Belle Pente Estate Reserve: 95 Points; New Arrivals from Oregon, France, Italy & Spain; New Oregon Reviews from Josh Raynolds; Staff Picks; New Champagne – Mousse Fils; Elio Grasso Vintage Barolo; Monteraponi – Unchanging and Delicious; Betz Placed; VORS Valdespino; Last Minute Malbec – Altos Las Hormigas
Featured New Review from Josh Raynolds of Vinous Media
The wines from Belle Pente are a mainstay here at Vinopolis and we’re thrilled to see Brian get some well deserved recognition for his efforts.
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Limpid ruby-red. Powerful blue fruit liqueur, violet pastille, incense and smoky mineral aromas, along with hints of cola and exotic spices. Appealingly sweet and expansive on the palate, offering densely packed black raspberry, boysenberry, mocha and floral pastille flavors and a strong spicecake note. Supple, well-knit tannins give shape to the intensely fruit-driven finish, which lingers with outstanding persistence and building sweetness.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $57
Don’t miss the 26 additional new Josh Raynolds reviews of Oregon wines below!
Featured New Arrivals
Gulfi’s Standard Setting Sicilian Stunners
“Since 1996, we have been making the wines we love at Gulfi. We never accepted irrigation, we always have considered the best practices of other organic and biodynamic environments. We went our own way like the best wine estates have done in differents parts of the world. Of course we are influenced by the most delicate burgundy wines as well as by the greatest Rhone Valley wines, particularly Chateauneuf du Pape, but our wines have first of all a taste of their true origins, of their deep Sicilian roots.” – Vito Catania, owner of Azienda Gulfi
Gulfi first came to prominence as a champion of Nero D’Avola—the rich dark grape that they proved could be a transparent expression of terroir. The single vineyards Nero’s that Gulfi made changed perceptions of the grape and have helped lead to the current renaissance of Sicilian viticulture.
Gulfi’s Nero d’Avola is typically extracted and rich, with subtle nuances reflecting the vineyard locations spread around the southeastern corner of the island. Variations in altitude and proximity to the sea influence the delicate aromatics, as ripeness is certainly not the issue. Salinity and sea breeze influences are present and add nuance to the ripe, roasty, smoky characteristics. These are great wines for those looking to add a little spice box variety to a collection that might be a little too concentrated in the new world and we’re excited to offer them to you today.
New Arrivals from Gulfi:
Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico DOCG, Sicily 2015 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Ian D’agata – Vinous 94 points “Dark ruby-red. Lively clean aromas and flavors of violet, chocolate and ripe red cherry and spicy dark plum. Rich dense and downright luscious on the long finish. This is fast becoming one of the best wine’s in Gulfi’s lineup; they rarely make a Cerasuolo di Vittoria that isn’t at least outstanding. Best of all, the wine is so well balanced you won’t even notice the 14% alcohol.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Gulfi Nerobaronj Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2012 750ML ($37.95) $28 special
Ian D’agata – Vinous 92 points “Bright full ruby. Nuanced, scented nose combines raspberry, tobacco, leather, earth and a saline note. Chewy, juicy and complex, with harmonious acidity nicely framing the wine’s savory plum, tobacco and underbrush flavors. Finishes intense and mineral, with substantial but smooth tannins and a repeating savory, earthy quality. Good already now, but can be enjoyed over the next 12 years or so.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Gulfi Nerobufaleffj Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2012 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Ian D’agata – Vinous 95 points “Good bright red-ruby. Fresh raspberry, crushed red cherry, orange zest and cinnamon on the nose. Juicy and penetrating, with outstanding precision to its savory flavors of raspberry, red cherry, white pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon and blood orange. This has the inner-palate aromatic lift of the best NeroBufaleffj wines (which I think is Gulfi’s best wine almost every year) but is more refined and less sweet than some past vintages, when the superripe Nero d’Avola fruit had accumulated almost too much sugar. Finishes with rising, polished tannins, delightful red fruit perfume and outstanding thrust. A wonderful, classy Sicilian red; Nero d’Avola wines don’t get much better than this.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Gulfi Neromaccarj Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2012 750ML ($44.95) $36 special
Ian D’agata – Vinous 93 points “Bright red-ruby. Vibrant nose offers intense aromas of pomegranate, raspberry, dried violet, and menthol. Then glides effortlessly over the tongue, like liquid silk, with superb sappiness and energy to the savory flavors of red fruits, clove and candied violet. Offers compelling inner-mouth perfume, finishing with polished tannins, lovely balance and a creamy sweet nuance at the back. One of the loveliest vintages of NeroMaccarj I have memory of.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Gulfi Nerojbleo Nero d’Avola Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2013 750ML ($21.95) $19 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Deep ruby. Perfumed and juicy, offering sweet candied blueberry pie, sweet spices and faded flowers on the nose and in the mouth. Very smooth texture and clean, ripe flavors have pretty floral lift and vibrancy. A knockout NeroJbleo, one of the best in years, in fact.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New Weekend – New Arrivals
Oregon
Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
VinopolNote: Always a beautiful wine in its youth, this is actually all Four Winds fruit of barrels declassified from the single vineyard. This year the blend is four barrels of Dijon clone and 9 of Wente with a mix of new, one year old and much older oak. Bottled in December, this is showing very well at the moment with air. The signature note of dried ginger and spice shows beneath a restrained note of citrus and orchard fruit and a creamy texture. Balanced, elegant, and a bargain.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
France – Champagne
Aubry Premier Cru Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $46 special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The NV Brut Rosé is done in a relatively open-knit style for Aubry. There is a lovely sense of immediacy that makes the Rosé easy to drink with minimal cellaring, even though the flavors and textures show the energy and briskness that are such signatures of the house style. This release is 40% Chardonnay, 40% Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir and 10% still Pinot, all from the 2014 vintage.”
Terry Theise note “All 2014. 40% CH, 40% PM, 10% PN and 10% still PN. Disg 1/2017. Even for a wine in their “classic” series this is original; always very dry and always tasting like ripe blackberry juice from which the sweetness was somehow removed. Iris and berry as always, but an especially fetching and balanced edition of this. The finish is like stirring chalk dust through blackberry juice. It was also more present from the larger glass; less overtly chalky than the ’13, more iodé, ferrous.”
France – Burgundy
Back in stock!
Gilbert Picq et ses Fils Chablis Dessus La Carriere, Burgundy 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2015 Chablis Dessus la Carriere, which was still in stainless steel when I tasted it (it was due to be bottled the following Tuesday), has quite a powerful bouquet with subtle scents of wild honey complementing the citrus/flint aromas. The palate is rounded and caressing on the entry with notes of walnut and smoke enhancing complexity on the powerful finish. This deserves two or three years in bottle but it will be worth the wait.”
Stephen Tanzer 91-93 points “(still in cuve and slated to be bottled by the end of June, with only the bottom of the tank to be fined): Bright yellow. Pungent aromas of candied lemon peel, fresh apricot and minerals, plus a spice note that I would have attributed to some barrel aging, but there’s no oak in this cellar. Voluptuous and fine-grained but at the same time very fresh, this wine has clearly benefited from its longer élevage. Finishes chewy and thick but surprisingly taut, with excellent spine, a toasty nuance and serious persistence. I rated this wine 90-92 a year ago but it’s showing more grip today. These vines are normally harvested last but were picked early in 2015, with a nearly normal crop level of about 45 hectoliters per hectare, according to Pascal Picq.”
Burghound 89-91 points “A ripe and ever-so-mildly exotic nose is comprised by notes of citrus, ginger, mineral reduction and yellow orchard fruit. The round, generous and intense flavors display unusually good delineation in the context of what is typical for the vintage while delivering fine length on the very dry finish. This is a very fine villages and worth considering.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Italy – Piedmont
Cavallotto Bricco Boschis, Barolo DOCG 2013 750ML ($89.95) $66 special
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 96+ points “Cavallotto is on a roll with some very impressive new releases. The 2013 Barolo Bricco Boschis is a tremendous effort that has an edge on the excellent 2010 vintage in my view. The wine shows a beautifully exuberant but elegant bouquet with the ethereal and undertone fruit and spice aromas you get with Nebbiolo. Although the wine is never overdone, it does show silky persistence and a long finish that comes from the noble nature of the tannins and the wine’s textural finesse. Yet, it is playfully deceiving in a way because behind that polished grace, it delivers impressive depth and power.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $71
Italy – Umbria
Wine Spectator Top 100 in 2017
Scacciadiavoli Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, Umbria 2011 750ML ($37.95) $29 special
Case-12 Scacciadiavoli Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, Umbria 2011 750ML ($419.95) $316 special (that’s only $26.33/bottle!)
Wine Spectator 92 points “This finely balanced Sagrantino layers creamy tannins with a pretty array of raspberry ganache, fig cake and dried sage flavors, accented by aromatic hints of rose petal and spice. Elegant and lightly juicy, with a subtle mineral streak that gains momentum on the finish. Drink now through 2027. 4,000 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Italy – Sicily
Back in stock!
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Bianco Sicilia IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
VinopolNote: A Blend of Albanello and Zibbibo (Moscato di Alessandria). Fermented on the skins for a few weeks, but not an ‘orange’ wine, this is pretty and perfumed, with bright, sparkling acidity and slight herbal notes overlayed across stone fruit flavors. A really standout Sicilian white.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $28
Back in stock!
Azienda Agricola Arianna Occhipinti SP68 Sicilia Rosso IGT, Sicily 2016 750ML ($27.95) $24 special
Ian D’agata–Vinous 93 points “Dark ruby. Archetypal Frappato aromas that are pungently floral and bright, complicated by hints of dried herbs and spicy red berries. Then fresh, bright and lovely, with blackberry, raspberry and delicate herb flavors that are very complex and multilayered. Finishes long, mineral and juicy. Arianna Occhipinti has the Frappato variety nailed down and rarely makes anything but a great wine with it, so this blend comes up aces, offering a ton of flavor and only 12.5% alcohol.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast today!
Calabretta ‘Cappuccio’ Rosso Terre Siciliane IGT, Sicily 2013 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Importer note “Since the winery’s founding in 1900, the Calabretta family has farmed and produced wines from Etna’s ancient indigenous varieties—including Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio—in the mountain’s unique noble vineyards. Historically, the family had sold its wine in sfuso or in barrel to restaurants and to private customers, many of whom travelled long distances to pick up their wine. But in 1997, third and fourth-generation father and son Massimo and Massimiliano Calabretta decided to bottle their best wine under their own label to ensure the winemaking traditions of their family and Etna would not be lost.” Organic/Biodynamic
Spain
Bodegas El Maestro Sierra Oloroso 15 Anos Sherry, Andalucia NV 375ML ($21.95) $16 special
Wine & Spirits 92 points “At just over one dollar for each year of aging, this wine’s price is nearly absurd. What you’ve stolen is viscous and generous, with the precise balance of acidity to rein in the sweetness and frame the voluptuous maturity. It’s a decadent pleasure, trailing nuts, earthy savor and dried fruit in its wake.”
New Reviews for Oregon
From Josh Raynolds of Vinous Media
Arterberry Maresh Pinot Noir Maresh Vineyard, Dundee Hills 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Vivid red. Sexy, high-pitched red berry, incense and candied rose scents are complemented by a smoky mineral aspect and a hint of star anise. Sappy and focused in the mouth, offering energetic raspberry liqueur, bitter cherry, blood orange and floral pastille flavors that put on weight and become sweeter with air. Conveys a suave blend of power and vivacity and closes on a subtly tannic note, displaying outstanding focus and floral-driven persistence.”
Ayres Lewis Rogers Lane Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($34.95) $29 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Bright red. Ripe red fruit and floral scents are complicated by suggestions of Indian spices, smoky minerals and cola. Vibrant, spice-tinged raspberry, cherry liqueur and lavender pastille flavors show appealing sweetness and impressive depth. Juicy acidity contributes lift and spine to a very long, focused, gently tannic finish that leaves a sweet floral pastille note behind.”
Ayres Pioneer Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Deep red. Aromas of mineral-accented cherry cola and boysenberry pick up a sexy incense note in the glass. Seamless and expansive in the mouth, offering sweet, densely packed dark berry and fruitcake flavors that firm up slowly on the back half. Shows excellent clarity and impressive, dark-fruit-driven thrust on the clinging finish, which features lingering five-spice powder and cherry preserve notes.”
Ayres Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19.90 special
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Dark, bright-rimmed red. Ripe cherry and blackberry aromas, complicated by suggestions of candied licorice and cola. Smooth and broad in the mouth, offering gently sweet dark berry and cherry liqueur flavors and a touch of spiciness on the back half. In a plush, fruit-forward style, showing solid thrust and rounded tannins on the long, subtly smoky finish.”
Ayres Perspective Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2015 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Brilliant red. Cherry, black raspberry, candied flowers and succulent herbs on the nose. Silky, appealingly sweet and open-knit, offering fresh red and blue fruit flavors that deepen and become spicier with air. Soft tannins build slowly on the finish, which lingers with very good, floral-tinged persistence.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $29
Belle Pente Belle Pente Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2014 750ML ($41.95) $37 special
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Deep red. Mineral-accented raspberry, cherry and incense aromas are complemented by a sexy floral nuance that builds with aeration. Supple and concentrated yet lively as well, offering intense red fruit preserve, floral pastille and spicecake flavors supported by a spine of juicy acidity. Sappy, appealingly sweet and strikingly long on the finish, which features lingering red berry and cinnamon qualities and sneaky tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $45.99
Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 750ML ($39.95) $36 special
Josh Raynolds 94 points “(one-third new French oak) Vivid red. A heady, complex bouquet evokes fresh red and blue fruits, cola, potpourri and five-spice powder, backed by a hint of licorice. Juicy, focused and energetic but concentrated as well, offering appealingly sweet boysenberry and raspberry flavors and a hint of cocoa powder. Shows excellent clarity and spicy lift on the extremely long, focused finish, which is given shape by smooth, harmonious tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $42.99
Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Light bright red. Intense, highly perfumed red fruit and floral pastille aromas show excellent clarity, and a zesty mineral overtone builds in the glass. Lithe and sharply focused on the palate, offering lively raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. Juicy, pure and precise, finishing with very good focus and silky, even tannins that add gentle grip.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $25
Bergstrom ‘Silice’ Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Limpid ruby. Expansive raspberry preserve, cherry pie, floral pastille and incense aromas, along with a vibrant mineral quality. Juicy, vibrant and smooth on the palate, offering sappy, alluringly sweet red and dark berry and Asian spice flavors that tighten up slowly on the back half. Shows superb depth and clarity; there are no rough edges to be found. Refuses to let go on the finish, which features harmonious tannins and an array of exotic spice and floral notes.”
Bergstrom Gregory Ranch Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2015 750ML ($69.95) $61.90 special
Josh Raynolds 94 points “(all whole clusters) Brilliant red. Vibrant, mineral-accented red fruit, floral pastille, blood orange and incense aromas show excellent clarity and pick up a hint of smokiness with air. Shows superb delineation and lift on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry and cherry preserve, allspice and cinnamon flavors that deepen steadily on the back half. Delivers a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes very long and silky, with subtle tannins sneaking in late.”
Bergstrom ‘Cumberland Reserve’ Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2015 750ML ($44.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Limpid ruby-red. Highly perfumed scents of raspberry liqueur, cola and five-spice powder, along with a suave floral overtone. Sweet, nicely concentrated red fruit and floral pastille flavors are underscored by suggestions of spicecake and cola. Takes a turn to darker fruits on the clinging finish, which shows very good focus and silky, even tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Bow & Arrow Vitae Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 ($37.95) $28 special
Case-12 Bow & Arrow Vitae Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($419.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Brilliant red. Vibrant red and dark berry, floral and spice scents, along with hints of musky earth and cola. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering gently sweet raspberry and red currant flavors that deepen and become sweeter with aeration. Fine-grained tannins build slowly through the persistent finish, which shows refreshing tension, resonating red fruit character and lingering mineral and sassafras notes.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $38.99
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Rouge, Dundee Hills 2014 1.5L ($189.95) $169 special
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Brilliant red. Ripe cherry, black raspberry, incense and musky earth aromas are complicated by suave floral and smoky mineral nuances. Shows a suave interplay of depth and energy, offering palate-staining red and dark berry, bitter cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that turn sweeter on the back half. The floral and dark berry notes carry strongly though a strikingly long, penetrating finish shaped by silky, even tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2014 1.5L ($189.95) $169 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Limpid ruby-red. An expansive bouquet evokes fresh red and dark berries, musky rhubarb and potpourri, while a subtle vanilla note sneaks in. Juicy, appealingly sweet and lively, offering sappy black raspberry, cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors complemented by a hint of smokiness. Shows impressive energy for a ripe vintage and betrays no rough edges on the very long, sweet, floral-driven finish.”
This is the only listing in the USA today for the magnum!
Cameron Winery Abbey Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Vivid red. Intensely perfumed, musky aromas of raspberry, cherry cola and woodsmoke are enhanced by a subtle lavender nuance that builds with aeration. Broad, densely packed red and dark berry flavors are given spine and lift by a core of minerality that adds refreshing back-end cut. Repeats the floral note on the long, sappy finish, where dusty tannins add shape and grip.”
Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Brilliant red. Powerful red berry liqueur, Asian spice and incense aromas are brightened by a smoky mineral nuance that builds steadily in the glass. Sappy, sweet and penetrating in the mouth, offering vibrant raspberry, cherry and floral pastille flavors joined by lively five-spice powder and white pepper accents. Spicy and seamless on the finish, showing silky, harmonious tannins and superb, floral-dominated persistence.”
Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Lurid red. Intense, highly expressive aromas of raspberry preserves, cherry cola, Asian spices and incense carry a sexy floral overtone. Juicy and expansive on the palate, offering sweet Chambord, rose pastille and five-spice powder flavors that become more energetic with air. Closes sappy, spicy and extremely long, delivering emphatic red fruit thrust, lingering florality and talc-y tannins that merge effortlessly into the energetic fruit.”
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Vivid red. Ripe red fruits, potpourri and a hint of blood orange on the assertively perfumed nose, lifted by a vibrant mineral quality. Silky and precise on the palate, offering alluringly sweet, spice-tinged cherry and raspberry liqueur flavors and a hint of five-spice powder. Becomes richer with air, with no loss of vibrancy, and finishes with powerful, spicy thrust, fine-grained tannins and an exotic floral pastille note that lingers with serious tenacity.”
Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Josh Raynolds 94 points “Deep red. Expansive, spice-accented red fruit and spicecake aromas show excellent clarity and pick up suggestions of cola and sandalwood with air. Juicy, focused and appealingly sweet, offering intense black raspberry, cherry pie and five-spice powder flavors that tighten up steadily on the back half. Shows outstanding energy and clarity and finishes sappy and impressively long, featuring discreet tannins and an emphatic echo of juicy red fruit.”
Crowley Four Winds Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($51.95) $44 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Vivid red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes fresh red fruits, incense and Asian spices, along with a bright mineral overtone. Juicy, lithe and focused on the palate, offering appealingly sweet, mineral-laced raspberry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that show impressive tension and reveal a deeper cola nuance with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and finesse and finishes extremely long, featuring harmonious tannins and outstanding clarity.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Crowley La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($51.95) $44 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Brilliant red. A complex bouquet evokes fresh dark berries, potpourri and Moroccan spices, and a smoky mineral quality builds in the glass. Lively, mineral-accented raspberry, cherry cola and floral pastille flavors display excellent focus and appealing sweetness. Unfolds slowly with aeration, gaining depth and finishing with impressive tension, gentle tannins and sappy, red-fruit-driven persistence.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $50.99
Crowley Entre Nous Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special
Josh Raynolds 90 points “(made with no new oak) Bright red. A lively bouquet evokes fresh raspberry, candied rose and spicecake, backed by a hint of dusty minerals. Silky and appealingly sweet, offering pliant red and dark berry flavors and suggestions of bitter cherry and licorice. Spicy and focused on the clinging, gently tannic finish, which leaves notes of white pepper and floral pastilles behind.”
Goodfellow Family Cellars Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2014 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Josh Raynolds 92 points “Brilliant red. Smoke-accented raspberry, cherry cola and candied rose scents, along with hints of star anise and white pepper. Silky, sweet and focused on the palate, offering juicy red fruit, floral pastille and spicecake flavors that pick up a hint of cocoa on the back half. Sleek, harmonious tannins add shape to a smooth, persistent finish that leaves behind sappy red berry liqueur and Asian spice notes.”
Goodfellow Family Cellars Bishop Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($41.95) $33 special
Case-12 Goodfellow Family Cellars Bishop Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($419.95) $349 special (that’s only $29.08/bottle!)
Case-6 Goodfellow Family Cellars Bishop Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2014 750ML ($219.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds 91 points “Vivid red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red berries, cherry, candied flowers and musky earth, backed by a touch of smokiness. Lively black raspberry and floral pastille flavors pick up hints of bitter chocolate and licorice with aeration. The clinging, focused finish features fine-grained, slow-mounting tannins and repeating floral character. Give this one a little air time.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Maison L’Envoye Two Messengers Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($27.95) $19 special
Josh Raynolds 91 points “(25% new French oak) Vivid red. Aromas of fresh red berries and cherry pit reveal subtle rose pastille, rhubarb and white pepper flourishes. Bitter cherry, raspberry and spicecake flavors show very good clarity, and a snap of juicy acidity provides energetic lift. The cherry and floral notes cling nicely on a long, incisive finish framed by fine-grained, nicely integrated tannins.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $26.99
Staff Picks
Saul:
First, in case you were not aware, yes—there is red wine made in Champagne. There isn’t much and it tends to be of a very specific style, but if you like it, there isn’t much that makes a good substitute. When I say a “specific style” I mean that it’s light. Pale. Whatever—it’s delicate, fragrant and ethereal. If you value subtlety in red wines and brilliant aromatics over palate weight, then Pinot Noir grown in the chalk of Champagne scratches an itch that few wines can. The problem is that most Coteau Champenois comes from Champagne and so the prices tend to reflect that. This example, from Dumont (who makes excellent sparkling wine, by the way) is a great introduction to the wines (or, if you already like them, a great way to drink them without selling a kidney). Sure, these aren’t going to be for everyone, but for those of us who love them, they’re great.
R. Dumont & Fils Coteaux Champenois La Voie de Chanay, Champagne 2014 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 18 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A still red wine from the Coteaux Champenois
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Andy:
Clean up on cleaning up wines; or, what to pair with oysters and cheerios.
It isn’t as though my wife and I consider the time spent cleaning up after our children go to sleep a date night, but seeing as it happens every single night, there is a lot of room for cheap laughs at our own expense, time to make simple but good food, and occasionally a kiss or two. In the interest of not losing all of our dignity, we try to drink well with our meals, pairing thoughtful wines that don’t break the bank.
We’ve just received the 2016 Gobelsberg Gruner Veltliner – their entry level offering, but very true to style and delicious. My wife and I had this with linguine and clam sauce, while chipping away at dried oatmeal on our son’s high chair. The intensity of the fresh white really woke up the sauce. This sneak peak into the 16 vintage makes me think of the gorgeous wines that came out of 2013 from Austria. Clean, well built with great balance and still maintains some fine character. At $14 a bottle this is almost criminally drinkable.
Oftentimes, when I ride home from work, the last stop is the fishmonger in our neighborhood. He’s great at grabbing small amounts of PNW oysters or ocean caught steelhead, and I will pick something up as a treat that we can eat without much fuss. Last Friday, he’d gotten some Shigoku Oysters from Willapa Bay. These are dense and wonderfully briny, so I took some to have with our 2015 Trois Toits Muscadet. A $16 bottle that is mineral laden, but shows the ripeness of the vintage. When people ask for “something else”, I’ll bring them this wine. It’s ripe enough to be a crowd pleaser, has great acidity for pairing with nearly anything, and it at the right price to enjoy every day. We were so busy laughing at how good our dinner was that we didn’t care that we were cleaning crayon off of the walls and floor. We’ll probably stash a case of this away for trips up to Hood Canal this summer. Let someone else worry about the crayons for a night or two.
The wines are deserving higher praise, though our return purchases on these speak louder than simply being affordable and available. Both wines offer a beautiful, albeit brief, respite from the daily routine. Date night has certainly changed, and time spent cleaning has never been better spent.
Domaine des Trois Toits Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie, Loire 2015 750 ML ($19.95) $16 special, 33 bottles in stock now
Case-12 Domaine des Trois Toits Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie, Loire 2015 750 ML ($219.95) $169 special, 2 cases in stock now
Importer Note: “After harvest the grapes are pressed and the juice is placed in underground cuves in typical and ancient fashion in the Muscadet district. The alcoholic fermentation proceeds at low temperatures for three to five weeks. Afterwards the wine is racked off the gross lies and is left to age on the fine lies until bottling. During the period of elevage, the wines are in constant contact with the lies, with frequent batonage. The result is a fresh, mineral-driven wine that occasionally carries an almost imperceptible effervescence. Bottling normally occurs during the period of March through May of the year following harvest.”
Schloss Gobelsburg Gobelsburger Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal 2016 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Terry Theise note: “Yup, a plus. It shouldn’t be this good, and yet! It’s a parfait of lilacs, wisteria and tarragon, it has energy, focus and flow, the wine is almost creamy yet it’s lavish and light, cheerful and accommodating, a wine in high spirits, up for anything. It is, honestly, impossible to imagine anything better for this price.”
Highlight New Arrival
Cedric Moussé
If you’re looking for your next Meunier-based superstar producer, look no further. Cedric Moussé is a young, up and coming producer in the Marne, who has a maniacal drive for quality. The wines are absolutely stunning—they thread the needle between Meunier as earthy, bass-noted Champagne and the fruity, less ‘serious’ style with admirable grace. All you probably need to know is that he’s the first producer in the Club Tresor to release a 100% Pinot Meunier Special Club wine and Didier Gimmonet described him as one of the up and coming producers to watch.
In Stock Now from Mousse Fils
Mousse Fils L’Or d’Eugene Blanc de Noirs Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “[Reviewed 2017] Firm acidity structures this vibrant Champagne, softened by the creamy mousse, which carries a subtle mesh of ripe blackberry, toast, preserved lemon and fleur de sel notes. Fresh and floral, lingering finish. Drink now through 2020. 75 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $43
Mousse Fils ‘Effusion’ Rose Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($57.95) $44 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “[Reviewed 2017] A firm rosé Champagne, with a lively mix of raspberry, grated ginger, smoke and candied orange zest flavors. Fresh and snappy. Drink now. 75 cases imported.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $51
Mousse Fils ‘Les Vignes de Mon Village’ Blanc de Meuniers, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Terry Theise note “100% Meunier, and a lower pressurage. It is, touchingly, a tribute to Cédric’s father, who was mayor of Cuisles and who “loved Cuisles.” 50-50 2014-2015, available late summer, zero dosage; it’s a rugged, muscular Meunier, showing more locality than fruit. Water drains into the soil’s third layer, the green clay Illite, which occurs nowhere else in Champagne. If you want a solid contained Champagne (and fear a drop of sweetness will kill you) this one’s pretty impressive.”
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Mousse Fils Terre d’Illite Blanc de Noirs Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Terry Theise note “This is Cédric’s best wine to date, and gives a thrilling glimpse of what lies ahead for this outstanding vintner. This is 100% from Cuisles, which a local broker calls “The Grand Cru of Meunier,” and with this wine you can clearly see why. Disg. 2/2016, it’s actively minerally—Meunier! It has the most intricately non-fruit profile I’ve ever encountered from this variety. Salty, long, fascinating, the core of Meunier that’s hidden below the pretty stuff. A dignity. It’s para-sensual, beautiful and serious, with herbal notes and spelt bread.”
Arriving this month from Mousse:
Mousse Fils ‘Anecdote’ Lieu dit Les Varosses Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 91 points “[Reviewed 2017] A snappy Champagne, well-cut and lightly chalky, with juicy pear, white raspberry, apple blossom and lemon zest flavors. A tang of salinity shows on the finish. Drink now through 2021. 25 cases imported.”
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The next best price is $54.95
Two Classic Vintages
One Classic Producer
In 1979, Elio Grasso left his lucrative banking job to produce wine from his family’s old farm. Under Aldo Conterno’s guidance, he converted the farm into a winery and went on to become one of the highest regarded winemakers in the region. His style straddles the traditionalist and modernist camps. His son, Gianluca, followed in his father’s footsteps shortly after to become winemaker. Gianluca has produced the Runcot since its creation in 1995 from the Gavarini vineyard.
In Stock Now from Elio Grasso
Elio Grasso Runcot, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2006 750ML ($159.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2006 Barolo Riserva Runcot is a huge, structured wine bursting at the seams with fruit. The French oak (100% new) is beautifully integrated. Today the wine is understandably quite reticent but its pedigree is hard to miss. Flowers, licorice and minerals linger on the finish. The 2006 Runcot needs time, most likely lots of it. Let me just say I can’t wait to taste this powerhouse once it has had more time in bottle. It is a dazzling effort.”
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The next best price is $149.99
Elio Grasso Runcot, Barolo Riserva DOCG 2008 750ML ($169.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2008 Barolo Riserva Rüncot is an exceptional wine that is only made in the best years. It was produced in 2008, 2010 and 2013. The wine undergoes a 40-day maceration time with four years in oak and one more year of bottle aging. The results are sublime and generous. Riserva Rüncot opens to a beautifully tempered and expressive bouquet that exhibits elements of wild berry, forest floor, candied fruit, licorice, cola and dried ginger. The balsamic signature is particularly beautiful and elegant. Smooth and silky tannins denote the mouthfeel and carry the wine forward over the palate. This is one of the top releases from Piedmont this year.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2008 Barolo Riserva Runcot is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Smoke, tar, licorice, menthol, plums and spices form a tapestry of undeniable class. The sweet, perfumed fruit typical of the 2008s here is evident in the glass. A rich, sumptuous wine, the 2008 Runcot is fabulous. The 2008 spent 45 months in new French oak, all of which it has handled with superb grace. Even though the Runcot is one of the few Barolos that handles new French oak this well, once again I wonder what it might taste like if aged like the rest of the Grasso Barolos. Dark red/black fruit, spices, new leather and smoke add the last nuances of complexity.”
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The next best price is $127.98
The average price is $135
Monteraponi:
A Name to Watch in Chianti Classico
We’re always up for good, classically made Chianti, so when we first heard about the wines of the wines of Monteraponi, we were intrigued. They’re based in the town of Radda, where Montevertine is located, and these wines are likewise classically made. No Cabernet, no Merlot, no micro-ox, these wines see long, native fermentations and are minimally processed in the cellar.
Antonio Galloni is also a fan, saying “Monteraponi is a terrific source for readers who appreciate the more classic side of Chianti Classico. Native fermentations, long macerations and long aging are some of the signatures of these wines, which see minimal handling in the cellar and no fining or filtration. At times the Monteraponi wines can be a bit rustic, but it is a beautiful and sincere approach that most clearly defines these handmade Chianti Classicos.” We couldn’t agree more and are excited to present these wines to you for the first time.
Available Here Now from Monteraponi:
Monteraponi Il Campitello Riserva, Chianti Classico DOCG 2012 750ML ($49.95) $36 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2012 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Campitello is a very pretty wine, especially for the vintage. Mid-weight and translucent in style, the 2012 captures the essence of Radda, with sweet, floral aromatics, chiseled fruit and lovely energy. Red berry, spice, tobacco, cedar and rose petal all open up in the glass. A hint of oak comes through on the finish, but otherwise this is a classic-feeling Riserva that will appeal to readers with more traditionally leaning palates. The Campitello emerges from the estate’s oldest vineyard.”
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Monteraponi Il Campitello Riserva, Chianti Classico DOCG 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Campitello is a very beautiful and expressive wine that will appeal to readers who appreciate the more traditional side of Chianti Classico. Sweet tobacco, sage, mint, dried cherry and crushed leaves give the 2013 its lifted aromatics while bright Sangiovese acidity adds the vibrancy. Aging in cask produces a style of Chianti Classico that emphasizes aromatics and savoriness, while fruit is more in the background. There is a purity and frankness to the Campitello that I find hugely appealing.”
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The next best price is $44.89
Monteraponi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Monteraponi Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($269.95) $219 special
“Fermented without selected yeasts or temperature control, this bright, savory blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Canaiolo opens with classic varietal aromas of red berry, fragrant blue flower and a whiff of new leather. The fresh, easy drinking palate doles out juicy wild cherry, chopped herb and a hint cinnamon offset by vibrant acidity and supple tannins.”–Wine Enthusiast
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The next best price is $28
Betz Family Winery
“One of the reference-point estates in Washington is unquestionably Betz Family Winery. Bob Betz still takes a leading role, but the day to day winemaking is more and more being taken up by Louis Skinner, who’s taken up the helm brilliantly. In 2015, the estate made use of an optical sorter to eliminate raisins, and the wines show more freshness and focus, with a touch less voluptuousness and breadth. Anyone interested in Washington State wines, or just high-quality wines for that matter, owe it to themselves to try these!”- Jeb Dunnuck
Betz Family Winery La Cote Rousse Syrah, Red Mountain 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2015 Syrah la Cote Rousse is a blockbuster Syrah from Red Mountain that’s from the Ranch at the End of The Road and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. It’s a mix of four different clones and is brought up in barrel. This deep, inky, seriously black Syrah gives up Hermitage-like notes of scorched earth, charred meats, graphite and licorice. It’s a big, concentrated effort that’s going to benefit from short-term cellaring and keep through 2035.”
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Betz Family Winery La Serenne Syrah, Yakima Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94 points “All from Dick Boushey’s vineyard in Yakima Valley, the 2015 Syrah La Serenne was also all destemmed and brought up in barrel. It’s a more elegant, complex and nuanced Syrah compared to the Cote Rousse and offers classic notes of blackberries, peppery herbs, lavender and spring flowers. Full-bodied, fresh and lively, drink it anytime over the coming 10-15 years.”
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The average price is $61
End with some fine sherry…
Valdespino’s Very Old Rare Sherries Are Simply Sublime
Valdespino is probably the best sherry bodega, for our money. They focus on the farming of their vineyards in a way that most houses don’t and the wines are absolutely stellar from their entry level Fino, Innocente, all the way on up. The most incredible wines they make, though, are their “VORS” series, which stands for Very Old Rare Sherry. By rule, VORS wines must be at least 30 years old, though Valdespino often doubles that age for their wines—these wines are 50-60+ years old when they get bottled. Aside from Madeira, there’s no other way that you can enjoy a wine this old (and this good) for this kind of money.
On an absolute basis, sure, they’re a little pricey—they’re over fifty year old sherry from the best producer in Jerez! Compare that to any other region and you’ll never see value like that. We also should remind you that the wines are very, very good. Stock up while you can, we don’t always have these in.
A.R. Valdespino Coliseo Amontillado VORS Sherry, Andalucia NV 375ML ($249.95) $179 special, 9 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “The NV Amontillado Coliseo VORS, is an extremely old (much older than the 30 years certified by the VORS classification) and concentrated wine. It is unique, as its origin is from Sanlucar de Barrameda, mainly from the Pago Miraflores, which produced very sharp wines. Dark mahogany colored, with a bright green border, is very aromatic, balsamic and complex, with wild herbs, candied orange rind, spices and dates. The palate is extremely concentrated, dry, and intense but it has no edges, with lively acidity and an eternal finish. It’s an extreme wine, some might find it too much, but it’s certainly unique and among the greatest wines in the world, to be sipped slowly and in tiny quantities. One of the greatest Amontillados in existence today. Drink 2013-2025.” WA
A.R. Valdespino Cardenal Palo Cortado VORS Sherry, Andalucia NV 750ML ($299.95) $279 special, 1 bottle available
A.R. Valdespino Cardenal Palo Cortado VORS Sherry, Andalucia NV 375ML ($199.95) $133 special, 6 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 99 points “The NV Palo Cortado Cardenal VORS, like the whole VORS collection from Valdespino is outstanding. It is fed from the solera of the Palo Cortado C.P. where the Palomino grapes come from the Macharnudo Alto vineyard, fermented in American oak botas. It’s 22% alcohol and has nine grams of (undetectable) residual sugar which makes it very drinkable. It’s a monumental wine of dark mahogany color with a green edge, a complex, ever-changing, concentrated, clean and delineated nose of spices, dark chocolate, Cuban cigar and balsamic notes of incense, and a sharp, saline palate. It is highly concentrated, powerful and clean, with an eternal, lingering aftertaste. Deciding between Coliseo and Cardenal might be splitting hairs, and as much as I love Coliseo, I felt Cardenal was just one notch above. At the quality helm of Palo Cortado. Drink 2013-2025.” WA
Peter Liem– “Its palo cortado counterpart is the Cardenal, a wine of similar age and equally multi-faceted complexity, although, with its richer girth and more velvety texture on the palate, it comes off as less forbidding. It essentially represents the ultimate conclusion of Valdespino’s expression of the Marcharnudo vineyard.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today for the 750ML!
A.R. Valdespino Ninos Pedro Ximenez VORS Sherry, Andalucia NV 375ML ($219.95) $179 special, 3 half-bottles available
Wine Advocate 98 points “The NV Ninos Pedro Ximenez 30 Anos VORS is again a monumental wine, redolent of its sibling, Moscatel Toneles, as often the extremely old wines have so many similarities that even the grape and the origin is diminished. This beast of a wine has 470 grams of sugar. It’s believed to average 50 years of age, and shows a dark mahogany, almost black color. Being extremely concentrated, is not just power, it has finesses and balance. Curry, spices, coconut, balsamic notes (eucalyptus), tar, Cuban cigar, and nutmeg can be identified in its nose. The palate is velvety, dense, thick, long, and intense, with pungent acidity but at the same time it feels smooth. Again, choosing between Ninos and Toneles might be purely academic. Drink 2013-2035.” WA
Last Minute Addition!
Altos Las Hormigas : Malbec from the Sky
Arriving Early February
Two wines of distinction from Altos Las Hormigas: the 2014 Malbec Gualtallary and the 2014 Malbec Reserve. The Gualtallary vineyard, at 1300m above sea level, has its own difficulties, but the 14 vintage was especially taxing. A vintage which saw challenges in the vineyard (frost and high winds reducing yields early, rain bringing mildew pressure late), which in many other regions could be viewed as potentially catastrophic, turned into a truly beautiful year for Argentina. The wines are showing a lighter alcohol and brighter acidity that translate into a stunning lift to these rich and wonderful wines. Still expected to be aging well for the near future, the wines are expressing their bright character early on.
Altos Las Hormigas Gualtallary Malbec, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Case-6 Altos Las Hormigas Gualtallary Malbec, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($239.95) $189 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The other appellation Malbec comes from the hottest place (not in temperature, but in terms of market demand) in the Valle de Uco, where the grapes for the 2014 Malbec Appellation Gualtallary are grown. This is significantly cheaper than most wines of this quality. I was a little disappointed with the performance of this wine in 2013 and was looking forward to 2014. The soils here are rich in calcium carbonate, but in the shape of caliche (a kind of marl with plenty of chalky material, iron and clay), which provide for more tannic wines. The destemmed grapes fermented in small concrete vats with indigenous yeasts without the use of any pumps. The wine matured in used, untoasted 3,500-liter French oak foudres for a period of some 18 months. It feels fresher, perhaps a little herbal and definitely more ethereal than the Altamira. Yes, it’s more tannic, because the tannins are abundant, but they feel very fine-grained. This year I favor Gualtallary over Altamira. There is more complexity here. 9,333 bottles produced and filled after a light filtration in January 2016.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Bright medium ruby. Musky dark berries, molten chocolate, leather, meat and espresso on the nose, lifted by a touch of violet florality; this struck me as a bit like Syrah from the northern Rhône. Very suave, fine-grained, dry wine with insidious intensity and nuance–not to mention lift–to its dark fruit and mineral flavors. Classically dry in an Old World style, showing a sexy mocha reduction today and no excess weight. Finishes with horizontal, fine-grained tannins and outstanding length. This is not quite as tightly wound as the 2013 version last year, but no complaints here! Finishes with dusty tannins and chalky suggestions. Not thick or fleshy wine, just a superb Malbec of terroir. In fact, I wonder if I’m underrating it. This wonderfully concentrated, layered wine finishes extremely long, with fine-grained tannins.”
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Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva, Uco Valley 2014 750ML ($29.95) $24 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “There is quite a jump in price for the 2014 Malbec Reserve. Here the grapes are grown on chalky soils with round stones in Altamira, Gualtallary and a touch of Vista Flores (that they are not using anymore) that fermented with indigenous yeasts and without any acid correction. The wine was aged in untoasted 3,500-liter oak foudres for 16 months. There is also a jump in quality, a serious wine where the minerality and freshness rule. This wine will please more advanced drinkers, with its subtle minerality, its balance and tasty, almost salty finish. This is a sleek, fine and elegant representation of the limestone soils of the Valle de Uco. To me this wine should be the one called terroir, and the previous wine should be the ‘reserve’—this feels purer. But there you go. 80,760 bottles produced.”
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Thanks for reading!