Saturday, December 19th, 2015
California Blockbuster Deals – Newly Arrived; Top Shelf Wines; Monte Real – The Real Deal; California Blockbuster Deals – Available Here Now; Holiday Sales; Lapostolle
California Blockbuster Deals
Newly Arrived!
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Red, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($599.95) $499 special
Robert Parker 99 points “The 2012 IX Proprietary Red Estate, which comes from their gorgeous hillside vineyards overlooking Lake Hennessey high on Pritchard Hill, is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot. Absolutely spectacular aromatics of spring flowers, blueberry, blackberry and blackcurrant fruit intermixed with creosote, graphite and floral notes are followed by a wine of great depth, elegance, richness and purity. Simply loaded, but with pristine harmony and equilibrium, this is a sensational tour de force and a great tribute to this spectacular hillside site on Pritchard Hill. Drink it over the next 25-35 years.” RP
Arrowood Saralee’s Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley 2011 750ML ($34.95) $16 special
Case-12 Arrowood Saralee’s Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley 2011 750ML ($319.95) $159 special (that’s only $13.25/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90 points “(36% new oak): Vivid ruby. Smoky dark berry and olive tapenade scents are lifted by zesty mineral and black pepper notes, with a floral nuance adding complexity. Silky and focused on the palate, offering spice-accented blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. The floral quality recurs on the persistent, smoky finish.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $29.99!
The average price is $32!
Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($31.95) $18 special
Case-12 Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($319.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 89+ points “(at 13.5% alcohol, this is a full degree lower than the Pauline’s Cuvee; includes tiny bits of merlot and petit verdot): Bright red-ruby. Musky black raspberry, blackberry, licorice, menthol and oak on the nose. Distinctly tighter and less pliant now than the Pauline’s Cuvee, displaying a touch of medicinal reserve to the sappy dark berry, violet and menthol flavors. Shows serious spine without coming off as hard: I’d give this persistent cabernet a year or two to mellow in bottle.” ST
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $23.99!
The average price is $29!
Byron Nielson Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley 2012 750ML ($29.95) $14 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “The aromas of this Chardonnay are zesty and fresh yet rich, with barrel smoke, caramelized pear and vanilla tones. The integration continues on the palate, with a bit of oak followed by apple, white peach, nectarine and lime zest. It’s flavorful and enjoyable now.” WE
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $28.48
Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Far Coast Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2011 750ML ($69.95) $33 special
Robert Parker 91 points “The 2011 Pinot Noir Far Coast Vineyard (made from Dijon clones 114, 115, 667 and 777) is sourced from a high ridge on the Sonoma Coast. With 15.2% alcohol, this powerful Pinot exhibits good opulence and richness along with lots of ripe pomegranate, black cherry and raspberry fruit intermixed with notions of spring flowers and forest floor. This complex, broad, savory Pinot should be drunk over the next 5-6 years.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $67
Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Fog Dance Vineyard Pinot Noir, Green Valley 2009 750ML ($69.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Complex, high-pitched aromas of raspberry, licorice, potpourri and gingerbread, lifted by an exotic bergamot topnote. Sweet, broad and generous, conveying a strong impression of spiciness and deep red berry and rose pastille flavors. Distinctly elegant and precise pinot with a sweet, floral, spicy finish that hangs on tenaciously.” ST
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Fog Dance Vineyard Pinot Noir, Green Valley 2010 750ML ($69.95) $33 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2010 Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyard is another wine endowed with serious depth and richness. Juicy dark cherries, cola, new leather, cloves and orange rind all burst from the glass. This is a decidedly rich, explosive wine that stands out for its extroverted personality. Layers of fruit continue to blossom in the glass as the wine shows off its raciness. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59
The average price is $64
Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Fog Dance Vineyard Pinot Noir, Green Valley 2011 750ML ($69.95) $33 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Hartford’s 2011 Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyard stands out for its rich, ample personality. Layers of deep spices wrap around the fruit in a textured, creamy Pinot loaded with depth and pure resonance. The 2011 is generous and inviting from the very first taste.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59
The average price is $64
Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Velvet Sisters Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 2011 750ML ($49.95) $33 special
Robert Parker 91 points “From Anderson Valley, the 2011 Pinot Noir Velvet Sisters comes from a block of Dijon clones with a small amount of the Pommard clone. It tends to be one of Hartford Court’s more robust Pinots at 14.6% alcohol. It displays the classic Anderson Valley profile of blueberry liqueur, acacia flowers and raspberries. This lovely, rich, medium-bodied, dark ruby-colored 2011 is about as sexy as a Pinot Noir can be. It should age well for 5-6 years.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $48
Just a reminder about our current shipping specials during this season:
We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
-to Oregon for $17,
-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.
Top Shelf Wines – Arriving Tuesday
Vincent Dauvissat La Forest, Chablis Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 93 points “Bright, pale yellow. Less fruity and exotic than the Montée de Tonnerre, hinting at oyster shell on the nose. Sappy, chewy and concentrated but quite dry; distinctly more stony and mineral than the Montée de Tonnerre and every bit as long. This struck me as like a mini-Clos. An outstanding and ageworthy 2013 but it’s not especially austere today.”
Vincent Dauvissat Vaillons, Chablis Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 91 points “Aromas of menthol, minerals and wet stone suggest an austere wine. Then rich but backward on the palate, conveying noteworthy sweetness to the complex flavors of pineapple, mirabelle, apricot pit and violet. Finishes with a lightly phenolic edge. Not quite as pure as the 2014 edition but a triumph for its vintage.”
Vincent Dauvissat Sechet, Chablis Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($99.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 91 points “Pale yellow. Tangy aromas of orange and lemon peel and ginger. Not yet hugely complex in the mouth but boasts sexy sucrosité leavened by lovely inner-mouth tension. Intensely flavored, brisk and long.”
Domaine Dauvissat-Camus Les Clos, Chablis Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 95 points “Pale yellow. Higher-pitched on the nose than the Preuses, offering strong oyster-shell minerality lifted by lavender and violet nuances. Densely packed, tactile and suave, displaying outstanding energy and inner-mouth citrussy lift. Comes across as less violent than the Preuses, and more perfumed on the palate. Finishes with oustanding length and a magically light touch.”
Domaine Dauvissat-Camus Les Preuses, Chablis Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($219.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Bright, pale yellow-green. Idiosyncratic, slightly reduced nose offers powerful saline minerality, with ginger and quinine in the background and little sign of this bottling’s typical floral character. Then wonderfully rich and fat in the mouth, with a thickness of texture rare for this grand cru in the early going. The strong marine character carries through on the palate, making this suave yet powerful wine tricky to taste today. I’d like to see this again in a few years, but it will probably need longer than that to express itself fully.”
Claude Dugat Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2011 750ML ($349.95) $319 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2011 Charmes-Chambertin is pure pleasure. Black cherries, plums, cloves, violets and new leather are all woven together in a fabric of notable class. Here it is the wine’s extraordinary textural finesse and overall harmony that take over all of the senses. There is so much to like here, including the wine’s generous, inviting personality. The Charmes has really come on strong over the last year.”
Claude Dugat Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2013 750ML ($349.95) $319 pre-arrival special
Stephen Tanzer 90-93 points “Bright medium red. Lovely floral perfume lifts aromas of red cherry, raspberry and pepper. Then juicy but youthfully clenched in the mouth; deeper than the Lavaux but today the firm tannins really clamp down on the wine’s saline finish. Dugat described this wine as round, but I find it quite tight in the early going. Does it possess enough mid-palate ripeness to support its spine?”
Top Shelf Wines – Available Here Now
Domaine Remi Jobard Les Genevrieres, Meursault Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93 points “Pale-medium yellow. Bright aromas of lemon, lime, peach skin and nut oil. Densely packed and tactile but with lovely minty lift and energy to its lightly saline fruit salad flavors. Tactile and slightly phenolic but still shows a lovely light touch. Finishes with resounding minerality. Half of this wine is from vines between 25 and 30 years of age, the other half from 85-year-old vines.”
Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Case-12 Domaine Saint-Damien Gigondas La Louisiane Vieilles Vignes 2012 750ML ($349.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 93 points “Coming from the sandy, clay soils of the La Louisianne lieu-dit, the 2012 Gigondas Louisiane is made from 80% Grenache and 15% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah and Cinsault that was vinified in concrete tank and aged 12 months in older foudre. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully concentrated, ripe and textured, it gives up terrific kirsch, blackberry, toasted spice and cured meat-like aromas and flavors. Of the three Gigondas releases, this was my favorite in 2012, but all of these releases are superb.”
Domaine Saint Damien Gigondas Les Souteyrades 2012 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 Gigondas Souteyrades is a perfumed, elegant version of the cuvee and exhibits classic berry fruit, spice-box, licorice and wild herb aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, pure, layered and textured, with building richness and fine tannin, it should be reasonably approachable on release, yet age gracefully for 12-15 years.” WA
Domaine Charvin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92-94 points “Brilliant violet color. Fresh redcurrant and cherry on the seductively perfumed nose, with a smoky mineral quality adding lift and focus. Concentrated cherry, raspberry and lavender pastille flavors display very good vivacity thanks to juicy acidity. Aeration brings up deeper black raspberry and licorice notes that carry through a strikingly persistent, focused, youthfully tannic finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Domaine de Ferrand Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92-94 points “Saturated ruby. Complex, highly perfumed scents of fresh red and dark berries, incense and Asian spices, with a smoky nuance gaining power as the wine opens with air. Supple and expansive on the palate, offering sweet black raspberry and floral pastille flavors that display excellent clarity and well as depth. Rich yet lithe wine, with outstanding finishing focus and length and supple, even, late-arriving tannins.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The only 2013 presented (I reviewed his two Côtes du Rhône from barrel last year) and a pretty, perfumed wine from Bravey, the 2013 Châteauneuf du Pape (93% Grenache, 2% Syrah, 2% Mourvèdre, 2% Bourboulenc and 1% Cinsault) offers lots of wild strawberry and darker berry fruits, lavender, underbrush and mint on the nose. Medium-bodied, seamless and elegant with a layered, silky style that makes it already hard to resist, it will still be better with short term cellaring and drink well through 2025.” JD
The Real Deal
Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special
Case-6 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($179.95) $119 special (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($319.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(100% tempranillo; aged for 30 months in American oak): Ruby-red. Sexy smoke- and spice-accented red fruit and floral pastille scents show impressive clarity and energy. Smooth, sweet and expansive on the palate, offering intense cherry-cola and blackberry flavors and an exotic rose pastille quality. Closes very long and sweet, with sneaky tannins and lingering spiciness. These are far and away the freshest bottles from this historic bodega that I’ve ever tasted stateside.” ST
California Blockbuster Wines
Available Here Now
Harlan Estate, Napa Valley 2004 750ML ($599.95) $499 special (was $519)
Robert Parker 98 points “Very deep garnet-black colour with a purple rim. Though still very youthful and muted, this vintage is already subtly revealing a wide array of aromas including blackberry tart, cedar, violets, truffles, liquorice and all spice. In the mouth however this is no shrinking violet–the ’04 is a big, concentrated and highly structured wine with somewhat impenetrable, tightly grained tannins and medium to high acid supporting its rich weight. Very, very long finish displaying hints of savoury earthiness and that signature minerality that appears to surface in better years. Drink 2009-2030.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $550
The average price is $669
Colgin Cellars Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($499.9) $349 special (was $379)
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill opens with the most exquisite of aromatics. Sage, rosemary, graphite, tobacco, menthol, black cherries, plums all flesh out in a dark, voluptuous wine loaded with class. The interplay of savory notes with layers of fruit is simply breathtaking. Vivid, nuanced and beautifully structured, the 2011 is firing on all cylinders. There is a level of aromatic lift and pure finesse that is simply striking. Hints of orange peel and white pepper add an exotic flair on the close. Tychson Hill is Cabernet Sauvignon with splashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Shades of the 2001 linger in the empty glass.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $395
The average price is $483
Sine Qua Non Patine Grenache 2011 750ML ($599.95) $499 special (was $519)
Wine Advocate 97 points “Coming all from Manfred’s Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and a blend of 77% Grenache, 22% Syrah and 1% Viognier (fermented with 25% whole clusters), the 2011 Grenache Patine spent a full 33 months in almost all neutral oak, with just 11% being new. It offers perfumed and spice-laced notes of white pepper, black raspberry, blackberry and ground herbs that flow to a full-bodied, elegant, nicely concentrated 2011 that has nicely integrated acidity, no hard edges and a terrific finish. It’s certainly one of the fresher, more elegant Grenaches from Manfred, yet it still has rocking levels of fruit. Give it 2-3 years of cellaring and enjoy bottles over the following decade.” JD
Sine Qua Non Patine Syrah 2011 750ML ($599.95) $499 special (was $519)
Wine Advocate 98 points “A wine that needs to be forgotten in the cellar for 5-6 years, the 2011 Syrah Patine checks in as a blend of roughly 97% Syrah and the balance Roussanne and Viognier. It too comes all from the estate’s Eleven Confessions Vineyard and saw 39 months in 63% new French oak. Backward, tight, concentrated and structured, with full-bodied richness and depth, it gives up Guigal La Landonne like aromas and flavors of graphite, sweet oak, smoked meats, pepper and black raspberry and cassis-like fruit. While it shows the vintage’s cooler nature, it has a stacked mid-palate and will evolve gracefully for 15-20 years.” JD
Hundred Acre Few and Far Between Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (Was $319)
Robert Parker 94-96 points “Another great success that escaped the insidious spread of botrytis on the valley floor is the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Few and Far Between. One of the top wines of the vintage, the Cabernet Franc component gives the wine a multidimensional aromatic display of forest floor, blueberries, mulberries, black raspberries, plums, black currants and a wet rock-like minerality. The rich, full-bodied flavors seem almost an anomaly in this vintage given its extraordinary irregularity and frequent disappointments. This prodigious 2011 is a candidate for the wine of the vintage.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $338
Signorello Vineyards Padrone Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 2012 750ML ($199.95) $149 special
Robert Parker 94 points “The 2012 Proprietary Red Blend Padrone is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot. It reveals more structure and tannin than its younger sibling following its élevage in barriques. The color is a saturated purple and the nose offers up aromas of blackberries, blueberries, forest floor and charcoal. While approachable, this full-bodied 2012 requires 3-4 years of bottle age, and should evolve for two decades or more.” RP
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($119.95) $79 special
Case-6 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750L ($499.95) $428 special (that’s only $71.33/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “A wine of finesse and polish, this displays striking grace and elegance, with firm, refined red berry, currant, black cherry and subtle vanilla oak notes. The finish sails along smoothly. Drink now through 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $85
Rodney Strong Rockaway Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Case-6 Rodney Strong Rockaway Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2012 750ML ($419.95) $379 special (that’s only $63.17/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “A remarkable wine that exhibits the power of ripe currant, blackberry and cherry flavors along with cigar box, dried herb, green olive and tea notes. Ends with firm, dusty tannins and fine length. Drink now through 2028. ” WS
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate ‘Rockfall’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2010 750ML ($99.95) $59 special
Case-6 Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate ‘Rockfall’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2010 750ML ($479.95) $333 special (that’s only $55.50/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This is an awesome Cabernet, that’s so packed with blackberries and cassis, it blows your mind. The richness is superbly balanced by fine acidity and sweet, complex tannins that rein everything into a focused structure. Feels velvety, refined and ageable. Hold until 2018 and drink it for an additional decade or beyond.” WE
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $79.98
Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley 2010 750ML ($249.95) $169 special
Robert Parker 96 points “Another standout, the 2010 Syrah Eisele Vineyard is drop-dead gorgeous. A bevy of black olives and plums burst from the glass in an explosive wine loaded with varietal nuance and sheer power. The cooler vintage brought out the best. This is a marvelous, totally compelling wine endowed with massive concentration and depth. The addition of 3% Viognier and a small amount of stems add complexity. Black fruit, tobacco, savory herbs, licorice and menthol are layered into the brooding finish.” RP
May the Sales Continue!
ITALY
Vietti Lazzarito, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (was $125)
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2011 Barolo Lazzarito is a landmark wine and one of the best expressions made region-wide in this challenging vintage. The bouquet is gorgeous thanks to the never-ending aromas of dark fruit, licorice and balsam herb that peel off the top. The Lazzarito vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba is characterized by thick soils and deep shifts between daytime and nighttime temperatures. These are important factors that lead to quality fruit despite the summer heat.” ML
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2011 Barolo Lazzarito is fabulous in this vintage. Rich, ample and structured, the 2011 is both opulent and savory in style. Iron, plums, dark red cherries, smoke, licorice and tobacco meld together in a remarkably harmonious young Serralunga Barolo. This is the first year the Vietti Lazzarito includes a second recently acquired parcel, which may be one of the factors that influences quality, but at the same time, the Lazzarito has been the most improved Barolo in the range. All the elements come together in the 2011, a wine that has it all. This is a great showing from the Lazzarito. Best of all, readers won’t have to wait forever to enjoy this beautiful, pedigreed Barolo.” AG
This is still the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $146
Vietti Rocche di Castiglione, Barolo DOCG 2011 750ML ($149.95) $119 special (was $125)
Antonio Galloni–Vinous 95 points “Vietti’s 2011 Barolo Rocche is rich and sumptuous in this vintage, with gorgeous textural resonance. The classic Rocche signatures are present, but the 2011 has a bit more body than is often the case. Freshly cut flowers mint, sweet spices and rose petals form a hugely appeal fabric of flavors and textures. Voluptuous and racy in the glass yet with plenty of nuance and finesse, the 2011 Rocche captures the very best qualities of the year. All things considered, this is one of the more subtle wines of the year.” AG
Wine Advocate 94 points “Previously known as Barolo Rocche, the 2011 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione now boasts the full name of its vineyard designate. It shows profound fruit intensity with dark layers of blackcurrant and exotic spice. The overall effect is enriched, opulent and velvety. A firm tannic backbone is paired to bright acidity to fuel the wine’s considerable persistence and its rich structured texture. The beauty of the wine will only improve in time.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $153
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Le Rocche del Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2005 750ML ($.95) $169 special
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Le Rocche del Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2005 1.5L ($499.95) $379 special (was $419)
Wine Advocate 96+ points, Wine Spectator & Stephen Tanzer 95 points “The 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto is a massive, towering Barolo loaded with tons of rich, primary fruit. The wine remains powerful, dense and muscular with superb length even if it is a smaller-scaled Barolo compared to previous great vintages. That said, when I came back to the wine after it had been in the glass for an hour or so, I found that the wine had grown remarkably. While the 2005 doesn’t have the explosive personality of the 2004, it remains an awesome achievement in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.”WA
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $181
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($89.95) $55 special (was $66)
Case-6 Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 750ML ($499.95) $299 special (was $376) (that’s only $49.83/bottle!)
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT 2011 1.5L ($159.95) $119 special (was $133)
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of currant, bark and orange peel. Nutmeg powder. Full body and chewy tannins. Savory, with balsamic and nuts. I love the juicy, decadent character to this. Drink or hold.” JS
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Isole e Olena’s 2011 Cepparello is remarkably silky, polished and refined, especially considering the challenges of the vintage. Dark red stone fruits, wild flowers, menthol and sweet spices all meld together gracefully in the glass. Voluptuous and racy but also an impeccably balanced wine with phenomenal length and a super-expressive finish. The 2011 will offer a wide window of drinking pleasure pretty much upon release. Drink: 2017-2026.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $71
Gaja Ca’Marcanda Magari Toscana IGT 2012 750ML ($79.95) $49 special (was $59)
Wine Advocate 94 points “Upped to a Bolgheri status (previously this wine was identified as a Toscana IGT), the 2012 Bolgheri Magari is simply delightful. This vintage shows extra heft and dimension that allows the wine to spread smoothly over the palate. Merlot is blended with Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon, and the taste profile in the 2012 vintage definitely favors the Merlot component. Soft cherry and dark berry segue to spice and moist tobacco. The structure of the two Cabernet varieties shows in the mouth where the wine is elegant and tight. It needs more time for bottle evolution. Angelo Gaja’s Ca’Marcanda estate has hit its stride with this latest set of wines. His management of the 2011 heat is impressive, resulting in wines with power and finesse. Ca’Marcanda never seems to get the attention it deserves, and the wines are indeed pricy. Nonetheless, they are among the finest expressions on the Tuscan coast. ML
James Sucking 93 points “Bright and firm with sliced-lemon, blueberry and almond character throughout. Full body, firm tannins and a clean finish. Clean and fresh. Better in 2016.” JS
Wine Spectator 92 points “Rich and bursting with cedar, licorice, black currant and sandalwood aromas and flavors, this red is dense and chewy. Balanced and long, this begs for grilled steak or a roast. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2022. ” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $58.67
Statti Gaglioppo Calabria IGT 2013 750ML ($21.95) $11.90 special (was $16)
Case-6 Statti Gaglioppo Calabria IGT 2013 750ML ($119.95) $69 special (was $89) (that’s only $11.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Statti Gaglioppo Calabria IGT 2013 750ML ($219.95) $119 special (was $159) (that’s only $9.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Winery note: “100% Gaglioppo; the respect of the original and typical fruit produces a wine of a rare elegance and pleasantness. The right witness of a land hidden into its own richness.”
SPAIN
Bodegas Avante ‘Tineta’, Ribera del Duero 2012 750ML ($17.95) $11.90 special (was $14)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(fermented in stainless steel tanks, with malo in small oak barrels, followed by 22 months of aging in French and American oak casks): Deep ruby. Sexy, perfumed aromas of cherry, blueberry and potpourri, with subtle licorice and dark chocolate qualities emerging with air. At once plush and lively, showing very good depth–and juicy acidity–to its black and blue fruit flavors. Supple tannins arrive late, adding shape to the sweet, spice-tinged finish.”
FRANCE
Domaine Remi Jobard Le Poruzot Dessus, Meursault Premier Cru 2011 750ML ($99.95) $69 special (was $79)
Antonio Galloni 92+ points “A deep, earthy wine, the 2011 Meursault 1er Cru Poruzots-Dessus hits the palate with tons of muscle and power. The style is bold and direct. There isn’t a whole lot of complexity here, but there is plenty of pure stuffing. It will be interesting to see where the 2011 goes over the coming year. Today structural elements dominate over fruit.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $99.99
Domaine Leroy Pommard Les Vignots 2011 750ML ($599.95) $399 special (was $499)
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2011 Pommard Les Vignots was bottled December 2012. It has a complex, slightly earthy bouquet with subtle marine influences, defined and focused with hints of black olive emerging with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with fine focus, imbued with an Oriental edge (hoisin) which is folded into a fine silky finish. Drink now-2020.”NM
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $425
Joseph Drouhin Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2011 750ML ($799.95) $549 special (was $589)
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92-95 points “Good deep red. Captivating aromas of blueberry, violet, coffee bean, white pepper and crushed stone. Juicy on entry, then tight and imploded in the middle, with an energetic core of fruit currently dominated by the wine’s structure. Most impressive today on the rising, expanding back end, which saturates the mouth with dusty minerality. This will need eight to ten years of cellaring.” ST
Burghound 93-95 points “Don’t miss! A highly spiced, cool and reserved nose features superb breadth with a wonderfully appealing array of plum, violets, wet stone and essence of red berry fruit. The exceptionally rich, focused and intensely mineral-inflected broad-shouldered flavors evidence focused power and a sleek muscularity before terminating in an explosive and palate saturating finish of genuinely stunning length. This is a knockout in every respect.” BH
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $700!
Joseph Drouhin Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2012 750ML ($999.95) $649 special (was $799)
Burghound 96 points “Here the expressive nose is even more complex and spicier than the Amoureuses with its fresh and impressively pure notes of black cherry, plum, violets and cassis that are trimmed by a backdrop of softly toasty oak. There is good power and excellent size, weight and muscle on the big-bodied flavors that exude plenty of mouth coating dry extract that also serves to buffer the very firm tannins on the strikingly persistent and almost painfully intense finish. There is a beguiling contrast between the silky mid-palate and the powerful finish that just goes on and on. This should be stunning in time but this is definitely not a wine for early consumption.” BH
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Domaine Trapet Père et Fils Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($259.95) $208 special (was $225)
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 94-96 points “The 2012 Latricières-Chambertin possesses a super-classic sense of cut and energy. Black fruit, smoke, autumn leaves and new leather form the backdrop as this intense, saline-infused Burgundy shows off its vibrant, layered personality. Here, too, readers need to be prepared to be patient. The Latricières is a wine for the cellar. Trapet used 65% whole clusters. This is a great Burgundy in the making. (AG) (1/2014).”
Burghound 95 points “A somber yet elegant nose presents aromas of various dark berries, floral tones and wet stone nuances that are trimmed in subtle wood nuances. This is markedly mineral-driven with superb delineation and terrific tension on middle weight plus flavors that deliver outstanding length on the driving, youthfully austere and beautifully well-balanced finale. This is a strikingly persistent and entirely classic Latricières that is built on its minerality though note well that plenty of patience will be required. (1/2015)”AM
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2012 Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru comes from a single 0.75-hectare parcel whose oldest members were planted in 1938. It has another very crisp and focused bouquet with fine delineation and tension – quite similar to the Chapelle-Chambertin in style but with slightly blacker fruit. The palate is tannic and structure, here with a subtle marine influence, leading to a masculine, swarthy finish. This has great persistency in the mouth. Superb. (NM) (12/2013)”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Good medium red. Slightly sauvage nose and palate combine black cherry, underbrush and espresso elements, with complicating notes of pepper and truffle. Lush, seamless and filled in, offering lovely balance from the outset. Less floral and fruity than the Chapelle but even denser. Most impressive right now on the building, unflagging finish, which features noble, broad tannins and the structure to support a long and graceful evolution in bottle. (3/2015)”
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Domaine Trapet Père et Fils Chambertin Grand Cru 2012 750ML ($379.95) $299 special (was $325)
Burghound 96 points “This is ultra-cool and restrained aromatically with its airy and even elegant aromas of intensely floral, spicy and stony wild dark berry scents that are also trimmed in just enough wood to warrant commenting on. There is a gorgeous texture to the equally mineral-inflected and muscular broad-shouldered and impressively concentrated flavors that possess a Zen-like harmony on the impeccably well-balanced, moderately austere and hugely long finish. This should be genuinely wonderful if given at least a decade’s snooze in a cool cellar. I should also note that by the standards of this wine the 2012 version is not super-powerful but I very much like the sense of harmony. (1/2015)”AM
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2012 Chambertin Grand Cru comes from three parcels that total a sizeable 1.9-hectares scattered on different soils and this blend includes 90% whole cluster fruit. It has an intense bouquet: blackcurrant, raspberry leaf, forest floor, minerals and orange rind that is very delineated and focused. The palate is animated and tense on the entry. This Chambertin can barely contain its energy and it just shimmers in the mouth, gradually building to a precocious red cherry and citrus peel finish, the mineralite defining the aftertaste. This is a sophisticated, cerebral Chambertin for the studious, rather than the hedonists. (NM) (12/2013).”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 96 points “Good medium red, a bit less dark than the Latricières. Musky aromas of redcurrant, flint, red licorice and rocky minerality lifted by a floral topnote. Enters the mouth with great breadth, then tightens up dramatically in the middle, conveying an almost 2010-like tautness to its raspberry and crushed stone flavors. Actually comes across today as less thick and sweet than the Latricières, and utterly weightless. Builds inexorably to a crescendo on the explosive, gripping back end, which leaves the palate vibrating with licorice and peppery herbs. I love the stem influence here. Should make a classic, monumental Chambertin.”
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Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012 750ML ($319.95) $199 special (was $219)
Wine Spectator 97 points “A stunner from the start, showing distinctive depth to the creamed mango, white peach and heather flavors, this maintains superior precision and definition as the singed almond, chamomile, salted butter and ginger notes fill in. Glazed pear, elderflower honey and beeswax details chime in on the extremely long finish. Enjoyable now, but needs serious cellaring to show its full potential. Best from 2016 through 2037”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Much more open, fleshy and sexy, the 2012 Hermitage Blanc was just bottled a month prior to this tasting. Coming from l’Ermite, Les Rocoules, Maison Blanche and Peleat lieux-dits, it’s always a rough blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne that’s aged in barrel. Loaded with notions of honeysuckle, orange marmalade, powered rock, buttered citrus and green almond, it’s full-bodied, rich, upfront and fruit loaded. While I think it will be a relatively accessible early in its life, it has the concentration to hold for two decades.” WA
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 94-96 points “Tasted in single-site components from tanks as the wine awaited blending: #1, from Peleat: Ripe pear and honey aromas, with a suave floral accent and a hint of smoky minerals. At once rich and lively, showing excellent back-end power. #2, from Rocoules: Intense, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with a sexy floral nuance building with air. Bright, focused and mineral-driven, with a strong Meyer lemon quality lingering on the tangy finish. #3, also from Rocoules: Showing more emphasis on orchard fruit than the first Rocoules tank, with powerful quince and pear flavors and a touch of bitter quinine. Dusty minerals sharpen the long, sappy finish. #4, from l’Ermite: Spicy citrus zest and ginger scents along with a chalky mineral note and a hint of anise. Smoky and penetrating, with superb finishing clarity and lingering spiciness. #5, also from l’Ermite: More floral and masculine than the previous l’Ermite, with strong jasmine and orchard fruit character and a touch of bitter quinine. Bright and nervy on the finish, which doesn’t want to let up.” JR
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Domaine Marcel Deiss Altenberg de Bergheim, Alsace Grand Cru 2010 750ML ($119.95) $89 special (was $99)
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 95 points “Like its 2011 counterpart, the Deiss 2010 Altenberg de Bergheim is strikingly floral, but tends toward bitter-sweet and elusive perfume of iris and lily-of-the-valley. The influence of quinine and black tea as well as a welcome suggestion of fresh peach and citrus juiciness serve as more effective counterpoint and push-back to the wine’s prominent sweetness than is the case with the 2011. A gorgeous sense of openness and levity prevails here, with quince and nut pastes subtly complimenting the prominent impression of liquid floral perfume on a silken and expansive palate, leading to a prodigious finish at once caressing as well as stimulating in its dynamic interaction of flower, fruit, and mouthwatering mineral salts…” WA
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Domaine Marcel Deiss Pinot Gris 2012 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special (was $24)
Ian D’agata — Vinous 90 points “Straw-yellow with gold highlights. Bright tropical fruit aromas complicated by strawberry and honeyed almond paste. Juicy and focused, showing a lovely sugar/acid balance and outstanding length to the red berry and orchard fruit flavors. Finishes vibrant and clean.”
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AUSTRIA
F.X. Pichler Loibner Steinertal Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2012 750ML ($59.95) $39 special (was $49)
David Schildknecht 92 points “With his 2012 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Steinertal, says Lucas Pichler, “the aim is to showcase the vineyard, which is a cool site, whereas in Loiben, really, things are (generally) a bit too warm.” Prior to this solo debut – spurred by the acquisition of a second parcel – the Pichlers’ Gruner Veltliner from this site went into their Loibenberg (and “M”). This solo Steinertal projects delightfully luscious and exuberant pear and melon fruit along with saliva-inducing, metaphorically cooling suggestions of stalk celery. A sweet-smoky bite of Szechuan pepper lends invigoration and cut to a juicily protracted finish. A model of elegance and lift allied to fundamentally rich ripeness, it should perform beautifully through at least 2022.”
Joel Payne-Vinous 92 points “Mineral aromas of fresh apricot, mint and citrus zest. Mouthfilling muskmelon flavor is enlivened by a refreshing acid structure, making this appear lighter than it actually is. With mineral salts and wild spices on the back of the palate, this stylish wine is the coolest and most invigorating of the veltliners here.”
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F.X. Pichler Loibner Burgstall Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2012 750ML ($39.95) $26 special (was $33)
David Schildknecht 92 points “The Pichlers’ 2012 Riesling Federspiel Burgstall – for more about whose site, consult my issue 197 report – succeeds brilliantly in their attempt to capture levity and refreshment along with interactive complexity. Lemon and white peach tinged with orange rind, crushed stone, almond and peach kernel inform a glossy yet refreshingly juicy not to mention buoyant palate, leading to an entertainingly oscillating finishing exchange of mineral and fruit elements. The combinations of lusciousness with levity; stimulation and soothing; rich ripeness with transparency to nuance, are memorably delicious, and I would not be surprised to find this worth following through at least 2020.”
Joel Payne-Vinous 88 points “Passion fruit, peach and lime make for an enticing bouquet. Bright, clean and crisp, with a refreshing balance and taut structure highlighting its stone and citrus fruit flavors. One more glass, please!”
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Lapostolle Winery
French-Chilean Class in a Glass
Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband Cyril de Bournet founded Lapostolle in 1994. The Marnier Lapostolle family, known for founding Grand Marnier liqueur, drew on long long roots in wine and spirits within France. Their project in Chile, under the name Lapostolle, delivers world-class wines across every tier.
Spread across three vineyards, the winery’s vineyards total 370 hectares across the Chiliean coastline across different terroirs. Situated south of Santiago, the vineyards include mountain ranges and dried-up riverbeds; exposure to sun, fertile soils, and oceanic breezes all contribute to ideal winegrowing conditions. The ambition of ‘Casa’ series of wines –newly arrived to the shop – is to deliver value-driven, delicious wine from a grand estate known for world-class viticulture.
Lapostolle Wines Currently Available
Casa Lapostolle ‘Casa’ Grand Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Valley, Chile 2012 750ML ($11.95) $8.80 special, 23 bottles available
Case-12 Casa Lapostolle ‘Casa’ Grand Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Valley, Chile 2012 750ML ($119.95) $79 special, 7 cases available (that’s only $6.58/bottle!)
Wine Spectator: “A savory red, showing white pepper and green herbal accents to the dense core of dark fruit flavors. Mocha and chocolate accents emerge on the fleshy finish.”
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Casa Lapostolle ‘Casa’ Grand Selection Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley 2012 750ML ($11.95) $8.80 special, 22 bottles available
Case-12 Casa Lapostolle ‘Casa’ Grand Selection Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley 2012 750ML ($119.95)
$79 special, 8 cases available
Importer’s note: The Lapostolle Casa tier of wines are young and expressive, bright and vivid, and made to capture the freshness of the fruit. Casa Grand Selection Chardonnay comes from the breezy, coastal Casablanca Valley, which has cool and dry summers, allowing the Chardonnay to ripen slowly and maintain its natural acidity. Hand-harvesting at night enhances the fruitiness and crispness of the grapes, and also helps reduce the use of energy at the winery. Casa Grand Selection Chardonnay is satisfying on its own, and also goes well with many seafood dishes and white meat.
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Casa Lapostolle Canto de Apalta, Rapel Valley, Chile 2010 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special, 25 bottles available
Case-12 Casa Lapostolle Canto de Apalta, Rapel Valley, Chile 2010 750ML ($249.95) $179 special, 4 cases available
Wine Spectator 90 points “A rich, smoky red, sporting dark cassis, grilled fig and macerated cherry notes to the iron, smoke and dark spice flavors that linger through the mocha-tinged finish. Carmenère, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.”
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “This is a new wine from Lapostolle, bearing a nose that’s intense and compact, with mineral and dark fruit aromas. It feels rich and muscular but not heavy, with berry, licorice, buttery oak and vanilla flavors. The finish is minty and chocolaty tasting. Carmenère, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah make up the blend.”
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Have a lovely weekend!