Jump Start October Sale: 20% Off!; New Week – New Arrivals; Ghost Hill Back in Stock (and best US price!); New October Sales; Maximin Grünhauser: A Wine & Spirits Top Mosel Estate in 2016; Domaine Guiberteau: New Offers Arriving in November; 2014 Bordeaux
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10 am – 6 pm
Jump Start October Sale!
20% Off
October Sales End Midnight 10/31/16
Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2013 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $39
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92-94 points “Saturated ruby. Complex, highly perfumed scents of fresh red and dark berries, incense and Asian spices, with a smoky nuance gaining power as the wine opens with air. Supple and expansive on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry and floral pastille flavors that display excellent clarity and well as depth. Rich yet lithe wine, with outstanding finishing focus and length and supple, even, late-arriving tannins.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Solid, with an ample core of plum cake, raspberry preserves and red licorice flavors, backed by sweet toast and warm fruitcake accents. Sappy grip on the finish. Best from 2018-2028.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The only 2013 presented (I reviewed his two Côtes du Rhône from barrel last year) and a pretty, perfumed wine from Bravey, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape (93% Grenache, 2% Syrah, 2% Mourvèdre, 2% Bourboulenc and 1% Cinsault) offers lots of wild strawberry and darker berry fruits, lavender, underbrush and mint on the nose. Medium-bodied, seamless and elegant with a layered, silky style that makes it already hard to resist, it will still be better with short term cellaring and drink well through 2025.” JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Don’t miss the four new October sale wines below!
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New Week – New Arrivals
OREGON
Bow & Arrow Melon, Johan Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
VinopolNote: Aged sur lie for 12 months. Bright and zippy with a yeasty and herbal nose.
Vineyard note “Biodynamic. Adjacent to the Van Duzer corridor, our vineyards are blessed with afternoon ocean breezes and cool evening temperatures that are ideal for ripening Burgundian varietals. It is this marine influence, in combination with our marine sedimentary soils, that gives Johan Vineyards its unique terroir. Our vineyards are broken into 12 blocks that feature a mixture of varietals, clones, root stocks, slope, and soil types. This combination allows us more flexibility and choice of fruit with which to make our wines and provide fruit to our winery partners.
Bow & Arrow Sauvignon Blanc Le Chenaie Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Vineyard note “Located near Salem, Oregon, in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Le Chenaie is a 103 acre site with 18 acres producing, and 8 more in the process of being planted. The rows are 6’ wide, so each acre contains between 1400 & 2200 plants. We planted this vineyard beginning in 2001, and the soils are volcanic – Jory, Gelderman and Ritner. Elevations are 460′ to 585′, with aspects of South, Southeast and Southwest. AVA is Eola-Amity Hills, so the site is influenced by the afternoon breezes from the Van Duzer corridor in the coastal range, as with much of the western portion of the Eola-Amity Hills.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
CALIFORNIA
DuMOL Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2014 750ML ($61.95) $53.50 special
Antonio Galloni 91-94 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard is endowed with a real sense of phenolic weight and richness. Deep, creamy and beautifully layered throughout, the 2014 is all about texture at this stage. Today, the wine is embryonic. This tightly-spaced vineyard yields wines of density and volume, and that is exactly what comes through here. Like all of the 2014s, the Estate offers tremendous freshness and energy.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $56.33
DuMOL Russian River Valley Syrah, Sonoma County 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Plush, rich and impeccably structured, with floral blueberry and raspberry aromas accented by smoked pepper and complex, expressive flavors that combine mineral-tinged tannins with plump fruit. Best from 2018 through 2030.”
Dominus Estate Napanook, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
James Suckling 97 points “Fabulous nose of mushrooms, like porcini, with black truffle that turns to citrus fruits such as orange and tangerine. Some vine bark. Full-bodied yet wonderfully firm and formed with refined and polished tannins. Super definition. Drink in 2018, but wonderful to experience.” (16-Jan-2016)
Poe Ferrington Vineyard Chardonnay, Anderson Valley 2014 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Winery note “The Ferrington vineyard was first planted in the late 1960s. It has a gentle south-facing slope, and has decomposed sandstone and clay soils with three to four feet of topsoil. Wineries sharing this site include William Selyem, Copain, Flowers, and Littorai. The Chardonnay from this site is fermented with native yeast in 30% new French oak, 70% neutral French oak. The wine is never stirred, and ages on its fine lees for 12 months before bottling. The 2013 Chardonnay from this vineyard has beautiful purity and focus. The aromatics give way to white flowers, lemon oil, crushed rocks, and honey is enticing. There is beautiful bright acidity, and envelopes the palate with flavors of peach, apricot skin, pear, quince and citrus. High-toned floral and stone fruit notes add lift on the linear, lengthy finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Poe Manchester Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Mendocino 2014 750ML ($41.95) $36.60 special
Winery note: Manchester Ridge sits at a 2,000 foot elevation above Anderson Valley. The vineyard is 400 feet above the fog line. The cool steady temperatures allows the grapes to maintain acidity.
Poe Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mendocino 2014 750ML ($57.95) $49 special
Grapelive 93 points “The talented Samantha Sheehan’s POE wines are beautifully and artfully crafted wines from expressive cool climate sites, most in and around Anderson Valley and Mendocino County, except for her powerful Van der Camp Vineyard from Sonoma Mountain, her focus is classic Burgundy style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Her 2014 wines offer everything that is lovely and graceful about these varietals, they are richly flavored, layered with poise, silky tannins and vibrant acidity, these pure and mineral driven wines make it hard to pick a favorite in the lineup, but I decided to highlight this gorgeous Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot from Mendocino Ridge, just because, honestly all of them are great, this is a label to get into! The nose has flinty spices, wonderful rose petal florals and red fruit, it shows a pure ruby and garnet hue in the glass and the satiny medium body gives the mouth a sublime textural feel without heaviness, while still being alive and full of energy, this is a top drawer effort from Sheehan. Black cherry, tangy plum and a hint of blueberry flow across the palate with dusty/chalky stones, rose hip tea spice, hints of cedar and a touch of cinnamon and smoky vanilla linger with wild raspberry and tart currant on the lengthy finish. This pretty Pinot Noir is a real charmer and seduces completely with stylish and classic detail, it should prove a winner in the cellar too, and while I think the firmer Van der Camp might go longer in distance, this beauty will gain with age, drink from, well, now until 2029 at least!”
Poe Van der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Mountain 2014 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Winery note: The Van der Kamp Vineyard lies at the very top of Sonoma Mountain, at a 1,400 foot elevation looking down on the town of Glen Ellen to the east and Bennett Valley to the northwest. It is possibly the oldest planting of Pinot Noir in the state, planted in the early 1950s. The Van der Kamp family handpicks the grapes at night, and we deliver it to the winery just before sunrise. Depending on the vintage, we ferment a percentage of the grapes whole cluster. We allow the fermentation to begin with native yeast, and gently foot tread the fermentation two to three times per day. The wine is aged on the lees for 12 months in 30% new French oak, 70% neutral French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Aubert Wines Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2014 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 95-97 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Ritchie (the vines this year were 42 years of age) displays terrific ripeness, plenty of acidity, fabulous density, a multi-dimensional mouthfeel and a full-bodied finish. It should drink well for a decade as well.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $129
The average price is $164
Morlet Family Vineyards La Proportion Doree White Wine, Sonoma County 2014 750ML ($249.95) $219 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 100 points “A perfect wine is the 2014 La Proportion Dorée, a blend of 65% Semillon, 24% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. This 650-case cuvée is from 29-year-old, dry farmed vines and was barrel-fermented. The wine is absolutely out of this world. With a light greenish gold color and a killer nose of lanolin, caramelized citrus, honeysuckle, orange marmalade and candle wax, the wine displays great acidity, a magnificent, massive, full-bodied mouthfeel, and seems to come across like a Sonoma County version of a dry Haut Brion blanc. This is singular wine – profound, compelling, whatever! It should drink well for at least 10 years, if you can resist its early charms.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Lokoya Winery Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 1997 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 93 points “Mineral, blueberry, plum, and earthy characteristics can be found in the dark purple-colored 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (700 cases). Soft in the mouth, but full-bodied, dense, and rich, it is an immensely impressive effort.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $160
Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2002 750ML ($299.95) $269 special, 2 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2002 Opus One is a big step up from the 2001. Freshly cut flowers, juicy raspberries, anise and sweet spices literally jump from the glass in an Opus One that is all about opulence and huge, voluptuous fruit. Juicy, vibrant and impeccably balanced, the 2002 is firing on all cylinders today. The creamy, layered finish is simply impeccable. This is a fabulous showing. In 2002 Opus One is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot”
Robert Parker 94 points “I tend to think that recent vintages of Opus One are even greater than vintages made during this era, but the 2002 is certainly one of the top wines Opus has produced during the early part of this century. It boasts a dense plum/purple hue along with a striking bouquet of graphite, toasty oak, creme de cassis and acacia flowers. Full-bodied, opulent and young, it offers accessibility as well as silky tannins. A thoroughly complete wine that is pure and rich, it tastes like a hypothetical blend of a great Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon married to a Bordeaux Pauillac. Bravo! It will benefit from 2-3 more years of cellaring and should keep for 20-25 thereafter. ” (6/2012)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $301
Blankiet Estate Paradise Hills Vineyard Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2008 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 95+ points “Composed of 82.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and the rest tiny dollops of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the 2008 Paradise Hills Vineyard Proprietary Red has added considerable richness, weight, texture, nuance and complexity over the last year. Aromas of chocolate, espresso, blackberries, black currants and charcoal/burning embers leads to a full-bodied, expressive, rich wine that is nearly as compelling as the 2007. Dense, full-bodied and already drinkable, it should evolve for 20+ years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Blankiet Estate Paradise Hills Vineyard Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Blankiet’s 2012 Proprietary Red Paradise Hills Vineyard is just starting to open up. The 2012 is delicate and totally sublime. Expressive Cabernet Sauvignon aromatics open up first, followed by layers of expressive red-fleshed fruit. Light on its it feet and exceptionally polished throughout, the 2012 delivers the goods, big time. In 2012, the Proprietary Red speaks to finesse above all else. This is the most impressive of Blankiet’s 2012s today.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Blankiet Estate Paradise Hills Vineyard Rive Droite, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 99 points “Another compelling wine was the 2012 Rive Droite, which is Blankiet’s homage to Right Bank Pomerols from Bordeaux. A blend of 95.8% Merlot and 4.2% Cabernet Franc, there are 380 cases of this sexpot of a wine. This could easily be mistaken for a Napa Valley version of Petrus. Loads of mulberry fruit, licorice, crème de cassis, mocha and toffee are present in this huge, full-bodied, super-opulent and luscious wine. This is about as seductive and rich as dry wine can be, and the wine can be drunk now or cellared for another 15-20 years. This is a killer effort! Their cuvée of all the culled out lots is called the Prince of Hearts.”
Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($399.95) $346 special, 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “Bryant’s 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Bryant Family Vineyard is incredibly silky, polished and vibrant. Sweet red berries, mint, wild flowers and crushed rocks flow across the palate in an energetic, tense wine loaded with focus and cut. The 2011 is a bit understated relative to previous years, but its balance is terrific. High-toned floral and savory notes add an attractive upper register to the finish. I won’t be surprised if the 2011 flies under the radar for a while. Wines from this property have a way of developing beautifully in bottle.”
Sine Qua Non Poker Face Syrah, Santa Barbara County 2004 750ML ($899.95) $559 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 97 points “Starting off the Syrah-based wines, the 2004 Poker Face (Syrah) is aging beautifully. A blend of 96% Syrah, 2.5% Mourvedre and 1.5% Viognier (from the Eleven Confessions, White Hawk, Alban, Bien Nacido, and Alta Mesa vineyards) that was aged in 80% new French oak, it offers up a perfumed, fresh bouquet of sweet blackberry liqueur, creme de cassis, spring flowers and licorice that gives way to a full-bodied, seamless, gorgeously textured feel on the palate. Rich and decadent, it has notable, yet beautifully integrated acidity and stays remarkably fresh, detailed and even elegant. It still needs a lengthy decant to shine, and will continue to thrill over the coming decade or so.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $595
Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Franc, Sonoma County 2001 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 92 points “The fully mature 2001 Cabernet Franc is a blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot offering an intriguing nose of tree bark, mushrooms, earth and spice (reminiscent of some California Mourvedres). It stands out as a very different animal when tasted in the company of Pride’s Merlots and Cabernet Sauvignons. It reveals more oak than its siblings, and with prolonged aeration, pure, dark fruit characteristics as well as an underbrush, foresty component emerge. I suspect it is a “love it or leave it” style of wine. I was actually indifferent to it on first sip, but with airing, the wine grew incrementally, becoming very impressive, so don’t jump to conclusions and discount it. It should drink well for another 7-8 years.” (6/2011)
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Estate Cuvee, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 1 bottle available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2011 Estate Cuvee is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Sweet tobacco, wild flowers, mint, licorice, fennel and mint all meld together in a perfumed, gracious wine graced with stunning elegance and refinement. The 2011 is less obvious than either the 2010 or 2012, but it is more fragrant and perfumed. Clean, saline notes support the striking finish. The blend is 56% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc.”
Kongsgaard Syrah Hudson Vineyard, Napa Valley 2013 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 98 points “Kongsgaard also makes an amazing Syrah from a clone he obviously knows a lot about, because it does remind one of a great Côte-Rôtie such as Guigal’s La Landonne. Both the 2014 and 2013 are just loaded with notes of beef blood, grilled steak, raw beef, chocolate, asphalt, truffle and black olive tapenade. The 2013 has even more body and richness, and is a dead ringer for a great Côte-Rôtie from Guigal, especially one with no Viognier in it. It is pure meat, blood and black fruits. Drink it over the next 15-20 years, although I found it irresistible when I tasted it.”
Verite La Joie, Sonoma County 1999 750ML ($159.95) $136 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 95 points “Composed of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon and 41% Merlot (89% from Sonoma and 11% from Napa), the 1999 is a much younger wine than the 1998 and still has some upside potential. A deep ruby/purple color is followed by notes of graphite, unsmoked high class cigar tobacco, black currants and flowers. Round and generous with some tannins in the finish, it is close to full maturity and should drink well for another 15+ years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $159
Verite La Joie, Sonoma County 2001 750ML ($159.95) $136 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 95+ points “The 2001 La Joie (71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) remains a backward, youthful wine revealing an inky/purple color as well as notes of graphite, licorice, creme de cassis, truffles and new saddle leather. It has fabulous fruit on the attack and mid-palate, a massive, concentrated, tannic mouthfeel and a long finish. Even younger than La Muse, it needs another decade of cellaring and should age for 40-50 years thereafter”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $149
Verite La Muse, Sonoma County 2001 750ML ($319.95) $289 special, 1 bottle available
Robert Parker 100 points “2001 was the first truly great vintage for Jess Jackson and Pierre Seillan, and that is evidenced by the utterly perfect 2001 La Muse, a blend of 87% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec. Over three-fourths of it came from the Alexander Mountain estate of Jess Jackson, and the rest from Chalk Hill, Knights Valley, and a tiny bit from Bennett Valley. This dense purple-colored effort exhibits notes of licorice, creme de cassis, plum sauce, violets and truffles. Full-bodied with magnificent density, overall equilibrium, stunning purity, sweet but abundant tannin and a fabulous finish, this profound wine remains a baby at age ten. Give it another 5-6 years of bottle age and drink it over the following 35-40+ years. It is very French in style even though one could argue that this level of concentration can only be achieved by a handful of wines from Pomerol and St.-Emilion.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $295
The average price is $353
Verite Le Desir, Sonoma County 2001 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 2 bottles available
Robert Parker 97 points “The 2001 Le Desir (50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec) came from Alexander Valley Mountain Estate fruit (two-thirds), 30% from Chalk Hill and a tiny dollop from Knight’s Valley. The most evolved of these three wines, it exhibits complex notes of spring flowers, underbrush, truffles, forest floor, camphor and red as well as black fruits. It possesses an opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, fabulous purity and density and a long finish. The finish for all three of these wines lasts for close to a minute. Each represents extraordinary craftsmanship and, essentially, vinous confirmation of the vision of the late Jess Jackson. Those who think too many California wines are over the top may be surprised to know that the 2001 La Muse has a pH of 3.63 and a “real” natural alcohol of 14.1%. La Joie’s pH is 3.65 and its alcohol is 14.2%, and Le Desir’s pH is 3.68 and its true alcohol level is 14.1%.”
FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Cedric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne Blanc de Noirs Cote de Val Vilaine, Champagne NV (2014) 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Importer note “1.5 hectare vineyard in the lieu-dit “Val Vilaine” consisting of 100% Pinot Noir. 1st press juice only, hand harvested and crushed by foot and fermented using indigenous yeast. Aged for 16 months on the lees in stainless steel. Bottled with no dosage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cedric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne La Haute-Lemblee Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Importer note “100% Chardonnay (five different clones) from a single lieu-dit of .12 hectare known as “La Haute Lemblee”. 1st press juice only, hand harvested and crushed by foot and fermented using indigenous yeast. Aged for 46 months on the lees in stainless steel. zero dosage. Vineyards are farmed using organic methods and simple Guyot pruning is employed. Vines are planted at a density of 8000 vines per hectare.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $129
Cedric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne Les Ursules Blanc de Noirs, Champagne 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Cedric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne Les Ursules Blanc de Noirs, Champagne 2012 1.5L ($399.95) $279 special
Importer note “From a 0.9 hectare parcel of Pinot Noir with vines averaging 35 years of age. 1st press juice only, hand harvested and crushed by foot and fermented using indigenous yeast. Aged for 28 months on the lees in stainless steel. zero dosage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $109
Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale ‘Les Chetillons’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($149.95) $136 special
Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale ‘Les Chetillons’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 1.5L ($319.95) $299 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “This harmonious Champagne offers fine interplay between power and finesse, with ripe poached apricot, rich lemon meringue pie and spun honey flavors married to chalky minerality and focused acidity. The overall impression is elegant and fresh. Drink now through 2030.”
Pierre Peters Cuvée Speciale ‘Les Chétillons’ Brut Oenotheque 2000 750ML ($319.95) $299 special
Wine Advocate 95 points: “The 2000 Brut Cuvee Speciale “Les Chetillons” is a sumptuous, opulent wine that flows with layers of smoke, licorice, lime, minerals, ripe fruit and spices, all of which are supported by a gorgeous streak of minerality. This is an exciting, racy wine that I find completely irresistible and sensual. Needless to say, the 2000 Cuvee Speciale “Les Chetillons” is highly recommended. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2020.
Stephen Tanzer 93 (Nov/Dec 08): “Light, bright gold. Bright lemon and orange aromas give way to richer pear and white peach with air. Round and sappy, offering candied lemon and honeysuckle flavors, with impressive mineral snap on the back. Becomes richer on the finish, which repeats the lemon and mineral notes. Put this youthful, impressively pure wine in a cool spot for another five years or so.”
Pierre Peter L’Esprit Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésime 2010 ($89.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2010 L’Esprit Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Millésime is 100% stainless steel-fermented Chardonnay from the crus Le Mesnil, Oger, Avize and Cramant. Disgorged in November with a dosage of 4.7 grams, this intensely golden-yellow colored Esprit de 2010 is very complex on the nose; there are iodine flavors along with candied lemons, shortly stewed apples and a touch of nougat. Round and complex, but light and delicate on the palate, this is an extraordinary Champagne with a firm structure and a long, grippy, tension-filled finish. This is highly recommended.”
Pierre Peters ‘Reserve Oubliee’ Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Pierre Peters Cuvee Rose for Albane Brut NV 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The NV Brut Rosé per Albane is drop-dead gorgeous. Perfumed, ethereal and beguiling, the Albane is both incredibly delicate and full of flavor. Sweet floral notes, red berries, mint and crushed rocks linger on the bright, crystalline finish. The long, brilliant finish leaves a lasting impression. The Albane is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Meunier, an unusual combination.” AG
FRANCE-BEAUJOLAIS
Daniel Bouland Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Melanie, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($31.95) $24 special
Case-12 Daniel Bouland Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Melanie, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($319.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Youthful violet. Intense, highly perfumed boysenberry, cherry liqueur and floral pastille aromas show excellent clarity, and a smoky mineral overtone builds in the glass. Sappy and sharply focused, offering concentrated red and blue fruit flavors that show impressive vivacity given their heft. Juicy, pure and precise, finishing with outstanding focus and persistence and silky, even tannins that add gentle grip.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Coeur de Vendanges, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Case-12 Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Coeur de Vendanges, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Lurid ruby-red. Pungent raspberry and cherry pit on the fragrant nose, with hints of white pepper and smoky minerals adding lift and complexity. Spicy and sharply focused, offering vibrant red berry and blood orange flavors that put on weight with air. Closes taut and gently sweet, with strong spicy lift and silky tannins coming in late.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This “heart of the harvest” Gamay is produced from 100-year-old vines, a rarity in any appellation. With less than five acres to work with, this ripe and structured wine shows the potential even of “simple” Beaujolais-appellation wines. It has weight, spice and warm red fruits that are laced with acidity. Drink this wine from 2016. — R.V. (12/1/2015)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $22
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie les Garants, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Case-12 Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie les Garants, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($319.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. Intense black raspberry, cherry and floral pastille aromas are complemented by suggestions of licorice and smoky minerals. Juicy and penetrating, offering sappy red and blue fruit flavors that effortlessly marry power to finesse. The mineral and floral notes linger impressively on the finish, which is given shape by fine-grained, sneaky tannins.”
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Moulin-a-Vent Les Trois Roches, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Moulin-a-Vent Les Trois Roches, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($319.95) $259 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
FRANCE – BURGUNDY
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Les Jarrons, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($49.95) $44 special
Winery note “Vineyards on an east-facing slope near the town of Savigny-lès-Beaune. Steep slopes; deep sandy soil; 260 m altitude. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels, with 10% new oak. Aromas of black cherry; vanilla; mineral notes.”
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Aux Gravains, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “Deep soil; scree; alluvial mixed with gravel; south exposed; 270 m altitude. Grapes are sorted and 70% de-stemmed; traditional vinification; 16-day maceration; the cap is punched down manually. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels, with 10% new oak. Aromas of black cherry; smoky notes.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Les Grands Picotins 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “Village-level vineyards near the town of Savigny-lès-Beaune. Clay-limestone scree; rocky. Grapes are sorted and entirely de-stemmed; traditional vinification; 16-day maceration; the cap is punched down manually. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels. Aromas of bing cherry; blackcurrant; raspberry.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Les Serpentieres, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($49.95) $44 special
Winery note “Vineyards on a south-facing slope near the town of Savigny-lès-Beaune. The soil is composed of marl and brown earth. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels, with 10% new oak. Aromas of berries; strawberry; cherry; bing cherry; licorice root; peony.”
Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes 2014 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
Winery note: “Village-level vineyards near the town of Savigny-lès-Beaune. Clay-limestone scree and marl. Grapes are sorted and entirely de-stemmed; traditional vinification; 16-day maceration; the cap is punched down manually. Fifteen months in 1- to 3-year-old barrels. Aromas of berries; raspberry; cherry; roses; vanilla.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $36
Domaine Dujac Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2013 1.5L ($1,499.95) $1,249 special
Antonio Galloni 94-97 points “Another superb, multidimensional wine, the 2013 Clos de La Roche boasts remarkable complexity, starting with exquisite aromatics, finely-sculpted fruit and firm yet polished tannins. Layers of flavor flesh out in all directions in a resonant, expansive Burgundy endowed with pure pedigree. There is a lot going on in the glass, although it is the wine’s totally sublime sense of harmony that is most captivating at this early stage. I can’t wait to taste the 2013 from bottle.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Domaine Dujac Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2013 1.5L ($1,499.95) $1,289 special
Antonio Galloni 93-96 points “The 2013 Clos St. Denis is a wine of detail, nuance and precision. All the classic Clos St. Denis signatures are present, but it’s almost as if they are expressive in miniature in the 2013. Feminine and supple throughout, the 2013 Clos St. Denis shows the more finessed side of Morey, and it does so in grand style.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
FRANCE-LOIRE
Bernard Baudry Chinon Cuvee Domaine 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Importer note “” Le Domaine” is a wine with body and elegant tannins. The maturing process in oak brings harmony and finesse to the wine enabling it to be kept in a good cellar for 5 to 10 years. Soil of gravel and clay.”
FRANCE – RHONE
Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes 2003 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Very ripe, with lush papaya, peach cobbler, melon and butter flavors that are creamy and powerful through the finish. Exotic hints of ginger, graham and almond, too. Has a track record for drinking well young, and then reemerging after a long dumb period.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2004 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 2 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “Lovely pure beam of red currant and red cherry fruit supported by hot stone and mineral notes. Hint of tobacco on the minerally finish. Should flesh out nicely in the near-term.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
FRANCE-LANGUEDOC
Villa Symposia Coteaux du Languedoc l’Origine 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The terrific 2013 Pézenas l’Origine shows the hallmark spice-laced perfume of this appellation. Lots of red fruits, crushed flowers, spice and violet nuances give way to a medium-bodied, elegant and sweetly fruited 2013 that has fine tannin and a seamless, sexy texture. Drink this beauty anytime over the coming 5-6 years.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
ITALY-TUSCANY
Casa Emma Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Aromas of macerated cherry, leather and spice lead off in this powerful red. Black cherry, plum, almond and tar flavors ply the beefy tannins as this stiffens on the long finish. The fruit is persistent in the end. Drink now through 2024.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
ITALY-PIEDMONT
Mauro Molino Barbera d’Alba 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Winery note “Deep violet red colour, fine and fruity bouquet with scents of ripe red berries and minerals. A fresh wine, mellow and persistent.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Mauro Molino Langhe Nebbiolo 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Winery note “Light ruby red colour, with scent of rose and violet. Fresh and fruity palate with smooth and delicate tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
GERMANY
Weingut Clemens Busch Pundericher Marienburg Falkenlay Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2014 750ML ($69.95) $53.50 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Riesling GG Falkenlay shows a very clear and elegant, quite open bouquet of highly ripe but healthy Riesling flavors along with marjoram aromas. Round and elegant on the palate, very pure and delicate with a gentle minerality that is remarkably persistent but never loud, this is Busch’s most sensual and finesse-full dry Riesling with a very long finish. Perfectly balanced and intense, there is no need to store this beauty, but some will want to do so. Don’t buy bottles, buy cases, because you will always drink a bottle of it from time to time.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
SPAIN
CVNE ‘Monopole’ Blanco, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “This white is fresh and bright, but also dense, with a firm backbone of crisp acidity that carries pear, McIntosh apple and verbena flavors. The juicy, floral finish brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2020.”
CVNE Cune Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Cherry and vanilla flavors mingle with leafy and spicy accents in this round red. Orange peel acidity, cedar and tobacco notes give this a traditional accent. Stays fresh and balanced through the finish. Drink now through 2025.”
CVNE ‘Imperial’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Smoky and tarry notes give this rich red an austere character, but plum, licorice, soy and mineral notes promise an expressive future. The tannins and acidity are balanced and unobtrusive. Best from 2016 through 2030.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Saturated ruby. Spicy, intensely perfumed cherry and dark berry aromas are complemented by vanilla, potpourri and an exotic Indian spice quality. Smooth, round and concentrated, offering sweet, focused red and dark berry compote flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Appealingly sweet and broad on the impressively long, youthfully tannic back end, showing finishing notes of allspice, raspberry and bitter chocolate.”
MACEDONIA
Tikves Winery Special Selection Vranec, Macedonian Republic 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Case-12 Tikves Winery Special Selection Vranec, Macedonian Republic 2013 75ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
100% Vranec
VinopolNote: Delicious!
Back In Stock
And Best Price in the USA!
Ghost Hill Cellars Bayliss-Bower Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “This supple red is seductive and spirited, bulging with blueberry, plum and cherry flavors on a richly detailed frame, gliding into the long, expressive and open-textured finish, showing tremendous presence and depth. Drink now through 2022. 390 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $42
New October Sales
We’ve cut prices on six additional wines
Our sale prices end October 31st
DuMOL Russian River Valley Syrah, Sonoma County 2012 750ML ($69.95) Was $44.80, Now $39
Wine Spectator 94 points “Pure, rich and layered, with dense, mocha-laced blackberry, black licorice, dill, anise and cedar notes. The flavors keep unraveling, ending with a long, sustained finish. Best from 2015 through 2028.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA; and now it is lower!
The next best listed price is $49.99
The average listed price is $61
Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($44.95) Was $36.60, Now $33
Wine Advocate 94 points “The current vintage for the crianza is 2012. The 2012 Crianza, from a dry vintage, resulted much fresher than expected, fresher than 2009 and 2011 in fact. The vines are dry-farmed and were planted some 22 years ago, and you might say they have matured by now. The approximate mixture of grapes in their vineyards is mostly Tempranillo with some 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Malbec, and it’s more or less the blend in this wine. The Cabernet works well, providing finesse and some acidity to the Tempranillo….The wine matured in 20% new French oak barrels for some 20 months. There are no traces of the barriques and the nose took me to the Riberas of yesteryear, with some subtle rusticity; it’s ripe without excess and there’s good balance between fruit, spices and perhaps something earthy. The palate is extremely balanced, medium-bodied with very fine tannins, tasty, approachable and long. This could very well be the best crianza ever produced at Monasterio. This has to be one of the bargains of the vintage in Ribera, given the quality it deliver.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Remelluri Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $28.80
Case-12 Remelluri Granja Nuestra Senora de Remelluri Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2010 750ML ($419.95) Was $359, Now $319 (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
James Suckling 95 points “A wine with beautiful finesse and depth. Dark fruits, dark chocolate, hazelnut and floral character. Polished and refined. Full body. Long and beautiful. Tasty finish. The first recent vintage 100% made by Telmo Rodriguez. Drink or hold.”
Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine 96 points– Podium Award – Exceptional Wine “(tempranillo, garnacha, graciano). Colour: cherry, garnet rim. Nose: ripe fruit, spicy, creamy oak, complex, expressive. Palate: flavourful, toasty, round tannins, balanced, elegant.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The wine that represents the house style and also the biggest volume here with around 350,000 bottles produced is the 2010 Reserva which was cropped from an almost perfect growing season. A blend of the reds Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and the whites Viura and Malvasía Riojana, it fermented with indigenous yeasts in a combination of stainless steel and oak vats then matured in French oak barrels for 17 months. The nose has earthy aromas and notes of ripe orange peel giving old-style character to the wine marked by very well-integrated oak and an obvious Rioja character. There are cherries, plums and spices with licorice and ink aromas. The day after, it has more strawberries with very good freshness, so the evolution in bottle should be good. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins and good acidity that ends with sweet fruit flavors and something earthy, very pleasant and easy to drink. It grows on you.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $37
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese** “Herzlay”, Mosel, Germany 2012 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $39
Terry Theise: “That suffix “Lay” is local dialect for slate. This is from an old ungrafted parcel among the cliffs, and the wine has its usual swollen mass, firm richness and length. I’m glad of the relatively moderate sweetness; it thins the hugeness of fruit and makes it tinkle down the palate in snaky rivulets of salty terroir and tart apple. Also a sponti.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese** “Herzlay”, Mosel, Germany 2013 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $39
Wine Spectator 90 points “Offers lots of pastry puff notes to the airy peach and melon flavors. Spicy and lush, with a pillowy finish that lingers with dried ginger accents. A delicate style. Drink now through 2038. 5 cases imported.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $68.99
Bodega Bernabeleva Navaherreros Garnacha, Madrid 2012 750ML ($24.95) Was $16, Now $14
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(100% garnacha): Brilliant ruby-red. Fresh, intensely perfumed red and dark berries on the nose, with mineral, camphor and floral nuances building in the glass. Spicy raspberry and boysenberry flavors pack a solid punch but carry no excess weight. Finishes with very good spicy lift, fine-grained tannins and mineral-driven persistence.” JR
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $20
We’ve cut prices on 40 wines so far…
For a complete list, see the bottom of this newsletter
Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Welcome to the club, Colorado!
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
Carl von Schubert/Maximin Grünhauser
A Wine & Spirits Top Mosel Estate in 2016
“This is C. von Schubert’s 12th appearance as a Top 100 Winery, its wines again proving the special character of its land alongside the Ruwer River.” –Wine & Spirits Magazine
Facing south and overlooking the Ruwer River just before it meets the Mosel, Weingut Maximin Grünhaus has produced extraordinary Rieslings since Medieval times. Roman ruins underlie today’s estate, but it was the Saint Maximin Abbey that made this area famous for wine. The Abtsberg vineyard, known for its concentrated yet supple and perfectly balanced wines, once supplied the Abbott himself, while the equally long-lived Herrenberg vineyard wines satisfied the Abbey’s choirmasters. Weingut Maximin Grünhaus continues the tradition of crafting wines fit for the elite. They farm the vineyards following organic principles, keep yields low, and harvest by hand. Large Fuder casks, made from oaks on the estate, help the wines achieve their greatness. Tasting a Riesling from Weingut Maximin Grünhaus means tasting a lineage of German winemaking history.
Carl von Schubert/Maximin Grünhauser Wines Available Here Now
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($34.95) $27 special, 16 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “Harvested at 86° Oechsle, this offers a rather smooth Spätlese-styled nose of pear, cassis, ginger, star anise, flowers and flinty slate. The wine is on the rich and round side on the palate (by Kabinett standards of this Estate) but already hints at the elegance and finesse to come. This offers a long and beautifully refined nose of herbs and spices. The overall structure is still rather reduced and backward and we expect this beauty to only truly shine at maturity. So patience is required! 2025-2040.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 27 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling Spätlese (AP #12) opens very clear and smoky on the deep and aromatic nose. It is piquant and intense on the palate, very juicy and concentrated, firm and potent, and far away from being ready to drink. It is lush and piquant, very mineral and racy, and needs at least 15 years to reveal its true talents. This is a great Spätlese in Grand Cru format. Bottled with 68 grams of residual sugar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Superior Riesling, Mosel 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 23 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “Very clear and smoky on the still discreet and yeasty-flavored, dense nose, the 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Abtsberg Riesling Superior is a very elegant and round, finesse-full and persistent Riesling; it has a long and salty, very complex but beautifully fine, yet firmly structured and great finish. Impressive Riesling for the next 25 or 30 or more years.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Since Kraml came on in 2004, he’s weaned the vines off of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, dropped yields and moved to ambient yeast fermentations, many of which he does in traditional, large oak fuder made from the estate’s own trees. He’s also introduced the “Superior” wines, made in a traditional feinherb style, fermented in fuder and bottled with a little residual sugar. In 2014, the treatment seems to magnify the character of each vineyard, and lends the wines extra strength. The Abtsberg emphasizes the filigreed delicacy and peach scents common to the fruit off its cool blue slate, as well as the profundity of its mineral flavors. It’s not recognizably sweet; rather, this is sugar as muscle, making the best of a vintage short on sun.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Spätlese (AP #7) offers a super clear and stony flavored bouquet with some yeasty flavors, which you can also find in the Kabinett. Sweet and filigreed on the weightless and highly elegant palate, this is a gorgeously fine and stimulating Spätlese with a beautiful salinity. Bottled with 72 grams of residual sugar per liter, you taste nothing but fruit. This is very precise and well articulated Riesling of great finesse and elegance, and probably the finest Herrenberg of the 2014 vintage. Lightness and goodness as character.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “The Herrenberg is completely delicious, bursting with juicy flavor in shades of yellow fruit, its floral and herbal notes accenting the ethereal feel of the wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Carl von Schubert Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Alte Reben Trocken, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $27 special, 22 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91+ points “The 2014 Maximin Grünhäuser Herrenberg Riesling Trocken Alte Reben displays a very clear, subtle and elegant plum-brandy and white nectarine aroma. Full-bodied and very elegant on the palate, with intensity and minerality, this is a more concentrated, richer and round Riesling from the Herrenberg with a good mineral length. At this early stage, the juicy Alte Reben shows more of a GG-style than the Grünhaus character, though I wonder if not the ‘regular’ Herrenberg trocken is more drinking fun in the next five or 15 years. 11.5% alcohol is pretty Grünhaus though.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Guiberteau
New Offers Arriving in November
Romain Guiberteau bears one of the most esteemed names in all of the Loire; the Guilberteaus have grown grapes in the region for over the past 100 years. His great-grandfather began purchasing sites in the area prior to the First World War, slowly giving way to a familial tradition and an enviable roster of vineyard sites. Romain’s grandfather, one-time mayor and head of the local growers’ cooperative, was a beloved member of Saumur’s winemaking community. He and his wife built upon the family’s land holdings until their son took over. It was he who converted the domaine to organic viticulture, slowly pulling back land from the co-op for the family’s private use. Soon after, Romain left a career in law and joined his father. Today, Romain carries on family’s traditions while forging the domaine onward.
Worth mentioning is that Romain was mentored by the Foucault brothers over at the inimitable Clos Rougeard. It’d be equally unwise to depend upon the relationship as it would be to downplay it, however. Search online for Guiberteau and you’re sure to come across the proxy-sales and comparisons – “the new Rougeard”, “the Disciple”, and so forth.
Clos Rougeard being the most famed and important domaine of the region makes this a rather impressive – and daunting – comparison. The Guiberteaus and Foucaults share some vineyard sources and, above all, a determination to craft the very best wines possible from their land. These are stand-out wines with true pedigree; whatever it may have been that the Foucaults told Romain, it seems to be working… Domaine Guiberteau itself is now one of the most sought-after producers in the Loire.
The “Domaine” wines from Guiberteau are rendered in all stainless steel with the vision to showcase purity of fruit and freshness. Vineyard-designate wines are raised in both new and used oak with extended lees contact. We’re thrilled to offer an array of the domaine’s wines, all viewable below.
New Offers from Domaine Guiberteau Arriving in November
Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Blanc, Loire 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Importer note “The grapes come from younger vines in Clos des Carmes and Clos de Guichaux, and older vines on the bottom of the hill of Brézé. Pruning method is Guyau Val de Loire. 5,500 vines are planted per hectare. Maximum average yield is 45 hl per hectare. Pressing of whole clusters, indigenous yeast fermentation in tank. Aging on fine lees in tank, light filtration. Organic.”
Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Rouge Cuvee Les Motelles, Loire 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Located in Montreuil-Bellay, this vineyard was planted to Cabernet Franc in 1955. The soils here are clay under a layer of sand and gravel. The grapes are grown organically with a local pruning technique known as Guyau Val de Loire. At harvest, the grapes are completely destemmed before macerating for up to two months. The wine is fermented with natural yeasts before being aged for 12 months in 2-3 year old oak barrels.
Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Rouge, Loire 2014 750ML ($31.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Domaine Guiberteau Saumur Rouge, Loire 2015 750ML ($29.95) $26 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: This entry-level Cab Franc red from Guiberteau hails from three parcels of silt and sand over limestone from vines planted between 1955 and 1957. The wine sees a similar treatment as the single-vineyard: careful attention in the vineyard, dense plantings with low yields all the way through the long maceration and natural yeast fermentation. This wine is aged in tank for 6 months before release, resulting in a fresh & more forward wine. We’re offering two vintages arriving in November.
The Big Three
2014 Bordeaux First Growths
Arriving Fall 2017
With the market tightening for the 2015 vintages (arriving Fall 2018), now is a good time to rethink the 2014 vintage. While the critics generally panned the 2014 vintage in Bordeaux, the general doesn’t really apply to the specifics of Margaux and the Rothchilds. These enterprises have the resources and talents to make a great wine in an average vintage.
Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Pauillac 2014 750ML ($599.95) $419 pre-arrival special
You’ll pay $500+ and wait another year for 2015 vintage Lafite
Wine Enthusiast 97-99 points “Barrel Sample. A great wine, this Lafite has great power and richness as well as a wonderfully elegant touch. It is dark and brooding on the one hand and fresh in black currant fruit on the other. Woody tones support the superb fruits and complement the texture. “
James Suckling 97-98 points “I love the sexy, perfumed and feminine style to this young Lafite with rose petals, rose stems and currants. Full body, super fine tannins and a wonderful finish. Lasts for a very, very long time. “
Wine Spectator 94-97 points “Very backward, with loads of cedar, espresso and juniper out front, while the core of currant and blackberry fruit stays in reserve. Shows ample grip on the finish, but this is fine-grained and exhibits superb cut. “
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The Château Lafite-Rothschild 2014 is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, picked from 22 September until 10 October with the Petit Verdot, the Cabernet finished two days earlier. The Grand Vin is adorned with surprising richness and opulence on the nose: layers of ripe black plum and juniper, fine definition with even a hint of fig developing with continued aeration. After 5 minutes it turns volte face and becomes much more graphite and cedary – more Pauillac in essence. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, a potent core of black and blue fruit with a bullish (for Lafite) peacock’s tail on the finish. Very long in the mouth, this is a Lafite that yearns to compensate for last year and it accomplishes that with some panache.”
Antonio Galloni 92-95 points “A rich, powerful wine, the 2014 Lafite-Rothschild boasts superb depth, nuance and class. Hints of plum, cinnamon, wild flowers and exotic spices are woven throughout, but the flavors remain quite primary. The delicate, brilliant finish points to a bright future for a Lafite that should start to drink well with minimal cellaring. The blend is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. In 2014, the Grand Vin accounts for 38% of the production.”
Chateau Margaux, Margaux 2014 750ML ($599.95) $319 pre-arrival special
You’ll pay $589+ and wait another year for 2015 vintage Margaux
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The Château Margaux 2014, represents 36% of the year’s total production and is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. It has a distinctly floral bouquet, those trademark wilted violet scents soaring from the glass flanked by small dark cherries and a hint of cassis. It gains intensity in the glass but never puts the pedal to the floor. The palate is full-bodied with firm and bold tannins, very good density and presence. No, compared to the top flight vintages from the estate, it is unlikely to become a Château Margaux of compelling precision or finesse. Unusually for 2014 this is a grand vin bestowed with power and dimension. There is still a little tightness here, especially on the Pauillac-like finish, but it will turn into a great if not the greatest Château Margaux.”
Wine Spectator 94-97 points “A light savory cassis bush hint marks the Petit Verdot in this blend, but this is quickly consumed by the Cabernet Sauvignon, with a core of well-endowed cassis and plum fruit harnessed by very long, supple tannins. Gorgeous alder, lilac and iron notes begin to emerge on the finish, though this is still very primal. Sublime in feel, this offers a caressing power. A beauty in the making. Tasted non-blind.”
Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac 2014 750ML ($499.95) $319 pre-arrival special
You’ll pay $489+ and wait another year for 2015 vintage Mouton
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The Château Mouton-Rothschild 2014 contains more tannin than the 2010 according to winemaker Philippe Dhalluin, although he stressed that this does not imply that they were finer tannin. The blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc and it will of course, be matured in 100% new oak. The alcohol level just tops 13%, the first time since 2010. It has a classic Mouton nose, the slightly higher percentage of Merlot lending a little flamboyance and flair with scents of blackberry, warm gravel and cigar box scents. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, armed with powerful core of quite rich black fruit interlaced with tobacco and allspice. There is very good structure here, a fine edginess towards the white pepper infused finish. There is almost a nuttiness to this wine, to wit, a fascinating maze-like Mouton in the making and perhaps a more cerebral Mouton compared to recent vintages.”
Antonio Galloni 93-96 points “Dark and enveloping to the core, the 2014 Mouton Rothschild opens with beguiling scents of violet, new leather, dark spice and plum. There is plenty of tannin lurking beneath, but the overall impression is of fleshiness and seamlessness, with the 100% new oak also beautifully balanced for such a young wine. Layers of flavor build to the effortless, concentrated finish in a sexy Mouton that is likely to reward consumers with many years of fine drinking. I very much like the sense of balance here.”
James Suckling 96-97 points “This is incredibly minerally with a maritime character as well as red iodine, algae, currants and great intensity. Some saltiness. Almost like a pearl in an oyster shell. This is a true wine of the soil for Mouton. Full body, racy tannins and lingering. Excellent. Unique. 81% cabernet sauvignon, 16% merlot and 4% cabernet franc.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $353
October Sale Recap
Read reviews and browse the full selection of sale wines by searching for “October Sale” on our webstore – we’re also happy to talk you through the offerings if you email us at info@vinopoliswineshop.com or call 503-223-6002.
