In This Newsletter:
Jump Start Offer:
New Releases from Bruno Giacosa
Featured New Arrivals:
Cayuse
New Week – New Arrivals
Staff Pick: Triton Tinta de Toro
Trending Chardonnays
Rhône in Focus:
Saint Joseph
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Bruno Giacosa Rabajà, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($269.95) $219 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available!
Importer note “Rabajà represents one of the most important single vineyards of Barbaresco. Bruno Giacosa’s vineyards are comprised of 0.6 hectares, planted in calcareous clay soils. Tasting Notes: Red garnet color with orange highlights. A complex nose of spice, violets and fresh red fruit aromas leads to a palate that is full bodied, structured and refined with a persistent finish marked by minerality and fine tannins.”
No reviews for the 2017 available. 2016 review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 95 points “Elegant and graceful, this offers cherry, strawberry, rose, tobacco, iron and spice flavors on a linear frame. The steely structure and tension deliver plenty of grip. Balanced in the end, with a chalky feel on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2045. 40 cases imported. — BS”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $183
Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “Showing with a deep ruby core that fades to a purple edge, the 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard explodes from the glass with pronounced smoky aromas that waft with delicate notes of dark chocolate-covered blackberries, then show hints of roasted coffee bean, notions of petrichor, baked earth and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is elegantly powerful, showcasing a balanced chassis of youthful tannins that evolve with the complex nature of the wine. There is a velvety firmness to the mid-palate before moving onto an elongated finish that grows in complexity and amplitude as the expression resonates harmoniously, confirming yet another blockbuster Syrah from the ever-so-talented Christophe Baron. Only 386 cases made.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “#69 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020 The aromas explode from the glass, with notes of fire pit, potpourri, black olive, wet stone, dried porcini and stone. The palate is sumptuous, layered, elegant and intensely flavorful, showing abundant savory notes. A lingering black olive and earthy finish caps it off. Best after 2025.”
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $114.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points “A masterclass of finesse and elegance, the 2017 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard explodes with seductive floral tones that immediately capture your attention. Brilliantly defined dark cherry notions with aromas of rose hip and black spice tones sashay out of the glass. Nuances of dusty leather and wild strawberry float on top of the glass with red floral bouquet aromas. With 13.5% alcohol, this pure, medium-bodied wine is chock-full of flavor, bursting at the seams with a subtle smoky tone that perfectly frames the ripe red fruit. The palate is balanced with a velvety mouthfeel and energizing acidity to age for more than a decade. It displays expertly managed tannins and spiced red fruit that continues to unpack and evolve with mind-blowing complexity. The long-lived finish has a mineral tension and offers up notions of wild strawberry, dark cherry skin, newly opened peonies and luxurious and elegant black spice tones—another brilliant bottling from Christophe Baron. The only thing that is disappointing about this wine is that there are only 347 cases for the world to share.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $114.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “Lastly, the 2017 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard is just classic Rocks Syrah with its meaty, bloody blue fruits, ground black pepper, cured meats, violets, and spring flower aromas and flavors. Beautifully textured, concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and flawlessly balanced, it’s another incredible wine from this label that can be drunk any time over the coming 20 years or more.”
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $138 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “The subtlety of fruit here is mesmerizing with sweet strawberry, floral and tangerine aromas that follow through to a medium to full body, fine and soft tannins and a long, delicious finish. It shows such polish and fineness. Drink or hold.”
Love Cayuse?
Shop our 18 options from Cayuse available on the web store now.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Evesham Wood La Grive Bleue Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($29.95) $25.50 special
Winery note “The northernmost block at Le Puits Sec continues to produce a wine that is quite distinct from the rest of the Pinot Noir grown not the site. One significant difference is that the La Grive Bleue is all Dijon clones as opposed to the Pommard heavy res of Le Puits Sec, but there also seems to be slightly different terroir over here. Of the three Pinot Noir releases this Spring the La Grive Bleue shows the most vibrancy, restraint, and femininity. 2019’s concentration is there, but high tones and brightness accompany it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
A former home winemaker who “went pro” as one of the inaugural members of the Southeast Wine Collective, Vincent Fritzsche outgrew his old home but continues to make compelling wines from a few special vineyards. Josh Raynolds just reviewed the Willamette Valley and Vincent’s wines stood out for their high scores and for the exceptional value for their quality. Vincent worked for several harvests with Russ Raney at Evesham Wood before Russ’ retirement and Vincent’s wines show a through-line of style, with bright fresh fruit that has delicacy but intensity.
Vincent Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) Was $19.90, Now $18.50 special
VinopolNote: Vincent makes deeply profound WV Pinot Blanc made in a traditional Burgundian style. Naturally fermented and aged in neutral French oak with extended aging on the lees. This is always a staff favorite.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vincent Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “The season 2019 reminds me most is 2005, when we had some heavy rain right at the start of harvest and then moderate conditions that let things dry out, giving wines with incredible freshness and intensity without any sense of over ripeness. 2005 is one of my all-time favorites. 2019 has similar potential. White wines are phenomenal – perhaps my favorite vintage so far for whites, full stop.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vincent Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
Winery note “Attention Gamay lovers! My Gamay WV is partial whole cluster fermented in open top fermenters just like Pinot Noir, then aged for 10 months in neutral barrels. Fresh, brushy, peppery and lively red-fruited Gamay. Gulpable. Mostly fruit from an unnamed vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vincent Pinot Gris Rouge, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
Winery note “Red Pinot Gris alert – I started making the Gris “Noir” in 2017 after inspiration from Oregon and Italy. 100% destemmed and fermented to dryness on the skins, three weeks of maceration for a full tannin and color extraction, this light red wine can be chilled or served at cellar temperature. Stones, fruit pits, strawberries and all sorts of savory notes. Fruit from 1980s own rooted vines at Dion Vineyard in the Laurelwood AVA, famous for its loess soils!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vincent Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($24.95) $22.75 special
Winery note “Like the Ribbon Ridge bottling, the Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills reflects what is special about its appellation. The wine is fruit from Zenith, Bjornson and Temperance Hill vineyards, blended and bottled after 10 months of aging in older French oak. A signature element of the Eola-Amity Hills is the wind. Each afternoon during the growing season, ocean breezes come through the coast range and cool the western valley including the Eola-Amity Hills. This translates in the wines as structure – acid from the cooler afternoons and nights, and tannin from the grapes growing just a bit tougher in the wind. They’re subtle differences, but you can taste them. The 2019 is classic Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir, with red raspberries fruit, all the red fruit sweetness with the tang of a proper raspberry. The aromas are a bit lifted in the 2019, giving a drive to the fragrance of the wine. Where the Ribbon Ridge is a touch broader, the Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir has just a bit more nerve. Good now and for several years. Four barrels produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
“There’s a devoted cult following for Vincent Fritzsche’s graceful Pinot Noirs but the outside world seems blithely unaware of the consistent quality here. Fritzsche sources fruit from some of the Willamette Valley’s most esteemed vineyards and then pretty much leaves it alone. The wines are made with minimal extraction, see no new oak and receive only minimal sulfur additions. The 2017s here are vibrant and pure and, even better, are offered at extremely fair prices.” -Josh Raynolds, Vinous
From a vineyard that’s only separated from Seven Spring by a one lane road, this is a gem for the price.
Vincent Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Brilliant red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red fruits, potpourri, exotic spices and candied rose, along with a hint of smoky minerality. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering penetrating raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that show fine definition and back-end lift. Intensely flavored and finely delineated, with an impressively long, perfumed finish that delivers firm mineral cut and resonating florality.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vincent Silvershot Vineyard (formerly Crowley Station Vineyard) Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($31.95) $29.90 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Shimmering red. Spice-accented raspberry and cherry aromas, along with hints of succulent herbs and candied flowers. Silky and focused on the palate, offering concentrated red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors that turn sweeter as the wine opens up. Fine-grained tannins add subtle grip to a long, spice-tinged finish that shows fine clarity and building florality.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Vincent Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Deep, glistening crimson. Highly expressive, spice-accented cherry, boysenberry and black raspberry aromas are complicated by floral, musky earth and succulent herb nuances. Sappy, appealingly sweet and broad on entry, then showing more tension on the midpalate, offering juicy, mineral-inflected red and blue fruit flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. Shows a suave rose pastille quality on the impressively persistent finish, which is framed by smooth, polished tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
A new release from Kelley Fox – very little wine was made in 2020, so if you love her wines, snap up all you can now!
Kelley Fox Willamette Blanc, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($29.95) $27 special
Unmacerated Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir with a splash of Chardonnay.
Winery note “This is a dry white wine lovingly produced from old vine Pinot Noir and from Chardonnay aged in neutral French oak barrels. 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay.”
France – Burgundy
Le Domaine d’Henri is a new producer with an old heritage. Michel Laroche has ancestors who farmed grapes in Chablis going back to the 17th century, but formed this star estate only after selling his interest in the Domaine Laroche in 2010. Named after his father, Henri, Michel kept only the oldest, most treasured vines in Fourchaume and some village level vineyards. His aim was to have a small, family business that focuses on farming and winemaking on an intimate scale.
The wines he’s making are some of the most beautiful in Burgundy, with rippling minerality, electric tension and pretty fruit framing the palate. They are classically Chablisienne in the best ways, practically the distilled essence of the region. We love drinking these with practically any food, but especially with spring weather.
Le Domaine d’Henri Fourchaume, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
Winery Note “In 2012, we started a massal selection from our oldest Fourchaume vines, planted in 1937, before the existence of clones. These vines provide us with a unique heritage that we absolutely want to preserve…In addition to the fundamental work on the vine canopy, we have joined forces with renowned soil specialist, Claude Bourguignon, and his son, Emmanuel, to gain a better understanding of our soils. The soil is a very complex, living environment that deserves to be better understood. It is, after all, the soil that will allow the vine to reach its full qualitative potential. It is important to understand the living organisms present in the soil: microbial, bacterial, vegetal and animal, such as worms that will help break up and aerate our soils.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
(Le Domaine d’Henri) Michel Laroche et Ses Enfants Terroirs, Chablis 2018 750ML ($29.95) $23.50 special
Case-12 (Le Domaine d’Henri) Michel Laroche et Ses Enfants Terroirs, Chablis 2018 750ML ($299.95) $258 special (that’s only $21.50/bottle!)
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Le Domaine d’Henri Troësmes, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Importer Note “From two hillside parcels located in the Troëmes section of the 1er Cru Beauroy vineyard on the left bank of the Serein river, this gorgeous wine shows notes of citrus and pears with tinges of mineral. This vineyard tends to be a little warmer than many in Chablis and thus possesses plenty of richness in the mouth. This richness is balanced by elegant, fresh acidity and a very persistent finish. Although fairly fruit forward in its youth, this wine will age gracefully for at least 10 years, if stored correctly. Drink with richer seafood dishes, fowl and mushrooms.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Rhône
Delas makes some of the most powerful, intense wines in the Northern Rhône 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 Rhône 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 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes – Marquise de la Tourette, Rhône 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, only 12 bottles available
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Delas Frères owns 24 acres on the Hermitage hill, including some small parcels of marsanne planted in 1912 and 1918. Since 2013, Jacques Grange has been converting the farming here and in the domaine’s other vineyards to organic, a move he says he’s found to increase the energy in the wines. The performance of the wines we tasted for this issue gives credence to his impression, with this wine a standout example. The vintage was a difficult one, replete with heat waves, hail storms and drought, and yet the wine feels radiant. Fermented with ambient yeasts, it opens gradually, the initial wood tones fading as the wine grows golden and opulent in flavor. Honeysuckle scents and lemony acidity play around the juicy Cavaillon melon flavors, adding delicacy to the wine, while bitter-almond and mineral notes add a deep savor. It’s glorious now, but deserving of another decade in the cellar to harmonize.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “This intensely ripe but vibrant Syrah highlights plump black-currant and blackberry flavors as well as delicate notes of toasted nut, smoke and cedar. Fine, feathery tannins and an ample fruit profile suggest an expression of Hermitage that’s approachable in youth but will continue to gain perfume and depth with age as well. -Anna Lee C. Iijima”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italy – Piedmont
Year in and year out, De Forville makes some of the most elegant wines available: classic, high-toned, ageable and delicious. They aren’t frequently reviewed, nor are they frightfully overpriced. In fact, they’re downright affordable for the level of quality.
De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Rosenthal Wine note “Langhe Nebbiolo: This cuvée is a selection of Nebbiolo from the younger vines of the various “cru” in Barbaresco supplemented by grapes from the neighboring village of Neive. The average age of the vines is 30 years. The wine is fermented in stainless steel for 10 days to 2 weeks and then is refined in large oak barrels for an additional year before being bottled. An astonishing value … as are all of the fine wines from this remarkable estate. We import as much as 9600 bottles per year of the Langhe Nebbiolo.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italy – Tuscany
“In the hilly amphitheater of Tuscany’s Maremma region, above an ancient coastal lake called Prelius, a vineyard organically farmed by the Stianti Mascheroni family flourishes. This vineyard, also called Prelius, is the first venture outside of Chianti Classico for the Stianti Mascheroni family, leaders in Tuscany’s organic viticultural movement.” –Wilson Daniels note
Castello di Volpaia ‘Prelius’ Cabernet Sauvignon Maremma Toscana, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Case-12 Castello di Volpaia ‘Prelius’ Cabernet Sauvignon Maremma Toscana, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($249.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “Blueberry and currant character with a hint of vanilla. Medium to full body. Chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs time to soften. Better after 2020.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Made with organically grown grapes, this Cabernet Sauvignon opens with inviting aromas of cassis, underbrush and mint. The savory, polished palate features black currant, licorice and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2026. -Kerin O’Keefe”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Spain
Wine Spectator raved about this little beauty from the home of big bold reds of Spain. Sure, they say you should expect to pay $20 retail, but why would you when you can buy it for almost half that here?
Bodegas Ego ‘Goru Gold’, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($19.95) $11.90 special
Case-12 Bodegas Ego ‘Goru Gold’, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($199.95) $129 special (that’s only $10.75/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 93 points “($20) This red is sleek and solid, in the modern style. Bright cherry, berry and currant flavors mingle with licorice, black tea and mineral notes, giving way to a floral and minerally finish. The firm tannins are well-integrated and juicy acidity keeps this lively. Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2029. 7,400 cases made, 2,200 cases imported. — TM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant purple. Smoke-accented cherry and blueberry on the nose, joined by hints of mocha, cola and vanilla that build in the glass. Sappy, alluringly sweet dark berry preserve and floral pastille flavors smoothly combine weight and vivacity. Finishes on a resonating black currant note, with gentle tannins, repeating spice and floral nuances and strong persistence. Aged for a year in new French and American oak barrels.”
Back in stock!
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia ‘Vina Cubillo’ Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($39.95) Was $28, Now $25.50 special
James Suckling 95 points “Wonderful aromas of mushrooms, bark, cigar tobacco and plums with just a hint of citrus. Full-bodied with incredible softness and complexity. Subtle chocolate, fruit and walnut in the aftertaste. Goes on for minutes. Fantastic wine. Classic, textbook Rioja. A joy. Incredible value! Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “I was quite impressed by the 2012 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza, a classical Rioja that is nicely crafted, with less aging in barrel than the rest of reds and therefore with more fruit character and less López de Heredia signature. This was born as a red for tapas, a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo with 13.5% alcohol. It matured in well-seasoned American oak barrels for three years. It has ripe fruit (black rather than red) without excess and a pinch of spices and a twist of oak. 94,500 bottles produced. There are seven lots of this. I tasted a bottled that was filled in May 2018.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Glistening ruby. Spice-accented aromas of red berries, cherry cola and candied rose, plus a smoky nuance in the background. Supple and energetic in style, with a core of zesty acidity adding lift and cut to bitter cherry and red currant flavors that take a sweeter turn through the midpalate. Finishes long and smooth, delivering gentle tannic grip, a snap of peppery spices and repeating florality.”
Austria
The local distributor picked up a fun mix of wines from a new to us winery. They offer incredible value, so we snapped up all we could!
“This wine is produced in the Neusiedlersee-Hugelland region of Austria where vibrant Jewish societies known as ‘The Seven Communities’ flourished for many centuries and constitute the foundation of contemporary Jewish history. The vineyards in this district are known for their high quality and were used by The Seven Communities to produce Kosher wine. [Labeled Kosher for Pesach (Passover), not mevushal.]… Our Kosher wines were produced under Rabbi M. Scharf – Kedassia London – in our winery with the Strictest Kosher Seal.” -Winery Note
Mad-Haus Marienburg Blaufrankisch Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “[Translated] Quite typical nose of red berries and peppercorn, a bit of black bread, inviting. Tasty with good fruit presence and ripe tannins. An uncomplicated drinking pleasure.”
Mad-Haus Marienburg Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “[Translated] Very dark purple, black core. On the nose a dense concentration of dark chocolate, cocoa and dark berries; also dark berries on the palate, underlain with a sweet extract. Good, dense structure, elegant. Chocolate finish, long finale and lots of potential.”
Mad-Haus Marienburg Gruner Veltliner Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “[Translated] Hearty aromas of pear, lemon peel and biscuit, some ground nuts. Fruity and herbaceous. Quite robust and pleasantly juicy for the category with a dry finish.”
Jump Start Offer:
New Releases from Bruno Giacosa
Featured New Arrivals:
Cayuse
New Week – New Arrivals
Staff Pick: Triton Tinta de Toro
Trending Chardonnays
Rhône in Focus:
Saint Joseph
Jump Start Offer
New Releases from Bruno Giacosa
Arriving Friday, May 14th
New Releases from Bruno Giacosa
Arriving Friday, May 14th
Bruno Giacosa Asili Riserva, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($579.95) $485 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available!
James Suckling 100 points “This is really muscular and really powerful. It is amazing. Full-bodied, yet tight and super structured with incredible power and super toned tannins. It goes on for minutes. The greatest Barbaresco ever from here? I love the strength with fruit finesse. I don’t remember tasting a young Asili like this. Give this a lot of time to come together. One for the cellar. Try after 2026.”
Importer note “Asili represents one of the most important single vineyards of Barbaresco. Bruno Giacosa’s vineyards are comprised of 2.5 hectares, planted in calcareous clay soils with a sandy vein. The Asili wines showcase an expressive and elegant profile. Tasting Notes: Intense red garnet color with orange highlights. Notes of raspberry and wild strawberry are layered with floral aromas of rose and violet. On the palate, good structure is matched with freshness of fruit and silky tannins. Created from a balanced growing season and a summer that was never too hot, 2016 will be a vintage to remember for the quality of the wines produced. Low humidity, no heat spikes and perfectly timed rain resulted in one of the latest harvests in the last few years. The Nebbiolo from this year is full-bodied and fragrant, and the Barolos and Barbarescos are grand wines that will only benefit from extended aging. A classic vintage of old times. “
James Suckling 100 points “This is really muscular and really powerful. It is amazing. Full-bodied, yet tight and super structured with incredible power and super toned tannins. It goes on for minutes. The greatest Barbaresco ever from here? I love the strength with fruit finesse. I don’t remember tasting a young Asili like this. Give this a lot of time to come together. One for the cellar. Try after 2026.”
Importer note “Asili represents one of the most important single vineyards of Barbaresco. Bruno Giacosa’s vineyards are comprised of 2.5 hectares, planted in calcareous clay soils with a sandy vein. The Asili wines showcase an expressive and elegant profile. Tasting Notes: Intense red garnet color with orange highlights. Notes of raspberry and wild strawberry are layered with floral aromas of rose and violet. On the palate, good structure is matched with freshness of fruit and silky tannins. Created from a balanced growing season and a summer that was never too hot, 2016 will be a vintage to remember for the quality of the wines produced. Low humidity, no heat spikes and perfectly timed rain resulted in one of the latest harvests in the last few years. The Nebbiolo from this year is full-bodied and fragrant, and the Barolos and Barbarescos are grand wines that will only benefit from extended aging. A classic vintage of old times. “
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Bruno Giacosa Rabajà, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($269.95) $219 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available!
Importer note “Rabajà represents one of the most important single vineyards of Barbaresco. Bruno Giacosa’s vineyards are comprised of 0.6 hectares, planted in calcareous clay soils. Tasting Notes: Red garnet color with orange highlights. A complex nose of spice, violets and fresh red fruit aromas leads to a palate that is full bodied, structured and refined with a persistent finish marked by minerality and fine tannins.”
No reviews for the 2017 available. 2016 review provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 95 points “Elegant and graceful, this offers cherry, strawberry, rose, tobacco, iron and spice flavors on a linear frame. The steely structure and tension deliver plenty of grip. Balanced in the end, with a chalky feel on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2045. 40 cases imported. — BS”
Featured New Arrivals:
Cayuse
Cayuse
Cayuse is one of the most in-demand wineries in North America, and likely needs little in the way of introductions for many of our subscribers. Our stock always goes fast, so we’re excited to receive another allocation from the 2017 and 2018 vintages on Friday. Included in the drop are coveted bottlings from Cayuse’s Horsepower and No Girls labels. As always quantities are miniscule, so act accordingly.
Newly Arrived from Cayuse / Horsepower Vineyards & No Girls:
2013, 2016 & 2017 vintages also in stock now!
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) Was $149, Now $135 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Showing beautifully, with pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as loads of dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, the 2018 Impulsivo is medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shows more meaty, almost bloody nuances with time in the glass, and it’s certainly a singular expression of Tempranillo. The tannins are present yet polished and ripe, and it has a great mid-palate as well as the balance and elegance to drink nicely today yet also improve with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades.”
2011, 2012 & 2013 vintages also in stock now!
Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 6 bottles in stock now
No reviews for 2018. 2017 provided for reference.
Anthony Mueller – The Wine Advocate 97 points “Power and elegance. The 2017 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard bangs with bright red fruit character with fantastic clarity and a pure sense of underlying terroir at its core. Intoxicating floral aromas of Sakura, crushed rose petals and hints of lavender flood the senses first, followed by layers of wild strawberries, bright cherry skin and crushed raspberries in the glass. It is medium-bodied on the palate, with delicate savory and spice tones that fade in and out between the seductive red fruit and floral notes, giving way to an impeccably balanced structure with energetic acidity and a robust shine and gleam to the fruit. An instant success, the palate is full of flavor and mouth-watering juiciness without being overripe. Immensely pleasureful, the wine delivers an elongated yet compact finish that continues to evolve and unpack in the mouth with persistence. Hands-down, it’s a winner! 301 cases produced.”
Newly Arrived from Cayuse / Horsepower Vineyards & No Girls:
2013, 2016 & 2017 vintages also in stock now!
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) Was $149, Now $135 special, 15 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “Showing beautifully, with pure cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as loads of dried flowers, cedar, tobacco, and dried herbs, the 2018 Impulsivo is medium to full-bodied and has a seamless, elegant texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It shows more meaty, almost bloody nuances with time in the glass, and it’s certainly a singular expression of Tempranillo. The tannins are present yet polished and ripe, and it has a great mid-palate as well as the balance and elegance to drink nicely today yet also improve with short-term cellaring and keep for two decades.”
2011, 2012 & 2013 vintages also in stock now!
Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 6 bottles in stock now
No reviews for 2018. 2017 provided for reference.
Anthony Mueller – The Wine Advocate 97 points “Power and elegance. The 2017 Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard bangs with bright red fruit character with fantastic clarity and a pure sense of underlying terroir at its core. Intoxicating floral aromas of Sakura, crushed rose petals and hints of lavender flood the senses first, followed by layers of wild strawberries, bright cherry skin and crushed raspberries in the glass. It is medium-bodied on the palate, with delicate savory and spice tones that fade in and out between the seductive red fruit and floral notes, giving way to an impeccably balanced structure with energetic acidity and a robust shine and gleam to the fruit. An instant success, the palate is full of flavor and mouth-watering juiciness without being overripe. Immensely pleasureful, the wine delivers an elongated yet compact finish that continues to evolve and unpack in the mouth with persistence. Hands-down, it’s a winner! 301 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $183
Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “Showing with a deep ruby core that fades to a purple edge, the 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard explodes from the glass with pronounced smoky aromas that waft with delicate notes of dark chocolate-covered blackberries, then show hints of roasted coffee bean, notions of petrichor, baked earth and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is elegantly powerful, showcasing a balanced chassis of youthful tannins that evolve with the complex nature of the wine. There is a velvety firmness to the mid-palate before moving onto an elongated finish that grows in complexity and amplitude as the expression resonates harmoniously, confirming yet another blockbuster Syrah from the ever-so-talented Christophe Baron. Only 386 cases made.”
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “#69 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020 The aromas explode from the glass, with notes of fire pit, potpourri, black olive, wet stone, dried porcini and stone. The palate is sumptuous, layered, elegant and intensely flavorful, showing abundant savory notes. A lingering black olive and earthy finish caps it off. Best after 2025.”
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $114.50 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Anthony Mueller-Wine Advocate 97 points “A masterclass of finesse and elegance, the 2017 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard explodes with seductive floral tones that immediately capture your attention. Brilliantly defined dark cherry notions with aromas of rose hip and black spice tones sashay out of the glass. Nuances of dusty leather and wild strawberry float on top of the glass with red floral bouquet aromas. With 13.5% alcohol, this pure, medium-bodied wine is chock-full of flavor, bursting at the seams with a subtle smoky tone that perfectly frames the ripe red fruit. The palate is balanced with a velvety mouthfeel and energizing acidity to age for more than a decade. It displays expertly managed tannins and spiced red fruit that continues to unpack and evolve with mind-blowing complexity. The long-lived finish has a mineral tension and offers up notions of wild strawberry, dark cherry skin, newly opened peonies and luxurious and elegant black spice tones—another brilliant bottling from Christophe Baron. The only thing that is disappointing about this wine is that there are only 347 cases for the world to share.”
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No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $114.50 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “Lastly, the 2017 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard is just classic Rocks Syrah with its meaty, bloody blue fruits, ground black pepper, cured meats, violets, and spring flower aromas and flavors. Beautifully textured, concentrated, medium to full-bodied, and flawlessly balanced, it’s another incredible wine from this label that can be drunk any time over the coming 20 years or more.”
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $138 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “The subtlety of fruit here is mesmerizing with sweet strawberry, floral and tangerine aromas that follow through to a medium to full body, fine and soft tannins and a long, delicious finish. It shows such polish and fineness. Drink or hold.”
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New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon
Arterberry Maresh Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 1.5L ($169.95) $139 special, final 12 magnums direct from the winery’s cellar!
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir has a beautiful bouquet with wonderful precision. The vine age does show through here (44-years-old now) with crisp detailed red berry fruit that just exudes Pinoté. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very well-judged acidity, touches of truffle and undergrowth tincturing the red berry fruit that fans out wonderfully towards the long and satisfying finish. This is a great Pinot Noir from an estate that seems to have thrived in 2014.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Dark red. Intensely perfumed, spice-accented strawberry, cherry liqueur and incense aromas show excellent clarity and a bright mineral overtone. Taut, nervy and focused in the mouth, offering alluringly sweet red fruit, blood orange and rose pastille flavors that deepen and spread out slowly with air. An impressively persistent finish is framed by subtle tannins and emphatically echoes the floral and mineral notes. This wine’s interplay of power and finesse is really impressive.”
Arterberry Maresh Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 1.5L ($169.95) $139 special, final 12 magnums direct from the winery’s cellar!
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2014 Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir has a beautiful bouquet with wonderful precision. The vine age does show through here (44-years-old now) with crisp detailed red berry fruit that just exudes Pinoté. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very well-judged acidity, touches of truffle and undergrowth tincturing the red berry fruit that fans out wonderfully towards the long and satisfying finish. This is a great Pinot Noir from an estate that seems to have thrived in 2014.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Dark red. Intensely perfumed, spice-accented strawberry, cherry liqueur and incense aromas show excellent clarity and a bright mineral overtone. Taut, nervy and focused in the mouth, offering alluringly sweet red fruit, blood orange and rose pastille flavors that deepen and spread out slowly with air. An impressively persistent finish is framed by subtle tannins and emphatically echoes the floral and mineral notes. This wine’s interplay of power and finesse is really impressive.”
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Evesham Wood La Grive Bleue Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($29.95) $25.50 special
Winery note “The northernmost block at Le Puits Sec continues to produce a wine that is quite distinct from the rest of the Pinot Noir grown not the site. One significant difference is that the La Grive Bleue is all Dijon clones as opposed to the Pommard heavy res of Le Puits Sec, but there also seems to be slightly different terroir over here. Of the three Pinot Noir releases this Spring the La Grive Bleue shows the most vibrancy, restraint, and femininity. 2019’s concentration is there, but high tones and brightness accompany it.”
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A former home winemaker who “went pro” as one of the inaugural members of the Southeast Wine Collective, Vincent Fritzsche outgrew his old home but continues to make compelling wines from a few special vineyards. Josh Raynolds just reviewed the Willamette Valley and Vincent’s wines stood out for their high scores and for the exceptional value for their quality. Vincent worked for several harvests with Russ Raney at Evesham Wood before Russ’ retirement and Vincent’s wines show a through-line of style, with bright fresh fruit that has delicacy but intensity.
Vincent Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) Was $19.90, Now $18.50 special
VinopolNote: Vincent makes deeply profound WV Pinot Blanc made in a traditional Burgundian style. Naturally fermented and aged in neutral French oak with extended aging on the lees. This is always a staff favorite.
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Vincent Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “The season 2019 reminds me most is 2005, when we had some heavy rain right at the start of harvest and then moderate conditions that let things dry out, giving wines with incredible freshness and intensity without any sense of over ripeness. 2005 is one of my all-time favorites. 2019 has similar potential. White wines are phenomenal – perhaps my favorite vintage so far for whites, full stop.”
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Vincent Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
Winery note “Attention Gamay lovers! My Gamay WV is partial whole cluster fermented in open top fermenters just like Pinot Noir, then aged for 10 months in neutral barrels. Fresh, brushy, peppery and lively red-fruited Gamay. Gulpable. Mostly fruit from an unnamed vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains.”
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Vincent Pinot Gris Rouge, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
Winery note “Red Pinot Gris alert – I started making the Gris “Noir” in 2017 after inspiration from Oregon and Italy. 100% destemmed and fermented to dryness on the skins, three weeks of maceration for a full tannin and color extraction, this light red wine can be chilled or served at cellar temperature. Stones, fruit pits, strawberries and all sorts of savory notes. Fruit from 1980s own rooted vines at Dion Vineyard in the Laurelwood AVA, famous for its loess soils!”
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Vincent Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($24.95) $22.75 special
Winery note “Like the Ribbon Ridge bottling, the Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills reflects what is special about its appellation. The wine is fruit from Zenith, Bjornson and Temperance Hill vineyards, blended and bottled after 10 months of aging in older French oak. A signature element of the Eola-Amity Hills is the wind. Each afternoon during the growing season, ocean breezes come through the coast range and cool the western valley including the Eola-Amity Hills. This translates in the wines as structure – acid from the cooler afternoons and nights, and tannin from the grapes growing just a bit tougher in the wind. They’re subtle differences, but you can taste them. The 2019 is classic Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir, with red raspberries fruit, all the red fruit sweetness with the tang of a proper raspberry. The aromas are a bit lifted in the 2019, giving a drive to the fragrance of the wine. Where the Ribbon Ridge is a touch broader, the Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir has just a bit more nerve. Good now and for several years. Four barrels produced.”
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The next best price is $24.99
“There’s a devoted cult following for Vincent Fritzsche’s graceful Pinot Noirs but the outside world seems blithely unaware of the consistent quality here. Fritzsche sources fruit from some of the Willamette Valley’s most esteemed vineyards and then pretty much leaves it alone. The wines are made with minimal extraction, see no new oak and receive only minimal sulfur additions. The 2017s here are vibrant and pure and, even better, are offered at extremely fair prices.” -Josh Raynolds, Vinous
From a vineyard that’s only separated from Seven Spring by a one lane road, this is a gem for the price.
Vincent Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Brilliant red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red fruits, potpourri, exotic spices and candied rose, along with a hint of smoky minerality. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering penetrating raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that show fine definition and back-end lift. Intensely flavored and finely delineated, with an impressively long, perfumed finish that delivers firm mineral cut and resonating florality.”
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Vincent Silvershot Vineyard (formerly Crowley Station Vineyard) Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($31.95) $29.90 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Shimmering red. Spice-accented raspberry and cherry aromas, along with hints of succulent herbs and candied flowers. Silky and focused on the palate, offering concentrated red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors that turn sweeter as the wine opens up. Fine-grained tannins add subtle grip to a long, spice-tinged finish that shows fine clarity and building florality.”
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Vincent Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($47.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Deep, glistening crimson. Highly expressive, spice-accented cherry, boysenberry and black raspberry aromas are complicated by floral, musky earth and succulent herb nuances. Sappy, appealingly sweet and broad on entry, then showing more tension on the midpalate, offering juicy, mineral-inflected red and blue fruit flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. Shows a suave rose pastille quality on the impressively persistent finish, which is framed by smooth, polished tannins.”
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A new release from Kelley Fox – very little wine was made in 2020, so if you love her wines, snap up all you can now!
Kelley Fox Willamette Blanc, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($29.95) $27 special
Unmacerated Weber Vineyard Pinot Noir with a splash of Chardonnay.
Winery note “This is a dry white wine lovingly produced from old vine Pinot Noir and from Chardonnay aged in neutral French oak barrels. 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay.”
France – Burgundy
Le Domaine d’Henri is a new producer with an old heritage. Michel Laroche has ancestors who farmed grapes in Chablis going back to the 17th century, but formed this star estate only after selling his interest in the Domaine Laroche in 2010. Named after his father, Henri, Michel kept only the oldest, most treasured vines in Fourchaume and some village level vineyards. His aim was to have a small, family business that focuses on farming and winemaking on an intimate scale.
The wines he’s making are some of the most beautiful in Burgundy, with rippling minerality, electric tension and pretty fruit framing the palate. They are classically Chablisienne in the best ways, practically the distilled essence of the region. We love drinking these with practically any food, but especially with spring weather.
Le Domaine d’Henri Fourchaume, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
Winery Note “In 2012, we started a massal selection from our oldest Fourchaume vines, planted in 1937, before the existence of clones. These vines provide us with a unique heritage that we absolutely want to preserve…In addition to the fundamental work on the vine canopy, we have joined forces with renowned soil specialist, Claude Bourguignon, and his son, Emmanuel, to gain a better understanding of our soils. The soil is a very complex, living environment that deserves to be better understood. It is, after all, the soil that will allow the vine to reach its full qualitative potential. It is important to understand the living organisms present in the soil: microbial, bacterial, vegetal and animal, such as worms that will help break up and aerate our soils.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
(Le Domaine d’Henri) Michel Laroche et Ses Enfants Terroirs, Chablis 2018 750ML ($29.95) $23.50 special
Case-12 (Le Domaine d’Henri) Michel Laroche et Ses Enfants Terroirs, Chablis 2018 750ML ($299.95) $258 special (that’s only $21.50/bottle!)
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Le Domaine d’Henri Troësmes, Chablis Premier Cru 2017 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Importer Note “From two hillside parcels located in the Troëmes section of the 1er Cru Beauroy vineyard on the left bank of the Serein river, this gorgeous wine shows notes of citrus and pears with tinges of mineral. This vineyard tends to be a little warmer than many in Chablis and thus possesses plenty of richness in the mouth. This richness is balanced by elegant, fresh acidity and a very persistent finish. Although fairly fruit forward in its youth, this wine will age gracefully for at least 10 years, if stored correctly. Drink with richer seafood dishes, fowl and mushrooms.”
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France – Rhône
Delas makes some of the most powerful, intense wines in the Northern Rhône 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 Rhône 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 Hermitage Domaine des Tourettes – Marquise de la Tourette, Rhône 2017 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, only 12 bottles available
Wine & Spirits 96 points “Delas Frères owns 24 acres on the Hermitage hill, including some small parcels of marsanne planted in 1912 and 1918. Since 2013, Jacques Grange has been converting the farming here and in the domaine’s other vineyards to organic, a move he says he’s found to increase the energy in the wines. The performance of the wines we tasted for this issue gives credence to his impression, with this wine a standout example. The vintage was a difficult one, replete with heat waves, hail storms and drought, and yet the wine feels radiant. Fermented with ambient yeasts, it opens gradually, the initial wood tones fading as the wine grows golden and opulent in flavor. Honeysuckle scents and lemony acidity play around the juicy Cavaillon melon flavors, adding delicacy to the wine, while bitter-almond and mineral notes add a deep savor. It’s glorious now, but deserving of another decade in the cellar to harmonize.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “This intensely ripe but vibrant Syrah highlights plump black-currant and blackberry flavors as well as delicate notes of toasted nut, smoke and cedar. Fine, feathery tannins and an ample fruit profile suggest an expression of Hermitage that’s approachable in youth but will continue to gain perfume and depth with age as well. -Anna Lee C. Iijima”
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Italy – Piedmont
Year in and year out, De Forville makes some of the most elegant wines available: classic, high-toned, ageable and delicious. They aren’t frequently reviewed, nor are they frightfully overpriced. In fact, they’re downright affordable for the level of quality.
De Forville Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Rosenthal Wine note “Langhe Nebbiolo: This cuvée is a selection of Nebbiolo from the younger vines of the various “cru” in Barbaresco supplemented by grapes from the neighboring village of Neive. The average age of the vines is 30 years. The wine is fermented in stainless steel for 10 days to 2 weeks and then is refined in large oak barrels for an additional year before being bottled. An astonishing value … as are all of the fine wines from this remarkable estate. We import as much as 9600 bottles per year of the Langhe Nebbiolo.”
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Italy – Tuscany
“In the hilly amphitheater of Tuscany’s Maremma region, above an ancient coastal lake called Prelius, a vineyard organically farmed by the Stianti Mascheroni family flourishes. This vineyard, also called Prelius, is the first venture outside of Chianti Classico for the Stianti Mascheroni family, leaders in Tuscany’s organic viticultural movement.” –Wilson Daniels note
Castello di Volpaia ‘Prelius’ Cabernet Sauvignon Maremma Toscana, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Case-12 Castello di Volpaia ‘Prelius’ Cabernet Sauvignon Maremma Toscana, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($249.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
James Suckling 92 points “Blueberry and currant character with a hint of vanilla. Medium to full body. Chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs time to soften. Better after 2020.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Made with organically grown grapes, this Cabernet Sauvignon opens with inviting aromas of cassis, underbrush and mint. The savory, polished palate features black currant, licorice and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2026. -Kerin O’Keefe”
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Spain
Wine Spectator raved about this little beauty from the home of big bold reds of Spain. Sure, they say you should expect to pay $20 retail, but why would you when you can buy it for almost half that here?
Bodegas Ego ‘Goru Gold’, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($19.95) $11.90 special
Case-12 Bodegas Ego ‘Goru Gold’, Jumilla 2017 750ML ($199.95) $129 special (that’s only $10.75/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 93 points “($20) This red is sleek and solid, in the modern style. Bright cherry, berry and currant flavors mingle with licorice, black tea and mineral notes, giving way to a floral and minerally finish. The firm tannins are well-integrated and juicy acidity keeps this lively. Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink now through 2029. 7,400 cases made, 2,200 cases imported. — TM”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Brilliant purple. Smoke-accented cherry and blueberry on the nose, joined by hints of mocha, cola and vanilla that build in the glass. Sappy, alluringly sweet dark berry preserve and floral pastille flavors smoothly combine weight and vivacity. Finishes on a resonating black currant note, with gentle tannins, repeating spice and floral nuances and strong persistence. Aged for a year in new French and American oak barrels.”
Back in stock!
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia ‘Vina Cubillo’ Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($39.95) Was $28, Now $25.50 special
James Suckling 95 points “Wonderful aromas of mushrooms, bark, cigar tobacco and plums with just a hint of citrus. Full-bodied with incredible softness and complexity. Subtle chocolate, fruit and walnut in the aftertaste. Goes on for minutes. Fantastic wine. Classic, textbook Rioja. A joy. Incredible value! Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points “I was quite impressed by the 2012 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza, a classical Rioja that is nicely crafted, with less aging in barrel than the rest of reds and therefore with more fruit character and less López de Heredia signature. This was born as a red for tapas, a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo with 13.5% alcohol. It matured in well-seasoned American oak barrels for three years. It has ripe fruit (black rather than red) without excess and a pinch of spices and a twist of oak. 94,500 bottles produced. There are seven lots of this. I tasted a bottled that was filled in May 2018.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Glistening ruby. Spice-accented aromas of red berries, cherry cola and candied rose, plus a smoky nuance in the background. Supple and energetic in style, with a core of zesty acidity adding lift and cut to bitter cherry and red currant flavors that take a sweeter turn through the midpalate. Finishes long and smooth, delivering gentle tannic grip, a snap of peppery spices and repeating florality.”
Austria
The local distributor picked up a fun mix of wines from a new to us winery. They offer incredible value, so we snapped up all we could!
“This wine is produced in the Neusiedlersee-Hugelland region of Austria where vibrant Jewish societies known as ‘The Seven Communities’ flourished for many centuries and constitute the foundation of contemporary Jewish history. The vineyards in this district are known for their high quality and were used by The Seven Communities to produce Kosher wine. [Labeled Kosher for Pesach (Passover), not mevushal.]… Our Kosher wines were produced under Rabbi M. Scharf – Kedassia London – in our winery with the Strictest Kosher Seal.” -Winery Note
Mad-Haus Marienburg Blaufrankisch Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “[Translated] Quite typical nose of red berries and peppercorn, a bit of black bread, inviting. Tasty with good fruit presence and ripe tannins. An uncomplicated drinking pleasure.”
Mad-Haus Marienburg Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “[Translated] Very dark purple, black core. On the nose a dense concentration of dark chocolate, cocoa and dark berries; also dark berries on the palate, underlain with a sweet extract. Good, dense structure, elegant. Chocolate finish, long finale and lots of potential.”
Mad-Haus Marienburg Gruner Veltliner Kosher Burgenland, Osterreich 2015 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “[Translated] Hearty aromas of pear, lemon peel and biscuit, some ground nuts. Fruity and herbaceous. Quite robust and pleasantly juicy for the category with a dry finish.”
Staff Pick: Triton Tinta de Toro
Grant:
Tinta de Toro, or its more recognized name Tempranillo is a wine with fascinating history behind it. Originally planted as early as the 2nd century by the Romans living in the area, it was prized by commoner and royal alike, most notably Queen Isabella. Triton’s offering is a high altitude (2300 ft.) vineyard cuvee composed of 63-121 year old vines in 5 sites cultivated in sedimentary sand with a base of red clay. These growing factors help create a portrait of stunning terroir, with frankincense, crushed raspberry and blackcurrant preserves immediately leaping out of the glass. Cinnamon, Strawberries, Sultana and Marionberries quickly follow on the first tastes with an underscoring of dusty earth. Medium plus acidity keeps the high tannins from overstaying, and gives this wine great potential for drinking over the course of a week or further bottle age. There is a finish of Medjool date, mocha, Damson plum and Assam tea that resets and refreshes the palate. This is a highly versatile wine in terms of food pairing, bringing to mind tapas, Greek or the classic paella.
Jorge Ordonez Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Case-12 Jorge Ordonez Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($239.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.91/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Made from 100% Tinta de Toro aged a year in used barrels (and some demi-muids), the 2017 Tritón comes from multiple vineyards and is made in decent amounts. It’s a rich, powerful wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, licorice, crushed rocks, and crushed violets. It’s full-bodied, has impressive depth of fruit, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s a rocking wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years or more.”
Tinta de Toro, or its more recognized name Tempranillo is a wine with fascinating history behind it. Originally planted as early as the 2nd century by the Romans living in the area, it was prized by commoner and royal alike, most notably Queen Isabella. Triton’s offering is a high altitude (2300 ft.) vineyard cuvee composed of 63-121 year old vines in 5 sites cultivated in sedimentary sand with a base of red clay. These growing factors help create a portrait of stunning terroir, with frankincense, crushed raspberry and blackcurrant preserves immediately leaping out of the glass. Cinnamon, Strawberries, Sultana and Marionberries quickly follow on the first tastes with an underscoring of dusty earth. Medium plus acidity keeps the high tannins from overstaying, and gives this wine great potential for drinking over the course of a week or further bottle age. There is a finish of Medjool date, mocha, Damson plum and Assam tea that resets and refreshes the palate. This is a highly versatile wine in terms of food pairing, bringing to mind tapas, Greek or the classic paella.
Jorge Ordonez Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock
Case-12 Jorge Ordonez Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($239.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.91/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Made from 100% Tinta de Toro aged a year in used barrels (and some demi-muids), the 2017 Tritón comes from multiple vineyards and is made in decent amounts. It’s a rich, powerful wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, licorice, crushed rocks, and crushed violets. It’s full-bodied, has impressive depth of fruit, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s a rocking wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years or more.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
The average price nationally is $20
Trending Chardonnays
Newly arrived!
The Eyrie Vineyards Original Vines Reserve Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “A series of plantings, spanning the mid-1960s to mid-1970s. The extra depth this wine carries is immediately apparent on the nose with ripe peaches and apricots, as well as orange citrus. The fleshy texture impresses, as does the very clear, peach flavors that hold, amid attractively grippy tannins. Drink over the next six to eight years.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Chardonnay Original Vines has an incredibly alluring perfume, exploding with lemon drop, salted almonds, exotic spices and honeyed undertones. The medium-bodied palate is satiny with pure, intense flavors and addicting juicy acidity, and it finishes very long and mineral-driven. It’s stunning now but will age well in the cellar.”
The Eyrie Vineyards Original Vines Reserve Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “A series of plantings, spanning the mid-1960s to mid-1970s. The extra depth this wine carries is immediately apparent on the nose with ripe peaches and apricots, as well as orange citrus. The fleshy texture impresses, as does the very clear, peach flavors that hold, amid attractively grippy tannins. Drink over the next six to eight years.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2017 Chardonnay Original Vines has an incredibly alluring perfume, exploding with lemon drop, salted almonds, exotic spices and honeyed undertones. The medium-bodied palate is satiny with pure, intense flavors and addicting juicy acidity, and it finishes very long and mineral-driven. It’s stunning now but will age well in the cellar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $59
One of the greatest single-vineyard Chardonnays for the money in Oregon. All declassified fruit from Four Winds.
Crowley Chardonnay Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “Vineyard info: Four Winds was planted in 1993 to Wente clone Chardonnay (1.5 acres) and Dijon clone Chardonnay (.75 acres), and beginning in 2017 (2.5 acres) of Draper clone. Elevation is 825 feet and south facing. Own rooted and dry farmed. Tasting Note: 2019 was year 2 of absorbing the grafted Draper clone into the cellar and we’re beginning to see our Chardonnay’s take shape in the best way possible. More austerity, saltiness, minerality and piercing electricity. Un-fined and unfiltered, this 2019 Willamette Valley Chardonnay compromises nothing of mouthfeel to match the high acidity and 12.5% alcohol. Opening with spice, lemon zest and crème brulee on the nose you know you’re in for a taut and rich experience. Aged in oak and finished in steel the wine displays warmth and expanse of barrel aging with the linearity of steel. High energy in all aspects, the mouth begins with typical purity and sense of place, doubles down on the citrus elements, and gracefully expands into peach, orange, clove, and cinder and closes with delicate lees roundness.”
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Sequitur Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 20 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Glistening straw-yellow. Vibrant, mineral-accented aromas of white peach, Anjou pear, melon and Meyer lemon carry a bright floral overtone. Juicy and densely packed, displaying a suave blend of richness and vivacity to the mineral-drenched citrus and orchard fruit and floral flavors. Picks up smoky lees, honey and iodine notes with air and shows outstanding clarity on a strikingly long, penetrating finish that echoes the mineral and citrus fruit notes.”
Winery Note “The 2018 growing season was warm and dry, resulting in yet another remarkable vintage on Ribbon Ridge. Towards the end of the summer, just before harvest, Jack was born. With the arrival of our first grandchild, we felt for the first time the presence of a new generation on the farm, reminding us of the cycle of renewal and growth. This vintage has the bright freshness of new breath—we hope you enjoy it! “
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Dutton-Goldfield is one of the premier producers in the Russian River Valley. We’re offering you a deal on their Dutton Ranch Chardonnay that is so good, we can’t list it on Wine-Searcher. Shh…
Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2018 750ML ($39.95) Super Special Pricing: $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2018 750ML ($449.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This is a 100% barrel-fermented wine from such stellar sites as Mill Station, Sullivan and Walker Hill. Lively, fresh and focused, it has great acidity and tension, a pleasing energy and minerality that boosts lovely flavors of green apple, Meyer lemon and mango, finishing with balanced richness. -Virginie Boone”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.99
The next best price is $39.99
The Walls Vineyards ‘Les Jeunes Vignes’ Chardonnay, Columbia Valley 2017 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 The Walls Vineyards ‘Les Jeunes Vignes’ Chardonnay, Columbia Valley 2017 750ML ($199.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Washington Wine Blog 91 points “Showing off a bright color, the Les Jeunes Vignes’ opens with light white peach and damp stone aromas that take shape in the glass. The polished mouthfeel and soft texture really entices here as ripe orchard fruits and lighter wet stone and melon tones come together beautifully on the palate. This is really well-done. Drink 2020-2027.”
Case-12 The Walls Vineyards ‘Les Jeunes Vignes’ Chardonnay, Columbia Valley 2017 750ML ($199.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Washington Wine Blog 91 points “Showing off a bright color, the Les Jeunes Vignes’ opens with light white peach and damp stone aromas that take shape in the glass. The polished mouthfeel and soft texture really entices here as ripe orchard fruits and lighter wet stone and melon tones come together beautifully on the palate. This is really well-done. Drink 2020-2027.”
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The wines of Mount Eden Vineyards are legendary within the context and history of California. Winemakers and owners Jeffrey and Ellie Patterson continue to make some of the highest quality California wines in the iconic style that made these wines famous—a rarity in an age when even “classic” producers produce riper and riper bottlings every year.
Mount Eden Vineyards Wolff Vineyard Chardonnay, Edna Valley 2018 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2018 Chardonnay Wolff Vineyard from Edna Valley is pure, energetic and fresh this vintage. The nose is lovely, loaded with floral perfume and ripe citrus fruits. The palate is silky and expansive with a shimmering mineral character and a long, pure finish. It improved over the two to three days it was open and will benefit from a long decant. 4,256 cases produced.”
Gaja Chard
Vie di Romans Chardonnay Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29.50 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Polished, clear and silky, the Vie di Romans 2018 Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay Vie di Romans is a beautifully balanced wine that gives equal weight to the intensity and quality of the fruit and the abundantly enriched texture of the mouthfeel. This is Chardonnay presented in 360-degree splendor with peach, melon, honey, pastry crust and cream custard. Ten months of aging on the yeasts gives the wine added dimension and opulent richness. Saffron, spice, cumin and fragrant sandstone are intermingled on the long and silky finish.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 94 points “As is usually the case, the Chardonnay Vie di Romans really stands out amongst its peers, especially in the 2018 vintage. There’s an undeniable richness to the bouquet as this gorgeous expression slowly blossoms in the glass. Pretty white and yellow florals, lemon confit, hints of custard, peach and sweet melon all come forward over time. It’s silky and pliant in texture, with formidable weight, yet balanced by brisk acids, as ripe citrus-tinged fruits and minerals excite the senses. A subtle hint of sweet exotic spice and almond lingers on the long and dramatic finish. The 2018 is charming today, yet also full of potential.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Although Angelo Gaja is best known for his reds, he also makes profound and collectable white wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Today we’re excited to feature a can’t-miss price on Gaja’s Langhe white (95% Chardonnay, with a touch of Sauvignon Blanc). A wine that normally commands a triple digit price tag, we’re offering for less than $70.
Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($119.95) $69 special, 24+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($599.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Importer Note “The nose opens with fresh and sweet flavors consisting of white melon and white nectarine peach combined with elder and jasmine. On the entry, this wine opens with citrus fruits and fresh hints menthol (reminiscent of pepper mint). The sharp acidity gives freshness and incredible length to a crisp, lingering finish. This wine is produced from grapes grown in several estate-owned vineyards. The Rossj vineyard, planted in 1984, is named for Angelo Gaja’s younger daughter Rossana (Rossj). Bass is Piedmontese for the Italian basso, meaning low, a name derived from the vineyard’s position. Pheasants are featured on Rossj-Bass’ label to commemorate the beautiful birds that inhabit the forests adjacent to Gaja’s vineyards.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $84.28
The average price is $98
Soon to be Trending:
The house white of the folks that bring you Dominus
Seize the Chard!
Carpe Diem Chardonnay, Anderson Valley 2016 750ML ($24.95) $16.60 pre-arrival special, Arriving May 14th
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Vivid oaky, earthy aromas lead to ripe firm flavors of apple and citrus in this assertive and well-structured wine. The char and wood-smoke nuances carry over to the palate, along with a nice nip of tannin and firm acidity that help to offset the richness. -Jim Gordon”
Rhône in Focus:
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph is an appellation in the Northern Rhône that shows incredible value, and since we love to share our knowledge on undervalued regions of the world, we thought we’d fill you in on this little gem. Over 2,000 acres of vineyards are planted on 30+ miles of steep hillsides along the west bank of the Rhône River. One of the river’s contributions is playing the part of reflecting the sun onto the vines planted on granite and schist, with a bit more limestone and clay further South. With this larger sized appellation in the Rhône, it’s important to be selective in order to find wines of the greatest value- but don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
When you speak of red’s from Saint Joseph it is always Syrah, the iconic variety which shows equal parts grace and power coming from a place where geography and geology play a huge role. Proper drainage is vital when paired with perfect sun exposure, allowing the roots to really dig deep down into the ancient decomposed granite, exuding persistent length, complexity and depth. Many producers practice organic methods without the pricey certification, and with the rugged terrain and steep slopes that eliminate any thought of using machinery, only humans and horses can really work on these vineyards.
These Syrah’s can show concentration without being too weighty, yet somehow displaying elegance and precision, accompanied by beautiful spice and peppery notes. They have the ability to show well in their youth with a slight boost of oxygen, giving them time to open up a bit and generously show unexpected floral and savory notes. At the same time, these wines are a great candidate for long-term aging when made from the top producers in the region- that’s the part where we come in and have provided a list for you below. We hope you can join the party and treasure these special wines like we do, and as always, cheers!
Highlights In Stock Now from Saint Joseph
Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Serines, Rhône 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Inky ruby. A heady, highly complex bouquet evokes dark fruit liqueur, incense and floral pastille qualities, along with notes of smoked meat and star anise. Sweet and deeply concentrated yet lively, offering sappy, spice-tinged cassis and boysenberry flavors that gain energy with air. Velvety tannins frame the sappy fruit on an extremely long, smoky finish.”
When you speak of red’s from Saint Joseph it is always Syrah, the iconic variety which shows equal parts grace and power coming from a place where geography and geology play a huge role. Proper drainage is vital when paired with perfect sun exposure, allowing the roots to really dig deep down into the ancient decomposed granite, exuding persistent length, complexity and depth. Many producers practice organic methods without the pricey certification, and with the rugged terrain and steep slopes that eliminate any thought of using machinery, only humans and horses can really work on these vineyards.
These Syrah’s can show concentration without being too weighty, yet somehow displaying elegance and precision, accompanied by beautiful spice and peppery notes. They have the ability to show well in their youth with a slight boost of oxygen, giving them time to open up a bit and generously show unexpected floral and savory notes. At the same time, these wines are a great candidate for long-term aging when made from the top producers in the region- that’s the part where we come in and have provided a list for you below. We hope you can join the party and treasure these special wines like we do, and as always, cheers!
Highlights In Stock Now from Saint Joseph
Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Les Serines, Rhône 2015 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Inky ruby. A heady, highly complex bouquet evokes dark fruit liqueur, incense and floral pastille qualities, along with notes of smoked meat and star anise. Sweet and deeply concentrated yet lively, offering sappy, spice-tinged cassis and boysenberry flavors that gain energy with air. Velvety tannins frame the sappy fruit on an extremely long, smoky finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
One of the best buys in the Northern Rhône, at an even lower price.
Delas Frères Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhône 2015 750ML ($44.95) $28 Subscriber Special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Delas Frères Saint-Joseph Francois de Tournon, Rhône 2015 750ML ($279.95) $156 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.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.99
The average price is $49
After studying under Rene Rostaing, François Merlin planted his first vineyard in the late 1980s. Since then, he’s been meticulously caring for his tiny acreage and making exquisite if under-the-radar Rhône wines. Preferring to let the grapes speak for themselves, he ages the wines in mostly neutral oak and steel. These are fresh and vibrant wines that, coming from the warm 2018 vintage, are beautiful now with grippy tannins and balanced acids indicating a long life ahead of them, particularly the Côte Rôtie and the Saint Joseph.
Domaine François Merlin Saint-Joseph, Rhône 2018 750ML ($39.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine François Merlin Saint-Joseph, Rhône 2018 750ML ($479.95) $279 special (that’s only $23.25/bottle!)
Decanter 91 points “An approachable wine that has lifted cedar and incense on the nose. Very plush with soft fruits, slightly lacking in acidity perhaps, but it’s an authentic representation of the vintage, not overly corrected. Good natural sense to the fruit, it’s expressive, unrestrained. Not overly marked by oak spice. South-facing granite terroir, 70% of vines are 45-years-old, the rest are 15-years-old. All destemmed, 12 months in barriques and demi-muids, from 1 to 4 years-old.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph, Rhône 2018 750ML ($37.95) $28 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Juicy and still youthfully compact, with singed mesquite and incense wrapped around a core of lightly mulled cherry, plum and blackberry fruit flavors. Incense note curls around the finish too. Should blossom with a touch of cellaring. Best from 2022 through 2030. —J.M..”
Importer Note “Saint Cosme Saint-Joseph is produced from 100% Sérine, an ancient and local variety of Syrah that is markedly different from modern selections. It is more oval, with lots of space in the bunch, resulting in a very aromatic wine. It is sourced from the climat Malleval in the northern part of the appellation near Condrieu. The wine is made from 70% destemmed with 30% whole clusters, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged in 20% new 228-liter barrels. Louis Barruol describes the microclimate of the vineyard Malleval as “very cold” which allows the grapes to retain acidity and showcase the floral aromas of the local Sérine variety. Aromas and flavors of blackberries and wild strawberries are accented by notes of peppercorns, tobacco, peonies, and violets.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $42
Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.