In Today’s Newsletter:
Two Day Subscriber Special on Top Cabernet
Staff Pick – Rosé of the Day
Castell’in Villa’s Library Treasures
Value in Burgundy? 2015 Delivers
Trending Wines
Betz: Classicism in Washington
The Best Value in Chinon?
The End of the May Sale
Two Day Subscriber Special
On Top Tier Cabernet from Around the World
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Subscriber special pricing valid until Friday, May 31st at 11:59PM (PT)
Corison Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 Displayed Price, $89 Subscriber Special
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “This understated, elegant study in the variety opens in beguiling aromas of floral rose before opening into a finely made, structured and gracefully constructed wine that’s fully in balance. Leather, black cherry and dark chocolate highlight a midpalate of finely polished, tamed tannin and integrated oak. This is delightfully enjoyable now, but can stand up to aging; enjoy best 2020–2030.”
Grapelive 96 points “Cathy Corison’s 2015 Cabernet lineup is a spectacular set of wines… do not overlook her regular Napa Valley bottling which is seriously brilliant stuff and not far off her elite top two offerings. It just might be the best Napa Cab for the money out there. Corison’s career and successes are legendary and she really is living history, making some of the best wines of the moment, all crafted with authentic charm and hand crafted precision. These are gorgeously proportioned Cabernet Sauvignon(s) with vivid detail, luxurious in texture, though with solid tannin and well-judged acidity and wood use. Cathy’s Cabernet Sauvignon makes for a powerful wine, especially this 2015, but she likes to put it she has found that brilliant intersection of power and elegance showing a deep sense of place. While warm and ripe she has found a remarkable balance in her wine. This is a 20 or 30 year wine, but one that can be drunk young with thrilling results.… 2015 shows wonderful concentration, a heady dark floral perfume and intense inky color in the glass. 2015 was a severe drought year and bared a tiny crop, some [of] which was caused by a cold snap during the flowering that limited the number of clusters. August brought heat that speeded up the harvest to a record early pick in Napa, so it took Corison’s deft touch and gentle winemaking to achieve the phenomenal results she got here: this is a Cathy wine that delivers a stunning performance.… while I was a huge fan of the 2014, this one is every bit as good and maybe just a bit more sexy.”
James Suckling 96 points “Lots of violets and dark berries with sweet underbrush and fresh mushrooms, following through to a medium to full body, soft and silky tannins and a succulent and refined finish. It remains supple and beautiful. Hard not to drink now. Better after 2023.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The Altagracia is produced almost exclusively from estate fruit this year and was bottled at the end of June 2018. Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia comes bursting forth with vivacious black cherries, blackberries, wild blueberries and cassis notes with touches of cinnamon stick, cloves, forest floor, violets and dusty earth with a waft of violets. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with loads of iron and mineral accents, finishing long and perfumed.”
James Suckling 92 points “The purity of fruit is bright and focused with strawberries and spices. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh finish. Crisp and pretty. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
We will manually apply your discount before finalizing your order.
Subscriber Special pricing valid until Friday, May 31st at 11:59PM (PT)
Twill’s winemaker, Chris Dickson, is one of the nicest guys we know and his rosé this year seems to be based on his personality more than the Pinot Noir that it’s literally made from. It’s fresh, charming and bright—it seems hard to imagine that this wine won’t bring a smile to your face. The entire Twill lineup is impressive—they’re a producer to watch and we’ve looked forward to each new release. This rosé is light orangey-pink in color and one of the best we’ve tried out of the Willamette Valley. It’s going to be one of the wines of the summer.In Stock Now:
Twill Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($21.95) $17 special
VinopolNote: A single-vineyard Pinot Noir rosé (with a dollop of Gamay) from Molly’s Vineyard in the Northeast Willamette Valley. Some of the barrels went through malolactic fermentation, offering a savory undertone to the elegant style. There are notes of red berries, rose petals and lemon zest. This is a superb release from the up-and-coming winery. Keep an eye on this estate!
Castell’in Villa’s Library Treasures
We love it when a winery puts their money where their mouth is. In the case of Castell’in Villa, the notable Chianti producer, that means releasing extensive library stocks. Simply put, Principessa Coralia Pignatelli della Leone (the estate’s owner) believes that Castell’in Villa is one of the top producers in Italy and that with age her wines are as fine as any out there. To prove her point, the winery reached into its vault and released a stunning set of wines—a compelling argument, indeed.
Stylistically, these are some of the most old-school and age-worthy wines coming out of Chianti today—wines that make you sit up and realize why the Chianti name was synonymous with Italian wine at one point. The Chianti and Riserva are both 100% Sangiovese, aged in large casks for three years before bottling to bring out secondary notes that complement the vivacity of the grape. Bright fruit, present tannin and a floral, slightly dried cherry quality are all here, with more earth and spice emerging with age. This set of wines, straight from the winery cellars, offers a glimpse into the haunting beauty that is possible from Chianti—Burgundy lovers should take note.
The Principessa prides herself on how long the wines age for and the winery keeps (and releases) significant library wines. They’re significant both in age and also in importance—it’s very hard to find older Chianti in the secondary market (most collectors who buy Castell’in Villa are loathe to sell it). These are reference point wines, capable of lasting decades, and being utterly profound experiences. These wines are all in stock now, released from the winery and through a local importer—in short, perfect provenance. Lovers of aged wine of any stripe should stop and stock up; it’s extremely unlikely this sort of release will happen again in the near future.
Some Highlights, In Stock Now:
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 1993 750ML ($249.95) $219 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1993 Chianti Classico Riserva is another stunning wine. It boasts gorgeous depth and purity, not to mention fabulous overall balance. Sweet dark cherries, licorice, mint and spices are woven together in this fleshy, supple Riserva. The firm tannins are there, but the 1993 has more than enough fruit to stand up to the wine’s structural components. Today the 1993 comes across as slightly smaller scaled version of the 1990. This is a fabulous wine with at least another decade of fine drinking ahead of it.”
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 1994 750ML ($249.95) $219 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1994 Chianti Classico Riserva is more immediate and juicy than the 1993. There is plenty of underlying structure, but it is buried by the wine’s generous fruit. Sweet dark cherries, plums, tobacco and incense meld together on the exotic, spiced finish. This is a relatively fleshy wine for Castell’in Villa. I have a slight preference for the 1993, but the truth is that all five wines from the 1990s are fabulous. I would be thrilled to own any of them.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1995 Chianti Classico Riserva is another marvelously complete wine. Waves of fruit saturate the palate in this intense, full-bodied Riserva. The 1995 is another wine endowed with massive fruit and equally imposing structure. It is the first wine in this tasting that is still not ready to offer maximum pleasure. Today it comes across as a young version of the 1990. This is another tremendous showing.”Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2001 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva is a big, layered wine bursting with energy. It possesses striking aromatic nuance and delineation from the very first taste. Today the fruit is quite vibrant and the tannins, while present, are not completely unapproachable.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva is an impressive wine for the vintage. It boasts a serious core of fruit backed up by considerable structure. The sheer purity and delineation is fabulous. I won’t at all be surprised if the 2005 blossoms into an even better wine than this note suggests. There is no shortage of potential. Ideally the 2005 should be cellared for at least a few years.”
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 92+ points “Good bright red. Nose began closed and brooding, but showed vibrant notes of redcurrant, mint and dried flowers with aeration, complicated by a strong mineral quality. Sweet and nicely lush in the mouth, with suave flavors of redcurrant, herbs and tobacco joined on the back end by a very strong element of gunflint. The long finish features a firm acid spine and youthfully chewy but noble tannins.” ID
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1996 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose emerges from the glass with generous fruit, which is given additional volume and richness from the French oak. The 1996 is a big, big wine, especially within the context of the vintage. Because 1996 is the debut vintage, the percentage of new barrels is higher than in subsequent years, and the wine remains marked by the oak. Smoke, licorice and tar wrap around a muscular finish supported by firm, insistent tannins.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose brings together all of the best elements of this site and house style. Firm tannins frame a core of deeply expressive, opulent fruit in this full-throttle, huge Chianti Classico. Threads of sweet perfumed fruit run through the 2006 as it shows off its class and personality. Mint, flowers and sweet red berries punctuate the explosive finish. This is a dazzling showing from Castell’in Villa.”
A perfect example of this at work is 2015, from two top value producers in the shop right now. Domaine Collote is based in Marsannay and Fixin, both north of (and therefore colder than) Gevrey-Chambertin. In an average year the wines might be a bit hard, with sharper acidity and firmer tannins than you’d like. In 2015? These could be confused for Gevrey at a lot higher price point. So to with the wines of Henri Prudhon, based in the windy St. Aubin. The wines are always good values (Burghound called them “the most under rated producer in all of Burgundy.”) but a year like 2015 takes their fresh, pure style and adds a layer of stuffing to it.
We’ve got a selection of excellent value ideas below, but you can see all of the reds from the Cote de Beaune here and the Cote de Nuits here if you’re on the hunt for something else.
In Stock Now:
Henri Prudhon & Fils Saint-Aubin Les Argillers Rouge, Cote de Beaune 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Case-12 Henri Prudhon & Fils Saint-Aubin Les Argillers Rouge, Cote de Beaune 2015 750ML ($379.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Importer (Neal Rosenthal) Note ““Les Argillers” sits on the upper reaches of the slope of Saint-Aubin, just south of “Le Ban” and bordering the forest. Prudhon farms two hectares of 30-to-60-year-old vines here, and the wine they produce tends to be snappy, mineral-driven, and floral—less about Pinot Noir plushness and more about the freshness and drive of a cool-climate red wine.”
Burghound “A pretty and fresh mix of red and dark raspberry aromas reveals earth and soft spice nuances. There is better volume to the sappy, round and succulent middle weight flavors that possess a bit more overall depth and length as well as slightly more supporting structure.”
The next best price is $32.98
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Les Boivins, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “The core flavors of black cherry and blackberry are wrapped in oak, lending vanilla and sweet spice details along with a layer of tannins. Just needs a little more time. Best from 2020 through 2028. 110 cases imported.”
Importer Note “The Marsannay Boivins is lieu-dit in Marsannay Villages, on vines over 40 years and varying limestone soil. Aged in oak, 25% new, to round the tannins.”
Henri Prudhon & Fils Les Frionnes Rouge, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
Case-12 Henri Prudhon & Fils Les Frionnes Rouge, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($479.95) $389 special (that’s only $32.42/bottle!)
Importer (Neal Rosenthal) Note “The Prudhons own a solid hectare of vines between 30 and 60 years of age in this premier cru that lies just to the north of “Les Perrieres.” In keeping with the Prudhon house style, “Frionnes” emphasizes the freshness and raciness of Saint-Aubin—there is virtually no new oak used in its elevage, and there’s a certain restraint and brightness to the fruit that feels self-assured and very terroir-loyal.”
Burghound “A spicy and again attractively fresh nose offers up notes of red currant, black raspberry and a hint of violet. The mouth feel of the medium-bodied flavors is also sappy and round with reasonably good vibrancy to the naturally sweet finale. This should be enjoyable young if that’s your preference.”
The next best price is $40.99
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Les Champsalomon, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Silky, this red evokes cherry, strawberry and graphite flavors, with bright acidity keeping this fresh and focused. Harmonious and long, offering a light chalky feel on the finish. Drink now through 2023. 150 cases imported.”
Importer Note “The Marsannay Champsalomon is from the village of Couchey. The 40+ year old vines are on the marl soil of the Ostrea Acuminata.”
Henri Prudhon & Fils Les Rouges Gorges, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
Case-12 Henri Prudhon & Fils Les Rouges Gorges, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($479.95) $389 special (that’s only $32.42/bottle!)
Importer (Neal Rosenthal) Note “his wine is produced from two separate parcels: one on a hillside above the hamlet of Gamay and the other from a parcel between Saint Aubin and Chassagne Montrachet. The average age of the vines is 50 years (as of 2011). A classic wine of this sector with compelling notes of animal and wild berries. The elevage is about 18 months before bottling; again, very little new oak is used.”
Burghound 87-90 points “Here the expressive nose is spicier still with its layered array of various red berries, soft earth and pretty floral nuances. There is a bit more volume to the slightly richer, seductive and caressing medium weight flavors that exude a subtle minerality onto the mildly austere and rustic finale. This could use a few years to round out.”
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Cuvee Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Grapelive 91 points “Exploring value priced Burgundy usually ends in huge disappointment, but sometimes you find a jewel. The wines of Philippe Collotte are just that, especially his old vine Marsannay, where there are 5 parcels of 50+ year old vines that make up his excellent super-value Marsannay Cuvee Vieilles Vignes. It way over-delivers for the price… He bottles everything unfiltered per his importer’s request (Weygant Metzler). It makes for an expressive and mineral-driven Pinot Noir of wonderful delicacy, but with solid fruit intensity which forms its perception of depth flavors. While starting with classic Burgundy subtly and brightness, things gain a darker feel with air allowing layers of black cherry, strawberry and earthy vine-picked berries to come through on the medium bodied palate. The mouth-feel and length are quite impressive for a wine of this price. Rose petals, chalk dust and cedar notes along with a mixed spice note add to the whole here. There’s no question this will surprise a few people. The vintage with its concentrated ripe profile certainly helped and the old vines give a charm that with put a smile on many a face. It did mine! Drink this Marsannay over the next 3 to 5 years. It’s a no-guilt Burgundy to get by the case!”
Henri Prudhon & Fils Sur le Sentier du Clou Vieilles Vignes Rouge, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($41.95) $36 special
Case-12 Henri Prudhon & Fils Sur le Sentier du Clou Vieilles Vignes Rouge, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2015 750ML ($479.95) $389 special (that’s only $32.42/bottle -the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Burghound 89-91 points “This possesses the most elegant and perhaps even the most complex nose in the range with its layered assortment of red and black cherry, plum, violet and freshly turned earth scents. The fine complexity continues onto the solidly concentrated and more obviously mineral-inflected flavors that possess a relatively sophisticated mouth feel while concluding in a balanced and lingering finish. This is really quite good and worth considering.”
Importer (Neal Rosenthal) Note “This wine is from some of the oldest vines in the estate, planted between 40 and 80 years ago (as of 2011). The parcel is about 1.5 hectare in size and sits on a hillside between Saint Aubin and Gamay with an east-southeast exposure. There is an elevage of 15 to 18 months (with very little new oak used). Perhaps the most serious and complex of the red wines of the domaine with a character dominated by red fruits and spices supported by substantial backbone.”
Trending Wines
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2018 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2018 375ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Domaine Tempier Bandol Rose, Provence 2018 3L ($379.95) $349 pre-arrival special“This is one of the year’s best Brunellos”-WA
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($89.95) $51.90 special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Il Poggione is a Brunello superstar and a vintage like this reveals every reason why that affirmation is true. From the second the 2012 Brunello di Montalcino pours into the glass, you know you are in for something special. The wine is darkly saturated and rich in appearance. Absent are those slightly amber or browning hues you often get with Sangiovese in a hot vintage. Nor does the wine show flat or tired characteristics. Instead, the quality of fruit is vibrant and rich. This is a healthy, generous and exuberant Brunello with dark density and succulent fruit flavors that are followed by integrated spice and tobacco. The balance is impressive and one thing you get here is fresh acidity. This is not to be underestimated, because the acidity quota in the 2012 vintage across the appellation is not as high or evident as usual. This is one of the year’s best Brunellos.”
The next best price is $59.99
The average listed price is $79
Andre Clouet ‘Dream Vintage’ Brut, Champagne 2004 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2004 Brut Dream Vintage is elegant, polished and medium in body, as wines in this vintage tend to be. Nicely balanced and harmonious, the 2004 will drink well for at least a handful of years.”Stunning, powerful West Coast Syrah.
Pax Griffin’s Lair Syrah, Sonoma Coast 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “One of the many highlights of this range, Pax’s 2015 Syrah Griffin’s Lair Vineyard is powerful and explosive in the glass, conveying a compelling sense of vertical energy. Dried flowers, tobacco, menthol, licorice, spice and leather add myriad shades of nuance to a beautifully delineated, expressive Syrah. This cool site in the Petaluma Gap gracefully handled the rigors of the warm vintage while yielding a wine endowed with terrific freshness and structure.”
Winery Note “Our 14th vintage working with this incredible site that introduced us to the Petaluma Wind Gap. Also, the first wine we have released from this site since Jim Griffin has passed and Joan Griffin has sold the property. Two people that we and all other Syrah lovers owe a tremendous debt of gratitude. Black fruit, iodine, tar and a floral display of violets and white flowers frame this exotic Syrah. The palate weight is huge but lifted by the cool breezes that keep the acidity naturally high in this coastal vineyard. Iodine and salt air components ground the wine in coastal California, but the leather, tar and violets hint at a different landscape across the Atlantic. A wine that drinks very young and probably will for another 5+ years, drink one this spring with some lamb and squirrel the rest away for another occasion down the road.”
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
VinopolNote: The long-awaited and lightly fizzy pink from the Basque region in Spain! A staff favorite. Always light, bright, fresh, salty and fun. The perfect aperitif wine for spring and summer.
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($44.95) $38 special
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($279.95) $199 special (that’s only $31.17/bottle—the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Inky and concentrated, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon is no easy-drinking Saint-Joseph. It’s smoky, herbal and ashy all at once, yet it’s buoyed by ample black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity. This medium to full-bodied Syrah has plenty of tannins, but they’re ultimately silky and most apparent on the long, licorice-tinged finish. This is approachable now but should be even better in 3 years and should drink well for at least another 10 after that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Both Saint Joseph releases are brilliant in 2015. The 2015 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes vines around Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion, and is always destemmed and aged in 30% new barrels. This full-bodied, rounded, sexy beauty shows the power and fruit of the vintage. With classic notes of black and blue fruits, violets, incense and pepper, drink this textured, expansive, terrific Saint Joseph over the coming 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Dark ruby. High-pitched red and dark berry and violet aromas show excellent focus and pick up hints of cracked pepper and sandalwood with air. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering fresh black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of candied licorice. Turns sweeter on the penetrating, impressively long finish, which features smooth, even tannins and lingering boysenberry and floral qualities. “
“One of the reference-point estates in Washington is unquestionably Betz Family Winery. Bob Betz still takes a leading role, but the day to day winemaking is more and more being taken up by Louis Skinner, who’s taken up the helm brilliantly. In 2015, the estate made use of an optical sorter to eliminate raisins, and the wines show more freshness and focus, with a touch less voluptuousness and breadth. Anyone interested in Washington State wines, or just high-quality wines for that matter, owe it to themselves to try these!”- Jeb Dunnuck
Washington State isn’t an old enough wine region to have a “classic” style or set of producers, but if you were forced to come up with a set of wineries that define what it means to “taste like a Washington wine” then Betz would be one of the first names agreed on. Bob Betz (a Master of Wine) has been making some of the best wine in Washington for several decades now and the current releases are at least as good as the winery has ever made. We have a pair of the 2015’s in Syrahs in stock now and these wines are delicious now or cellaring for a decade-plus.
In Stock Now:
Betz Family Winery La Cote Rousse Syrah, Red Mountain 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Syrah la Cote Rousse is a blockbuster Syrah from Red Mountain that’s from the Ranch at the End of The Road and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. It’s a mix of four different clones and is brought up in barrel. This deep, inky, seriously black Syrah gives up Hermitage-like notes of scorched earth, charred meats, graphite and licorice. It’s a big, concentrated effort that’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep through 2035.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “All from Dick Boushey’s vineyard in Yakima Valley, the 2015 Syrah La Serenne was also all destemmed and brought up in barrel. It’s a more elegant, complex and nuanced Syrah compared to the Cote Rousse and offers classic notes of blackberries, peppery herbs, lavender and spring flowers. Full-bodied, fresh and lively, drink it anytime over the coming 10-15 years.”
The Best Value in Chinon?
Baudry’s Cuvee Domaine
Chinon is one of the best values in wine and among Chinon producers, Baudry is tops. From the low to the high end, everything Matthieu Baudry makes is beautiful, expressive and delicious. At the higher end are his single vineyard bottlings (Croix Boissee, Clos Guillot and Grezeaux) which are all ageworthy and delicious. His lowest end wine, Les Granges, is a wonderful value bottling, as well—but to focus on the highs and lows overlooks perhaps his best value, the Domaine bottling.
Situated at the highest altitude of all of the parcels, the “Domaine” is a blend of two vineyards. Most of it comes from a vineyard with limestone bedrock, which provides backbone and structure, but some comes from a more gravel heavy vineyard that always emphasizes fruit. The resulting wine is always significantly more approachable than Grezeaux or Clos Guillot, but with enough backbone to age for a decade plus in a good year like ’17. Compared to the Les Granges bottling, it shows much more noble character—this is a wine of real class and breeding. When we taste it in the lineup of Baudry wines, it always seems to be the least expensive of the high end wines, which means it’s also probably the best value of the bunch. We just secured excellent pricing on a lot arriving in July and we recommend that you stock up.
Arriving ETA July:
Bernard Baudry Chinon Cuvee Domaine, Loire 2017 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Bernard Baudry Chinon Cuvee Domaine, Loire 2017 750ML ($299.95) $236 pre-arrival special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Winery Note “70% of sandy plateaux over limestone, 30% of gravels. /Vines : Average of 30 to 35 year old vines. / Vinification + Aging : Manual harvest. Two-week fermentation in cement vats, then fifteen-month aging in unlined cement or oak vats. Bottling two springs after harvest. No filtration.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
May is almost over and there are a ton of great deals in our May Sale! You can view highlights below or click here to see the full list of May Sale Wines in our web store!
In Stock Now:
Piedlong Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2015 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $41.90 May Sale Special
James Suckling 95 points “10 hectares of elevated Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this is an hommage to grenache with just a hatful of mourvèdre. Ripe raspberry and red plum pastry aromas. Super silky, plush and layered. Extremely impressive. Shows fluidity and balance, density and lightness. 50% stalks (crushed).”
The average listed price is $53
Case-12 Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2016 750ML ($249.95) $149 May Sale Special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “The 2016 Pinot Grigio from Friuli is a value priced effort well worth your time and money. Citrus blossom, a touch of tropical fruits, and lots of honeyed citrus all flow to medium-bodied, nicely balanced, clean, and straight up delicious white that has plenty of texture and length yet stays fresh and lively. Drink up.”
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Heady aromas of pear, beeswax and white spring flower take center stage in this lovely white. The medium-bodied palate doles out white peach, citrus and almond flavors, with fresh acidity.”
Now it’s even lower!
The average listed price is $20
Case-6 Marchesi Antinori Castello della Sala ‘Bramito del Cervo’ Chardonnay Umbria IGT 2017 750ML ($149.95) $99 May Sale Special (that’s only $16.50/bottle – the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 89+ points “For some reason, I tend to like this wine best in the most difficult vintages, like 2014 and now this edition. The 2017 Chardonnay Bramìto della Sala shows a more evident layer of richness and texture that you don’t get in the thinner 2016 edition. This wine is partially barrel fermented (with malolactic fermentation), and the fruit comes from the younger vines at the Castello della Sala. A portion of the fruit represents leftovers that never made it into the top-shelf wine, Cervaro della Sala. This wine offers fantastic value and easy-drinking appeal. It’s not too complicated, but it plays its few ace cards with an expert hand.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “($48) Loads of chalky grip keeps this wrapped up tight, but the core of steeped plum, fig and blackberry fruit is brimming with energy, while bay leaf, licorice root and charcoal notes chomp at the bit on the finish. Cellaring will rein this in. Best from 2021 through 2035. 700 cases made.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Produced from 30-year-old vines and aged in 20% new oak, the 2015 Cornas Empreintes features classic Cornas notes of crushed stone, bloody meat and red plums. It’s full-bodied, rich and packed with fruit and tannin but supple at the same time. It’s mouth-filling and round, then finishes long, dry and mouthwatering.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points “The 2015 Cornas Empreintes is unique in the lineup as it comes 30% from more limestone soils. It’s 75% destemmed and aged in 20% new French oak. It’s more elegant and focused than the opulent Premices and gives up lots of blackberry and cassis fruits, leather, crushed rock and pepper aromatics. Deep, rich, beautifully concentrated and pure, it needs short-term cellaring but is a brilliant wine that’s going to impress for 10-15 years.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Opaque ruby. Spice-accented dark fruit, violet and olive scents, along with suggestions of smoky bacon and cracked pepper. Sweet and expansive on the palate, offering densely packed cassis, blueberry and spicecake flavors that become livelier as the wine opens up. Rich yet energetic in style, showing excellent delineation and dark fruit thrust on a very long, smooth finish framed by velvety tannins.”
The next best price is $44.94
Wine Spectator 93 points “Offers a ripe, dark profile, with a core of steeped blackberry and plum fruit that picks up bay, white pepper and iron accents through the finish. Shows solid depth and fruit for the vintage, displaying excellent energy. Best from 2018 through 2029. 1,500 cases made.”