New Releases from Cameron; New Arrivals From Brunello, Bordeaux, and Chablis; Trending Wines; Staff Picks; Rodney Strong; Fredric Magnien’s Burgundies; Heymann-Lowenstein’s Mineral Rieslings; Joseph Swan; Gems from Ghemme: Cantolupo’s Brilliance
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New Releases from Cameron Winery
Cameron holds a special place in the heart of anyone who loves Oregon wine. Winemaker John Paul has been making some of the best wines to come out of the Willamette Valley since 1984. The wines have Burgundian sensibilities, in that they age extremely well and have impeccable balance, but they are as ‘Oregon’ as they come. If you were to ask a selection of winemakers here who their top 5 wineries are; Cameron will be in every list.
There are two main vineyards, Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge, both in the Dundee Hills AVA. The Clos (named after the electric deer fence that surrounds the property) makes slightly more powerful wines, while Abbey Ridge (at higher elevation) produces wines with a little more acidity and structure. The whites are complex and intense as well.
Cameron is also notable for being the leading member of the Deep Roots Coalition—an organization of wineries that are committed to dry farming and for being one of the most thoughtful farmers in the valley. In every measurable respect these are some of the finest wines made in the US today, and we’re proud to announce a few new releases from the master.
New Release:
Subscriber-Only Pricing Ends Friday!
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) Listed price: $21.90, Subscriber-Only Pricing: $18 special
VinopolNote: It’s always an incredible deal—this year is no exception. Made mostly from Briscoe Vineyard with some declassified Abbey Ridge and Clos Electrique fruit.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Other New Releases:
Cameron Winery ‘Giovanni’ Pinot Bianco, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
VinopolNote: 80% Pinot Blanc with Chardonnay & Pinot Gris. All Abbey Ridge fruit.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cameron Winery Saignee of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
VinopolNote: Abbey Ridge Dijon clone Pinot with some Pinot Meunier. Aged for 12 months in neutral oak to add texture and soften fruit aromas.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Also In Stock From Cameron:
Cameron Winery Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2015 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 18 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Light bright yellow. Musky pear skin and peach pit scents, along with hints of lemon rind and ginger. Supple and smoky on entry and then tighter in the middle, offering juicy orchard fruit and melon flavors and a touch of bitter citrus fruit. The smoky note repeats on the finish, which hangs on with good, gently spicy persistence.”
Cameron Winery Reserve Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 10 bottles available
VinopolNote: The ‘Reserve’ level of Cameron Chardonnay is an incredible deal. Made of declassified barrels of Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge, so without the new oak that the lower level bottling sees, this wine shows facets of the grace and intensity of Abbey and the Clos without the pricetag of those higher end bottlings. In 2014, all of the Abbey Ridge was moved to this bottling, making it an even better deal than usual.
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 24+ bottles available
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2014 1.5L ($189.95) $159 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2014 Chardonnay Clos Electrique was tasted from barrel, although the final selection was still to be made. It has a stunning, tensile bouquet that ranks alongside many a white Burgundy that I have tasted – wonderful mineralité and tension here, one of the best you will encounter in Oregon. The palate is medium-bodied with fine definition, crisp acidity, hints of brioche tincturing the citrus fruit, a little nutmeg surfacing towards the long and sustained finish. This is a killer Chardonnay that should present many years of pleasure to those savvy enough to grab a few bottles.”
Cameron Winery Pinot Gris Ramato, Dundee Hills 2015 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 12 bottles available
Winery note “Rame: Italian for copper, ramato: copper-colored. Ramato is a copper-colored Pinot grigio made in the tradition of north-eastern Italy. A very tricky wine to pull off. Very limited production.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $35
Cameron Winery Dundee Hills Rouge de Gris, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 11 bottles available
Winery note “We are proud to present 2014 Rouge de Gris, our newest red wine! This wine is dedicated to the late Stanko Radikon and his son, Saša of Radikon Oslavia, who made us realize the potential locked up in the Pinot gris grape. Its nose is respendent with juicy strawberries, bing cherries, violets and a touch of straw. The crisp palate with flavors of umami and ripe and supple fruit tannins make this a truly quaffable red wine. The label honors the Italian plums that were planted on the site by early Oregon settlers prior to its current status as a Pinot gris vineyard at Abbey Ridge. We wish that David Lett were here to see what is possible with Pinot gris!”
Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 10 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2014 Pinot Noir Arley’s Leap has a fresh, vibrant bouquet with blackberry and briary fruit, a little darker than I was expecting, but still extremely well defined and “natural.” The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well-integrated oak, smooth in texture with blackberry, raspberry and hints of vanilla pod towards the well-defined finish. Great potential.”
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 24+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2014 Pinot Noir Abbey Ridge Unfiltered has a crisp and minerally bouquet. Apparently they have decided not to use any Pommard clone here, as it was not providing the density that it usually imparts. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, blackberry and boysenberry fruit, good backbone here, a fine bead of acidity with a very focused, elegant finish that lingers in the mouth. Very fine, very classy.”
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 24+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Pinot Noir Clos Electrique has the most Burgundian bouquet from barrel with gorgeous, detailed brambly red fruit that blossoms from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, finely judged acidity, plenty of redcurrant and raspberry fruit with a harmonious and quite effortless finish that leaves a minerally residue in the mouth. Not powerful, but it does not need to be. This is exquisite Pinot Noir.”
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Just Arrived: Frescobaldi’s Castel Giocondo Brunello
Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $39 special
Case-6 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2011 750ML ($359.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points “A firm, silky red with blueberry, blackberry and mineral aromas. Hints of chocolate. Full body, pretty fruit and a long, flavorful finish. Very refined. A standard-bearer.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “Boasting an elaborate style, the 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a plump, juicy and opulent red wine from southern Tuscany. The wine is packed tight with the sunshine and the brilliant luminosity of its birthplace. The quality of fruit is quite ripe and soft. The tannins are similarly textured. This is an immediate wine that can be consumed within the next few years. Or, if you have the patience to wait, it promises a steady medium-term evolution. The bouquet is redolent of red fruit, cherry cola and grilled herb.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a very pretty wine. Succulent, open-knit and racy, the 2011 offers lovely purity of fruit in a racy, forward style that is best enjoyed sooner rather than later, while the flavors retain their brightness. Sweet red cherry, flowers and spices reappear on the finish, adding a closing burst of energy.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Also Just Arrived:
Vieux Chateau Mazerat, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Robert Parker 95+ points “This is one of the tightest, most backward wines in the Jonathan Malthus portfolio. The grapes come from an old-vine parcel near Angelus and Beausejour-Duffau, and the final product is a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc. Again displaying plenty of minerality, which seems to be a prevailing theme throughout the 2010s from Malthus, the 2010 Vieux Chateau Mazerat is full-bodied, with an abundance of floral notes as well as black currant and blackberry fruit. Impressively endowed and built like a skyscraper, this full-bodied wine needs a good 7-8 years of cellaring and should keep for 25-30 years. Interestingly, the vines were planted in 1947.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $85
William Fevre Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93 points “Pale, green-tinged yellow. Smells riper than the Montmains but also displays pungently fresh iodiney minerality. Densely packed and sweet, with youthful grapefruit and pineapple flavors dominated on the back end by the strong iodiney minerality. Very firm but not austere, this superb premier cru saturates the mouth without leaving any impression of excess weight. Built to age.”
Podere Poggio Scalette Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
James Suckling 92 points “Dried flowers and dark berries come through on the nose. Full body, silky tannins and a bright and fruity finish. Crisp and very, very clean. Almost steely. Very well done this year. Drink now.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2013 Chianti Classico is a delicious wine with a very clean entry to the palate. The wine makes its mark thanks to shapely aromas of dark fruit, dried cherry and plum. The quality of the fruit is evident in the classic 2013 vintage. Clean acidity and bright berry flavors move towards the palate where they are both refreshing and invigorating. This is a great wine to pair with grilled meat or flatbread with smoked bacon or sausage.”
Just Re-Arrived :
Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2009 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
Case-12 Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2009 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
“Owned by the Martin family (who also own Gloria), this dense ruby/plum-colored sleeper of the vintage displays oodles of fruit as well as some notes of Christmas fruitcake and roasted herbs along with loads of cassis. Tasty, round, generous, and ripe, this 2009 has a lot going for it.”–Robert Parker
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2010 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
Case-12 Chateau Bel-Air, Pomerol 2010 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Grapelive 92 points “The vintage shows through here without question, a great year makes this lovely Pomerol a terrific value and wonderfully textured wine from Chateau Bel-Air. This dark and full bodied Pomerol hits all the right notes and does so with class, vitality and verve showing beautiful detail and complexity in a forceful, but elegantly pure Merlot, this is really seductive stuff in the glass, holding it’s own against far more expensive labels with ease and poise. The rich layers of fruit, mineral tones and sweet tannin give decadence and refined structure, highlighting Merlot’s promise in a world that sometimes lacks the respect of this often maligned varietal. Chateau Bel-Air has captured in the bottle the right bank’s charm and beauty in this 2010, it shows terroir, with subtle loamy/earth, plummy dense mouth feel and stylish silken length with a wine that has the potential to age another 10 to 15 years, but is pretty darn good right now too. The lead off here is dark floral tones a hint of smoky cedar and black cherry fruit with blackberry, plum, dark kirsch liqueur along with a touch of mint, dried clay, a touch of cigar wrapper and vanilla. This fine Bordeaux delivers well beyond it’s price and is wonderful with food choices that range from duck breast, lamb, roast pork, wild mushroom dishes to prime rib, and or any comforting winter fare really, and it can also be enjoyed with cheeses or on it’s own. This is the kind of wine that brings you back to Bordeaux, and certainly makes you wonder why you don’t drink more Merlot, drink this Chateau Bel-Air Pomerol from 2016 to 2028.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Trending Wines: Hot Over the Weekend
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “Structured and backward, the 2012 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard offers lots of framboise, black cherries, bouquet garni and spice to go with a full-bodied, seamless, elegant feel on the palate. It picks up more and more tannin with time in the glass, and needs 3-4 years of cellaring, but should keep for 15 years or more.” JD
Substance Cs Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 33 bottles available
Wine Advocate 89-91 points “A wine that sees a native fermentation, 41 days on skins and aging all in French oak, the value-priced 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon over-delivers with its deep purple color, terrific bouquet of violets, black currants and wild herbs; it is full-bodied, supple and downright sexy style on the palate. It’s a no-brainer purchase.”
Substance Cs Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2014 1.5L ($49.95) $39 special, 7 magnums available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The straight 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is outstanding. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, native fermented, aged in French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it’s a killer value that has lots of blue fruits, violets, graphite and leafy herbs in medium to full-bodied, concentrated, layered style. Savvy readers should buy a case of this and drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years, although I see no reason that it won’t keep longer either.”
Thierry Triolet Cuvee Grande Reserve Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(11 g/l dosage): Pale gold. Intense citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complicated by notes of honeysuckle, tarragon and iodine. Chewy tangerine and pear skin flavors become silkier and spicier with aeration. Shows a seductive floral quality on the clinging finish, which features a dusty mineral nuance and a touch of buttered toast.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Agathe Bursin L’As de B, Alsace 2015 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 29 bottles available
VinopolNote: “This wine comes from the lieu-dit Bollenberg and is made from an assortment of grapes that are interplanted and harvested at the same time. Made from a mix of Riesling, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, though the exact blend changes depending on the yields in the vintage. This wine is a delightlful representation of all of the things we love about Bursin, at a crazy price for its quality.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Coeur de Vendanges, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Lurid ruby-red. Pungent raspberry and cherry pit on the fragrant nose, with hints of white pepper and smoky minerals adding lift and complexity. Spicy and sharply focused, offering vibrant red berry and blood orange flavors that put on weight with air. Closes taut and gently sweet, with strong spicy lift and silky tannins coming in late.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “This “heart of the harvest” Gamay is produced from 100-year-old vines, a rarity in any appellation. With less than five acres to work with, this ripe and structured wine shows the potential even of “simple” Beaujolais-appellation wines. It has weight, spice and warm red fruits that are laced with acidity. Drink this wine from 2016. — R.V. (12/1/2015)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Chateau Guiraud, Sauternes 2009 375ML ($59.95) $39 special, 32 half-bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points ‘Highly Recommended’ “This is a bird of a different feather, with an exotic, vibrant aroma of toasted coconut, followed by an almond cream note that gives way to the core of green fig, papaya, Cavaillon melon and honey. There’s stunning richness and mouthfeel, with the power to be one of the longer-lived wines of the vintage. Very impressive. Best from 2015 through 2040.”WS
Weingut Kees Kieren Erdener Treppchen Spatlese** Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML (34.95) $29 special, 20 bottles available
Bernkastler Ring Auction Wine 2016
Mosel Fine Wines 90 points “This offers a rather gorgeous nose of fresh white minerals, passion fruit, pineapple and a touch of honey. The wine is delicately powerful and rich on the palate and leaves a gorgeously long feel of passion fruit and minerals. Zesty acidity comes through in the after-taste and cleanses the palate. 2025-2040”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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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!
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Staff Picks
Chardonnay based wines from villages known for Pinot are always intriguing to me. Coutier’s Blanc de Blancs (like Chiquets Blanc de Blancs de Ay) displays a richness and power that, blind, I might guess it to be an extremely elegant expression of Pinot in Champagne. It’s not, obviously, but this dialectic between power and elegance is what makes the wine so fascinating—though not at the expense of deliciousness. For the price it’s nearly impossible to beat. – Saul
R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Coutier’s NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, 100% Chardonnay from Ambonnay, remains one of the most compelling, under the radar wines in Champagne, not to mention a fabulous value. Round, textured and supple in the glass, the Blanc de Blancs shows the more textured, side of Chardonnay. These soils in Ambonnay confer an unusual level of richness and breadth. In my view, this is Coutier’s best Champagne. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This wine always surprises me, as it is a warm vintage, Spanish, and not necessarily an old school producer; not necessarily my style. That being said, let us focus on why it is amazing: Old vine mencia, whole cluster open top fermentation, good quality older barrels… it’s a generous dose of Spanish red earth and blackberry fruit. Enough texture and lushness to drink it for drinking’s sake. I love it. –Andy
Jose Antonio Garcia Aires de Vendimia Mencia de Valtuille, Bierzo 2012 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 16 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91+ points “I was quite impressed with the 2012 Aires de Vendimia, especially for a warm vintage. It’s old-vine Mencía which fermented with 50% full clusters in an oak vat with indigenous yeasts and aged for 11 months in contact with the lees in 225- and 300-liter oak barrels. It’s still a bit marked by the oak, clean, good-quality oak, with faint notes of vanilla and other spices over a core of violets, red cherries and blueberries; it is quite harmonious and aromatic but with certain restraint. The palate is medium-bodied, supple with juicy fruit, focused, with good freshness developing a licorice final note.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Rodney Strong: Forward Thinking California Wines
In 1959, celebrated American dancer Rod Strong followed his second passion and founded a winery in Sonoma County. It was only the 13th winery bonded in this new region. He pioneered planting varietals that would later put California on the winemaking map: Chardonnay in what would become Chalk Hill and Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley. In 1974, he released the first single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon of Sonoma County: Alexander’s Crown. Today, the wine is sourced from Block 1 of the vineyard which is composed of rich, red volcanic and sedimentary soil at the top of the hill.
The Klein family continues Rod’s tradition of innovation and excellence. After purchasing the winery in 1989, they expanded and modernized the winery by adding temperature-controlled cellaring, new fermentation tanks, and even built solar panels to improve sustainability efforts. They added Symmetry, a Bordeaux-style red blend, to the illustrious lineup. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from winemaker-selected lots from vineyards in the Alexander Valley. Each lot is hand-harvested, fermented separately and age in French oak barrels. Before being included in the final cuvee, each lot is tasted and graded before a final determination is made.
For over 30 years, Rick Sayre has been the head winemaker, first starting with Rod before working with the Klein family. He lead the development of the Reserve, Symmetry and Single-Vineyard wines and continues to expand his knowledge of winemaking by traveling to other regions.
Rodney Strong Single Vineyard Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2013 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 14 bottles available
Robert Parker 94 points “A famous wine from the early days of The Wine Advocate, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander’s Crown Single Vineyard comes from a lower elevation of 250 to 360 feet. The wine displays broad, sweet crème de cassis, black cherry and blueberry fruit, some licorice, graphite, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and outstanding length and purity. This is a beauty, and makes me think back to the great 1974, which was the first one I remember tasting.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage, Alexander Valley 2012 750ML ($59.95) $37 special, 30 bottles available
Wine Spectator 89 points “Dense and extracted, this serves up a complex range of flavors, from black cherry to wild berry to currant, all shaded with light oak and a touch of espresso. Shows a measure of finesse and refinement overall. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2026.”
Wine Advocate 89 points “The 2012 Proprietary Red Symmetry, a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, exhibits chocolaty, blackberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with earth and spice characteristics, medium body and a supple, round, seductive mouthfeel. Elegant and mid-weight, it is best drunk over the next 7-8 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Fredric Magnien
Home Court Advantage
When Fredric Magnien speaks to you about his wines, there is a light and clarity to his message and visage. His cellars, his notes, even his haircut are neat, precise. In a land with so much history and tradition, where eccentricities occasionally translate into cache among consumers, how does Magnien harness such precision, and still make wines that have an element of magic inside each bottle? It might all come down to a broken down campervan in Australia.
Magnien was well on his way in Burgundy as 5th generation in a vigneron family, but felt the need to explore the new world to see the other side of the coin. Working with Josh Jensen at Calera, stranded at Bannockburn with Gary Farr after the aforementioned van blew up, Fredric learned that when working with spectacular sites, new world winemakers need precision in the cellars to isolate what made each plot so unique. The true advantage, he realized, was the centuries of understanding of what was underfoot at home. Magnien brought these cellar practices back to Burgundy, where he insisted on separate cuvees from the vineyard holdings spread all across the region. His understanding of the potential magic of each vineyard site grew exponentially, and the wines of the Magnien family developed a purity and expressiveness that was somewhat muted before.
His description as an alchemist of the vineyards of the Cote d’Or is apt. There are surprises in his wines; athletic and edgy Chambolle, that still manages to be feminine. A Chablis that balances edge with toastiness. The wines are quite precious and age beautifully. Indigenous yeasts reflect the essence of Burgundy, but the further isolation of individual climats within vineyards allows him to offer a unique take on each offering. He uses quality barrels, but the use of new oak is limited, and the fruit shines in its youth. Unfined and unfiltered at bottling, there is certainly room for magic to happen inside the confines of that bottle, and it usually does.
Here are the Fredric Magnien wines we currently have to offer:
Frederic Magnien Valmur, Chablis Grand Cru 2007 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 21 bottles available
Burghound 91 Points “An ultra pure and high-toned green fruit nose that evidences hints of citrus, algae and tidal pool aromas merges into linear, driving and wonderfully delineated flavors that are wrapped in a dry, clean and energetic finish. This is understated to the point of being discreet yet the balance is impeccable.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Frederic Magnien Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 89-91 Points “The 2013 Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes has a ripe, quite generous bouquet with “billowing” scents of wild strawberry and raspberry preserve that is well defined. The palate is vibrant on the entry with primal dark cherry and cassis fruit. The tannins feel succulent in the mouth, the acidity quite racy and lending the finish the tension that it needs. This should be very interesting once bottled.” NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Frederic Magnien Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 750ML ($219.95) $169 special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 Points “Good bright red. Complex nose melds cherry, rose petal, leather, game and minerals, plus a whiff of sexy new oak. Tightly wound but with lovely sweetness to its red fruit and rose petal flavors. A silky texture is given cut and energy by harmonious ripe acidity. Finishes saline and long, with very suave tannins. A lovely Charmes, from the lieu-dit Aux Charmes in Charmes and the upper part of Mazoyeres just below Latricieres, according to Magnien.” ST
Frederic Magnien Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2011 750ML ($319.95) $249 special, 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-94 Points “(the parcel Magnien works with stretches from the bottom to the top of the cru; a substantial percentage of millerandage resulted in a very low yield and low pH in 2011, according to Magnien): Good bright, full red. Aromas of black cherry, raspberry, licorice, menthol and flowers. Highly concentrated and well delineated, with superb energy and lift to the flavors of red berries, spices and dark chocolate. Very rocky and precise on the finish, with firm tannins currently shutting down the fruit. Still an infant but shows outstanding potential.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Frederic Magnien Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2012 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 Points “Medium red. Alluring perfume of raspberry, rose petal and high-toned cardamom spice. Broad, rich, dense and fine-grained yet somehow weightless, displaying powerful mineral support to its red berry and exotic spice flavors. The bracing, resounding finish features pronounced soil-driven salinity and a hint of youthful bitterness. Magnien predicts that this will be the last of his 2012 négociant wines to reach full maturity. Superb Burgundy.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Frederic Magnien Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2013 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92-95 Points “Bright, full red. Sexy high-pitched perfume combines red cherry, blood orange, lavender, red rose and spearmint. Juicy but youthfully imploded, showing more aromatic complexity than pliancy of texture today. Crunchy flavors of crushed red fruits, spices and licorice are lifted by fresh rose. A very long, scented wine of great finesse, but in need of a decade of patience to fully express itself.”
Frederic Magnien Les Ruchots, Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ Points “Good bright, deep red. Powerful, expressive yet cool nose offers scents of blackberry, boysenberry and violet. Penetrating, very intense and quite primary on the palate, showing terrific energy and texture to the dark berry fruit. Finishes chewy and long, with a strong dusting of tannins but no dryness. The crop level was generous here, at a bit under 40 hectoliters per hectare, according to Magnien.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Frederic Magnien Damodes, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2013 750 ($99.95) $69 special, 11 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 Points “Bright red-ruby. Superripe aromas of blackberry, crushed cassis, bitter chocolate, violet and licorice. Densely packed but energetic and light on its feet, with its fruit-driven flavors of blackberry and blueberry communicating an impression of medicinal reserve. Very well-judged extraction here, showing little in the way of dryness. Has the stuffing to support its serious tannins. Finishes with excellent length.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Frederic Magnien Les Pruliers, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru 2002 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 16 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90 Points “Good dark red. Black cherry, menthol, cola and tarry, spicy oak on the nose. At once generous and tightly wound, with slightly grapey flavors of black raspberry, currant, menthol and spices. Fat and sweet but rather youthfully unevolved.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Heymann-Löwenstein
Majestic Mineral Mosels Manifest Magic
Heymann-Löwenstein is the signature producer of Germany’s Terrassenmosel region. The Terrassenmosel is part of the lower Mosel river valley where the steepness of the slopes requires terraces just to be able to grow grapes. It’s a daunting place to work—everything is so steep that no mechanized work is possible and so every single vine must be tended by hand.
Reinhard Löwenstein fits in with this region, then, as an absolute perfectionist who will do any and everything possible to make sure that his wines are as profound as possible. His yields and selection in the vineyards are made solely with quality in mind and he holds his wines back longer before release than most German producers—cash flow be damned.
In terms of style, the word that comes to mind when tasting these wines is ‘mineral.’ Not minerality paired with fruitiness, like with much Mosel Riesling, but sheer rockiness in liquid form. The wines are lean, racy and benefit from air or a few years in bottle, but are incredibly rewarding in the way that only the great wines of the world can be.
In Stock Now:
Heymann-Lowenstein ‘von Blauem Schiefer’ Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($44.95) $33 special, 18 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 89 points “The 2015er Trocken vom blauen Schiefer is made from fruit out of the Koberner Weissenberg, Koberner Fahrberg and Klottener Brauneberg. It offers an inviting nose of spices and herbs as well as mirabelle and some wet slate. The wine proves nicely full-bodied but packed with glorious zesty acidity and minerals on the palate and leaves a long and powerful yet mouth-watering finish. This needs a few years in the bottle to shine. 2017-2023”
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Heymann-Lowenstein Kirchberg Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 10 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92+ points “This wine is rather reduced but offers a gorgeously flowery nose of pear and Provence herbs. It proves superbly elegant on the palate where grip and saltiness define the aromatics. Great multi-layered complexity already comes through in the long and airy finish. This is still very primary and in need of bottle age to balance out but this beauty will easily turn into the most complete and elegant expression of Kirchberg we have taste to date. This is hugely impressive and has even some upside potential. 2018-2025.”
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Heymann-Lowenstein Winninger Uhlen ‘R’ Roth Lay Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2007 375ML ($99.95) $69 special, 6 half-bottles available
Wine Spectator 96 points “Candied citrus, jujube, sweet spice and quince paste aromas and flavors mark this sweet, bracing Riesling, which is light on its feet and resonates on the finish with a mouthwatering feel and echoes of citrus. Best from 2012 through 2045.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Lowenstein’s 2007 Winninger Uhlen Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule Roth Lay (as in the corresponding dry wines, the letter “R” is prominent on the label of this A.P.#9) benefits from counterpoint and collaboration among bright citrus, rich pit fruit essences, and the honey of botrytis. For all of its enormous sheer ripeness and concentration, this retains a striking sense of delicacy. A snappy, spicy, pungent streak – taken together with vivid, diverse pit fruits and citrus – serves for exhilaration in a finish of memorable length and energy, with a vivid impression of crushed stone one hardly expects in a wine of such sweetness and prominent botrytization. There seems to be something of a personality role reversal at work this year, because the corresponding Rottgen Auslese is cool and refined whereas this Uhlen displays more of the piquancy and (as French growers might say) nervosite that I associate with Rottgen. But then, botrytis is always something of a wild card, so that a wine like this is profoundly and unpredictably influenced by the precise microclimatic conditions for and differences in the nature of that fungus. No doubt this too will be worth following for two or more decades.”
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Heymann-Lowenstein Winninger Uhlen ‘R’ Roth Lay Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 2010 750ML ($199.95) $149 special, 12 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Lowenstein’s 2010 Winninger Uhlen Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule Roth Lay – destined for auction – displays an almost sweaty aromatic alliance of salinity and musky pungency, along with nose-prickling lemon rind such as one might expect from an Eiswein. Suggestions of marigold and narcissus add to the exotic, pungent muskiness on display here. Fig and peach preserves; pear drops; marzipan and salted caramel intensely mark the palate, while zesty, musky, and saline mineral impingement serve for strikingly persistent stimulation. Despite its lower (7.5%) alcohol, though, this comes off not only as more viscous but also less buoyant (let alone “uncannily” so) than its Rottgen counterpart. That wine is an example of botrytis performing its magic and leaving nary a fingerprint behind, whereas here, prints are quite evident, even if fascinatingly smudge-free. This compellingly complex concentrate will not be everybody’s cup of nobly rotten Riesling, but ought to merit at least the better part of two decades attention.”
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Heymann-Lowenstein Rottgen Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Mosel 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 7 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “The wine proves slightly bold at this stage as it delivers ripe scents of canned peach, mirabelle, quince, herbs and spices on the nose and a delicate baroque and toffee-infused side full of grip on the palate. These elements are nicely framed by minerals in the intense finish, leaving one with a complex and very individualistic set of flavors in the after-taste. This wine is nicely made in the richer style that has made the success of Heymann-Löwenstein and, consequently, will need some time find its inner balance. 2018-2025.”
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Heymann-Lowenstein Schieferterrassen Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 20 bottles available
“The 2015er Trocken Schieferterrassen is made from the Estate’s holdings in Winningen (Domgarten, Brückstück and Hamm) and Kobern (Fahrberg and Weissenberg) as well as from declassified fruit from its “cru” vineyards. It offers a gorgeous nose of marzipan, herbs and spices. The wine is delicately baroque and full of character on the palate as ripe yellow fruits are nicely complemented by spicy herbs and a hint of tartness in the finish. 2018-2025” –Mosel Fine Wines
VinopolNote: A blend of parcels from various slate soils
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Heymann-Lowenstein Stolzenberg Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 10 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 90+ points “This offers a gorgeous nose of ripe peach lifted up by a hint of honey, marzipan and dried herbs. The wine is delicately rich yet balanced on the palate and leaves a nicely clean feel of spices in the finish. This delicately full-bodied expression of Stolzenberg delivers great elegance in the finish and could easily exceed our initial expectations. 2017-2025.”
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Heymann-Lowenstein Uhlen B Blaufusser Lay Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 6 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92+ points “A gorgeously elegant nose of greengage, almond, fresh herbs and spices as well as slate and smoke leads to rich flavors of minerals and good grip on the palate. Spicy herbs come through in the long finish, adding a gorgeously complex and multi-layered side to the wine. This is still quite backward and needs several years to develop its balance. We would not be surprised if it even exceeds our expectations once it reaches its maturity plateau. 2018-2025.”
Heymann-Loewenstein Uhlen Laubach Lay Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 11 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers a gorgeously elegant and refined nose of pear, mirabelle, ginger, fresh herbs and spices. The wine proves ostentatious yet loaded with flavors in the finish and leaves a gorgeously multi-layered feel of minerals, herbs and a slight touch of power in the finish at this early stage. The raw material is beautiful and only needs time to integrate and deliver a full-bodied wine with multi-layered complexity. 2020-2030.”
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Arriving in April
Heymann-Lowenstein Uhlen ‘R’ Roth Lay Riesling, Mosel 2015 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special, 20 bottles available
Mosel Fine Wines 92-95 points “We tasted the three different casks which will make out the final Uhlen R. While there are differences in structure and mouth-feel between the casks, all casks offers a similarly gorgeous nose of candied grapefruit, yellow peach, wet stones and fine dried spices. The wine is beautifully well balanced on the palate, marrying aromatic precision with silky smoothness and delicately tickly zest as fruit and minerals coat the palate. The finish is beautifully pure and multi-layered. There is huge potential here if the wine’s presence and finesse will make it into the bottle and shine through at maturity. 2020-2030.”
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Joseph Swan Vineyards
A California Icon Still Going Strong
Joseph Swan Vineyards remains one of the most notable names in California wines. Joe Swan was a trailblazer and legendary figure in the California’s viticultural history, and his son-in-law Rod Berglund is a talented winemaker of equal skill. That said, it sometimes seems like this winery doesn’t get mentioned as often as it should when we talk about California’s great wineries, which is a shame.
The Swan wines aren’t trendy and never have been—they epitomize the idea of classicism and have been made in the same style no matter whether the winds of fashion favored the huge and ripe or the light and lean. The one constant for Swan has been the idea that the vineyard speaks for itself. Over the course of many decades, they’ve collected an incredible set of vineyards to work from, especially in Zinfandel, where Rod Berglund does some of his best work.
The Joseph Swan Zinfandels are many things, but easy to pin down and describe they aren’t. Depending on the growing conditions and the vineyard, they can be lighter, spicier wines or bigger, powerful and fruit driven. They’re never marked by new oak, though, so they always seem to be flexible and comfortable at the table.
Joseph Swan Vineyards Bastoni Vineyards Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2012 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 34 bottles available
“Located in what I refer to as the Riebli Valley, just a few miles east of Hwy 101, this sight has been farmed by the Bastoni family since 1906. Martha Bastoni and her husband, Russ Messanna currently farm it. Although the old vines are gone, the replants are going strong and are meticulously cared for: Deep ruby color. Although we have only been making wine from this vineyard for three years, it exhibits what I have come to view as a classic Bastoni nose of deep blue tinged fruit, like a cross between boysenberries and blueberries. There is also a slight hint of cooking spice, perhaps cardamom, and much less pepper than we see in the lower Russian River Valley zins. Good but not overwhelming tannin and acidity and medium to full body.”–Winery Notes
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Joseph Swan Vineyards Mancini Ranch Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2012 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 29 bottles available
“Blackberry, white pepper floral hints, bit of lushness. Complex balanced, elegant. A classic old style zinfandel made with new age sensibilities. And, it is under 13% alcohol!”–Winery Notes
Joseph Swan Vineyards Ziegler Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2011 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles available
Winery note “Tasting notes: Medium deep garnet color. Aromas of dark berry compote with hints of fig, baking spices and black pepper. In the mouth the aromas are echoed but with a bit more brightness due to its excellent acidity. Still fairly tannic. Decanting and/ or opening a couple of hours ahead of drinking is highly recommended for this young pup!”
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Joseph Swan Vineyards Ziegler Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2012 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 30 bottles available
“Boysenberry and the usual black pepper aromas are there but there is also cardamom, a bit of allspice and dried rose petal. It is super complex. At only 13% alcohol, almost as low as Mancini, it is not lacking at all for body. Our favorite Zeigler in a long while.”–Winery Notes
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Cantalupo: A Gem in Ghemme
Cantalupo might well be the foremost producer in this overlooked part of the Piedmont. The soils are varied and certainly not rich, influenced strongly by the retreat of glaciers of the high Alpine peaks of Monte Rosa which overlooks the valley. The locals call their Nebbiolo “Spanna”, and Cantalupo bottles theirs without blending. Typically one would see Bonarda and Vespolina making up the balance, but the Arlunno family believes in the unique character of the Nebbiolo from each of their cru: Breclemae, Carellae, and Signore di Bayard.
The wines are not as deep or rich as many of the Barolo to the south, but the nuance and approachability is something special. The styles are varied with the Breclemae being the wildest with smoky and meaty notes, the tannic Bayard being the most age worthy, and the Carellae as the most approachable with floral an cherry notes that are lovely now but promise years of enjoyment to come. Don’t overlook the Agamium or the Anno Primo as affordable introductions to the line up.
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Agamium’ Colline Novaresi, Piedmont 2009 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 23 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2009 Colline Novaresei Agamium is floral, bright and deeply expressive, with plenty of lift and red stone fruit character. Feminine and gracious throughout, the 2009 offers considerable grace and plenty of near to medium-term appeal. A final burst of Chambolle-like fruit rounds out the finish.”
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Signore di Bayard, Ghemme DOCG 2006 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 11 bottles available
VinopolNote: A special bottling of 100% Nebbiolo produced by the winery only in the best years, the Signore di Bayard is a tribute to the 16th Century Knight of Bayard, Peter Terrail, the “Good Knight without fear and without reproach.” It is a block selection of the oldest vines from the estate. These vines are growing in gravel moraine soil at 280-310m (306-340’) in elevation. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted before undergoing a cold soak. Fermentation takes place naturally with the stems. The wine is aged for 18 to 24 months in 100% new French oak barrels before being bottled unfiltered. It is a dense and tannic wine with an excellent aging potential.
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Colline Novaresi, Piedmont 2009 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 34 bottles available
Case-12 Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Colline Novaresi, Piedmont 2009 750ML ($479.95) $399 special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2009 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a gorgeous, super-classic Ghemme. Rosewater, bright red cherry, geranium, tobacco, pine and mint are beautifully delineated throughout. Aromatically intense and focused, the 2009 shows exactly what makes Nebbiolo from Ghemme so delicious. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine that won’t break the bank. At times, the aromatic signatures are quite reminiscent of Mascarello’s Barolo Monprivato, although the tannic and acid signatures are very much those of Ghemme.”
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Carellae, Ghemme DOCG 2009 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A big, dense wine, the 2009 Collis Carellae shows the wilder, gamier side of Ghemme. Leather, smoke, cedar, tobacco and menthol make a strong first impression. The 2009 possesses tons of depth and vertical structure. Some of the initial elements of rusticity blow off with air, so readers should be ready to open the 2009 in advance. There is no shortage of personality. That much is clear.”
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Arriving in April
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Agamium’ Colline Novaresi, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($21.95) $17 pre-arrival special
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Colline Novaresi, Piedmont 2008 1.5L ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2008 Cantalupo Anno Primo is built on a serious spine of tannin and energy, both of which give it considerable power. Dark red cherry, tobacco, smoke, herbs and leather are all expressed with quite a bit of intensity. The 2008 offers solid balance in a virile style that is probably best enjoyed at the dinner table.”
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Colline Novaresi, Piedmont 2009 1.5L ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2009 Cantalupo Anno Primo is a gorgeous, super-classic Ghemme. Rosewater, bright red cherry, geranium, tobacco, pine and mint are beautifully delineated throughout. Aromatically intense and focused, the 2009 shows exactly what makes Nebbiolo from Ghemme so delicious. This is an absolutely gorgeous wine that won’t break the bank. At times, the aromatic signatures are quite reminiscent of Mascarello’s Barolo Monprivato, although the tannic and acid signatures are very much those of Ghemme.”
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2005 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “Amazingly, the 2005 Collies Breclamae comes across as very young. A massive, full-bodied wine, the 2005 is laced with autumn leaves, spices, pine, menthol and licorice, but at the end of the day, the 2005 is really in no mood to show all of its cards. Even at eight years of age, the 2005 needs more time in bottle to release the full breadth of its aromas and flavors, and allow the tannins to start softening. This is an impressive showing.”
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2006 750ML ($59.95) $46 pre-arrival special
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2006 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2007 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2007 Ghemme Collis Breclamae shows the deeper, slightly wilder side of Ghemme. Game, smoke, licorice, cedar and tobacco are expressed with elements of burliness and rusticity. There is more than enough depth to fill out the wine’s broad shoulders. Still, what comes through most is the wine’s virile, imposing personality.”
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Arriving in August:
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Colline Novaresi, Piedmont 2010 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Cantalupo Anno Primo’ Colline Novaresi, Piedmont 2010 1.5L ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
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Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Signore di Bayard, Ghemme DOCG 2008 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Breclemae, Ghemme DOCG 2010 1.5L ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo Collis Carellae, Ghemme DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
This is the only listing in the USA today!