In Today’s Newsletter:
Subscriber Special
Big Discounts on Select Clos de la Chapelle Burgundies
Subscriber Special
Big Deals on Big Deal Wines from Jaboulet
Don’t Forget – Ending Soon!
Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Under $200
Staff Pick: Napa Valley’s Bellwether Cabernet Sauvignon
Our Favorite Drink-Now Brunello Returns
Lilbert’s Under the Radar Blanc de Blancs
Gerard Boulay’s Sancerre Mastery
Trending Wines
Collector’s Corner
Rene Leclerc’s Stunning, Traditional Gevrey-Chambertin
Subscriber Special
Big Discounts on Select Clos de la Chapelle Burgundies
Save Up to $20/Bottle on Some of Burgundy’s Finest
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard Les Chanlins Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Subscriber-Only Special, 12 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 92+ points “The domaine’s eighty-plus year-old vines in Chanlins have produced a stellar example of the 2011 vintage, as the wine offers up a superb bouquet of cherries, quince, woodsmoke, lovely minerality, cocoa, herb tones and just a touch of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bdoied, pure and very elegant (particularly for young Pommard), with a very good core of fruit, fine focus, ripe and suave tannins and great transparency on the long and youthful finish. Chanlins seems to often produce one of the most elegant examples of Pommard and this is certainly in evidence in the lovely 2011 from Domaine Clos de la Chapelle. 2020-2050.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding. Here too there is a real sense of refinement though as pretty as this is it cannot match its two Volnay stable mates in this regard. There are plenty of earth and underbrush nuances to the mineral-inflected, cool and pure red currant, cherry and spice aromas. There is good power and intensity to the textured, broad-shouldered and mineral-driven flavors that possess a sophisticated mouth feel, all wrapped in a moderately austere but balanced and wonderfully persistent finish. This is definitely Pommard in basic character but refined Pommard.”
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard Les Chanlins Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Subscriber-Only Special, 2 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The eighty-five yearold vines here have produced a very pretty and red fruity example of the vintage in 2014. The bouquet jumps from the glass in a classy blend of cherries, quince, a touch of blood orange, pigeon, woodsmoke and a gentle framing of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, fullbodied, complex and really very suave on the attack (particularly for a young Pommard!), with a fine core of fruit, fine grained tannins and a long, focused and tangy finish. This will be outstanding in the fullness of time! 20222060.”
Burghound 89-91 points “A much more deeply pitched nose is comprised by notes of violet, plum, black cherry and discreet floral hints. There is excellent volume to the suave and very rounded medium weight flavors that also exude a fine bead of minerality onto the dusty, persistent and mildly austere finish. This velvety effort should drink reasonably well after only 5 years and reward up to a decade of cellar time.”
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard Les Chanlins VV Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Subscriber-Only Special, 36 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “Happily, there was no frost here in 2016, and as these vines close in on their ninetieth birthday (which will take place in the vintage of 2018), they are producing one of the most beautiful examples of Pommard in the village. The nose here wafts from the glass in a stunning blend of red plums, cherries, raw cocoa, gamebird, woodsmoke, a nice touch of mustard seed, a beautiful base of soil and just a touch of cedar. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, transparent and sappy at the core, with great focus and balance, a very elegant structural chassis and a long, vibrant and nascently complex finish. The inherent elegance of the 2016 vintage is very much on display here! 2028-2060+.”
Burghound 92 points “(from a .25 ha parcel; 50% whole clusters). A gentle touch of wood sets off highly attractive aromas of lavender, violet, cassis and plum. The rich, intense and relatively large-scaled flavors are distinctly earthy though there is plenty of the hallmark minerality on the extract-rich and powerful finish. This succulent yet quite serious effort is impressively scaled and clearly built to age. Patience strongly advised”
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard Les Chanlins VV Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Subscriber-Only Special, 24 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The domaine’s vines here in les Chanlins are closing in on ninety years of age and they have produced a very elegant and soil-driven example of Pommard this year- albeit with all of the depth and structural integrity one expects from the very best wines from this commune. The bouquet is precise, red fruity and youthful, offering up scents of cherries, sweet quince, beautifully complex soil tones, raw cocoa, a bit of bonfire, pigeon, a touch of mustard seed and a very discreet foundation of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, transparent and beautifully generous at the core, with ripe, seamless tannins, excellent focus and grip, bright acids and a long, complex and very promising finish. All this beautiful wine needs is some time in the cellar to properly blossom. 2030-2085”
Burghound 91 points “Abundant oak frames the ripe and fresh aromas of red currant, rose petal and plum that are abundantly infused with spice and floral whiffs. I very much like the mouth feel of the velvet-textured medium weight flavors that exhibit fine length on the robust, powerful and impeccably well-balanced finale. This is quite serious and firmly structured so patience advised.”
Subscriber Special Pricing Ends Friday, March 13th at 6 PM PT
Shop the complete list of 30 wines from Clos de la Chapelle in stock now on our webstore!
Subscriber Special
Big Deals on Big Deal Wines from Jaboulet
Plus, Mix Six or More and Save an Extra 5%!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $31.35
Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “From a scorcher of a vintage that had tiny yields, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert offers a deep purple color as well as a classic Thalabert bouquet of black fruits, black olive, iodine, and peppery herbs. It’s a rich, rounded, sumptuous beauty that has plenty of sweet fruit, moderate tannins, and a great finish. It’s not going to match the 2015, but it’s a rocking wine I’d be thrilled to drink.”
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Mix Six or More 5% Discount Ends Sunday, March 15th at 6 PM Pacific
2018’s Arriving ETA September:
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $58.81 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Chevalier de Sterimberg Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $61.90 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “This is two-thirds marsanne and one-third roussanne and it sees some demi-muid elevage. Very fresh, peach and pear aromas with a focused, ripe and juicy palate that wields glycerol and smooth fruit flesh. Long finish with pears, white peaches and melon. Very even. Drink or hold.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $31.35 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine Mule Blanche Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Burgundian notes of crushed citrus, white flowers, salty minerality, orange pith, and honeysuckle all emerge from the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Mule Blanc, and it’s fresh, medium to full-bodied, concentrated and elegant on the palate. Give it a year or two.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $28.41 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2018 750ML ($37.95) $29.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Although the fruit sourcing has changed from the old days, the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert remains a solid offering in the Jaboulet lineup. Violets accent blackberries and plums on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, lush and velvety, underscored by doses of salinity and licorice on the lengthy finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert comes from deeper, pebbly soils and is a full-bodied, opulent wine. Notes of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, ground pepper, and melted licorice all flow to a full-bodied wine that has tons of baby fat as well as sound underlying structure.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $179.55 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2018 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98-100 points “Jaboulet’s 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle features scents of crushed stone, violets and cassis. It’s a classic trio, backed by a wine that’s full-bodied, rich and powerful yet also airy, somehow carrying intense plum and black olive flavors without any sense of heaviness or excess weight. Then the wine finishes long and softly dusty, with tannins that accentuate its savory character, picking up delicious hints of licorice at the very end. The proportion of new oak has been trimmed back to a very reasonable 20% and is hardly noticeable in the wine.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points “A deep, powerful, primordial wine (which is exactly what you’d expect for a great vintage of this cuvée), the inky hued 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle offers tons of crème de cassis as well as a liquid rock-like minerality, peppery herbs, burning embers, and graphite aromas and flavors. The palate mirrors the intensity of the bouquet and is full-bodied, concentrated, and tight, yet still packs a huge amount of baby fat. The 2018 is a beautifully pure, balanced, massively endowed La Chapelle that will need a decade of cellaring and keep for 3-4 decades with no problems.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $56.05 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Maison Bleue, Rhone 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “The 2,000-case 2018 Hermitage Maison Bleue comes from the eastern side of the appellation and is a much more fleshy, opulent wine compared to the more mineral-laced La Chapelle. Jammy blackberry and cassis fruit, notes of ground herbs, graphite, and violets, full-bodied richness, beautiful concentration, and a great finish all make for a compelling Hermitage. It’s going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age.”
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2018 Hermitage La Maison Bleue offers up aromas of mocha, raspberries and a hint of black olive. It’s full-bodied, velvety and plush, with a finish that’s marked by hints of maple syrup and a slightly open-knit quality. It should drink well for at least a decade after release.”
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Mix Six or More 5% Discount Ends Sunday, March 15th at 6 PM Pacific
Don’t Forget!
Subscriber Special Ending Soon
Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Under $200
Previously Sold Out—More Stock Added (Arriving in April)
Subscriber Special
Big Discounts on Select Clos de la Chapelle Burgundies
Subscriber Special
Big Deals on Big Deal Wines from Jaboulet
Don’t Forget – Ending Soon!
Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Under $200
Staff Pick: Napa Valley’s Bellwether Cabernet Sauvignon
Our Favorite Drink-Now Brunello Returns
Lilbert’s Under the Radar Blanc de Blancs
Gerard Boulay’s Sancerre Mastery
Trending Wines
Collector’s Corner
Rene Leclerc’s Stunning, Traditional Gevrey-Chambertin
Subscriber Special
Big Discounts on Select Clos de la Chapelle Burgundies
Save Up to $20/Bottle on Some of Burgundy’s Finest
We’ve written extensively on how great we think the Clos de la Chapelle wines are. The domaine has acquired one of the most exceptional collections of vineyards in the Cote de Beaune, with holdings in any number of truly top-class sites. These are wines that are built for the serious Burgundy drinker but are currently undervalued relative to their peers in Volnay.
To make the value proposition even better for you, we’re offering you serious discounts on a vertical of their Pommard Premier Cru “Chanlins” as well as their stunning 2013 Corton Rognet Grand Cru. Until we close for business on Friday, these are the lowest prices in the country on some incredible, ageworthy Burgundies. Don’t let this deal pass you by.
Subscriber Special Pricing Ends Friday, March 13th at 6 PM PT
In Stock Now:
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Corton Rognet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2013 750ML ($149.95) Was $119, Now $99 Subscriber-Only Special, 12 bottles in stock now
Burghound 92 points “A relatively high-toned nose displays no such reductive notes as the fresh and cool red berry fruit aromas are mixed with background hints of earth and the sauvage. There is a lovely sense of energy to the powerful and concentrated broad-shouldered flavors that also possess a velvety mouth feel, all wrapped in a mildly rustic and dusty but clearly riper finish. This beauty should amply repay medium to perhaps even longer-term cellaring.”
To make the value proposition even better for you, we’re offering you serious discounts on a vertical of their Pommard Premier Cru “Chanlins” as well as their stunning 2013 Corton Rognet Grand Cru. Until we close for business on Friday, these are the lowest prices in the country on some incredible, ageworthy Burgundies. Don’t let this deal pass you by.
Subscriber Special Pricing Ends Friday, March 13th at 6 PM PT
In Stock Now:
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Corton Rognet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2013 750ML ($149.95) Was $119, Now $99 Subscriber-Only Special, 12 bottles in stock now
Burghound 92 points “A relatively high-toned nose displays no such reductive notes as the fresh and cool red berry fruit aromas are mixed with background hints of earth and the sauvage. There is a lovely sense of energy to the powerful and concentrated broad-shouldered flavors that also possess a velvety mouth feel, all wrapped in a mildly rustic and dusty but clearly riper finish. This beauty should amply repay medium to perhaps even longer-term cellaring.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard Les Chanlins Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Subscriber-Only Special, 12 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 92+ points “The domaine’s eighty-plus year-old vines in Chanlins have produced a stellar example of the 2011 vintage, as the wine offers up a superb bouquet of cherries, quince, woodsmoke, lovely minerality, cocoa, herb tones and just a touch of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bdoied, pure and very elegant (particularly for young Pommard), with a very good core of fruit, fine focus, ripe and suave tannins and great transparency on the long and youthful finish. Chanlins seems to often produce one of the most elegant examples of Pommard and this is certainly in evidence in the lovely 2011 from Domaine Clos de la Chapelle. 2020-2050.”
Burghound 92 points “Outstanding. Here too there is a real sense of refinement though as pretty as this is it cannot match its two Volnay stable mates in this regard. There are plenty of earth and underbrush nuances to the mineral-inflected, cool and pure red currant, cherry and spice aromas. There is good power and intensity to the textured, broad-shouldered and mineral-driven flavors that possess a sophisticated mouth feel, all wrapped in a moderately austere but balanced and wonderfully persistent finish. This is definitely Pommard in basic character but refined Pommard.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard Les Chanlins Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Subscriber-Only Special, 2 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The eighty-five yearold vines here have produced a very pretty and red fruity example of the vintage in 2014. The bouquet jumps from the glass in a classy blend of cherries, quince, a touch of blood orange, pigeon, woodsmoke and a gentle framing of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, fullbodied, complex and really very suave on the attack (particularly for a young Pommard!), with a fine core of fruit, fine grained tannins and a long, focused and tangy finish. This will be outstanding in the fullness of time! 20222060.”
Burghound 89-91 points “A much more deeply pitched nose is comprised by notes of violet, plum, black cherry and discreet floral hints. There is excellent volume to the suave and very rounded medium weight flavors that also exude a fine bead of minerality onto the dusty, persistent and mildly austere finish. This velvety effort should drink reasonably well after only 5 years and reward up to a decade of cellar time.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard Les Chanlins VV Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Subscriber-Only Special, 36 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “Happily, there was no frost here in 2016, and as these vines close in on their ninetieth birthday (which will take place in the vintage of 2018), they are producing one of the most beautiful examples of Pommard in the village. The nose here wafts from the glass in a stunning blend of red plums, cherries, raw cocoa, gamebird, woodsmoke, a nice touch of mustard seed, a beautiful base of soil and just a touch of cedar. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, transparent and sappy at the core, with great focus and balance, a very elegant structural chassis and a long, vibrant and nascently complex finish. The inherent elegance of the 2016 vintage is very much on display here! 2028-2060+.”
Burghound 92 points “(from a .25 ha parcel; 50% whole clusters). A gentle touch of wood sets off highly attractive aromas of lavender, violet, cassis and plum. The rich, intense and relatively large-scaled flavors are distinctly earthy though there is plenty of the hallmark minerality on the extract-rich and powerful finish. This succulent yet quite serious effort is impressively scaled and clearly built to age. Patience strongly advised”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Domaine Clos de la Chapelle Pommard Les Chanlins VV Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Subscriber-Only Special, 24 bottles in stock now
John Gilman 94 points “The domaine’s vines here in les Chanlins are closing in on ninety years of age and they have produced a very elegant and soil-driven example of Pommard this year- albeit with all of the depth and structural integrity one expects from the very best wines from this commune. The bouquet is precise, red fruity and youthful, offering up scents of cherries, sweet quince, beautifully complex soil tones, raw cocoa, a bit of bonfire, pigeon, a touch of mustard seed and a very discreet foundation of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, transparent and beautifully generous at the core, with ripe, seamless tannins, excellent focus and grip, bright acids and a long, complex and very promising finish. All this beautiful wine needs is some time in the cellar to properly blossom. 2030-2085”
Burghound 91 points “Abundant oak frames the ripe and fresh aromas of red currant, rose petal and plum that are abundantly infused with spice and floral whiffs. I very much like the mouth feel of the velvet-textured medium weight flavors that exhibit fine length on the robust, powerful and impeccably well-balanced finale. This is quite serious and firmly structured so patience advised.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
Subscriber Special Pricing Ends Friday, March 13th at 6 PM PT
Shop the complete list of 30 wines from Clos de la Chapelle in stock now on our webstore!
Subscriber Special
Big Deals on Big Deal Wines from Jaboulet
Plus, Mix Six or More and Save an Extra 5%!
The hill of Hermitage is both one of the most famous wine landmarks in the world and also so much more interesting than common lore purports it to be. The story goes that the hill of Hermitage was the home of a knight seeking solace from the horrors of the Crusades upon his return home. He planted the vineyards that would become Hermitage and then built a chapel to pray in and that building, the Chapel of Saint Christopher, is the defining marker of the hillside. The name, Hermitage, takes the name of the hermit’s refuge.
Jaboulet purchased the Chapel of Saint Christopher and the surrounding plot of land in 1919—possibly the choicest part of the whole appellation. This is the core of their blend for La Chapelle, which for many defines what Hermitage can be, though the entire line of wines Jaboulet makes from the AOC (and its neighbor) is exceptional. These are big, dense wines, with loads of Hermitage character and those effortless Syrah flavors that just don’t quit on extremely long finishes. Both 2017 (arriving later this month) and 2018 (this summer) look to be incredible successes for the northern Rhone, with Jaboulet one of the standout producers. These are wines to stock up on and savor.
We’re making these deals even better by offering an exclusive discount to our subscribers. Buy any mix of six or more bottles of 2017 or 2018 Jaboulet wines from this offer, and we will give you a 5% discount. Offer ends Sunday, March 15th at 6 PM Pacific.
Subscriber-Only Discount Will Not Appear Online
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order
Mix Six or More 5% Discount Ends Sunday, March 15th at 6 PM Pacific
2017’s, Arriving ETA March:
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $31.35
Jaboulet Aine Domaine Mule Blanche Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “A barrel-fermented blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Roussanne, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche is a terrific example of what those varieties can do when they’re grown in the right location and vinified with care. Gentle toasted grain scents waft from the glass, along with notes of marshmallow and melon. It’s full-bodied and richly textured, with notes of pineapple, crème brûlée and citrus on the long finish.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $56.05
Jaboulet Aine Chevalier de Sterimberg Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-97 points “Jaboulet’s 2017 Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg is approximately two-thirds Marsanne and one-third Roussanne. Subtle notes of crushed stone and pencil shavings frame honey, pineapple and baking spices, all wrapped around a tensile core of tangerine and lime. In a year when no La Chapelle Blanc is being made, this is the top white Hermitage from Jaboulet, and it’s a beauty, with a silky texture and a long, mouthwatering finish.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $179.55
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 97-99 points “In need of serious air to open up, the 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle became more and more impressive the longer I kept it in the glass. At first it seemed a bit simple, if admirably plummy and rich, but by the time ten minutes had elapsed, it was showing off elegant notes of crushed stone, pencil shavings and cassis, while remaining full-bodied, rich and concentrated. It’s velvety and long on the finish, but something left me wanting a bit more. It’s surely a great La Chapelle, but will it reach that elusive triple-digit score?”
James Suckling 98 points “The icon is in dangerously seductive form. Such pristine dark cherries, blackberries and dark plums, dark chocolate, finely crushed spices and plenty of crushed dark stones on offer. The palate is very intense, very slick and fine tannins deliver an almost playfully soft impression. The oak is super integrated. Like La Maison Bleue, this approachability is an aberration, as it has immense power, concentration and length with such regal and alluring swagger at the finish. But there is so much more to come. Try from 2024, better after 2030.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95-96 points “Brilliant magenta. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur, incense and potpourri, while olive and exotic spice nuances build in the glass. Displays intense, alluringly sweet black/blue fruit, spicecake and violet pastille flavors that show sharp delineation and are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Closes extremely long and precise, displaying a smoky, intensifying mineral quality and youthfully gripping tannins that build steadily.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $56.53—the lowest listed price in the country!
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Maison Bleue, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Full-bodied, creamy and supple, the 2017 Hermitage La Maison Bleue looks to be a thrilling Hermitage to drink over the next 10-15 years. It’s loaded with mixed blueberries and raspberries, adds subtle notes of mocha and baking spices and picks up a savory hint of black olives on the long, silky finish. Don’t make the mistake of thinking only the La Chapelle is worth drinking, this should be a real beauty when it’s released next year.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is utterly delicious and has a very plush and sweetly fruited core of flavor with a sweepingly fleshy, rich and quite plush feel. The tannins are very fine here; sleek and assertive, they seem to suggest early drinking. It’s so balanced, too. However, this deserves to be reserved for later, as there’s a lot more to come. Try from 2024.”
Jaboulet purchased the Chapel of Saint Christopher and the surrounding plot of land in 1919—possibly the choicest part of the whole appellation. This is the core of their blend for La Chapelle, which for many defines what Hermitage can be, though the entire line of wines Jaboulet makes from the AOC (and its neighbor) is exceptional. These are big, dense wines, with loads of Hermitage character and those effortless Syrah flavors that just don’t quit on extremely long finishes. Both 2017 (arriving later this month) and 2018 (this summer) look to be incredible successes for the northern Rhone, with Jaboulet one of the standout producers. These are wines to stock up on and savor.
We’re making these deals even better by offering an exclusive discount to our subscribers. Buy any mix of six or more bottles of 2017 or 2018 Jaboulet wines from this offer, and we will give you a 5% discount. Offer ends Sunday, March 15th at 6 PM Pacific.
Subscriber-Only Discount Will Not Appear Online
We will manually adjust pricing before finalizing your order
Mix Six or More 5% Discount Ends Sunday, March 15th at 6 PM Pacific
2017’s, Arriving ETA March:
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $31.35
Jaboulet Aine Domaine Mule Blanche Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “A barrel-fermented blend of 50% Marsanne and 50% Roussanne, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche is a terrific example of what those varieties can do when they’re grown in the right location and vinified with care. Gentle toasted grain scents waft from the glass, along with notes of marshmallow and melon. It’s full-bodied and richly textured, with notes of pineapple, crème brûlée and citrus on the long finish.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $56.05
Jaboulet Aine Chevalier de Sterimberg Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-97 points “Jaboulet’s 2017 Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg is approximately two-thirds Marsanne and one-third Roussanne. Subtle notes of crushed stone and pencil shavings frame honey, pineapple and baking spices, all wrapped around a tensile core of tangerine and lime. In a year when no La Chapelle Blanc is being made, this is the top white Hermitage from Jaboulet, and it’s a beauty, with a silky texture and a long, mouthwatering finish.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $179.55
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 97-99 points “In need of serious air to open up, the 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle became more and more impressive the longer I kept it in the glass. At first it seemed a bit simple, if admirably plummy and rich, but by the time ten minutes had elapsed, it was showing off elegant notes of crushed stone, pencil shavings and cassis, while remaining full-bodied, rich and concentrated. It’s velvety and long on the finish, but something left me wanting a bit more. It’s surely a great La Chapelle, but will it reach that elusive triple-digit score?”
James Suckling 98 points “The icon is in dangerously seductive form. Such pristine dark cherries, blackberries and dark plums, dark chocolate, finely crushed spices and plenty of crushed dark stones on offer. The palate is very intense, very slick and fine tannins deliver an almost playfully soft impression. The oak is super integrated. Like La Maison Bleue, this approachability is an aberration, as it has immense power, concentration and length with such regal and alluring swagger at the finish. But there is so much more to come. Try from 2024, better after 2030.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95-96 points “Brilliant magenta. A highly complex bouquet evokes ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur, incense and potpourri, while olive and exotic spice nuances build in the glass. Displays intense, alluringly sweet black/blue fruit, spicecake and violet pastille flavors that show sharp delineation and are braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Closes extremely long and precise, displaying a smoky, intensifying mineral quality and youthfully gripping tannins that build steadily.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $56.53—the lowest listed price in the country!
Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Maison Bleue, Rhone 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59.50 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Full-bodied, creamy and supple, the 2017 Hermitage La Maison Bleue looks to be a thrilling Hermitage to drink over the next 10-15 years. It’s loaded with mixed blueberries and raspberries, adds subtle notes of mocha and baking spices and picks up a savory hint of black olives on the long, silky finish. Don’t make the mistake of thinking only the La Chapelle is worth drinking, this should be a real beauty when it’s released next year.”
James Suckling 94 points “This is utterly delicious and has a very plush and sweetly fruited core of flavor with a sweepingly fleshy, rich and quite plush feel. The tannins are very fine here; sleek and assertive, they seem to suggest early drinking. It’s so balanced, too. However, this deserves to be reserved for later, as there’s a lot more to come. Try from 2024.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $31.35
Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “From a scorcher of a vintage that had tiny yields, the 2017 Crozes Hermitage Domaine De Thalabert offers a deep purple color as well as a classic Thalabert bouquet of black fruits, black olive, iodine, and peppery herbs. It’s a rich, rounded, sumptuous beauty that has plenty of sweet fruit, moderate tannins, and a great finish. It’s not going to match the 2015, but it’s a rocking wine I’d be thrilled to drink.”
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2018’s Arriving ETA September:
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $58.81 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Chevalier de Sterimberg Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2018 750ML ($79.95) $61.90 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 94 points “This is two-thirds marsanne and one-third roussanne and it sees some demi-muid elevage. Very fresh, peach and pear aromas with a focused, ripe and juicy palate that wields glycerol and smooth fruit flesh. Long finish with pears, white peaches and melon. Very even. Drink or hold.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $31.35 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine Mule Blanche Crozes-Hermitage Blanc, Rhone 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Burgundian notes of crushed citrus, white flowers, salty minerality, orange pith, and honeysuckle all emerge from the 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Mule Blanc, and it’s fresh, medium to full-bodied, concentrated and elegant on the palate. Give it a year or two.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $28.41 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Domaine de Thalabert Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone 2018 750ML ($37.95) $29.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “Although the fruit sourcing has changed from the old days, the 2018 Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert remains a solid offering in the Jaboulet lineup. Violets accent blackberries and plums on the nose, while the palate is full-bodied, lush and velvety, underscored by doses of salinity and licorice on the lengthy finish.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92-94 points “The 2018 Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert comes from deeper, pebbly soils and is a full-bodied, opulent wine. Notes of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, ground pepper, and melted licorice all flow to a full-bodied wine that has tons of baby fat as well as sound underlying structure.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $179.55 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2018 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98-100 points “Jaboulet’s 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle features scents of crushed stone, violets and cassis. It’s a classic trio, backed by a wine that’s full-bodied, rich and powerful yet also airy, somehow carrying intense plum and black olive flavors without any sense of heaviness or excess weight. Then the wine finishes long and softly dusty, with tannins that accentuate its savory character, picking up delicious hints of licorice at the very end. The proportion of new oak has been trimmed back to a very reasonable 20% and is hardly noticeable in the wine.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points “A deep, powerful, primordial wine (which is exactly what you’d expect for a great vintage of this cuvée), the inky hued 2018 Hermitage La Chapelle offers tons of crème de cassis as well as a liquid rock-like minerality, peppery herbs, burning embers, and graphite aromas and flavors. The palate mirrors the intensity of the bouquet and is full-bodied, concentrated, and tight, yet still packs a huge amount of baby fat. The 2018 is a beautifully pure, balanced, massively endowed La Chapelle that will need a decade of cellaring and keep for 3-4 decades with no problems.”
Mix Six or More Discount Price: $56.05 —the lowest listed price in the country!
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Maison Bleue, Rhone 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “The 2,000-case 2018 Hermitage Maison Bleue comes from the eastern side of the appellation and is a much more fleshy, opulent wine compared to the more mineral-laced La Chapelle. Jammy blackberry and cassis fruit, notes of ground herbs, graphite, and violets, full-bodied richness, beautiful concentration, and a great finish all make for a compelling Hermitage. It’s going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age.”
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2018 Hermitage La Maison Bleue offers up aromas of mocha, raspberries and a hint of black olive. It’s full-bodied, velvety and plush, with a finish that’s marked by hints of maple syrup and a slightly open-knit quality. It should drink well for at least a decade after release.”
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Don’t Forget!
Subscriber Special Ending Soon
Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Under $200
Previously Sold Out—More Stock Added (Arriving in April)
Of the notable producers of truly top tier Corton-Charlemagne, Faiveley’s may be the most overlooked. The white wine program under Erwan Faiveley has been perhaps the biggest star in the venerable producer’s stable of excellent wines. With our Subscriber Special, you can still buy the 2016 for under $200—at least until we close for business on Thursday. That’s an incredible deal and a fraction of the price of some of the names in Faiveley’s league.
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Sale valid until Thursday, March 12th at 6 PM Pacific
Previously Sold Out – Re-Arriving ETA April
Only 18 bottles remaining!
Domaine Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2016 750ML ($279.95) $225 Displayed Price, $199 Subscriber Pre-Arrival Special
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Pale yellow. Alluring nose combines aromas of citrus fruits, peach, stone and lavender; comes across as riper and more sedate than the Faiveley cuvées from south of Beaune. Plush, sweet, pliant and rather full but not heavy; this has the silkiness and palate feel of a Pinot Noir and the cool density of the Ladoix-Serrigny side of the appellation. Citrus and soil flavors are nicely supported by a firm core of limestone minerality. This terrific expression of terroir finishes with a rising whiplash of flavor.”
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Sale valid until Thursday, March 12th at 6 PM Pacific
Previously Sold Out – Re-Arriving ETA April
Only 18 bottles remaining!
Domaine Faiveley Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2016 750ML ($279.95) $225 Displayed Price, $199 Subscriber Pre-Arrival Special
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Pale yellow. Alluring nose combines aromas of citrus fruits, peach, stone and lavender; comes across as riper and more sedate than the Faiveley cuvées from south of Beaune. Plush, sweet, pliant and rather full but not heavy; this has the silkiness and palate feel of a Pinot Noir and the cool density of the Ladoix-Serrigny side of the appellation. Citrus and soil flavors are nicely supported by a firm core of limestone minerality. This terrific expression of terroir finishes with a rising whiplash of flavor.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $266
The average listed price is $266
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Staff Pick
Napa Valley’s Bellwether Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley’s Bellwether Cabernet Sauvignon
Matt:
Every region has its benchmarks: producers that represent what a region is capable of, standards for neighbors to admire and emulate. Every region also has its bellwethers: producers that exemplify broader trends within the region, ambassadors for the region writ large. In the Napa Valley you could probably make the case for a dozen or more wineries as regional bellwethers, but at or near the top of the list would have to be Frog’s Leap.
I recently tasted the Frog’s Leap 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon with several other wine professionals, and the reception was illuminating. Tasting the wine blind everyone was able to identify the variety, it’s unmistakably Cabernet Sauvignon. Its origin however was less obvious. After some deliberation, most of the group guessed that it was the product of a warm vintage in Bordeaux. There was also a broad consensus that the wine came from an excellent producer. And right they were on this point.
For me, the wine joins a growing body of evidence that Napa Valley has a new, more balanced paradigm. Recently, I’ve started to encounter an encouraging number of reds that offer freshness and nuance that harken back to pre-Parker wines of the 1970’s. And the Frog’s Leap 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is amongst the most delicious of the evidence I’ve collected thus far.
In Stock Now:
Frog’s Leap Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2016 750ML ($69.95) $45 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown from Frog’s Leap is dark, bold and luscious, with generous dark cherry, plum spice, leather. Forward and supple, the 2016 will drink well right out of the gate, and yet it also has enough freshness to age nicely for a number of years. In 2016, the Cabernet has gorgeous depth to play off a classic, mid-weight sense of structure. This is a positively joyous Cabernet Sauvignon from Frog’s Leap.”
Decanter World Wine Awards 92 points “91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot. Powerful and rich with luscious blackcurrant compote, wood smoke, cedar and leather. Grippy tannins and wonderfully balanced toasty oak leads to a delightful finish.”
Every region has its benchmarks: producers that represent what a region is capable of, standards for neighbors to admire and emulate. Every region also has its bellwethers: producers that exemplify broader trends within the region, ambassadors for the region writ large. In the Napa Valley you could probably make the case for a dozen or more wineries as regional bellwethers, but at or near the top of the list would have to be Frog’s Leap.
I recently tasted the Frog’s Leap 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon with several other wine professionals, and the reception was illuminating. Tasting the wine blind everyone was able to identify the variety, it’s unmistakably Cabernet Sauvignon. Its origin however was less obvious. After some deliberation, most of the group guessed that it was the product of a warm vintage in Bordeaux. There was also a broad consensus that the wine came from an excellent producer. And right they were on this point.
For me, the wine joins a growing body of evidence that Napa Valley has a new, more balanced paradigm. Recently, I’ve started to encounter an encouraging number of reds that offer freshness and nuance that harken back to pre-Parker wines of the 1970’s. And the Frog’s Leap 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is amongst the most delicious of the evidence I’ve collected thus far.
In Stock Now:
Frog’s Leap Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2016 750ML ($69.95) $45 special, 31 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown from Frog’s Leap is dark, bold and luscious, with generous dark cherry, plum spice, leather. Forward and supple, the 2016 will drink well right out of the gate, and yet it also has enough freshness to age nicely for a number of years. In 2016, the Cabernet has gorgeous depth to play off a classic, mid-weight sense of structure. This is a positively joyous Cabernet Sauvignon from Frog’s Leap.”
Decanter World Wine Awards 92 points “91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot. Powerful and rich with luscious blackcurrant compote, wood smoke, cedar and leather. Grippy tannins and wonderfully balanced toasty oak leads to a delightful finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Our Favorite Drink-Now Brunello Returns
Castiglion del Bosco has become one of our go-to producers for modern-styled Brunello. Rich and powerful with silky fruit, the 2015 is a masterpiece. One of the challenges we often face is to find Brunello that’s exceptionally delicious young (while still tasting like Brunello) and Castiglion del Bosco is of our perennial top picks. This is a wine that’s always glorious right from the gate—a big, textured wine with silky tannins and explosive aromatics. It’s become a best seller for us for a reason.
You can tell a lot about a Brunello vintage by how early we start getting asked about it. In the case of the 2015s, well, let’s just say this is a pretty anticipated set of wines. ’15 was a warm year across Europe and the vintage produced Brunello di Montalcino of exceptional concentration. Even for a region known for richer wines, these are powerful—yet they maintain an expressiveness that’s delightfully fresh to go along with their intensity.
The 2015 Castiglion del Bosco arrives at the end of the month—under $50 (with a case price that nearly brings it under $45). That’s a fantastic price for a wine of this quality and drinkability. We expect it to move quickly (again, like the last few vintages) so stock up while you can.
Arriving ETA Late March:
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($799.95) $549 pre-arrival special (that’s only $45.75/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful aromos of flowers, plums, terracotta and white pepper. Intense, yet ever so subtle. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins, and a long and intense finish. Shows excellent length. Drink after 2021.”
You can tell a lot about a Brunello vintage by how early we start getting asked about it. In the case of the 2015s, well, let’s just say this is a pretty anticipated set of wines. ’15 was a warm year across Europe and the vintage produced Brunello di Montalcino of exceptional concentration. Even for a region known for richer wines, these are powerful—yet they maintain an expressiveness that’s delightfully fresh to go along with their intensity.
The 2015 Castiglion del Bosco arrives at the end of the month—under $50 (with a case price that nearly brings it under $45). That’s a fantastic price for a wine of this quality and drinkability. We expect it to move quickly (again, like the last few vintages) so stock up while you can.
Arriving ETA Late March:
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($799.95) $549 pre-arrival special (that’s only $45.75/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
James Suckling 97 points “Wonderful aromos of flowers, plums, terracotta and white pepper. Intense, yet ever so subtle. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins, and a long and intense finish. Shows excellent length. Drink after 2021.”
Lilbert’s Under the Radar Blanc de Blancs
Lilbert is one of the best kept secrets in Champagne. Drawing from Grand Cru vineyards in the Cote de Blancs, Lilbert makes blanc de blancs wines from some excellent vineyards in a finessed, minerally style. Their wines have notable brioche-y character, as well, due to the large quantities of reserve wines in their various blends. At the prices asked, these are wines that massively over-deliver. That’s certainly because they fly under the radar (at the moment) but that could (and should) change over the next few years.
Arriving ETA March 20th:
Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “A fresh and elegant blanc de blancs Champagne, with juicy nectarine and mango fruit accented by hints of candied kumquat, spring blossom and salted almond. Long and creamy on the mouthwatering finish. Disgorged summer 2016. Drink now through 2022. 1,650 cases made, 100 cases imported. — AN”
Lilbert-Fils “Perle” Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 93 points “This bottle of Lilbert’s NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Perle was disgorged in summer 2018 with five grams per liter dosage and is based on the 2013 vintage, with 35% reserve wines. Offering up aromas of lemon oil, crushed chalk and hints of warm biscuits, it’s medium to full-bodied, with an elegant pinpoint mousse, a deep and tight-knit core, racy acids and a penetrating, precise finish. Dry and incisive, it’s classic Lilbert, showing Cramant’s serious side, and it will evolve beautifully in the cellar.”
Arriving ETA March 20th:
Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “A fresh and elegant blanc de blancs Champagne, with juicy nectarine and mango fruit accented by hints of candied kumquat, spring blossom and salted almond. Long and creamy on the mouthwatering finish. Disgorged summer 2016. Drink now through 2022. 1,650 cases made, 100 cases imported. — AN”
Lilbert-Fils “Perle” Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 93 points “This bottle of Lilbert’s NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Perle was disgorged in summer 2018 with five grams per liter dosage and is based on the 2013 vintage, with 35% reserve wines. Offering up aromas of lemon oil, crushed chalk and hints of warm biscuits, it’s medium to full-bodied, with an elegant pinpoint mousse, a deep and tight-knit core, racy acids and a penetrating, precise finish. Dry and incisive, it’s classic Lilbert, showing Cramant’s serious side, and it will evolve beautifully in the cellar.”
Gerard Boulay’s Sancerre Mastery
“Given the crystalline purity of his Sauvignon Blancs, he has become one of my favorite producers of the central Loire. If you want to know what true Sancerre tastes like, try one of his single-vineyard bottlings. It does not come any better!” – Joel Payne, Vinous
Gerard Boulay makes some of the best white wines in France from his vineyards in Chavignol. Chavignol is the true beating heart of Sancerre and the host of all the best names in the region (Vatan, the Cotats, Boulay, etc.) and Boulay owns some of best located sites in some of the best vineyards in the town. From his parcel in La Grande Cote to Monts Damnes to the famed Clos Beaujeu, all of his wines ring with terroir and the unique minerality that’s inherent to Chavignol.
For the prices that Boulay charges, these are some of the most electric and profound whites in all of France. While low-tier Sancerre always seems overpriced, the top producers in the region make extraordinary wines that seem to be completely undervalued (with the obvious exception of Vatan). 2018 was a fantastic year in the Loire and Boulay made some of his best bottles in his career. We have a few cases of each of the cru wines arriving in May and these should disappear quickly, so they’re worth jumping on now.
Arriving ETA May:
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol, Loire 2019 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Importer note “Blend of young vine parcels on kimmeridgian slopes in the village of Chavignol.”
Gerard Boulay makes some of the best white wines in France from his vineyards in Chavignol. Chavignol is the true beating heart of Sancerre and the host of all the best names in the region (Vatan, the Cotats, Boulay, etc.) and Boulay owns some of best located sites in some of the best vineyards in the town. From his parcel in La Grande Cote to Monts Damnes to the famed Clos Beaujeu, all of his wines ring with terroir and the unique minerality that’s inherent to Chavignol.
For the prices that Boulay charges, these are some of the most electric and profound whites in all of France. While low-tier Sancerre always seems overpriced, the top producers in the region make extraordinary wines that seem to be completely undervalued (with the obvious exception of Vatan). 2018 was a fantastic year in the Loire and Boulay made some of his best bottles in his career. We have a few cases of each of the cru wines arriving in May and these should disappear quickly, so they’re worth jumping on now.
Arriving ETA May:
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol, Loire 2019 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Importer note “Blend of young vine parcels on kimmeridgian slopes in the village of Chavignol.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Comtesse, Loire 2018 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Importer Note “From 50-75 year old vines located in the sweet spot of the Mont Damnés vineyard (bottom of the slope, near Clos La Neore of Vatan), this is often the most powerful wine from Boulay’s lineup. Vintage 2005 was the inaugural release.”
Importer Note “From 50-75 year old vines located in the sweet spot of the Mont Damnés vineyard (bottom of the slope, near Clos La Neore of Vatan), this is often the most powerful wine from Boulay’s lineup. Vintage 2005 was the inaugural release.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Gerard Boulay Sancerre La Cote, Loire 2018 750ML ($74.95) $56.50 pre-arrival special
Importer Note “Boulay’s parcel in “La Grande Côte,” which is partially owned and partically rented, is one of three designated Crus of Chavignol and is reputed for producing wines of incredible precision. Vintage 2010 was the inaugural release. Overall, Gerard Boulay’s “terre blanche” vineyards produce some of the most distinctive and soil-inflected Sauvignon Blancs in the Loire, with a delineation and minerality often reminiscent of a top Chablis. Boulay is certainly among the top examples of the appellation, including Boulay’s neighbors (Cotat Bros., Vatan). These are gorgeous, highly complex wines that are a clear step above “regular” Sancerre, and can age easily for 10-20 years or more. In fact, we have had them all the way back to the 1959 which was magnificent! They confirm Boulay’s place in the top ranks of Loire Valley vignerons. (referred to by the Cotat brothers as La Grande Cote)”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Clos de Beaujeu, Loire 2018 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Importer Note “One of Chavignol’s most historic vineyards, Boulay’s parcel lies within the original Clos of the vineyard, established by the monks of Beaujeu in the Middle Ages. The walls of the Clos are no longer standing as they were originally built from clay and hay, and did not withstand the test of time. Boulay farms a 0.75 hectares plot of 30- to 60-year old vins where the soils are pebbly, lime-rich and strewn with fossils. Along with the 60% gradient for much of the vineyard, the rocky soils make this parcel very difficult to farm. Clos de Beaujeu is the source of some of Boulay’s deepest, most structured wines and savory, spicy examples of Chavignol that are built to last.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Les Monts Damnes, Loire 2018 750ML ($69.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special
Importer Note “Boulay began farming the steeply sloped Mont Damnés vineyard in 1982. His plot has an average vine age of 45 years. Mont Damnés’ reflective soils and south-facing exposition make it one of Chavignol’s warmest sites. Overall, Gerard Boulay’s “terre blanche” vineyards produce some of the most distinctive and soil-inflected Sauvignon Blancs in the Loire, with a delineation and minerality often reminiscent of a top Chablis. Boulay is certainly among the top examples of the appellation, including Boulay’s neighbors (Cotat Bros., Vatan). These are gorgeous, highly complex wines that are a clear step above “regular” Sancerre, and can age easily for 10-20 years or more. In fact, we have had them all the way back to the 1959 which was magnificent! They confirm Boulay’s place in the top ranks of Loire Valley vignerons.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Trending Wines
Bold Gigondas that’s still (somehow) under $30 per bottle.
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($34.95) $28.80 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2017 750ML ($419.95) $319 special (that’s only $26.58/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The ruby/purple-hued 2017 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes is a finesse-oriented, medium to full-bodied wine from this estate that has classy notes of dark fruits, kirsch, sappy flowers, and peppery spice. With no hard edges and beautiful balance, it’s reminiscent of the 2011 and will drink nicely for 7-8 years or more.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2017 Gigondas Classique Vieilles Vignes was scheduled to be bottled the week after my visit, so I tasted the final assemblage, which is 75% to 80% Grenache and the rest Mourvèdre. Scents of crushed stone, pepper and licorice lead the way, followed by intense notes of black cherries and tree bark. It’s full-bodied, silky and long, with hints of chocolate that creep in on the finish. It looks suppler than I remember it being last year, and it’s for the better.-JC”
One of the best deals we’ve seen in Loire Sauvignon Blanc. Great stuff.
Domaine de la Garreliere Touraine Cendrillon, Loire 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Importer note “This takes the domain’s best Sauvignon from tank and pairs it with 10-15% Chardonnay from barrel along with some 5% of Sauvignon from barrel. The wood is a minimum of three years old. Cendrillon is French for Cinderella, the folk tale of the oppressed girl who rose from ashes (cinders) to become a figure of beauty and grace in glass slippers. The label for this cuvée comes from a painting done by a friend of the Plouzeau family. Note that the label for this wine indicates the domain as ‘Domaine de la Garrelière’.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cali-Rhones are some of the best values out there and Marietta way over delivers.
Marietta Cellars ‘Christo’ Rhone Blend, California 2016 750ML ($21.95) $17 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2016 Christo, Marietta’s Syrah-based blend, is terrific. Black cherry, chocolate, leather, licorice and spice give the wine much of its dark, brooding feel. Powerful and intense, but with good freshness, the 2016 is wonderfully complete and absolutely delicious.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Fresh, bright and perfect for a back porch near you.
CVNE ‘Monopole’ Blanco, Rioja DOCa 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 89 points “There are two versions of the dry white, the young, fresh and fruit-driven 2018 Monopole and another one they call “clásico,” which is released later and has some Manzanilla de Sanlúcar added to it. This fruity white is also floral and light and was produced with Viura (a.k.a. Macabeo) grapes that fermented in stainless steel at low temperature with dry yeasts to keep the primary aromas. It’s from a fresh year with less ripeness and alcohol (perhaps more noticeable in the reds), and this continues with the profile of previous years. The source of the grapes is quite stable, so variations are due to the climate of the year. 400,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2018.”
This has always been a good deal—and with the new tariffs+frost problems in Burgundy it looks better and better.
Domaine Faiveley Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 94 points “From bottle, Faiveley’s 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers is showing very well indeed, unwinding in the glass with aromas of blackberries, cassis, dark chocolate, grilled game, bergamot and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, textural but full of energy, with a gourmand core of succulent, sapid fruit that cloaks its rich, satiny tannins, concluding with a long, subtly carnal finish. Surpassing my recollection of it from barrel, this is an unequivocally superb Cazetiers.”
Burghound 92-94 points “(from a huge 3.96 ha parcel). Reduction and wood currently overshadow the underlying fruit. There is first-rate intensity and power to the concentrated broad-shouldered flavors that possess a velvet-textured mid-palate while delivering outstanding length on the balanced and only mildly rustic finale. If this can add even more depth it could very well merit the upper end of my predicted range. In sum, this is a classic example and as such, it’s very much destined for a long snooze in a cold cellar. (92-94)/2033+.”
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “Bright dark red. Reduced on the nose. Then silky, penetrating and classically dry on the palate, conveying an impression of medicinal reserve to its flavors of black fruits, smoke and minerals. The serious, granular tannins reach the front teeth. Very tactile wine but a bit youthfully stunted.”
Collector’s Corner
Rene Leclerc’s Stunning, Traditional Gevrey-Chambertin
Domaine Rene Leclerc is one of the venerable names in Gevrey-Chambertin. Founded in 1962, the family domaine is now owned and run jointly by Rene and his son Francois. Their passion is for wine of purity and balance, a hands-off style that allows the fruit to fully express the magnificent terroir of the region. What follows is a long, traditional fermentation in stainless steel tanks with natural yeasts.
The resulting wines display the classic Gevrey-Chamberin notes of red and black berries, chocolate, game and spice as they sit in the glass. These are as classically Gevrey-Chambertin as they come—in fact, you’d do well to think of these as a poor(er)-man’s Rousseau. Even their top-tier Griotte is under $200/bottle from a great vintage and their Combes aux Moines represents one of the best values in premier cru Burgundy from the Cote de Nuits. We’ve got a nice assortment coming at the end of the month—perfect for collectors looking to stock up.
Arriving ETA Late March
Highlights from Domaine Rene Leclerc
Only two bottles available!
Domaine Rene Leclerc Combes aux Moines, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2005 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Burghound 93 points “Outstanding. Deeply colored. Here the wood is almost completely absorbed if not actually invisible as it highlights relatively elegant and notable ripe earthy red and black pinot fruit aromas that precede rich, powerful and wonderfully complex broad-shouldered flavors brimming with dry extract that make this seem less structured than it really is. There is less minerality present than in the Cazetiers but as in ’06, there is more length.”
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Only five bottles available!
Domaine Rene Leclerc Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2005 750ML ($199.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Burghound 91-93 points “A classic and wonderfully expansive Griotte nose of remarkable breadth that includes ripe red cherry fruit, anise and clove, underbrush and warm earth notes that introduce delicious, round, generous and sweet flavors that culminate in a firm, complex and beautifully long finish. This is, at its essence, a wine of finesse as well yet there is enough muscle and punch that it’s not understated.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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