Monday Bonus Newsletter 5-10-21

We think of Peyrassol roses as being especially elegant and nuanced, with excellent minerality and poise and they’ve been customer favorites every year for the quality and value they deliver, and the wines gain polish and elegance the further up the quality spectrum you go.
 
These are historic wines from the foothills of the massif des Maures along the Mediterranean coast. Wine production dates back to 1256 under the Knights Templar. Since 2001, the estate has been run by the Austruy family, which has invested in the vineyard and winery and has expanded the line up to include non-estate bottlings. The wines are produced organically with limited yields due to the severe climate, low-vigor soils, and age of the vines. 
 
In Stock Now from Peyrassol:

Peyrassol ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Case-12 Peyrassol ‘Chateau Peyrassol’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($479.95) $369 special (that’s only $30.75/bottle!)
Importer note “100% estate fruit, offering the purest expression of a great Provencal terroir. [These are] the oldest vines of the estate from the Girette and Longchamps areas, currently under organic conversion. Pale in color, with soft rose-tinted overtones, Château Peyrassol radiates freshness. It’s subtle nose of citrus, vine peach, apricot and delicate florals is inviting. It has a dense palate, poised and lively, and is notable for its balance, punctuated by a long, fruity finish. Harvested during the cool temperature of the night, the fruits are destemmed and pressed with minimal exposure to oxygen to preserve freshness and aromas. The grapes are vinified by direct pressing and in the course of this process the wine develops its delicate pink color. After fermentation in stainless steel at a controlled temperature, a light racking is completed to retain only the best lees which are then worked carefully to promote both the aromatic expression and the potential of the wine to last over time. 45% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, 12% Ugni Blanc, 10% Syrah, 8% Rolle.”
Winery note “Pale in colour, with soft rose-tinted overtones, Château Peyrassol radiates freshness. Its subtle nose of citrus, vine peach, apricot and fine floral notes is inviting. It has a beautiful, dense palate, delicate and lively, and is notable for its balance and full body, punctuated by a long, fruity finish. It is the perfect accompaniment to fish soups, carpaccios and all varieties of grilled fish, but will also add sparkle to red berry desserts.”

The average price is $35

Peyrassol ‘Cuvee des Commandeurs’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Peyrassol ‘Cuvee des Commandeurs’ Rose, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($279.95) $249 special (that’s only $20.75/bottle!)
Importer note “Cuvée des Commandeurs bottles the essence of quality fruit, seeking to evoke pleasure and delight the senses. This accessible rosé was crafted to provide thirst-quenching freshness with vibrant fruitiness, without sacrificing elegance and complexity. Its rosy appearance is delicate in color and an expressive nose lends charm to this blend. A palate dominated by wild berries: gooseberry and raspberry that reveal themselves in a crisp, silky mouthfeel enhanced with a touch of minerality. 40% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, 10% Rolle. Harvested at night to preserve the acidity and in double floor boxes to prevent any early maceration and coloration of the juice. The fruit is directly destemmed and pressed on arrival in the cellar. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Peyrassol ‘La Croix de Peyrassol’ Rose, IGP Mediterranee 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Case-12 Peyrassol ‘La Croix de Peyrassol’ Rose, IGP Mediterranee 2020 750ML ($199.95) $169 special (that’s only $14.08/bottle!)
Importer note “Beautiful pale pink in color, with distinct bluish hues. This expressive blend opens immediately with notes of small red fruits carried on a savory undertone of garrigue. There is a refreshing touch of greenness on the palate which gives this fresh, lively wine its truly thirst-quenching character. An accessible blend in the true style of Provençal rosé: delicate with flavors of white fruit and a hint of minerality. Varietal Composition: 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, 10% Syrah. With a long history of producing Provençal wines, the Commanderie de Peyrassol has broadened its offering using fruit from its IGP classified vineyards around the Coudonnier area and completed with sourcings from local partnerships. The winery produces this rosé with the goal of creating a more accessible wine with a focus on quality and freshness.”

We also offer large format bottlings from Peyrassol.
Check out all of our options on our webstore! 

A lighter style of Bandol rosé, this is always the first to arrive and the first to sell out!
Le Galantin Bandol Rosé, Provence 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special
Importer note “Classic Provençal rosé with delightful tree-fruit and citrus notes (peach, nectarine, grapefruit) and a crisp finish. Structured and complex, with citrus and red fruit on the palate. Around 5850 cases produced. Around 50% Mourvèdre, 25% Cinsault and 25% Grenache, from vines planted on southwest facing hillsides, with clay/limestone soil.”
Importer note “The ancient steep vineyards of Bandol – first planted by Phocaean Greeks c.600BC – are the perfect home for Mourvèdre. This variety produces wines that can age at least three decades. As at le Galantin, the best vineyards are planted on poor clay and sandy soil on old terraces, known locally as restanques. The appellation’s 1400 hectares of largely south facing vineyards get an extraordinary 3,000 hours of sun a year, but the heat is tempered by constant wind and also humidity from the sea. Following the steps of her father Achille, who bought the land in 1960 and produced his first vintage in 1972, Céline Pascale took over the domaine in 1999. She is helped by her brother Jérôme, who takes care of the vineyards. Today, Domaine le Galantin farms 30 hectares of terraced vineyards located in Le Plan du Castellet. Everything is hand-harvested and done with organic methods.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Our favorite fizzy rosé is back!
Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2020 750ML ($319.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Importer note “The pink sibling of Ameztoi’s flagship white, this vibrant rosé is made from a mix of red and white indigenous grapes and is bottled with a little residual carbonation to give it a light spritz.”

Super pretty this vintage. An incredible bargain from one of Provence’s top estates
Domaines Ott ‘By.Ott’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Domaines Ott ‘By.Ott’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
No reviews for the 2020 vintage. 2019 review provided for reference.
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “[2019 vintage] The entry level rosé from this estate, the 2019 Cotes De Provence By. Ott Rosé comes mostly from the estate vineyards in Château de Selle and Clos Miereille, with one-third from nearby estates. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, and the rest Syrah and Mourvèdre, its light pink hue is followed by a lovely Provençal nose of tart strawberries, orange blossom, and flowers. With good acidity, a rounded, supple texture, and a kiss of salty minerality on the finish, it’s a winner to enjoy over the coming 3-6 months.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Biodynamic!
Château de Manissy Tavel Cuvée des Lys Rosé, Rhône 2019 750ML ($21.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant orange color. Mineral-accented red berry and citrus fruit aromas are complemented by a sexy floral nuance. Concentrated and energetic in the mouth, offering juicy redcurrant, cherry and candied rose flavors that slowly turn sweeter on the mid-palate. The mineral and floral notes echo on a penetrating finish that hangs on with very good tenacity.”
Importer note “Grenache, Clairette & Syrah from clay, river rock and sandy soils. Biodynamic. Juicy raspberry, watermelon, crushed minerals and burnt sugar. Full body with a long finish… Entirely hand-harvested. Maceration of 12-24 hours to extract primary aromas. Fermentation with only indigenous yeasts at a very low temperatures over 2 days, then increased in temperature to 25°C for 7 days in order to increase the fruity taste. Aged in concrete tanks and stainless steel. Natural balanced acidity of about 3.6hg/L and PH of 3.5mg/L with less than 1gr/L residual sugar. This cuvée comes from a plot of 10 hectares that is enclosed by a forest.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Clos Sainte Magdeleine ‘Marie de Magdala’ Rosé, IGP Bouches-du-Rhône 2018 750ML ($47.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “Shimmering salmon skin. Displays vibrant, mineral-accented red berry and blood orange scents, along with a sexy floral overtone that gains strength with air. Juicy and sharply focused on the palate, offering intense red currant, strawberry, orange peel and lavender flavors that deftly combine power and delicacy. Finishes with sharp delineation and superb, mineral-driven persistence, leaving a sexy floral note behind.”
Kermit Lynch Note “This is a 100% Grenache rosé—the only such rosé we import—from some of Clos Sainte Magdeleine’s highest-altitude vines. Notes of peaches, sea spray, and strawberries come together in a gorgeously balanced, medium-bodied wine that you will want to drink all year.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Grant:  
Aglianico, also known as “The Nebbiolo of the south” has largely flown under the radar since its heyday in the Ancient Era. Thought to have been imported by Greek visitors to Campania, the Roman Empire used Aglianico to create an exclusive wine consumed by Rome’s elite. This particular wine called Falernum was mentioned by Pliny, Aurelius and Horace in literature and can even be seen advertised in the ruins of Pompeii’s bars. Fast forward a few thousand years and we have Contrade di Lonardo, one of the best kept secrets of Campanian wine, known for their commitments to traditional varieties and farming practices. Lonardo’s Taurasi is made from 35-81 year old Aglianico planted at 1300 feet above sea level, grown organically in a tall pergola in ancient volcanic ash with a base of limestone and clay. Even with these rigorous growing standards, Lonardo will only keep around 50% of his Aglianico for use in Taurasi. This commitment is evident in the finished product, featuring aromatics of violets, pipe tobacco, cedar and Bing cherries that command your full attention. There’s a characteristic “Italian Rusticity” to the wine that is evocative of new leather and antique wood, not unlike a high end cologne. On first taste there are extensive tannins that bring to mind Pu-erh, dark chocolate and blackberry seed, knit together with a lifted acidity. Primary flavors of roasted poblano, oregano oil, dried blueberry and fresh redcurrant contribute to an impressively long flavor presentation and finish. This is a wine made for anything roasted, braised or red sauce based. Peking duck, Grilled Cabbage, Lasagna or Miso Black Cod would all perform incredibly with this wine. Get at least two of these wines, one for short term consumption and the other for longer aging.           

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Taurasi DOCG, Campania 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “This 2013 is a classic Taurasi, showing a mix of red and black fruits, offset by rosy florals, savory herbs, minerals, leather tones, and a hint of balsamic spice. On the palate, silky textures give way to spicy red fruits, energized by zesty acids with cool-toned sweet herbs and saturating minerality. The 2013 Contrade di Taurasi finishes long, with a twang of acid making the mouth water, as grippy tannins settle in and echoes of black berries linger on.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $46

Also in stock now by Cantine Lonardo: 

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Vigne d’Alto Taurasi DOCG 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Perfumed and loaded with finesse, this single-vineyard wine opens with enticing scents of violet, ripe black-skinned fruit, new leather and baking spice. Made with 60- to 100-year-old plants, the smooth, delicious palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, plum, licorice and nutmeg framed in velvety tannins, making it one of the more elegant expressions of Taurasi out there. A mineral note energizes the lingering finish. Drink through 2032.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price nationally is $75

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Coste Taurasi DOCG 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. Aromas of spiced plum, truffle, iris, menthol and leather follow through to the juicy, concentrated palate along with fleshy blackberry, clove and licorice. Firm, velvety tannins provide support. Give this a few more years to fully unwind and develop even more complexity. Drink 2022–2035.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $66

Cantine Lonardo Wines Arriving This Month:

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Coste Taurasi DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata – Vinous 94+ points “Deep ruby. Floral nuances complicate the red and dark berry, ink, sweet spice and flinty aromas and flavors. Dense and seamless, showing a multilayered personality and remarkable complexity of flavor. Finishes very long and with repeating, lingering hints of ink and flint.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $73.90

Contrade di Taurasi Cantine Lonardo Vigne d’Alto Taurasi DOCG 2011 750ML (89.95) $69 pre-arrival special 
Ian D’Agata –Vinous 94+ points “Deep ruby with a purple tinge. Reticent nose at first, only hinting at dark cherry, sassafras and sandalwood. Then very concentrated and dense, displaying almost opulent, sweet nuances of oaky torrefaction to the coffee, cocoa and dark cherry flavors. This outstanding Taurasi finishes extremely long, rich and seamless. It’s virtually impossible to pick between Lonardo’s two crus in 2011, and both will have many admirers.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $73.90

“I shall always remember my first impression of the 2016s: their elegance, purity and poise, the intensity of fruit, the articulation of respective terroirs, and that oft-forgotten virtue, how bloomin’ delicious they tasted. My overriding feeling was that Bordeaux had been heading towards the 2016 vintage since the late 1990s. It was a year when everything just came together at the right moments.” –Neal Martin, Vinous

“What makes the 2016 vintage so special is the quality across the Bordeaux hierarchy. The same character found in the most complex wines is also apparent in the simpler options. They all offer bottlings with rich, ripe fruit and a tannic structure that promises longevity.” –Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

“While 2016 is an incredible vintage that produced a lot of outstanding and some extraordinary wines throughout Bordeaux, the greatest wines of this amazing year sing not so much about the vintage, or even their communes, but about their vineyards.” –Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

“Some winemakers in Bordeaux are calling the 2016 vintage part of ‘the second coming of Bordeaux’ due to the overall excellent quality of the wines and their unique character. And after tasting more than 1,300 wines from 2016 a few weeks ago in Bordeaux, I must agree.” –James Suckling

“The 2016s are absolutely remarkable wines. The word that comes to mind, unfortunately so often overused, is balance. In technical terms, the 2016s boast off the charts tannins that in many cases exceed those of wines from massive vintages such as 2010. And yet, the best 2016s are absolutely harmonious, with the tannins barely perceptible at all. The 2016s also have tremendous energy and bright, acid-driven profiles, with many wines playing more in the red-fruit area of the flavor spectrum. One of the results of the unusual growing season is that alcohols range from 0.5% to 1% lower than what has been the norm in recent years.” –Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Newly Arrived 2016 Bordeaux Reds:

Chateau Pichon Baron au Baron de Pichon-Longueville 2016 750ML ($249.95) $199 special, only 12 bottles available!
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “The 2016 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron is beauty and is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot that was brought up in 80% new French oak. Tasting like a hypothetical mix of the 2009 and 2010, its deep purple color is followed by a powerful yet sensationally pure bouquet of crème de cassis, blackberries, lead pencil shavings, and graphite, and is just about as quintessentially Pauillac as it gets. Full-bodied, fleshy and even a touch flamboyant, it has sweet tannins and a monster texture that coats the palate. Count me in as a huge fan. This fabulous wine will be relatively approachable in just 3-5 years but will age for 30 years or more.”
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Pichon-Longueville Baron offers a suave and seductive nose of warm red and black currants, black plum preserves, truffles, tapenade and rose hip tea with touches of sandalwood and Chinese five spice plus a waft of  iron ore. Medium to full-bodied, firmly structured and packed with mineral and exotic spice-laced black fruits, it finishes very long with compelling herbal sparks.”
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2016 Pichon Baron is seamless and racy from start to finish. Sensual and super-expressive, with soft contours, silky tannins and exceptional finesse, Pichon Baron is one of the more accessible wines in its peer group today. Plum, mocha, leather, spice and chocolate all build effortlessly. As outstanding as Pichon Baron is, the 2016 gives the impression it is playing things safe. It would be nice to see a little more daring and risk.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This gushes with dark fig and black currant compote flavors backed by lively sweet tobacco and singed alder edges. Very fleshy in feel, though there’s ample grip to keep this red grounded, echoing with tar and humus accents through the finish. A thumper. Best from 2025 through 2040. 13,500 cases made. — JM”
Decanter 96 points “There’s no question that we are in Pauillac with this wine: it’s a deep, dark purple in colour and a little more reserved on the nose than some, with more of that pencil-lead and slate character. The texture is almost as important as the flavour, and it shows its quality. This is all cassis, wet stone and loganberry, and conveys heft rather than sinew. It tightens through the mid-palate to the point that it contracts – a serious wine. Matured in 80% new oak.”

Chateau Cos d’Estournel, Saint-Estephe 2016 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel is blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc aged in 65% new and 35% two-year-old French oak for 15 months. Bottled in July 2018, it is deep garnet-purple colored and starts off a little closed and reticent, opening out slowly and seductively to reveal beautiful lilacs, rose hip tea, crushed stones and camphor nuances over a core of crème de cassis, kirsch, wild blueberries and mocha plus wafts of incense and wood smoke. The palate is simply electric, charged with an energy and depth of flavors that seem to defy the elegance and ethereal nature of its medium-bodied weight, featuring super ripe, densely pixelated tannins that firmly frame the myriad of fruit and floral sparks, finishing with epic length. Just. Magic.”
Neal Martin-Vinous 100 points “The 2016 Cos d’Estournel was a bona fide showstopper out of barrel, the best that I had encountered in over 20 years of visiting the estate during en primeur, so my expectations were piled high when I returned to find out how it performs in bottle. Deep, almost opaque in color, it sports a very intense but broody bouquet with fathomless deep black fruit tinged with blueberry and violet. The aromas almost seem to envelop the senses. The palate is medium-bodied with ultra-fine tannin that I have never witnessed in any other vintage of Cos d’Estournel. There is a beguiling symmetry to this Saint-Estèphe, as well as unerring mineralité. The persistent, tobacco-tinged finish can be felt 60 second after the wine has departed. This is a monumental, benchmark Cos d’Estournel that will give not years but decades of pleasure, though I suspect it will close down for a period in its youth, hence my drinking window. 13.07% alcohol.”

Highlights Also In Stock Now:

A best value from the immaculate 2016 vintage in Bordeaux.
Château Lilian Ladouys, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Château Lilian Ladouys, Saint-Estèphe 2016 750ML ($239.95) $206 special (that’s only $34.33/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points “The blueberry and blackberry aromas are certainly attractive here. Full-bodied and dense with a very velvety texture and a long, generous finish of ripe fruit and spice. Drink from 2022.”
Jeb Dunnuck 92 points “A perennial overachiever, the 2016 Château Lilian Ladouys brings the goods in 2016 and has a complex, medium to full-bodied, character-filled style to go with loads of blue fruits, incense, dried herbs, and a hint of violets. A blend of 62% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot all raised in 30% new barrels, this charming, front end-loaded effort is well worth seeking out. It should keep for 10-15 years.”
Neal Martin – Vinous 92 points “This is the third time I have tasted the 2016 Lilian Ladouys in bottle. It retains a very intense blackberry and boysenberry bouquet laced with minerals, but displays a little more amplitude than it did in August. The tightly knit palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and still shows the graphite seam that I remarked upon previously. There is a little more persistence now, hence the slightly higher score. Good potential.”

Chateau Branaire-Ducru, Saint-Julien 2016 750ML ($99.95) $88 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “The core of this red is loaded with pure plum, blueberry and black currant fruit flavors. The polished structure is integrated, with alluring ganache, anise and sweet tobacco notes throughout, all in a polished and balanced frame. A very classy red that isn’t shy about its power but pushes its purity to the fore. Best from 2024 through 2039. 15,000 cases made. — JM”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. The estate, at the southern end of Saint-Julien, has produced a wine that is both structured and stylish. This bold, ripe wine shows opulent black fruits and generous tannins. Juicy and structured, it has good aging potential. Drink from 2025. -Roger Voss”
James Suckling 95 points “The best vintage of this wine since 2009! Effusive, fresh redcurrant and cassis aromas give this St.-Julien terrific drive and energy, the elegant, dry tannins beautifully married to the medium body, right through the long, agile finish. Drink or hold.”

A stunning Bordeaux for the cellar.
Chateau Clos de Sarpe, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “An off-the-hook Saint-Emilion, the inky colored 2016 Château Clos de Sarpe is mostly Merlot but includes 15% Cabernet Franc. A beautiful, floral character gives way to more blueberry, raspberry, spice, and cedar notes, and it’s medium to full-bodied, fresh, and elegant on the palate, with thrilling purity of fruit. It’s still tight and reserved at the moment, with a focused feel on the palate, but has tons of potential. Give bottles 5-7 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 15+.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2016 Clos de Sarpe (composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc) is a little closed to begin, opening out to reveal provocative Black Forest cake, Chinese five spice and cigar box notes with nuances of sandalwood, kirsch, rose hip tea and pencil shavings. Full-bodied, rich and opulent in the mouth, the palate is oh-so-seductive with a beautiful velvety texture and tons of freshness lifting the decadent fruit to a long spicy finish.”

Chateau Larose-Trintaudon, Haut-Medoc 2016 1.5L ($59.95) $49 special, 9 magnums in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “A solid red with currant, chocolate and walnut character. Medium body, round yet firm tannins and a delicious finish. Typical Bordeaux from this excellent vintage. A blend of 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot. Needs two to three years to soften. Drink in 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “At 380 acres, this is one of the largest Médoc estates just the wrong side of the tracks from Pauillac. This generously structured wine is full of juicy black-currant flavors that come from the 60% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend. It is likely to develop relatively quickly and will certainly be ready from 2021.”

We offer 49 red Bordeaux wines in stock now.
Shop the selections on our webstore!