In Today’s Newsletter:
Featured New Arrival
Cameron’s 2018 Single Vineyards
The Hottest New Name in Beaujolais?
New Reviews for Washington Star Cayuse
Sassetti Pertimali’s Stunning Brunello
Plus, Other 2015 Brunello Standouts
Drappier: A Perpetual Champagne Top Value
The Pride of Corsica
Trending Wines
Collector’s Corner
2018 Diamond Creek
At Subscriber Special Pricing
Featured New Arrival
Cameron’s 2018 Single Vineyards
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre
The Hottest New Name in Beaujolais?
Domaine de La Grosse Pierre Fleurie ‘Bel Air’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Bursting from the glass with inviting aromas of cherries, berries and plums, the 2018 Fleurie Bel-Air is showing even better than when I reviewed it last year. Medium to full-bodied, supple and succulent, it’s elegantly fleshy, built around lively acids and melting tannins. Seamless and impeccably balanced, this is an immensely drinkable young Beaujolais.”
VinopolNote: From 50 year old vines.
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre Morgon ‘Douby’, Beaujolais2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Unfurling in the glass with aromas of blackberries, violets, licorice and cracked pepper, the 2018 Morgon Douby is medium to full-bodied, velvety and succulent, with a fleshy core of fruit underpinned by powdery tannins that mark this out as one of Passot’s more structured wines this year.”
VinopolNote: From 70 year old vines.
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre Chiroubles “La Grosse Pierre”, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “I underestimated the 2018 Chiroubles La Grosse Pierre when I tasted it not long after it had been bottled, and six months later, it’s performing very well. Mingling aromas of black cherries and blackberries with hints of cracked pepper and herbs, the wine is medium to full-bodied, supple and elegantly fleshy, with succulent acids, melting tannins and a seamless profile.”
VinopolNote: From 45 year old vines.
In Stock Now:
Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, only one bottle available
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 94+ points “A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Flying Pig displays with a dark ruby center and all of the markers for a classic and well-made wine. A myriad of aromas burst from the glass with juicy red and dark-berried freshness upfront, followed by elements of roasted bell pepper, juicy plum and dark cherry along with an array of red and purple flowers and a subtle lingering mineral note. Medium to full-bodied, the wine elegantly slides across the palate, oozing with precision and finesse. A delicate, yet growing flavor of baking spices grows in intensity, showcasing a soft, yet impeccably balanced expression of French oak. The mid-palate displays magnificent balance with energetic acidity, freshness of fruit and skillfully managed tannins before offering a long, sophisticated finish. As an admirer of Cabernet Franc, I thoroughly enjoyed this expression, since the wine is rich and voluminous without being overdone. Only 191 cases made.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, only four bottles available
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2017 Impulsivo begins with an expressive and aromatic nose with roasted blackberries, oak spice tones and charred cherry skin with elements of dusty purple flowers and baked earth. Full-bodied, the wine is expressive and deliciously balanced across the mid-palate before showing exotic spice elements, dried tobacco and cedar plank across the long-lingering finish. For Tempranillo lovers out there, this is a simply delicious wine that represents a New World-style expression of Tempranillo and a clear winner. Check it out. Only 262 cases were produced.”
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, only three bottles available
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2017 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard begins generous and inky in the glass, with black fruit at its core and floral aromas of violets and lavender followed by a soft smokiness with layers of olive tapenade and dust-covered black raspberry. Full-bodied, the Cailloux Syrah is intensely complex and reveals layers of crunchy minerality and silky tannins that frame the elegant notions of cherry blossom in the mouth. Ending with a long-lingering and sophisticated finish, the wine continues to reveal its subtleties, expressing umami and savory characteristics. Proving to be yet another stellar bottling from the Cayuse team, the wine dares me to keep my hands off the glass. I can’t… 859 cases produced.”
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, only one bottle available
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2017 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard is unmistakable on the nose, boasting an intensely framed Syrah that offers up generous and juicy dark fruit, framed by meaty, umami and savory expressions of olive tapenade, black pepper and charcuterie before drifting back to aromas of violets and lavender. Full-bodied and firmly structured, the wine is built like a tank, revealing layers of complexity and elegance that are supported by fine-grained tannins and rocky minerality across the mid-palate. With power and finesse, the wine somersaults in the mouth, before leading to a long, impressive conclusion that continues to develop in length. Only 365 cases were produced of this stellar wine. Yum!”
Simply put, Brunello di Montalicino would not be the wine that we know and love today without the Sassetti family. Livio Sassetti is one of the founding fathers of Brunello and the wines coming off of his “Pertimali” estate define the genre. This is a Grand Cru site in Montalcino and the wines are thrilling whenever you get a chance to taste them. We’ve worked hard to acquire some of both the ’14 and ’15 Brunello and have their standout bottles from both vintages in stock now.
These are wines that define what “traditional” means within the context of Brunello—robust personalities with delicate aromatics, long aging in botti and the capacity to age for a long time in a cool cellar. The 2014 is the vintage to drink early—the year yielded wines that have a bit less power but an approachable personality. The 2015, on the other hand, is a wine that’s surprisingly soft for how much depth there is, but is really something to hang onto for a while. We’d stock up on both.
Arriving ETA November 18th:
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($549.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $66.50/bottle!)
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($189.95) $159 pre-arrival special
Case-3 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($599.95) $449 pre-arrival special (that’s only $149.67/magnum!)
James Suckling 98 points “There’s something ethereal in the nose with flowers, cherries, strawberries and shitake mushrooms. Full body. This grows on the palate with super tannin and fruit structure. So much berry flavor and round, caressing tannins that fill your mouth. Tight at the end. This needs four to five years to show its true greatness. Try after 2023.”
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($419.95) $279 pre-arrival special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “Some earthy and savory aromas dominate the dried red cherries initially, then dried wild herbs and quite intense notes of spicy dried red cherries emerge. The palate has a very taut, structured feel with handsomely proportioned tannins carrying gently leathery dried red cherries. Long finish. Drink or hold.”
This is a standout group of new releases from Montalcino. What impresses most about 2015 is the consistently high quality delivered across the board. As a whole, the wines are homogenous and uniform in terms of their intensity, depth and generosity. House styles may differ from producer to producer, but these wines are united by the energy, exuberance and radiance that come naturally to a beautifully warm and sunny vintage like 2015. That distinctive vintage signature is applied evenly across the board, leaving no wine untouched by its magic.” – Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
You can tell a lot about a Brunello vintage by how early we start getting asked about it. In the case of the 2015s, well, let’s just say this is a pretty anticipated set of wines. ’15 was a warm year across Europe and the vintage produced Brunello di Montalcino of exceptional concentration. Even for a region known for richer wines, these are powerful—yet they maintain an expressiveness that’s delightfully fresh to go along with their intensity.
The critics have been raving about it as well, with Eric Guido at Vinous saying that “It’s a vintage of power and purity, the result of a long growing season with no extreme events” before citing Andrea Mantengoli, who called it “A vintage made by God.”
Monica Larner, writing for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, exclaimed “Ask anyone who farmed Sangiovese that year. They will tell you: Fruit has never been more beautiful than it was in the picture-perfect 2015 vintage.” She called the wines “a standout group of new releases from Montalcino” with “consistently high quality delivered across the board.”
In short, this is a vintage to buy broadly and deeply. Not since 2010 have we seen this sort of widespread praise and we all wish we have more 2010 Brunello in our cellars. We’ve got some of the highlights of our 2015 Brunello selection below, but we’ve got new wines added to our webstore every week and you can see all the Brunello options there.
Arriving ETA November 18th:
Talenti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-6 Talenti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($359.95) $276 special (that’s only $46/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Editor’s Choice. Rose petal, crushed mint, woodland berry and eucalyptus aromas slowly take shape on this delicious full bodied red. It’s linear and elegantly structured, featuring juicy Marasca cherry, cranberry, licorice and cocoa alongside firm velvety tannins. It closes on an orange-zest note. Drink 2023–2035.”
James Suckling 96 points “There’s freshness galore here i,n the form of orange zest and citrus peel. But this Brunello isn’t short on power either; red licorice, cardamom and dried hibiscus pepper the nose. To support the ripe fruit are layers of sinewy tannins and gliding acidity, making for an altogether sophisticated and edgy impression. Refined and elegant on the long finish. Drink from 2023.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95 points “Bright vibrant red-ruby. Inviting aromas of red plum, mocha, redcurrant jam, tobacco, and gently smoky herbs. Bright, silky and suave, with mellow flavors of redcurrant, red plum, tobacco and mocha. Multilayered and extremely stylish wine, finishing with polished tannins, outstanding balance and subtle persistence. So well-balanced in fact, this gorgeous Brunello is almost deceptively easy to drink and can practically be accessed even now. Very well done.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Well-delineated black cherry and black currant flavors are matched to graphite, earth and wild herb accents in this powerful red. Balanced in a broad-shouldered way, this leaves a vibrant impression on the lingering finish. Best from 2023 through 2042. 2,700 cases made, 380 cases imported.”
Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($319.95) $249 pre-arrival special (that’s only $41.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “This is a very, very intense Brunello with explosive spices, cedar, leather, tar and a plethora of dried plums and berries. The full-bodied palate is incredibly dense and bold, swathed in vast, comprehensive tannins and layer upon layer of plums and cherries. There’s marvelous length and decadence to the finish, where the dried-spice character goes on and on. Stunning richness. Drink from 2025.”
International Wine Report 96 points “An incredible wine from Lazzeretti, this Brunello is lively and intense with exuberant character, showing notes of hibiscus flowers and lavender along with notes reminiscent of blueberries and star anise. It possesses incredible energy with a wonderful fresh character through its full bodied texture. It displays outstanding overall quality and a pure territorial expression which is wrapped up in velvety tannins and an incandescent finish. Balanced and harmonious, this maybe the finest wine yet from Lazzeretti, even surpassing the excellent 2010.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A monolithic red, with sweetness to the black cherry, black currant and raspberry fruit. Earth and iron notes anchor the bottom end, while a tobacco accent frames the dense tannins. Offers a long finish, showing solid grip. Best from 2023 through 2042. 1,500 cases made, 700 cases imported.”
In Stock Now:
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful aromos of flowers, plums, terracotta and white pepper. Intense, yet ever so subtle. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins, and a long and intense finish. Shows excellent length. Drink after 2021.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Good deep red. Complex aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, graphite, mocha, and mint. Focused and suave with very attractive sweetness and standout purity to its flavors of red berries and candied flowers. Finishes with polished tannins and outstanding length.”
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $55 special
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Black cherry and black currant fruit is accented by tobacco, earth and mineral flavors in this sleek yet dense red. Balsamic elements of juniper, thyme and olive add depth as this cruises to a long finish. The potential lies in the excellent length. Best from 2023 through 2042. —B.S.”
Eric Guido – Vinous 94 points “La Gerla’s 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous, showing depths of earthy moist soil, minerals and hints of animal musk up front, giving way to crushed strawberry and cherry, getting spicy with lifting minerals yet retaining a rich character throughout. On the palate, silky textures are matched by cool-toned acids and refreshing moist mineral tones, as zesty cherry and cedar come forward. It’s so balanced and smooth, with high energy lasting into the long finish, showing saturating spice and salty minerals, yet remaining cool-toned and precise. The 2015 is a beautifully balanced wine that’s firmly rooted in the earth.”
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Drappier:
A Perpetual Champagne Top Value
Featured New Arrival
Cameron’s 2018 Single Vineyards
The Hottest New Name in Beaujolais?
New Reviews for Washington Star Cayuse
Sassetti Pertimali’s Stunning Brunello
Plus, Other 2015 Brunello Standouts
Drappier: A Perpetual Champagne Top Value
The Pride of Corsica
Trending Wines
Collector’s Corner
2018 Diamond Creek
At Subscriber Special Pricing
Featured New Arrival
Cameron’s 2018 Single Vineyards
What’s the most anticipated Willamette Valley release in our shop? Cameron Winery’s single vineyard bottlings. This is one of our favorite offers of the year, and for good reason—Cameron makes some of the most profound wines in the Willamette Valley and their single vineyard Pinot and Chardonnay are the pinnacle of their yearly releases. These 2018 are among the best we’ve ever tasted from Cameron and winemaker/owner John Paul is (somehow) more excited than we’ve seen him in years.
If you’re a longtime fan of Cameron, this is a vintage to stock up on. It’s classical in all the best ways—more elegant and detailed than the trio of hot vintages that preceded it, but with more depth and richness than the (very pretty) 2017’s. 2012 is a comparison that’s been thrown around a lot, which speaks very highly of this new set of wines—the ’12’s are among the best wines Cameron’s ever made and these show in that vein, but with a bit more brightness and verve.
The whites are crystalline and spicy, with beautiful aromatics and vibrant acidity. These are impressively incisive Chardonnays that have taken to their long elevage with aplomb. The reds have the tone of a cool vintage but with more fruit and texture—a great combo that’s already drinking well but will age beautifully.
We’re already sold out of the Clos Electrique Pinot, and stock is dwindling on the rest of the bottlings—so if there’s something you’ve got your eye on, act quickly. Our entire stock of Cameron (including a few ’17’s) is on our webstore, which is open 24/7!
Just Arrived:
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge sits high atop the Dundee Hills; a collection of vines planted on their own roots in the mid-70’s. It’s unquestionably one of the most special sites in the Willamette Valley and though it’s better known for Pinot Noir, the Abbey Chard is fantastic. This is the most limited of the Chardonnay bottlings from Cameron and isn’t produced every year.
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge is one of the most hallowed sites in the Willamette Valley. Planted in 1975, the Pinot Noir here is own rooted and at one of the highest elevations in the Dundee Hills. The elevation and classic Jory soils give the wine an intense personality—high toned, elegant and tensile, with good power and a strong voice. This bottling has been one of the defining Oregon Pinots since John Paul started making it.
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
VinopolNote: The Clos Electrique is Cameron’s estate vineyard, named after the electric deer fence that surrounds it. This is planted to a mix of clones and is vinified traditionally—no racking and all in older barrels. This is crisp and coiled, with distinct minerality and a lot of power in a lithe frame. Like most vintages of the Electrique Blanc, this is quite good now but will be stellar in a few years.
If you’re a longtime fan of Cameron, this is a vintage to stock up on. It’s classical in all the best ways—more elegant and detailed than the trio of hot vintages that preceded it, but with more depth and richness than the (very pretty) 2017’s. 2012 is a comparison that’s been thrown around a lot, which speaks very highly of this new set of wines—the ’12’s are among the best wines Cameron’s ever made and these show in that vein, but with a bit more brightness and verve.
The whites are crystalline and spicy, with beautiful aromatics and vibrant acidity. These are impressively incisive Chardonnays that have taken to their long elevage with aplomb. The reds have the tone of a cool vintage but with more fruit and texture—a great combo that’s already drinking well but will age beautifully.
We’re already sold out of the Clos Electrique Pinot, and stock is dwindling on the rest of the bottlings—so if there’s something you’ve got your eye on, act quickly. Our entire stock of Cameron (including a few ’17’s) is on our webstore, which is open 24/7!
Just Arrived:
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge sits high atop the Dundee Hills; a collection of vines planted on their own roots in the mid-70’s. It’s unquestionably one of the most special sites in the Willamette Valley and though it’s better known for Pinot Noir, the Abbey Chard is fantastic. This is the most limited of the Chardonnay bottlings from Cameron and isn’t produced every year.
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge is one of the most hallowed sites in the Willamette Valley. Planted in 1975, the Pinot Noir here is own rooted and at one of the highest elevations in the Dundee Hills. The elevation and classic Jory soils give the wine an intense personality—high toned, elegant and tensile, with good power and a strong voice. This bottling has been one of the defining Oregon Pinots since John Paul started making it.
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
VinopolNote: The Clos Electrique is Cameron’s estate vineyard, named after the electric deer fence that surrounds it. This is planted to a mix of clones and is vinified traditionally—no racking and all in older barrels. This is crisp and coiled, with distinct minerality and a lot of power in a lithe frame. Like most vintages of the Electrique Blanc, this is quite good now but will be stellar in a few years.
Looking for more Cameron?
We’ve got 18 different bottlings in stock now.
Head to our webstore to shop them all.
We’ve got 18 different bottlings in stock now.
Head to our webstore to shop them all.
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre
The Hottest New Name in Beaujolais?
Pauline Passot and her Domaine de la Grosse Pierre is one of those names you’ll be hearing more about over the coming years—just remember where you saw her talked about first. A Michelin-starred sommelier, she returned to her family estate in 2016, renting a mere 6ha from her parents to start her winery, and she’s been on a rocket-like trajectory ever since.
She’s made nothing but bangers at the Domaine de la Grosse Pierre, named for her most important holding in the village of Chiroubles. Her vineyards are old, planted generations ago by her grandparents and great-grandparents—the youngest vines are 45 years old and the oldest are around 100 years of age.
There’s nothing fancy about the winemaking—just traditional, whole-cluster, partial-carbonic fermentations and aging in concrete tanks and large wooden barrels (demi-muids)—but the wines have an energy and style that separate the good from the memorable. All signs point to Grosse Pierre as one of the new names to watch in Beaujolais, and you’d do well to get in before the rest of the world
In Stock Now:
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre Chiroubles ‘Aux Craz’, Beaujolais018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Offering up aromas of ripe cherries and raspberries as well as hints of rose petal and peony, the 2018 Chiroubles Aux Craz is medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, its deep core of succulent fruit framed by satiny tannins. This bottling derives from 70-year-old vines in the domaine’s highest-altitude holdings in lieu-dit Grosse Pierre.”
She’s made nothing but bangers at the Domaine de la Grosse Pierre, named for her most important holding in the village of Chiroubles. Her vineyards are old, planted generations ago by her grandparents and great-grandparents—the youngest vines are 45 years old and the oldest are around 100 years of age.
There’s nothing fancy about the winemaking—just traditional, whole-cluster, partial-carbonic fermentations and aging in concrete tanks and large wooden barrels (demi-muids)—but the wines have an energy and style that separate the good from the memorable. All signs point to Grosse Pierre as one of the new names to watch in Beaujolais, and you’d do well to get in before the rest of the world
In Stock Now:
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre Chiroubles ‘Aux Craz’, Beaujolais018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Offering up aromas of ripe cherries and raspberries as well as hints of rose petal and peony, the 2018 Chiroubles Aux Craz is medium to full-bodied, supple and enveloping, its deep core of succulent fruit framed by satiny tannins. This bottling derives from 70-year-old vines in the domaine’s highest-altitude holdings in lieu-dit Grosse Pierre.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $28
The average listed price is $28
Domaine de La Grosse Pierre Fleurie ‘Bel Air’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Bursting from the glass with inviting aromas of cherries, berries and plums, the 2018 Fleurie Bel-Air is showing even better than when I reviewed it last year. Medium to full-bodied, supple and succulent, it’s elegantly fleshy, built around lively acids and melting tannins. Seamless and impeccably balanced, this is an immensely drinkable young Beaujolais.”
VinopolNote: From 50 year old vines.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $27.99
The next best price is $27.99
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre Chiroubles ‘Claudius’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92+ points “Bursting with aromas of cherries, blackberries, licorice and violets, the 2018 Chiroubles Claudius is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a muscular chassis of powdery tannin largely concealed by a rich core of fruit. This is a terrific Chiroubles with the stuffing (and a high-quality Trescases cork) to evolve with grace in the cellar.”
VinopolNote: From 90-100 year old vines.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92+ points “Bursting with aromas of cherries, blackberries, licorice and violets, the 2018 Chiroubles Claudius is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a muscular chassis of powdery tannin largely concealed by a rich core of fruit. This is a terrific Chiroubles with the stuffing (and a high-quality Trescases cork) to evolve with grace in the cellar.”
VinopolNote: From 90-100 year old vines.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $27.99
The next best price is $27.99
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre Morgon ‘Douby’, Beaujolais2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Unfurling in the glass with aromas of blackberries, violets, licorice and cracked pepper, the 2018 Morgon Douby is medium to full-bodied, velvety and succulent, with a fleshy core of fruit underpinned by powdery tannins that mark this out as one of Passot’s more structured wines this year.”
VinopolNote: From 70 year old vines.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $27.99
The next best price is $27.99
Domaine de la Grosse Pierre Chiroubles “La Grosse Pierre”, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “I underestimated the 2018 Chiroubles La Grosse Pierre when I tasted it not long after it had been bottled, and six months later, it’s performing very well. Mingling aromas of black cherries and blackberries with hints of cracked pepper and herbs, the wine is medium to full-bodied, supple and elegantly fleshy, with succulent acids, melting tannins and a seamless profile.”
VinopolNote: From 45 year old vines.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
New Reviews for Washington Star Cayuse
In Stock Now:
Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, only one bottle available
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 94+ points “A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Flying Pig displays with a dark ruby center and all of the markers for a classic and well-made wine. A myriad of aromas burst from the glass with juicy red and dark-berried freshness upfront, followed by elements of roasted bell pepper, juicy plum and dark cherry along with an array of red and purple flowers and a subtle lingering mineral note. Medium to full-bodied, the wine elegantly slides across the palate, oozing with precision and finesse. A delicate, yet growing flavor of baking spices grows in intensity, showcasing a soft, yet impeccably balanced expression of French oak. The mid-palate displays magnificent balance with energetic acidity, freshness of fruit and skillfully managed tannins before offering a long, sophisticated finish. As an admirer of Cabernet Franc, I thoroughly enjoyed this expression, since the wine is rich and voluminous without being overdone. Only 191 cases made.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, only four bottles available
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2017 Impulsivo begins with an expressive and aromatic nose with roasted blackberries, oak spice tones and charred cherry skin with elements of dusty purple flowers and baked earth. Full-bodied, the wine is expressive and deliciously balanced across the mid-palate before showing exotic spice elements, dried tobacco and cedar plank across the long-lingering finish. For Tempranillo lovers out there, this is a simply delicious wine that represents a New World-style expression of Tempranillo and a clear winner. Check it out. Only 262 cases were produced.”
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, only three bottles available
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2017 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard begins generous and inky in the glass, with black fruit at its core and floral aromas of violets and lavender followed by a soft smokiness with layers of olive tapenade and dust-covered black raspberry. Full-bodied, the Cailloux Syrah is intensely complex and reveals layers of crunchy minerality and silky tannins that frame the elegant notions of cherry blossom in the mouth. Ending with a long-lingering and sophisticated finish, the wine continues to reveal its subtleties, expressing umami and savory characteristics. Proving to be yet another stellar bottling from the Cayuse team, the wine dares me to keep my hands off the glass. I can’t… 859 cases produced.”
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, only one bottle available
Anthony Mueller – Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2017 Syrah en Chamberlin Vineyard is unmistakable on the nose, boasting an intensely framed Syrah that offers up generous and juicy dark fruit, framed by meaty, umami and savory expressions of olive tapenade, black pepper and charcuterie before drifting back to aromas of violets and lavender. Full-bodied and firmly structured, the wine is built like a tank, revealing layers of complexity and elegance that are supported by fine-grained tannins and rocky minerality across the mid-palate. With power and finesse, the wine somersaults in the mouth, before leading to a long, impressive conclusion that continues to develop in length. Only 365 cases were produced of this stellar wine. Yum!”
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Sassetti Pertimali’s Stunning Brunello
Simply put, Brunello di Montalicino would not be the wine that we know and love today without the Sassetti family. Livio Sassetti is one of the founding fathers of Brunello and the wines coming off of his “Pertimali” estate define the genre. This is a Grand Cru site in Montalcino and the wines are thrilling whenever you get a chance to taste them. We’ve worked hard to acquire some of both the ’14 and ’15 Brunello and have their standout bottles from both vintages in stock now.
These are wines that define what “traditional” means within the context of Brunello—robust personalities with delicate aromatics, long aging in botti and the capacity to age for a long time in a cool cellar. The 2014 is the vintage to drink early—the year yielded wines that have a bit less power but an approachable personality. The 2015, on the other hand, is a wine that’s surprisingly soft for how much depth there is, but is really something to hang onto for a while. We’d stock up on both.
Arriving ETA November 18th:
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($549.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $66.50/bottle!)
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($189.95) $159 pre-arrival special
Case-3 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($599.95) $449 pre-arrival special (that’s only $149.67/magnum!)
James Suckling 98 points “There’s something ethereal in the nose with flowers, cherries, strawberries and shitake mushrooms. Full body. This grows on the palate with super tannin and fruit structure. So much berry flavor and round, caressing tannins that fill your mouth. Tight at the end. This needs four to five years to show its true greatness. Try after 2023.”
Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($419.95) $279 pre-arrival special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “Some earthy and savory aromas dominate the dried red cherries initially, then dried wild herbs and quite intense notes of spicy dried red cherries emerge. The palate has a very taut, structured feel with handsomely proportioned tannins carrying gently leathery dried red cherries. Long finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
…Plus, Other 2015 Brunello Standouts
This is a standout group of new releases from Montalcino. What impresses most about 2015 is the consistently high quality delivered across the board. As a whole, the wines are homogenous and uniform in terms of their intensity, depth and generosity. House styles may differ from producer to producer, but these wines are united by the energy, exuberance and radiance that come naturally to a beautifully warm and sunny vintage like 2015. That distinctive vintage signature is applied evenly across the board, leaving no wine untouched by its magic.” – Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
You can tell a lot about a Brunello vintage by how early we start getting asked about it. In the case of the 2015s, well, let’s just say this is a pretty anticipated set of wines. ’15 was a warm year across Europe and the vintage produced Brunello di Montalcino of exceptional concentration. Even for a region known for richer wines, these are powerful—yet they maintain an expressiveness that’s delightfully fresh to go along with their intensity.
The critics have been raving about it as well, with Eric Guido at Vinous saying that “It’s a vintage of power and purity, the result of a long growing season with no extreme events” before citing Andrea Mantengoli, who called it “A vintage made by God.”
Monica Larner, writing for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, exclaimed “Ask anyone who farmed Sangiovese that year. They will tell you: Fruit has never been more beautiful than it was in the picture-perfect 2015 vintage.” She called the wines “a standout group of new releases from Montalcino” with “consistently high quality delivered across the board.”
In short, this is a vintage to buy broadly and deeply. Not since 2010 have we seen this sort of widespread praise and we all wish we have more 2010 Brunello in our cellars. We’ve got some of the highlights of our 2015 Brunello selection below, but we’ve got new wines added to our webstore every week and you can see all the Brunello options there.
Arriving ETA November 18th:
Talenti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-6 Talenti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($359.95) $276 special (that’s only $46/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Editor’s Choice. Rose petal, crushed mint, woodland berry and eucalyptus aromas slowly take shape on this delicious full bodied red. It’s linear and elegantly structured, featuring juicy Marasca cherry, cranberry, licorice and cocoa alongside firm velvety tannins. It closes on an orange-zest note. Drink 2023–2035.”
James Suckling 96 points “There’s freshness galore here i,n the form of orange zest and citrus peel. But this Brunello isn’t short on power either; red licorice, cardamom and dried hibiscus pepper the nose. To support the ripe fruit are layers of sinewy tannins and gliding acidity, making for an altogether sophisticated and edgy impression. Refined and elegant on the long finish. Drink from 2023.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 95 points “Bright vibrant red-ruby. Inviting aromas of red plum, mocha, redcurrant jam, tobacco, and gently smoky herbs. Bright, silky and suave, with mellow flavors of redcurrant, red plum, tobacco and mocha. Multilayered and extremely stylish wine, finishing with polished tannins, outstanding balance and subtle persistence. So well-balanced in fact, this gorgeous Brunello is almost deceptively easy to drink and can practically be accessed even now. Very well done.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Well-delineated black cherry and black currant flavors are matched to graphite, earth and wild herb accents in this powerful red. Balanced in a broad-shouldered way, this leaves a vibrant impression on the lingering finish. Best from 2023 through 2042. 2,700 cases made, 380 cases imported.”
Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($59.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($319.95) $249 pre-arrival special (that’s only $41.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “This is a very, very intense Brunello with explosive spices, cedar, leather, tar and a plethora of dried plums and berries. The full-bodied palate is incredibly dense and bold, swathed in vast, comprehensive tannins and layer upon layer of plums and cherries. There’s marvelous length and decadence to the finish, where the dried-spice character goes on and on. Stunning richness. Drink from 2025.”
International Wine Report 96 points “An incredible wine from Lazzeretti, this Brunello is lively and intense with exuberant character, showing notes of hibiscus flowers and lavender along with notes reminiscent of blueberries and star anise. It possesses incredible energy with a wonderful fresh character through its full bodied texture. It displays outstanding overall quality and a pure territorial expression which is wrapped up in velvety tannins and an incandescent finish. Balanced and harmonious, this maybe the finest wine yet from Lazzeretti, even surpassing the excellent 2010.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A monolithic red, with sweetness to the black cherry, black currant and raspberry fruit. Earth and iron notes anchor the bottom end, while a tobacco accent frames the dense tannins. Offers a long finish, showing solid grip. Best from 2023 through 2042. 1,500 cases made, 700 cases imported.”
In Stock Now:
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful aromos of flowers, plums, terracotta and white pepper. Intense, yet ever so subtle. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins, and a long and intense finish. Shows excellent length. Drink after 2021.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Good deep red. Complex aromas of redcurrant, raspberry, graphite, mocha, and mint. Focused and suave with very attractive sweetness and standout purity to its flavors of red berries and candied flowers. Finishes with polished tannins and outstanding length.”
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $55 special
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Black cherry and black currant fruit is accented by tobacco, earth and mineral flavors in this sleek yet dense red. Balsamic elements of juniper, thyme and olive add depth as this cruises to a long finish. The potential lies in the excellent length. Best from 2023 through 2042. —B.S.”
Eric Guido – Vinous 94 points “La Gerla’s 2015 Brunello di Montalcino is gorgeous, showing depths of earthy moist soil, minerals and hints of animal musk up front, giving way to crushed strawberry and cherry, getting spicy with lifting minerals yet retaining a rich character throughout. On the palate, silky textures are matched by cool-toned acids and refreshing moist mineral tones, as zesty cherry and cedar come forward. It’s so balanced and smooth, with high energy lasting into the long finish, showing saturating spice and salty minerals, yet remaining cool-toned and precise. The 2015 is a beautifully balanced wine that’s firmly rooted in the earth.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Drappier:
A Perpetual Champagne Top Value
Drappier might sound like a Grande Marque, but they’re really a grower producer at heart. They own 53 hectares of vines in the Aube (where they were the first to plant Pinot Noir) and make forward thinking wines at a very friendly price-point. A carbon-neutral house, they place as much care in the cellar as they do in the vineyards—and the wines show it.
Forbes placed the wine we’re offering today, the estate’s Carte d’Or , as the #3 “Best Champagne You’ve Never Heard Of” for good reason. Drappier makes big, flamboyantly rich Champagne that is always a crowd pleaser—at prices that mean you can actually pour it for crowds. It’s hard to find better bubbly under $35/btl, so if you’re a Champagne drinker you should stock up now.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Case-6 Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “[Reviewed Nov 2017] This bright and zesty Champagne is lightly juicy and appealing, offering flavors of Honeycrisp apple, ripe white cherry, biscuit and pickled ginger. Balanced and lacy in texture, with a lingering, spiced finish. Drink now through 2022. 2,200 cases imported.”
Decanter 91 points “[Reviewed Oct 2019] Described by Drappier as ‘almost a blanc de noirs’, this Pinot Noir-dominant wine sourced from the Côte des Bar is the house’s calling card. 5% of the cuvée is matured in barrels for a year for added complexity and texture, and it’s bottled unfiltered with a fairly low dosage of 7g/l. There are some melon and apple scents on the nose along with a splash of red fruits, while the palate is intense, with notes of apple, quince and grape wrapped in a red-fruit veil. It’s full-bodied and long, with a lovely texture from the red wine tannins and oak-matured portion.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “[Reviewed Apr 2020] Disgorged in June 2019, the latest rendition of Drappier’s NV Brut Carte d’Or is showing well, bursting with pretty aromas of peach, honeyed orchard fruit and white flowers. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, chalky and incisive, with fine depth and tension and a penetrating finish.”
[Disgorgement may vary from reviews]
Forbes placed the wine we’re offering today, the estate’s Carte d’Or , as the #3 “Best Champagne You’ve Never Heard Of” for good reason. Drappier makes big, flamboyantly rich Champagne that is always a crowd pleaser—at prices that mean you can actually pour it for crowds. It’s hard to find better bubbly under $35/btl, so if you’re a Champagne drinker you should stock up now.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Case-6 Drappier Carte d’Or Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($299.95) $199 special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “[Reviewed Nov 2017] This bright and zesty Champagne is lightly juicy and appealing, offering flavors of Honeycrisp apple, ripe white cherry, biscuit and pickled ginger. Balanced and lacy in texture, with a lingering, spiced finish. Drink now through 2022. 2,200 cases imported.”
Decanter 91 points “[Reviewed Oct 2019] Described by Drappier as ‘almost a blanc de noirs’, this Pinot Noir-dominant wine sourced from the Côte des Bar is the house’s calling card. 5% of the cuvée is matured in barrels for a year for added complexity and texture, and it’s bottled unfiltered with a fairly low dosage of 7g/l. There are some melon and apple scents on the nose along with a splash of red fruits, while the palate is intense, with notes of apple, quince and grape wrapped in a red-fruit veil. It’s full-bodied and long, with a lovely texture from the red wine tannins and oak-matured portion.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “[Reviewed Apr 2020] Disgorged in June 2019, the latest rendition of Drappier’s NV Brut Carte d’Or is showing well, bursting with pretty aromas of peach, honeyed orchard fruit and white flowers. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, chalky and incisive, with fine depth and tension and a penetrating finish.”
[Disgorgement may vary from reviews]
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The Pride of Corsica
“In the colorful, picturesque city of Ajaccio, capital of Corsica, you can’t get very far without seeing the name Abbatucci. There are streets, monuments and plazas that carry the name, which is normal given that General Jean-Charles Abbatucci from Ajaccio was a hero of the French Revolution and comrade in arms of another local hero, Napoléon Bonaparte. Step into a wine bar or a restaurant there, chances are these days they’ll pour you a glass of Domaine Abbatucci. The domaine is run by Jean-Charles Abbatucci, a direct descendant of the General, who has now become a local hero of another kind for providing the local populace with its most sought-after libation.
“Corsicans are proud defenders of their traditions and environment, and with Abbatucci they indulge guilt-free. His wines are certified biodynamic, and he believes in following even the most far-out biodynamic practices to the letter. On his large estate south of Ajaccio he keeps a pristine poly-culture ecosystem in place, complete with herds of sheep foraging through his vines, groves of olive trees on ancient terraces, and large swaths of untouched forests. His vines come from cuttings of indigenous grapes, sourced decades ago high up in the isolated and mountainous interior of the island from elderly peasant farmers, effectively saving several native varieties from extinction. To keep his vines happy, he’s known to drive his tractor out to his vineyards and play traditional Corsican polyphonic songs over loudspeakers for their benefit. After the harvest he’ll treat his cellar to the same music as his grapes ferment and come of age. All part of the terroir, he says. Does all this have an actual effect on the wine? Have a taste for yourself. The proof just might be in the pudding.” –Kermit Lynch Wines’
In Stock Now:
Domaine Comte Abbatucci Ajaccio Faustine Blanc, Corsica 2017 750ML ($49.95) $29 special
Case-12 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Ajaccio Faustine Blanc, Corsica 2017 750ML ($599.95) $319 special (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
Importer Note “Summing up Jean-Charles Abbatucci’s contagious energy in just a few lines is virtually impossible. The best way to experience it is to stand in his vineyards in central Corsica and feel it radiate through your body from the ground up. Luckily, that energy finds its way into every bottle he makes, and this gentle, breezy white from old-vine Vermentinu delivers it without compromise each sip is like a gust of warm Mediterranean air flooding your senses with a perfume of flowers and wild maquis.”
“Corsicans are proud defenders of their traditions and environment, and with Abbatucci they indulge guilt-free. His wines are certified biodynamic, and he believes in following even the most far-out biodynamic practices to the letter. On his large estate south of Ajaccio he keeps a pristine poly-culture ecosystem in place, complete with herds of sheep foraging through his vines, groves of olive trees on ancient terraces, and large swaths of untouched forests. His vines come from cuttings of indigenous grapes, sourced decades ago high up in the isolated and mountainous interior of the island from elderly peasant farmers, effectively saving several native varieties from extinction. To keep his vines happy, he’s known to drive his tractor out to his vineyards and play traditional Corsican polyphonic songs over loudspeakers for their benefit. After the harvest he’ll treat his cellar to the same music as his grapes ferment and come of age. All part of the terroir, he says. Does all this have an actual effect on the wine? Have a taste for yourself. The proof just might be in the pudding.” –Kermit Lynch Wines’
In Stock Now:
Domaine Comte Abbatucci Ajaccio Faustine Blanc, Corsica 2017 750ML ($49.95) $29 special
Case-12 Domaine Comte Abbatucci Ajaccio Faustine Blanc, Corsica 2017 750ML ($599.95) $319 special (that’s only $26.58/bottle!)
Importer Note “Summing up Jean-Charles Abbatucci’s contagious energy in just a few lines is virtually impossible. The best way to experience it is to stand in his vineyards in central Corsica and feel it radiate through your body from the ground up. Luckily, that energy finds its way into every bottle he makes, and this gentle, breezy white from old-vine Vermentinu delivers it without compromise each sip is like a gust of warm Mediterranean air flooding your senses with a perfume of flowers and wild maquis.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39
The next best price is $39
Domaine Comte Abbatucci Ajaccio Faustine Blanc, Corsica 2016 750ML ($49.95) $29 special
Importer Note “At the domaine, Jean-Charles Abbatucci often greets his guests with copious platters of Corsican charcuterie: heaping piles of coppa, lonzu, panzetta, and prisuttu saturated with wild, smoky, gamy flavors. Made from nustrale black pigs, a breed exclusive to the island, these meats feature savory, salty flavors that inspire gulp after gulp of crips, stony Vermentinu or spicy, juicy reds from native grapes. This delicate, floral white guarantees palate-cleansing refreshment when heavenly Corsican meats and cheeses are on the table.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $42.99
The next best price is $42.99
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Trending Wines
The follow up to one of last year’s best-sellers, this Super Tuscan delivers big.
Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($34.95) $24 special
Case-6 Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($199.95) $136 special (that’s only $22.66/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points “There’s a very fresh array here of thyme, newly picked blackcurrants, iodine, crushed stones and sea salt. The exuberant fruit is matched nicely to fine and elegant tannins, which paint a compact and neat picture on the medium-to full-bodied palate. Drink from 2021.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “This is another extremely popular wine that is easily found up and down the Tuscan Coast. This red blend (with the largest part of the blend going to Cabernet Sauvignon) opens to a soft and velvety texture. The 2017 Bolgheri Rosso Il Bruciato offers some noticeable ripeness with black cherry, prune and raisin. But ultimately, the wine shows a good level of freshness because the acidity in the grapes was concentrated (like everything else in this hot vintage) in the year’s smaller berries. Tenuta Guado al Tasso extends over 340 hectares. Because of the hot vintage, only 65,000 cases were made of this wine instead of the 100,000 cases produced in a normal vintage.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Bolgheri Il Bruciato is pliant, supple and luscious, but what stands out most is how much freshness Antinori was able to keep in this wine. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, new leather and floral notes all meld together in this sumptuous, racy red. This is such a pretty and expressive wine.”
Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($34.95) $24 special
Case-6 Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri, Tuscany 2017 750ML ($199.95) $136 special (that’s only $22.66/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points “There’s a very fresh array here of thyme, newly picked blackcurrants, iodine, crushed stones and sea salt. The exuberant fruit is matched nicely to fine and elegant tannins, which paint a compact and neat picture on the medium-to full-bodied palate. Drink from 2021.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “This is another extremely popular wine that is easily found up and down the Tuscan Coast. This red blend (with the largest part of the blend going to Cabernet Sauvignon) opens to a soft and velvety texture. The 2017 Bolgheri Rosso Il Bruciato offers some noticeable ripeness with black cherry, prune and raisin. But ultimately, the wine shows a good level of freshness because the acidity in the grapes was concentrated (like everything else in this hot vintage) in the year’s smaller berries. Tenuta Guado al Tasso extends over 340 hectares. Because of the hot vintage, only 65,000 cases were made of this wine instead of the 100,000 cases produced in a normal vintage.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Bolgheri Il Bruciato is pliant, supple and luscious, but what stands out most is how much freshness Antinori was able to keep in this wine. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, new leather and floral notes all meld together in this sumptuous, racy red. This is such a pretty and expressive wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $29
The average price is $29
The best Sauvignon Blanc you’ve never heard of.
Weingut Tement Grassnitzberg Sauvignon Blanc, Steiermark, 2017 750ML ($41.95) $38 special
Falstaff 95 points “Light yellow-green, silver reflections. Delicate tangerine zest, a hint of yellow tropical fruit, dark minerality, fine-spicy bouquet. Tight, close-knit, white fruit, salty structure, fine gooseberry nuances in the finish, lime touch, very piquant, stays on for a long time, probably the best Grassnitzberg so far. [Translated]”
Winery Note “Single-vineyard Grassnitzberg was the first vineyards owned by family Tement and was planted in the early 50ies. The old vines of the south south-east facing slopes grow on massive shell-limestone soil. Thee aromatic and elegant vintage 2017 impresses with mineral flavours such as pear, caper salt as well as black currant. A lot of limestone spices are present and leave an eternally long taste. May be drunk young but after 3-5 years bottle ageing the typical „Grassnitzberg terroir notes“ emerge.”
Importer Note “A very cool Premier Cru vineyard for elegant wines. Destemmed, harvested by hand, 12 hour skin contact, natural yeast fermentation, 12-18 month on the lees without sulphor, bottled without filtration “
“Owner/winemaker Todd Hamina has an admirable track record for producing ageworthy Pinot Noir and his 2016s are no exception.” –Josh Raynolds
Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($39.95) $28 special
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays intense red fruit, potpourri and incense qualities. Spice and savory herb nuances build as the wine opens up. Bright and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed and appealingly sweet raspberry liqueur, cherry and spicecake flavors that pick up a smoky mineral note on the back half. Plays power off of finesse deftly and finishes extremely long and floral, with sneaky, fine-grained tannins and a touch of exotic spices.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $34.50
The next best price is $34.50
Classic “K” quality at under $30.
K Vintners Milbrandt Vineyard Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The only wine fermented in stainless steel (they like more precision with this wine) and aged in 30% new puncheons, the 2017 Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard reveals a deep ruby color as well as ripe, sexy notes of blackberries, raspberries, black pepper, leafy herbs, and smoked game. It’s rich, medium-bodied, layered, and just a beautiful wine that will keep for 8-10 years.”
“A milestone and the best one ever. Seamless on the nose? Go figure. Laser focus. Cool fireplace ash, bing cherry, nori, oil-cured olives, mouth-filling with minerality to spare. A true classic.” – Charles Smith
K Vintners Milbrandt Vineyard Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2017 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “The only wine fermented in stainless steel (they like more precision with this wine) and aged in 30% new puncheons, the 2017 Syrah Milbrandt Vineyard reveals a deep ruby color as well as ripe, sexy notes of blackberries, raspberries, black pepper, leafy herbs, and smoked game. It’s rich, medium-bodied, layered, and just a beautiful wine that will keep for 8-10 years.”
“A milestone and the best one ever. Seamless on the nose? Go figure. Laser focus. Cool fireplace ash, bing cherry, nori, oil-cured olives, mouth-filling with minerality to spare. A true classic.” – Charles Smith
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $31
The average price nationally is $31
Balanced, fresh, precise–and underpriced.
Bodegas y Vinedos Artuke ‘Pies Negros’, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special
Case-12 Bodegas y Vinedos Artuke ‘Pies Negros’, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($299.95) $215 special (that’s only $17.92/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Pies Negros was produced with grapes from the Sierra Cantabria in the village of Ábalos, so another village wine, even if it won’t get the official qualification, as they don’t have a winery in Ábalos! It’s a blend of Tempranillo with 15% Graciano fermented with destemmed but uncrushed grapes with indigenous yeasts, and it matured in 500-liter oak barrels for 12 months, except for 10% of the volume that was kept in concrete for that time. This didn’t stop growing in the glass, and the aromas are subtle and elegant. Since they started working with larger oak containers, they had to learn to work under more reductive conditions; they now seem to have mastered it, at least in some of the wines, like this one. The wines are subtler and less immediate than the wines aged in barrique, and this long-cycle vintage has a tendency toward this profile of wines. The palate is very balanced and fresh, with a core of red fruit, with bright flavors and very good precision. 70,000 bottles produced.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
“If you love the traditional side of Montalcino, Luigi Ananìa’s La Torre makes some of the best and most consistent wines you will find”
Azienda Agricola La Torre Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ML ($69.95) $52.50 special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “If you love the traditional side of Montalcino, Luigi Ananìa’s La Torre makes some of the best and most consistent wines you will find. Their 2015 Brunello di Montalcino reveals a quality of fruit that is both plump and succulent, and this is very much a characteristic of the 2015 vintage. However, the house style is extremely precise and focused. It starts off slowly, revealing itself in small steps before coming into full bloom. The wide aromatic span of the wine should become even more prominent with three or four more years of cellar age. This wine does a nice job of matching the acidity of Sangiovese to the generous fruit of the warm 2015 vintage. Some 13,000 bottles will be released in March 2020.”
Collector’s Corner
2018 Diamond Creek
At Subscriber Special Pricing
Diamond Creek invented much of what we think of as pillars of cult California Cabernet. The single vineyard bottlings, the exclusive mailing list and the high price tags all seemed to spring from this tiny estate on the hillsides of Diamond Mountain. The wines are as iconic as ever—monuments to the greatness of their Napa terroir.
Stylistically, these are powerful Cabernets. Although there are distinct differences between the three vineyards, the wines show a common vein of Diamond Mountain ruggedness—an intensity of flavor and minerality that’s unique to the AVA. Diamond Creek manages to harness it to produce wines that dazzle with their complexity and age worthiness; wines that rival the finest in Bordeaux.
We’re offering a pre-arrival Subscriber Special on their stunning 2018’s—wines that will stand the test of time as some of the greatest produced in Napa. The winery is very sensitive about online pricing, so these discounts won’t display in our webstore—but don’t worry, we’ll manually adjust them before running your credit card.
Diamond Creek Subscriber Special
Subscriber Special pricing will not display online
We will manually adjust the price before finalizing your order and running your credit card.
Arriving ETA November:
Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) Displayed price $249, Your Price: $219 pre-arrival special, only 24 bottles available
Winery notes “Volcanic Hill is comprised of 8 acres of south facing hillside vineyard. It is the warmest of all our micro-climates. The color of the soil is gray, and the consistency is that of fluffy, volcanic ash, originally deposited from the eruption of Mt. Konocti 8 million years ago. Volcanic Hill is the longest lived of our wines. Our winemaker describes these wines as “full bodied, loaded with intense ripe berry fruit, cassis, violets and a smoky richness, finishing with good length and firm tannins. The Volcanic Hill bottling includes a small amount of the extra-ordinary Petit Verdot grape.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) Displayed price $249, Your Price: $219 pre-arrival special, only 24 bottles available
Winery notes “Red Rock Terrace, a warm microclimate, is 7 acres of north facing vineyard. The red tinted soil is high in iron content. The wine from Red Rock Terrace is the most accessible and earliest drinkable of all our wines. Our winemaker describes Red Rock Terrace as “having velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($279.95) Displayed price $249, Your Price: $219 pre-arrival special, only 24 bottles available
Winery notes “Our second coolest micro-climate is our five-acre Gravelly Meadow vineyard. Originally a pre-historic river bed, this stony, gravelly soil drains rapidly and the vines struggle for moisture. Gravelly Meadow is our lowest yielding vineyard. The wines are described as “earthy, cedary, jammy and ripe blackberry with a spicy expansive finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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