Jump Start Deal: Monteraponi; New Weekend – New Arrival – From Cayuse; New Tuscan Arrivals: 96 pt Felsina / Drink-Now Delicious La Gerla; German Auction Wines: In-Depth Reviews; Staff Picks; #Trending; Zorzal: Decanter’s Darling Argentine Producer; Isole e Olena – Grand Cru Chianti; Vin Santo: Avignonesi; Domaine Marc Colin: Legacy-Level Quality / Under-the-Radar Price
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Jump Start Deal
Monteraponi:
Newly Arrived Case Deal
“the estate’s straight Chianti Classico is a terrific, super-classic Sangiovese”
– Antonio Galloni, Vinous
We stocked up on this classical Chianti producer to create more savings for you! We have the lowest price in the country on all their cuvees, so the additional case discount gives you an even greater opportunity to watch this Chianti develop in your cellar:
Monteraponi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Monteraponi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($269.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
“Fermented without selected yeasts or temperature control, this bright, savory blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo opens with classic varietal aromas of red berry, fragrant blue flower and a whiff of new leather. The fresh, easy drinking palate doles out juicy wild cherry, chopped herb and a hint cinnamon offset by vibrant acidity and supple tannins.”–Wine Enthusiast
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $28
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New Weekend – New Arrival
From Cayuse!
Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($189.95) $169 special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “In the same ballpark as the Sur Echalas Vineyard release, the 2014 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard gives up lots of minerality and gunpowder-like characteristics, as well as red fruits, pepper, and violets aromas and flavors. On the fuller side of medium to full-bodied, it has juicy acidity, fine tannin and impeccable balance. It will have two decades of longevity.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Balances power and finesse, with distinctive plum, bacon fat and black olive aromas and dense yet polished blackberry and stony mineral flavors that lead to big but refined tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2024.”
See the complete list of all Cayuse wines in stock now below.
Visit our web store to shop online!
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New Tuscan Arrivals
Felsina Berardenga Maestro Raro Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “A beautiful wine, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Maestro Raro showcases the best of Tuscany and the best of this grape. This Cabernet Sauvignon offers a determined load of black fruit followed by a long array of subtle detailing with spice, leather and bitter chocolate. You also get balsam herb, crushed mineral and a touch of green olive. The wine offers a stunning level of fullness and complexity with softly layered and fine tannins that caress the palate.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2013 Maestro Raro is another huge, powerful wine from Fèlsina. Huge tannins scream out of the glass in a deep, intense Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon full of personality. Grilled herbs, savory herbs, smoke, tobacco, leather, licorice and dark plum add an exclamation point on the striking finish. This is a vivid, stunningly beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon that speaks in a thick Tuscan accent. Today, the tannins are huge and imposing. Patience is a must.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $55
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($47.95) $36 special
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 92+ points “Deep red. Spicy aromas of redcurrant, cherry, mocha and licorice. Chewy and firmly tannic, offering spicy red cherry and milk chocolate flavors sexed up by a strongly flinty, almost smoky element. The noble tannins gain strength on the finish, which feature outstanding length and insidious sweetness.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “The La Gerla 2012 Brunello di Montalcino reminds me of the vintage that precedes it (although I like this edition better). Like with the 2011 vintage, this estate has done a great job in capturing as much of the primary fruit as possible, given the warm vintage conditions. Dark fruit with black currant and wild blueberry come into focus. Those fruit tones are aged and evolved for sure, but they don’t show tired or flat characteristics at this point. Delicate notes of cola, licorice and blue flower add complexity. The tannic presence is reduced and the mouthfeel delivers silkiness and softness instead. La Gerla puts its Brunello annata into large oak casks for three years. This Brunello is ready to drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $41
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German Auction Wines:
In-Depth Reviews
From Mosel Fine Wines
Since 1910, the German association of top wine estates (VDP) has hosted wine auctions. These are not your typical wine auctions; instead they offer German wine fans and collectors a unique opportunity to experience wines that will not make it to the regular market. Each estate can submit their best wines from the best vintages (all strictly unchaptalized) exclusively to the auction directly from their cellars.
We’re thrilled to offer our first foray into the exciting world of German auction wines. These are highly exclusive wines only available to auction winners and bids must be placed by authorized wine brokers. Each wine was hand-selected by our German wine insider.
Due to the highly limited amount of production from many of these estates and the exclusivity of the auction, it’s rare to find reviews for many bottlings (let alone the wines themselves!). We’re fortunate to have the folks at Mosel Fine Wines on our side – and doing the all the hard work! You can browse the full reviews below:
Weingut Bastgen Kestener Paulinshofberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 9 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “This offers a rather ripe nose of grapefruit, pineapple, Limoncello, bergamot, herbs, almond and spices. The wine is nicely made and fruity on the palate and leaves a clean and fresh feel in the zesty but powerful finish. This is nicely made in a very enjoyable style! 2023-2035”
Carl Loewen Leiwener Laurentiuslay Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 11 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “This is a special selection of partially botrytis affected berries which is only being commercialized now, via the 2016 Auction. The wine offers a rather ripe nose of pear, herbs and spices. The wine is nicely ripe but also delicately playful on the palate, leaving one with a fleeting feel of almond, pear and slate in the long, rich yet comparatively airy finish. This is nicely made with good complexity and nice presence. Now-2026”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Reinhold Franzen Bremmer Calmont Riesling Kabinett 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 9 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This beautiful Kabinett offers a rather reduced but elegantly floral nose of white pear, herbs and spices. The wine proves gorgeously well balanced on the palate, where some firm grip brings structure and the mineral side finesse to the experience. The finish is incredibly long and airy. This proves a gorgeous wine made in an irresistibly off-dry (rather than full fruity) style! 2020-2030+”
Kees-Kieren Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spatlese**, Mosel 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 30 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “This offers a rather gorgeous nose of fresh white minerals, passion fruit, pineapple and a touch of honey. The wine is delicately powerful and rich on the palate and leaves a gorgeously long feel of passion fruit and minerals. Zesty acidity comes through in the after-taste and cleanses the palate. 2025-2040”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Kerpen Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese*, Mosel 2015 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 20 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This special bottling of Spätlese * (there is also one offered via regular channels) offers a very elegant and flowery nose of white peach, herbs and spices. The wine is gorgeously fruity and loaded with herbs on the palate. It is lively, fresh and elegant and gradually gains in presence and richness. The finish is however light, airy and incredibly long. What a beautiful wine! 2025-2040”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Meulenhof Erdener Pralat Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 34 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 89+ points “This offers a slightly sharp nose of brown sugar, mirabelle, herbs and spices. The wine is on the sweet and delicately rich side on the palate, where minerals, delicate yellow fruits and apricot come through. The finish is sweet and more of Auslese presence. This needs time to develop its full potential. We would not be surprised if this exceeds our initial expectations. 2025-2040”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Johann Peter Reinert Wiltinger Klosterberg Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 10 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 89+ points “The bright-white colored wine offers a piquant nose of lime, white minerals, aniseed seeds and herbs. The wine is fruity and focused on the palate and the finish is rather sharp. This slender expression of Spätlese will need time to develop harmony and blossom aromatically. 2025-2040”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Johann Baptist-Schafer Burg Layer Schlossberg Riesling Spatlese 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 35 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “Made from a 25-year-old parcel and harvested at 94° Oechsle, this delivers a nice set of fruity and juicy aromatics including yellow peach, quince star anise, rose water and grapefruit juice. The wine starts off on the light side on the palate but creamy fruits paired with rich Auslese GK styled sweetness quickly take over before some pear, pineapple and peach lead the way to a juicy and creamy long finish. This is a nicely creamy and clean Auslese GK styled Riesling. 2022-2035”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Dr. Crusius Schlossbockelheimer Felsenberg Riesling Beerenauslese Goldkapsel, Nahe 2015 375ML ($179.95) $159 special, 12 half-bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 98 points “Harvested at a full-on 153° Oechsle (i.e. sugar levels technically qualifying for TBA), this auction BA starts off on the primary and discreet side at first before rapidly exhibiting huge finesse, complexity and depth with honeyed notes of apricot, pineapple, mango, vanilla cream and other exotic fruits. The botrytis gives the wine a great exotic, luscious and unctuous texture with plenty of juice, creamy viscosity and smoothness on the palate. The wine is, of course, still very sweet at this stage (it has no less than 229 g/l of residual sugar), but the interplay with some gorgeously playful acidity makes for a superbly clean and focused feel in the long finish. The only drawback of this little masterpiece of a BA is that it is still a good decade away from maturity. Patience is required! 2030-2085.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
We have an incredible selection of German Rieslings in stock now with 256 different wines to choose from! Visit the web store to see the complete list!
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Staff Picks
Saul:
Erin Nuccio is doing something harder than founding a revered wine label: keeping and improving the standards that made Evesham Wood famous. Erin was Russ Raney’s longtime assistant and might be making the best wines in the history of the winery (which is heresy, we know). The 2014 Cuvee J is a prime example of that argument—it’s from a warm vintage and so it marries the richness of the year with the elegance of the house style. This represents a 6 barrel selection and so is always the pick of the E-W cellar.
Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($49.95) $46 special, 21 bottles available
Winery Note “While still a bit shy like most bottlings of Cuvée J, on release the 2014 gives an immediate glimpse into where this wine will be in a few years. Earthy, meaty, a beautifully silky texture with berries, sage, rosemary and plums. Again a 6 barrel selection from Le Puits Sec Vineyard. 145 cases produced.”
Andy:
There are surprises popping up fairly frequently in locally produced wines, but the surprise is often an unusual varietal or blend to create something new. However, finding a local pinot that raises eyebrows, in a good way, is becoming more difficult. Chris Dickson from Twill came in a few weeks ago and the memory of the wines we tasted through stuck with me to where I needed to revisit these wines to make certain I had a clear memory of how good they were. His three wines we have in stock are delicious.
The first is a Syrah showing a gentle hand that manages to extract the essence of roasting coffee, chef’s spices, light mint and floral notes all swirled with the first blackberries of the season. Its bright acidity makes it lighter on the palate than you’d imagine, but full of well-rounded flavors of berry, cocoa, quality olives, and tea. The finish is pleasant and clean after an appropriately timed stay. This is a Syrah that makes you hungry.
Then come two Pinot Noir bottlings: one from Johan Vineyards, and one from a group in the Northern Willamette Valley. The Johan is not masked by anything. The fruit is pure and stands proudly with defined bergamot and floral notes, a whiff of smoke and elegant ripe local strawberries. After a first taste, more aromas of baker’s spice start to come out, light anise, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This barrels selected were specifically chosen to not hide the pretty nature of the fruit, but to lift it up out of the glass.
The Northern Willamette selection is equally bright and tasty. Hibiscus is the first scent that jumps out, cranberry and garden flowers to follow. The wine is incredibly light on the palate, yet the flavors saturate your mouth with bright young cherries, tangerine, and tea (again, with the tea). The vineyard sites themselves are all from the cooler fringes of their respective AVAs and the fruit reflects this in its brightness and fresh quality.
These are the Twill wines we currently offer:
Twill Cellars Syrah, Oregon 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 9 bottles available
Winery Notes “Initial primary aromas of olives, raspberries, rose petal, quinine, grapefruit, and coffee. With air, veiled black pepper, blackberry, plum, chocolate, and menthol. As the wine warms up from cellar temperature (55f) and with more air, notes of white pepper, cranberry, oolong, and lavender are noted. On the palate, the wine is full and rich, but seemingly mid-weight with brightness at its core. The tannins present like dark chocolate and cocoa nibs at this point, with flavors of coffee, cherry, olive, oolong and lavender carrying the wine through a structured finish. This wine will develop further complexity in a cool cellar, or can be enjoyed with some air over a few days’ time in its youth.”
Twill Cellars Pinot Noir Johan Vineyard 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 9 bottles available
Winery Notes “Hibiscus, smoked cherry, strawberry, and lemon verbena marks the initial aromatics. With air, deeper elements of cinnamon, chocolate, tangerine, and mint can be noted along with a bag full of fresh strawberries and chamomile. On the palate, the 2014 Johan is generous yet fresh. It has stuffing, but feels buoyant. This will provide a lot of enjoyment now, or could benefit from cellaring to allow some savory elements to develop.”
Twill Cellars Pinot Noir Northern Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 8 bottles available
Winery Notes “Aromatically, intense notes of roses, burnt orange, cranberry, smoked cherry, hibiscus, cinnamon and strawberry can be found. On the palate, lots of blood orange, concentrated strawberry, rooibos tea leaf, and cranberry are tucked into a savory and taut frame. The finish is long, bright, chewy and rich.”
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#Trending <Emoji>
Chianti Rosato. If you don’t pine for Tuscany when you drink this, well, you should. Also, probably you should most of the time, Tuscany is pretty awesome.
Castell’in Villa La Gazzara Rosato Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 32 bottles available
Importer note “100% sangiovese, organic, short skin contact (6-8 hours), pressed off and fermented in stainless steel tanks. Drink and repeat.”
VinopolNote: We heartily agree.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
This is one of the most age-worthy whites you can buy under $20. Smaragd (riper/richer) Riesling from the Wachau is already one of the great values of the wine world, but this is absurd. Thank us later.
Pichler-Krutzler Trum Riesling, Wachau 2013 750ML ($27.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “From a slightly south-facing gravel/alluvium site with 10- to 20-year-old vines, the 2013 Riesling Smaragd Trum opens with a very clear and well-concentrated stone-fruit aroma underlined by cool, stone flavors. This medium-bodied, densely woven and lovely mineral Riesling is intense, well balanced, very elegant and extremely stimulating, lovely, pure and concentrated. The finish is aromatic and indicates a still young wine with an aging potential of more than ten years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
It’s made by the team at Corliss, it got a 93 point score, and it’s under $25. It’s flying out the door. The 7 cases we have in right now are the last of what we could get, so you now know you’ve been warned when it’s gone for good.
Tranche Cellars Blue Mountain Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2010 750ML ($39.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Tranche Cellars Blue Mountain Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2010 750ML ($419.95) $219 special, 4 cases available (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “A gorgeous effort, the 2010 Syrah Blue Mountain Estate Vineyard offers up ripe, full throttle aromas of smoked black fruits, hints of chocolate, toast and spice to go with a full-bodied, rich and layered profile on the palate that has no hard edges, a great mid-palate and ripe tannin that emerges on the finish. A superb value, it will dish out loads of pleasure over the coming decade. Made by the team at Corliss, these Tranche Cellars releases are not only superb, they represent excellent value as well.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Zorzal:
Decanter’s Darling Argentine Producer
Zorzal makes wines that never cease to impress. Their 2014 Eggo Tinto de Tiza just caught Decanter’s palate, earning itself a 96-point score in the British wine magazine along with being tagged a “Top Ten 2016 Exciting Buy” – when’s the last time you heard of a Malbec being described as “refreshing” or “invigorating?” This is a truly great follow up after the 94 point review from Luis Gutiérrez of the Wine Advocate.
We knew the sleek, sublime power of this wine, and the rest of the Zorzal range, long before Decanter tasted it, so we have a range of the never-oaked Eggo wines for you to try, including a Pinot Noir, a Cabernet Franc, and a Sauvignon Blanc. These are wines that excite from beginning to end. The Sauvignon Blanc is fresh, racy and crisp and both the Cabernet Franc and Pinot remind you of some of the better, more elegant examples from California—just at half the price of what those would be.
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($39.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles available
Decanter 96 points ‘Top 10 Exciting Buys’ “Refreshing, beautiful nose with herbal and minty cool notes but also some chalky, mineral nuances so characteristic of the Gualtallary terroir. Bags of red fruits and lemon on the palate, vibrant, with a sensational invigorating freshness. Austere, precise, Malbec is one of the few grapes able to get such a pure expression. Texture is amazing, tannins are finely grained and oak is superbly managed. This is the treasure of Argentina.”
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!”
Zorzal Eggo Franco Cabernet Franc, Tupungato, Argentina 2015 750ML ($34.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Franco Cabernet Franc, Tupungato, Argentina 2015 750ML ($319.95) $249 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “The second vintage I tasted from this Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Eggo Franco is produced, like many of their wines, with grapes from Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It fermented in cement eggs with some stems and with 50% of the wine kept in contact with skins for some three to four months, then pressed and put back in the eggs to complete its élevage, which lasted some nine months. It shows a mixture of herbal and candied berry aromas, hints of beef blood and iron. The absence of oak shows the naked tannins and provides an earthy side, which to me is very much the wild character of Gualtallary. 6,000 bottles were filled in December 2015 (it was harvested in March).”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Zorzal Eggo Filoso Pinot, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 32 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Filoso Pinot Noir is produced with fruit from Gualtallary. It fermented after carbonic maceration in cement vats and like the whole Eggo line, it matured in cement eggs for some nine months and never saw any oak. Pale-colored, floral and showing a lactic touch, it is earthier than the Gran Terroir. The palate is medium-bodied, with floral flavors, very good acidity and a fine texture.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 33 bottles available
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($319.95) $249 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2014 Eggo Blanc de Cal is pure Sauvignon Blanc from two different vineyards in Gualtallary. The full clusters are pressed and the must was fermented and aged in contact with the lees for nine to ten months in their famous egg-shaped cement vats. This is more subtle and earthy, less Sauvignon, with the fruit expressing itself in a lower-pitched voice, more of a baritone. It’s also has a little wider, pungent and powerful character in the mouth. This is only around 13% alcohol, and even though in 2014 it didn’t go through malolactic fermentation, it’s still a very light and fresh wine. Groundbreaking Sauvignon. 4,800 bottles were produced, fruit of two eggs.” LG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $26.25
The average price is $33
Case-12 Zorzal Eggo Mixed Case 750ML ($319.95) $249 special, 4 cases available
A mixed case containing 3 bottles each of the following Zorzal wines:
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Zorzal Eggo Cabernet Franc 2015
Zorzal Eggo Pinot Noir 2014
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza Malbec 2014
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Isole e Olena
Grand Cru Chianti
In February 2014, Tuscany shocked the wine world with the highly contentious release of the new top tier of Chianti: the Gran Selezione. Even Paolo de Marchi of Isole e Olena, who was skeptical of the idea at first, joined in with an astounding submission.
The new classification may not sound controversial: minimum alcohol is 13% (up from 12.5% for Riserva), the aging period is an additional 6 months over Riserva (for 30 months total), and grapes must come from estate owned vineyards.
Crazy, I know.
Wines are subjected to two rounds of selection by the independent technical commission, including a blind tasting, and beat out over sixty other wines to win the DOCG title “Gran Selezione.” The resulting wine from Isole e Olena “makes a statement upfront both in terms of the quality of the aromas and its overall integrity and persistency” to quote Monica Larner of the Wine Advocate regarding the ’06 vintage. Antonio Galloni found the ’10 vintage “layered, nuanced and beautifully delineated,” a wine speaking volumes about quality in subtle tones.
We’re proud to offer both vintages in stock now:
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2006 750ML ($249.95) $189 special, 9 bottles available
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2006 1.5L ($499.95) $389 special, 5 magnums available
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2006 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is a controversial wine and for good reason. Proprietor Paolo De Marchi was initially opposed to the idea of introducing the Gran Selezione category above the Chianti Classico Riserva. But more than a year ago, the Institute of Masters of Wine held a special dinner in Florence and producers were invited to pour only Gran Selezione wines. Paolo had an amazing barrel of Sangiovese put aside for a commemorative wine to celebrate his 30th anniversary as a winemaker. He hoped to dedicate that wine as a special limited release. Because he also wanted to pour something of his at the Masters of Wine dinner, he declassified the wine and re-registered it as a Gran Selezione. This also explains why it is from an older vintage. Most of his peers inaugurated this new category with the 2010 vintage. Only 1,800 bottles were made (of which 500 are put aside for the family’s personal use) and the blend consists of Sangiovese with 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Syrah. “I love Chianti Classico and I love super Tuscans,” says Paolo De Marchi. “This wine is a crossover of the two.” The wine shows gorgeous ripeness with brooding dark fruit, depth and extreme balance. This is a wine that makes a statement upfront both in terms of the quality of the aromas and its overall integrity and persistency.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
The average price for the 750ml is $206
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2010 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 3 bottles available
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2010 1.5L ($499.95) $369 special, 2 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is extraordinary. A wine of pedigree and class, the 2010 boasts magnificent intensity and depth yet never comes across as heavy. The flavors are layered, nuanced and beautifully delineated in the glass. Plum, black cherry, spice, menthol and sweet spices are laced into the exquisite finish. The 2010 is a stunner today, but also has plenty of upside for the future. A reduction of time in barrel vis-a-vis the 2006 has paid off handsomely. The 2010 is going to be expensive, but it is worth every penny. Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot round out the blend.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is mostly Sangiovese with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. The inaugural 2006 vintage saw Cabernet Franc in the blend, but because Paolo De Marchi had a hard time reaching maturity for that grape, he removed it completely. He also admits to charging “Bordeaux” prices, so you can expect an elevated price tag. This is indeed a beautiful effort with an impeccable nose that is redolent of fine forest berry, red currant, spice, leather, tar and balsam herb. The nose is stunning now, but you can expect it to flesh out and improve with time. The mouthfeel is incredibly long and silky with super fine and elegant tannins.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
The next best price for the 750ML is $191.98
The next best price of the 1.5L is $482.04
We offer 16 different wines from Isole e Olena in stock now, including multiple vintages of Cepparello, Cabernet and Vin Santo. See the full list on our web store!
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Vin Santo: Avignonesi
Vin Santo is a special dessert wine made in Central Italy from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes. Rarer still is the Occhio di Pernice, or eye of the partridge, a rose style made from Sangiovese grapes. Grapes selected for Vin Santos are picked as whole clusters and traditionally left to dry on straw mats in the warm rafters of buildings. Very little has changed in production despite the pulsing waves of modernity running through Italian winemaking. Today we’re focusing on the very special bottlings from Avignonesi. The estate produces some of the most magical among the Vin Santos, and their Occhio di Pernice is transcendent. You don’t have to just take our word for it – read Bryce Wiatrak, Ian d’Agata and Monica Larner’s different takes on the profundity of the producer and their products:
“No other Tuscan estate has come to emblemize modern Vin Santo’s entry into the realm of fine wine quite like this property…. The grapes, Malvasia and Trebbiano for the traditional Vin Santo and Sangiovese for the Occhio di Pernice, were left to dry in the appassitoio for six months. Around March, the grapes are manually crushed in a process that takes two weeks due to the density of the shriveled fruit. The wine then rests in one hundred year-old Slavonian oak caratelli for a period of ten to twelve years. Once each year, the winemakers will break the wax seal of a single caratello to monitor the Vin Santo’s progress.” – Bryce Wiatrak, Vinous Media
In-Stock Now from Avignonesi
Avignonesi Vin Santo di Montepulciano 2000 375ML ($249.95) $179 special, 5 half-bottles available
Ian d’Agata Vinous Media 92 points “Bright amber-yellow. Fabulous high-toned aromas of raisin, caramel, white chocolate, hazelnut, roasted apricot and honey. Wonderfully glyceral yet tangy on the palate, with a chewy quality and uncommon acid thrust to the creamy, honeyed flavors. The palate-staining finish goes on and on but turns a little tannic at the back. This is usually Italy’s best Vin Santo, but I still think that the decision made a few years ago to increase the wine’s barrel aging by one year (it’s now ten years rather than nine!) has changed its marvelous balance; it is now thicker and tougher than it was previously.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $212
Arriving This Month
Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo di Montepulciano 2001 375ML ($319.95) $259 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 100 points “This wine merits every one of these 100 points. The 2001 Vin Santo di Montepulciano Occhio di Pernice (375 milliliters) is a singular work of art and a profound expression of Tuscany. I know Avignonesi owner Virginie Saverys would like to draw attention to the other wines in her portfolio, and she has every right to do so. But I just want to cry. When you have a wine as profound and perfect as this, everything else fades fast into the background. Virginie likes to say that Occhio di Pernice (made with red grapes) is the “male” and the Vin Santo di Montepulciano (made from white grapes) is the “female.” This is a great observation. The bouquet here is smoky and savory, but brilliant and sophisticated at the same time. You get an infinite array of caramel, maple syrup, espresso bean, licorice and candied fruit aromas. There’s so much dried fig as well. The concentration and thickness is out of this world. This wine is built like a tank and I’m not sure it will ever exit its drinking prime.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Avignonesi Vin Santo di Montepulciano 2001 375ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2001 Vin Santo di Montepulciano (375 milliliters) is a divine and superbly delicious sweet blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto. The results are super concentrated and simmered down to a virtual reduction sauce of deliciousness. There are so many aromas to name, but some of the most evident highlights include candied orange peel, almond marzipan, caramel, toasted coffee bean, vanilla stick, mocha, dark honey and fragrant yellow rose. The mouthfeel is creamy, rich and deeply layered. I’m suggesting a slightly shorter drinking window here compared to the Occhio di Pernice. But, the truth is: I have no idea. I’m pretty sure these wines will outlive anyone of legal drinking age.”
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Domaine Marc Colin
Legacy-Level Quality
Under-the-Radar Price
The Colin family has owned vineyards for over 100 years; since 1970, Domaine Marc Colin has produced fine across 15 hectares within 26 appellations. From their home base of St. Aubin, they produce a 70/30 split of white wines sourced from holdings in Chassagne, Puligny, and Santenay, and – of course – St. Aubin. Their wines have earnest respect and acclaim for their purity and elegance. Now under the direction of Marc’s children John, Damien, and Caroline, Domaine Marc Colin has reached the upper echelon of Burgundy.
Vines are worked sustainably; some parcels age over 100 years! Unlike much of St. Aubin, the Colin parcels are situated on slopes – among their finest holdings there are the En Remilly and Chatenière vineyards. Harvest is done manually and no chemical fertilizers are used. While the use of new oak increased somewhat a few years ago, it is used less frequency nowadays. More recent vintages have been stunning in their clarity and freshness; we’re proud to feature a number of releases from the 2015 vintage, all viewable below and arriving this month!
Domaine Marc Colin Wines Arriving in June:
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Blanc La Combe 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
“The 2015 Bourgogne Chardonnay “La Combe” had been bottled August 2016. It has a tightly wound nose that needed some coaxing, eventually offering wet granite and Granny Smith apple aromas, a touch of lychee in the background. The palate is very well balanced with good depth: plenty of lightly honeyed citrus fruit with a tang of spice on the straightforward finish. This is a delightful Bourgogne Blanc to enjoy over the next couple of years.”–Wine Advocate
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Les Combes, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2015 St Aubin 1er Cru les Combes was matured in 20% new oak, but unlike others it does not see any aging in foudres. It has a more strict and linear bouquet than its siblings, subtle notes of wet limestone and apple peel developing, a faint marine scent backing it up. The palate is subtle, tightly wound but very balanced, a more nuanced take on the vintage with a very harmonious, spice-tinged finish that is an absolute treat. Perhaps this is one I would be tempted to broach in its flush of youth, but it will age well.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils En Montceau, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2015 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru en Montceau displayed an energetic, generous bouquet that perhaps did not quite possess the killer delineation of the En Remilly by comparison. The palate is very well balanced and shows more sophistication than the aromatics at this early stage, very well-integrated new oak, walnut and white pepper notes permeating through the citrus fruit with great depth and body towards the finish. There is a lot of potential here, but it will need a couple of years after bottling for the aromatics to coalesce.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Bourgogne Rouge 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
“Light ruby color. There is good freshness to the raspberry and strawberry-suffused nose that introduces the detailed and energetic light weight flavors that are built on their fruit. The acceptable complex and persistent finish exhibits a hint of bitter cherry and this is already accessible.”—Burghound
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Marc Colin et Fils Santenay Les Champs Claude 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2015 Santenay Vieilles Vignes Champs Claude, which comes from vines planted back in 1901 (so they are genuine Vieilles Vignes!) has a vibrant, edgy, redcurrant and cranberry scented bouquet, hints of tomato vine and persimmon developing in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with gentle, caressing tannin. This is one of the best balanced and harmonious of the domaine’s 2015s, with a sensual and quite beguiling finish that lingers long in the mouth. This comes highly recommended.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!