In This Newsletter:
Jump Start Offer:
Savart & Bereche
California Dreamin’
Super Sales on Super Napa Wines
Jump Start Offer:
Savart & Bereche
California Dreamin’
Super Sales on Super Napa Wines
New Weekend – New Arrivals
Italy
Wine Spectator Insider
New Reviews for Saint Cosme!
Italy
Wine Spectator Insider
New Reviews for Saint Cosme!
New Reviews
For Fall’s Favorite Rosés
New Grapelive Review
For Jean-Louis Dutraive
Collector’s Corner:
La Gerla
For Fall’s Favorite Rosés
New Grapelive Review
For Jean-Louis Dutraive
Collector’s Corner:
La Gerla
Jump Start Offer:
Savart & Bereche
Savart & Bereche
Your favorite cult producers that won’t break the bank (at least here!)
Champagnes Arriving Mid-November
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2019-base) NV 750ml $59 pre-arrival special
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2018-base) NV 1.5L $149 pre-arrival special, only 6 magnums available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Disgorged in July 2020 with seven grams per liter dosage, the NV Brut Réserve (2018 base) is the latest rendition of this wine. Bursting with aromas of orange oil, crisp orchard fruit and fresh bread, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with tangy acids and an enveloping, pillowy profile.”
Bereche et Fils Campania Remensis Extra Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ml $99 pre-arrival special, only 18 bottles available
Champagnes Arriving Mid-November
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2019-base) NV 750ml $59 pre-arrival special
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2018-base) NV 1.5L $149 pre-arrival special, only 6 magnums available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Disgorged in July 2020 with seven grams per liter dosage, the NV Brut Réserve (2018 base) is the latest rendition of this wine. Bursting with aromas of orange oil, crisp orchard fruit and fresh bread, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with tangy acids and an enveloping, pillowy profile.”
Bereche et Fils Campania Remensis Extra Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ml $99 pre-arrival special, only 18 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Frederic Savart L’Ouverture Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut NV 750ml $51.90 pre-arrival special
Frederic Savart L’Ouverture Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut NV 1.5L $119 pre-arrival special, only 6 magnums available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Based on the 2019 vintage and disgorged in February 2022, Savart’s NV Brut Premier Cru L’Ouverture offers up expressive aromas of pear, honeyed orchard fruit, baking spices and fresh bread. Medium-bodied, lively and fine-boned, with a pretty core of fruit, lively acids and a pinpoint mousse, it’s an attractive wine that’s showing well out of the gates.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $66
Frederic Savart L’Accomplie Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ml $64.50 pre-arrival special
Frederic Savart L’Accomplie Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 1.5L $159 pre-arrival special, only 6 magnums available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Based on the 2019 vintage, with reserve wines from 2018, the latest rendition of Savart’s NV Extra Brut Premier Cru L’Accomplie opens in the glass with notions of pear, toasted almonds, dried white flowers, clear honey and vanilla pod. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and precise, with a vibrant core of fruit, chalky structure and a mouthwatering finish, it’s showing well.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $88
The average price is $88
Frederic Savart Bulle de Rose Premier Cru Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ml $79 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Disgorgement dates & vintages may vary from reviews.
10 AM – 6 PM Daily
Masks are no longer mandatory
But they are appreciated, thanks!
We also offer Curbside Pickup & Shipping
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
Masks are no longer mandatory
But they are appreciated, thanks!
We also offer Curbside Pickup & Shipping
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
California Dreamin’
Super Sales on Super Napa Wines
All In Stock… For Now!
Opus One, Napa Valley 2019 750ml Was $389, Now $349 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2019 Opus One is a dense, beautifully layered wine, but it is also quite restrained. That should serve it well in time. Tasted next to the 2018, the 2019 possesses a bit more textural nuance and body, yet it has all the classicism that is such an Opus One signature. Bright floral accents linger on the sublime finish.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97-99 points ” Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Opus One leaps from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, mulberries and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of licorice, wilted roses, Sichuan pepper and iron ore. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black, blue and red fruits, framed by velvety tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling earthy/mineral note. Tasted as a barrel sample, this is a truly magnificent Opus One in the making!”
Jeb Dunnuck 96-98 points “Similarly ruby/purple-hued, the 2019 Opus One is cut from the same cloth as the 2018 yet has a touch more baby fat and opulence, at least as this stage. Beautiful black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, lead pencil, and subtle oak all make an appearance, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a rounded, layered mouthfeel, impressive tannins, and a great finish. I don’t think it has the same precision as the 2018, but it brings another level of hedonism. It’s another beautiful wine from this team. The blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot.”
Opus One, Napa Valley 2019 750ml Was $389, Now $349 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2019 Opus One is a dense, beautifully layered wine, but it is also quite restrained. That should serve it well in time. Tasted next to the 2018, the 2019 possesses a bit more textural nuance and body, yet it has all the classicism that is such an Opus One signature. Bright floral accents linger on the sublime finish.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97-99 points ” Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Opus One leaps from the glass with notes of Black Forest cake, Morello cherries, mulberries and fresh blackcurrants plus hints of licorice, wilted roses, Sichuan pepper and iron ore. Full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with juicy black, blue and red fruits, framed by velvety tannins and background freshness, finishing on a compelling earthy/mineral note. Tasted as a barrel sample, this is a truly magnificent Opus One in the making!”
Jeb Dunnuck 96-98 points “Similarly ruby/purple-hued, the 2019 Opus One is cut from the same cloth as the 2018 yet has a touch more baby fat and opulence, at least as this stage. Beautiful black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, lead pencil, and subtle oak all make an appearance, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a rounded, layered mouthfeel, impressive tannins, and a great finish. I don’t think it has the same precision as the 2018, but it brings another level of hedonism. It’s another beautiful wine from this team. The blend is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Hundred Acre ‘Dark Ark’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain 2015 750ml Was $699, Now $599 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 99 points “Dark Ark is a selection of barrels from the Ark vineyard in 2015 that were bottled separately. It comes from a pre-blending selection of barrels that were notably denser and more powerful than the others this vintage. Some of these were blended into the single-vineyard Ark label, but when their contribution to the blend began to detract from the essence of that wine, the remaining barrels were bottled separately. Jayson Woodbridge dubbed the wine ‘Dark Ark’ and the name stuck.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Acre ‘Few and Far Between’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ml Was $449, Now $419 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Few and Far Between opens with tantalizing molten chocolate and liquid licorice notions over crème de cassis, candied violets, baked red currants, kirsch and black tea scents. The palate is full-bodied and firmly textured with ripe, grainy tannins while packed with floral and black fruit layers, finishing very long and minerally with an energetic red fruit lift.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Hundred Acre ‘Few and Far Between’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Was $619, Now $569 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “The medium garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Few and Far Between belts out an aria of black cherries, kirsch, black raspberries, roses and lilacs scents with Indian spices, underbrush and cigar box nuances plus a waft of iron ore. The palate is full-bodied and firm yet plushly textured, generating wave after wave of perfumed elegance. It finishes epically long, multilayered and with great freshness, culminating in loads of captivating minerally sparks. Wow, just wow.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $721
The average price is $721
Hundred Acre ‘Kayli Morgan Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2004 750ml Was $519, Now $499 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 98 points “The wild man of Napa Valley, Jayson Woodbridge, has turned out one of the superstars of 2004, with the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan. His wines always tend to be gorgeous young, offering up an impression that they’re not going to last. But his first vintage, 2000, seems to get better and better, even though it was spectacular when released. The 2004, which was harvested in September, shows an almost Pomerol-like sweet mocha, kirsch, black currant and deeply fruited mouthfeel. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, but the clay soils of his vineyard seem to give a sweetness of tannin and a voluptuous character to the texture. This wine oozes rich, concentrated fruit, is light on its feet and has gorgeous purity, a multidimensional mouthfeel and a stunning finish. Silky black currant, kirsch, licorice, mocha and caramelized fruit make for a stunningly full-throttle, brilliant 2004 to enjoy over the next 15 or more years.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hundred Acre ‘Kayli Morgan Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ml Was $619, Now $569 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Kayli Morgan Vineyard has a medium garnet-purple color and is a little closed to begin, giving up red and black currants, violets, lilacs and spice box plus chocolate-covered coffee beans, menthol, tilled soil and cardamom. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated and built like a brick house, with loads of floral sparks and a very long, mineral-laced finish. Through the roof.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Bond Melbury, Napa Valley 2003 750ml Was $519, Now $449 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 97 points (in 2013) “The 2003 Melbury comes from a slopeside site on the northern side of Lake Hennessey, opposite the Rutherford valley floor. Winemaker Bob Levy compares the 2003 to the 2006 because of the wet winter and spring and the summer’s heat spikes. A brilliant effort from sedimentary soil with rocks over compacted clay, it is a gorgeous wine offering raspberry, black currant, spring flower and blueberry characteristics along with a dense purple color, a full-bodied, multilayered mouthfeel and sweet tannin. This stunningly rich hillside Cabernet Sauvignon should reach full maturity in 4-5 years and keep for 15-20 years thereafter.”
Bond St Eden, Napa Valley 2003 750ml Was $399, Now $349 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 94 points (in 2013) “The 2003 St. Eden comes from an 11-acre rocky knoll on the northern side of the Oakville Crossroad that consists of pure red soils. It is the most evolved and forward of these 2003 Bond wines. Lots of cedar, chocolate, roasted herb, lavender and spice box notes emerge from this complex Pauillac-like effort. Medium to full-bodied and fully mature, it is more evolved than its siblings, revealing sweet tannin as well as a spicy, earthy finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Harlan Estate, Napa Valley 2013 750ml Was $1,299, Now $1,199 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 100 points “As I predicted last year, the 2013 Harlan Estate is one of their all-time greats, although they have had many of them, starting with the 1991, followed by 1994, 1995, 1997 (although controversial in some circles), 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2012. This great first-growth property, with aspirations to produce the finest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine made in the New World, has given us a wine that has it all in 2013. Dense purple to the rim, with notes of espresso, white chocolate, mocha, blackberry, cassis, and cedar wood, the wine is full-bodied, opulent, but also structured, pure and incredibly long (well past a minute aftertaste). It is probably closest in personality and overall character to the compelling 2001, which is still a youthful wine at age 15. Drink it over the next 50+ years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $1,522
The average price is $1,522
Harlan Estate, Napa Valley 2014 750ml Was $999, Now $899 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Robert Parker 98 points “The deep garnet-purple colored 2014 Harlan Estate offers up subtle cassis, black cherries and crushed blackberries notes with tons of savory and earthy layers: forest floor, black soil, charcoal and dried herbs, plus wafts of violets and rare beef. Full-bodied and built like a brick house in the mouth, it has loads of tense, muscular fruit with many layers of earth, savory and spice nuances emerging, finishing with epic length. Around 2,100 cases were bottled.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $1,050
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $1,050
Harlan Estate, Napa Valley 2017 750ml Was $1,199, Now $1,099 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2017 Harlan Estate needs a little coaxing to reveal captivating iron ore, red currant jelly, cloves and crushed rocks scents with a core of warm cassis, Black Forest cake and boysenberries plus a waft of pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, grainy texture with a lively backbone and loads of earthy layers, long and mineral laced. This should be one of the longer-lived wines coming out of the 2017 vintage.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The Grand Vin is the 2017 Harlan Estate, and this beauty just about jumps from the glass with its pure cassis and blackcurrant fruits as well as notes of tobacco, graphite, crushed stone, and spice. With a full-bodied, expansive mouthfeel, building, velvety tannins, and a layered, seamless style that offers way more pleasure than just about every other wine in the vintage, bottles can be enjoyed any time over the coming 20-25 years.”
New Weekend – New Arrivals
Italy
Foradori ‘Lezer’ Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2021 750ml $26 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “100% Teroldego. Lezèr (“light” in local dialect) was a new bottling born of the terrible 2017 vintage, when the fruit from the vines that go into the basic Foradori red bottling was devastated by a summer hailstorm. What fruit could be salvaged and ripened was turned into this short-maceration red wine, named for its light color, body and structure and labeled with a tractor-driving farmer battling the storm. It was Foradori’s first vin de soif style wine, and they enjoyed the change of pace so much that even in the warm, productive 2018 vintage, they decided to make it again; jungle plants appear at the border of the label as a humorous nod to the more “tropical”–as winemaker son Emilio refers to it–conditions of this vintage. Maceration is less than 24 hours in various vessels; fermentation is spontaneous and finishes dry. It is juicy, soft and bright.”
Benanti Serra della Contessa ‘Particella No. 587’ Etna Rosso Riserva, Sicily 2016 1.5L $249 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa Particella No. 587 Riserva is dark and savory in the glass, grumbling up with notes of crushed rocks and ash that evolve further to reveal musky black currants, hints of licorice and dried violets. This is velvety-smooth, yet not weighty in feel. Instead, the 2016 seems to glide effortlessly across the palate, yet what it leaves behind is a saturation of primary fruit and mineral tones, as well as silky tannins that penetrate deeply. The Serra della Contessa finishes structured yet long and unexpectedly fresh, with balsam herbs and a touch of salted licorice that slowly fades. This Etna Rosso is a powerhouse, but it is in need of cellaring to reveal all of its charms.”
Spain
Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2019 750ml $34.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 points “The regional 2019 Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes was produced with a blend of grapes from 80 plots in eight villages from Priorat, 82% Garnacha with 17% Cariñena and 1% white grapes, a year unusually high in Garnacha and unusually low in Cariñena that suffered a lot from the heat. The destemmed and lightly crushed grapes fermented in concrete and oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in French oak barrels for 12 months. What happened here is that Cariñena was burned by a heat spike of 43 degrees Celsius on the 28th of June, and there was a wildfire in Montsant that perhaps could have warmed things up even more. I think there might be a change toward more Garnacha and elegance in the wines from Álvaro Palacios in Priorat, as this is brighter and less rustic than this wine used to be, more polished, perfumed and fine. The year of heat and drought. 101,600 bottles produced.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A juicy red, offering raspberry ganache and red licorice flavors, a fragrant skein of dried sage and milled white pepper and rich hints of smoke and toast. This concentrated, medium- to full-bodied version remains fresh and focused, thanks to the tang of orange peel acidity and fine, taut tannins. Garnacha and Samsó. Drink now through 2028. 8,200 cases made.”
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2020 750ml $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2020 750ml $519 special (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Case-6 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2020 750ml $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2020 1.5L $99 special, 12 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “This has a beautiful texture, harmoniously blending plum sauce, raspberry preserves, charred alder and floral perfume with an invigorating, fresh dusting of white pepper and crushed dried herbs. Delivers an intense undercurrent of mineral, incense and lavender notes that course through the finish, which goes on and on. Delicious. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035. —J.M.”
Bonus review!
Nicolas-Jay ‘l’Ensemble’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ml $69 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “A wine with grace and tension, this opens with pretty violet aromas that lead to vibrant, steely raspberry and guava flavors accented by forest floor and spices. Ends with refined, mineral-tinged tannins. Drink now through 2020. —T.F.”
Importer Note “100% Teroldego. Lezèr (“light” in local dialect) was a new bottling born of the terrible 2017 vintage, when the fruit from the vines that go into the basic Foradori red bottling was devastated by a summer hailstorm. What fruit could be salvaged and ripened was turned into this short-maceration red wine, named for its light color, body and structure and labeled with a tractor-driving farmer battling the storm. It was Foradori’s first vin de soif style wine, and they enjoyed the change of pace so much that even in the warm, productive 2018 vintage, they decided to make it again; jungle plants appear at the border of the label as a humorous nod to the more “tropical”–as winemaker son Emilio refers to it–conditions of this vintage. Maceration is less than 24 hours in various vessels; fermentation is spontaneous and finishes dry. It is juicy, soft and bright.”
Benanti Serra della Contessa ‘Particella No. 587’ Etna Rosso Riserva, Sicily 2016 1.5L $249 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “The 2016 Etna Rosso Serra della Contessa Particella No. 587 Riserva is dark and savory in the glass, grumbling up with notes of crushed rocks and ash that evolve further to reveal musky black currants, hints of licorice and dried violets. This is velvety-smooth, yet not weighty in feel. Instead, the 2016 seems to glide effortlessly across the palate, yet what it leaves behind is a saturation of primary fruit and mineral tones, as well as silky tannins that penetrate deeply. The Serra della Contessa finishes structured yet long and unexpectedly fresh, with balsam herbs and a touch of salted licorice that slowly fades. This Etna Rosso is a powerhouse, but it is in need of cellaring to reveal all of its charms.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Spain
Alvaro Palacios ‘Les Terrasses’ Velles Vinyes, Priorat DOCa 2019 750ml $34.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 points “The regional 2019 Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes was produced with a blend of grapes from 80 plots in eight villages from Priorat, 82% Garnacha with 17% Cariñena and 1% white grapes, a year unusually high in Garnacha and unusually low in Cariñena that suffered a lot from the heat. The destemmed and lightly crushed grapes fermented in concrete and oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in French oak barrels for 12 months. What happened here is that Cariñena was burned by a heat spike of 43 degrees Celsius on the 28th of June, and there was a wildfire in Montsant that perhaps could have warmed things up even more. I think there might be a change toward more Garnacha and elegance in the wines from Álvaro Palacios in Priorat, as this is brighter and less rustic than this wine used to be, more polished, perfumed and fine. The year of heat and drought. 101,600 bottles produced.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “A juicy red, offering raspberry ganache and red licorice flavors, a fragrant skein of dried sage and milled white pepper and rich hints of smoke and toast. This concentrated, medium- to full-bodied version remains fresh and focused, thanks to the tang of orange peel acidity and fine, taut tannins. Garnacha and Samsó. Drink now through 2028. 8,200 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Wine Spectator Insider
New Reviews for Saint Cosme!
New Reviews for Saint Cosme!
Saint Cosme Condrieu, Rhône 2020 750ml $84.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Alluring, with creamed yellow apple, mirabelle plum and white peach flavors carried by a caressing hint of elderflower and lemon curd through the finish, where a late flash of white ginger peeks in. Drink now through 2027. —J.M.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Alluring, with creamed yellow apple, mirabelle plum and white peach flavors carried by a caressing hint of elderflower and lemon curd through the finish, where a late flash of white ginger peeks in. Drink now through 2027. —J.M.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2020 750ml $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2020 750ml $519 special (that’s only $43.25/bottle!)
Case-6 Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2020 750ml $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle!)
Château de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhône 2020 1.5L $99 special, 12 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “This has a beautiful texture, harmoniously blending plum sauce, raspberry preserves, charred alder and floral perfume with an invigorating, fresh dusting of white pepper and crushed dried herbs. Delivers an intense undercurrent of mineral, incense and lavender notes that course through the finish, which goes on and on. Delicious. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035. —J.M.”
Bonus review!
Nicolas-Jay ‘l’Ensemble’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ml $69 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “A wine with grace and tension, this opens with pretty violet aromas that lead to vibrant, steely raspberry and guava flavors accented by forest floor and spices. Ends with refined, mineral-tinged tannins. Drink now through 2020. —T.F.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
New Reviews
For Fall’s Favorite Rosés
For Fall’s Favorite Rosés
Château Pradeaux ‘Vespree’ Rosé, Vin de France 2020 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinksi-Wine Advocate 94 points “A blend of 95% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault that spent a year on the lees in a demi-muid and concrete egg, Pradeaux’s 2020 Bandol Rosé Vespree is a special effort. Loaded with cherry fruit, it’s even richer and rounder than the regular bottling, yet it retains a wonderful sense of freshness to balance the lush, almost-creamy mouthfeel and lingering finish. Future vintages will eschew the demi-muid in favor of concrete eggs.”
Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé, Provence 2021 750ml $36.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinksi-Wine Advocate 91 – 93 points “Not bottled yet at the time of my spring visit to the region, the 2021 Bandol Rose nevertheless showed exceptional promise in my blind tasting. A blend of 80% Mourvèdre and 20% Cinsault, it’s a coppery flamingo-pink in color, with more extraction and tannin than your typical Bandol rosé. It’s round and ripe on the palate, medium to full-bodied, with cherry and lime notes and a long, softly dusty finish. The 2020 version, tried at the estate, is still going strong and might be even a little bit better. Don’t skip it just because it’s not called out on this list.”
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rosé, Rhône 2021 750ml $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinksi-Wine Advocate 89 points “The medium salmon-hued 2021 Gigondas Rose features scents of pink grapefruit, guava and melon. A blend of 50% Cinsault, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache, it’s medium-bodied, with a lovely, silky texture and a long finish that echoes of crushed stone and paraffin.”
Domaines Ott ‘By.Ott’ Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2021 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinksi-Wine Advocate 91 points “Call it a down year if you must, but the 2021 Cotes de Provence Rose Chateau de Selle remains one of the region’s top wines. Scents of tangerine, peach, crushed stone and lime zest mark the nose, while the medium-bodied palate is plump and juicy, finishing long and layered. The assemblage this year is 55% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah.”
Joe Czerwinksi-Wine Advocate 94 points “A blend of 95% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault that spent a year on the lees in a demi-muid and concrete egg, Pradeaux’s 2020 Bandol Rosé Vespree is a special effort. Loaded with cherry fruit, it’s even richer and rounder than the regular bottling, yet it retains a wonderful sense of freshness to balance the lush, almost-creamy mouthfeel and lingering finish. Future vintages will eschew the demi-muid in favor of concrete eggs.”
Château Pradeaux Bandol Rosé, Provence 2021 750ml $36.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinksi-Wine Advocate 91 – 93 points “Not bottled yet at the time of my spring visit to the region, the 2021 Bandol Rose nevertheless showed exceptional promise in my blind tasting. A blend of 80% Mourvèdre and 20% Cinsault, it’s a coppery flamingo-pink in color, with more extraction and tannin than your typical Bandol rosé. It’s round and ripe on the palate, medium to full-bodied, with cherry and lime notes and a long, softly dusty finish. The 2020 version, tried at the estate, is still going strong and might be even a little bit better. Don’t skip it just because it’s not called out on this list.”
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rosé, Rhône 2021 750ml $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinksi-Wine Advocate 89 points “The medium salmon-hued 2021 Gigondas Rose features scents of pink grapefruit, guava and melon. A blend of 50% Cinsault, 30% Mourvèdre and 20% Grenache, it’s medium-bodied, with a lovely, silky texture and a long finish that echoes of crushed stone and paraffin.”
Domaines Ott ‘By.Ott’ Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2021 750ml $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinksi-Wine Advocate 91 points “Call it a down year if you must, but the 2021 Cotes de Provence Rose Chateau de Selle remains one of the region’s top wines. Scents of tangerine, peach, crushed stone and lime zest mark the nose, while the medium-bodied palate is plump and juicy, finishing long and layered. The assemblage this year is 55% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah.”
New Grapelive Review
For Jean-Louis Dutraive
For Jean-Louis Dutraive
Jean-Louis Dutraive Domaine de la Grand’Cour Fleurie ‘Clos de la Grand’Cour’ , Beaujolais 2020 750ml $39 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 95 points “This delicate and seductive Domaine de la Grand’Cour Fleurie ‘Clos’ by Jean-Louis is haunting and heavenly in the glass with its pale ruby/magenta hue and rose petal perfume. [It] has the grace of a Premier Cru Chambolle-Musigny and pure Gamay flavors on the lifted medium bodied palate which shows strawberry, cherry, crushed raspberry and plum fruits that are weightless and seamless, along with hints of mineral, walnut, red peach flesh, red spices, cut flowers and anise. It’s hard to find anything here that isn’t near perfect and precise. This is exceptionally graceful and lingering, echoing its soulful strawberry and rosewater core elements in the aftertaste seemingly forever. The foundation of the property, which has in the talented hands Jean-Louis Dutraive since 1989, are the three prestigious lieux-dits of Clos de la Grand Cour, used here, the Chapelle des Bois and Dutraive’s special Champagne parcel, which make up a total of 9 hectares of vines in Fleurie, arguably the most prized sites in the appellation, all of which are holistically and naturally farmed…
“This Clos de la Grand’Cour is a true clos (walled vineyard) and it is an eight hectare monopole of Dutraive family that is 100% Gamay Noir, certified organic, with a vine age that ranges from 30 to 70 years old. Dutraive has a stunning lineup of Cru Beaujolais, each a terror driven treasure, all of which are just as sought after as any cru Burgundy these days and it is a rare treat for me to get my hands on any of them let alone this one, which is one of the winery’s most coveted bottlings and signature offerings. Dutraive, now 60 plus years old, has proved he still a Gamay maestro, even with his son Justin showing his potential now in the family business, says this Clos, his flagship Fleurie, defines Dutriave terroir and style with exotic spices and rustic beauty. I love that Jean-Louis’ motto in the cellar is ‘minimal intervention and maximum surveillance.’ which you can see clearly in his wines and their authentic nature, they always provide a raw and alluring sex appeal and a feminine charm, don’t miss a chance to try these wines.”
Shop our complete selection of Jean-Louis Dutraive – Domaine de la Grand’Cour wines in stock now!
Grapelive 95 points “This delicate and seductive Domaine de la Grand’Cour Fleurie ‘Clos’ by Jean-Louis is haunting and heavenly in the glass with its pale ruby/magenta hue and rose petal perfume. [It] has the grace of a Premier Cru Chambolle-Musigny and pure Gamay flavors on the lifted medium bodied palate which shows strawberry, cherry, crushed raspberry and plum fruits that are weightless and seamless, along with hints of mineral, walnut, red peach flesh, red spices, cut flowers and anise. It’s hard to find anything here that isn’t near perfect and precise. This is exceptionally graceful and lingering, echoing its soulful strawberry and rosewater core elements in the aftertaste seemingly forever. The foundation of the property, which has in the talented hands Jean-Louis Dutraive since 1989, are the three prestigious lieux-dits of Clos de la Grand Cour, used here, the Chapelle des Bois and Dutraive’s special Champagne parcel, which make up a total of 9 hectares of vines in Fleurie, arguably the most prized sites in the appellation, all of which are holistically and naturally farmed…
“This Clos de la Grand’Cour is a true clos (walled vineyard) and it is an eight hectare monopole of Dutraive family that is 100% Gamay Noir, certified organic, with a vine age that ranges from 30 to 70 years old. Dutraive has a stunning lineup of Cru Beaujolais, each a terror driven treasure, all of which are just as sought after as any cru Burgundy these days and it is a rare treat for me to get my hands on any of them let alone this one, which is one of the winery’s most coveted bottlings and signature offerings. Dutraive, now 60 plus years old, has proved he still a Gamay maestro, even with his son Justin showing his potential now in the family business, says this Clos, his flagship Fleurie, defines Dutriave terroir and style with exotic spices and rustic beauty. I love that Jean-Louis’ motto in the cellar is ‘minimal intervention and maximum surveillance.’ which you can see clearly in his wines and their authentic nature, they always provide a raw and alluring sex appeal and a feminine charm, don’t miss a chance to try these wines.”
Shop our complete selection of Jean-Louis Dutraive – Domaine de la Grand’Cour wines in stock now!
Collector’s Corner:
La Gerla
La Gerla
La Gerla makes fantastic Brunello in a traditional (yet approachable) style. The wines always have striking purity of fruit and elegant structures, but are free of the sweet tinted oak that masks many “easy drinking” Brunellos. The pricing is on-point and the combination of all of the above has turned the estate into a Vinopolis staple.
Arriving Late November
La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2020 750ml $24 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “A quintessential Rosso, this elegant, delicious red hits all the right buttons. It opens with heady aromas of wild berries, blue flowers and baking spice while the savory, elegant palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, blood orange, star anise and white pepper alongside polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it bright and balanced. Drink through 2028. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino keeps you coming back to the glass to take in its vivid and rich bouquet, as dusty cedar spice box gives way to cloves, ripe strawberries and waxy rose. It soothes with silky textures and a pleasant inner sweetness, casting ripe red fruits and violet floral tones across the palate. This leaves a tart twang of wildberries and hints of sour citrus, as it tapers off fresh and with medium length.”
Arriving Late November
La Gerla Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2020 750ml $24 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “A quintessential Rosso, this elegant, delicious red hits all the right buttons. It opens with heady aromas of wild berries, blue flowers and baking spice while the savory, elegant palate delivers juicy Marasca cherry, blood orange, star anise and white pepper alongside polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it bright and balanced. Drink through 2028. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2020 Rosso di Montalcino keeps you coming back to the glass to take in its vivid and rich bouquet, as dusty cedar spice box gives way to cloves, ripe strawberries and waxy rose. It soothes with silky textures and a pleasant inner sweetness, casting ripe red fruits and violet floral tones across the palate. This leaves a tart twang of wildberries and hints of sour citrus, as it tapers off fresh and with medium length.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $30
The average price is $30
A blend of both the Canalicchio and Castelnuovo vineyards
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ml $51.90 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The La Gerla 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is silky and polished, offering a nice perspective on a vintage that was not always easy to navigate. This wine manages smooth integration with none of the rougher spots that can sometimes occur in hot and dry growing seasons. The bouquet shows nuanced detail with wild berry, forest floor, grilled herb and wild rose. The wine is firm on the palate with tight stemmy tannins.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino keeps you coming back to the glass again and again with a bouquet that’s like an emulsion of raspberry sauce and violet candies plus black tea, blood orange and clove. This is a soft, round effort that impresses with cool-toned red fruits and salty minerals and acids that tug at the cheeks as they work their way across the palate. Those grippy 2017 tannins are there, but they’re nicely offset by cooling herbal tones and pretty inner florals.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Elegantly structured, this offers balsamic aromas of camphor that mingle with new leather, forest floor and blue flower. The taut, polished palate features mature Marasca cherry, blood orange and star anise before closing on a hint of mocha. Fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink 2024–2029. -Kerin O’Keefe”
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2017 750ml $51.90 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “The La Gerla 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is silky and polished, offering a nice perspective on a vintage that was not always easy to navigate. This wine manages smooth integration with none of the rougher spots that can sometimes occur in hot and dry growing seasons. The bouquet shows nuanced detail with wild berry, forest floor, grilled herb and wild rose. The wine is firm on the palate with tight stemmy tannins.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 92 points “The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino keeps you coming back to the glass again and again with a bouquet that’s like an emulsion of raspberry sauce and violet candies plus black tea, blood orange and clove. This is a soft, round effort that impresses with cool-toned red fruits and salty minerals and acids that tug at the cheeks as they work their way across the palate. Those grippy 2017 tannins are there, but they’re nicely offset by cooling herbal tones and pretty inner florals.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Elegantly structured, this offers balsamic aromas of camphor that mingle with new leather, forest floor and blue flower. The taut, polished palate features mature Marasca cherry, blood orange and star anise before closing on a hint of mocha. Fine-grained tannins provide support. Drink 2024–2029. -Kerin O’Keefe”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $70
The average price is $70
A new single-vineyard cuvee
La Gerla La Pieve, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2017 750ml $61.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This delicious, elegantly structured red opens with classic Sangiovese aromas of blue flowers, ripe red berries, new leather and forest floor. The smooth, velvety palate delivers mature Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, baking spice and licorice alongside polished tannins. It’s already drinking beautifully but will also offer several years of enjoyment. Drink through 2027. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Adovate 93+ points “Here’s a new discovery from La Gerla. The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve shows more tannic firmness than we saw in the Brunello annata, and this wine is also more nervous or tightly wound. It just needs a little more bottle evolution before it starts to shine. The bouquet is nicely balanced with dried rose, wild berry, earth and balsam herb. La Gerla does a great job of pulling out the varietal purity of Sangiovese.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “Crushed stone, wilted violets, black currants, balsam herbs and worn leather can all be found as the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve blossoms in the glass. It plays tricks on the palate, at once rich and suave, and then suddenly slender and poised, yet always potent, with masses of red and black berries that penetrate deeply. This is so youthfully wound up yet full of balanced pleasures, as salty minerals, licorice and tart blackberries linger incredibly long under an air of violet florals. Even with the difficult vintage, this is a fantastic inaugural performance for La Gerla’s La Pieve, which is a single-vineyard expression sourced from Castelnuovo dell’Abate.”
La Gerla La Pieve, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2017 750ml $61.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This delicious, elegantly structured red opens with classic Sangiovese aromas of blue flowers, ripe red berries, new leather and forest floor. The smooth, velvety palate delivers mature Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, baking spice and licorice alongside polished tannins. It’s already drinking beautifully but will also offer several years of enjoyment. Drink through 2027. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Adovate 93+ points “Here’s a new discovery from La Gerla. The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve shows more tannic firmness than we saw in the Brunello annata, and this wine is also more nervous or tightly wound. It just needs a little more bottle evolution before it starts to shine. The bouquet is nicely balanced with dried rose, wild berry, earth and balsam herb. La Gerla does a great job of pulling out the varietal purity of Sangiovese.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “Crushed stone, wilted violets, black currants, balsam herbs and worn leather can all be found as the 2017 Brunello di Montalcino La Pieve blossoms in the glass. It plays tricks on the palate, at once rich and suave, and then suddenly slender and poised, yet always potent, with masses of red and black berries that penetrate deeply. This is so youthfully wound up yet full of balanced pleasures, as salty minerals, licorice and tart blackberries linger incredibly long under an air of violet florals. Even with the difficult vintage, this is a fantastic inaugural performance for La Gerla’s La Pieve, which is a single-vineyard expression sourced from Castelnuovo dell’Abate.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $71
The next best price is $71
From a one hectare parcel of old vines within the family’s estate vineyard
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ml $99 pre-arrival special
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 1.5L $219 pre-arrival special, only 9 magnums available
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 3L $449 pre-arrival special, only 3 double-magnums available
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Smoldering with remarkable depth, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gli Angeli makes itself known with a blend of spicy citrus peels and minty herbs giving way to masses of black cherry, strawberries, hints of iodine and smoke. This is a textural thrill ride, velvety and almost weighty in feel, while finding wonderful balance in its vibrant acidity and the tart wild berry fruits and savory spices that are unleashed upon the palate. Hints of mocha combine with sour cherry and almond paste through the impressively long and classically structured finale. In the end, the 2016 Gli Angeli is the total package. This Riserva is a single-vineyard bottling from La Gerla’s northern Montalcino vineyard, which was planted by Biondi-Santi in 1968.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Inviting aromas of wild berries, baking spice, new leather and charcuterie come to the forefront. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth palate features dried cherry, baked plum, vanilla and mocha framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink 2024–2031. Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The La Gerla 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is polished and tightly knit with lots of silky inner shine. The fruit shows good primary intensity with dried cherry and cassis, but this Riserva also accommodates some tertiary or aged aromas of spice, leather and tar. Earthy tones, cola and wild rose are folded into this fresh and elegant Sangiovese. There are some smoky oaky tones that are a little aggressive at first, but they do largely subside.”
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ml $99 pre-arrival special
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 1.5L $219 pre-arrival special, only 9 magnums available
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 3L $449 pre-arrival special, only 3 double-magnums available
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Smoldering with remarkable depth, the 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Gli Angeli makes itself known with a blend of spicy citrus peels and minty herbs giving way to masses of black cherry, strawberries, hints of iodine and smoke. This is a textural thrill ride, velvety and almost weighty in feel, while finding wonderful balance in its vibrant acidity and the tart wild berry fruits and savory spices that are unleashed upon the palate. Hints of mocha combine with sour cherry and almond paste through the impressively long and classically structured finale. In the end, the 2016 Gli Angeli is the total package. This Riserva is a single-vineyard bottling from La Gerla’s northern Montalcino vineyard, which was planted by Biondi-Santi in 1968.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Inviting aromas of wild berries, baking spice, new leather and charcuterie come to the forefront. Full-bodied and elegantly structured, the smooth palate features dried cherry, baked plum, vanilla and mocha framed in fine-grained tannins. Drink 2024–2031. Kerin O’Keefe”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “The La Gerla 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva gli Angeli is polished and tightly knit with lots of silky inner shine. The fruit shows good primary intensity with dried cherry and cassis, but this Riserva also accommodates some tertiary or aged aromas of spice, leather and tar. Earthy tones, cola and wild rose are folded into this fresh and elegant Sangiovese. There are some smoky oaky tones that are a little aggressive at first, but they do largely subside.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $115
The average price is $115
Thank you from the small but mighty team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.
Be well & drink well.