In This Newsletter:
Cameron Comes to Town
New 2019 Single Vineyard Releases Arriving Friday!
Major Offer of Grande Marque Champagne
Krug Arriving Friday
(Plus Bonus Taittinger Comtes Offer!)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $83
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $65 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($449.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $61.50/bottle!)
Bright and fresh with classic Abbey Ridge aromas of rose petals and cherries.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $78
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $65 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($449.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $61.50/bottle!)
Begins subtle and builds on the palate to a crescendo. Saline and gooseberry gives way to a lasting mineral finish. A massale selection of suitcase clones brought up from California in the 1980s, including selections from Spring Mountain, Mason, Joseph Swan, and even vines rumored to have been snipped from Corton Charlemagne by a daring winemaker some decades ago.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $79
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $65 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($449.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $61.50/bottle!)
A darker cousin to Abbey Ridge, this shows more iron and blood aromatics whilst remaining lithe and angular.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
We offer a wide variety of back vintages of Cameron wines. Shop our selections on our web store now!
Major Offer of Grande Marque
Krug Arriving Friday
(Plus Bonus Taittinger Comtes Offer!)
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Bonus! Arriving Mid-November:
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Brut Rosé, Champagne 2007 750ML ($299.95) $239 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2007 Comtes de Champagne Rosé is a total knock-out. Racy and exuberant in the glass, the 2007 wraps around the palate with stunning textural depth and resonance. The 15% still Pinot adds structure and persistence to a creamy, inviting Rosé Champagne that will leave readers weak at the knees. Hints of rose petal, dried cherry, cinnamon and dried flowers meld into the sublime finish. This is about as good as it gets. Wow!”
Decanter 97 points “The Comtes de Champagne Rosé is composed of 30% Chardonnay (Grands Crus from Côtes de Blancs), 70% Pinot Noir (Grands Crus from Montagne de Reims, including 15% Pinot Noir from Bouzy, vinified as red wine). It has strawberry, mint, rose petal and cherry notes on the exuberant nose. The palate is racy and creamy, very compact and fresh, with a delicate salty note on the finish.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “This bottle of Taittinger’s just-released 2007 Brut Comtes de Champagne Rosé was disgorged in December 2018, and it’s showing brilliantly, unfurling in the glass with a complex bouquet of blood orange, minty raspberries, red plums, dried flowers and warm brioche. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, chalky and tensile, sharing a racy, chiseled profile with its Blanc de Blancs cousin. Deep, concentrated and tightly wound, the wine concludes with a long, sapid finish. This is an intense, racy Comtes Rosé with a long future ahead of it. As has been the norm chez Taittinger for several years now, the blend is based upon 70% Pinot Noir and includes 15% still red wine from Bouzy.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This harmonious rosé Champagne offers quiet grace, with a pleasing juiciness to the sleek acidity, framing finely knit flavors of raspberry, peach, brioche and candied pink grapefruit zest. Showing a raw silk–like texture, this caresses the palate through to the fresh, ginger-laced finish. Drink now through 2027. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 550 cases imported. — AN”
[Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews]
Shop our complete selection of Champagnes on our web store now!
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Featured New Arrival:
2019 Fourrier
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $340
Domaine Fourrier Clos Saint-Jacques, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($699.95) $599 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 97 points “Fourrier’s 0.89ha of Clos St. Jacques next to the Rousseau parcel was planted in 1910 and yields miniscule quantities of very small berries.The bunches are destemmed and very slowly macerate – with mostly whole grapes – before a fermentation with gentle punching down by hand. The wines are aged two winters in cask (20% new). The result shows an exquisite definition, a lovely, supple red fruit character, plenty of tannin and freshness, plus an impressive depth of flavour. Drinking Window 2029 – 2049.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Offering up aromas of wild berries, cassis, peonies, exotic spices and orange rind, Fourrier’s 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques is medium to full-bodied, lively and enveloping, with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit, bright acids and fine concentration. Seamless and elegant, it’s an especially sensual vintage of this cvuée.”
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($149.59) $119 special, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “Mingling aromas of cherries, berries, peonies and orange rind, the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echézeaux is medium-bodied, lively and elegant. As usual, it’s a touch less rich and muscular than its Vieilles Vignes counterpart from the other side of the appellation.”
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “This is blended from a number of parcels that total 3.3ha, fully one-third of the domaine. There are three sections: in the cool Combe; just below the grands crus and on the flat. The 2019 is among the most impressive village-level wines produced in Gevrey, with potent mulberry fruit and a mineral edge on the nose. The old vines bring depth and opulent layers of flavour on the palate, where the structure is tannic and firm. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91+ points “Bursting with notes of peonies, berry fruit, orange rind and spices, the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is medium to full-bodied, lively and elegantly structured, with a deep core of fruit, ripe tannins and a lively, seamless profile.”
Domaine Fourrier Les Champeaux Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 94 points “From 0.21ha of vines on the border with Brochon which were planted over a century ago. The fruit here is high-toned red berries, with an element of smoke and spice, plus an engaging note of ‘good bitter’ on the palate. The wine is light in body, but very long on the finish. Should open up well with time. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux opens in the glass with hints of rose petals, warm spices, sweet berry fruit, peonies and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, bright and concentrated, it’s lively and youthfully reserved, with refined tannins and a penetrating finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Fourrier Les Cherbaudes Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “Bordering Mazis-Bas, this vineyard was planted eighty years ago in fairly deep clay. The fruit is destemmed and gently fermented to produce a forward wine, with lovely, spicy black cherry fruit. On the palate, the wine is substantial and structured, while the firm tannins carry this to a particularly lingering finish. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93+ points “Another success, the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes offers up aromas of plums, cherries and sweet soil tones, complemented by hints of peonies and wintergreen. Medium to full-bodied, bright and lively, with a tightly wound core of fruit and elegantly chalky tannins, this is promising.”
Domaine Fourrier La Combe Aux Moines Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 95 points “Fourrier owns a parcel of 0.87ha planted to very old vines just north of Cazetiers. Ripe red and black fruit is accented with gentle hints of menthol and mineral. There is a rich density on the palate from the old vines and the firm tannins to carry this to the next level. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94+ points “The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Combe Aux Moines opens in the glass with notes of rose petals, berries, cherries and warm spices. Medium to full-bodied, lively and vibrant, with good cut and concentration, it’s built around powdery tannins that assert themselves on the gently grippy finish. This should age with grace.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $340
Domaine Fourrier Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru Vieille Vigne, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,299 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 97 points “A superb wine, from a parcel planted in 1928 that was purchased by the domaine in 1955. At 0.28ha, it doesn’t yield much: a normal year is five barrels, this year three. The lovely, expressive black cherry fruit shows nuanced mineral and floral notes, while the texture is silky and subtle. It is less powerful than the Clos-St-Jacques, yet still has the density and structure to make it worthy of long ageing. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94-96+ points “Unfurling with notes of rose petals, raspberries and plums, complemented by hints of raw coca and sweet soil tones, the 2019 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru is full-bodied, enveloping and multidimensional, its satiny attack segueing into a deep and concentrated mid-palate, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. Supple and seamless, it’s an immensely charming wine in the making.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $1,550
Domaine Fourrier Les Goulots Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 2 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Aromas of plums, loamy soil and creamy new oak introduce the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Goulots, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and elegantly enveloping wine that’s deep and precise, with a seamless, youthfully reserved profile. Pure and penetrating, this is another success chez Fourrier.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Fourrier Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($149.95) $128 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “A half-hectare was planted between the Nationale and the village in the mid-1960s and in 2019 has delivered a lovely, silky result, with forward red and black fruit which show a spicy edge. Here, some of the stems are added back into the fermentation and there is a pleasantly brambly edge on the palate. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2019 Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon offers up aromas of sweet berry fruit, plums, peonies and raw cocoa. Medium-bodied, bright and lively, with supple tannins and a succulent core of fruit, it will offer a broad drinking window.”
Domaine Fourrier Les Petits Vougeots Vieilles Vignes, Vougeot Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 95 points “Fourrier owns one third of a hectare here, wedged between the Clos de Vougeot and Musigny. This is spectacular wine in 2019, with a lush dark fruit character and complexity from mineral notes, plus hints of liquorice and Asian spices. On the palate, it is tightly wound and very long. Memorable. Drinking Window 2024 – 2049.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Wafting from the glass with notes of raspberries, violets, rose petals, spices and plums, Fourrier’s 2019 Vougeot 1er Cru Les Petits Vougeot is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a lively core of fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a perfumed, mouthwateringly saline finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
“This is an exciting winery to start following, joining a ever expanding set of new generation labels in Oregon that are hand crafting wines of passion and terroir.” –Kerry Winslow, Grapelive
Vincent Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
“There’s a devoted cult following for Vincent Fritzsche’s graceful Pinot Noirs but the outside world seems blithely unaware of the consistent quality here. Fritzsche sources fruit from some of the Willamette Valley’s most esteemed vineyards and then pretty much leaves it alone.” – Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Vincent Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($49.59) $39.90 special
Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 1.5L ($129.95) $109 special
Winery note “One of the greatest characteristics Russ finds in our proprietary yeast that he “isolated” from a bottle of 1986 Jayer Echezeaux is the velvety texture it imparts on the wines. While we use that yeast in every Pinot Noir we make, the texture it imparts is particularly notable in this wine. Elegant while also concentrated and powerful. Berries, plum and sage with hints of toasty oak with great length on the finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 1.5L ($129.95) $109 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe red and dark fruits, incense and potpourri, along with an exotic spice nuance and a touch of smoky minerality. Palate-staining black raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors show sharp delineation and deepen steadily as the wine stretches out. Smoothly plays richness off elegance and finishes impressively long and appealingly sweet, with sneaky, even tannins lending shape and grip.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special
Winery note “2018’s growing-degree day total of close to 2300 misleads our expectation of the wines and highlights the difficulties of using it to describe this year from that. (For comparison the 2016 and 2017 vintages were 15% warmer than the 30y average and just below 2600.) The last vintage that was in this range was 2012. The wines are richly hued and densely packed with tannin and concentration. If it weren’t for the wines’ brimming acid you’d definitely expect them to be from a very warm vintage. What a powerful, yet elegant, wine our estate vineyard gave us in 2018. Intermingling notes of earth and flowers move to an explosive mid-palate of red fruits and plum followed by an elegant, bright, lifted finish. Certified organically grown.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Evesham Wood Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 1.5L ($89.95) $75 special
Winery note “2018’s growing-degree day total of close to 2300 misleads our expectation of the wines and highlights the difficulties of using it to describe this year from that. (For comparison the 2016 and 2017 vintages were 15% warmer than the 30y average and just below 2600.) The last vintage that was in this range was 2012. The wines are richly hued and densely packed with tannin and concentration. If it weren’t for the wines’ brimming acid you’d definitely expect them to be from a very warm vintage. A true labor of love. We always feel incredibly fortunate to get a mere 3 barrels from our 2 acre block at the very top of Temperance. This is the most richly fruited TH we’ve seen in years, yet still with the classic TH notes of green tobacco and cigar humidor moving to a ripe, mouth-filling mid-palate of red fruits coming back to finish with hints of tobacco. Certified organically grown.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
J.K. Carriere Antoinette Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($79.59) $69 special
James Suckling 94 points “Aromas of plums, dark cherries, earth, clay, incense and dried flowers. It’s medium-bodied with plush tannins. Round and creamy with floral character. Spicy and flavorful finish with excellent length. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Shea Wine Cellars Estate Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Deep magenta. Spice-laced red and dark berry, cherry cola and floral pastille scents take on a savory herb quality with air. Shows very good depth and breadth on the palate, which offers appealingly sweet red and blue fruit preserve, mocha and black tea flavors and a hint of allspice. Gains energy with air and repeats the floral note on a long, gently tannic finish that leaves a bitter cherry note behind.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Champagne
Larmandier-Bernier ‘Longitude’ Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 22 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “Revisited from the October 2019 disgorgement, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2013 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d’Avize continues to show brilliantly, offering up complex aromas of argan oil, fresh apricot and crisp yellow orchard fruit, complemented by hints of fresh walnuts and almond paste. Full-bodied, deep and vinous, it’s layered and elegantly fleshy, with a concentrated core of ripe fruit, racy acids and a long, mineral finish. As I wrote last year, Pierre Larmandier invariably excels in cool, late-growing seasons, so the 2013 vintage was perfectly adapted to his talents.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2013 Extra Brut Les Chemins d’Avize Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is floral and gracious, much more so than is common in Avize Champagnes, which tend to have more body. The 2013 is beautifully perfumed and ethereal from start to finish, with striking beams of salinity that confer tension. Candied lemon peel, white flowers, spice, hazelnut, dried flowers and chamomile are some of the many notes that are laced together. This subtle, wonderfully nuanced Champagne has so much to offer. It is the most restrained wine in this range. The Chemins d’Avize is a blend of fruit from Chemin de Plivot and Chemin de Flavigny, done in neutral oak. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: October, 2019.”
Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut, Champagne 2004 750ML ($149.95) $125 special
James Suckling 95 points “A very fine-textured Champagne with lovely density and finesse. The bubbles roll off the palate. Full body. Extremely creamy and flavorful. Shows wonderful finesse and a lovely, chalky, lemon-curd and brioche aftertaste. Drink now.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Pommery’s prestige Champagne is named after one of the great Champagne widows of the 19th century who took over when her husband, Alexandre Pommery, died. It is a rich, mature wine, with toast and almond flavors as much as fruit. Full of mineral Chardonnay (60% of the blend), this ripe wine is very ready to drink.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Bright and minerally, featuring smoke and pastry dough notes layered with lemon curd and pureed black currant details, riding the lively bead. Offers a creamy finish, with a lightly floral overtone. Drink now through 2024. 16,666 cases made.”
Pommery Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Winery note “It was a must for Pommery not to miss out on one of the greatest vintages of champagne. One single term to characterise 2008: unexpected! After a difficult summer, nature succeeded in aligning its stars and allowed us to have an exceptional harvest. 2008 has already conquered aficionados from all over the world, but it is a special vision of 2008 in the pure style of our Maison that we propose to you. Only originating from grands crus, with an exceptional ageing potential, slowly brought to maturity in the freshness of our 18 kilometres of galleries, it is necessary to wait to taste a Pommery vintage at its zenith: the precise moment when all the components are in harmony and when maturity, freshness and complexity come together. This moment has come for our 2008 vintage. The nose presents the patina of the Pommery vintages: elegance, minerality, freshness. First of all intense floral notes reach us: the peony floats around the hawthorn. Maturity is expressed by fruity notes of pear and fresh apricot. The great Pinot Noir present themselves with notes of crushed fresh strawberries. On the palate, the tasting is floating, with a great uprightness. A mineral structure fills the palate from the attack to the finish like a spine. Notes of acacia honey and Mirabelle underline the central element of the tasting. The finish is punctuated by a nice sweetness, marked by flavours of blood orange.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Wine Spectator 97 points “This goes from zero to 60 right out of the gate, with an intense spine of acidity driving tightly meshed flavors of crushed black currant, ground coffee, candied grapefruit peel and toasted almond. The profile expands on the palate, carried by the fine, raw silk–like mousse. Richly aromatic and expressive from start to lasting, spiced finish. Disgorged July 2019. Drink now through 2037. 850 cases imported. — AN”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection in 2020. Still young for a wine of this caliber, this rich Champagne has an immense future ahead of it. The freshness of the wine will mature into the rich toastiness that is such a hallmark of this brand. Oak fermentation and aging have added to the great promise of this fine wine. Drink from 2022. -Roger Voss”
Wine & Spirits 96 points “A selection of pinot noir from Aÿ and Verzenay (65 percent of the blend) with chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oiry, this wine ferments and ages in oak barrels and large casks, followed by extended aging on the lees in bottle. There’s an immediacy to its bubbles, and a scent that is immediately awesome—lemon blossom, lemon verbena and something exotic, like Buddha’s hand. The flavors are classical, expanding outward as the wine develops with air, potent, salty and long. Once it’s gone, you can smell the ghost of oak in the empty glass, even if it wasn’t overt in the wine. This is a structured and long-lived 2012.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “Disgorged in July 2019, Bollinger’s 2012 Brut La Grande Année is showing well, offering up an incipiently complex bouquet of crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, orange oil, toasted walnuts and dried apricot that’s still quite reserved with less than a year on cork. Full-bodied, deep and muscular, the 2012 is blockier and broader-shouldered than its 2008 predecessor, with a weightier and even more concentrated palate built around a bright spine of acidity, concluding with a chalky finish that carries appreciably dry extract. This isn’t quite as elegant as the exquisite 2008, but it is a superb effort and obviously built to age.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Grande Année is vibrant and wonderfully nuanced. Citrus peel, orchard fruit, brioche, dried flowers and chamomile are all finely knit in a Grand Année built on energy and persistence more than size. Readers will find a restrained Grand Année in 2012. There is plenty of the textural richness that is such a signature of the house style, but I am also struck by the wine’s freshness. Best of all, the 2012 will drink well right out of the gate. It is quite expressive today, even in the early going. (Originally published in August 2020)”
Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut, Champagne 2004 1.5L ($419.95) $379 special
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. A blend of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, this is opulent and full bodied, with toast and wood flavors. Rich and ripe, this beautiful wine is generous and still young, with just a touch of bitterness at the end. -Roger Voss.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Bollinger’s 2004 Brut La Grand Année is a beautiful wine with a lot of vintage character, but the style is a bit less oxidative than Bollinger fans are likely to expect. Pears, hazelnuts, spices and crushed rocks all flow through to the tense, vibrant finish. It will be interesting to see if the 2004 puts on weight in the bottle, as so many wines from this vintage have. Today, it is bright, linear and quite pretty. Green apples, pears and flowers all add lift on the close.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2004 Grande Année Brut was disgorged in November 2013 and offers a clear, very refined, and complex though still closed bouquet with fruity aromas of fresh and stewed apples, yellow grapefruit, kaki, walnuts, tobacco, herbal tea, nougat and spicy flavors; everything is discreet here, subtle, perfectly melted together and smoky, very smoky. On the palate, this Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend wine is highly complex and elegant, firmly structured and quite long. This is an excellent Champagne.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Firm, with well-cut acidity and a fine texture, this is aromatic, delivering a skein of ground spice and graphite notes that mesh seamlessly with the flavors of black currant, black cherry, toasted almond, financier, honey and smoky mineral. Offers a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2024. 3,000 cases imported. — AN”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Piper-Heidsieck Prohibition Edition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Winery note “To commemorate the 100th anniversary since the beginning of Prohibition, Piper-Heidsieck invites you to enjoy its Cuvée Brut with a ‘Roaring Twenties’ ambiance.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Burgundy
Domaine Leflaive Clavoillon, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $289 special, only 6 bottles available
Burghound 91-94 points “Outstanding. An overtly floral suffused nose displays notes of pear compote, citrus confit and subtle spice wisps. There is excellent vibrancy to the attractively textured medium weight flavors that also exude a refreshing salinity on the citrusy, dry and notably more complex finish that is perceptibly firmer. This should age well.”
Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne Aligote, Burgundy 2019 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Becky Wasserman note “Variety: Aligoté Doré. Vine Age: 50 years old on average. Terroir: 60% from Champ Forey (limestone and gravel soil), 40% from Auvonnes (clay, marl soil with small stones). Viticulture: Certified organic, biodynamic methods. Vinification: Directly pressed, indigenous yeast fermentation (2/3 in older barrels, 1/3 in tank). Aged for 12 months, minimal sulfur, added only at bottling.”
France – Loire
Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny, Loire 2015 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, only 6 bottles available!
Jason Wilson-Vinous 93 points “This was Charly Foucault’s last vintage. Fruity and floral on the nose with an edge of smoke. Big boned and intense, but with a smoothness to this wine, with lots of raspberry, cranberry, and cherry, silky tannins and a long cool finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Italy- Tuscany
Sassetti Livio Pertimali “Mulino” Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “This is the first vintage of the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Mulino from Pertimali, a lower-elevation cru that’s noted for the high level of marine fossils found in its soils. Here I find a classic display of dried roses, black cherry, dusty earth and freshly-tanned leather. It envelopes the palate in fleshy textures offset by a mix of tart wild berries, zesty acids and savory spice, as building tension puckers the cheeks, seeding them with fine-grained tannins. This comes across as structured yet remarkably balanced, and it’s a beautiful expression of the vintage. Lose your bottles in the cellar for two to three years, and then reap the rewards.”
James Suckling 94 points “Dried leaves, chocolate and licorice on the nose, followed by black olives. It’s full-bodied with firm, focused tannins and a long, savory finish. Dark chocolate and crushed walnuts. Tar and hints of asphalt. Drink from 2023.”
Italy – Piedmont
Elvio Cogno Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 99 points “Cellar Selection. From the estate that proved the extraordinary quality of the Ravera subzone, this compelling wine opens with heady scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry, new leather and camphor. Focused and full bodied, the precise palate is delicious and firmly structured, featuring ripe red cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and tobacco framed in tightly knit fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it beautifully balanced and lends youthful tension. Drink 2024–2056.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97+ points “Of the many great contributions made by the winemaking team at Elvio Cogno, perhaps the greatest is the importance they brought to the Ravera cru of Novello. Little-known before their efforts, this vineyard has risen in high regard in recent years and continues to show impressive potential. The 2016 Barolo Ravera offers an important education in why this site deserves the spotlight. The wine shows terrific balance and depth, with rich fruit aromas framed by smoke, tar, ferrous earth and tangy licorice. The tannins are softly contoured, and the wine moves over the palate with profound length. Interestingly, two Nebbiolo clones, Lampia and Michet, are blended to make this wine. Some 15,000 bottles are hitting the market now.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “A compact, dense red, both in terms of fruit and tannins. Cherry, strawberry, iron, tobacco and tar flavors hold court while the vivid acidity and beefy tannins lend structure. Terrific length. Everything is in the right place; this just needs time to harmonize. Best from 2023 through 2045.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barolo Ravera shows all of the energy and tension this site is so well-known for. Penetrating acids and veins of tannin give the Ravera its drive and overall feel. Naturally, the 2016 is going to need at least a few years to be at its best, but it has tremendous breeding and character to burn. White pepper, mint, sweet red cherry and citrus add to the wine’s high-toned profile. This is another stellar wine from Cogno.”
Spain – Priorat
Clos Mogador Vi de Finca, Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 98 points “$100. The flagship 2018 Clos Mogador is a blend of 45% Garnacha, 29% Cariñena, 16% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that fermented with natural yeasts and showcases their philosophy—slow fermentations with long maceration and long aging. It matured for 18 months in 2,000-liter oak vats and 30% in 300-liter oak barrels. There was a lot of rain in 2018, and the vineyards were extremely happy and everything seemed very easy; in fact, René Barbier told me it was perhaps too easy… It’s an atypical year: It has a gentle profile, and the wines are not as concentrated as those from 2013 (the last rainy year before 2018)—they are more elegant and nuanced. This should develop beautifully in bottle. 27,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $33.75
Shop our selection of red Bordeaux in stock now on our web store!
Cameron Comes to Town
New 2019 Single Vineyard Releases Arriving Friday!
Major Offer of Grande Marque Champagne
Krug Arriving Friday
(Plus Bonus Taittinger Comtes Offer!)
Featured New Arrival:
2019 Fourrier
New Week – New Arrivals
2019 Fourrier
New Week – New Arrivals
Chateau Loudenne
Terre Rouge / Easton
Cameron Winery Comes to Town
New 2019 Single Vineyard Releases Arriving Friday!
New 2019 Single Vineyard Releases Arriving Friday!
Fall leaves begin to turn, heralding the latest releases of the most anticipated Oregon wines we offer: Cameron Winery single vineyards. If you’re not familiar, now’s the time to act. The 2019 vintage holds a special place in our hearts as a rare cool-reading vintage in the glass. The wines are always delicious, sure, but vintages such as these bring a special joy. They harken back to the Oregon vintages of the 80s & 90s that drew a generation of California winemakers up to the Willamette Valley, such as Cameron’s winemaker/owner John Paul.
Cameron holds a special place in the heart of anyone who loves Oregon wine. John Paul has been making some of the best wines to come out of the Willamette Valley since 1984. The wines have Burgundian sensibilities, in that they age extremely well and have impeccable balance, but they are as ‘Oregon’ as they come. If you were to ask a selection of winemakers here who their top five wineries are, Cameron will be in every list.
There are two main vineyards, Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge, both in the Dundee Hills AVA. The Clos (named after the electric deer fence that surrounds the property) makes slightly more powerful wines, while Abbey Ridge (at higher elevation) produces wines with a little more acidity and structure. The whites are complex and intense as well.
Cameron is also notable for being the leading member of the Deep Roots Coalition—an organization of wineries that are committed to dry farming – and for being one of the most thoughtful farmers in the Valley. In every measurable respect these are some of the finest wines made in the US today, and we’re proud to offer them to you.
“Burgundy or Oregon–what really matters is that Cameron produces some of the latter’s finest Pinot Noir and in winemaker John Paul, one of its most erudite, principled, forward-thinking/traditional and charismatic personalities that I encountered during my time there.” – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
As always, these wines are highly limited and are available first come, first served. Wines arrive Friday, November 5th.
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special ***highly limited!
Highly concentrated with zippy acidity, this is one of the finest releases to date. All Draper clone.
Cameron holds a special place in the heart of anyone who loves Oregon wine. John Paul has been making some of the best wines to come out of the Willamette Valley since 1984. The wines have Burgundian sensibilities, in that they age extremely well and have impeccable balance, but they are as ‘Oregon’ as they come. If you were to ask a selection of winemakers here who their top five wineries are, Cameron will be in every list.
There are two main vineyards, Clos Electrique and Abbey Ridge, both in the Dundee Hills AVA. The Clos (named after the electric deer fence that surrounds the property) makes slightly more powerful wines, while Abbey Ridge (at higher elevation) produces wines with a little more acidity and structure. The whites are complex and intense as well.
Cameron is also notable for being the leading member of the Deep Roots Coalition—an organization of wineries that are committed to dry farming – and for being one of the most thoughtful farmers in the Valley. In every measurable respect these are some of the finest wines made in the US today, and we’re proud to offer them to you.
“Burgundy or Oregon–what really matters is that Cameron produces some of the latter’s finest Pinot Noir and in winemaker John Paul, one of its most erudite, principled, forward-thinking/traditional and charismatic personalities that I encountered during my time there.” – Neal Martin, Wine Advocate
As always, these wines are highly limited and are available first come, first served. Wines arrive Friday, November 5th.
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $75 pre-arrival special ***highly limited!
Highly concentrated with zippy acidity, this is one of the finest releases to date. All Draper clone.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $83
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $65 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($449.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $61.50/bottle!)
Bright and fresh with classic Abbey Ridge aromas of rose petals and cherries.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $78
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $65 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($449.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $61.50/bottle!)
Begins subtle and builds on the palate to a crescendo. Saline and gooseberry gives way to a lasting mineral finish. A massale selection of suitcase clones brought up from California in the 1980s, including selections from Spring Mountain, Mason, Joseph Swan, and even vines rumored to have been snipped from Corton Charlemagne by a daring winemaker some decades ago.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $79
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($89.95) $65 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($449.95) $369 pre-arrival special (that’s only $61.50/bottle!)
A darker cousin to Abbey Ridge, this shows more iron and blood aromatics whilst remaining lithe and angular.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
We offer a wide variety of back vintages of Cameron wines. Shop our selections on our web store now!
Major Offer of Grande Marque
Krug Arriving Friday
(Plus Bonus Taittinger Comtes Offer!)
How can Grandes Marques’ Champagnes not be considered among the greatest bargains in France?
The Champagne region has suffered for far too long under the misconception that its wines are too expensive. This is simply not the case. While far too many current releases from the Great Growths in France clock in north of $500 or $1,000 per bottle (or $10,000… we’re looking at you, DRC), in Champagne one finds most Tete de Cuvees are not only under $300/bottle, but these are winery-cellared before release, often for ten years or more!
And the crown jewel of Grandes Marques in any serious collector’s cellar? Krug. These are Champagnes to ponder over that will drink well for decades. There are no compromises here. The wines are profound and enlightening. Due to the global pandemic, these are extremely limited, so stock up now.
Arriving Friday, November 5th:
Krug Grande Cuvee 169th Edition Brut, Champagne 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 99 points “There’s a supernova of sensation with each sip of this powerful version, starting with the vivid streak of mouthwatering acidity that drives a rich panoply of ripe black currant, mandarin orange peel and grilled nut flavors, accented by hints of candied ginger, briny oyster shell, verbena and ground cardamom. This burns bright from start to finish, yet its fine integration and lovely, raw silk–like mousse pull it all together into a seamless, vibrant package. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Disgorged autumn 2019. Drink now through 2038. — AN”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Based on the 2013 vintage and complemented by some 40% reserve wines dating back to 2000, Krug’s newly released NV Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition is showing very nicely, unfurling in the glass with notes of citrus oil, buttered toast, dried apricot, warm biscuits and marmalade. Medium to full-bodied, deep and incisive, it’s a tauter, more chiseled rendition of Grande Cuvée by comparison with the richer, more textural and more demonstrative 168ème Édition (based on the 2012 vintage) that preceded it; but its bright spine of acidity is nicely cloaked in fruit. Concluding with a long and sapid finish, this is a very classically balanced Champagne that will reward bottle age”
Decanter 96 points “Great intensity and drive combine with a rich and complex palate, where truffle and woody notes develop as the wine breathes. This feels very youthful and, although it is non-vintage and designed to be drunk on release, I think this will gain more complexity with some extra time in bottle. Powerful yet refined – a very fine Krug based on the 2013 vintage, utilising wines from 11 different years, of which the oldest is 2000. Drinking Window 2022 – 2024.”
Krug Grande Cuvee 166th Edition Brut, Champagne 1.5L ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Decanter 97 points “45% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, 16% Meunier, blended from 140 wines dating from 1996 to 2010, including 42% reserves. Krug leads off where most other Champagne houses end, and its entry wine is every bit a prestige cuvée. It smells and tastes like no other wine, a monumental paradox of tense freshness, profound maturity and inimitable complexity. Decadently rich, extravagantly complex and thunderingly expansive, Grande Cuvée is a vinous Champagne of multifaceted personality, yet ever-heightened tension. For all it represents, spanning 25 years of production, it presents incredible value. Drinking Window 2020 – 2030.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Compared to Krug’s 160th edition, the bright golden-yellow colored NV Grande Cuvée 166ème Édition (ID117010) is still a baby that shows the chalky and fruity features of a young white Burgundy intermixed with notes of Schwarzwälder Kirsch (dark cherries with black chocolate) and floral (ammonia) flavors on the pure, fresh and elegant yet intense and still yeasty brioche nose with its ripe apple aromas and refreshingly bright (lemon juice) overtones. Round, wide and very elegant yet also straight and tense on the palate, this 2010-dominated cuvée is very delicate, fresh and chalky but also dense and lush in its vinous texture. The finish is well-structured, fresh and persistent, indicating great complexity and vibrancy. However, I would wait at least another three years, during which time the 166th edition will gain even more finesse and quiet. The 166ème Édition is composed of 140 wines from 13 different harvests between 1998 and 2010, and it’s a blend of 45% Pinot Noir with 39% Chardonnay and 16% Pinot Meunier, the latter of which provides the vivacity that the Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs surprisingly didn’t have in 2010, a vintage that was marked by its “tumultuous climate,” as Eric Lebel writes. Tasted in New York in November 2018.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This mouthwatering Champagne feels like a swathe of raw silk on the palate, where flavors of sun-dried white cherry, toast and Meyer lemon peel are accented by expressive saffron, ground coffee and mandarin orange peel aromas. Long and racy on the honey-, spice- and smoke-laced finish. Disgorged winter 2017. Drink now through 2025. — AN”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. This is the latest incarnation of Grande Cuvée, now in its 166th edition. Toasty aromas signal an enticingly mature wine, rich with intense secondary flavors. It preserves the wonderful richness and the style of this producer. The wine is ready to drink now, but it will be also enjoyable for many more years. -Roger Voss”
Krug Brut Rose 25th Edition Brut, Champagne 750ML ($419.95) $359 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 points “A mouthwatering rosé that wraps a racy spine of acidity in the plushly creamy, cashmere-like mousse, offering a fine frame for the rich and finely meshed range of flavors, with baked raspberry, passion fruit and Mandarin orange peel fruit accented by chopped hazelnut, fleur de sel, candied ginger and lime blossom notes that echo for days on the vivid finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged autumn 2019. Drink now through 2030. — AN”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The NV Rosé 25ème Édition is surprisingly pale in tonality for a Rosé that is predominantly Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Readers will find a serious, nervy Rosé built on tension, energy and persistence. There is a ton of vibrancy driving the red berry chalk and floral flavors. The 25éme is based on the 2013 vintage, with reserve wines back to 2008.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This Champagne offers a perfect balance between maturity and fruit. It starts with the toasty aroma and moves to the palate that is mature while also having hints of red fruits and spice. The wine shows the advantage of aged rosé Champagne. Drink now. -Roger Voss”
The Champagne region has suffered for far too long under the misconception that its wines are too expensive. This is simply not the case. While far too many current releases from the Great Growths in France clock in north of $500 or $1,000 per bottle (or $10,000… we’re looking at you, DRC), in Champagne one finds most Tete de Cuvees are not only under $300/bottle, but these are winery-cellared before release, often for ten years or more!
And the crown jewel of Grandes Marques in any serious collector’s cellar? Krug. These are Champagnes to ponder over that will drink well for decades. There are no compromises here. The wines are profound and enlightening. Due to the global pandemic, these are extremely limited, so stock up now.
Arriving Friday, November 5th:
Krug Grande Cuvee 169th Edition Brut, Champagne 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 99 points “There’s a supernova of sensation with each sip of this powerful version, starting with the vivid streak of mouthwatering acidity that drives a rich panoply of ripe black currant, mandarin orange peel and grilled nut flavors, accented by hints of candied ginger, briny oyster shell, verbena and ground cardamom. This burns bright from start to finish, yet its fine integration and lovely, raw silk–like mousse pull it all together into a seamless, vibrant package. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Disgorged autumn 2019. Drink now through 2038. — AN”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Based on the 2013 vintage and complemented by some 40% reserve wines dating back to 2000, Krug’s newly released NV Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition is showing very nicely, unfurling in the glass with notes of citrus oil, buttered toast, dried apricot, warm biscuits and marmalade. Medium to full-bodied, deep and incisive, it’s a tauter, more chiseled rendition of Grande Cuvée by comparison with the richer, more textural and more demonstrative 168ème Édition (based on the 2012 vintage) that preceded it; but its bright spine of acidity is nicely cloaked in fruit. Concluding with a long and sapid finish, this is a very classically balanced Champagne that will reward bottle age”
Decanter 96 points “Great intensity and drive combine with a rich and complex palate, where truffle and woody notes develop as the wine breathes. This feels very youthful and, although it is non-vintage and designed to be drunk on release, I think this will gain more complexity with some extra time in bottle. Powerful yet refined – a very fine Krug based on the 2013 vintage, utilising wines from 11 different years, of which the oldest is 2000. Drinking Window 2022 – 2024.”
Krug Grande Cuvee 166th Edition Brut, Champagne 1.5L ($599.95) $499 pre-arrival special
Decanter 97 points “45% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay, 16% Meunier, blended from 140 wines dating from 1996 to 2010, including 42% reserves. Krug leads off where most other Champagne houses end, and its entry wine is every bit a prestige cuvée. It smells and tastes like no other wine, a monumental paradox of tense freshness, profound maturity and inimitable complexity. Decadently rich, extravagantly complex and thunderingly expansive, Grande Cuvée is a vinous Champagne of multifaceted personality, yet ever-heightened tension. For all it represents, spanning 25 years of production, it presents incredible value. Drinking Window 2020 – 2030.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “Compared to Krug’s 160th edition, the bright golden-yellow colored NV Grande Cuvée 166ème Édition (ID117010) is still a baby that shows the chalky and fruity features of a young white Burgundy intermixed with notes of Schwarzwälder Kirsch (dark cherries with black chocolate) and floral (ammonia) flavors on the pure, fresh and elegant yet intense and still yeasty brioche nose with its ripe apple aromas and refreshingly bright (lemon juice) overtones. Round, wide and very elegant yet also straight and tense on the palate, this 2010-dominated cuvée is very delicate, fresh and chalky but also dense and lush in its vinous texture. The finish is well-structured, fresh and persistent, indicating great complexity and vibrancy. However, I would wait at least another three years, during which time the 166th edition will gain even more finesse and quiet. The 166ème Édition is composed of 140 wines from 13 different harvests between 1998 and 2010, and it’s a blend of 45% Pinot Noir with 39% Chardonnay and 16% Pinot Meunier, the latter of which provides the vivacity that the Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs surprisingly didn’t have in 2010, a vintage that was marked by its “tumultuous climate,” as Eric Lebel writes. Tasted in New York in November 2018.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This mouthwatering Champagne feels like a swathe of raw silk on the palate, where flavors of sun-dried white cherry, toast and Meyer lemon peel are accented by expressive saffron, ground coffee and mandarin orange peel aromas. Long and racy on the honey-, spice- and smoke-laced finish. Disgorged winter 2017. Drink now through 2025. — AN”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. This is the latest incarnation of Grande Cuvée, now in its 166th edition. Toasty aromas signal an enticingly mature wine, rich with intense secondary flavors. It preserves the wonderful richness and the style of this producer. The wine is ready to drink now, but it will be also enjoyable for many more years. -Roger Voss”
Krug Brut Rose 25th Edition Brut, Champagne 750ML ($419.95) $359 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 points “A mouthwatering rosé that wraps a racy spine of acidity in the plushly creamy, cashmere-like mousse, offering a fine frame for the rich and finely meshed range of flavors, with baked raspberry, passion fruit and Mandarin orange peel fruit accented by chopped hazelnut, fleur de sel, candied ginger and lime blossom notes that echo for days on the vivid finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged autumn 2019. Drink now through 2030. — AN”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The NV Rosé 25ème Édition is surprisingly pale in tonality for a Rosé that is predominantly Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Readers will find a serious, nervy Rosé built on tension, energy and persistence. There is a ton of vibrancy driving the red berry chalk and floral flavors. The 25éme is based on the 2013 vintage, with reserve wines back to 2008.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This Champagne offers a perfect balance between maturity and fruit. It starts with the toasty aroma and moves to the palate that is mature while also having hints of red fruits and spice. The wine shows the advantage of aged rosé Champagne. Drink now. -Roger Voss”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Bonus! Arriving Mid-November:
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Brut Rosé, Champagne 2007 750ML ($299.95) $239 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2007 Comtes de Champagne Rosé is a total knock-out. Racy and exuberant in the glass, the 2007 wraps around the palate with stunning textural depth and resonance. The 15% still Pinot adds structure and persistence to a creamy, inviting Rosé Champagne that will leave readers weak at the knees. Hints of rose petal, dried cherry, cinnamon and dried flowers meld into the sublime finish. This is about as good as it gets. Wow!”
Decanter 97 points “The Comtes de Champagne Rosé is composed of 30% Chardonnay (Grands Crus from Côtes de Blancs), 70% Pinot Noir (Grands Crus from Montagne de Reims, including 15% Pinot Noir from Bouzy, vinified as red wine). It has strawberry, mint, rose petal and cherry notes on the exuberant nose. The palate is racy and creamy, very compact and fresh, with a delicate salty note on the finish.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “This bottle of Taittinger’s just-released 2007 Brut Comtes de Champagne Rosé was disgorged in December 2018, and it’s showing brilliantly, unfurling in the glass with a complex bouquet of blood orange, minty raspberries, red plums, dried flowers and warm brioche. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, chalky and tensile, sharing a racy, chiseled profile with its Blanc de Blancs cousin. Deep, concentrated and tightly wound, the wine concludes with a long, sapid finish. This is an intense, racy Comtes Rosé with a long future ahead of it. As has been the norm chez Taittinger for several years now, the blend is based upon 70% Pinot Noir and includes 15% still red wine from Bouzy.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This harmonious rosé Champagne offers quiet grace, with a pleasing juiciness to the sleek acidity, framing finely knit flavors of raspberry, peach, brioche and candied pink grapefruit zest. Showing a raw silk–like texture, this caresses the palate through to the fresh, ginger-laced finish. Drink now through 2027. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 550 cases imported. — AN”
[Disgorgement dates may vary from reviews]
Shop our complete selection of Champagnes on our web store now!
Vinopolis Shipping Alert:
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Now’s the time to schedule your shipment!
Reply to this email or call to schedule.
Featured New Arrival:
2019 Fourrier
Domaine Fourrier makes some of the most captivating wines in Burgundy. To Burgophiles, this isn’t much of a claim—the wines that Jean-Marie has produced since taking over from his father have become hot tickets in the Burgundy world. If you aren’t familiar, these are wines to put on your radar. Fourrier’s style is heavily influenced by his time working under Henri Jayer and the wines show this.
When young they’re among the most impressive in Burgundy, combining succulent fruit with minerality and a complexity that’s nearly unmatched in newly released wines. They improve with age, as well, though we’ve always had a hard time keeping our hands off of the lower-tier wines in the first five years. Fourrier works exclusively with old massale vineyards (anything from vines younger than 30 years is sold off) and that sort of soul really makes it into the bottle.
Newly Arrived from Fourrier:
Domaine Fourrier Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 90 points “From old Chardonnay vines planted on the outskirts of Chambolle, between the village and the Château de Gilly. The wine is rich and open, with aromas of ripe apple and a luxurious, slightly soft feel on the palate. The fruit was picked on the 6th of September, crushed and pressed without sulphur, to provoke an oxidation at this point that would stabilise the wine in the future. Drinking Window 2021 – 2029.”
“Fleshy and round, the 2019 Bourgogne Blanc exhibits aromas of pear, peach, apple and nutmeg. Medium to full-bodied, generous and fruit-driven, it’s already open and expressive.” William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Domaine Fourrier Les Gruenchers Vieilles Vignes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.59) $299 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Fourrier owns 0.29ha in this premier cru at the entrance to the village and which was planted in 1928. The wine is powerful in 2019, with aromas of ripe blackberry and fresh mission figs, but also a lot of floral elegance. The old vine fruit give it concentration and length on the palate. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90-92+ points “Wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries, sweet berry fruit, petals, spices and raw cocoa, the 2019 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Gruenchers is medium-bodied, sapid and succulent, with a pretty core of fruit and chalky tannins that assert themselves with a touch of youthful asperity on the finish.”
When young they’re among the most impressive in Burgundy, combining succulent fruit with minerality and a complexity that’s nearly unmatched in newly released wines. They improve with age, as well, though we’ve always had a hard time keeping our hands off of the lower-tier wines in the first five years. Fourrier works exclusively with old massale vineyards (anything from vines younger than 30 years is sold off) and that sort of soul really makes it into the bottle.
Newly Arrived from Fourrier:
Domaine Fourrier Bourgogne Blanc, Burgundy 2019 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 90 points “From old Chardonnay vines planted on the outskirts of Chambolle, between the village and the Château de Gilly. The wine is rich and open, with aromas of ripe apple and a luxurious, slightly soft feel on the palate. The fruit was picked on the 6th of September, crushed and pressed without sulphur, to provoke an oxidation at this point that would stabilise the wine in the future. Drinking Window 2021 – 2029.”
“Fleshy and round, the 2019 Bourgogne Blanc exhibits aromas of pear, peach, apple and nutmeg. Medium to full-bodied, generous and fruit-driven, it’s already open and expressive.” William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Domaine Fourrier Les Gruenchers Vieilles Vignes, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.59) $299 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Fourrier owns 0.29ha in this premier cru at the entrance to the village and which was planted in 1928. The wine is powerful in 2019, with aromas of ripe blackberry and fresh mission figs, but also a lot of floral elegance. The old vine fruit give it concentration and length on the palate. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 90-92+ points “Wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries, sweet berry fruit, petals, spices and raw cocoa, the 2019 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Gruenchers is medium-bodied, sapid and succulent, with a pretty core of fruit and chalky tannins that assert themselves with a touch of youthful asperity on the finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $340
Domaine Fourrier Clos Saint-Jacques, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($699.95) $599 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 97 points “Fourrier’s 0.89ha of Clos St. Jacques next to the Rousseau parcel was planted in 1910 and yields miniscule quantities of very small berries.The bunches are destemmed and very slowly macerate – with mostly whole grapes – before a fermentation with gentle punching down by hand. The wines are aged two winters in cask (20% new). The result shows an exquisite definition, a lovely, supple red fruit character, plenty of tannin and freshness, plus an impressive depth of flavour. Drinking Window 2029 – 2049.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “Offering up aromas of wild berries, cassis, peonies, exotic spices and orange rind, Fourrier’s 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques is medium to full-bodied, lively and enveloping, with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit, bright acids and fine concentration. Seamless and elegant, it’s an especially sensual vintage of this cvuée.”
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echezeaux Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($149.59) $119 special, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91 points “Mingling aromas of cherries, berries, peonies and orange rind, the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echézeaux is medium-bodied, lively and elegant. As usual, it’s a touch less rich and muscular than its Vieilles Vignes counterpart from the other side of the appellation.”
Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “This is blended from a number of parcels that total 3.3ha, fully one-third of the domaine. There are three sections: in the cool Combe; just below the grands crus and on the flat. The 2019 is among the most impressive village-level wines produced in Gevrey, with potent mulberry fruit and a mineral edge on the nose. The old vines bring depth and opulent layers of flavour on the palate, where the structure is tannic and firm. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 89-91+ points “Bursting with notes of peonies, berry fruit, orange rind and spices, the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is medium to full-bodied, lively and elegantly structured, with a deep core of fruit, ripe tannins and a lively, seamless profile.”
Domaine Fourrier Les Champeaux Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 94 points “From 0.21ha of vines on the border with Brochon which were planted over a century ago. The fruit here is high-toned red berries, with an element of smoke and spice, plus an engaging note of ‘good bitter’ on the palate. The wine is light in body, but very long on the finish. Should open up well with time. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Champeaux opens in the glass with hints of rose petals, warm spices, sweet berry fruit, peonies and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, bright and concentrated, it’s lively and youthfully reserved, with refined tannins and a penetrating finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine Fourrier Les Cherbaudes Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “Bordering Mazis-Bas, this vineyard was planted eighty years ago in fairly deep clay. The fruit is destemmed and gently fermented to produce a forward wine, with lovely, spicy black cherry fruit. On the palate, the wine is substantial and structured, while the firm tannins carry this to a particularly lingering finish. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93+ points “Another success, the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Cherbaudes offers up aromas of plums, cherries and sweet soil tones, complemented by hints of peonies and wintergreen. Medium to full-bodied, bright and lively, with a tightly wound core of fruit and elegantly chalky tannins, this is promising.”
Domaine Fourrier La Combe Aux Moines Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $299 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 95 points “Fourrier owns a parcel of 0.87ha planted to very old vines just north of Cazetiers. Ripe red and black fruit is accented with gentle hints of menthol and mineral. There is a rich density on the palate from the old vines and the firm tannins to carry this to the next level. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94+ points “The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Combe Aux Moines opens in the glass with notes of rose petals, berries, cherries and warm spices. Medium to full-bodied, lively and vibrant, with good cut and concentration, it’s built around powdery tannins that assert themselves on the gently grippy finish. This should age with grace.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $340
Domaine Fourrier Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru Vieille Vigne, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($1,499.95) $1,299 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 97 points “A superb wine, from a parcel planted in 1928 that was purchased by the domaine in 1955. At 0.28ha, it doesn’t yield much: a normal year is five barrels, this year three. The lovely, expressive black cherry fruit shows nuanced mineral and floral notes, while the texture is silky and subtle. It is less powerful than the Clos-St-Jacques, yet still has the density and structure to make it worthy of long ageing. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94-96+ points “Unfurling with notes of rose petals, raspberries and plums, complemented by hints of raw coca and sweet soil tones, the 2019 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru is full-bodied, enveloping and multidimensional, its satiny attack segueing into a deep and concentrated mid-palate, concluding with a long, mouthwatering finish. Supple and seamless, it’s an immensely charming wine in the making.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $1,550
Domaine Fourrier Les Goulots Vieilles Vignes, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 2 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Aromas of plums, loamy soil and creamy new oak introduce the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Goulots, a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and elegantly enveloping wine that’s deep and precise, with a seamless, youthfully reserved profile. Pure and penetrating, this is another success chez Fourrier.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Fourrier Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon Vieilles Vignes, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($149.95) $128 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Decanter 92 points “A half-hectare was planted between the Nationale and the village in the mid-1960s and in 2019 has delivered a lovely, silky result, with forward red and black fruit which show a spicy edge. Here, some of the stems are added back into the fermentation and there is a pleasantly brambly edge on the palate. Drinking Window 2024 – 2039.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 88-90 points “The 2019 Morey-Saint-Denis Clos Solon offers up aromas of sweet berry fruit, plums, peonies and raw cocoa. Medium-bodied, bright and lively, with supple tannins and a succulent core of fruit, it will offer a broad drinking window.”
Domaine Fourrier Les Petits Vougeots Vieilles Vignes, Vougeot Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $279 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Decanter 95 points “Fourrier owns one third of a hectare here, wedged between the Clos de Vougeot and Musigny. This is spectacular wine in 2019, with a lush dark fruit character and complexity from mineral notes, plus hints of liquorice and Asian spices. On the palate, it is tightly wound and very long. Memorable. Drinking Window 2024 – 2049.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91-93 points “Wafting from the glass with notes of raspberries, violets, rose petals, spices and plums, Fourrier’s 2019 Vougeot 1er Cru Les Petits Vougeot is medium to full-bodied, bright and vibrant, with a lively core of fruit, beautifully refined tannins and a perfumed, mouthwateringly saline finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Shop our selection back vintages of Domaine Fourrier as well as our 315 in-stock red Burgundies from the Cote de Beaune and Cote de Nuits on our web store now!
New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon
Last call for the vintage of our favorite up & coming winemaker in the Valley
Championship Bottle ‘Impossibly Tan’ Pinot Gris Yamhill Springs Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton AVA 2019 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “A Pinot Grigio of a different color—quite literally. This wine rides the line between orange wine and light red, with minerality and savor to spare. Compact, yet powerful, it’s our most unique wine.”
Last call for the vintage of our favorite up & coming winemaker in the Valley
Championship Bottle ‘Impossibly Tan’ Pinot Gris Yamhill Springs Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton AVA 2019 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “A Pinot Grigio of a different color—quite literally. This wine rides the line between orange wine and light red, with minerality and savor to spare. Compact, yet powerful, it’s our most unique wine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
“This is an exciting winery to start following, joining a ever expanding set of new generation labels in Oregon that are hand crafting wines of passion and terroir.” –Kerry Winslow, Grapelive
Vincent Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
“There’s a devoted cult following for Vincent Fritzsche’s graceful Pinot Noirs but the outside world seems blithely unaware of the consistent quality here. Fritzsche sources fruit from some of the Willamette Valley’s most esteemed vineyards and then pretty much leaves it alone.” – Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Vincent Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($49.59) $39.90 special
Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 1.5L ($129.95) $109 special
Winery note “One of the greatest characteristics Russ finds in our proprietary yeast that he “isolated” from a bottle of 1986 Jayer Echezeaux is the velvety texture it imparts on the wines. While we use that yeast in every Pinot Noir we make, the texture it imparts is particularly notable in this wine. Elegant while also concentrated and powerful. Berries, plum and sage with hints of toasty oak with great length on the finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 1.5L ($129.95) $109 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of ripe red and dark fruits, incense and potpourri, along with an exotic spice nuance and a touch of smoky minerality. Palate-staining black raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors show sharp delineation and deepen steadily as the wine stretches out. Smoothly plays richness off elegance and finishes impressively long and appealingly sweet, with sneaky, even tannins lending shape and grip.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special
Winery note “2018’s growing-degree day total of close to 2300 misleads our expectation of the wines and highlights the difficulties of using it to describe this year from that. (For comparison the 2016 and 2017 vintages were 15% warmer than the 30y average and just below 2600.) The last vintage that was in this range was 2012. The wines are richly hued and densely packed with tannin and concentration. If it weren’t for the wines’ brimming acid you’d definitely expect them to be from a very warm vintage. What a powerful, yet elegant, wine our estate vineyard gave us in 2018. Intermingling notes of earth and flowers move to an explosive mid-palate of red fruits and plum followed by an elegant, bright, lifted finish. Certified organically grown.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Evesham Wood Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 1.5L ($89.95) $75 special
Winery note “2018’s growing-degree day total of close to 2300 misleads our expectation of the wines and highlights the difficulties of using it to describe this year from that. (For comparison the 2016 and 2017 vintages were 15% warmer than the 30y average and just below 2600.) The last vintage that was in this range was 2012. The wines are richly hued and densely packed with tannin and concentration. If it weren’t for the wines’ brimming acid you’d definitely expect them to be from a very warm vintage. A true labor of love. We always feel incredibly fortunate to get a mere 3 barrels from our 2 acre block at the very top of Temperance. This is the most richly fruited TH we’ve seen in years, yet still with the classic TH notes of green tobacco and cigar humidor moving to a ripe, mouth-filling mid-palate of red fruits coming back to finish with hints of tobacco. Certified organically grown.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
J.K. Carriere Antoinette Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($79.59) $69 special
James Suckling 94 points “Aromas of plums, dark cherries, earth, clay, incense and dried flowers. It’s medium-bodied with plush tannins. Round and creamy with floral character. Spicy and flavorful finish with excellent length. Drink or hold.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Shea Wine Cellars Estate Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($59.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Deep magenta. Spice-laced red and dark berry, cherry cola and floral pastille scents take on a savory herb quality with air. Shows very good depth and breadth on the palate, which offers appealingly sweet red and blue fruit preserve, mocha and black tea flavors and a hint of allspice. Gains energy with air and repeats the floral note on a long, gently tannic finish that leaves a bitter cherry note behind.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Champagne
Larmandier-Bernier ‘Longitude’ Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 22 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 96 points “Revisited from the October 2019 disgorgement, Larmandier-Bernier’s 2013 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d’Avize continues to show brilliantly, offering up complex aromas of argan oil, fresh apricot and crisp yellow orchard fruit, complemented by hints of fresh walnuts and almond paste. Full-bodied, deep and vinous, it’s layered and elegantly fleshy, with a concentrated core of ripe fruit, racy acids and a long, mineral finish. As I wrote last year, Pierre Larmandier invariably excels in cool, late-growing seasons, so the 2013 vintage was perfectly adapted to his talents.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2013 Extra Brut Les Chemins d’Avize Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is floral and gracious, much more so than is common in Avize Champagnes, which tend to have more body. The 2013 is beautifully perfumed and ethereal from start to finish, with striking beams of salinity that confer tension. Candied lemon peel, white flowers, spice, hazelnut, dried flowers and chamomile are some of the many notes that are laced together. This subtle, wonderfully nuanced Champagne has so much to offer. It is the most restrained wine in this range. The Chemins d’Avize is a blend of fruit from Chemin de Plivot and Chemin de Flavigny, done in neutral oak. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: October, 2019.”
Pommery Cuvee Louise Brut, Champagne 2004 750ML ($149.95) $125 special
James Suckling 95 points “A very fine-textured Champagne with lovely density and finesse. The bubbles roll off the palate. Full body. Extremely creamy and flavorful. Shows wonderful finesse and a lovely, chalky, lemon-curd and brioche aftertaste. Drink now.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Pommery’s prestige Champagne is named after one of the great Champagne widows of the 19th century who took over when her husband, Alexandre Pommery, died. It is a rich, mature wine, with toast and almond flavors as much as fruit. Full of mineral Chardonnay (60% of the blend), this ripe wine is very ready to drink.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Bright and minerally, featuring smoke and pastry dough notes layered with lemon curd and pureed black currant details, riding the lively bead. Offers a creamy finish, with a lightly floral overtone. Drink now through 2024. 16,666 cases made.”
Pommery Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Winery note “It was a must for Pommery not to miss out on one of the greatest vintages of champagne. One single term to characterise 2008: unexpected! After a difficult summer, nature succeeded in aligning its stars and allowed us to have an exceptional harvest. 2008 has already conquered aficionados from all over the world, but it is a special vision of 2008 in the pure style of our Maison that we propose to you. Only originating from grands crus, with an exceptional ageing potential, slowly brought to maturity in the freshness of our 18 kilometres of galleries, it is necessary to wait to taste a Pommery vintage at its zenith: the precise moment when all the components are in harmony and when maturity, freshness and complexity come together. This moment has come for our 2008 vintage. The nose presents the patina of the Pommery vintages: elegance, minerality, freshness. First of all intense floral notes reach us: the peony floats around the hawthorn. Maturity is expressed by fruity notes of pear and fresh apricot. The great Pinot Noir present themselves with notes of crushed fresh strawberries. On the palate, the tasting is floating, with a great uprightness. A mineral structure fills the palate from the attack to the finish like a spine. Notes of acacia honey and Mirabelle underline the central element of the tasting. The finish is punctuated by a nice sweetness, marked by flavours of blood orange.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Wine Spectator 97 points “This goes from zero to 60 right out of the gate, with an intense spine of acidity driving tightly meshed flavors of crushed black currant, ground coffee, candied grapefruit peel and toasted almond. The profile expands on the palate, carried by the fine, raw silk–like mousse. Richly aromatic and expressive from start to lasting, spiced finish. Disgorged July 2019. Drink now through 2037. 850 cases imported. — AN”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection in 2020. Still young for a wine of this caliber, this rich Champagne has an immense future ahead of it. The freshness of the wine will mature into the rich toastiness that is such a hallmark of this brand. Oak fermentation and aging have added to the great promise of this fine wine. Drink from 2022. -Roger Voss”
Wine & Spirits 96 points “A selection of pinot noir from Aÿ and Verzenay (65 percent of the blend) with chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oiry, this wine ferments and ages in oak barrels and large casks, followed by extended aging on the lees in bottle. There’s an immediacy to its bubbles, and a scent that is immediately awesome—lemon blossom, lemon verbena and something exotic, like Buddha’s hand. The flavors are classical, expanding outward as the wine develops with air, potent, salty and long. Once it’s gone, you can smell the ghost of oak in the empty glass, even if it wasn’t overt in the wine. This is a structured and long-lived 2012.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “Disgorged in July 2019, Bollinger’s 2012 Brut La Grande Année is showing well, offering up an incipiently complex bouquet of crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, orange oil, toasted walnuts and dried apricot that’s still quite reserved with less than a year on cork. Full-bodied, deep and muscular, the 2012 is blockier and broader-shouldered than its 2008 predecessor, with a weightier and even more concentrated palate built around a bright spine of acidity, concluding with a chalky finish that carries appreciably dry extract. This isn’t quite as elegant as the exquisite 2008, but it is a superb effort and obviously built to age.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Grande Année is vibrant and wonderfully nuanced. Citrus peel, orchard fruit, brioche, dried flowers and chamomile are all finely knit in a Grand Année built on energy and persistence more than size. Readers will find a restrained Grand Année in 2012. There is plenty of the textural richness that is such a signature of the house style, but I am also struck by the wine’s freshness. Best of all, the 2012 will drink well right out of the gate. It is quite expressive today, even in the early going. (Originally published in August 2020)”
Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut, Champagne 2004 1.5L ($419.95) $379 special
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. A blend of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, this is opulent and full bodied, with toast and wood flavors. Rich and ripe, this beautiful wine is generous and still young, with just a touch of bitterness at the end. -Roger Voss.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Bollinger’s 2004 Brut La Grand Année is a beautiful wine with a lot of vintage character, but the style is a bit less oxidative than Bollinger fans are likely to expect. Pears, hazelnuts, spices and crushed rocks all flow through to the tense, vibrant finish. It will be interesting to see if the 2004 puts on weight in the bottle, as so many wines from this vintage have. Today, it is bright, linear and quite pretty. Green apples, pears and flowers all add lift on the close.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2004 Grande Année Brut was disgorged in November 2013 and offers a clear, very refined, and complex though still closed bouquet with fruity aromas of fresh and stewed apples, yellow grapefruit, kaki, walnuts, tobacco, herbal tea, nougat and spicy flavors; everything is discreet here, subtle, perfectly melted together and smoky, very smoky. On the palate, this Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend wine is highly complex and elegant, firmly structured and quite long. This is an excellent Champagne.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Firm, with well-cut acidity and a fine texture, this is aromatic, delivering a skein of ground spice and graphite notes that mesh seamlessly with the flavors of black currant, black cherry, toasted almond, financier, honey and smoky mineral. Offers a long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2024. 3,000 cases imported. — AN”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Piper-Heidsieck Prohibition Edition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Winery note “To commemorate the 100th anniversary since the beginning of Prohibition, Piper-Heidsieck invites you to enjoy its Cuvée Brut with a ‘Roaring Twenties’ ambiance.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Burgundy
Domaine Leflaive Clavoillon, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2019 750ML ($319.95) $289 special, only 6 bottles available
Burghound 91-94 points “Outstanding. An overtly floral suffused nose displays notes of pear compote, citrus confit and subtle spice wisps. There is excellent vibrancy to the attractively textured medium weight flavors that also exude a refreshing salinity on the citrusy, dry and notably more complex finish that is perceptibly firmer. This should age well.”
Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne Aligote, Burgundy 2019 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Becky Wasserman note “Variety: Aligoté Doré. Vine Age: 50 years old on average. Terroir: 60% from Champ Forey (limestone and gravel soil), 40% from Auvonnes (clay, marl soil with small stones). Viticulture: Certified organic, biodynamic methods. Vinification: Directly pressed, indigenous yeast fermentation (2/3 in older barrels, 1/3 in tank). Aged for 12 months, minimal sulfur, added only at bottling.”
France – Loire
Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny, Loire 2015 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, only 6 bottles available!
Jason Wilson-Vinous 93 points “This was Charly Foucault’s last vintage. Fruity and floral on the nose with an edge of smoke. Big boned and intense, but with a smoothness to this wine, with lots of raspberry, cranberry, and cherry, silky tannins and a long cool finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Italy- Tuscany
Sassetti Livio Pertimali “Mulino” Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special
Eric Guido-Vinous 93 points “This is the first vintage of the 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Mulino from Pertimali, a lower-elevation cru that’s noted for the high level of marine fossils found in its soils. Here I find a classic display of dried roses, black cherry, dusty earth and freshly-tanned leather. It envelopes the palate in fleshy textures offset by a mix of tart wild berries, zesty acids and savory spice, as building tension puckers the cheeks, seeding them with fine-grained tannins. This comes across as structured yet remarkably balanced, and it’s a beautiful expression of the vintage. Lose your bottles in the cellar for two to three years, and then reap the rewards.”
James Suckling 94 points “Dried leaves, chocolate and licorice on the nose, followed by black olives. It’s full-bodied with firm, focused tannins and a long, savory finish. Dark chocolate and crushed walnuts. Tar and hints of asphalt. Drink from 2023.”
Italy – Piedmont
Elvio Cogno Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 99 points “Cellar Selection. From the estate that proved the extraordinary quality of the Ravera subzone, this compelling wine opens with heady scents of rose, iris, perfumed berry, new leather and camphor. Focused and full bodied, the precise palate is delicious and firmly structured, featuring ripe red cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and tobacco framed in tightly knit fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it beautifully balanced and lends youthful tension. Drink 2024–2056.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97+ points “Of the many great contributions made by the winemaking team at Elvio Cogno, perhaps the greatest is the importance they brought to the Ravera cru of Novello. Little-known before their efforts, this vineyard has risen in high regard in recent years and continues to show impressive potential. The 2016 Barolo Ravera offers an important education in why this site deserves the spotlight. The wine shows terrific balance and depth, with rich fruit aromas framed by smoke, tar, ferrous earth and tangy licorice. The tannins are softly contoured, and the wine moves over the palate with profound length. Interestingly, two Nebbiolo clones, Lampia and Michet, are blended to make this wine. Some 15,000 bottles are hitting the market now.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “A compact, dense red, both in terms of fruit and tannins. Cherry, strawberry, iron, tobacco and tar flavors hold court while the vivid acidity and beefy tannins lend structure. Terrific length. Everything is in the right place; this just needs time to harmonize. Best from 2023 through 2045.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2016 Barolo Ravera shows all of the energy and tension this site is so well-known for. Penetrating acids and veins of tannin give the Ravera its drive and overall feel. Naturally, the 2016 is going to need at least a few years to be at its best, but it has tremendous breeding and character to burn. White pepper, mint, sweet red cherry and citrus add to the wine’s high-toned profile. This is another stellar wine from Cogno.”
Spain – Priorat
Clos Mogador Vi de Finca, Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 98 points “$100. The flagship 2018 Clos Mogador is a blend of 45% Garnacha, 29% Cariñena, 16% Syrah and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon that fermented with natural yeasts and showcases their philosophy—slow fermentations with long maceration and long aging. It matured for 18 months in 2,000-liter oak vats and 30% in 300-liter oak barrels. There was a lot of rain in 2018, and the vineyards were extremely happy and everything seemed very easy; in fact, René Barbier told me it was perhaps too easy… It’s an atypical year: It has a gentle profile, and the wines are not as concentrated as those from 2013 (the last rainy year before 2018)—they are more elegant and nuanced. This should develop beautifully in bottle. 27,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2020.”
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10 AM – 6 PM Daily
Local mandates require properly worn masks for all regardless of vaccination status.
We also offer Curbside Pickup & Shipping
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
Chateau Loudenne
Importer note “Built in the 17th century, Château Loudenne is one of the oldest Crus Bourgeois properties. Geographically the Château is located on the last major gravel bank of the Haut Médoc with slopes that the lead down to the river’s edge. The close proximity to the river played out in the Château’s history as it was a major port for which all of the famous Bordeaux were shipped from before heading out to the Atlantic Ocean. While this area is known to have a cooler climate than the rest of the Médoc, the river tends to act as a mirror and reflects the warm sun onto the vineyards.”
Arriving Friday, November 5th:
Chateau Loudenne Medoc Rouge, Bordeaux 2016 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Chateau Loudenne Medoc Rouge, Bordeaux 2016 750ML ($419.95) $345 pre-arrival special (that’s only $28.75/bottle!)
Decanter – World Wine Awards 93 points “53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Dense, roasted blackberry, cranberry and cherry. Cohesive and driven by fruit, showing graphite, liquorice, dark chocolate and plenty of finesse.”
Arriving Friday, November 5th:
Chateau Loudenne Medoc Rouge, Bordeaux 2016 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Chateau Loudenne Medoc Rouge, Bordeaux 2016 750ML ($419.95) $345 pre-arrival special (that’s only $28.75/bottle!)
Decanter – World Wine Awards 93 points “53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Dense, roasted blackberry, cranberry and cherry. Cohesive and driven by fruit, showing graphite, liquorice, dark chocolate and plenty of finesse.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $33.75
Shop our selection of red Bordeaux in stock now on our web store!
Arriving Late November
Terre Rouge / Easton
Terre Rouge / Easton
After three decades in Amador County, Bill Easton knows a thing or two about his land. The Terre Rouge and Easton labels offer old-school charm from ancient vines at surprisingly old-school prices. These land late November, perfect for fireside sipping or filling up your cellar.
Terre Rouge & Easton Wines Arriving Late November:
Domaine de la Terre Rouge Ascent Syrah, Sierra Foothills 2014 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. This Syrah is Terre Rouge’s flagship, and it lives up to its reputation with more complexity and spiciness than the other wines in the portfolio. It’s earthy and oaky in aroma yet full of indulgent flavor—drenched with dark berry and dark chocolate notes and cedar, anise and new leather accents. Full bodied and memorable, it has wonderful layering and a lingering, spicy finish. -Jim Gordon”
Wine & Spirits 93 points “Bill Easton’s annual blend of the top-performing syrah lots in his cellar is as potent as ever in 2014: This is a warm, tarry, tannic wine that’s difficult to approach at first. As it takes on air, a cooling vein of acidity brings its briary, meaty richness and chipped obsidian minerality into harmony, creating a savory power that lasts with freshness. If you like cool-vintage Barossa shiraz, this is your wine. Keep it in the cellar for eight or ten years for a taste of the volcanic soil of the Foothills in liquid form.”
Terre Rouge & Easton Wines Arriving Late November:
Domaine de la Terre Rouge Ascent Syrah, Sierra Foothills 2014 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. This Syrah is Terre Rouge’s flagship, and it lives up to its reputation with more complexity and spiciness than the other wines in the portfolio. It’s earthy and oaky in aroma yet full of indulgent flavor—drenched with dark berry and dark chocolate notes and cedar, anise and new leather accents. Full bodied and memorable, it has wonderful layering and a lingering, spicy finish. -Jim Gordon”
Wine & Spirits 93 points “Bill Easton’s annual blend of the top-performing syrah lots in his cellar is as potent as ever in 2014: This is a warm, tarry, tannic wine that’s difficult to approach at first. As it takes on air, a cooling vein of acidity brings its briary, meaty richness and chipped obsidian minerality into harmony, creating a savory power that lasts with freshness. If you like cool-vintage Barossa shiraz, this is your wine. Keep it in the cellar for eight or ten years for a taste of the volcanic soil of the Foothills in liquid form.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $97
(Domaine de la Terre Rouge) Easton Rinaldi Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel, Fiddletown, Amador County 2014 750ML ($39.95) $30.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “#10 Top 100 in 2017. Editor’s Choice. A gorgeous aroma like roses and blackberries meets richly concentrated and ripe black-fruit flavors in this full-bodied, luxuriously textured wine. While extremely ripe and bold, the wine is also smooth and voluptuous, balanced out by silky tannins that keep the mouthfeel lively and fresh sip after sip. -Jim Gordon”
(Domaine de la Terre Rouge) Easton Shenandoah Valley Estate Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills 2014 750ML ($39.95) $30.90 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Cellar Selection. Dark in color and deep in heavily ripened fruit flavors, this full-bodied, concentrated wine is a show-stopper. A quiet sense of power comes from the dried plum and raisin aromas and the rich blueberry, clove and dark-chocolate flavors. This is a keeper that will be best to drink after 2020. -Jim Gordon”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Can’t Wait?
In Stock Now from Easton:
(Domaine de la Terre Rouge) Easton Zinfandel, Amador County 2015 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 29 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.”
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