Monday Sept 1st Newsletter

Vinopol-press Labor Day Special Edition

Open today for Labor Day Shopping!
10am – 6pm

 

Sbragia Chardonnay
Arriving Friday

 

Sbragia Family Vineyards Home Ranch Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma Chardonnay 2009 ($29.95) $16 special
Case-12 Sbragia Chardonnay Home Ranch 2009 ($319.95) $159 special (that’s only $13.25 per bottle!)
Robert Parker 92 points “The 2009 Chardonnay Home Ranch impresses for its layered fruit and elegant personality. This is a laid-back Chardonnay from Sbragia, but it all works, and beautifully. This is a striking showing. The Home Ranch was aged in French oak barrels, 50% new, with full malolactic fermentation. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.”

Sbragia Family Vineyards Gamble Ranch Napa Valley Chardonnay 2009 ($39.95) $19 special
Case-12 Sbragia Chardonnay Gamble Ranch 2009 ($399.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75 per bottle!)
Wine Advocate & Wine Spectator 91 points “The 2009 Chardonnay Gamble Ranch shows gorgeous textural ripeness and fabulous overall balance in its expressive varietal fruit. This is a beautiful, lush Chardonnay that is fermented and aged in French oak barrels (100% new) with weekly lees stirring. All of the elements are nicely balanced from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.”

 

OREGON
Belle Pente Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2011 ($17.95) $16 special

Purple Hands Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2013 ($24.95) $20.90 special

CALIFORNIA
Bebame El Dorado Red Blend 2012 ($19.95) $16 special

Merryvale Profile Napa Valley Red 2008 375ML ($99.95) $69 very super special
Robert Parker 96 points “The flagship red wine, the 2008 Profile, is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Dusty, loamy soil aromas intermixed with graphite, blueberry, blackberry, charcoal and camphor jump from the glass of this complex, inky/purple-colored offering. Full-bodied and backward with undeniable potential, this young red classic Napa blend of Bordeaux grapes should hit its stride in 4-5 years and last for three decades. A compelling wine, it is further evidence of the remarkable progress Merryvale has made over the last decade.”

FRANCE- CHAMPAGNE
Henri Goutorbe Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rose NV ($59.95) $49 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(all Ay fruit and all from 2009; aged on its lees for two years and disgorged in January, 2013):  Pale orange.  Sexy, smoke-tinged aromas of raspberry, orange zest  and potpourri.  Silky in texture and impressively pure, offering sappy red berry and brioche flavors and suave floral pastille and spicecake accents.  Gains weight with air and picks up a bitter cherry quality that carries through the impressively long, spicy finish.  The blend of richness and vivacity here is striking.”

FRANCE- LOIRE
Jean Maurice Raffault Chinon Galuches Rouge 2012 ($17.95) $14 special
Wine Spectator 88 points “Fresh, with a light bramble edge to the plum and black cherry fruit. A lively hint of olive flickers on the finish. Drink now.”

Bernard Baudry Chinon Rose 2013 (21.95) $18 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Light, bright orange-pink.  Intense, mineral-tinged red berry and floral scents are complicated by suggestions of cherry pit and anise.  Fleshy but also dry and precise, offering lively redcurrant and bitter cherry flavors braced by a jolt of orange zest.  Clean, focused and precise on the finish, lingering with excellent tenacity and resonating minerality.”

FRANCE- LANGUEDOC/ROUSILLON
Chateau De Paraza Minervois Pays d’Oc Rose 2013 ($14.95) $11.90 special

ITALY-TUSCANY
Isole E Olena Collezione De Marchi Syrah Toscana 2007 ($69.95) $59 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2007 Syrah Collezione De Marchi bursts from the glass with masses of dark red fruit, smoke and spices, all of which flow effortlessly from this exuberant, caressing wine. This is a first-class effort from start to finish. Expressive aromatics are woven throughout, adding to an impression of total finesse and harmony. Mint, flowers and raspberries linger on the caressing finish. This is a dazzling effort.”

Isole E Olena Vin Santo del Chianti Classico 2004 375ML ($59.95) $49 special
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Deep amber-yellow. Sexy, kaleidoscopic nose combines exotic tropical fruits, chestnut honey, raisin, dried fig, caramel and a musky iodine note. Then sharply delineated and penetrating on the palate in spite of its honeyed sweetness, with superb acidity giving spine to the dried fruit and ripe citrus flavors. This wonderfully vibrant yet thick and rich Vin Santo coats the mouth on the long, smooth finish. Great stuff.”

SPAIN
Ameztoi Txakolina Hijo Rubentis Rosado 2012 750ml ($31.95) $28 special
Ameztoi Txakolina Hijo Rubentis Rosado 2012 1.5 LITER ($79.95) $66 special
Hijo de Rubentis means “Son of Rubentis.” A very limited release sparkling Rose from the Basque region, this sparkling Rosé Txakolina is sourced from the same vineyard as the Ameztoi Rubentis.

 

 

Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Garants 2012 ($29.95) $24 special
Peirre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Fleurie Poncie 2012 ($29.95) $24 special

Caroline Parent Bourgogne Blanc 2012 ($29.95) $24 special

Hospices De Beaune Beaune Premier Cru Cuvee Maurice Drouhin 2012 ($119.95) $99 special

Domaine Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc 2011 ($59.95) $49 special
Burghound “A very pretty and reasonably complex nose features notes of citrus peel, white flower and peach aromas. There is good vibrancy to the lightly mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that possess good verve and better than average depth and length. This should be very good and is worth a look.”

Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet 2011 ($109.95) $79 special
Burghound 88-91 points “A similar if less expressive nose is trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is really lovely purity of expression to the energetic and beautifully well-detailed medium weight flavors that are notably tighter and better focused before terminating in a lightly mineral-inflected, dry and persistent finish. This should also be lovely with a few years of bottle age.”

Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Clavoillon 2011 ($139.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Terrific from start to finish, this white starts out with lime blossom, apple, citronella and mineral aromas and flavors. Creamy yet fluid, intense yet airy, with harmony and a long aftertaste of citrus and stone. Best from 2016 through 2026.”

Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Combettes 2009 ($219.95) $179 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Pale yellow with a green tinge.  Musky, discreet nose hints at lime and nut oil.  Dense, ripe and lush; shows sweet notes of vanilla and hazelnut but this is very tightly coiled today in the mid-palate.  Explosive on the back end, finishing with excellent breadth and flavor intensity and a slightly tannic impression.  Terrific volume here.”

Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Folatiers 2009 ($219.95) $179 special
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 92 points “The 2009 Puligny-Montrachet Folatieres is at once brighter and flashier than the Clavoillons. I especially like the vibrant minerality here. Yellow stone fruits flesh out the mid-palate and finish nicely in this expressive, radiant wine that captures the essence of the year. Remy comments that he tends to use barrels with lower levels of toast for the Folatieres to compensate for the richness the fruit provides on its own. Anticipated maturity: 2014+.” WA

Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Les Pucelles 2009 ($249.95) $199 special
Burghound & Stephen Tanzer 93 points “A notably ripe but still reasonably classic Pucelles nose of honeysuckle, citrus and white orchard fruit aromas, in particular pear, leads to rich, forward and wonderfully opulent medium-bodied flavors that brim with dry extract that coats the palate on the refined and impressively long finish. As it always is, this is a classy wine of finesse but with a generous side to it in 2009.” BH

Domaine Servin Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2012 ($34.95) $28 special
Wine Advocate 90-91+ points “The tank-raised Servin 2012 Chablis Vaillons features very ripe pear, peach, and pineapple with faintly volatile and distilled fruit overtones juxtaposed with stone and ash, and laced with welcome salinity that helps guarantee a mouthwatering extension.”

Domaine Servin Chablis Premier Cru Montee De Tonnere 2012 ($37.95) $29 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright yellow. High-pitched aromas of lime blossom, iodine and crushed stone. At once dense and juicy, conveying lovely inner-mouth perfume to the flavors of citrus fruits, white pepper and dusty stone. Elegantly styled for such a broad wine, with a long, rising finish displaying a light touch. I find this surprisingly easy to drink now owing to its expressive personality, but I suspect that it will be even more complex at age 10.”

Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Witters Vineyard Gamay Noir, El Dorado County 2013 ($21.95) $18 special

Edmunds St. John Heart Of Gold, El Dorado 2012 ($21.95) $18 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “(made from 52% Vermentino and 48% Grenache blanc):  Pale gold.  Musky, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of pear and nectarine, with a gingery nuance gaining strength with air.  Taut and nervy on entry but fleshier in the mid-palate, offering juicy orchard fruit flavors and a hint of bitter herbs.  Closes on a spicy note, with strong cut and an echo of candied ginger.  This wine will be extremely flexible at the table.”

Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Gamay Rose, El Dorado County 2013 ($21.95) $18 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Pale pink. Musky, mineral-laced aromas of strawberry, white flowers and tarragon.  Silky, dry and seamless, with the floral and red fruit qualities carrying on the palate.  Plenty of flavor here but with a distinctly light touch.  Finishes clean, brisk and long, with a bitter blood orange quality adding cut.  This lithe pink wine is made entirely from free-run juice.”

Edmunds St. John Rocks & Gravel, California 2012 ($31.95) $26 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(55% Grenache, 27% Syrah and 18% Mourvedre):  Vivid ruby-red.  A pungent bouquet features candied red fruits, Asian spices and potpourri, with a smoky mineral overtone.  Sappy, incisive and densely packed blackberry and bitter cherry flavors gain sweetness with air and pick up notes of licorice and cola.  Finishes stony and long, with slow-building tannins and lingering sweetness.  Definitely let this one rest for a bit.”

Edmunds St. John Wylie-Fenaughty Syrah, El Dorado County 2010 ($34.95) $28 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Vivid ruby-red.  Intense, textbook syrah aromas of cassis, blackberry, cracked pepper, olive and violet.  Intensely flavored and dense but surprisingly energetic, offering sharply delineated flavors of black and blue fruits, licorice and minerals.  Finishes spicy and long, with fine-grained tannins and impressive clarity.”

 

Joseph Swan Vineyards Mancini Ranch Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2008 ($34.95) $28 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Inky ruby.  Pungent cherry and dark berries, pipe tobacco, flowers and underbrush on the nose.  Creamy cherry and cassis flavors are lifted by zesty minerality and show very good focus.  Becomes richer on the finish, which leaves cherry compote and spicecake notes behind.”

Joseph Swan Vineyards Stellwagen Vineyard Zinfandel, Sonoma County 2008 ($31.95) $28 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright purple.  Displays sexy dark berry liqueur, cherry-cola, vanilla, violet and tobacco aromas and a hint of allspice.  Broad, fleshy and sweet, offering palate-coating black and blue fruit flavors and a strong floral quality.  Aeration brings up exotic Indian spice notes that carry through the sweet, gently tannic finish. Smooth, seductive and approachable now but will age effortlessly.”

Joseph Swan Vineyards Ziegler Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley 2009 ($31.95) $28 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Vivid ruby.  Intense red and dark berry aromas are lifted by peppery spice and rose accents, with a bright mineral overtone adding energy.  Fresh, incisive and floral on the palate, offering blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that coat the palate and pick up a subtle, refreshingly bitter orange marmalade quality.  Sweeter on the chewy finish, leaving behind dark berry and licorice notes.”

 

 

Trisaetum Wines
Arriving Friday 

As a family business with three generations working side-by-side, Trisaetum (tris-say-tum) is a blossoming winery located in the heart of Oregon’s Ribbon Ridge AVA. Founders Andrea and James Frey say it all began when they worked summer jobs in Portland during college and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest.

Less than 10 years later, James, a professional photographer and painter, still marvels at how he and Andrea committed themselves to starting two vineyard properties from scratch (22 Coast Range acres that needed to be cleared and planted in the southwestern corner of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, and a 28-acre vineyard in the heart of the Ribbon Ridge AVA). Later, a third vineyard was added in the Dundee Hills—all three planted exclusively to Pinot Noir and Riesling. With co-winemaker Greg McClellan, the Freys vinify six Rieslings and eight Pinot Noirs. The winery is state-of-the-art, with a cold room to accept incoming grapes, an extensive sorting process that requires a team of fifteen people and utilizes a machine that is able to remove all debris from the grapes, all with the goal of producing wines from exquisite vineyards and fruit that is handled with care.

 

Trisaetum Riesling Estates Reserve Willamette Valley 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “Our limited reserve incorporates the best of 82 different lot ferments done in stainless steel, neutral oak, and concrete eggs.”

Trisaetum Riesling Dry Coast Range Yamhill-Carlton 2013 ($34.95) $24 special      
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “This offers a hint of honey in the nose, then moves into a fresh palate loaded with a full range of yellow fruits. The acidity is spot on, and a suggestion of wet cement adds a hint of mineral to the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2024.”

Trisaetum Riesling Dry Ribbon Ridge Vineyard 2013 ($39.95) $24 special 
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “This dry wine from the Ribbon Ridge vineyard, adjacent to the winery, is briskly tart without being sour. Flavors of lemony tea and Meyer lemon meringue intrigue immediately. There is splendid structure and complexity in play here, with layers of flower, citrus and mineral, all in perfect harmony. It’s easy to believe this wine could age through 2024, even longer.”

Trisaetum Riesling Estate Coast Range Yamhill-Carlton 2013 ($39.95) $24 special 
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This is the medium-dry (about 23 g/L residual sugar) Riesling from one of Trisaetum’s estate vineyards. Full-bodied, forward and bearing an acid-driven mix of pear, white peach, apricot and papaya fruit flavors, this wine delivers gobs of pleasure immediately, yet continues to add depth and detail when left to breathe overnight.”

Trisaetum Riesling Estate Ribbon Ridge 2013 ($39.95) $24 special   
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Both the dry and off-dry Ribbon Ridge Rieslings are outstanding—no need to pick a favorite. Here is an elegant, sophisticated mix of stone fruits, mineral, sweet fruit sugar and bracing acidity. The overall balance, tension and complexity are superb.”

Trisaetum Pinot Noir Trisae Willamette Valley 2012 ($39.95) $27 special 
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Full ruby.  Smoky cherry and dark berries on the pungent, spice-accented nose and palate.  Juicy and precise, with building sweetness and a refreshing bite of tangy minerality on the back half.  Bright, nervy and sharply focused on the persistent finish, showing silky tannins and lingering spiciness.”

Trisaetum Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Estate 2012 ($49.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright ruby.  Vibrant aromas of red berries, cherry, sassafras and floral pastille, with subtle vanilla and woodsmoke accents adding complexity.  Silky, sweet and expansive, offering concentrated black raspberry and anise flavors braced by tangy acidity and a peppery spice note.  Shows very good depth but comes off as energetic, finishing with excellent clarity and late-arriving tannins.”

Trisaetum Pinot Noir Estates Reserve Willamette Valley 2011 ($79.95) $66 special             
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Vivid ruby-red.  Deeply pitched dark berry preserve, cola and incense aromas show very good energy, with a smoky quality emerging as the wine opens in the glass.  On the palate, juicy blackberry and cherry compote flavors are lifted and sharpened by a zesty mineral nuance and a hint of fresh flowers.  Sweet vanilla and berry liqueur notes build on the finish, which is firmed by youthful, deftly integrated tannins. ”

 

Trisaetum Pinot Noir Trisae Willamette Valley 2011($39.95) $28 special  

Trisaetum Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge Estate 2011 ($49.95) $39 special          
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Bright ruby-red. Pungent smoke- and spice-accented aromas of dark berries and cherry, with a hint of candied flowers in the background. Shows very good clarity and lift to its bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors and picks up a bitter orange pith nuance with air. Finishes sweet, gripping and persistent.”

 

Arriving September 5th

Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Winery’s note “The 15-acre Eileen Vineyard is a group of vineyard plots named for Paul Gerrie’s wife. The vineyard extends to the top of the winery’s property where cooler conditions and the chance to soak up the last sun of the day encourage the grapes to ripen slowly and evenly… Eileen Vineyard tends to produce a wine that is the most precocious of our four estate vineyards and it’s often the first wine we release into the market. It is always the wine we show first in a line-up of Cristom Pinot Noir. We often find them softer, meaning rounder on the palate with less minerality. Typically, Eileen is textured, layered and creamy on the palate and often recognizable by its bouquet of sweet spices.”

Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Winery’s note “Situated on a spectacularly steep site, the Jessie Vineyard boasts the best views on the property. Named for Paul’s paternal grandmother, Jessie is the most diverse of Cristom’s vineyards, and a challenge to farm. As her vines matures (planting began in 1994), Jessie contineues to distinguish herself among the other vineyards with a uniqueness and complexity that likely stems from the site’s ranging slope and five distinct soil types… Jessie Vineyard tends to produce Pinot Noirs that we recognize by a savory aroma that often calls to mind rare-beef. It also tends to have a very fresh and appealing scent of minerality, along with some higher tone lavender—purple flower notes. On the palate, Jessie tends towards a full mouth-feel and a deeper—darker—rounder impression. We find a certain ‘nervosity’ in this wine that describes some part of the tension between the ripe fruit and the structure of the wine.”

Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Winery’s note “Paul’s maternal grandmother is the namesake for the Louise Vineyard, the first of the Cristom estate vineyards to be planted. Top sloipes that run up against woodland separate Louise’s lower vineyards from the upper, causing them to spend late afternoon in shade. The fruit on the lower slopes, which gets more sun, is often the first of the season to be harvested. Louise Vineyard is typically the last single vineyard wine to be released. The wine is more heavily textured, dark-fruited and more concentrated in flavor than any of our other estate Pinot Noir. We often find creamy-mocha latte notes on the bouquet co-mingling with dark red fruits that are reminiscent of fresh mulberries, very ripe blackberries, plums and black cherries along with hints of chocolate. We recognize Louise by a delightful velvet texture and a full and persistent finish.”

Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($79.95) $69 special
Winery’s note “Named for Paul’s mother, the Marjorie Vineyard was originally planted in 1982, making it one of the older sites in Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills. The first of the matriarchs to be released, Marjorie has achieved rightful cult status, consistently generating some of Cristom’s best fruits since the vineyard’s intitial release in 1994. Though Marjorie is brighter and more red-fruited than the other estate vineyards (think raspberry-red and pie cherries), those qualities are supported by a form that is more layered and textured than her floral aromas and soft exterior would suggest… Elegant, fine-lined, and highly detailed are words that often describe Marjorie. This wine typically leads with a delightful and perfumed nose that is reminiscent of fresh-cut flowers, red fruits and sweet spices. These very ‘pretty’ aromas follow through on the palate and are supported by a firmer, yet supple, tannic structure. The oak elements can be evident in a kiss of cocoa powder on the nose or a hint of creamy vanilla on the palate but are never overt or out of balance.”

Patricia Green Ana Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Brilliant ruby.  Wild, intensely perfumed aromas of dark berry liqueur, candied cherry, incense and sassafras, with a sexy floral overtone.  Lush, fleshy and expansive on the palate, offering sappy black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors plus hints of star anise and smoky minerals.  Finishes sweet, spicy and extremely long, with suave floral and cola qualities and soft, even tannins.” ST

Patricia Green Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($34.95) $29 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant ruby.  Highly perfumed bouquet evokes candied red fruits, rose oil, musky underbrush and cola, with a sexy Asian spice overtone.  Takes a darker turn on the palate, offering sweet blackberry and floral pastille flavors and a touch of candied licorice.  Spicy, penetrating and appealingly sweet on the subtly tannic finish, with the berry and cola notes echoing strongly.”JR

Patricia Green Freedom Hill Vineyard Dijon 115 Clone Pinot Noir 2012 ($41.95) $36 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Deep ruby-red.  Spicy, intensely perfumed aromas of black raspberry, cherry-cola and licorice, with a smoky undertone.  Juicy, penetrating dark berry, cherry-cola, spicecake and floral pastille flavors show excellent clarity, with gentle acidity providing lift.  Fine-grained tannins give shape and grip to the finish, which features a suave floral pastille character.  This wine was made with 50% whole clusters.”

Patricia Green Estate Vineyard Old Vine Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright ruby-red.  Ripe cherry and blackberry on the deeply perfumed nose, with notes of allspice and woodsmoke adding complexity.  Smooth, broad and sweet on the palate, offering fleshy, mineral-tinged dark berry and bitter chocolate flavors enlivened by juicy acidity.  Seamless and spicy on the finish, which betrays no tannins and shows excellent clarity.”

 

Roco Knudsen Vineyard Dundee HillsPinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Black raspberry, cola, rose pastille and a hint of woodsmoke on the perfumed nose. On the palate, gently sweet dark berry flavors are lifted and firmed by juicy acidity and a touch of allspice. The spicy quality gains strength with air and carried through a long, seamless finish, which shows just a hint of dusty tannins. Very approachable now, but has the depth to suggest that a few years of cellaring would be rewarded.”

Roco Marsh Estate Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Vivid ruby-red. Sexy spice-laced black raspberry and cherry-cola aromas are complemented by deeper notes of mocha and licorice. At once lush and lively, offering broad dark berry flavors and a bracing kick of peppery spices. Silky tannins shape the finish, which clings with excellent clarity and persistent smoke and spice notes.”

Roco Private Stash #10 Wit’s End Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir 2012 ($79.95) $66 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Heady, exotically perfumed aromas of black raspberry, cola, Asian spices, vanilla and pungent flowers, with a bright mineral quality adding lift. Offers intense, palate-staining dark berry and rose pastille flavors that become spicier and weightier with air. The mineral element returns on the subtly tannic finish, adding focus and cut to the persistent blackberry and cherry-cola flavors.”

Roco The Stalker Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Vivid ruby-red. Aromas of pungent dark berries, black tea, cola and lavender, with a spicy nuance adding lift. Expansive blackberry and boysenberry flavors are lifted by gentle acidity and a hint of blood orange, which adds refreshing cut. Finishes smooth, sweet and long, with lingering smokiness and soft, round tannins.”

Roco Wit’s End Vineyard Chehalem Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Sexy, spice-tinged red and dark berry aromas pick up subtle smoke and floral pastille qualities with air. Fleshy and broad on entry, then tighter in the mid-palate, offering intense black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a jolt of allspice. Silky tannins build on the finish, which lingers with excellent focus and length and insistent berry fruit character.”

Scott Paul La Paulee Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($47.95) $36 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright red. Exotic, spice-laced red berry and floral pastille aromas pick up a smoky quality with air, showing a pure, nervy character and a hint of musky earth. Sappy, incisive and focused on the palate, offering intense raspberry and cola flavors and a palate-numbing peppery kick. Gains in sweetness with air, picking up a bitter cherry note that carries through the long, gently tannic finish.”

Seven Of Hearts Special Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $44 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Intense dark berry and floral pastille aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola, anise and smoky minerals. At once fleshy and lithe, showing excellent clarity and lift to its black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors. Brighter red fruits emerge with air and carry through a strikingly long, seamless finish, which features youthfully chewy tannins and a hint of spicecake. Bet on this concentrated, lively pinot to reward at least another six-plus years of aging.”

St Innocent Freedom Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($41.95) $37 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(28% new oak): Limpid ruby-red. Tightly focused cherry and black raspberry scents open up with air and are complicated by notes of cola, allspice and dried rose. Sappy, mineral-tinged bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors show very good focus and pick up a hint of smokiness with air. Fleshes out slowly on the persistent floral finish, which features youthfully chewy tannins. Based on this pinot’s power and structure I’d bet on it rewarding at least a decade of patience.”

St Innocent Momtazi Vineyard Mcminnville Pinot Noir 2012 750ML ($37.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright red. Ripe red berries, sassafras and orange pith on the pungent nose, with a peppery quality adding lift. Spicy and precise on the palate, offering slow-to-open bitter cherry and raspberry flavors and a hint of rhubarb. Becomes sweeter with air and finishes with serious thrust, dusty tannins and an exotic floral pastille note that lingers with excellent tenacity. By all means let this one sit in a decanter, or a cool, dark spot, so that it can stretch out.”

Wildstock Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $24 special
(Scott Paul Wines) Winery’s note “This wine is the perfect entry level Oregon Pinot Noir made with the same overriding philosophy of non-manipulated winemaking as the Scott Paul Pinot Noirs. We let the natural character of the Willamette Valley shine through in each bottle.”

 

Ayres Lewis Rogers Lane Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2012 ($34.95) $29 special 13 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Sexy, expressive red and dark berry scents are complicated by five-spice powder, potpourri and smoky minerals. Pliant black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors are given spine and focus by tangy acidity and a hint of white pepper. The spicy quality builds on the clinging finish, which features supple tannins and echoing dark berry character. One could thoroughly enjoy drinking this fruit-driven pinot now, with a little air time.”

Ayres Perspective Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $26 special 15 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid red. Intensely perfumed aromas of black raspberry, spicecake and fresh rose, with subtle mineral and woodsmoke nuances adding complexity. Fleshy and seamless, offering sweet red and dark berry and floral pastille flavors and building spiciness. The berry quality resonates strongly on the finish, which features silky tannins and suave cinnamon and star anise flourishes.”

Ayres Pioneer Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special 17 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Musky cherry, blackberry and candied rose on the nose, plus notes of musky earth and star anise. Sappy, smoky and deeply concentrated, offering sweet red fruit and licorice pastille flavors and showing an exotic Indian spice nuance. Opens up nicely with air, picking up a hint of cola. Finishes on a youthfully tannic note, with firm grip, lingering spiciness and excellent persistence.”

Beaux Freres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $54 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Dark ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of blackberry and candied cherry are complemented by suggestions of lavender and licorice. Broad and fleshy on the palate, offering weighty dark berry and ripe cherry flavors and a touch of bitter chocolate. Expands and deepens on the finish, which features supple tannins and suave floral pastille qualities.”

Bergstrom Wines Cumberland Reserve Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2012 375ML ($21.95) $19 special 8 half bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Dark red. Spicy raspberry and rose pastille aromas are lifted by a mineral quality and pick up a hint of orange zest with air. Offers juicy, gently sweet red fruit flavors, with hints of bitter herbs and cola building on the back half. Closes spicy and long, with a strong echo of red berries and smooth, well-knit tannins that sneak in late. This is the best example of Bergstrom’s entry-level pinot bottling since the 2008.”

Bergstrom Wines Bergstrom Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2012 ($99.95) $85 special 8 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Vivid ruby. Intensely perfumed dark berry, Indian spice and potpourri scents are lifted by a smoky mineral quality. Sweet, deeply pitched black raspberry and cherry cola flavors are given lift and cut by juicy acidity and pick up a rose pastille quality with air. At once rich and lively, finishing with superb clarity, palate-staining length and harmonious tannins.”

Bergstrom Wines Silice Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir 2012 ($69.95) $59 special 9 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes candied red fruits, spicecake and incense, with a smoky mineral quality emerging with aeration. Juicy and penetrating on the palate, showing sweet black raspberry and rose pastille flavors and a touch of five-spice powder. Closes sappy and very long, with silky tannins lending grip. This fruit was sourced entirely from the de Lancellotti vineyard, which is owned by Josh Bergstrom’s sister, Kendall, and her husband, Paul de Lancellotti.”

Brick House Vineyards ‘Cuvee du Tonnelier’ Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $39 special 9 bottles available
Winery’s notes: “From our oldest vines, a wine whose name means “ the Cooper’s Cuvee.” It honors the winemaker’s father whose French family long ago took the name “Tonnelier” or cooper, after the craft by which they earned their livelihood. “Dad’s wine” is a tribute to a man as soft-spoken and generous as the Pinot Noir that honors him.”

Chapter 24 Vineyards ‘The Flood’ Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 375ML ($31.95) $27 special 1 half- bottles available
Chapter 24 Vineyards ‘The Flood’ Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 750ml ($61.95) $54 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Vivid ruby. Powerful aromas of dark berry preserves, cola, licorice and lavender are energized by a bright mineral flourish. Palate-staining boysenberry and black raspberry flavors are given bite by a hint of blood orange. Sweet and broad on the long, sappy finish, which repeats the floral note and shows just a trace of tannins.”

Crowley Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special 11 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Deep red.  Spicy cherry and raspberry aromas are complemented by white pepper and fresh rose notes.  Lively and focused on the palate, offering gently sweet red berry flavors and a hint of sassafras.  Finishes on a subtly tannic note, with good clarity and a lingering bitter cherry note.” ST

De Lancellotti Onelia Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $39 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright ruby. Asian spice- and rose-accented scents of raspberry and cherry-cola, with a hint of smokiness in the background. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering sappy red berry and cherry compote flavors and a hint of licorice. Clings very nicely on the finish, which features silky tannins, repeating smokiness and an exotic floral pastille note. Balances power with vivacity smoothly and drinks very nicely right now with a bit of aeration.”

Evening Land Blue Label Oregon Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($21.95) $18 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Deep red.  Spicy cherry and raspberry aromas are complemented by white pepper and fresh rose notes.  Lively and focused on the palate, offering gently sweet red berry flavors and a hint of sassafras.  Finishes on a subtly tannic note, with good clarity and a lingering bitter cherry note.” ST

Evesham Wood Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir 2012 ($27.95) $24 special 13 bottles available
Winemaker’s note “This is in essence the reserve bottling to our Willamette Valley Pinot noir and quite a representation of the 2012 vintage. An intoxicating nose of dusty berries, dark cherry and raspberry, slightly sweet earthy shitaki mushroom with chewy tannins. 625 cases produced.”

Haden Fig Cancilla Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($29.95) $26 special 24 bottles available
Winemaker’s note: “This is our fourth year bottling a Cancilla Vineyard Pinot noir and perhaps the best yet. We continue to be impressed by this cool, late ripening site in the Northern Willamette Valley. Dark cherry and raspberry mingle with dried herbs, cocao powder and subtle sweet oak, finishing with fine, layered tannins. 148 cases produced.”

J Christopher J.J Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($19.95) $16 special 11 bottles available
Winemaker’s notes: “The wine is plenty dense and nicely textured on the palate, with an expansive and palate-coating character and fruit flavors of the ripe blackberry persuasion with blue fruit highlights. There’s bright acidity to help balance all the fruit, and little to no tannin – the wine goes down well even at this young age. It’s a bit of a fruit bomb that deserves a higher price tag.”

J Christopher Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $26 special 16 bottles available
Winery notes: “The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is the flagship J. Christopher wine. The 2012 is blended from excellent vineyards in four of the Willamette Valley’s AVAs: Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills. Made with native fermentations and up to 18 months of barrel time, this is classic Oregon Pinot Noir. Appellation: Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, Yamhill-Carlton? and Eola Hills”

Ken Wright Savoya Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special 7 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Pomegranate and raspberry fruit are highlighted with sharp scents of orange flesh and peel. The buoyant acidity and overall tightness suggest that this will continue to evolve and improve over the next several years. It’s lightly spiced with a well-managed touch of new oak.”

Lorelle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($19.95) $16 special 6 bottles available

Maison L’Envoye The Attache Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($41.95) $37 special 3+ cases available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright ruby. Deeper and darker in character than the Two Messengers, with intense cherry and black raspberry aromas and notes of cola, violet and woodsmoke. Broad and fleshy on entry, then tighter in the middle, offering intense dark berry flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Shows very good energy and lift on the finish, leaving smoke and floral pastille notes behind.”

Maison L’Envoye Two Messengers Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($31.95) $27 special 5 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright ruby. Sappy berries, Asian spices, minerals and fresh flowers on the fragrant nose. Then suave and juicy in the mouth, with excellent cut and purity to the tangy red berry and rose pastille flavors. Penetrating and powerful yet at the same time elegant and light on its feet. Finishes silky and very long, with resonating spiciness and no obvious tannins.”

McKinlay Ladd Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($37.95) $33 special 3 bottles available
McKinlay Special Selection Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special 8 bottles available

Patricia Green Cellars Balcombe Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill County 2012 ($39.95) $33 special 17 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Vivid ruby-red.  Suave, mineral-accented raspberry and cola aromas are complicated by a sexy touch of candied flowers.  Lively and alluringly sweet, offering vibrant red fruit liqueur and floral pastille flavors, intense spiciness and a hint of mocha.  Finishes very long, with vibrant raspberry and bitter cherry flavors given grip by fine-grained tannins.  As approachable as this wine is now, I’d wait another four years or so before diving in.” ST

Patricia Green Durant Madrone Block Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright ruby. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of black raspberry, potpourri, star anise and cola. Densely packed, appealingly sweet red and dark berry flavors show liqueur-like depth, with juicy acidity and a zesty mineral nuance providing verve. A sexy oak spice note comes up with air and carries through a long, sappy, alluringly sweet finish, which shows supple, fully absorbed tannins.”

Penner Ash Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($41.95) $37 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Intense raspberry and cherry aromas are complemented by white pepper, allspice and smoky minerals. On the palate, juicy, sharply focused red fruit flavors stretch out and gain weight with air. Finishes on a lively spicy note, with very good length and sneaky tannins. Distinctly elegant for the vintage and very enjoyable now.”

Penner Ash Estate Pinot Noir 2012 ($69.95) $59 special 6 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid ruby. Aromas of ripe blackberry, cola, lavender and allspice, with subtle vanilla and mineral qualities in the background. Fleshy and silky in texture, offering sweet red and dark berry flavors that are given lift and spine by juicy acidity. Becomes spicier and livelier with air, finishing with resonating florality, a touch of smokiness and smooth, slow-mounting tannins. I like the blend of richness and vivacity here.”

Purple Hands Le Nouveau Monde Pinot Noir 2012 ($79.95) $69 special 2 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright ruby-red. Aromas of black raspberry, potpourri and woodsmoke are lifted by a zesty mineral quality. Juicy, spice-tinged red and dark berry flavors put on weight and gain sweetness with air. Lively and precise but concentrated too, finishing with excellent clarity and length and supple tannins that add grip.”
Winemaker’s notes: “Rich silky tannin of red, black and blue fruits laced in mineral earth balancing around layers of cinnamon spiced clove. 150 case production. Our favorite six barrels from the entire 2012 vintage. Two barrels from each the current Pinot Noir vineyards.”

Twig & Twine Pinot Noir Bieze Vineyard 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special 2 bottles available
Made by Walter Scott Wines

Walter Scott Clos des Oiseaux Vineyard Eola-Amity Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special 17 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Bright violet color. Scents of black raspberry and mulberry, with notes of smoky herbs and rose oil adding complexity. Plump, gently sweet dark berry and cherry flavors show good depth and pick up spiciness with air. This pliant, spicy pinot finishes with very good cut, soft tannins and lingering sweetness.”

Walter Scott Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($49.95) $39 special 3 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(40% new oak):  Brilliant ruby-red.  Potent aromas of blackberry, cherry-cola, incense and smoky minerals.  Sweet dark berry flavors show very good energy and focus, with a hint of licorice adding depth.  The mineral quality repeats on the persistent finish, which features a suave floral pastille quality and smooth, slow-building tannins.  This fruit, which is all Pommard clone, was sourced from a one-acre section of the vineyard; this is the first Freedom Hill bottling for the winery.”

Westrey Abbey Ridge Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $36 special 4 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Bright violet color. Smoky cherry and dark berries on the nose, with hints of licorice and dried flowers building in the glass. Sappy and focused, offering bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. Finishes spicy and tight, with an echo of smokiness and strong tangy bite. Quite lively for a 2012: this shows the nerviness that I associate with better 2011s.”

Westrey Justice Vineyard Eola-Amity Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special 12 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Ruby-red. Intensely perfumed red and dark berry, cola and potpourri scents are given en exotic twist by notes of incense and smoky Indian spices. Offers palate-staining black raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors that are sharpened and lifted by juicy acidity and a touch of white pepper. Becomes livelier on the penetrating finish, which shows excellent clarity and depth and gentle tannic grip.”

Witness Tree Pinot Noir Estate 2012 ($31.95) $27 special 5 bottles available

 

 

Illustrious Imports
Arriving Late September

Falletto di Giacosa Barolo DOCG Falletto 2007 ($249.95) $180.80 special
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Good deep red. Perfumed, complex nose melds plum, red cherry, mocha, tobacco, wild herbs and spices. Sweet, silky and seamless, with almost painful intensity to its fruit if not yet as complex in the mouth as on the nose. Healthy acidity accentuates the wine’s perfume. Finishes with very suave tannins and outstanding floral persistence. Said Dante Scaglione: “I thought 2007 in Serralunga would be great from the moment of the harvest.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “An elegant, fruity style, boasting raspberry, cherry and floral aromas and flavors. This is pure and delicate for the commune, with fine intensity, finesse and depth. The tannins mesh beautifully with the wine’s silky texture, ending with an excellent finish. Just surprisingly open and approachable. Best from 2014 through 2032”

Marchesi Di Barolo Barbaresco DOCG 2010 ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2010 Barbaresco offers a classic portrait of a beautiful wine in a celebrated vintage. There’s not much to criticize here: The fruit is fleshy and lively, the aromas are intense and well-defined, and the finish is long and juicy. There’s a playful dusting of white pepper that works exceptionally well to add focus and overall sharpness. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”

Trimbach Riesling Clos Sainte Hune 2007 ($249.95) $219 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Trimbach’s 2007 Riesling Clos Ste-Hune displays genuine intrigue in its array of floral, mineral and animal shadings focusing on narcissus, musk, shimmering crystalline stoniness, alkalinity, and savory salinity. Grapefruit and orange are tinged with juniper berry, quinine, as well as hints of white truffle that enhance the resemblance to 1996 (although Trimbachs compare this with their 2001). And while less austere than the corresponding Frederic Emile, this is no less penetratingly or exhilaratingly long. An amazingly extract- and energy-rich, kaleidoscopically multi-faceted Ste-Hune, it should be absorbing to follow for a quarter century or more.”

Domaine de la Vougeraie Bonnes Mares Cotes de Nuits Grand Cru 2011 ($249.95) $219 special limited quantity: 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2011 Bonnes Mares needs time to fully come together. Today the whole clusters (80%) are a bit prominent. Savory herbs, tobacco, incense and orange peel all add layers of complexity to the dark fruit in a powerful, intense Burgundy that captures the essence of this site, albeit in a more medium-bodied style than is normal for this wine, but that is very much in line with the year. The 2011 is going to need at least another few years to be fully expressive. There is plenty of tannin and acidity to ensure years of fine drinking.”
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “(80% vendange entier):  Bright full red.  Reticent, very pure aromas of candied cherry, rose petal, white pepper and blood orange.  Lovely delicacy and inner-mouth tension to the penetrating flavors of pomegranate, cranberry and spices.  A wine of outstanding finesse, finishing juicy, vibrant, perfumed and long.  This classic Bonnes-Mares will need extended aging:  I wouldn’t think of uncorking a bottle for at least eight to ten years.”

Domaine de la Vougeraie Charmes-Chambertin Les Mazoyeres Cote de Nuits Grand Cru 2011 ($219.95) $199 special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “Bright, full red.  Musky red berries, flowers, leather and potpourri spices on the complex nose.  Juicy and penetrating, conveying excellent energy and lift to the complex flavors of red fruits, smoky underbrush and saline minerality.  Rich, dense and creamy but with lovely restraint.  Finishes with a firm edge of tannins and excellent building length.  Already quite nuanced but I’d hold this for at least three or four years.”

Domaine de la Vougeraie Nuits St Georges Les Damodes Premier Cru 2011 ($109.95) $89 special
Burghound 90-93 points “Here the wood treatment is more obvious though still relatively modest as it allows the ripe, earth and appealingly spicy red currant, plum, violet and rose petal aromas to shine. I very much like the mouth feel of the distinctly mineral-tinged medium-bodied flavors that possess outstanding complexity while concluding in a tension-filled and impressively persistent finish. The balance of structural elements is perfect and this should age effortlessly for up to a decade.”

 

 

 

Elio Grasso transformed his family’s estate vineyard holdings in to a winery in the late 1970s with the guidance of Aldo Contero.  His son, Gianluca, has taken the helm at the winery and developed a new, modern-style reserve wine to compliment the more traditional releases.  The family’s 18 hectares include holdings in the Ginestra and Gavarini vineyards.  The Gavarini Chiniera and the Ginestra Casa Mate wines are made in a classic style from 27 year old vines.  The wines are aging in large Slavonian oak barrels.  The Runcot Riserva, Gianluca’s project, is produced only in the best vintages from a parcel in the Gavarini vineyard.  The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged in new French oak barriques.

Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2010 ($119.95) $99 special 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2010 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a wine of breathtaking purity and finesse. The year that comes to mind is 2008, but the 2010 has a more classic sense of structure, tannic cut and intensity. Bright red berries, crushed rocks, mint and dried flowers are some of the many notes that linger in the glass. Sweet floral notes begin to emerge over time but the 2010 is a reticent, austere wine built for the cellar. Razor-precise veins of acidity and minerality support the brilliant, crystalline finish. This is an especially thrilling Gavarini, but readers are going to have to be patient. The 2010 is a wine to buy and forget about for a decade, perhaps longer. Hints of the 1989 and its extraordinary perfume linger on the finish. Gianluca Grasso adds that for the first time in 2010 he had the courage to pick this fruit a few days later than normal…98”

Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2010 ($119.95) $99 special 27 bottles available
Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2010 1.5L ($249.95) $219 special 1 magnum available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Dark red cherries, plums, smoke, tar, menthol and licorice all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè. Today the 2010 is painfully young and less expressive than the Gavarini, but equally promising. A generous, resonant wine, the 2010 blossoms in all directions with seemingly endless layers of dark, balsamic-inflected fruit. Today, the Casa Matè is closed and shut down, but it has all the qualities to develop into a spectacular Barolo. The future is bright, especially for readers who can be patient.”

 

Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2007 ($99.95) $66 special 7 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2007 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera opens with an exotic bouquet of candied red fruit, flowers, mint and minerals. This is an unusually opulent, racy style for Grasso. The Gavarini is a touch hot and alcoholic at first, but with several hours of air, that quality seemed to resolve itself nicely. Silky, beautifully integrated tannins frame a finish of exceptional elegance. The personality of the year marks the Gavarini to a significant degree. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2027.” WA

Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2008 ($129.95) $99 special 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2008 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is flat-out great. Sweet roses, spices, mint, flowers and red berries are some of the notes that emerge from this profound, utterly moving Barolo. The 2008 possesses dazzling inner perfume, endless layers of bright red fruit and stunning overall balance. Fine, silky tannins frame the extraordinarily elegant finish. This is a fabulous wine from Gianluca Grasso and his family. Chalky notes frame an energetic, brilliant finish sprinkled with shades of the 1989.”

Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2007 ($99.95) $69 special 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate 96 points “The estate’s 2007 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate is quite a bit fresher and firmer than the Gavarini. The exuberant personality of the vintage is also a bit more balanced and restrained. This is a beautifully layered, textured Ginestra Casa Mate endowed with endless layers of dark, mineral-infused, balsamic-tinged dark fruit, all of which flow through effortlessly to a long, sumptuous finish that lasts forever. The stunning bouquet, purity of the fruit and overall balance are simply breathtaking. The Ginestra Casa Mate will be a fascinating wine to follow over the coming years and decades. Could it be a modern-day 1990? Anticipated maturity: 2017-2032.” WA

Elio Grasso Runcot, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2004 1.5 LITER ($329.95) $249 special 7 magnums available
Wine Spectator 98 points “Sweet spices introduce this concentrated red, whose deep, sappy flavors of cherry and plum mesh effortlessly with the supple texture. Licorice and mineral notes play around the edges, while the tannins are well-integrated. Stays bright and long on the finish. Best from 2013 through 2035.” WS

 

Your Favorite Sherries are Back!

Valdespino is one of Spain’s oldest sherry producers, with the origins of this historic bodega dating back to 1264 when Don Alfonso Valdespino, was rewarded by the king with land in the city of Jerez. Thus began Bodegas Valdespino. With an unwavering commitment to the demands and expense of traditional Jerez winemaking—and the revered Eduardo Ojeda as its winemaker—Valdespino produces some of the region’s purest Sherries, from some of its oldest soleras.

The heart of Valdespino is its vineyards, one of the few sherry houses to still own their vineyards, with over 150 hectares, all of them of the Palomino grape. They are the only sherry house to make a series of wines from a single vineyard: Macharnudo, one of the “grand crus” of Jerez, located at the highest altitude and on pure Albariza soils (bright white chalk). Each of the wines produced from this vineyard, their flagship Fino “Inocente”, Palo Cortado “C.P.”, and Palo Cortado “Cardenal”, offered here today, are all meant to be a unique expression of the Macharnudo terroir. Along with aging their wines well longer than the required average, Valdespino is one of the few estates that take the solera system to the extreme, going way beyond DO minimum regulations for all categories to create intense yet classically flavored sherries.

Valdespino Manzanilla Deliciosa En Rama 375ML ($14.95) $9.90 special 12 bottles available
Importer Notes “This is an “en rama” bottling which means the wine has not been fined, filtered or cold stabalized…The wine undergoes biological aging under veil of flor for over 5 years in Sanlucar de Barrameda. There are 6 criaderas + the Solera. The solera is the most famous Manzanilla solera called Misericordia with a very long and rich history.”

Valdespino Pedro Ximenez El Candado 375ML ($19.95) $14 special 12 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Offers layers of macerated date, ganache, warm caraway, buckwheat honey and chocolate-covered orange peel notes, with a deep, intense finish that lets a wonderfully smoky hint curl through. The power is obvious, the range and definition more subtle. Drink now.”

Valdespino Cream Isabella 750ML ($19.95) $11.90 special 3 bottles available
Wine Spectator 90 points “The rum raisin, date and burnt orange peel notes are nicely melded, with fruitcake and licorice root accents, all allied to a juicy, lush frame. ”

Valdespino Inocente Fino 375ML ($14.95) $11.90 special 12 half-bottles available
Valdespino Inocente Fino 750ML ($21.95) $19 special 11 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The NV Fino Inocente must be one of the few wines in Jerez that is still fermented in 600-liter American oak botas, which is an incredible amount of work compared with fermenting tens of thousands of kilos of grapes (or even more) in a big stainless steel tank. This method was the norm of yesteryear, but is so labor intense that it was discontinued in most wineries, and gives a big diversity of wines, as each barrel has its own character, which contributes to the complexity of the blend. Furthermore, the bottled wine is on average 8 to 10 years old. One other thing that makes it apart from other Finos is that the grapes are exclusively from the high part of the Macharnudo vineyard, so this is a single-vineyard Fino. The nose is very complex, showing the effect of the long lees contact: chalk, dried hay, aromatic herbs and salty almonds. The palate is full, but at the same time elegant and balanced, powerful and fine, with the texture of a Meursault rather than a Puligny. A very complex wine, that manages to be both powerful and elegant. Inocente is great value for money. Drink 2013-2016.”

Valdespino Manzanilla Deliciosa 375ML ($14.95) $10.90 special 12 bottles available
Valdespino Manzanilla Deliciosa 750ml ($21.95) $16 special 12 bottles available
Importer notes “The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks in Sanlucar.The wine undergoes biological aging under veil of flor for over 5 years in Sanlucar de Barrameda. There are 6 criaderas + the Solera. The solera is the most famous Manzanilla solera called Misericordia with a very long and rich history.”

Valdespino Amontillado Contrabandista 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special 12 bottles available
Importer notes “The wine is fermented naturally in very old oak barrels. They remain in this “sobretabla” for 1 year fermenting to about 12% alcohol and forming the flor. The wine is then removed from the lees and fortified to 15% and introduced to the first “criadera” or level of the Tio Diego solera.Dark amber in color. Aromatics of hazelnuts with a smooth and persistent palate.”

Valdespino Oloroso Don Gonzalo VOS 375ML ($29.95) $21.90 special 15 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The NV Don Gonzalo Oloroso 20 Anos VOS, produced with Palomino grapes from the Carrascal vineyards, is fermented in stainless steel and aged for over 20 years in oak botas. It is a very serious Oloroso, even if it’s not totally dry. It offers bitter almonds, hazelnuts, incense, Cuban cigar ash, and dark chocolate as well as a complex, a very intense, round and ample palate. This wine really fills your mouth. Very intense and with great acidity, it represents very good value for the quality it delivers. A tamed beast. Drink 2013-2019.”

Valdespino Oloroso Med-Sweet 1842 375ML ($29.95) $21.90 special 2 half-bottles available
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Soft notes of sweet, dried fruits lead into this subtle Oloroso. The flavors balance saline and sweet elements, an elegant composition that finishes fresh and clean. Serve this with scallops au gratin.”

Valdespino Palo Cortado Viejo C.P ($39.95) $36 special   11 bottles available
Importer notes “The wine is called Calle Ponce or Ponce Street because this is the road that the old bodega, where the solera resided, was located. The wine has a medium mohagany intensity. Aromas of dried fruits and hazelnuts. The palate is very round and dry with notes of vanilla and dried fruits.”

Valdespino Moscatel Toneles NV 375ML ($349.95) $269 special 1 half-bottle available
Wine Advocate 100 points “The NV Moscatel Toneles has reached a mythical status locally in Spain. It’s an extremely old, concentrated and powerful sweet wine that was long forgotten, because there was no market for it. The color is dark brown, almost opaque with amber-green edges. The ever-changing nose is an explosion of spices (curry and cinnamon) and noble woods, and from the sheer concentration it displays a myriad of roasted coffee, dark chocolate, balsamic herbs and even a note of coconut. After some time in the glass the roasted orange notes of Muscat come back intermixed with very spicy incense notes. Give it more time and it smells of camphor. It’s fascinating to smell it over the course of a few hours? even days. The palate is immensely concentrated, with the alcohol perfectly integrated and the extreme sweetness compensated by a piercing acidity that reminds me of some century-old Madeiras. It ends with an acute coffee note. The aftertaste is eternal. It is exceptional that such an old wine (it could be over 80 years of average age) keeps the freshness and balance, but when this happens, the wine is exceptional. A world-class sweet wine that shows what aged Muscat is able for. With its 430 grams of residual sugar, this wine is indestructible, but only 100 bottles are withdrawn and bottled yearly from a single, large cask. Drink 2013-2034.”

Valdespino Cardenal Palo Cortado VORS 375ML ($199.95) $159 special 3 half-bottles available
Valdespino Cardenal Palo Cortado VORS NV 750ML ($349.95) $279 special 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “The NV Palo Cortado Cardenal VORS, like the whole VORS collection from Valdespino is outstanding. It is fed from the solera of the Palo Cortado C.P. where the Palomino grapes come from the Macharnudo Alto vineyard, fermented in American oak botas. It’s 22% alcohol and has nine grams of (undetectable) residual sugar which makes it very drinkable. It’s a monumental wine of dark mahogany color with a green edge, a complex, ever-changing, concentrated, clean and delineated nose of spices, dark chocolate, Cuban cigar and balsamic notes of incense, and a sharp, saline palate. It is highly concentrated, powerful and clean, with an eternal, lingering aftertaste. Deciding between Coliseo and Cardenal might be splitting hairs, and as much as I love Coliseo, I felt Cardenal was just one notch above. At the quality helm of Palo Cortado. Drink 2013-2025.” WA
Peter Liem“Its palo cortado counterpart is the Cardenal, a wine of similar age and equally multi-faceted complexity, although, with its richer girth and more velvety texture on the palate, it comes off as less forbidding. It essentially represents the ultimate conclusion of Valdespino’s expression of the Marcharnudo vineyard.”

Valdespino Coliseo Amontillado VORS NV 375ML ($249.95) $199 special 1 half-bottle available
Valdespino Coliseo Amontillado VORS NV 750ML ($399.95) $349 special 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 99 points “The NV Amontillado Coliseo VORS, is an extremely old (much older than the 30 years certified by the VORS classification) and concentrated wine. It is unique, as its origin is from Sanlucar de Barrameda, mainly from the Pago Miraflores, which produced very sharp wines. Dark mahogany colored, with a bright green border, is very aromatic, balsamic and complex, with wild herbs, candied orange rind, spices and dates. The palate is extremely concentrated, dry, and intense but it has no edges, with lively acidity and an eternal finish. It’s an extreme wine, some might find it too much, but it’s certainly unique and among the greatest wines in the world, to be sipped slowly and in tiny quantities. One of the greatest Amontillados in existence today. Drink 2013-2025.” WA
Peter Liem“A complex demanding wine averaging over 60 years of age. This actually originates as a manzanilla, spending 15 to 20 years in Sanlucar before being blended and aged in Jerez. The result is an amontillado of tremendous finesse, balancing its vivid concentration with a stelly, racy structure”

 

 

Quintarelli Primofiore Veneto IGT 2010 ($69.95) $59 staff pick special
A classic red from Quintarelli, a blend of Corvina (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (50%). Aromas of earth and red fruit are backed up by a glass full of dried cherries, raisins and a subtle spiciness. Firm tannins and bold, tangy acidity keep this medium-bodied wine interesting and complex. 

Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos Bierzo 2012 ($24.95) $19 staff pick special
“Made from Mencia, a grape native to northwest Spain.  On the palate, ripe red fruit such as raspberry compote and plum, a hint of herbs, with nice minerality, silky tannin, and good acidity.  Try with grilled wild game, or barbacoa tacos. A great value at $19.”

 

 

Arriving Thursday
Order Wednesday for Special Case Price

Case-12 Bodegas Emilio Moro Finca Resalso Ribera del Duero 2012 ($249.95) $168 case price special 
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Vivid purple.  Ripe boysenberry and blueberry aromas and an undercurrent of mocha on the nose, with candied licorice and vanilla qualities coming up with air.  Lush, weighty and round, showing good thrust to its dark berry liqueur and cocoa flavors.  Finishes creamy, round and long, with soft tannins and building notes of plum and dark chocolate.”

Case -12 Bodegas Emilio Moro Malleolus Ribera del Duero 2009 ($449.95) $396 case price special 
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Opaque ruby.  Highly nuanced aromas of cherry compote, smoky minerals, vanilla and candied flowers.  Offers seductively sweet red and dark fruit and floral pastille flavors, with exotic floral tones and sweet oak in the background.  This powerful yet lively wine finishes with excellent thrust and supple tannins.”

Case -12 Bodegas y Vinedos Ilurce Rio Madre Rioja 2012 ($149.95) $119 case price special 
Josh Raynolds 91 points “(100% graciano; aged in French oak for 11 months):  Opaque ruby.  Sexy, high-toned cherry and blackcurrant aromas are complicated by notes of Indian spices and fresh rose.  Smooth and seamless in texture, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors that become spicier with air.  The floral element repeats on the finish, which shows excellent clarity and persistence.  This wine delivers uncanny value and has the structure to age.”

Case -12 Bodega Bernabeleva Camino de Navaherreros Vinos de Madrid 2012 ($199.95) $149 case price special 
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Vivid ruby-red.  Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of raspberry, potpourri and Asian spices.  Silky, penetrating red fruit and rose pastille flavors pick up a mineral nuance with air.  Clings with excellent tenacity on the vibrant finish, which features fine-grained tannins and a touch of blood orange.”

Case -12 Bodega Bernabeleva Navaherreros Vinos de Madrid Tinto 2011 ($299.95) $219 case price special 
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Bright ruby-red.  Flamboyant aromas of raspberry, Asian spices, pungent herbs and white pepper.  Dense, juicy and focused, offering mineral-driven flavors of raspberry, spicecake and rose pastille.  The incisive finish features silky tannins and an echo of juicy red fruit.  This sexy wine is delicious right now.”

Case -12 Bodegas Breca Garnacha de Fuego Old Vines Calatayud 2012 ($119.95) $89 case price special 
Josh Raynolds 89 points “Bright purple.  Ripe dark berries and cracked pepper on the nose.  Smooth and broad on entry, then tighter in the mid-palate, offering tangy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of licorice.  Sweeter on the finish, with the cherry and licorice notes echoing.  This is an amazing value.”

Case -12 Bodegas Borsao Vina Borgia Campo de Borja 2012 ($99.95) $75 case price special 
Josh Raynolds 88 points “(100% garnacha; all stainless steel):  Bright purple.  Jammy black and blue fruits on the nose and in the mouth.  Plump, juicy and tannin-free, making for very easy drinkability.  For the money, this really delivers, a point not missed by the numerous restaurants that are pouring this fruit bomb by the glass.”

Case -12 Bodegas Campo de Borja 2012 ($119.95) $79 case price special 
Josh Raynolds 89 points” 85% garnacha and 15% tempranillo; all stainless steel):  Vivid purple.  Expressive aromas of black raspberry, violet and white pepper.  Supple, spicy and pliant, with an appealingly sweet quality to the dark berry, spice and floral flavors.  Plenty of personality here, especially at the price.  Finishes on a refreshingly bitter note, with silky tannins and very good persistence.”

Case-12 Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Tres Picos Campo de Borja ($219.95) $179 case price special
Josh Raynolds 92 points “(half fermented in French oak and half in stainless steel):  Bright purple.  Heady aromas of blueberry, cherry compote, white pepper and woodsmoke, plus an exotic cinnamon note.  Fresh and seamless, offering vibrant blueberry and black raspberry flavors and suave floral notes.  The spicy quality lingers seductively on the tenacious finish.”

Case -4 Bodegas Borsao Vina Borgia Campo de Borja 2013 3L BAG IN BOX ($89.95) $66 case price special 
Consists of 4 x 3l bag in box units.  The equivalent of 15 standard 750ml bottles @ 4.40 / BOTTLE