Mid-week VinopolPick Addition 8-30-18

2013 is the greatest vintage in Barbaresco since…2007? 2001? 1996? 1990? Further back? Regardless of where you put 2013 in that esteemed set, it’s time to stock up—this is an all caps GREAT VINTAGE which should be bought as heavily as you can afford.  The wines show incredible amounts of promise and beautiful definition.  They’re going to be seen as legends in a decade or two.

We just received more stock on the 2013 Produttori Riservas—the benchmark wines of the appellation.  More importantly, we have some of each and every cru available for sale and in stock (again).  No matter if you’re looking for the lean and elegant Ovello, the soft and delicious Pora or the regal Rabaja (or anything in between), they’re in stock now.

New Stock Just Arrived:

Only 8 bottles left in stock!
Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Absolutely stunning in every way, the 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is also the most complete wine in the lineup at this stage. Floral, lifted and exquisitely beautiful, the 2013 speaks to regal elegance and finesse above all else. Silky tannins add to an impression of total sensuality. At this stage, there is almost no impression of tannin, as the wine is so impeccably balanced. The 2013 shuts down quickly in the glass, which may suggest it is headed for a long period of dormancy. Readers who can find the Asili should not miss it, as it is truly sublime.”
Wine Enthusiast  96 points– Cellar Selection “Fragrant and elegant, this opens with a textbook Nebbiolo bouquet showing scents of tilled soil, rose, wild red berry, Alpine herb and a whiff of new leather. The taut, vibrant palate evokes sour cherry, juicy strawberry, licorice and clove framed in refined tannins and bright acidity. It’s balanced and gorgeous but still young, so give it several more years to evolve into the beauty it’s destined to become. Drink 2020–2033.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Rich and silky, boasting cherry, strawberry, mineral, tobacco and spice flavors. Impeccably balanced, even with the firm line of tannins lingering on the finish. The acidity is vibrant, energetically driving the fruit, underbrush and mineral flavors. Best from 2023 through 2038.”

One of the top two Produttori Crus
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special
Wine Enthusiast 97 points – Cellar Selection “A hallmark expression of Nebbiolo, Produttori del Barbaresco’s 2013 Rabajà Riserva offers aromas of wild red berry, menthol, Alpine herb, saddle leather and dark culinary spice. The concentrated palate boasts enviable finesse and is practically weightless in the mouth, showing crushed black cherry, juicy raspberry, orange zest, clove and licorice alongside firm, velvety tannins. Bright acidity provides impeccable balance. Drink 2021–2033.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is shockingly seamless in this tasting. Deep layers of fruit virtually bury the tannins, something that is so unusual for a young Rabajà. A host of dark blue-tone fruits, lavender, mint, violet and spice race across the palate in an utterly vivid, compelling Barbaresco of the highest level. Perhaps I caught the Rabajà on an unusually open day, but it is terrific and also quite refined for such a young wine.”Wine Spectator 96 points “Fruity, featuring floral, cherry and plum flavors, along with savory leather, licorice and tobacco notes. A chewy texture and lively acidity keep this well-defined through the long finish. Complex and classy. Best from 2023 through 2038.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Fruity, featuring floral, cherry and plum flavors, along with savory leather, licorice and tobacco notes. A chewy texture and lively acidity keep this well-defined through the long finish. Complex and classy. Best from 2023 through 2038.”

The coolest and leanest vineyard in the lineup.
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The Produttori’s 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is all power, tension and nerve. Even so, the 2013 is remarkably civilized and much less austere than young Ovello Barbarescos usually are. Scents of cranberry, white pepper and mint give the wine its signature high-toned aromatics. The Ovello has a Volnay-like purity to its fruit, with Nebbiolo tannins and structure, of course. If that sounds appealing, well, it is. Vivid, sculpted and impossibly beautiful, the Ovello is simply magnificent.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95+ points “The 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is the third wine tasted in our lineup of Produttori del Barbaresco Riservas and is one of my favorite expressions overall. The Ovello vineyard site sees a greater presence of limestone in its soil composition, and this factor helps to develop the tannic structure and consistency of the wine. At 18 hectares, Ovello is one of the biggest cru sites sourced by this co-operative estate. Twelve separate farmers tend to their private parcels in Ovello. Fruit from this site is often the main component of Produttori’s base Barbaresco along with blending material from Montestefano, Pora and Muncagöta (previously known as Moccagatta). You notice the color graduation getting darker here. The bouquet is expressive and bright and reflective of the cool and crisp late summer and pre-harvest nights. Some 17,000 bottles were made along with 1,500 magnums.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This red starts out with bright cherry, strawberry, rose and mineral flavors, allied to a refined, linear frame. Harmonious now and should be ready soon, but the vivid structure will serve it well into the future. Best from 2023 through 2037.”

Darker, structured, built for the long haul.
Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Enthusiast 97 points– Cellar Selection “Still young but already boasting extraordinary pedigree, this fantastic wine opens with hallmark scents of wild berry, new leather, chopped herb, tilled soil and a whiff of violet. The polished, full-bodied palate delivers juicy wild cherry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and licorice while youthfully assertive, noble tannins and bright acidity provide age-worthy structure. A pipe tobacco note lingers on the finish. Drink 2023–2038.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The Barbaresco Riserva Montefico shows all the energy and focus that is typical of this great site, but there is so much depth to the fruit that some of the more angular contours have been softened. Bright saline-infused notes lead to wild flowers and an exotic melange of red fruits in this beautifully delineated, vivid Barbaresco. All the elements are simply in the right place.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This beefy red evokes cherry, licorice, herb, mineral and tobacco aromas and flavors. Rich and densely structured, with iron, tobacco and cherry notes lingering on the long finish. Best from 2023 through 2035.”

A lot of everything-always a winner.
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is full-bodied, displaying cherry, licorice, wild herb, iron and tobacco notes. The dense tannins take over and dominate the finish now, despite this remaining fresh and long. Full-bodied and minerally. Best from 2025 through 2040.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points– Editors Choice “New leather, camphor, forest berry, dried rose and culinary spice are some of the aromas you’ll find on this exceptional red. The firmly structured, poised palate doles out juicy cranberry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and star anise framed in tightly-knit, refined tannins while bright acidity provides energy and balance. Drink 2020–2033.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “A dark, brooding wine, the 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano comes across as quite virile today, with huge tannins and equally imposing dark fruit. Smoke, leather, licorice and game add to an impression of raw, almost unrestrained, power. There is not a whole lot of finesse here at least not now. The Montestefano is a wine painted in broad brush strokes that emphasize power over elegance. Then again, that is Montestefano. Readers should be in no rush to open the 2013.”

Muncagota is beautiful and structured in 2013.
Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva 2013 750ML ($669.95) $599 special, (that’s only $49.91/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Like most of the wines in this lineup, the 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is quite potent. A rush of raspberry jam, wild flowers, white pepper and mint make a strong opening statement. Succulent and yet also structured, the Muncagota has so much to offer. It should be one of the first wines in this range to start opening up, although when that will happen exactly is hard to say.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Powerful yet underlined by racy acidity, driving the black cherry, black currant and mineral flavors. Menthol and tobacco notes add depth, keeping this intense. All the components are here, yet this will need time to really sing. Best from 2024 through 2040.”

Always one of the most red fruited and elegant of the crus.
Produttori del Barbaresco Paje, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Paje, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($799.95) $699 special (that’s only $58.25/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 97 points– Cellar Selection “Forest berry, chopped mint, clove and new leather aromas take center stage on this elegant, full-bodied red. The savory, smooth palate doles out succulent red cherry, raspberry compote and licorice while vibrant acidity and tightly knit, refined tannins provide balance and support. It has great energy and is loaded with flavor but will be even better with a few more years aging. Drink 2020–2038.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Pajé is simply fabulous. Sweet floral notes soar from the glass as this deep, beautifully resonant Barbaresco shows off its compelling inner sweetness and total sense of poise. The flavors are deep yet fresh, with wonderful fragrance and impeccable balance throughout. A wine of total harmony, the 2013 is going to be nearly impossible to resist young. The 2013 is one of the best versions of the Pajé I can remember tasting.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Cherry, floral and wild herb aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this elegant, tensile red. Silky, yet with plenty of tannins underneath, giving overall balance and length.  Shows lovely freshness. Best from 2023 through 2036.”

One of the fleshiest and earliest drinking of the bunch.
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($699.95) $599 special (that’s only $49.91/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 95 points “A rich, cherry- and floral-scented red, effusive in aroma, with the core of cherry prevailing on the palate. Though fleshy, this gives way to firm tannins that line the lingering aftertaste. Inviting and full of energy, so decant now or wait. Best from 2023 through 2035.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is soft, pliant and enveloping. In many vintages, the Pora can be a bit light. Not in 2013. The wine is rich and deeply textured, with layers of fruit that continue to build with time in the glass. The tannins are present, but they are nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the fruit. This is an especially powerful, brooding edition of the Pora. Although impressive today, the 2013 will drink well for decades to come.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points – Cellar Selection “Scents of menthol, new leather, dark culinary spice, cured meat and forest floor lead the nose. The smooth, full-bodied palate shows juicy Morello cherry, pomegranate, licorice and clove balanced by vibrant acidity and tense, refined tannins. An almost salty note closes the finish. This a classic Barbaresco with years ahead of it. Drink 2021–2038.”

Elegant and delicious younger than many of the set.
Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Enthusiast 97 points – Cellar Selection “Enticing scents of wild berry, rose, baking spice and balsamic aromas come together in the glass. Juicy and full-bodied, the flavorsome palate shows succulent Morello cherry, cranberry, licorice and ground white pepper alongside a backbone of vibrant acidity and firm, polished tannins. It’s already exceptional but will benefit with more aging. Drink 2020–2038.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “The delightful 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is fourth on a scale of nine wines in terms of growing structure and power. This is the middle-point wine. You will immediately notice that the texture of this single-vineyard expression is increasingly thicker and pastier. The bouquet delivers opulent tones of blackberry and ripe cherry in thick and succulent waves. Yet, like the Pora, Pajè and Ovello expressions, the Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is also a more accessible wine. You can save it for longer cellar aging, but you could also opt to serve it in the near or medium term. It offers both immediate pleasure and long-term potential.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is supple and full of cherry and berry flavors, focused by vibrant acidity. Firm tannins follow up, yet this remains elegant and really stretches out on the long aftertaste. Best from 2023 through 2036.”

A classic producer in a great vintage.
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “An intense perfume of juniper, bay laurel, sage, rose and berries marks this silky red. The structure is there, yet superb balance and refined tannins help this retain elegance through the long finish. Almost ethereal in its presence. Best from 2021 through 2036.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2013 Brunello di Montalcino is absolutely unique in terms of its aromatic display. To me, the nose is particularly beautiful because I have a preference for balsamic notes of cola, mint or medicinal herb (that may not be to everyone’s liking). You get those in spades here. These aromas are often more prominent in cooler vintages like 2013 in the Brunello appellation. In this case, they resemble intense eucalyptus. There is subtle fruit at the back, with wild berry and plum. The mouthfeel here is absolutely silky, fresh and streamlined. It is stitched finely together like lace. I am curious to see how a wine like this ages and whether the aromas hold tight or eventually fall flat. I would suggest a slightly shorter drinking window. But for now, this is my kind of Brunello. Bottoms up!”
James Suckling 94 points “A wealth of ripe fruit with spice, orange peel and cherry. Full body, fine tannins and a bright and vivid finish. Drink in 2021.”

Also, Arriving Next Month:

Epic and stunning.
Altesino Montosoli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2013 750ML ($119.95) $85 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 99 points “Enticing aromas of ripe berry, chopped herb, new leather, tobacco and a whiff of eucalyptus all mingle together on this gorgeous, vibrant red. The stunning, savory palate boasts juicy red cherry, pomegranate, white pepper and star anise while firm refined tannins and vibrant acidity lend structure and balance. It’s already extraordinary and elegant but also young and primary, so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2023–2043.”
James Suckling 98 points “Fantastic aromas of blueberries, plums, bark and wet earth follow through to a full body, velvety and polished tannins and a wonderful finish. Refined and persistent on the finish. Drink in 2019 and onwards.”
Ian D’agata – Vinous 97 points “Good full pale ruby-red. Knockout aromas and flavors of red cherry, raspberry, licorice and minerals, complicated by hints of iris and violet. Extremely suave and polished on the extremely long, pure, mineral finish. Deeper, richer, more tannic and longer than the lovely 2013 Brunello Classico from Altesino, this is an absolutely beautiful Brunello. I especially like that the pristine, refined aromas and flavors of the famed Montosoli site are showcased to maximum effect here. One of the best Brunellos of the vintage.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “Balsamic notes of juniper, sage and eucalyptus are buried underneath the cherry and plum fruit in this expressive, supple red, which is dense and well-structured, with terrific balance and a long iron and saline aftertaste. Just a tad richer and broader than the blended Brunello. Best from 2021 through 2038.”

Two New Arrivals from Molitor

Sweet:

Only 4 half bottles remaining
Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese***, Mosel GK 2013 375ML ($179.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate 100 points “The smoky slate aroma of the Sonnenuhr is still obvious in the beautifully clear, lush and delicate 2013 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** that offers pineapples, ripe apples and limes powdered with rock flour on the nose. The wine seems weightless on the palate, although it is nothing less than a sweet, sumptuously delicious and breathtakingly fine Auslese with perfectly ripe and painstakingly selected Riesling berries. The finish is intense in a very subtle way, lingeringly salty and piquant, and the purity and elegance in combination with the sensual fruit juice is absolutely delicious. This is an amazing wine.”

Diamond Creek and Cristom

New to the September Sale

Stylistically, these are powerful Cabernets.  Although there are distinct differences between the three vineyards, the wines show a common vein of Diamond Mountain ruggedness—an intensity of flavor and minerality that’s unique to the AVA.  Diamond Creek manages to harness it to produce wines that dazzle with their complexity and age worthiness; wines that rival the finest in Bordeaux.

We just added the two remaining wines to our September Sale at a price that’s fantastic for this quality of Napa Cabernet.

Sit on this for 5-10 years and wait for the fireworks.
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($249.95) Was $225, Now $199 Clearance Price
James Suckling 96 points “The aromas of mint, blueberries and blackberries are very intense. Full-bodied, layered and softly textured; yet it delivers a firm and lightly chewy finish. Hot stones, too. This is a wine that will improve with three to four years of bottle aging.”
Winery notes: “Our second coolest micro-climate is our five-acre Gravelly Meadow vineyard. Originally a pre-historic river bed, this stony, gravelly soil drains rapidly and the vines struggle for moisture. Gravelly Meadow is our lowest yielding vineyard. The wines are described as “earthy, cedary, jammy and ripe blackberry with a spicy expansive finish.”

“a beautifully composed effort of extraordinary depth and focus.”
Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($249.95) Was $225, Now $199 Clearance Price
James Suckling 97 points “This has amazing aromas of red licorice, tar, lead pencil, dark berries and blackberries. Full body, a very soft texture and fine-grained tannins. Lovely freshness and brightness. Sweet and sour underneath. A wine that gives such enjoyment already but it will improve nicely in the bottle.”
Connoisseurs Guide 97 points “One of the most consistent producers of collectable Cabernets over the years, Diamond Creek has come up big in 2015 with a brace of truly outstanding wines. At the very top of the list, the Red Rock Terrace bottling is a beautifully composed effort of extraordinary depth and focus. Its incisive, pure cassis qualities merge with perfectly fit elements of loam, stony soils, creamy oak and accents of raspberries, and never once does it trade in flamboyant ripeness. It is, in fact, a wine of remarkable polish and cohesion right down to the fine, seamlessly integrated tannins that afford it the structure to age for two decades if not more, and those fortunate few who manage to hide a few bottles away should not consider drinking even one until another six to ten years have passed”
Winery notes: “Red Rock Terrace, a warm microclimate, is 7 acres of north facing vineyard.  The red tinted soil is high in iron content.  The wine from Red Rock Terrace is the most accessible and earliest drinkable of all our wines. Our winemaker describes Red Rock Terrace as “having velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors.”

To make the September Sale even better, we’re offering a nearly unheard of price for one of the Willamette Valley’s finest—Cristom Jesse.  The 2015 is stunning and more stock arrives tomorrow.  We’ve dropped the price on this and if you like classic, ageworthy Pinot from the Willamette Valley, this is one to stock up on.

Cristom Jessie at under $50?? Yes!
Cristom ‘Jessie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2015 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49 Clearance Price
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Vivid red. Ripe red fruits, potpourri and a hint of blood orange on the assertively perfumed nose, lifted by a vibrant mineral quality. Silky and precise on the palate, offering alluringly sweet, spice-tinged cherry and raspberry liqueur flavors and a hint of five-spice powder. Becomes richer with air, with no loss of vibrancy, and finishes with powerful, spicy thrust, fine-grained tannins and an exotic floral pastille note that lingers with serious tenacity.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2015 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard is scented of kirsch, mulberries and raspberry tart with underlying Chinese five spice, hoisin and mossy bark hints. Medium-bodied, there’s a very seductive mid-palate of red berry and exotic spice flavors, supported by velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with spicy layers.”

A Pair of 2014 Burgundy Trophies

The first wine comes from the legendary Clos St. Jacques in Gevrey-Chambertin.  This is a prestigious vineyard with only five owners, all excellent.  Wines from the Clos regularly outperform the Grand Cru vineyards in the village but somehow prices for the wines are much, much less expensive than the Chambertin satellites.  That makes them great deals, especially from a producer like Sylvie Esmonin, whose wines remain chronically undervalued by the marketplace.  Compare this to wines that cost $300+ dollars—with a few decades of age this will be an absolute show stopper.

Only 5 bottles remaining!
Domaine Sylvie Esmonin Clos Saint-Jacques, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Neal Martin-Wine Advocate 92 points “Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2014 tasting, Esmonin’s 2014 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques feels a little jammy on the nose by comparison to Rousseau and Jean-Marie Fourrier’s 2014s: succulent ripe dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit, bold ‘n’ brassy yet with admirable purity. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannin, the oak still present and a guiding hand at the moment, though there is plenty of brooding dark fruit beneath it. It will need several years in the cellar before the rough edges are abraded by time and the terroir begins to show through. Tasted September 2017.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding! This is also markedly floral with more elegant aromas of spice, plum liqueur, mocha, earth and a hint of sandalwood. There is outstanding richness to the wonderfully vibrant and intense flavors where the underlying minerality is even more prominent while delivering simply terrific depth and length on the ever-so-slightly warm finale. This is also constructed to age but should be approachable young if desired as the supporting tannins are dense but much finer than those of the old vines cuvée.”
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 91+ points “Bright medium red. Wild scents of black raspberry, minerals and musky game. Juicy and penetrating; began quite linear, with modest flesh, but aeration brought an expanding creaminess to its black fruit flavors. Finishes with ripe, building tannins. The deepest of these 2014s–no surprise!–but in need of cellaring. This wine may ultimately merit a higher score.”

For our second wine, think of everything we said above, but more so.  Dujac is a tip-top producer in Burgundy and their Beaux Monts, from Vosne, is superior to many a Grand Cru wine from even talented producers.  Vosne is considered to be the “Pearl of the Cote” in Burgundy—the crown jewel of all the villages.  Beaux Monts might be its most undervalued vineyard, then, less expensive than Malconsorts but over delivering year in and out. Quantities are smaller on the Dujac than on the Esmonin, so if you want it, act quickly.

Only 4 bottles remaining!
Domaine Dujac Les Beaux Monts, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($299.95) $249 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2014 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru les Beaux Monts has a very attractive bouquet, pure and sensual with black cherries, boysenberry and a touch of blueberry. Understated but quite compelling. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, silky in texture, beautifully balanced with very well judged acidity with a touch of salinity towards the finish. This is a very well crafted Beaumonts that deserves several years in bottle.”
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91-94 points “Bright red-ruby. Very pure aromas of raspberry, red licorice and smoky minerals, plus a hint of animal fur. Plush, rich and fine-grained, offering a silky, spherical texture to its expressive flavors of raspberry, smoke, minerals, game and mocha. Finishes with broad, building tannins and terrific persistence.”