In Today’s Newsletter:
Not Just Barolo…Serralunga
Giovanni Rosso’s 2015 at Fantastic Pricing
Just Arrived!
Two Standout California Chardonnays
Local, Delicious and (Somehow) Under $20
Two Bordeaux from Great Vintages
Offering Exceptional Value
Domaine Chateau du Grand Pre:
A New Natural Star in Fleurie
The Secret Profundity of Serious Albarino
Collector’s Corner
Don’t Forget:
Our California Cabernet Subscriber Sale Ends Soon
Not Just Barolo…Serralunga
Giovanni Rosso’s 2015 at Fantastic Pricing
Giovanni Rosso makes Barolo that’s synonymous with the perhaps the most prestigious commune in the area: Serralunga d’Alba. The commune is known for powerful, ageworthy versions of Barolo, highlighted by its most famous wines: Conterno’s Francia (and Monfortino), Giacosa’s Rocche del Falletto, Brovia’s Ca’Mia and a number of wines from Vigna Rionda.
Perhaps no winery is more closely associated with the subregion than Giovanni Rosso, a winery that goes back to the 1890’s and has made its mark with powerful, intense Barolos. We’re excited to offer their 2015 Barolo normale today—a fantastic value in general and an even better buy in a warm vintage like ’15. This wine is sourced from the wineries extensive holdings in Serralunga (plus a few new vineyards in the towns of Barolo and Castiglione Falletto) and is a brilliant bottle of Barolo for under $40.
The warm nature of the ’15 vintage has raised the quality floor for entry-level bottlings and nothing is a better example than the Giovanni Rosso on offer today. We’ve got the best price on the west coast by the bottle and the best price in the country if you’re picking up a case—and why wouldn’t you?
Arriving Friday:
Giovanni Rosso Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($49.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Giovanni Rosso Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($599.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.25/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
James Suckling 93 points “Dried oranges, rose petals, citrus and fresh herbs. Medium to full body, grainy tannins and a spice-driven, flavorful finish. Drink from 2021.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Fresh, offering cherry, strawberry, rose and white pepper aromas and flavors. Graceful, yet with ample grip on the long, dense and dusty finish. Captures the best of the vintage. Best from 2022 through 2040. 2,100 cases made, 1,200 cases imported. — BS”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Camphor, wild berry, blue flower and brown spice aromas lead the way. The taut palate shows cranberry, pomegranate, baking spice and a hint of chopped mint alongside fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity.-Kerin O’Keefe”
Perhaps no winery is more closely associated with the subregion than Giovanni Rosso, a winery that goes back to the 1890’s and has made its mark with powerful, intense Barolos. We’re excited to offer their 2015 Barolo normale today—a fantastic value in general and an even better buy in a warm vintage like ’15. This wine is sourced from the wineries extensive holdings in Serralunga (plus a few new vineyards in the towns of Barolo and Castiglione Falletto) and is a brilliant bottle of Barolo for under $40.
The warm nature of the ’15 vintage has raised the quality floor for entry-level bottlings and nothing is a better example than the Giovanni Rosso on offer today. We’ve got the best price on the west coast by the bottle and the best price in the country if you’re picking up a case—and why wouldn’t you?
Arriving Friday:
Giovanni Rosso Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($49.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Giovanni Rosso Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($599.95) $399 pre-arrival special (that’s only $33.25/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
James Suckling 93 points “Dried oranges, rose petals, citrus and fresh herbs. Medium to full body, grainy tannins and a spice-driven, flavorful finish. Drink from 2021.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Fresh, offering cherry, strawberry, rose and white pepper aromas and flavors. Graceful, yet with ample grip on the long, dense and dusty finish. Captures the best of the vintage. Best from 2022 through 2040. 2,100 cases made, 1,200 cases imported. — BS”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Camphor, wild berry, blue flower and brown spice aromas lead the way. The taut palate shows cranberry, pomegranate, baking spice and a hint of chopped mint alongside fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity.-Kerin O’Keefe”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Just Arrived
Two Standout California Chardonnays
“The Diatom wines are made by Greg Brewer, although the label, along with Brewer-Clifton, was purchased by Jackson Family Wines in 2017. ‘I started Diatom in 2005. It’s all stainless steel, very skeletal and very deviant ultimately,’ Greg explains. ‘And here’s this large Chardonnay house whose reputation is for barrel fermentation, new oak, etc. It gave me great confidence, for them to take this on. They want me to push harder, be more me. It is really demonstrative of how that company works.’ The wines are racy and precise yet never lacking in fruit flavor or layering. ‘The potential is hedonistic,’ he says, ‘but it’s like slicing it thin with yuzu. I love straddling that. The dialogue around Chardonnay is either lean or big and oaky. So I want to explore big and neutral. Expressive, giving, full tilt and clean.’” –Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Diatom Bar-M Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Diatom Bar-M Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2018 750ML ($349.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Chardonnay Bar-M has an open nose of quince, warm hay, green apple and pear, baker’s yeast, acacia and dried chamomile with white peach and nectarine plus hints of lime peel and crushed stone. Light to medium-bodied, it has a wonderful core of spicy fruit and wicked minerality in the mouth, amplified by juicy freshness and a long, energetic, layered finish. Yum! About 3,000 cases were produced.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “From a site in Los Alamos, the 2018 Chardonnay Bar M is perfumed, lifted and wonderfully gracious in feel. Citrus and floral notes abound in a very pretty, expressive Chardonnay that shows the aromatic style that is so common here. White flowers, mint and saline overtones add closing layers to this pretty and inviting Chardonnay from Greg Brewer’s Diatom label.”
Winery note “Diatom Bar-M Vineyard is sourced from the stunning contiguous blocks of clone 76 Chardonnay planted over 20 years ago in the Los Alamos region of Santa Barbara County. Los Alamos is a magnificent and relatively unknown region whose sandy loam soil lends itself to fruit with a bit more flesh and weight – perfectly suited to the diatom model. Fermentation at very low temperature in small stainless-steel tanks, coupled with inhibited malo-lactic and short hose transit ensure precision and focus.”
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Diatom Bar-M Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Case-12 Diatom Bar-M Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2018 750ML ($349.95) $259 special (that’s only $21.58/bottle!)
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Chardonnay Bar-M has an open nose of quince, warm hay, green apple and pear, baker’s yeast, acacia and dried chamomile with white peach and nectarine plus hints of lime peel and crushed stone. Light to medium-bodied, it has a wonderful core of spicy fruit and wicked minerality in the mouth, amplified by juicy freshness and a long, energetic, layered finish. Yum! About 3,000 cases were produced.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “From a site in Los Alamos, the 2018 Chardonnay Bar M is perfumed, lifted and wonderfully gracious in feel. Citrus and floral notes abound in a very pretty, expressive Chardonnay that shows the aromatic style that is so common here. White flowers, mint and saline overtones add closing layers to this pretty and inviting Chardonnay from Greg Brewer’s Diatom label.”
Winery note “Diatom Bar-M Vineyard is sourced from the stunning contiguous blocks of clone 76 Chardonnay planted over 20 years ago in the Los Alamos region of Santa Barbara County. Los Alamos is a magnificent and relatively unknown region whose sandy loam soil lends itself to fruit with a bit more flesh and weight – perfectly suited to the diatom model. Fermentation at very low temperature in small stainless-steel tanks, coupled with inhibited malo-lactic and short hose transit ensure precision and focus.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $27
The average price nationally is $27
Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2019 – Smart Buys
Cambria Estate Winery Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley 2017 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Case-12 Cambria Estate Winery Katherine’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley 2017 750ML ($249.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 91 points “Well-structured, with a smoky richness to the mineral-infused apple and pear tart flavors. The fresh, spicy finish lingers with a creamy texture. Drink now through 2022. 40,000 cases made.”
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(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
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503-223-6002
Local, Delicious and (Somehow) Under $20
Two Favorites from Bow & Arrow
We can’t say enough good things about Bow & Arrow and the wines they make. Scott Frank seems to have cracked the code to do two things that are nearly impossible for other Oregon wineries. First, he makes wines that are vibrant, fresh and delicious in a truly old-world fashion. As a result, the wines (especially the wines we’re featuring today) can be compulsively drinkable. We may have mentioned this already, but the wines are great.
The other major puzzle that Scott seems to have cracked is affordability. We often see wines from the US marketed as ‘daily drinkers’ in style but the wines are priced at $30++, well north of a comparable wine from Europe. With Bow & Arrow, though, we’re pleased as punch that a delicious local wine is cheaper than most of the competition from Europe. To make those already good deals even better, we worked with Scott to drop the prices on two of our favorites, the flagship Rhinestones and his excellent Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
In Stock Now:
Bow and Arrow’s Rhinestones bottling, a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, has probably done more to define their style and the style of the “New Oregon” than any other. Juicy, fresh and slightly peppery (from the Gamay) it’s a red wine that manages to refresh with ease. We sell a lot of it, for good reason—it’s a wine that manages to pair with nearly anything, or be delicious on its own. Plus, it’s well priced (under $25) and local, two big perks. It’s become one of winemaker Scott Frank’s signature bottlings, representing his outside-the-box thinking and exceptional craftsmanship.
Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($26.95) Was $21.90, Now $18 special
Winery Note “To understand Rhinestones we have to talk about the Cheverny region of France’s Loire Valley where, by law, the red wines must be a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. We follow this stricture with all the Pinot and Gamay fruit we source from Johan Vineyard. The blend is determined by nature and vintage. Aged in a mixture of concrete and old barriques, this wine is the flagship of the Bow & Arrow operation and communicates what we’re about as much as anything we make. Effortlessly drinkable but rewards detective work if you’re in the mood.”
The other major puzzle that Scott seems to have cracked is affordability. We often see wines from the US marketed as ‘daily drinkers’ in style but the wines are priced at $30++, well north of a comparable wine from Europe. With Bow & Arrow, though, we’re pleased as punch that a delicious local wine is cheaper than most of the competition from Europe. To make those already good deals even better, we worked with Scott to drop the prices on two of our favorites, the flagship Rhinestones and his excellent Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
In Stock Now:
Bow and Arrow’s Rhinestones bottling, a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, has probably done more to define their style and the style of the “New Oregon” than any other. Juicy, fresh and slightly peppery (from the Gamay) it’s a red wine that manages to refresh with ease. We sell a lot of it, for good reason—it’s a wine that manages to pair with nearly anything, or be delicious on its own. Plus, it’s well priced (under $25) and local, two big perks. It’s become one of winemaker Scott Frank’s signature bottlings, representing his outside-the-box thinking and exceptional craftsmanship.
Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($26.95) Was $21.90, Now $18 special
Winery Note “To understand Rhinestones we have to talk about the Cheverny region of France’s Loire Valley where, by law, the red wines must be a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. We follow this stricture with all the Pinot and Gamay fruit we source from Johan Vineyard. The blend is determined by nature and vintage. Aged in a mixture of concrete and old barriques, this wine is the flagship of the Bow & Arrow operation and communicates what we’re about as much as anything we make. Effortlessly drinkable but rewards detective work if you’re in the mood.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
The average listed price is $26
Bow & Arrow may be best known for their Loire-inspired bottlings (like Rhinestones and Air Guitar) but they make a fantastic bottle of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, as well. Crafted from an assemblage of some of the best vineyards in the Van Duzer Corridor, this wine shows a cooler-climate tone that evokes its European influences. 2018 is already starting to look like a special vintage in the Willamette Valley and this bottling shows grace and elegance with a sizzle that we’ve come to expect from the B&A wines.
Bow & Arrow Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2018 750ML ($24.95) Was $21.90, Now $18 special
Winemaker Note “[W]hile this ethos of “wine for the people” infuses the entire posture at Bow & Arrow, it’s this wine, the Willamette Valley Pinot in particular, that serves as our proof of concept. You can make, in the Willamette Valley, a Pinot Noir sourced from Biodynamic and Organic fruit that is lovingly and naturally tended to form start to finish AND sell it at a price that nearly anyone can glass pour. Assembled mainly from Johan Vineyard, Walnut Ridge and Hughes Hollow fruit, this wine was handled no differently than our single vineyard, top priced Pinot Noir. Tasted blind I imagine it would hang tough with any line-up of Oregon Pinots of any price or pedigree. (“I humbly submit” keeps getting auto-corrected to this hubristic nonsense. I’m sorry.)”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $23
Two Bordeaux from Great Vintages
Offering Exceptional Value
Whether you’re looking for sub-$20 or sub-$150 Bordeaux, we want to deliver you exceptional wine for your money (obviously). We’re highlighting two bottles today, one in each of those price points, which do just that.
Arriving ETA Late May
Only six bottles available!
Chateau Saint-Pierre, Saint-Julien 2009 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 98 points “The all-time greatest wine I have ever tasted from Saint-Pierre, this estate, the smallest of the grand cru classes of St.-Julien, has an opaque purple color and a spectacular nose of subtle charcoal, creme de cassis, blackberry, and incense. Full-bodied, with striking intensity and flamboyantly rich, exuberant flavors bursting with extract, the St. Pierre has no hard edges, but rather massive, incredibly well-endowed blockbuster style, which should prove to be monumental. Give it 6-8 years to take on more definition and calm down, but this is a 30- to 40-year wine. Bravo!”rp
Chateau Marjosse, Bordeaux 2015 750ML ($19.95) $17 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Chateau Marjosse, Bordeaux 2015 750ML ($239.95) $189 pre-arrival special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
James Suckling 91 points “Aromas of spices, currants and milk chocolate with fresh-basil undertones. Full-bodied, layered and rich with lots of fruit and character on the finish. Tannins are velvety and dusty in texture. Excellent for this chateau. Needs two or three years to soften. Try in 2020.”
“Pierre Lurton’s 2015 Marjosse is a big, bold wine packed with black cherry, tobacco, chocolate, smoke, leather and licorice. This dark, brooding wine should drink nicely upon release. There is plenty going on.” –Antonio Galloni
“The medium garnet-purple colored 2015 Marjosse has a nose of crushed black raspberries and red plums with touches of blackberries and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, it has good expression and a chewy frame with nice balance and plenty of fruit.” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
Arriving ETA Late May
Only six bottles available!
Chateau Saint-Pierre, Saint-Julien 2009 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Robert Parker 98 points “The all-time greatest wine I have ever tasted from Saint-Pierre, this estate, the smallest of the grand cru classes of St.-Julien, has an opaque purple color and a spectacular nose of subtle charcoal, creme de cassis, blackberry, and incense. Full-bodied, with striking intensity and flamboyantly rich, exuberant flavors bursting with extract, the St. Pierre has no hard edges, but rather massive, incredibly well-endowed blockbuster style, which should prove to be monumental. Give it 6-8 years to take on more definition and calm down, but this is a 30- to 40-year wine. Bravo!”rp
Chateau Marjosse, Bordeaux 2015 750ML ($19.95) $17 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Chateau Marjosse, Bordeaux 2015 750ML ($239.95) $189 pre-arrival special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
James Suckling 91 points “Aromas of spices, currants and milk chocolate with fresh-basil undertones. Full-bodied, layered and rich with lots of fruit and character on the finish. Tannins are velvety and dusty in texture. Excellent for this chateau. Needs two or three years to soften. Try in 2020.”
“Pierre Lurton’s 2015 Marjosse is a big, bold wine packed with black cherry, tobacco, chocolate, smoke, leather and licorice. This dark, brooding wine should drink nicely upon release. There is plenty going on.” –Antonio Galloni
“The medium garnet-purple colored 2015 Marjosse has a nose of crushed black raspberries and red plums with touches of blackberries and damp soil. Medium to full-bodied, it has good expression and a chewy frame with nice balance and plenty of fruit.” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Domaine Chateau du Grand Pre
A New Natural Star in Fleurie
Beaujolais is a region in a constant state of revolution—new faces are re-energizing venerable producers and starting their own wineries seemingly every year, leading to new gems that we’re thrilled to be able to taste and sell.
Case in point? The Chateau de Grand Pré—an estate that’s been around since the 70’s but was radically transformed in the last decade, becoming certified organic in 2012 and moving towards a natural-influenced winemaking style under the direction Romain Zordan, the grandson of the estate’s founders. The resulting wines are brilliant, combining a freshness and verve typical of natural Beaujolais producers with a structure and power (and cleanliness) that’s more typical of a classical estate. The old vines help here, as well, lending depth and complexity.
Arriving Friday, May 15th:
Domaine du Chateau de Grand Pre Fleurie ‘Cuvee Spaciale’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Importer Note “100% Gamay from 60 to 70 year old vines planted on sandy soil, with a granitic subsoil. The yields are tiny and average 15 hl/ha. The grapes are hand harvested, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfite during the vinification. Aged for 7 months in older demi-muids (600 liters). Pronounced aromas of sour cherries, fruity and plump palate with well-integrated tannins. Serve at 59 to 61F.”
Case in point? The Chateau de Grand Pré—an estate that’s been around since the 70’s but was radically transformed in the last decade, becoming certified organic in 2012 and moving towards a natural-influenced winemaking style under the direction Romain Zordan, the grandson of the estate’s founders. The resulting wines are brilliant, combining a freshness and verve typical of natural Beaujolais producers with a structure and power (and cleanliness) that’s more typical of a classical estate. The old vines help here, as well, lending depth and complexity.
Arriving Friday, May 15th:
Domaine du Chateau de Grand Pre Fleurie ‘Cuvee Spaciale’, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Importer Note “100% Gamay from 60 to 70 year old vines planted on sandy soil, with a granitic subsoil. The yields are tiny and average 15 hl/ha. The grapes are hand harvested, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfite during the vinification. Aged for 7 months in older demi-muids (600 liters). Pronounced aromas of sour cherries, fruity and plump palate with well-integrated tannins. Serve at 59 to 61F.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Arriving ETA July:
Domaine du Chateau de Grand Pre Morgon T Rex, Beaujolais 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Importer Note “100% Gamay from 50 year old vines planted in decomposed rock and crumbly schist soil. The yields average 35 to 40 hl/ha. The grapes are hand harvested over several passages in the vineyard. Maceration for 10 to 15 days in temperature-controlled tanks, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no added sulfite during the vinification. The wine is aged on its lees for 3 to 4 months in 3 to 5 year old barrels from Meursault. A structured and balanced red with aromas of ripe red fruits and powerful tannins. The cellaring potential is 3 to 9 years and the wine deserves a little aging to reach its peak. Serve at 59 to 61F.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The Secret Profundity of Serious Albarino
Most Albarino is industrial wine. Not that it’s bad, but there’s a formula to your basic $10-$20 bottle of Galician white. The wine is picked earlyish, before rain can risk the harvest, and fermented with a selection of commercial yeasts that give the generic white wine a lot of fruitiness (especially on the nose) and a little bit more body. It’s aged very briefly in stainless steel tanks and sent to market as fast as possible to be a delicious, if simple, quaffer.
By contrast, both Gerardo Mendez (of Do Ferreiro) and Alberto Nanclares do things very differently in pursuit of excellent wine. Both winemakers use indigenous yeasts, eschewing the quick and fruity fermentations for ones that last longer and produce distinct mineral notes in the wines. Those mineral notes are what separates the great (or as they’d argue, true) Albarino from the commodity stuff. In the hands of these two, Albarino has more in common with great Chablis or a GG from Keller than it does with something like Torrontes.
Both winemakers use vineyards with very old vines, most notably in the Do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas, which originates from a parcel of 200 year old Albarino trained in the traditional Albarello method. This training (common for many of the vineyards from these two but otherwise rare) is an extremely labor intensive way to farm the vineyard yields excellent wines but has fallen out of favor as it requires almost all the work to be done by hand. Few are willing to work this way anymore and as a result, few make wines like these. If you love deeply soulful, mineral drenched whites, you owe it to yourself to pick some up and see what true Albarino really tastes like.
Bodegas Nanclares
Bodegas Nanclares ‘Alberto Nanclares’ Albarino, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 29 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Nanclares Albariño comes from 8 parcels in the parroquias (or parishes) of Cambados and Ribadumia. After a cool spring and late summer heat in August, grapes were hand-harvested from Sept. 10th to Oct. 6th, pressed whole cluster into two 2000L steel vats and five used 450-500L French oak barrels, and fermented with native yeast with malolactic fermentation suppressed in order to retain the naturally high acidity. The wine was raised on the lees for 9 months, bottled with modest levels of SO2, and was not clarified or filtered. An acid-driven, profound, and angular expression of Val do Salnés Albariño!”
Bodegas Nanclares ‘Soverribas de Nanclares’, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($49.95) $45 special, 35 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Soverribas Albariño comes from a single, southwest-facing parcel named Paraje Manzaniña, located in the parroquia of Padrenda (Meaño). After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. Grapes were pressed whole-cluster and fermented and raised on the lees in an old 2,200L French oak tina for 11 months with battonage for the first 3 months, bottled on Aug. 21st (fruit day) without fining or filtration, and modest amounts of SO2. An angular and serious vin de garde Rías Baixas wine. Decant before serving.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Bodegas Nanclares ‘A Grana’, Galicia 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Importer note “A Graña is from a single, northeast-facing vineyard of the same name, on sandy granitic soils. After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed and wild yeast fermented in a used 800L chestnut cask and a 200L steel tank, and raised on the lees for 11 months with weekly battonage only until December, then bottled on Aug. 21st (fruit day) with very modest levels of SO2 and without clarification or filtration. An acid-driven, profound, and angular expression of Val do Salnés Albariño!”
Importer note “A Graña is from a single, northeast-facing vineyard of the same name, on sandy granitic soils. After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. The grapes were whole-cluster pressed and wild yeast fermented in a used 800L chestnut cask and a 200L steel tank, and raised on the lees for 11 months with weekly battonage only until December, then bottled on Aug. 21st (fruit day) with very modest levels of SO2 and without clarification or filtration. An acid-driven, profound, and angular expression of Val do Salnés Albariño!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Bodegas Nanclares Coccinella Albarino, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Coccinella is from a single pie franco (own-rooted) centenarian Albariño vineyard called Paraje Inxertal. This rare parcel faces to the northwest and sits on pure sandy soils. After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. The grapes were wild yeast fermented and raised on the lees for one year in a 400L used French barrel with battonage for the first 3 months, bottled on Aug 21st (fruit day) with modest levels of SO2, and without clarification or filtration. An ocean-infused, multilayered and age-worthy old vines Meaño! One of the most distinctive and terruño-driven single vineyard Albariños we’ve ever had. Decant before serving.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Bodegas Nanclares ‘Crisopa’ Albarino, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Crisopa Branco Tradicional comes from the same parcel as “Soverribas” (Paraje Manzaniña) but is picked one day earlier to select the best bunches. After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. The grapes were foot-trodden in open plastic vats with 100% whole-clusters, and then skin-fermented for 20 days in a steel vat. After a vertical press the wine is racked into a used 500L French oak cask, where it rests for 11 months on the lees with battonage for first 3 months, before being bottled on Aug. 21st (fruit day) without clarification, filtration and only modest amounts of SO2. A fascinating and extremely textured Vinho Branco made in the style of the ancients!”
Importer note “Crisopa Branco Tradicional comes from the same parcel as “Soverribas” (Paraje Manzaniña) but is picked one day earlier to select the best bunches. After a wet and cool spring and summer, it turned dry and hot in August, with hand-harvesting on Sept. 10th through Oct. 6th. The grapes were foot-trodden in open plastic vats with 100% whole-clusters, and then skin-fermented for 20 days in a steel vat. After a vertical press the wine is racked into a used 500L French oak cask, where it rests for 11 months on the lees with battonage for first 3 months, before being bottled on Aug. 21st (fruit day) without clarification, filtration and only modest amounts of SO2. A fascinating and extremely textured Vinho Branco made in the style of the ancients!”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Do Ferriero
Do Ferreiro Albarino Cepas Vellas, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($69.95) $54 special, 28 bottles in stock now
Importer Note: From vines up to 250 years old, Do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas 2018 is an aromatic white wine with intense fruity notes of apple, tropical fruit and citrus. It reveals floral and mineral notes with a saline background. On the palate it is lingering, dense and silky. The acidity makes the finish fresh, balanced and saline.
Importer Note: From vines up to 250 years old, Do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas 2018 is an aromatic white wine with intense fruity notes of apple, tropical fruit and citrus. It reveals floral and mineral notes with a saline background. On the palate it is lingering, dense and silky. The acidity makes the finish fresh, balanced and saline.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Do Ferreiro Albarino Adina, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Importer Note: A 45-year-old albariño vineyard on unique red slate soils in the area of A Lanzada, a part of the Salnés subzone facing the Ría de Pontevedra with a distinct Atlantic influence. A rare 600m wide vein of red slate originates near Porto continues north between the islands of Cies and Ons, runs straight through the vineyards in Lanzada before resurfacing in the U.K. This red slate gives Adina an exceptionally bright and precise attack with unparalleled structure. The vines are pergola-trained, using a Cazanave-Marcón pruning style, all grapes are hand-selected and picked.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Do Ferreiro Albarino Dous Ferrados, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Importer Note: A ferrado is a traditional unit of measurement in Rías Baixas for the number of grapes it takes to fill one 500L barrel. As it goes, this vineyard is precisely dous (or two) ferrados; hence there are only two 500L barrels of this wine produced. From a unique vineyard in the Salnés subzone called Tomada do Sapo, the vines average 30 years of age. Albariño is grown on sandy granite soil with a clay-calcareous base, this site sits at a higher-elevation (250m) above the winery, in a slightly colder climate with more fog. The traditional neutral barrels are used for this cuvée to facilitate gentle air-exchange and allow the elegance and depth of the site to express itself fully. The vines are pergola-trained, using a Cazanave-Marcón pruning style, all grapes are hand-selected and picked.
Importer Note: A ferrado is a traditional unit of measurement in Rías Baixas for the number of grapes it takes to fill one 500L barrel. As it goes, this vineyard is precisely dous (or two) ferrados; hence there are only two 500L barrels of this wine produced. From a unique vineyard in the Salnés subzone called Tomada do Sapo, the vines average 30 years of age. Albariño is grown on sandy granite soil with a clay-calcareous base, this site sits at a higher-elevation (250m) above the winery, in a slightly colder climate with more fog. The traditional neutral barrels are used for this cuvée to facilitate gentle air-exchange and allow the elegance and depth of the site to express itself fully. The vines are pergola-trained, using a Cazanave-Marcón pruning style, all grapes are hand-selected and picked.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Do Ferreiro Albarino Lourido, Rias Baixas 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Importer Note: Lourido is a 50+year-old albariño vineyard on decomposed granite soils near the town of O Facho directly facing the Ría de Arousa, located in the Salnés subzone of Rías Baixas. The roots of the vines easily penetrate the decayed, friable granite and dig deep into the soil, which can be broken by hand. This soil is ideal for structured white wine. This site is in a valley which does not see fog, so the minerality, fruit and terroir components of the site are entirely transparent. The vines here are pergola-trained, using a Cazanave-Marcón pruning style, all grapes are hand-selected and picked.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Do Ferreiro Albarino, Rias Baixas 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 92+points “Produced as an exercise of blending, the 2017 Albariño is a blend from the majority of plots they work, mixing different soils, different ages of vines and different pruning methods. This feels like a powerful vintage, with great concentration and some complexity even for such a young wine. There are floral and citrus notes and a sapid, salty-like sensation on the palate. It feels like a very complete and balanced year, with all that it takes to develop nicely in bottle. All of their wines are bottled without malolactic. 90,000 bottles produced. This is normally bottled in ten lots and the wine kept with the lees. I tasted a bottle from August 2017.”
Collector’s Corner
Don’t Forget – Our California Cabernet Subscriber Sale Ends Thursday Evening
We have a pretty big selection of top California Cabernet (over forty excellent bottlings in stock right now) and we’re dropping the price on eight of the best of them for you, our email subscribers. Until we close for business on Thursday, save up to $100/btl on some of the finest wines to come out of the Golden State. These prices are only good until the wines sell out and quantities are limited—don’t miss out.
Subscriber Special Pricing Expires Thursday, May 14th at 6PM (PT)
In Stock Now:
Only fourteen bottles available
Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2016 750ML ($249.95) Was $199, Now $169 Subscriber Special
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard is very deep purple-black in color with an earthy, meaty, broody nose with notes of mocha over baked plums and crème de cassis plus wafts of spice box and mincemeat. The palate is full-bodied, concentrated, rich and earthy with great vibrancy on the finish. 839 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “From a steep hillside in Oakville, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Tench Vineyard offers a more savory, masculine, layered style as well as a huge nose of red and black fruits, dried herbs, chocolate, and earth. It hits the palate with a full-bodied, mouthfilling style that carries plenty of tannins, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and a great finish. I like it today, yet it’s going to continue drinking brilliantly for two decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $185
The average listed price is $251
The next best price is $185
The average listed price is $251
Only eleven bottles available
Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard Red EE, Oakville 2016 750ML ($249.95) Was $199, Now $179 Subscriber Special
Wine Advocate 98 points “A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Proprietary Red EE Tench Vineyard is scented of pure plums and ripe blueberries with redcurrants and touches of lavender, roses, bay leaves and dusty earth. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm, fine-grained, vibrant and refreshing, finishing long and perfumed. 1,403 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2016 Tench Vineyard EE Red Wine checks in as a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, which is the smallest amount of Cabernet Franc to date. Brought up in new barrels, it has gorgeous blue fruits, violets, spring flowers, and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and just about as seamless and silky as it gets, this is a magical wine to drink over the coming 15 years or more.”
Bevan Cellars Tench Vineyard Red EE, Oakville 2016 750ML ($249.95) Was $199, Now $179 Subscriber Special
Wine Advocate 98 points “A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Proprietary Red EE Tench Vineyard is scented of pure plums and ripe blueberries with redcurrants and touches of lavender, roses, bay leaves and dusty earth. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm, fine-grained, vibrant and refreshing, finishing long and perfumed. 1,403 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “The 2016 Tench Vineyard EE Red Wine checks in as a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot, which is the smallest amount of Cabernet Franc to date. Brought up in new barrels, it has gorgeous blue fruits, violets, spring flowers, and damp earth. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and just about as seamless and silky as it gets, this is a magical wine to drink over the coming 15 years or more.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $194
The average listed price is $251
The next best price is $194
The average listed price is $251
Only five bottles available
Bevan Cellars Wildfoote Vineyard Vixen Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District 2015 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $179 Subscriber Special
Wine Advocate 98 points “Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Vixen Block Wildfoote Vineyard offers up a very serious nose of cassis, blackberry pie and blueberry compote with hints of dried lavender, underbrush, Chinese five spice and cigar box, plus a waft of dark chocolate. Full-bodied and densely packed with black fruit preserves and earthy layers, it has a firm frame of finely grained tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with epically long exotic spice nuances. Only 125 cases were produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Wildfoote Vineyard Vixen Block is one of the more refined, elegant wines in the lineup and reveals a perfumed bouquet of white flowers, blue fruits, violets, and spice. It’s seamless and silky on the palate, yet has building underlying tannin and is beautifully balanced. It’s one of those wines that carry loads of intensity and texture yet just glides over the palate. Drink it anytime over the coming two decades.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $198
The average listed price is $221
The next best price is $198
The average listed price is $221
Only six bottles available
Clos du Val Hirondelle Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District 2014 750ML ($149.95) Was $119, Now $89 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Deep, inky and enveloping, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle Estate Vineyard captures all the elements that make Stags Leaps Cabernets so compelling. A host of lavender, mint, sage, graphite and crème de cassis notes flesh out in an effortless, noble Cabernet Sauvignon endowed with notable depth and intensity.”
Clos du Val Hirondelle Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District 2014 750ML ($149.95) Was $119, Now $89 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Deep, inky and enveloping, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Hirondelle Estate Vineyard captures all the elements that make Stags Leaps Cabernets so compelling. A host of lavender, mint, sage, graphite and crème de cassis notes flesh out in an effortless, noble Cabernet Sauvignon endowed with notable depth and intensity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $99
The average listed price is $123
The next best price is $99
The average listed price is $123
Only six bottles available
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Red, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($699.95) Was $499, Now $399 Subscriber Special
Robert Parker 98+ points “From their steep hillside vineyards on Pritchard Hill, the 2014 Proprietary Red IX Estate is an old-fashioned Médoc blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, but with some Cabernet Franc (rarely seen in the Médoc these years) as well as Merlot and Petit Verdot. Striking aromatics of violets, forest floor, loamy soil nuances, blueberry, black raspberry and blackberry soar from the glass of this spectacular 2014. The acidity seems reasonable but on the lower side, the texture is magnificent, and the overall purity and equilibrium flawless. This is a wine pushing, even demanding, a three-digit score once again, but I’m holding back – at least for now. This magnificent effort from Colgin should drink beautifully for 25-30 years.”
Only twenty bottles available
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Subscriber Special
Decanter 96 points ” A brooding and nuanced bouquet of red and black fruit, petroleum jelly, woodsmoke, bitter cocoa, truffle and violet leads into a supple, elegant palate with fine savoury tannins and juicy acidity. Balanced, sapid and sophisticated. (WK) “
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Forman’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon offers lovely precision to match its mid-weight, gracious personality. The flavors are bright, floral and nicely focused. The 2014 is attractive, but it remains on the lighter side of things, even within the context of Ric Forman’s Cabernets. I imagine the 2014 will age well on its freshness. It will be interesting to see if the 2014 gains depth in bottle. What is clear, though, is that the 2014 has been more and more reticent each time I have tasted it. Readers will have to be patient.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $115
The average listed price is $115
Only eleven bottles available
Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder 2015 750ML ($299.95) Was $179, Now $149 Subscriber Special
Wine Spectator #2 Wine of the Year 2019
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “Another stellar wine from Mayacamas, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be quite reticent, which is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects. Even so, the 2015 is dense, powerful and super-concentrated, with a level of finesse in its tannins that separates it from so many wines in this challenging vintage. Time in the glass brings out graphite, menthol, licorice, sage and spice notes that add a sense of gravitas. I would prefer to cellar the 2015 for at least a few years to allow some of the baby fat to melt away. I expect the 2015 will always remain an exotic, full-throttle wine relative to the norm here. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Youthfully compact, with tightly wound black currant, bitter plum and dark blueberry notes, this needs time to meld with the charcoal, bay leaf and tar streaks, but the mouthwatering cut on the finish suggests that won’t be a problem. Offers a long echo of juniper at the end. Best from 2023 through 2040. 2,250 cases made. — JM”
Only five bottles available
Ramey Pedregal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2014 750ML ($219.95) Was $169, Now $149 Subscriber Special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is a dead ringer for a great vintage of Ducru-Beaucaillou. Pure crème de cassis, graphite, smoked earth, and tobacco leaf notes all flow to a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that exudes class, elegance, and purity, all while still carrying serious depth and richness. Made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot, it has ripe tannin, impeccable balance and a great finish, all promising a long life.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is a classic wine from the Eastern Hills of Oakville. Pliant, supple and radiant in the glass, the 2014 offers superb depth and textural richness. The dark cherry, plum, espresso, licorice and floral notes all blossom in an effortless, sumptuous Cabernet endowed with personality and class. The 2014 will be easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Today, it is fabulous.”
Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder 2015 750ML ($299.95) Was $179, Now $149 Subscriber Special
Wine Spectator #2 Wine of the Year 2019
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “Another stellar wine from Mayacamas, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be quite reticent, which is probably a very good thing for its long-term prospects. Even so, the 2015 is dense, powerful and super-concentrated, with a level of finesse in its tannins that separates it from so many wines in this challenging vintage. Time in the glass brings out graphite, menthol, licorice, sage and spice notes that add a sense of gravitas. I would prefer to cellar the 2015 for at least a few years to allow some of the baby fat to melt away. I expect the 2015 will always remain an exotic, full-throttle wine relative to the norm here. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Youthfully compact, with tightly wound black currant, bitter plum and dark blueberry notes, this needs time to meld with the charcoal, bay leaf and tar streaks, but the mouthwatering cut on the finish suggests that won’t be a problem. Offers a long echo of juniper at the end. Best from 2023 through 2040. 2,250 cases made. — JM”
Only five bottles available
Ramey Pedregal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2014 750ML ($219.95) Was $169, Now $149 Subscriber Special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is a dead ringer for a great vintage of Ducru-Beaucaillou. Pure crème de cassis, graphite, smoked earth, and tobacco leaf notes all flow to a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon that exudes class, elegance, and purity, all while still carrying serious depth and richness. Made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Petit Verdot, it has ripe tannin, impeccable balance and a great finish, all promising a long life.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is a classic wine from the Eastern Hills of Oakville. Pliant, supple and radiant in the glass, the 2014 offers superb depth and textural richness. The dark cherry, plum, espresso, licorice and floral notes all blossom in an effortless, sumptuous Cabernet endowed with personality and class. The 2014 will be easy to drink with minimal cellaring. Today, it is fabulous.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $180
The average listed price is $180
Arriving Later This Month
Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2014 750ML ($149.95) Was $128, Now $115 Subscriber Special, ETA May
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 96+ points “Dark ruby. Captivating violet lift to the aromas and flavors of cassis, kirsch, licorice and mocha. Plush and fine-grained; extremely deep in the middle palate but this extremely rich wine impresses as much for its finesse as for its sheer density and power. Finishes with wonderfully harmonious tannins and great slow-mounting length. Owing to its sheer density and baby fat, the wine is edge-free from the start, but it’s likely to evolve at a snail’s pace and last for decades.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain has an incredibly evocative nose of crème de cassis, plum preserves and fresh wild blueberries with touches of chocolate mints, tilled soil, yeast extract, chargrill and scorched earth. Medium to full-bodied, it fills the mouth with fresh, crunchy black fruit, framed by firm, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with bags of energy.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $144
The average listed price is $144
Subscriber Special Pricing Expires Thursday, May 14th at 6PM (PT)
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