New Week – New Arrivals; Top Champagne Pick, Top Scoring Champagnes In Stock; Trendy Robust Reds; Staff Pick: 2012 Selbach-Oster; Brovia; Off the Beaten Path Bubbles; Italian Magnums; Arriving This Week; Rose Sneak Peek
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New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon
Matello ‘Souris’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 750ML ($39.95) $28 super special
Winery Library Release
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 91 points “(from fruit grown in the Whistling Ridge and Durant vineyards; made with 55% whole clusters and raised in 40% new oak): Vivid red. Vibrant red berry and Asian spice aromas are given depth by notes of vanilla and licorice and pick up a minerally nuance with air. Juicy raspberry and cherry-cola flavors tighten up in the mid-palate and show very good clarity. Finishes spicy and long, with silky tannins adding structure.” ST
You won’t find this 2011 Souris listed elsewhere;
but the next best price on any vintage of the Souris Pinot Noir is $36.89
Penner-Ash Wine Cellars Syrah, Oregon 2014 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special
Winemaker’s note: “Enticing black fruits and dark rose petals pair with sweet leather and smoky barrel-spice aromatics. The palate boasts blackberry, currant and dark chocolate with a hint of black peppercorns. Dusty tannins with sweet earth and baking spices round out the finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Washington
Long Shadows Poet’s Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley 2015 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Taut, sharply focused and distinctive, with apricot, peach, Meyer lemon and slate elements that glide over an off-dry finish that doesn’t quit. Drink now through 2022.”
Cor Cellars McKinley Springs Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Winery Notes “This wine was made as a throw back to the old world Bordelais style. Seeking the balance of opulence and structure, fruit and length, this is a classic wine for which Napoleon would have invaded to reclaim Washington. Luxuriously ripe and aromatic, with black cherry, allspice and chocolate, this wine also holds its’ freshness on the palate and throughout the finish.”
Substance Cs Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Wine Advocate 89-91 points “A wine that sees a native fermentation, 41 days on skins and aging all in French oak, the value-priced 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon over-delivers with its deep purple color, terrific bouquet of violets, black currants and wild herbs; it is full-bodied, supple and downright sexy style on the palate. It’s a no-brainer purchase.”
Substance Cs Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2014 1.5L ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The straight 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is outstanding. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, native fermented, aged in French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it’s a killer value that has lots of blue fruits, violets, graphite and leafy herbs in medium to full-bodied, concentrated, layered style. Savvy readers should buy a case of this and drink bottles over the coming 4-5 years, although I see no reason that it won’t keep longer either.”
California
Chalk Hill Estate Red Proprietary Blend, Chalk Hill 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2013 Proprietary Red Estate is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Malbec, 12% Petit Verdot and the rest Carignane, Syrah and Merlot. This is another titanic effort from proprietor Foley. A spectacular dense-purple color and sweet toasty oak intermixed with licorice, blackberry, cassis and graphite are all present in this profound first-growth quality blend that should age effortlessly for 25-30 or more years. This is a stunner and a revelation.”
France – Beaujolais
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon, Beaujolais 2014 750ML ($29.95) $26 special
Importer note “There is something no-nonsense and straightforward about Foillard’s wine. It seems to say, let’s cut straight to deliciousness. Deliciousness with class. It has a wonderful texture going down. The finesse from start to finish seems almost offhanded.”
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Les Charmes Eponym, Beaujolais 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Bright magenta. Mineral-accented aromas of ripe raspberry, cherry pit, licorice and Asian spices, complemented by a sexy floral nuance that emerges with air. Silky and focused, offering vibrant bitter cherry and red berry flavors, a hint of candied lavender and a refreshingly bitter jolt of blood orange. Finishes gently tannic, sweet and impressively long, leaving red fruit liqueur and spicecake notes behind.”
France – Burgundy
Domaine Collotte Bourgogne Cuvee de Noble Souche, Burgundy 2014 750ML ($24.95) $19 special
Importer note “Bourgogne “Noble Souché” translates to the “noble vine” from almost 70 year old vines planted in 1947 on Marsannay Cailloux soil from Champforeys. Entirely, de-stemmed, slow fermentation with 5 days of pre-maceration. Aged for 11 months 90% in stainless steel tank, this is a lovely, subtlety rich Côte de Nuits wine.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $22.99
France – Bordeaux
Chateau Malescot-St-Exupery, Margaux 2010 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Robert Parker 95 points “Gorgeous, flowery, classic Margaux once again, the 2010 Malescot St.-Exupery continues to show virtually no toasty oak, given the impeccable balance and full-bodied, full-throttle style it possesses. Black raspberries, creme de cassis and spring floral notes intermixed with forest floor and a hint of charcoal are followed by an opulent, sexy, full-bodied wine whose tannins have become much sweeter, while the wine is less restrained yet still exuberant and impressive. This is a phenomenal example once again for this estate, harmonious in every sense of style, extraordinarily long, rich and ageworthy. Three to four years of bottle age will do wonders to make it more accessible, but this wine is set for 25-30 years of longevity.”
France – Rhone
Andre Perret Condrieu Coteau du Chery, Rhone 2012 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2012 Condrieu Coteaux du Chery, which comes from one of the most heralded sites in the appellation, is also brilliant (as is his 2011!). The most rich and textured of the lineup, it offers thrilling notes of white peach, crushed rock, buttered grapefruit, flowers and tangerine to go with a medium to full-bodied, layered, yet brilliantly fresh and detailed texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. It too will drink nicely for 4-5 years.”
Yann Chave Crozes-Hermitage Classique, Rhone 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “The traditional cuvee is produced from Syrah vines grown on the three village terroirs: Mercurol, La Roche de Glun and Pont de l’Isère. There are several plots planted at different times, but the average age of vines is 20 years. The Crozes Hermitage red 2015 is ruby red with a nose of forest berries; the tannins are supple and elegant. It is ideal with white meats.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Xavier Rasteau, Rhone 2012 750ML ($34.95) $28.80 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “One of my favorite wines from this estate, the 2012 Rasteau offers tons of ripe dark fruit, crushed rock, licorice and minerality in its full-bodied, concentrated profile. Made from 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre, it’s a classic Rasteau to drink over the coming 7-8 years.”
Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône S.M. NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The NV Côtes du Rhône S.M. is thrilling stuff. Made from equal parts Grenache and Syrah and aged half in concrete and half in barrel, it offers a full-bodied, voluptuous and decadent style to go with overflowing notes of plum and darker fruits, licorice and violets. Gorgeous on all counts, it’s a shockingly good Côtes du Rhône to drink over the coming 4-6 years, although I wouldn’t be surprised to see it last even longer.”
Xavier Vacqueyras, Rhone 2010 750ML ($31.95) $26 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2010 Vacqueyras was made from a somewhat unusual blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Mourvedre and 20% Grenache, most of it from the Plateau de Garrigue, near Sarrians in Vacqueyras. This rich effort reveals lots of forest floor, roasted herb, blackberry and cassis notes as well as a hint of acacia flowers. Impeccably pure, rich and long, it should drink well for 6-8 years.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Xavier Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010 750ML ($47.95) $38 special
Wine Advocate 91+ points “Richer, fuller and denser is the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape, which is composed of 65% Grenache and the rest equal parts Mourvedre and Syrah. Its dense ruby/purple color is followed by abundant notes of black fruits, licorice, lavender, Provencal herbs as well as a meaty richness.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $45.99
Xavier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme X 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “The powerful, rich 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme reveals an off-the-chart level of extract, lots of glycerin (nearly 16% natural alcohol) and copious black cherry, blueberry, forest floor, lavender and graphite characteristics. This full-throttle red requires 3-4 years of cellaring and should keep for two decades.”
Xavier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme X 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The top wine of the estate, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme is a hidden gem in the vintage! A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Counoise and Vaccarese, from 90-year-old vines and aged in one-third new barrels (although you wouldn’t know it), it possesses fabulous notes of blackberry and currant fruit, big minerality, roasted meats and leather. Full-bodied, with beautiful freshness, big tannin and a layered, thrillingly concentrated mid-palate, it will be better in another year or two, and have over 15 years of longevity. Drink 2015-2026.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Xavier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Anonyme X 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The top wine from the portfolio, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme offers thrilling purity and focus in its lively dark fruits, roasted meats and underbrush-scented bouquet. Full-bodied, ripe and textured, with fantastic polish and sweetness to its tannin, it has a supple, forward feel, yet will easily evolve for 10-15 years.”
Domaine Yves et Mathilde Gangloff Cote Rotie La Sereine Noire, Rhone 2009 750ML ($199.95) $169 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Offers very alluring warm ganache and mesquite aromas, which meld into the core of mulled plum, fig and anise flavors. Long and silky through the finish, with incense and white pepper weaving in and out, along with lots of buried grip. There’s a very distinctive personality to this wine. Best from 2014 through 2026.”
Domaine Yves et Mathilde Gangloff Cote Rotie La Sereine Noire, Rhone 2010 750ML ($199.95) $169 special
Domaine Yves et Mathilde Gangloff Cote Rotie La Sereine Noire, Rhone 2010 1.5L ($399.95) $319 special
Wine Spectator 96 points “Stunning aromas of blueberry compote, pastis-soaked fig and plum, and well-roasted alder are backed by charcoal-coated iron and smoldering tobacco notes. There’s a great tug of earth through the finish, with the dark fruit dripping slowly. Shows terrific range and character. Best from 2015 through 2025.”
These are the only listings in the USA today!
France – Loire
Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Les Coutes, Loire 2015 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Importer note “A single hillside plot of 50 year old vines on chalky Kimmeridgian Marne (aka Terre Blanche), hand-harvested at 45 hl/ha. Fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. Bottled unfiltered.”
France – Other
Chateau Simone Palette Blanc, Provence 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Importer note “The white from Simone is a truly unique creation based primarily on Clairette that is supplemented with Grenache Blanc, Bourboulenc, Ugni Blanc and a touch of Muscat Blanc. The white, brisk in its youth, animated by a bouquet of pine-resin, evolves slowly into a sensual masterpiece with its lingering finish built on a mass of minerality. This is a remarkably age-worthy wine with the potential to give ever-more pleasure over a span two decades or more. We have the pleasure of purchasing 2400 bottles per vintage for the US market.”
Chateau Simone Palette Rouge, Provence 2012 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Importer note “Those of you who know Simone realize that the red, a tenacious but ultimately elegant wine, is an equal, rather than dominant, partner to the striking rosé and the sublime white. Like the rosé, it is a blend primarily of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault but there are pockets of old-growth vines of Syrah, Manosquin, Castet, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon and Muscat Noir that season the vineyards and add to the stunning complexity of these wines. The influence of Mont Sainte Victoire, its surface covered in rich pine forest, is apparent in the flavors and aromas of the red wine of Simone. Annually, there are 2400 bottles available for the US market.”
Domaine de la Berangeraie Cuvee Maurin, Cahors 2014 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Importer note “In 1971 André Berenger came to Cahors from Provence with his wife Sylvie, who is originally from Champagne, and planted their vineyard near Grezels, on the red clay/ iron stone soil known as Grèzes. Their two children, Maurin & Juline not only joined them in the family business, but brought in their respective spouses. Thus the 3 couples all work together and do everything on this 35 hectare domaine themselves. Pruning, the sustainable farming of the vineyards (Terra Vitis certified) and harvesting are all done by hand; a disappearing practice in Cahors where harvesting is now done almost exclusively by machine. Moreover, Maurin, and his wife, Marlène, are graduates of oenology school with diplomas in oenology. Complemetary, Juline and her husband, Henri, both studied at viticulture school. The Bérangeraie wines are proof that hand-made artisanal wines of character yet accessibility, are still being made in Cahors today.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rouge, Provence 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “Solidly built, with dark tobacco and Turkish coffee notes leading the way to a core of steeped plum and blackberry purée flavors. Leather and juniper details drive the muscular finish. Best from 2018 through 2025.”
Italy – Tuscany
Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2013 750ML ($31.95) $27 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “There’s loads of Sangiovese character here, from the earthy, tobacco-scented beginning to the cherry, leather and earth flavors, all underlined by stiff, chalky tannins. Rustic yet soulful. Best from 2018 through 2024.”
Lisini Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Leather, truffle, underbrush and spice aromas swirl around the core of sweet cherry and raspberry in this multifaceted red. Vivid and firmly structured, with a lingering aftertaste of mineral and tobacco. Austere now, but this should be fine in two to three years. Best from 2019 through 2033.”
Lisini Ugolaia, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Spectator 97 points “This complex red shows a duality between the aromas of rose, strawberry and currant and the savory notes of earth, tobacco and mineral. The muscular structure is more allied to the latter, but this remains fresh, resonant and long. You could match this to a grilled steak now or let mellow for a few years. Best from 2019 through 2035.”
Italy – Piedmont
Elvio Tintero Langhe Arneis 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Importer note “From 10 year old vines grown in rocky clay and limestone soil.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Elvio Tintero Sori Gramella Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2015 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Importer note “This is the only producer to bottle this striking single-vineyard, limestone amphitheater commercially. Grapes harvested and pressed, then kept in stainless steel at a low temperature to prevent fermentation. Fermentation is allowed to begin only when an order is received in order to provide the freshest wine possible. “Sorì” in Piedmontese indicates the south-facing slope of a hill. Gramella is the name of the area that Tintero grows his grapes.”
Elvio Tintero Barbaresco DOCG 2013 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Importer note “Vineyards located in Balluri (sub-zone of Neive). Fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Aged for 24 months in 500-liter botti (10 to 20 years old). Neither fined nor filtered”
Antonio Vallana e Figlio Spanna Colline Novaresi 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Wine Enthusiast 89 points “Aromas of leather, blue flower, berry, aromatic herb and a whiff of game come together in the glass. The racy palate doles out crushed raspberry, sour cherry, anise and mineral. Firm, refined tannins and vibrant acidity provide support.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbaresco DOCG 2013 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
“Toasted hazelnut, menthol, culinary spice and mature berry aromas lift out of the glass. The straightforward palate offers dried black cherry, licorice, clove and firm tannins.”–Wine Enthusiast
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $54
Antoniolo ‘Osso San Grato’, Gattinara DOCG 2008 750ML ($89.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Another wine that has developed beautifully over the last year, the 2008 Gattinara Osso San Grato impresses for its layered, inviting personality. Sweet tobacco, herbs, menthol, coffee and plums meld together nicely in the glass. This is a surprisingly textured, voluptuous Osso San Grato with terrific potential for the future, although it is quite beautiful, even today. The aromatics and tannins show some elements of development, but the wine is still a bit fresher on the palate.”
Germany
Weingut Donnhoff Kreuznacher Krotenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett, Nahe 2015 750ML ($27.95) $20.90 special
“The 2015 Kreuznacher Krötenpfuhl Riesling Kabinett has a “cooler acidity” than the Kahlenberg, says Helmut Dönnhoff, so he considers it as the better vineyard to produce a fruity Riesling with more residual sugar. The wine has a clear and open nose of ripe apples along with some flinty aromas. On the palate, the wine is very clear and piquant, but also generous in its precise, elegant fruit. The finish has a certain intensity and minerality, and this will come out even clearer in two or more years.” Wine Advocate
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2015 750ML ($39.95) $30.90 special
Weingut Donnhoff Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2015 1.5L ($99.95) $77 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2015 Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spätlese is clear, piquant and salty on the nose, with great purity and a lovely flintiness framing the ripe yellow apple and grapefruit aromas. On the palate, this is a pretty, complex and salty Spätlese with generous but delicate fruit and lingering mineral tension and salinity. Grown on the same soil as the Leistenberg Kabinett (grey slate) but from a fully south-facing site, this is a perfect Spätlese terroir. Although this wine has just 9% alcohol, it is intense and complex and has 65 grams of residual sugar. It is a really full-bodied Riesling.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese***, Mosel 2009 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Joel B. Payne–Vinous 92 points “Pale golden yellow. Exalted aromas of papaya, passion fruit and clove. The rich, creamy papaya fruit is laced with a fine saline minerality. Elegant in spite of its depth. But this wine is still quite closed, even austere.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Weingut Jos. Christoffel Jr. Christoffel-Prum Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese*** Goldkapsel, Mosel 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Mosel Fine Wines 96 points “A Slightly reduced nose of grilled pineapple, citrus and grapefruit gives way to fresh flavors of anise, flowers and coconut. The wine starts off on the compact side of things as ripe and exotic fruits greet one on the palate. The finish proves deliciously creamy and gains in presence and energy as a joyful touch of acidity come through. This is a very delicate and hugely complex Prälat in the making, which only needs to be left alone for more than a decade in order to blossom. 2030-2065.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Spain
El Cep Marques de Gelida Gran Reserva Brut Cava, Catalonia 2012 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(aged on its lees for 40 months prior to disgorgement) Limpid yellow. Aromas of ripe pear, peach and honeydew melon on the nose; a subtle ginger nuance emerges with air. Supple and broad on entry, then more taut in the midpalate, offering juicy orchard and pit fruit flavors and a refreshing hint of bitter quinine. Finishes dry and spicy, delivering a touch of bitterness, strong mineral cut and very good cling.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Llopart Reserva Brut Rose Cava, Penedes 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18.80 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Vivid pink. Spicy and focused on the nose, displaying intense red berry, orange zest scents and a suave floral overtone. Raspberry and redcurrant flavors show a refreshingly bitter edge and flesh out nicely in the mid-palate. Smoothly intertwines power with elegance, finishing sappy and long, with building spiciness and lingering tangerine and rose pastille qualities.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Bodegas Hermanos Pecina Senorio de P. Pecina Crianza, Rioja DOCa 2011 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Deep red. Spicy, smoke-tinged cherry and red berry scents are complemented by suggestions of incense and vanilla. Smoky black raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors are lifted and energized by a mineral element. Sappy, incisive and fresh on the finish, firmed by supple, well-knit tannins. Drink: 2019-2024.”
Bodegas Nekeas ‘El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa’ Old Vine Garnacha, Navarra 2013 750ML ($17.95) $14 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(went through malo and five months of aging in new and used French oak barriques): Brilliant ruby. Highly perfumed aromas of cherry compote, smoky Indian spices, vanilla and licorice, with a building floral note. Coats the palate with juicy black raspberry and spicecake flavors enlivened by juicy acidity. Quite rich, especially in the context of the vintage, finishing with seamless berry flavors, smooth tannins and excellent persistence. The vines here were reportedly planted between 1890 and 1930.”
R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2005 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “A worthy follow up to the 2004 is the 2005 Viña Bosconia Reserva, a wine that they consider the most rustic and powerful in the winery, but that I find as elegant and subtle as it gets. This feels very much in line with the 2004, maybe a notch above even, a lower yielding year. The nose is somehow closed and feels young with the elegant rusticity lurking from the bottom of the glass, clean and precise. The tannins are velvety and there is great acidity–a constant here. The wine is terribly elegant. I simply loved this wine.”
Argentina
Ernesto Catena Vineyards Padrillos Malbec, Vista Flores 2015 750ML ($14.95) $9.90 special
James Suckling 92 points
Vina Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Advocate 89 points “The 2015 Felino Cabernet Sauvignon mixes fruit from Luján de Cuyo with some 25% from the Valle de Uco. It fermented in stainless steel tanks with full natural malolactic. Ten percent of the wine matured in new American oak barrels and was bottled one year after the harvest. This is very fruit-driven, fresh and clean, with very little influence from the oak, very drinkable and fresh. There’s good purity of fruit, very fine tannins and a soft texture, avoiding any over-ripeness without sacrificing depth. I was impressed. They are picking slightly earlier and using oak more judiciously.”
Vina Cobos Felino Malbec, Mendoza 2015 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Winery note “100% Malbec. Deep red color with violet and blue tones, this exquisite malbec displays aromas of white flowers and black fruits along with notes of white pepper and cloves. Elegant and balanced, delights the palate with hints of licorice and chocolate as presents broad and smooth with firm tannins that lead to a persistent finish.”
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Fall in love with our top Champagne pick of the year:
Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($89.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($479.95) $336 special, 6 half-cases available (that’s only $56/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The NV (2012) Extra Brut Fidele is another fabulous wine from Vouette & Sorbée. Here, the richness of Pinot Noir comes through loud and clear in the wine’s depth and overall richness. Creamy and beautifully layered throughout, the 2012 hits all the right notes. Red berry, mint, flowers, sweet spices and candy fill out the wine’s broad frame effortlessly. What a gorgeous wine this is. Simply put, the 2012 is a total knock-out.”
Staff Pick Notes: The 2012 is best described as a marriage of the previous releases. Here we find the heady fig, floral and orchard fruit notes of the 2009 with the solid acidity and grace of the 2011 and the spice, body, length and structure of the 2010. It’s a mélange of distinct flavors, the complexity is astounding, all balanced by the unique influence of the savory-salty wisp of butterscotch and preserved lemon notes from the reserve wine base. The Fidele is made with a small amount of reserve wine held in solera and topped off with each vintage. It gives the wine a core note of lightly oxidation that shows more or less depending upon the vintage. This year, that note hit the mid-palate with a. I particularly like the way it plays off the richness and aromatics to keep everything in balance. –Suzanne
Staff Pick Notes: Let’s get straight to the point—Champagne this good should cost way more than this does (also this wine often costs more than it does now). This Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele NV is 100% Pinot Noir and very serious. Not all blanc de noirs are this vinous and that elegance and complexity shines through when paired with food. Serve it in a real wineglass, not flutes, to experience it in full. -Saul
Ultimate Romance
Don’t miss these other top scoring Champagnes to pair with your 100 point partner!
Alfred Gratien Brut, Champagne 1998 750ML ($199.95) $159 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “A relatively rich, broad shouldered wine, the 1998 Brut Millesime is showing beautifully. Here the aromas and flavors have begun to develop the early hints of tertiary complexity, making the 1998 a great choice for drinking today. Suggestions of white truffles, apricot jam, hazelnuts, hard candy and dried flowers wrap around the gorgeous, striking finish. The 1998 is 60% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Gosset Cuvee Celebris Extra Brut Millesime, Champagne 2002 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 14 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Magnificent in its complexity and pure breeding, the 2002 Extra Brut Celebris has it all. The Extra Brut style confers the signature Gosset drive, while extended time on the lees has given the wine just enough texture and body to fill out nicely. In the meantime, the aromas and flavors have mellowed into those that are typical of Champagne entering the first plateau of its maturity. The 2002 is vinous, fleshy and super-expressive, yet retains striking freshness throughout. Candied lemon peel, apricot jam, honey, mint, spices and sage form a compelling fabric of flavors and textures in a knock-out Champagne that is peaking today. The 2002 is 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir from vineyards in Aÿ, Bouzy, Verzy, Chouilly and Cramant.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2002 Celebris Vintage Extra Brut displays a noble, clear, fresh and subtle bouquet with white fruit and brioche flavors intertwined with mineral aromas. Silky textured and highly elegant, this full-bodied yet delicate blend of 48% Pinot Noir and 52% Chardonnay is clear and straight on the palate, revealing a ripe and intense, yet refined fruit. It has a persistent and complex, firmly structured, stimulatingly pure and salty finish. Great finesse and ethereal lightness here, with great purity and mineral tension. It also has the intensity of perfect fruit in the long and persistent finish. A great Champagne for the next ten and probably many more years.”
Krug Grande Cuvee Brut NV 1.5L ($499.95) $399 special, 2 magnums available
Krug Grande Cuvee Brut NV 3L ($1,499.95) $1,199 special, 1 jeroboam available
Wine Spectator 97 points “This is all about balance and the integration of power and finesse, with finely honed acidity supporting flavors of quince paste, dried black cherry, spun honey and candied orange zest, while rich notes of roasted walnut, coffee liqueur and toasted cardamom resonate on the finish. Hard to stop sipping. Drink now through 2028.” WS
Krug Grande Cuvee Brut NV 750ML ($219.95) $159 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points “This mouthwatering Champagne shows a lovely sense of finesse, with firm acidity deftly married to a rich profile of crème de cassis, toasted brioche and lime blossom, accented by hints of café au lait, singed orange peel and exotic spice. Long and plush on the finish.” (10/2016)
Philipponnat Clos des Goisses Brut, Champagne 1996 750ML ($399.95) $348 special, 5 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points (December 2015); Antonio Galloni 96 points (March 2015) “One of the all time greats from Philipponnat, the 1996 Clos des Goisses captures the essence of a vintage in which both sugars and acidities were elevated. Tension, energy and salinity are the signatures. Readers who can wait on the 1996 will be rewarded with a stunning bottle of Champagne that will likely still be profound at age fifty.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Pierre Peters Cuvee Speciale ‘Les Chetillons’ Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne 2008 750ML ($149.95) $136 special, 16 bottles available
Wine Spectator 95 points– Highly Recommended – “This harmonious Champagne offers fine interplay between power and finesse, with ripe poached apricot, rich lemon meringue pie and spun honey flavors married to chalky minerality and focused acidity. The overall impression is elegant and fresh. Drink now through 2030.”
Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Millesime Brut, Champagne 2004 750ML ($199.95) $139 special, 5 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2004 Dom Ruinart is just as brilliant and viscerally thrilling as it has always been. If anything, the 2004 has shut down considerably over the last six months. Tightly coiled and exceptionally beautiful, the 2004 boasts fabulous intensity, class and pedigree. The flavors are vibrant, chiseled and crystalline in their precision. Time in bottle is doing wonders for the 2004. This is a tremendous showing.”
Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2004 1.5L ($1,499.95) Was $1,190, Now $989, 2 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2004 Salon has been superb each time I have tasted it over the last year or so. Bright, tense and crystalline, with all of the energy that is typical of both Salon and the vintage in the Côte des Blancs, the 2004 bristles with superb precision and cool, pulsating minerality. The 2004 spent a dozen years on its lees. Over the last six months or so, it has gradually begun to open up, but it is very much a wine for the cellar. Two thousand four is remembered as a vintage with record high yields. Salon (and Delamotte) did a terrific job in keeping the vines well balanced. Production was just 46,000 bottles, as opposed to the 60,000 or so that is more typical. Chef de Caves Michel Fauconnet opted for a low dosage of just 4 grams per liter. This is a tremendous showing.”
Jacques Selosse Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Millesime, Champagne 2003 750ML ($519.95) $379 special, 13 bottles available
James Suckling 97 points “A wine that has an absolutely unique character, Selosse has interpreted a truly extraordinary vintage with poetic insight. He describes the double stresses of an April frost that claimed 75% of the yield in Avize, coupled with a very hot and dry June and August. He speaks of the evapotranspiration and the effect of depositing an immense amount of mineral residue into the plant, which has manifested in this striking wine, and compares it to a chef reducing and concentrating a sauce. The smoky, toasty notes are more than autolysis; you can smell the heat of the vintage here. It has profound stony and chalky aromas, gentle spices, grilled hazelnuts and dehydrated stone fruits. The minerals explode onto the palate. It’s electric, hitting like an ionic blast before rolling out dark nutty flavors ahead of plush orange and ripe nectarine, peach and big, rich phenolics. It has many layers through the finish. Extremely long, balanced and resolved. Drink now or age confidently for a fascinating savory journey – this has a sturdy nature.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Jacques Selosse Les Carelles Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2008) 750ML ($449.95) $379 special, 5 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The brighter, more focused side of Chardonnay screams out of the glass in the NV (2008) Le Mesnil sur Oger Les Carelles. Here the flavors are distinctly high-toned, with plenty of citrus peel, white pepper, smoke and slate. Vivid and finely sculpted throughout, with a slightly reductive quality, the Mesnil remains tightly wound and in need of time in bottle. There is an implosive energy that is just waiting to emerge fully. When it does, the Mesnil will be utterly captivating. Actually, it already is. Disgorged February 17, 2015. Dosage is 2 grams/liter.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Rose, Champagne 2008 750ML ($99.95) $69 special, 6 bottles available
Gilbert & Gaillard 97 points “Coppery orange-pink. The nose is shy on first pour then delivers delicate red fruit, dried fruit and mild spice notes after swirling. Fleshy attack, fine bubbles and superb freshness. A tense, elegant rose. Hugely successful, almost a foregone conclusion.”
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Our Current
Shipping Promos:
Along with Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California,
we now offer flat rate shipping to Colorado. Here’s the scoop:
Single orders of any quantity of wines qualify for the flat rate;
this does not apply to orders held in storage for any reason
or multiple orders consolidated into one shipment.
The flat reach for each state is, as follows:
-to Oregon for $17,
-Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California & Colorado for $25
Take Advantage of the Flat Rate!
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Trendy Robust Reds:
Winter is still hanging on, so we’ve highlighted a few robust red wines that have been keeping your fellow readers warm:
Charles Smith Casa Smith Cervo Barbera, Wahluke Slope 2014 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 27 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “On another level, and worth the uptick in price, the 250-case 2014 Barbera Cervo (from vines planted in 1997 and tiny, tiny yields) was brought up all in barrique and is easily the finest example of this variety I’ve tasted from Washington. Elegant, layered and concentrated, with a serious feel in its black cherry, lavender, underbrush and peppery herbs bouquet, this terrific effort is a real head-turner that readers should seek out!”
Zorzal Eggo Tinto de Tiza, Tupungato, Argentina 2014 750ML ($39.95) $26 special, 36+ bottles available
Decanter 96 points ‘Top 10 Exciting Buys’ “Refreshing, beautiful nose with herbal and minty cool notes but also some chalky, mineral nuances so characteristic of the Gualtallary terroir. Bags of red fruits and lemon on the palate, vibrant, with a sensational invigorating freshness. Austere, precise, Malbec is one of the few grapes able to get such a pure expression. Texture is amazing, tannins are finely grained and oak is superbly managed. This is the treasure of Argentina.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2014 Eggo Tinto de Tiza is a blend from three different vineyards in Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It’s a blend of mostly Malbec with some Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. As is the case with the whole Eggo range, the wine didn’t see any oak, and in this case it was matured in egg-shaped cement vats for one year. There are violets, plums, dark cherries and something earthy. This is slightly riper than the 2013. The medium-bodied palate has is fresh with a silky texture, pure flavors and a mineral-driven finish. At this price I’d buy it by the case. Super!”
Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 8 bottles available
Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone 2015 1.5L ($34.95) $29 special, 33 magnums available
#43 Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2016
Wine Spectator 91 points “Ripe, with vivid blueberry and boysenberry fruit, harnessed on the back end by a bold graphite edge. Anise and violet notes add range. Drink now through 2019.”
Grapelive 92 points “Louis Barruol’s Chateau de Saint Cosme is one of the great wineries in the southern Rhone and produces some of the most sought after Gigondas out there! His little Cotes-du-Rhone though, made of almost entirely Syrah, is one of the region’s best value wines, and this 2015 is stunningly delicious and full of flavor. It always seems odd such a major player in top Grenache based wines like Barruol uses so much Syrah in his Cotes-du-Rhone, but then again so does Chave and Clape too, somehow it all works and the wine is deep in color and character and detailed with dark fruits, a plush mid palate and spicy length. The 2015 was 100% Syrah from Vinsobres and Gard with the grapes partially de-stemmed, with fermenting and aging in tank only, this makes for a fresh style and with just enough tannin to age, though complex enough and plush enough to thrill in it’s youth, and this 2015 does just that and with style! The palate is filled with layers of black and blue fruits, blackberry, boysenberry, juicy plum, fig and a touch of cassis along with cracked peppercorns, olive, lavender oil, violets, camphor, porcini, anise and mineral/stony notes. Round and textured the Saint Cosme Cotes-du-Rhone reaches a full-bodied weight, though still poised and vibrant, this is a class act, especially in this price range, I’ve been a fan of this wine for at least 10 years, I just love it, drink in over the next 3 to 5 years, this 2015 is one of the best yet!”
Chateau Meyney, Saint-Estephe 2009 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 32 bottles available
James Suckling 93 points “Green olives, spices and currants on the nose. Full body, with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Lovely layers of ripe tannins and ripe fruit. Best after 2018.”
Robert Parker 92 points “I clearly underrated this wine from barrel. The finest wine made at this estate since 1982, this opaque black wine is a sleeper of the vintage, with oodles of blackberry fruit interwoven with hints of charcoal, forest floor, licorice and damp earth. Deep, rich, chewy, full-bodied and opulent, this is a fabulous Meyney that, because of its low acidity and very ripe tannin, can be drunk in 3-4 years or cellared for two decades. Bravo!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $50
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Staff Pick
Saul:
It always amazes me how fast we forget about the quality of previous hyped vintages. Once the 2015 hype train started, it seemed like that was the only vintage in the world for anyone buying German wine. Let me remind you, though, that 2012 is an exceptional year (in my vote one of the top three since 2000) and one that features clean fruit (the absence of botrytis) in a way that no other vintage available in the shop can match. The wines are exceptional and, more importantly, they have three years of age as a head start on their 2015 counterparts.
Selbach-Oster ‘Anrecht’ Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “($38) Golden yellow. Expansive aromas of caramelized apple, candied peach and lemon curd. The succulent flavors of honey and apricot pith are kept vibrant by refreshing acidity. The long finish, offering complex notes of tangerine and toasted nuts, tastes almost dry.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2012 750ML ($31.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Terry Theise: “Bernkasteler Badstube is a small Grosslage; the component single-sites are distinct from one another, but one can organize them thus: LAY stands alone. Doktor-Graben (at least the good parts of Graben!) stand together, and Matheisbildchen-Bratenhöfchen stand together, and give us what we see now; heavier understructure, not quite as tensile, due to richer soil, and signature flavors of kirsch and almost Pouilly-Fumé flint; the piquant exotics of the Mosel. Typically, they are medium in body.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
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Brovia
It’s seems remarkable that even as Brovia’s star is rising in the echelons of Barolo, prices have yet to seriously escalate for these wines. They stand with any producer’s collection of Baroli and yet are priced below many ‘name’ producers that are making wines of less character and interest. For traditionally made Barolo, these are some of the best wines you can buy (at any price, really, but especially for the price).
If you’re new to Brovia, here’s the scoop: Wonderful, expressive wines made in traditional methods (no small barrels, native ferments, etc) from some of excellent vineyard holdings that are mostly in Serralunga. Villero is obviously a top vineyard that’s well known, but the other gem in the portfolio is the Brea “Ca’Mia” which is a wine that stands out in any lineup for its combination of Serralunga power and elegance.
We have a few of the 2011 Baroli in stock now and a few other wines as well. Everything is worth trying and 2011 was a year that Brovia’s natural elegant style allowed them to make wines taming the robust power of the year. They’ll be early drinkers, by Brovia standards, but we think they’ll go the distance as well.
Brovia Wines Available Here Now:
Brovia Sori del Drago Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2013 750ML ($31.95) $24 special, 35 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 89 points “Expressive floral notes meld into sweet plum and raspberry in Brovia’s 2013 Barbera d’Alba Sorì del Drago. Silky and open-knit, the mid-weight Sorì del Drago will drink well for another handful of years. Despite its deceptively medium-bodied feel, the Sorì del Drago packs quite a punch.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Brovia Valmaggione Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2012 750ML ($37.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles available
Neal Rosenthal’s notes “Sorry to double down with the superlatives, but for me, this is the most exciting wine the Brovia family bottles. It is the cheapest, lowest abv%, highest elevation, most northerly, most north facing Nebbiolo bottling in the family’s lineup — and the most limited production wine they make. Always a huge winner for me. “Valmaggione” (the actual name of the vineyard is ValmaggioRe, but the printer misspelled the label during the first vintage and the Brovia family decided to stick with it as a joke) is a parcel in Vezza d’Alba that produces some very expensive and sought after wines by more modernist producers like Sandrone. Super steep, sandy soils with great drainage that make for a wine with pronounced freshness and lift. No oak, no extended élevage. Pure, great wine.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Brovia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 2 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2011 Barolo is sumptuous and expressive, with all of the immediacy that is so typical of the year. Dark red cherry, plums, hard candy, spice and tobacco are all woven into a layered finish graced with soft contours and fabulous overall balance for a straight Barolo. As Brovia fans know, the straight Barolo is 70% young-vine fruit from Brea (above 20 years of age), plus the wine that is left over when the single-vineyard Barolos go into cask.” AG
Brovia ‘Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia’, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 28 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Lavender, mint, sage, smoke, tobacco and plums are all laced together in the 2011 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’Mia. As always, the Ca’Mia is a decidedly vertical Barolo built on a spine of persistent tannin, but in 2011 there is a little bit of added polish that serves to soften the contours. Tucked off the main road, Brea remains one of the least well-known vineyards in Serralunga. The 2011 is a great wine to start exploring some of the nuances of this site. A huge finish that brings together power and voluptuousness captures the pure radiance of the year.” AG
Brovia Garblet Sue, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 18 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is remarkably polished and sophisticated, two qualities that are rarely found in this Castiglione Falletto site, where the wines tend to be much more sinewy and virile. White pepper, pomegranate and sweet red cherries are some of the notes that open up in the glass. The flavors remain bright, focused and beautifully delineated in the glass. I very much like the sense of energy here, although I have to admit, the softer edges of 2011 are incredibly alluring.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Brovia Villero, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($89.95) $66 special, 28 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2011 Barolo Villero is one of the most structured wines in the range. Here the firm tannins and ample frame both suggest the 2011 will drink well for many years, once the tannins start softening. Orange peel, wild flowers, red stone fruits and spices flesh out on the creamy finish. It’s always interesting to taste the Villero next to the Rocche, as the two sites are pretty close to the other, yet the wines are remarkably different. Here the heat of the year is quite evident, while the Rocche benefits from greater ventilation and therefore a bit more freshness.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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A.B.C.
Anything But Champagne
We get it, sometimes you just want to try something frothy & festive that’s a little off the beaten path. Explore the outer reaches of sparkling possibilities with these picks – all in stock now!
Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs, California NV 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 36+ bottles available
Producer Notes–“Blanc de Noirs is characteristically marked by cherry, currant and strawberry aromas and flavors. These red fruit flavors build in the mid-palate and finish with a soft, lingering creamy texture.”
Patrick Piuze Val de Mer Cremant de Bourgogne Non Dose, Burgundy NV 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles available
Vinopolnote: Maybe we should have classified this as Champagne. It is a collaboration between Chablisienne Piuze and the Champagnois Moutard et Fils. Essentially still wine from the Piuze vineyard in Tonnerre escorted through the Methode Champagnois by Moutard. Great Value here.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Collet Pere et Fils Cremant de Bourgogne Brut, Burgundy NV 750ML ($26.95) $21.90 special, 28 bottles available
Case-12 Domaine Collet Pere et Fils Cremant de Bourgogne Brut, Burgundy NV 750ML ($279.95) $219 special, 2 cases available (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
100% Chardonnay from Collet’s Grand Cru & Premier Cru Pargues Vineyards
Importer note “Romain vinifies his base wines completely in steel before bottling and the addition of liqueur de tirage, and allows the wine to sit on its lees for fifteen months before disgorgement and a minute dosage, allowing the fruit of his pedigreed family vineyards to express itself. The wine is as precise as a bell and as refreshing as spring water; on the nose there is orange blossom, copper minerals and gardenia. The palate is as vinous and minerally as his superb still Chablis. The finish is dry, almost saline with caressing, gentle mousse and flavors of oyster shells, apricot and key lime. Disgorged July 2015. Enjoy this beauty as an aperitif, or with Dungeness crab, salt cod gratin or pasta carbonara.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine Philippe Tessier Phil’en Bulle, Loire NV 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 23 bottles available
Importer note “Philipe’s fizzy “pet-nat” is the least serious but perhaps the most fun wine in the Tessier lineup. To be enjoyed fresh and frothy. 90% Romorantin and 10% Orbois.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $26.99
Domaine Brazilier Methode Trad Brut Rose, Loire NV 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 5 bottles available
Pineau d’Aunis from 25+ year old vines grown in chalky limestone soil.
Importer note “The color is a soft pink tinged with orange. Elegant nose of intense peppery notes, along with discrete fruity scents. After a fresh attack, mouth displays a remarkable and persistent aromatic complexity, spices mingling harmoniously with ripe fruit. They use mechanical riddling and disgorge by a machine that does not freeze the neck of the bottle, so it is considered a more traditional method of disgorging, more like hand disgorging. Dosage is 3 grams of sugar.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Paolo Saracco Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 15 bottles available
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2015 Moscato d’Asti shows sweet sensations of honey, white flower and citrus. The wine is fresh and buoyant with herbs and chopped sage at the back. Light effervescence adds to the wine’s intensity and momentum. There is enormous softness here with creamy vanilla and tangy orange twist. This is a delicious Moscato d’Asti that is best consumed within the next 12 months.”
Cave du Vin Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle Metodo Classico Extra Brut, Aosta Valley 2012 750ML ($31.95) $28 special, 8 bottles available
100% Prie Blanc. Traditional fermentation in bottle.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
El Cep Marques de Gelida Gran Reserva Brut Cava, Catalonia 2012 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(aged on its lees for 40 months prior to disgorgement) Limpid yellow. Aromas of ripe pear, peach and honeydew melon on the nose; a subtle ginger nuance emerges with air. Supple and broad on entry, then more taut in the midpalate, offering juicy orchard and pit fruit flavors and a refreshing hint of bitter quinine. Finishes dry and spicy, delivering a touch of bitterness, strong mineral cut and very good cling.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Llopart Reserva Brut Rose Cava, Penedes 2013 750ML ($24.95) $18.80 special, 36+ bottles available
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Vivid pink. Spicy and focused on the nose, displaying intense red berry, orange zest scents and a suave floral overtone. Raspberry and redcurrant flavors show a refreshingly bitter edge and flesh out nicely in the mid-palate. Smoothly intertwines power with elegance, finishing sappy and long, with building spiciness and lingering tangerine and rose pastille qualities.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
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Italian Magnums
We offer 27 different Italian magnums and double magnums in stock now (that’s 170 bottles!). We’ve highlighted six below. Visit our web store to read reviews and shop online!
Domenico Clerico Arte Rosso Langhe, Piedmont 2011 1.5L ($89.95) $66 special, 24+ magnums available
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(90% nebbiolo and 10% barbera; aged for 18 months in new French oak): Good medium red. Perfumed aromas and flavors of plum, redcurrant, tobacco and spices. Intense and vibrant, with lovely inner-mouth aromatic lift. Very classy, delineated wine.” ST
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2010 1.5L ($199.95) $179 special, 10 magnums available
#4 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2015
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a striking wine that shows uncompromising varietal pureness, albeit in a most concentrated and elaborate form. This is what great Sangiovese is all about. There’s so much happening on the nose and the wine brings you to cherry, spice, licorice, cured meat, pressed rose and grilled meat in equal measure. No one element overpowers the next. The mouthfeel is also tight and bright with the kind of fruit intensity that promises long cellar aging. This Brunello is only at the beginning of a long road ahead. The longer the wine stays in the glass, the more it offers in terms of complexity and intensity. This is a true standout that can be enjoyed for up to 20 years ahead.” ML
Wine Spectator 95 points “Rich, with excellent density, ripe cherry and plum fruit, and a well-integrated structure. Licorice, earth and tobacco notes add depth while this cruises to a long, tobacco- and mineral-tinged finish. Shows balance and grip. Best from 2018 through 2033.”
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 6 magnums available
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2013 3L ($399.95) $333 special, 2 jeroboams available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2013 Cepparello is superb. Polished, silky nuanced and exceptionally beautiful, the 2013 exudes freshness and energy from start to finish. Succulent red cherry, plum, lavender and rose petal are some of the signatures. Aging in French oak shapes the wine nicely without marking it excessively. The purity of the flavors is striking. This is an especially cool, savory Cepparello built on finesse and persistence rather than power. Rain during harvest robbed the wine of some of its breadth. Otherwise, this is a striking Cepparello. I can’t wait to see how it ages.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
The next best price is $159
Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, Tuscany 2006 1.5L ($499.95) $389 special, 5 magnums available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2006 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione is a controversial wine and for good reason. Proprietor Paolo De Marchi was initially opposed to the idea of introducing the Gran Selezione category above the Chianti Classico Riserva. But more than a year ago, the Institute of Masters of Wine held a special dinner in Florence and producers were invited to pour only Gran Selezione wines. Paolo had an amazing barrel of Sangiovese put aside for a commemorative wine to celebrate his 30th anniversary as a winemaker. He hoped to dedicate that wine as a special limited release. Because he also wanted to pour something of his at the Masters of Wine dinner, he declassified the wine and re-registered it as a Gran Selezione. This also explains why it is from an older vintage. Most of his peers inaugurated this new category with the 2010 vintage. Only 1,800 bottles were made (of which 500 are put aside for the family’s personal use) and the blend consists of Sangiovese with 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Syrah. “I love Chianti Classico and I love super Tuscans,” says Paolo De Marchi. “This wine is a crossover of the two.” The wine shows gorgeous ripeness with brooding dark fruit, depth and extreme balance. This is a wine that makes a statement upfront both in terms of the quality of the aromas and its overall integrity and persistency.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $425
La Gerla Riserva gli Angeli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2007 1.5L ($219.95) $169 special, 8 magnums available
Wine Spectator 97 points “Spicy oak aromas greet the nose, while concentrated flavors of cherry, currant and tobacco are buried underneath. Very vibrant, with refined tannins and a lingering finish of fruit, spice and mineral. Builds on the finish, with a long aftertaste. A combination of power and finesse. Best from 2015 through 2030.”WS
James Suckling 95 points “Intense aromas of dried fruits and Christmas pudding. Turns to plums and raspberries. Full and concentrated with an intense palate of dried fruits and vanilla. Powerful and concentrated style here.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $183.99
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2008 1.5L ($219.95) $199 special, 9 magnums available
Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja is utterly magnificent in this vintage. Usually a powerhouse, the 2008 is incredibly refined to the point it seems to literally hover on the palate. It is a wine of exquisite grace and beauty. All the elements are in place. I could describe the aromas and flavors, but that would be doing this majestic Barbaresco a huge disservice. Ultimately, the 2008 Rabaja, is all about textural finesse and pure elegance. This is another breathtaking wine from the Produttori. A king among kings. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2048.” WA
This is the only listing in the USA today!
You can browse the complete list of all in stock Italian magnums and jeroboams below. Visit our web store to read reviews and shop online!
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Arriving Friday
Brick House Vineyards Gamay Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($31.95) $28 pre-arrival special
Winery note “For centuries Gamay Noir au Jus Blanc has been the singular grape of the Beaujolais region of France. But the marine sediments of Ribbon Ridge share much in common with the rolling hills of Beaujolais, including low soil pH and an abundance of mica/silica. Bright, floral and often laced with hind of anise or licorice, Brick House Gamay has found many friends since first released in 1995.”
Linne Calodo The Outsider, Paso Robles 2014 750ML ($89.95) $77 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Another Zinfandel-dominated blend is the 2014 The Outsider, which incorporates 15% Syrah and 7% Mourvedre. Showing a slightly more dark fruit-slanted feel in its cassis, black raspberry, toasted spice and licorice aromas and flavors, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, fabulous balance and sweet tannin that emerge on the finish. I love the overall purity here, and this beauty is another seamless wine that makes the most of these steep limestone hills on the west side of Paso Robles.”
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94 points “Bright purple. An exotically perfumed, expressive bouquet evokes fresh blackberry, boysenberry, lavender pastille and incense; Asian spice qualities gain power as the wine opens up. Densely packed but impressively lithe, offering vibrant black and blue fruit and spicecake flavors and a suggestion of smoky minerals. The floral and spice notes repeat emphatically on the impressively long, sappy finish, which is framed by supple tannins that fold effortlessly into the energetic fruit.”
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Spring is Coming
Along with rosé season
We’re receiving some of our most popular rosé wines in April – here’s a sneak peek!
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Thank you for reading!