In Today’s Newsletter:
New to Our Shop
& New to Our June Clearance Sale!
But Wait, There Are More June Sales!
New Grapelive Reviews:
Clouet Champagne & Clos St Jean CDP
Rosé of the Day: Le Galantin
#Trending
Aldo Conterno
Saint Cosme’s Rare Syrah Bottling
Cayuse Pop-Up Opportunity
Arriving June 27th:
’68 Taylor Port / Argiano / Mazzei & Cusumano
2013 Brunello of the Vintage
Domaine La Roquete
June Clearance Sale
New to Our Shop & New to Our June Clearance Sale!
Gallica Suzuri Series Shake Ridge Ranch Vineyard Red, Amador County 2013 750ML ($59.95) $39 Clearance Price
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2013 Red Wine Shake Ridge Vineyard, Gallica’s Amador County red blend, is superb. Radiant, intense and refined, the 2013 is endowed with superb purity. Pomegranate, sweet red cherry, spice and mint are all beautifully delineated in this impeccably, totally striking, translucent wine. A touch of whole clusters adds lift and energy. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
The average price for all vintages is $52
Winery note “Our 2015 La Storia Cab has a dense ruby-purple color followed by abundant varietal aromas and flavors of blueberry, blackberry and black licorice with hint of herbs and ripe olives. The predominately French oak aging contributes aromas of vanilla, cocoa dust and slight toast. The mouth feel is medium dense, fresh and juicy with balanced acidity and very soft tannins for a young wine. The alcohol content is modest and the acidity is relatively high suggesting excellent longevity for this wine. Drink now or age for 5-7 years.”
The next best price is $23.96
The average price is $27
Peter Liem Note “Maillart’s wines are bold and full of flavor, with an expressive character and harmonious depth. I enjoyed his father’s wines in the past, made in a more traditional style, but Nicolas Maillart’s wines express more depth and more clarity of fruit, demonstrating a contemporary emphasis on viticulture. Most of the wines are blended from Maillart’s three main terroirs of Ecueil, Villers-Allerand and Bouzy, all of which have different soil types… Historically, Michel Maillart made the vintage brut from equal parts of chardonnay and pinot noir, but Nicolas is more open to adjusting the proportions depending on the particular vintage.”
The next best price is $57.60
Nicolas Maillart Brut Rose Grand Cru, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $39 Clearance Price
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Pale orange. Deeply pitched scents of redcurrant, orange pith, musky rhubarb and buttered toast. Densely packed red berry flavors are underscored by a chalky mineral note and pick up a hint of white pepper as the wine opens up. This lithe rosé packs a serious punch, finishing with excellent cut and length and repeating minerality.” [Reviewed Jan 2014 disgorgement]
The average price is $49
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Opaque ruby. Sexy aromas of dark fruit preserves, spicecake and potpourri carry a smoky mineral overtone. Sweet and seamless on the palate, offering juicy blackberry and floral pastille flavors and a deeper suggestion of licorice. Shows very good depth as well as vivacity, and finishes with strong nervy cut, supple tannins and a lingering floral pastille quality.”
The next best price is $52
Forstmeister Geltz-Zilliken Butterfly Riesling, Mosel 2016 750ML ($21.95) $14 Clearance Price
Wine Spectator 90 points “The first sip of this gracious and vibrant Riesling makes you think of summer, with lovely flavors of apricot and yellow plum that are perfectly balanced with tangerine-like acidity. Drink now through 2021. 800 cases made.”
The average price nationally is $16
VinopolNote: Surprising for an entry-level red, this bottling is from a parcel planted with the oldest vines of the estate: 71 year old vines grown on pebbly Cailloux soil.
Importer note “Bourgogne ‘Noble Souché’ translates to the ‘noble vine’ from vines planted in 1947 on Marsannay Cailloux soil from Champforeys. Entirely, de-estemmed, slow fermentation with 5 days of pre-maceration. Aged for 11 months 90% in stainless steel tank, this is a lovely, subtlety rich Côte de Nuits wine.”
The next best price is $21.60
But Wait, There Are More June Sales!
Robert Parker 93+ points “The 2014s are 30-year wines, even in such a supple, easygoing and charming vintage. The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana has an opaque purple color, a beautiful nose of graphite, creosote, incense, blackberry and licorice, and maybe a touch of charcoal and earth. The tannins are soft, and there is enormous fruit as well as a deep, full-bodied mouthfeel and some coffee in the finish. It should drink well for 25-30 years.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Anakota’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana has turned out beautifully. Dark, sumptuous and beautifully resonant in the glass, the 2014 exudes richness. Red cherry jam, raspberry, mint and licorice abound. Flamboyant and opulent, with soft contours and good structure, the 2014 hits all the right notes.”
The average price is $112
Colgin Cellars Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2014 750ML ($649.95) Was $549, Now $499 Clearance Price
Robert Parker 98 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill is an extraordinary wine with an inky bluish purple color and classic aromatics of crème de cassis, white flowers, lead pencil shavings, pen ink, incense and camphor. It hits the palate with full-bodied richness but not a bit of heaviness. Great precision, vibrant underlying acidity, and sweet, long tannins make this a sumptuous mouthful of wine with a finish of close to 45+ seconds. This fabulous effort can be drunk now or cellared for 25-30 years.”
The average price is $620
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “A weightless, translucent wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon exudes class. Vibrant and finely sculpted, the 2014 possesses striking nuance from start to finish. Scents of lavender, rose petal, mint and sweet spice notes give the 2014 its brightness and sense of energy. Today, the 2014 is a bit compact relative to how it showed from barrel. I expect the wine will put on a bit more weight during its aging. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2014 at least a few years. Even today, though, the 2014 is a very pretty and pure wine.”
The average price is $109
Robert Parker 93-95 points “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley spends 18 months in a combination of 30% new and 70% used French and American barrels. It is another big boy at 15.4% natural alcohol. This wine, which was not yet in bottle, is fabulous, and there are 42,000 cases of it. One of the strongest efforts yet from the Martinis, this cuvée still sells at a modest $38.00 – a fair price for something this compelling. The wine has an opaque purple color, a beautiful nose of blueberries, blackcurrants, licorice, camphor and graphite. The wine is full-bodied and multilayered on the palate with sensational richness and length. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Currant, strawberry, cherry, floral and leafy flavors are the highlights of this racy, elegant red. Balanced on the firm side, with excellent length. Best from 2020 through 2032. 800 cases made.”
Now it’s even lower!
Wine Spectator 95 points “Intense aromas and flavors of pure cherry, raspberry and flowers introduce this silky, delicate red, which is firmly structured, with dusty, assertive tannins. Notes of tobacco and mineral are woven into the long, detailed aftertaste. Best from 2021 through 2033. 1,200 cases made.”
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $48
See the complete list of June Clearance Sale wines at the bottom of this newsletter, including wines from Diamond Creek, Philippe Foreau, Selbach-Oster and more!
New Grapelive Reviews
Kerry Winslow explores estates from around the world, with a focus on small and classic producers. Check out these new reviews for one of our favorite grower Champagnes and for the elite & affordable Clos St Jean Chateauneuf!
Andre Clouet Silver Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, Champagne NV 750ML ($47.95) $33 special, 25 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 93 points “This is some sensationally great bubbly! Jean-François Clouet, who was born and raised in Bouzy, still lives in the 18th century village house built by his ancestors. He takes his lineage seriously and respects his family’s traditions and that of the region, [Bouzy, where he] is a renowned grower producer. Clouet makes a full range of intense and stylish Champagnes, all of which come [from] family plots mostly comprised of 100% Pinot Noir from Clouet’s lieux-dits in the Bouzy zone. The André Clouet “Silver” Grand Cru Brut Nature is a non-vintage, zero dosage Champagne of exceptional class and delicacy. It’s a severe and high-toned 100% Pinot bubbly from mid-slopes around the village of Bouzy set on the chalky limestone and clay. It went through full malo and was aged on its lees in neutral French oak barrel. [This adds] to the surprise of its crisp detail, considering its malo/wood winemaking fashion, though like a great Burgundy it changes and gains with time in the glass adding richness to the tight form it initially shows. If ever there was a Champagne that fits all my wants and desires, then this Clouet, fits the bill. I adore Extra Bruts and Non Dosage styles absolutely best of all and this Andre Clouet Silver kills it for the price! Lemony briskness leads the way with hints of hazelnut, brioche and wet river stones adding a touch of white cherry, unripe apple and cool green melon, all lifted by the pure tight beading of its electric mousse. The Pinot Noir gives a bite of extract which makes this a fantastic food Champagne. It is perfect for oysters, sushi and mussels in spicy broth. It’s not for everyone, but damn it’s good. It’s without question a thinker’s sparkler not a crowd pleaser, which just makes it that much more special.”
June Clearance Sale Wine!
Clos Saint Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes, Rhone 2014 750ML ($54.95) Was $38, Now $33 Clearance Price, 34 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 94 points “Vincent Maurel’s beautiful and lush 2014 Chateauneuf du Pape old vines is a blend of mostly Grenache, but with doses of Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Vaccarèse and Muscardin as well. [The] grapes [are] grown on the classic terroir, set on clay and limestone with galets (the round stones that litter the vines), from plots in and around the famous Le Crau cru. The Grenache is aged in only concrete vats for 12 months, while the remainder is aged in used demi-muids of French oak. [The] vines are between 50 and 100 years old, hence the impressive mouth feel and concentration of this fantastic Clos Saint Jean. I absolute love this bottling for its purity and hedonism. It can only be Chateauneuf du Pape, and it continues to be one of the best values for elite and stylish Chateauneuf. It’s a sexy and ultra-reliable choice for the cellar! This dark and loaded Chateauneuf Rouge Vieilles Vignes unfolds in deep layers with a full bodied palate of boysenberry, plum and spicy cherry fruits along with violette/creme de cassis, minty licorice, lavender, liquid stones, fig paste and pepper notes. It’s an opulent wine, but has lovely detailing, a firmness of structure, and the vintage’s lift allowing for a lighter impression that makes it a joy with food. Like the 1999 Chateauneufs, especially Vieux Telegraph, which is also from La Crau, it should be a surprising ager as well. I wish I had more of it. Best from now until 2028.”
Rosé of the Day
Newly Reviewed Le Galantin
“The ancient steep vineyards of Bandol – first planted by Phocaean Greeks c.600BC – are the perfect home for Mourvèdre. This variety produces wines that can age at least three decades. As at le Galantin, the best vineyards are planted on poor clay and sandy soil on old terraces, known locally as restanques. The appellations’s 1400 hectares of largely south facing vineyards get an extraordinary 3,000 hours of sun a year, but the heat is tempered by constant wind and also humidity from the sea. Following the steps of her father Achille, who bought the land in 1960 and produced his first vintage in 1972, Céline Pascale took over the domaine in 1999. She is helped by her brother Jérôme, who takes care of the vineyards. Today, Domaine le Galantin farms 30 hectares of terraced vineyards located in Le Plan du Castellet. Everything is hand-harvested and done with organic methods.”– Importer note
Le Galantin Bandol Rose, Provence 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 90 points “Light bright orange. Mineral-accented red berry and citrus fruit aromas, along with subtle floral and herb accents. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering bitter cherry and raspberry flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. The mineral quality comes back on the finish and adds nervy cut to lingering red fruit and lavender pastille qualities.”
Only Two Remaining:
Case-6 Eisele Vineyard Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($899.95) $759 special (that’s only $126.50/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 94 points “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia has slightly muted black cherries, crushed black plums and cassis with hints of licorice, black soil and cracked pepper plus a waft of tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, rich and expressive in the mouth, it delivers a lot of layers and wonderfully fine tannins, finishing long and earthy.”
The average price nationally is $142
Feudi di San Gregorio Rubrato Aglianico Irpinia, Campania 2015 750ML ($21.95) $17.75 special
Case-12 Feudi di San Gregorio Rubrato Aglianico Irpinia, Campania 2015 750ML ($249.95) $184 special (that’s only $15.33/bottle!)
James Suckling 95 points “This shows such a beautiful density and texture with licorice and blackberry character. Full and layered yet always tight and focused. A fantastic young red. Drink or hold.”Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Ian d’Agata – Vinous 94 points “Luminous deep red. Captivating aromas of sweet red berries, cinnamon, violet and licorice. Then also very fruity in the mouth; refined, juicy red plum and raspberry flavors linger brightly on the fresh back end. Has a delightful red fruit cocktail quality that makes it practically impossible to put the glass back down. And though it is simply bursting at the seams with early appeal, this truly lovely Brunello will also age well. Unless my memory fails me, this may well be the best entry-level wine from Casanova di Neri that I have ever tasted.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 93+ points “It’s that time of year: get your Neri on. This blockbuster Montalcino estate has released another fantastic collection of new wines, including the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino. Beautifully executed, the wine oozes forth from the glass with round, supple and velvety fruit. This Brunello Annata is luscious and deep, with millefoglie aromatic layering that peels back slowly and carefully. The mouthfeel is less elaborate compared to the estate’s top expressions, but the bouquet does much to push this score into the low nineties. Some 80,000 bottles were produced.”
New from Felsina!
Fattoria dei Pagliarese ‘Pagliarese’ Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Ian d’Agata – Vinous 92 points “The 2015 Chianti Classico is a new wine from Fèlsina’s Pagliarese property. For what seems like forever, Giuseppe Mazzocolin has been the ultimate champion of Sangiovese, long before it was fashionable. With Pagliarese, Mazzocolin and Fèlsina return to a super-classic Chianti Classico based on Sangiovese, of course, but with dollops of Canaiolo, Mammolo and Colorino aged in cask. The debut 2015 is fabulous. Bright, red-toned fruit and an array of floral/savory notes are nicely delineated, but the wine’s purity and extraordinary balance elevate it into the realm of the sublime. What a gorgeous wine this is!”
The average price nationally is $23
Jeb Dunnuck 90 points “The 2016 Moscato D’Asti is about as delicious as it gets. Peach, orange peel, and juicy citrus all emerge from this beautiful, balanced, hard to resist beauty. Pour a full glass any time over the coming year.”
The average price nationally is $21
Aldo Conterno
Poderi Aldo Conterno has been producing remarkable wines ever since it was created in 1969 by the man whose name is on the label. Sick of fighting with his brother over the winemaking style to be used at the family’s estate, the venerable Giacomo Conterno, Aldo left and never looked back. Over the course of the next several decades he established the winery as one of the most important in Italy.
Based in the Bussia hamlet in Monforte, the estate’s wines have always been powerful yet polished, with dark rich fruit. These wines are bold Barolos, with great density and power—though they still have nuance and complexity. We have a small assortment of wines in from two heralded vintages, 2008 and 2013, both excellent years. Antonio Galloni rated the 2008 vintage in Barolo at 96 points and obviously 2013 is shaping up to be one of the best years in a long time as well. Needless to say these wines are epic and if you like powerful Barolo, you should buy as much as you can.
Last Call on In-Stock Aldo Conterno:
Only 5 bottles available:
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
James Suckling 99 points “The aromas of flowers, blackberries, and white truffles are superb. Full to medium body and ultra-fine tannins. The finish lasts for minutes. An amazing Cicala. Don’t miss this. Drink in 2022.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2013 Barolo Bussia Cicala is a beautiful wine with impressive depth and a profound sense of sharpness. This part of the Bussia cru sees a mix of clay soils (40%) with limestone (60%). In a sense, Cicala is the most indicative of the greater Bussia cru both in terms of its geological properties and its general taste profile. You get a lot of fruit in this wine followed by tannic firmness and evident power. Together, the wine presents balanced results. The alcohol here is 14.5% and I’m told that the upcoming 2016 vintage is almost a full degree stronger.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “This starts out with brilliant macerated cherry flavors, accented by rose, tar, spice and mineral elements. Firm, yet pure, complex and long, with a dense matrix of tannins shoring up the finish. Offers a fine, brambly aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2043. 400 cases made.”
The average price is $150
Only 9 bottles available:
Poderi Aldo Conterno Colonnello, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Round and supple, with a fleshy profile enveloping pure cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. Ripe and harmonious, with no shortage of structure. A mineral element emerges on the tight finish. Best from 2016 through 2035. 200 cases imported.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2008 Barolo Colonnello is super impressive. It shows gorgeous richness and depth in its focused, energetic fruit. Sweet red berries, flowers and spices are woven together beautifully in the 2008 Colonnello. The elegant side of Barolo comes through, but with an extra degree of muscle. The oak, sometimes noticeable in this bottling, is very well integrated. Floral notes are woven throughout the finish. The Colonnello often gives the impression of being early to mature relative to the estate’s other Baroli, but the 2008 is surprisingly powerful and structured.”
Only 5 bottles available:
Poderi Aldo Conterno Colonnello, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
James Suckling 98 points “Terrific aromas of blackberries, walnuts, spices, bark and mushrooms. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and bright acidity. So beautiful now but be patient. This needs four or five years to come completely together. Wow. What class and precision define this wine. The aromas show such subtle complexity and beauty. Full and tight with a solid core of fruit. Polished tannins to the maximum. Better in 2021. ”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Camphor and leather notes introduce this rich red, which transitions to cherry, licorice, spice and tobacco flavors. Firm and intense, with a lingering aftertaste of mineral, licorice and spice. Terrific now, but should be even better with time. Best from 2021 through 2042. 400 cases made.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2013 Barolo Bussia Colonnello is the most ethereal and delicate of the Bussia series of wines. Fruit is sourced from a portion of the Bussia vineyard that is located closer to the village of Barolo (one kilometer away) than it is the village of Monforte d’Alba (five kilometers away). The sandy soils found here make for softer and tamer tannins especially when compared to the other parts of Bussia. The bouquet opens to aromas of blue flowers, spice, wild berry, licorice and white truffle. This is a softly nuanced and finessed Barolo made with fruit from 45-year-old vines.”
The average price is $142
Only 6 bottles available:
Poderi Aldo Conterno Granbussia, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2008 750ML ($499.95) $389 special
James Suckling 100 points “Incredible aromas of blackberries, blueberries, dark chocolate and hints of cream. Roses, rose petals and leaves. Speechless. Full-bodied, tight and concentrated. The finish is endless. Perfect harmony. Made from a selection of the best grapes from the oldest vines: 70% romirasco, 15% cicala and 15% colonnello. All co-fermented and macerated for one month in wood. Aged in a 25-hectoliter cask for 33 months. Five years in bottle. Only 3,000 bottles. Perfect now and it will improve with age for decades ahead.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2008 Barolo Riserva Granbussia is an unexpected wine and is perhaps the least characteristic of the three Granbussia vintages presented in this mini vertical. The wine opens to a deeply ruby red color and bright aromas that show some very distant touches of jam or marmalade. This is a big surprise given the generally cooler conditions of the vintage. Franco Conterno tells me fruit was harvested very late —at great risk—during the first week of November. The Nebbiolo grape loves a long growing season. The aromas are dense and dark with blackberry, plum and black fruit. Those super charged tones continue with leather, spice and tar.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is beginning to open, with fragrant cherry, rose, leather and sweet spice aromas and flavors. Vibrant and intense, with a terrific finish of sweet fruit, spice, tar and mineral notes. Shows fine presence and harmony, yet this should only improve over the next decade. Best from 2018 through 2030. 250 cases made.”
The next best price is $431.24
The average price is $460
Only 9 bottles available:
Poderi Aldo Conterno Romirasco Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($219.95) $159 special
James Suckling 98 points “Beautiful dark fruits of crushed raspberries and blueberries plus hints of champignon mushrooms and black truffles. Lavender undertones. Full and chewy with lots of tannins. Old vines give this a mossy, bark-like undertone. Needs five to six years to come around.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “The stunning 2013 Barolo Bussia Romirasco represents a stylistic blend between the elegance of Monforte d’Alba and the brooding power of Serralunga d’Alba. These are magnesium-rich soils mixed with limestone and clay. Romirasco is also home to some of the estate’s oldest vines at 55-years-old on average. This beautiful wine opens to a dark and rich garnet color that comes from the concentrated fruit produced by these old plants. The bouquet is laced with mineral and iodine-like nuances with rust and iron. It comes across as rich and intense and the mouthfeel is slightly softer, but denser overall. The wine ends with long balsam tones of rosemary and dried ginger.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This packs some vanilla- and Bourbon-scented oak aromas, with a core of cherry, leather, tar, iron and tobacco flavors. Solidly built, with dusty tannins clinging to the long finish. A powerful example, this should gain finesse with age. Best from 2022 through 2040. 400 cases made.”
The next best price is $187.99
The average price is $192
Saint Cosme’s Rare Syrah Bottling
Arriving This Friday
Why Pay 30% More Everywhere Else?
Did your head spin at how fast the Saint Cosme Gigondas crus sold out? Don’t miss your chance at their top Syrah bottling from Cote Rotie arriving this Friday!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie, Rhone 2016 750ML ($64.95) $52.50 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92-94 points “Bright purple. A complex, expansive bouquet evokes candied dark berries, olive, smoked meat and incense, and floral and mineral notes build steadily. Sweet, focused and penetrating on the palate, offering sappy boysenberry, cherry and violet pastille flavors braced by a spine of juicy acidity. Impressively blends concentration and energy and finishes with impressive, gently tannic persistence.”
Importer Note “Côte-Rôtie 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 schist soils of Le Plomb, Besset, La Viallière, and Neve climats. These hillsides are among the steepest in France with an incline as much as 55 degrees. The wine is made with whole cluster fermentation from indigenous yeasts, aged for 12 months in 40% new 228-liter barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration… On the palate, it reveals a fresh attack followed by an ample, structured, long-lasting finish. The wine unfurls in successive stages and ends with top-quality tannins produced by whole cluster fermentation. It features aromas and flavors of smoked ham, violet, graphite, graphite, and licorice.”
The next best price is over 30% more at $68.95
The average price is almost 50% more at $76
Cayuse Pop-Up Opportunity
Arriving June 22nd
Wine Advocate 97 points “A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, the 2012 Camaspelo is more refined and elegant than the Lovers release, showing a seamless, elegant profile to go with lots of dark fruits, savory herbs, graphite and hints of flowers. While the nose is terrific, the palate is where this really shines and it’s full-bodied, concentrated and ultra-pure, with lots of fine tannin that keep the finish going. It should be at its best from 2018-2032+.”Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2013 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Leading off the 2013s, the 332-case 2013 Camaspelo is made from 81% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot that was aged all in puncheons. Notes of iron, red and black currants, licorice and lead pencil characteristics emerge from this medium to full-bodied, elegant, complex Bordeaux blend that would pass undetected in a lineup of Pauillacs. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink through 2033.”
Arriving June 27th!
Taylor Fladgate Very Old Single Harvest Port 1968 750ML ($299.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 98 points “Pretty gorgeous from the get go, with toasted sesame, green tea, walnut husk, pistachio cream and peanut toffee notes seamlessly layered atop each other, framed by a subtle singed alder hint. Everything glides with grace through the finish, like a gently wafting plume of white smoke off of burning incense. Drink now.”In Montalcino there are the super-traditionalists and then there are the unapologetic forward leaning estates that are bringing advancements in winemaking technology. Argiano is an estate with Tuscan roots dating to the 16th century, but the past twenty years have brought changes to the estate that excited many critics and fans of the international style, including this highly-anticipated release from the heralded 2013 vintage:
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “Fantastic aromas of orange peel and dark berry with plenty of plum and cherry. Sweet tobacco and mushrooms. Full body, juicy and fruity with firm tannins and a fresh finish. Complex and gorgeous. Fine and very long. Drink now.”
Boasting a family history of making wine in Tuscany stretching back 1,000 years and an estate founded in 1435, (a history touching the founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, too) it is no surprise that these wines are superb:
Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013 750ML ($69.95) $49 re-arrival special
Case-6 Mazzei Castello di Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2013 750ML ($419.95) $269 re-arrival special (that’s only $44.83/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 95 points “An essence of sweet cherry grounds the surrounding flavors of leather, iron, spice and tobacco in this firm red, which remains vibrant and refined. Bracing acidity and dense, muscular tannins play out on the long finish. Drink now through 2028.”
Sourced from 150 year old in the high altitude Guardiola district of Sicily’s Mount Etna – this intensely complex red is crafted from Nerello Mascalese, the indigenous variety offering a depth and profundity that is Mt Etna’s answer to a fine Burgundy or Barolo.
Cusumano Alta Mora Guardiola Etna Rosso, Sicily 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “The crystal-clear nose of jasmine, slate, quartz, wild strawberries, blueberries and tons of orange rind, not to mention chocolate shavings and walnuts, is stunning. The full-bodied palate is expansive and fruit-forward yet so minerally and uplifted by a fresh line of acidity that culminates in a long finish. Tight and refined in terms of tannin texture. So good now but better in 2019.”
2013 Brunello of the Vintage
Arriving in July
“Two thousand thirteen is an excellent vintage for Brunello di Montalcino. If it is not quite the epic vintage that it appeared to be from cask, it is undoubtedly one of the better years for Brunello in some time – along with 2010, 2001, 2006 and 2004 in that order.” –Ian d’Agata, Vinous Media
Ian D’Agata recently published his report in Vinous raving about the 2013 Brunellos and 2012 Riservas. In it he described the 2013 Piancornello as one of the wines of the vintage, so we wanted to offer this wine (a Vinopolis staple) as soon as we were able to confirm pricing and allocation quantities. This arrives next month along with the even more highly rated 2012 Riserva.
New Releases from Piancornello Arriving in July:
Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($69.95) $48 pre-arrival special
Ian D’Agata-Vinous 96 points “Deep red-ruby. Highly perfumed, mineral aromas of raspberry, red cherry, violet and iron. Wonderfully sappy but youthfully imploded in the mouth, this remarkably precise and well-delineated Brunello offers an extremely refined set of flinty red and black fruit herbal flavors. Finishes with a firm edge of tannins and very good floral and spicy lift. An outstanding, very pure and deep wine that really needs about a decade of patience. One of the Brunellos of the vintage.”
Ian D’agata-Vinous 97 points “Luminous deep red. Less stony and scented on the nose than Piancornello’s memorable 2013 Brunello, offering hints of gingerbread and exotic fruit elements to the red berry and cherry aromas and flavors. Thick and creamy in the mouth, but lovely acidity and a saline element give the wine a three-dimensional texture and keep it light on its feet despite noteworthy concentration of extract and flavor. This densely packed, rich and ripe Brunello will age splendidly. Not surprisingly, this 2012 Riserva is weightier and fuller than the 2013 Brunello from Piacornello, but still comes across as refined and steely in the typical house style.”
The brothers behind Vieux Telegraphe purchased Domaine La Roquete in the late 80s and replanted the estate’s small, 3 hectare walled vineyard to white in 1987. The vineyard produces an intensely flavored white from the sandy, clayey soil that’s studded with galets roulés, the famous round pebbles.
Domaine La Roquete Chateauneuf-du-Pape Clos La Roquete Blanc, Rhone 2015 750ML ($49.95) $36 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Intense, with creamed papaya, Cavaillon melon and Jonagold apple flavors pouring forth, underscored by heather honey, almond and salted butter notes. The long finish has a bitter citrus hint to help the length match the weight. Drink now through 2019. 100 cases imported.”
The next best price is $44.97
Elouan Pinot Noir, Oregon 2016 750ML ($21.95) $18 Clearance Price
Case-6 Elouan Pinot Noir, Oregon 2016 750ML ($129.95) $99 Clearance Price (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Elouan Pinot Noir, Oregon 2016 750ML ($249.95) $179 Clearance Price (that’s only $14.92/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 88 points “Well-knit and approachable, with delicate raspberry and spice flavors. Drink now through 2022.”Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($249.95) Was $225, Now $179 Clearance Price
(The 2014 scored 95 points from Antonio Galloni)
Ken’s Wine Guide 93 points (Very Good+) “This bright red colored Cabernet Sauvignon from Diamond Creek is very good. It opens with a fragrant red raspberry bouquet with a hint of cranberry. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced and smooth. The flavor profile is cherry-vanilla with a pebbly minerality. I also detected hints of cola and red plum. The finish is dry and it fades away nicely. I would pair this very good Cab offering with a filet mignon. Enjoy – Ken”
Winery notes: “Red Rock Terrace, a warm microclimate, is 7 acres of north facing vineyard. The red tinted soil is high in iron content. The wine from Red Rock Terrace is the most accessible and earliest drinkable of all our wines. Our winemaker describes Red Rock Terrace as “having velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors.”
The next best price is $189
The average price is $223
Sylvain Cathiard Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2009 750ML ($2,799.95) Was $2,499, Now $2,199 Clearance Price
Burghound 94-97 points “A dazzlingly complex, perfumed and pure nose reveals a bit of wood influence yet remains strikingly elegant with its superb scope of spicy red berry fruit aromas that are followed by ripe, seductive and beautifully intense flavors that display marvelous depth and perfect balance on the sappy and naturally sweet finish of monumental length. This is a wine of indisputable class and a model of grace and understatement that should age effortlessly for 20 to 30 years.”
The next best price is $2,450
