2012 Brunellos – Do Believe the Hype; Saumur Rising; Dunn’s 2013 Howell Mountain Masterpiece; Saint Cosme Spring Cleaning; Value in Red Burgundy; Rhone on Your Shoulders; April Sale Feature: Wind Gap
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Springtime Brunello:
The 2012 Vintage Arrives With A Bang
2012 is an ALL CAPS VINTAGE in Brunello. The hype train started early, but reached Japanese mag-lev type speeds with the publication of Ian D’Agata’s reviews for Vinous in March. All we know is that it’s been a while (2006?) since we’ve heard as much about the vintage on the whole as we have with 2012. We always get asked about when wines are coming in, but this seems like a new level of excitement, which is probably justified. Take what D’Agata wrote for Antonio Galloni, for example:
“Every once in a while, when visiting a specific wine region, I taste so many good bottles that I find myself thinking I might just turn in my author’s pen and start making wine… Most recently, this happened during my tastings of the 2012 Brunellos, when I tried one delicious example after another. Even more impressive, the 2012 vintage for Brunello stands out for its consistently high quality. I found more good to outstanding examples than in any past vintage”
He goes on to say that “2012 Brunellos are characterized by impeccable balance, vibrant acidity and fine-grained tannins.” Three of the biggest names of the 2012 vintage arrive next month and we couldn’t be more excited to offer them to you, with the only caveat that these are wines that serious collectors should and are buying them by the case, so it’s hard to know how long our quantities will last.
Our Newest Offering of the 2012’s, Arriving in May:
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Effusive aromas and flavors of raspberry, cherry, floral, mineral and tobacco are at the center of this linear, vibrant red. Well-structured, this offers terrific length on the sinewy finish. Best from 2020 through 2035.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($99.95) $82.80 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The Casanova di Neri 2012 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is a beautiful wine that recalls many of the stunning characteristics found in its high-scoring predecessor. I gave a perfect 100 points to the 2010 edition of this same wine. This expression, made two years later, continues in that tradition of excellence. The quality of fruit is profound and intense. The bouquet offers black cherry, spice, leather, balsam herb, cola and licorice. The complexity is absolutely impressive. The mouthfeel, however, is slightly thinner. The classic 2010 vintage is remembered for its twofold punch of elegance and power. Alternatively, the 2012 vintage shows aromatic intensity and less persistence on the finish, generally speaking. Having said that, this remains one Bellissimo Brunello.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($59.95) $46 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Cherry, leather and iron notes mark this suave, elegant red. A bit reticent now, but the fruit is fresh and long on the finish. The dense tannins leave a mouthcoating impression, but this opens up beautifully over a few hours. Best from 2021 through 2035.”
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($54.95) $44 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “This shows pure and fresh fruit that many others don’t have. Also, there are plenty of linear tannins. Precise and beautiful. Medium to full body. Persistent finish. Better in 2019.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
We also have the following 2012 Brunelli available from previous offers. If you’d like to view our entire stock of Brunello (or see complete reviews for the following) just go to www.vinopoliswineshop.com!
In-Stock Now:
Flavio Fanti La Palazzetta Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($39.95) $36 special
James Suckling 93 points
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arriving this Month:
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($229.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.83/bottle—the lowest price in the country!)
Wine Advocate 91+ points
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($47.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 92+ points / Wine Advocate 92+ points
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arriving in May:
Siro Pacenti PS Pelagrilli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($49.95) $38 pre-arrival special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 92 points
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Arriving in June:
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($47.95) $36 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points / Wine Advocate 94 points
Arriving this Fall:
Altesino Montosoli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($99.95) $77 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 97 points / Wine Spectator 95 points
Tenuta di Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($59.95) $39 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 95 points
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
San Filippo Le Lucere, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2012 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 98 points
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Saumur: Ascendant King of Franc
The Loire Valley is the finest source of value in old world, Cabernet based wines in the world. The Cabernet in question is not Sauvignon, but Franc—a grape that in our minds is often misunderstood. The great Cabernet Francs of the world have everything we love about French red wine—power in a compact package, with elegance married to intensity. Imagine, if you will, a Bordeaux with the cedar and thyme of the left-bank with the early-drinkability of the right. Make the fruit a little redder and add in more minerality and you have the wines of Saumur.
The wines of Clos Rougeard, of Saumur, are collectible and getting pricier and harder to find by the day (anytime your “basic” bottling sells for $150, and quickly, you’re officially collectible) but the next two great producers are still available and affordable. Not that they’re “cheap” but the wines of Thierry Germain and Dom. Guiberteau represent exceptional value in the world of fine wine. We’ve covered Guiberteau’s Rougeard-lineage here before, so let’s take a closer look at Germain, who makes some of the most incredible wines out of Cabernet Franc (and Chenin Blanc) that we’ve tasted.
Germain is one of those vine-whisperers who manages to extract every bit of goodness from the plants he farms, with meticulous biodynamic farming and draconian yields that are often half or a quarter of what “good” producers in the area get off of their vines. The resulting wines, though, are incredible. Thierry Germain comes from Bordeaux, but his heart is in Burgundy, and so the wines have coiled power but also elegance. The estate has gone from strength to strength since Germain purchased the Domaine des Roches Neuves, neighboring Clos Rougeard, in 2012, and he seems to have found his touch with the exceptional vineyard material that he acquired.
We’re pleased to offer small quantities of almost all of the wines that Germain makes, including the whites which have left an outsized impression on us, belying the minuscule proportion of the estate’s output that they make up. His Chenin blanc is dry, with coiled power like Savennières but more approachable fruit. They are delicious now and should easily age for two decades.
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Blanc Clos de l’Echelier, Loire 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 8 bottles available
VinopolNote: “Only 100 or so cases of this are made in a given year, from vines that are 70 years old. 100% Chenin Blanc grown on a mix of sand, clay and limestone, this wine has all of the power you’d hope for out of dry Chenin, with a lushness that you don’t find in places like Savennières. Expect rich fruit with a hint of smokiness and lemon-blossom aromas. Really a stunner.”
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Clos Romans Blanc, Loire 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 7 bottles available
VinopolNote: “The ‘Clos Romans’ is an actual clos [walled vineyard] whose wall dates back to the 9th century CE. Replanted in 2007, Germain nevertheless considers this to be one of his top whites. Mineral-driven and intense, it will mature and get better in time but is capable of giving pleasure now.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Clos Moulin Blanc 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 9 bottles available
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur Clos L’ecotard Blanc 2015 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 9 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves Saumur-Champigny Franc de Pied, Loire 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 7 bottles available
VinopolNote: “Own-rooted vines planted in 2004 on a plot formerly owned by the mayor of Saumur. This is the rarest red of the portfolio, with 100-150 cases made in a given vintage. The wines are intense but lightweight. The lack of rootstock creates ripeness at lower alcohols, so the wine feel fresher and more vibrant than some of the other offerings.”
Thierry Germain Saumur-Champigny Outre Terre, Loire 2014 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 7 bottles available
VinopolNote: “Made from 100% destemmed fruit that macerated and aged for 8 months in Georgian Amphorae. Made entirely without sulfur, this wine is the most lifted and floral of the whole bunch. Really special stuff—if you’re a skeptic of “natural wine” this might be the one to convince you.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Dunn: The Magic Man of Howell Mountain
Randy Dunn is a legend, even for Napa. Big mustache, big personality, big wines. Big scores too, though he’ll tell you that he doesn’t care about those. The wines are everything you want in a Napa Valley mountain wine—big fruit, rich tannins, lower alcohol than a similar wine from the valley floor. Most of all, the Dunn wines have a certain ineffable ‘Howell-ness’ that runs through their veins. The wines grab your attention and keep it in a way that only a handful of wines anywhere in the world can. We have a case arriving next week and your best shot is to buy some now, this wine probably won’t make it to the sales floor.
Arriving Next Week:
Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2013 750ML ($159.95) $138 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 98+ points: “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a towering majestic wine. Rich, powerful and yet massively tannic, the 2013 possesses a stunning combination of super-ripe fruit, bright acids and plenty of supporting structure. In the early going, the Howell Mountain is a bit reticent, especially next to the Trailer, but after several hours, the vibrancy of the Howell Mountain bottling dazzles. Dunn’s Howell Mountain Cabernet is without question one of the wines of the great 2013 vintage.”
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Spring Saint Cosme Super Sales:
April Showers Bring Deeper Deals
At this point, Saint Cosme is one of our “core wineries.” They remain a reference point producer in the Rhone, producing incredible wines from both the Southern and Northern Rhone. Their single vineyard Gigondas are perhaps the highest regarded wines they make, but we have found that the wines they make from Côte Rôtie and Condrieu stand up with the best wines in the portfolio. Unfortunately, though, we seem to have over-bought a little bit and need to make room for some of the 2015s that will arrive later in this year, so we’re doing some spring cleaning. That said, our pain is your gain—and these wines are only on sale until the end of the month or until they run out.
To view and buy all of the wines from this section, just visit our website here.
Chateau de Saint Cosme Condrieu, Rhone 2014 750ML ($69.95) Was $54.50, Now $49! 36 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “Gorgeous, with papaya, white peach, mango, persimmon and Cavaillon melon notes seamlessly stitched together, lined with light honeysuckle and jasmine accents and backed by a twinge of bitter citrus oil and well-buried minerality. A exemplary display of large-scale fruit and precision. Drink now through 2019. 416 cases made”
This was already the lowest listed price in the country, now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $59
Chateau de Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone 2012 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $36! 22 bottles available
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Opaque ruby. Deep, smoke-accented dark berry and floral scents are lifted by a note of peppery spice. Smoky and sweet in the mouth, offering intense blueberry and cassis flavors and a hint of candied violet. Suggests the north in its fruit profile, finishing with very good punch and length and velvety, late-arriving tannins.”
This was already the lowest listed price in the country, now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $40.98!
The average price is $54!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2014 750ML ($69.95) Was $49, Now $44! 30 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “A firm, taut, minerally style, with lots of iron-edged grip striding from start to finish, while red currant and damson plum fruit push out from the core. White pepper and singed juniper details fill in the background. This will need some time to stretch out fully. Best from 2019 through 2030.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “(made, as usual, from vineyards in the Côte Brune): Opaque ruby. Vibrant, sharply focused black and blue fruits on the nose, complicated by peppery spice and mineral notes. Lithe and precise, showing strong lift to the intense blueberry, violet pastille and spicecake flavors. Picks up a smoky quality with air and finishes sweet, seamless and very long, with sneaky tannins adding shape and grip.”
Jeb Dunnuck-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2014 Cote Rotie is a solid step up from the Crozes Hermitage and St Joseph releases. Fermented with 100% stems and aged in 30% new barrels, it has a crazily perfumed bouquet of rose garden, peppery, stems, black raspberries and sweet oak. This gives way to a medium-bodied, nicely concentrated Cote Rotie that has solid mid-palate depth, good freshness and a great finish. It should have 10-15 yeas. of overall longevity.”
This was already the lowest listed price in the country, now it’s even lower!
The average price is $65!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides, Rhone 2014 750ML ($89.95) Was $79, Now $69! 23 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Well-built, with sage, savory and tobacco notes weaving around the core of blackberry and black currant, picking up charcoal and roasted alder accents. Best from 2017 through 2024.”
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 92-94+ points “What will mostly likely end up being the wine of the vintage is the 2014 Gigondas Hominis Fides. From a single vineyard located just down the hill from the estate, fermented with 100% whole clusters and aged all in Burgundy barrels, it offers sensational notes of crushed rock, graphite, dried rose petals and licorice in a medium to full-bodied, elegant, seamless style that hides considerable tannic grip. It’s a beautiful wine that will still be drinking nicely in 2034.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91-93 points “Deep ruby. Powerful, smoke-accented aromas of dark berries and incense, complicated by suave floral pastille and woodsmoke nuances. Fleshy and deeply concentrated, showing impressive depth to the densely packed red and blue fruit flavors, which are lifted by juicy acidity. The smoky note repeats on a youthfully tannic finish that shows impressive energy, power and thrust.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $79
The average price is $86!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux, Rhone 2014 750ML ($99.95) Was $79, Now $69! 20 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense, with lots of grip along the edges, as rosemary, tobacco and charcoal notes coil around the core of steeped plum, blackberry and red currant fruit. Best from 2018 through 2024.”J.M.
Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The most mineral-driven in the lineup, the 2014 Gigondas le Claux is almost 100% Grenache, and was fermented with 100% stems and aged in Burgundy barrels. Freshly crushed rocks, black currants, forest floor and truffle notes all flow beautifully to a medium to full-bodied, layered, sexy and nicely concentrated Gigondas that has enough fruit to drink well on release, yet the structure, balance and depth to evolve for 10-15 years. It’s an undeniable success in the vintage.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “Vivid ruby-red. Highly perfumed red fruit liqueur, potpourri and Asian spice scents show impressive clarity and vivacity. Sappy, tangy and precise, offering lively raspberry and floral pastille flavors and a touch of spicecake. Closes on a smoky mineral note, displaying superb focus, silky tannins and emphatic, floral-driven persistence.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $76.33
The average price is $80!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Valbelle, Rhone 2013 750ML ($59.95) Was $59, Now $49! 20 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Features a dense core of steeped plum, blackberry and black currant flavors, supported by ganache, singed bay leaf and licorice root notes. Exhibits muscular grip on the finish, showing more than enough fruit for balance. Displays impressive depth and character for the vintage. Best from 2017 through 2025. 430 cases made” JM
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91-93 points “Brilliant ruby. An expansive, complex bouquet evokes fresh blackberry and boysenberry, lifted by a sexy floral topnote and a hint of incense. Silky, sweet and palate-caressing, with intense black and blue fruit flavors given spine by tangy acidity. This juicy, pure wine finishes with excellent clarity and smooth, building tannins.” JR
This was already the lowest listed price in the country, now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $64
The average price is $66!
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Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Welcome to the club, Colorado!
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado! Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25.
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
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Yes, Virginia
There is Value in Red Burgundy
We’ll cut to the chase here: There’s still plenty of great value to be found in Red Burgundy. No, village wines from famous producers and villages aren’t coming down in price. Guess what, though, the quality of the whole of Burgundy has gone up (because of market forces, winemaking schools and technology) to the point where you can confidently buy from “lesser” villages and end up being impressed.
We love finding wines from villages or producers that run a little off the beaten path (often those two things go hand in hand). Things that come from villages not known for red (Chassange) or that two decades ago might have been too cold to consistently produce excellent wine (Marsannay). Producers better known for white (Matrot, Pillot) or Bourgogne from producers with excellent landholdings (Liger-Belair).
No matter which way you look for them, finding these small inefficiencies allows us to bring you some great wines, like these. If you’re interested in seeing all of the Burgundy we have in stock, visit our website www.vinopoliswineshop.com
Regis Bouvier Marsannay Clos du Roy Rouge, Cote de Nuits 2012 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Importer note “Clos du Roy means ‘vineyard of the king.’ Vines average 40 years old and are grown in calcareous slopes with sand and red clay subsoil. Aged in barrel for 12-16 months, 30% new oak.”
ViVino: This wine has an average 4.0 review (and $29.07 price tag!).
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $30!
Regis Bouvier Marsannay Longeroies Vieilles Vignes Rouge, Cote de Nuits 2012 750ML ($37.95) $24 special, 18 bottles available
Importer note “Les Longeroies means ‘alongside the king.’ Vines average 50 years old and are grown in calcareous slopes. Aged in barrel for 12-16 months, 30% new oak.”
ViVino: This wine has an average 3.9 review (and $29.07 price tag!)
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Jean-Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Mes Vieilles Vignes Rouge, Cote de Beaune 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 18 bottles available
Importer note “Pillot exploits over a hectare of vineyards planted in 1960 to Pinot Noir at the village level. This is a robust, cherry-flavored wine of strength and vigor. A simple, satisfying red from a village that should be more recognized for the quality of its reds, this being a prime example.”
Jean-Noel Gagnard – Caroline Lestime Chassagne-Montrachet Cuvee l’Estimee, Cote de Beaune 2011 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 24+ bottles available
Burghound 88 points “A very fresh and expressive nose of red and blue pinot fruit with pepper and earth hints leads to rich, delicious and nicely complex middle weight flavors that offer good persistence and only a mild touch of rusticity on the sappy finish. This should be approachable, and enjoyable, young if desired”BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Matrot La Piece Sous Le Bois, Blagny Premier Cru2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 10 bottles available
Burghound 91 points “The impressively complex violet and pungently earth-infused aromas are more elegant if ever-so-slightly less ripe. The seductively textured middle weight flavors possess plenty of structure-buffering dry extract that imparts a sappy mouth feel to the firm, dusty and strikingly persistent mineral-driven finish that evidences a mild touch of austerity. While qualitatively similar to the Santenots the underlying character is completely different as this is more focused and less powerful while offering much more refinement.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Matrot Monthelie, Cote de Beaune 2011 750ML ($49.95) $29 special, 22 bottles available
Burghound – “This is less refined but a bit more complex with an earthy and mildly rustic nose of dark berries and pungent earth aromas. The same touch of rusticity can be found on the delicious, round and already approachable medium-bodied flavors that possess good depth and reasonably good length. This should drink well almost immediately yet reward a few years of cellar time as well.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Matrot En Creot, Saint-Aubin Premier Cru 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 19 bottles available
Burghound 89 points “This is markedly cooler and more elegant with its pretty nose of high-toned pomegranate, cherry and cranberry scents. There is a lovely minerality to the racy, intense and beautifully delineated lighter weight though not dilute flavors that possess an attractive saline character on the clean, polished and dry-in-the-best-sense finale. This refined effort could easily be enjoyed young.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Thibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2011 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 special, 33 bottles available
Winery note “Situated on the district of Nuits Saint Georges, exactly in front of “les Saint-Georges”, this parcel produces a red Bourgogne build for aging: structured and very aromatic, that it will be necessary to keep two or three years before tasting.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Shoulder Season Rhone Reds
Wait, this is still here? Coming back to work after the weekend I’ll occasionally need to do a double take on some of the wines that didn’t sell out. The flavor of the week: Rhone wines built for the time when you’re not certain if you’ll be hiding out from the weather or outside in shirtsleeves, grilling and looking forward to a long spring and summer ahead.
I look at the bottles of Chapoutier and Benetiere and think of the spice chest of flavor contained within. Both wines are so tremendously elegant; floral, and pretty fruit that feels weightless, yet rolls deep in the finish. Even so, these offer hints of wilderness underneath all of that poise. To drink perfectly aged Hermitage for under $100 is a joy in itself. The Benetiere would do well with a little patience, but often, I find a lot of joy in drinking these when all of the corners still have a little edge to them; a great foil to a roast lamb dish.
The steal in Cote Rotie has to be the Chambeyrons La Chavarine. Not as polished as the Angeline, but honestly, part of what I love about Cote Rotie is the potential for there to be something wild to come out of the bottle. This one grips the nose with a rising stairway of aromas and then really rounds out on the palate. The smokiness on the nose plays with the finish, offering all sorts of secondary flavors to enjoy. These are two Cote Rotie producers who do not get the recognition they deserve.
There are three selections I return to again and again—all under $30. Floral notes run through all three, but they take different roads from there. Vincent Paris, Cornas’ enfant terrible, makes a St Joseph of great clarity. Perhaps it is a labor of love, as it almost seems that he handled the wine with kid gloves, preserving the most lifting elements of the aromas. The Alary Cairannes seems almost like a street urchin after the high class Paris. The floral notes are almost lost in the gaminess and spice. It isn’t subtle, but it isn’t heavy handed either. The newcomer to the list is Domain de Maravilhas, and their wines are a tremendous value. My favorite of the lot is the Maestral, the liveliest of his offerings. They are just the right wine for the price, pure fruit, light herbs and floral notes, and a lively feel on the palate. – Andy
M. Chapoutier Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne, Rhone 2007 750ML ($129.95) $79 special, 3 bottles available
Robert Parker 90-93 points “The 2007 Ermitage La Sizeranne displays a similar deep ruby/purple-tinged color in addition to sweet aromas of raspberries, black currants, smoke, gun flint, and spice. This full-bodied, well-made wine reveals outstanding richness, purity, and overall balance. Consume it over the next 15-20 years.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Marie et Pierre Benetiere Cote Rotie Cordeloux, Rhone 2013 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 5 bottles available
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Brilliant ruby. Sexy, mineral-accented dark berry and floral pastille scents show excellent clarity and hints of olive and cola. Sweet and energetic on the palate, offering juicy black and blue fruit flavors and zesty cracked pepper and allspice nuances. Shows an impressive blend of power and finesse on a very long, youthfully tannic finish that leaves a lively blueberry note behind.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Chambeyron Cote Rotie La Chavarine, Rhone 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 13 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Bright ruby. High-pitched aromas of red and dark berries, potpourri and woodsmoke pick up a peppery nuance with air. Sappy, sharply focused black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors expand slowly on the back half, with a gentle floral pastille nuance emerging. Soft tannins shape the finish, which lingers with good sweet persistence.” JR
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Vincent Paris Saint-Joseph Les Cotes, Rhone 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 11 bottles available
Domaine Vincent Paris Saint-Joseph Les Cotes, Rhone 2015 1.5L ($79.95) $69 special, 1 magnum available
Wine Advocate 92 points “In addition to his Cornas releases, Paris releases a terrific St Joseph. The inky black-colored 2015 Saint Joseph les Côtes was completely destemmed and aged in a mix of tank and barrels. It offers a gorgeous perfume of violets, black and blue fruits, pepper and hints of mint in a full-bodied, layered and elegant style. The tannin quality here is beautiful, it has top-notch purity and a great finish.”
This is the only listing for a magnum in the USA today!
Domaine Alary Cairanne La Font d’Estevenas, Rhone 2012 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 11 bottles available
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2012 Cairanne le Font d’Estevenas is an outstanding blend of Grenache and Syrah that saw a traditional élevage in tank. Showing plenty of gamy meatiness, spice and sweet berry and raspberry fruit, it’s medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and has enough underlying structure to drink nicely for another 5-7 years. While I don’t have the price on this latest release, it normally represents a fantastic value.”JD
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine des Maravilhas Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun ‘Maestral’, Rhone 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Deep ruby. Perfumed red fruits, candied lavender and peppery spices on the nose and palate; a mineral element adds vivacity. Appealingly sweet and seamless in texture, showing very good focus and cut to the intense black raspberry and cherry flavors. Finishes with slow-building tannins, delivering impressive clarity and strong, floral-driven persistence.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine des Maravilhas Lirac ‘Pradau’, Rhone 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36 bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Brilliant ruby. Ripe cherry, dark berries and cherry liqueur on the spice-accented nose and in the mouth. Sappy, sweet and expansive, offering intense blackberry and licorice flavors that tighten up slowly with air. Fleshy, seamless and nicely focused, displaying harmonious tannins, strong back-end thrust and lingering sweetness.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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April Sale Focus: Wind Gap Wines
A Vanguard New California Producer
By now “New California”—old vineyards, balanced but intense wines—isn’t so new. Sure, there are lots of cool new producers on the scene (which is more exciting than ever) but the idea of a Cali producer making low-alcohol wines that are made to go with food doesn’t seem foreign. This is a good thing.
Wind Gap, the project born out Pax Mahle’s change of stylistic heart (and departure from his namesake winery) was a leader in the neo-Cali movement and the wines remain as great as ever. The Chards are snappy, the Pinots are aromatically entrancing and the Soif is as gulpable as ever. Yes, they’re no longer the new guys on the scene, but they still taste as fresh and exciting as they ever have.
We already had some of the lowest prices in the country for these wines, but we wanted to make them even lower. These prices are valid till the end of the month or, more likely, till these wines run out. We doubt the winery is going to be happy about these prices, but you sure will be!
Wind Gap Woodruff Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90, Now $39, 14 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “The 2014 Chardonnay Woodruff is one of the most distinctive wines in the Wind Gap range. Candied lemon, white flowers, mint and a subtle hint of reduction are some of the signatures in this precise, crystalline Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay. The 2014 needs a few years to come into its own, but it is undeniably attractive and full of potential.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $50
Wind Gap Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, California 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $29, 24 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2014 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is deep, pliant and incredibly inviting, with a fabulous combination of pliant fruit, expressive aromatics and superb persistence. Rose petal, mint, savory herbs and game add the closing shades of inflection. There is something (a lot) to be said for the wisdom of blending fruit from different sites to make a complete, balanced wine. Wine Gap’s appellation-level wines often prove that point eloquently, as is very much the case here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $35
Wind Gap Woodruff Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $41.90, Now $39, 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 91+ points “The 2014 Pinot Noir Woodruff Vineyard is wonderfully lifted and aromatic, as it so often is. A pretty citrus/blood orange note leads to white pepper, sweet dried cherry and mint, all of which give the Woodruff an exotic, perfumed personality that is compelling. Gracious and light on its feet, this feminine Pinot will drink well for the better part of the next decade. The Woodruff was done with 100% whole clusters. In this vintage, the Woodruff is a touch compact, perhaps owing to the heavy fog that is often present. If the wine fleshes out in bottle, it could turn out to be even better than this note suggests.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $52.50
Wind Gap Nellessen Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley 2014 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $36, 19 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2014 Syrah Nellessen Vineyard is a much more typical wine for Wind Gap. A range of dark red cherry, plum, spice and lavender give the 2014 much of its sensual, inviting personality. Expressive floral and savory notes give the 2014 a kick of freshness on the finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $44
Wind Gap ‘Soif’ Red Wine, North Coast 2015 750ML ($34.95) Was $28, Now $19, 20 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2015 Old Vine Red Soif is a bit darker and richer than the 2014 tasted alongside it, but it captures the same energy and vibrancy. Dark red cherry, plum, licorice and spice meld together in a racy, voluptuous wine. There is so much to like here. The 2015 includes all three barrels of the Bedrock Mourvèdre that in the past has been bottled separately, along with dollops of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Carignane.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $26