Read on for some of our greatest hits in stock & here soon
for your holiday festivities.
Raul Perez:
The Hottest Winemaker in Spain
Case Specials
Want all caps GREAT WINE?
Produttori del Barbaresco
Trending Thanksgiving Wines
Top Italian Values
Tiberio Delivers from Abruzzo
Staff Pick
Burgundy Bin Ends!
Sequitur
Crazy Deals Found Here
The Perfect Wine Gift?
Long Shadows’ Gift Box is a Winner
Raul Perez:
The Hottest Winemaker in Spain
We offer a large selection of the wines Perez makes under his own name as well as those off of the La Vizcaina property (which are all single vineyards from a single estate). Browse the highlights below and shop the entire collection on our web store!
Top Picks In Stock Now:
Raul Perez Ultreia de Valtuille, Bierzo 2015 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Vivid ruby. An expansive, seductively perfumed bouquet of ripe red/blue fruits, pot-pourri, exotic spices and cola, along with an intense mineral overtone. Concentrated yet vibrant in character, showing superb definition and mineral lift to the sweet raspberry, boysenberry, cola, spicecake and violet pastille flavors. Shows alluring sweetness and powerful thrust on the youthfully tannic finish, which hangs on with outstanding clarity and mineral-driven persistence. (All whole clusters and neutral French oak.)”
The next best price is $59.97
The average price is $69
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2014 Ultreia de Valtuille was very open and expressive, impressive too, with notes of freshness, blood orange, red cherries and also flowers (violets, lilies) and an earthy touch. It’s elegant and complex, with very fine tannins and a velvety sensation. As with all the reds, the oak is unnoticeable, perfectly integrated and folded into the wine.”
The average price nationally is $63
Wine Advocate 95+ points “There is a new Ultreia bottling, the 2014 Ultreia El Rapolao, from a vineyard that now sees five or six different bottlings, sourced from their old vineyards that used to go to the Vizcaína bottling. This is really pretty, with intense floral aromas, spices, a touch of earth and something herbal. The palate is medium-bodied with refined tannins, great balance and a tasty, long, sapid, almost salty finish. There were some 600 bottles produced. it was bottled in January 2017. Outstanding.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The clean, floral and 2017 Ultreia Saint Jacques comes mostly from old vineyards from different soils in Valtuille and Villadecanes fermented in stainless steel and oak vats with part of full clusters and matured in used barriques for one year. It’s produced in a fresh and very drinkable way. This is one of the best values from Bierzo and Spain, and a great introduction to Bierzo. It’s a more serious wine than what the wine was when it was first produced, fresh and elegant. It’s very reliable and a great value. There are some 100,000 bottles that were filled in two production runs.”
La Vizcaina ‘El Rapolao’ Lomas de Valtuille, Bierzo 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95+ points “The cool and elegant character of the El Rapolao plot seems to have been amplified by the weather conditions in the 2016 La Vizcaína El Rapolao. Pérez does not own all the vineyards, so sourcing can sometimes vary within the same vineyard, and since 2016 it comes from two old plots where the Mencía is mixed with other varieties; the wine seems to have gained in depth and complexity as a result. In 2016 he did a slightly shorter maceration and matured the wine in 500-liter oak barrels for a little over 12 months. The vineyard yields well, and the wine is always expressive, balanced and elegant. It seems like slightly higher yields suit it better, and the wines have good tension and an herbal twist that adds to the complexity and freshness. 5,000 bottles produced.”
Vinopolis Will Be Closed for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 28th
We will resume normal business hours (10-6)
on Friday, November 29th
Case-12 Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($419.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Andre Clouet Grande Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “The latest release of André Clouet’s NV Brut Grand Réserve Grand Cru is showing well, exhibiting a nicely integrated bouquet of red apple, ripe citrus fruit, honeycomb and blanched almonds, followed by a medium to full-bodied, enveloping palate with a fine mousse, ripe but racy acids and an elegant, understated profile, concluding with a well-defined finish. This is a stylish, harmonious wine that makes for a fine introduction to the Clouet portfolio.” [Reviewed April 2019]
Case-12 Cecilio Black Slate Gratallops, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($279.95) $212 special (that’s only $17.66/bottle and the lowest listed price on the West Coast!)
Cecilio Black Slate Gratallops, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2017 Black Slate Gratallops Vi De La Vila comes from a warmer region in the Priorat and has a more powerful, ripe, opulent style compared to the Porrera cuvée, which comes from a cooler region. A huge nose of mulled cherries, dried earth, spice, and dusty pebble-like minerality gives way to a medium to full-bodied Priorat that has ripe tannins, an opulent, sexy texture, and a great finish. It’s another wine from Solomon that has classic Priorat character, is impeccably balanced, and drinks way above its humble price point. Don’t miss it! The blend is 58% Grenache, 32% Carignan, and 10% Syrah, aged 12 months in 20% new French oak.”
Chianti is one of the most versatile, food-friendly reds and this one is great.
Case-12 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($299.95) $212 special (that’s only $17.67/bottle!)
Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) Gambero Rosso “Extraordinary Wine. Their equally impressive 2016 Chianti Classico proves savory, captivating and closely-focused. The nose gives off red fruit and spices, while the palate delivers an exceptionally enjoyable, elegant, articulated structure.”
James Suckling 92 points “Aromas of cherries, dried strawberries and red plums. Medium to full body, round and ripe tannins and a nice, fresh finish. Drink now.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2016 Chianti Classico is all class. Fresh, floral and beautifully lifted, the 2016 offers a terrific expression of the estate in its mid-weight personality. All the elements meld together in this effortless, classy wine from the family. The 2016 is quite accessible today, but it also has enough brightness to age nicely for a number of years. What a pretty wine it is.”
Looking for a Southern Rhone that’s drinking great now? Look no further.
Case-12 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2017 750ML ($599.95) $419 special (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “($60) This offers a mix of dark cherry, currant and blackberry compote flavors, scored liberally with singed alder, dried sage and warm earth accents through the finish. A flash of chestnut at the very end keeps this in the old-school camp. Solid for the vintage. Best from 2022 through 2035.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2017 Gigondas is another terrific vintage for this cuvée, and it’s a quintessential expression of Saint Cosme. Ground herbs, graphite, gunpowder, pepper, black raspberries, and cassis all emerge from this full-bodied, ripe, polished Gigondas. With solid concentration, building yet ripe tannins, and a great finish, you’ll be thrilled to have a case in the cellar.”
Wine Advocate 92+ points “Loaded with notes of black olives and black cherries, the full-bodied 2017 Gigondas is rich and velvety in the mouth. I’m not sure it’s quite as good as the 2018, but it’s certainly no slouch, with a long, silky finish that picks up a hint of cocoa.”
Decanter 92 points “Whole-cluster fruit from limestone, marl and Miocene sand soils is fermented in concrete with indigenous yeasts. It’s then aged 70% in barrel, 20% new, with the remaining 30% in concrete. It has a very oaky aromatic profile at this early stage, but it’s joined by a lovely herbal aspect from the stems. Medium to full-bodied, the fruit has a vibrant freshness and the acidity is pretty marked, while the tannins are massy but ripe and harmonious. Long finish.”
Excellent dry, crisp, mineral Riesling for under $20/btl. Winner.
Case-12 Jean-Baptiste Adam Riesling Tradition, Alsace 2016 750ML ($279.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Jean-Baptiste Adam Riesling Tradition, Alsace 2016 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 90 points “Bright straw. Aromas and flavors of yellow plums and white pepper are complemented by more luscious notes of lemon curd. Very fresh and clean, with a classically dry (2 g/L residual sugar) finish that is extended by laser-like acidity (7.2 g/L total acidity). Made from grapes grown in four plots located in the area of Ammerschwihr plus one plot in the Letzenberg (as the latter gives a wine that differs greatly from the other Letzenberg wines, Adam chooses to blend it in here to add a little more freshness to the finished wine). Lovely, very good entry-level wine that will also age well.”
Case-12 Casa Castillo Vino de Finca, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Casa Castillo Vino de Finca, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Luis Gutierrez 93+ points “There is a big jump in depth, complexity and nuance between the Monastrell and the 2017 Vino de Finca, which is a blend of Monastrell with almost 25% Garnacha. This comes from four plots that were selected from what was previously used for the entry-level Monastrell; they aim was to find a wine with more finesse and elegance but with the inherent power of the zone. This is only the third vintage for this cuvée, and it feels quite established and different from the rest of the range; it has less varietal character and is more about the place, getting closer to the single-vineyard bottlings where they do not search for fruit character. The idea here is to ferment at temperatures that are quite so low and to stabilize the wine in oak barrels for a long-ish time (12 months in 500-liter barrels and 5,000-liter oak foudres). They are wines of sun and limestone. This is a good reflection of it with a perfumed and floral note on the finish (elegance!) that is quite remarkable. 31,000 bottles produced in 2017. It was bottled in November 2018.”
Case-6 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ML (1999.95) $1,439 special (that’s only $239.83/bottle!)
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Millesime, Champagne 2008 750ML ($339.95) $249 special
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “Top Cellar Selection. This latest incarnation of the famous brand is a superb wine. It is on par with, maybe even better than, the already legendary 2002. Its balance is impeccable: Apple and citrus flavors working with the tight minerality to give a textured yet fruity wine. Produced from Roederer’s own vineyards which are mainly biodynamic, the wine has its own intense purity and crispness. It has amazing potential and is likely to age for many years. Drink from 2020.”
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The 2008 Cristal is a perfect wine, and Champagne simple does not get any
better. This incredible wine offers a beautiful perfume of clean, crisp fruits, layers of complexity in its toasted spice and white flowers, and an utterly seamless, yet powerful style on the palate. This is a rich, decadent expression of Cristal yet it’s still crystalline and elegant, with no sensation of weight, and it just glides over the palate. Haut Couture at its finest and this majestic, profound, legendary Cristal can be drunk anytime over the coming 2-3 decades.”
James Suckling 100 points “Disgorged October 2016 and will be the first Cristal to be released ten years from harvest when it is offered in 2018. 35 parcels used from a possible 45 in this vintage. The assemblage is 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. This is so fresh and tense and mineral with extremely exuberant chardonnay notes on the nose of white peach, lemon and yellow grapefruit, and hints of almost brambly sous bois aromas. The yeast characters are also super fresh, and there are subtle woody notes, with a hint of vanilla bean and light spices. The palate is super long, and very pure, powerful and focused. It drives deep and taut. Pinot noir is a strong core and the chardonnay sits at the edge offering lemon and white nectarine sorbet flavors. Staggeringly concentrated, yet the balance makes it seem airy and light. Acidity is perfectly positioned, and the power is intense and long. This is an ultra precise Cristal, finishing with a mere suggestion of savoriness and warmth to come. Impressive on release, this will be at its best drinking from 2025.”
Antonio Galloni 98+ points “The 2008 Cristal is a wine that takes over all the senses and never lets up. The brilliance and cut of the Chardonnay finds an extra kick of resonance from the Pinot Noir to carry the mid palate and finish in this stunningly beautiful, chiseled Champagne. Lemon oil, almond, flowers, dried herbs and Mirabelle plum are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop as the 2008 shows off its pedigree. The 2008 is a regal, towering Champagne from Roederer. That’s all there is to it.”
Decanter 98 points “Cristal 2008 is on a roll to yet higher levels of exquisite purity and precision of fruit in a paradoxical balance of weightlessness and depth of flavour, permeated with minerals and a salinity reflecting the greatest terroirs of the Roederer estate. Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon believes that 2008 is his best effort to date, and it’s easy to see why. It’s from a cooler, maritime vintage that came right in the end, with one of the longest harvests ever, running from mid-September to early October. The colour is a stylish pale gold flecked with green. Aromas of white flowers are joined by a cleansing citrus vigour and richer tones of peach and mirabelle. The palate is still quiet, but a tender creaminnes shows through, and there’s so much concentration to come if you drink if after 2021. The greatness of the wine owes everything to the influence of organic and biodynamic precepts in the field – and Lecaillon’s sleepless perfectionism in the cellar towards finer fruit and a careful brake on too much yeasty expression. The acidity is vibrant but better integrated in the 2008 than in the 1996. Magnificent. Dosage 7.7g/l.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97+ points “Let’s start describing the 2008 Cristal technically first. It is a 60/40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from 36 plots in seven grands crus: Verzy, Verzenay, Beaumont and Aÿ for the Pinot Noir and Mesnil, Avize and Cramant for the Chardonnay. Twenty-five percent of the wine was fermented in oak, and 16% underwent malolactic fermentation to moderate the fresh acidity of the 2008 vintage. The assemblage was bottled in May 2009. After 8.5 years on the second lees (longer than any Cristal before), the first release was disgorged in September 2017 with a relatively low dosage of 7.5 grams per liter.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “There’s a sense of focus and vibrancy to the overall structure, while the palate is all grace and charm. A fine, lacy texture carries a tapestry of ripe white cherry, toast point, blood orange zest, honey and ground ginger notes, with a minerally, mouthwatering finish. A stunning Champagne with a long future ahead of it. Drink now through 2033.”
TL/DR: It’s amazing…
Holiday Season Note
Need wines to arrive in time for your November & December fêtes?
Don’t hesitate.
Purchase now and ship ASAP
to ensure you’re ready for your holiday entertaining and gift giving.
For clients on the East Coast, don’t forget
prime shipping temperatures won’t last much longer!
Want all caps GREAT WINE?
Produttori del Barbaresco
In Stock Now
“If you are a fan of Produttori del Barbaresco’s single-vineyard riservas, the 2014s are worthy of a place in your cellar. They will also be approachable earlier than other recent vintages, so enjoy them while you wait for the 2013s and 2011s to fully mature.” – Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator
“Two thousand thirteen …is shaping up to be an epic vintage of classic proportions and superb pedigree… No one knows every nook and cranny of Barbaresco better than Aldo Vacca, but Vacca has also proven to be incredibly wise in making choices that have positioned the Produttori for much continued success in the future.”– Antonio Galloni
Seghesio Family Vineyards Defiant, Sonoma 2015 750ML ($32.95) $16 special
Case-12 Seghesio Family Vineyards Defiant, Sonoma 2015 750ML ($379.95) $168 special (that’s only $14/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 91 points “Savory black cherry aromas lead to well-framed flavors of sage and pepper. A new blend from this winery offers the zest of Zinfandel with the focus of Cabernet Sauvignon. Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante, Barbera and Syrah. Drink now through 2027. 5,000 cases made.”
The next best price is $29.94
The average listed price is $35
Case-12 Masi ‘Masianco’ Pinot Grigio – Verduzzo delle Venezie 2017 750ML ($219.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle and the lowest listed price on the West Coast!)
“A light, tangy white, with a hint of smoke underscoring melon and star fruit notes. Drink now. 70,000 cases made, 16,000 cases imported.” -Wine Enthusiast
Masi Brolo di Campofiorin Oro Rosso Veronese IGT, Veneto 2014 750ML ($27.95) $19 special
Case-12 Masi Brolo di Campofiorin Oro Rosso Veronese IGT, Veneto 2014 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “This was a surprisingly seamless and tight rendition for such a difficult vintage. The 2014 Brolo Campofiorin Oro is a blend of 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella and 10% Oseleta, and those two last grapes add broad richness and darkness to the wine. They also would explain the super tight nature of the fruit, which is surrounded by notes of smoke and tobacco. This is a great wine for a typical Veronese risotto al tastasal, a type of ground-sausage risotto. The wine ages in 600-liter casks from Verona, or fusti veronesi, for 24 months. Some 230,000 bottles were made.”
The average price is $28
L’Hetre, Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-6 L’Hetre, Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon 2016 750ML ($159.95) $119 special (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
Julia Harding MW – JancisRobinson “L’Hêtre 2016 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux is the first release of this wine from the organically farmed estate perched at 100 m on the end of the St-Philippe d’Aiguilhe limestone plateau, the highest point in Bordeaux…‘Rich in blackcurrant fruit with a savoury dark glow to make it more than just fruit. Just a touch of smoky char even though the oak is well in the background, a seductive fruit sweetness. On the palate, this is beautifully balanced, the alcohol perfectly integrated in the tannic structure and fruit core with a fresh tang that runs through the middle. There’s a cool fluidity to it even with its depth and length. Fine, dry, lingering and savoury aftertaste. Impressive first vintage with a promising future in the bottle. I opened this on a Sunday evening and it was still tasting fresh and vibrant four days later. This is a very classy wine, and the tannins tell you everything: fine, definite, building in the mouth but in perfect balance with the fruit and freshness. Blue-blooded Castillon. Catch it while you can.'”
Charles Smith K Vintners The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2016 Syrah The Deal comes from the sandy, loamy soils of the Wahluke Slope and has classic earthy notes of spices, forest floor, dried herbs, hot stones, and a crushed rock-like sensation of minerality. Full-bodied, concentrated, and opulent on the palate, it has a beautiful balance between richness and elegance, fine tannins, and a great finish. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is from the Sundance Vineyard, which has volcanic, sandy soils at a higher elevation than the surrounding plots. The nose has aromas of crushed dried flowers and bright red berries that follow to the palate where a streak of sweetly spicy oak threads into the ripe, composed and elegant red-plum finish. Drink over the next decade.”
#44 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2019—And a perfect Turkey bottling.
Bernard Baudry Chinon Cuvee Domaine, Loire 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “A gorgeous red, with tobacco, bay leaf and black pepper notes underscoring the dark cherry and cola flavors. Beautifully integrated tannins join the fresh acidity and create a solid structure that gives this harmony and promises a long life ahead. Delicious now, but should be even better in a few years. Best from 2021 through 2030. 600 cases imported”
Importer Note “Baudry’s style exemplifies rich, precise fruit picked at perfect ripeness levels and vinified cleanly using state-of-the-art equipment. The Cuvée Domaine is a blend of parcels of older vines (30-35 years old) planted in alluvial gravel bed and hillside clay. It has bigger structure and can use a short aging period in bottle before drinking. The wine has deep, dark ruby color and is beautifully extracted.”
The average price nationally is $24
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Case-6 Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $205 special (that’s only $34.16/bottle!)
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90 points “The latest release of the NV Carte d’Or Brut was disgorged in November 2017, and it’s showing well today, wafting from the glass with notions of waxy lemon rind, hazelnuts, fresh peaches and lily pollen. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, pure and vibrant, with pinpoint bubbles, brisk acids and good length and definition on the chalky finish. Attractively balanced, it will gain depth with bottle age.”
A crazy low price means that this is a nice holiday treat.
Rombauer Vineyards Diamond Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($119.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Pure and rich, focused on a supple core of licorice, dark berry, light cedar, fresh earth and savory herb flavors, ending with a long, smooth finish that keeps repeating the core fruit themes. Drink now through 2033.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Blended with 6% Petit Verdot, this wine is treated as a reserve-tier bottling. It delivers high-toned red fruit and plum notes dusted with spice and dried herb. It’s robust in body and weight and long on the finish.”
The average listed price is $124
Guigal Saint Joseph Lieu Dit Saint Joseph Blanc 2016 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “I was blown away by the 2016 Saint Joseph Lieu Dit Saint Joseph Blanc, which is up with some of the top vintages of this cuvée. Terrific notes of sautéed white peach, caramelized citrus, brioche and crème brûlée all give way to a medium to full-bodied, seamless, impressively balanced white. Coming from the namesake vineyard of the appellation, a south facing, granite hillside south of Tournon, this beauty will keep for over a decade.”
The next best price is $66.99
Top Italian Values
Tiberio Delivers from Abruzzo
Abruzzo is an Italian wine region best known for two standout producers: Valentini and Emidio Pepe—but it’s probably time to add a third to the list: the wines of the Tiberio family. They’re not quite at the level of their two closest peers, but importantly their pricing is still in line with the value producers that dot the Abruzzese wine landscape. That delta between quality and price might make them the best value in Italy—these are some serious wines for the dollars asked.
In Stock Now:
Tiberio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
Case-12 Az. Ag. Tiberio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($269.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 92 points “Vibrant red. Captivating aromas of red currant, dark plum, blueberry, licorice and Oriental spices. Broad and ripe on entry, then luscious in the middle, finishing with a riper mouthfeel than is usual for this wine, but in keeping with the 2017 vintage (dry and hot). Finishes long, with serious, building tannins and noteworthy sweetness. This is a real miracle considering the vintage’s less-than-stellar growing season; timely rainfall at the end of September provided much-needed liquid refreshment for the Montepulciano, allowing the vines to recover from the summer drought and heat and benefit from longer hang times. On a side note, wine lovers have something else to look forward to, as the 2018 vats of Montepulciano I tried during my cellar visit were absolutely superb; they are undoubtedly the best entry-level Montepulciano wines Tiberio has ever made, so there’s something to really look forward to here.”
Case-12 Tiberio Cerasuolo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2018 750ML ($249.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 92 points “Luminous pink-red. Bright aromas of red cherry, redcurrant, blood orange and botanical herbs. Then bright and juicy, with laser-like acidity lifting and extending the red fruit flavors on the juicy, long, floral and slightly saline finish. A very precise, seamless Cerasuolo with no hard edges and sneaky concentration.”
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 94 points “Vivid pale straw-yellow. Penetrating, multifaceted nose of white peach, nectarine, minerals, chamomile and jasmine. Conveys an almost saline sense of extract in the mouth, offering steely, harmonious and high-acid flavors of white peach, minerals and anise. Steely and mineral notes linger on the long floral-accented finish. Once again, the magic of the Fonte Canale 80-year-old vines shines through in a year that saw almost seven months without rain in the Casauria subzone (where the Tiberio estate is located); the roots of these old vines dig deep and are always close to the underlying water table. The 2017 Fonte Canale strikes me as more perfumed and more open-knit than usual on the nose (especially compared to the 2016), but more lemony on the palate.”
The next best price is $59.99
The average price is $70
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 90 points “Abruzzo’s Tiberio winery has quickly risen to the top of the hierarchy not just in Abruzzo’s but in all of Italy. What the talented Cristiana Tiberio has achieved in the very hot 2017 vintage with Pecorino (a variety that does not like heat) is a testament to her talent. The 2017 Tiberio Pecorino is by no means the best Pecorino she has ever made (and frankly, it would have been very strange if it was otherwise, given the year’s weather), but it offers lovely balance with pure sage and kiwi notes that mingle with ripe orchard fruit nuances complicated by a saline edge. Both these wines made for a wonderful start to my meal, but they would have paired very well with all the other dishes I chose to eat this evening.”
The average price is $23
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 90 points “Bright straw-green. Reticent aromas and flavors of ripe peach, apple and pear, plus a hint of flinty silex. Rather round, fat and silky, this is quite full in the mouth for a Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and a Tiberio wine, but there was no getting away from the hot 2017 vintage in Abruzzo. A lovely wine with a delicately floral, long finish, but also a bigger wine than is usual from this estate. It will merit a higher score if it loses some of its baby fat in bottle while maintaining freshness.”
I recently had the pleasure of pouring for an “Oregon vs. Burgundy” shootout, where we paired Pinot (and Chard) from both origins against each other blind. As you might expect, it was fascinating to go through the lineup and (as you might also expect) there were a number of bottles that surprised in their origins and quality. (Not that it’s the wine for today, but Goodfellow Chardonnay is a very tough wine to pick out of a white Burg lineup).
One of the standouts of the tasting, to me, was Domaine Collotte’s Marsannay “Champsolomon”—a wine that was both clearly Burgundy and also considerably better than its sub-$30 price tag. This producer always delivers value (that’s the nature of good Marsannay, as well) but a year like ’15 seems to ramp up the QPR quotient. You get the warmth and generosity of the year, but with the minerality and that’s inherent in Marsannay. More than many, this tastes a lot like its neighbor Gevrey and for the prices asked, that’s an incredible thing. The entire Collotte lineup is worth buying, but this bottle is especially open for business right now.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Les Champsalomon, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Silky, this red evokes cherry, strawberry and graphite flavors, with bright acidity keeping this fresh and focused. Harmonious and long, offering a light chalky feel on the finish. Drink now through 2023. 150 cases imported.”
Importer Note “The Marsannay Champsalomon is from the village of Couchey. The 40+ year old vines are on the marl soil of the Ostrea Acuminata.”
We were able to secure special pricing on the wines and as such can offer them at an incredible price—the best in the country for any of the vintages. Speaking of vintages—these are all worth buying, with recent years showing the quality of both the winemaking and the increasing age of the wines and the older versions drinking really well right now. You’d do well to buy a wide assortment and stock your cellar.
In Stock Now from Sequitur:
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2015 Sequitur Chardonnay delivers toasted almonds, baker’s yeast, fresh ginger and coriander seed on the nose with a core of grapefruit, white peaches and spiced apples. Light to medium-bodied, it gives a great intensity of savory flavor layers intermingled with stone fruit and citrus notions, finishing long with great freshness and mineral notes.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Limpid ruby-red. Smoky, mineral-accented aromas of black raspberry,
cherry cola and incense carry a strong spicecake overtone. Stains the palate with sappy red berry liqueur, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that are lifted and given definition and tension by juicy acidity. At once rich and nervy, with no excess fat but showing excellent depth and intensity of flavor. Finishes with sexy notes of candied violet and smoky Indian spices and superb, gently tannic persistence. This wine’s Beaux Freres bloodline is very clear to see.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Broad and spicy, open-textured and generous, with ripe plum and currant flavors, shaded by pepper, sage and coffee notes as the finish sails past fine-grained tannins. Completely harmonious and made to age. Drink now through 2024.”
The average listed price is $100
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Deep brilliant red. A strikingly complex bouquet evokes ripe, mineral-accented red berries, cherry cola, vanilla, five-spice powder and sandalwood. Alluringly sweet, seamless and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry liqueur, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Delivers a compelling blend of power and delicacy and finishes extremely long and smooth; rounded tannins frame the lingering red fruit preserve notes.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Pale to medium ruby purple in color, the 2015 Sequitur Pinot Noir has a very provocative nose of Bing cherries and cranberries over a core of red roses, game, yeast extract and underbrush. Medium-bodied, with wonderful energy and freshness, it has a lively backbone and long finish paved with very fine, ripe tannins.”
Winery note “Sequitur 2015 Pinot Noir “Two fold,” a collaboration between our Mother, the earth, those of us who “play” in the vineyard and winery, and you, the wine lover.”
The average listed price is $100
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 96 points “Glimmering red. A hugely aromatic bouquet evokes fresh red fruits, Asian spices and potpourri, along with a bright mineral overtone and a touch of smokiness. Juicy, seamless and precise on the palate, offering potent, mineral-laced raspberry preserve, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out steadily on the back half. Delivers a compelling blend of power and finesse and finishes with silky tannins, outstanding clarity and floral- and mineral-driven persistence.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Sequitur Pinot Noir has a lovely, open nose of black and red cherries and blackberries with notions of wood smoke, turned earth, autumn leaves, cardamom and potpourri. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with ripe black and red fruits with wonderful earthy/spicy accents, very fine, grainy tannins and mouthwatering acidity, finishing long with spice and floral layers. 480 cases produced.”
The next best price is $89.95
The average listed price is $93
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94-95 points “Lurid red. Spice-tinged blackberry and cherry aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola, incense and smoky minerals. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering concentrated dark berry and spicecake flavors and suggestions of rose pastille and mocha that build with air. Concentrated but also vibrant and precise in style, delivering superb finishing cut, well-knit tannins and impressive, fruit-driven persistence. (30% new French oak).”
Nick Stock 96 points “Beautifully deep, blueberries and plums on offer with notes of fresh violets and moist, fresh-tilled earth. This is full of life and very pure. The palate has focused and fresh tannins that sit in very vibrant style with a deep push of concentrated blue fruit, holding the finish in superb style. So fresh and long, this will age well. Drink across the next decade or more.”
Winery Note “TOTALITY—During the growing season of 2017, Oregon was treated to a total solar eclipse, where the moon passed exactly between the earth and the sun. Day turned to night, the temperature dropped and the farm animals were disoriented. The moment of awe was tempered with a deep sense of vulnerability, as we witnessed our world bow down to the power of nature. May this 2017 vintage seeped in “totality,” bring you a fresh perspective.”
The average price is $90
We’re offering a mini-vertical of the wines from two excellent vintages at astounding pricing—up to $22 less than the next best price online. For less than $25/btl by the six-pack, these are some of the best buys in the world of wine. These arrive Friday, November 29th and you’d do well to load up on both vintages.
Arriving Friday, November 29th:
Castello di Gabbiano Bellezza, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2012 750ML ($59.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Castello di Gabbiano Bellezza, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2012 750ML ($359.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “A wine with a wonderful depth of fruit but slightly marked by the new wood. Full body, round and silky tannins and a medium finish. This needs two or three years to come together in the bottle. A solid red.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Editor’s Choice. Baked plum, Asian spice, vanilla and menthol aromas carry the nose. The elegantly structured palate offers fleshy black cherry, licorice, mint and well-integrated French oak alongside fine-grained tannins that lend firm, polished support. A coffee note marks the finish.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Bellezza is plump, juicy and expressive. Succulent red cherries, plums, sweet spices, leather and smoke flesh out nicely in the glass. The aromatics are slightly forward, which leads me to believe the 2012 will not be a long-term ager. Still, today the Bellezza is attractive and immediate, both qualities that make it an excellent choice for near term drinking.”
The average listed price across all vintages is $43
Castello di Gabbiano Bellezza, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013 750ML ($59.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Castello di Gabbiano Bellezza, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013 750ML ($359.95) ($359.95) $149 pre-arrival special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “This is settling into a nice groove, in a contemporary style, offering plum, black cherry, earth and tobacco flavors, framed by spicy oak. Balanced and beefy, with a long, spice-tinged aftertaste. Drink now through 2027. 2,000 cases made, 1,350 cases imported.”
James Suckling 92 points “Plenty of new wood at the moment with berry and chocolate undertones. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. A little overdone but still outstanding. Drink now.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “Gabbiano’s 2013 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Bellezza is terrific. Succulent red cherry, woodsmoke, tobacco and licorice all flesh out in this soft, open-knit Riserva. A sheen of oak does not really seem to add much and in fact masks some of the purity of the fruit. Even so, the 2013 is very nicely done in this style.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Made entirely with Sangiovese, this opens with aromas of black plum, vanilla, eucalyptus and a touch of ginger. The savory, balanced palate doles out ripe black cherry, licorice, white pepper and cedar alongside fine-grained tannins.”
The next best price is $46.99
Long Shadows’ Gift Box is a Winner
As in past years, we’re offering a gift box with one bottle of each of six wines in the collection, each one distinctive and excellent. From the classic Cabernet made by Randy Dunn, to Phillipe Melka’s spin on the Columbia Valley to John Duvall’s brooding Syrah, these are all fantastic wines in an extremely attractive gift box. They arrive this month, in time for holiday gifting.
Arriving ETA November:
Case-6 Long Shadows Vintners Collection, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($449.95) $349 pre-arrival special
Contains one 750ML bottle each of Long Shadows’ six acclaimed red wines, packaged together in a beautifully etched wood box.
2016 Pirouette, 2016 Feather, 2016 Pedestal, 2016 Chester-Kidder, 2016 Sequel, 2016 Saggi
Pirouette: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Richly layered and complex, with a generous spectrum of aromas and flavors including black cherry, sweet spices and a hint of earth. The wine’s refined texture provides a seductive mouth feel and lengthy finish.
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Pirouette is made by Philippe Melka and it’s a total blockbuster based on 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and the palate Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec that was fermented in barrel and aged 22 months in 75% new oak. Crème de cassis, blackberries, toasted spices, cedar, and forest floor notes all emerge from this deep, rich, opulent red that has sweet tannins, a thrilling texture, no hard edges, and a monster finish. This is another best-to-date from this estate and it’s an awesome wine.”
Feather: Randy Dunn selects the Cabernet Sauvignon the Feather from a diversity of sites: the estate Benches Vineyards for dark fruit and earthiness, the Wahluke Slope for structure and ripe tannins, and two of Washington State’s oldest vineyards, Weinbau and Dionysus, for complexity. The wine is concentrated and beautifully balanced, offering an array of fresh berry aromas, complimented by spicy, dark cherry and dried current flavors that persist on the palate.
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Made by California’s Randy Dunn, the 2016 Feather is, as always, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and spent 22 months in 90% new. It has a classic, firm, focused style in its crème de cassis, spicy oak, and graphite bouquet. This carries to a concentrated, powerful Cabernet that has beautiful mid-palate depth, ample tannins, but more than enough fruit. It will keep for 20 years or more.”
Pedestal: Michel Rolland selects the Merlot from the Conner Lee, Dionysus and Benches Vineyards to produce an unusually complex Merlot. Tapteil Vineyards Cabernet gives it its strength and extra richness. The wine shows intense, fruit-forward notes, bursting with fresh blueberries, ripe plum, cedar and spice. Good concentration in the wine adds to its pleasing mouth feel; balanced acidity enhances its appeal. Supple tannins are well-integrated on the entry, across the mid-palate and throughout a long, layered finish.
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2016 Pedestal from Michel Rolland checks in as a blend of 75% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot that spent 22 months in 85% new French oak. It has a rocking bouquet of smoked black fruits, espresso, chocolate, and tobacco that gives way to a full-bodied, plump, incredibly sexy red that does everything right. It’s one serious mouthful of Merlot and should keep for 10-12 years.”
Sequel: John Duval, formerly of the iconic Penfolds Grange, uses grapes from the Benches Vineyard for its dark flavored fruit, the Red Mountain Vineyard adds structure, and Boushey Vineyards add elegance. A generous and concentrated wine of great character. Almond, dark chocolate and cherry notes fill the glass, complemented by hints of black licorice, blackberry, cocoa powder and a touch of smoke.
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “A blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Sequel is another ripe, sexy, yet pure and balanced vintage for this cuvée. Lovely blackberry, smoked earth, graphite, and ground pepper all flow to a medium to full-bodied, silky, elegant wine that packs less of a punch than normal, yet is balanced and layered, with a great finish. It will benefit from a year or two in bottle and keep for a decade.”
Saggi: Saggi is a blend from father and son team Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese (from a 1993 planting) and Syrah. Dark cherry aromas and raspberry flavors combine with a hint of nutmeg and smoky earthiness. An elegant entry in the front of the mouth reveals refined tannins with focused concentration, enhanced by the wine’s rich and supple mouth feel.
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “The 2016 Red Wine SAGGI is mostly Sangiovese but has 29% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Syrah. Medium ruby-colored, with notes of ripe cherries, spice box, and dried flowers, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, present yet ripe, polished tannins, terrific balance, and a clean, graceful finish. It’s certainly one of the best expressions of Sangiovese coming from Washington.”
Chester-Kidder: The back bone of this wine is Cabernet from Walla Walla and nearby Candy Mountain. Its deepness and darkness is Syrah from the estate’s Benches Vineyards with a touch of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of dried figs and cocoa powder, along with hints of tamarind and toasty oak are followed by intense violent and blueberry jam flavors beautifully integrated around a spicy core.
Thank you for reading!