Wednesday, May the 4th, 2016
Staff Pick; Reynvaan New Arrival; 2010 Brunello – New Arrival & Special Feature; Michel Sarrazin and Frederic Magnien Arrivals; Chateauneuf du Pape Case Deals; Thomas Pico @ Domaine Pattes Loup; Red-Hot 94-point Duero Case Deal
Staff Pick
–Tyler
The next best price is $31.20
Vinopolnote: From a miniscule, half-hectare vineyard of clay and limestone soils planted in the late-90’s. Bianco Gentile is an ancient varietal which Arena had discovered and had genetically tested; the wine is rich, complex, tangy, and broad. Salty sea air and peach fruit qualities make for great concentration and a long, lingering finish – this would be fantastic with rich seafood dishes!
The next best price is $31.20
Vinopolnote: 100% Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains – a rare varietal planted on steep limetone soils. The wine boasts apricot, peach, and Mirabelle plum notes, alongside honey and lightly floral elements which lead to a caramel-tinged finish. A no-brainer accompaniment to foie gras.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New from Reynvaan
Arriving Friday
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “First made in 2012, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon The Classic comes from vines planted in 2008 and is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in 40% new French oak, it sports an inky purple color to go with awesome notes of cassis, jammy blackberries, wild herbs and graphite. Full-bodied, fresh and elegant, yet with rocking concentration, this is a serious Cabernet that has the class to drink nicely in its youth, yet the balance, depth and structure to evolve for upward of two decades.“
2010 Brunello
The 2010 vintage in Brunello is widely considered by professional reviews to be one of the greatest. The growing conditions were near perfect, with ideal warmth during ripening and strong diurnal temperature swings that allowed for phenolic ripeness with retained acidity. The best show lush fruit, bright acidity and strong tannins, suggesting an aging potential of 10-20 years.
“2010 is the top Brunello di Montalcino vintage of the new millennium because it shows the best traits of my other two favorite vintages, 2006 and 2007, in tandem. It beautifully combines the freshness, structure, linearity and aging potential of 2006 with the intensity, opulence, balsam distinctiveness and tannic richness of 2007. In 2010 you get it all.” -Wine Advocate’s vintage report
“The year 2010 for Brunello di Montalcino is the greatest modern vintage of Italy’s most famous red wine region. Never have the wines been so profound in quality, character, and quantity from the best hillside vineyards of Montalcino. They represent a new paradigm for Tuscany’s unique sangiovese-based red.” -James Suckling
James Suckling 97 points “Fascinating aromas of dried flowers, sandalwood, cedar and plums. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a long, long finish. Gloriously complex and savory. Dusty texture. Just makes you want to drink it.“
Available Here Now:
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of wet earth, meat and dried fruits. Some nuts and spices. Complex. Full body, with super fine tannins and fabulous intensity and richness. Dried cherry and candied citrus fruit. Fabulous finish. You want to drink this now. But shows superb finesse and intensity. Why wait? (1/15)” JS
Wine Spectator 95 points “Saturated with cherry, raspberry, spice and tobacco aromas and flavors, this strikes a balanced between the supple texture, succulent acidity and refined yet gripping tannins. Really sings on the lingering finish. Best from 2019 through 2035.” WSCastello di Ama Haiku Toscana IGT 2010 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 13 bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “A very powerful red with layers of dense, ripe fruit and firm, savory tannins. This is extremely structured and superb quality. Full body. Long, intense finish. Shows the winemaking prowess of Ama. A blend of 50% sangiovese, 25% merlot and 25% cabernet franc. Better in 2017.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Beautifully vivid and nuanced in the glass, the 2010 Haiku impresses for its purity and clarity. Sweet tobacco, licorice, mint, cedar and dark red stone fruits are all woven together in a fabric of sensual elegance and total finesse. The 2010 is gorgeous today, but my sense is it also has enough pedigree to develop nicely in bottle. The style is built on grace and finesse.” AG
Wine Spectator 94 points –#43 Top 100 in 2015–“Coffee and chocolate aromas signal this exotic and fragrant red. The cherry and plum notes are almost afterthoughts, while spice, leather and tobacco flavors come to the fore, with vivid acidity through the lingering finish. Best from 2019 through 2035.” WSFattoria dei Barbi Cinelli Colombini Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $44.50 special, 7 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of burnt orange peel and cherry with hints of dried bark and mahogany. Full-bodied and very tight and dense, with a beautiful fruit, tannin and acid balance. Finesse and strength. Best wine from here for ages. Needs until 2018 to show its true quality.” JS
Wine Advocate 94 points “Fattoria dei Barbi’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino starts with a tightly wound personality that begins to unravel slowly, one delicate layer at a time. As it does, you become aware of dried fruit, cigar box, crushed mineral, plum, tar and cola. The wine puts on a beautiful display. I also loved the mouthfeel of this beautiful wine: It is tonic, tight and brimming with energy. Well-integrated oak notes give the wine a spot of softness and velvety spice. This is one beautiful Sangiovese.” ML
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “A deep, powerful wine, the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino possesses notable depth and intensity. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco, new leather and incense meld together in a muscular, resonant wine built on structure. This is a 2010 that is going to need time to fully come together, but it is impressive just the same.”Caprili Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 3 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Caprili’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino shows unique aromas with undertones of forest floor and wet earth with grilled herbs and dark fruit. You also get a heavier tone of dried fig and Graham cracker that distinguishes this particular expression of Sangiovese. The wine is smooth and polished with a nice sense of inner elegance. Silky tannins give Giacomo Bartolommei’s Brunello more immediacy and a more approachable drinking window. I very much appreciated the wine’s overall elegance.” ML
The next best price is $49.98
Wine Spectator 93 points “This concentrated style shows cherry and raspberry fruit along with peppery greens such as arugula, mustard and shiso, graced with tobacco accents. The tannins leave a firm coating on the finish. Shows the potential for aging. Best from 2019 through 2032. 1,250 cases made.”Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2010 1.5L ($89.95) $69 special, 14 magnums available
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva is host to a beautiful mix of black mineral, fruit, dried mint and eucalyptus. The wine shows elegant evolution in the glass and backs it up with dry, polished tannins. This is a stunning effort available at a reasonable price. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. This is one of the nicest collections of new releases by Giuseppe Mazzocolin’s Felsina. At the edge of the Chianti Classico and Chianti Colli Senesi denominations, the estate counts 475 hectares, of which 61 are planted with vineyard.” WA
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “Classicists, on the other hand, will flip out over the 2010 Chianti Classico Riserva. Black cherry, plum, smoke and menthol notes all jump out of the glass. The 2010 is translucent yet also rich, powerful and impeccably balanced. Ideally readers should cellar the 2010 for at least a few years, but that is going to be difficult considering how beautiful the wine is today.” AG
James Suckling 96 points “There is something so subtle and rich here with chocolate, red chilies and ripe plums on the nose. Full body, with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. This is so delicious now but better in 2017. Best ever from here. A blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc. From Bolgheri. Just next door to Ornellaia.”JSMontepeloso Gabbro Toscana IGT 2010 750ML ($199.95) $119 special, 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2010 Gabbro, Montepeloso’s 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is all about texture. Today the flavors are completely unevolved, instead it is the wine’s towering presence and sheer personality that stand out most. With time in the glass hints of melted road tar, graphite, smoke and incense gradually being to emerge. An exotic mélange of savory herb nuances melt into veins of salinity frame the finish. Readers will have to be patient with the 2010, but it is a jewel of a wine.”Pian dell’Orino ‘Vigneti del Versante’, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 23 bottles available
Pian dell’Orino ‘Vigneti del Versante’, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 1.5L ($249.95) $219 special, 2 magnums available
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vigenti del Versante takes us back to a classic profile for Brunello (the local name for Sangiovese). The wine is forthcoming and confident with power and heft at the back. The bouquet shows enormous complexity that starts off with bright red fruit and opens slowly to reveal more detailing with etched mineral, crushed oyster shell, balsam herb, cola, licorice and red rose petal. There’s a tight firmness of the tannins that should be very important to the future aging of this wine. The acidity is bright and balanced as well. It contributes to a very long and polished finish. This is a gorgeous Brunello.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Vigne del Versante from Pian dell’Orino is one of the most powerful wines of the night. Rich, dense and explosive, the Vigne del Versante Amiata is a wine for the patient. Although most 2010 Brunellos have not begun to shut down, this is one wine that is a bit less expressive than it was the last time I tasted it. Still, the potential here is both significant and evident.” AG
Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 20 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2010 Carbonaione (Sangiovese) is a stunner. Deep, rich and utterly impeccable, the 2010 boasts breathtaking richness, energy and power. The flavors remain incredibly primary in a wine that will require years to develop. Graphite, crushed rocks, blue/black fruit, plums and smoke emerge over time. As phenomenal as the 2010 is today, it really should be cellared for at least a few years. This is a drop dead gorgeous wine from Vittorio and Jurij Fiore.” AG
San Felice Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 34 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Perfect aromas to this red with licorice, stone, peach pit, plum, leather and iron. Full body, fine, silky tannins that support a deep, rich fruit concentration showing black fruit, Tuscan dust and oyster shell. Needs four or five years to soften but an amazing finish.” JS
Castello di Argiano Sesti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $75 special, 27 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This pure expression of Sangiovese opens with aromas of rose petal, leather, game, Mediterranean herb and wild berry. The vibrant, full-bodied palate delivers layers of crushed Morello cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and grilled herb alongside firm, polished tannins and bright acidity. It boasts character and depth. Drink 2017–2030.” WE
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Sesti’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of real class and personality. In fact, the 2010 is one of the best wines I have tasted from this estate in Sant’Angelo in Colle. Iron, sweet red cherries, wild flowers and earthiness are some of the many notes that inform a juicy, plump Brunello that already drinks well. The 2010 is quite forward and fruit-driven, but there is good underlying complexity as well as enough acidity to ensure a decade-plus of fine drinking. My only quibble is that the aromatics could be a little more focused, but that is a relatively small critique for a wine that delivers this much pleasure.” AG
James Suckling 97 points “A sexy and silky riserva with dried fruit, blueberry and cedar character. Full body, firm tannins and long and gorgeous finish. So linear and precise. Chocolate-covered cherry center palate. Terrific young wine. Best riserva ever from here. Better in 2018.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Concentrated and elegant, featuring macerated cherry, raspberry, peony, iron, tobacco and chalk aromas and flavors. Structured and fresh, offering intensity, balance and a terrific finish. Youthful and elegant, yet powerful. Best from 2019 through 2036.”Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($219.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is a protagonist of the vintage. The fruit is deep and dark with rich levels of extract, intensity and flavor. It goes far beyond your standard cherry and blackberry to include plum cake, spice bread and bacon-wrapped prune. Nothing is obvious or monochromatic about this wine. Everything is nuanced and ethereal. Tenuta Nuova is also distinguished by the linear mineral notes that are characteristic of this single-vineyard site. In 2010, those traits are especially well-defined and pronounced. The tannins reach a level of suppleness that is almost impossible to find in the sometimes prickly and acidic Sangiovese grape. If there is one thing Giacomo Neri has mastered, it is harvesting at optimal ripeness: He knows his property and his vines better than most and it shows. Collectors will want to put this wine aside ten years or longer.” WAIl Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Il Poggione Vigna Paganelli, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2010 1.5L ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98+ points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is a phenomenal achievement and a wine that captures not only the spirit of this classic vintage, but the true essence of an age-worthy wine like Brunello. This single vineyard Riserva is sharp, pristine and immaculate. It starts slow and shy, but then blossoms to beautiful intensity and aromatic brilliance. It delivers a very authentic and genuine read of Sangiovese with wild berry aromas followed by pressed violets, wet earth, tobacco and lightly toasted spice. The bouquet is seamless and very long in persistence. The same holds true for the mouthfeel. The wine delivers a fine and silky texture with a good dose of power and personality at the rear.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Vigna Paganelli is magnificent. Huge swaths of tannin coat the palate as the 2010 shows off its power, breadth and overall intensity. Plum, black cherry, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, licorice and cloves are some of the many notes that hit the palate. The Riserva is dark, powerful and brooding. It will require at least a handful of years before it becomes approachable. These old vines, planted in 1964, confer weight, power and gravitas, all qualitites that come through loud and clear on the huge, explosive finish.” AG
Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Bassolino di Sopra is the equivalent of the estate’s Riserva. Only 3,000 bottles were made and the wine was not produced in 2009 or 2008. Nor will it be made in 2011 or 2013. Future editions are 2012 and 2015. Bassolino di Sopra is silky and smooth, but it also has a fine textural fabric that gives the wine an enormous sense of tactile intensity in terms of mouthfeel. This is a magnificent achievement with an extreme sense of purity and freshness that is elegant and streamlined. The bouquet reveals slight and miniature shifts in its evolution that keep your curiosity as you contemplate the wine in the glass. Wild berry is followed by a steady stream of balsam herb, cola, crushed oyster shell and delicate floral tones. The vineyards are located between 330 and 370 meters above sea level with limestone deposits and red soils. Farming is biodynamic.”
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Pian dell’Orino 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Bassolino di Sopra is shaping up to be another of the wines of the vintage. Lavender, spices, menthol, tobacco and dark stone fruits meld together in a vivid Brunello of extraordinary beauty. Tasted alongside the Versante Amiata, the Bassolino di Sopra presents darker tonalities of fruit, a more vertical sense of structure support by spine of firm tannin, and a powerful personality. The 2010 is a fascinating wine to follow, as it becomes weightless and refined with the passage of time. Sadly, I could not spend all afternoon with the Bassolino di Sopra, but this is a deep, contemplative Brunello that will thrill readers for many, many years.” AG
Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
For the summer season we are offering UPS Three Day Select Service for the price of UPS Ground for shipments normally traveling 4 or more business days.
Free service upgrade only applies on single orders purchased and shipped during the promotional period. Additional fees will apply to orders held for any reason until after the promotional period and shipped by Three Day Select. Offer not valid on pre-arrival items that arrive after the promotional period.
We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
–Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment
do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
Michel Sarrazin
The Sarrazin domaine is now owned and run by Michel’s two sons, Guy and Jean-Yves. They passionately work their holdings in the tiny and overlooked AOCs of Givry and Maranges. The wines lean toward the earthy-spicy side, with outstanding complexity for the value. The tiny domaine releases mostly red wines from holdings around their home village of Jambles.
Michel Sarrazin et Fils Givry Premier Cru Les Vieilles Vignes 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
The next best price is $44.95
Importer note “’Sous La Roche’ is the mother lode of Givry; this rocky, precipitous vineyard sits at 900 feet on a mixture of limestone and red clay. This placement gives “Sous La Roche” more freshness and structure in both perfume and on the palate — gorgeous mineral terroir that you can really taste! Aged in a blend of tank and barrel; always a great wine for the cellar.”
Winery note “The vineyard is composed of Jurassic clay and limestone marl.”
The next best price is $35.99
A Quick Case of Vinsanity
Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau Blanc 2013 750ML ($79.95) $53.50 special, 15 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “Very pure, with fennel, white peach, yellow apple and melon rind notes that are racy and nicely detailed, followed by quinine and wet stone accents on the long, unadorned finish. Drink now through 2018.” WS
The average price is $72
Domaine La Barroche Chateauneuf-du-Pape Signature 2012 750ML ($74.95) $59 special, 7 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “The direct black currant and fig paste notes are underscored with tobacco, tar and roasted alder hints, revealing an echo of Black Forest cake. The finish rumbles along, leaving a dark, slightly muscular feel. Best from 2015 through 2027.”
Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2014 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2014 375ML ($34.95) $29 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92-94 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Smoke-accented aromas of red and dark berry preserves, star anise and candied flowers convey a subtle hint of garrigue in the background. Sweet, seamless and broad on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry and rose pastille flavors that turn spicier with air. Rich but vibrant as well, with no excess fat. Supple tannins build steadily on a very long, incisive finish that leaves behind notes of dark berries and candied flowers.”
Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Baron 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(aged in old foudres for 16 months): Dark ruby. Smoke-accented cherry, dark berries and cured meat on the deeply scented nose. Lush and open-knit, offering sappy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors and a hint of cracked pepper. Game and candied lavender qualities linger on the finish, which features velvety tannins and a sweetening touch of cola. On the slightly wild side, but in a good way.”
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2013 750ML ($69.95) $53.50 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. Potent aromas of ripe dark berries, licorice pastille, woodsmoke, game and garrigue, plus a peppery nuance that adds spiciness and lift. Round and fleshy on the palate, offering intense blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become livelier and sweeter with air. The very long, energetic, sharply focused finish features fine-grained tannins and subtle, lingering notes of dark berries and smoked meat.”Case-12 Vignobles Brunier Piedlong Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special (that’s only $38.25/bottle!)
Vignobles Brunier Piedlong Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012 750ML ($59.95) $46 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 93 points “Deep ruby. Assertive aromas of fresh black and blue fruits, potpourri and garrigue, along with hints of cola and anise. Sappy and seamless on the palate, with juicy boysenberry, cassis and floral pastille flavors that flesh out with air. Fine-grained tannins build on the finish, which lingers with excellent tenacity and resonating spiciness.”Case-12 Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition 2013 750ML ($419.95) $359 pre-arrival special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Chateau Fortia Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(raised in old foudres for 16 months): Brilliant ruby. Smoke-accented raspberry, cherry and potpourri aromas are sharpened by a peppery nuance. Fleshy, broad and seamless, offering juicy red fruit flavors and a hint of candied lavender. Shows very good depth and focus on the nervy, youthfully tannic and persistent finish, with a hint of garrigue coming on late.”
The Picotious Pattes Loup Sale
Domaine Pattes Loup
A Young Vignoble in Chablis
Thomas Pico began working in Chablis in 2005. His father, also a winegrower, would rent him land for his own use while Thomas also worked part-time for him. By 2007, he convinced his father to convert his 22 hectares to organic farming, gaining certification in 2010 – a rarity in Chablis! Much of Pico’s inspiration come from his brilliant neighbors Alice & Olivier de Moor.
Harvest is done entirely by hand at the estate, with hand sorting done at the domaine. All wines are fermented from native yeasts, with the Chablis bottlings fermenting 30-40% in concrete eggs and the rest in stainless steel. The Premier Crus are all raised in old oak barrels; Pico aims for 14-16 month periods of elevage for the wines. No fining or filtration, and incredibly layered, concentrated wines to show for it.
Things are going well now, and the future is going to be great for Thomas – for one, he’s young and already quite experienced. Already, the wines have won great deals of well-deserved acclaim. This is one to watch out for.
Below, two cuvees from Thomas Pico’s Domaine Pattes Loup available here now at a new sale price:
Wine Advocate 92 pointsThomas Pico Domaine Pattes Loup Cote de Jouans, Chablis Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $41.90, 11 bottles remaining
Wine Advocate 90 points
Red-Hot Ribera del DueroArriving Friday
Case-12 Bodegas Hacienda Monasterio, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($479.95) $399 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The current vintage for the crianza is 2012. The 2012 Crianza, from a dry vintage, resulted much fresher than expected, fresher than 2009 and 2011 in fact. The vines are dry-farmed and were planted some 22 years ago, and you might say they have matured by now. The approximate mixture of grapes in their vineyards is mostly Tempranillo with some 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Malbec, and it’s more or less the blend in this wine. The Cabernet works well, providing finesse and some acidity to the Tempranillo….The wine matured in 20% new French oak barrels for some 20 months. There are no traces of the barriques and the nose took me to the Riberas of yesteryear, with some subtle rusticity; it’s ripe without excess and there’s good balance between fruit, spices and perhaps something earthy. The palate is extremely balanced, medium-bodied with very fine tannins, tasty, approachable and long. This could very well be the best crianza ever produced at Monasterio. This has to be one of the bargains of the vintage in Ribera, given the quality it delivers.“
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
“no nation is drunken where wine is cheap;
and none sober, where the dearness of wine substitutes
ardent spirits as the common beverage.
– thomas jefferson