In Today’s Newsletter:
Featured New Arrival
Petrus Meets South America
Stellar Spanish Values from a Longtime Vinopolis Favorite
Staff Pick
A Rhone White to Shout Out Loud About
Tiberio: A Star Winery at Value Pricing
#Trending
Ending Soon:
Eisele Sauvignon Blanc – Subscriber- Only Special!
The Rebel of Galicia
Guimaro’s Mencia Stands Out
Collector’s Corner:
Back Vintage Sylvain Cathiard R-S-V
Featured New Arrival
Petrus Meets South America
Jean-Claude Berrouet, is not a man to settle down easily. After over forty vintages at Petrus, it would be easy (and expected) that he’d ease into retirement and settle down to a nice quiet life. Instead, the legendary winemaker has done the opposite, turning into a globetrotting superstar and no winery has benefited more than Tapiz.
Tapiz is a winery best known for their value bottlings—great wines for the prices, historically nothing to write home about. That all changed when Berrouet arrived and the winery added their “Alta” lineup—top tier bottlings from some of their highest altitude vineyards. These wines have the Berrouet touch—a Bordeaux influenced sense of balance and classicism that marries with the new-world fruit of Argentina. The resulting wines would be more than at home in Napa tasting at twice their pricetags (including the “Black Tears” which drinks like a $70+ Cali wine).
In Stock Now:
Bodega Tapiz Alta Collection Malbec, Uco Valley 2015 750ML ($17.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Bodega Tapiz Alta Collection Malbec, Uco Valley 2015 750ML ($109.95) $89 special (that’s only $14.83/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
James Suckling 94 points “Very floral and fruity with spice, walnut and perfume character. Medium to full body, refined, and polished. Lovely balanced and sophistication. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Explosively fruity, this is redolent of blackberry compote, with notes of dried blackberry and dark currant. Fresh and juicy on the intensely spicy finish. Drink now through 2021. 3,250 cases made.”
Tapiz is a winery best known for their value bottlings—great wines for the prices, historically nothing to write home about. That all changed when Berrouet arrived and the winery added their “Alta” lineup—top tier bottlings from some of their highest altitude vineyards. These wines have the Berrouet touch—a Bordeaux influenced sense of balance and classicism that marries with the new-world fruit of Argentina. The resulting wines would be more than at home in Napa tasting at twice their pricetags (including the “Black Tears” which drinks like a $70+ Cali wine).
In Stock Now:
Bodega Tapiz Alta Collection Malbec, Uco Valley 2015 750ML ($17.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Bodega Tapiz Alta Collection Malbec, Uco Valley 2015 750ML ($109.95) $89 special (that’s only $14.83/bottle —the lowest listed price in the country!)
James Suckling 94 points “Very floral and fruity with spice, walnut and perfume character. Medium to full body, refined, and polished. Lovely balanced and sophistication. Drink now.”
Wine Spectator 91 points “Explosively fruity, this is redolent of blackberry compote, with notes of dried blackberry and dark currant. Fresh and juicy on the intensely spicy finish. Drink now through 2021. 3,250 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Bodega Tapiz Black Tears Malbec, Uco Valley 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 23 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Age has settled this concentrated malbec into a good place with rich, ripe plums and a gently peppery edge. The palate has intensity and depth with concentrated dark berries, finding focus and length. Impressive poise here. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Big and ripe, featuring concentrated raspberry, red plum and spiced cherry flavors. Pastry notes show midpalate, with a finish filled to the brim with chocolate and cream details and hints of white pepper. Drink now through 2023. 1,800 cases made, 1,100 cases imported.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “The floral, aromatic and fresh 2014 Black Tears Malbec comes from the higher-altitude vineyards where the soils are shallow and have lots of stones. It was matured in new and second use French oak barrels for 24 months and has integrated oak and ripe fruit without excess. It’s quite intense and has a powerful yet balanced and elegant palate. It’s tasty and shows good purity of fruit and a stony/mineral sensation in the palate, a texture rather than a flavor… 19,200 bottles were filled in June 2016.”
James Suckling 95 points “Age has settled this concentrated malbec into a good place with rich, ripe plums and a gently peppery edge. The palate has intensity and depth with concentrated dark berries, finding focus and length. Impressive poise here. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Big and ripe, featuring concentrated raspberry, red plum and spiced cherry flavors. Pastry notes show midpalate, with a finish filled to the brim with chocolate and cream details and hints of white pepper. Drink now through 2023. 1,800 cases made, 1,100 cases imported.”
Wine Advocate 92 points “The floral, aromatic and fresh 2014 Black Tears Malbec comes from the higher-altitude vineyards where the soils are shallow and have lots of stones. It was matured in new and second use French oak barrels for 24 months and has integrated oak and ripe fruit without excess. It’s quite intense and has a powerful yet balanced and elegant palate. It’s tasty and shows good purity of fruit and a stony/mineral sensation in the palate, a texture rather than a flavor… 19,200 bottles were filled in June 2016.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Bodega Tapiz Alta Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, Uco Valley 2015 750ML ($17.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “This is a fantastic wine for the vintage with a clarity and brightness on the nose and palate. Medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a delicious finish. 2015 was a tough year for Argentina but this is a beautiful wine. Drink now.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “The classical 2015 Alta Collection Cabernet Sauvignon was produced with grapes from their estate vineyards in San Pablo. The grapes fermented in stainless steel with selected yeasts after a cold soak. The wine matured in new and second use French oak barrels for 11 months. It’s a textbook Uco, cold-climate Cabernet, with berry, herbal and spice aromas in good harmony. The palate is balanced and the tannins fine-grained, true to the variety. Very tasty. 84,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in October 2017.”
Zorzal Goes to Spain
Stellar Spanish Values from a Longtime Vinopolis Favorite
We’ve loved the wines from Zorzal. They’re a winery that’s not afraid to think outside the box in how they farm and vinify their wines. That’s lead to a lot of brilliant moments from regions that have been historically overlooked. Not just content to work with overlooked vineyards in their native Argentina, they’ve been spending the other half of the year in the Northern Hemisphere since 2007, where they’re translating their visionary approach to off-the-radar terroirs in Spain.
We’ve got some of their newest releases arriving later this month and at the beginning of June and the entire set offer outstanding value. These are wines that have tons of immediate appeal, with rich textures and juicy fruit flavors. They’re also loaded with character, with Zorzal’s light touch in winemaking (native fermentations, minimal new oak) allowing the grapes and terroirs to shine through.
Arriving ETA Late May:
Vina Zorzal Garnacha, Navarra 2019 750ml ($17.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 91 points “The entry-level red simply called 2019 Garnacha is what they define as their regional bottling, using grapes from the villages of de Corella, Cintruénigo and Fitero, produced in an approachable and easy-to-understand way. It had a gentle vinification, starting with grapes of moderate ripeness with a good pH, fermented with indigenous yeasts and using 20% full clusters. The difference in vintage is noticeable when tasted with a majority of 2018s; this is a clearly riper and more open vintage, with a more Mediterranean character, with sweet fruit and aromatic herbs. It reminds me of some of my favorite old-time unoaked Garnachas from Navarra. It has a serious palate, with freshness and chalky tannins and a serious finish. Great value!”
We’ve got some of their newest releases arriving later this month and at the beginning of June and the entire set offer outstanding value. These are wines that have tons of immediate appeal, with rich textures and juicy fruit flavors. They’re also loaded with character, with Zorzal’s light touch in winemaking (native fermentations, minimal new oak) allowing the grapes and terroirs to shine through.
Arriving ETA Late May:
Vina Zorzal Garnacha, Navarra 2019 750ml ($17.95) $14 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 91 points “The entry-level red simply called 2019 Garnacha is what they define as their regional bottling, using grapes from the villages of de Corella, Cintruénigo and Fitero, produced in an approachable and easy-to-understand way. It had a gentle vinification, starting with grapes of moderate ripeness with a good pH, fermented with indigenous yeasts and using 20% full clusters. The difference in vintage is noticeable when tasted with a majority of 2018s; this is a clearly riper and more open vintage, with a more Mediterranean character, with sweet fruit and aromatic herbs. It reminds me of some of my favorite old-time unoaked Garnachas from Navarra. It has a serious palate, with freshness and chalky tannins and a serious finish. Great value!”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Arrival ETA June:
Vina Zorzal Corral De Los Altos, Navarra 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 92 points “All the guest winemakers that take part in the Lecciones de Vuelo joint venture with Viña Zorzal are offered to produce their interpretation of the paraje Corral de los Altos in Fitero. The 2018 Corral de los Altos is Zorzal’s own interpretation of a 45-year-old plot of 2.1 hectares of Garnacha planted on a north-facing stony part of the village. The grapes fermented in stainless steel with some 25% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in seven used (second and third use) 500-liter oak barrels. This has contained ripeness and a medium to full-bodied palate with the classical chalky tannins and texture from the limestone-rich soils and the length and tastiness they provide”
Vina Zorzal Corral De Los Altos, Navarra 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 92 points “All the guest winemakers that take part in the Lecciones de Vuelo joint venture with Viña Zorzal are offered to produce their interpretation of the paraje Corral de los Altos in Fitero. The 2018 Corral de los Altos is Zorzal’s own interpretation of a 45-year-old plot of 2.1 hectares of Garnacha planted on a north-facing stony part of the village. The grapes fermented in stainless steel with some 25% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in seven used (second and third use) 500-liter oak barrels. This has contained ripeness and a medium to full-bodied palate with the classical chalky tannins and texture from the limestone-rich soils and the length and tastiness they provide”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vina Zorzal ‘Cuatro del Cuatro’, Navarra 2018 750ML ($36.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 94 points “The pure Graciano 2018 Cuatro del Cuatro was first produced in 2015 as an homage to the Sanz brothers’ father, who kept his Graciano vines when the majority ripped them up. They have seen that, with a soft vinification, the variety is not as rustic as most think and, in fact, can be quite elegant. 2018 was a tricky vintage for the variety, and the wine has moderate alcohol (13.3%), a very low pH (3.35) and notable acidity (six grams of tartaric acid per liter). It was produced with grapes grown in the village of Corella (especially from a vineyard planted in 1978), which has more Mediterranean influence that Fitero, the other village where they have the majority of their vineyards. This is a super serious Graciano, fresher than the majority of varietal bottlings out there, as they have lost the fear of harvesting it earlier, and it delivers a very spicy wine, with lots of black and even white peppercorns. I think this is very much in line with the 2016. It matured in used oak barrels of different sizes, and they did a barrel selection to produce 2,900 bottles of it.”
Vina Zorzal Graciano, Navarra 2018 750ml ($19.95) $16 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2018 Graciano, the first wine they produced at the new Viña Zorzal in 2007, was produced with grapes from the village of Corella, and they want to show the expression of the grape in the village, more Mediterranean than Fitero, where they have a significant percentage of their vines. The spicy character of the wine and the lively palate are the expression of the Graciano in their village, what they have been trying to express since 2015. It fermented in stainless steel with moderate extraction and matured in used French oak barrels of different sizes for nine months. This is a very fresh vintage, and the wine is harmonious, spicy, with an herbal hint, with some dusty tannins, chalky and a bitter twist in the finish. I think the earlier harvest of the grape delivers wines that are more transparent, and this is quite stony and tasty. This is a very good value and a great introduction to Graciano”.
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Vina Zorzal Malayeto, Navarra 2018 750ml ($29.95) $26 pre-arrival special
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 94 points “The really impressive and mineral 2018 Malayeto was produced with Garnacha from a single vineyard that produces wine of unusual elegance and minerality. This was the first plot they bottled separately, and this 2018 is the sixth vintage they have produced. It’s a 2.9-hectare plot planted 40 years ago, on the same slope as Corral de los Altos but at a higher altitude and therefore with different soils, surprisingly deep but with lots of calcium carbonate and fine gravel. This fermented in a combination of stainless steel and concrete with indigenous yeasts and matured in a 4,000-liter oak foudre and nine used 500-liter oak barrels for nine months. This wine clearly transcends its price. It’s serious but started quite shy and needed time to open up (it’s extremely young and just bottled), but there is great purity and detail, and it’s elegant and balanced, extremely harmonious. The palate is incredibly elegant, seamless, balanced, with very fine tannins, great integration of the oak and very good freshness, with citrus-like freshness (think blood orange skin). Most of the time, this is my go-to wine in Zorzal’s portfolio, a wine of great finesse in its finest vintage to date.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Be a Friend/Tell a Friend
About Our Oregon Shipping Special
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Staff Pick
A Rhone White to Shout Out Loud About
Andy:
There are wines we have in stock that I wish were better known and thus didn’t need us to shout their praises. I have been a believer in Rhone whites for a long time, and have said, year after year, that they’ll finally catch fire. And as much as I love Viognier, sometimes I don’t want the candy store nose and instead look for something leaner. The ’17 Saint-Peray from Durand is a shining example of why I believe the white wines of the Rhone are so special. Equal parts Marsanne and Roussane come together perfectly in a vintage like this. These grapes can bring very driven fruit without being poofy or overblown. The warmth of the vintage elevates the intensity of the fruit, and the struggle of the fruit draws up so much mineral backbone. I love how the stone fruits swirl together with floral notes and wet river stones. In the glass there is a little extra texture across the palate; something that adds another dimension to the overall experience. There is a light minty freshness on the finish, which is incredibly pleasant and clean. This is not a long term cellar wine, but should be enjoyed over the summer and through the fall. If you have some to drink next year, I encourage you to try harder.
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray, Rhone 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “The only white, the 2017 Saint-Péray from the Durand team is outstanding stuff, offering a light gold color, perfumed tropical fruits, peach, and mint, medium body, and a fresh, focused style on the palate. This beauty has some obvious salinity and minerality on the finish and will drink nicely for 2-4 years.”
There are wines we have in stock that I wish were better known and thus didn’t need us to shout their praises. I have been a believer in Rhone whites for a long time, and have said, year after year, that they’ll finally catch fire. And as much as I love Viognier, sometimes I don’t want the candy store nose and instead look for something leaner. The ’17 Saint-Peray from Durand is a shining example of why I believe the white wines of the Rhone are so special. Equal parts Marsanne and Roussane come together perfectly in a vintage like this. These grapes can bring very driven fruit without being poofy or overblown. The warmth of the vintage elevates the intensity of the fruit, and the struggle of the fruit draws up so much mineral backbone. I love how the stone fruits swirl together with floral notes and wet river stones. In the glass there is a little extra texture across the palate; something that adds another dimension to the overall experience. There is a light minty freshness on the finish, which is incredibly pleasant and clean. This is not a long term cellar wine, but should be enjoyed over the summer and through the fall. If you have some to drink next year, I encourage you to try harder.
Domaine Eric et Joel Durand Saint-Peray, Rhone 2017 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “The only white, the 2017 Saint-Péray from the Durand team is outstanding stuff, offering a light gold color, perfumed tropical fruits, peach, and mint, medium body, and a fresh, focused style on the palate. This beauty has some obvious salinity and minerality on the finish and will drink nicely for 2-4 years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
New Wines from Tiberio
A Star Winery at Value Pricing
“Abruzzo’s Tiberio winery has quickly risen to the top of the hierarchy not just in Abruzzo’s but in all of Italy.” –Ian D’Agata, Vinous
Abruzzo is an Italian wine region best known for two standout producers: Valentini and Emidio Pepe—but it’s probably time to add a third to the list: the wines of the Tiberio family. They’re not quite at the level of their two closest peers, but importantly their pricing is still in line with the value producers that dot the Abruzzese wine landscape. That delta between quality and price might make them the best value in Italy—these are some serious wines for the dollars asked.
In Italy, they’re best known for their single vineyard/old vine Trebbiano “Fonte Canale” (which we’re carried before) but their range of ~$20 wines is why we’re enamored of them. From their surprisingly gutsy and complex Montepulciano to the mineral, energetic Trebbiano, their wines from red grapes strike an impeccable balance between restraint and power, while their whites have minerality and intrigue to spare—a minor miracle for the prices.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Tiberio Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 91 points “Luminous straw-green. Perfumed pomaceous orchard fruits, minerals, lemon verbena and a hint of anise on the nose. Then very pretty, nuanced flavors of lemon ice and flinty minerality showcase intense inner-mouth perfume. A wine of impeccable balance, and very persistent and fragrant on the pure finish. Extremely strong for an entry-level Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. The Tiberio family has an uncanny ability to make outstanding Trebbiano d’Abruzzo every year, no doubt thanks to their individual talents, but also because of some marvelously old vines (as much as 60-80 years of age) that can weather and adapt to just about every growing season’s climatic conditions. Such is the magic of old vines.”
Abruzzo is an Italian wine region best known for two standout producers: Valentini and Emidio Pepe—but it’s probably time to add a third to the list: the wines of the Tiberio family. They’re not quite at the level of their two closest peers, but importantly their pricing is still in line with the value producers that dot the Abruzzese wine landscape. That delta between quality and price might make them the best value in Italy—these are some serious wines for the dollars asked.
In Italy, they’re best known for their single vineyard/old vine Trebbiano “Fonte Canale” (which we’re carried before) but their range of ~$20 wines is why we’re enamored of them. From their surprisingly gutsy and complex Montepulciano to the mineral, energetic Trebbiano, their wines from red grapes strike an impeccable balance between restraint and power, while their whites have minerality and intrigue to spare—a minor miracle for the prices.
Just Arrived, In Stock Now:
Tiberio Trebbiano d’Abruzzo 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 91 points “Luminous straw-green. Perfumed pomaceous orchard fruits, minerals, lemon verbena and a hint of anise on the nose. Then very pretty, nuanced flavors of lemon ice and flinty minerality showcase intense inner-mouth perfume. A wine of impeccable balance, and very persistent and fragrant on the pure finish. Extremely strong for an entry-level Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. The Tiberio family has an uncanny ability to make outstanding Trebbiano d’Abruzzo every year, no doubt thanks to their individual talents, but also because of some marvelously old vines (as much as 60-80 years of age) that can weather and adapt to just about every growing season’s climatic conditions. Such is the magic of old vines.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Tiberio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 92 points “Vibrant red. Captivating aromas of red currant, dark plum, blueberry, licorice and Oriental spices. Broad and ripe on entry, then luscious in the middle, finishing with a riper mouthfeel than is usual for this wine, but in keeping with the 2017 vintage (dry and hot). Finishes long, with serious, building tannins and noteworthy sweetness. This is a real miracle considering the vintage’s less-than-stellar growing season; timely rainfall at the end of September provided much-needed liquid refreshment for the Montepulciano, allowing the vines to recover from the summer drought and heat and benefit from longer hang times. On a side note, wine lovers have something else to look forward to, as the 2018 vats of Montepulciano I tried during my cellar visit were absolutely superb; they are undoubtedly the best entry-level Montepulciano wines Tiberio has ever made, so there’s something to really look forward to here.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Other great wines in stock from Tiberio:
Tiberio Cerasuolo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2018 750ML ($21.95) $17.75 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 92 points “Luminous pink-red. Bright aromas of red cherry, redcurrant, blood orange and botanical herbs. Then bright and juicy, with laser-like acidity lifting and extending the red fruit flavors on the juicy, long, floral and slightly saline finish. A very precise, seamless Cerasuolo with no hard edges and sneaky concentration.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Tiberio Pecorino Colline Pescaresi IGT, Abruzzo 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 90 points “Abruzzo’s Tiberio winery has quickly risen to the top of the hierarchy not just in Abruzzo’s but in all of Italy. What the talented Cristiana Tiberio has achieved in the very hot 2017 vintage with Pecorino (a variety that does not like heat) is a testament to her talent. The 2017 Tiberio Pecorino is by no means the best Pecorino she has ever made (and frankly, it would have been very strange if it was otherwise, given the year’s weather), but it offers lovely balance with pure sage and kiwi notes that mingle with ripe orchard fruit nuances complicated by a saline edge. Both these wines made for a wonderful start to my meal, but they would have paired very well with all the other dishes I chose to eat this evening.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $26.99
#Trending
Elegance+power from a northern Rhone master.
Cave Yves Cuilleron Cote Rotie Madiniere, Rhone 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Cave Yves Cuilleron Cote Rotie Madiniere, Rhone 2015 1.5L ($169.95) $139 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Lurid ruby. Pungent, mineral-laced black and blue fruit preserve, olive and incense scents on the deeply perfumed nose. Shows serious depth as well as surprising vivacity, offering sweet boysenberry and cherry compote flavors that become spicier with air. Supple and broad, delivering a very long, sweet finish that shows excellent clarity, harmonious tannins and lingering floral and spicecake nuances.”
Cave Yves Cuilleron Cote Rotie Madiniere, Rhone 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Cave Yves Cuilleron Cote Rotie Madiniere, Rhone 2015 1.5L ($169.95) $139 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Lurid ruby. Pungent, mineral-laced black and blue fruit preserve, olive and incense scents on the deeply perfumed nose. Shows serious depth as well as surprising vivacity, offering sweet boysenberry and cherry compote flavors that become spicier with air. Supple and broad, delivering a very long, sweet finish that shows excellent clarity, harmonious tannins and lingering floral and spicecake nuances.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
One of the most consistent values in Cali Chardonnay out there.
RouteStock Cellars ‘Route 121’ Chardonnay, Carneros 2019 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: Wilson Daniels is a venerable importer of some of the finest wines in the world. They import and nationally distribute legendary names like Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Domaine Leflaive and Biondi-Santi. So when they set out to create a private label, working with top estates around the world to deliver excellent wine at approachable prices, we could be sure that they’d be fantastic. We’re pleased to offer their RouteStock Chardonnay from Carneros, which delivers a classic experience for the money.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
The next best price is $24.99
An old-school, pepper-smoky-juicy Zin. Conjuring thoughts of pairing with BBQ? Perfect.
(Domaine de la Terre Rouge) Easton Zinfandel, Amador County 2015 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 92 points “Epitomizes fine Sierra Foothills Zinfandel, offering vibrant, briary raspberry, smoked pepper and wild sweet anise flavors that stretch out on the zesty finish. Drink now through 2023. 6,200 cases made.”
Classic Soave at classic pricing.
Tamellini Soave, Veneto 2018 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Fruity with sliced-lime and papaya aromas and flavors. Full body. Lots of fruit and a crunchy finish. Shows the lovely character of the vintage. Drink now.”
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 91 points “Luminous straw yellow. Varietally accurate and very pure aromas and flavors of white peach, yellow apple, white flowers and delicate herbs. Fresh and well-delineated, this finishes long with sneaky concentration. A truly outstanding Soave. This is easily one of the two entry-level Soaves of the vintage. Very well done. Mostly Garganega with a little Trebbiano di Soave.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
A classic example of Ribbon Ridge and a now-very-affordable bottling from one Oregon’s upper echelon Pinot producers.
Brick House Vineyards Select Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($41.95) Was $36, Now $30.90 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks – Wine Advocate 91 points “The entry-level 2017 Pinot Noir Select was made with about 20% whole clusters and aged 15 months in neutral French oak. It has a pale ruby color and aromas of crunchy cranberries, Bing cherries, red licorice, raspberries and blackberries with notes of Earl Grey tea leaves, cured meats and cracked pepper. The light to medium-bodied palate is soft, earthy and juicy with a refreshing finish. 846 cases produced.”
Winery Note “When Mother Nature offers a bountiful year, we routinely bottle this entry level Pinot Noir. As the name implies, the “Select” is a selection of barrels representing all the vineyard blocks on the farm at the discretion of the winemaker. The most easy-going and approachable of all our Pinot Noirs, the “Select” is a moderately priced, estate grown wine and a worthy accompaniment to a casual meal of salmon, lamb or wild game.”
Ending Soon:
Eisele Sauvignon Blanc – Subscriber- Only Special!
Eisele is one of the most hallowed terroirs in the Napa Valley. Tucked into the foothills in Calistoga, it has produced incredible wines since 1971 for Phelps, Araujo and now (indirectly) Chateau Latour, who bought the property a few years ago. We’re offering a subscriber-only special on this magical Sauv Blanc. Buy three or more bottles, and you’ll only pay $89/bottle. We can’t list the price online, so add the bottles to your cart and we will adjust your invoice before running your order (or just call us/send us an email!).
Buy three or more bottles, pay only $89/bottle!
Subscriber Special Valid Until Wednesday, May 20th at 6 PM
Discount will not display online
We will apply your discount manually before finalizing your order
Eisele Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($119.95) Displayed Price: $99, Subscriber Price for purchases of 3 or more: $89/bottle, 30 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Sliced apples and limes on the nose with grassy and chamomile notes. But then it turns to honeysuckle, chalk and minerals. Full-bodied with papaya, sliced-pear and green-pineapple flavors. Tight and fresh at the end. Crunchy acidity. Solid density. Energetic finish. Drink now or hold.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Now it’s even lower!
The Rebel of Galicia
Guimaro’s Mencia Stands Out
Pedro Rodriguez is probably the foremost producer of Mencia in the world. His estate, Guimaro (meaning “rebel” in Galician), in Ribeira Sacra produces wines that exemplify why wine geeks love the region. From steep slate vineyards, the wines are reminiscent of Burgundy in their balance, but with a distinct minerality and flavor profile that’s entirely Galician.
Ribeira Sacra, Rodriguez’ home, is a cool climate region through and through. The closest analogue to the vineyards might be the Mosel, in Germany, as both have extremely steep slate vineyards that make you wonder who would think it would be reasonable to farm them. The best wines from here are lean and taut, but with enough fruit to give the structure definition and detail. Guimaro is clearly at the top of the heap and it’s always a treat to be able to offer their top wines, even if in small quantities.
In Stock Now
Guimaro Finca Capelinos, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 96+ points “There are no single vineyards bottled in 2016, as the grapes were destroyed by hail, so I tasted the 2017 Finca Capeliños. They used 65% full clusters in 2017 and a shorter maceration than in other years, perhaps because the very short growing season (the grapes were harvested earlier than ever) delivered less ripe seeds and stems, so that a longer maceration would have extracted harsher tannins. The dry and warm year was saved by some rain just before the harvest that allowed the grapes to develop flavors and aromas, because they were not present before. The result is very impressive. This is always the most elegant from the single-plot bottlings; the extremely old vineyard seems to provide an extra degree of nuance, and the grapes are nicely balanced, maintaining the acidity to provide the wine with freshness. 2017 is a warm year with powerful wines, a little in the style of 2015, but I see a tad more elegance and better balance here. There is power and concentration, with ripeness that is not noticed (there’s 14% alcohol). It has plenty of fine-grained tannins that would benefit from some time in bottle. It should develop effortlessly for a decade. A great Capeliños. 800 bottles produced.”
Importer Note “Finca Capeliños is a single 0.6 hectare southwest-facing plot of very old Mencía vines at the foot of the Amandi slope. The grapes are hand-harvested, foot-trodden with 40% whole cluster, and fermented in open-top foudre with a long maceration. The wine is raised for 12-14 months in mostly used Burgundy barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration. Capeliños exhibits classic Ribeira Sacra traits of bramble fruits, rose petals, and deep spicy qualities woven into a beautifully structured and elegant wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Guimaro Finca Pombeiras, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 6 bottles in stock now
95+ points Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate “There was no 2016 as the vineyards were hit by a terrible hailstorm the 15th of August 2016, so I only tasted the 2017 Finca Pombeiras. This is always more powerful and has a little more tannin than Finca Capeliños. This is from a south-facing plot on mainly schist soils (but there’s also a little granite), and it was fermented with 100% full clusters, which usually lends to a more powerful wine. In 2017, the character of the vineyard clearly comes through. It’s always a wine that takes longer than Capeliños to open up. They have been fine-tuning these single-plot wines, especially after 2013; they’ve been harvesting earlier, trying to get more freshness and improve the drinkability of the wines. This is still extremely young, primary and undeveloped and should blossom with one more year in bottle, but it’s not harsh at all and could be enjoyed young with powerful food. Some 800 bottles produced.”
Importer Note “Finca Pombeiras is a single 0.45 hectare south-facing plot of old Mencía vines. The grapes are hand-harvested, foot-trodden with 100% whole cluster, and fermented in open-top foudre with a long maceration. The wine is raised for 8-10 months in used 500 liter French oak barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration. This is the adega’s only cuvée fermented entirely with whole clusters, and is markedly more umami, savory, and earthy in comparison to the other single vineyard cuvées.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Guimaro A Ponte, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The red 2017 A Ponte is a blend of equal parts of Mencía, Caíño, Merenzao, Brancellao and Souson from a vineyard planted in 2010. The full clusters fermented in a wooden vat with a maceration of 35 days (shorter than the average). I really like the nuance and complexity provided by the varietal blend, and the wine feels quite complete and harmonious, clean and balanced, with no traces of oak, very pure and more on the elegant side even if it has more concentration than the initial 2015. This is only the second vintage—they couldn’t produce it in 2016 since the vineyard was basically destroyed by a terrible hailstorm that even killed some 12% of the plants in the summer that year. This is going to be a reference in Ribeira Sacra, a clear indication of how the blend of grapes can provide an extra dimension. 3,500 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2018.”
Importer Note “A Ponte is a new cuvée (2015 is the inaugural vintage) from a young plot planted above Finca Meixeman, comprised of Mencia, Sousón, Brancellao, Merenzao and Caiño grown on granite, slate and sand. Grapes are hand-harvested, fermented whole-cluster in tank with 50 days maceration, then raised in eight used Burgundy barrels for around 14 months. The finished wine was bottled without fining or filtration.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Guimaro Finca Meixeman, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($54.95) $49 special, 24 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Finca Meixeman is a single 1.2 hectare southeast-facing plot of old Mencía vines. This is the original family-owned vineyard that helped create their adega. The grapes are hand-harvested, foot-trodden with 40% whole cluster, and fermented in open-top foudre with a long maceration. The wine is raised for 12-14 months in mostly used Burgundy barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration. With a core of kirsch-like red fruit, spices, and minerals, this is a serious wine to pair with wild game, offal, braises, stews, roasted or grilled meats.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Guimaro Camino Real, Ribeira Sacra 2017 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 32 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Camiño Real now contains all the plots that they intended to include in the initial 2016 but couldn’t because many vineyards in the Amandi zone were destroyed by a terrible hailstorm on August 15th that year. It fermented with 80% full clusters and the rest uncrushed grapes in oak vats with a maceration of 35 days and matured in those vats for seven to eight months. Half of the wine was then moved to barrique and was kept there for five months, while the rest continued maturing in the 10,000-liter vat. The wine has notes of wild berries, flowers and herbs, with good complexity and a medium-bodied palate with fine-grained tannins. It has more complexity and depth than the young, unoaked wine and the single-vineyard bottlings. It has a nice mouthfeel and is quite approachable, a round and somewhat immediate vintage. 25,000 bottles.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Collector’s Corner
Back Vintage Sylvain Cathiard R-S-V
Of the great Grand Cru’s in Vosne-Romanée, Romanée Saint-Vivant sits well above Echezeaux , but below La Tâche or Romanée-Conti itself. In other words, it’s probably the best vineyard in Burgundy whose wines actually hit the open market. (The consensus among Burgundy élites seems to be that among the top producers, Romanée Saint-Vivant has eclipsed Richebourg in terms of prestige and wine quality). The vineyard itself borders Romanée Conti, Richebourg, La Grande Rue and Suchots—the most expensive set of vineyards (bar La Tâche) in the world.
Stylistically, Romanée Saint-Vivant displays far more grace than Richebourg—this is a wine that manages to feature near-weightless intensity when done well. The aromatics are soaring—with all of the spice and excitement you’d expect from one of the top vineyards in the world—and also a collection of the world top winemakers working with it. In fact, this variation in winemaking style might be the most fun thing about Romanée Saint-Vivant: there’s more than just DRC to choose from, so it’s possible to see the vineyard character distinctly apart from style.
Cathiard makes the most desirable collectable version out there (that’s not DRC) and we’ve got a precious few bottles of their legendary 2009 in stock right now. ’09 was a fantastic year in Burgundy and there’s a reason that Allen Meadows called this bottling “a wine of indisputable class” with a “finish of monumental length.” Stephen Tanzer thought the wine was so good that he “Can’t spit this!”—a huge complement from a seasoned pro.
In Stock Now:
“a wine of indisputable class” – Burghound
Sylvain Cathiard Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML ($2,799.95) $2,499 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Burghound 94-97 points “A dazzlingly complex, perfumed and pure nose reveals a bit of wood influence yet remains strikingly elegant with its superb scope of spicy red berry fruit aromas that are followed by ripe, seductive and beautifully intense flavors that display marvelous depth and perfect balance on the sappy and naturally sweet finish of monumental length. This is a wine of indisputable class and a model of grace and understatement that should age effortlessly for 20 to 30 years.”
Stephen Tanzer 94-97 points “Deep saturated red. Knockout tangy aromas of raspberry, wild cherry, exotic spices, flowers and blood orange. Huge, velvety and sweet but with superb mineral lift. This has at least as much palate-drenching concentration as the Malconsorts but more energy and definition. Conveys a powerful sense of solidity, yet the building, nuanced, extremely long finish leaves the palate vibrating. Can’t spit this!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Thanks for reading!