In Today’s Newsletter:
Featured New Arrivals
Saint Damien’s 2018 Gigondas
Marques de Murrieta’s Flagship Reserva
Staff Recommended Large Formats From
Piedmont’s Hidden Gem Cantalupo
4 of James Suckling’s Top 100 of 2020
Elegance in Piedmont
The Wines of Cascina delle Rose
The Perfect Holiday White
From An Italian Legend
Featured New Arrival
Saint Damien’s 2018 Gigondas
In the difficult vintage of 2018, Joel Saurel, and son Romain who recently took over the winemaking made the tough decision to take the hit financially and still create the best wine they can; just less of it. They produced only two of their Gigondas cuvées: the base AOC Gigondas Vieilles Vignes and the La Louisiane. Old-vine Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Syrah combine for the most pleasantly fragrant vintage from this lovely domaine. Humbly priced, incredibly well made, and there is good supply on hand for the time being.
The standard 2018 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes shows increased depth of flavor, but has brighter, black raspberry-tinged aromas that are more upfront with less decanting than in previous vintages. Still thick with herb and anise notes that add a pleasant dimension to the glass, the wildness seems a little in check this year. Instead, there are lovely floral notes that seem to come from a well-tended garden rather than from some scrubby little bushes overlooking a windswept plateau. It is graceful and lovely, yet still has a wonderful depth to the finish.
And now, for La Louisiane: the wine that puts Saint Damien in the same conversation as Santa Duc and Saint Cosme as far as being the best producer from Gigondas. The vines from the red sandy soil of La Louisiane fared the best from the attack of powdery mildew that assaulted Gigondas in the spring. The rest of the growing season treated Gigondas quite well, and the resulting fruit was delightful. The firm cherry core was accented with freshly cracked spices, cassis, smoky tea and herbs, crunchy with mineral notes. The color is intense but clear and shimmers with brightness. One of my favorite aspects of this wine is the balance between the intensity of the sweet delicious fruit and the alcohol, which at 15% is definitely present but not overpowering. While alcohol is simply an act of natural processes, this balance seems to be assembled deliberately and perfectly. While recent vintages like 2016 and 2017 may call for longer durations in the cellar, this wine could be accessed earlier. Five years will undoubtedly help it along the way, but if you’re pulling corks early, decant the wine vigorously. Air will only jumpstart all that is promised within.
As a reminder; there are still magnums available of the La Souteyrades from 2015 and 2016. The spice profile is slightly less wild but no less intense than La Louisiane. Additionally, there is a pretty blood orange scent that filters through the blackberries and framboise. These mags will age nicely for as long as you need them to, though the 2015 we recently tried is pretty hedonistic at the moment. Go for these with confidence.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2018 750ML ($219.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2018 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes shows impressive levels of black cherry fruit, joined by hints of garrigue and licorice. It’s full-bodied, silky and easy to drink, finishing long, briny and savory.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The base Gigondas, the 2018 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a blend from both the La Louisiane and Pigière lieux-dits near the estate (due to the dismal yields, there’s no Souteyrade cuvée in 2018) and is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah brought up in foudre. It has a wonderful flowery incense and blue fruit quality as well as medium to full body, a ripe, rounded mid-palate, and a great texture. It’s a more forward, charming, sexy wine that’s going to drink nicely in its youth yet also evolve gracefully.”
The standard 2018 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes shows increased depth of flavor, but has brighter, black raspberry-tinged aromas that are more upfront with less decanting than in previous vintages. Still thick with herb and anise notes that add a pleasant dimension to the glass, the wildness seems a little in check this year. Instead, there are lovely floral notes that seem to come from a well-tended garden rather than from some scrubby little bushes overlooking a windswept plateau. It is graceful and lovely, yet still has a wonderful depth to the finish.
And now, for La Louisiane: the wine that puts Saint Damien in the same conversation as Santa Duc and Saint Cosme as far as being the best producer from Gigondas. The vines from the red sandy soil of La Louisiane fared the best from the attack of powdery mildew that assaulted Gigondas in the spring. The rest of the growing season treated Gigondas quite well, and the resulting fruit was delightful. The firm cherry core was accented with freshly cracked spices, cassis, smoky tea and herbs, crunchy with mineral notes. The color is intense but clear and shimmers with brightness. One of my favorite aspects of this wine is the balance between the intensity of the sweet delicious fruit and the alcohol, which at 15% is definitely present but not overpowering. While alcohol is simply an act of natural processes, this balance seems to be assembled deliberately and perfectly. While recent vintages like 2016 and 2017 may call for longer durations in the cellar, this wine could be accessed earlier. Five years will undoubtedly help it along the way, but if you’re pulling corks early, decant the wine vigorously. Air will only jumpstart all that is promised within.
As a reminder; there are still magnums available of the La Souteyrades from 2015 and 2016. The spice profile is slightly less wild but no less intense than La Louisiane. Additionally, there is a pretty blood orange scent that filters through the blackberries and framboise. These mags will age nicely for as long as you need them to, though the 2015 we recently tried is pretty hedonistic at the moment. Go for these with confidence.
In Stock Now:
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2018 750ML ($219.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2018 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes shows impressive levels of black cherry fruit, joined by hints of garrigue and licorice. It’s full-bodied, silky and easy to drink, finishing long, briny and savory.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The base Gigondas, the 2018 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a blend from both the La Louisiane and Pigière lieux-dits near the estate (due to the dismal yields, there’s no Souteyrade cuvée in 2018) and is 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah brought up in foudre. It has a wonderful flowery incense and blue fruit quality as well as medium to full body, a ripe, rounded mid-palate, and a great texture. It’s a more forward, charming, sexy wine that’s going to drink nicely in its youth yet also evolve gracefully.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2018 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes, Rhône 2018 750ML ($239.95) $199 special (that’s only $33.17/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The 2018 Gigondas La Louisiane looks to be another terrific example of this cuvée. Raspberries, black cherries, tea leaves and violets all appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, velvety and long on the finish.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93-95 points “Vivid magenta. Highly perfumed raspberry and cherry preserve aromas are complicated by potpourri and exotic spice nuances and a smoky mineral note builds in the glass. Juicy and appealingly sweet, displaying intense red/blue fruit, spicecake and lavender pastille flavors and supple, seamless texture. Balances richness and vivacity smoothly and finishes extremely long and spicy, with harmonious tannins and a resonating echo of candied flowers.”
Also in Stock from Saint Damien:
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas ‘Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes’, Rhône 2015 1.5L ($109.95) $89 special, 7 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The most opulent and voluptuous of the 2015s, the 2015 Gigondas Les Souteyrades is heavenly juice that, again, drinks well past its humble price point. Just loaded with notions of strawberries, framboise, spring flowers, dried orange peels and spice, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a thick, unctuous texture, sweet tannin and a great, great finish. This cuvée is the normal 80/20 split of Grenache and Mourvèdre, aged all in foudre, and there’s just 750 cases made.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Like the La Louisiane, the 2015 Gigondas les Souteyrades spent a year in foudres prior to bottling. It a similar blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, but grown on north-facing gray clays. There’s more pepper and herb here, still wonderfully ripe raspberries but less chocolate. Full-bodied, it’s still silky and refined, with tremendous length on the finish.”
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas ‘Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes’, Rhône 2016 1.5L ($109.95) $89 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Gigondas Les Souteyrades checks in as 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre that was brought up all in foudre. It’s another powerful, concentrated, awesome wine that has slightly more exotic notes of black raspberries, crushed flowers, spice, and sappy garrigue. I almost always find a citrus note in this cuvée, which is full-bodied, opulent and mouthfilling on the palate, yet always stays graceful and lively.”
This is the lowest listed magnum price in the USA today!
Additional Souteyrades Re-Arriving in Mid-January:
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas ‘Les Souteyrades Vieilles Vignes’, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “A blend of Grenache and Mourvèdre, the 2017 Gigondas les Souteyrades—from a clay-based, north-facing site—is rich and earthy, with cinnamon and cola notes accenting dark plums and black cherries. It’s full-bodied and velvety, adding hints of chocolate on the long finish.-JC”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Black cherries, garrigue, leather, and a kiss of spice emerge from the 2017 Gigondas Les Souteyrades, which is Grenache and Mourvèdre brought up in foudre. It’s medium to full-bodied, has light tannins, beautiful balance, and a charming, elegant style. As with the other releases here in 2017, it’s a seamless, layered, complex wine that relies more on elegance and complexity than overt power and richness.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “Deep magenta. Deeply pitched aromas of red and blue fruit preserves, candied flowers and allspice show excellent clarity and mineral lift. Seamless and alluringly sweet, offering palate-staining cherry, blueberry and spicecake flavors that show noteworthy depth and back-end thrust. Finishes very long and smooth, with fine-grained tannins and resonating cherry and floral character.”
Love Rhône reds? We have over 160 red wines from the Rhône Valley in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Château de Vaudieu, Saint Cosme, Vieux Télégraphe and more, on our web store now!
Marqués de Murrieta’s Flagship Reserva
Marqués de Murrieta is one of the great pillars of classical Rioja—a titan of the region that’s responsible for some of the greatest wines ever produced in Spain. They resemble more polished, powerful versions of Lopez de Heredia while sharing their age-worthiness. However they also offer a distinctly more fruit driven profile in their youth. Murrieta’s wines have always been favorites amongst critics and consumers alike. We’ve just received a significant drop of their 2015 Reserva, a wine that appeared on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 of 2019.
In Stock Now:
Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator Top 100 In 2019
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The red blend 2015 Rioja Reserva is 80% Tempranillo with 12% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha, a little more Graciano and Mazuelo, something logical in ripe and warm years like 2015. It’s produced with grapes from a diversity of the 30 different plots within the estate, to represent the character of if. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in American oak barrels for 18 months. It’s spicy and somewhat balsamic, with some dusty tannins. It’s a ripe and powerful vintage that only suffers next to the 2016 I tasted next to it when there’s a jump in precision and finesse. This is by far the largest volume produced at Murrieta, with almost one million bottles.”
James Suckling 93 points “So fresh and elegant with more than enough concentration and structure, this is a fine example of a 2015 Reserva. Ripe-blackberry, licorice, smoke and bourbon notes. I love the velvety texture of the long, intense finish. Better from 2019 and with long aging potential.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Cedar, tobacco, dried cherry and spice flavors mingle in this red. Features a polished texture, with well-integrated tannins and orange peel acidity. Supple, harmonious and graceful. Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2025. 100,000 cases made, 9,067 cases imported.”
Also in Stock from Marqués de Murrieta:
Marqués de Murrieta ‘Dalmau’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2014 750ML ($99.95) $88 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Decanter 98 points “How much better can Dalmau get? It’s exceptionally finely balanced, a perfect expression of a single vineyard within the estate, resoundingly full of black fruit, dark chocolate, liquorice. A powerful wine, but never overbearing, even in its youth. Wonderful to enjoy now, but will seriously reward cellaring.”
Marqués de Murrieta Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2009 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points “Marqués de Murrieta didn’t produce their top red in 2008, so I tasted the 2009 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial. In 2009, the final blend was Tempranillo with 19% Mazuelo (or Cariñena), one of the highest percentages of Mazuelo ever. The grapes are now sourced from the La Plana vineyard within the Ygay estate, one of the higher-altitude plots at 485 meters. The grapes fermented and aged separately, the Tempranillo in American oak barrels and the Mazuelo in French barriques for 26 months, given its power. It has that seriousness, character and somehow rusticity of the Mazuelo, austere, harmonious and still young. It has good depth and concentration, still young and lively with fine tannins and a backbone of freshness that lifts it up. It will develop for a very long time in bottle. This is a great classical Rioja for the long haul. 109,000 bottles and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in October 2014. The prices are increasing but so is the quality. The following vintages will be 2010, 2011 and possibly 2012. I cannot wait to taste them…”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “(aged in new American and French oak barrels for 28 months) Vivid ruby-red. A highly perfumed, expansive bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, cherry liqueur, coconut and cigar box, along with a sexy floral nuance that emerges slowly. Plush and seamless on the palate, offering sweet, deeply concentrated blackberry, cherry-vanilla and mocha flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Rich yet energetic in style, displaying superb finishing clarity, even tannins and a lingering spicecake note. The Tempranillo saw only American oak while the Mazuelo component saw only French.”
In Stock Now:
Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator Top 100 In 2019
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “The red blend 2015 Rioja Reserva is 80% Tempranillo with 12% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha, a little more Graciano and Mazuelo, something logical in ripe and warm years like 2015. It’s produced with grapes from a diversity of the 30 different plots within the estate, to represent the character of if. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in American oak barrels for 18 months. It’s spicy and somewhat balsamic, with some dusty tannins. It’s a ripe and powerful vintage that only suffers next to the 2016 I tasted next to it when there’s a jump in precision and finesse. This is by far the largest volume produced at Murrieta, with almost one million bottles.”
James Suckling 93 points “So fresh and elegant with more than enough concentration and structure, this is a fine example of a 2015 Reserva. Ripe-blackberry, licorice, smoke and bourbon notes. I love the velvety texture of the long, intense finish. Better from 2019 and with long aging potential.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Cedar, tobacco, dried cherry and spice flavors mingle in this red. Features a polished texture, with well-integrated tannins and orange peel acidity. Supple, harmonious and graceful. Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2025. 100,000 cases made, 9,067 cases imported.”
Also in Stock from Marqués de Murrieta:
Marqués de Murrieta ‘Dalmau’ Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2014 750ML ($99.95) $88 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Decanter 98 points “How much better can Dalmau get? It’s exceptionally finely balanced, a perfect expression of a single vineyard within the estate, resoundingly full of black fruit, dark chocolate, liquorice. A powerful wine, but never overbearing, even in its youth. Wonderful to enjoy now, but will seriously reward cellaring.”
Marqués de Murrieta Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2009 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96 points “Marqués de Murrieta didn’t produce their top red in 2008, so I tasted the 2009 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial. In 2009, the final blend was Tempranillo with 19% Mazuelo (or Cariñena), one of the highest percentages of Mazuelo ever. The grapes are now sourced from the La Plana vineyard within the Ygay estate, one of the higher-altitude plots at 485 meters. The grapes fermented and aged separately, the Tempranillo in American oak barrels and the Mazuelo in French barriques for 26 months, given its power. It has that seriousness, character and somehow rusticity of the Mazuelo, austere, harmonious and still young. It has good depth and concentration, still young and lively with fine tannins and a backbone of freshness that lifts it up. It will develop for a very long time in bottle. This is a great classical Rioja for the long haul. 109,000 bottles and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in October 2014. The prices are increasing but so is the quality. The following vintages will be 2010, 2011 and possibly 2012. I cannot wait to taste them…”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “(aged in new American and French oak barrels for 28 months) Vivid ruby-red. A highly perfumed, expansive bouquet evokes ripe red and dark berries, cherry liqueur, coconut and cigar box, along with a sexy floral nuance that emerges slowly. Plush and seamless on the palate, offering sweet, deeply concentrated blackberry, cherry-vanilla and mocha flavors that are given spine and lift by a core of juicy acidity. Rich yet energetic in style, displaying superb finishing clarity, even tannins and a lingering spicecake note. The Tempranillo saw only American oak while the Mazuelo component saw only French.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Rioja? We have 30 wines from Rioja in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like López de Heredia, Remelluri, Sierra Cantabria and more, on our web store now!
Staff Recommended Large Formats From
Piedmont’s Hidden Gem Cantalupo
Piedmont outside of Barolo and Barbaresco remains a bit of a paradox: lovers of elite, collectible Nebbiolo will readily concede that there are some amazing wines made there, but then turn around and proceed never to buy any. This despite the fact that the best wines are outstandingly well priced! If you love Barolo and Barbaresco, you should be paying real (fiscal) attention to the wines from Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo, in Ghemme.
Cantalupo remains one of the top producers in the appellation, making wines that are traditional with a touch of polish to them. They deserve to be considered among the top wineries in Piedmont, not just in Ghemme. We’re excited to feature them once again today. In addition to a number of new arrivals landing next month, we have a handful of back vintage large format bottles in stock now and perfect for your holiday table.
In Stock Now:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2010 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2010 Ghemme Collis Breclemae is a powerful, austere wine and also the most tannic of the three Ghemmes I tasted from Cantalupo. Readers should be prepared to cellar the 2010 for at least a few years, as the bruising tannins are going to need time to soften a bit. Black cherry, wood smoke, licorice, tobacco and incense add to an impression of virile intensity. The Collis Breclamae is another wine with tons of cellaring potential.”
Winery note “Made entirely of Nebbiolo grown in the hillside vineyard called ‘Collis Breclemae,’ picked in the second half of October. About two weeks of maceration with the skins, then the wine is aged for 36 months in used barrels ranging between 900 and 2800L. Very rocky soil, which presumably explains the very distinctive mineral character the wine shows. Very round tannins that remind me of 70% dark chocolate, not at all bitter, just savory; this will age brilliantly, but if I’m eating ribeye now I would drink this with it in a second. Really big wine with excellent balance.”
Cantalupo remains one of the top producers in the appellation, making wines that are traditional with a touch of polish to them. They deserve to be considered among the top wineries in Piedmont, not just in Ghemme. We’re excited to feature them once again today. In addition to a number of new arrivals landing next month, we have a handful of back vintage large format bottles in stock now and perfect for your holiday table.
In Stock Now:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2010 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2010 Ghemme Collis Breclemae is a powerful, austere wine and also the most tannic of the three Ghemmes I tasted from Cantalupo. Readers should be prepared to cellar the 2010 for at least a few years, as the bruising tannins are going to need time to soften a bit. Black cherry, wood smoke, licorice, tobacco and incense add to an impression of virile intensity. The Collis Breclamae is another wine with tons of cellaring potential.”
Winery note “Made entirely of Nebbiolo grown in the hillside vineyard called ‘Collis Breclemae,’ picked in the second half of October. About two weeks of maceration with the skins, then the wine is aged for 36 months in used barrels ranging between 900 and 2800L. Very rocky soil, which presumably explains the very distinctive mineral character the wine shows. Very round tannins that remind me of 70% dark chocolate, not at all bitter, just savory; this will age brilliantly, but if I’m eating ribeye now I would drink this with it in a second. Really big wine with excellent balance.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2011 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2011 Ghemme Collis Breclemae is heady, rich and unctuous – almost unnaturally so. This is a very big wine with notes of black cherry, pine, smoke, licorice, leather and incense. The 2011 is a powerful, virile, brooding wine with real intensity.”
Importer note “Soil is made up of moraine (glacial deposit) which is high in minerals, rocks, gravel and sand. Grapes were destemmed and delicately pressed keeping the rolls of the destemmer sufficiently distant from each other in order to avoid the ill-treating of the grapes as much as possible. After the fermentation at 28-30 degrees Celsius, two pressings a day were carreid out in order to favor the extraction of the anthocyans and the polymerised tannins from the skins, which give that characteristic velvety, sweet and at the same time austere taste to this wine.”
This is the only magnum listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’, Ghemme DOCG 2009 3L ($199.95) $169 special, 1 double-magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2009 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a gorgeous, super-classic Ghemme. Rosewater, bright red cherry, geranium, tobacco, pine and mint are beautifully delineated throughout. Aromatically intense and focused, the 2009 shows exactly what makes Nebbiolo from Ghemme so delicious. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine that won’t break the bank. At times, the aromatic signatures are quite reminiscent of Mascarello’s Barolo Monprivato, although the tannic and acid signatures are very much those of Ghemme.”
This is the only double magnum listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2007 3L ($279.95) $219 special, 1 double-magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2007 Ghemme Collis Breclamae shows the deeper, slightly wilder side of Ghemme. Game, smoke, licorice, cedar and tobacco are expressed with elements of burliness and rusticity. There is more than enough depth to fill out the wine’s broad shoulders. Still, what comes through most is the wine’s virile, imposing personality.”
This is the only double magnum listing in the USA today!
Pre-Arrivals ETA January 2021:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Colline Novaresi Nebbiolo 2018 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2018 Nebbiolo Colline Novaresi Agamium is a terrific introduction to these wines. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mint and orange peel are beautifully delineated. The 2018s is vinous and fresh, but it also has plenty of depth too. All the elements are impeccably balanced.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’, Ghemme DOCG 2012 750ML ($44.95) $36 pre-arrival special
“The 2012 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a powerful, dark potent wine. Wild cherry, spice, tobacco and menthol contribute to its brooding, somber rustic personality. The 2012 is very big and dense.” –Antonio Galloni
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2013 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Ghemme Collis Breclamae is fabulous. Deep, dark and also translucent, the 2013 possesses magnificent clarity as well as structure. Black cherry, lavender, truffle, mint, spice and new leather all develop in an ample, resonant Ghemme that hits all the right notes. A rich, substantial finish rounds things out in style. The 2013 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring, but it also has the pedigree to develop in the cellar for many years to come. Each time I come back to the 2013 it is more impressive.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Carellae, Ghemme DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Ghemme Collis Carellae is another huge wine in this range from Cantalupo. Sweet red cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco, mint, dried flowers and licorice are all amped up here. Even with all of its natural intensity, the 2011 possesses just enough freshness and verve to keep things in check. The 2011 is very obviously a dramatic wine, but all of the elements are nicely balanced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Mia Ida’ Spumante Brut Rosé, Piedmont NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata-Vinous 92 points “Very pale pink. Boasts extremely refined floral nuances to the vanilla and red cherry aromas and flavors. Bright and clean, with a lovely creamy presence on the palate and boasting sneaky concentration and complexity, not to mention a long precise finish. Lovely.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Signore di Bayard, Ghemme DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $44.50 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Piedmont? We have nearly 200 wines from Piedmont in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Bruno Giacosa , Cappellano, Giacomo Conterno and more, on our web store now!
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When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
4 of James Suckling’s Top 100 of 2020
#9 – Terrazas de Los Andes ‘Cheval des Andes’ 2017
100 Points – James Suckling
Terrazas de Los Andes ‘Cheval des Andes’, Mendoza 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special -ETA February
This is the greatest Cheval des Andes ever. Discrete aromas of blackberries, flowers, stone and licorice. So perfumed. The integration of fruit, tannins and acidity is fantastic. Full-bodied, tight and solid with beautiful depth and integrity. Extremely long and exciting. Complex and compelling with such refinement and length. A blend of 62% malbec and 38% cabernet sauvignon. Available in September 2020. Better after 2024.
#10 – Clos Apalta 2017
100 Points – James Suckling
Clos Apalta, Colchagua Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special -ETA April
What a stunning nose of crushed berries, fresh flowers, sandalwood and light vineyard dust. Black olives, too. Very complex. Full-bodied with a beautiful, dense palate of blackberries, chocolate, walnuts and cigar box. Fantastic length and composure. The tannin just rolls over the palate. Very structured. The most classically structured wine ever from here. Goes on for minutes. Outrageous and so polished. A blend of 48% carmenere, 26% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Try after 2025.
#24 – Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Cuvée Sainte Cathérine 2018
99 Points – James Suckling
Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Cuvée Sainte Cathérine, Alsace Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special -ETA February/March
One of the wines of this challenging vintage in Alsace, this is a masterpiece of concentrated minerality, but also has a seductive, kaleidoscopic array of yellow and exotic-fruit aromas (most obviously puréed peach). Tons of structure, but this is already so beautifully interwoven into the palate that it simply adds textural complexity at the very long finish. From the estate’s oldest vines on the granitic Grand Cru Schlossberg. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
100 Points – James Suckling
Terrazas de Los Andes ‘Cheval des Andes’, Mendoza 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special -ETA February
This is the greatest Cheval des Andes ever. Discrete aromas of blackberries, flowers, stone and licorice. So perfumed. The integration of fruit, tannins and acidity is fantastic. Full-bodied, tight and solid with beautiful depth and integrity. Extremely long and exciting. Complex and compelling with such refinement and length. A blend of 62% malbec and 38% cabernet sauvignon. Available in September 2020. Better after 2024.
#10 – Clos Apalta 2017
100 Points – James Suckling
Clos Apalta, Colchagua Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special -ETA April
What a stunning nose of crushed berries, fresh flowers, sandalwood and light vineyard dust. Black olives, too. Very complex. Full-bodied with a beautiful, dense palate of blackberries, chocolate, walnuts and cigar box. Fantastic length and composure. The tannin just rolls over the palate. Very structured. The most classically structured wine ever from here. Goes on for minutes. Outrageous and so polished. A blend of 48% carmenere, 26% cabernet sauvignon, 25% merlot and 1% petit verdot. Try after 2025.
#24 – Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Cuvée Sainte Cathérine 2018
99 Points – James Suckling
Domaine Weinbach Riesling Schlossberg Cuvée Sainte Cathérine, Alsace Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special -ETA February/March
One of the wines of this challenging vintage in Alsace, this is a masterpiece of concentrated minerality, but also has a seductive, kaleidoscopic array of yellow and exotic-fruit aromas (most obviously puréed peach). Tons of structure, but this is already so beautifully interwoven into the palate that it simply adds textural complexity at the very long finish. From the estate’s oldest vines on the granitic Grand Cru Schlossberg. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold.
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#36 – Parusso Armando Etichetta Oro Bussia Riserva 2011
99 Points – James Suckling
Parusso Armando Etichetta Oro Bussia Riserva, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special -ETA January
A wild, rich Barolo, showing the richness of the vintage with plums, toffee and smoked meat. Full-bodied, dense and layered with exotic and gamy fruit at the end. A wonderful old release. Special wine. Drink or hold.
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The average national price is $250
The average national price is $250
Elegance in Piedmont
The Wines of Cascina delle Rose
“Cascina delle Rose is without question one of the emerging estates in Barbaresco. Readers who have not tasted these wines should make a point of doing so, as they encapsulate everything that makes Barbaresco so alluring.”– Antonio Galloni
When coming up with a list of the “most beloved” Piemontese estates, Cascina delle Rose would definitely be on it—to the surprise of many who aren’t familiar with the estate. Cascina delle Rose does fly under the radar—that’s for sure, but those who know the wines love them and buy them year in and out. The love for the wines is easy to understand once you taste them—they’re soulful and elegant. The grace the wines display is hard to come across in a region increasingly warming and concerned with critical appeal—they’re wines for a set, not for the masses.
These are wines with soaring aromatics and beautiful textures—and they’re surprisingly age-worthy for such ethereal bottlings. The winemaking here is extremely traditional, verging on natural and the vineyard management fully organic. As with most of the Piemonte, Cascina delle Rose has excelled in recent vintages, producing some of the best wines in the history of the winery. Lovers of small Piedmontese producers take note—this is a true family estate doing all the right things.
In Stock Now:
Cascina delle Rose Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
“Here is a comparably food-friendly red wine to pair with simple roast meats or risotto with wild mushrooms. The Cascina delle Rose 2018 Barbera d’Alba is an easier wine when contrasted with the Barbera d’Alba Superiore Donna Elena from 2017 that I also tasted in this report. Yet this wine does not show that jammy ripeness that you get in the Superiore and ultimately shows more balance as a result. There is some softness with dried blackberry and Morello cherry, but the cooler 2018 vintage manages those aromas with more precision and a softer touch. Some 4,500 bottles were released.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
When coming up with a list of the “most beloved” Piemontese estates, Cascina delle Rose would definitely be on it—to the surprise of many who aren’t familiar with the estate. Cascina delle Rose does fly under the radar—that’s for sure, but those who know the wines love them and buy them year in and out. The love for the wines is easy to understand once you taste them—they’re soulful and elegant. The grace the wines display is hard to come across in a region increasingly warming and concerned with critical appeal—they’re wines for a set, not for the masses.
These are wines with soaring aromatics and beautiful textures—and they’re surprisingly age-worthy for such ethereal bottlings. The winemaking here is extremely traditional, verging on natural and the vineyard management fully organic. As with most of the Piemonte, Cascina delle Rose has excelled in recent vintages, producing some of the best wines in the history of the winery. Lovers of small Piedmontese producers take note—this is a true family estate doing all the right things.
In Stock Now:
Cascina delle Rose Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
“Here is a comparably food-friendly red wine to pair with simple roast meats or risotto with wild mushrooms. The Cascina delle Rose 2018 Barbera d’Alba is an easier wine when contrasted with the Barbera d’Alba Superiore Donna Elena from 2017 that I also tasted in this report. Yet this wine does not show that jammy ripeness that you get in the Superiore and ultimately shows more balance as a result. There is some softness with dried blackberry and Morello cherry, but the cooler 2018 vintage manages those aromas with more precision and a softer touch. Some 4,500 bottles were released.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
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Cascina delle Rose A Elizabeth Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note ” Dolcetto grapes 100% from old vineyards in Tre Stelle and Rio Sordo. Fermentation and vinification in still for to exalt his crispness and purity. Its colour is bright ruby red with violet hues, crisp on the palate, delicate scent of wild rose and violet, cherry, red fruits and gooseberry, pleasant wine, which is the fruit pulp. Elegant notes ethereal, sensation of spices: cinnamon and cloves of carnation. Good structure acid, silky tannins and lovely aromatic persistence. It combines well with appetizers, pasta dishes with light sauces, fresh cheeses.”
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Cascina delle Rose Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Bright garnet red. Floral and elegant notes of roses and violet (which is classic of the Tre Stelle); a direct, deep, and clear expression of the vineyard. Notes of fruit (maraschino cherries, berries), vanilla, leather, and tobacco. Dry, balanced and enduring, with dense texture of fine and silky tannins, great elegance and persistence. It goes well with salami, cured ham, red and white meat, and medium-aged cheeses.”
“Cascina delle Rose is without question one of the emerging estates in Barbaresco. Readers who have not tasted these wines should make a point of doing so, as they encapsulate everything that makes Barbaresco so alluring.”– Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. This fragrant and structured red opens with alluring scents of crushed rose, baking spice, wild berry and a whiff of menthol. Full bodied and elegant, the focused palate delivers succulent red cherry, crushed strawberry, orange zest, licorice and white pepper framed in taut refined tannins. Fresh acidity lends tension and keeps it balanced. Give it time to fully develop. Drink 2023–2035.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 92 points “Cascina delle Rose is a winery that deserves your attention. It is specialized in very classic, elegant and fine expressions of Nebbiolo executed according to local tradition. The 2015 Barbaresco Rio Sordo walks with delicate footsteps. In a vintage that shows many overripe wines from this appellation, Cascina delle Rose gets it right. You do, however, feel the 14.5% alcohol on the finish.”
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Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Tre Stelle is a balanced and well-tempered expression of Nebbiolo. This pretty wine opens to bright aromas of blue violets, rose hip and forest berry. The main theme here is finesse, and it is fully explored from start to finish, from nose to palate. This is a lean-bodied wine with silky, long intensity.”
“The Barbaresco Tre Stelle is the result of better exposure of this geographical appellation, 100% Nebbiolo grapes. Great character, undoubted delicacy and femininity together for a long-lived wine and amazing pleasure even from young , thanks to the weave of tannins, sleek and silky. Bright garnet red with orange highlights, live and balanced tannins, notes of roses and violets, ripe plum, licorice, tobacco and chocolate. Finally spicy with elegant ethereal notes. Remarkable persistence.”–Winery Notes
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Cascina delle Rose Tre Stelle, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Editor’s Choice. Enticing scents of rose, violet, menthol and nutmeg float above the glass on this fragrant, radiant red. Elegantly structured, the focused palate delivers raspberry compote, juicy cherry, star anise and cinnamon. Taut, ultrarefined tannins and bright acidity lend precision and balance. Drink 2022–2034.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2016 Barbaresco Tre Stelle, tasted from barrel, is a darkly concentrated and rich expression of Nebbiolo with lots of black fruit packed tight at its core. The wine was technically unfinished when I tasted it; however, reading between the lines, you get a sense of the deep and profound nature of the fruit in 2016. I see this vintage turning out very nicely. Some 4,900 bottles were produced.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points The 2016 Barbaresco Tre Stelle is dark, dense and quite powerful, with real textural resonance and tons of nuance. A rich, potent wine, this is also the best Tre Stelle Barbaresco I have tasted from Cascina delle Rose since the debut of this wine, with the 2006 vintage. Deep, creamy and ample, the 2016 will drink well with just a few years in bottle. I expect it will always remain virile in feel.
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Love Barbaresco? We have over 50 wines from Barbaresco in stock now. Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Ca’ del Baio, Produttori, Roagna and more, on our web store now!
The Perfect Holiday White
From An Italian Legend
Gaja is a name that requires no context—like Latour or DRC, it’s understood which estate is meant. Although Angelo Gaja is best known for his reds, he also makes profound and collectable white wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Today we’re excited to feature a can’t-miss price on Gaja’s Langhe white (95% Chardonnay, with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc). A wine that normally commands a triple digit price tag, we’re offering for less than $70. So mix things up this holiday season and ditch the California Chardonnay for something special from an Italian legend.
Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($119.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($599.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Importer Note “The nose opens with fresh and sweet flavors consisting of white melon and white nectarine peach combined with elder and jasmine. On the entry, this wine opens with citrus fruits and fresh hints menthol (reminiscent of pepper mint). The sharp acidity gives freshness and incredible length to a crisp, lingering finish. This wine is produced from grapes grown in several estate-owned vineyards. The Rossj vineyard, planted in 1984, is named for Angelo Gaja’s younger daughter Rossana (Rossj). Bass is Piedmontese for the Italian basso, meaning low, a name derived from the vineyard’s position. Pheasants are featured on Rossj-Bass’ label to commemorate the beautiful birds that inhabit the forests adjacent to Gaja’s vineyards.”
Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($119.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($599.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Importer Note “The nose opens with fresh and sweet flavors consisting of white melon and white nectarine peach combined with elder and jasmine. On the entry, this wine opens with citrus fruits and fresh hints menthol (reminiscent of pepper mint). The sharp acidity gives freshness and incredible length to a crisp, lingering finish. This wine is produced from grapes grown in several estate-owned vineyards. The Rossj vineyard, planted in 1984, is named for Angelo Gaja’s younger daughter Rossana (Rossj). Bass is Piedmontese for the Italian basso, meaning low, a name derived from the vineyard’s position. Pheasants are featured on Rossj-Bass’ label to commemorate the beautiful birds that inhabit the forests adjacent to Gaja’s vineyards.”
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Also in Stock from Gaja:
Gaja Alteni di Brassica Langhe, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($149.95) $79 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “The delightful 2015 Langhe Alteni di Brassica is a pure expression of Sauvignon Blanc. This is the only white wine in Angelo Gaja’s line that does not complete malolactic fermentation. The bouquet is exuberant and bright with green notes of salvia, wild oregano and white pepper. Those sharper tones are followed by bright layers of tropical fruit and zesty citrus. Drying mineral notes give sharp contours to the overall effect.”
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Gaja Costa Russi Langhe-Barbaresco, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($499.95) $299 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Soft contours, silky tannins and sweet, perfumed fruit are some of the signatures in the 2014 Costa Russi. As always, Costa Russi is the most polished and open-knit of these wines in its youth. Succulent fruit, hard candy and lifted, perfumed aromatics give the 2014 considerable early appeal, but I expect time in bottle will work its usual magic. Today, the 2014 is showing only the barest hint of its potential. Even in the early going, though, the Costa Russi is a totally sexy wine.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Costa Russi is a beautiful wine that delivers profound color saturation with deep ruby highlights and blackish intensity. I would describe the nose as being more horizontal rather than vertical, if that makes sense. In other words, the bouquet makes its approach with wide intensity and large-scale aromas of black fruit, spice, tar, leather and licorice. It offers fewer of the sudden high notes or moments of sharpness that you get in 2013. Despite the common perception that this was a very cool vintage, the fruit here actually tastes riper and rounder than you might expect. That’s because the vintage heat all came toward the end of the growing season, and the Gaja family left fruit on the vines to the end. In the mouth, the wine shows depth and finesse with some stubborn firmness at this young stage. It needs to flesh out further with more bottle aging.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Tight and focused, this red features a beam of cherry, strawberry, leather, tobacco, tar and iron wrapped in the grip of dense, refined tannins. Fresh and balanced, showing plenty of energy on the resonant finish. Best from 2023 through 2040. 170 cases imported.”
Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Langhe-Barbaresco, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($499.95) $349 special, 9 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2011 Sorì San Lorenzo boasts massive depth, intensity and power. Black fruit, smoke, tar, licorice, savory herbs and leather are some of the many notes that emerge from the glass. Regardless of the year, the personality of Sorì San Lorenzo always comes through, which is why this is one of the great sites in Barbaresco, Piedmont and Italy. In 2011 the contours are a bit softer, which gives the wine a level of accessibility that is quite rare in Sorì San Lorenzos when the wines are young. Why is Sorì San Lorenzo one of the world’s most profound vineyards? Because its personality simply can’t be denied.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The exciting 2011 Sori San Lorenzo is a wine of enormous beauty and grace. Gaia Gaja classifies her three single vineyard Langhe Nebbiolo wines as follows: Costa Russi is “flowers;” Sori Tildin is “fruit;” and San Lorenzo is “plant” (with more structure and a more compact feel). San Lorenzo does indeed boast a strong mineral component of pencil shavings and crushed granite, followed by red cherry and soft spice. The wine’s tannins start off harder than the other wines, but soften with time. Drink: 2018-2040.”
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Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Langhe-Barbaresco, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($499.95) $299 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2014 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo is the most virile and explosive of Gaja’s Barbarescos. Dark, brooding and powerful, with a huge spine of tannin, the San Lorenzo is utterly regal in the glass. Gravel, smoke, menthol, tar, licorice and a host of sepia-toned fruits build into a crescendo of aromas and flavors that is truly compelling. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Gaja’s 2014 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo is clearly at the beginning of a long and promising aging trajectory. At its core, it shows a pinch of nervous energy and inner tightness that will surely unravel and soften as this beautiful wine continues along its magical journey in time. Angelo Gaja and his family present spectacular results in this controversial 2014 vintage. They have risen far above most of their peers and have shown a keen ability to understand their site and the versatility of their cherished Nebbiolo grape. The variety sings with a loud and exuberant voice, first offering plenty of primary fruit like blackberry and dried cherry. It then follows up with savory earth and spice. This is a bright and youthful wine that is set steady for a long aging future.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Earthy notes lead off, followed by cherry, plum, graphite and tobacco flavors. Starts out broad and muscular, with a thick layer of tannins for support, yet gains elegance with aeration. A tad austere on the finish, but stays vibrant and long. Best from 2021 through 2036. 170 cases imported.”
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Gaja Sperss Langhe – Barolo, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($319.95) $179 special, 23 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “More forward and in a more earthly realm than the dizzying heights of the Conteisa this vintage, but it’s so endearing and immediately delights. The aromas range from elderberries and black cherries to brambleberries and Chinese spices. Full-bodied and structured with powerful tannins that encase bright and forthright blue fruit, which is polished over by a sheen of glimmering acidity. Long finish. Delicious now, but better in 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Underbrush, tobacco, toasted hazelnut, menthol and grilled herb aromas slowly take shape on this focused red. On the structured elegant palate, taut refined tannins and fresh acidity provide an ageworthy framework for raspberry compote, juicy Marasca cherry, orange zest, white pepper and star anise. It already has layers of depth and loads of finesse, but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2022–2030.”
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