In Today’s Newsletter:
Subscriber Special
10% Off All Clos de la Chapelle
Subscriber Special
10% Off Large Formats of Rosé
Featured New Arrival
Paolo Bea’s Iconic Wines
Tremendous Value from the Southern Rhone’s “It” Region
K Vintners: The Rock Star of Walla Walla
Staff Pick
#Trending
Collector’s Corner
Older, Top Bottlings from Cappellano and Burlotto
Subscriber-Only Weekend Special:
We’re Offering You
10% Off All Clos de la Chapelle Wines
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Monday, March 9th at 6 PM Pacific
“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.
These wines are all in stock now & on a special subscriber-only 10% just for you!
Highlights In Stock Now:
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2014 750ML ($199.95) Displayed Price: $169, Subscriber Special: $152.10, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “A stoniness underscores the lemon, citronella and clove flavors in this racy white. The chalky texture and light tannins on the finish set this apart. This keeps building, ending with fine energy and a lingering aftertaste. Best from 2019 through 2028. 68 cases made”
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2014 CortonCharlemagne from Clos de la Chapelle is a very fine bottle in the making. The deep and serious nose offers up scents of apple, pear, a touch of iodine, lovely, chalky soil tones, a touch of citrus peel and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, fullbodied, complex and rock solid at the core, with lovely mineral drive, crisp acids and excellent length and grip on the nascently complex finish. Fine juice in the making. 20202045+”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Grands Epenots, Pommard Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $119, Subscriber Special: $107.10, 23 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94+ points “The 2017 Grands Epenots bottling from Clos de la Chapelle is a bit more youthfully plush on the attack than the excellent Chanlins this year, but this too is a superb Pommard that is going to be make very old bones! The bouquet is more black fruity than the Chanlins, wafting from the glass in a very promising constellation of black plums, sweet dark berries, woodsmoke, bitter chocolate, gamebird, a touch of currant leaf, a great base of dark soil tones, gentle spice tones, a hint of violet and a judicious framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is fullbodied, focused and shows off both excellent soil signature and mid-palate depth of fruit, with, ripe, fine-grained tannins, excellent balance and a long, nascently complex and beautifully focused finish. Great juice. 2030-2090.”
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Clos de la Chapelle Monopole, Volnay Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $119, Subscriber Special: $107.10, 23 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94+ points “The Clos de la Chapelle monopole has quickly become one of Volnay’s most elegant bottlings and the 2017 vintage is one of my absolute favorite vintages so far from Mark’s flagship terroir. The nose here is beautifully complex and transparent right out of the blocks, offering a very refined blend of plums, red and black cherries, raw cocoa, gamebird, a touch of fresh nutmeg, beautifully complex and understated fresh herb tones, a gorgeous base of chalky minerality, gentle smokiness and a discreet framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, nascently complex and absolutely defined by its soil element, with a lovely core of fruit, ripe, seamless tannins, good acids and outstanding length and grip on the youthful and very, very promising finish. I have adored this bottling since the very first vintage, but it seems to me that the 2017 has taken the level of complexity and transparency here up another level, though the wine is qualitatively still about the same as it has been since its debut vintage of 2010. It is just finer, more transparent and ultimately just a hair more pleasing to an old Burgundy hand like me this year! This will be approachable in another six or seven years, due to its exquisite balance, but I would try to not touch a bottle for at least a decade, as this wine is built a little bit along the lines of one of Frédéric Lafarge’s top Volnays and it is going to be so much better to drink at age twenty or thirty than it will be at age seven or eight! 2030-2085+”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
10% Off All Clos de la Chapelle Wines
Browse below & shop the entire collection on our web store:
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Monday, March 9th at 6 PM Pacific
Subscriber Special
10% off All In-Stock
Large Format Rosé (1.5L+) Bottles!
10% off All In-Stock Large Format Rosé (1.5L+) Bottles!
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival offers
Cannot be combined with other discounts
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
Sale Ends Monday Morning (March 9th) at 10:00 AM Pacific
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose 2017 3L ($199.95) Displayed Price: $169, Subscriber Special: $152.10, 7 double magnums in stock now
Importer note “Made entirely from estate fruit in 2017, “Chateau” is primarily Cinsault, with increasingly smaller amounts of Grenache, Mourvedre, Tibouren, and Syrah. This is a higher-toned, more floral, more filigree wine than its brother above, with subtle herbal notes framing clean, lifted fruit on the nose. Though equally as dense—and perhaps more penetrating due to its more overt mineral character—it is no richer than the “Commanderie,” and it expresses the vintage’s firm tension with elegance.”
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 1.5L 2018 1.5L ($99.95) Displayed Price: $79, Subscriber Special: $71.10, 15 magnums in stock now
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 3L 2018 3L ($199.95) Displayed Price: $169, Subscriber Special: $152.10, 5 double magnums in stock now
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 6L 2018 6L ($399.95) Displayed Price: $319, Subscriber Special: $287.10, 2 six-liter bottles in stock now
Importer note “This is the elite cuvée of the estate relying as it does on grapes harvested from the oldest vines of the domaine (35 years and older). Principally composed of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, the “Chateau” bottling also sees the addition, from time-to-time of Tibouren, the ancient and regal Provencale grape. This Rosé is produced via the “direct press” method and has a long cuvaison designed to produce a wine of character and concentration. Vinified in stainless steel and bottled in late winter – early spring, production is quite limited.”
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Pinot Rose, Loire 2017 1.5L ($79.95) Displayed Price: $59, Subscriber Special: $53.10, 3 magnums in stock now
Importer note “Always among our most coveted rosés (and for very good reason), Gilles Crochet’s 2017 Sancerre Rosé (100% direct-press Pinot Noir) is wonderfully classic in character, with tangy strawberries and punchy chalk on the nose, and a soft, mellow, pale pink color in the glass. The fruit is very cool and pure this vintage, with great drive and persistence on the acid-driven yet scrumptious palate. While Sancerre overall experienced around 15% losses due to frost in 2017, Crochet was thankfully spared completely.”
Chateau Simone Palette Rose, Provence 2017 1.5L ($139.95) Displayed Price: $119, Subscriber Special: $107.10, 6 magnums in stock now
Rosenthal Note “The Rougiers’ justly legendary rosé—composed of the same field blend as the rouge, and produced by blending direct-press and free-run juice in equal proportions—may as well be from another planet as the sea of technologically produced pink concoctions flooding the market. Even serious growers often make rosé as an afterthought, using quick and inexpensive methods and rushing it into bottle to sell it before the first glimmer of spring warmth. At Chateau Simone, however, the rosé ferments spontaneously, and spends a full year in large oak foudres developing remarkable depth. Like all great wines, the best rosés require time—note that Simone is releasing their 2017 when almost every other producer is issuing their 2018—and a bit of risk in the cellar. And, whereas rosés fall apart within a year or two of being bottled, Simone’s is notorious for improving for over a decade, developing the savory notes and umami complexity of an aged red wine over time. The 2017 growing season dished out challenge after challenge—hail, frost, hydric stress, even hungry birds and pigs—with a subsequent 30-40% reduction in yields from 2016 (which was itself 15% down from 2015). Given that the rosé comprises only ten percent of the estate’s production to begin with, there is painfully little 2017 to go around. Those lucky enough to snare some, however, will encounter a wine of terrific expression, as those grapes that survived the season’s myriad challenges ended up remarkably healthy and concentrated. Amply fruited but with a core of lean minerality, the 2017 Palette Rosé offers excellent tension, and its flavors of juicy red apples, Provencal herbs, and softly smoky earth are particularly well delineated.”
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Commanderie de Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 1.5L ($51.95) Displayed Price: $47, Subscriber Special: $42.30, 7 magnums in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “The famous Cotes de Provence winery, Chateau Peyrassol, is located in the hills of the Var, north of St. Tropez…and is well known for their top notch dry Rosé. This tranquil and picturesque spot is home to vineyards planted to primarily Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah used in the Rosé bottlings…The current release of the Rosé, 2018, is a beautiful vintage for this in demand wine, one of the finest I’ve tried from this estate in fact, in particular I love this Cuvee de la Commanderie, the work horse wine of the domaine. Like all of the Rosés of Peyrassol this one was made in the direct press method, with maceration and fermentation being done with cool temperatures. According to the winery and importer Rosenthal Wine Merchant, this winemaking process gives the Rosés of Peyrassol their beautiful watermelon, and delicate salmon pink color. The fermentation is exceptionally long, resulting in rosés that are both lively, fresh and full-bodied and complex, as this one shows with its layers of tart cherry, the mentioned watermelon, strawberry and citrusy crisp fruits along with a steely/mineral character as well as having a wet stone, dried lavender and rosewater elements. The Chateau Peyrassol, as it has been known since 2001, is one of the longest running domaines in the region being first established in the middle of the 1200s, when it was founded by the Knights of Templar, it rests near the sea and is surrounded by a beautiful Mediterranean forest, with Eighty hectares planted to vineyards which are cultivated on the dry, rocky clay and limestone based soils….I also really like the Blanc and Rouge (made from Cabernet and Syrah) a lot, though the Rosé is certainly the most charming and delicious of the wines and they go great with and without food, though they take on a more serious tone and fill out on the palate with food, I especially enjoy them with seafood like mussels in a Mediterranean inspired spicy broth.”
Importer note “For us, this wine is the classic representation of the pink-tinted wines of this region and is the workhorse wine of the estate. It carries a pale rose color, a lovely fruit blossom nose and finishes crisply dry with a stony touch that gives it class and elegance. The grape blend is usually Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah in varying percentages. The average age of the vines is 25 years or more. The Rosés of Peyrassol are made from the direct press method. The grapes undergo cold maceration before being pressed. This gives them their beautiful watermelon pink color. The fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures and is exceptionally long, resulting in rosés that are both lively, fresh and full-bodied. As production has increased at Peyrassol with the additional plantings, we too have increased our purchases.”
Featured New Arrival
Paolo Bea’s Iconic Wines
New Releases from the Umbrian Master
Subscriber Special
10% Off All Clos de la Chapelle
Subscriber Special
10% Off Large Formats of Rosé
Featured New Arrival
Paolo Bea’s Iconic Wines
Tremendous Value from the Southern Rhone’s “It” Region
K Vintners: The Rock Star of Walla Walla
Staff Pick
#Trending
Collector’s Corner
Older, Top Bottlings from Cappellano and Burlotto
Subscriber-Only Weekend Special:
We’re Offering You
10% Off All Clos de la Chapelle Wines
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Monday, March 9th at 6 PM Pacific
“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.
These wines are all in stock now & on a special subscriber-only 10% just for you!
Highlights In Stock Now:
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2014 750ML ($199.95) Displayed Price: $169, Subscriber Special: $152.10, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “A stoniness underscores the lemon, citronella and clove flavors in this racy white. The chalky texture and light tannins on the finish set this apart. This keeps building, ending with fine energy and a lingering aftertaste. Best from 2019 through 2028. 68 cases made”
John Gilman 93+ points “The 2014 CortonCharlemagne from Clos de la Chapelle is a very fine bottle in the making. The deep and serious nose offers up scents of apple, pear, a touch of iodine, lovely, chalky soil tones, a touch of citrus peel and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, fullbodied, complex and rock solid at the core, with lovely mineral drive, crisp acids and excellent length and grip on the nascently complex finish. Fine juice in the making. 20202045+”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Grands Epenots, Pommard Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $119, Subscriber Special: $107.10, 23 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94+ points “The 2017 Grands Epenots bottling from Clos de la Chapelle is a bit more youthfully plush on the attack than the excellent Chanlins this year, but this too is a superb Pommard that is going to be make very old bones! The bouquet is more black fruity than the Chanlins, wafting from the glass in a very promising constellation of black plums, sweet dark berries, woodsmoke, bitter chocolate, gamebird, a touch of currant leaf, a great base of dark soil tones, gentle spice tones, a hint of violet and a judicious framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is fullbodied, focused and shows off both excellent soil signature and mid-palate depth of fruit, with, ripe, fine-grained tannins, excellent balance and a long, nascently complex and beautifully focused finish. Great juice. 2030-2090.”
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Clos de la Chapelle Monopole, Volnay Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($149.95) Displayed Price: $119, Subscriber Special: $107.10, 23 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94+ points “The Clos de la Chapelle monopole has quickly become one of Volnay’s most elegant bottlings and the 2017 vintage is one of my absolute favorite vintages so far from Mark’s flagship terroir. The nose here is beautifully complex and transparent right out of the blocks, offering a very refined blend of plums, red and black cherries, raw cocoa, gamebird, a touch of fresh nutmeg, beautifully complex and understated fresh herb tones, a gorgeous base of chalky minerality, gentle smokiness and a discreet framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, nascently complex and absolutely defined by its soil element, with a lovely core of fruit, ripe, seamless tannins, good acids and outstanding length and grip on the youthful and very, very promising finish. I have adored this bottling since the very first vintage, but it seems to me that the 2017 has taken the level of complexity and transparency here up another level, though the wine is qualitatively still about the same as it has been since its debut vintage of 2010. It is just finer, more transparent and ultimately just a hair more pleasing to an old Burgundy hand like me this year! This will be approachable in another six or seven years, due to its exquisite balance, but I would try to not touch a bottle for at least a decade, as this wine is built a little bit along the lines of one of Frédéric Lafarge’s top Volnays and it is going to be so much better to drink at age twenty or thirty than it will be at age seven or eight! 2030-2085+”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
10% Off All Clos de la Chapelle Wines
Browse below & shop the entire collection on our web store:
Subscriber-Only Special pricing will not display online.
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order.
Sale valid until Monday, March 9th at 6 PM Pacific
Subscriber Special
10% off All In-Stock
Large Format Rosé (1.5L+) Bottles!
With the return of daylight savings, we’re excited for more sunshine, and the beginning of hosting season. And nothing welcomes guests (or thanks a host) quite like a large format bottle. You could of course just purchase a couple 750’s, but the sight of an oversized bottle has a way of injecting life into a gathering like few other things. Large formats just scream fun—perfect for this time of year.
Tariff free and now offered at 10% lower than our already low pricing, this is the perfect time to grab a bottle or two for your spring calendar. Hailing exclusively from France’s most celebrated rosé regions, our selection is made up of bottles that are as delicious as they are audacious. So be the hero of your next party with a large format bottle of rosé.
Tariff free and now offered at 10% lower than our already low pricing, this is the perfect time to grab a bottle or two for your spring calendar. Hailing exclusively from France’s most celebrated rosé regions, our selection is made up of bottles that are as delicious as they are audacious. So be the hero of your next party with a large format bottle of rosé.
You can browse highlights below or click to shop the sale on our webstore!
10% off All In-Stock Large Format Rosé (1.5L+) Bottles!
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival offers
Cannot be combined with other discounts
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
Sale Ends Monday Morning (March 9th) at 10:00 AM Pacific
Highlights:
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2018 3L ($499.95) Displayed Price: $349, Subscriber Special: $314.10, 1 double magnum in stock now.
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “Shimmering orange. Fresh pit fruit, red berry and floral qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with suggestions of dusty minerals and orange zest. Juicy, focused and lithe on the palate, offering intense nectarine, red currant, strawberry and candied lavender flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows outstanding clarity and mineral cut on a very long, sappy finish that strongly echoes the floral and pit fruit notes.”
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2018 3L ($499.95) Displayed Price: $349, Subscriber Special: $314.10, 1 double magnum in stock now.
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “Shimmering orange. Fresh pit fruit, red berry and floral qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with suggestions of dusty minerals and orange zest. Juicy, focused and lithe on the palate, offering intense nectarine, red currant, strawberry and candied lavender flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Shows outstanding clarity and mineral cut on a very long, sappy finish that strongly echoes the floral and pit fruit notes.”
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose 2017 3L ($199.95) Displayed Price: $169, Subscriber Special: $152.10, 7 double magnums in stock now
Importer note “Made entirely from estate fruit in 2017, “Chateau” is primarily Cinsault, with increasingly smaller amounts of Grenache, Mourvedre, Tibouren, and Syrah. This is a higher-toned, more floral, more filigree wine than its brother above, with subtle herbal notes framing clean, lifted fruit on the nose. Though equally as dense—and perhaps more penetrating due to its more overt mineral character—it is no richer than the “Commanderie,” and it expresses the vintage’s firm tension with elegance.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 1.5L 2018 1.5L ($99.95) Displayed Price: $79, Subscriber Special: $71.10, 15 magnums in stock now
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 3L 2018 3L ($199.95) Displayed Price: $169, Subscriber Special: $152.10, 5 double magnums in stock now
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 6L 2018 6L ($399.95) Displayed Price: $319, Subscriber Special: $287.10, 2 six-liter bottles in stock now
Importer note “This is the elite cuvée of the estate relying as it does on grapes harvested from the oldest vines of the domaine (35 years and older). Principally composed of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah, the “Chateau” bottling also sees the addition, from time-to-time of Tibouren, the ancient and regal Provencale grape. This Rosé is produced via the “direct press” method and has a long cuvaison designed to produce a wine of character and concentration. Vinified in stainless steel and bottled in late winter – early spring, production is quite limited.”
Lucien Crochet Sancerre Pinot Rose, Loire 2017 1.5L ($79.95) Displayed Price: $59, Subscriber Special: $53.10, 3 magnums in stock now
Importer note “Always among our most coveted rosés (and for very good reason), Gilles Crochet’s 2017 Sancerre Rosé (100% direct-press Pinot Noir) is wonderfully classic in character, with tangy strawberries and punchy chalk on the nose, and a soft, mellow, pale pink color in the glass. The fruit is very cool and pure this vintage, with great drive and persistence on the acid-driven yet scrumptious palate. While Sancerre overall experienced around 15% losses due to frost in 2017, Crochet was thankfully spared completely.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau Simone Palette Rose, Provence 2017 1.5L ($139.95) Displayed Price: $119, Subscriber Special: $107.10, 6 magnums in stock now
Rosenthal Note “The Rougiers’ justly legendary rosé—composed of the same field blend as the rouge, and produced by blending direct-press and free-run juice in equal proportions—may as well be from another planet as the sea of technologically produced pink concoctions flooding the market. Even serious growers often make rosé as an afterthought, using quick and inexpensive methods and rushing it into bottle to sell it before the first glimmer of spring warmth. At Chateau Simone, however, the rosé ferments spontaneously, and spends a full year in large oak foudres developing remarkable depth. Like all great wines, the best rosés require time—note that Simone is releasing their 2017 when almost every other producer is issuing their 2018—and a bit of risk in the cellar. And, whereas rosés fall apart within a year or two of being bottled, Simone’s is notorious for improving for over a decade, developing the savory notes and umami complexity of an aged red wine over time. The 2017 growing season dished out challenge after challenge—hail, frost, hydric stress, even hungry birds and pigs—with a subsequent 30-40% reduction in yields from 2016 (which was itself 15% down from 2015). Given that the rosé comprises only ten percent of the estate’s production to begin with, there is painfully little 2017 to go around. Those lucky enough to snare some, however, will encounter a wine of terrific expression, as those grapes that survived the season’s myriad challenges ended up remarkably healthy and concentrated. Amply fruited but with a core of lean minerality, the 2017 Palette Rosé offers excellent tension, and its flavors of juicy red apples, Provencal herbs, and softly smoky earth are particularly well delineated.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau Routas Coteaux Varois en Provence Rose 2018 1.5L ($34.95) Displayed Price: $28, Subscriber Special: $25.20, 28 magnums in stock now
2019 Best In Show; 2019 Best Value – James Suckling
James Suckling 93 points “The nose here is immediately captivating with its freshness, focus and interest. It suggests sea salt, thyme, freshly squeezed nectarines and a touch of well-executed, lifted citrus. The palate shows some good density and the fruit/acid balance is played out nicely. Medium-bodied and sleek and refreshing. Makes you come back for more. Routas on the money as always. Drink now.”
2019 Best In Show; 2019 Best Value – James Suckling
James Suckling 93 points “The nose here is immediately captivating with its freshness, focus and interest. It suggests sea salt, thyme, freshly squeezed nectarines and a touch of well-executed, lifted citrus. The palate shows some good density and the fruit/acid balance is played out nicely. Medium-bodied and sleek and refreshing. Makes you come back for more. Routas on the money as always. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Peyrassol Cotes de Provence ‘Commanderie de Peyrassol’ Rose 2018 1.5L ($51.95) Displayed Price: $47, Subscriber Special: $42.30, 7 magnums in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “The famous Cotes de Provence winery, Chateau Peyrassol, is located in the hills of the Var, north of St. Tropez…and is well known for their top notch dry Rosé. This tranquil and picturesque spot is home to vineyards planted to primarily Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah used in the Rosé bottlings…The current release of the Rosé, 2018, is a beautiful vintage for this in demand wine, one of the finest I’ve tried from this estate in fact, in particular I love this Cuvee de la Commanderie, the work horse wine of the domaine. Like all of the Rosés of Peyrassol this one was made in the direct press method, with maceration and fermentation being done with cool temperatures. According to the winery and importer Rosenthal Wine Merchant, this winemaking process gives the Rosés of Peyrassol their beautiful watermelon, and delicate salmon pink color. The fermentation is exceptionally long, resulting in rosés that are both lively, fresh and full-bodied and complex, as this one shows with its layers of tart cherry, the mentioned watermelon, strawberry and citrusy crisp fruits along with a steely/mineral character as well as having a wet stone, dried lavender and rosewater elements. The Chateau Peyrassol, as it has been known since 2001, is one of the longest running domaines in the region being first established in the middle of the 1200s, when it was founded by the Knights of Templar, it rests near the sea and is surrounded by a beautiful Mediterranean forest, with Eighty hectares planted to vineyards which are cultivated on the dry, rocky clay and limestone based soils….I also really like the Blanc and Rouge (made from Cabernet and Syrah) a lot, though the Rosé is certainly the most charming and delicious of the wines and they go great with and without food, though they take on a more serious tone and fill out on the palate with food, I especially enjoy them with seafood like mussels in a Mediterranean inspired spicy broth.”
Importer note “For us, this wine is the classic representation of the pink-tinted wines of this region and is the workhorse wine of the estate. It carries a pale rose color, a lovely fruit blossom nose and finishes crisply dry with a stony touch that gives it class and elegance. The grape blend is usually Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah in varying percentages. The average age of the vines is 25 years or more. The Rosés of Peyrassol are made from the direct press method. The grapes undergo cold maceration before being pressed. This gives them their beautiful watermelon pink color. The fermentation takes place under controlled temperatures and is exceptionally long, resulting in rosés that are both lively, fresh and full-bodied. As production has increased at Peyrassol with the additional plantings, we too have increased our purchases.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
10% off All In-Stock Large Format Rosé (1.5L+) Bottles!
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival offers
Cannot be combined with other discounts
Discount will not appear in online shopping cart
We will apply it here before charging
Sale Ends Monday Morning (March 9th) at 10:00 AM Pacific
Shop the sale on our webstore!
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival offers
Cannot be combined with other discounts
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Featured New Arrival
Paolo Bea’s Iconic Wines
New Releases from the Umbrian Master
Paolo Bea is an iconic producer—a virtual one-winery symbol of Umbrian wine and it’s potential. No one in the region produces wines as profound, interesting and delicious as the ‘first family’ of Umbrian wine. And a family affair it is. Paolo was responsible for shepherding the estate to its current heights, but has since passed on day-to-day responsibilities to his sons Giampero (winemaker) and Giuseppe (vineyard manager). Fortunately for the family’s hordes of fans, the quality remains as high as ever.
If you’ve had the wines before, keep scrolling to check out the new releases—if not, pay attention. These are wines that capture the wildness of Umbrian wine and its signature grape, Sagrantino, in a way that captivates even the most jaded palates. They’re naturally made, but have classical proportions, with an almost savage ferocity to the flavors (and in the Sagrantino, the tannins as well).
In recent years they’ve become quite hard to acquire (it would seem the word has gotten out), but we have them in stock and ready for you.
Just Arrived and In Stock Now:
Paolo Bea Arboreus Bianco, Umbria IGT 2012 750ML ($74.95) $66 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Arboreus, Umbria Bianco Arboreus: is made from a Trebbiano clone known as Trebbiano Spoletino which is trained so that the fruit hangs high above the ground. The vineyards are planted in the low hills between Trevi and Montefalco at an elevation of 650 to 700 feet with a range of parcels facing both to the east and to the southwest. The soil is essentially clay and gravel. Harvest generally occurs during the first two weeks of October. The wine is left in contact with the skins for up to three weeks or more and is then aged in stainless steel tanks for at least two years prior to bottling. Sulfur is never added. Annual production is in the range of 3000 bottles.”
Paolo Bea Arboreus Bianco, Umbria IGT 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “One of the early success stories in the modern-day revival of skin-macerated white wines, Bea’s beloved “Arboreus” originates from exceedingly old Trebbiano vines (up to 150 years of age) in the village of Spoleto, halfway between Bea’s home village of Montefalco and nearby Trevi. A striking instance of non-standard training, these ancient vines wrap themselves around the trunks and branches of trees (hence the wine’s name), growing and ripening high above the ground. Bea picks the fruit quite ripe and conducts an extended skin maceration (in the case of the 2014, 25 days), after which he leaves the wine on its gross lees for the better part of a year—a technique that nourishes the wine and ensures its ultimate expressive depth, but one which requires total confidence in the quality of one’s raw materials. Standing as the only wine Giampiero produced in the arduous, downy-mildew-affected 2013 vintage, this version is a particularly nimble, mineral-driven rendition of “Arboreus,” with notes of quinine, citrus zest, and fresh almonds atop a particularly lithe and delicate frame. The wine certainly does not lack for power, but its overall impression is less juicily tannic than in more typical vintages—and, at the end of the day, it’s a wine only Giampiero Bea could produce. User’s note: “Arboreus” must be served no cooler than cellar temperature to appreciate its full spectrum of aromas and flavors.”
If you’ve had the wines before, keep scrolling to check out the new releases—if not, pay attention. These are wines that capture the wildness of Umbrian wine and its signature grape, Sagrantino, in a way that captivates even the most jaded palates. They’re naturally made, but have classical proportions, with an almost savage ferocity to the flavors (and in the Sagrantino, the tannins as well).
In recent years they’ve become quite hard to acquire (it would seem the word has gotten out), but we have them in stock and ready for you.
Just Arrived and In Stock Now:
Paolo Bea Arboreus Bianco, Umbria IGT 2012 750ML ($74.95) $66 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Arboreus, Umbria Bianco Arboreus: is made from a Trebbiano clone known as Trebbiano Spoletino which is trained so that the fruit hangs high above the ground. The vineyards are planted in the low hills between Trevi and Montefalco at an elevation of 650 to 700 feet with a range of parcels facing both to the east and to the southwest. The soil is essentially clay and gravel. Harvest generally occurs during the first two weeks of October. The wine is left in contact with the skins for up to three weeks or more and is then aged in stainless steel tanks for at least two years prior to bottling. Sulfur is never added. Annual production is in the range of 3000 bottles.”
Paolo Bea Arboreus Bianco, Umbria IGT 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “One of the early success stories in the modern-day revival of skin-macerated white wines, Bea’s beloved “Arboreus” originates from exceedingly old Trebbiano vines (up to 150 years of age) in the village of Spoleto, halfway between Bea’s home village of Montefalco and nearby Trevi. A striking instance of non-standard training, these ancient vines wrap themselves around the trunks and branches of trees (hence the wine’s name), growing and ripening high above the ground. Bea picks the fruit quite ripe and conducts an extended skin maceration (in the case of the 2014, 25 days), after which he leaves the wine on its gross lees for the better part of a year—a technique that nourishes the wine and ensures its ultimate expressive depth, but one which requires total confidence in the quality of one’s raw materials. Standing as the only wine Giampiero produced in the arduous, downy-mildew-affected 2013 vintage, this version is a particularly nimble, mineral-driven rendition of “Arboreus,” with notes of quinine, citrus zest, and fresh almonds atop a particularly lithe and delicate frame. The wine certainly does not lack for power, but its overall impression is less juicily tannic than in more typical vintages—and, at the end of the day, it’s a wine only Giampiero Bea could produce. User’s note: “Arboreus” must be served no cooler than cellar temperature to appreciate its full spectrum of aromas and flavors.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Paolo Bea ‘Lapideus’ Bianco, Umbria IGT 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Giampiero acquired a parcel of 80-year-old Trebbiano Spoletino in the town of Pigge di Trevi several years back, and 2016 marks just the third vintage of this exciting new addition to the Bea lineup. Arising from a cooler microclimate than the “Arboreus” above, “Lapideus” spent a month on it skins after pressing, followed by over 200 additional days on the gross lees—a similar vinification to “Arboreus,” yet one that yielded markedly different results. “Lapideus” has a leaner, racier carriage than the broad-shouldered “Arboreus,” with a more precise sense of acidity; it emphasizes drive over density, and its underlying salinity is not a far cry from the spellbinding wines we import from Paolo Vodopivec in the Carso—incidentally, a dear friend of Giampiero and a fellow ViniVeri administrator. A subtle note of honeyed sweetness at the wine’s core speaks of its warm-climate origins, and Bea’s propensity for wildness reveals itself in a fascinating but ephemeral cheese-rind whisper in its aromatics. Only 745 bottles were produced, the vast majority of which are destined for the US market.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Paolo Bea Santa Chiara Bianco, Umbria IGT 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The second of Bea’s two early and highly influential skin-macerated white wines, “Santa Chiara” hails from the fabled Pagliarocru, and combines roughly equal proportions of five varieties: Garganega, Grechetto, Malvasia, Sauvignon, and Chardonnay. Everything ferments together, without any additions or temperature regulation, in stainless steel, and the wine is given several years of settling before being bottled without fining or filtration. The rich, forward 2017 spent 28 days on its skins, and was bottled in May 2019 after 20 months of aging. Compared to the relatively racy 2013 “Arboreus” and the typically chiseled 2016 “Lapideus,” this vintage of “Santa Chiara” swaggers out of the bottle with macerated peaches, brassy spice notes, a liberal dash of white pepper, and candied citrus. Despite its somewhat explosive and brash personality, it possesses terrific drive and a focused, tannin-derived sense of architecture.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paolo Bea Pagliaro Secco, Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Bea produces perhaps his most renowned wine from pure Sagrantino grown on the prized hilltop site of Pagliaro, situated at 1300 feet above sea level in Montefalco proper. Following the example of the “Rosso de Veo” above, this 2015 is absolutely jaw-dropping in its intensity and presence. Bea’s wines at their best offer a panoply of spices so intoxicating, so far-reaching, and so evocative, as to nearly defy belief. The only wines that approach Bea’s in that regard are perhaps the most un-sculpted Syrah-based wines of the Northern Rhône, but even those feel as if they have governors on their accelerators in comparison to top vintages of “Pagliaro.” Similarly large in scale to the “Rosso de Veo,” this actually presents with greater precision and nuance, its overall attack more subtle but ultimately no less impactful—direct evidence of a great terroir translated with consummate skill.”
Paolo Bea Rosso de Veo, Umbria IGT 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Since the 2005 vintage, Bea’s “Rosso de Veo” (“Veo” is the way the family’s name is pronounced in the old Umbrian dialect) is pure Sagrantino sourced from younger vines around the property and from parcels that do not quite make Giampiero’s rigorous cut for “Pagliaro,” “Pipparello,” and “Cerrete.” This 2015 is Mike Tyson in his prime: potent, assertive, brazen, and making no concessions to polite society. Monstrous in its tannins, it nonetheless presents them in such a multifaceted way as to almost transcend their viselike grip; the tannins themselves have layers, offering classic sandalwood spice on one level, mineral-saturated depth-charge stoniness on another, and—most thrillingly—a direct, naked evocation of crunching into dripping-ripe berries. Four years of élévage did nothing to blunt this astonishing wine’s unmitigated expression of freshly plucked grapes, and this is a monumental “Rosso de Veo” that should live for a very, very long time.”
Paolo Bea San Valentino Rosso, Umbria IGT 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The 2014 version of Bea’s beloved “San Valentino” is a bit of an outlier. Given the difficulties of the 2014 growing season—the second in a row in which downy mildew exerted enormous pressure—Giampiero was only able to produce a single red wine, constituting the scant viable bunches from his entire range of vineyard holdings. Composed of 40% Sagrantino, 40% Sangiovese, and 20% Montepulciano, the 2014 “San Valentino” offers a classic Bea nose of subtle balsamic notes, brooding spices, and boisterous black fruits, yet it possesses a less massive structure than usual. Calling a Bea red “elegant” is a stretch, and in fact does a slight disservice to the exuberant wildness that is one of Giampero’s wines’ calling cards, but this version of “San Valentino” is indeed fairly light on its feet without exactly being polite. Like its tough-vintage counterpart “Arboreus” above, this 2014 is both somewhat atypical for its category yet unmistakably Bea at its core, and longtime fans of the estate will revel in its idiosyncratic nature as well as its pure deliciousness.”
Tremendous Value from the Southern Rhone’s “It” Region
Gigondas has become the Southern Rhone’s most fashionable region—occupying the position that Chateauneuf du-Pape did during the 90’s and early 00’s. But, despite the recent acclaim, the region continues to produce some of the best values in the world of fine wine.
Perhaps no producer exemplifies this combination of quality and value better than Saint Damien, who proved their bonafides once again in 2017. This was a vintage that presented enough challenges to expose the talent behind region’s labels. And Saint Damien’s wines (and the scores they received) were all the proof we needed that they remain one of Gigondas’ truly outstanding mid-tier producers. This is especially true when you consider that both the old vine (Vieilles Vignes), and site-specific (Les Souteyrades), which also comes from old vines, bottlings are available for under $30 per bottle by the case.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($34.95) $28.80 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($419.95) $319 special (that’s only $26.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The ruby/purple-hued 2017 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a finesse-oriented, medium to full-bodied wine from this estate that has classy notes of dark fruits, kirsch, sappy flowers, and peppery spice. With no hard edges and beautiful balance, it’s reminiscent of the 2011 and will drink nicely for 7-8 years or more.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2017 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes was scheduled to be bottled the week after my visit, so I tasted the final assemblage, which is 75% to 80% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre. Scents of crushed stone, pepper and licorice lead the way, followed by intense notes of black cherries and tree bark. It’s full-bodied, silky and long, with hints of chocolate that creep in on the finish. It looks suppler than I remember it being last year, and it’s for the better.-JC”
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 21 bottles available
Case-12 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Wine Advocate 95 points “A blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, the 2017 Gigondas les Souteyrades—from a clay-based, north-facing site—is rich and earthy, with cinnamon and cola notes accenting dark plums and black cherries. It’s full-bodied and velvety, adding hints of chocolate on the long finish.-JC”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Black cherries, garrigue, leather, and a kiss of spice emerge from the 2017 Gigondas Les Souteyrades, which is Grenache and Mourvèdre brought up in foudre. It’s medium to full-bodied, has light tannins, beautiful balance, and a charming, elegant style. As with the other releases here in 2017, it’s a seamless, layered, complex wine that relies more on elegance and complexity than overt power and richness.”
Also in stock now:
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2015 1.5L ($109.95) $89 special, 14 magnums available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The most opulent and voluptuous of the 2015s, the 2015 Gigondas Les Souteyrades is heavenly juice that, again, drinks well past its humble price point. Just loaded with notions of strawberries, framboise, spring flowers, dried orange peels and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a thick, unctuous texture, sweet tannin and a great, great finish. This cuvee is the normal 80/20 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre, aged all in foudre, and there’s just 750 cases made.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Like the La Louisiane, the 2015 Gigondas les Souteyrades spent a year in foudres prior to bottling. It a similar blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, but grown on north-facing gray clays. There’s more pepper and herb here, still wonderfully ripe raspberries but less chocolate. Full-bodied, it’s still silky and refined, with tremendous length on the finish.”
Grapelive 93+ points “One of the Southern Rhone’s most trusted traditional producers, Joel Saurel’s Domaine Saint-Damien …has many old vine cuvees as well as a lovely Cotes du Rhone bottling as well as a Gigondas Rosé that is high demand. The Vieilles Vignes Gigondas lieu-dit “Souteyrades” which sits on a small hill is a blend of 80% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre from a plot of 67 year old Grenache Noir vines planted in 1948 and 38 year old Mourvèdre on an outcropping of pure grey clay soil with a few stones scattered over, it makes for deep fruit intensity and concentration, I believe this is their most powerful cuvee and this is extremely apparent in this 2015, a rich and ripe vintage. The “Les Souteyrades” vinification is old school with maceration lasting for 6 to 8 weeks in concrete vats before moving to large oak foudres for about a year all from organic grapes that are carefully hand picked and sorted. This earthy and extremely dark Gigondas starts with melted black licorice, leather and deep berries, it’s seriously dense and concentrated with lots of heady weight and texture, gaining a ripe tone with extended air, and wonderful length showing layers of black raspberry, boysenberry, plum and grenadine on the full bodied palate along with that anise, floral incense, baked cherry, chalky stones and pepper spices. This Gigondas has a more of an old school Chateauneuf du Pape like presence in the glass, it’s still way too young to be rewarding yet, but decanting and swirling really helps, it will really unfold in the coming years, be patient, a few bottles hiding for a decade will be wonderful treasures, best from 2022 to 2030.”
Perhaps no producer exemplifies this combination of quality and value better than Saint Damien, who proved their bonafides once again in 2017. This was a vintage that presented enough challenges to expose the talent behind region’s labels. And Saint Damien’s wines (and the scores they received) were all the proof we needed that they remain one of Gigondas’ truly outstanding mid-tier producers. This is especially true when you consider that both the old vine (Vieilles Vignes), and site-specific (Les Souteyrades), which also comes from old vines, bottlings are available for under $30 per bottle by the case.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($34.95) $28.80 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($419.95) $319 special (that’s only $26.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The ruby/purple-hued 2017 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a finesse-oriented, medium to full-bodied wine from this estate that has classy notes of dark fruits, kirsch, sappy flowers, and peppery spice. With no hard edges and beautiful balance, it’s reminiscent of the 2011 and will drink nicely for 7-8 years or more.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2017 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes was scheduled to be bottled the week after my visit, so I tasted the final assemblage, which is 75% to 80% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre. Scents of crushed stone, pepper and licorice lead the way, followed by intense notes of black cherries and tree bark. It’s full-bodied, silky and long, with hints of chocolate that creep in on the finish. It looks suppler than I remember it being last year, and it’s for the better.-JC”
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 21 bottles available
Case-12 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Wine Advocate 95 points “A blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, the 2017 Gigondas les Souteyrades—from a clay-based, north-facing site—is rich and earthy, with cinnamon and cola notes accenting dark plums and black cherries. It’s full-bodied and velvety, adding hints of chocolate on the long finish.-JC”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Black cherries, garrigue, leather, and a kiss of spice emerge from the 2017 Gigondas Les Souteyrades, which is Grenache and Mourvèdre brought up in foudre. It’s medium to full-bodied, has light tannins, beautiful balance, and a charming, elegant style. As with the other releases here in 2017, it’s a seamless, layered, complex wine that relies more on elegance and complexity than overt power and richness.”
Also in stock now:
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2015 1.5L ($109.95) $89 special, 14 magnums available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The most opulent and voluptuous of the 2015s, the 2015 Gigondas Les Souteyrades is heavenly juice that, again, drinks well past its humble price point. Just loaded with notions of strawberries, framboise, spring flowers, dried orange peels and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a thick, unctuous texture, sweet tannin and a great, great finish. This cuvee is the normal 80/20 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre, aged all in foudre, and there’s just 750 cases made.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Like the La Louisiane, the 2015 Gigondas les Souteyrades spent a year in foudres prior to bottling. It a similar blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, but grown on north-facing gray clays. There’s more pepper and herb here, still wonderfully ripe raspberries but less chocolate. Full-bodied, it’s still silky and refined, with tremendous length on the finish.”
Grapelive 93+ points “One of the Southern Rhone’s most trusted traditional producers, Joel Saurel’s Domaine Saint-Damien …has many old vine cuvees as well as a lovely Cotes du Rhone bottling as well as a Gigondas Rosé that is high demand. The Vieilles Vignes Gigondas lieu-dit “Souteyrades” which sits on a small hill is a blend of 80% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre from a plot of 67 year old Grenache Noir vines planted in 1948 and 38 year old Mourvèdre on an outcropping of pure grey clay soil with a few stones scattered over, it makes for deep fruit intensity and concentration, I believe this is their most powerful cuvee and this is extremely apparent in this 2015, a rich and ripe vintage. The “Les Souteyrades” vinification is old school with maceration lasting for 6 to 8 weeks in concrete vats before moving to large oak foudres for about a year all from organic grapes that are carefully hand picked and sorted. This earthy and extremely dark Gigondas starts with melted black licorice, leather and deep berries, it’s seriously dense and concentrated with lots of heady weight and texture, gaining a ripe tone with extended air, and wonderful length showing layers of black raspberry, boysenberry, plum and grenadine on the full bodied palate along with that anise, floral incense, baked cherry, chalky stones and pepper spices. This Gigondas has a more of an old school Chateauneuf du Pape like presence in the glass, it’s still way too young to be rewarding yet, but decanting and swirling really helps, it will really unfold in the coming years, be patient, a few bottles hiding for a decade will be wonderful treasures, best from 2022 to 2030.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2016 1.5L $89 special, 5 magnums available
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Gigondas Les Souteyrades checks in as 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that was brought up all in foudre. It’s another powerful, concentrated, awesome wine that has slightly more exotic notes of black raspberries, crushed flowers, spice, and sappy garrigue. I almost always find a citrus note in this cuvée, which is full-bodied, opulent and mouthfilling on the palate, yet always stays graceful and lively.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Gigondas Les Souteyrades checks in as 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that was brought up all in foudre. It’s another powerful, concentrated, awesome wine that has slightly more exotic notes of black raspberries, crushed flowers, spice, and sappy garrigue. I almost always find a citrus note in this cuvée, which is full-bodied, opulent and mouthfilling on the palate, yet always stays graceful and lively.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Shop our complete collection of 165 in-stock Rhone reds on our webstore!
ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE OPTIONS!
Shop our complete collection of 165 in-stock Rhone reds on our webstore!
ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE OPTIONS!
The Rock Star of Walla Walla
Charles Smith fashions himself a bit of a rock star and he ought to—he used to manage them. Then, one day, on a motorcycle trip, he rode through the Walla Walla Valley and was struck by the majesty of the terrain and the vineyards. Within a few years, he had returned to open a winery.
His first vintage was 1999 and he produced a mere 300 cases of Syrah under his label ‘K Vintners.’ Since, Charles Smith has grown into one of the region’s defining winemakers, the man behind several of its most sought-after labels. The wines are big, rich, ripe, and polished. Everything you want in a modern Washington red. Due to their popularity, K Vintners wines are not easy to source, and for this reason we’re especially proud of our wide selection. In stock now, 11 bottlings—including some of Charles’ most prized single vineyard expressions.
In stock now:
Charles Smith K Vintners The Beautiful Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) $66 special, 36+ bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2016 Syrah The Beautiful Powerline Vineyard is stunning and one of the finest Syrahs in the vintage. Coming all from Clone 470, co-fermented with 3-4% Viognier in concrete tanks, and brought up in mostly neutral oak, it’s a rich, meaty, smoky, full-bodied Syrah that has classic Northern Rhône-like aromas of black olives, smoked meats, ground, earth, and dark fruits. With a stacked mid-palate and beautiful balance, it’s going to keep for 10-15 years.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Syrah The Beautiful is rich and lush on the nose with an impressive core of sappy fruit, savory essence, olive tapenade and crushed violets. The full-bodied palate is generous and compelling with a robust yet velvety base that demonstrates elegance with power. The wine glides over the palate, connecting structuring tannins and supporting acidity to carry this wine for more than a decade. The wine ends with a long and drawn-out finish, with mineral tension and lingering spice tones on the aftertaste. Just 1,135 cases were produced.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Wild, northern Rhône-like aromas of raspberry, game and roasted notes lifted by a note of jasmine that must come from the small Viognier component. Then surprisingly firm on the palate, with juicy but very suave flavors of black raspberry, grilled meat, spices and musky minerality complemented by nuances of flowers, tar and earth. Finishes with substantial dusty, broad tannins and a peppery accent. “A great Rocks vineyard with structure,” is the way winemaker Brennon Leighton describes Powerline. These vines are planted to the 470 Syrah clone from Tablas Creek, which Leighton says is usually more floral and focused than meaty and earthy. (14% alcohol)”
Charles Smith K Vintners The Cattle King Syrah, Snipes Mountain 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2016 Syrah Cattle King Upland Vineyard comes from Snipes Mountain and has a singular, pretty, fresh style with more obvious acidity as well as tannins, yet it still stays in the plush, sexy style of the estate. Blue and black fruits, blood orange, violets, and exotic spice notes all define the bouquet and it’s full-bodied, incredibly pure and seamless on the palate. It’s a beautiful wine that’s going to come together nicely for 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for over a decade.”
James Suckling 95 points “From a sloping plot of deep river rock, this has a fresh array of red and blue berries with a fine, stony edge. The palate has a very sleek, composed feel with such length and composure. The purity of blackberry and blueberry flavors is entrancing. Holds so fresh. Drink this now or hold for a decade or more.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Syrah Cattle King leads with expressive red, black and blue fruits on the nose with a density that can be sensed just by nosing the glass. Black cherry, blackcurrant and boysenberry compote all vie for your attention with savory spices and resinous purple flowers. The full-bodied palate is dense with a pedal-to-metal winemaking approach with chewy tannins and supporting acidity. It continues to linger with spice tones as it changes over a 20-30 second period after the wine has left the palate. Just under 500 cases were produced-AM “
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Lively scents of redcurrant, raspberry and dried herbs, plus a whiff of tea leaf. Bright on entry, the pliant but firm in the middle palate, with its dense flavors of red berries and rocky minerality enlivened by penetrating acidity (the pH is actually 3.85). This savory, subtle midweight finishes surprisingly reticent but very long. I never would have guessed the alcohol but it should help this wine age well. Leighton noted that this vineyard was created when “the mountain rose up and pulled the river up the side of the hill”–hence the cobblestones at this altitude. (15% alcohol; from mineral-rich cobblestone soil”
Charles Smith K Vintners Charlotte, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 22 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92 points “Bright medium red with a palish rim. Highly perfumed scents of red cherry, strawberry, rose petal and violet, along with a wild gamey nuance and an almost liqueur-like brambly quality. Fine-grained red berry and spice flavors display lovely subtle intensity and stony mineral grip. This broad, nuanced blend finishes with excellent breadth and a fine dusting of tannins. This wine is made from river cobblestone but at an altitude 500 feet higher than The Rocks, says Brennon Leighton, noting that the vineyard benefits from cooling breezes from the Blue Mountains. (14.5% alcohol; from Powerline and River Rock vineyards; fermented in concrete, then aged for 26 months in neutral demi-muids; 3.85 pH)”
His first vintage was 1999 and he produced a mere 300 cases of Syrah under his label ‘K Vintners.’ Since, Charles Smith has grown into one of the region’s defining winemakers, the man behind several of its most sought-after labels. The wines are big, rich, ripe, and polished. Everything you want in a modern Washington red. Due to their popularity, K Vintners wines are not easy to source, and for this reason we’re especially proud of our wide selection. In stock now, 11 bottlings—including some of Charles’ most prized single vineyard expressions.
In stock now:
Charles Smith K Vintners The Beautiful Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) $66 special, 36+ bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2016 Syrah The Beautiful Powerline Vineyard is stunning and one of the finest Syrahs in the vintage. Coming all from Clone 470, co-fermented with 3-4% Viognier in concrete tanks, and brought up in mostly neutral oak, it’s a rich, meaty, smoky, full-bodied Syrah that has classic Northern Rhône-like aromas of black olives, smoked meats, ground, earth, and dark fruits. With a stacked mid-palate and beautiful balance, it’s going to keep for 10-15 years.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Syrah The Beautiful is rich and lush on the nose with an impressive core of sappy fruit, savory essence, olive tapenade and crushed violets. The full-bodied palate is generous and compelling with a robust yet velvety base that demonstrates elegance with power. The wine glides over the palate, connecting structuring tannins and supporting acidity to carry this wine for more than a decade. The wine ends with a long and drawn-out finish, with mineral tension and lingering spice tones on the aftertaste. Just 1,135 cases were produced.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Wild, northern Rhône-like aromas of raspberry, game and roasted notes lifted by a note of jasmine that must come from the small Viognier component. Then surprisingly firm on the palate, with juicy but very suave flavors of black raspberry, grilled meat, spices and musky minerality complemented by nuances of flowers, tar and earth. Finishes with substantial dusty, broad tannins and a peppery accent. “A great Rocks vineyard with structure,” is the way winemaker Brennon Leighton describes Powerline. These vines are planted to the 470 Syrah clone from Tablas Creek, which Leighton says is usually more floral and focused than meaty and earthy. (14% alcohol)”
Charles Smith K Vintners The Cattle King Syrah, Snipes Mountain 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2016 Syrah Cattle King Upland Vineyard comes from Snipes Mountain and has a singular, pretty, fresh style with more obvious acidity as well as tannins, yet it still stays in the plush, sexy style of the estate. Blue and black fruits, blood orange, violets, and exotic spice notes all define the bouquet and it’s full-bodied, incredibly pure and seamless on the palate. It’s a beautiful wine that’s going to come together nicely for 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for over a decade.”
James Suckling 95 points “From a sloping plot of deep river rock, this has a fresh array of red and blue berries with a fine, stony edge. The palate has a very sleek, composed feel with such length and composure. The purity of blackberry and blueberry flavors is entrancing. Holds so fresh. Drink this now or hold for a decade or more.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2016 Syrah Cattle King leads with expressive red, black and blue fruits on the nose with a density that can be sensed just by nosing the glass. Black cherry, blackcurrant and boysenberry compote all vie for your attention with savory spices and resinous purple flowers. The full-bodied palate is dense with a pedal-to-metal winemaking approach with chewy tannins and supporting acidity. It continues to linger with spice tones as it changes over a 20-30 second period after the wine has left the palate. Just under 500 cases were produced-AM “
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Lively scents of redcurrant, raspberry and dried herbs, plus a whiff of tea leaf. Bright on entry, the pliant but firm in the middle palate, with its dense flavors of red berries and rocky minerality enlivened by penetrating acidity (the pH is actually 3.85). This savory, subtle midweight finishes surprisingly reticent but very long. I never would have guessed the alcohol but it should help this wine age well. Leighton noted that this vineyard was created when “the mountain rose up and pulled the river up the side of the hill”–hence the cobblestones at this altitude. (15% alcohol; from mineral-rich cobblestone soil”
Charles Smith K Vintners Charlotte, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 22 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92 points “Bright medium red with a palish rim. Highly perfumed scents of red cherry, strawberry, rose petal and violet, along with a wild gamey nuance and an almost liqueur-like brambly quality. Fine-grained red berry and spice flavors display lovely subtle intensity and stony mineral grip. This broad, nuanced blend finishes with excellent breadth and a fine dusting of tannins. This wine is made from river cobblestone but at an altitude 500 feet higher than The Rocks, says Brennon Leighton, noting that the vineyard benefits from cooling breezes from the Blue Mountains. (14.5% alcohol; from Powerline and River Rock vineyards; fermented in concrete, then aged for 26 months in neutral demi-muids; 3.85 pH)”
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Charles Smith K Vintners The Deal Sundance Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles available
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.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93+ points “Bright, dark ruby-red. Scents of black cherry, tar, African violet and licorice on the dark, aromatic nose. Quite primary and concentrated but already plush, ripe and savory, with a piquant note of pink peppercorn providing definition and lift. With its palate-dusting length, this penetrating, peppery wine should offer serious aging potential. (from a gravelly site with volcanic sand; vinified entirely in concrete)”
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.”
Charles Smith K Vintners The Hidden Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 36+ bottles availableJeb Dunnuck 99 points “Flirting with perfection, the 2016 Syrah The Hidden is a classic example of the old saying “an iron fist in a velvet glove.” Beautiful notes of dark fruits, damp earth, iron, and crushed rocks as well as ground pepper all emerge from this full-bodied effort that has no hard edges, a terrific mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a finish that goes on for over a minute. It’s a brilliant, brilliant Syrah and one of the wines of the vintage.”
Wine Advocate 96+ points “The nose of the 2016 Syrah The Hidden Northridge Vineyard offers a round, open-knit and voluptuous expression of dark red and black fruit characteristics—dusty plum skin, blackberry jus and cherry compote—over a wet rock minerality and savory black spices with hints of sweet oak. Full-bodied, the palate is generous but still has a rigidity to the mid-palate, with a note of bitter espresso and gripping tannic backbone. Ending with a long, spicy finish, the wine is going to go the distance and live for decades if you can just forget about it in your cellar. It will be a lucky day if you add any of the 684-case production to your cellar.”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of sweet earth, pepper, espresso, plums and blackberries follow to the palate. This delivers a big, bold hit of ripe, sweet and round fruit with a very encompassing feel, married with a class and breed that really sets it apart. Nothing pedestrian, but a lovingly familiar syrah. Drink from 2023.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Bright red-ruby. Musky dark raspberry, leather, black pepper and a whiff of shoe polish on the complex nose; yet more evidence of how different all these Syrah cuvées are. A seriously vibrant, fine-grained midweight in the mouth, offering terrific perfumed lift to its nuanced flavors of raspberry, spices, lavender and dried oregano. A hint of almost lemony acidity and a suggestion of orange peel contribute to the overall impression of vibrancy and lift. Smooth tannins saturate the front teeth on the very long, spicy aftertaste. (from broken volcanic soils with a bit of limestone)”
Charles Smith ‘King Coal’ Stoneridge Vineyard Cabernet – Syrah, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 28 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “Always from the Stoneridge Vineyard, the 2016 Cabernet / Syrah King Coal is a ripe, sexy, yet savory effort that has awesome notes of red and black currants, spice box, graphite, and ground herbs. Deep ruby/purple-colored, full-bodied, beautifully layered, and with a blockbuster finish, it’s one of those powerful yet still ethereal wines that gives up tons of richness and depth yet has no sense of heaviness or weight.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the 2016 King Coal Stoneridge Vineyard starts with the blue fruited tones with stewed plum, boysenberry and Chambord on the nose with inky purple flowers. The palate is full-bodied, rich and generous, with a focused core of bold fruits that are dense and chewy. A high-octane wine, it ends with a long-lasting finish. Only 818 cases were produced in 2016.-AM”
Charles Smith K Vintners ‘Ovide’ Jack’s Vineyard Cabernet – Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 27 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Named after Smith’s father, the 2016 Ovide comes from the Walla Walla Valley and is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Syrah. This savory, full-bodied, earthy blend offers complex red and black fruits intermixed with notes of dried earth, asphalt, baking chocolate, and spice. It has terrific balance and is going to evolve for 10-15 years.”
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Charles Smith K Vintners Powerline Estate Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Bright, dark red. Slightly liqueur-like aromas of raspberry and exotic spices. Bright and penetrating, offering sharply delineated flavors of boysenberry, pomegranate and game. This high-pitched midweight delivers serious energy and a late note of pungent citrus peel adds grip to the finish. This wine and The Beautiful have similar pHs around 3.95, according to Leighton. (from the Phelps clone; fermented in large stainless steel seed bins)”
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Charles Smith ‘Royal City’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) $135 special, 24 bottles available
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Charles Smith K Vintners River Rock Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 27 bottles available
Winery note “This wine smells really good. It is really good! Energy galore, a focused palate. Aroma of undergrowth, raspberry, plum, sandalwood, anise, marjoram and cured meat. All culminating in a lush, taunt delivery and an unending finish. Yes, really good! 100% Syrah / 100% whole cluster pressed / Native yeast / 40 days on skins / 40% new French oak puncheons / 20 mo. barrel-aged on lees.”
Charles Smith K Vintners Rock Garden Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 7 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Coming from a site in the Rocks region of the Walla Walla Valley, the 2016 Syrah Rock Garden boasts a deep ruby/purple color as well as a sweet nose of red fruits, spring flowers, ground pepper, and assorted leafy, herbal notes. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, and just a straight-up sexy wine, drink it any time over the coming decade.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2016 Syrah Rock Garden walks a fine line between red and black fruit, with dusty red plum, inky blackberry reduction and pulverized peppercorns along with hung meats and dusty sweet tobacco aromas wafting out of the glass. Full-bodied in the mouth, the wine shows a rigidity, as the fruit turns slightly tart, delivering a freshness that is rich and zippy. Displaying flavors of tart black cherries on the fresh, zippy and long finish, the wine echos on the aftertaste with a rocky minerally, tart cherries and black pepper. It’s a lovely wine; approximately 600 cases produced.-AM”
Wine Spectator 93 points ” Expressive river stone and blueberry aromas open to silky and refined raspberry, licorice and black olive flavors that build on the dynamic finish. Drink now through 2026. 598 cases made. — TF”
Winery note “Purity speaks! A creature of its vineyard. Stone, Asian five spice, game, cocoa, dried herbs and cold riverbed aromas that waft up from the glass and fill your senses with the most amazing perfume. WOW. 100% Syrah / 100% whole cluster pressed / Native yeast / 35 days on skins / 21 mo. barrel-aged on lees.”
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Staff Pick
Andy:I am always a fan of Rhone whites, but I usually go for cooler vintages where the backbone is firm and mineral rich. The 2017 Saint Joseph from Eric and Joel Durand is my exception to the rule. The Marsanne Roussane blend shows off its more aromatic side – white flowers, ripe stone fruit and warm beeswax. Typical St Joe, but turned up a notch. It is a lovely textural wine that opens up nicely and never gets out of balance despite the increased weight. It has had a chance to round out and the wine will be drinking quite well over the next couple of years. We had this with some Pad Khee Mao and really enjoyed that it wasn’t overwhelmed by the spice – in fact it played quite nicely.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
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#Trending
Pepper and bright, this is in a beautiful place right now.
Matello Fool’s Journey Deux Vert Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points “Bright violet. Smoke-tinged dark berries and pungent flowers on the nose. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors that take a sweeter turn on the back half. Dusty tannins make a late appearance and add gentle grip to the smooth, energetic finish.”
Winery note “From the Willamette Valley’s first planting of Syrah, this cool climate, low alcohol wine will redefine your idea of the possibilities of new-world Syrah. If you like your Syrah French, here is a kindred but one of a kind wine from Oregon.”
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Top quality fruit at a value price.
CVNE ‘Cune’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 CVNE ‘Cune’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2013 750ML ($279.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle—the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Brilliant ruby. Energetic, mineral-accented raspberry and cherry aromas reveal hints of rose, vanilla and woodsmoke. Silky and expansive on entry, offering nicely concentrated red fruit flavors that gain energy and a smoky mineral quality with air. Floral pastille and cracked pepper notes linger on the juicy, focused finish, which shows very good clarity and sneaky, fine-grained tannins. Much of the juice that would normally go into the high-end Imperial bottlings wound up in here this vintage.”
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Big and rich, drink this one with cassoulet or an end-of-winter stew.
Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas, Rhone 2016 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock nowJeb Dunnuck 92 points “Leading off the wines from bottle, the 2016 Gigondas is a classic wine from this estate, offering a deeper ruby/purple color as well as tons of garrigue, peppery spice, and earth intermixed with ample red and black fruits. Polished, rounded and sexy, with sweet tannin, it has a modern style that won’t appeal to traditionalists yet is beautifully done. The blend is 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Lively, expansive red berry, floral pastille and white pepper scents, along with suggestions of garrigue and smoky minerals. Sweet, focused and seamless in the mouth, offering juicy raspberry, spicecake and lavender flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. Clings with very good authority on the gently tannic finish and leaves succulent floral and herb notes behind.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92 points “Hints of garrigue accent raspberries and Rainier cherries in the 2016 Gigondas. This blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault is full-bodied and supple, with no hard edges, just lovely fruit. Long, seamless and delicious for drinking over the next 6-7 years, it’s a terrific introduction to the fruit-forward style at this estate. Tasted twice with consistent notes.”
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The best value from Remelluri? The best value in Rioja?
Remelluri ‘ Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente’, Rioja 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Remelluri ‘ Lindes de Remelluri Vinedos de San Vicente’, Rioja 2014 750ML ($179.95) $128 special (that’s only $21.33/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “Some richer, darker and deeper fruit character with plums, blackberries and a dark, earthy streak. The tannins are more upright, more elevated, and the fruit is richer and darker than in the Labastida. This has real presence, grip and energy. Try from 2021.”
Grapelive 94 points “Telmo Rodriguez, one of the most iconic and best winemakers of his generation…. has accomplished himself as a champion of terroir over varietal and employs artisan craftsmanship in the cellar, with his wines hardly ever showing overt oak or aggressive alcohol, they always show distinctive purity and a sense of place, and these secondary wines known as Lindes de Remmelluri are magnificent expressions of Rioja, they are richly flavored and soulful wines crafted from old vine purchased fruit from vineyards that prior had got into the family’s main wine. These two vineyard select wines, Labastida and this San Vincente, coming from vineyards that used to go into the Remelluri Reserva are now separated into these two new single vineyard bottlings that are absolutely stunning values, especially in this 2014 vintage….The beautiful and deep Lindes de Remelluri Viñedos de San Vicente 2014, a field blend of 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha, was fermented using all native yeasts in cool stainless steel tanks and then raised in barrel, 100% French oak, for 12 months before bottling where it is rested a good amount of time as well. San Vincente in the Rioja Alta just to the east of Haro is at about 50 meters up, but hotter than the higher sites at Labastida and at the main Remelluri estate located in Rioja Alavesa which are much cooler, making this wine seem more lush, riper in satiny tannin and with a softer acidity. Grown on hardened clay and calcareous limestone over a firm core of bedrock from organic vines that average at least 40 years of age this wine shows warm dark fruits, blackberry, cherry and plum lead the way along with hints of earthy mulberry and cranberry along with lilacs, cedar/sandalwood, a touch of vanilla and a subtle array of spices. 2014 was a slightly cooler year and that really helps this wine feel alive on the opulent and full bodied palate and it lingers on and on with a echoing aftertaste that is highly impressive. Telmo’s wines are always polished and textural, but distinctly authentic with terruño character and delivering substance along with some flair, which this one shows, it should age well too, I can imagine at least another decade plus with this 2014 San Vincente.”
The winery just got a 100 point score for a new release, but this ’13 is in a prime drinking window.
Domaine de la Terre Rouge Ascent Syrah, Sierra Foothills 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “This is the small-production, flagship wine from the Sierra region’s best producer of Rhône-style wines. Lovely, spicy, floral aromas and generous, complex and layered flavors make the wine irresistible, while its strong but velvety texture sets it up for a long life in the cellar for those who can resist. It smells lightly oaky, like a cigar box and cocoa, tastes deep and focused on blackberry, pomegranate and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is both rich and a bit reserved.”
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Collector’s Corner
Older, Top Bottlings from Cappellano and Burlotto
Older, Top Bottlings from Cappellano and Burlotto
Two of the most heralded names in traditional Barolo are Cappellano and Burlotto, both known for old-school, age worthy wines that are some of the most profound bottlings in the region. Both use long macerations and age their wines only in large botti (casks). The result are wines that can often be austere in their youth but blossom over the decades into sensual, intellectually and hedonistically satisfying bottles.We secured a large parcel of back vintage wines from both producers at prices that are excellent given the provenance and market conditions for these wines. These are very hard to find on the secondary market, as well—unlike some names, collectors of these bottles tend to drink rather than re-sell. Now is your chance to secure some rare bottlings.
Unfortunately as you’ll see below, the quantities on each individual bottling are small, so you’re going to have to act quickly. You can view the entire list from each producer below or click here to see all of the wines from Cappellano or here to see the wines from Burlotto that are available for purchase.
Please Note: Cappellano is adamantly opposed to the idea of numeric score being attached to a wine and requests his wines not be reviewed. As a result, these wines lack the scores and reviews we usually publish. If you’re unfamiliar with these wines, we encourage you to search the internet for more information about these bottles—we’re sure you’ll only be more excited to drink them.
Thanks for reading!