In Today’s Newsletter:
Lilbert’s Under the Radar Blanc de Blancs
New Review: Roederer’s Brut Rosé Millesime Rosé
Staff Pick: An Underappreciated Classic from the Rhone Valley
Where’s the Best Place in Burgundy for Great Value?
Don’t Forget Our Subscriber Special
On One of the Piemonte’s Best Values!
A Founding Father of Beaujolais’ Quality Movement
Rose of the Day
Trending Wines
Collector’s Corner
A Timeless Riesling from a Legendary Producer
Lilbert’s Under the Radar Blanc de Blancs
New Review: Roederer’s Brut Rosé Millesime Rosé
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Don’t want to stop in?
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you, please let us know
their name when placing your order.)
#503-223-6002
Lilbert’s Under the Radar Blanc de Blancs
New Review: Roederer’s Brut Rosé Millesime Rosé
Staff Pick: An Underappreciated Classic from the Rhone Valley
Where’s the Best Place in Burgundy for Great Value?
Don’t Forget Our Subscriber Special
On One of the Piemonte’s Best Values!
A Founding Father of Beaujolais’ Quality Movement
Rose of the Day
Trending Wines
Collector’s Corner
A Timeless Riesling from a Legendary Producer
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 Tomorrow:
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 Tomorrow:
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.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
New Review: Roederer’s Brut Rosé Millesime Rosé
Arriving in April:
Louis Roederer Brut Rosé Millesime, Champagne 2010 1.5L ($219.95) $159 pre-arrival special, only 11 magnums available!
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Roederer invested in a separate winery to produce its rosé, the facility completed in 2007, taking its classic saignee method wines to a new level. An estate-grown blend of pinot noir from the clay soils of Cumieres with chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs, this is an extraordinary vintage of Roederer Rosé. It’s a lithe wine, compelling for its precision rather than for any stylized complexity. In fact, it feels simple, naked, capturing the freshness of the grapes in pale pink energy. The transparent cherry and Honeycrisp apple flavors are inherently balanced and hard to resist.”
Louis Roederer Brut Rosé Millesime, Champagne 2010 1.5L ($219.95) $159 pre-arrival special, only 11 magnums available!
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Roederer invested in a separate winery to produce its rosé, the facility completed in 2007, taking its classic saignee method wines to a new level. An estate-grown blend of pinot noir from the clay soils of Cumieres with chardonnay from the Cote des Blancs, this is an extraordinary vintage of Roederer Rosé. It’s a lithe wine, compelling for its precision rather than for any stylized complexity. In fact, it feels simple, naked, capturing the freshness of the grapes in pale pink energy. The transparent cherry and Honeycrisp apple flavors are inherently balanced and hard to resist.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Don’t want to stop in?
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you, please let us know
their name when placing your order.)
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Staff Pick
An Underappreciated Classic from the Rhone Valley
An Underappreciated Classic from the Rhone Valley
Matt:
Despite their classic credentials, Marsanne/Roussanne blends still languish in somewhat obscurity. Neither grape has been widely proliferated outside of France, and as a result most U.S. drinkers are unfamiliar with their charms. As is the case of all great wine duos (think Cab and Merlot, Grenache and Syrah), Marsanne/Roussanne blends are so captivating because each grape has strengths and weaknesses that are made whole by the other.
Widely considered the superior of the two grapes, Marsanne provides richness, texture and beautiful fruit aromas. But it is Roussanne’s acid, and (non-fruit) nuances that make blends so elegant and complex. Marsanne/Roussanne blends are anything but boring -but not in a hit-you-over-the-head way like some other white grapes that are promoted as alternatives to bland white wines.
Durand’s 2017 Saint Joseph Blanc (50% Marsanne, 50% Roussanne) is as fine an example as I’ve had in recent memory. Offering everything you’d want in a white wine from not just the Rhone, but anywhere on earth. It’s interesting and generous, but not brash, while offering enough freshness to make it a welcome companion to your home-cooked meal. Simply put, I loved this wine and think you will too.
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Despite their classic credentials, Marsanne/Roussanne blends still languish in somewhat obscurity. Neither grape has been widely proliferated outside of France, and as a result most U.S. drinkers are unfamiliar with their charms. As is the case of all great wine duos (think Cab and Merlot, Grenache and Syrah), Marsanne/Roussanne blends are so captivating because each grape has strengths and weaknesses that are made whole by the other.
Widely considered the superior of the two grapes, Marsanne provides richness, texture and beautiful fruit aromas. But it is Roussanne’s acid, and (non-fruit) nuances that make blends so elegant and complex. Marsanne/Roussanne blends are anything but boring -but not in a hit-you-over-the-head way like some other white grapes that are promoted as alternatives to bland white wines.
Durand’s 2017 Saint Joseph Blanc (50% Marsanne, 50% Roussanne) is as fine an example as I’ve had in recent memory. Offering everything you’d want in a white wine from not just the Rhone, but anywhere on earth. It’s interesting and generous, but not brash, while offering enough freshness to make it a welcome companion to your home-cooked meal. Simply put, I loved this wine and think you will too.
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Joseph Blanc, Rhone 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Where’s the Best Place in Burgundy for Great Value?
Meet the Star of the Cote Chalonnaise
We’ve beat the drum pretty hard about Michel Juillot in the past and for good reason: he represents some of the best value in Burgundy. We’re going to continue that enthusiasm today—the new releases from Juillot are stellar and proof that there is value in Burgundy if you know where to look. That’s to say—once you venture outside the Cote d’Or there are some stunning producers making very overlooked wines, especially in Mercurey (and Givry).
Mercurey is the top village in the Cote Chalonnaise, which exists in between the Cote d’Or and the Macon. It boasts 32 Premier Cru vineyards and one of the highest volumes of red wine production, with the wines tending to be elegant and lighter. From better producers (ie: from better farmers) the wines put on more substance, resembling wines from the Cote de Beaune.
Michel Juillot is one of those top producers, the head of a family farming in the Cote Chalonnaise for generations (and with his son, Laurent, assuming more of the winemaking responsibilities, the tradition looks to continue). The estate owns a number of different parcels in a dizzying number of climats, with old vines throughout. Winemaking is pretty hands off, as well—these are wines that have polish, but not excessively so. In 2016 and ’17 (both excellent years for the Chalonnaise), they’re extremely smart buys—someone in 10+ years is going to mistake one for a solid Volnay or Beaune 1er (blind) and you’re going to look like a genius, especially for the prices.
Arriving Friday March 20th:
Domaine Michel Juillot Clos des Barraults Blanc, Mercurey Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Juillot’s finest white from Mercurey is the 2017 Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Barraults Blanc, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated wine that’s attractively pure and precise, offering up a charming bouquet of green orchard fruit, flowers and beeswax.”
Mercurey is the top village in the Cote Chalonnaise, which exists in between the Cote d’Or and the Macon. It boasts 32 Premier Cru vineyards and one of the highest volumes of red wine production, with the wines tending to be elegant and lighter. From better producers (ie: from better farmers) the wines put on more substance, resembling wines from the Cote de Beaune.
Michel Juillot is one of those top producers, the head of a family farming in the Cote Chalonnaise for generations (and with his son, Laurent, assuming more of the winemaking responsibilities, the tradition looks to continue). The estate owns a number of different parcels in a dizzying number of climats, with old vines throughout. Winemaking is pretty hands off, as well—these are wines that have polish, but not excessively so. In 2016 and ’17 (both excellent years for the Chalonnaise), they’re extremely smart buys—someone in 10+ years is going to mistake one for a solid Volnay or Beaune 1er (blind) and you’re going to look like a genius, especially for the prices.
Arriving Friday March 20th:
Domaine Michel Juillot Clos des Barraults Blanc, Mercurey Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Juillot’s finest white from Mercurey is the 2017 Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Barraults Blanc, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated wine that’s attractively pure and precise, offering up a charming bouquet of green orchard fruit, flowers and beeswax.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Michel Juillot Les Champs Martin Blanc, Mercurey Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($49.95) $33 pre-arrival special
“Slightly less evident wood frames the very fresh and bright aromas of citrus, acacia blossom, apple and essence of pear nuances. There is both good intensity and vibrancy to the equally fresh middle weight flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the delicious and agreeably dry if mildly warm finish.”-Burghound
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Michel Juillot Mercurey Les Vignes de Maillonge Blanc, Cote Chalonnaise 2017 750ML ($47.95) $33 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90 points “Aromas of fresh pear, musk melon and orange blossom preface the 2017 Mercurey Les Vignes de Maillonge Blanc, a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and textural wine that’s attractively satiny and elegant this year. The parcel includes some 90-year-old muscaté selections of Chardonnay.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Michel Juillot Clos des Barraults Rouge, Mercurey Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2017 Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Barraults is one of the more reserved wines in the range, unfurling in the glass with a promising bouquet of cherries, cassis, candied peel and espresso roast. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with succulent acids, melting tannins and a pure, precise finish. As usual, it’s one of the finest wines in the range and one that possesses some upside.”
Burghound – Outstanding 90 points “A relatively airy nose speaks of both red and dark berry fruit aromas that are cut with nuances of earth, wood and a floral wisp. The caressing and impressively rich medium-bodied flavors coat the palate with dry extract on the lingering finish that isn’t quite as complex though there is no warmth.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Michel Juillot Mercurey Les Vignes de Maillonge, Cote Chalonnaise 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Tim Aktins-Decanter 89 points “Vigorous and firm with some extraction. Good fruit focus, aromatic with some reduction. Just slightly lacks fruit sweetness.”
“The 2016 Mercurey Les Vignes de Maillonge is somewhat more gourmand than the domaine’s regular Mercurey Village, offering up aromas of ripe cherries, strawberries and licorice followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample palate. Its fine structuring tannins are concealed in a generous core of fruit.” –William Kelley, Wine Advocate
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Michel Juillot Mercurey Les Vignes de Maillonge, Cote Chalonnaise 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
“The 2017 Mercurey Les Vignes de Maillonge is showing well, wafting from the glass with aromas of strawberries, cherries, spices and rich soil tones. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fleshy and melting, with an ampler, livelier core of fruit than Juillot’s regular Mercurey red.”-William Kelley, Wine Advocate
“Background traces of wood can be found on the liqueur-like aromas of red cherry, earth and gentle spice nuances. There is fine volume to the punchy yet caressing and serious flavors that are shaped by slightly firmer tannins on the ever-so-mildly tangy finale.”-Burghound
“The 2017 Mercurey Les Vignes de Maillonge is showing well, wafting from the glass with aromas of strawberries, cherries, spices and rich soil tones. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, fleshy and melting, with an ampler, livelier core of fruit than Juillot’s regular Mercurey red.”-William Kelley, Wine Advocate
“Background traces of wood can be found on the liqueur-like aromas of red cherry, earth and gentle spice nuances. There is fine volume to the punchy yet caressing and serious flavors that are shaped by slightly firmer tannins on the ever-so-mildly tangy finale.”-Burghound
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Michel Juillot Bourgogne Rouge, Burgundy 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
“Ripe aromas include those of cassis, red and dark berry fruit along with soft earth nuances. The juicy, indeed even succulent, flavors are at once delicious and round before concluding in a mildly rustic finale. This tasty effort should drink well early on.”-Burghound
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Don’t Forget Our Subscriber Special
On One of the Piemonte’s Best Values
Paitin, On Sale Until Friday Night
Barbaresco is the land of Great Value in Piemonte. Moreso than in neighboring Barolo, the vineyards of Barbaresco are packed with under the radar, great producers—and none represents better buying opportunity than Paitin. Starting with a great set of vineyards that the family has owned for generations, Secondo Pasquero-Elia enlisted enologist Dante Scaglione (of Bruno Giacosa fame) to take these wines to the next level.
The results are spectacular and offer a glimpse into the future of the winery. The wines are solid, deep, and built to last – echoing the family and their tie to their home and spectacular vineyards. When looking for value in Piemonte, Paitin is clearly at the head of the class because of the ratio of quality to price—at least for now. Like every other great value region, one day the world will wake up and notice how wonderful these wines are. In the meantime, though, buy as much as you can—especially at these Subscriber Special prices. At least until these wines sell out, these good deals are even better.
Paitin Subscriber Special Pricing Valid Until Friday, March 20th at 6PM (PT)
In Stock and On Subscriber Special Now:
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serraboella’, Barbaresco DOCG 2014 750ML ($41.95) Was $33, Now $29 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “Currant, strawberry, cherry, floral and leafy flavors are the highlights of this racy, elegant red. Balanced on the firm side, with excellent length. Best from 2020 through 2032. 800 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $38
The average price is $38
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin’, Barbaresco DOCG 2015 750ML ($69.95) Was $49, Now $44 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Sweet cherry and strawberry fruit is framed by earth, eucalyptus, tobacco and tar notes in this rich yet firm red. The assertive tannins suggest a glacial evolution but the lasting impression of fruit shows this wine’s potential. Best from 2022 through 2040. 815 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Sori Paitin Vecchie Vigne’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($99.95) Was $89, Now $79 Subscriber Special, 29 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2011 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin Vigne Vecchie is just as stunning as it has always been. A wine of extraordinary purity, the 2011 is laced with rose petals, spices, mint, sweet red berries. The balance of fruit, acidity and tannin is simply magnificent. At the same time, the power and breadth of Serraboella comes through in spades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $96
The average price is $96
Paitin Subscriber Special Pricing Valid Until Friday, March 20th at 6PM (PT)
A Founding Father of Beaujolais’ Quality Movement
Pierre Chermette was just 22 when he took over Domaine Vissoux from his parents in 1982. In the intervening decades, Pierre has remained at the forefront of Beaujolais’ quality movement, pushing the estate towards lower yields and sustainable viticulture. Pierre was also a visionary within the region, not only recognizing the potential of the region’s Cru villages, but acting on the hunch. In the mid-90s Pierre purchased vines in Fleurie and Moulin à Vent, and over the past quarter century has continued to expand the firm’s holdings.
Neither modern, nor traditional, Vissoux’s wines are known for quality, defying simple categorization. And maybe because they lack simple categorization, they remain some of the region’s best values, punching way above their weight, even in a region known for delivery serious bang for the buck.
Arriving this month, Vissoux’s beautiful 2018s, the perfect reds for springtime on the back porch, and priced to move.
Vissoux Wines Arriving Friday, March 27th
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Coeur de Vendanges, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “As I’ve written before, this bottling represents one of the great values in French wine, and the 2018 Beaujolais-Villages Coeur de Vendanges will not disappoint long-time fans of the cuvée. Wafting from the glass with a rich bouquet of dark berry fruit, rose petals and licorice, it’s full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, its powdery tannins concealed in a lavish core of succulent, lively fruit. A wine to purchase by the case, expect it to offer irresistible drinking for the better part of a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Brouilly Pierreux, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Aromas of raspberries, plums and orange rind preface the 2018 Brouilly Pierreux, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy wine with a satiny attack that segues into a fine-boned, elegantly structured mid-palate, with lively acids and a fragrant, expansive finish. This cuvée, which sees six months’ élevage in old foudres, has turned out very well.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie les Garants, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Chermette’s 2018 Fleurie Les Garants delivers a striking bouquet of raspberries, peonies, warm spices and candied peel, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny but incisive palate that remains lively and tensile, despite its abundant endowment of ripe, succulent fruit. Elegant and precise, this is one of the high points of the portfolio.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Poncie, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Unwinding in the glass with aromas of rose petals, sweet red cherries, dried flowers and ripe strawberries, the 2018 Fleurie Poncié is medium to full-bodied, lively and enveloping, with a charming, fruit-driven profile this year that tends to obscure its elegantly fine-boned tannic chassis. But don’t be fooled, this is reliably one of Chermette’s finest cuvées, and the 2018 rendition should evolve gracefully for 15 years or more.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Unwinding in the glass with aromas of rose petals, sweet red cherries, dried flowers and ripe strawberries, the 2018 Fleurie Poncié is medium to full-bodied, lively and enveloping, with a charming, fruit-driven profile this year that tends to obscure its elegantly fine-boned tannic chassis. But don’t be fooled, this is reliably one of Chermette’s finest cuvées, and the 2018 rendition should evolve gracefully for 15 years or more.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Moulin-a-Vent Les Trois Roches, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2018 Moulin-à-Vent Les Trois Roches is also showing very well, exhibiting an inviting bouquet of black raspberries, spices, candied peel and peonies. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, satiny and enveloping, with a deep and concentrated core of fleshy fruit that largely conceals the wines tannins. This is another terrific effort from Chermette in this gourmand, attractively immediate vintage.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Saint Amour Les Champs-Grilles, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $28 pre-arrival special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2018 Saint-Amour Les Champs-Grillés is a serious wine, “not just for Valentine’s Day,” as Jean-Étienne Chermette observes. Revealing attractive notes of raspberries, rose petals and cherries, it’s medium to full-bodied, layered and spicy, with a muscular chassis of fine, powdery tannins. As usual, it’s a cuvée that stands to gain from a couple of years in the cellar.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Rosé of the Day
Yves Cuilleron is a master in the Northern Rhone and he brings all of his white winemaking skill to bear on this bright, crisp rose. Made from Syrah, this nevertheless displays none of the grapes potential heaviness–it’s bright, fresh and slightly peppery on the finish. If you’re looking for a delicious dry rose for early fall drinking, this would be perfect.
In Stock Now
Yves Cuilleron ‘Sybel’ Syrah Rose, IGP Collines Rhodaniennes 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Importer note “This Rosé is sourced 100% from Syrah grown within the confines of the village of Chavanay. It is produced by the “saignée” method after a brief maceration of several hours. The fermentations are in stainless steel and the elevage continues for about six months before bottling in the spring following harvest.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $16.99
The next best price is $16.99
Trending Wines
Everything in a can is trending right now, wine or not.
Broc Cellars Love Rose, Suisun Valley2019 375ML CAN ($14.95) $9.90 special, 21 half-bottle sized cans in stock now
80% Valdiguié, 14% Zinfandel, 6% Trousseau from the Solano Vineyard (Valdiguié), Arrowhead Mountain (Zinfandel), Wirth Vineyard (Trousseau). “The wine is not spritzy, just a little prickly” -Chris Brocway
That said, these are delicious, even if they aren’t beans.
Broc Cellars Love White, California 2018 375ML CAN ($14.95) $9.90 special, 20 half-bottle sized cans in stock now
Winery note “Varietal: 43% Marsanne, 28% Rousanne, 17% Grenache Blanc, 12% Picpoul. Vineyard: Love Ranch. Location: Madera Foothills, CA. Alcohol: 12%. Winemaker’s Notes: The grapes were harvested during the third week of August to help preserve their natural acidity. All varieties were fermented separately and aged in a neutral French oak barrels for 8 months with no S02. Malolactic fermentation was allowed to happen naturally. For the 2018 vintage we added Picpoul grapes that we grafted on some Roussanne vines at Love Ranch using cuttings we received from Rorick Vineyards a couple years ago. We are very happy the Picpoul was added to the blend this year.”
Still not beans, toilet paper or paper towels—it’s good Barolo under $30, so equally rare.
Veglio Michelino & Figlio Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Some swanky, glossy oak adds toffee aromas to the ripe red cherries. Plenty of vanilla here, too. The palate delivers a fullish and round impression with plenty of oak again in the mix. Praline and ripe red cherries in abundance here. Try from 2022.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Lots of points for the price and all of them are deserved.
Bucklin Old Hill Ranch Ancient Field Blend, Sonoma Valley 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Loaded with personality and appealingly exotic, this offers a structured core, wrapped in wild berry, cracked pepper, forest floor and black licorice flavors, building richness toward refined tannins. Zinfandel, Grenache, Alicante Bouschet, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Grand Noir, Syrah and Carignane. Drink now through 2030. 456 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pinot Blanc is an underrated grape and Selbach’s version is a fantastic take on the variety.
Selbach-Oster Pinot Blanc Dry, Mosel 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 26 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous 89 points “This bottling now encompasses some vines in Wehlener Klosterberg (epicenter of Markus Molitor’s memorable Pinot Blancs) as well as those long established by the Selbachs in Zeltinger Himmelreich. It’s raised largely in tank, supplemented by fuder. Apple blossom, corn shoot and smoky hints of toasted nuts combine for a pungent nose, which segues into a palate Pinot Blanc-typical in its delightful combination of textural creaminess and fresh apple juiciness. Due to hail in the parcel of Himmelreich where most of this was grown, the Selbachs ended up picking it in two tranches to compensate for late ripening of secondary buds. The upshot is 12.5% alcohol yet a welcome sense of buoyancy, and a tension of richness and tartness that is pleasantly stimulating on the seriously sustained finish.”
Terry Theise note “This is being used by a restaurant group (with impeccable taste!) and for a while Johannes was worried we’d gobble up the supply and leave the group gasping and flopping on the beach. Nah, I’m only a little greedy. The ’16 is a beauty, toasty and mineral, a super vintage for a wine with some qui behind it. It’s steep-slope grown and made in discreet wood, so you get “recognizable” PB flavor but with the mineral energy of slate. There’s a long finish of really clean shrimp-stock, and the salty mid palate suggests just-caught monkfish.”
A wine of pure joy for these uncertain times.
Domaine Renardat-Fache Bugey Cerdon Rose Sparkling, Savoie 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Selbach-Oster Pinot Blanc Dry, Mosel 2016 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 26 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous 89 points “This bottling now encompasses some vines in Wehlener Klosterberg (epicenter of Markus Molitor’s memorable Pinot Blancs) as well as those long established by the Selbachs in Zeltinger Himmelreich. It’s raised largely in tank, supplemented by fuder. Apple blossom, corn shoot and smoky hints of toasted nuts combine for a pungent nose, which segues into a palate Pinot Blanc-typical in its delightful combination of textural creaminess and fresh apple juiciness. Due to hail in the parcel of Himmelreich where most of this was grown, the Selbachs ended up picking it in two tranches to compensate for late ripening of secondary buds. The upshot is 12.5% alcohol yet a welcome sense of buoyancy, and a tension of richness and tartness that is pleasantly stimulating on the seriously sustained finish.”
Terry Theise note “This is being used by a restaurant group (with impeccable taste!) and for a while Johannes was worried we’d gobble up the supply and leave the group gasping and flopping on the beach. Nah, I’m only a little greedy. The ’16 is a beauty, toasty and mineral, a super vintage for a wine with some qui behind it. It’s steep-slope grown and made in discreet wood, so you get “recognizable” PB flavor but with the mineral energy of slate. There’s a long finish of really clean shrimp-stock, and the salty mid palate suggests just-caught monkfish.”
A wine of pure joy for these uncertain times.
Domaine Renardat-Fache Bugey Cerdon Rose Sparkling, Savoie 2018 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Sometimes you just want to move a few deck chairs around.
Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena 2015 750ML ($249.95) $225 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep purple-black colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon has a beautiful nose of dried roses, lavender and Chinese five spice over a core of warm blackcurrants, kirsch and wild blueberries, plus wafts of fallen leaves and dusty earth. The medium to full-bodied palate features the most amazing intensity of perfumed red, black and blue fruit flavors supported by exquisitely fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. Truly stunning.”
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “A more exuberant, sexy wine than the 2014, yet still in the house style emphasizing elegance and purity, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate knocks it out of the park with its huge nose of crème de cassis, plums, Asian spices, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and graphite. This flows to a full-bodied, opulent, incredibly concentrated wine reminiscent of the 2013 on steroids. Full-bodied, with building tannin, integrated acidity, a stacked mid-palate, and a great finish, this is a tour de force in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the greats. It has three to four decades of life ahead of it.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon possesses off the charts ripeness as well as a level of exoticism that recalls the 2010. An infusion of dark red cherry, plum, white flowers, leather, tobacco and menthol accompany this super-expressive, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon. Violet, licorice and a host of spiced nuances develop with time in the glass. In 2015, Spottswoode’s Cabernet is decidedly luscious and flamboyant, but I would give it a few years to shed some baby fat. There is plenty to look forward to.”
This pairs with just about anything you’d want to drink red wine with.
Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Les Petites Roches, Loire 2016 750ML ($359.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
Importer Note “When Charles Joguet took over the family vineyards in 1957, he set out to do something that was unheard of in the Loire Valley. Rather than blending all the fruit from his varied parcels, he opted for a more Burgundian approach and began vinifying each individually, highlighting Chinon’s diversity of soils and exposures and playing with the nuances of vine age to propose a gamut of different wines of unique character. It is in this spirit that the domaine’s current vigneron, Kevin Fontaine, crafts the cuvée Les Petites Roches, named for the estate’s gravelly terroirs. Given light treatment in the cellar, this wine shows off Cabernet in its most delicate, charming form, rife with aromas of roses, damp earth, and little red berries, along with a gentle tannin holding it all together. This classic representation of Cabernet Franc from Chinon can be enjoyed over the next five or so years with roast chicken, pork chops, or game.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Spring in a bottle—exceptionally classic Mosel Riesling.
Weingut Willi Haag Piesporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2016 ($27.95) $21.90 special, 27 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht – Vinous “Penetrating scents of lemon and grapefruit laced with woodruff and wintergreen usher in a palate unusually citric and coolingly herbal when compared with the Willi Haag 2016s from Brauneberg or Veldenz. But given that midpalate citricity, I’m surprised at a finish that proves rather sedate and only modest in length. Still, it offers admirable refreshment and a hint of counterpoint by way of stony impingement. Last year’s more exciting inaugural bottling from this famous site was also a Kabinett. Hopefully we’ll soon get to experience a Willi Haag Goldtröpfchen Spätlese.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner
A Timeless Riesling from a Legendary Producer
Manfred and Katarina Prum make some of the finest and most age-worthy wines of the middle-Mosel. The wines are high-wire acts of tension between fruit and intense minerality, and display their terroir in the most expressive way. No matter what, they are always some of the best and longest lived wines in Germany.
But some years are of course better than others, and 2015 was exceptional. Nearly perfect weather during the growing season, followed by a cool but generally dry autumn, all resulted in ripe grapes that retained above average acidity (above average for the Mosel!). So it’s no wonder 2015s are expected to be some of the most cellar-worthy wines in the country’s history.
Hailing from one of the Mosel’s most prized vineyards, Prum ‘s 2015 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese GK represents the pinnacle of the vintage’s cellar potential. James Suckling was only being slightly hyperbolic when he proclaimed that the wine had “almost limitless aging potential”. If any percentage of your cellar is occupied by Riesling, than this is a wine that commands a spot amongst your most prized bottles.
In Stock Now:
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel, Mosel 2015 750ML ($169.95) $149 special, 20 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “The most exotic and succulent of the 2015 Auslese Gold Caps from J.J., but also blessed with dazzling finesse and brilliance that you rarely encounter in sweet wines of any kind. What a finish! Best from 2020 and almost limitless aging potential. “
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Gold Capsule (AP 20) is still pretty reductive and flinty on the nose and needs a lot of aeration. Sweet and concentrated, with a fine botrytis and grapefruit flavor, this Riesling has tight structure, mouth-watering fruit and good acidity. There is also an endless flow of salts and stones. This is a very promising Auslese, whose structure and mineral expression give the wine an almost dry taste. This is great Riesling to be served no earlier than 2027.”
Mosel Fine Wines 96 points “This delivers a stunning nose of infused pear, slate and white flowers which give way to coconut and pineapple. A deliciously exotic side runs through the wine on the palate. This, combined with zesty acidity, gives the wine great freshness, vibrancy and finesse. The finish is all about whipped cream, pear puree and candied grapefruit. What a beauty! 2030-2055”
David Schildknecht-Vinous 95 points “Apple jelly, pear preserves and caramel studded with white raisin and candied citrus peels make for an aromatic display of head-turning intensity and a creamy, glycerol-rich palate of similarly remarkable concentration and allure. A vein of fresh apple and grapefruit is tapped to introduce unexpected primary juiciness into the layers of confitured, lightly torrefied and desiccated fruit concentrates, and the extraordinarily long, mouthwateringly salt-tinged finish also affords glimpses of smoky and stony mineral nuances rare in a Riesling this rich. There’s no youthful reticence to this Wehlener! The share of botrytis here was minimal, according to Katharina Prüm.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Offering apricot, peach and Honeycrisp apple flavors accented by floral and mineral notes, this rich and expansive Riesling has lively acidity and impeccable balance, with a long, spicy finish. Best from 2020 through 2036. 130 cases made.”
Thanks for reading!