In This Newsletter:
Vinopolis Super Subscriber Sales Continue
New Week – New Arrivals
Staff Pick: Tenuta Fanti
Trending
Champagne José Michel
Stonestreet Chard & Tenuta di Arceno
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $36.89
The average price is $40
Maggy Hawk Jory Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Pinot Noir Jory Hills Vineyard is an extroverted, luscious Pinot loaded with character. Black cherry, plum, lavender and spice come together in a bold, creamy Pinot endowed with plenty of richness and exuberance. The Jory Hills, from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, is a bit out of place in [this tasting report on] Anderson Valley Pinots, but it is undeniably impressive.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $65.70
France – Champagne
One of Champagne’s best known houses (and one of our best-selling Champagnes) for a reason. Full bodied & full-flavored with pristine poise.
Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special
Case-6 Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($419.95) $312 special (that’s only $52/bottle!)
Decanter 96 points “[Reviewed May 2020] 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier sourced from more than 300 crus, including 85% grands and premiers crus; 15% fermented in old oak barrels. The complexity and richness of Special Cuvée is unparalleled among the entry non-vintage blends of every Champagne house, short of ascending to the mesosphere of Krug. Its grand recipe explains why, built on incredible depth of 50%-60% reserves. Triumphant complexity is a given at Bollinger, but it’s the dynamic freshness and vitality that really set it apart as one of the most affordable Champagne benchmarks.”
L1908002
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut, Champagne 2009 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, only 6 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. As always, this Pinot Noir-dominated Champagne is a great wine. In this vintage, it is fuller than usual, perhaps less structured—a true reflection of the vintage. Like all releases of this cuvée, the wine will age magnificently. Drink now or hold for at least 10 years to get full maturity. -Roger Voss”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Pol Roger’s 2009 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill has turned out very well, offering up a demonstrative bouquet of golden apples, clear honey, hazelnuts and fresh pastry that’s still quite primary. Full-bodied, fleshy and textural, it’s deep and concentrated, with an ample core of fruit, ripe but racy acids, a pinpoint mousse and a long, penetrating finish. This is an expressive, deceptively immediate rendition of this bottling, yet despite its charm out of the gates, readers willing to wait at least five years will be rewarded with significant additional complexity.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A seamless Champagne, lithe with fresh, finely knit acidity, and showing beautiful integration, with a rich vein of smoky minerality underscoring flavors of black cherry, toast, preserved lemon and pickled ginger. There’s power and focus here, but this bubbly highlights the grace and accessibility that 2009 can offer even on release. Drink now through 2034. 500 cases imported. —AN”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is a heady, explosive Champagne. Ample and deep, the Churchill is so expressive today. Apricot, tangerine oil, mint, baked apple tart and spice all flesh out. I would give the 2009 at least a year or two in bottle, as it is a bit tight at this stage. Even so, time in the glass brings out a feeling of raw power that is impossible to miss.”
Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Alexandra Rose, Champagne 1990 750ML ($699.95) $599 special, only 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Beautifully done. Vigorous and almost chewy, this intense, full-bodied rosé exudes mint, berry and wood aromas and flavors. Muscular and dense, with a character that engages the palate and needs contemplation or food.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “It’s a pale wine, on the rose side of gold, a beautiful visual introduction to a stunning wine. The strawberry flavors are wrapped in a silvery texture, crisply dry, and despite the intensity of fruit, the wine seems weightless on the palate. It’s gorgeous now, but, amazingly, just a baby. It’s long-term future is assured. Twenty years from now, this will be heavenly.”
Robert Parker 94 points “This wine was recommended, but no tasting note was given.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
France – Burgundy
Henri Boillot is an undisputed top producer of white Burgundy, vinifying wine after wine that turns heads and captures hearts. Rich, bold, textured and complex, with minerality to spare, these wines are the quintessence of white Burgundy for many. The first of our allocation of 2018s arrive this Friday and we are excited to feature them again to you today.
2018 already seems poised to be a legendary year in the Côte d’Or, inviting comparisons to 1947 (by Phillipe Pacalet, nonetheless!) and other vintages in the same suit (2005, etc). 2018 was a hot, relatively easy year and producers could pick without fear—there was barely any use for the sorting tables. Boillot seems to excel in these warm vintages and his whites offer richness with minerality, with good density and the balance to age.
As you’d expect given Boillot’s stature, quantities are limited, but they will be wonderful for the lucky few that get their hands on these wines.
Domaine Henri Boillot Meursault, Côte de Beaune 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Aromas of pear, green apple, white flowers, fresh pastry and toasted hazelnuts introduce the 2018 Meursault Village, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive wine that’s chalky and structured, showing real depth and tension. As usual, it’s a blend of superior lieux-dits, including Narvaux, En la Barre, Limuzin and Clos du Cromin.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Genevrières, Meursault Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Genevrières reveals aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, peach, spring blossom, honeycomb and praline, followed by a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated palate that’s chalky and structured, built around lively acids and appreciable dry extract.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Poruzots, Meursault Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Aromas of orange oil, fresh pear, almond paste, warm pastry and beeswax introduce the 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Les Poruzots, a medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional wine that’s concentrated, racy and beautifully defined, concluding with terrific back-end grip.”
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Perrières, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Aromas of citrus oil, white flowers, blanched almonds and crushed chalk preface the 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières, a medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive wine that’s chalky and tensile, with lively acids and a saline finish. This has turned out very well indeed.”
Domaine Henri Boillot Clos de la Mouchere Monopole, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 95 points “Boillot’s emblematic 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchère has turned out brilliantly, wafting from the glass with aromas of pear, hazelnut, dried white flowers, citrus oil, blanched almonds and smoke. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with terrific concentration, searing levels of extract and a long, mineral finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $166
Italy – Piedmont
Ferdinando Principiano Ravera di Monforte, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Cellar Selection. Menthol, new leather, pressed rose and forest berry aromas shape the enticing nose on this knockout red. Thoroughly delicious, the captivating, focused palate doles out succulent Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, truffle and tobacco while a minty note lingers on the long finish. Firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide beautiful balance and ageworthy structure. Drink 2024–2041.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Noah Bramaterra, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Bramaterra is rich and explosive in the glass. Blood orange, chalk, mint, white pepper and macerated cherry are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop in the glass. There is something incredibly wild and untamed about the 2015 that is so incredibly enticing. In the glass, the 2015 is deep, powerful and built for the long-haul. It is a wine of tremendous character and breeding.”
Italy – Other
Vie di Romans Dessimis Pinot Grigio Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2018 750ML ($33.95) $29 special
James Suckling 96 points “Beautiful rose-gold color with lots of ripe pear, golden apple, mango and pineapple on the nose. Hint of honey. It’s full-bodied and creamy on the palate with toasted almonds alongside tropical fruit. Smoky minerality, too. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $32
Donnafugata Sherazade Nerol d’Avola Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 91 points “Bright deep red. Very perfumed and precise nose of violets, black cherry and delicate herbs. Then juicy and fresh, with outstanding sugar-acid-tannin balance on the crisp, long and lively finish. Delicious, lovely medium-bodied, very fresh red that can take a little chilling. Maybe the best Sherazade ever.”
James Suckling 91 points “A nero d’avola with a light, fresh edge, revealing sour cherries and raspberry cheesecake with a touch of citrus. Very taut and edgy, almost tart, on the palate, but there’s undeniable transparency and depth. Medium-bodied and medium-chewy. Drink now.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Aromas of mature dark-skinned berry and Mediterranean scrub lead the nose on this 100% Nero d’Avola. The bright palate delivers blackberry jam, star anise and white pepper alongside pliant tannins.”
Germany
“The first Rieslings of the very dry and warm as well as early 2018 vintage are also promising and stunningly precise and elegant due to the conditions of the vintage that brought nothing but perfectly ripe and healthy grapes. Leitz pressed the grapes in fractions, so he was able to keep the acidity fine and fresh even though it is naturally lower than in 2017… Doubtlessly, Leitz is one of the region’s best Riesling producers. Having said that, he is also one of the best Riesling ambassadors in the wine world, with regular tastings in the US as well as in Norway, two of his most important export markets.” Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate. Leitz is certified sustainable by Fair ‘N Green
Weingut Leitz Rudesheimer Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2018 Rüdesheimer Riesling Trocken offers a beautiful bouquet that intertwines the crystalline and slightly smoky/herbal terroir aromas of Rüdesheim with perfectly ripe and elegant Riesling aromas. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, fresh, lush and elegant yet precise, salty-crystalline and piquant Riesling whose long and intense, well-balanced and concentrated finish balances the 13% alcohol with great ease. This 2018 reveals exceptional purity, tension and finesse as well as complexity and persistent expression. Leitz’s 2018 Rüdesheimer “GGs” will be released later this year, but his Rüdesheimer village wine is more than just a small consolation. It’s pretty spectacular! Tasted from AP 12 19.”
Importer note “Whereas Eins Zwei Dry is the “estate” dry riesling, the Rüdesheimer is the “village- level” dry wine for Leitz. The fruit is sourced entirely from Drachenstein—a Grosse Lage parcel at the height of the Rüdesheimer Berg. This wine is declassified and serves to bridge the entry level Eins Zwei Dry to the single vineyard wines. Dynamic and graceful, this is a smashing deal for grand cru fruit!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Leitz Riesling Feinherb QbA, Rheingau 2019 750ML ($18.95) $15.50 special
Importer note “This is essentially the off-dry counterpart to the Eins Zwei Dry. This is a super-delicious, entry-level feinherb style riesling that has crisp acidity, juicy aromatics and is dangerously drinkable. A ridiculously great value!”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau 2018 750ML ($29.95) $20.90 special
Importer note “‘Lay’ is a very old word meaning slate and “Kloster” is the German translation of Abbey. The Klosterlay sits beneath the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard, above the eastern edge of the village. Here, the Rüdesheimer Berg begins to gently undulate as it levels out toward the village of Geisenheim. Josi believes this site is destined for a fruity style and therefore always makes Kabinett from this vineyard.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Leitz Rudesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Importer note “Further east and upstream of the Klosterlay is the Magdalenenkreuz. The name translates to “the cross of Mary Magdalene,” named after a red sandstone cross that can be found amongst the vines. Here the soils are comprised of sandy loam—fatter and ideal for ripe expression; the riesling grown here is always textured, opulent and forward. Though the wine is of Spätlese quality it perceivably drinks more like a Kabinett.”
Winery note “The vineyard “Rüdesheimer Magdalenenkreuz” is located to the east of our town where you will find the gentle hills with profound loess and loam soils, good content of chalk that secure even in hot years a sufficient water supply. The vines are bearing enduring and fruitful wines. The Magdalenenkreuz Spätlese has a savoury nose with fruity hints of ripe apples and pear; as well as an exotic trace of grapefruit, orange and quince.The perception of taste creates in conjunction with the exceptional play of fruit and acidity a very unique exaltation and withal an intense finish.Beside these expressive scents of fruit, subtle mineral hints are joining this sappy Riesling-variation. The Spätlese shows how simple a Riesling is able to compete with substantial dishes and offers a wealth of possible combinations. We enjoy this wine with Curry, peach slices, with a condimental Biryani-chicken, or on its own with dark chocolate.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Portugal – Port
Fonseca Vintage Port, Portugal 1985 750ML ($149.59) $119 special, only 12 bottles available!
Wine Spectator 95 points “A hard, take-no-prisoners Port, extremely powerful and still closed when last tasted. Deep inky color, with concentrated blackberry and raisin aromas, full-bodied, with massive raisin flavors, a superb backbone and a very long finish.”
Staff Pick: Tenuta Fanti
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $44
Tenuta Fanti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The extroverted 2018 Fanti Rosso di Montalcino is showing masses of ripe strawberry, sweet spices and exotic florals with grounding notes of worn leather and hints of undergrowth. Silky textures meld into tart red berries with a peppery-herbal twist, in a soft and easygoing effort that’s energized by bright acids that only come forward toward the finale. A mix of red fruits resonate on the finish, along with wild herbs and florals, punctuating the experience on a Rosso that is very easy to like.”
Vinopolis Super Subscriber Sales Continue
New Week – New Arrivals
Staff Pick: Tenuta Fanti
Trending
Champagne José Michel
Stonestreet Chard & Tenuta di Arceno
Vinopolis Super Subscriber Sales Continue
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Olivier Bernstein Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($869.95) Was $779, Now $645 Super Subscriber Special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “($865) Expressive, even flamboyant, this red features red and black cherry, sandalwood, stony mineral, earth and spice flavors. Larger than life, with a boisterous personality, yet there’s no denying the intensity and complexity. Shows superb structure and length. Best from 2023 through 2046. From France.”-B.S.
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93-96 points “(Bernstein works with two strips of vines that extend from the bottom to the top of the cru on the Chambolle side, thus giving him both red and white soil influences): Healthy dark red with ruby suggestions. Reticent, pure aromas of musky raspberry, spices and rocky minerality, lifted by a floral topnote. Boasts terrific precision and inner-mouth mineral grip but this is youthfully imploded today and less accessible than the Clos de la Roche, with a touch of peppery stems contributing to the impression of tension. The very long, building finish stimulates the salivary glands, leaving behind notes of black and white pepper in the empty glass. This wine, too, should be long-lived. Bernstein vinified in 2016 with an average of 50% whole clusters but this one was more like two-thirds.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $748
Olivier Bernstein Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($729.95) Was $649, Now $619 Super Subscriber Special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “($725) Boysenberry, plum, black cherry, earth and underbrush flavors are allied to an opulent texture and muscular structure in this beefy red. Impressive, but will need time for all the components to fall into place. Offers big tannic grip on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2047. From France.”-B.S.
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93-95 points “(the fruit Bernstein buys comes from lower down in this grand cru, where vine yields are always around 30 hectoliters per hectare, and thus he didn’t notice “a clear reduction in production” in 2016): Bright, dark red. Musky raspberry, spicy underbrush and flowers on the expressive, terroir-driven nose. At once thick and sappy, conveying outstanding subtle intensity to its flavors of bitter cherry, spices and minerals. Finishes with very fine-grained tannins. This elegant young Clos de la Roche really dances on the palate. It should evolve positively in bottle for a long time.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $659
Olivier Bernstein Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($349.95) Was $299, Now $259 Super Subscriber Special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Pure aromas and flavors of currant, cherry and violet are shaded by the sweet smoke of burning vine cuttings and graphite in this intense red. Shows tension and a solid structure that remains long, while earth, tobacco and mineral elements linger. Best from 2023 through 2042.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $330
Olivier Bernstein Les Champeaux, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($319.95) Was $299, Now $279 Super Subscriber Special, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92-94 points “(the crop level here was 35 hectoliters per hectare): Medium red. Complex, alluring scents of raspberry, animal fur and pepper. A step up in finesse of texture from the village Gevrey, but still with terrific nuance and inner-mouth lift to its youthfully tight flavors of raspberry, crushed rock and flowers. The energetic yet edge-free finish is juicy, palate-cleansing and very subtle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $334
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Oriane Rouge, Loire 2015 750ML ($59.95) Was $45, Now $39 Super Subscriber Special, 29 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Boulay makes tiny amounts of still red Pinot Noir from these same vineyards as the rose, which are 35-40 year old Pinot Noir vines located on the steep hillsides in front of the his home in Chavignol. Aged in used 300-liter casks.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price for any vintage!
Georg Breuer Rauenthal Nonnenberg Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2015 750ML ($89.95) Was $79, Now $69 Super Subscriber Special, 7 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 95 points “This offers a superb even if still slightly backward nose of yellow peach, grapefruit puree, pear, aniseed herbs and earthy spices. The wine is hugely impressive even if on the reserved side of things on the palate as minerals, some pear and citrusy fruits only wait to integrate in a few years’ time. The finish, while completely backward, is just heaven, with great freshness, mineral depth and huge precision. This is a stunning Nonnenberg in the making! 2025-2035+”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price for any vintage!
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Super Subscriber Special, 23 bottles in stock now
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2015 1.5L ($269.95) Was $219, Now $199 Super Subscriber Special, 2 magnums in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “The Brovia 2015 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione (the last wine I tasted in this series of cru expressions) opens to the darkest color of this series, with a firm core of black fruit. This wine is silky and satiny in terms of texture—one of the trademarks of this sandy-soil cru in Castiglione Falletto—but don’t underestimate that structural firmness that holds it tightly together. It would take nicely to veal involtini with asparagus.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Brovia’s flagship 2015 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a decidedly full-bodied wine. The richness of this warm vintage comes through loud and clear in an ample, resonant Barolo endowed with serious textural depth. Lifted floral and spice notes add an attractive upper register as the 2015 starts to open up in the glass. Even so, the Rocche stands out for its volume and sheer size, both of which are unusual for this Castiglione Falletto site, where the wines tend to be more lithe. The Rocche appears to be the Barolo most shaped by the growing season in this range.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
The average price for the 750ml is $111
Villa Cafaggio Basilica del Cortaccio Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) Was $33, Now $27 Super Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “From a special 4.2-hectare plot of Cabernet Sauvignon in Panzano in Chianti, the 2015 Basilica del Cortaccio is very true to this French grape. The wine’s appearance is darkly saturated and rich, with little light breaking through. The bouquet offers full-force black fruit with shadings of spice and cedar. The wine’s Tuscan side is also very apparent thanks to those Mediterranean aromas of summer cherry and Italian rosemary and dried oregano. The tannins are soft and well-integrated into the thick fiber of this medium to full-bodied Tuscan red. Open it alongside a tomato and basil tortellini. Some 25,000 bottles were made. Cafaggio farms 30 hectares of vines in Panzano positioned at an ideal 350 to 420 meters above sea level. The estate completed its conversion to organic farming in 2017.”
Herbert Beaufort Carte d’Or Tradition Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33 Super Subscriber Special, 34 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 91 points “The NV Champagne Brut Grand Cru Carte d’Or (90/10 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) is a fine, elegant, impressive Champagne that offers notable richness in its ripe orchard fruits, brioche, yeast and spice-laced aromas and flavors. With an impressive mix of both elegance and power, it’s drinking beautifully today but is going to evolve gracefully for at least 4-5 years.”
2017-base, disgorged in 2020. Sustainably farmed from vines averaging 45 years of age.
Weygandt-Metzler Importer note “10% Reserve wine aged in five-year-old 600L oak barrels 30% aged in stainless steel tank and 60% from that year’s harvest. Direct pressing and clarification of must, temperature controlled alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation blocked and dosage is kept to a minimum, being close to Extra Brut. The predominance of the Pinot Noir grapes gives this Champagne body and strength. The color is pale gold and the bubbles are elegant.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “From a special 4.2-hectare plot of Cabernet Sauvignon in Panzano in Chianti, the 2015 Basilica del Cortaccio is very true to this French grape. The wine’s appearance is darkly saturated and rich, with little light breaking through. The bouquet offers full-force black fruit with shadings of spice and cedar. The wine’s Tuscan side is also very apparent thanks to those Mediterranean aromas of summer cherry and Italian rosemary and dried oregano. The tannins are soft and well-integrated into the thick fiber of this medium to full-bodied Tuscan red. Open it alongside a tomato and basil tortellini. Some 25,000 bottles were made. Cafaggio farms 30 hectares of vines in Panzano positioned at an ideal 350 to 420 meters above sea level. The estate completed its conversion to organic farming in 2017.”
Herbert Beaufort Carte d’Or Tradition Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $33 Super Subscriber Special, 34 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 91 points “The NV Champagne Brut Grand Cru Carte d’Or (90/10 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) is a fine, elegant, impressive Champagne that offers notable richness in its ripe orchard fruits, brioche, yeast and spice-laced aromas and flavors. With an impressive mix of both elegance and power, it’s drinking beautifully today but is going to evolve gracefully for at least 4-5 years.”
2017-base, disgorged in 2020. Sustainably farmed from vines averaging 45 years of age.
Weygandt-Metzler Importer note “10% Reserve wine aged in five-year-old 600L oak barrels 30% aged in stainless steel tank and 60% from that year’s harvest. Direct pressing and clarification of must, temperature controlled alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation blocked and dosage is kept to a minimum, being close to Extra Brut. The predominance of the Pinot Noir grapes gives this Champagne body and strength. The color is pale gold and the bubbles are elegant.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
Olivier Bernstein Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($869.95) Was $779, Now $645 Super Subscriber Special, 4 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 97 points “($865) Expressive, even flamboyant, this red features red and black cherry, sandalwood, stony mineral, earth and spice flavors. Larger than life, with a boisterous personality, yet there’s no denying the intensity and complexity. Shows superb structure and length. Best from 2023 through 2046. From France.”-B.S.
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93-96 points “(Bernstein works with two strips of vines that extend from the bottom to the top of the cru on the Chambolle side, thus giving him both red and white soil influences): Healthy dark red with ruby suggestions. Reticent, pure aromas of musky raspberry, spices and rocky minerality, lifted by a floral topnote. Boasts terrific precision and inner-mouth mineral grip but this is youthfully imploded today and less accessible than the Clos de la Roche, with a touch of peppery stems contributing to the impression of tension. The very long, building finish stimulates the salivary glands, leaving behind notes of black and white pepper in the empty glass. This wine, too, should be long-lived. Bernstein vinified in 2016 with an average of 50% whole clusters but this one was more like two-thirds.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $748
Olivier Bernstein Clos de la Roche Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2016 750ML ($729.95) Was $649, Now $619 Super Subscriber Special, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “($725) Boysenberry, plum, black cherry, earth and underbrush flavors are allied to an opulent texture and muscular structure in this beefy red. Impressive, but will need time for all the components to fall into place. Offers big tannic grip on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2047. From France.”-B.S.
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 93-95 points “(the fruit Bernstein buys comes from lower down in this grand cru, where vine yields are always around 30 hectoliters per hectare, and thus he didn’t notice “a clear reduction in production” in 2016): Bright, dark red. Musky raspberry, spicy underbrush and flowers on the expressive, terroir-driven nose. At once thick and sappy, conveying outstanding subtle intensity to its flavors of bitter cherry, spices and minerals. Finishes with very fine-grained tannins. This elegant young Clos de la Roche really dances on the palate. It should evolve positively in bottle for a long time.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $659
Olivier Bernstein Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($349.95) Was $299, Now $259 Super Subscriber Special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Pure aromas and flavors of currant, cherry and violet are shaded by the sweet smoke of burning vine cuttings and graphite in this intense red. Shows tension and a solid structure that remains long, while earth, tobacco and mineral elements linger. Best from 2023 through 2042.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $330
Olivier Bernstein Les Champeaux, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru 2016 750ML ($319.95) Was $299, Now $279 Super Subscriber Special, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephen Tanzer-Vinous 92-94 points “(the crop level here was 35 hectoliters per hectare): Medium red. Complex, alluring scents of raspberry, animal fur and pepper. A step up in finesse of texture from the village Gevrey, but still with terrific nuance and inner-mouth lift to its youthfully tight flavors of raspberry, crushed rock and flowers. The energetic yet edge-free finish is juicy, palate-cleansing and very subtle.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $334
Gerard Boulay Sancerre Oriane Rouge, Loire 2015 750ML ($59.95) Was $45, Now $39 Super Subscriber Special, 29 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Boulay makes tiny amounts of still red Pinot Noir from these same vineyards as the rose, which are 35-40 year old Pinot Noir vines located on the steep hillsides in front of the his home in Chavignol. Aged in used 300-liter casks.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price for any vintage!
Georg Breuer Rauenthal Nonnenberg Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2015 750ML ($89.95) Was $79, Now $69 Super Subscriber Special, 7 bottles in stock now
Mosel Fine Wines 95 points “This offers a superb even if still slightly backward nose of yellow peach, grapefruit puree, pear, aniseed herbs and earthy spices. The wine is hugely impressive even if on the reserved side of things on the palate as minerals, some pear and citrusy fruits only wait to integrate in a few years’ time. The finish, while completely backward, is just heaven, with great freshness, mineral depth and huge precision. This is a stunning Nonnenberg in the making! 2025-2035+”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price for any vintage!
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89 Super Subscriber Special, 23 bottles in stock now
Brovia Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2015 1.5L ($269.95) Was $219, Now $199 Super Subscriber Special, 2 magnums in stock now
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “The Brovia 2015 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione (the last wine I tasted in this series of cru expressions) opens to the darkest color of this series, with a firm core of black fruit. This wine is silky and satiny in terms of texture—one of the trademarks of this sandy-soil cru in Castiglione Falletto—but don’t underestimate that structural firmness that holds it tightly together. It would take nicely to veal involtini with asparagus.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Brovia’s flagship 2015 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a decidedly full-bodied wine. The richness of this warm vintage comes through loud and clear in an ample, resonant Barolo endowed with serious textural depth. Lifted floral and spice notes add an attractive upper register as the 2015 starts to open up in the glass. Even so, the Rocche stands out for its volume and sheer size, both of which are unusual for this Castiglione Falletto site, where the wines tend to be more lithe. The Rocche appears to be the Barolo most shaped by the growing season in this range.”
These are the lowest listed prices in the USA today!
The average price for the 750ml is $111
New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon
Back in stock!
Cameron Winery Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special
VinopolNote: One of the greatest bargains in Oregon Chardonnay out there. Barrel-fermented, which imparts a kiss of vanilla and new oak to the apple- and green pear-driven palate. A refreshing mineral note on the finish keeps you coming back for more.
Super sale on a beautifully detailed Chardonnay that perfectly combines balance and richness.
Brick House Vineyards ‘Cascadia’ Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($37.95) $28 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Translucent yellow. A highly perfumed, mineral-tinged bouquet evokes fresh citrus and orchard fruits, saffron, buttered toast and white flowers, and a hint of fennel comes up with air. Shows sharp delineation to the vibrant tangerine, Anjou pear, sweet butter and anise flavors, which tighten up slowly on the back half. Powerful yet graceful and fine-grained, displaying superb focus and back-end lift on an impressively long finish that features resonating floral and mineral flourishes.”
Back in stock!
Cameron Winery Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 specialVinopolNote: One of the greatest bargains in Oregon Chardonnay out there. Barrel-fermented, which imparts a kiss of vanilla and new oak to the apple- and green pear-driven palate. A refreshing mineral note on the finish keeps you coming back for more.
Super sale on a beautifully detailed Chardonnay that perfectly combines balance and richness.
Brick House Vineyards ‘Cascadia’ Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2017 750ML ($37.95) $28 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Translucent yellow. A highly perfumed, mineral-tinged bouquet evokes fresh citrus and orchard fruits, saffron, buttered toast and white flowers, and a hint of fennel comes up with air. Shows sharp delineation to the vibrant tangerine, Anjou pear, sweet butter and anise flavors, which tighten up slowly on the back half. Powerful yet graceful and fine-grained, displaying superb focus and back-end lift on an impressively long finish that features resonating floral and mineral flourishes.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $36.89
The average price is $40
Maggy Hawk Jory Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($69.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Pinot Noir Jory Hills Vineyard is an extroverted, luscious Pinot loaded with character. Black cherry, plum, lavender and spice come together in a bold, creamy Pinot endowed with plenty of richness and exuberance. The Jory Hills, from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, is a bit out of place in [this tasting report on] Anderson Valley Pinots, but it is undeniably impressive.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $65.70
France – Champagne
One of Champagne’s best known houses (and one of our best-selling Champagnes) for a reason. Full bodied & full-flavored with pristine poise.
Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $54.50 special
Case-6 Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($419.95) $312 special (that’s only $52/bottle!)
Decanter 96 points “[Reviewed May 2020] 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier sourced from more than 300 crus, including 85% grands and premiers crus; 15% fermented in old oak barrels. The complexity and richness of Special Cuvée is unparalleled among the entry non-vintage blends of every Champagne house, short of ascending to the mesosphere of Krug. Its grand recipe explains why, built on incredible depth of 50%-60% reserves. Triumphant complexity is a given at Bollinger, but it’s the dynamic freshness and vitality that really set it apart as one of the most affordable Champagne benchmarks.”
L1908002
Pol Roger Cuvee Sir Winston Churchill Brut, Champagne 2009 750ML ($279.95) $249 special, only 6 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. As always, this Pinot Noir-dominated Champagne is a great wine. In this vintage, it is fuller than usual, perhaps less structured—a true reflection of the vintage. Like all releases of this cuvée, the wine will age magnificently. Drink now or hold for at least 10 years to get full maturity. -Roger Voss”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Pol Roger’s 2009 Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill has turned out very well, offering up a demonstrative bouquet of golden apples, clear honey, hazelnuts and fresh pastry that’s still quite primary. Full-bodied, fleshy and textural, it’s deep and concentrated, with an ample core of fruit, ripe but racy acids, a pinpoint mousse and a long, penetrating finish. This is an expressive, deceptively immediate rendition of this bottling, yet despite its charm out of the gates, readers willing to wait at least five years will be rewarded with significant additional complexity.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A seamless Champagne, lithe with fresh, finely knit acidity, and showing beautiful integration, with a rich vein of smoky minerality underscoring flavors of black cherry, toast, preserved lemon and pickled ginger. There’s power and focus here, but this bubbly highlights the grace and accessibility that 2009 can offer even on release. Drink now through 2034. 500 cases imported. —AN”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Brut Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill is a heady, explosive Champagne. Ample and deep, the Churchill is so expressive today. Apricot, tangerine oil, mint, baked apple tart and spice all flesh out. I would give the 2009 at least a year or two in bottle, as it is a bit tight at this stage. Even so, time in the glass brings out a feeling of raw power that is impossible to miss.”
Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Alexandra Rose, Champagne 1990 750ML ($699.95) $599 special, only 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Beautifully done. Vigorous and almost chewy, this intense, full-bodied rosé exudes mint, berry and wood aromas and flavors. Muscular and dense, with a character that engages the palate and needs contemplation or food.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “It’s a pale wine, on the rose side of gold, a beautiful visual introduction to a stunning wine. The strawberry flavors are wrapped in a silvery texture, crisply dry, and despite the intensity of fruit, the wine seems weightless on the palate. It’s gorgeous now, but, amazingly, just a baby. It’s long-term future is assured. Twenty years from now, this will be heavenly.”
Robert Parker 94 points “This wine was recommended, but no tasting note was given.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
France – Burgundy
Henri Boillot is an undisputed top producer of white Burgundy, vinifying wine after wine that turns heads and captures hearts. Rich, bold, textured and complex, with minerality to spare, these wines are the quintessence of white Burgundy for many. The first of our allocation of 2018s arrive this Friday and we are excited to feature them again to you today.
2018 already seems poised to be a legendary year in the Côte d’Or, inviting comparisons to 1947 (by Phillipe Pacalet, nonetheless!) and other vintages in the same suit (2005, etc). 2018 was a hot, relatively easy year and producers could pick without fear—there was barely any use for the sorting tables. Boillot seems to excel in these warm vintages and his whites offer richness with minerality, with good density and the balance to age.
As you’d expect given Boillot’s stature, quantities are limited, but they will be wonderful for the lucky few that get their hands on these wines.
Domaine Henri Boillot Meursault, Côte de Beaune 2018 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points “Aromas of pear, green apple, white flowers, fresh pastry and toasted hazelnuts introduce the 2018 Meursault Village, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive wine that’s chalky and structured, showing real depth and tension. As usual, it’s a blend of superior lieux-dits, including Narvaux, En la Barre, Limuzin and Clos du Cromin.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Genevrières, Meursault Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Genevrières reveals aromas of crisp green orchard fruit, peach, spring blossom, honeycomb and praline, followed by a medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated palate that’s chalky and structured, built around lively acids and appreciable dry extract.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Poruzots, Meursault Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Aromas of orange oil, fresh pear, almond paste, warm pastry and beeswax introduce the 2018 Meursault 1er Cru Les Poruzots, a medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional wine that’s concentrated, racy and beautifully defined, concluding with terrific back-end grip.”
Domaine Henri Boillot Les Perrières, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Aromas of citrus oil, white flowers, blanched almonds and crushed chalk preface the 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrières, a medium to full-bodied, racy and incisive wine that’s chalky and tensile, with lively acids and a saline finish. This has turned out very well indeed.”
Domaine Henri Boillot Clos de la Mouchere Monopole, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 95 points “Boillot’s emblematic 2018 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchère has turned out brilliantly, wafting from the glass with aromas of pear, hazelnut, dried white flowers, citrus oil, blanched almonds and smoke. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with terrific concentration, searing levels of extract and a long, mineral finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $166
Italy – Piedmont
Ferdinando Principiano Ravera di Monforte, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Cellar Selection. Menthol, new leather, pressed rose and forest berry aromas shape the enticing nose on this knockout red. Thoroughly delicious, the captivating, focused palate doles out succulent Marasca cherry, raspberry compote, truffle and tobacco while a minty note lingers on the long finish. Firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide beautiful balance and ageworthy structure. Drink 2024–2041.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Noah Bramaterra, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Bramaterra is rich and explosive in the glass. Blood orange, chalk, mint, white pepper and macerated cherry are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop in the glass. There is something incredibly wild and untamed about the 2015 that is so incredibly enticing. In the glass, the 2015 is deep, powerful and built for the long-haul. It is a wine of tremendous character and breeding.”
Italy – Other
Vie di Romans Dessimis Pinot Grigio Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2018 750ML ($33.95) $29 special
James Suckling 96 points “Beautiful rose-gold color with lots of ripe pear, golden apple, mango and pineapple on the nose. Hint of honey. It’s full-bodied and creamy on the palate with toasted almonds alongside tropical fruit. Smoky minerality, too. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $32
Donnafugata Sherazade Nerol d’Avola Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 91 points “Bright deep red. Very perfumed and precise nose of violets, black cherry and delicate herbs. Then juicy and fresh, with outstanding sugar-acid-tannin balance on the crisp, long and lively finish. Delicious, lovely medium-bodied, very fresh red that can take a little chilling. Maybe the best Sherazade ever.”
James Suckling 91 points “A nero d’avola with a light, fresh edge, revealing sour cherries and raspberry cheesecake with a touch of citrus. Very taut and edgy, almost tart, on the palate, but there’s undeniable transparency and depth. Medium-bodied and medium-chewy. Drink now.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 90 points “Aromas of mature dark-skinned berry and Mediterranean scrub lead the nose on this 100% Nero d’Avola. The bright palate delivers blackberry jam, star anise and white pepper alongside pliant tannins.”
Germany
“The first Rieslings of the very dry and warm as well as early 2018 vintage are also promising and stunningly precise and elegant due to the conditions of the vintage that brought nothing but perfectly ripe and healthy grapes. Leitz pressed the grapes in fractions, so he was able to keep the acidity fine and fresh even though it is naturally lower than in 2017… Doubtlessly, Leitz is one of the region’s best Riesling producers. Having said that, he is also one of the best Riesling ambassadors in the wine world, with regular tastings in the US as well as in Norway, two of his most important export markets.” Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate. Leitz is certified sustainable by Fair ‘N Green
Weingut Leitz Rudesheimer Riesling Trocken, Rheingau 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2018 Rüdesheimer Riesling Trocken offers a beautiful bouquet that intertwines the crystalline and slightly smoky/herbal terroir aromas of Rüdesheim with perfectly ripe and elegant Riesling aromas. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, fresh, lush and elegant yet precise, salty-crystalline and piquant Riesling whose long and intense, well-balanced and concentrated finish balances the 13% alcohol with great ease. This 2018 reveals exceptional purity, tension and finesse as well as complexity and persistent expression. Leitz’s 2018 Rüdesheimer “GGs” will be released later this year, but his Rüdesheimer village wine is more than just a small consolation. It’s pretty spectacular! Tasted from AP 12 19.”
Importer note “Whereas Eins Zwei Dry is the “estate” dry riesling, the Rüdesheimer is the “village- level” dry wine for Leitz. The fruit is sourced entirely from Drachenstein—a Grosse Lage parcel at the height of the Rüdesheimer Berg. This wine is declassified and serves to bridge the entry level Eins Zwei Dry to the single vineyard wines. Dynamic and graceful, this is a smashing deal for grand cru fruit!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Leitz Riesling Feinherb QbA, Rheingau 2019 750ML ($18.95) $15.50 special
Importer note “This is essentially the off-dry counterpart to the Eins Zwei Dry. This is a super-delicious, entry-level feinherb style riesling that has crisp acidity, juicy aromatics and is dangerously drinkable. A ridiculously great value!”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Leitz Rudesheimer Klosterlay Riesling Kabinett, Rheingau 2018 750ML ($29.95) $20.90 special
Importer note “‘Lay’ is a very old word meaning slate and “Kloster” is the German translation of Abbey. The Klosterlay sits beneath the Benedictine Abbey of St. Hildegard, above the eastern edge of the village. Here, the Rüdesheimer Berg begins to gently undulate as it levels out toward the village of Geisenheim. Josi believes this site is destined for a fruity style and therefore always makes Kabinett from this vineyard.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Weingut Leitz Rudesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Importer note “Further east and upstream of the Klosterlay is the Magdalenenkreuz. The name translates to “the cross of Mary Magdalene,” named after a red sandstone cross that can be found amongst the vines. Here the soils are comprised of sandy loam—fatter and ideal for ripe expression; the riesling grown here is always textured, opulent and forward. Though the wine is of Spätlese quality it perceivably drinks more like a Kabinett.”
Winery note “The vineyard “Rüdesheimer Magdalenenkreuz” is located to the east of our town where you will find the gentle hills with profound loess and loam soils, good content of chalk that secure even in hot years a sufficient water supply. The vines are bearing enduring and fruitful wines. The Magdalenenkreuz Spätlese has a savoury nose with fruity hints of ripe apples and pear; as well as an exotic trace of grapefruit, orange and quince.The perception of taste creates in conjunction with the exceptional play of fruit and acidity a very unique exaltation and withal an intense finish.Beside these expressive scents of fruit, subtle mineral hints are joining this sappy Riesling-variation. The Spätlese shows how simple a Riesling is able to compete with substantial dishes and offers a wealth of possible combinations. We enjoy this wine with Curry, peach slices, with a condimental Biryani-chicken, or on its own with dark chocolate.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Portugal – Port
Fonseca Vintage Port, Portugal 1985 750ML ($149.59) $119 special, only 12 bottles available!
Wine Spectator 95 points “A hard, take-no-prisoners Port, extremely powerful and still closed when last tasted. Deep inky color, with concentrated blackberry and raisin aromas, full-bodied, with massive raisin flavors, a superb backbone and a very long finish.”
Staff Pick: Tenuta Fanti
Andy:
When there is such an embarrassment of riches in our Italian section, there are producers I often pass over or fly under the radar. It’s a great problem to have, but I feel like there’s a disservice paid to a producer like Tenuta Fanti. Fanti has always been a steady label; I’ve never been disappointed, but also have never had my socks knocked off. All streaks must come to an end, I suppose, and so it is with the 2015 BdM. I saw a particularly ebullient review, which I usually take with a grain of salt, stating that this was their “best ever.” He might be right. The fruit, herbs, good acidity and firm but polished tannins is almost perfectly balanced. It’s a little heady with alcohol but not out of proportion. It’s just a lovely Brunello, and at $33 it is a well-priced bottle for a more substantial meal. The Rosso, at $19, is your pizza wine. Very good introduction to Fanti, though you wouldn’t be seeing the full picture that proper aging would give you. Both are well worth it if you’re looking for a little more stuffing.
Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 18 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink in 2022.”
When there is such an embarrassment of riches in our Italian section, there are producers I often pass over or fly under the radar. It’s a great problem to have, but I feel like there’s a disservice paid to a producer like Tenuta Fanti. Fanti has always been a steady label; I’ve never been disappointed, but also have never had my socks knocked off. All streaks must come to an end, I suppose, and so it is with the 2015 BdM. I saw a particularly ebullient review, which I usually take with a grain of salt, stating that this was their “best ever.” He might be right. The fruit, herbs, good acidity and firm but polished tannins is almost perfectly balanced. It’s a little heady with alcohol but not out of proportion. It’s just a lovely Brunello, and at $33 it is a well-priced bottle for a more substantial meal. The Rosso, at $19, is your pizza wine. Very good introduction to Fanti, though you wouldn’t be seeing the full picture that proper aging would give you. Both are well worth it if you’re looking for a little more stuffing.
Tenuta Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 18 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “There’s a beautiful interplay between bright, primary florals, such as rose petals and tulips and dust, hay bale and dried raspberries. The palate suggests a ripe, powerful persona with chewy, juicy tannins and a fine line of pretty acidity. Best ever. Drink in 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $44
Tenuta Fanti Rosso di Montalcino, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 89 points “The extroverted 2018 Fanti Rosso di Montalcino is showing masses of ripe strawberry, sweet spices and exotic florals with grounding notes of worn leather and hints of undergrowth. Silky textures meld into tart red berries with a peppery-herbal twist, in a soft and easygoing effort that’s energized by bright acids that only come forward toward the finale. A mix of red fruits resonate on the finish, along with wild herbs and florals, punctuating the experience on a Rosso that is very easy to like.”
Trending
Deep and concentrated. This wine pulls at you. It’s no surprise that John Paul announced to us that it is his favorite wine of the vintage. He referred to it as basically the Julia bottling, but with some Clos Electrique added. Just as this site shares the vineyard material with the estate vineyard, it also includes a barrel of Clos Electrique this year…
Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($319.95) $275 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Winery Note “Arley’s leap harkens from a block of Pinot noir planted in 1990 at Abbey Ridge Vineyard. The eponymous hero was Bill and Julia Wayne’s old dog Arley, who survived a jump from a second story balcony when startled by a cat.”
Chateau La Bastienne, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Chateau La Bastienne, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($199.95) $124 special (that’s only $20.67/bottle!)
Case-12 Chateau La Bastienne, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($399.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points “Very rich blackberry and vibrant fruit aromas in the mulberry and dark-plum spectrum with a concentrated palate that offers a very fleshy and attractive set of supple fruit, framed in ripe, sturdy tannins. Try from 2022.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2016 La Bastienne is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and features fragrant roses, oolong tea and baking spices scents with touches of warm plums, black cherries and raspberry pie. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with expressive red berry and floral layers with a fine-grained frame and long, lively finish.
Delas makes some of the most powerful, intense wines in the Northern Rhone at prices that make them one of the superior values in the region. Density and richness are a hallmark—there are no shrinking violets in the lineup. Star Champagne house Louis Roederer owns Delas and has been pushing the quality upwards each year. For whatever reason, the market has yet to catch up to the quality coming out of Delas’ cellar. The Northern Rhone has turned into one of the hottest markets in the wine world, with many wineries getting expensive overnight. That hasn’t happened to Delas—yet.
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($44.95) Was $36, Now $28 Super Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $156 Super Subscriber Special (that’s only $26/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Inky and concentrated, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon is no easy-drinking Saint-Joseph. It’s smoky, herbal and ashy all at once, yet it’s buoyed by ample black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity. This medium to full-bodied Syrah has plenty of tannins, but they’re ultimately silky and most apparent on the long, licorice-tinged finish. This is approachable now but should be even better in 3 years and should drink well for at least another 10 after that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Both Saint Joseph releases are brilliant in 2015. The 2015 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes vines around Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion, and is always destemmed and aged in 30% new barrels. This full-bodied, rounded, sexy beauty shows the power and fruit of the vintage. With classic notes of black and blue fruits, violets, incense and pepper, drink this textured, expansive, terrific Saint Joseph over the coming 10-15 years.”
A VinopolPick favorite!
Mas Alta Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Case-12 Mas Alta Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($299.95) $228 special (that’s only $19/bottle!)
Importer note “Eric Solomon, Bixente Oçafrain and Philippe Cambie collaborate in the creation of Black Slate La Vilella Alta by selecting Garnacha and Carinyena grown on both licorella and clay limestone soils. A blend of old and young-vine fruit and with a small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, La Vilella Alta is a dense and intensively flavored wine that is fermented in tank and aged in French oak barrels of which 30% are new.”
Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($319.95) $275 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Winery Note “Arley’s leap harkens from a block of Pinot noir planted in 1990 at Abbey Ridge Vineyard. The eponymous hero was Bill and Julia Wayne’s old dog Arley, who survived a jump from a second story balcony when startled by a cat.”
Chateau La Bastienne, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Chateau La Bastienne, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($199.95) $124 special (that’s only $20.67/bottle!)
Case-12 Chateau La Bastienne, Montagne-Saint-Emilion 2016 750ML ($399.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
James Suckling 93 points “Very rich blackberry and vibrant fruit aromas in the mulberry and dark-plum spectrum with a concentrated palate that offers a very fleshy and attractive set of supple fruit, framed in ripe, sturdy tannins. Try from 2022.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2016 La Bastienne is medium to deep garnet-purple colored and features fragrant roses, oolong tea and baking spices scents with touches of warm plums, black cherries and raspberry pie. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with expressive red berry and floral layers with a fine-grained frame and long, lively finish.
Delas makes some of the most powerful, intense wines in the Northern Rhone at prices that make them one of the superior values in the region. Density and richness are a hallmark—there are no shrinking violets in the lineup. Star Champagne house Louis Roederer owns Delas and has been pushing the quality upwards each year. For whatever reason, the market has yet to catch up to the quality coming out of Delas’ cellar. The Northern Rhone has turned into one of the hottest markets in the wine world, with many wineries getting expensive overnight. That hasn’t happened to Delas—yet.
Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($44.95) Was $36, Now $28 Super Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Delas Freres Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhone 2015 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $156 Super Subscriber Special (that’s only $26/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Inky and concentrated, the 2015 Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon is no easy-drinking Saint-Joseph. It’s smoky, herbal and ashy all at once, yet it’s buoyed by ample black cherry fruit and vibrant acidity. This medium to full-bodied Syrah has plenty of tannins, but they’re ultimately silky and most apparent on the long, licorice-tinged finish. This is approachable now but should be even better in 3 years and should drink well for at least another 10 after that.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Both Saint Joseph releases are brilliant in 2015. The 2015 Saint Joseph François De Tournon comes vines around Tournon, Mauves, Saint-Jean-de-Muzols, and Vion, and is always destemmed and aged in 30% new barrels. This full-bodied, rounded, sexy beauty shows the power and fruit of the vintage. With classic notes of black and blue fruits, violets, incense and pepper, drink this textured, expansive, terrific Saint Joseph over the coming 10-15 years.”
A VinopolPick favorite!
Mas Alta Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Case-12 Mas Alta Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($299.95) $228 special (that’s only $19/bottle!)
Importer note “Eric Solomon, Bixente Oçafrain and Philippe Cambie collaborate in the creation of Black Slate La Vilella Alta by selecting Garnacha and Carinyena grown on both licorella and clay limestone soils. A blend of old and young-vine fruit and with a small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, La Vilella Alta is a dense and intensively flavored wine that is fermented in tank and aged in French oak barrels of which 30% are new.”
Champagne José Michel
Importer note “José Michel made his first vintage in 1955 and thanks in part to his cellar of very old bottles of Pinot Meunier, he has developed a cult following for his Champagnes. This ‘Maison de Tradition’ began in 1847 and five generations later, José and Nicole carry forward a wonderfully artisanal sensibility to their craft. They are a founding member of the group, ‘Tresors de Champagne’ known as the ‘Special Club’. José Michel is located in Moussy, a small village just south of Epernay. The 11 hectares of vineyards are spread throughout a number of villages, mostly along the Cotes D’Epernay. The vineyard sights with a richer clay soil are planted to Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The lower slopes which have a calcareous soil are planted to Chardonnay. José Michel was the first in his family to plant Chardonnay which he did beginning in 1958. Fermentations are carried out in old oak casks or enameled steel vats and the wines go through a malolactic fermentation. José Michel is certified ‘Level 3’ the top level of certification in Haute Valeur Environmentale.”
“The two great exceptions that prove the rule about the maturing potential of Pinot Meunier are Krug and José Michel.” – Richard Juhlin, 2000 Champagnes
José Michel & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
José Michel & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($27.95) $19.90 special
Importer note “The non-vintage Brut is a blend in which the 70% Pinot Meunier forms the base and 30% Chardonnay adds complexity and finesse. In addition to the base vintage (typically 2 years old), the NV Brut benefits from being blended with reserve wines that are often 4 or 5 years old. The champagne is typically 2+ years “sur lattes” and carries a dosage of 9 grams.”
“The two great exceptions that prove the rule about the maturing potential of Pinot Meunier are Krug and José Michel.” – Richard Juhlin, 2000 Champagnes
José Michel & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
José Michel & Fils Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($27.95) $19.90 special
Importer note “The non-vintage Brut is a blend in which the 70% Pinot Meunier forms the base and 30% Chardonnay adds complexity and finesse. In addition to the base vintage (typically 2 years old), the NV Brut benefits from being blended with reserve wines that are often 4 or 5 years old. The champagne is typically 2+ years “sur lattes” and carries a dosage of 9 grams.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $41 for the 750ml
A staff favorite from a superb vintage!
Jose Michel & Fils Clos Saint Jean Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Importer note “The Blanc de Blancs is produced in the best vintages. It is made from Chardonnay grown in several of Michel’s best plots that are in and around Moussy. The wine is fermented in stainless steel with an extended period “sur lie”. After the secondary fermentation it rests “sur lattes” for 5 years allowing the Chardonnay qualities to broaden and mature. Dosage is 9 grams. It is a wine of impeccable character, showing both nobility and restraint. It is worthy of cellaring for at least a year after disgorgement.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
José Michel & Fils Special Club Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Importer note “The Club de Viticulteurs is a group of independent Champagne producers who have come together in order to promote the high quality of their work. The José Michel Special Club was chosen by this group as an ambassador of quality and given the right to use the Special Club label and antique bottle. The Special Club is a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier and 60% Chardonnay. The vines are all at least 35+ years old. The champagne is disgorged according to demand and currently has six years on the lees “sur lattes” with dosage carrying just 6.5 grams.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
News Alert!
Stonestreet Chard & Tenuta di Arceno
Arriving Friday, February 5th
Stonestreet Chard & Tenuta di Arceno
Arriving Friday, February 5th
One of our most popular Cali Chards is back at a ridiculously low price!
Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 2016 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 2016 750ML ($179.95) $123 pre-arrival special (that’s only $20.50/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2016 Chardonnay Estate is a terrific introduction to the Stonestreet Chardonnays. Citrus, apricot, mint and a dash of new oak add nuance to this finely cut mountain Chardonnay. The Estate Chardonnay is another wine that delivers serious quality for the money. Silky and textured, the 2016 hits all the right notes. What a gorgeous wine it is.”
Lisa Perrottt-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “Fermented in barrel and aged 11 months in 36% new French oak, the 2016 Chardonnay Estate has a ripe apple, peach blossom, poached pears and nutmeg-scented nose with a waft of beeswax. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is satisfyingly savory with plenty of citrus and mineral accents and a long spicy finish. 6,440 cases produced.”
Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 2016 750ML ($34.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 2016 750ML ($179.95) $123 pre-arrival special (that’s only $20.50/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2016 Chardonnay Estate is a terrific introduction to the Stonestreet Chardonnays. Citrus, apricot, mint and a dash of new oak add nuance to this finely cut mountain Chardonnay. The Estate Chardonnay is another wine that delivers serious quality for the money. Silky and textured, the 2016 hits all the right notes. What a gorgeous wine it is.”
Lisa Perrottt-Brown, Wine Advocate 92 points “Fermented in barrel and aged 11 months in 36% new French oak, the 2016 Chardonnay Estate has a ripe apple, peach blossom, poached pears and nutmeg-scented nose with a waft of beeswax. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is satisfyingly savory with plenty of citrus and mineral accents and a long spicy finish. 6,440 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $33
Tenuta di Arceno (Arcanum) ‘Valadorna’ Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($79.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2013 Valadorna (mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot) is yet another home run in this blockbuster collection of new releases from Tenuta di Arceno in the southern part of Chianti Classico (Castelnuovo Berardegna). This is a firm and tightly knit expression that is packed tight with black fruit, tobacco, tar and dark chocolate. The wine shows enormous aromatic intensity, but then it slims down just a touch in the mouth to offer an elegantly tapered finish.”
James Suckling 94 points “Very intense nose of blackberries, dark chocolate, sandalwood, vanilla, treacle and tar. Full-bodied with plenty of dark fruit, but lots of black-olive undertones and bright acidity keep this fresh, while firm tannins carve out an elegant, polished shape. Drink in 2021.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $56
The average price is $67
Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.