In Today’s Newsletter:
Subscriber Special:
It Follows: 10% Off Sequitur
Subscriber Special:
Value Northern Rhone? It Exists
New Bordeaux Arrivals
Clos de la Chapelle:
Going Places
Francesco Rinaldi
Classically Piedmont
#Trending
Collector’s Corner
Subscriber Special:
It Follows: 10% Off Sequitur
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($119.95) $79 Displayed Price, $71.10 Subscriber Special, 22 bottles in stock now
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.”
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($119.95) $79 Displayed Price, $71.10 Subscriber Special, 16 bottles in stock now
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-jamessuckling .com 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.”
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 Displayed Price, $62.10 Subscriber Special, 11 bottles in stock now
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 Displayed Price, $62.10 Subscriber Special, 11 bottles in stock now
93+ points Wine Advocate “The 2016 Sequitur Chardonnay has a gregarious nose of spiced, baked yellow apples and warm pineapple with notes of toast, honey, hazelnut and hay. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm orchard and tropical fruits accented by nuances of baking spice, nuts and honey, with a touch of creaminess to the texture, juicy acidity and a long, mineral-laced finish. 85 cases produced.”
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 Displayed Price, $62.10 Subscriber Special, 5 bottles in stock now
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.”
Subscriber-Only Special:
10% Off All In Stock Sequitur Wines
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online or in your cart.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Thursday, February 20th at 6PM (PT)
Subscriber Special
Value Northern Rhone? It Exists
10% Off Select Saint Cosme Through Friday Evening
Only 12 bottles available!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2016 750ML ($64.95) $52.50 Displayed Price, $47.25 Subscriber Special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2016 Côte-Rôtie comes all from the Côte Brune side of the appellation, which is all schist soils. Fermented with no destemming and aged mostly in older barrels, it’s a rock star Côte-Rôtie and offers loads of blackberry fruits, spice, tapenade, cured meats, and pepper. With medium to full body, a deep, layered mid-palate, present tannins, and a huge finish, it needs short-term cellaring but is an undeniably gorgeous Syrah that will have two decades of longevity.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 Displayed Price, $26.10 Subscriber Special
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “A step up, the 2017 Saint Joseph offers another level of class and purity. Beautiful blackberry, black raspberries, cured meats, and pepper notes give way to a medium to full-bodied Saint Joseph that has subtle oak, a seamless texture, and fine tannins. It’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age.”
Subscriber-Only Special:
10% Off Select In Stock Saint Cosme Wines
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online or in your cart.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Friday, February 21st at 6PM
New Bordeaux Arrivals
An estate with a history dating back 300 years, today Chateau Larose Perganson produces modern styled Bordeaux with intense fruit, subtle oak (over 30% new barrels), and smooth tannins. Roughly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a healthy dash of Petit Verdot, both the 2016 and 2008 offer more in terms of structure and complexity than most sub-$30 Left Bank reds. For those who enjoy their Bordeaux with some age on them, the 2008 is just entering its peak drinking window. While the 2016, the product of that exceptional vintage, will be delicious now, and for years to come.
Chateau Larose Perganson, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($31.95) $27 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 92 points “Both ripe and savory, this is an appealing and characterful Haut-Médoc that is already drinking well, thanks to a delicate hint of sweetness. Nice length. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “With the same wine team as Château Larose-Trintaudon, this wine has the same commendably generous character. A tannic structure gives shape to the black fruits and the intense acidity typical of the vintage. Drink this wine from 2022.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91 points “The 2016 Larose Perganson has a classy bouquet with pure wild strawberry and blackberry fruit, tobacco and pencil shavings, nicely focused and quite intense. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine line of acidity, beautifully poised with a silky, seductive finish. What a lovely Cru Bourgeois! Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.”
Chateau Larose Trintaudon
Located (literally) across railroad tracks from Pauillac, this Haut-Médoc estate offers exceptional value. Known for richness and structure, these wines might not deliver the complexity of the region’s classed growths but, for less than $25 and $40 per bottle respectively, they deserve the attention of every fan of Bordeaux wine. While the Chateau Larose Trintaudon is drinking beautifully now, the Chateau Arnauld will reward patience and deserves a place in your cellar.
Arriving ETA Friday:
Case-12 Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($359.95) $259 pre-arrival special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 375ML ($17.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 92 points “A solid red with currant, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body, round yet firm tannins and a delicious finish. Typical Bordeaux from this excellent vintage. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot. Needs two to three years to soften. Drink in 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “At 380 acres, this is one of the largest Médoc estates just the wrong side of the tracks from Pauillac. This generously structured wine is full of juicy black-currant flavors that come from the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. It is likely to develop relatively quickly and will certainly be ready from 2021.”
Chateau Arnauld, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “The aromas of blackberries and iron are really attractive and follow through to a full, soft and silky-textured red. Lovely fruit and focus to this. Solid. A blend of 70 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 20 per cent merlot and ten per cent petit verdot. Better after 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Under the same ownership as Château Larose Trintaudon, this estate has produced a powerful, dense wine with massive tannins. Eighteen months in new wood has seen to that. However, the equally dense fruit is right there, offering ripe blackberry and black-plum flavors. This wine needs to age to be its rich self. Drink from 2023.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2016 Arnauld is sumptuous, racy and full of character. Dark cherry, grilled herb, tobacco, menthol, licorice and rose petal are all laced together in this super-expressive Haut-Médoc. There is more than enough freshness to balance the wine’s more overt leanings. Hubert de Boüard consults.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2016 Arnauld has a delightful floral bouquet with scents of black cherry and orange rind, well defined and displaying neatly integrated oak. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, supple and “fluid” in the mouth with a lovely caressing, very pure finish. What a great Cru Bourgeois! Seek this out.”
Clos de la Chapelle: Going Places
Francesco Rinaldi
Classically Piedmont
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($359.95) $289 special (that’s only $24.08/bottle!)
Winery Note “The vineyards located in Barolo, in the flatter areas of the Cannubi hill, have a sandier soil; in La Morra, in the areas of Zonchetta and Boiolo, the soil is more clayey with calcareous components. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement or stainless steel tanks with the skins contact for at least 15 days. After racking, the various lots from the different vineyards are blended and then aged in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels for at least a year. Refinement in bottles for several months gives the wine a vibrant red ruby color with violet reflections and an ethereal and intense bouquet. The taste is dry, robust and suitable for medium-term aging.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Vinopolnote: A bright, savory and energetic example of Nebbiolo meant for early consumption. Great value!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($389.95) $315 special (that’s only $26.25/bottle!)
Winery Note “Traditional vinification is carried out in cement tanks with skin-contact fermentation for 15-20 days and automatic pump-overs. The wine is aged for one year in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels. This is followed by refinement in bottles for several months to enhance the freshness and bouquet of the wine. The color is ruby-red, not too intense, respecting the character of the Nebbiolo grape variety. The aroma is ethereal with scents of flowers and fresh fruit. The taste is dry with a good body.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Roussot Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Importer Note “The lower level wines are superb examples of their genres, with impressive depth, complexity and classic structures…[like] he round, full-bodied and surprisingly serious Dolcetto d’Alba “Roussot” from vineyards located within the cru of Cannubi.”
#Trending
Classically Oregon Chardonnay from Durant’s “Lark Block” at under $30? Sign us up.
Championship Bottle Durant Vineyard ‘Space Hardware’ Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Our first commercial bottling, this Dundee Hills Chardonnay drinks like a horn section—it’s bold and loud but with vibrancy and sizzle. Space Hardware hails from the Durant Vineyard, located just half a mile away from Eyrie’s original plantings in the Willamette Valley and possessing the same iron-rich Jory soil that made the Dundee Hills famous. Dundee Hills wines, whether red or white, are known for beautiful aromatics that lean towards delicate floral notes and palates that balance zippy acidity with silky textures. This wine checks all those boxes. We fermented Space Hardware with indigenous yeasts in a seven year old barrel and aged it for 19 months on the primary lees without stirring or racking. The goal was to allow the micro-oxygenation of the barrel to bring out underlying mineral tones and tamp down the initially exuberant fruit. Using a neutral barrel kept oak-derived flavors to a minimum and a longer aging brought out secondary characteristics and a silkier texture. The result is a classic Willamette Chardonnay, with fruit, mineral and spice flavors all interwoven.”
Ric Forman’s wines remain some of the most overlooked profound wines in Napa.
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “A weightless, translucent wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon exudes class. Vibrant and finely sculpted, the 2014 possesses striking nuance from start to finish. Scents of lavender, rose petal, mint and sweet spice notes give the 2014 its brightness and sense of energy. Today, the 2014 is a bit compact relative to how it showed from barrel. I expect the wine will put on a bit more weight during its aging. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2014 at least a few years. Even today, though, the 2014 is a very pretty and pure wine.”
What a Zin! Big, riper and powerful, this is Marietta at their finest.
Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee, Alexander Valley 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points ‘The 2017 Zinfandel Angeli, from a site in Alexander Valley, is rich, pliant and expressive. Super-ripe black cherry, hard candy, new leather, lavender and mint give the Angeli decidedly dark shades of expression. This sumptuous, flavorful Zinfandel should drink well for another decade or more.”
Whole cluster savory goodness from the New California standard-bearers.
Arnot-Roberts Sonoma Coast Syrah, California 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Syrah (Sonoma Coast) is a gorgeous wine and a huge overachiever in its peer group. Bright red cherry and plum fruit, rose petal, lavender and spice abound in this super-expressive, pliant Syrah. The purity of the flavors is simply remarkable. Medium in body, gracious and beautifully perfumed, the 2017 is a rock-star wine.”
Its (always) Chablis season, and Billaud remains one of the stars of the region.
Samuel Billaud Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes, Chablis Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Vieilles Vignes comes from 70-year-old vines raised only in stainless steel. I like the aromatics here…this has a sense of purpose with vivid scents of orange zest and a touch of lychee. The palate is tensile right from the start thanks to that killer line of acidity. There is great depth here and the harmonious finish feels assured and elegant. Great potential and for me this is a serious step up from the Chablis Village and certainly worth the few extra dollars.”
Collector’s Corner
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2008 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
David Schildknecht-Wine Advocate 89 points “Fourrier’s 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux (from nearly 90 year-old vines) is intensely scented with kirsch, herbs, and sea spray, which adumbrate its bright, saline, firm but not hard or angular palate impression. Strong cherry pit, stone, and charred meat notes lend this energetic but athletically lean and bright Gevrey a hint of austerity, but it has me salivating uncontrollably. For those who like the style and pair the wine creatively, this should give plenty of pleasure over at least the next 6-8 years, though as Fourrier is eager to concur with me, following the course of 2008s in bottle is bound to mean venturing into relatively uncharted territory.”
Burghound 87-90 points “An intensely, even pungently earthy nose of red and dark berry fruit is very much in keeping with the firm, precise and layered flavors that possess a lovely sense of relief and tension on the solidly long finish. This is very Gevrey in character and offers fine quality for a villages.”
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Burghound 89-91 points – Outstanding Top Value “An expressive nose of relatively high-toned red currant, floral and warm earth scents precedes the equally refined and delineated middle weight flavors that culminate in a balanced, complex and beautifully persistent finish. This is notably finer than the old vines cuvée if not quite a long or concentrated. Still this is lovely and also worth your consideration as it should drink reasonably well young.”
See the complete grand selection of Fourrier wines, including rare back vintages, arriving in February. Browse our offer below or shop on our web store.
Thanks for reading!
Subscriber Special:
It Follows: 10% Off Sequitur
Subscriber Special:
Value Northern Rhone? It Exists
New Bordeaux Arrivals
Clos de la Chapelle:
Going Places
Francesco Rinaldi
Classically Piedmont
#Trending
Collector’s Corner
Subscriber Special:
It Follows: 10% Off Sequitur
While it’s not his official position, Mike Etzel (founder of Beaux Freres) definitely talks more enthusiastically about Sequitur, his personal project that sits next to the Upper Terrace vineyard. This has been especially true since the sale of Beaux Freres to Henriot (in 2017), which has coincided with a string of deservedly high scores for the Sequitur wines.
It’s helpful to think of Sequitur as a distillation of everything Mike Etzel learned while starting and producing Beaux Freres over the decade. The Sequitur vineyard sits right next to the Beaux Freres “Upper Terrace” but is planted to a wider array of clones at tighter spacing. It’s been farmed biodynamically since the beginning and is sheltered with Douglas Fir—in short, it’s the fully realized vision of a man who’s helped define Willamette Valley Pinot.
We’ve been big supporters of these wines since the very beginning of the project and our special relationship allows us to offer you verticals of both the Sequitur Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at exceptional pricing. We’re making that pricing even better for you, our email subscribers, until we close for business on Thursday. We’ll take 10% off the listed price on our online store before we finalize your order, making these by far the best prices in the country on these wines.
Subscriber-Only Special:
10% Off All In Stock Sequitur Wines
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online or in your cart.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Thursday, February 20th at 6PM (PT)
In Stock Now:
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($119.95) $79 Displayed Price, $71.10 Subscriber Special, 23 bottles in stock now
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.”
It’s helpful to think of Sequitur as a distillation of everything Mike Etzel learned while starting and producing Beaux Freres over the decade. The Sequitur vineyard sits right next to the Beaux Freres “Upper Terrace” but is planted to a wider array of clones at tighter spacing. It’s been farmed biodynamically since the beginning and is sheltered with Douglas Fir—in short, it’s the fully realized vision of a man who’s helped define Willamette Valley Pinot.
We’ve been big supporters of these wines since the very beginning of the project and our special relationship allows us to offer you verticals of both the Sequitur Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at exceptional pricing. We’re making that pricing even better for you, our email subscribers, until we close for business on Thursday. We’ll take 10% off the listed price on our online store before we finalize your order, making these by far the best prices in the country on these wines.
Subscriber-Only Special:
10% Off All In Stock Sequitur Wines
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online or in your cart.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Thursday, February 20th at 6PM (PT)
In Stock Now:
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($119.95) $79 Displayed Price, $71.10 Subscriber Special, 23 bottles in stock now
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.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average listed price is $100
Now it’s even lower!
The average listed price is $100
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($119.95) $79 Displayed Price, $71.10 Subscriber Special, 22 bottles in stock now
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.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average listed price is $100
Now it’s even lower!
The average listed price is $100
Sequitur Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($119.95) $79 Displayed Price, $71.10 Subscriber Special, 16 bottles in stock now
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-jamessuckling .com 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.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($89.95) $69 Displayed Price, $62.10 Subscriber Special, 11 bottles in stock now
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 Displayed Price, $62.10 Subscriber Special, 11 bottles in stock now
93+ points Wine Advocate “The 2016 Sequitur Chardonnay has a gregarious nose of spiced, baked yellow apples and warm pineapple with notes of toast, honey, hazelnut and hay. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with warm orchard and tropical fruits accented by nuances of baking spice, nuts and honey, with a touch of creaminess to the texture, juicy acidity and a long, mineral-laced finish. 85 cases produced.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 Displayed Price, $62.10 Subscriber Special, 5 bottles in stock now
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.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Subscriber-Only Special:
10% Off All In Stock Sequitur Wines
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online or in your cart.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Thursday, February 20th at 6PM (PT)
Subscriber Special
Value Northern Rhone? It Exists
10% Off Select Saint Cosme Through Friday Evening
There is perhaps no producer who offers more in terms of value and sheer pleasure in the Rhone today than Saint Cosme. Case in point: their Côte-Rôtie. In a region that most wine enthusiasts have been priced out of, Saint Cosme produces delicious, cellar-worthy examples that we’re offering for under $60. This is old-school Côte-Rôtie at close to old-school pricing. And for everyday drinking, their Saint Joseph is a wine that drinks far above its sub-$30 price tag.
A familiar name to our long-time subscribers, we’ve been banging the drum about Saint Cosme for some time, and for good reason. This is a historic estate crafting some of the region’s best wines. They are terroir driven, but not rustic. They offer ample fruit, but are exceptionally well-balanced. And they are delicious young, yet age gracefully. Who says you can’t have it all?
So take this opportunity to reacquaint yourself with the grandeur of the Northern Rhone. And to make the invitation even more enticing we’re offering 10% off select Saint Cosme until Friday at 6PM.
Subscriber-Only Special:
10% Off Select In Stock Saint Cosme Wines
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online or in your cart.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Friday, February 21st at 6PM
Subscriber Special Wines, In Stock Now:
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2017 750ML ($79.95) $59 Displayed Price, $53.10 Subscriber Special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2017 Côte Rôtie is another satisfying, character-filled wine. Complex notes of blackberries, ground herbs, new leather, and violets flow to a medium to full-bodied, layered, complete, balanced Côte Rotie that’s going to shine for 10-15 years. It has some feral, wild notes as well as plenty of old-school character.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93-94 points “Deep, bright-rimmed magenta. Expressive dark berry, cherry, olive, peony and smoky bacon aromas are sharpened by crack
A familiar name to our long-time subscribers, we’ve been banging the drum about Saint Cosme for some time, and for good reason. This is a historic estate crafting some of the region’s best wines. They are terroir driven, but not rustic. They offer ample fruit, but are exceptionally well-balanced. And they are delicious young, yet age gracefully. Who says you can’t have it all?
So take this opportunity to reacquaint yourself with the grandeur of the Northern Rhone. And to make the invitation even more enticing we’re offering 10% off select Saint Cosme until Friday at 6PM.
Subscriber-Only Special:
10% Off Select In Stock Saint Cosme Wines
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online or in your cart.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Friday, February 21st at 6PM
Subscriber Special Wines, In Stock Now:
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2017 750ML ($79.95) $59 Displayed Price, $53.10 Subscriber Special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2017 Côte Rôtie is another satisfying, character-filled wine. Complex notes of blackberries, ground herbs, new leather, and violets flow to a medium to full-bodied, layered, complete, balanced Côte Rotie that’s going to shine for 10-15 years. It has some feral, wild notes as well as plenty of old-school character.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93-94 points “Deep, bright-rimmed magenta. Expressive dark berry, cherry, olive, peony and smoky bacon aromas are sharpened by crack
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2016 750ML ($64.95) $52.50 Displayed Price, $47.25 Subscriber Special
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2016 Côte-Rôtie comes all from the Côte Brune side of the appellation, which is all schist soils. Fermented with no destemming and aged mostly in older barrels, it’s a rock star Côte-Rôtie and offers loads of blackberry fruits, spice, tapenade, cured meats, and pepper. With medium to full body, a deep, layered mid-palate, present tannins, and a huge finish, it needs short-term cellaring but is an undeniably gorgeous Syrah that will have two decades of longevity.”
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph, Rhone 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 Displayed Price, $26.10 Subscriber Special
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “A step up, the 2017 Saint Joseph offers another level of class and purity. Beautiful blackberry, black raspberries, cured meats, and pepper notes give way to a medium to full-bodied Saint Joseph that has subtle oak, a seamless texture, and fine tannins. It’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age.”
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New Bordeaux Arrivals
Arriving this Friday, several attractively priced Bordeaux reds from vintages with stories to tell.
2016 is considered by many to be the finest vintage of the last decade. It was a year that had a bit of everything, rain in the spring, drought in the summer, but through it all the grapes on Bordeaux’s left bank underwent the perfect amount of stress to yield exceptionally ripe yet fresh fruit.
2008 witnessed rain during much of the growing season, but was fortunately saved by a dry autumn. This led to inconsistent quality, but many great wines for those who knew where to look, Chateau Larose Perganson’s 2008 Haut-Médoc amongst them.
Arriving ETA Friday:
2016 is considered by many to be the finest vintage of the last decade. It was a year that had a bit of everything, rain in the spring, drought in the summer, but through it all the grapes on Bordeaux’s left bank underwent the perfect amount of stress to yield exceptionally ripe yet fresh fruit.
2008 witnessed rain during much of the growing season, but was fortunately saved by a dry autumn. This led to inconsistent quality, but many great wines for those who knew where to look, Chateau Larose Perganson’s 2008 Haut-Médoc amongst them.
Arriving ETA Friday:
Chateau Larose Perganson
An estate with a history dating back 300 years, today Chateau Larose Perganson produces modern styled Bordeaux with intense fruit, subtle oak (over 30% new barrels), and smooth tannins. Roughly equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a healthy dash of Petit Verdot, both the 2016 and 2008 offer more in terms of structure and complexity than most sub-$30 Left Bank reds. For those who enjoy their Bordeaux with some age on them, the 2008 is just entering its peak drinking window. While the 2016, the product of that exceptional vintage, will be delicious now, and for years to come.
Chateau Larose Perganson, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($31.95) $27 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 92 points “Both ripe and savory, this is an appealing and characterful Haut-Médoc that is already drinking well, thanks to a delicate hint of sweetness. Nice length. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “With the same wine team as Château Larose-Trintaudon, this wine has the same commendably generous character. A tannic structure gives shape to the black fruits and the intense acidity typical of the vintage. Drink this wine from 2022.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91 points “The 2016 Larose Perganson has a classy bouquet with pure wild strawberry and blackberry fruit, tobacco and pencil shavings, nicely focused and quite intense. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine line of acidity, beautifully poised with a silky, seductive finish. What a lovely Cru Bourgeois! Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.”
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This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau Larose Trintaudon
Located (literally) across railroad tracks from Pauillac, this Haut-Médoc estate offers exceptional value. Known for richness and structure, these wines might not deliver the complexity of the region’s classed growths but, for less than $25 and $40 per bottle respectively, they deserve the attention of every fan of Bordeaux wine. While the Chateau Larose Trintaudon is drinking beautifully now, the Chateau Arnauld will reward patience and deserves a place in your cellar.
Arriving ETA Friday:
Case-12 Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($359.95) $259 pre-arrival special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 375ML ($17.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Chateau Larose Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 92 points “A solid red with currant, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body, round yet firm tannins and a delicious finish. Typical Bordeaux from this excellent vintage. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot. Needs two to three years to soften. Drink in 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “At 380 acres, this is one of the largest Médoc estates just the wrong side of the tracks from Pauillac. This generously structured wine is full of juicy black-currant flavors that come from the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. It is likely to develop relatively quickly and will certainly be ready from 2021.”
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Chateau Arnauld, Haut-Medoc 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “The aromas of blackberries and iron are really attractive and follow through to a full, soft and silky-textured red. Lovely fruit and focus to this. Solid. A blend of 70 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 20 per cent merlot and ten per cent petit verdot. Better after 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Under the same ownership as Château Larose Trintaudon, this estate has produced a powerful, dense wine with massive tannins. Eighteen months in new wood has seen to that. However, the equally dense fruit is right there, offering ripe blackberry and black-plum flavors. This wine needs to age to be its rich self. Drink from 2023.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2016 Arnauld is sumptuous, racy and full of character. Dark cherry, grilled herb, tobacco, menthol, licorice and rose petal are all laced together in this super-expressive Haut-Médoc. There is more than enough freshness to balance the wine’s more overt leanings. Hubert de Boüard consults.”
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “The 2016 Arnauld has a delightful floral bouquet with scents of black cherry and orange rind, well defined and displaying neatly integrated oak. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, supple and “fluid” in the mouth with a lovely caressing, very pure finish. What a great Cru Bourgeois! Seek this out.”
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Clos de la Chapelle: Going Places
“One of the most exciting domaines in all of the Côte de Beaune”- John Gilman
Every now and then, we taste wines from a producer that’s clearly Going Places—like the star student in a high school class, it’s painfully obvious that some domaines are driven in a fundamentally different way from their peers. The current incarnation of Clos de la Chapelle is clearly one of those estates—the praise keeps coming and it won’t be long until these are thought of (and priced with) wines like D’Angerville, Lafon and Lafarge as some of the top bottlings in Volnay.
The drive that is pushing them to greatness comes down to one person, their (American) owner, Mark O’Connell. He bought the domaine in 2011 and has poured money and time into elevating it from an historic (yet perhaps underperforming) producer with excellent holdings to one of the elite domaines in the Cote de Beaune. The winery now owns land in an array of the top vineyard sites in Volnay, Pommard and Corton and makes truly excellent renditions of each—with moderate whole cluster use, small amounts of new oak and brilliantly balanced ripeness.
This is a domaine that’s only been around in its current incarnation since 2011, and yet has already been a featured winery at La Paulee and has received strong reviews from both Burghound and John Gilman. The original incarnation dates back to the middle of the 19th century, run by a member of the Boillot family up until the recent sale. The Clos de la Chapelle monopole was always considered to be one of the premier terroirs (it’s right next door to the Clos de la Bousse d’Or and there are records of Louis Pasteur buying 50 bottles of the 1858, so this is not a secret) but it’s mainly since the changeover that the wines have lived up to the promise of the land.
The domaine owns a total of 4 hectares of red and white vineyards, exclusively in Premier and Grand Cru sites and we’re excited to offer them here. A number of these wines arrive on Friday and the rest are here next months. We’ve broken them into two spreadsheets, below, but you can see all the wines from Clos de la Chapelle in our webstore, as well.
Every now and then, we taste wines from a producer that’s clearly Going Places—like the star student in a high school class, it’s painfully obvious that some domaines are driven in a fundamentally different way from their peers. The current incarnation of Clos de la Chapelle is clearly one of those estates—the praise keeps coming and it won’t be long until these are thought of (and priced with) wines like D’Angerville, Lafon and Lafarge as some of the top bottlings in Volnay.
The drive that is pushing them to greatness comes down to one person, their (American) owner, Mark O’Connell. He bought the domaine in 2011 and has poured money and time into elevating it from an historic (yet perhaps underperforming) producer with excellent holdings to one of the elite domaines in the Cote de Beaune. The winery now owns land in an array of the top vineyard sites in Volnay, Pommard and Corton and makes truly excellent renditions of each—with moderate whole cluster use, small amounts of new oak and brilliantly balanced ripeness.
This is a domaine that’s only been around in its current incarnation since 2011, and yet has already been a featured winery at La Paulee and has received strong reviews from both Burghound and John Gilman. The original incarnation dates back to the middle of the 19th century, run by a member of the Boillot family up until the recent sale. The Clos de la Chapelle monopole was always considered to be one of the premier terroirs (it’s right next door to the Clos de la Bousse d’Or and there are records of Louis Pasteur buying 50 bottles of the 1858, so this is not a secret) but it’s mainly since the changeover that the wines have lived up to the promise of the land.
The domaine owns a total of 4 hectares of red and white vineyards, exclusively in Premier and Grand Cru sites and we’re excited to offer them here. A number of these wines arrive on Friday and the rest are here next months. We’ve broken them into two spreadsheets, below, but you can see all the wines from Clos de la Chapelle in our webstore, as well.
Francesco Rinaldi
Classically Piedmont
The estate of Francesco Rinaldi crafts wines from the Piedmont that are everything we love—traditionally made and affordable. These are wines that are the epitome of the Piedmont in an elegant, approachable style that blends the inherent power of Barolo (especially in a vintage like ’15) with a softer touch in extraction.
These are some thrilling wines that are always priced very attractively, an amazing feat considering the history and renown of the estate. They’re best known for their two cru bottlings, Cannubi and Brunate, which are from some of the most storied vineyards in all of Barolo, but don’t sleep on their Barolo normale. All three wines are extremely ageworthy, but the 2015’s seem to show a bit more flesh and early drinkability than usual.
In Stock Now
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Cannubbio, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “The source of this very traditional wine is Rinaldi’s 2.2ha holding in Cannubi Boschis. It can be a very structured wine, but in 2015 there’s greater opulence than usual. Tasted from cask, it displays heady juicy raspberry aromas, discreet but perfumed. It’s concentrated on the palate but also fresh and silky, combining lush textures with tension and drive thanks to welcome acidity on the persistent finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2038.”
Importer Note “The other single vineyard bottling is the Cannubi, which is made from the single greatest vineyard in the village of Barolo, as well as one of the most famous individual crus in the entire region. Cannubi was the first vineyard name to be famous in the Barolo region, and to this day a bottle of 1752 Cannubi is still treasured by the wine-producing family of Manzone, and is considered the oldest, extant bottle of Barolo still in existence. The vineyard is most famous for the fabulously perfumed wines that it produces, for Cannubi is not the most powerful cru in Barolo, and much like Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, it is cherished for the fabulously complex aromatics and round, suave palate impression that it provides when fully mature. This is not to say that Luciano and Paula Rinaldi’s Cannubi is a delicate wine, for it is a deep, intensely-flavored and concentrated Barolo of great pedigree and elegance- once it is fully mature. Like the Rinaldi Brunate bottling, eight to ten years is required in top vintages, and the wine is really at its blazing best at age fifteen to twenty.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo Le Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The two flagship bottlings at Francesco Rinaldi e Figli are the single cru Baroli, Brunate and Cannubi. Brunate is one of the greatest vineyards the Barolo region, lying on the border between La Morra and Barolo proper, with each village sharing the vineyard (though with the lion’s share lying within the village boundaries of La Morra). Wines from the Brunate vineyard are prized for their depth, power and brilliant balance, and the example from Francesco Rinaldi e Figli is one of the very greatest examples of Brunate made. In a great vintage it demands at least a decade to really begin to soften, and generally is not in full bloom until its twentieth birthday.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($59.95) $47 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Francesco Rinaldi e Figli makes two non-cru denominated bottlings, one of Barbaresco and one of Barolo, made from a blend of different parcels. The Barolo is made from vineyards in the towns of Barolo, Castiglione Faletto and La Morra…the standard Barolo bottling is aged for three years in large cask before it is bottled and made available for sale. Both wines are built for aging, and typically will be at their best from six to ten years out from the vintage. Like all of the wines from Giuseppe and Paola Rinaldi, they are beautiful, classic expressions of their underlying terroirs, with well-integrated tannins, tangy acids and beautiful complexity and balance. Both improve immeasurably if decanted an hour prior to serving.”
Also In Stock Now from Francesco Rinaldi
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Gavi DOCG, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Grignolino d’Asti, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Its colour is light ruby red. The smell is subtle with scent of rose. Its taste is fresh, flowery and mild to the palate. It perfectly matches with hors d’oeuvres, soups, fish and white meat. Fermentation in steel at a controlled temperature for about 8 days. Ageing in steel goes on for some months before bottling in spring.”
These are some thrilling wines that are always priced very attractively, an amazing feat considering the history and renown of the estate. They’re best known for their two cru bottlings, Cannubi and Brunate, which are from some of the most storied vineyards in all of Barolo, but don’t sleep on their Barolo normale. All three wines are extremely ageworthy, but the 2015’s seem to show a bit more flesh and early drinkability than usual.
In Stock Now
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Cannubbio, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “The source of this very traditional wine is Rinaldi’s 2.2ha holding in Cannubi Boschis. It can be a very structured wine, but in 2015 there’s greater opulence than usual. Tasted from cask, it displays heady juicy raspberry aromas, discreet but perfumed. It’s concentrated on the palate but also fresh and silky, combining lush textures with tension and drive thanks to welcome acidity on the persistent finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2038.”
Importer Note “The other single vineyard bottling is the Cannubi, which is made from the single greatest vineyard in the village of Barolo, as well as one of the most famous individual crus in the entire region. Cannubi was the first vineyard name to be famous in the Barolo region, and to this day a bottle of 1752 Cannubi is still treasured by the wine-producing family of Manzone, and is considered the oldest, extant bottle of Barolo still in existence. The vineyard is most famous for the fabulously perfumed wines that it produces, for Cannubi is not the most powerful cru in Barolo, and much like Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, it is cherished for the fabulously complex aromatics and round, suave palate impression that it provides when fully mature. This is not to say that Luciano and Paula Rinaldi’s Cannubi is a delicate wine, for it is a deep, intensely-flavored and concentrated Barolo of great pedigree and elegance- once it is fully mature. Like the Rinaldi Brunate bottling, eight to ten years is required in top vintages, and the wine is really at its blazing best at age fifteen to twenty.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo Le Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The two flagship bottlings at Francesco Rinaldi e Figli are the single cru Baroli, Brunate and Cannubi. Brunate is one of the greatest vineyards the Barolo region, lying on the border between La Morra and Barolo proper, with each village sharing the vineyard (though with the lion’s share lying within the village boundaries of La Morra). Wines from the Brunate vineyard are prized for their depth, power and brilliant balance, and the example from Francesco Rinaldi e Figli is one of the very greatest examples of Brunate made. In a great vintage it demands at least a decade to really begin to soften, and generally is not in full bloom until its twentieth birthday.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($59.95) $47 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Francesco Rinaldi e Figli makes two non-cru denominated bottlings, one of Barbaresco and one of Barolo, made from a blend of different parcels. The Barolo is made from vineyards in the towns of Barolo, Castiglione Faletto and La Morra…the standard Barolo bottling is aged for three years in large cask before it is bottled and made available for sale. Both wines are built for aging, and typically will be at their best from six to ten years out from the vintage. Like all of the wines from Giuseppe and Paola Rinaldi, they are beautiful, classic expressions of their underlying terroirs, with well-integrated tannins, tangy acids and beautiful complexity and balance. Both improve immeasurably if decanted an hour prior to serving.”
Also In Stock Now from Francesco Rinaldi
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Gavi DOCG, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 27 bottles in stock now
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Grignolino d’Asti, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Its colour is light ruby red. The smell is subtle with scent of rose. Its taste is fresh, flowery and mild to the palate. It perfectly matches with hors d’oeuvres, soups, fish and white meat. Fermentation in steel at a controlled temperature for about 8 days. Ageing in steel goes on for some months before bottling in spring.”
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Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
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Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($359.95) $289 special (that’s only $24.08/bottle!)
Winery Note “The vineyards located in Barolo, in the flatter areas of the Cannubi hill, have a sandier soil; in La Morra, in the areas of Zonchetta and Boiolo, the soil is more clayey with calcareous components. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement or stainless steel tanks with the skins contact for at least 15 days. After racking, the various lots from the different vineyards are blended and then aged in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels for at least a year. Refinement in bottles for several months gives the wine a vibrant red ruby color with violet reflections and an ethereal and intense bouquet. The taste is dry, robust and suitable for medium-term aging.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Vinopolnote: A bright, savory and energetic example of Nebbiolo meant for early consumption. Great value!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($389.95) $315 special (that’s only $26.25/bottle!)
Winery Note “Traditional vinification is carried out in cement tanks with skin-contact fermentation for 15-20 days and automatic pump-overs. The wine is aged for one year in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels. This is followed by refinement in bottles for several months to enhance the freshness and bouquet of the wine. The color is ruby-red, not too intense, respecting the character of the Nebbiolo grape variety. The aroma is ethereal with scents of flowers and fresh fruit. The taste is dry with a good body.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Roussot Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Importer Note “The lower level wines are superb examples of their genres, with impressive depth, complexity and classic structures…[like] he round, full-bodied and surprisingly serious Dolcetto d’Alba “Roussot” from vineyards located within the cru of Cannubi.”
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This would be a wonderful wine to slip into a first/second growth Bordeaux tasting.
Argiano Solengo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($79.95) $64.50 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Argiano Solengo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 99 points “Very complex aromas of fresh flowers, blackberries and black licorice follow through to a full body, integrated tannins and a long and linear finish. Focused and racy. The tannins are so polished. Better in 2022, but already such a joy to try.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Petit Verdot (25%), Merlot (20%) and Sangiovese (5%), the 2016 Solengo is a terrific wine and I enjoyed my sample down to the very last drop that I coaxed from the bottle with happy enthusiasm. This is a full-bodied red (but not in an exaggerated manner) with plump and fruit-forward aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, spice and sweet tobacco. The wine is balanced with excellent depth and mouthfeel momentum. I highly recommend this wine from both the 2015 and 2016 vintages, which are both terrific. Some 25,000 bottles were made.”
Argiano Solengo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($79.95) $64.50 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Argiano Solengo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 99 points “Very complex aromas of fresh flowers, blackberries and black licorice follow through to a full body, integrated tannins and a long and linear finish. Focused and racy. The tannins are so polished. Better in 2022, but already such a joy to try.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), Petit Verdot (25%), Merlot (20%) and Sangiovese (5%), the 2016 Solengo is a terrific wine and I enjoyed my sample down to the very last drop that I coaxed from the bottle with happy enthusiasm. This is a full-bodied red (but not in an exaggerated manner) with plump and fruit-forward aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, spice and sweet tobacco. The wine is balanced with excellent depth and mouthfeel momentum. I highly recommend this wine from both the 2015 and 2016 vintages, which are both terrific. Some 25,000 bottles were made.”
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Classically Oregon Chardonnay from Durant’s “Lark Block” at under $30? Sign us up.
Championship Bottle Durant Vineyard ‘Space Hardware’ Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Our first commercial bottling, this Dundee Hills Chardonnay drinks like a horn section—it’s bold and loud but with vibrancy and sizzle. Space Hardware hails from the Durant Vineyard, located just half a mile away from Eyrie’s original plantings in the Willamette Valley and possessing the same iron-rich Jory soil that made the Dundee Hills famous. Dundee Hills wines, whether red or white, are known for beautiful aromatics that lean towards delicate floral notes and palates that balance zippy acidity with silky textures. This wine checks all those boxes. We fermented Space Hardware with indigenous yeasts in a seven year old barrel and aged it for 19 months on the primary lees without stirring or racking. The goal was to allow the micro-oxygenation of the barrel to bring out underlying mineral tones and tamp down the initially exuberant fruit. Using a neutral barrel kept oak-derived flavors to a minimum and a longer aging brought out secondary characteristics and a silkier texture. The result is a classic Willamette Chardonnay, with fruit, mineral and spice flavors all interwoven.”
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Ric Forman’s wines remain some of the most overlooked profound wines in Napa.
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “A weightless, translucent wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon exudes class. Vibrant and finely sculpted, the 2014 possesses striking nuance from start to finish. Scents of lavender, rose petal, mint and sweet spice notes give the 2014 its brightness and sense of energy. Today, the 2014 is a bit compact relative to how it showed from barrel. I expect the wine will put on a bit more weight during its aging. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2014 at least a few years. Even today, though, the 2014 is a very pretty and pure wine.”
What a Zin! Big, riper and powerful, this is Marietta at their finest.
Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee, Alexander Valley 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points ‘The 2017 Zinfandel Angeli, from a site in Alexander Valley, is rich, pliant and expressive. Super-ripe black cherry, hard candy, new leather, lavender and mint give the Angeli decidedly dark shades of expression. This sumptuous, flavorful Zinfandel should drink well for another decade or more.”
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Whole cluster savory goodness from the New California standard-bearers.
Arnot-Roberts Sonoma Coast Syrah, California 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Syrah (Sonoma Coast) is a gorgeous wine and a huge overachiever in its peer group. Bright red cherry and plum fruit, rose petal, lavender and spice abound in this super-expressive, pliant Syrah. The purity of the flavors is simply remarkable. Medium in body, gracious and beautifully perfumed, the 2017 is a rock-star wine.”
Its (always) Chablis season, and Billaud remains one of the stars of the region.
Samuel Billaud Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes, Chablis Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 30 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin – Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2016 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Vieilles Vignes comes from 70-year-old vines raised only in stainless steel. I like the aromatics here…this has a sense of purpose with vivid scents of orange zest and a touch of lychee. The palate is tensile right from the start thanks to that killer line of acidity. There is great depth here and the harmonious finish feels assured and elegant. Great potential and for me this is a serious step up from the Chablis Village and certainly worth the few extra dollars.”
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Collector’s Corner
Domaine Fourrier makes some of the most captivating wines in Burgundy. To Burgophiles, this isn’t much of a claim—the wines that Jean-Marie has produced since taking over from his father have become hot tickets in the Burgundy world. If you aren’t familiar, though, these are wines to put on your radar. Fourrier’s style is heavily influenced by his time working under Henri Jayer and the wines show this.
When young they’re among the most impressive in Burgundy, combining succulent fruit with minerality and a complexity that’s nearly unmatched in newly released wines. They improve with age, as well, though we’ve always had a hard time keeping our hands off of the lower-tier wines in the first five years after the vintage. Fourrier works exclusively with old massale vineyards (anything from vines younger than 30 years is sold off) and that sort of soul really makes it into the bottle.
We’ve secured an astounding array of back-vintage Fourrier, all arriving this month. It’s far too many to feature, so today we want to focus on two village Gevrey-Chambertin bottlings.
The wines that most people know Fourrier for are his Gevrey-Chambertin “Aux Echezeaux” and his Gevrey-Chambertin Vielle Vigne. Although the wines are priced like premier crus, they still manage to over-deliver for the money. The VV bottling is sourced from some of his oldest vines, while the Aux Echezeaux comes from a prestigious parcel bordering the Grand Cru Mazoyeres-Chambertin. Shop our highlights below!
Highlight Fourrier Wine In Stock Now:
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “Vieille Vigne (always singular at Fourrier) is sourced from 12 different parcels, most of them on the better, western side of the route nationale. This is always a pleasure to drink, and the 2017 is no exception, with supple, scented, alluring red berry notes, some vanilla oak and a zesty finish.”
Highlight Fourrier Wines Arriving This Month:
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 88-91 points “Good bright, deep red. Wilder, musky nose hints at roast coffee. Sweet on entry, then sappy and imploded in the middle, showing less fat than the Echezeaux and a more muscular texture. Ultimately much less sweet than the south-side example. Finishes with substantial building tannins.”
Burghound 88-91 points – Outstanding Top Value “There is no reduction here however as the very fresh, bright and exuberant nose features briar, red and blue fruit and iron-infused earth aromas that complement to perfection the round, rich and sweet flavors that are unusually well-detailed and finish with punch and power. This too is recommended.”
When young they’re among the most impressive in Burgundy, combining succulent fruit with minerality and a complexity that’s nearly unmatched in newly released wines. They improve with age, as well, though we’ve always had a hard time keeping our hands off of the lower-tier wines in the first five years after the vintage. Fourrier works exclusively with old massale vineyards (anything from vines younger than 30 years is sold off) and that sort of soul really makes it into the bottle.
We’ve secured an astounding array of back-vintage Fourrier, all arriving this month. It’s far too many to feature, so today we want to focus on two village Gevrey-Chambertin bottlings.
The wines that most people know Fourrier for are his Gevrey-Chambertin “Aux Echezeaux” and his Gevrey-Chambertin Vielle Vigne. Although the wines are priced like premier crus, they still manage to over-deliver for the money. The VV bottling is sourced from some of his oldest vines, while the Aux Echezeaux comes from a prestigious parcel bordering the Grand Cru Mazoyeres-Chambertin. Shop our highlights below!
Highlight Fourrier Wine In Stock Now:
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “Vieille Vigne (always singular at Fourrier) is sourced from 12 different parcels, most of them on the better, western side of the route nationale. This is always a pleasure to drink, and the 2017 is no exception, with supple, scented, alluring red berry notes, some vanilla oak and a zesty finish.”
Highlight Fourrier Wines Arriving This Month:
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Stephen Tanzer 88-91 points “Good bright, deep red. Wilder, musky nose hints at roast coffee. Sweet on entry, then sappy and imploded in the middle, showing less fat than the Echezeaux and a more muscular texture. Ultimately much less sweet than the south-side example. Finishes with substantial building tannins.”
Burghound 88-91 points – Outstanding Top Value “There is no reduction here however as the very fresh, bright and exuberant nose features briar, red and blue fruit and iron-infused earth aromas that complement to perfection the round, rich and sweet flavors that are unusually well-detailed and finish with punch and power. This too is recommended.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2010 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special, only 10 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Good bright, full red. High-pitched aromas of tangy red and darker berries and rose petal, complemented by lower-toned earth and smoke notes. Boasts terrific volume for village wine: dense, salty and soil-driven, with raspberry fruit complicated by earth and minerals. Really stimulates the taste buds on the smooth, long, lightly saline finish. Terrific village wine.“
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is striking. Attractive floral aromatics meld into expressive fruit in this sweet, perfumed wine. Dark red cherries, freshly cut flowers, mint and hard candy wrap around the sensual, fragrant finish. This is a very classy showing. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
Burghound 89-91 points – Outstanding “This is also exceptionally fresh and complex and the composition of the aromas is much the same as the Aux Echézeaux except perhaps here they are ever-so-slightly more elegant. The textured, intense and solidly well-concentrated medium weight flavors possess real verve on the delineated, balanced and focused finish. This also is an excellent villages that is built to age and is also worthy of your consideration.”
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Good bright, full red. High-pitched aromas of tangy red and darker berries and rose petal, complemented by lower-toned earth and smoke notes. Boasts terrific volume for village wine: dense, salty and soil-driven, with raspberry fruit complicated by earth and minerals. Really stimulates the taste buds on the smooth, long, lightly saline finish. Terrific village wine.“
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2010 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is striking. Attractive floral aromatics meld into expressive fruit in this sweet, perfumed wine. Dark red cherries, freshly cut flowers, mint and hard candy wrap around the sensual, fragrant finish. This is a very classy showing. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
Burghound 89-91 points – Outstanding “This is also exceptionally fresh and complex and the composition of the aromas is much the same as the Aux Echézeaux except perhaps here they are ever-so-slightly more elegant. The textured, intense and solidly well-concentrated medium weight flavors possess real verve on the delineated, balanced and focused finish. This also is an excellent villages that is built to age and is also worthy of your consideration.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2008 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 4 bottles available
David Schildknecht-Wine Advocate 89 points “Fourrier’s 2008 Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux (from nearly 90 year-old vines) is intensely scented with kirsch, herbs, and sea spray, which adumbrate its bright, saline, firm but not hard or angular palate impression. Strong cherry pit, stone, and charred meat notes lend this energetic but athletically lean and bright Gevrey a hint of austerity, but it has me salivating uncontrollably. For those who like the style and pair the wine creatively, this should give plenty of pleasure over at least the next 6-8 years, though as Fourrier is eager to concur with me, following the course of 2008s in bottle is bound to mean venturing into relatively uncharted territory.”
Burghound 87-90 points “An intensely, even pungently earthy nose of red and dark berry fruit is very much in keeping with the firm, precise and layered flavors that possess a lovely sense of relief and tension on the solidly long finish. This is very Gevrey in character and offers fine quality for a villages.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
Burghound 89-91 points – Outstanding Top Value “An expressive nose of relatively high-toned red currant, floral and warm earth scents precedes the equally refined and delineated middle weight flavors that culminate in a balanced, complex and beautifully persistent finish. This is notably finer than the old vines cuvée if not quite a long or concentrated. Still this is lovely and also worth your consideration as it should drink reasonably well young.”
See the complete grand selection of Fourrier wines, including rare back vintages, arriving in February. Browse our offer below or shop on our web store.
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