In Today’s Newsletter:
Francesco Rinaldi
Subscriber Special
Featured New Arrival
Vocoret: Classic Chablis Value
Clos Erasmus’ 2017 Laurel
A Stellar Sub-$15 Super Tuscan
Tenute Lunelli
Bodegas Marañones
Standout High-Altitude Garnacha
Featured Pre-Arrival
Cantina del Pino’s 2016 Barbaresco
Collector’s Corner
Hubert Lignier’s Iconic 2017s
Francesco Rinaldi
Subscriber Special
The estate of Francesco Rinaldi crafts wines that offer everything we’re looking for in Piedmont—traditionally made and affordable. Stylistically they are elegant and approachable, blending the inherent power of Barolo (especially in a vintage like 2015) with a softer touch in extraction. These are thrilling wines that are always priced very attractively, an amazing feat considering the history and renown of the estate. They’re best known for their two cru bottlings, Cannubi and Brunate, which are from a couple of the most storied vineyards in all of Barolo. But don’t sleep on the rest of the lineup. All of the Nebbiolo-based wines are extremely age-worthy, but the 2015s seem to show a bit more flesh and early drinkability than usual.
In Stock Now:
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($29.95) Was $24 Now $21.90, 20 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The vineyards located in Barolo, in the flatter areas of the Cannubi hill, have a sandier soil; in La Morra, in the areas of Zonchetta and Boiolo, the soil is more clayey with calcareous components. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement or stainless steel tanks with the skins contact for at least 15 days. After racking, the various lots from the different vineyards are blended and then aged in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels for at least a year. Refinement in bottles for several months gives the wine a vibrant red ruby color with violet reflections and an ethereal and intense bouquet. The taste is dry, robust and suitable for medium-term aging.”
In Stock Now:
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($29.95) Was $24 Now $21.90, 20 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “The vineyards located in Barolo, in the flatter areas of the Cannubi hill, have a sandier soil; in La Morra, in the areas of Zonchetta and Boiolo, the soil is more clayey with calcareous components. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement or stainless steel tanks with the skins contact for at least 15 days. After racking, the various lots from the different vineyards are blended and then aged in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels for at least a year. Refinement in bottles for several months gives the wine a vibrant red ruby color with violet reflections and an ethereal and intense bouquet. The taste is dry, robust and suitable for medium-term aging.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($31.95) Was $27 Now $24, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($359.95) Was $289 Now $239 (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
Winery Note “The vineyards located in Barolo, in the flatter areas of the Cannubi hill, have a sandier soil; in La Morra, in the areas of Zonchetta and Boiolo, the soil is more clayey with calcareous components. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement or stainless steel tanks with the skins contact for at least 15 days. After racking, the various lots from the different vineyards are blended and then aged in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels for at least a year. Refinement in bottles for several months gives the wine a vibrant red ruby color with violet reflections and an ethereal and intense bouquet. The taste is dry, robust and suitable for medium-term aging.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($59.95) Was $47 Now $41.90, 18 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2015 Barolo is gracious, airy and light on its feet. Sweet tobacco, cedar, dried cherry, spice and licorice are all nicely lifted in a sensual, open-knit Barolo that will drink well right out of the gate. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. Rinaldi’s straight Barolo is a terrific wine in its peer group.”
Importer Note “Francesco Rinaldi e Figli makes two non-cru denominated bottlings, one of Barbaresco and one of Barolo, made from a blend of different parcels. The Barolo is made from vineyards in the towns of Barolo, Castiglione Faletto and La Morra…the standard Barolo bottling is aged for three years in large cask before it is bottled and made available for sale. Both wines are built for aging, and typically will be at their best from six to ten years out from the vintage. Like all of the wines from Giuseppe and Paola Rinaldi, they are beautiful, classic expressions of their underlying terroirs, with well-integrated tannins, tangy acids and beautiful complexity and balance. Both improve immeasurably if decanted an hour prior to serving.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo Le Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) Was $59 Now $52.50, 25 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 91 points “Rinaldi’s 2015 Barolo Brunate is a powerful, dense wine. Hints of spice, licorice, leather, game and cherry develop with time in the glass. The power and intensity of the year are very much in evidence. But there is also a slightly roasted quality and an aggressiveness in the tannin that I am not used to seeing. Tasted three times with consistent notes.”
Importer Note “The two flagship bottlings at Francesco Rinaldi e Figli are the single cru Baroli, Brunate and Cannubi. Brunate is one of the greatest vineyards the Barolo region, lying on the border between La Morra and Barolo proper, with each village sharing the vineyard (though with the lion’s share lying within the village boundaries of La Morra). Wines from the Brunate vineyard are prized for their depth, power and brilliant balance, and the example from Francesco Rinaldi e Figli is one of the very greatest examples of Brunate made. In a great vintage it demands at least a decade to really begin to soften, and generally is not in full bloom until its twentieth birthday.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) Was $68 Now $59, 10 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Today the 2015 Barolo Cannubi is an elegant, classy wine. The Cannubi also seems to have handled the heat of the summer more gracefully than the Brunate. Silky and sensual, the 2015 is very attractive today. The aromatics are perhaps just a touch forward, but the 2015 makes up for that with its suave, inviting personality. Crushed flowers, mint, licorice and sweet berry fruit add to the wine’s charm. I wouldn’t push my luck on aging too much, but the 2015 is undeniably appealing.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Revealing an open-knit and immediately welcoming personality, the Francesco Rinaldi & Figli 2015 Barolo Cannubi offers a good taste of that inner sunshine and warmth that so beautifully defines this vintage. The Cannubi vineyard is one of the first sites to ripen, and the wines tend to show enormous elegance and Nebbiolo fruit purity. This vintage is particularly successful in its showing of wild berry fruit, rose hip and chopped mint. The tannins are silky and fine.
Decanter 93 points “The source of this very traditional wine is Rinaldi’s 2.2ha holding in Cannubi Boschis. It can be a very structured wine, but in 2015 there’s greater opulence than usual. Tasted from cask, it displays heady juicy raspberry aromas, discreet but perfumed. It’s concentrated on the palate but also fresh and silky, combining lush textures with tension and drive thanks to welcome acidity on the persistent finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2038.”
Importer Note “The other single vineyard bottling is the Cannubi, which is made from the single greatest vineyard in the village of Barolo, as well as one of the most famous individual crus in the entire region. Cannubi was the first vineyard name to be famous in the Barolo region, and to this day a bottle of 1752 Cannubi is still treasured by the wine-producing family of Manzone, and is considered the oldest, extant bottle of Barolo still in existence. The vineyard is most famous for the fabulously perfumed wines that it produces, for Cannubi is not the most powerful cru in Barolo, and much like Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, it is cherished for the fabulously complex aromatics and round, suave palate impression that it provides when fully mature. This is not to say that Luciano and Paula Rinaldi’s Cannubi is a delicate wine, for it is a deep, intensely-flavored and concentrated Barolo of great pedigree and elegance- once it is fully mature. Like the Rinaldi Brunate bottling, eight to ten years is required in top vintages, and the wine is really at its blazing best at age fifteen to twenty.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($34.95) Was $28 Now $24, 20 bottles in stock now
Vinopolnote: A bright, savory and energetic example of Nebbiolo meant for early consumption. Great value!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) Was $29 Now $26, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($389.95) Was $315 Now $259 (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Winery Note “Traditional vinification is carried out in cement tanks with skin-contact fermentation for 15-20 days and automatic pump-overs. The wine is aged for one year in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels. This is followed by refinement in bottles for several months to enhance the freshness and bouquet of the wine. The color is ruby-red, not too intense, respecting the character of the Nebbiolo grape variety. The aroma is ethereal with scents of flowers and fresh fruit. The taste is dry with a good body.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Love Piedmont? We have nearly 200 wines from Piedmont in stock now? Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Brovia, Cappellano, Gaja and more, on our web store now.
Featured New Arrival
Vocoret: Classic Chablis Value
Classic Chablis at reasonable prices is an increasingly rare beast. The best producers make exceptional and classic wines, but at prices that are hard to stomach for casual drinking. There is also an ocean of affordable but mass-produced wines that seem to lack any sort of typicity. Domaine Vocoret exists in a perfect middle ground. The wines are delicious and have an essentialness about them that screams Chablis, but at prices that remain within reach -even the Grand Crus remain under $70 a bottle. When you combine the quality of the estate with the excellent 2018 vintage, you have a truly winning set of wines on your hands. We just received a number of Vocoret 2018s, and are thrilled to offer them to you today at national best prices.
Just Arrived, in Stock Now:
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Chablis, Burgundy 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Just Arrived, in Stock Now:
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Chablis, Burgundy 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 18 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 36 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Vaudésir, Chablis Grand Cru 2018 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 12 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Also in Stock Now:
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Blanchot, Chablis Grand Cru 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2017 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot bursts from the glass with a fragrant bouquet of orange rind, citrus blossom and honeysuckle. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with ripe but succulent flavors and good dry extract.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Les Forêts, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($49.95) $36 special, 33 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote “This is a richer, more powerful version of Foret, sourced from an old vine-parcel of particular note. Like all of the other Premier and Grand Cru wines from Vocoret, this is fermented and aged in wood, though it sees a touch more new oak than the “regular” Foret bottling. A stunner, especially in 2017.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Montée de Tonnerre, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 19 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90 points “Aromas of orange rind, green apples and white flowers introduce the 2017 Chablis 1er Cru Montée de Tonnerre, a medium to full-bodied wine that’s quite powerful and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit but lively balancing acids.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Vocoret et Fils Valmur, Chablis Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 92+ points “Much less expressive on the nose than the Blanchots but still with noteworthy incipient complexity to the aromas of citrus peel, white flowers, wet stone, white pepper and clove. Boasts terrific grain and thrust, but this youthfully dry, uncompromising wine is downright brooding today in spite of its essential light touch. Incisive flavors of citrus fruits, white flowers and ginger are further lifted by subtle herbal accents. This is excellent.”
Burghound 92 points “In contrast to the Vaudésir this is much better with much more evident Chablis character on the green fruit and citrus-infused nose that displays an appealing hint of mineral-reduction. There is excellent punch and detail to the relatively rich and powerful flavors that possess reasonably good mid-palate concentration before culminating in a notably stony and lingering finish that is presently quite tightly wound. This is definitely going to require a few years to further flesh out and develop better depth but the balance and underlying material are present for that to occur.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Chablis? We have 48 wines from Chablis in stock now? Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Domaine d’Henri, Louis Michel, William Fèvre and more, on our web store now.
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
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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
Clos Erasmus’ 2017 Laurel
Daphne Glorian, who was born in Switzerland, seems an unlikely figure to be a leading winemaker in Priorat. However, she fell in love with the region, moving there to help revive old vines and she’s now a rock star in the region on the level of Palacios and Barbier. While her flagship Clos Erasmus represents a truly spectacular example of what the region is capable of (we have 1 bottle left!), she also produces a second wine called Laurel. Quintessentially Priorat, the wine is rich and bold, displaying all of the style and panache of the estate, but at a very approachable price. You will be hard-pressed to find a more satisfying Spanish red, let alone one from such an iconic producer, for under $50.
In Stock Now:
Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa, 2017 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Clos Erasmus ‘Laurel’, Priorat DOCa, 2017 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 4 magnums in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 Laurel is a blend of the younger vines, some barrels that were declassified from Clos Erasmus and the remaining Cabernet Sauvignon, and in the low-yielding and dry 2017 vintage, it’s 70% Garnacha, 20% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 15% alcohol. The wine fermented mostly in concrete and oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in a combination of oak vats, concrete, used barriques and amphorae for 16 months. They produce this to be approachable from the moment it’s released. The 2017s feel very aromatic, open, expressive and young, quite primary, tender and juicy and surprisingly fresh for a dry, warm year that resulted in a very early harvest. There is a peachy, soft, approachable quality here that I like very much. Surprisingly enough, winemaker and proprietor Daphne Glorian sees reminiscences of the 2013s in the 2017s, and I have to agree. Different from 2016, but at the same quality level. 19,126 bottles were filled in May 2019.-Luis Gutierrez”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Clos Erasmus, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “The just-bottled 2017 Clos Erasmus is a blend of Garnacha with 25% Syrah that fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats and matured in 228-liter oak barrels (40% new). It feels very aromatic, expressive and open, floral and elegant and surprisingly fresh for the conditions of the year. It’s still young and undeveloped, with the puppy fat still to be rendered, and right now, it comes through as juicy and elegant, with very good freshness and super fine tannins. It’s very aromatic and floral, really impressive for 2017. It seems like the year was much better in the Mediterranean part of Spain than in the rest of the country. 3,000 bottles produced.-Luis Gutierrez”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A Stellar Sub-$15 Super Tuscan
Tenute Lunelli
We love having a go-to Super Tuscan under $15 in house and Tenuta Lunelli’s Aliotto is a bottle we recommend with gusto. This is a fantastic value, with its 60% Sangiovese complemented with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that provide fruit and structure. Ever since it hit our shelves last year, we’ve noticed customers consistently coming back for more. So if you can’t resist an Italian wine with a little French flair, look no further.
In Stock Now:
Tenute Lunelli Podernovo Aliotto Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($21.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Tenute Lunelli Podernovo Aliotto Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($119.95) $79 special (that’s only $13.17/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “This has plenty of classic red cherries and herb character on the nose before following through to a medium- to full-bodied palate that is extremely fresh and elegant. Drink-me style. Drink now.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Tuscany? We have over 150 wines from Tuscany in stock now? Shop the entire selection, including staff favorites like Castell’in Villa, Felsina, I Fabbri and more, on our web store now.
Bodegas Marañones
Standout High-Altitude Garnacha
Standout High-Altitude Garnacha
The wines of Madrid have developed a devoted following, and this is especially true of Sierra de Gredos. The entire plateau seems to be drenched in the intense sunlight of Spain, but the high elevation results in dramatic diurnal swings. Soils feature primarily decomposed granitic, sandy soils – the quintessential stomping ground for well-built Garnacha. These vineyards are only about a half hour from the city of Madrid yet feel timeless, as though they were cut out of the mountains and could be found nowhere else. The highest planted parcels are surrounded by pine trees and old Pyrenean oaks that feel like sentinels looking over the reinvigorated vines that had been neglected for so long.
The two wines we’re featuring today are similar in their concentration and aromatic signatures, but the 2016 30,000 Maravedíes has an elegance and brightness that reflects its extreme growing conditions. As for 2015 it was a warm vintage throughout Europe, but despite the heat the Marañones is delightful -superior to many comparable wines from the southern Rhône. Whole clusters and indigenous yeasts give a silky but substantial texture on the palate and wild sauvage aromatic signature. Floral and herbal notes surround dark fruit that opens up nicely. These wines are generous but balanced, and will age beautifully over the next decade.
In Stock Now:
Bodegas Marañones 30,000 Maravedíes, Madrid 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 91+ points “The fully developed, aromatic and open 2016 30.000 Maravedíes, with nice aromatics and a very pleasant palate. It’s fragrant and elegant, with pungent flavors and very good persistence. This is a superb showing for this bottling. 39,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2017.”
Bodega Marañones ‘Marañones’, Madrid 2015 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “Produced with Garnacha grapes from three plots of vines in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, the 2015 Marañones fermented with full clusters in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in 500-liter barrels for one year. It’s riper and more Mediterranean, especially when tasted next to the 2016. The wine has earthy tannins and shows moderate acidity. It’s a riper year, resembling the wines from the south of the Rhône, but with a finesse and an elegance. 9,092 bottles were filled in February 2017.”
The two wines we’re featuring today are similar in their concentration and aromatic signatures, but the 2016 30,000 Maravedíes has an elegance and brightness that reflects its extreme growing conditions. As for 2015 it was a warm vintage throughout Europe, but despite the heat the Marañones is delightful -superior to many comparable wines from the southern Rhône. Whole clusters and indigenous yeasts give a silky but substantial texture on the palate and wild sauvage aromatic signature. Floral and herbal notes surround dark fruit that opens up nicely. These wines are generous but balanced, and will age beautifully over the next decade.
In Stock Now:
Bodegas Marañones 30,000 Maravedíes, Madrid 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 91+ points “The fully developed, aromatic and open 2016 30.000 Maravedíes, with nice aromatics and a very pleasant palate. It’s fragrant and elegant, with pungent flavors and very good persistence. This is a superb showing for this bottling. 39,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2017.”
Bodega Marañones ‘Marañones’, Madrid 2015 750ML ($31.95) $26 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “Produced with Garnacha grapes from three plots of vines in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, the 2015 Marañones fermented with full clusters in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in 500-liter barrels for one year. It’s riper and more Mediterranean, especially when tasted next to the 2016. The wine has earthy tannins and shows moderate acidity. It’s a riper year, resembling the wines from the south of the Rhône, but with a finesse and an elegance. 9,092 bottles were filled in February 2017.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Love Spanish reds? We have 116 red wines from Spain in stock now? Shop the entire selection, including famous names like Daniel Landi, Terroir al Limít, Vega Sicilia and more, on our web store now.
Featured Pre-Arrival
Cantina del Pino’s 2016 Barbaresco
Cantina del Pino produces wines that help define Barbaresco and are admired by reviewers – Antonio Galloni notes that “not only were the wines from Cantina del Pino among the standouts of my tastings they also happen to be among the best values in Barbaresco.” Run by Renato Vacca until his recent passing (cousin to Aldo Vacca who runs the Produttori), this is a small producer focuses solely on top-end quality from some of the most interesting vineyards in the village.
The three crus that the Cantina is famous for (Ovello, Albesani and Gallina) all show the brilliant fruit, dazzling complexity, and polish that the Cantina del Pino is famous for. Ovello is the leanest and most elegant of the bunch, with wiry tannins allowing it to age seemingly forever. Albesani has more power and richness, and is considered by many to be the most complete in the lineup. These are stunning Piemontese cru. Anyone who loves classically built, top-tier Nebbiolo ought to be jumping all over these.
“I have to say, tasting these 2016s from Cantina del Pino was bittersweet, as proprietor Renato Vacca lost his battle with cancer earlier this year. “I have to get the estate ready for the future,” a visibly ill Renato Vacca told me last year as we sat down to taste the 2015s. It was the last time I saw him. In the 2016s, readers will find gorgeous, vibrant Barbarescos that capture all of the pedigree of the year. If opened young, the wines need a lot of air to show at their best. Vacca is survived by his wife Franca and daughter Anna. I am hopeful Cantina del Pino will continue to thrive, as it is one of the crown jewels of Piedmont.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
“Italian wine lost one of its most graceful and gentle figures. Renato Vacca of Cantina del Pino passed away in March 2020 at the young age of 51. He was battling cancer and is survived by his wife Franca Miretti and his daughter Anna. With a house and winery overlooking the Ovello cru with the church tower of Barbaresco beautifully framed by vines, the Vacca family started off as growers with the Produttori del Barbaresco cooperative, managed today by Renato’s cousin Aldo Vacca. In 1997, Renato decided to leave Produttori del Barbaresco to bottle his own fruit and start his own label (Cantina del Pino is named after a giant pine tree planted symbolically at the top of Ovello). His wines are fragile and soulful, much like the man himself. Cantina del Pino releases its Barbaresco wines one year later than its peers. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Pre-Arrivals ETA Late February:
Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($69.95) $55 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barbaresco Albesani is the most reticent wine in this range. I have seen that before with this wine, only to see it blossom with a few years in bottle. Powerful and tightly wound, the Albesani is a Barbaresco to cellar for at least a few years. At this stage, it is all acid, tannin and brawn. Super-classic in the best sense of the term, the 2016 really only starts to blossom with about 24 hours of air! All of the classic Albesani breadth and inner sweetness is there, it just needs time to reveal itself.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is one of the most distinctive wines in this group of new releases from Cantina del Pino. The 2016 Barbaresco Albesani offers a slender and accessible personality, with light touches of menthol or medicinal herb that add focus and linearity to the bouquet. At its core, this pretty Nebbiolo from Neive shows delicate and graceful fruit tones of wild strawberry and red currant. Background aromas include ash, licorice and crushed stone. This is perhaps the most fragile of these three single-vineyard releases from Cantina del Pino, and with only 3,000 bottles made, it is also precious.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($69.95) $57.50 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The estate’s benchmark wine, the 2016 Barbaresco Ovello reveals a pretty, open-knit personality with beautifully concentrated fruit. Dark cherry, blackberry and plum is framed by tar, campfire ash and powdered licorice. The Ovello cru opens onto a large panorama of vines and a sudden drop down to the Tanaro River. These vines at Cantina del Pino enjoy wide open spaces and slightly milder temperatures as a result. These conditions give the wine an open and generous approach. A mere 6,000 bottles were made.”
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “The 2016 Barbaresco Ovello is fabulous. Bright, punchy and tightly wound, as young Ovello Barbarescos are, the 2016 packs a ton of punch. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper, sweet red berry fruit and anise reveal themselves with a bit of aeration. The purity of the fruit, searing tannins and translucent energy are what young Ovello is all about. This taut, nervous Barbaresco is classic Ovello and classic Cantina del Pino.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Cantina del Pino Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($47.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barbaresco is a knock-out. And it is, for lack of a better word, the entry-level wine in this range. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon, red berry fruit and orange zest are some of the notes that lift from a Barbaresco that is all class. There is plenty of structure, but the purity of the fruit is so striking that the tannins are not especially noticeable. The 2016 is a stunning wine, that’s all there is to it.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Cantina del Pino 2016 Barbaresco offers a classic portrait of the Nebbiolo grape. This winery always releases its Barbaresco wines one year later than its peers (who are now selling 2017). That extra year of aging serves to further polish and sharpen pretty aromas of wild berry, licorice, camphor ash and dried orange peel. Like the other wines from this terrific portfolio, this Barbaresco is defined by its energy and electric personality. You can drink it now, or put this wine in your cellar for longer aging. It performs beautifully either way. Some 12,000 bottles were made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Can’t Wait? In Stock Now from Cantina del Pino:
Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Usually a rich, bombastic wine, the 2013 Barbaresco Albesani shows more finesse than I remember seeing in the past. There is plenty of the power that is so typical of this site, but at the same time, the 2013 is translucent, super-elegant and refined. Another few years in bottle will do wonders for the Albesani, which, despite its obvious appeal, is very tightly wound at this stage. A persistent, striking finish rounds things out in style. At this stage the Albesani is the most complete wine in the range.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2013 Barbaresco Albesani offers a delicate approach with a silky texture and seamless flavors of wild berry, rose hip, spice and cured leather. The bouquet offers complexity and finesse, showing the best side of the Barbaresco appellation in a slightly cooler vintage. Some 3,000 bottles were produced.”
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Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “One of the many highlights in this range, the Cantina del Pino’s 2015 Barbaresco Albesani is a wine of real gravitas and vertical power. A whole range of floral and savory notes develop in this statuesque, potent Barbaresco. Dried flowers, herbs, cedar, tobacco and mint add myriad shades of nuance. The Albesani is one of the most reticent wines in this lineup today, but it has an explosive energy that is just waiting to emerge. Time in the glass reveals a Barbaresco of exquisite beauty.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Of the single-vineyard Barbarescos presented by Cantina del Pino, the 2015 Barbaresco Albesani shows the darkest color and richest appearance. The wine is svelte and tight with dark fruit nuances of wild blueberry, spice, tobacco and moist earth or black truffle. This is a beautiful, solid and tight wine that will open nicely with a few more years of cellar age. Only 3,000 bottles were made.”
Cantina del Pino Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Cantina del Pino’s 2015 Barbaresco is a very pretty entry-level wine in this range. Crushed flowers, tobacco, cedar, dried cherry, mint and chalk all pulse through this finely cut, rather nervous Barbaresco. The 2015 is a blend of mostly Ovello (from both its east-facing and westernmost sections), along with Starderi and Gallina. Even in this warm vintage, the straight Barbaresco offers terrific energy as well as cut.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2015 Barbaresco by Cantina del Pino starts off gently with delicate notes of wild berry, red rose, toasted spice, licorice and camphor ash. The wine offers all the complexity and elegance you get with Nebbiolo but presented on a slightly lower intensity scale. This wine is geared for near- or medium-term drinking.”
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Cantina del Pino Gallina, Barbaresco DOCG 2013 750ML ($64.95) $53.50 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Renato Vacca’s 2013 Barbaresco Gallina shows a bright and luminous personality. This is a sharp and focused expression of Nebbiolo with linear aromas of wild berry, blue flower and licorice. The wine ages in oak for two years and sees another 18 months in bottle. I loved the silky and enduring nature of the finish.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A generous, powerful wine, the 2013 Barbaresco Gallina exudes power and volume. Dark cherry, plum, spice, leather, smoke and licorice run through this decidedly ample Barbaresco. Gallina, a south-facing site in Neive, tends to naturally produce rich, generous wines. That is exactly what comes through here. The rich, unctuous style will appeal most to readers who appreciate bold, flamboyant wines. Ripeness feels like it is pushed to the limit.”
Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($59.95) $55 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Deceptive in its light-bodied color, the 2015 Barbaresco Ovello packs a serious punch. Dried flowers, mint, pine, herbs, crushed berries and chalk add striking top notes. I very much like the wine’s sense of energy. In other words, this is classic Ovello Barbaresco built on laser-like focus and real nobility. It will appeal most to readers who enjoy structured wines that develop gradually with many years in bottle.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2015 Barbaresco Ovello is a polished and silky expression that reveals strong intensity and a deep sense of varietal identity. This is a very focused Barbaresco that opens beautifully to show a degree of mineral definition that lingers long on the palate, adding to the linear and direct personality of the wine. When you dig deeper, you do recognize that this is a warmer vintage, thanks to its textural richness and loose fiber. This will only improve in the future. Only 5,000 bottles were created.”
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Collector’s Corner
Hubert Lignier’s Iconic 2017s
Hubert Lignier is one of the finest names in Burgundy. The wines have been a core of the Neal Rosenthal portfolio since the 1978 vintage and have always been one of its jewels. These are some of the defining wines of Morey-St. Denis, different from Dujac stylistically but no less profound.
2017 was a fantastic and charming vintage across Burgundy, and the wines chez Lignier are no exception. They promise to be amongst the best wines of the vintage, per usual, and the standard for 2017 is very high. If you’re already familiar with Lignier click here to head straight to a list on our website. If you aren’t, our entire selection of 2017s are browsable below.
“Hubert Lignier has rapidly become one of the most dependable producers in Morey-Saint-Denis. I sometimes feared that such expansion across so many different vineyards and appellations might stretch Laurent and Hubert too much, and yet year after year they maintain quality control. There are several wines to mention. At the heart of their range is their Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Crus, and although the single-vineyards are tempting, I consistently find their Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru on the money, thanks to old vines that suffer millerandage and concentrate the berries. If you do insist on your Morey-Saint-Denis affixed to a specific vineyard, then look no further than their excellent Les Chaffots, courtesy of vines up to 90 years old. Throughout their range, one can see assiduous use of whole bunch addition: adding judiciously where necessary, de-stemming in total if that is what they feel is best. Nothing here is done by rote. The jewel in the crown is their single hectare of 50- to 60-year-old vines in Clos de la Roche, split between 0.62 hectares in Monts Luisants and 0.28 hectares in Les Fremieres. Occasionally it can be a contender for the best wine in the Côte de Nuits, and though the 2017 growing season probably means that it does not rank alongside the 2015 or 2016, it is still a very impressive wine, amongst the finest from this Grand Cru.” – Neal Martin, Vinous
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Domaine Hubert Lignier Chambolle-Musigny Les Bussieres, Cote du Nuits 2017 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Domaine Hubert Lignier Chambolle-Musigny Les Bussieres, Cote du Nuits 2017 1.5L ($299.95) $279 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Rosenthal Note ““Les Bussieres” sits just below the premier cru “Les Sentiers” (and just down-slope from grand cru Bonnes-Mares), hard on the border of Morey-Saint-Denis. The Ligniers exploit just under a half-hectare of vines here—a total of four parcels, planted between 1948 and 1988. This wine combines classic Chambolle elegance and mineral precision with the savory guts of Morey, with loads of spice and floral accents to the nose and a focused, linear palate that should soften and expand with a few years of cellaring.”
Hubert Lignier Clos de la Roche “MCMLV” Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,199 special
Neal Rosenthal note “For the first time, Laurent Lignier produced a separate cuvée of Clos de la Roche in 2017 in honor of his grandfather Henri. The Clos de la Roche “MCMLV” comes entirely from Henri’s first planting in 1955: 27 rows of Pinot Noir in the Monts Luisants climat, which he used to propagate the rest of his holdings during the 1960s. This original parcel is highly susceptible to millerandage, which results in small berries of immense concentration, and Laurent harnessed the full power and intensity of such fruit in this stupendous bottling—of which he produced a mere two barrels. A wine such as this embodies Burgundy’s most profound essence: the continuous spirit and presence of a family whose members’ very hands have worked these same vines, this same parcel, since the vines were planted. How could Henri Lignier, when he was breaking earth in 1955, have ever imagined the course his home region would take over the ensuing decades, or the global acclaim that would be heaped on his son’s and his grandsons’ wines? Yet, despite the incredible changes those ensuing 65 years have witnessed, a Lignier has steadfastly worked each vine among these 27 rows of Clos de la Roche, vintage after vintage, gradually building its reputation as one of red Burgundy’s pinnacles. “MCMLV” is not just a great wine, then; it is an emblem of all that makes Burgundy special.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Les Chabiots, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($299.95) $249 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Note ““Les Chabiots” is a dreamily situated premier cru that lies just north of Musigny, perched just above the fabled “Les Amoureuses” on the slope in the southern sector of Chambolle. Hubert and Laurent began purchasing grapes from a parcel of 20-year-old vines here during their recent inheritance battle, and they have continued to produce wine from this great but tiny cru ever since. The wine is intoxicatingly ethereal on the nose—open, enveloping, and inviting. The palate is round but well structured, with generous, sappy fruit, and a hedonistically succulent finish.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ML ($419.95) $379 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin – Vinous 92-94 points “The 2017 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru includes 20% whole bunches, matured in one-third new oak. It has a gorgeous bouquet of cranberry and raspberry fruit with veins of cassis; later, brown spices emerge. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, good depth and fine grip, perhaps just missing a little precision toward the finish but still very fine.”
Burghound 91-93 points “An agreeably discreet application of wood sets off the attractively fresh and markedly floral aromas of black cherry, plum and abundant earth scents. There is a subtle minerality and vibrancy to the sleek and intense middle weight flavors that possess a caressing mouthfeel that contrasts somewhat with a mildly austere finale that exhibits fine depth and persistence. This is both stylish and pretty and like the Griotte, could be approached with pleasure on the younger side if that’s your preference.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Note “The Ligniers purchased the fruit for this wine, but they oversee the vineyard work from July onward, as well as the harvest itself. Produced from parcels in two lieu-dits—15-year-old vines in “Epointures” and 60-year-old vines in “Reniard”—this is pitch-perfect Gevrey-Chambertin: meaty and succulent, with classic Lignier poise and a long, mineral-drenched, driving finish.”
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Domaine Hubert Lignier Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Domaine Hubert Lignier Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées, Côte de Nuits 2017 1.5L ($269.95) $219 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Neal Martin – Vinous 89-91 points “The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées contains around 20% whole bunch fruit. It has a fresh, generous bouquet, hints of brown spice infusing the red fruit. The palate is well balanced with sappy red fruit laced with orange peel, quite firm grip in the mouth and a slightly austere finish at the moment. Give this three or four years.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées is showing very well, unfurling in the glass with suggestions of cassis, raspberries, sweet soil tones and spices. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, ample and nicely concentrated, with good depth at the core and fine-grained but firm, even chalky, structuring tannins. This should evolve well in bottle.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ML ($699.95) $599 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Burghound 91-93 points “There is much more moderate oak influence framing the cool and perfumed nose that offers up essence of various red berries and floral nuances along with a hint of the sauvage. The well-detailed and solidly concentrated flavors possess fine size and weight as well as plenty of sleek muscle and minerality on the stylish and classy finish. This is built to age yet it’s not so structured that it couldn’t be approached after a few years of bottle age.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru comes from purchased fruit. It has a well-defined bouquet of blackberry, raspberry coulis and light cassis aromas, and the one-third new oak is neatly integrated. The fleshy, generous palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin and fine acidity, leading to a smooth, sensual finish. This might be earlier-drinking than Lignier’s other two Grand Crus.”
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Domaine Hubert Lignier Les Chaffots, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru, 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin – Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Les Chaffots 1er Cru, from vines up to 90 years old, has a refined, quite floral bouquet, scents of peony tincturing the red fruit. The sorbet-fresh palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a citric line of acidity and a harmonious, elegant finish. Bon vin.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Chaffots reveals aromas of sweet cassis and cherries that mingle with nuances of cinnamon, licorice, dark chocolate and nori. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and tangy, with a tauter, more acid-driven profile than the other premiers crus by virtue of its higher-altitude locate, displaying excellent concentration and high-quality structuring tannin.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier La Riotte, Morey St Denis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90-93 points “The supplest, most open-knit of Lignier’s premiers crus from Morey, the 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru La Riotte bursts with aromas of plummy fruit, red currants, subtle spices and rose hip. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, supple and expansive, with a layered mid-palate, fine but chalky tannins and a saline finish. This will win friends in its youth.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 90-92 points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis La Riotte is aged in one-third new oak and includes 20% whole bunches. It has an expressive bouquet with touches of mint that infuse the vibrant red fruit. The dense, fresh palate is medium-bodied with gentle grip on the entry and hints of sour cherry toward the edgy finish. Good potential here.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis Très Girard, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ML (119.95) $99 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin – Vinous 89-91 points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Très Girard has a refined bouquet of ample red berry fruit, nicely defined and revealing hints of orange blossom. The palate is well balanced with supple tannin, nice focus and a caressing texture toward the finish. Lovely.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis Trilogie, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Neal Martin – Vinous 90-92 points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis “Trilogie,” which includes 25% whole bunch fruit from vines that tend to suffer millerandage, offers vivacious dark cherry and raspberry coulis scents on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannin, a fine bead of acidity, good focus and a mineral-infused finish that delivers a pleasant sour edginess. Excellent.”
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis “Trilogie” hails from three lieux-dits, this year working out at around 60% Chenevery, 30% Porroux and 15% Clos Solon, and it was vinified with 25% whole cluster. Offering up aromas of sweet berries, cassis, licorice, cinnamon and chocolate, it’s medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered with a rich but lively core of fruit and fine but chalky structuring tannins. As usual, it’s one of the finest renditions of the appellation.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru Vieilles Vignes, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ml ($299.95) $249 special, 4 bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 92-94+ points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Vieilles Vignes is superb, wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of warm spices, raspberries, cherries, dark chocolate and candied peel. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, with the most depth and dimension of Lignier’s premiers crus, its deep core of fruit largely concealing the wine’s fine-grained structuring tannins, concluding with a saline finish. This cuvée hails from a parcel that straddles the climats Faconnières and Chenevery that was planted in 1936, 1942 and 1943, and which the Lignier family has always vinified as a single cuvée.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 91-93 points “The 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru includes 25% whole bunch fruit. It has a tightly wound bouquet that opens in confident style to reveal red cherries, strawberry and fine mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite airy in style, but then suddenly exerts fine grip on the persistent, chalky-textured finish. Excellent.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Poisets, Côte de Nuits 2017 750ml ($149.95) $110 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Domaine Hubert Lignier Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Poisets, Côte de Nuits 2017 1.5L ($299.95) $249 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Rosenthal Note “This, too, is a recent acquisition by the domaine. This small parcel is planted to vines that are fifty-five years of age (as of 2012). The site is in a superb location sitting just beneath the great 1er Cru “Les Cailles”. The first vintage produced by the Ligniers is 2010.”
Domaine Hubert Lignier Pommard En Brescul, Cote de Beaune 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Rosenthal Note “Although the Lignier domaine is historically associated with the Côte de Nuits, their firmly classical house style melds beautifully with the mineral rigor of Pommard. Hubert and Laurent ventured into this zone during the period of uncertainty following Romain’s death, and this “En Brescul” comes from a 0.4-hectare parcel of 20-year-old vines on which the family has a 25-year lease. Effusively stony, this 2018 presents mouthwatering red fruits on a firmly mineral frame, with impressive concentration for its level. It was de-stemmed entirely and raised in 25% new wood.”
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