In This Newsletter:
Gigondas Sale
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Mastrojanni’s Vigna Loreto
A Southern Rhone Resurgence
Stock Up & Save on
Gigondas
Gigondas Sale
&
Vinopolis Close-Out Featurette: Mastrojanni’s Vigna Loreto
A Southern Rhone Resurgence
Stock Up & Save on
Gigondas
The Southern Rhone village of Gigondas is undergoing a resurgence in the modern wine world. Once considered secondary to the more famous (and expensive) Chateauneuf-du-Pape, today it has come into its own.
Best known for its powerful reds, the wines (and vineyards, too) are by law composed of at least 50% Grenache. Most producers include some portion of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with final blending proportions often determined by the quality of the grapes of each variety.
Gigondas is the finest source of affordable luxury wines. The top estates deliver wines that compete with the very best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but at prices that are a fraction of their competition.
Château de Saint Cosme embodies the region. A benchmark producer not just in the estate’s home village of Gigondas, Saint Cosme is a historical gem. The estate was founded in the 1500s and is helmed by the talented Louis Barroul. He is the 14th generation of his family to oversee this storied estate. The wines he makes are rich and powerful, with undeniable terroir signatures. To highlight these varying terroirs, the estate bottles a handful of single-vineyard Gigondas, which are the most interesting and coveted wines in the portfolio. It’s no wonder that Saint Cosme has been our most popular Rhône producer for some time, and we’re always thrilled to feature their wines.
While browsing our three-day Gigondas sale, don’t miss our selections from Saint Damien. What they lack in centuries of history and breadth of portfolio is a head-turning, traditionally-styled wine experience. With a “magnificently mustachioed Joël Saurel at the helm,” to quote Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate, this humble, family-owned domain creates captivating old-vine Grenache-based blends. The wines show deep, earthy flavors and excellent style due to their intensely rigorous quality standards and exceptionally old vines. The wines are our favorite under-the-radar picks and are not to be missed, especially during our sale.
Best known for its powerful reds, the wines (and vineyards, too) are by law composed of at least 50% Grenache. Most producers include some portion of Syrah and Mourvèdre, with final blending proportions often determined by the quality of the grapes of each variety.
Gigondas is the finest source of affordable luxury wines. The top estates deliver wines that compete with the very best wines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but at prices that are a fraction of their competition.
Château de Saint Cosme embodies the region. A benchmark producer not just in the estate’s home village of Gigondas, Saint Cosme is a historical gem. The estate was founded in the 1500s and is helmed by the talented Louis Barroul. He is the 14th generation of his family to oversee this storied estate. The wines he makes are rich and powerful, with undeniable terroir signatures. To highlight these varying terroirs, the estate bottles a handful of single-vineyard Gigondas, which are the most interesting and coveted wines in the portfolio. It’s no wonder that Saint Cosme has been our most popular Rhône producer for some time, and we’re always thrilled to feature their wines.
While browsing our three-day Gigondas sale, don’t miss our selections from Saint Damien. What they lack in centuries of history and breadth of portfolio is a head-turning, traditionally-styled wine experience. With a “magnificently mustachioed Joël Saurel at the helm,” to quote Joe Czerwinski of the Wine Advocate, this humble, family-owned domain creates captivating old-vine Grenache-based blends. The wines show deep, earthy flavors and excellent style due to their intensely rigorous quality standards and exceptionally old vines. The wines are our favorite under-the-radar picks and are not to be missed, especially during our sale.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from Gigondas
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from Gigondas
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, December 14th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from Gigondas
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Saturday, December 14th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer twenty-one Gigondas options on sale now, including:
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rosé 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $26, that’s $24.70 at 5% off and $23.40 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Rosé 2023 750ml Displayed Price: $26, that’s $24.70 at 5% off and $23.40 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
Winemaker Note “Organically farmed. From the lieu dit “La Moutte” this tiny production rosé is from mostly 45 year old Cinsault planted in 1970, and 10-15 year old Mourvèdre and Syrah. Cold maceration for 6 hours in the press and slow pneumatic pressing. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with occasional lees stirring. Rose petal, honeydew melon, lychee, pineapple and garrigue. Surprisingly rich mouth feel. Hint of pepper and crushed rock on the finish.”
These are the lowest listed prices on the West Coast!
The Louisiane and Souteyrades single vineyard wines were not bottled in the 2021 vintage. Instead, the fruit went into this bottling, elevating their already fabulous VV to the incredible and presenting savvy buyers with an outstanding opportunity!
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Vieilles Vignes 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $34.50, that’s $32.78 at 5% off and $31.05 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 93-95 points “Vivid ruby. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes candied red fruits, smoky minerals and lavender; a spicy nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, juicy raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors show good heft, seamless texture and real energy. It finishes spicy and impressively long, with sneaky tannins adding a final grip. This is shaping up to be a highly impressive entry-level bottling, which is not surprising given that this is the only Gigondas that will be bottled this year, so all the juice from the Louisiane and Souteyrades is going into this wine. Get it, lots of it, if you can. Raised in neutral, 50 hectoliter oak foudres.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2018 1.5L Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 17 magnums in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Moving to the wines from bottle, the base Gigondas from this estate is a perennial winner and readers can safely buy bottles of this in just about every vintage. Giving up a Provençal bouquet of red and black currants, peppery herbs, leather, and loamy soil, the 2018 is medium to full-bodied, has a forward, sexy style, no hard edges, and a great finish. It’s terrific today yet still has enough tannins to evolve for 10-15 years if you’re so inclined.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2019 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 4 magnums in stock now
Grapelive 95+ points “As readers of this website will most certainly know, Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas is one of my personal favorites and a wine I drink for my own pleasure and try to review every vintage. It always seems to get better and better. Even with such expectations this wine, especially this stunning 2019, [it] continues to thrill me and impress for the depth and quality for the price. There may not be a better wine value anywhere! I am a huge admirer of Louis Barroul’s wines… This deeply saturated 2019 Gigondas opens with a mix of dark berry fruit, spice, heady aromas and savory elements with boysenberry, black plum, pomegranate and wild strawberry fruits flowing across the full bodied palate along with lavender, pepper, anise and subtle earthy tones, gaining impact and presence in the glass with every sip, while providing immediate pleasure. This is another sensational effort from Saint Cosme with fine grained tannins, raw transparency and a lingering creme de cassis finish. [It’s]well worth aging. For those that have patience there will be tremendous rewards even though the youthful fruit intensity makes for a hedonistic experience that is hard to resist even in such a youthful wine. Best to have this wine with simple but hearty cuisine and I would, as always, suggest a 30 minute to an hour decanting here, which will bring additional joy and a more chocolatey mouth feel… This is a modern classic, very similar to the wildly good 2016, that should not be missed!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the magnum!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2020 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 19 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “This has a beautiful texture, harmoniously blending plum sauce, raspberry preserves, charred alder and floral perfume with an invigorating, fresh dusting of white pepper and crushed dried herbs. Delivers an intense undercurrent of mineral, incense and lavender notes that course through the finish, which goes on and on. Delicious. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2035. —J.M.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $45, that’s $42.75 at 5% off and $40.50 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2021 1.5L Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 36 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Powerful, with steeped plum and cherry coulis merging with potpourri and charred garrigue on a ripe, lush palate. Packs a wall of iron that provides a ballast for the ripe fruit, while refined tannins build in intensity. Long and complex, with a gorgeous expression of place. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2040”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 35 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 92-94 points “A prospective blend of the 2022 Gigondas looks like one of the best ever from this estate, where proprietor Louis Barruol is continually striving to improve, particularly in the vineyards. It’s impressively full-bodied without being heavy, showcasing wonderfully ripe black cherry fruit, a rich, velvety mouthfeel and a lingering finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Everything about the all-Grenache 2018 Gigondas le Claux is big. From the huge black cherry and blackberry fruit, to the insane levels of concentration, the rich, velvety tannins and the never-ending, licorice-tinged finish, this beauty should evolve positively for at least a decade and a half.-JC”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 32 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Opulent and broad, with a generous cascade of ripe plum and winey cassis notes wrapped in talc-fine yet sturdy tannins. Chewy, with strappy black licorice and cast iron moving in. A seductive, concentrated Gigondas, with impressive harmony as every element hums along toward the seemingly endless finish. Outstanding. Best from 2025 through 2040.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Claux 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $108, that’s $102.60 at 5% off and $97.20 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “More kirsch liqueur, graphite, ground pepper, and garrigue notes emerge from the 2022 Gigondas Le Claux, a more full-bodied Gigondas offering a deep, layered mouthfeel, impressive concentration, and building tannins. The cellar will be your friend here.”
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The corpulent 2022 Gigondas le Claux is impressive for its size and richness but also for its feeling of airiness and overall elegance, despite massively concentrated black cherry fruit. It should be another blockbuster vintage for this parcel of old-vine Grenache.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97-100 points “At the moment, the 2020 Gigondas Hominis Fides looks to be the standout of the three single vineyards, although all three are beautiful wines in the making. It certainly offers the most power and concentration, with lots of ground pepper, Provençal garrigue, violets, and loamy soils notes, as well as a darker cassis and berry-driven core of fruit. It builds beautifully on the palate, with ample structure, incredible balance, and a great, great finish.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Hominis Fides 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $108, that’s $102.60 at 5% off and $97.20 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Nicolas Greinacher-Vinous 96 points “The 2022 Gigondas Hominis Fides is an intricate elixir, bursting with ripe black fruits, blueberries, rose water, dried herbs and a bite of forest strawberry. The full-bodied and firmly structured Hominis Fides retains impressive freshness and boasts stunning verticality on its seamless palate. This is a truly stunning 2022 crafted to stand the test of time.”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2020 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “A behemoth of a wine, with dense layers of sweet, ripe plum sauce and mulled cherry that take a dark, savory turn on the palate, coated in melted iron, black licorice, balsamic reduction and singed herbs. Despite its massive power and coiled energy, this is surprisingly delicious now, with beautiful harmony to the texture and structure. A wine to savor and contemplate. Drink now through 2040.—B.S.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $160
The next best price is $160
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “Densely packed and incredibly complex, with layers of sappy raspberry, dusty earth, black pepper, olive tapenade and singed rosemary. Shows tannins that are chalky-fine in feel, yet muscular enough to support a core of rich fruit, all grounded by cast iron underpinnings. Needs time to unfurl. Best from 2025 through 2040”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Le Poste 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $108, that’s $102.60 at 5% off and $97.20 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97-99 points “My favorite of the trio (but that’s splitting hairs), the 2022 Gigondas La Poste is similarly full-bodied and concentrated, yet I love its purity and balance. Ripe red and black fruit, violets, spring flowers, and foresty, garrigue nuances all shine in this beautifully polished, layered, elegant Gigondas that has flawless balance. It shows the riper style of the vintage yet stays light on its feet and incredibly pure. Don’t miss it.”
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Mastrojanni’s Vigna Loreto
From the fabulous and bold 2015 vintage, this is an open and gorgeously appointed Brunello that will leave you weak at the knees. This single-vineyard bottling was first released in the 2007 vintage. The vineyard is a small, one-and-a-half-hectare plot that offers wines of extraordinary finesse and elegance, even in warmer years.
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Mastrojanni Vigna Loreto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ml Was $125, Now $115, 22 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Mastrojanni 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows a creamy and robust constitution with loads of black fruit and spice. If you are looking for a soft and more contemporary expression of Sangiovese, this will fit the bill. It offers profound richness and texture that is laced with black fruit, spice and tobacco. This wine moves one step beyond the comforting boundaries of Brunello in terms of both richness and extraction. If you are going to go big, you might as well do so in style. Only 8,000 bottles were released in January 2020.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Mastrojanni’s 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows depths of dusty red berry fruit and subtle spice, with minty herbs, crushed stone, sweet tobacco and the slightest hint of animal musk, all in a remarkably pretty expression. On the palate, I find silky textures with cool-toned red fruits, savory spice, saline-minerals, and energizing acidity, in an expression that is both polished yet also firmly rooted in the earth, as it glides effortlessly across the senses. The finish is long, showing ripe red fruits, salty-savory-minerals, leather, and wonderfully balanced tannins. It is so pleasurable already, yet full of potential.”
In Stock & On Sale Now:
Mastrojanni Vigna Loreto, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 750ml Was $125, Now $115, 22 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “The Mastrojanni 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows a creamy and robust constitution with loads of black fruit and spice. If you are looking for a soft and more contemporary expression of Sangiovese, this will fit the bill. It offers profound richness and texture that is laced with black fruit, spice and tobacco. This wine moves one step beyond the comforting boundaries of Brunello in terms of both richness and extraction. If you are going to go big, you might as well do so in style. Only 8,000 bottles were released in January 2020.”
Eric Guido-Vinous 96 points “Mastrojanni’s 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Loreto shows depths of dusty red berry fruit and subtle spice, with minty herbs, crushed stone, sweet tobacco and the slightest hint of animal musk, all in a remarkably pretty expression. On the palate, I find silky textures with cool-toned red fruits, savory spice, saline-minerals, and energizing acidity, in an expression that is both polished yet also firmly rooted in the earth, as it glides effortlessly across the senses. The finish is long, showing ripe red fruits, salty-savory-minerals, leather, and wonderfully balanced tannins. It is so pleasurable already, yet full of potential.”
We offer 212 wines on our Close-Out Sale in stock now.
Shop the sale on our webstore now!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
A.J. Adam
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam
La Gerla & La Fortuna
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from La Gerla & La Fortuna
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from La Gerla & La Fortuna
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
AJ Adam sale ends Thursday, December 12th at 9 am Pacific. La Gerla & La Fortuna sale ends Friday, December 13th at 9 am Pacific.
Shop the sale on our webstore now!
Don’t miss our additional sales going on now:
A.J. Adam
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from A.J. Adam
La Gerla & La Fortuna
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles from La Gerla & La Fortuna
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles from La Gerla & La Fortuna
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
AJ Adam sale ends Thursday, December 12th at 9 am Pacific. La Gerla & La Fortuna sale ends Friday, December 13th at 9 am Pacific.