Dehu – 2013 Base Arriving Tomorrow; New Arrival Highlight: Burgundy Best Buy (Ever?); This Red’s Gone Platinum – Vina Herminia Rioja; New Arrivals: Monica Larner’s Super (Duper) Italian Picks; Catena’s Epic Malbecs Are Here; Stephen Reinhardt’s #1 Best Value Wine is Here – Molitor’s Trocken Kabinett; Dressed to the Nines: Divine ’09 Wines Arriving in September; New Cayuse Offer (Widowmaker & Mag of Armada Syrah); Lost in the Dream: New Clouet Dream Vintages Arriving in September; Emmanuel Darnaud: Exploring the Terroir of Crozes-Hermitage
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Dehu
Arriving Tomorrow
Pinot Meunier is so frequently overlooked as the third grape of Champagne. At the hands of a rarified few (Prevost and Mignon come to mind alongside Dehu) the glory of this grape comes into its own. Think of it as Gamay: derided and overlooked in favor of Pinot and Chard, yet so full of minerality and charm. The ability of this grape to express terroir is so often ignored by grower, producer and drinker alike. Here, in this single-parcel, single-varietal Champagne, one can truly appreciate the depth and complexity achieved at the hands(-off approach) of masters.
Dehu ‘La Rue des Noyers’, Champagne NV (2013) 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Benoit Déhu’s NV (2013) Extra Brut Cuvée La Rue des Noyers Non-Dosé needs time to come into its own, but it is very impressive today. Powerful and exquisitely layered in the glass, the 2013 is striking in its beauty. Orchard fruit, white flowers and mint open up first, while darker red cherry, Mirabelle plum, licorice and earthy notes develop later. The 2013 is at once lifted yet also quite deep, with an interplay of aromas, flavors and textures that is compelling. The Extra Brut Cuvée La Rue des Noyers Non-Dosé is 100% Meunier vinified and aged in barrel, with no malolactic fermentation. Disgorged April 2016.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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New Arrival Highlight:
Burgundy Best Buy
What’s the Best Value Pinot for the Money We’ve Ever Carried?
Old Vine Bourgogne Rouge from Olivier Larochette
Originally from Pouilly-Fuisse, Olivier Larochette began producing wines in 1992 under the domaine name Larochette-Manciat. In 2008, he launched his own eponymous label, sourcing fruit from growers he had known since primary school. The Bourgogne Rouge Vieille Vignes is made from grapes grown just outside of the town of Macon. The vines are 40 years old with an east facing exposure in chalky soils. The tasting profile from the 2009 vintage is suggestive of Pommard village wine, with notes of dark, fresh fruits, purple flowers and hints of iron balanced by refreshing acidity and a touch of tannin. It’s such a crazy deal, we bought out our distributor to offer it all to you.
Olivier Larochette Bourgogne Rouge Vieille Vignes 2009 750ML ($19.95) $14 special
Case-12 Olivier Larochette Bourgogne Rouge Vieille Vignes 2009 750ML ($199.95) $138 special (that’s only $11.50/bottle!)
VinopolNote: It’s an old vine bottling from a small nego Olivier Larochette. Ruby red in color. Intense aromas of crushed black raspberry, fresh plums and violets with a light herbal note underneath that’s akin to Sencha tea. The rich aromas translate into rich initial flavors at the first sip with a lingering, zippy acidity and very fine tannins. The note of fresh red plums continues on the palate accented by toasted almonds and red raspberries.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Summer Shipping Special:
Midwest, East, & South
For the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments normally traveling 4 or more business days by ground.
Free service upgrade only applies on single orders purchased and shipped during the promotional period. Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period and shipped by Three Day Select. Offer not valid on items purchased before the promotional period or on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period ends.
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This Red’s Gone Platinum
New Arrival
Bodegas Vina Herminia Rioja Crianza DOCa, Rioja, Spain 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Decanter 95 points –Platinum-Best Red Rioja–“An elegant and intense nose comprising black fruit, blackberry and herbs, with a real medicinal edge is followed deliciously by a well-structured palate of licorice, plums, tobacco and black fruit notes, which also has round meaty tannins, a lovely texture and a beautiful long finish.”
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Newly Arrived
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate Picks
Super Italians
Cantine del Notaio Il Repertorio Aglianico del Vulture, Basilicata 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 93 points “The Cantine del Notaio 2013 Aglianico del Vulture Il Repertorio is a fabulous wine that possesses the depth and noble sophistication that you should expect from this small, quality wine denomination in the deep south of Italy. The bouquet is beautifully embellished with blackberry preserves, tobacco, bitter chocolate and smoky granite. The presentation is tight and seamless with a firm tannic nature that pulls the wine together in terms of substance and length. This excellent wine should flesh out further with more aging.”
Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2013 1.5L ($219.95) $189 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2013 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera stands apart in this tasting of Elio Grasso’s new releases. The fruit portrayed shows a very crisp and focused quality. It absolutely pops from the glass with brilliant sharpness. Gianluca Grasso tells me lab reports confirm the higher acidic tenor of the wine, although this is not necessarily perceived acidity that you taste. Aromas of wild berry, balsam herb, licorice and smoke emerge delicately from the bouquet. The wine’s mouthfeel evokes a profound sense of elegance thanks to those noble tannins and its silky texture.”
Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2013 1.5L ($219.95) $189 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2013 Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté does a great job of portraying its vineyard characteristics. This single vineyard is located at higher altitudes with thicker clay soils. This combination helps to build the wine’s intensity, structure and muscle. It undergoes 45 days of submerged cap fermentation. Dark cherry and blackberry open the bouquet. These aromas are followed by spice, smoke, iron and crushed mineral. The robust nature of those aromas makes for a beautiful contrast to the fine, silky and more delicate (relatively speaking) nature of the mouthfeel.”
Punset Campo Quadro, Barbaresco DOCG 2004 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Case-6 Punset Campo Quadro, Barbaresco DOCG 2004 750ML ($399.95) $339 special (that’s only $56.50/bottle!)
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “Going back one more year, the 2004 Barbaresco Campo Quadro opens with a lean, garnet color and pretty aromas of old spice and dried berry fruit. The wine is streamlined and thin in texture, but the tannins are still very present at the back. Aging-wise, the wine is on its way. But it’s not quite there yet. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. In the 1980s, after graduating from high school, Marina Marcarino bet her father that she could run the family winery in Barbaresco at a profit. He gave her one year to try. If she won, she could take over management. If she lost, she’d enroll in civil engineering classes at the local university. After a grueling 12 months, she closed her accounting books with a profit of less than 100 Euros, or 100,000 Lira at the time. But she won the wager and became the first female vintner in the Langhe. [Tasted Jun 2013]”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 93+ points “This is the third or fourth time I have tasted the 2004 Barbaresco Campo Quadro. This is one of my favorite vintages of this single vineyard expression from Punset. The wine is harmonious and balanced with bright fruit flavors of cassis and pressed raspberry. You don’t always get this level of purity with Punset’s biodynamic wines. They tend to show less consistency overall. [Tasted Jan 2017]“
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Catena’s Epic Malbecs
Newly Arrived
Catena is the standard bearer for what we think of as classical, high end Malbec, you know–the stuff that rivals Bordeaux and California. We scored an incredible deal on two of their top wines. The Wine Advocate and James Suckling loved them, and we think you will, too. The average prices on Wine Searcher are over $100 and we’re almost half that. These are a stupendous wines and, for the price, unbelievable values.
Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyards Malbec, La Consulta, Argentina 2012 750ML ($129.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2012 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard feels fresher and more harmonious than the 2011, when in reality the vintage character is the opposite. It is sourced from the vineyard that names the wine and that is located in Altamira. The Malbec grapes fermented in open barrels and cement vats with 15% whole-cluster Cabernet Franc. There is one extra level of precision and harmony here. It has an elegant nose and the palate almost reflects the tension in the skin of the grapes with its a velvety texture and great acidity. This is really tasty and long, it could be the best Nicasia ever produced.”
James Suckling 95 points “Vivd aromas of currants and blackberries. So much dark fruit. Violets too. Full body, yet buttressed with a center palate of salty acidity and firm tannins. From grapes grown in Altamira. Persistent and vibrant. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $109
Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino, Uco Valley, Argentina 2012 750ML ($129.95) $69 special
James Suckling 98 points “Very dense and powerful with a tight palate of blue fruit and raspberry undertones. Salty with wonderful length and intensity. A blend of malbec from Nicasia Vineyard in Altamira and Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary. Drink in 2022 but so great now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $106
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Markus Molitor’s
#1 Best Value Wine of the Year–Stephen Reinhardt-The Wine Advocate
Markus Molitor Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett White Capsule, Mosel 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Provided with tropical aromas such as passion fruits, the dry 2015 Riesling Graacher Domprobst Kabinett (White Capsule) is deep, ripe, intense and smoky on the nose and is very pure and fascinating in its terroir expression: Domprobst Riesling on the rocks! Full-bodied, round and rich, it is expressive, perfectly balanced and gorgeously lush on the palate and also shows stimulating grip and a lot of salt followed by perfectly ripe fruit flavors in the long, complex finish. It’s a grand cru par excellence that comes along with just 10.4 % of alcohol.”
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “Apple and Persian melon on the nose achieve succulent presence on a polished and (at 10.5 percent alcohol) delicate palate. Bittersweet nuttiness typical for this site lends counterpoint and richness while white fruit-skin tartness contributes invigorating tang and an influx of mineral salts for saliva-inducement on the animated, mouthwatering finish, which is superbly sustained and impeccably balanced (being neither austerely dry nor the least bit sweet).”
Also Newly Arriving from Markus Molitor
Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese Gold Capsule, Mosel2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese (Golden Capsule) opens with a clear, crazy deep, intense and complex bouquet of tropical flavors but most of all smoky aromas of a rocky mountain massive. On the palate, this is a rich, complex, highly finessed, piquant and refreshing Spätlese with concentrated fruit and a tight, persistent structure. The finish is dangerously attractive, but this Sonnenuhr will always be ticking; it should have spectacular aging potential!”
Mosel Fine Wines 93 points “This wine is still very much reduced but already hints at gorgeous scents of white mint, pear, yellow peach and minerals on the nose. It proves rather creamy on the palate (by Spätlese standards) as exotic pineapple and coconut give the finish an almost Auslese GK style. As such, it is a truly remarkable effort but wine lovers expecting a light Spätlese should stay clear of this. 2025-2045.”
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Dressed to the Nines
Divine ’09 Wines Arriving in September
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Fremiets, Volnay Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2009 Volnay Les Fremiets shows the wilder side of Volnay in its distinct notes of game, cured meats and dark red fruit. It, too, comes across as young and full of life. This is far from an easygoing 2009 on many counts.”
Chateau Quinault L’Enclos, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2009 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 93 points “A soft and fruity wine, with orange peel and berries and plums. Full body, with super fine tannins and a fruity finish. Refined and very pretty. Structured in the end. Fresh. Succulent. A style away from the over extracted one a few years ago. Try after 2018.” JS
Wine Spectator 92 points “This is very distinctive, with live-wire acidity running through the core of damson plum, linzer torte and blackberry fruit that’s framed by a mouthwatering roasted apple wood note. The long and driven finish has a piercing iron edge and a smoldering tobacco note that adds to the dramatic profile. Best from 2015 through 2025.” WA
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26 Bottles of Cayuse on the Wall
26 Bottles of Cayuse
You Take Some Down
And Add Some More
39 Bottles of Cayuse on the Wall
(Arriving August 28th)
Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker’ En Chamberlin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “Lastly, the 2013 Widowmaker is one of the richest, more concentrated 2013s in the lineup. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 30-40% new puncheons, this full-bodied beauty has fabulous Cabernet character and offers the essence of black cherry and crème de cassis fruits, smoked earth, and chocolate aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, seamless and elegant, give bottles 4-5 years of cellaring and enjoy over the following 10-15 years.”
Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker’ En Chamberlin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “Getting a big “Wow!” from me, the 212-case 2014 The Widowmaker sports a deep, inky color (darker than any current vintage) to go with a masculine, Chateau Latour-like bouquet of blackcurrants, graphite, tobacco leaf and cedar. Rich, full-bodied, decadent and powerful, with ripe and polished tannin, it’s a sensational Bordeaux blend from one of Washington’s greats! Bravo.”
Cayuse Vineyards Armada Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2008 1.5L ($319.95) $279 pre-arrival special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 95 points “More fresh and elegant than the 2009, yet also without the back-end depth, the 2008 Syrah Armada Vineyard has pretty notes of blackberries, black raspberries, crushed flowers, savory herbs and distinct minerality on the nose. Full-bodied, pure, fresh and long, it’s already approachable, but will evolve gracefully on its purity, balance and freshness.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Lost in the Dream
New Vintages
New Releases
Arriving in September
Andre Clouet is a Champagne house known for many things, chief among them being some of the best values in the appellation. The wines they’re making are fantastic, from their base non-vintage blend all the way through the prestige “1911” cuvee which is perpetually one of the best under $100 Champagnes out there. The wines, on the whole, tend to be Pinot based, which makes our offering today a bit of a departure: it’s 100% Chardonnay.
Andre Clouet calls this new release “Dream Vintage” and like everything else they make, it’s a steal for the price. Made with Grand Cru fruit, it’s bottled a year after vintage and then disgorged to order. Let that sink in for a second. The wines have been on the lees for a long time and well, they’re from great vintages to begin with. The only catch with these are the quantities involved: we won’t have these around for long.
Arriving in September:
Andre Clouet Dream Vintage Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
100% Chardonnay, bottled one year after harvest. Disgorged on order.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $79
The average price is $84
Andre Clouet Dream Vintage Brut, Champagne 2004 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Andre Clouet Dream Vintage Brut, Champagne 2002 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
100% Chardonnay, bottled one year after harvest. Disgorged on order.
These are the only listings in the USA today!
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Emmanuel Darnaud
The Terroir of Crozes-Hermitage
Arriving in September
A passionate advocate for terroir-specific wines, Emmanuel Darnaud has been crafting robust reds from individual parcels in the northern Rhone since 2001. His six parcels are spread over 15 hectares, where the grapes are hand harvested. Each is vinified separately with differing oak aging and maturation practices depending upon the wine. The Saint Joseph is from a small, 1.7 hectare vineyard on a hillside in an area colloquially named ‘speared by the sun.’ These richly flavored and powerful wines are arriving in September!
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Au Fil du Temps, Rhone 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The top cuvée of the estate (which isn’t made in every vintage) is the 2015 Crozes Hermitage Au Fil Du Temps, which is 100% Syrah from the Les Saviaux lieu-dit (near the village of Glun), raised in once-used demi-muids. Like all the cuvées here, it sports an inky purple/opaque color and has a sensational bouquet of blueberry, strawberry, black cherry, graphite and smoked herbs. Full-bodied, rounded, seamless and impeccably balanced, it’s hands down one of the most impressive Crozes out there.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Mise en Bouche, Rhone 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90 points “His entry-level effort is the wonderfully fruity, rounded and sexy 2015 Crozes Hermitage Mise En Bouche, which is already hard to resist. It offers tons of black and blue fruits, peppery herbs and hints of cured meats. I love its purity and it’s ideal for drinking over the coming 6-7 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $24
Emmanuel Darnaud Crozes-Hermitage Les Trois Chenes, Rhone 2015 750ML ($31.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “A much more serious effort than the Mise en Bouche, the 2015 Crozes Hermitage les Trois Chenes was raised in a mix oak tanks (tronconique), demi-muids and barrels (some new). Its inky purple/blue color is followed by terrific notes of blackberries, blueberries, damp earth and pepper. This full-bodied beauty is rounded and seamless on the palate, with top-notch purity, sweet tannin and no shortage of length. It’s going to be hard to resist on release, yet I suspect it will have 10-12 years of life.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $31.99
Emmanuel Darnaud Saint Joseph La Dardouille, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “A monster of a St Joseph, the 2015 Saint Joseph comes from the Dardouille lieu-dit (near Mauves) and was aged in demi-muids and second-fill barrels. It has a saturated purple/blue color as well as awesome notes of crème de cassis, freshly crushed rocks and cracked pepper. Rich, full-bodied, ultra-pure and with impeccably purity and balance, it’s another tour de force from this appellation.”
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Late Breaking News!
Arriving in January
Petrolo Galatrona Valdarno di Sopra, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96-97 points “The depth of fruit and intensity of tannins that set this Galatrona aside are some of the most impressive in years. Full body, velvety tannins and a long finish. A new 2004?”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $82
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Thank you for reading!