Friday Arrivals: Champagne by Christophe Mignon; Zind-Humbrecht Alsace; Domaine Drouhin Oregon & Roserock; Long Shadows Gift Box; Sales on Domaine de Montille; Muller-Catoir Re-Cap; VinopolPicks Round One: New World; More November Sales: Reynvaan, Remoissenet, Deiss, Pichler…
It’s Champagne Season!
Christophe Mignon
Arriving Friday
Christophe Mignon Brut Pur Meunier, Champagne 2010 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 Points “Mignon’s 2010 Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs Pur Meunier is fabulous. Bright, focused and energetic, the 2010 Pur Meunier is endowed with real class. The flavors are bright and focused, but it is the wine’s multi-dimensional personality that truly stands out. There is a sense of verticality supported by beams of minerality that is simply compelling. This is the single finest Champagne I have tasted from Christophe Mignon so far. The 2010 emerges from parcels in Festigny and Le Breuil planted in 1976. Bottled with no dosage.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Only 14 bottles remain unsold
Christophe Mignon Brut Nature Pur Meunier, Champagne 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
This zero dosage 100% Pinot Meunier cuvée is a stunner. Beautiful, expressive nose of red fruits and faint floral aromas. Rich on the palate with balanced acidity, taut minerality and a super dry finish.
Christophe Mignon Brut Rose Pur Meunier, Champagne 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
This 100% Pinot Meunier Rose is fresh and lively with very fine bubbles. Cutrus and hints of caramel dominate the palate of this layered and extremely elegant rose.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $62
More Outstanding Wines Arriving Friday:
Zind Humbrecht
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg de Turckheim Vieilles Vignes Vendange Tardive, Alsace 2011 750ML ($69.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg de Turckheim Vieilles Vignes Vendange Tardive, Alsace 2011 750ML ($719.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 95 points “Lacy in texture and seamlessly integrated, this off-dry, lightly honeyed version features racy acidity, providing fine balance and enlivening notes of mango puree, lychee, grapefruit granita, honeycomb and apricot. Hints of smoke and wax linger on the lush, mineral-driven finish. Drink now through 2030. 40 cases imported.”
These bottles arriving directly from the Domaine cellar!
Best ever price in the USA!
The next best price is for the half-bottle: $34.96
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Thann, Alsace 2013 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Vibrant and zesty, a medium-bodied white with racy acidity reined in by the well-knit flavor range of yellow peach, candied pink grapefruit zest, blanched almond and ground pink peppercorn notes. The dense, mouthwatering finish echoes a streak of smoky minerality. Drink now through 2028. 350 cases made.”
VinopolNote: Average vine age is 30 years. Vineyard is south facing with a very steep slope. Soil is sedimentary volcanic rocks.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Thann, Alsace 2013 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Lip-smacking acidity keeps this medium-bodied Pinot Gris lithe and light on its feet, offering a minerally underpinning and a hint of salinity accenting the palate of crunchy white peach, Mandarin orange, pickled ginger and pink grapefruit zest. Drink now through 2028. 140 cases made.”
VinopolNote: Average vine age is 29 years. Vineyard is south facing with a very steep slope. Soil is sedimentary volcanic rocks.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Calcaire, Alsace 2012 750ML ($41.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “A seamless white, light-weight and silky in texture, with mouthwatering acidity enlivening the subtly honeyed flavors of peach skin, orange sorbet and ground ginger, all underscored by rich, minerally notes of stone and smoke that echo on the finish. Drink now through 2029. 500 cases made.”
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Calcaire, Alsace 2012 750ML ($49.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “A lithe Pinot Gris, with juicy acidity and zesty accents of citrus peel and ground spice enlivening the well-knit flavors of slivered almond, apricot, sea salt and honeysuckle. Offers a lasting, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2024. 800 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $46
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Rotenberg, Alsace 2012 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A high-altitude vineyard has produced this delicious, crisp and cool wine. While it has weight and rich fruit, it’s the enticing acidity that sets this wine apart. There’s a poise to this wine that gives style while not losing any depth of apple, pear and spice flavors. Drink from 2017.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Crackling acidity defines this linear Pinot Gris, layered with stony minerality and offering a sleek mix of crunchy pear, honey, grapefruit zest, verbena and nut flavors. Finely balanced. Drink now through 2024. 260 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $54
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer Herrenweg de Turckheim, Alsace 2012 750ML ($49.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “By rights, the Herrenweg vineyard in Turckheim should be a Grand Cru. Certainly in the hands of Zind-Humbrecht it behaves like one. This is a powerful, rich and totally spicy wine. It has weight and pepper in abundance, a complex wine that’s full of ripe fruits and an opulent aftertaste. Drink from 2017.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Compact, with firm cut, this offers tightly meshed flavors of white peach, beeswax, pickled ginger and crystallized honey, with a stony mineral undertow that pushes through on the finish. Accessible now, but should open up with short-term cellaring. Drink now through 2027. 1,050 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $46.99
The average price is $49
Domaine Drouhin in Oregon
Arriving Friday
Burgundians making wine in the Willamette Valley have suddenly become commonplace, but back in the late 1980s Burgundy had little interest in Oregon. The Drouhin family, however, recognized Oregon’s winegrowing potential early, thanks to visits with pioneers like the Letts and Adelsheims, and bought Dundee Hills land in 1987. For close to three decades now, Domaine Drouhin Oregon has made Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their 124 acres of densely-planted, sustainably-farmed vines. The wines represent some of Oregon’s finest, in either color. Finesse, restraint, and aromatic beauty define DDO. To everyone’s benefit, the Drouhins recently acquired vineyards in the cooler Eola-Amity AVA, which puts their signature on a distinct Willamette Valley terroir. Each of DDO’s wines impresses year after year—all that experience both in Burgundy and in the Dundee Hills pays off out here in Oregon.
Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($219.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points “This is such a lively white with ripe fruit, mangoes and limes. Then it turns to a salt character. Medium-to full-bodied, racy and intense. Fresh, citrusy finish. Drink now.”
Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($47.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($299.95) $209 pre-arrival special (that’s only $34.83/bottle!)
James Suckling 94 points “There’s a focus and precision to this pinot with refined tannins and beautiful fruit. A medium to full body characterised a firm, polished and tight center palate of fruit and tannins. Drink now.”
Domaine Drouhin Roserock Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Domaine Drouhin Roserock Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2014 1.5L ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “This is the first vintage of this wine. Shows intensity and balanced and beautiful fruit. Medium-to full-bodied, silky and beautiful. A really velvety and round texture to this. Drink or hold.”
Long Shadows Gift Box
The Perfect Gift
(For Yourself or Someone Else!)
Long Shadows Gift Box 2014
Arriving November 18th
Case-6 Long Shadows Vintners Collection, Columbia Valley, USA 2014 750ML ($449.95) $333 pre-arrival special
Note: Contains one 750ML bottle each of Long Shadows’ six acclaimed red wines, packaged together in a beautifully etched wood box:
Pirouette: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the Wahluke Slope, Sagemoor’s Old Vine and Red Mountain Vineyards with Merlot from the estate Benches Vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills. Richly layered and complex, the wine is unfiltered and unfined to allow for a generous spectrum of aromas and flavors including black cherry, sweet spices and a hint of earth. The wine’s refined texture provides a seductive mouth feel and lengthy finish.
Feather: Randy Dunn selects the Cabernet Sauvignon the Feather from a diversity of sites: the estate Benches Vineyards for dark fruit and earthiness, the Wahluke Slope for structure and ripe tannins, and two of Washington State’s oldest vineyards, Weinbau and Dionysus, for complexity. The wine is concentrated and beautifully balanced; Feather might best be described as ‘an iron fist in a velvet glove.’ This incredibly complex wine offers an array of fresh berry aromas, complimented by spicy, dark cherry and dried current flavors that persist on the palate.
Pedestal: Produced by one of the world’s most famous winemakers, Michel Rolland. Rolland selects the Merlot from the Conner Lee and Dionysus Vineyards as well as from the estate Benches Vineyards to produce an unusually complex Merlot. Tapteil Vineyards Cabernet from Red Moutain gives it its strength and extra richness. The wine shows intense, fruit-forward notes, bursting with fresh blueberries, ripe plum, cedar and spice. Good concentration in the wine adds to its pleasing mouth feel; balanced acidity enhances its appeal. Supple tannins are well-integrated on the entry, across the mid-palate and throughout a long, layered finish.
Sequel: John Duval, formerly the the iconic Penfolds Grange, chose the Columbia Valley as his “Sequel” for the continuation of his life’s work with Syrah. He uses grapes from the Benches Vineyard for its dark flavored fruit, the Red Mountain Vineyard adds structure, and Boushey Vineyards add elegance. A generous and concentrated wine of great character, Sequel is notable for its deep purple hue, rich aromatics and layers of flavor. Almond, dark chocolate and cherry notes fill the glass, complemented by hints of black licorice, blackberry, cocoa powder and a touch of smoke.
Saggi: Father and son team Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari teamed up to produce a wine that showcases Washington’s terroir with plenty of Italian character. Saggi, meaning ‘wisdom,’ is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Syrah. The Folonaris selected Sangiovese from a 1993 planting at Boushey Vineyard which provides delicate flavors and silky tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon from Stone Tree Vineyard and Syrah from Bacchus and Boushey Vineyards enhance the wine’s refined texture. Dark cherry aromas and raspberry flavors combine with a hint of nutmeg and smoky earthiness. An elegant entry in the front of the mouth reveals refined tannins with focused concentration, enhanced by the wine’s rich and supple mouth feel.
Chester-Kidder: Allen Shoup selected winemaker Gilles Nicault to produce his vision of a wine that says “this is how good Washington wine can be.” The back bone of this wine is Cabernet from Walla Walla and nearby Candy Mountain. Its deepness and darkness is Syrah from the estate’s Benches Vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills. Finally, a unique complexity is produced by the Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc from the Sagemoor farms. Aromas of dried figs and cocoa powder, along with hints of tamarind and toasty oak are followed by intense violent and blueberry jam flavors beautifully integrated around a spicy core.
Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Welcome to the club, Colorado!
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado! Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25.
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
Domaine de Montille Sale
The Côte de Beaune hardly hosts a better-known name than de Montille. It’s as if the family of archetypical Burgundian vignerons arose from the earth of Volnay centuries ago. The late Hubert de Montille helped make the domaine famous for its classic style of age-worthy Burgundy, but now his son and daughter make the wines. Low yields and partial whole-cluster fermentation remain the norm, but the modern de Montille reds have softer tannins, are more aromatic, and they don’t require as much cellar time as before. Few other wines from Beaune, Pommard, and Volnay speak of their terroir and of Burgundian culture like de Montille wines do. These are very fine, hard to find, Burgundy.
We’ve cut prices on 22 wines from Domaine de Montille
Don’t miss your opportunity for a great deal!
Here are a few to ponder…
Domaine de Montille Les Sizies, Beaune Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($79.95) $49 special
Burghound 89-91 Points “An expressive and relatively deeply pitched nose is composed by notes of dark currant, earth, violets and forest floor. There is solid density and intensity to the vibrant, detailed and lightly mineral-inflected medium weight flavors that exhibit only a touch of austerity on the finish. The tannins are angular but ripe and this should reward mid-term cellaring.”
Domaine de Montille Les Mitans, Volnay Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($129.95) $79 special
Stephen Tanzer 90-92 Points “(100% vendange entier; 20% new oak; small, concentrated berries from old vines): Good medium red. Lovely subtle perfume of cherry and raspberry liqueur lifted by a peppery element. Sweet, dense and lively but restrained on the palate, with distinctly dark flavors of blueberry, licorice and bitter chocolate. The brooding finish features broad, palate-coating tannins. I like the peppery stem element here as it contributes energy without overpowering the wine’s fruit.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $115
Domaine de Montille Aux Thorey, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($119.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 91-93 Points “The 2013 Nuits St Georges Aux Thorey, which is two-thirds whole-cluster fruit and 50% new oak, has a more modern, opulent bouquet compared to the Volnay and Pommard ‘13s previously: quite lush blackcurrant and iodine scents coming through with aeration. The palate is rounded and supple in the mouth, the new wood adroitly assimilated with the fruit and lending weight toward the harmonious finish. There is also an attractive spicy, lemongrass note on the aftertaste. This is showing great potential.”
Domaine de Montille Les Pezerolles, Pommard Premier Cru 2009 750ML ($179.95) $128 special
Antonio Galloni 93 Points “The 2009 Pommard Les Pezerolles is rich, round and seductive. Layers of fruit caress the palate in this enveloping, textured Burgundy. There is plenty of intensity in the glass. Hints of hard candy and licorice wrap around the finish. The Pezerolles was made with 100% destemmed fruit. Although I like the wine’s frank immediacy, I also think it will age gracefully.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $141
Muller-Catoir 2015 Re-Cap
Arriving February 2017
Every wine region in the world has one or two estates that immediately come to mind when you hear the name of the region. Chateau Margaux in Margaux, Romanee-Conti in Vosne-Romanee, and Donnhoff in the Nahe and Muller-Catoir occupies that space in the Pfalz in Germany. A historic name that continues to make excellent wines, these are some of the finest in Germany and from a vintage that’s one of the best in years.
The Pfalz is a unique region in Germany in that wineries there focused on powerful dry wines long before it was fashionable to do so in the rest of the country. Most of the wines we’re highlighting today are dry and are some of the best values in the world for breathtakingly mineral wines. Muller-Catoir owns some of the best vineyards in the region and has a special touch with both those and some absolutely breathtaking Auslese (which we scored a small quantity of, as well!)
Müller-Catoir Riesling Trocken Haardter Bürgergarten Im Breumel VDP Grosse Lage Pfalz 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Müller-Catoir Riesling Trocken Haardter Bürgergarten Im Breumel VDP Grosse Lage Pfalz 2015 3L ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2015 Riesling Trocken Haardter Bürgergarten Im Breumel VDP Grosse Lage offers a beautifully pure and stony bouquet of bright yellow fruits and lemon aromas, and comes along almost like a perfume. On the palate, this is a highly elegant and well-balanced Riesling cru with a compact and mineral structure, great finesse and a very persistent salinity in the finish. The wine reveals a well-dosed power and concentration, as well as a great elegance and harmony. It should be aged for at least five years.”
Muller-Catoir Haardter Herrenletten Trocken Pfalz 2015 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2015 Riesling Trocken Haardter Herrenletten VDP Erste Lage has a lovely bouquet that reflects the small chalk stripe in the vineyard, which gives a wet and smoky stone fruit flavor, along with some lemon and herbal aromas. The wine is round and elegant on the palate, almost mouth-fillingly fruity and reveals a seductive concentration and intensity; it also has a refined acidity structure on the palate. It is richer and more generous than the Bürgergarten, but with concentrated fruit. This is very long and intensely mineral Riesling. It is one of the best Herrenletten I have ever tasted at this domaine. Spectacular!”
Muller-Catoir Haardter Riesling Trocken, Pfalz 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2015 Pfalz Riesling Trocken Haardt has a deep and intense Riesling flavors that reflects the deeper soils of the vineyards in the Haardt slopes. The nose is discreet in its white stone fruit aromas, but deep, intense, really clear and fresh. On the palate, this is a very straight, firm and pure Riesling with a lot of grip and tension. However, it needs more time to develop its charm. The mineral length and compact structure is already impressive though.”
Muller-Catoir Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten Riesling Auslese Pfalz 2015 375ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2015 Riesling Auslese Gimmeldinger Mandelgarten is super pure and fine on the nobly concentrated, stony nose with its honey and bright fruit aromas. Rich, sweet, lush and piquant on the palate, this is an excellent Auslese with great finesse and a lingering piquancy. Despite its sweetness, this is a very stimulating and pure Auslese with great ageing potential.”
Back to the Here and Now
First in a Vinopolis Tour of the World’s Great Wines
VINOPOLPICKS ROUND 1—NEW WORLD
South America:
Achaval Ferrer Quimera Mendoza 2012 750ML ($39.95) $21.90 special
Case-6 Achaval Ferrer Quimera Mendoza 2012 750ML ($199.95) $119 special
James Suckling 93 Points “There’s a minerality and intensity to this wine with limestone and salt. Full-bodied yet so refined. Sexy and beautiful. Mostly malbec with cabernet franc, merlot and a bit of petit verdot. Drink or hold.”
Montsecano Refugio Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
James Suckling 93 Points “Cedar, strawberry, flower, light iodine, and oyster shell. Medium to full body, silk tannins and a juicy finish. Shows soul. From Alsace’s Andrew Ostertag and Julio Donoso. Drink now. Made from biodynamic grown grapes. (5/12/16)”
Michelini Bros Superuco Calcareo ‘Coluvio de Altamira’ Malbec San Carlos 2013 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2013 Calcáreo Coluvio de Altamira is closed and tight, feeling the most austere and chalk-driven of the three reds I tasted form the Calcáreo line. The grapes are selected from a small part of the vineyard where the calcium carbonate is seen in the surface. It’s a serious, balanced and terribly salty and mineral red with the violets of Malbec intermixed with crushed rocks and even a marine feeling to it. Complex, subtle, elegant… terrific! And very affordable too. 3,000 bottles produced, the content of the amphora.”
Michelini Bros Superuco Calcareo ‘Rio de los Chacayes’ Malbec Tunuyan 2013 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 93 Points “The 2013 Calcáreo Río de los Chacayes is sourced from the Chacayes zone of Tunuyán on top of Vista Flores towards the mountains. It has a riper, spicier, floral, and aromatic profile with notes of thyme and rosemary. It is the most extroverted of the three, and also feels quite polished. The palate, however, is more serious, with the austerity of the rocks, a very fine thread of subtle acidity and a long, long, long finish with sweeter tannins. It’s a rolling stone covered in chalk and surrounded by thyme. Awesome!”
Bodega Tapiz ‘Zolo’ Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Uco Valley 2013 750ML ($21.95) $16 special
James Suckling 93 Points “Dried blackberry and blueberry character on the nose with hints of spice. Full body, dense and powerful fruit and tannins, yet remains firm and fresh. Chewy and structured.”
Zorzal Eggo Blanc de Cal, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 special
Wine Advocate 92 Points “The 2014 Eggo Blanc de Cal is pure Sauvignon Blanc from two different vineyards in Gualtallary. The full clusters are pressed and the must was fermented and aged in contact with the lees for nine to ten months in their famous egg-shaped cement vats. This is more subtle and earthy, less Sauvignon, with the fruit expressing itself in a lower-pitched voice, more of a baritone. It’s also has a little wider, pungent and powerful character in the mouth. This is only around 13% alcohol, and even though in 2014 it didn’t go through malolactic fermentation, it’s still a very light and fresh wine. Groundbreaking Sauvignon.”
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza Tupungato 2014 750ML ($39.95) $26 special
Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2014 Eggo Tinto de Tiza is a blend from three different vineyards in Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It’s a blend of mostly Malbec with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. As is the case with the whole Eggo range, the wine didn’t see any oak, and in this case it was matured in egg-shaped cement vats for one year. There are violets, plums, dark cherries and something earthy. This is slightly riper than the 2013. The medium-bodied palate has is fresh with a silky texture, pure flavors and a mineral-driven finish. At this price I’d buy it by the case. Super!”
Australia:
The Colonial Estate Exile Shiraz Barossa Valley 2002 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Robert Parker 95 Points “Even more intense than the 2003, the 2002 Exile is a superb example of this fabulous vintage in Barossa. Black/purple-colored with sensational purity, a blackberry liqueur, cassis intensity, and beautifully integrated wood, alcohol, and tannin, this large yet brilliantly balanced effort can be drunk now, but promises to age effortlessly for 10-15 years.”
Mollydooker Enchanted Path Shiraz – Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Spectator 93 Points “Spicy, wild strawberry flavors are lush and generous, with cinnamon and cigar box aromas. The focused complexity gains traction on the finish, where the tannins firm up. Drink now through 2030.”
Penfolds Grange Bin 95 Australia 1999 750ML ($399.95) $359 special
Wine Spectator 94 Points “Not quite as broad and generous as riper vintages, but tremendously classy, offering smoky, earthy blackberry, plum and currant fruit that compete effectively against cedary oak on the long finish. The flavors gain with each sip, fanning out impressively. It’s tight now, but it could age beautifully.”
Two Hands Wines Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale 2013 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 91 Points “Firm in texture, this savory style wraps a moderate grip of tannins around orange peel—accented black fruit and tar flavors, coming together on the focused, expressive and seductive finish. Drink now through 2020.”
California:
Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Brut Cuvee Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 89 Points “Soft and delicate, this glides toward rich complexity, offering notes of fresh vanilla, creamy apple, pear and lingering spice.”
Bedrock Wine Co. ‘The Bedrock Heritage’ Wine Sonoma Valley 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 94+ Points “The 2013 Bedrock Heritage Wine is one of the most intriguing wines in the range. Smoke, cedar, tobacco and a host of savory notes meld together in a powerful yet nuanced wines built on delineation and energy. Even with all of its intensity, the 2013 remains lifted, floral and light on its feet for such a big wine. This is by far the most polished and refined wine I have tasted from the Bedrock Vineyard, where the wines have often been much riper and bigger.”
Bootleg Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($39.95) $29 special
Robert Parker 90 Points “An intriguing offering from the Jackson family, the 2012 Proprietary Red this innovative blend of 36% Merlot, 20% Petite Sirah, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Syrah and Zinfandel is outstanding. The wine comes from multiple vineyards in Northern California in Napa Valley and is a reasonably good-sized cuvée of 5,000 cases. The wine shows plenty of peppery, meaty, blackcurrant fruit, sweet cherries, loamy soil undertones, plenty of licorice and spice box. This is a very Mediterranean styled, deep, fleshy red wine to drink over the next 2-3 years.”
Mount Eden Vineyards ‘Domaine Eden’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains 2012 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special
Antonio Galloni 92 Points “Domaine Eden’s Cabernet Sauvignon remains one of the real undiscovered gems in California. Plump, juicy and exuberant, the 2012 offers gorgeous breath and intensity throughout. Red-fleshed fruit, sweet spices, mocha and flowers are all pushed forward. The interplay of expressive, pliant fruit and classic structure is compelling. Readers can look forward to another decade or so of fine drinking.”
Mount Eden Vineyards ‘Domaine Eden’ Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 2013 750ML ($37.95) $28 special
Antonio Galloni 93 Points “Domaine Eden’s 2013 Chardonnay is subtle, poised and gracious to the core. Dried pear, dried flowers, sage, mint and chamomile grace the palate in this understated, exquisite Chardonnay. Hints of smoke, slate and dried pear reappear on the super-classic, expressive finish. What a gorgeous wine this is. Quite simply, the 2013 Domaine Eden Chardonnay is a tremendous wine for the money. In 2013, the blend is approximately 72% declassified Mt. Eden juice and 28% wine from the Domaine Eden estate proper.”
DuMOL Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2014 750ML ($61.95) $53.50 special
Antonio Galloni 91-94 Points “The 2014 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard is endowed with a real sense of phenolic weight and richness. Deep, creamy and beautifully layered throughout, the 2014 is all about texture at this stage. Today, the wine is embryonic. This tightly-spaced vineyard yields wines of density and volume, and that is exactly what comes through here. Like all of the 2014s, the Estate offers tremendous freshness and energy.”
DuMOL Russian River Valley Syrah Sonoma County 2012 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Pure, rich and layered, with dense, mocha-laced blackberry, black licorice, dill, anise and cedar notes. The flavors keep unraveling, ending with a long, sustained finish. Best from 2015 through 2028.”
Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($299.95) $239 special
Robert Parker 91 Points “The 2014 Chardonnay is a non-malolactic 100% Chardonnay that’s 45% barrel-fermented. The wine is sensational. There are nearly 10,000 cases of this wine, which shows loads of white peach, honeysuckle, green apple and melon notes in a distinctive, clean, steely Chablis-like style. There is some tropical fruit, such as pineapple, but the overall character is one of great acid, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and no real oak influence. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.”
Inman Family Wines OGV Olivet Grange Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2010 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer—Vinous Media 93 Points “(made with one-half whole clusters and 12.5% alcohol): Bright ruby-red. A heady, spice-accented bouquet displays scents of strawberry preserves, potpourri and incense, complemented by a lively note of white pepper. Silky, spicy and lithe, with an alluring sweetness and bright mineral cut to its intense red fruit and floral pastille flavors. Pure and seamless pinot, with great upfront appeal and a delicacy that hearkens to the Old World. The “OGV” here stands for Olivet Grange Vineyard, the Inmans’ home property. They are unable to use the word “Grange” in the wine name because of legal challenges.”
Round Pond Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Robert Parker 92 Points “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec, is a beauty. It’s also realistically priced by Napa standards. The wine reveals toasty oak, blackberry and cassis fruit, beautiful texture, purity and length. This is a big-time winner and should drink well for 12-15 years.”
Oregon:
Ayoub Thistle Vineyard Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2013 750ML ($59.95) $47 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 Points “Bright, tart fruit conjures up fresh raspberries and cranberries, with potent acids and light hints of metal shavings and dried leaves. A lovely wisp of cinnamon toast elevates the finish.”
Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2011 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Stephen Tanzer—Vinous Media 92 Points “Bright, hazy red. Assertive smoke- and spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, sassafras and incense. Supple, tangy and sharply focused on entry, then broader in the middle, offering smoky cherry, blood orange and dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter herbs. Shows a refreshingly tangy quality on the finish, which clings with outstanding tenacity and no obvious tannins. Distinctly elegant in style, showing the best attributes of this cool vintage.”
Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot Noir Dundee Hills 2012 750ML ($39.95) $36 special
Josh Raynolds—Vinous Media 93 Points “Brilliant ruby-red. Powerful smoke- and spice-accented red berry preserve and floral pastille scents show wonderful clarity, picking up notes of sassafras and cola with air. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering juicy black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors that show an alluring spiciness and a touch of candied rose. This weighty yet lithe wine finishes with excellent thrust and smooth, slowly building tannins. The 2011 rendition of this wine is very tightly wound right now and in need of at least another five years of cellaring, by the way.”
Bergstrom Wines Old Stones Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2013 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
James Suckling 93 Points “A pretty chardonnay full of green apples, citrus and wet-stone undertones. The palate shows dried fruits, lively acidity and a flavorful finish. Drink now.”
Brick House Vineyards Select Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
James Suckling 93 Points “Dried fruit with strawberry and plum undertones. Crushed stones and tea leaves in the background. Medium to full body, velvety tannins and a long and savory finish. Shows intensity and panache. Drink or hold.”
Franchere Zena Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills 2014 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note: “Vineyard leased and farmed by Franchere – no herbicides or systemic fungicides. Southeastern slope on marine sedimentary soils. Structured, elegant, and complex.”
Franchere Havlin Vineyard Syrah, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery note: Sinewy, energetic, savory, ageable. Phenolic ripeness occurs at low brix thanks to the shallow marine sedimentary soil and bedrock of near-solid ironstone.”
J. Christopher Olenik Vineyard Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains 2013 750ML ($47.95) $41.90 special
Wine & Spirits 93 Points—Top Oregon Artisan Estate in 2016—“Somers harvested only one vineyard before the rains in 2013: Olenik, a warm, rocky site in the Chehalem Mountains. Olenik was J. Christopher’s top-scoring wine this year, possessing a humus-like spice, and a rocky mineral grip that lends complexity to a fresh, delicate red.”
Johan Vineyards Estate Gruner Veltliner Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
John Gilman 93 Points “The 2014 Grüner Veltliner from Johan Vineyards is barrel-fermented and comes in at a very civilized 11.8 percent alcohol in this vintage. The wine offers up a really lovely nose of apple, pink grapefruit, a nice touch of the varietal’s herbal complications (mostly fresh rosemary), really lovely soil tones, citrus peel and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and complex, with excellent acids, an impressive core of fruit and lovely transparency on the long, poised and perfectly balanced finish. This is an utterly complete and compelling wine at a very low and enjoyable alcohol level. It is one of the most impressive examples of Grüner Veltliner I have tasted in several years, with the palate impact of a wine a couple of points higher in octane. This is eye-opening juice!”
Washington:
Dunham Cellars Lewis Estate Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley 2011 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 94 Points “Another terrific effort, and one of the strongest Syrahs in the vintage, the 2011 Syrah Lewis Vineyard is 100% Syrah that spent 30 months in 90% new French oak, which you’d never know by tasting it. Gorgeous blackberry, blueberry, wild herbs, licorice, chocolate and hints of crushed rock all emerge from this beauty, and it flows onto the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity and a seamless, elegant profile. It’s enjoyable now, but will shine for another decade at least as well.”
Cadence Winery Tapteil Vineyard Red Columbia Valley 2012 750ML ($54.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer—Vinous Media 93+ Points “Bright ruby-red. Red berries, cocoa powder and licorice on the nose. Tightly wound and youthfully imploded, conveying an impression of density without weight. Dark fruit and mineral flavors show terrific lift but are extremely backward in the early going. “Drink this with a big steak or hold it for four years,” suggests Ben Smith, adding that the 1999 Tapteil is great right now. Finishes with a firm tannic spine and outstanding subtle length and lift. This wine was aged in 40% new oak and was racked a total of just three times. Incidentally, I also got an early look at the 2013 Tapteil, and that impressively intense wine may need even longer aging than the ’12, due in part to its higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Fidelitas Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 94 Points “One of my favorite vineyards in Red Mountain is Ciel du Cheval, and this site always seems to impart a subtle floral quality, which is certainly present in the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Ciel du Cheval Vineyard. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in 47% new French, and 14% new American oak, it offers terrific notes of crushed flowers, violets, cassis and black raspberries. Full-bodied, voluptuous and layered, with a great mid-palate and building, fine tannin, this rock-star Cabernet can be drunk now or cellared for a decade.”
Gorman Winery Old Scratch Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain 2014 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Wine Spectator 93 Points “Broad and spicy, with a minerally accent to the black cherry and plum flavors, blanketed with fine tannins. The flavors emerge on the finish and persist. Best from 2018 through 2024.”
Charles Smith K Vintners ‘El Jefe’ Stoneridge Vineyard Tempranillo 2013 750ML ($69.95) $56.50 special
Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 100% varietal 2013 El Jefe Tempranillo Stoneridge Vineyard (23 months in 40% new oak) is another terrific example of this variety in Washington, and while there’s not many Tempranillo based releases out there, the ones that are, are seriously good. This 2013 gives up lots of darker fruits (black currants maybe), lots of spicy oak, toasted spice and licorice to go with a full-bodied, elegant, sexy profile on the palate. It continues to open up with time in the glass, and the tannin, while present, are incredibly polished and perfectly ripe. Feel free to drink bottles anytime over the coming decade.”
Latta Northridge Vineyard Malbec Wahluke Slope 2011 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 95 Points “Rock star stuff, especially in the vintage, the 2011 Malbec Northridge Vineyard gives up classic blackberry, pepper and assorted flowers and spice aromas and flavors to go with a full-bodied, seamless and elegant feel on the palate. Gaining more than one “awesome” in my notes, this should not be missed by any Washington State wine lover. This is a new project by Charles Smith winemaker Andrew Latta, and the wines are awesome across the board. This is one bandwagon to get on. His 2011 Malbec is the best example of the variety I’ve tasted from Washington.”
Charles Smith ‘Sixto’ Moxee Chardonnay, Washington State 2012 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 93 Points “The 2012 Chardonnay Moxee Vineyard comes from a site that lies at 1,400 feet in elevation and a mix of basalt and limestone soils. More exotic than the Frenchman Hills Chardonnay, with lots of chamomile, lemon, spice and toasty notes, it has lively acidity, plenty of texture and a clean, brilliantly focused finish. It’s another terrific Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming couple of years.”
Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine, Columbia Valley 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Winery Notes–“The 2014 Quilceda Creek “CVR” Columbia Valley Red Wine is a blend of declassified lots that did not make it into our flagship wines. Having this strict selection allows our best wines to compete at the highest level on a global scale. The resulting wine is filled with satisfying black and red fruits, smoke, spice and minerals. The “CVR” is an exciting preview into the 2014’s which are historic wines in the making. This blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec will best be enjoyed over the next 15 years. From the Champoux, Palengat, Tapteil, and Wallula Gap Vineyards. Aged in 100% French Oak.”
Ongoing November Sales
Here Today, Gone Before You Know It
These deals expire November 30th at midnight.
Reynvaan Family Vineyards The Unnamed Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $66, Now $59 special, 27 bottles available
92-94 Points Wine Advocate “Incorporating 8% Grenache Blanc and from the Rocks region of Walla Walla, the 2014 The Unnamed Syrah offers a unique profile with pretty notes of white peach (from the Grenache Blanc no doubt), dried violets, plums and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied, supple, layered and beautifully balanced, it should shine right out of the gate, yet also evolve gracefully.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $67.44
Remoissenet Pere & Fils Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, 2011 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $179, 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 Points “The 2011 Ruchottes-Chambertin presents a classical expression of lifted, fragrant fruit to match its weightless personality. Today, the 2011 is incredibly expressive, with impeccable balance and a total sense of harmony that is hugely appealing.” AG
Remoissenet Pere & Fils Le Trio, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) Was $79, Now $69, 25 bottles available
93 Points Antonio Galloni “The 2011 Gevrey-Chambertin Le Trio is one of the most direct and focused of the 2011s here. Crushed rocks, graphite, mint and dark red berries are all laced together in a wine that impresses for its sense of harmony. Sweet floral notes add the final layers of nuance.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2011 750ML ($59.95) Was $44.90, Now $39, 36+ bottles available here now
Grapelive 93+ points “It was a pleasure to meet Giavanni Neri and taste through the latest Casanova di Neri wines. Casanova di Neri is one of Italy’s great wineries and a blue chip standard Brunello year after year. The new set of Casanova di Neri is an amazing lineup from the humble Rosso di Neri to the mind-blowing perfection of the 2010 Cerretalto Brunello! Of course, I was most interested in the soon to be released 2011 Brunello offerings, and how they’d compare to the 2010’s. Similar to 2011 Barolo, these wines gained from the warmer summer heat, these are more generous wines with sweeter tannins and will be easy to please in their youth. Casanova di Neri really did a great job here as these Sangiovese Grosso Brunello di Montalcino 2011’s both have balance, depth and vitality. The 2011 Casanova di Neri White Label, the Brunello Normale, is full of flavor, extract and energy with ripe fruit, structure to match and pleasing mouth feel. [It] starts with a touch of graphite/flint, red raspberry, sweet minty herbs, light floral tones and cigar wrapper leading to a full and round palate of blackberry, cherry, spiced plum and wild strawberry fruits along with cedar, black fig, anise and warm stones. The body is lavishly textured, but there is lift and vigor with just enough acidity and fine tannin to frame this spot on Brunello. This will be a sleeper, while most people will chase the top end wines and or keep tracking down 2010’s this looks set to be a great wine that might get overlooked. That will be a mistake: this is one to have and drink over the next decade. It’s very nice stuff.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Casanova di Neri’s 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a very pretty and expressive wine. Sweet red cherry, menthol, rose petal and mint open up first, followed by a touch of blood orange that adds lovely aromatic lift and brightness throughout. Although not especially complex, the 2011 should drink beautifully for at least a handful of years. Today, it is quite pretty and expressive.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “Giacomo Neri has produced a very approachable wine in this warm vintage. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is plump and juicy with loads of dark fruit and mild spice at the back. It doesn’t have the depth or complexity of the gorgeous 2010 vintage, but the wine does a very good job presenting the main traits you look for in Brunello. The fruit is lively and the acidity gives the wine a sense of buoyancy and brightness. The tannins are very well integrated. It doesn’t reach Brunello greatness, but it is a good Brunello.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $53
Casanova di Neri Cerretalto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($379.95) Was $296, Now $279, 14 bottles available
James Suckling 100 points “This is very tannic and powerful with loads of currants, spices and hints of wood. So much stone and mineral character to this. Violets, too. Full-bodied, tight and structured. Massively dense yet agile and bright. It goes on for minutes. Needs at least three or four years to soften. Try in 2020.”
Wine Advocate 99+ points “This is a towering achievement. It is delightful on every level. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto is an expressive, exuberant and stunning wine that opens to a dark ruby color and rich consistency. The bouquet is never-ending with immediate intensity that is followed closely by finely-tuned aromas of black cherry, spice, grilled herb, clove, tobacco, wet earth and white truffle. A gorgeous display of elegant mineral tones rises from the bouquet with time. Later, those aromas turn to cola, licorice and tar. This wine showed an impressive evolution over the 24 hours I tasted it and delivered solid improvements each time. The mouthfeel is silky and smooth, and there’s enough power here to move the wine over the palate in seamless fashion. This is a bottle for the back of your cellar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $294.29
The average price is $342
Domaine Marcel Deiss Huebuhl, Alsace 2008 750ML ($59.95) Was $41.90, Now $39, 15 bottles available
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 92 Points “(pinot gris and muscat) Full orange-gold. Pungent, high-toned aromas of orange, spices and medicinal herbs; conveys a strong botrytis character. A very sweet, energetic fruit bomb in the mouth, with brisk acidity giving grip to the rather exotic flavors of tangerine, apricot, yellow peach, botanical herbs and spices. Big and broad but not heavy. Finishes long, tactile and slightly phenolic, showing its pinot gris side today.” ST
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Monprivato, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($159.95) Was $115, Now $105.75, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 Points “This is expressive, with alluring cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral flavors building to a long, expansive finish. The elegant profile belies the serious structure underneath, which should allow this red to develop over the next 15 to 20 years. Offers fine berry fruit and a minerally aftertaste. Best from 2018 through 2033.”
Jancis Robinson 18/20 Points “Very pale ruby. More stony and liquorice-like than Villero. Brooding concentration but holding back on the nose. Lithe and very elegant palate with amazing tactile and fine tannins. Has the wow factor.”
F.X. Pichler M Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2013 750ML ($99.95) Was $89, Now $79, 24 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 Points “Lucas Pichler’s monumental 2013 Grüner Veltliner Smaragd M opens with an ultra-ripe, concentrated and slightly speck-y yet still precise and even mineral-scented bouquet on the nose. Very rich and intense on the palate, this elegant, full-bodied, densely textured and powerful Veltliner from late-harvested grapes reveals an aromatic and juicy fruit core along with a stunningly vibrant acidity that gives structure, length and a lifting as well as lingering salinity and piquancy. Maracuya and other tropical fruit flavors dominate the aromatic aftertaste. Although I have no experience with matured samples of this Austrian icon Veltliner, I suspect it has an aging potential of 5-10 years and should be cellared at least for another 2 or 3 years.”
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93 Points “Made with fruit from Loibenberg (a 50% share), Kellerberg, Liebenberg, with a small bit of Kollmütz, this installment of “M” enjoyed the longest pre-fermentation skin contact of any Pichler 2013, and was raised in a new large oval, then moved to tank shortly before bottling, which is when I last tasted it. Its impressive features include imposing richness of peach, melon and pineapple; an expansive and flatteringly creamy palate; high-toned inner-mouth allusions to almond extract; peach kernel piquancy; and pronounced smokiness and stoniness that suggest a mingling of Szechuan peppercorn, black tea and ash. The bright, Riesling-like juiciness characteristic of so many Grüner Veltliners from this vintage is absent here. But the finish of this static, statuesque wine (recall that “M,” after all, stands here for “monumental”) glows persistently in its evocation of peach kernel and pepper.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $84
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 375ML ($39.95) Was $28, Now $24, 8 bottles available
Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49, 35 bottles available
Case-12 Weingut Karthauserhof Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs Trocken, Mosel 2013 750ML ($359.95) $269 special
93 Points Wine Advocate “Very clear, discreet and refined on the nose – where the 2013 Eitelsbacher Karthauserhofberg Riesling GG displays fine stone and fruit aromas of lemons and green apples. Lean and vital but also intense, rich and juicy on the palate, this is a lovely pure, straightforward, piquant and very salty expression of the Karthäuserhofberg terroir and the 2013 vintage. This long-distance runner has more fruit intensity than the Edition and reveals a very fine raciness and a complex finish with lingering lemon aromas.” WA
We’re up to 56 wines on sale through the month of November. Here is the complete list:
