In Today’s Newsletter:
New Stock on Willamette Valley Wines Are Trending Hot!
Trinity Hill Homage
The Pride of South America
Rosé Super-Sale
Staff Pick
Featured New Arrival:
New Project from Cayuse’s Christophe Baron
The 2015 Eisele Delivers in a Big Way
Aldo Conterno
Montevertine
Iconic Toro Toro: Numanthia Numanthia
Delas Does the Impossible
New Stock on Willamette Valley Wines Are Trending Hot!
Newly Arrived Today:
Uncommon pedigree for an unheard of price…
Resonance Resonance Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 750ML ($69.95) $37 special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “This exceptional vineyard, more than 35-years-old, brings a wealth of subtle details to a wine that has both grace and power. There’s truffle, earth, mocha, plum, spice, coffee and on and on it goes, all well integrated already. Experience would suggest that wines from this vineyard, previously made for Sineann, are exceptionally ageworthy. Drink now if you must, or cellar and drink from 2022 to 2030.”
Bow & Arrow Hughes Hollow Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($41.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94 points “The rather exotic Hughes Hollow Vineyard Pinot Noir from Bow & Arrow is amazing stuff. It at first is tight and iron-laced in a way that reminds me of young Nebbiolo. A few swirls brings an exciting array of classic Pinot aromas and flavors out and, with further coaxing in the glass, a powerful sensation that you are tasting something otherworldly. Scott Frank, winemaker at Bow & Arrow, has done some thrilling wines from this unique north facing 30 year old site, and this 2015 is impressive. Hughes Hollow Vineyard (located in the South Salem hills on Jory and Nekia soils at about 675 feet [and] now farmed all organic) was a place Frank wanted Gamay from, but had to take Pinot grapes as part of the deal. Mercy be, what deal it has turned out to be…! This vineyard, fast becoming a favorite of mine in Bow & Arrow’s lineup, has its own personality. The vines here are own-rooted and have been dry farmed from the beginning which adds to the intensity of form and with a vintage like 2015, [where] ripe flavors, a savory bite and crisp acidity dominate. It bursts from the glass marked with the volcanic mineral and spice along with dried roses, tangy strawberries and minty herbs (stems?) before gathering its forces for a medium bodied, but powerful palate of black cherry, plum and briar laced raspberry along with cinnamon, black tea, earthy leather/porcini and lavender incense. This is a gripping Pinot, with a firm structure with young Vougeot-like tannins. The length is heavenly and long adding the vintage’s sweetness that offsets the rustic nature of this unpolished wine, this really sexy stuff. Drink over the next 3 to 7 years.”
The next best price is $37.99
The average price is $39
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2015 750ML ($39.59) $33 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Subtly powerful and rich, with expressive black cherry and spicy cinnamon aromas and layered plum and licorice flavors that build toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2024. 3,372 cases made.”“Truly exceptional” Oregon Grand Cru
St. Innocent Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 specialJames Suckling 95 points “A vibrant and incredibly spicy expression of pinot noir with a wealth of freshly picked blackcurrants, redcurrants, sour red cherries, orange rind and citrus. The palate doesn’t hold back though and is dense and well-rounded yet retains the same freshness as the nose with driven acidity. Just how this wine manages to combine such concentration and vivacity is a mystery. Truly exceptional. So delicious now but better from 2020 and beyond.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “(aged in French oak barrels, 21% of them new) Deep lurid red. An expansive, impressively complex bouquet evokes ripe cherry, black raspberry, incense and potpourri, and smoky mineral and Asian spice nuances build with aeration. Silky, sweet and concentrated, yet lively as well, offering palate-staining red and dark berry, spicecake and floral pastille flavors that show outstanding clarity and back-end lift. Supple tannins frame the red-fruit-dominated finish, which hangs on with outstanding tenacity.”
The average price is $35
More arriving this Friday:
Kelley Fox Wines ‘Ahurani’ Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($27.95) $24 re-arrival special
Grapelive 94 points “One of Oregon’s talented new generation of winemakers Kelley Fox has released her latest Ahurani Pinot Noir from the biodynamic vines at Momtazi Vineyard in the McMinnville AVA. It’s a beauty. In 2016 (as in 2015) Fox used 100% whole cluster, and it’s produced from blocks on the top of the tallest hill of the vineyard. This block selection cuvee is remarkably fresh and vivid in a vintage that some found warm and even over-ripe in places… At 13% it’s as refined and bright as you’d want [and] wonderfully balanced. Fox, after long stints at Eyrie and Scott Paul wines, started her own winery with the 2007 vintage and has gained a stellar reputation ever since. [She] is one of the region’s rising stars with absolutely star quality wines with this offering of Ahurani being an exceptional value in her lineup… The ripe and warm year really allows the use of whole bunch and stems here and it shows that the total harmony found here in this gorgeously detailed Pinot. Fox’s wonderful touch and judgement are also on full display too, as there is the perfect amount of tension and stemmy thrill to go with the graceful and silky fruit. This is a wine that grabs your attention and seduces you with purity of flavor, texture, subtle perfume and dreamy length. The palate is surprisingly complex and mouth filling considering the restrained natural alcohol. This Ahurani retains an energy and acidity profile that is fresh and vibrant that provides an excellent stage to show the vivid layers of black cherry, pomegranate, wild plum and strawberry fruits, liquid mineral, a touch of earth, sweet/minty Thai basil/herbs, peppery cinnamon and a heady mix of floral elements and woodsy chanterelles. Air and time in the glass allows this youthful Pinot Noir to gain an even more intriguing and engaging charm. Its color seems to become even more translucent and glowing with a bright ruby and garnet core. [There’s] a touch of rose petal, a cut of orange tea, and a nice play of spice and sexy blue fruits on the aftertaste. This 2016 is easy to love even now, but I can really imagine things developing further over the next 2 or 3 years in bottle. I am absolutely blown away with this latest set of Kelley Fox wines. This not a label to miss, especially her Pinot Blanc and this Ahurani Pinot Noir!”
The average price is $35
An Icon of New Zealand
Trinity Hill Homage
Perhaps the best wines to come out of the tiny nation of New Zealand are Syrahs from the Gimblett Gravels region of Hawkes Bay. Deep, powerful and rich, they nonetheless possess stunning cool-climate aromatics that give them a combination of grace and power that’s truly special.
Trinity Hill is the top winery in Hawkes Bay and their top Syrah, called Homage, is a landmark New Zealand wine. It’s incredibly hard to source anywhere in the world, much less the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s hard to find a “traditional” reviewer with a take on the wine, but those that specialize in Australia and New Zealand know it’s something worth obsessing about. And our price is barely above what you’d pay in New Zealand and far below other offers in the USA.
In Stock Now:
“a wine of exceptional elegance and extraordinary poise”
Trinity Hill Homage Syrah, Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand 2013 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Raymond Chan 100 points “Very dark, near saturated black-hued purple-red colour. The nose is very intense, but elegantly proportioned with a tightly bound and concentrated core of aromatic black berried fruits interwoven with an array of black and violet florals, and entwined with exotic herbs, Asian and Middle Eastern spices, liquorice and nutty elements. This is complex, detailed and absolutely refined with its depth and penetration. Medium-full bodied, the palate has elegance and concentration alongside intensity and depth. The flavours of ripe black berried fruits are seamlessly interwoven with an amazing spread of aromatics, showing waves of black and violet florals, spices, liquorice and complexing minerals. The fruit is supported by extremely refined, flowery tannins, the extraction and structure guiding the velvety flow. This has linearity, energy, drive and finesse, and the wine flows effortlessly to a concentrated, supple, refined and extended finish of black fruits, liquorice, spices and florals. This is a beautifully complex, refined, elegant and concentrated Syrah with black fruits, complexing detail and an amazing array of aromatics. Match with lamb, beef, venison and game meat, and semi-hard cheeses over the next 10-15+ years. 98.7% Syrah, predominantly MS clone from 18 y.o. vines and 1.3% Viognier, the fruit 85% from the Gimblett Gravels and 15% from ‘The Hillside’ vineyard behind the winery on Roys Hill.”
Sam Kim 98 points “This is a wine of exceptional elegance and extraordinary poise… An exquisitely composed and styled, the wine shows scintillating clarity as well as fine layers of delicate complexity… The palate is fine, concentrated and flowing, and shows superb harmony and balance, beautifully framed by abundance of polished tannins. So silky… At its best: 2020 to 2033. ”
Bob Campbell 97 points “Deep, ruby-tinted Syrah with plum, dark berry, vanilla, chocolate, new leather and black pepper flavours supported by a firm backbone of fine, ripe tannins. Big, complex red that has obviously been built for the long haul… A truly long-distance runner. ”
James Suckling 97 points ” A super-polished wine that has a broad array of fruits: raspberry, blackberry and cassis, with white pepper, graphite and a clear whole-bunch lift. The palate has a powerful, focused core of concentrated dark plum and cassis, boldly spicy, then dark chocolate to close. Best from 2019.”
Perfect and Nearly So
The Pride of South America
The top wines coming out of the Argentina and Chile need to be tasted to be believed. Long gone are the days when the high end wines from South America were pale imitations of Bordeaux or Napa. No, these days the best wines from top Chilean and Argentine wineries combine the richness of a modern Napa Cab with a terroir that’s uniquely their own and the results are stunning.
We’ve been working hard to source the crème de la crème of the wines coming from South America and are excited to offer multiple wines with incredible accolades that point to the overall level of quality. These are wines from unique terroirs that will appeal to lovers of Napa Cabernet and modern Bordeaux. If you like those wines you owe it to yourself to grab up as many of these wines as you can—by the standards of more established regions they’re absolute steals.
South American Wine Highlights In Stock Now:
“could be the best Nicasia ever produced”
Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyards Malbec, La Consulta, Argentina 2012 750ML ($129.95) $69 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2012 Malbec Catena Zapata Nicasia Vineyard feels fresher and more harmonious than the 2011, when in reality the vintage character is the opposite. It is sourced from the vineyard that names the wine and that is located in Altamira. The Malbec grapes fermented in open barrels and cement vats with 15% whole-cluster Cabernet Franc. There is one extra level of precision and harmony here. It has an elegant nose and the palate almost reflects the tension in the skin of the grapes with its a velvety texture and great acidity. This is really tasty and long, it could be the best Nicasia ever produced.”
James Suckling 95 points “Vivd aromas of currants and blackberries. So much dark fruit. Violets too. Full body, yet buttressed with a center palate of salty acidity and firm tannins. From grapes grown in Altamira. Persistent and vibrant. Drink or hold.”
The next best price is $89.98
The average price is $107
Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta, Apalta, Chile 2014 750ML ($159.95) $119 special, 20 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “An extremely aromatic and focused Clos Apalta with blackberry, blueberry, floral and hot stone character. Full body, very linear and ultra-fine tannins. Focused and tight. Precise and long. This is the most polished and beautiful definition of this wine ever. You want to drink it now but better in 2020. A blend of carmenere, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.”“This reminded me of my favorite Bordeaux, Lafleur”
Bodega Aleanna ‘Gran Enemigo’ Gualtallary Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Tupungato, Aregentina 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98+ points “The nose of the 2012 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard almost made me fall from my chair. It is the expression of elegance and austerity coupled with strong minerality. It is mostly Cabernet Franc from a very chalky vineyard in Gualtallary at 1,430 meters altitude that fermented together with a small percentage of Malbec. In 2012 they fine tuned the élevage and fermentation, which was in rolling 500-liter barrels that were new in 2006 (so by then quite neutral), where the wine was kept for one more year and then transferred to 1,000-liter egg-shaped cement vats for one further year. This reminded me of my favorite Bordeaux, Lafleur, because of the elegance, the refinement of the tannins and length. It has citric, effervescent acidity that makes you salivate. Winemaker and Owner Alejandro Vigil has done a very strict selection of the soils in the field, and only kept the very center of the vineyard where the high density (12,000 plants per hectare) generates a lot of competition, because the plants from the borders have more space in the sides, which means in 2012 he could only fill 1,800 bottles. Awesome, and ultra fresh for a vintage like 2012. Bravo!”
Vina Almaviva, Puente Alto, Chile 2015 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 18 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points “A glorious and complex nose of tobacco, blackberries and hints of stones and flowers. Hints of bitter chocolate. Full-bodied, very tight and compacted. Linear backbone gives this form and tension. It has the same character on the palate as well as cayenne and other spice. Loved the 2014 but this shows more fine-grained tannins. So balanced and harmonious. A blend of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 24% carmenere, 5% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Needs four or five years in bottle but a joy to taste now.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Powerful, rich and full of juicy dark plum, cherry tart and berry compote flavors that are creamy and lush. Hints of French roast and spice emerge midpalate, with a long finish that is elegant and savory. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2023.”
Rosé Super-Sale
Rosé is a fantastic year-round drink that pairs perfectly with a bunch of cooler weather foods. Nevertheless, we’ve dropped the price on a number of delicious rosés—and you should take advantage. Two of these are in the light and delicate vein (the Orangerie and Plouzeau) and three are a bit more robust (St. Damien, Janasse and Grands Bois). All were great deals and are even better now, so stock up.On Sale and In-Stock Now:
A classic bright rosé.
Marc Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche Rose, Loire 2017 750ML ($17.95) Was $14, Now $11.90 rosé super-sale price, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Light, bright orange. Vibrant, mineral-accented aromas of fresh red berries, orange pith and rose oil on the tightly focused nose. Dry and nervy in the mouth, offering lively strawberry, cherry and citrus zest flavors that show very good clarity and minerally cut. Closes brisk and long, with resonating floral and red fruit notes and a hint of succulent herbs.”
VinopolNote “While Chinon is best known for its lovely, savory bistro reds, a few producers make dynamite rosé from the AOC as well. Plouzeau is one of those that makes excellent rosé, and the 2017 version just landed. As a red, some don’t love Chinon because of its herbal, savory streak, but that’s tempered in rosé form, turning into a lovely background note of thyme or rosemary to complement the bright juicy fruit. This is dry and crisp—and more importantly budget friendly.”
The average price is $16
Rosé from Bordeaux but bright and delicate.
Chateau Carignan L’Orangerie De Carignan Rose, Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux 2017 ($17.95) Was $14, Now $11.90 rosé super-sale price, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon. A salmon pink color.The nose is a subtle bouquet of flowers and red fruits.On the palate, it is a lively wine, refreshing, delicate and well balanced with a very pleasant finish.”
“Soft and easy, with modest peach and white raspberry fruit flavors. Rounded finish. Drink now.” -Wine Spectator
“Finishes with strong authority”-JR
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rose, Rhone 2017 750ML ($27.95) Was $24, Now $21.90 rosé super-sale price, 28 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 91 points “Limpid orange. Incisive orange pith and red currant aromas are complemented by building herb and floral accents. Silky and round on the palate, offering intense red berry and blood orange flavors firmed by a jolt of bitter cherry pit. Finishes with strong authority, echoing the orange and floral notes.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “Mainly Cinsault (70%) from 80-year-old vines (the balance is split between Grenache and Mourvèdre), the 2017 Gigondas Rose is a medium-bodied wine that captures much of that variety’s elusive fruit and spice character. Hints of melon and redcurrant pick up notes of dried, savory spice on the finish.”
Domaine de la Janasse Cotes du Rhone Rose, Rhone 2016 750ML ($19.95) Was $16, Now $11.90 rosé super-sale price, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “Made in a more Tavel than Côtes du Rhône style, the raspberry colored 2016 Côtes du Rhône Rose offers lots of strawberry fruit, medium-bodied richness, a supple, textured style and clean finish. It too has the freshness and purity to handle a summer day, but will also shine on the dinner table.”
Importer notes “The Côtes-du-Rhône Rosé from Domaine de la Janasse is made by bleeding the tanks and vats of the Côtes-du-Rhône Rouge. It is a blend of mainly Grenache, with Cinsault, Syrah and Counoise. After the wine is bled, it finished fermentation and aging in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.”
“In a fleshy, smooth style but shows good energy and lift”-JR
Domaine Les Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Les Trois Soeurs Rose 2017 750ML ($14.95) Was $11.90, Now $9.90 rosé super-sale price, 34 bottles in stock now
Grenache, Carignan. Certified organic.
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 89 points “Limpid orange-pink. Ripe strawberry and tangerine and a subtle floral note on the fragrant nose and in the mouth. In a fleshy, smooth style but shows good energy and lift as well. Finishes with repeating florality and good, red-fruit-driven persistence.”
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $13.99
Gulfi is a tasty fun producer from Etna Sicily and their wines are often well priced. Even better, they use all organic grapes and generally have a mentality of naturalness and allowing nature to work its own magic in the volcanic soil and on the grapes. I’m really digging the Cerasuolo di Vittoria ’16, a blend of Nero d’Avola and a little Frappato to smooth things out. This wine is meant to drink young and just really hits that bigger juicier spot without being overbearing. There’s plenty of acidity here, but it’s all well integrated and the whole wine just has a beautiful texture. Drink this by the case! I think it will be a great holiday wine as we go into the colder months.Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG, Sicily 2016 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock nowWinery note “Grape varieties: Nero d’Avola 70%, Frappato di Vittoria 30%. Nero d’Avola is named after Avola, a small town near Pachino in the province of Siracusa where it was selected by local growers several hundred years ago. Frappato di Vittoria is an old indigenous wine grape variety from the southeast part of Sicily. It likely originates in the territory of Vittoria where it has been grown since the XVIIth century.”
“Despite the young vines and unknown terroir, these have to be some of the more impressive and exciting, releases in the wine world today. The only bad thing about them? There’s not enough to go around.” –Jeb Dunnuck, writing for the Wine Advocate
Christophe Baron’s Hors Categorie Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($349.95) $319 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 99 points “The first vintage for this new vineyard (they made a 2013 but kept it all in magnum… if you get a bottle, call me), the inky colored 2014 Syrah is a huge, unctuous effort the exhibits crazy notes of Asian spice, soy, shiitake mushroom, blackcurrants and tar. Tasking like a young Hermitage la Chappelle from Jaboulet (from a great vintage), with lots of tannin, blood, minerality and smoke, a huge mid-palate, and tons of tannin, it’s a tour de force in Syrah I wish I could pour for every reader. Forget bottles for 4-5 years and drink over the following two decades or more.”
The 2015 Eisele Delivers in a Big Way
Eisele Vineyard (Araujo) Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($699.95) $549 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available!
Eisele Vineyard (Araujo) Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 375ML ($349.95) $289 pre-arrival special, only 10 half-bottles available!
Eisele Vineyard (Araujo) Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 1.5L ($1,299.95) $1,149 pre-arrival special, only 6 magnums available!
Wine Advocate 100 points “Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon charges from the gate with exuberant red and black cherries notes, black currants and mulberries with a beautiful roses and lavender perfume, plus hints of sandalwood and cinnamon stick. Full-bodied, concentrated and downright explosive in the mouth, it is still wearing loads of gorgeous puppy-fat fruit flavors, offering suggestions of the complex, multilayered blockbuster that it will emerge into. The structure deserves its own mention: wonderful, seamless freshness and oh-so-fine, pixelated tannins, with an extraordinary persistence of fruit and mineral nuances. Wow.”
The average price is $576 for the 750ml
Aldo Conterno
Best Buy is to Buy Today Before They Sell Out
Ultimate Best Arrival that we’ve seen this year!
Arriving Friday, October 5th
Aldo Conterno is a top modern Barolo producer and his split from his family’s winery is a defining moment in the history of the region. Ever since 1969, Aldo Conterno has been one of the names to know and collect. This is a powerful, full-throttle expression of Barolo, with deep luscious fruit and all the power you could hope for from the famed Bussia Cru. 2008 was an outstanding Barolo vintage, described by some as “Burgundian.” We’re excited to stock up on the vintage to offer the best prices to you. Wines will be here Friday!
Aldo Conterno 2008 Barolos Arriving Friday, October 5th
A killer AOC Barolo, good now or cellar for another 15 years!
Aldo Conterno Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2008 750ML ($119.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Aldo Conterno Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2008 750ML ($1199.95) $819 pre-arrival special (that’s only $68.25/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “Beautiful raspberry, cherry and black currant flavors are backed by firm, dusty tannins in this harmonious, fresh red. Floral and tobacco notes add dimension as this cruises to a long, lingering finish. Best from 2016 through 2033. 600 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2008 Barolo is a beautiful wine. Super expressive, knock-out aromatics lead to expressive layers of fruit. The 2008 shows gorgeous richness and depth within the context of the year. Tar, smoke, licorice and crushed rocks wrap around the finish. This is a striking, elegant Barolo from Aldo Conterno.”
The next best price is $96
Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($179.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Barolo Cicala is beautifully focused and vibrant from start to finish. It boasts fabulous energy and sheer tension in its ripe red berries, spices, crushed flowers and mint. All the elements come together beautifully in the pure, delineated Barolo. Huge, powerful tannins provide the backdrop for layers of cool, mineral-infused fruit. There is a pulsating energy to the Cicala that is absolutely irresistible. This is another fabulous showing.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s fine depth to this red, like a grand cru red Burgundy, with a silky texture framing black cherry, black currant and tar flavors. Solidly built, this features a deceptively charming exterior that conceals firm tannins. The finish evokes violet and black cherry notes. Best from 2016 through 2035. 250 cases imported.”
The next best price is $156
Aldo Conterno Colonnello, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Round and supple, with a fleshy profile enveloping pure cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. Ripe and harmonious, with no shortage of structure. A mineral element emerges on the tight finish. Best from 2016 through 2035. 200 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Barolo Colonnello is super impressive. It shows gorgeous richness and depth in its focused, energetic fruit. Sweet red berries, flowers and spices are woven together beautifully in the 2008 Colonnello. The elegant side of Barolo comes through, but with an extra degree of muscle. The oak, sometimes noticeable in this bottling, is very well integrated. Floral notes are woven throughout the finish. The Colonnello often gives the impression of being early to mature relative to the estate’s other Baroli, but the 2008 is surprisingly powerful and structured.”
The next best price is $134.99
The average price is $143
Aldo Conterno Romirasco Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($249.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Round and supple, with a fleshy profile enveloping pure cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. Ripe and harmonious, with no shortage of structure. A mineral element emerges on the tight finish. Best from 2016 through 2035. 200 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2008 Barolo Romirasco is striking. It possesses a cool, mineral-drenched personality similar to the Cicala, but with an extra dimension of textural finesse. Sweet red berries, flowers, mint and crushed rocks are woven together in this exquisite, gorgeous Barolo. Powerful and authoritative, the Romirasco impresses for its depth and unmistakable pedigree. Today the 2008 is an infant, but great things are in store for those who can wait.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 94+ points “Bright red-ruby. Cassis, blackberry, violet and sweet oak on the nose. Sweet, juicy and imploded, with terrific verve to the urgent flavors of dark berries and bitter chocolate. Elegant, penetrating and strong, with the cut and verve to support a long and graceful evolution in bottle. Finishes with oustanding lift. “For us, the best time to drink wines is between 10 and 15 years after the vintage, whether Barolo, Burgundy or even Champagne,” noted Giacomo Conterno. “At that stage they have all the elements: fruit, acidity, tertiary character, all the characteristics of the soil. After 20 years, nearly all wines are dominated by their tertiary character.””
The next best price is $189
The average price is $217
Despite being made in the heart of the Classico zone, the some of the greatest Sangiovese wines are labeled as IGT. Sure, lots of winemakers in Tuscany use Cabernet or make wines that are otherwise unlike traditional Chianti and bottle them as IGT wines, but Montevertine is different. Montevertine originally left the appellation because at the time, white grapes were required to call a wine Chianti and Sergio Manetti, the owner, wanted to make a wine that was 100% Sangiovese, a scandalous thing at the time.
Time has gone by and rules have changed, but the wines of Montevertine, despite being very traditional in style, are not called Chianti, out of pride and because the wines have built their own following. We’re excited to be able to offer the newest releases of the Pian del Ciampolo and the eponymous Rosso di Toscana, arriving Friday!
Arriving This Friday:
“2016 Pian del Ciampolo is gearing up for spectacular results”
Montevertine Pian del Ciampolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Montevertine Pian del Ciampolo Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2016 1.5L ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special, only 2 magnums available!
Wine Advocate 92 points “Tasted before its release, the 2016 Pian del Ciampolo is gearing up for spectacular results. This entry level red wine from Montevertine is fermented in cement vats and aged in oak for one year. This vintage marks a return to classic lines and a more subdued personality following the decidedly more exuberant and sun-ripened 2015 vintage. The 2015 vintage was its own wine, but 2016 brings us back to the basics with dark fruit and savory highlights followed by balsam herb and rosemary. The mouthfeel is polished and smooth.”
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2016 Pian del Ciampolo exudes class and a level of delineation that distinguishes it stylistically (but not qualitatively) from the 2015. Fresh and beautifully nuanced, the 2016 hits all the right notes. A closing burst of lavender, rose petal and mint punctuates the vibrant finish.”
Montevertine Rosso di Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Montevertine Rosso di Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 1.5L ($159.95) $128 pre-arrival special, only 1 magnum available!
Montevertine Rosso di Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 3L ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special, only 1 three-liter bottle available!
Antonio Galloni 94-97 points “Rich, pliant and super-expressive, the 2015 Montevertine is shaping up to be a magnificent wine. There is a radiance to the 2015 that is impossible to miss. At the same time, it’s wonderfully polished, with more than enough freshness and overall structure to support many years of exceptional drinking. Red stone fruit and expressive floral notes give the wine much of its distinctive personality. The 2015 Montevertine is a real head-turner.”
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “This beautiful wine grabs your attention from the start. Tasted as a barrel sample, the 2015 Montevertine opens to a rich and beautifully saturated color. The wine’s density is more extracted and dense, and the aromas are abundantly generous and opulent as a result. Yet, all that excess is carefully contained within the elegant and nuanced approach so perfectly expressed by this historic estate. Blue flower definition with violets and lavender segue to dark fruit, spice and white pepper. The blend is 90% Sangiovese with smaller parts Canaiolo and Colorino. The wine is fermented in cement and then ages in oak for two years. Montevertine sees fruit sourced from the same vineyard that makes Pian del Ciampolo, but fruit here represents a first selection.”
Case-6 Numanthia Numanthia, Toro, Spain 2011 750ML ($379.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Intense aromas of charred, smoky, lemony oak add depth and masculinity to ripe black-fruit scents. Although tough and tannic, this is built like a fortress. Flavors of black pepper, dark chocolate and blackberry finish with complex notes of cocoa and herbs. Drink this currently young and tannic Toro through 2030.”
James Suckling 93 points “Very pretty, balanced red with lead-pencil, berry and floral character on the nose and palate. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Refined and clean. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Cola and balsamic notes accent plum, sanguine, tobacco and licorice flavors in this savory red. Dense, with muscular tannins and balsamic acidity, but the floral and spicy finish shows some grace. Drink now through 2025. 6,500 cases made.”
The average price is $55
“The 2015s are the finest wines I’ve tasted from this estate since the 2010s, and if anything, the wines appear to be slightly more balanced and polished, with less obvious oak. The 2016s are less showy, yet have very classic, balanced profiles, and this is unquestionably another good vintage for this estate, which appears to be firing on all cylinders.” –Jeb Dunnuck
Delas is one of the most important producers in the Northern Rhone, with holdings in some of the best vineyards in every major AOC. Delas makes wines that are powerful and impressive, with density and richness a hallmark of both the reds and the whites—there are no shrinking violets in the lineup. The St. Joseph is among the more structured, age-worthy examples to come of the region and a fantastic deal for age-worthy Syrah. Don’t miss the greatest value in their lineup: the Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes. Vintage-in, vintage-out, this is always one of the best values in Hermitage, especially when most wines average around $100/bottle. When you consider that the latest release is one of the greatest vintages in Rhone history, 2015, it becomes one of the most remarkable values in the wine world.
Arriving in December:
“well worth a case purchase”-Jeb Dunnuck
Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes-Marquise de la Tourette, Rhone 2015 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Delas Freres Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes-Marquise de la Tourette, Rhone 2015 750ML ($479.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $61.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is loaded with well-defined loganberry, blackberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit flavors, flecked with anise and black tea notes and carried by a fine iron streak that lingers wonderfully. A wine of cut, purity and precision. Best from 2020 through 2035. From France.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “A blend of Syrah grapes from several lieux-dits, including Les Bessards, the 2015 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes is aged in new and second use barrels. It’s a dark, concentrated wine, meaty, rich and tannic but with a bright beam of cassis fruit that lifts it and gives it great definition and shape on the palate. Give this medium to full-bodied wine at least 5 years in the cellar and drink it over the next 15.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “While the Les Bessards gets all the attention, the 2015 Hermitage Domaine Des Tourettes isn’t far behind and is unquestionably the value play. Beef blood, cassis, blackberry liqueur and loads of crushed rock nuances all emerge from this ripe, concentrated, full-bodied Hermitage that has a classic, structured profile. It’s well worth a case purchase and will keep for two to three decades. As always, this cuvée comes from two parcels, the lower part of the Bessards lieu-dit and the Les Grandes Vignes located at the highest point on Hermitage Hill. It’s completely destemmed and sees 16 months in 30% new French oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Enticing hints of sweet spice, black pepper and bacon fat seduce on the nose of this rich but balanced Hermitage. Blackberry and cherry flavors are fresh and juicy but structured by firm tannins and brisk acidity. A polished wine already, it should intensify its savory, smoky complexities well through 2030.”
“among the best in Saint Joseph” -Wine Advocate
Delas Freres Saint Joseph Sainte Epine, Rhone 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Dark and winey, featuring a deep core of red and black currant fruit steeped gently with anise and apple wood notes. The finish lets a bright iron edge run through. There’s lots to like here. Drink now through 2026. 500 cases made.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95+ points “The 2016 Saint Joseph Sainte Epine comes from the cool, fine, granite soils of the Sainte Epine lieu-dit located just outside of Saint-Jean-de-Muzols. Its deep purple color is followed by a sensational perfume of crème de cassis, black pepper, graphite and crushed flowers. Full-bodied, elegant and seamless, with incredible purity, it’s going to be one of the superstars of the vintage.”
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The Delas wines are among the best in Saint Joseph, and the 2016 Saint Joseph Sainte-Epine doesn’t miss a beat. It shows spicy-herbal complexity on the nose, combined with ripe black cherries. Medium to full-bodied, it’s supple, plush and long. It should be a beauty, capable of rivaling the impressive 2015.”
The next best price is $75In Stock Now from Delas Freres:
