate aromas of blackberry, fresh plum, licorice and ground herbs, it is decidedly sexy and forward, yet stays perfectly balanced, with juicy acidity and fine tannin on the finish. Easily one of the top estates in the Languedoc (if not southern France), Chateau Puech Haut lies just outside the village of Saint-Drezery and is owned and run by Gerard Bru, with consulting help from Philippe Cambie. They produce a number of cuvees, with their entry level efforts representing superb values, and their top cuvees being able to stand toe to toe with the greatest wines in the world.”
Rhone Rose from Pegau Powerhouse:
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Lurid orange-pink. Yeasty pear, white peach, jasmine and yellow apple scents are sharpened by a suggestion of white pepper. Highly floral and spicy in the mouth, offering round red berry and pit fruit flavors that show red-wine-like weight and texture. In a fleshy, broad, creamy style that reminds me of a Poulsard from the Jura. Closes on a candied lavender note, with blood orange and fennel notes lingering. Intriguing stuff, somewhere between pink, orange and red in character, and probably not for everyone.”
The Legendary Tempier Rose (early July arrival):
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2015 375ML ($27.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2015 1.5L ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose 2015 3L ($449.95) $399 pre-arrival special (Only 1 jeroboam available!)
Winery note “50% Mourvèdre, 28% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 2% Carignan. The grapes used to make our rosé come from selected parcels where the vines are on average 20 years old. The yields are low, which explains the intense concentration and distinct expression of each varietal in this wine. The presence of Mourvedre gives this wine its strong character, balance and complexity. An intense fruit and floral nose make this an attractive rosé. The palate is rounded and full with fruity aromas of peach and pomegranate, followed by delicate spice notes and a pleasant freshness created by acidic balance. The grapes are harvested by hand. In the ripening process, we aim for a hint of freshness with some acidity and slightly less alcohol than for the red wines.”
The half-bottle is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A Game-Changing Argentinian Malbec:
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Eggo Tinto de Tiza is a blend from three different vineyards in Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It’s a blend of mostly Malbec with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. As is the case with the whole Eggo range, the wine didn’t see any oak, and in this case it was matured in egg-shaped cement vats for one year. There are violets, plums, dark cherries and something earthy. This is slightly riper than the 2013. The medium-bodied palate has is fresh with a silky texture, pure flavors and a mineral-driven finish. At this price I’d buy it by the case. Super!”
Cantalupo
New Arrivals of the Gemiest of Ghemmes in Piedmont
The Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo is owned by the Arlunno family. The family has owned vineyards in the area for several centuries, though only recently formed the winery. The estate has over 100 hectares of vineyard land on morainic, alluvial hills formed as the Monte Rosa glacier receded. The vineyards are between 250 and 300 meters above sea level facing south, south-east. The soils are rich in minerals from the decaying rocks left by the glacier. The family grows mostly Nebbiolo (known locally as Spanna) but also grows Arneis, Chardonnay and the native varieties of Vespolina, Uva Rara and Greco. Vineyard maintenance is done by hand, and grapes are hand-harvested based on ripeness of each plot.
The wines are aged for a minimum of 20 months in traditional Slavonian oak barrels and small French oak casks and 9 months in bottle. This takes place in the terraced wine cellar cut into the hillsides. We are pleased to announce the arrival of three new cuvees, available here now!
New Arrivals from Cantalupo
VinopolNote: The juice is pressed after one night on the skins followed by a slow, temperature-controlled fermentation. The wine is left to settle and bottled after about 5 months. It is bright and fresh with classic Nebbiolo nuances.
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Agamium’ Colline Novaresi 2009 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2009 Colline Novaresei Agamium is floral, bright and deeply expressive, with plenty of lift and red stone fruit character. Feminine and gracious throughout, the 2009 offers considerable grace and plenty of near to medium-term appeal. A final burst of Chambolle-like fruit rounds out the finish.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Carellae, Ghemme DOCG 2009 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A big, dense wine, the 2009 Collis Carellae shows the wilder, gamier side of Ghemme. Leather, smoke, cedar, tobacco and menthol make a strong first impression. The 2009 possesses tons of depth and vertical structure. Some of the initial elements of rusticity blow off with air, so readers should be ready to open the 2009 in advance. There is no shortage of personality. That much is clear.”
Also Available Here Now from Cantalupo
Antonio Galloni 89 points “The 2008 Agamium is a wonderful introduction to the wines of Cantalupo. Dark red cherry, plum, mint, spice and tobacco notes all jump from the glass in a pretty exuberant wine for the appellation. What a beautiful wine this is. ” AG
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Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2008 Cantalupo Anno Primo is built on a serious spine of tannin and energy, both of which give it considerable power. Dark red cherry, tobacco, smoke, herbs and leather are all expressed with quite a bit of intensity. The 2008 offers solid balance in a virile style that is probably best enjoyed at the dinner table.” AG
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Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2007 Ghemme Collis Breclamae shows the deeper, slightly wilder side of Ghemme. Game, smoke, licorice, cedar and tobacco are expressed with elements of burliness and rusticity. There is more than enough depth to fill out the wine’s broad shoulders. Still, what comes through most is the wine’s virile, imposing personality.” AG
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Just a reminder about our current shipping specials:
Free service upgrade only applies on single orders purchased and shipped during the promotional period. Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period and shipped by Three Day Select. Offer not valid on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period.
We also offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
–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.
Popular Picks: Re-Arrivals
…from Oregon
VinopolNote: This saignee will appeal to any pinot or rose drinker looking for something a little different. Lovely, juicy, red fruit on the palate. Medium bodied and round, having spent 16 months in neutral barrels. No sulphur added until bottling. A delightful summer sipper!
Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2011 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright, hazy red. Assertive smoke- and spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, sassafras and incense. Supple, tangy and sharply focused on entry, then broader in the middle, offering smoky cherry, blood orange and dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter herbs. Shows a refreshingly tangy quality on the finish, which clings with outstanding tenacity and no obvious tannins. Distinctly elegant in style, showing the best attributes of this cool vintage.” ST
…from Italy
Vinopolnote: Manzoni Bianco is a cross between Pinot Bianco and Riesling. Foradori grows these vines in the hills above Trento, where they’re planted in calcareous clay. Native yeast fermentation, with a week of maceration in concrete tanks followed by twelve months of aging in acacia casks.
Petterino Gattinara DOCG 2001 750ML ($44.95) $34.50 special
Importer’s note: Marco Petterino is a tiny, and very much under-the-radar producer of the DOCG of Gattinara. With a mere 2½ hectares of vineyards in total, spread out among several parcels, his production is about 1300 cs per year. Petterino’s holdings are exceptional for the appellation with vineyards in three of the top cru’s in Gattinara – Permolone, Castelle and Guardie which are all are southwest-facing.
Arriving this Week
OREGON
A.F. Nichols Wines Lillie’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
A.F. Nichols Wines Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
CALIFORNIA
Wine Spectator 91 points “Pushing in several directions, this is both rich and layered, with butterscotch, anise and fig notes. Shows a sense of elegance and refinement. Ends with a pithy texture. Drink now.”
Stonestreet Estate Monument Ridge Cabernet 2011 750ML ($44.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Stonestreet Estate Cabernet 2011 750ML ($479.95) $288 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast-Cellar Selection 93 points “This wine is quite an accomplishment in flavor and complexity given the vintage and the price. From high-altitude vineyards atop the Mayacamas, it delivers peppercorn, herb and fine, well-integrated tannins, with mellow oak. Graphite and cedar also figure into the mix, with a shock of black cherry and cassis weaved within. Drink now through 2019.”
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Wine Spectator 91 points “Finely knit, with tea rose and ground anise notes wafting through flavors of white raspberry, glazed apricot, pastry dough and lemon peel. Balanced and well-structured by mouthwatering acidity. Disgorged December 2012. Drink now through 2020.” WS
Chartogne-Taillet Le Rose Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “A crowd-pleasing rosé, this offers finely tuned, mouthwatering acidity paired with fruit-forward flavors of candied cherry and black currant, macerated plum, pastry dough and spiced nut. Displays lovely texture and a lingering finish. Drink now through 2020.” WS
Chartogne-Taillet Heurtebise Blanc de Blancs Brut NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Terry Theise: “This goes from strength to strength, a serious, vinous, complex Champagne; a mouthful of minerals and pear-blossom; tastes as if it were passed through glacier-dust and scree; ginger, freesia, peony, amazingly long and fastidiously detailed all the way through.”
FRANCE-LOIRE
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 1989 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Olga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses 1990 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Library release: an old school style Chinon. The fruit is handpicked, fermented in stainless steel and then aged in large neutral barrel. After about a year and half of aging it is bottled. Les Picasses is one of the best vineyards in Chinon, which also averages approximately 50 years of age.
These are all the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Vinopolnote: The quintessential cuvee, made from 100 year old Gamay vines.
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FRANCE-RHONE
Wine Spectator 94 points “Mulled plum, fig and boysenberry fruit is still a bit compact at the core, while anise, briar and singed wood spice notes sit atop. The finish has mouthwatering acidity and a long, smoldering charcoal thread for added intrigue. Should stretch out nicely in the cellar. Best from 2014 through 2024.” WS
Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Saint-Joseph Rouge 2010 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker & Stephen Tanzer 93 points “The stunning 2010 St.-Joseph ranks alongside the finest wines of the appellation, including Guigal’s l’Hospice and Chapoutier’s Les Granits. It boasts a dense purple color along with scents of kirsch, blackberries, crushed rocks, spring flowers and licorice. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age and should drink well for 15+ years thereafter.”RP
Philippe Pacalet Cornas 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
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Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93-95 points “Brilliant purple. Powerful, mineral-tinged cherry and blackberry scents, along with notes of bacon fat, licorice, potpourri and pungent flowers. Pure, concentrated and energetic on the palate, offering deeply concentrated black and blue fruit flavors that gain weight and become sweeter with air. Closes extremely long, sappy and sweet, juicy acidity adding lift and cut to the blue-fruit-dominated, youthfully tannic finish.”
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F.X Pichler Gruners
‘Special Effects’ Along the Danube
David Schildknecht–Vinous 91 points “There is a delightful and unusual sweet nuttiness here suggestive of raw cashew and frangipane, beautifully integrated with juicy honeydew melon and cooling green herb infusion. High-toned aromatic suggestions of floral and herbal distillates as well as maraschino cherry add equally unexpected allure. “I’m happy that the acidity is a bit high,” remarked Lucas, but the thing is that this aspect is not really overt, but rather perceived as positive refreshment and animation, driving what is nonetheless a downright soothingly persistent performance.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “Intense minerality is the hallmark of this savory white, which features flavors of dried apple, kiwifruit and sage. Appealing earthy notes show on the finish. Drink now through 2019.”
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Wine Advocate 95 points “The tremendously deep bouquet of Pichler’s 2013 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Kellerberg is precise, vegetal and flinty/cool. The wine is a noble, rich, highly elegant and terroir-driven Wachauer signature wine, which reveals its overwhelming power and great expression only in its finish and long, persistent aftertaste. This is, again, an icon wine of the Wachau and the 2013 vintage. A must buy, if you can afford it.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 94 points “This impressive offering reflects the same vines on a rocky extension of the Kellerberg that until this vintage were labeled more specifically as “Wunderburg.” But Pichler and Krutzler decided that “Kellerberg” was, after all, the?? name to conjure–and to market–with. A lush combination of pineapple, pear and Mirabelle is laced with sweet/smoky Szechuan pepper and Latakia tobacco, further tinged with mocha on a palpably high-extract, voluminous, creamy palate, yet a lovely sense of clarity is preserved to herbal, mineral and kelp-like notes in a downright reverberating finish. Raised largely in cask but with a small tank-rendered portion (and last tasted as an immediate pre-bottling assemblage), this displays the ripe effects of the season’s tiny, sparse Grüner Veltliner berries, yet without its roughly 14% alcohol engendering any heat. It became more impressive over the course of its first year in bottle.”
F.X. Pichler Loibner Klostersatz Gruner Veltliner Federspiel, Wachau 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
David Schildknecht–Vinous 90 points “Crunch and juiciness of lettuce, cucumber and apple, along with a bite of cress, render this more typical of Grüner Veltliner than the character displayed by the corresponding Frauenweingarten bottling, although there is a high-toned hint of almond extract reminiscent of that sibling. Metaphorically cooling, sleek and slippery, this goes down all too easily, leaving the palate refreshed and cleansed, but by no means bereft of finishing flavor. On the contrary: delightfully salad-like salinity and piquancy are understated but stubbornly persistent.”
F.X. Pichler Durnsteiner Liebenberg Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “Cool, concentrated and precise on the slightly flinty nose, the 2013 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Dürnsteiner Liebenberg is a full-bodied, rich and almost smooth but elegant Veltliner with licorice flavors on the densely woven and silky textured palate. The finish reveals freshness, and rounds up a very well-balanced and already accessible wine.”
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Wine Advocate 94 points “Pichler’s 2013 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Loibner Loibenberg shows a very clear, lemon-fresh, herbal-flavored and complex bouquet leading to a vibrant, spicy, tension-filled, yet every elegant and expressive, palate. And this rich and full-bodied wine dances over the palate, followed by a very long and complex finish. A great Veltliner, indeed.”
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Wine Advocate 94 points “Lucas Pichler’s monumental 2013 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd M opens with an ultra-ripe, concentrated and slightly speck-y yet still precise and even mineral-scented bouquet on the nose. Very rich and intense on the palate, this elegant, full-bodied, densely textured and powerful Veltliner from late-harvested grapes reveals an aromatic and juicy fruit core along with a stunningly vibrant acidity that gives structure, length and a lifting as well as lingering salinity and piquancy. Maracuya and other tropical fruit flavors dominate the aromatic aftertaste. Although I have no experience with matured samples of this Austrian icon Veltliner, I suspect it has an aging potential of 5-10 years and should be cellared at least for another 2 or 3 years.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93 points “Made with fruit from Loibenberg (a 50% share), Kellerberg, Liebenberg, with a small bit of Kollmütz, this installment of “M” enjoyed the longest pre-fermentation skin contact of any Pichler 2013, and was raised in a new large oval, then moved to tank shortly before bottling, which is when I last tasted it. Its impressive features include imposing richness of peach, melon and pineapple; an expansive and flatteringly creamy palate; high-toned inner-mouth allusions to almond extract; peach kernel piquancy; and pronounced smokiness and stoniness that suggest a mingling of Szechuan peppercorn, black tea and ash. The bright, Riesling-like juiciness characteristic of so many Grüner Veltliners from this vintage is absent here. But the finish of this static, statuesque wine (recall that “M,” after all, stands here for “monumental”) glows persistently in its evocation of peach kernel and pepper.”
F.X. Pichler Loibner Steinertal Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($69.95) $56 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Clear, deep and dense, but multilayered on the nose, the 2013 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Loibner Steinertal displays herbal-scented notes of legumes and super-ripe as well as concentrated Veltliner berries. Full-bodied, powerful and rich, but also very elegant and fresh with finesse on the palate, this well-structured, mineral wine is already accessible but should gain even more finesse with further bottle age.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points “Site-typical sweet/smoky pungency of Szechuan pepper mingles in the nose with high-toned almond extract and intimations of muskmelon, apple and papaya that go on to inform an expansive palate. Cooling green herb inflections lend lovely counterpoint to the impression of tropical fruits, resulting in a soothingly sustained though also subtly peppery finish.”
Most of the newly released 2013 Rieslings also still available for pre-arrival purchase. View online
Domaine Robert Chevillon 2013
(And One 2012!)
Bright Burgundy Budgie Bird Sale (cheap, cheap, cheap)
The wines are all made the same manner, with only the degree of new oak varying between between the villages and 1er Crus. The domaine sticks with 30% new wood for the 1er Crus, the villages normally being brought-up in something closer to 20% new wood, the remainder a blend of 2-3 year-old barrels. There are no tricks or shortcuts Chez Chevillon; rows are regularly plowed, with naturally low yields and careful vineyard treatments only when necessary.
Domaine Robert Chevillon produce benchmark for Nuit St George and Burgundy-at-large. Famous for the transparency and consistency of their winemaking–Chevillon finds a way to let the vintage and the terroir speak for itself every year. We’re proud to carry a wide spectrum of the domaine’s wines, including the new 2013 vintage – listed below and arriving soon.
Domaine Robert Chevillon Wines Arriving June 17th:
Case-12 Domaine Robert Chevillon Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains 2013 750ML ($359.95) $189 pre-arrival special
A 33/66% blend of Pinot Noir/Gamay in the classic Passetoutgrain style.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $29
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Burghound – “This is really quite pretty with its airy nose of both red and dark berries, earth and subtle underbrush hints that are more elegant than the components sound. There is an attractive vibrancy and volume to the rich and delicious flavors that possess fine depth and even better length in a package that should drink well immediately. Recommended.”
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The average price is $39
Burghound 90-92 points “This too displays enough wood to mention but not so much as to fight with the more elegant if less spicy dark berry fruit, earth and vaguely gamy aromas. This is notably rich with fine volume on the medium-bodied flavors that exude an appealing minerality that adds to the sense of vibrancy, particularly on the linear and well-balanced finale. This will need a few years of bottle age as it’s presently quite compact though not hard or austere.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Cailles, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($149.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91-94 points “Good medium red. Refined aromas of boysenberry, black cherry, minerals and violet. Subtle, suave and fine-grained, with dark berry and pungent mineral flavors coming across as utterly seamless yet vigorous. Not a fat wine but wonderfully perfumed, gripping and long. Like a mini-2010 in style, and built for a slow and graceful evolution in bottle.”
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The average price is $135
Burghound 89-91 points “A subtle touch of wood sets off spicy aromas of plum, earth and mostly red berry fruit scents. There is a succulent quality to the vibrant and mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that are relatively fine before culminating in a balanced and lingering finish where the wood telegraphed by the nose resurfaces.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Saint-Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 points “Bright, dark red. Lovely class and lift to the aromas of dark raspberry, bitter cherry, flowers, minerals and crushed stone. Urgent red and purple fruit flavors show outstanding penetration and delineation yet come across as remarkably refined and smooth. A salty character adds another dimension to the very long, vibrant, backward finish. Delivers the outstanding density without weight that I associate more with grand crus. (But then the long process initiated by a number of owners of this vineyard to have Les Saint-Georges elevated to grand cru status has been underway for several years already.)”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2013 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru les Saint Georges has abundant fruit on the nose with black plum, wild strawberry and minerals, understated at first, but just a few swirls and the aromatics are in fifth gear. The palate is medium-bodied with wonderful tension and vitality. This is very pure, very effervescent, with a sense of energy toward the tender finish. This has class written all over it. Evidence for Grand Cru status? Why not.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Perrieres, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2013 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru les Perrières has a heightened sense of mineralité compared to Chevillon’s other crus, with wet cold stone scents infusing the bright red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a vitamin-like purity: orange zest, hints of marmalade, a slight savory note toward the long finish. This is a linear, “athletic” Nuits Saint Georges, that should flourish once in bottle.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Pruliers, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($119.95) $88 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2013 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru les Pruliers is slightly deeper in color than Chevillon’s other 2013s. The bouquet is one of his most sophisticated, with mineral-infused red and black fruit intermingling, almost crystalline in purity. The palate is harmonious straight from the off, replete with filigree tannins, well-judged acidity and a tense, rocky, structured finish that lingers long in the mouth. This will deserve several years aging – one of Bertrand and Denis’s best contributions to the vintage.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Roncieres, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($119.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Burghound 90-92 points “A softly spicy nose offers up notes of plum, black currant and discreet warm earth hints. Like the Chaignots the medium weight flavors are juicy and succulent with plenty of volume and mid-palate density before terminating in a palate coating finish that is balanced and sweet in the best sense of the term.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Les Vaucrains, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Burghound 92-95 points “Don’t miss! Outstanding. Here too there is enough wood to notice on the notably ripe and fresh aromas of black cherry, plum, pungent earth and abundant sauvage scents. The big, rich and full-bodied flavors possess an overt muscularity along with plenty of power on the extract-rich, intense and very firmly structured finale. As it always is this is rustic and austere and will need a minimum of 10 years to arrive at its peak but 15 will be better. The domaine almost never misses with this wine and the 2013 is potentially great.”
Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes 2013 750ML ($89.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Burghound 87-90 points “Here the expressive nose is more deeply pitched with more earth and humus character adding depth to the very fresh nose of dark currant aromas. There is good verve and delineation to the medium-bodied flavors that possess a seductive mouth feel thanks to the velvety and persistent finish. Lovely stuff that will be approachable young if desired.”
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The next best price is $54.99
…for diehard Chevillon fans and Burgundevotees of all sorts, we also stock 10 other cuvees from the 2011 and 2012 vintages – check them out on our website, www.vinopoliswineshop.com or send us an email at info@vinopoliswineshop.com in order to find out more!
Isole e Olena + Felsina
Brother & Sister Wines, from Different Fathers & Mothers
48-Hour Sale
Prices Expires Midnight Tuesday
Vinopolnote: In only a very few places elsewhere can this Burgundy-like white can be found! Old, old Tuscan Cannaiolo vines grafted to Burgundy cloned Chardonnay in the 1980’s.
Importer note “After many attempts at a white wine from Trebbiano and Malvasia, Paolo decided to use those grapes solely for Vin Santo and in 1987 made his first 100% Chardonnay. The vineyards are a mix of exposures from West, East and some North. Paolo likes to keep the heat accumulation down in the vineyard and extend hang time as long as possible. Harvest occurs in September. It’s fermented in stainless steel then sur-lie aged in French oak barrique, 1/3 new for 10 to 12 months depending on the vintage. Battonage for the first 6 months.”
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Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Fèlsina’s 2012 Maestro Raro (Cabernet Sauvignon) is a real head-turner, although it is also an infant and in need of considerable cellaring. A bold, dark wine, the 2012 is vivid in the glass, with remarkable detail for such a big wine and exceptional overall balance. The 2012 is sweeping and dramatic in style, with plenty of that year’s exotic fruit and opulence, along with plenty of sweet tobacco, rosemary, sage and cedar notes that add nuance. The 2012 needs time to fully meld together, but it is fabulous, even today.”
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The average price is $52