In This Newsletter:
Jump Start Chardonnay Offers:
Cameron Reserve &
High Scoring Brewer Clifton
Featured New Arrival:
Barthod
New Week – New Arrivals
Trending Wines
Arriving Friday:
Belle Pente’s 2016s
&
Borgogno’s Rare Derthona Timorasso
Jump Start Chardonnay Offers:
Cameron Reserve &
High Scoring Brewer Clifton
We adore John Paul, and we were thrilled to sample his latest release last week (and, heck, to see him in person during these strange times). The 2018 Cameron Dundee Hills Reserve Chard is dazzling. It has a weight and minerality that will shine through for a decade or more. John Paul decided to declassify more barrels of his Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique this year, anticipating that the pandemic would reduce demand for upper tier bottlings. This could be the greatest release to date of this wine and deserves a prominent place in your cellar. “Burgundy or Oregon–what really matters is that Cameron produces some of the latter’s finest Pinot Noir and in winemaker John Paul, one of its most erudite, principled, forward-thinking/traditional and charismatic personalities that I encountered during my time there.” – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
Cameron Winery Reserve Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($39.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cameron Winery Reserve Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($289.95) $195 special (that’s only $32.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
VinopolNote: The ‘Reserve’ level of Cameron Chardonnay is an incredible deal. Made of declassified barrels of Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge, so without the new oak that the lower level bottling sees, this wine shows facets of the grace and intensity of Abbey and the Clos without the price tag of those higher end bottlings.
Shop our selection of world-class wines from Cameron on our web store!
Looking for a weighty Chard from our neighbors to the south? Sample this best in class example from Brewer-Clifton that just landed:
Brewer-Clifton Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay, California 2017 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Brewer-Clifton Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay, California 2017 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “One of the great values out there, the 2017 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills offers thrilling notes of white flowers, white peach, currants, and toasted bread. This ripe, sexy wine is unquestionably at the same level as the more expensive single vineyard releases, and it will evolve for just as long.”
Josh Raynolds 93 points “The 2017 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is a gorgeous appellation-level wine from Brewer-Clifton. Creamy and ample, the 2017 is absolutely delicious. Tangerine, mint, lemon peel and sweet spice notes all meld together in a striking, nuanced Chardonnay that hits all the right notes. The 2017 is positively stellar. That’s pretty much all there is to it.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This appellation blend carries that aromatic hallmark of this winery’s Chardonnays, with a streak of walnut oil that decorates the marmalade and toast tones. The palate is bright in acidity, giving energy to the flavors of walnut paste, dried orange peel and sun-dried honeysuckle.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $33
Featured New Arrival:
Barthod
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod the touchstone producer in Chambolle. Her estate was founded in the 1920s, and Ghislaine began working under her father in the 1980s. She farms just under six hectares of vines in and around Chambolle, with vines that average 30 years grown on limestone gravel soils. The wines are raised traditionally and thoughtfully, with a gentle and slow, hands-off approach. Her wines are well known for their elegance and finesse: these are age-worthy wines that are profoundly marked by their sense of place.
The wines have become harder and harder to find over recent years—six hectares doesn’t go very far in the world market. Nevertheless, we’ve managed to secure a strong allocation across her portfolio (though each bottling is very limited in quantity). These are some of the Burgundian highlights of each vintage and 2017 is no exception.
Newly Arrived from Barthod:
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Bourgogne Les Bons Batons Rouge, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 21 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2017 Bourgogne Les Bons Bâtons offers up beautiful aromas of sweet Griotte cherries, red berries, dried flowers and orange rind. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, pure and satiny, with a tangy core of fruit and chalky structuring tannins. From a parcel in Gilly-lès-Cîteaux, one of the finest locations classified as Bourgogne, this cuvée would embarrass many village wines.”
Burghound “outstanding top value. Buoyantly fresh aromas consist of pretty essence of red berries, violet, lavender and a whiff of earth. There is a lovely sense of energy to the agreeably textured flavors that conclude in a refreshing finish where a touch of bitter cherry pit arises. Lovely.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny 2017 750ML ($129.95) $119 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “Barthod’s beautiful 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Village reveals an inviting bouquet of raspberries, red cherries, blood orange and espresso roast, subtly framed by classy new wood. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and succulent, with a fleshy core of fruit, tangy acids and fine but chalky structuring tannins.”
Burghound 89-91 points “Outstanding. Here too the aromas of plum, violet and blueberry are super-fresh and expressive. The sleek, intense and beguilingly delicious middle weight flavors exude a subtle minerality onto the firm and relatively serious finish. This is perhaps less elegant than it usually is as it’s more structured but it may well compensate by developing even better depth over time.”
Neal Martin, Vinous “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Village has a pretty, slightly tertiary bouquet featuring touches of brown spice sprinkled over the red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, slightly chalky in texture and spicier than recent vintages that I have tasted. It is a little rustic in style, but that is part of its charm.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Aux Beaux Bruns, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Aux Beaux Bruns was the first to be picked this year, partly because the vineyard tends to suffer more millerandage. The bouquet offers black brambly fruit laced with violet and iris aromas. The palate is one of the most structured from the domaine this year, offering layers of mineral-rich black fruit and real tension toward the finish. Quite cerebral – and superb.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “From a warm site that typically produces the most accessible of Berthod’s premiers crus, the 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Aux Beaux Bruns soars from the glass with aromas of ripe raspberries and cherries that mingle with nuances of licorice, rose petals and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, ample and generous, with a gourmand and expressive core of fruit, velvety tannins and succulent balancing acids. Reminiscent of Barthod’s terrific 2000, this will be hard to resist in its youth, but it should see out its 20th birthday in style.”
Burghound 90-92 points “A relatively deeply pitched nose speaks of dark raspberry, plum liqueur, red currant and touches of earth and leather. As is typically the case, the medium-bodied flavors possess more volume and richness though notable less refinement to the sappy, powerful and serious finish that should easily repay extended keeping. While qualitatively similar to the Chatelots, this is completely different in style and personality.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Chatelots, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Les Chatelots 1er Cru has a floral bouquet with wilted rose petals infusing the well-defined, transparent red fruit. The palate is well balanced with a sorbet-like entry and a fine bead of acidity, not deep or concentrated, but fresh and brimming with tension. This will surely be difficult to resist in its youth.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “Emphasizing elegance over power, the 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Chatelots reveals a pretty bouquet of raspberries, plums and dried flowers, complemented by hints of rose hip and raw cocoa. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, pure and succulent, with a tensile, chalky profile and a vibrant finish.”
Burghound 90-92 points “Here the expressive nose is more elegant still with somewhat higher-toned aromas of essence of red currant, raspberry and soft spice wisps. The lilting and pleasingly vibrant middle weight flavors are supported by beautifully fine-grained tannins on the lacy and graceful finish. This is a classically styled Chatelots of finesse and refinement but one that has the stuffing to age too.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Cras, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 5 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95+ points “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras unfurls in the glass with a youthfully reticent bouquet of raspberries, cherries, rose petal and orange rind. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, satiny-textured and multidimensional, with stunning depth and concentration at the core, mouthwatering acids and a searingly intense, mineral finish. This is a stunning Cras from a masterful winemaker at the peak of her powers.”
Burghound 92-94 points “Sweet Spot Outstanding. Interestingly this is aromatically quite similar to the Véroilles if perhaps just a bit more elegant and layered. The racy, intense and overtly mineral-driven medium weight flavors possess almost painful punch along with chiseled delineation on the austere, serious and compact yet superbly long finish. This very firm effort is not seductive or especially refined at present but the power and drive are most impressive.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Veroilles, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 2 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Véroilles is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberries, warm spices and a subtle framing of new wood. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a richly structured and tight-knit core, a bright line of acidity and a long, mineral finish. Along with the Cras, this gets my nod as likely Barthod’s longest-lived wine of the vintage.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2016 Chambolle-Musigny Les Véroilles 1er Cru, whose 0.38 hectares will be labeled monopole from next year, has a straightforward bouquet that perhaps does not quite deliver the same complexity as the other Premier Crus. The palate is medium-bodied with a sorbet-fresh opening; veins of orange peel and marmalade tincture the dark berry fruit, and a tang of oyster shell emerges toward the precise finish. Very fine.”
Burghound 91-93 points “Outstanding. An admirably pure nose displays aromas of black cherry, spice, lavender and rose petal aromas. The caressing and strikingly well detailed middle weight flavors are impressively rich yet precise and this too evidences plenty of minerality on the powerful, sappy and palate coating backend. While this is presently not quite as complex or structured as the Fuées, it is nonetheless quite promising.”
The wines have become harder and harder to find over recent years—six hectares doesn’t go very far in the world market. Nevertheless, we’ve managed to secure a strong allocation across her portfolio (though each bottling is very limited in quantity). These are some of the Burgundian highlights of each vintage and 2017 is no exception.
Newly Arrived from Barthod:
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Bourgogne Les Bons Batons Rouge, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 21 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2017 Bourgogne Les Bons Bâtons offers up beautiful aromas of sweet Griotte cherries, red berries, dried flowers and orange rind. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, pure and satiny, with a tangy core of fruit and chalky structuring tannins. From a parcel in Gilly-lès-Cîteaux, one of the finest locations classified as Bourgogne, this cuvée would embarrass many village wines.”
Burghound “outstanding top value. Buoyantly fresh aromas consist of pretty essence of red berries, violet, lavender and a whiff of earth. There is a lovely sense of energy to the agreeably textured flavors that conclude in a refreshing finish where a touch of bitter cherry pit arises. Lovely.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Chambolle-Musigny 2017 750ML ($129.95) $119 special, 6 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “Barthod’s beautiful 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Village reveals an inviting bouquet of raspberries, red cherries, blood orange and espresso roast, subtly framed by classy new wood. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and succulent, with a fleshy core of fruit, tangy acids and fine but chalky structuring tannins.”
Burghound 89-91 points “Outstanding. Here too the aromas of plum, violet and blueberry are super-fresh and expressive. The sleek, intense and beguilingly delicious middle weight flavors exude a subtle minerality onto the firm and relatively serious finish. This is perhaps less elegant than it usually is as it’s more structured but it may well compensate by developing even better depth over time.”
Neal Martin, Vinous “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Village has a pretty, slightly tertiary bouquet featuring touches of brown spice sprinkled over the red fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, slightly chalky in texture and spicier than recent vintages that I have tasted. It is a little rustic in style, but that is part of its charm.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Aux Beaux Bruns, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 4 bottles in stock nowNeal Martin-Vinous 92-94 points “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Aux Beaux Bruns was the first to be picked this year, partly because the vineyard tends to suffer more millerandage. The bouquet offers black brambly fruit laced with violet and iris aromas. The palate is one of the most structured from the domaine this year, offering layers of mineral-rich black fruit and real tension toward the finish. Quite cerebral – and superb.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “From a warm site that typically produces the most accessible of Berthod’s premiers crus, the 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Aux Beaux Bruns soars from the glass with aromas of ripe raspberries and cherries that mingle with nuances of licorice, rose petals and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, ample and generous, with a gourmand and expressive core of fruit, velvety tannins and succulent balancing acids. Reminiscent of Barthod’s terrific 2000, this will be hard to resist in its youth, but it should see out its 20th birthday in style.”
Burghound 90-92 points “A relatively deeply pitched nose speaks of dark raspberry, plum liqueur, red currant and touches of earth and leather. As is typically the case, the medium-bodied flavors possess more volume and richness though notable less refinement to the sappy, powerful and serious finish that should easily repay extended keeping. While qualitatively similar to the Chatelots, this is completely different in style and personality.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Chatelots, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny Les Chatelots 1er Cru has a floral bouquet with wilted rose petals infusing the well-defined, transparent red fruit. The palate is well balanced with a sorbet-like entry and a fine bead of acidity, not deep or concentrated, but fresh and brimming with tension. This will surely be difficult to resist in its youth.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90-92 points “Emphasizing elegance over power, the 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Chatelots reveals a pretty bouquet of raspberries, plums and dried flowers, complemented by hints of rose hip and raw cocoa. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, pure and succulent, with a tensile, chalky profile and a vibrant finish.”
Burghound 90-92 points “Here the expressive nose is more elegant still with somewhat higher-toned aromas of essence of red currant, raspberry and soft spice wisps. The lilting and pleasingly vibrant middle weight flavors are supported by beautifully fine-grained tannins on the lacy and graceful finish. This is a classically styled Chatelots of finesse and refinement but one that has the stuffing to age too.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Cras, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 5 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95+ points “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras unfurls in the glass with a youthfully reticent bouquet of raspberries, cherries, rose petal and orange rind. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, satiny-textured and multidimensional, with stunning depth and concentration at the core, mouthwatering acids and a searingly intense, mineral finish. This is a stunning Cras from a masterful winemaker at the peak of her powers.”
Burghound 92-94 points “Sweet Spot Outstanding. Interestingly this is aromatically quite similar to the Véroilles if perhaps just a bit more elegant and layered. The racy, intense and overtly mineral-driven medium weight flavors possess almost painful punch along with chiseled delineation on the austere, serious and compact yet superbly long finish. This very firm effort is not seductive or especially refined at present but the power and drive are most impressive.”
Domaine Ghislaine Barthod Les Veroilles, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 2 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Véroilles is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberries, warm spices and a subtle framing of new wood. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a richly structured and tight-knit core, a bright line of acidity and a long, mineral finish. Along with the Cras, this gets my nod as likely Barthod’s longest-lived wine of the vintage.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 91-93 points “The 2016 Chambolle-Musigny Les Véroilles 1er Cru, whose 0.38 hectares will be labeled monopole from next year, has a straightforward bouquet that perhaps does not quite deliver the same complexity as the other Premier Crus. The palate is medium-bodied with a sorbet-fresh opening; veins of orange peel and marmalade tincture the dark berry fruit, and a tang of oyster shell emerges toward the precise finish. Very fine.”
Burghound 91-93 points “Outstanding. An admirably pure nose displays aromas of black cherry, spice, lavender and rose petal aromas. The caressing and strikingly well detailed middle weight flavors are impressively rich yet precise and this too evidences plenty of minerality on the powerful, sappy and palate coating backend. While this is presently not quite as complex or structured as the Fuées, it is nonetheless quite promising.”
We offer 238 red Burgundies in stock now. Shop our offerings from such epic estates as Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Gouges, Fourrier, Rousseau, Hudelot-Noellat, Roumier, Hubert Lignier and more on our web store!
New Week – New Arrivals
Rosé
Domaine de Fenouillet Ventoux Rose, Rhone 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Rosethenal note “This rosé is vinified partially by direct press and partially by “saignée”, the juice is naturally clarified after a cold “débourbage” of 24 hours, the wine ferments at temperature that never exceeds 16 degrees Celsius and then it is aged on the fine lees for four to six months before bottling. It is a blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache and 10% Syrah, all of which is planted to soils of clay, limestone and silex. Production is limited: we import approximately 6000 bottles per annum for the US market. Certified organic.”
Domaine de Fenouillet Ventoux Rose, Rhone 2019 750ML ($17.95) $14 specialRosethenal note “This rosé is vinified partially by direct press and partially by “saignée”, the juice is naturally clarified after a cold “débourbage” of 24 hours, the wine ferments at temperature that never exceeds 16 degrees Celsius and then it is aged on the fine lees for four to six months before bottling. It is a blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Grenache and 10% Syrah, all of which is planted to soils of clay, limestone and silex. Production is limited: we import approximately 6000 bottles per annum for the US market. Certified organic.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Casa Rossa Rose, IGP Ile de Beaute 2019 750ML ($16.95) $11.90 special
VinopolNote: Fresh, bright, and delicious, this Corsican rosé evokes the sandy beaches and sunshine. It’s 70% Niellucciu, 30% Grenache, offering flavors of lemon zest, ripe strawberries and white pepper. Take a #sociallydistanced vacation with this staff pick!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Looking for a wine to pair with white fish? Look no further!
Domaine Bunan ‘Belouve’ Rose Cotes de Provence 2019 750ML ($21.95) $17 special
Winery note “Cinsault 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 30%, Ugni blanc 10%. Pale salmon pink hue. Elegant and fruity nose revealing aromas of citrus fruits. A direct and harmonious wine. A crunchy rosé with a clean attack elongated by lingering fruity notes. Pair with fish, shellfish, lamb, white meats, spicy dishes.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaines Bunan is one of the most interesting and undervalued producers in Bandol. They’re a historic estate with some of the most privileged vineyards in the region, but due to scattered importation they don’t have the clout they should in the states. The Mas Rouviere vineyard sits next to the Chateau of the same name and is high in elevation on a steep slope. This results in an intense, powerful rosé for less than half the price of Tempier.
Domaine Bunan Mas de la Rouviere Bandol Rose, Provence 2019 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “Cinsault 30%, Grenache 30%, Mourvèdre 40%. Petal pink colour. Direct and elegant nose dominated by exotic fruits. Pair with roasted meats, braised white meats, provencal specialities, fish in sauce.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Did you know we have 78 different pink wines in stock now?
Explore all our rosé options on our web store!
Oregon
Beaux Freres is one of the Great Names in Oregon wine, and one of the wineries that helped put the Willamette Valley on the map. These wines were some of the earliest sought-after wines from our corner of the wine world.
Beaux Freres ‘The Beaux Freres Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($109.95) $84 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby. Intense red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with hints of cola and licorice. Juicy and precise, offering concentrated raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that take on a five-spice-powder nuance with air. Plays power off delicacy with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and silky, with polished tannins framing lingering red fruit and candied rose notes. 45% new oak.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. 3,088 cases made.”
James Suckling 96 points “This is a trademark, deeply rich impression with an unctuous, violet-flower layer, together with blueberries, cherries and sweetly toasty woody spices, as well as forest wood and fresh, leafy and sappy nuances. The palate has a very succulent, fresh and lithe, almost tangy feel, delivering such succulent, mouthwatering energy at the finish. Ready now, but better from 2024.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, Oregon 2018 750ML ($79.95) $53 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Polished, rich and impressively structured, with rose petal and raspberry notes that build toward a sleekly dynamic finish and refined tannins. Drink now through 2029. 1,730 cases made.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is a blend of twelve parcels from around Willamette Valley. Rich, dark and deeply intense aromas of spicy red plums and wild cherries with sappy notes, as well as forest wood and pomegranate. The palate has taut tannin texture and a rich array of ripe dark plums and a fine yet firm build on the finish. Long and approachable now. Drink or hold.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Highly expressive aromas of cherry preserves, boysenberry, candied rose and baking spices, plus a hint of vanilla in the background. Coats the palate with intense red and blue fruit and floral pastille fruit flavors that become more energetic with air. The floral and spice qualities resonate strongly on the finish, which lingers with excellent tenacity and sneaky, well-knit tannins. 40% new oak.”
France
Andre Neveu makes some of our favorite Sancerre bottlings every year. Combining intensity with characteristic minerality, the wines demand your attention while remaining insanely refreshing. These are apex summer sippers.
The Grand Fricambault comes from Silex soils, typical of Sancerre, and expresses the terroir beautifully. Vinified in large tanks, dry fruit and flinty minerality are the star attractions, a style that calls out for seafood and sunshine. Coming from 50+ year old vines, Le Manoir offers more intensity and roundness. As such, the bottling delivers serious pleasure now, but will undoubtedly age beautifully. Finally, Les Monts Damnés is the most versatile of the lineup. The perfect pairing for everything from seafood to poultry, it too is stunning today but is likely to improve with several years of cellaring.
Andre Neveu Sancerre Grands Fricambault, Loire 2019 750ML ($29.95) $26 specialCase-12 Andre Neveu Sancerre Grands Fricambault, Loire 2019 750ML ($359.95) $279 special (that’s only $23.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Winery note “From the sauvignon grape whose vines are planted on the Sancerre hillside, a terroir composed exclusively of Silex. Vinification is carried out in temperature controlled inox tanks. Dry and fruity, it shows mineral typicity, and its particular ‘gun flint’ taste over several years. Best served chilled (10-12°C). It goes well with oysters, shellfish, and goat’s cheese, such as the famous ‘Crottin de Chavignol’.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Le Manoir Vieilles Vignes, Loire 2019 750ML ($36.95) $29 special
Case-12 Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Le Manoir Vieilles Vignes, Loire 2019 750ML ($419.95) $312 special (that’s only $26/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Winery note “Produced from 50 year old vines planted on a limestone pebble soil, this wine gives intense aromas, a pleasing roundness, and length in the mouth. This is a wine that will keep well for several years. Drink as an aperitif or with Loire river fish, and white meats.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Les Monts Damnes, Loire 2017 750ML ($44.95) $37 special
Case-12 Domaine Andre Neveu Sancerre Les Monts Damnes, Loire 2017 750ML ($499.95) $399 special (that’s only $33.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Winery note “This Sancerre white comes from our exclusively hand-harvested limestone-clay vineyards in Chavignol, on the famous ‘Cote des Monts Damnés’, so named by our ancestors because it was a very awkward slope to work. However, it does have an exceptional terroir and ideal exposure. Excellent drunk young, it will open up over time, and age without effort. It will combine perfectly with all types of fish, and white meats in sauce.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Clos Rougeard is one of the toughest wines in the world to source—and older vintages even more so. These are bottles that are some of the most coveted in the world—the only producer of their stature in the Loire, they’re on par with the highest end Burgundy. Collector’s fight for bottles of these impressive wines—making our haul of the legend-in-the-making 2014’s extremely impressive.
Clos Rougeard Saumur Blanc Breze, Loire 2014 750ML ($299.95) $269 special, 3 bottles in stock nowJason Wilson-Vinous 92 points “Serious and brooding Chenin. Dark golden, offering deep, intense aromas of wax, honey, lanolin and tropical fruit. In the mouth, full-bodied and more lush than the later vintages, veering far to the Burgundian side of things. A lovely wine, but very big, and showing a good deal of oak influence.”
Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg, Loire 2014 750ML ($449.95) $419 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Jason Wilson-Vinous 92 points “A brooding and dark style of Cabernet Franc. Aromas and flavors of spice, cigar box, and kirsch, with fresh and baked cherry and berry growing darker toward the finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Les Clos, Loire 2014 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jason Wilson-Vinous 94 points “Classic and exceptional. A savory nose full of smoke, black pepper, and spice. Lively juicy and complex on the palate, with black cherry, red berries and olives, as well as licorice and green tobacco. It is long, succulent and fresh. The blend of elegance and rusticity one hopes for in Loire reds.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Schedule your trip to the Loire by browsing all 92 wines in stock now (including library releases of Clos Rougeard)!
Italy
“Paitin’s 2016 Barbarescos are beautiful, but they are also very tight and in need of either quite a bit of air or, preferably, at least several years in bottle. The 2016s spent 30 days on the skins, including submerged cap maceration for some lots. The malolactic fermentations were done in steel and the wines subsequently spent about two years in oak. Time in the glass helps the 2016s show well, but the style is decidedly on the nervous side, with good energy but less of the breadth and amplitude than was once typical of these wines.” — Antonio Galloni
Paitin ‘Sori Paitin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($69.95) $49 specialJames Suckling 93 points “A very fresh and floral Barbaresco that shows rose stems, fruit tea and grapefruit. Medium body, lots of vibrant acidity and a tangy, medium-chewy finish. Drink from 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paitin ‘Serraboella’, Barbaresco 2016 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
James Suckling 92 points “I love the fresh fruit tea to this, along with lilacs, citrus and rose petals. Medium body, plenty of firm tannins and a tangy, orange-flavored finish. Drink from 2021.”
G.D. Vajra ‘Coste di Rose’, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barolo Coste di Rose is plump, juicy and forward – all qualities that make it one of the more approachable wines in the Vajra range. Plump dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice and menthol all flesh out in a racy, juicy Barolo that will drink well right out of the gate. Plush fruit and silky tannins add to the wine’s voluptuous feel and early accessibility. This is very good, but it is not particularly complex.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “Boasting a lithe, mid-weight style and a very silky finish, the G.D. Vajra 2016 Barolo Coste di Rose is fragrant, floral and delicate. The bouquet here is almost all wild rose, violet and honeysuckle or jasmine. The fruity component of the wine is fine and light with cassis, white cherry and cranberry. Fruit comes from a 1.5-hectare parcel inside the Coste di Rose cru with a high percentage of well-draining sandy soils that contribute to the wine’s graceful textural embroidery. There is a hint of cherry or raspberry sweetness on the finish. A mere 4,800 bottles are hitting the market now. This is the second vintage produced.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Red berry, rose, dark spice and menthol form the nose while the graceful palate offers juicy Marasca cherry, strawberry compote and licorice. Bright acidity and polished tannins provide support and impart finesse. Drink through 2031. – Kerin O’Keefe”
James Suckling 95 points “This has some very attractive rose perfume and anise spice with raspberry, redcurrant and red-cherry aromas. Blueberry pastry, too. So perfumed. The palate has very fine, almost crystalline tannins and such intense, juicy and vivaciously delivered flavors of essence-like red fruit. So precise. Drinkable now, but with potential for long-term cellaring.”
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Attention lovers of elegant, pure, Tuscan wines. If you’re a big fan of Montevertine, Castell’in Villa or Stella di Campalto, you need to stockpile the wines that Giovanna Morganti makes under her Podere Le Boncie label. The estate is a mere three hectares in Chianti Classico, planted to a high-density mix that’s anchored around Sangiovese, but with a smattering of old-school Tuscan grapes like Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Foglia tonda Mammolo and Prugnolo, as well.
Importer Neal Rosenthal describes the wines as “ferociously elegant”—as pithy a description as we’ve seen. The two wines are hyper-classical Chianti, with beautiful aromatics and aristocratic structure. They’re based near Castelnuovo Berardenga, a town best known as the home of Felsina, but the Boncie wines are based around grace rather than power and richness—a real study in contrast to their famous neighbors. Unfortunately, total production is less than 1,500 cases, of which only a few hundred make it to the US. This is already turning into a cult producer, so act accordingly.
Podere Le Boncie ‘Cinque’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($49.95) $39 specialRosenthal Wine note “Giovanna calls her second wine “Cinque,” a dual reference to the five grape varieties planted at Le Boncie and to the Italian grading system, in which a 5 (out of 10) constitutes not quite passing (Giovanna is atypically and charmingly self-effacing for a Tuscan). Part comes from the non-gobelet-trained vines of her original three-hectare farm, and another part from a recently acquired 1.3-hectare parcel called “Chiesa Monte,” three kilometers from Le Boncie and just outside the limit of Castelnuovo Berardenga. Giovanna ferments “Cinque” in a combination of cement and steel, with a slightly briefer maceration than “Le Trame,” and ages it in large botti for roughly one year less than the flagship wine. The result is slightly less structured and gentler, but still deeply expressive of both the warm generosity of Castelnuovo Berardenga and of Giovanna’s caressingly pure style. 2018 was a rainy and relatively tough growing season, but one would never know if from this wine, which is lithe, supple, and open for business even at this youthful stage.”
Podere Le Boncie Le Trame, Toscana Rosso 2017 750ML ($59.95) $54.50 special
Rosenthal Wine note “Giovanna’s flagship wine—formerly a “Chianti Classico” but proudly a “Toscana Rosso” since she wearied of the red tape and exited the appellation in 2012—comprises almost entirely Sangiovese, head-trained and densely planted, with splashes of interplanted indigenous varieties (Colorino, Mammolo, Foglia Tonda, and Ciliegiolo). Fermented in open-top oak casks and aged in a combination of large botti and 500-liter barrels (all well used), “Le Trame” expresses powerful, punchy minerality and a purity of fruit—robustly healthy, untampered fruit—that soars from the glass. The 2017 was birthed from a rollercoaster vintage (frost, heat, drought) but drinks with silken grace, brimming with darkly dusty cherry fruit possessing a gently medicinal edge, and framed by bracing acidity and palate-cleansing freshness.”
Spain
It’s hard to beat this value for a stunningly vibrant yet richly textured white.
Marques de Murrieta ‘Capellania’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ML ($24.95) $28 special
James Suckling 96 points “A linear and tight white with superb lemon curd, apple, lemon and creme caramel. Full body, phenolic tension and density give this white form and beauty. Extremely long and flavorful. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “One of two vintages I tasted of the single-vineyard white, the just-bottled 2015 Capellanía was cropped from a warm and healthy year, and the wine matured in new French oak barrels for 15 months. Like it happened with the rosé, the two vintages I tasted of this white—2015 and 2014—are also very different, with 2015 a more homogeneous year and the 2014 quite a bit more challenging. 2015 was a healthy and warm year, and the grapes were picked quickly (they harvest all of these grapes in one and a half days). All of the wines are kept some time in concrete before bottling. This is a powerful and round wine, with stuffing to develop nicely in bottle, a little in the style of the 2012. However, don’t think the wine is soft or flabby, as Viura keeps very good acidity and makes wines that are lively and with freshness in the finish. This is, of course, bone dry and nicely textured. These are generously oaked whites that should develop over the years. 54,495 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2019. This will be released in September 2019.”
Decanter 93 points “The Viura plot covers 6 hectares, planted in 1945 on a plateau at an altitude of 485 metres. The wine has been aged for fifteen months in new French oak after fermentation in stainless steel. Green tinges and white gold, then a seductive nose which marries tropic fruit, beeswax, verbena and chamomile. The palate adds chalky, white pepper complexity and hints of pineapple and quince. The tropical and the citric dance an energetic pas de deux; fresh and composed, yet, for all that, one does not entirely lose the distinctive waxy personality of its previous incarnation, when American oak held court.”
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Compania de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez ‘Molino Real’, Malaga 2009 500ML ($59.95) $21.90 special
Case-6 Compania de Vinos Telmo Rodriguez ‘Molino Real’, Malaga 2009 500ML ($349.95) $119 special (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
No reviews available for the 2009 vintage. Review of the 2010 provided for reference.
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Molino Real is the flagship and initial wine produced here, a sweet Moscatel from the schist slopes of Málaga at altitudes over 550 meters high, fermented with indigenous yeasts in 225-liter French oak barrels where the wine matures for 20 months. The grapes are dried in the sun for two weeks to get more concentration. The nose is extremely aromatic with notes of condensed milk, a touch of volatility and bay leaf; it is extremely complex, attractive and extremely young with the giveaway note of syrup that denotes youth. The wine has 13.5% alcohol and 127 grams of residual sugar. It was a relatively late harvest and the growing season was cooler and warmer than the average. The palate is extremely balanced with perfect harmony between sweetness and acidity leaving the palate with a fresh, minty sensation, rich, intense, with the spiciness of the grape, fine and elegant. I tasted 2009 and 2007 for context, and they are both young, as these are wines thought for the long haul. 7,8824 half-liter bottles were produced. ($75)”
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Trending Wines
Day describes their Momtazi bottling as their “our flagship Pinot Noir from one of Willamette Valley’s most prized biodynamic vineyards and our most age-worthy wine.” It‘s normally the most expensive Pinot in the Day Wines lineup at $54, but we’re able to offer it for just $33 per bottle and $28.75 per bottle on case purchases.
Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($53.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($299.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($599.95) $345 special (that’s only $28.75/bottle!)
John Gilman 93 points “The 2016 Momtazi Vineyard bottling of Pinot Noir from Day Wines is the ripest of these 2016s, as it comes in at fourteen percent octane. It is beautifully black fruity on the nose (as all the examples from Momtazi have been that I have been fortunate enough to taste), offering up scents of black plum, sweet dark berry, black tea, balsam bough, a beautiful base of soil tones, chicory, gentle spice tones and a bit of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and beautifully balanced, with a fine core of fruit, great mineral drive and grip, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a long, tangy and promising finish. While this is the ripest of the 2016 pinots from Brianne Day, it is no less pure or precise and is a great bottle in the making. 2024-2055.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Limpid red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes fresh dark berries and baking spices, along with smoky mineral and musky earth overtones. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and energy and finishes with finely woven tannins and strong, floral-driven persistence.”
Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($53.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock nowCase-6 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($299.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($599.95) $345 special (that’s only $28.75/bottle!)
John Gilman 93 points “The 2016 Momtazi Vineyard bottling of Pinot Noir from Day Wines is the ripest of these 2016s, as it comes in at fourteen percent octane. It is beautifully black fruity on the nose (as all the examples from Momtazi have been that I have been fortunate enough to taste), offering up scents of black plum, sweet dark berry, black tea, balsam bough, a beautiful base of soil tones, chicory, gentle spice tones and a bit of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and beautifully balanced, with a fine core of fruit, great mineral drive and grip, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a long, tangy and promising finish. While this is the ripest of the 2016 pinots from Brianne Day, it is no less pure or precise and is a great bottle in the making. 2024-2055.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Limpid red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes fresh dark berries and baking spices, along with smoky mineral and musky earth overtones. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and energy and finishes with finely woven tannins and strong, floral-driven persistence.”
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A standout from our top selling Oregon producer. The now-stunning 2015 offers an exceptional experience. Red cherry, spice and orange notes linger over a powerful palate that features a beautiful measure of red and black fruit over a beam of mineral energy. It’s gonna age for a while more, but is delicious right now. Marcus has been generous enough to pull a few cases out of the winery’s library, so drink up.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 93 points “From a vineyard planted in 1990, the pale to medium ruby colored 2015 Pinot Noir Whistling Ridge Vineyard has a spicy nose of coriander, warm cinnamon, potpourri and dried leaves over a core of baked cranberry and red cherry fruit with meaty/savory touches. Light to medium-bodied, it has spice-laced red fruits in the mouth, with a great frame of fine-grained tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing very long and very spicy. 270 cases produced.”
VinopolNote “Whistling Ridge has become Marcus Goodfellow’s Cros Parantoux-a vineyard that somehow went overlooked but now produces exceptional wines in the right hands. Nestled on the ridgetop abutting the Beaux Freres Upper Terrace, wines from Whistling Ridge tend to be compact and powerful-built for aging. Lots of spice and floral notes blend with a mix of black and red fruits for a stellar wine that’s one of the best versions yet.”
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The quality of Snowden’s fruit has been an open secret within the Napa for decades, and many of the Valley’s most respected names have purchased fruit over the years, including Silver Oak and Caymus. However, we’re here to publically out Snowden for the greater good. These prices do not reflect the quality on offer, and the wines deserve a place on your dinner table.
Snowden Vineyards ‘Brothers Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) $79 special #91 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2019
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Brothers is the best wine I have tasted from Diana Snowden-Seysses. Rich, explosive and savory, the 2016 dazzles with intensity in all of its dimensions. Graphite, smoke, savory herbs and spice notes wrap around a core of dark fruit in a vertical, towering Cabernet Sauvignon that captures all the vintage has to offer.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Offers a tasty core of plum and blackberry fruit, backed by lively anise and apple wood notes. Restrained overall, with an alluring freshness and a subtle charcoal hint lingering deftly at the end. Drink now through 2032. 639 cases made.”
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The average price nationally is $88
Delas is a signature producer in a region with no shortage of legendary names. The St Joseph Francois de Tournon proves that world-class Northern Rhone wines don’t have to break the bank. Well, at least at our pricing…
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2016 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2016 750ML ($279.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The 2016 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes from more schist and gneiss soils and spent 10-14 months in mostly used barrels, with a small part in tank to preserve more freshness. It’s another ruby/purple-colored effort from this estate and gives up lots of blackberry and blueberry fruits intermixed with earthy minerality, ground pepper, and hints of damp earth. Rich, layered, and textured, it will be better in a year or two and keep for 8-10, if not longer.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Features a solid core of dark currant and blackberry fruit, inlaid with notes of tar, anise and warm tobacco leaf. Reveals a tug of iron through the fruit-laden finish. Best from 2020 through 2026. 1,033 cases made, 123 cases imported. — JM”
James Suckling 92-93 points “This has fragrant and floral character with wild raspberries and red plums. The peppery palate has a vibrant array of ripe, red and purple fruit. Good depth and drive here. Barrel sample.”
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The average price is $42
The Merkelbach brothers are quietly producing some of the last old-school style Mosel wines. These are ultra-classic expressions of one of the Greatest vineyards in all of Germany, and the halbtrocken is the perfect wine for your table. Buy a case (of the precious few that remain) to cellar & serve over the next two decades.
Weingut Alfred Merkelbach Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese #7 Halbtrocken, Mosel 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous 92 points “I harbor fond memories of halbtrocken Merkelbach Würzgartens long past, so perhaps you’ll think I was overly influenced simply by having once again seen those words on a bottle of their Riesling. But its contents certainly left me wishing that they would let this happen in their cellar more often. A classic Würzgarten nose of fresh strawberry and lime adds hints of more Erden-typical tarragon and sassafras. Subtly silken in feel, this finishes buoyant and lusciously long, with animating, bright primary juiciness and transparency to shimmering impingements of stones and mineral salts. Incidentally, it weighs in at a mere 10% alcohol, a reminder that the Merkelbachs pick for Spätlese at must weights that most of today’s top Mosel growers would deem appropriate for Kabinett. A prime example of what I call “hidden sweetness” – residual sugar playing a supportive and catalytic role while not engendering any overt sense of sweetness – this will perform brilliantly at table as well as in your cellar.”
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Arriving Friday:
Belle Pente’s 2016s
Brian O’Donnell is one of the most important winemakers in the Willamette Valley. He planted the Belle Pente vineyard in the mid-90’s and has been one of the best producers ever since, harnessing the inherent power of his site while giving the wines elegance and grace. That set of traits, combined with a commitment to bottle-aging before release, has created a strong following in both Portland’s restaurant community and at-home drinkers.The (organically farmed) estate vineyard is located in the heart of Yamhill-Carlton, and the AVA’s characteristic power and richness inform most of these wines (save the excellent, Dundee Hills based Murto Vineyard, a mainstay since ’97). Brian manages to ride the line between substantial Pinot and pretty elegance, making for wines that are thrilling to drink at all stages of their life. He’s also a master of richer, Alsatian inspired whites that have an equal track record of aging. He’s one of the few willing and able to release late, so the 2016s are just out and landing in our shop this Friday. Stock up your cellar now!
“Brian O’Donnell always releases his wines after a year or so of bottle age so these 2016s represent his current offerings. Long-time followers of his Pinots will instantly recognize the house style, which emphasizes freshness and expressive, floral-driven aromatics. While the 2016s are less structured than the ‘15s here there’s plenty of depth to the wines, which also possess the balance to reward long cellaring.” -Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Arriving Friday, August 21st
Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2016 750ML ($44.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Shimmering magenta. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe raspberry and boysenberry, exotic spices, incense and smoky minerals, and a sexy floral note gains strength as the wine opens up. Conveys a compelling blend of richness and finesse, showing seamless texture and intense red and blue fruit, floral pastille and spicecake qualities on the palate. Finishes extremely long and smooth, with discreet tannins framing lingering floral and berry notes.”
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Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2016 750ML ($44.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Deep, bright-rimmed scarlet. Powerful red and blue fruit, floral and exotic spice qualities on the deeply perfumed nose, which is energized by a building mineral flourish. Concentrated yet lively in style, showing fine delineation and spicy lift to the appealingly sweet raspberry, boysenberry and spicecake flavors. The floral note repeats emphatically on a very long, smooth finish framed by smooth, well-judged tannins.”
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The average price is $43
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Limpid ruby-red. Expansive red and blue fruit scents show superb clarity and complementary suggestions of succulent flowers, exotic spices and a hint of smoky minerality that builds with air. Juicy, appealingly sweet and energetic on the palate, offering boysenberry, black raspberry, five-spice powder and candied rose flavors that are supported by a spine of juicy acidity. The floral note carries emphatically through an impressively long finish that features well-integrated tannins and lingering red fruit character.”
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Explore white & red library wines from Belle Pente!
Arriving Friday, August 21st
The Unique White Wine of Piedmont
Only twelve bottles available!
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Derthona Timorasso Colli Tortonesi, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special
Grapelive 94 point “A few years ago, Walter Massa of Vigneti Massa almost single handedly brought the rare Timorasso grape back from extinction and now it is one of the hottest white wines made in the Piedmonte region. We are seeing many great producers jumping on the bandwagon, including the famed Vietti and this beautiful expression by the legendary Barolo maker Borgogno. Tasted at Slow Wine earlier this year, the 2018 Borgogno Derthona DOC should be arriving to the United States soon, though you’ll have to really work hard to get your hands on it as it is extremely limited, but you’ll be greatly rewarded for your hard work and search if you get your hands on it. Borgogno’s Timorasso from organic vines is lightly floral, medium bodied with a lovely texture and fine minerality. It delivers a polished and lively performance highlighting the grape’s best qualities with layers of peach, citrus and quince fruits, leesy notes, white flowers and an array of herb and spices along with a nice saline and wet stone element. Derthona is the ancient name for Tortona, the town in southeast Piemonte, hence the appellation Colli Tortonesi (Tortona Hills) name. The Timorasso is widely believed to be one of the longest-aging white varieties in Italy, with many of the producers saying it takes a few years to get itself together in the bottle, adding a depth of flavor and making more of a palate impact with honeyed notes. It deserves serious attention, going well with a variety of foods including poultry, pork and fatty fish and decedent shellfish, even lobster or crab dishes. The Borgogno Timorasso doesn’t come cheap compared to other examples, like the Massa, which I also recommend trying, but it is a gorgeous white wine that is joyous rarity, that will be great addition to the cellar or a special occasion. The Borgogno Dertona DOC comes from the Monleale, [an area of] mostly hillsides around Tortona set on classic clay and limestone soils with good ripening coming from the great southeast and southwest exposures. [The terroir makes] for a more full bodied version, in some ways like the dry rich Alsatian Rieslings, but with a bit more softness and opulence, like Burgundy, especially when allowed to age. This 2018… is very refined and has remarkable clarity with a delicate light pale color and subtle acidity, which is very rounded. Borgogno, also known as “Giacomo Borgogno & Figli” which was founded back in 1761 by Bartolomeo Borgogno, was one of the very first elite Barolo producers and has an amazing track record for great wines, with their Nebbiolo bottlings being some of the most desirable wines in Italy. The Farinetti family acquired this historic winery in 2008, but is firmly committed to quality and the estate’s traditions… The 2015 marked the first vintage of their Timorasso white after the purchase of vineyard sites and the conversion to all organic practices. Borgogno also brought back the use of concrete for fermentations to give an extra element of classic and soulful expression to the wines throughout the range…”
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Derthona Timorasso Colli Tortonesi, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 pre-arrival special
Grapelive 94 point “A few years ago, Walter Massa of Vigneti Massa almost single handedly brought the rare Timorasso grape back from extinction and now it is one of the hottest white wines made in the Piedmonte region. We are seeing many great producers jumping on the bandwagon, including the famed Vietti and this beautiful expression by the legendary Barolo maker Borgogno. Tasted at Slow Wine earlier this year, the 2018 Borgogno Derthona DOC should be arriving to the United States soon, though you’ll have to really work hard to get your hands on it as it is extremely limited, but you’ll be greatly rewarded for your hard work and search if you get your hands on it. Borgogno’s Timorasso from organic vines is lightly floral, medium bodied with a lovely texture and fine minerality. It delivers a polished and lively performance highlighting the grape’s best qualities with layers of peach, citrus and quince fruits, leesy notes, white flowers and an array of herb and spices along with a nice saline and wet stone element. Derthona is the ancient name for Tortona, the town in southeast Piemonte, hence the appellation Colli Tortonesi (Tortona Hills) name. The Timorasso is widely believed to be one of the longest-aging white varieties in Italy, with many of the producers saying it takes a few years to get itself together in the bottle, adding a depth of flavor and making more of a palate impact with honeyed notes. It deserves serious attention, going well with a variety of foods including poultry, pork and fatty fish and decedent shellfish, even lobster or crab dishes. The Borgogno Timorasso doesn’t come cheap compared to other examples, like the Massa, which I also recommend trying, but it is a gorgeous white wine that is joyous rarity, that will be great addition to the cellar or a special occasion. The Borgogno Dertona DOC comes from the Monleale, [an area of] mostly hillsides around Tortona set on classic clay and limestone soils with good ripening coming from the great southeast and southwest exposures. [The terroir makes] for a more full bodied version, in some ways like the dry rich Alsatian Rieslings, but with a bit more softness and opulence, like Burgundy, especially when allowed to age. This 2018… is very refined and has remarkable clarity with a delicate light pale color and subtle acidity, which is very rounded. Borgogno, also known as “Giacomo Borgogno & Figli” which was founded back in 1761 by Bartolomeo Borgogno, was one of the very first elite Barolo producers and has an amazing track record for great wines, with their Nebbiolo bottlings being some of the most desirable wines in Italy. The Farinetti family acquired this historic winery in 2008, but is firmly committed to quality and the estate’s traditions… The 2015 marked the first vintage of their Timorasso white after the purchase of vineyard sites and the conversion to all organic practices. Borgogno also brought back the use of concrete for fermentations to give an extra element of classic and soulful expression to the wines throughout the range…”
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