In This Newsletter:
Super Sales Recap:
2014 Produttori Cru Sale
#Trending
LUKE Cabernet:
Great Value from Washington State
Tascante’s Answer to Beaujolais
Gran Reserva from Remelluri
Super Sales Recap
2014 Produttori Cru Sale
The Produttori del Barbaresco is revered for producing classically-styled Barbaresco and Riservas of uncompromising quality and transparency. It’s a miracle that these wines are still affordable and available, especially when compared to the skyrocketing prices of Barolo. You’d be hard-pressed to find such consistent quality and complexity out of such an extensive range of single-vineyard Nebbiolos anywhere else.
We’re offering exclusive discounts to you, our email subscribers, on a number of the outstanding 2014 Riservas—some of the best wines the Produttori has ever made. These already outstanding values are even better on our sale.
Piedmont fans: stock up!
“The 2014 Riservas are dark, potent and built for aging… In many years, this range includes one or two slight underperformers, but in 2014, the wines are superb across the board. Some will drink well earlier than others, of course, but this is one of the most consistently outstanding set of Riservas I can remember tasting here.” –Antonio Galloni
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 1.5L ($199.95) Was $149, Now $125 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “One of the many highlights in this range, the Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is superb. A big enrobing wine, the Montestefano wraps around the palate with stunning depth. Today, the Montestefano is utterly embryonic, and yet it exudes depth, resonance and pure class. The Montestefano is one of the more complete wines in the range because of the way it deftly balances fruit intensity and structure. Readers will have to be patient, though.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Pure cherry flavors permeate the rich flesh of this red, backed by vibrant acidity and fine tannins. Eucalyptus, earth and tar elements add depth as this cruises to a lingering finish. Fine intensity. Best from 2021 through 2040.—B.S.”
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Muncagota’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $59, Now $54.50 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is another of the overachievers in this range. White pepper, bright red cherry, floral notes and mint cut through the fruit in this beautifully vivid, crystalline Barbaresco. There is a level of energy, drive and overall nuance in the 2014 I don’t recall having seen in the past. The 2014 is a terrific Muncagota.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is beautifully polished and bright, with dark berry fruit, ripe cherry, crushed stone and pressed flowers. The wine is compact and firm, and you feel the tannins and power in the mouth. The Muncagota remains slightly more closed in terms of the bouquet, but this will open up with some time.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Lean and taut, this reveals mint, menthol, licorice, orange peel and subtle cherry flavors, all underscored by assertive tannins and lively acidity. An austere style, this will need time to come around. Best from 2023 through 2042.—B.S.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $66
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($89.95) Was $65, Now $58 Subscriber Special
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 1.5L ($189.95) Was $139, Now $133 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is bright and piercing, as it so often is, and yet it also has more than enough fruit to fill out its mid-weight, energetic frame. Pine, mint, crushed rocks and sweet red plum build into the huge, piercing finish. The Ovello is another wine in this range that demands patience. Even in the early going it is super impressive. The 2014 s an unusually dense, packed Ovello. It should be terrific in another few years’ time.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “Always one of my favorite wines from Produttori del Barbaresco, the 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello lays out a broad and soft mouthfeel, with tannins that have already been polished and integrated thanks to ample time in the bottle already. It’s safe to say that this Ovello cru loyally demonstrates the level of richness and textural softness that this site is known for. The bouquet is redolent of bright berry fruit with cherry, blackberry and plum. Also, the 2014 vintage was a warm one at the end of the growing season, and you taste a little bit of that ripeness here too.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Balsamic aromas of menthol, wild thyme and juniper complement the black cherry core of this muscular red, with dense tannins lending support. Though a bit more severe now than its peers, this is balanced overall and will age well. Best from 2022 through 2042.—B.S”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
The average listed price is $66
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $59, Now $49 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is a dark, sensual beauty. Deeply spiced and balsamic, with tremendous textural richness, the Pora is utterly beguiling. I can’t remember a Pora with this much depth, textural resonance and brooding intensity. The 2014 needs at least a few years to be at its best, but it is superb even in the early going. I won’t be surprised if the 2014 turns out to be better than this note suggests.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Round and supple, exuding cherry, berry, licorice, eucalyptus and tar flavors. Harmonious and well-built, with a long aftertaste of menthol. Best from 2021 through 2038.—B.S.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $66
Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $65, Now $59 Subscriber Special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo represents a jump forward in structure compared to the other three vineyards (Pora, Pajè and Ovello) that were tasted before this wine. The Riserva Rio Sordo shows a dark and solid personality, with a tight core of black fruit that will relax and unwind with more bottle aging in the cellar. It is also slightly sharper and more focused in terms of mouthfeel, with the kind of tannic tightness you always get with young Nebbiolo in the cooler vintages such as 2014. Barbaresco lovers should jot this one down.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “This red combines a rich, fleshy texture that verges on chewy with a firm structure and cherry, menthol, licorice, spice and mineral flavors. Dense, revealing tension and dusty tannins on the long finish. Shows terrific energy. Best from 2022 through 2042.—B.S.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is the most open-knit and easygoing of these Riservas. Creamy and giving, the Rio Sordo is one of the more available of the Riservas in the early going, an impression that is reinforced by its mid-weight structure. Perfumed floral notes add lift to the dark, red-toned fruit.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
#Trending
Wine Spectator rated the 2016 vintage the best ever from here, even higher than the 2009 which was a Spectator Top 100!
Rocca di Frassinello ‘Le Sughere di Frassinello’ Maremma Toscana, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, only 8 bottles remaining!
Wine Spectator 93 points “SMART BUY. Wild rosemary, thyme and camphor aromas lead off, with concentrated flavors of blackberry and black currant. An iron edge sinks in as this unfolds to the long, staining finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2020 through 2032. 11,000 cases made, 5,500 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Bunan Moulin des Costes Bandol Rose, Provence 2018 750ML ($27.95) Was $24, Now $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
“Hints of crushed stone and lime zest appear on the nose of the 2018 Bandol Rose Moulin des Costes, a blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache. Although only light to medium-bodied, it’s pleasantly silky in texture, with ample length on the refined, elegant finish.” -Wine Advocate
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $26
Newly arrived, a staff favorite!
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2018 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2018 750ML ($319.95) $236 special (that’s only $39.33/bottle!)
Decanter 95 points “The 1.1ha vineyard of Brücke is a monopole of the estate. The vines are planted in loess loam soils over a slate bedrock, and its sheltered location down by the river is perfect for producing spätlese. The 2018 has a ripe green apple character on the nose, joined by notes of white flowers and a touch of honey. The palate is incredibly intense and limey, sweet yet elegant and balanced. It almost appears to be drier than the Leistenberg Kabinett at this early stage, such is its impeccable harmony, absorbing its 85g/l of residual sugar effortlessly. Snap this up when you can, but don’t touch it for a good six years or more. Barrel sample.”
John Gilman 95 points “Long-time fans of the two flagship Spätlesen from the Dönnhoff family are going to have a lot of fun over the coming decades debating the relative merits of these two brilliant wines from 2018! The Brücke Spätlese offers up a brilliant bouquet of apple, passion fruit, tangerine, fruit blossoms, salty slate minerality and a topnote of bee pollen. On the palate the wine is medium-full, very pure and precise, with a great core, dancing acids and a very long, complex and filigreed finish. This has bottomless depth and is extremely light on its feet. 2023-2075.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $49
One of the most magnificent Champagnes produced in history. A groundbreaking, extravagant and biodynamic release.
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Millesime, Champagne 2012 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special, re-arriving Friday, April 17th
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2012 Cristal is another absolutely stellar wine this flight of recent releases. Rich, vinous and beautifully textured, the 2012 has been nothing short of magnificent on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. In the glass, the 2012 is radiant and luscious, yet it possesses remarkable transparency and striking aromatic depth. Light tropical notes develop in the glass, giving the 2012 a real feeling of exotic beauty. The 2012 is the first vintage of Cristal done with 100% organically-farmed fruit, an approach introduced gradually starting with the 2007 that has profoundly changes Cristal, especially in its aromatic breadth. Two thousand twelve is the vintage where endless trials and experiments in farming and winemaking are fully realized. The 2012 is just stunning. It’s as simple as that. Dosage is just over 7 grams per liter, the lowest it has even been for Cristal.”
James Suckling 98 points “Such attractive, fresh, floral aromas here with fine bread, hints of white almonds and a lemon edge. White cherries and strong, chalky minerals, too. The palate has a very composed feel. Seamless and quite silky texture with effortless length and flow. Very fluid and composed. Very late, warming almond flavors. This is very long and smooth with a velvety finish. Super long pinot weight. Resolved and drinkable, but will age so well.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97+ points “Aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream and dried white flowers introduce the 2012 Cristal, a full-bodied, concentrated and powerful wine that’s built for the cellar. Broader, more textural and more muscular than the 2008 Cristal, with seemingly even greater reserves of structuring dry extract, the 2012 is incisive and searingly chalky. This is the first Cristal produced exclusively from organically farmed fruit, and it marks the opening of a new chapter for Louis Roderer. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with 7.5 grams per liter dosage. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once again excelled himself.”
Jancis Robinson 19/20 points “To be launched December 2019 or January 2020. Not affected by the oidium problems experienced elsewhere. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay (the same as 2008). ‘You have to adapt and stay on the blank page. If you try to tick too many boxes, you go in the wrong direction.’ It will be the average age for Cristal launch. It was 2008 that was late. This will be the first 100% biodynamic Cristal. Rich and ripe, like 2002. Pungent nose — straight up the nose. Gorgeous and seductive. Complex and embroidered. Already lovely. 19/20 points.”
LUKE Cabernet:
Great Value from Washington State
Arriving Friday
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Telmo Rondriguez is one of the most talented winemakers in Spain. Internationally trained, he returned to the family estate, Remelluri, and has taken it to new heights. Remelluri is in Rioja Alavesa—the smallest part of Rioja which is known for intense, powerful wines and these are no exception. The soils in their vineyards are exceptionally shallow, creating small berries and greater concentration in the wines and their organic farming and careful cellar work keeps a sense of brightness and energy even in warm vintages.
Remelluri eschews American oak, finding it too overblown, and instead works with only the highest quality French cooperage. No expense is spared, up and down the line, and these wines are special as a result of that. This is a wine that somehow manages the magic trick of being impressive today and capable of aging for decades. This is one of the landmark wines of Spain and deserves a prominent place in any cellar.
In Stock Now:
Remelluri Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Remelluri Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($599.95) $499 special (that’s only $83.17/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “The DNA of Remelluri is here. Wild mountain herb character, structured and firm, these tannins are succulent and deeply expressive. Powerful and assertive red plums, wild cherries and roasting herbs with the oak sitting well. Power and balance. Try from 2021.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94+ points “A blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano, the 2012 Granja Remelluri Gran Reserva represents what they are aiming for with this wine, a classical expression of the place, the quintessence of the vineyards. The select their oldest vineyards and age the wine for a long time, coming back to those early years of a modern Rioja that has now turned into a classic. It has some dusty tannins, with good grip and length. It was bottled in 24,238 bottles after an élevage of 26 months. It has been in bottle since May 2015.”
We offer 86 red wines from Spain in stock now, including this unique and impactful gem:
Fedellos do Couto ‘Bastarda’, Ribeira Sacra 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 95 points “Produced with a mixture of Bastarda/Merenzao/Trousseau grapes from two different subzones of Ribeira Sacra Riberas do Sil and Bibei, the 2016 Bastarda is better than any previous vintage. It fermented with full clusters and matured in a combination of used French oak barrels and concrete vats for seven months. It was really singing when I tasted it, with ethereal notes of rose water, wild herbs and small berries, aromatic, perfumed, elegant and subtle. The palate is as expressive as the nose, with ultra fine tannins and a stony, dry sensation that gives it seriousness and length. This is a stunning expression of the grape. Bravo! 6,500 bottles were filled in June 2017.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $450
We thought we’d sold our last bottle, but managed to secure another twenty, arriving later this month. It’s in a beautiful place right now, but if you want you can age it a bit longer. But, really, this is tasty enough at the moment that it’s going to be hard to keep your hands off it.
Arriving ETA April:
Only 20 bottles available!
Piper-Heidsieck Rare Brut Millesime, Champagne 2002 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “Impeccably balanced and silky, with finely honed acidity shaping the expansive flavors of toasted brioche, crushed blackberry, lemon preserves and honey, revealing hints of Frangelico liqueur and smoked nut. Rich and vivid, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2027. 2,500 cases made.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “A gorgeous wine that’s a legend in the making, the 2002 Rare Brut is a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, with just under 10 grams of dosage. Offering incredible notes of stone fruits, brioche, white flowers, and hints of toasted nuts, this flat out awesome wine is concentrated and opulent, yet still dances on the palate with vibrant acidity and great, great finish. It’s going to drink beautifully for another two to three decades. Bravo! This cuvee has only been made in 1976, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2002, and in 2007.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The pale gold, greenish shimmering 2002 Rare Millesime – 30% Pinot Noir and 70% Chardonnay – offers a very intense and rich, yet fresh nose of exotic fruit aromas of pineapples, mango, kiwi and passion fruit. On the palate, this is a mouthful of luscious Champagne: powerful and intense, but pure and with the complexity of matured wines. The finish is very exotic in its fruit aromas, but also persistently mineral.”
Decanter 95 points “Looks like becoming another legendary Piper in the same style and league as 1988, ’76 and ’55. Already focused and concentrated. Tough acids might scare some but sublime coffee and biscuity complexity is building up slowly. Sensual wine for all occasions.”
John Gilman 95 points “I reported on the 2002 Piper-Heidsieck Rare a year ago and time does not seem to have touched it at all over the last twelve months, for if anything, this particular bottle seemed even younger than last year’s! The wine beautifully synthesizes the ripe fruit of ’02 with great structural integrity and seems likely to drink at its peak for at least another twenty years. The bouquet is a pure, complex blend of apple, white peach, a touch of leesiness, a great base of soil, fresh-baked bread, a touch of citrus peel and an overtly smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and superbly detailed, with a fine core of fruit, elegant mousse, bright acids and excellent backend mineral drive on the long, vibrant and very classy finish. (Drink between 2016-2035).”
Super Sales Recap:
2014 Produttori Cru Sale
#Trending
LUKE Cabernet:
Great Value from Washington State
Tascante’s Answer to Beaujolais
Gran Reserva from Remelluri
Collector’s Corner
Piper-Heidsieck’s Top Wine
Piper-Heidsieck’s Top Wine
Super Sales Recap
2014 Produttori Cru Sale
The Produttori del Barbaresco is revered for producing classically-styled Barbaresco and Riservas of uncompromising quality and transparency. It’s a miracle that these wines are still affordable and available, especially when compared to the skyrocketing prices of Barolo. You’d be hard-pressed to find such consistent quality and complexity out of such an extensive range of single-vineyard Nebbiolos anywhere else.We’re offering exclusive discounts to you, our email subscribers, on a number of the outstanding 2014 Riservas—some of the best wines the Produttori has ever made. These already outstanding values are even better on our sale.
Piedmont fans: stock up!
“The 2014 Riservas are dark, potent and built for aging… In many years, this range includes one or two slight underperformers, but in 2014, the wines are superb across the board. Some will drink well earlier than others, of course, but this is one of the most consistently outstanding set of Riservas I can remember tasting here.” –Antonio Galloni
Ends TONIGHT! (Monday, April 13th at 6 PM Pacific)
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 1.5L ($199.95) Was $149, Now $125 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “One of the many highlights in this range, the Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is superb. A big enrobing wine, the Montestefano wraps around the palate with stunning depth. Today, the Montestefano is utterly embryonic, and yet it exudes depth, resonance and pure class. The Montestefano is one of the more complete wines in the range because of the way it deftly balances fruit intensity and structure. Readers will have to be patient, though.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Pure cherry flavors permeate the rich flesh of this red, backed by vibrant acidity and fine tannins. Eucalyptus, earth and tar elements add depth as this cruises to a lingering finish. Fine intensity. Best from 2021 through 2040.—B.S.”
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Muncagota’, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $59, Now $54.50 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is another of the overachievers in this range. White pepper, bright red cherry, floral notes and mint cut through the fruit in this beautifully vivid, crystalline Barbaresco. There is a level of energy, drive and overall nuance in the 2014 I don’t recall having seen in the past. The 2014 is a terrific Muncagota.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota is beautifully polished and bright, with dark berry fruit, ripe cherry, crushed stone and pressed flowers. The wine is compact and firm, and you feel the tannins and power in the mouth. The Muncagota remains slightly more closed in terms of the bouquet, but this will open up with some time.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Lean and taut, this reveals mint, menthol, licorice, orange peel and subtle cherry flavors, all underscored by assertive tannins and lively acidity. An austere style, this will need time to come around. Best from 2023 through 2042.—B.S.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $66
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($89.95) Was $65, Now $58 Subscriber Special
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 1.5L ($189.95) Was $139, Now $133 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is bright and piercing, as it so often is, and yet it also has more than enough fruit to fill out its mid-weight, energetic frame. Pine, mint, crushed rocks and sweet red plum build into the huge, piercing finish. The Ovello is another wine in this range that demands patience. Even in the early going it is super impressive. The 2014 s an unusually dense, packed Ovello. It should be terrific in another few years’ time.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 95 points “Always one of my favorite wines from Produttori del Barbaresco, the 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello lays out a broad and soft mouthfeel, with tannins that have already been polished and integrated thanks to ample time in the bottle already. It’s safe to say that this Ovello cru loyally demonstrates the level of richness and textural softness that this site is known for. The bouquet is redolent of bright berry fruit with cherry, blackberry and plum. Also, the 2014 vintage was a warm one at the end of the growing season, and you taste a little bit of that ripeness here too.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Balsamic aromas of menthol, wild thyme and juniper complement the black cherry core of this muscular red, with dense tannins lending support. Though a bit more severe now than its peers, this is balanced overall and will age well. Best from 2022 through 2042.—B.S”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price for a magnum in the USA today!
The average listed price is $66
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $59, Now $49 Subscriber Special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is a dark, sensual beauty. Deeply spiced and balsamic, with tremendous textural richness, the Pora is utterly beguiling. I can’t remember a Pora with this much depth, textural resonance and brooding intensity. The 2014 needs at least a few years to be at its best, but it is superb even in the early going. I won’t be surprised if the 2014 turns out to be better than this note suggests.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Round and supple, exuding cherry, berry, licorice, eucalyptus and tar flavors. Harmonious and well-built, with a long aftertaste of menthol. Best from 2021 through 2038.—B.S.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $66
Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2014 750ML ($79.95) Was $65, Now $59 Subscriber Special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo represents a jump forward in structure compared to the other three vineyards (Pora, Pajè and Ovello) that were tasted before this wine. The Riserva Rio Sordo shows a dark and solid personality, with a tight core of black fruit that will relax and unwind with more bottle aging in the cellar. It is also slightly sharper and more focused in terms of mouthfeel, with the kind of tannic tightness you always get with young Nebbiolo in the cooler vintages such as 2014. Barbaresco lovers should jot this one down.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “This red combines a rich, fleshy texture that verges on chewy with a firm structure and cherry, menthol, licorice, spice and mineral flavors. Dense, revealing tension and dusty tannins on the long finish. Shows terrific energy. Best from 2022 through 2042.—B.S.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo is the most open-knit and easygoing of these Riservas. Creamy and giving, the Rio Sordo is one of the more available of the Riservas in the early going, an impression that is reinforced by its mid-weight structure. Perfumed floral notes add lift to the dark, red-toned fruit.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
#Trending
(What the Neighbors Are Drinking)
Wine Spectator rated the 2016 vintage the best ever from here, even higher than the 2009 which was a Spectator Top 100!
Rocca di Frassinello ‘Le Sughere di Frassinello’ Maremma Toscana, Tuscany 2016 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, only 8 bottles remaining!
Wine Spectator 93 points “SMART BUY. Wild rosemary, thyme and camphor aromas lead off, with concentrated flavors of blackberry and black currant. An iron edge sinks in as this unfolds to the long, staining finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best from 2020 through 2032. 11,000 cases made, 5,500 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Domaine Bunan Moulin des Costes Bandol Rose, Provence 2018 750ML ($27.95) Was $24, Now $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
“Hints of crushed stone and lime zest appear on the nose of the 2018 Bandol Rose Moulin des Costes, a blend of 50% Cinsault, 40% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache. Although only light to medium-bodied, it’s pleasantly silky in texture, with ample length on the refined, elegant finish.” -Wine Advocate
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $26
Newly arrived, a staff favorite!
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2018 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2018 750ML ($319.95) $236 special (that’s only $39.33/bottle!)
Decanter 95 points “The 1.1ha vineyard of Brücke is a monopole of the estate. The vines are planted in loess loam soils over a slate bedrock, and its sheltered location down by the river is perfect for producing spätlese. The 2018 has a ripe green apple character on the nose, joined by notes of white flowers and a touch of honey. The palate is incredibly intense and limey, sweet yet elegant and balanced. It almost appears to be drier than the Leistenberg Kabinett at this early stage, such is its impeccable harmony, absorbing its 85g/l of residual sugar effortlessly. Snap this up when you can, but don’t touch it for a good six years or more. Barrel sample.”
John Gilman 95 points “Long-time fans of the two flagship Spätlesen from the Dönnhoff family are going to have a lot of fun over the coming decades debating the relative merits of these two brilliant wines from 2018! The Brücke Spätlese offers up a brilliant bouquet of apple, passion fruit, tangerine, fruit blossoms, salty slate minerality and a topnote of bee pollen. On the palate the wine is medium-full, very pure and precise, with a great core, dancing acids and a very long, complex and filigreed finish. This has bottomless depth and is extremely light on its feet. 2023-2075.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $49
One of the most magnificent Champagnes produced in history. A groundbreaking, extravagant and biodynamic release.
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Millesime, Champagne 2012 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special, re-arriving Friday, April 17th
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2012 Cristal is another absolutely stellar wine this flight of recent releases. Rich, vinous and beautifully textured, the 2012 has been nothing short of magnificent on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. In the glass, the 2012 is radiant and luscious, yet it possesses remarkable transparency and striking aromatic depth. Light tropical notes develop in the glass, giving the 2012 a real feeling of exotic beauty. The 2012 is the first vintage of Cristal done with 100% organically-farmed fruit, an approach introduced gradually starting with the 2007 that has profoundly changes Cristal, especially in its aromatic breadth. Two thousand twelve is the vintage where endless trials and experiments in farming and winemaking are fully realized. The 2012 is just stunning. It’s as simple as that. Dosage is just over 7 grams per liter, the lowest it has even been for Cristal.”
James Suckling 98 points “Such attractive, fresh, floral aromas here with fine bread, hints of white almonds and a lemon edge. White cherries and strong, chalky minerals, too. The palate has a very composed feel. Seamless and quite silky texture with effortless length and flow. Very fluid and composed. Very late, warming almond flavors. This is very long and smooth with a velvety finish. Super long pinot weight. Resolved and drinkable, but will age so well.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97+ points “Aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream and dried white flowers introduce the 2012 Cristal, a full-bodied, concentrated and powerful wine that’s built for the cellar. Broader, more textural and more muscular than the 2008 Cristal, with seemingly even greater reserves of structuring dry extract, the 2012 is incisive and searingly chalky. This is the first Cristal produced exclusively from organically farmed fruit, and it marks the opening of a new chapter for Louis Roderer. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with 7.5 grams per liter dosage. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once again excelled himself.”
Jancis Robinson 19/20 points “To be launched December 2019 or January 2020. Not affected by the oidium problems experienced elsewhere. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay (the same as 2008). ‘You have to adapt and stay on the blank page. If you try to tick too many boxes, you go in the wrong direction.’ It will be the average age for Cristal launch. It was 2008 that was late. This will be the first 100% biodynamic Cristal. Rich and ripe, like 2002. Pungent nose — straight up the nose. Gorgeous and seductive. Complex and embroidered. Already lovely. 19/20 points.”
LUKE Cabernet:
Great Value from Washington State
Arriving Friday
Winemaker and co-owner Thomas Vogele saw parallels between the terroir of Washington State’s Wahluke Slope and Red Mountain AVAs. He knew that since the newer Wahluke was still underappreciated and less well known, it was a great place to craft the classic big & bold WA Cab at a lower price point. So in 2015 he launched the LUKE winery. His goal was to offer a great value for $25/bottle. Lucky you, we can make that great value even better:
Luke Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Shows presence and polish, with expressive blackberry, smoked spice and dusty cedar notes that take on structure toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2025. 9,557 cases made.”
Luke Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope 2017 750ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Shows presence and polish, with expressive blackberry, smoked spice and dusty cedar notes that take on structure toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2025. 9,557 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Tascante’s Answer to Beaujolais
Arriving Friday
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $18.99
The average price is $22
Arriving Friday
On the glorious slopes of Mount Etna, the Tasca family crafts sustainably-grown wines of poise and beauty. The Ghiaia Nera is a bottling of the younger Nerello Mascalese vines, showcasing the personality of the fruit in a lighter, fresher style. The perfect wine for spring!
Tenuta Tascante ‘Ghiaia Nera’ Etna Rosso, Sicily 2016 750ML ($24.95) $16.60 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Tenuta Tascante ‘Ghiaia Nera’ Etna Rosso, Sicily 2016 750ML ($299.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Falstaff Magazine 91 points “[Translated] Bright medium-density ruby garnet. Opened with notes of fresh cherry and pomegranate, some flint. Shows pithy tannins and fine fruit.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “An elegant red, balanced and fresh, featuring sculpted tannins that frame flavors of crushed plum and cherry fruit, with lemon thyme and smoke-tinged mineral accents. Drink now through 2026. 4,986 cases made, 940 cases imported.”
Tenuta Tascante ‘Ghiaia Nera’ Etna Rosso, Sicily 2016 750ML ($24.95) $16.60 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Tenuta Tascante ‘Ghiaia Nera’ Etna Rosso, Sicily 2016 750ML ($299.95) $179 pre-arrival special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Falstaff Magazine 91 points “[Translated] Bright medium-density ruby garnet. Opened with notes of fresh cherry and pomegranate, some flint. Shows pithy tannins and fine fruit.”
Wine Spectator 90 points “An elegant red, balanced and fresh, featuring sculpted tannins that frame flavors of crushed plum and cherry fruit, with lemon thyme and smoke-tinged mineral accents. Drink now through 2026. 4,986 cases made, 940 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $18.99
The average price is $22
Be a Friend/Tell a Friend
Gran Reserva from Remelluri
Telmo Rondriguez is one of the most talented winemakers in Spain. Internationally trained, he returned to the family estate, Remelluri, and has taken it to new heights. Remelluri is in Rioja Alavesa—the smallest part of Rioja which is known for intense, powerful wines and these are no exception. The soils in their vineyards are exceptionally shallow, creating small berries and greater concentration in the wines and their organic farming and careful cellar work keeps a sense of brightness and energy even in warm vintages.Remelluri eschews American oak, finding it too overblown, and instead works with only the highest quality French cooperage. No expense is spared, up and down the line, and these wines are special as a result of that. This is a wine that somehow manages the magic trick of being impressive today and capable of aging for decades. This is one of the landmark wines of Spain and deserves a prominent place in any cellar.
In Stock Now:
Remelluri Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Remelluri Gran Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($599.95) $499 special (that’s only $83.17/bottle!)
James Suckling 96 points “The DNA of Remelluri is here. Wild mountain herb character, structured and firm, these tannins are succulent and deeply expressive. Powerful and assertive red plums, wild cherries and roasting herbs with the oak sitting well. Power and balance. Try from 2021.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94+ points “A blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano, the 2012 Granja Remelluri Gran Reserva represents what they are aiming for with this wine, a classical expression of the place, the quintessence of the vineyards. The select their oldest vineyards and age the wine for a long time, coming back to those early years of a modern Rioja that has now turned into a classic. It has some dusty tannins, with good grip and length. It was bottled in 24,238 bottles after an élevage of 26 months. It has been in bottle since May 2015.”
We offer 86 red wines from Spain in stock now, including this unique and impactful gem:
Fedellos do Couto ‘Bastarda’, Ribeira Sacra 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 13 bottles in stock now
Luis Gutierrez – Wine Advocate 95 points “Produced with a mixture of Bastarda/Merenzao/Trousseau grapes from two different subzones of Ribeira Sacra Riberas do Sil and Bibei, the 2016 Bastarda is better than any previous vintage. It fermented with full clusters and matured in a combination of used French oak barrels and concrete vats for seven months. It was really singing when I tasted it, with ethereal notes of rose water, wild herbs and small berries, aromatic, perfumed, elegant and subtle. The palate is as expressive as the nose, with ultra fine tannins and a stony, dry sensation that gives it seriousness and length. This is a stunning expression of the grape. Bravo! 6,500 bottles were filled in June 2017.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Ready to Ship Your Wines?
Reply to this email or give us a call (503-223-6002)
with a shipping date and we’ll get you on the schedule!
Reply to this email or give us a call (503-223-6002)
with a shipping date and we’ll get you on the schedule!
Collector’s Corner
Piper-Heidsieck’s Top Wine
Piper-Heidsieck’s Top Wine
Piper-Heidsieck is best known for their red and gold labeled entry level wine, a bottling that always over delivers for its very modest price. Among true aficionados of Champagne, though, they’re best known for their top end “Rare” bottlings—wines with astounding complexity, depth and nuance that are among the most coveted in Champagne. We’ve secured some incredible prices on the 2007 Rare Rosé—the hardest to find wine in the P-H stable. The 2007 is the first vintage they’ve ever produced and the hype for it is intense.
In Stock Now:
Piper-Heidsieck Rare Brut Rose Millesime, Champagne 2007 750ML ($499.95) $379 special
Case-3 Piper-Heidsieck Rare Brut Rose Millesime, Champagne 2007 750ML ($1499.95) $1099 special (that’s only $366.33/bottle!)
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The salmon colored 2007 Rosé Millesimé Rare has a clear, fresh, slightly oaky-nougat and pretty vinous bouquet. It is a rich and slightly sweetish yet pure, refined, elegant and well-structured Rosé Champagne with good grip and tension as well as a long, intensely aromatic and powerful finish. This is great and enormously complex Champagne with an extraordinary, complex finish. The 2007 is based on 56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir. Tasted in November 2017.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points “Another sensational Champagne, as well as the first vintage for the cuvee, the 2007 Rare Rosé (56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir) offers that beautiful complexity and nuance you only get from top rosé Champagnes. Orange blossom, strawberries, spice, dried flowers, toasted bread, and orange peel notes all emerge from this richly concentrated, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured 2007. With a fine, yet layered mousse, incredible complexity, and a great finish, this blockbuster effort will be better with 2-3 years of bottle age and shine for 10-15 years or more.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Toasted brioche and ripe blackberry notes leap from the glass in this lovely rosé Champagne. Glides like raw silk on the palate, with a deftly woven mix of dried white cherry, spun honey, exotic spice and blood orange zest flavors. Long and persistent on the vibrant finish, showing more fruit and a rich pastry character. Drink now through 2027. 1,500 cases made.”
In Stock Now:
Piper-Heidsieck Rare Brut Rose Millesime, Champagne 2007 750ML ($499.95) $379 special
Case-3 Piper-Heidsieck Rare Brut Rose Millesime, Champagne 2007 750ML ($1499.95) $1099 special (that’s only $366.33/bottle!)
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The salmon colored 2007 Rosé Millesimé Rare has a clear, fresh, slightly oaky-nougat and pretty vinous bouquet. It is a rich and slightly sweetish yet pure, refined, elegant and well-structured Rosé Champagne with good grip and tension as well as a long, intensely aromatic and powerful finish. This is great and enormously complex Champagne with an extraordinary, complex finish. The 2007 is based on 56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir. Tasted in November 2017.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96+ points “Another sensational Champagne, as well as the first vintage for the cuvee, the 2007 Rare Rosé (56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir) offers that beautiful complexity and nuance you only get from top rosé Champagnes. Orange blossom, strawberries, spice, dried flowers, toasted bread, and orange peel notes all emerge from this richly concentrated, medium to full-bodied, beautifully textured 2007. With a fine, yet layered mousse, incredible complexity, and a great finish, this blockbuster effort will be better with 2-3 years of bottle age and shine for 10-15 years or more.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Toasted brioche and ripe blackberry notes leap from the glass in this lovely rosé Champagne. Glides like raw silk on the palate, with a deftly woven mix of dried white cherry, spun honey, exotic spice and blood orange zest flavors. Long and persistent on the vibrant finish, showing more fruit and a rich pastry character. Drink now through 2027. 1,500 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average listed price is $450
Rare Blanc:
We thought we’d sold our last bottle, but managed to secure another twenty, arriving later this month. It’s in a beautiful place right now, but if you want you can age it a bit longer. But, really, this is tasty enough at the moment that it’s going to be hard to keep your hands off it.
Arriving ETA April:
Only 20 bottles available!
Piper-Heidsieck Rare Brut Millesime, Champagne 2002 750ML ($199.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 97 points “Impeccably balanced and silky, with finely honed acidity shaping the expansive flavors of toasted brioche, crushed blackberry, lemon preserves and honey, revealing hints of Frangelico liqueur and smoked nut. Rich and vivid, with a lasting finish. Drink now through 2027. 2,500 cases made.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “A gorgeous wine that’s a legend in the making, the 2002 Rare Brut is a blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, with just under 10 grams of dosage. Offering incredible notes of stone fruits, brioche, white flowers, and hints of toasted nuts, this flat out awesome wine is concentrated and opulent, yet still dances on the palate with vibrant acidity and great, great finish. It’s going to drink beautifully for another two to three decades. Bravo! This cuvee has only been made in 1976, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1998, 1999, 2002, and in 2007.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95 points “The pale gold, greenish shimmering 2002 Rare Millesime – 30% Pinot Noir and 70% Chardonnay – offers a very intense and rich, yet fresh nose of exotic fruit aromas of pineapples, mango, kiwi and passion fruit. On the palate, this is a mouthful of luscious Champagne: powerful and intense, but pure and with the complexity of matured wines. The finish is very exotic in its fruit aromas, but also persistently mineral.”
Decanter 95 points “Looks like becoming another legendary Piper in the same style and league as 1988, ’76 and ’55. Already focused and concentrated. Tough acids might scare some but sublime coffee and biscuity complexity is building up slowly. Sensual wine for all occasions.”
John Gilman 95 points “I reported on the 2002 Piper-Heidsieck Rare a year ago and time does not seem to have touched it at all over the last twelve months, for if anything, this particular bottle seemed even younger than last year’s! The wine beautifully synthesizes the ripe fruit of ’02 with great structural integrity and seems likely to drink at its peak for at least another twenty years. The bouquet is a pure, complex blend of apple, white peach, a touch of leesiness, a great base of soil, fresh-baked bread, a touch of citrus peel and an overtly smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, crisp and superbly detailed, with a fine core of fruit, elegant mousse, bright acids and excellent backend mineral drive on the long, vibrant and very classy finish. (Drink between 2016-2035).”
Vinopolis is an independent wine shop in Portland that opened in 2004. Our goal has always been to offer the finest, broadest, and largest selection of wines at the best prices to our customers in Portland, in Oregon, across the West Coast, and throughout the United States. Thank you for reading and for continuing to support our team at Vinopolis!
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