In This Newsletter:
Featured New Arrivals:
2019 Goodfellow Family Cellars
New Week – New Arrivals
A Case of Vinsanity
Paolo Scavino
2016 Barolo & 2017 Crus
Domaines Ott Romassan
Collector’s Corner:
2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “Lemon curd, lime blossom, sea shells, quince, yellow flowers, grilled bread. Softer than the Richard’s, this has a silky prettiness in the mouth, Meyer lemon running over river rocks, with a tingly lemony finish. 11.8% abv, finished under Diam 30. 80 cases.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $37.70 special
Winery note “Very alluring, homemade pear tarts, white flowers, oyster shells, salt, and hazelnuts. Direct and graceful in the palate, limpidly textural with floral, fennel, lemon, and stone. A great balance between tranquility and energy. One of our very best Durant bottlings, and very much in the key of Meursault. 12.5%, finished under Diam 10. 113 cases.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Whistling Ridge Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($69.95) $55 special
Case-6 Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Whistling Ridge Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($379.95) $309 special (that’s only $51.50/bottle!)
Winery note “Oh boy…first gravel and smoke, opening to fresh pear, hazelnuts, straw and raw grain, then lime and yuzu blossom. Old world notes of river stones, and seashells. Palate is immediately bright, stony, mineral, lime, clean, lucid, direct, and steely. Acidity runs through the wine from the front palate to the long, long, long finish. Like Corton from the mid-90s… 11.8% abv, finished under Diam 30. 155 cases.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Lewman Vineyard Pinot Gris (Rosé), Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “The lower yields in 2019 were particularly unkind to the Pinot Gris block at Lewman vineyard coming in at just over a ton. With such a small amount, we opted to have a little bit of fun and fermented this as a red wine. Whole cluster is 20%, and the fruit was in fermenter for 44 days before being racked to an old 500L Acacia puncheon and a single neutral oak barrique. We picked this early, before any inclement weather, and the resulting wine is light-bodied and copper colored. This smells savory and intriguing, then shows floral notes and a hint of melon, but is more akin to a white wine on the palate. While Pinot Gris can be distinctly tannic, this shows only a modest astringency and should be good as a summer sipper, though I would also recommend saving a few bottles to drink over the next 3-4 years. 11.6% abv and finished with Diam 30. 85 cases produced.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Oracle Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “100% whole cluster, this is a beautiful balance of sweet fruit, and savory finish. Red strawberry and pomegranate fruit followed quickly by tobacco leaf, and amaro spices. The most textured of the 2019 Pinot Noirs, there is a beautiful harmony to the palate, a supple weightless luxury, with great finishing acidity and grip. 13.2% abv, finished with Diam 10. 100 cases.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Fir Crest Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “Probably my favorite rendition of this vineyard. Beautiful dark fruit and purple blossoms, shifting between black and red fruits, contrasted with dark earth and spice underneath. Clean, elegant, and very pure with great contrast between fruit and stem notes, excellent balance and drive, finishes long with juicy acidity. A somewhat unique take on Yamhill-Carlton fruit but true to the AVA. 13.0% abv, finished with Diam 10. 113 cases.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “Supple with juicy red fruit, flowers, dark and sweet spice, loamy earth and amaro. More ethereal than the Durant typically is. The palate is boysenberry, dark cherry, and pomegranate, light bodied but structural, with a great savory finish. 13.0% abv, finished with Diam 10. 160 cases.”
Shop our full selection of Goodfellow wines on our web store!
Rosé
Feudo Montoni ‘Rose di Adele’ Nerello Mascalese Rosato, Sicily 2020 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2020 Nerello Mascalese Rosé di Adele keeps you at the edge of the glass with a delicate yet stunning bouquet of ripe peach laced with candied ginger and a dusting of sweet spice. Its textures are fleshy, yet the expression is lifted and spry, with a vivid display of freshly sliced pear, while drenched in minerals and motivated by lively acidity. There’s a crunchy feel through the finale, as the palate reverberates with residual tension, tapering off to a hint of sour melon.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Scala Rosato Ciro, Calabria 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Importer Tasting Note (Victor Schwartz) “The 2020 is a vibrant wine as always. The color is particularly striking, an electric copper-gold, like a ramato that’s been amped up. The nose and palate are delicious if elusive. There is a deep fruit quality that is a mix of apricots and red fruits, the varietal character of gaglioppo is evident along with a distinctive savory note in the background. The wine offers a fruitful acidity keeping it fresh and alive.”
100% Gaglioppo from estate vineyards
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $19.99
Vincent Rosé Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24.40 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Oregon
Civic Winery Petillant Naturel Amphora, Oregon 2020 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
Winery note “Due to lower yields in Oregon in 2020 and the impact of severe fires in September, we had to be flexible in our winemaking decisions this harvest. We worked with Johan to help with changes from their farm, and bought more Pinot Noir and no Chardonnay. We also decided to allocate 10% of our Chenin Blanc from Tuckaway Vineyard (Elkton AVA, 100% organic) to this pét-nat. This was our first year working with Tuckaway Chenin Blanc and we’re hooked. Pinot Noir grapes were handpicked the morning of October 5 and Chenin Blanc grapes were handpicked on October 7, whole cluster pressed, and the juice was hyperoxidized. After settling, the Pinot Noir juice was racked off the gross lees into 100% NOVUM amphorae where fermentation began spontaneously. Same for the Chenin Blanc, but into a concrete egg. As primary fermentation was finishing, the pinot noir and chenin blanc were blended in tank and racked off of fine lees then chilled to halt fermentation. Vineyard: Johan Vineyards (>90% Pinot Noir) and Tuckaway Vineyard (<10% Chenin Blanc). Farming: Certified Biodynamic.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Ovum ‘Old Love’ White Blend, Oregon 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
Winery note “2020 Big Salt is wildly aromatic, laced with Gewurz and Muscat overtones, but framed by citrusy Riesling. Salty bergamot, lemon, nectarine and white tea– exotic fruits fill out the nose. The palate is filled with the texture of Gewurz, herbal hints from Pinot Blanc, but quickly washed back with classic Riesling acidity. 2020 Big Salt pairs well with fish tacos, pesto chicken pasta, pad thai…or just chilling. Cellar: 3-8 years of optimal drinking. 45% Riesling, 35% Gewurztraminer, 11% Pinot Blanc, 9% Early Muscat, 1% others. Soils: Volcanic ash, basalt, marine sediment, alluvial, serpentine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Maloof Where Ya Pjs At? White Blend (“Rosé-ish”), Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Winery note “Winemaking – 50% Skin contact Pinot Gris (all from No Clos Radio), 30% Direct pressed, barrel fermented Pinot Gris (equal parts Oracle & Rudolfo), 20% Direct pressed, barrel fermented riesling (equal parts Beckenridge & Ony). The majority of the No Clos Radio gris was fermented in open top fermenters on the skins with daily punch downs until dry (20 days). 15% of the NCR gris was fermented carbonically in sealed containers for the same length of time. The two lots were pressed off together, and then moved into barrel. Both riesling lots were fermented dry in neutral oak barrels. All of the lots were blended in the late winter, and bottled unfined and unfiltered in March. 22ppm added sulfur. Additional Notes: This is sort of a “rosé” for us. As you’ll see on the back of the bottle it states “rose-ish”. We wanted to have the playfulness and functionality of a rosé without actually using any red fruit. Whether you call it white wine, orange wine, or rose, Where ya PJs at?!”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
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 lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vincent Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
Last call!
Beaux Freres The Beaux Freres Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($109.95) $85 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby. Intense red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with hints of cola and licorice. Juicy and precise, offering concentrated raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that take on a five-spice-powder nuance with air. Plays power off delicacy with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and silky, with polished tannins framing lingering red fruit and candied rose notes. 45% new oak.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. 3,088 cases made.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The medium ruby-purple colored 2018 Pinot Noir The Beaux Frères Vineyard opens to lush rhubarb, cranberries and loamy earth with layers of blood orange, tea leaves, charcuterie and flowers. The medium-bodied palate offers broody, concentrated fruits with fine earth and spice accents, with a seamless, silky frame and lifted finish.”
Last call!
Kelley Fox Wines ‘Mirabai’ Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “Oh, I love 2019. The Mirabai 2019 is a light-to-medium, youthful blue-red with brilliant transparency. Like all of my other 2019 bottlings, it is certainly lighter in colour and more nuanced than my 2018. True to the Dundee Hills, this Mirabai begins with a beautiful, fresh strawberry nose with subtle spices and tastes of the same carried by the lightest drape of silk. To me, this luminous Mirabai is both heart-warming and uplifting.”
Elevee Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($59.95) $47 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Limpid ruby-red. High-pitched red and blue fruit and floral scents are complemented by suggestions of smoky minerals and baking spices. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering vibrant raspberry, boysenberry and musky licorice flavors that slowly deepen through the midpalate. Shows fine definition and spicy cut on a long, gently tannic finish that leaves behind suggestions of candied rose and succulent herbs. 33% new oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Lovely cherry fruit highlights this wine, part of the winery’s self-named “Study in Terroir” series. Along with the fruit there are streaks of orange peel and chocolate. The mouthfeel is soft, almost velvety, and the finish resonates with mocha. -Paul Gregutt”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Elevee Elevee Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($59.95) $44 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Dark, shimmering red. Powerful, high-pitched red berry, potpourri and exotic spice aromas pick up smoky mineral, cola and rhubarb notes with air. Sweet, seamless and penetrating on the palate, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry cola, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen as the wine stretches out. The red fruit and floral notes carry emphatically through a strikingly long, sweet finish framed by supple, polished tannins. 25% new oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “The fruit is sourced from a 1998 planting that is now approaching full maturity. It’s intensely aromatic with Asian spices, wild berries and milk chocolate. Those flavors are well integrated, with additional highlights of almond paste, licorice and black tea. -Paul Gregutt”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Elevee Madrona Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($59.95) $47 special
James Suckling 93 points “This is a bold and structured style with ample dark plums and cherries, framed in sturdy tannins and delivered as a long, juicy and assertively rich, long and youthful style. Plenty to come. Try from 2022.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Deep crimson. Spice- and mineral-accented red fruits, candied flowers and a hint of cola on the perfumed nose. Silky and energetic in style, offering juicy raspberry, bitter cherry and rose pastille flavors that open up steadily on the back half. Silky, even tannins shape a persistent, spice-tinged finish that leaves a sappy red berry note behind. 30% new oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Here the opening impression is a precise, sculpted wine with an iron spine. The firm cranberry and blackberry fruit has a dark edge to it, and a streak of graphite runs through the polished tannins. -Paul Gregutt”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
California
Dominus Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($349.95) $299 special
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot brought up in 40% new French oak. With an essence of Cabernet-like character in its darker currants, green tobacco, cedar, graphite, and floral aromas and flavors, this gorgeous wine is full-bodied and has bright yet integrated acidity, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s just gorgeously put together and a magical, flawless wine. It’s going to take a decade to hit maturity but will evolve for 40-50 years in cold cellars. It is as good as it gets in classic, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon!”
Wine Advocate 99+ points “Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Dominus slowly emerges from the glass with profound notes of blackcurrant cordial, ripe black plums, boysenberries and Black Forest cake with hints of violets, star anise, cracked black pepper, raspberry leaves and pencil lead, plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful black fruit layers, creating a beguiling sense of richness that is beautifully countered by invigorating freshness and great poise, framed by super ripe, plush tannins and beautiful tension, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note and, finally, lots of mineral sparks. For all that it is at the moment, one cannot help but feel that this 2018 is holding something back. Give it a good five years in bottle, at least, and then get set for what I suspect will be a mind-blowing transformation over the next 30 years+.-LPB”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2018 Dominus is wild and exotic from the first taste. Lifted aromatics make a strong opening impression. There is something exuberant about the 2018 that is hard to describe. The 2018 is not a huge Dominus, nor is it massively structured, but the intensity of the flavors is remarkable just the same. Dark raspberry, spice, leather and cedar are some of the many notes that open over time.”
France – Champagne
Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime, Champagne 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, only 3 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “This latest Blanc de Blancs vintage from Roederer is well poised and balanced, already offering a hint of toast, while the minerality is prominent. It is in a dry style, relying on the ripe fruit to soften the impact of the acidity. A beautiful wine, ready to drink. -Roger Voss”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2010 Brut Blanc de Blancs shows just how compelling this cuvée can be in more favorable years, and 2010 had its share of challenges as well. Brisk, fresh and wonderfully nuanced, the 2010 exudes energy as well as a sense of transparency that is compelling. Time in bottle since release has only added flavor complexity and texture. Light on its feet and super-expressive, the 2010 Blanc de Blancs is one of the highlights in this range from Roederer.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Roederer’s 2010 Blanc de Blancs is already showing very well, wafting from the glass with a classy bouquet of wheat toast, freshly baked bread, green apple, tangerine and almond paste. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and expansive, with a pinpoint mousse, succulent acids, excellent depth at the core and a long, elegantly chalky finish. The 2010 saw five years sur lattes and nine grams per liter dosage. Purists will want to give it another couple of years on the cork to reveal all its incipient complexity, but it is already difficult to resist.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $92
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2018) NV 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
Case-6 Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2018) NV 750ML ($299.95) $269 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Disgorged in July 2020 with seven grams per liter dosage, the NV Brut Réserve (2018 base) is the latest rendition of this wine. Bursting with aromas of orange oil, crisp orchard fruit and fresh bread, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with tangy acids and an enveloping, pillowy profile.”
Savart L’Ouverture Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-12 Savart L’Ouverture Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($599.95) $529 special (that’s only $44.08/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
John Gilman 91+ points “The l’Ouverture cuvée from Monsieur Savart is composed entirely from pinot noir grown in the village of Écueil, with half of the vins clairs barrel-fermented and raised in cask and the other in tank. Only the reserve wines that go into the blend have gone through malo for this wine, which is aged under cork, rather than crown cap prior to disgorgement. This release was disgorged in September of 2020 and finished with a dosage of seven grams per liter. It offers up a lovely nose of white peach, apple, patissière, chalky soil tones and a nice touch of orange zest in the upper register. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and complex, with a fine core, good mineral drive, frothy mousse and lovely focus and balance on the long and youthful finish. This is a lovely bottle that will be even better with a few years in the cellar. 2021-2040+.”
Disgorged February 2021
Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($44.95) $37 special
No reviews for the current disgorgement. Reviews and notes for the prior disgorgement provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 91 points “A harmonious Champagne, light-footed and bright, with a lacy mousse carrying delicate notes of Asian pear and slivered almond, backed by a minerally overtone of oyster shell and brine. Disgorged September 2018. Drink now through 2022. 4,616 cases made, 870 cases imported.”
Peter Liem note “Diebolt has been steadily increasing the proportion of grand cru Chouilly in this blend, although the majority continues to come from Cuis and Epernay. This version certainly shows the Cuis backbone in its racy, tense structure, filling out on the palate with fragrant, harmonious depth. While it’s not hugely complex, it feels composed and inviting, buoyed by lively acidity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Other
Chateau Fredignac – Vincent L’Amouller ‘Le Canon de la Goulue’ Vin de France (Cotes de Blaye, Bordeaux) 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 20% Merlot.
Importer note “Organic and biodynamic from Vincent L’Amouller. Red Vin de France from the Cotes de Blaye (Bordeaux). Clay-limestone soils. Manuel harvest. Destemming. Fermented for 3 weeks under native yearsts without SO2 in cement vats. Only 20 ppm sulfur added before bottling.”
Frederic Lornet Arbois Chardonnay, Jura 2018 ($24.95) $18 special
Importer note “The grapes are both hand and machine harvested. They (manual harvested portion) are destemmed and sorted, pressed and settle for 24 hours and inoculated with a yeast from the vineyards. The fermentation is at a low temperature over an extended period. This allows for a smoother richer mouth feel in the palate. The fermentation is split between temperature controlled stainless steel and 3000-liter foudre also retro fit for temperature-controlled fermentation. Lornet allows the wine to go through Malo at its own pace. The wine is bottled in the Spring after harvest. Lornet prefers to bottle early, he believes that trapping the aromatics early allows for longer bottle ageing. This process pushed the rich apple pear and quince with a wonderful oily texture expressing the layers of the soil striation.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arnaud Lambert (formerly Chateau de Breze) Saumur Clos de Midi, Loire 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “This offers an expressive mix of yellow apple, persimmon and Meyer lemon flavors infused with light notes of hazelnut and hints of smoke. The acidity is electric, giving this plenty of verve and carrying all the elements to the long and seductive, lightly floral finish. Best from 2022 through 2034. 3,750 cases made, 627 cases imported. — AZ”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $24
Italy
Foradori ‘Fuoripista’ Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
James Suckling 95 points “Skin fermentation has given this pinot grigio a rosé color, but also a lot of peach-skin, rose-petal and candied-orange character. Notes of wet earth and umami, which you normally associate with red wines, develops as it aerates in the glass. Then comes the surprisingly delicate, medium-bodied palate that is so fresh, the delicate tannins and rose-petal notes lifting the long, almost weightless finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
Scala Bianco Ciro, Calabria 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Importer note “100% Greco, from vineyards located in Cirò (Crotone district), 100 to 150 meters above sea level. The vines were planted in 1997 and face south/south-east. They are trained in espalier. The grapes were manually harvested around the 20th of August (20 to 30 days earlier than usual, as 2017 was a very hot vintage). They were destemmed, softly pressed, and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks – 16° to 18° C (61 to 64F) in order to preserve the aromas. After the fermentation, the wine was racked and left in tanks for 4 months. Nose of white flowers. 12% alcohol.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Scala Rosso Ciro Classico, Calabria 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Importer note “100% Gaglioppo, a medium-sized, thick-skinned grape indigenous to Southern Italy and best known for the production of Ciro DOC. The grapes comes from a vineyard called “Franza”, in Contrada Franza (municipality of Ciro), in the region of Calabria. The ownership of the land goes back to the 17th century. It was previously cultivated with olive trees and citrus groves, and turned into a vineyard in 1965. The soil is clay and sand, with a South/South East exposure and 10 year old vines trained as espaliers. The grapes are de-stemmed, then macerate at 77F until the fermentation is completed. After a soft pressing, the wine is racked and left in cement tanks for a minimum of 10 to 12 months. 13.5% Alcohol.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $18
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore, Veneto 2013 750ML ($119.95) $94.50 special
Decanter 97 points “From one of the most iconic wineries in the Orientale, this is aged for two years in oak and a further three in bottle. A proper meditation wine, great with game, strong cheeses or a cigar. It has a huge nose of stewed red fruits, ethereal bramble forest fruits and blackberry jam. Generous, with spicy, bitter cherry-stone freshness. Full-bodied with a rich, intense, spicy undertone.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is a terrific wine that stood out—and stood tall—despite the fact that it was tasted alongside some of Dal Forno’s most important vintages of the top-shelf Amarone. If that’s not a full-on recommendation, I don’t know what is. The 2013 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta oozes forth with thick concentration and an inky black color. The mouthfeel is thick and impenetrable, and the senses are treated to a long succession of black fruit, tar, spice, smoke, mesquite and barbecue flavors. The wine is full-bodied and very opulent, but it carries that massive intensity with grace and precision. This Valpolicella Superiore is very nicely done.”
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Rabaja, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($269.95) $199 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 on the West Coast!
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Asili Riserva, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($579.95) $449 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.”
Spain
La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Alberdi Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2016 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Case-6 La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Alberdi Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Glistening ruby-red. Spice-tinged red fruit and floral aromas pick up hints of coconut and succulent herbs with air. Silky and expressive on the palate, offering appealingly sweet cherry and raspberry flavors and a spicecake nuance that builds steadily in the glass. Closes long and smooth, with repeating florality and subtle tannins that come in late.”
La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Ardanza Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Case-6 La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Ardanza Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($219.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 points “Garnacha is an important component in the 2012 Viña Ardanza Reserva, where it represents 20% of the blend (the rest is, of course, Tempranillo). 2011 was a difficult vintage for Garnacha, so Viña Ardanza was not produced that year and they jumped from 2010, which had the mention “Selección Especial,” to 2012, where it returns to the regular Reserva. The wine is a prototype of polished and aged Rioja with a ruby color with some orange and a developed nose with subtle aromas of decayed leaves, sweet spices and some cherries in liqueur even, quite complex and harmonious. The palate is velvety but rich, with resolved tannins and a fine chalky mouthfeel, sleek and elegant, terribly balanced. The flavors are pure and defined, and there is an overall sense of harmony that I like very much. Brilliant Ardanza! They produced no less than 600,000 bottles of this wine, which is remarkable. It has been in bottle since March 2016, so it’s very approachable but should also age nicely in bottle. Drink or keep.”
Decanter 94 points “Warming, nutty, complex Rioja with layers of fruit and a softness of dark cherry fruit on the palate. Soft tannins and elegantly poised with a long, savoury finish.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Vibrant, spice- and mineral-accented scents of fresh red fruits, succulent herbs and spicecake are complemented by an emerging floral overtone. Juicy and pliant in the mouth, offering gently sweet raspberry, cherry cola, spicecake and rose pastille flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. In an energetic style, showing fine clarity and silky tannins that frame a long, smooth finish.”
Descendientes de J. Palacios ‘Petalos’, Bierzo 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Case-12 Descendientes de J. Palacios ‘Petalos’, Bierzo 2019 750ML ($249.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
No review for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Their regional wine achieves unheard of levels of complexity and nuance with the 2018 Pétalos del Bierzo. It’s a blend from over 90 hectares of vineyards in different part of Bierzo, 20% of the grapes from their own vineyards in Corullón, including some 4% white grapes. The rest is purchased from 180+ families with whom they have a long-term relationship. Some of these vineyards are not yet certified organic, but the objective is to achieve it in the next five years. It’s mostly Mencía, but there are other grapes varieties in the vineyards; they estimate about 3% of other reds, Alicante Bouschet, Gran Negro, Pan y Carne, Negreda, etc. and around 4% whites, Valenciana, Jerez and Godello, half from Corullón and the other half from other villages. The grapes were partly destemmed and fermented in open-top stainless steel and oak vats with 25 days of maceration where the wine underwent a slow three-month malolactic. It matured in barrel for 12 months. This is the wine that showcases the house style and the character of the vintage, which, in this case, is delicate and very much from the zone. There is an aromatic purity and elegance that is very captivating with a faint flinty background, the cherry essence (Mediterranean) and a touch of fern (Atlantic) plus a honeyed twist that shows up after a couple of hours in the glass. It has a silky texture, soft and caressing, with very fine tannins and the faint bitter twist in the finish. In an ideal world, this should be the first wine people drink from Bierzo, and fortunately, in many cases, it is, given the availability, even if they did a more severe selection. This is approachable now but would be better in one year, and it’s going to live in bottle. 282,038 bottles and 2,500 magnums produced. It was bottled between December 2019 and January 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $21
New Zealand
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay, Kumeu 2019 750ML ($24.95) $17.50 special
Case-12 Kumeu River Village Chardonnay, Kumeu 2019 750ML ($219.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
James Suckling 91 points “A very vibrant, fresh nose with attractive peach and melon aromas, as well as fresh florals, leading to a palate that has pure, fleshy pear, peach and melon flavors. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Vermouth & Aperitif Wines
Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth 1L ($49.95) $41.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Rich, fruity and enticing, this sweet vermouth is warmed with notes of fig and dried cherries, and just faint hints of spiced gingerbread and bitter orange peel. Drinkable solo as an apéritif, or use it as a cocktail-mixing favorite. -Kara Newman”
Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Piedmont 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Hans Alpenz Imports “The last remaining example of appellation Vermouth di Torino to comply with all of the classical requirements, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino has been produced since 1891. Cocchi uses estate Moscato as the wine base, and vibrant, spicy botanicals such as cocoa, citrus, ginger, and rhubarb. In contrast with other popular Italian vermouths, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino retains wines of Piedmont as the base and avoids a heavy sheen of vanilla that clashes with other cocktail ingredients. Vermouth di Torino stands apart as one of only two protected geographical indications of origin for vermouth, and is the style referenced by classic cocktail books when discussing “Italian vermouth.””
Cocchi ‘Dopo Teatro’ Vermouth Amaro, Piedmont 500ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Hans Alpenz Imports “The name ‘Dopo Teatro’ refers to the late-evening, “after theater” service at restaurants and cafes in Torino, a gathering time for a sip of something bittersweet and maybe a small bite to eat. This “vermouth amaro” (vermouth with added bitterness) uses Cocchi’s classic Vermouth di Torino as its base. From there, winemaker Giulio Bava adds a number of additional botanicals, including chiretta flowers and a double dose of cinchona bark. The result is a robust amaro that retains the refreshing acidity of the original Vermouth. Pair with spicy chocolate preparations, or mix with intense bourbons or ryes, mezcal, or gin.”
Cardamaro Vino Amaro, Piedmont 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Hans Alpenz Imports “Cardamaro is a longstanding product of what is today a 4th-generation winemaker in Canelli d’Asti. The primary flavors of Cardamaro are cardoon and blessed thistle, with a short repose in oak for spice and and texture. Drink as aperitif or digestif, outstanding with cider, or use in place of vermouth in many cocktails. Because of the subtle oak treatment, it is possible to use Cardamaro in place of bourbon or rye; combine with Dolin rouge for a lighter take on a Manhattan. Pair with saltier cheeses or charcuterie.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
We offer 24 Vermouths, Amaros, Americanos, Quinquinas and Aperitif wines in stock now & on our web store, including favorites from Haus Alpenz, Yzaguirre, Perucchi & more. Shop the full selection here!
Alta Alella Cava Mirgin Brut Nature, Catalonia 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Alta Alella Cava Mirgin Brut Nature, Catalonia 2017 750ML ($249.95) $199 Super Subscriber Special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Light, bright yellow-gold. Displays pungent, mineral-accented aromas of dried pear, lemon pith, fennel and chamomile that show very good clarity and spicy lift. Weighty, focused and dry on the palate, which displays refreshingly bitter citrus pith, pear skin and quinine flavors and a hint of peachiness. Manages to come off hefty as well as graceful and finishes long and taut, with resonating stoniness and a touch of spicy ginger. (disgorged after 15 months on its lees).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $29.99
Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays intense red fruit, potpourri and incense qualities. Spice and savory herb nuances build as the wine opens up. Bright and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed and appealingly sweet raspberry liqueur, cherry and spicecake flavors that pick up a smoky mineral note on the back half. Plays power off of finesse deftly and finishes extremely long and floral, with sneaky, fine-grained tannins and a touch of exotic spices.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Clos Cibonne ‘Tentations’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Clos Cibonne ‘Tentations’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
De Maison Selections note “Tentations offers an accessible entry-point into Provence wine. Tentations is made with exceptional ingredients, including fruit from young tibouren vines and some purchased fruit from farmers they have long-standing relationships with, in prime spots in La Londe. The Tentations wines do not undergo the extensive aging process of the Clos Cibonne line. Offering immediate and unpretentious enjoyment, they are incredible food wines and represent one of the best wine values in the Côtes de Provence region. Site: La Londe. Grapes: 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Tibouren.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $20
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $62.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($539.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows a darker and more concentrated appearance than many of its peers. The wine is beautifully abundant and fragrant in the most exuberant and expressive manner. You will recognize aromas of moist soil, tobacco and smoke. Candied cherry hovers over the entire bouquet. Fruit is sourced from older vines (all over 25 years old). Il Poggione occupies a special spot within the Montalcino appellation, and the area always produces slightly more concentrated and powerful wines. I find that to be particularly true in this gorgeous 2015 vintage. I am also very attracted to that almost dusty note of crushed mineral that rides long on the full-bodied finish. Il Poggione’s Brunello is also distinguished by firm, youthful tannin that need a few more years to unwind. Luckily, there are quite a few bottles to go around, with some 200,000 made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $81
A drink-now ‘Super Iberian’
Bodegas y Viñedos La Mejorada Villalar Oro, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León 2011 750ML ($19.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Bodegas y Viñedos La Mejorada Villalar Oro Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León 2011 750ML ($119.95) $79 special (that’s only $13.17/bottle!)
James Suckling 91 points “A solid red with berry, spice and walnut aromas. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and silky. Lovely texture of velvety tannins balanced out by some nice tension. 95% tempranillo and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Beautiful now.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Dame Voyageuse, Rhône 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Dame Voyageuse, Rhône 2016 750ML ($399.95) $276 special (that’s only $46/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The new entry-level release from this estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Dame Voyageuse, a more Grenache-dominated blend of 90% Grenache, 4% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah, and the balance Counoise and Vaccarèse. Aged mostly in tank, with 15% in old barrels, it boasts a deep violet/purple color as well as a full-bodied, voluptuous style in its blueberry and cherry fruits, violets, damp earth, and spice-laced aromas and flavors. This cuvée is always more upfront and sexier compared to the more structured La Reine des Bois cuvée, and it’s already drinking brilliantly today. Nevertheless, it will keep for a good 10-15 years if you’re so inclined.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $69.99
Featured New Arrivals:
2019 Goodfellow Family Cellars
New Week – New Arrivals
A Case of Vinsanity
Paolo Scavino
2016 Barolo & 2017 Crus
Domaines Ott Romassan
Collector’s Corner:
2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Mark Your Calendar & Tell Your Friends:
We are re-opening for in-store shopping
Tuesday, June 8th!
Properly worn masks will be required at all times.
Our maximum capacity will be six customers at one time.
We are re-opening for in-store shopping
Tuesday, June 8th!
Properly worn masks will be required at all times.
Our maximum capacity will be six customers at one time.
Featured New Arrivals:
2019 Goodfellow Family Cellars
2019 Goodfellow Family Cellars
Marcus Goodfellow is one of the most talented winemakers in Oregon. He founded Matello wines, his original label, in 2002 and hasn’t looked back, making wines that have continually improved—both in bottle and from vintage to vintage. These are profound wines, both white and red, that are made in a style that’s distinctly savory—no fruit bombs here. Rather, we love them for their coiled power and Burgundian structure. These are wines that speak with an Oregon voice, but the tannin and acidity comes from an old-world point of view.
The 2019 vintage is looking fabulous in bottle. Wines show the tension and minerality of a classic Oregon vintage:
“The 2019 growing season was a departure from the previous three years. Bud break came a week or so later than it had the year before, and temperatures were mild throughout the summer, with cool cloudy mornings, and afternoons where even the hottest part of the day was pleasant for humans and grapevines alike. Breezes held less force, and grape skins had the luxury of remaining fine. The wines are beautifully elegant, precise, and the quintessential ‘old Oregon’. Delicate in the mouth, with heady and perfumed aromatics, refreshing and juicy acidity, and low alcohols.” –Marcus Goodfellow & Megan Joy
Newly Arrived from Goodfellow:
Goodfellow Family Cellars Temperance Hill Vineyard Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $37.70 special
Winery note “Still tightly coiled, this opens to non-fruit tones: salt water over stones, fennel and sage flowers, cedar, lavender, soil, and dust. Clean, lemon peel and clementine, hints of classic Temperance Hill savory herb, sage, cedar, and lemon/citrus pith. Great length and echo. 12.6% abv, finished under Diam 30. 145 cases.”
The 2019 vintage is looking fabulous in bottle. Wines show the tension and minerality of a classic Oregon vintage:
“The 2019 growing season was a departure from the previous three years. Bud break came a week or so later than it had the year before, and temperatures were mild throughout the summer, with cool cloudy mornings, and afternoons where even the hottest part of the day was pleasant for humans and grapevines alike. Breezes held less force, and grape skins had the luxury of remaining fine. The wines are beautifully elegant, precise, and the quintessential ‘old Oregon’. Delicate in the mouth, with heady and perfumed aromatics, refreshing and juicy acidity, and low alcohols.” –Marcus Goodfellow & Megan Joy
Newly Arrived from Goodfellow:
Goodfellow Family Cellars Temperance Hill Vineyard Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $37.70 special
Winery note “Still tightly coiled, this opens to non-fruit tones: salt water over stones, fennel and sage flowers, cedar, lavender, soil, and dust. Clean, lemon peel and clementine, hints of classic Temperance Hill savory herb, sage, cedar, and lemon/citrus pith. Great length and echo. 12.6% abv, finished under Diam 30. 145 cases.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “Lemon curd, lime blossom, sea shells, quince, yellow flowers, grilled bread. Softer than the Richard’s, this has a silky prettiness in the mouth, Meyer lemon running over river rocks, with a tingly lemony finish. 11.8% abv, finished under Diam 30. 80 cases.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $37.70 special
Winery note “Very alluring, homemade pear tarts, white flowers, oyster shells, salt, and hazelnuts. Direct and graceful in the palate, limpidly textural with floral, fennel, lemon, and stone. A great balance between tranquility and energy. One of our very best Durant bottlings, and very much in the key of Meursault. 12.5%, finished under Diam 10. 113 cases.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Whistling Ridge Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($69.95) $55 special
Case-6 Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Whistling Ridge Vineyard, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($379.95) $309 special (that’s only $51.50/bottle!)
Winery note “Oh boy…first gravel and smoke, opening to fresh pear, hazelnuts, straw and raw grain, then lime and yuzu blossom. Old world notes of river stones, and seashells. Palate is immediately bright, stony, mineral, lime, clean, lucid, direct, and steely. Acidity runs through the wine from the front palate to the long, long, long finish. Like Corton from the mid-90s… 11.8% abv, finished under Diam 30. 155 cases.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Lewman Vineyard Pinot Gris (Rosé), Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “The lower yields in 2019 were particularly unkind to the Pinot Gris block at Lewman vineyard coming in at just over a ton. With such a small amount, we opted to have a little bit of fun and fermented this as a red wine. Whole cluster is 20%, and the fruit was in fermenter for 44 days before being racked to an old 500L Acacia puncheon and a single neutral oak barrique. We picked this early, before any inclement weather, and the resulting wine is light-bodied and copper colored. This smells savory and intriguing, then shows floral notes and a hint of melon, but is more akin to a white wine on the palate. While Pinot Gris can be distinctly tannic, this shows only a modest astringency and should be good as a summer sipper, though I would also recommend saving a few bottles to drink over the next 3-4 years. 11.6% abv and finished with Diam 30. 85 cases produced.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Oracle Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “100% whole cluster, this is a beautiful balance of sweet fruit, and savory finish. Red strawberry and pomegranate fruit followed quickly by tobacco leaf, and amaro spices. The most textured of the 2019 Pinot Noirs, there is a beautiful harmony to the palate, a supple weightless luxury, with great finishing acidity and grip. 13.2% abv, finished with Diam 10. 100 cases.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Fir Crest Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “Probably my favorite rendition of this vineyard. Beautiful dark fruit and purple blossoms, shifting between black and red fruits, contrasted with dark earth and spice underneath. Clean, elegant, and very pure with great contrast between fruit and stem notes, excellent balance and drive, finishes long with juicy acidity. A somewhat unique take on Yamhill-Carlton fruit but true to the AVA. 13.0% abv, finished with Diam 10. 113 cases.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “Supple with juicy red fruit, flowers, dark and sweet spice, loamy earth and amaro. More ethereal than the Durant typically is. The palate is boysenberry, dark cherry, and pomegranate, light bodied but structural, with a great savory finish. 13.0% abv, finished with Diam 10. 160 cases.”
Shop our full selection of Goodfellow wines on our web store!
New Week – New Arrivals
Rosé
Feudo Montoni ‘Rose di Adele’ Nerello Mascalese Rosato, Sicily 2020 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Eric Guido-Vinous 91 points “The 2020 Nerello Mascalese Rosé di Adele keeps you at the edge of the glass with a delicate yet stunning bouquet of ripe peach laced with candied ginger and a dusting of sweet spice. Its textures are fleshy, yet the expression is lifted and spry, with a vivid display of freshly sliced pear, while drenched in minerals and motivated by lively acidity. There’s a crunchy feel through the finale, as the palate reverberates with residual tension, tapering off to a hint of sour melon.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Scala Rosato Ciro, Calabria 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Importer Tasting Note (Victor Schwartz) “The 2020 is a vibrant wine as always. The color is particularly striking, an electric copper-gold, like a ramato that’s been amped up. The nose and palate are delicious if elusive. There is a deep fruit quality that is a mix of apricots and red fruits, the varietal character of gaglioppo is evident along with a distinctive savory note in the background. The wine offers a fruitful acidity keeping it fresh and alive.”
100% Gaglioppo from estate vineyards
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $19.99
Vincent Rosé Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24.40 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Oregon
Civic Winery Petillant Naturel Amphora, Oregon 2020 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
Winery note “Due to lower yields in Oregon in 2020 and the impact of severe fires in September, we had to be flexible in our winemaking decisions this harvest. We worked with Johan to help with changes from their farm, and bought more Pinot Noir and no Chardonnay. We also decided to allocate 10% of our Chenin Blanc from Tuckaway Vineyard (Elkton AVA, 100% organic) to this pét-nat. This was our first year working with Tuckaway Chenin Blanc and we’re hooked. Pinot Noir grapes were handpicked the morning of October 5 and Chenin Blanc grapes were handpicked on October 7, whole cluster pressed, and the juice was hyperoxidized. After settling, the Pinot Noir juice was racked off the gross lees into 100% NOVUM amphorae where fermentation began spontaneously. Same for the Chenin Blanc, but into a concrete egg. As primary fermentation was finishing, the pinot noir and chenin blanc were blended in tank and racked off of fine lees then chilled to halt fermentation. Vineyard: Johan Vineyards (>90% Pinot Noir) and Tuckaway Vineyard (<10% Chenin Blanc). Farming: Certified Biodynamic.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Ovum ‘Old Love’ White Blend, Oregon 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
Winery note “2020 Big Salt is wildly aromatic, laced with Gewurz and Muscat overtones, but framed by citrusy Riesling. Salty bergamot, lemon, nectarine and white tea– exotic fruits fill out the nose. The palate is filled with the texture of Gewurz, herbal hints from Pinot Blanc, but quickly washed back with classic Riesling acidity. 2020 Big Salt pairs well with fish tacos, pesto chicken pasta, pad thai…or just chilling. Cellar: 3-8 years of optimal drinking. 45% Riesling, 35% Gewurztraminer, 11% Pinot Blanc, 9% Early Muscat, 1% others. Soils: Volcanic ash, basalt, marine sediment, alluvial, serpentine.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Maloof Where Ya Pjs At? White Blend (“Rosé-ish”), Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Winery note “Winemaking – 50% Skin contact Pinot Gris (all from No Clos Radio), 30% Direct pressed, barrel fermented Pinot Gris (equal parts Oracle & Rudolfo), 20% Direct pressed, barrel fermented riesling (equal parts Beckenridge & Ony). The majority of the No Clos Radio gris was fermented in open top fermenters on the skins with daily punch downs until dry (20 days). 15% of the NCR gris was fermented carbonically in sealed containers for the same length of time. The two lots were pressed off together, and then moved into barrel. Both riesling lots were fermented dry in neutral oak barrels. All of the lots were blended in the late winter, and bottled unfined and unfiltered in March. 22ppm added sulfur. Additional Notes: This is sort of a “rosé” for us. As you’ll see on the back of the bottle it states “rose-ish”. We wanted to have the playfulness and functionality of a rosé without actually using any red fruit. Whether you call it white wine, orange wine, or rose, Where ya PJs at?!”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
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 lowest listed price in the USA today!
Vincent Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) $18.50 special
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
Last call!
Beaux Freres The Beaux Freres Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($109.95) $85 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Brilliant ruby. Intense red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the highly perfumed nose, along with hints of cola and licorice. Juicy and precise, offering concentrated raspberry, boysenberry and floral pastille flavors that take on a five-spice-powder nuance with air. Plays power off delicacy with a sure hand and finishes extremely long and silky, with polished tannins framing lingering red fruit and candied rose notes. 45% new oak.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “A wine of presence and expression, impeccably structured yet elegantly layered, with evocative raspberry, rose petal and brown baking spice notes that pick up richness and tension toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029. 3,088 cases made.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The medium ruby-purple colored 2018 Pinot Noir The Beaux Frères Vineyard opens to lush rhubarb, cranberries and loamy earth with layers of blood orange, tea leaves, charcuterie and flowers. The medium-bodied palate offers broody, concentrated fruits with fine earth and spice accents, with a seamless, silky frame and lifted finish.”
Last call!
Kelley Fox Wines ‘Mirabai’ Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Winery note “Oh, I love 2019. The Mirabai 2019 is a light-to-medium, youthful blue-red with brilliant transparency. Like all of my other 2019 bottlings, it is certainly lighter in colour and more nuanced than my 2018. True to the Dundee Hills, this Mirabai begins with a beautiful, fresh strawberry nose with subtle spices and tastes of the same carried by the lightest drape of silk. To me, this luminous Mirabai is both heart-warming and uplifting.”
Elevee Bjornson Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($59.95) $47 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Limpid ruby-red. High-pitched red and blue fruit and floral scents are complemented by suggestions of smoky minerals and baking spices. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering vibrant raspberry, boysenberry and musky licorice flavors that slowly deepen through the midpalate. Shows fine definition and spicy cut on a long, gently tannic finish that leaves behind suggestions of candied rose and succulent herbs. 33% new oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Lovely cherry fruit highlights this wine, part of the winery’s self-named “Study in Terroir” series. Along with the fruit there are streaks of orange peel and chocolate. The mouthfeel is soft, almost velvety, and the finish resonates with mocha. -Paul Gregutt”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Elevee Elevee Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2017 750ML ($59.95) $44 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Dark, shimmering red. Powerful, high-pitched red berry, potpourri and exotic spice aromas pick up smoky mineral, cola and rhubarb notes with air. Sweet, seamless and penetrating on the palate, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry cola, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen as the wine stretches out. The red fruit and floral notes carry emphatically through a strikingly long, sweet finish framed by supple, polished tannins. 25% new oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “The fruit is sourced from a 1998 planting that is now approaching full maturity. It’s intensely aromatic with Asian spices, wild berries and milk chocolate. Those flavors are well integrated, with additional highlights of almond paste, licorice and black tea. -Paul Gregutt”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Elevee Madrona Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($59.95) $47 special
James Suckling 93 points “This is a bold and structured style with ample dark plums and cherries, framed in sturdy tannins and delivered as a long, juicy and assertively rich, long and youthful style. Plenty to come. Try from 2022.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Deep crimson. Spice- and mineral-accented red fruits, candied flowers and a hint of cola on the perfumed nose. Silky and energetic in style, offering juicy raspberry, bitter cherry and rose pastille flavors that open up steadily on the back half. Silky, even tannins shape a persistent, spice-tinged finish that leaves a sappy red berry note behind. 30% new oak.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Here the opening impression is a precise, sculpted wine with an iron spine. The firm cranberry and blackberry fruit has a dark edge to it, and a streak of graphite runs through the polished tannins. -Paul Gregutt”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
California
Dominus Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2018 750ML ($349.95) $299 special
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “The flagship 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot brought up in 40% new French oak. With an essence of Cabernet-like character in its darker currants, green tobacco, cedar, graphite, and floral aromas and flavors, this gorgeous wine is full-bodied and has bright yet integrated acidity, polished tannins, and a great, great finish. It’s just gorgeously put together and a magical, flawless wine. It’s going to take a decade to hit maturity but will evolve for 40-50 years in cold cellars. It is as good as it gets in classic, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon!”
Wine Advocate 99+ points “Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Dominus slowly emerges from the glass with profound notes of blackcurrant cordial, ripe black plums, boysenberries and Black Forest cake with hints of violets, star anise, cracked black pepper, raspberry leaves and pencil lead, plus a touch of garrigue. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers impactful black fruit layers, creating a beguiling sense of richness that is beautifully countered by invigorating freshness and great poise, framed by super ripe, plush tannins and beautiful tension, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note and, finally, lots of mineral sparks. For all that it is at the moment, one cannot help but feel that this 2018 is holding something back. Give it a good five years in bottle, at least, and then get set for what I suspect will be a mind-blowing transformation over the next 30 years+.-LPB”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2018 Dominus is wild and exotic from the first taste. Lifted aromatics make a strong opening impression. There is something exuberant about the 2018 that is hard to describe. The 2018 is not a huge Dominus, nor is it massively structured, but the intensity of the flavors is remarkable just the same. Dark raspberry, spice, leather and cedar are some of the many notes that open over time.”
France – Champagne
Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs Brut Millesime, Champagne 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, only 3 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “This latest Blanc de Blancs vintage from Roederer is well poised and balanced, already offering a hint of toast, while the minerality is prominent. It is in a dry style, relying on the ripe fruit to soften the impact of the acidity. A beautiful wine, ready to drink. -Roger Voss”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2010 Brut Blanc de Blancs shows just how compelling this cuvée can be in more favorable years, and 2010 had its share of challenges as well. Brisk, fresh and wonderfully nuanced, the 2010 exudes energy as well as a sense of transparency that is compelling. Time in bottle since release has only added flavor complexity and texture. Light on its feet and super-expressive, the 2010 Blanc de Blancs is one of the highlights in this range from Roederer.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93 points “Roederer’s 2010 Blanc de Blancs is already showing very well, wafting from the glass with a classy bouquet of wheat toast, freshly baked bread, green apple, tangerine and almond paste. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, ample and expansive, with a pinpoint mousse, succulent acids, excellent depth at the core and a long, elegantly chalky finish. The 2010 saw five years sur lattes and nine grams per liter dosage. Purists will want to give it another couple of years on the cork to reveal all its incipient complexity, but it is already difficult to resist.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $92
Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2018) NV 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
Case-6 Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve, Champagne (2018) NV 750ML ($299.95) $269 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Disgorged in July 2020 with seven grams per liter dosage, the NV Brut Réserve (2018 base) is the latest rendition of this wine. Bursting with aromas of orange oil, crisp orchard fruit and fresh bread, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with tangy acids and an enveloping, pillowy profile.”
Savart L’Ouverture Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Case-12 Savart L’Ouverture Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($599.95) $529 special (that’s only $44.08/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
John Gilman 91+ points “The l’Ouverture cuvée from Monsieur Savart is composed entirely from pinot noir grown in the village of Écueil, with half of the vins clairs barrel-fermented and raised in cask and the other in tank. Only the reserve wines that go into the blend have gone through malo for this wine, which is aged under cork, rather than crown cap prior to disgorgement. This release was disgorged in September of 2020 and finished with a dosage of seven grams per liter. It offers up a lovely nose of white peach, apple, patissière, chalky soil tones and a nice touch of orange zest in the upper register. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and complex, with a fine core, good mineral drive, frothy mousse and lovely focus and balance on the long and youthful finish. This is a lovely bottle that will be even better with a few years in the cellar. 2021-2040+.”
Disgorged February 2021
Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($44.95) $37 special
No reviews for the current disgorgement. Reviews and notes for the prior disgorgement provided for reference.
Wine Spectator 91 points “A harmonious Champagne, light-footed and bright, with a lacy mousse carrying delicate notes of Asian pear and slivered almond, backed by a minerally overtone of oyster shell and brine. Disgorged September 2018. Drink now through 2022. 4,616 cases made, 870 cases imported.”
Peter Liem note “Diebolt has been steadily increasing the proportion of grand cru Chouilly in this blend, although the majority continues to come from Cuis and Epernay. This version certainly shows the Cuis backbone in its racy, tense structure, filling out on the palate with fragrant, harmonious depth. While it’s not hugely complex, it feels composed and inviting, buoyed by lively acidity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
France – Other
Chateau Fredignac – Vincent L’Amouller ‘Le Canon de la Goulue’ Vin de France (Cotes de Blaye, Bordeaux) 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18 special
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 20% Merlot.
Importer note “Organic and biodynamic from Vincent L’Amouller. Red Vin de France from the Cotes de Blaye (Bordeaux). Clay-limestone soils. Manuel harvest. Destemming. Fermented for 3 weeks under native yearsts without SO2 in cement vats. Only 20 ppm sulfur added before bottling.”
Frederic Lornet Arbois Chardonnay, Jura 2018 ($24.95) $18 special
Importer note “The grapes are both hand and machine harvested. They (manual harvested portion) are destemmed and sorted, pressed and settle for 24 hours and inoculated with a yeast from the vineyards. The fermentation is at a low temperature over an extended period. This allows for a smoother richer mouth feel in the palate. The fermentation is split between temperature controlled stainless steel and 3000-liter foudre also retro fit for temperature-controlled fermentation. Lornet allows the wine to go through Malo at its own pace. The wine is bottled in the Spring after harvest. Lornet prefers to bottle early, he believes that trapping the aromatics early allows for longer bottle ageing. This process pushed the rich apple pear and quince with a wonderful oily texture expressing the layers of the soil striation.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Arnaud Lambert (formerly Chateau de Breze) Saumur Clos de Midi, Loire 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “This offers an expressive mix of yellow apple, persimmon and Meyer lemon flavors infused with light notes of hazelnut and hints of smoke. The acidity is electric, giving this plenty of verve and carrying all the elements to the long and seductive, lightly floral finish. Best from 2022 through 2034. 3,750 cases made, 627 cases imported. — AZ”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $24
Italy
Foradori ‘Fuoripista’ Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Trentino-Alto Adige 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
James Suckling 95 points “Skin fermentation has given this pinot grigio a rosé color, but also a lot of peach-skin, rose-petal and candied-orange character. Notes of wet earth and umami, which you normally associate with red wines, develops as it aerates in the glass. Then comes the surprisingly delicate, medium-bodied palate that is so fresh, the delicate tannins and rose-petal notes lifting the long, almost weightless finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
Scala Bianco Ciro, Calabria 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Importer note “100% Greco, from vineyards located in Cirò (Crotone district), 100 to 150 meters above sea level. The vines were planted in 1997 and face south/south-east. They are trained in espalier. The grapes were manually harvested around the 20th of August (20 to 30 days earlier than usual, as 2017 was a very hot vintage). They were destemmed, softly pressed, and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks – 16° to 18° C (61 to 64F) in order to preserve the aromas. After the fermentation, the wine was racked and left in tanks for 4 months. Nose of white flowers. 12% alcohol.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Scala Rosso Ciro Classico, Calabria 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Importer note “100% Gaglioppo, a medium-sized, thick-skinned grape indigenous to Southern Italy and best known for the production of Ciro DOC. The grapes comes from a vineyard called “Franza”, in Contrada Franza (municipality of Ciro), in the region of Calabria. The ownership of the land goes back to the 17th century. It was previously cultivated with olive trees and citrus groves, and turned into a vineyard in 1965. The soil is clay and sand, with a South/South East exposure and 10 year old vines trained as espaliers. The grapes are de-stemmed, then macerate at 77F until the fermentation is completed. After a soft pressing, the wine is racked and left in cement tanks for a minimum of 10 to 12 months. 13.5% Alcohol.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $18
Dal Forno Romano Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore, Veneto 2013 750ML ($119.95) $94.50 special
Decanter 97 points “From one of the most iconic wineries in the Orientale, this is aged for two years in oak and a further three in bottle. A proper meditation wine, great with game, strong cheeses or a cigar. It has a huge nose of stewed red fruits, ethereal bramble forest fruits and blackberry jam. Generous, with spicy, bitter cherry-stone freshness. Full-bodied with a rich, intense, spicy undertone.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “This is a terrific wine that stood out—and stood tall—despite the fact that it was tasted alongside some of Dal Forno’s most important vintages of the top-shelf Amarone. If that’s not a full-on recommendation, I don’t know what is. The 2013 Valpolicella Superiore Monte Lodoletta oozes forth with thick concentration and an inky black color. The mouthfeel is thick and impenetrable, and the senses are treated to a long succession of black fruit, tar, spice, smoke, mesquite and barbecue flavors. The wine is full-bodied and very opulent, but it carries that massive intensity with grace and precision. This Valpolicella Superiore is very nicely done.”
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Rabaja, Barbaresco DOCG 2017 750ML ($269.95) $199 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 on the West Coast!
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa Asili Riserva, Barbaresco DOCG 2016 750ML ($579.95) $449 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.”
Spain
La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Alberdi Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2016 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Case-6 La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Alberdi Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Glistening ruby-red. Spice-tinged red fruit and floral aromas pick up hints of coconut and succulent herbs with air. Silky and expressive on the palate, offering appealingly sweet cherry and raspberry flavors and a spicecake nuance that builds steadily in the glass. Closes long and smooth, with repeating florality and subtle tannins that come in late.”
La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Ardanza Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Case-6 La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Ardanza Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2012 750ML ($219.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 94 points “Garnacha is an important component in the 2012 Viña Ardanza Reserva, where it represents 20% of the blend (the rest is, of course, Tempranillo). 2011 was a difficult vintage for Garnacha, so Viña Ardanza was not produced that year and they jumped from 2010, which had the mention “Selección Especial,” to 2012, where it returns to the regular Reserva. The wine is a prototype of polished and aged Rioja with a ruby color with some orange and a developed nose with subtle aromas of decayed leaves, sweet spices and some cherries in liqueur even, quite complex and harmonious. The palate is velvety but rich, with resolved tannins and a fine chalky mouthfeel, sleek and elegant, terribly balanced. The flavors are pure and defined, and there is an overall sense of harmony that I like very much. Brilliant Ardanza! They produced no less than 600,000 bottles of this wine, which is remarkable. It has been in bottle since March 2016, so it’s very approachable but should also age nicely in bottle. Drink or keep.”
Decanter 94 points “Warming, nutty, complex Rioja with layers of fruit and a softness of dark cherry fruit on the palate. Soft tannins and elegantly poised with a long, savoury finish.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Vibrant, spice- and mineral-accented scents of fresh red fruits, succulent herbs and spicecake are complemented by an emerging floral overtone. Juicy and pliant in the mouth, offering gently sweet raspberry, cherry cola, spicecake and rose pastille flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. In an energetic style, showing fine clarity and silky tannins that frame a long, smooth finish.”
Descendientes de J. Palacios ‘Petalos’, Bierzo 2019 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Case-12 Descendientes de J. Palacios ‘Petalos’, Bierzo 2019 750ML ($249.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
No review for the 2019 vintage. 2018 review provided for reference.
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Their regional wine achieves unheard of levels of complexity and nuance with the 2018 Pétalos del Bierzo. It’s a blend from over 90 hectares of vineyards in different part of Bierzo, 20% of the grapes from their own vineyards in Corullón, including some 4% white grapes. The rest is purchased from 180+ families with whom they have a long-term relationship. Some of these vineyards are not yet certified organic, but the objective is to achieve it in the next five years. It’s mostly Mencía, but there are other grapes varieties in the vineyards; they estimate about 3% of other reds, Alicante Bouschet, Gran Negro, Pan y Carne, Negreda, etc. and around 4% whites, Valenciana, Jerez and Godello, half from Corullón and the other half from other villages. The grapes were partly destemmed and fermented in open-top stainless steel and oak vats with 25 days of maceration where the wine underwent a slow three-month malolactic. It matured in barrel for 12 months. This is the wine that showcases the house style and the character of the vintage, which, in this case, is delicate and very much from the zone. There is an aromatic purity and elegance that is very captivating with a faint flinty background, the cherry essence (Mediterranean) and a touch of fern (Atlantic) plus a honeyed twist that shows up after a couple of hours in the glass. It has a silky texture, soft and caressing, with very fine tannins and the faint bitter twist in the finish. In an ideal world, this should be the first wine people drink from Bierzo, and fortunately, in many cases, it is, given the availability, even if they did a more severe selection. This is approachable now but would be better in one year, and it’s going to live in bottle. 282,038 bottles and 2,500 magnums produced. It was bottled between December 2019 and January 2020.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $21
New Zealand
Kumeu River Village Chardonnay, Kumeu 2019 750ML ($24.95) $17.50 special
Case-12 Kumeu River Village Chardonnay, Kumeu 2019 750ML ($219.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
James Suckling 91 points “A very vibrant, fresh nose with attractive peach and melon aromas, as well as fresh florals, leading to a palate that has pure, fleshy pear, peach and melon flavors. Drink now. Screw cap.”
Vermouth & Aperitif Wines
Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth 1L ($49.95) $41.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Rich, fruity and enticing, this sweet vermouth is warmed with notes of fig and dried cherries, and just faint hints of spiced gingerbread and bitter orange peel. Drinkable solo as an apéritif, or use it as a cocktail-mixing favorite. -Kara Newman”
Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, Piedmont 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Hans Alpenz Imports “The last remaining example of appellation Vermouth di Torino to comply with all of the classical requirements, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino has been produced since 1891. Cocchi uses estate Moscato as the wine base, and vibrant, spicy botanicals such as cocoa, citrus, ginger, and rhubarb. In contrast with other popular Italian vermouths, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino retains wines of Piedmont as the base and avoids a heavy sheen of vanilla that clashes with other cocktail ingredients. Vermouth di Torino stands apart as one of only two protected geographical indications of origin for vermouth, and is the style referenced by classic cocktail books when discussing “Italian vermouth.””
Cocchi ‘Dopo Teatro’ Vermouth Amaro, Piedmont 500ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Hans Alpenz Imports “The name ‘Dopo Teatro’ refers to the late-evening, “after theater” service at restaurants and cafes in Torino, a gathering time for a sip of something bittersweet and maybe a small bite to eat. This “vermouth amaro” (vermouth with added bitterness) uses Cocchi’s classic Vermouth di Torino as its base. From there, winemaker Giulio Bava adds a number of additional botanicals, including chiretta flowers and a double dose of cinchona bark. The result is a robust amaro that retains the refreshing acidity of the original Vermouth. Pair with spicy chocolate preparations, or mix with intense bourbons or ryes, mezcal, or gin.”
Cardamaro Vino Amaro, Piedmont 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Hans Alpenz Imports “Cardamaro is a longstanding product of what is today a 4th-generation winemaker in Canelli d’Asti. The primary flavors of Cardamaro are cardoon and blessed thistle, with a short repose in oak for spice and and texture. Drink as aperitif or digestif, outstanding with cider, or use in place of vermouth in many cocktails. Because of the subtle oak treatment, it is possible to use Cardamaro in place of bourbon or rye; combine with Dolin rouge for a lighter take on a Manhattan. Pair with saltier cheeses or charcuterie.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
We offer 24 Vermouths, Amaros, Americanos, Quinquinas and Aperitif wines in stock now & on our web store, including favorites from Haus Alpenz, Yzaguirre, Perucchi & more. Shop the full selection here!
A Case of Vinsanity
Alta Alella Cava Mirgin Brut Nature, Catalonia 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Alta Alella Cava Mirgin Brut Nature, Catalonia 2017 750ML ($249.95) $199 Super Subscriber Special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “Light, bright yellow-gold. Displays pungent, mineral-accented aromas of dried pear, lemon pith, fennel and chamomile that show very good clarity and spicy lift. Weighty, focused and dry on the palate, which displays refreshingly bitter citrus pith, pear skin and quinine flavors and a hint of peachiness. Manages to come off hefty as well as graceful and finishes long and taut, with resonating stoniness and a touch of spicy ginger. (disgorged after 15 months on its lees).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $29.99
Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays intense red fruit, potpourri and incense qualities. Spice and savory herb nuances build as the wine opens up. Bright and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed and appealingly sweet raspberry liqueur, cherry and spicecake flavors that pick up a smoky mineral note on the back half. Plays power off of finesse deftly and finishes extremely long and floral, with sneaky, fine-grained tannins and a touch of exotic spices.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Clos Cibonne ‘Tentations’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Clos Cibonne ‘Tentations’ Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($249.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
De Maison Selections note “Tentations offers an accessible entry-point into Provence wine. Tentations is made with exceptional ingredients, including fruit from young tibouren vines and some purchased fruit from farmers they have long-standing relationships with, in prime spots in La Londe. The Tentations wines do not undergo the extensive aging process of the Clos Cibonne line. Offering immediate and unpretentious enjoyment, they are incredible food wines and represent one of the best wine values in the Côtes de Provence region. Site: La Londe. Grapes: 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah, and 15% Tibouren.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $20
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($89.95) $62.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($539.95) $359 special (that’s only $59.83/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The Il Poggione 2015 Brunello di Montalcino shows a darker and more concentrated appearance than many of its peers. The wine is beautifully abundant and fragrant in the most exuberant and expressive manner. You will recognize aromas of moist soil, tobacco and smoke. Candied cherry hovers over the entire bouquet. Fruit is sourced from older vines (all over 25 years old). Il Poggione occupies a special spot within the Montalcino appellation, and the area always produces slightly more concentrated and powerful wines. I find that to be particularly true in this gorgeous 2015 vintage. I am also very attracted to that almost dusty note of crushed mineral that rides long on the full-bodied finish. Il Poggione’s Brunello is also distinguished by firm, youthful tannin that need a few more years to unwind. Luckily, there are quite a few bottles to go around, with some 200,000 made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $81
A drink-now ‘Super Iberian’
Bodegas y Viñedos La Mejorada Villalar Oro, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León 2011 750ML ($19.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Bodegas y Viñedos La Mejorada Villalar Oro Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León 2011 750ML ($119.95) $79 special (that’s only $13.17/bottle!)
James Suckling 91 points “A solid red with berry, spice and walnut aromas. Medium-to full-bodied, firm and silky. Lovely texture of velvety tannins balanced out by some nice tension. 95% tempranillo and 5% cabernet sauvignon. Beautiful now.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Dame Voyageuse, Rhône 2016 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine de la Mordorée Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Dame Voyageuse, Rhône 2016 750ML ($399.95) $276 special (that’s only $46/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The new entry-level release from this estate is the 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Dame Voyageuse, a more Grenache-dominated blend of 90% Grenache, 4% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah, and the balance Counoise and Vaccarèse. Aged mostly in tank, with 15% in old barrels, it boasts a deep violet/purple color as well as a full-bodied, voluptuous style in its blueberry and cherry fruits, violets, damp earth, and spice-laced aromas and flavors. This cuvée is always more upfront and sexier compared to the more structured La Reine des Bois cuvée, and it’s already drinking brilliantly today. Nevertheless, it will keep for a good 10-15 years if you’re so inclined.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $69.99
Paolo Scavino: Barolo’s Modern-ish Master
Scavino is one of the truly great estates in Barolo, a region with no shortage of famous names. Despite a recent trend towards a more traditional approach, the wines still skew modernist. Rich and powerful in their youth, their true greatness develops after time in the cellar – something that can’t be said about all of Scavino’s modernist peers. Complex and nuanced upon release, the wines are built to age. With access to some of Barolo’s most prized vineyards and a winemaking team that embraces the best of both modern and traditional techniques, the wines are arguably the smartest buys in Barolo today.
In Stock Now from Paolo Scavino:
Paolo Scavino Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2013 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva was released in January of 2019, and once again it looks to be a top prize. Licorice and flowers dominate the bouquet, and its beautiful red fruit is generous throughout. This wine has always been a beauty and consistently has had a high price tag to reflect that quality, going back to the first vintages of the 1990s. It has regularly sold for about $200 every year for the last decade. These vines are old, some of them very old (reaching the ripe age of 60 years old in 1990s, when many of them were replanted with carefully selected clones), producing an elegance and concentration that brings intensity and a high standard of aromas. This Barolo without a doubt shows its pedigree and a quality of noble perfumes that demonstrate characteristics of the greatest Nebbiolo vintages, all delivered with excellent concentration. The magic lingers on the palate, right up to the finish.”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of white truffles and dried red cherries here with an earthy nuance that makes for a complex and compelling nose. The palate has a deep and dense shape and delivers a wide array of rich cherry and plum flavors. Some handy spice here, too. Drink or hold.”
Arriving Tuesday, June 8th
Paolo Scavino Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Showing Enrico Scavino’s signature at the bottom of the label, this is a classic expression of Barolo. The Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo offers impeccable balance and an all-pleasing approach. There is something for everyone, especially die-hard Nebbiolo lovers, with energy, power, aromatic finesse and elegant tannins. Fruit for this wine is sourced from a half-dozen vineyard sites from across the appellation, so you get some of the power of Serralunga d’Alba and the precision of Castiglione Falletto. The scope of this wine is wide and broad, offering sweeping panoramic views of this unique grape from Piedmont. This is a terrific value.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Fragrant blue flower and perfumed berry aromas mingle with whiffs of dark culinary spice and forest floor. Tightly knit and loaded with finesse, the full-bodied palate features juicy cherry, strawberry compote, star anise and a hint of white pepper alongside taut, polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2022–2030. -Kerin O’Keefe”
James Suckling 95 points “A very pretty, floral Barolo with rose petals, cedar and sandalwood, as well as strawberries and cherries. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs three or four years to soften a little. Try after 2022.”
2017 Paolo Scavino Arriving ETA July
Paolo Scavino Bricco Ambrogio, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Located in Roddi, the 2017 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is marked by perfume of chalky earth, violets, and kirsch. The palate moves into dark fruits, with ripe currant, sweet tobacco, and tannins that emerge on the finish. Hold for 2-4 years and drink 2024-2042. Helmed by fourth generation winemaker Elisa Scavino, the estate owns and manages 30 hectares spanning eight of the 11 communes of the Barolo region and is based in Castiglione Falletto. Since 2007, they have implemented the use of a netted, submerged cap cylindrical system developed by Elisa’s father, Enrico, which achieves a delicate extraction during fermentation. They have moved to slower, longer fermentation periods, and as of 2018 will only be utilizing large casks. In the vineyard, there is great attention to the compression of the soils, creating a healthy ecosystem rich in oxygen and microorganisms and a sustainable approach.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is laced with succulent black cherry, mocha, licorice, dark spice and lavender. The Bricco Ambrogio is usually a bit juicier, while the 2017 is decidedly on the lighter side.”
Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($99.95) $88 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is another gorgeous wine in the line up from the Scavino family. Readers will find a Barolo that is more nuanced and less bombastic than in the past. Bric del Fiasc has plenty of power on its own, so this style works so well. Dried rose petal, mint, spice, kirsch and iron all blossom with a bit of coaxing. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Bric Del Fiasc has pure aromatics of stony graphitic earth, licorice, violets, and cherry liqueur. The palate is balanced, with a full structure, noted by dried apricot, blood orange, and cinnamon. The Bric del Fiasc has both floral lift as well as noble structure and has a refreshing nature. Drink 2024-2046.”
Paolo Scavino Carobric, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Carobric is one of the standouts in this range, as it often is. It has an extra dimension of depth and volume that works so well here. Sweet red cherry, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, anise and brambly notes build as this striking, expressive Barolo shows off its considerable charm. What a pretty wine it is.”
Paolo Scavino Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Monvigliero is classy and polished right out of the gate. Sweet dark cherry, rose petal, mint and cinnamon are some of the nuances that open in the glass. Even with all of its immediacy, the 2017 has plenty of tannin. I would prefer to cellar it for at least a few years. The 2017 is undoubtedly an attractive wine, but its best days lie ahead.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “From the northern MGA within Verduno, the 2017 Barolo Monvigliero is soft and floral, with crushed violets, ripe black raspberry, and licorice candy. The palate is drying, with cherry pit, sweet herbs, and turned earth. Ripe yet balanced, drink or hold 2022-2040.”
Paolo Scavino Prapo, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Prapò is yet another stellar wine in this range. Dark and brooding in the glass, the Prapò expresses all of the natural weight of this Serralunga cru, but with more overt fruit and a bit less tannic heft than is often the case. That should make the 2017 a real pleasure to drink, with just a handful of years in the cellar. Succulent black cherry, licorice, menthol, gravel and cured meats build into the heady finish.”
Paolo Scavino Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Ravera is dazzling. Deep, potent and virile, the 2017 has a lot to say, but it won’t be ready to drink anytime soon. Black cherry, graphite, licorice, smoke, game, lavender and licorice convey a real impression of gravitas that is reinforced by the wine’s overall feel. This powerhouse Barolo is magnificent today in a sort of old-school meets new-school style.”
Don’t miss shopping our remaining 2015 and 2016 stock of Paolo Scavino.
Shop our entire inventory of Paolo Scavino or browse all 72 Barolos in stock now on our web store.
In Stock Now from Paolo Scavino:
Paolo Scavino Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($219.95) $199 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2013 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva was released in January of 2019, and once again it looks to be a top prize. Licorice and flowers dominate the bouquet, and its beautiful red fruit is generous throughout. This wine has always been a beauty and consistently has had a high price tag to reflect that quality, going back to the first vintages of the 1990s. It has regularly sold for about $200 every year for the last decade. These vines are old, some of them very old (reaching the ripe age of 60 years old in 1990s, when many of them were replanted with carefully selected clones), producing an elegance and concentration that brings intensity and a high standard of aromas. This Barolo without a doubt shows its pedigree and a quality of noble perfumes that demonstrate characteristics of the greatest Nebbiolo vintages, all delivered with excellent concentration. The magic lingers on the palate, right up to the finish.”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of white truffles and dried red cherries here with an earthy nuance that makes for a complex and compelling nose. The palate has a deep and dense shape and delivers a wide array of rich cherry and plum flavors. Some handy spice here, too. Drink or hold.”
Arriving Tuesday, June 8th
Paolo Scavino Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “Showing Enrico Scavino’s signature at the bottom of the label, this is a classic expression of Barolo. The Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo offers impeccable balance and an all-pleasing approach. There is something for everyone, especially die-hard Nebbiolo lovers, with energy, power, aromatic finesse and elegant tannins. Fruit for this wine is sourced from a half-dozen vineyard sites from across the appellation, so you get some of the power of Serralunga d’Alba and the precision of Castiglione Falletto. The scope of this wine is wide and broad, offering sweeping panoramic views of this unique grape from Piedmont. This is a terrific value.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Fragrant blue flower and perfumed berry aromas mingle with whiffs of dark culinary spice and forest floor. Tightly knit and loaded with finesse, the full-bodied palate features juicy cherry, strawberry compote, star anise and a hint of white pepper alongside taut, polished tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced. Drink 2022–2030. -Kerin O’Keefe”
James Suckling 95 points “A very pretty, floral Barolo with rose petals, cedar and sandalwood, as well as strawberries and cherries. It’s medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine and silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Needs three or four years to soften a little. Try after 2022.”
2017 Paolo Scavino Arriving ETA July
Paolo Scavino Bricco Ambrogio, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Located in Roddi, the 2017 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is marked by perfume of chalky earth, violets, and kirsch. The palate moves into dark fruits, with ripe currant, sweet tobacco, and tannins that emerge on the finish. Hold for 2-4 years and drink 2024-2042. Helmed by fourth generation winemaker Elisa Scavino, the estate owns and manages 30 hectares spanning eight of the 11 communes of the Barolo region and is based in Castiglione Falletto. Since 2007, they have implemented the use of a netted, submerged cap cylindrical system developed by Elisa’s father, Enrico, which achieves a delicate extraction during fermentation. They have moved to slower, longer fermentation periods, and as of 2018 will only be utilizing large casks. In the vineyard, there is great attention to the compression of the soils, creating a healthy ecosystem rich in oxygen and microorganisms and a sustainable approach.”
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2017 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is laced with succulent black cherry, mocha, licorice, dark spice and lavender. The Bricco Ambrogio is usually a bit juicier, while the 2017 is decidedly on the lighter side.”
Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($99.95) $88 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is another gorgeous wine in the line up from the Scavino family. Readers will find a Barolo that is more nuanced and less bombastic than in the past. Bric del Fiasc has plenty of power on its own, so this style works so well. Dried rose petal, mint, spice, kirsch and iron all blossom with a bit of coaxing. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Bric Del Fiasc has pure aromatics of stony graphitic earth, licorice, violets, and cherry liqueur. The palate is balanced, with a full structure, noted by dried apricot, blood orange, and cinnamon. The Bric del Fiasc has both floral lift as well as noble structure and has a refreshing nature. Drink 2024-2046.”
Paolo Scavino Carobric, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Carobric is one of the standouts in this range, as it often is. It has an extra dimension of depth and volume that works so well here. Sweet red cherry, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, anise and brambly notes build as this striking, expressive Barolo shows off its considerable charm. What a pretty wine it is.”
Paolo Scavino Monvigliero, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $66 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2017 Barolo Monvigliero is classy and polished right out of the gate. Sweet dark cherry, rose petal, mint and cinnamon are some of the nuances that open in the glass. Even with all of its immediacy, the 2017 has plenty of tannin. I would prefer to cellar it for at least a few years. The 2017 is undoubtedly an attractive wine, but its best days lie ahead.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “From the northern MGA within Verduno, the 2017 Barolo Monvigliero is soft and floral, with crushed violets, ripe black raspberry, and licorice candy. The palate is drying, with cherry pit, sweet herbs, and turned earth. Ripe yet balanced, drink or hold 2022-2040.”
Paolo Scavino Prapo, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Prapò is yet another stellar wine in this range. Dark and brooding in the glass, the Prapò expresses all of the natural weight of this Serralunga cru, but with more overt fruit and a bit less tannic heft than is often the case. That should make the 2017 a real pleasure to drink, with just a handful of years in the cellar. Succulent black cherry, licorice, menthol, gravel and cured meats build into the heady finish.”
Paolo Scavino Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($79.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2017 Barolo Ravera is dazzling. Deep, potent and virile, the 2017 has a lot to say, but it won’t be ready to drink anytime soon. Black cherry, graphite, licorice, smoke, game, lavender and licorice convey a real impression of gravitas that is reinforced by the wine’s overall feel. This powerhouse Barolo is magnificent today in a sort of old-school meets new-school style.”
Don’t miss shopping our remaining 2015 and 2016 stock of Paolo Scavino.
Shop our entire inventory of Paolo Scavino or browse all 72 Barolos in stock now on our web store.
Domaines Ott’s Romassan
Arriving in July
Domaines Ott is one of the two flagship producers of rosé in Provence and a true icon for top-tier, luxury
rosé. Within European wine circles, they are considered to the finest producers of rosé out there—better even than Tempier. Here in the US, we tend to view things the other way round, but when you taste Ott’s top rosés, you understand the argument. Ott is an estate that’s focused on excellence above all else. They own three estates across Provence, all producing unique wines that are top of their class.
In Stock Now from Domaines Ott
Super pretty this vintage. An incredible bargain from one of Provence’s top estates
Domaines Ott By.Ott Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaines Ott By.Ott Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points “Light orange-pink. Ripe pit fruits and red berries on the nose, along with a hint of smokiness. Juicy and open-knit, offering strawberry and nectarine flavors that show very good clarity and back-end cut. Finishes smooth and long, leaving a suggestion of pit fruits behind.”
rosé. Within European wine circles, they are considered to the finest producers of rosé out there—better even than Tempier. Here in the US, we tend to view things the other way round, but when you taste Ott’s top rosés, you understand the argument. Ott is an estate that’s focused on excellence above all else. They own three estates across Provence, all producing unique wines that are top of their class.
In Stock Now from Domaines Ott
Super pretty this vintage. An incredible bargain from one of Provence’s top estates
Domaines Ott By.Ott Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaines Ott By.Ott Rosé, Cotes de Provence 2020 750ML ($299.95) $236 special (that’s only $19.67/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 90 points “Light orange-pink. Ripe pit fruits and red berries on the nose, along with a hint of smokiness. Juicy and open-knit, offering strawberry and nectarine flavors that show very good clarity and back-end cut. Finishes smooth and long, leaving a suggestion of pit fruits behind.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Arriving ETA July
Domaines Ott Chateau Romassan Bandol Rose, Provence 2020 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Limpid orange. Powerful, mineral-accented citrus pith, red berry and succulent floral and herb scents, along with a spicy nuance. Chewy and sharply focused in the mouth, offering concentrated strawberry, bitter cherry, blood orange, honeysuckle and smoky mineral qualities and a deeper peach pit flourish. Chewy and densely packed yet lively as well, the mineral and floral notes carrying through a very long, precise finish. – Josh Raynolds”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Collector’s Corner:
2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
To say Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, or DRC, is the finest example of Burgundy is an understatement. These are the finest, most collectable wines in the world. Due to the astronomical demand that exists for DRC’s wines, they’re becoming more and more difficult to source every year. Fortunately, we were able to secure a modest allocation of their 2018s and are thrilled to offer them to our subscribers.
All of the wines have come to us directly from DRC’s national importer, Wilson Daniels, through our local distributor. These are first come, first served. We don’t expect any of our cache to remain available when it arrives in Mid-July, so email / call (the wine will not be listed on the web store) before it’s too late.
Pre-Arrivals ETA Mid-July:
The wines will not be listed on the web store, to order please email, call, or stop in.
Only 1 bottle available!
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echézeaux Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2018 750ML ($1,599.95) $1,449 pre-arrival special
Tim Atkin MW-Decanter 95 points “Echézeaux is frequently regarded as the least exciting of DRC’s array of Vosne Grands Crus, but the 2018 is a delight that has the concentration to age. Fermented with 90% whole bunches and aged in new wood, it’s spicy, subtle and white pepper scented, with impressive texture and palate-coating opulence, racy acidity and floral top notes.”
Only 3 bottles available!
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2018 750ML ($9,999.95) $8,449 pre-arrival special
No reviews available for the 2018 vintage. 2017 reviews provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 99 points “[2017 vintage] Aromas of crisp green pear, citrus oil, mandarin, fresh pastry, clear honey and oak vanillin introduce the 2017 Montrachet Grand Cru, a full-bodied, deep and textural wine that’s voluminous and powerful but incisive, with racy structuring acids and a long, chalky and elegantly honeyed finish. “If we had tried to conceive of the ideal Montrachet, we might have imagined something like this,” admits Bertrand de Villaine, and the 2017 certainly numbers among the finest renditions of this iconic bottling over the last decade and beyond.”
All of the wines have come to us directly from DRC’s national importer, Wilson Daniels, through our local distributor. These are first come, first served. We don’t expect any of our cache to remain available when it arrives in Mid-July, so email / call (the wine will not be listed on the web store) before it’s too late.
Pre-Arrivals ETA Mid-July:
The wines will not be listed on the web store, to order please email, call, or stop in.
Only 1 bottle available!
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echézeaux Grand Cru, Côte de Nuits 2018 750ML ($1,599.95) $1,449 pre-arrival special
Tim Atkin MW-Decanter 95 points “Echézeaux is frequently regarded as the least exciting of DRC’s array of Vosne Grands Crus, but the 2018 is a delight that has the concentration to age. Fermented with 90% whole bunches and aged in new wood, it’s spicy, subtle and white pepper scented, with impressive texture and palate-coating opulence, racy acidity and floral top notes.”
Only 3 bottles available!
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru, Côte de Beaune 2018 750ML ($9,999.95) $8,449 pre-arrival special
No reviews available for the 2018 vintage. 2017 reviews provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 99 points “[2017 vintage] Aromas of crisp green pear, citrus oil, mandarin, fresh pastry, clear honey and oak vanillin introduce the 2017 Montrachet Grand Cru, a full-bodied, deep and textural wine that’s voluminous and powerful but incisive, with racy structuring acids and a long, chalky and elegantly honeyed finish. “If we had tried to conceive of the ideal Montrachet, we might have imagined something like this,” admits Bertrand de Villaine, and the 2017 certainly numbers among the finest renditions of this iconic bottling over the last decade and beyond.”
Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!
Be well & drink well.