In This Newsletter:
Vinopolis Spring Closeout Sale:
Round One – Domestic!
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Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $19
Did you know that Vermont and New Hampshire make some of the finest ciders in the country? This is partly in thanks to Eden Ciders and Poverty Lane Orchards. Eden works with Poverty Lane’s incredible variety of heirloom cider apples (they make their own cider under the name Farnum Hill) as well as sourcing cider apples and herbs from their estate. Widely considered two of the best cideries in New England.
Eden Specialty Ciders Imperial 11 Rose Cider, Vermont NV 750ML ($17.95) Was $11.90, Now $9, 36+ bottles in stock now
Cidery note “PROFILE: Superbly juicy without being sweet, just off-dry and gently fizzy, with bright acidity and chewy tannic structure. APPLE VARIETIES: Esopus Spitzenberg, Calville Blanc, Hudson’s Golden Gem, Roxbury Russet, Blue Pearmain, Baldwin, Mcintosh, Empire, Ashmead’s Kernel, Black Oxford, Reine de Reinette, Orleans Reinette. GROWN BY: Scott Farms, Sunrise Orchards, Yates Family Orchard and Poverty Lane Orchard. METHOD: Naturally cold-concentrated before fermentation, infused with red currant and blended with a touch of ice cider. Filtered and carbonated. TASTING NOTES: Roses, strawberry, watermelon, citrus, slate. Gluten free, vegan friendly.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $19
It’s hard to ignore the recent interest in the world of traditional ciders. New cideries are popping up all the time. More and more acreage is being grafted over or replanted from boring varieties such as Red Delicious to varieties that possess true character and a rich history. These new trees will take years to start producing so this is only the exciting beginning of a new era of American cider making.
One of these small grower producers that caught our eye is Dragon’s Head Cider, which was started in 2010 by Wes and Laura Cherry on Vashon Island in Washington. They focus on growing classic cider apple and pear varieties for their traditional method ciders and perries. Dragon’s Head grows much of its own fruit as well as buying fruit from other small orchards in Washington and Oregon. This gives them an advantage over other producers given the overall lack of true cider varieties available as the newly planted trees come of age.
Dragon’s Head Winter Cider, Washington NV 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $19, 8 bottles in stock now
Distributor note “An intense apple cider aged in bourbon barrels.”
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Oregon
If you passed David Autrey on the street, co-owner and winemaker at Westrey with Amy Wesselman, you might not notice. He’s a quiet, unassuming guy. Yet this team has had a brilliant impact on the Willamette Valley from behind the scenes, not only for their old-school, traditionally-styled wines (and Autrey’s near photographic memory of the intricacies of each vintage), but also for Wesselman’s role as Executive Director of the International Pinot Noir Celebration. The wines themselves are much like Autrey: reserved, unassuming, yet quietly brilliant. And quietly moving.
Westrey Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29, 2 bottles in stock now
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Scott Frank seems to have cracked the code to do two things that are nearly impossible for other Oregon wineries. First, he makes wines that are vibrant, fresh and delicious in a truly old-world fashion. As a result, the wines (especially the wines we’re featuring today) can be compulsively drinkable. The other major puzzle that Scott seems to have cracked is affordability. We often see wines from the U.S. marketed as ‘daily drinkers’, but priced at $35+, well north of a comparable wine from Europe. Scott Frank’s pricing seems free of ego, and we are all happy to reap the rewards of his unconventional approach.
Bow & Arrow Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) Was $21.90, Now $19.90, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winemaker Note “While this ethos of “wine for the people” infuses the entire posture at Bow & Arrow, it’s this wine, the Willamette Valley Pinot in particular, that serves as our proof of concept. You can make, in the Willamette Valley, a Pinot Noir sourced from Biodynamic and Organic fruit that is lovingly and naturally tended to form start to finish AND sell it at a price that nearly anyone can glass pour. Assembled mainly from Johan Vineyard, Walnut Ridge and Hughes Hollow fruit, this wine was handled no differently than our single vineyard, top priced Pinot Noir. Tasted blind I imagine it would hang tough with any line-up of Oregon Pinots of any price or pedigree. (“I humbly submit” keeps getting auto-corrected to this hubristic nonsense. I’m sorry.)”
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Todd Hamina wines are perfumed, elegant and site-expressive: exactly what we look for in Willamette Valley Pinot. Stylistically, Todd loves to use whole clusters and extended macerations to provide savory undertones that balance out his rich fruit.
Biggio Hamina Cellars Johnson Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($39.95) Was $26, Now $24, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid garnet. Highly perfumed red fruit, potpourri, incense and a hint of succulent herbs on the assertively perfumed nose, which is lifted by a vibrant mineral quality. Silky and energetic on the palate, offering alluringly sweet, spice-tinged cherry and raspberry liqueur and rose pastille flavors and a hint of five-spice powder. Becomes deeper with air, with no loss of urgency, and finishes with firm, spicy thrust, well-knit tannins and a floral pastille note that lingers with strong tenacity. 100% whole clusters.”
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Biggio Hamina Cellars Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($45.95) Was $27, Now $24, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Limpid red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red berries, Asian spices and smoky minerals, plus a sexy floral nuance that builds quickly with air. Sharply defined bitter cherry, raspberry, blood orange, spicecake and rose pastille flavors show excellent depth but no excess weight. Gentle, well-integrated tannins frame a strikingly long, spice- and floral-driven finish that conveys a suave blend of power and delicacy. 100% whole clusters.”
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New York
Forge’s Rieslings are dry, with more extract and power than you’d expect. Compared to the other wines in the region they have weight that’s nearly unmatched. In short, the price to quality ratio on these wines is off the charts.
Forge Cellars ‘Les Allies’ Riesling, Finger Lakes 2015 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $18, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Rich, with good intensity to the mix of apricot, nectarine and peach flavors, lined with bitter almond and ginger notes through the lengthy finish. Has weight and zip. Drink now through 2020. 262 cases made. “
Winery notes: “Every year Les Alliés evolves naturally by “uncovering” itself. Our indigenous yeast fermentations proceed very slowly. It’s not in spring, but in the summer after the vintage that we are finally able to move toward bottling the wines. Once fermentations are complete, our team begins diligently tasting through each of our 70 barrels and two tanks, giving each a detailed rating and review, and writing personal tasting notes. When we talk about small batch and individualized fermentations, we really mean it — 70 separate, small French barriques from 10 individual vineyards, each with its own story and personality. Along the way, we decide that some very special barrels are stand-outs, and by consensus, the most exceptional of our Rieslings and Pinots. This is the consensus that makes up Les Alliés — the allies, the partners, the united ones. We don’t “make” Les Alliés, we discover it together, and it’s an easy decision because it tells us what it wants to be.”
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Washington
Charles Smith is one of the best winemakers in the State of Washington, having built and sold his labels since 2001. He clearly hasn’t been content to sit on his laurels, with bottlings encompassing both reds and whites from across Washington State. Big on character and low in price, these are wines that perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the regions production.
Charles Smith K Vintners Milbrandt Vineyard Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2018 750ML ($31.95) Was $27, Now $24.50, 11 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points “Another ripe, sexy wine from this estate, the 2018 Syrah Milbrandt has a lifted bouquet of ripe plums, candied violets, chocolate, and gamey, peppery herb nuances. Rich, round, and mouth-filling on the palate, this full-bodied Syrah packs a punch yet stays fresh, balanced, and incredibly drinkable. It will benefit from a year or three in the cellar and drink well for over a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $31
Charles Smith Substance ‘Bx’ Klein Vineyard Bordeaux Blend, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) Was $69, Now $59, 22 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Lastly, the 2016 Klein BX Vineyard Collection checks in as 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 28% Cabernet Franc, all of which was co-fermented and aged 27 months in French oak. Coming from a 3-acre parcel in the vineyard, it’s a monster of a wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, cassis, chocolate, spice box, tobacco, and scorched earth. It’s not for the faint of heart and is full-bodied, super rich, concentrated, and structured, yet it stays balanced, has a seamless texture, and is remarkably elegant for a wine of this size. It’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years in cold cellars.”
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California
Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay, Carneros 2020 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $34.50, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 89 points “Big and broad-textured, with plenty of buttery accents to the ripe white fruit and spice flavors. Ends with buttery pastry notes on the finish. Drink now. 225,000 cases made. — KM”
“Perfumed, sweet oak and honeysuckle lead to a dense and ripe midpalate of pineapple, matchstick and honey. Lush and creamy, it finishes rich.” -Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
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Rotation Wines Red Blend, Lodi 2018 750ML ($16.95) Was $11.90, Now $9.90, 15 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A lighter-bodied Bordeaux-style blend
Looking for a Cabernet Sauvignon that encapsulates both richness and elegance? The 2016 bottlings from Stonestreet remain some of the most tantalizing of the vintage, in perfect reflection of their sprawling estate in Alexander Valley. With elevation that ranges from 400 to 2,600 feet above sea level in the Mayacamas Mountain range there’s a tremendous variety of loams and volcanic tuff that contributes to the wine’s burly structure. Black fruited, savory, and spicy with just enough oak to keep everything together for another five years easily. We won’t judge you for a cracking a few bottles open now however!
Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2016 750ML ($44.95) Was $36, Now $33, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Moving to the reds, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 19 months in 37% new French oak) offers impressive notes of tobacco leaf, damp earth, cedar, and blackcurrants. It’s look-alike for a top Bordeaux, has nicely integrated acidity, plenty of tannins, and is going to keep for over a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $44
Continuum has emerged over the last several years as one of the most important wineries in Napa Valley. With a beautiful estate vineyard located on a prime west-facing exposure on Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessey, Tim Mondavi honors his family’s heritage while making some of the most exciting wines in the Valley. Big, bold, seductive, and hard to find, Continuum’s flagship red is sought after by collectors, enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. Enjoy in the half bottle – in addition to being perfect for gift exchanges, the smaller size allows the wine to evolve at a faster pace for sooner enjoyment.
Continuum Proprietary Red Wine, Oakville 2017 375ML ($149.95) Was $128, Now $119, 20 half-bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple 2017 Proprietary Red soars out of the glass with notions of baked blueberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, backed up by nuances of chocolate mint, wild sage, violets and pencil shavings, plus an earthy hint of Chinese five spice. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and opulent.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2017 Proprietary Red Wine Sage Mountain Vineyard comes across as remarkably primary. Bright red-toned fruit and floral notes give the 2017 striking freshness as well as nuance. Deep and layered on the palate, with superb depth, the 2017 Continuum is easily one of the wines of the year. Even in the early going, it is truly magnificent.”
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Lou Kapcsandy’s biography reads like a Horatio Alger story in a lot of ways. Man flees communist Hungary, lands in the US and makes a name (and business) for himself. Grows to love the wines of Bordeaux, so he starts an import company before he stumbles upon a once-legendary vineyard in Napa that has been ripped up and needs to be revived.
And that’s where we pick up. In 2000 Lou Kapcsandy discovered that the old Beringer State Lane vineyard, primary source for the Private Reserve Cabernet program, was ripped out due to phylloxera and was for sale. He bought the twenty acre vineyard, replanted it and starting in 2005 began producing some of the most lauded wines to come out of the Napa Valley. The late Denis Malbec, formerly of Chateau Latour in Bordeaux, got the project up and running and served as a consulting viticulturist and winemaker, producing wines of depth and power. These are Napa wines with a Bordeaux spine and sensibility.
Kapcscandy’s grape growing philosophy involves intense cultivation, involving meticulous hedging and maintenance with continuity in the way the vines are planted, cared for and harvested. Vines are planted 4-5 times more densely than is typical for Napa Valley, showing similarities with the plantings of 1st Growth Bordeaux’s. This higher density spacing creates smaller berries with higher skin-to-juice ratios and induces natural stressing of the vines without artificial human intervention, resulting in a higher intensity of flavors, complexities and aromas.
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 1.5L ($799.95) Was $699, Now $599, 1 magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery Rapszodia Proprietary Red 2015 750ML ($479.95) Was $419, Now $349, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 95+ points “A blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot, the 2014 Rapszodia has a deep garnet-purple color and wonderfully spicy nose of cloves, vanilla and cinnamon stick over a core of red and black currants, black cherries and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of baking spice flavors complementing the ripe, expressive red and black berry flavors, it has a very fine-grained texture and plenty of freshness, finishing long.”
Robert Parker 98-100 points “Their 100% Cabernet Franc cuvee, the 2015 Rapszodia Proprietary Red, spent its whole life in 100% new French oak and is an exhilarating wine with off-the-charts richness, an exquisite bouquet of spring flowers, forest floor, rich blue and black fruits, voluptuous texture, incredibly fine, silky tannins, and, for a Kapcsandy wine, relatively elevated alcohol at 14.5%. This is a “wow” wine that should drink beautifully young and last 20-30+ years.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2012 1.5L ($799.95) Was $699, Now $599, 1 magnum in stock now
Robert Parker 98 points “The 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2012 Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard is, once again, flirting with perfection. A stunning nose of chocolate fudge intermixed with coffee bean, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit is intense, and followed by a full-bodied, gorgeously textured, opulent style of wine with stunning richness and purity. This is a brilliant wine and only represents 12% of the production, as only 300 cases were produced. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 97 points “Good medium ruby; not as crystal-clear as the 2013. Knockout nose combines crushed dark berries, volcanic (basalt?) minerality and high-toned violet and lilac notes. Spectacularly dense, silky and suave, showing surprisingly firm but perfectly integrated acidity for the year. Wonderfully chewy, strong, structured Merlot with the serious tannic mass to support a long and graceful evolution in bottle–and yet it’s already utterly seamless. Really glistens on the palate and rises on the aftertaste. (14.5% alcohol; 100% Merlot, for the first time; 100% new oak)”
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Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $843.90 for the magnum!
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($499.95) Was $399, Now $349, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “Made from 100% Merlot, the 2015 Merlot Roberta’s Reserve has a deep garnet-purple color and gorgeous nose of black plums, warm blueberries and mocha with touches of anise, red roses and spice box. Medium to full-bodied and densely packed with layers of blue and black fruits and perfumed notions, it has a firm yet plush backbone to support and a very long, layered finish.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 96 points “Saturated ruby-red. Brooding, medicinal scents of dark cherry, menthol and licorice. Boasts outstanding breadth and density of material, with its expressive flavors of black cherry, dark berries, spices and bitter chocolate complicated by salty minerality and lifted by a subtle floral quality. This distinctly soil-driven wine is showing more personality today than the ’16 and should reach its plane of peak drinkability earlier. And yet my sample tightened up in the glass to show a rather powerful tannic spine. (14.4% alcohol; 100% Merlot; from fruit harvested three weeks earlier than in 2016; 88% new French, 3% new Hungarian and 9% second-fill French)”
Robert Parker 95-98 points “Their 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2015 Merlot Roberta’s Reserve, is another fabulous product with outstanding purity, great balance, loads of chocolate, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, silky, juicy tannins and terrific concentration, depth and overall balance. It will also be approachable upon release and last 20-25 years.”
Eisele is one of the most hallowed terroirs in the Napa Valley. Tucked into the foothills in Calistoga, it has produced incredible wines since 1971 for Phelps, Araujo and now (indirectly) Chateau Latour, who bought the property a few years ago. A profound and “mysteriously compelling wine…”
Eisele Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $169, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich, polished and densely complex, with expressive blackberry, bay leaf and smoky pepper flavors that take on intensity toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2027.”
Skurnik Imports Notes “Syrah was first planted on the estate in 1978. After making wine from the few remaining vines in 1991 and 1993, a serious commitment to this ancient and noble grape was made, increasing the plantings in the vineyard. Eisele Syrah is a profound, mysteriously compelling wine that reveals yet another aspect of the Eisele Vineyard’s unique terroir.”
Nuanced and refined, everything we love about ‘New California’
Pax Castelli-Knight Ranch Syrah, Russian River Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49, 10 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Syrah Castelli-Knight Ranch is sensual, open-knit and quite inviting. Blood orange, star anise and spice add gorgeous aromatic nuance to the rich, layered fruit. Ample, silky and creamy, the 2015 is a real pleasure to taste today. The combination of a north-facing site with a warm microclimate yields a wonderfully complete and nuanced wine. All the elements simply fall into place in a refined, gracious Syrah that will drink well upon release.”
Winery Note “Our 15th Vintage working with this exceptional site and the exceptional people that own the vineyard and farm the land. The bright orange Haire Clay soils that cling to the slopes of this site are a godsend in warm dry vintages like 2015. Black pepper and intense black currants hold down the deep and brooding aromas. Brown spices, pink peppercorn, blackberries and black cherries show up with air. This Syrah is dense and concentrated but lifted by natural acidity and firm aromas and flavors from the stems. Not quite as fleshy as the 2012 (in a good way), but very enjoyable and approachable on release and guaranteed to improve in your cellar like every other Castelli-Knight Ranch before it.”
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The average price is $55
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Swick Wines ‘City Pop’ Petillant Naturel, Oregon 2021 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “American Sparkling Wine. 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Gewürztraminer, 25% Pinot Gris, 24% Riesling, 1% Niagara. Lacewing Vineyard, Columbia Gorge AVA, Oregon [Pinot Noir + Gewürtraminer]. Breckenridge Vineyard, Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon [Pinot Gris + Riesling + Niagara]. Organic farming practices. 200 cases produced.”
Swick Wines WYD? Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A blend of Zenith Vineyard (Eola-Amity AVA) and Finnigan Hill Vineyard (Chehalem Mtns AVA). Direct pressed and fermented in a mix of older 228 liter and 500 liter French oak barrels. Aged Sur Lie. No Battonage.”
Swick Wines Nebbiolo, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “From Wilridge Vineyard in the Naches Heights AVA, north of Yakima. 1800 feet elevation. Biodynamic. Loess Soils. 100% whole cluster macerated/fermented. Worked by foot and hands 1-2 times a day during fermentation. Aged 10 months in neutral French oak barrels.”
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France
Billecart-Salmon ‘Cuvee Nicolas-Francois Billecart’ Millesime Champagne 2007 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, only 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2007 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart is positively stellar. Elegant, polished and sophisticated, the 2007 dazzles with effusive aromatics and gorgeous balance. It’s not an obvious wine, though, but rather a Champagne built for long, patient cellaring. The 2007 is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay taken from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Ambonnay, Verzenay and Verzy for the Pinots and Chouilly, Avize, Cramant and Mesnil for the Chardonnays. In other words, as good as it gets for villages. The wine was done mostly in tank with about 15% of the lots vinified in oak. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97 points “Disgorged with six grams per liter dosage, the 2007 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François is showing very nicely, offering up aromas of fresh bread, citrus oil, crisp yellow orchard fruit, white flowers, verbena, macadamia nut and hints of biscuity complexity to come. Full-bodied, chiseled but fleshy, its vinous core of fruit cloaks the vintage’s brisk acids to achieve real plenitude in a year that’s sometimes rather tautly austere. Long and penetrating and complemented by a pretty pinpoint mousse, this is a real success.”
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “#4 Cellar Selection in 2021. This beautiful Champagne is amazingly at its peak. Not too mature, not too young, the wine is in fine balance, showing some nervy edge as well as touches of toast. With a small amount of wood vinification, the wine has extra fullness. Drink through 2025. -Roger Voss”
Yohan Castaing-Decanter 97 points ” A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Sourced from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Ambonnay, Verzenay and Verzy for the Pinots, and from Chouilly, Avize, Cramant, and Mesnil-sur-Oger for the Chardonnays. Around 15% of the lots are vinified in oak barrels. The 2007 Nicolas François is a brilliant Champagne with astonishing aromas of dried herbs, spices, white fruits, citrus, pear, peach and camomile, with chalky hints. With air, the bouquet becomes deeper and more complex. Gorgeous in the mouth, with a chiselled texture, laser-like acidity, racy finish, and lots of charm. This Champagne is built for long ageing (10-25 years). One of the most powerful vintages for this cuvée. Fantastic! Dosage: 6g/L. Drinking Window 2022 – 2040.”
Foillard is one of the members of the “Gang of Four”, a group of young producers who catapulted Beaujolais onto the world stage with their incredible re-interpretation of traditional winemaking . Sourcing from organically farmed, old-vines with no intervention during fermentation and élevage these are among the most transparent expressions of Gamay Noir on the market. Irresistibly delicious on release, these are wines that reward the patient but won’t scold you for opening one now.
Restocked!
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py, Beaujolais 2019 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Deep, shimmering violet. Powerful, spice-tinged red and blue fruit preserve and floral pastille aromas are complemented by suggestions of musky earth and licorice. Alluringly sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering sappy, mineral-driven black raspberry, cherry liqueur, lavender and five-spice powder flavors that expand through the back half. Finishes extremely long and nervy, with harmonious tannins building steadily and adding solid grip to reverberating cherry and floral notes.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The most reserved wine in the range is the 2019 Morgon Côte du Py, a terrific effort that unwinds in the glass with notes of sweet berry fruit, peonies, loamy soil and sweet spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with ultra-fine tannins and lively acids, it’s sapid and mouthwatering. Stylistically, this sits somewhere between the richer, riper register of 2018 and 2017 and the fragrant classicism of 2016. As ever, it’s one of the most dependably delicious purchases to be made in the region.”
Marcus Goodfellow is one of the most talented winemakers in Oregon. He founded Matello wines, his original label, in 2002 and has been making wine that continually improves—both in bottle and from vintage to vintage. These are profound wines, both white and red, that are made in a style that’s distinctly savory—no fruit bombs here. We love them for their coiled power and Burgundian structure, and we stack them abundantly in our personal cellars to adore for decades to come.
“Marcus Goodfellow makes some of the most elegant and precise New World Pinot Noirs that I know of. That’s not exactly news to his numerous customers, who have helped to make his extremely well-priced wines so sought-after over the last few years. An Oregon native, Goodfellow cut his winemaking teeth with Russ Raney at Evesham Wood in the early 2000s, and also counts Cristom’s Steve Doerner as an early inspiration… the 2019s are vibrant, focused and graceful, displaying noteworthy balance and tension. Winemaking is hands-off , with native yeasts, no added enzymes and plenty of whole-cluster work; oak is barely a factor, as almost all barrels are neutral. The Pinots (and Chardonnays) are distinctly taut and precise, and they rarely hit above 13.5% alcohol. I cannot recommend them highly enough to readers who prize this style.” -Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Highlights In Stock Now from Goodfellow:
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Blanc, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: This is a field blend of Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Gewurtztraminer (all pressed off as white). Fresh, delicious and crisp, this is a perfect wine for fish and charcuterie (or by itself, if we’re being confessional).
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Goodfellow Family Cellars Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2018 Chardonnay Dundee Hills opens slowly to white flowers, citrus peel and nutty accents. The palate is light-bodied, delicate and lacy with bright, mineral-tinged citrus flavors and a long, uplifted finish hinting at more savory tones to come.”
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Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($379.95) $309 special (that’s only $51.50/bottle!)
Winery note “Oh boy…first gravel and smoke, opening to fresh pear, hazelnuts, straw and raw grain, then lime and yuzu blossom. Old world notes of river stones, and seashells. Palate is immediately bright, stony, mineral, lime, clean, lucid, direct, and steely. Acidity runs through the wine from the front palate to the long, long, long finish. Like Corton from the mid-90s… 11.8% abv, finished under Diam 30. 155 cases.”
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Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage No. 15 Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 96 points “Translucent ruby. Expansive, mineral- and spice-accented red fruit preserve, potpourri and incense aromas are joined by hints of cola and botanical herbs as the wine opens up. Alluringly sweet and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry cola, star anise and candied rose flavors that slowly unfold through the back half. Smooth, polished tannins build slowly on the impressively long, focused finish, which strongly echoes the red fruit, floral and spice notes. This suave wine will age gracefully on its balance.”
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Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage No. 16 Lewman Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($69.95) $61.90 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Shimmering garnet. Vibrant red fruit, floral and exotic spice scents, along with hints of incense and musky earth. Sappy, energetic and penetrating on the palate, offering intense raspberry and cherry flavors and building blood orange and candied rose nuances. Delivers a serious punch but comes off lithe. The impressively long, finely detailed finish features polished tannins and reverberating floral and spice notes.”
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Goodfellow Family Cellars Pumphouse Block Temperance Hill Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($64.95) $51.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Limpid violet. Vibrant red and blue fruit, floral oil, cola and exotic spice qualities on the intensely perfumed nose. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry, floral pastille and exotic spice flavors that tighten up and turn livelier as the wine opens up. Shows superb clarity and minerally lift and cut on an extremely long, focused finish shaped by smooth, well-judged tannins.”
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In 2015 Marcus Goodfellow produced a Syrah Reserve bottling—and boy is it fantastic. The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Deux Vert Vineyard Syrah Reserve, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($47.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91+ points “Marcus Goodfellow’s 2015 Deux Vert Vineyard (Reserve) bottling of Syrah includes five percent viognier, which grows alongside these syrah vines, which were the first to be planted in the Willamette Valley in 1994. The 2015 version comes in at 13.8 percent octane and delivers a refined and red fruity bouquet of raspberries, pepper, woodsmoke, roasted meats, lovely soil tones, plenty of spice elements and a nice framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with excellent transparency and grip, ripe tannins and a long, focused and nascently complex finish. This will be a lovely bottle in due course, but it needs some time in the cellar to allow its backend tannins to resolve a bit. Fine juice. 2030- 2055+. 91+.”
VinopolNote: The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result. While the wine is rich and intense, don’t expect over-the-top fruit here. This reminds us of high quality Northern Rhone wines, with dark, fresh fruits and a distinct meaty, savory overtone. One for the table with some air or for the cellar.
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Goodfellow Family Cellars Long Acre Whistling Ridge Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Vivid garnet. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes ripe red berries, potpourri and incense, along with exotic spice and subtle earth nuances that build as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering appealingly sweet, expressive raspberry, cherry and rose pastille flavors accented by five-spice powder and black cardamom flourishes. Nicely concentrated but graceful as well, showing impressive finishing power, repeating florality and supple, well-knit tannins.”
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Goodfellow Family Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $21.50 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Bright garnet. Zesty red fruits and spices on the nose, plus hints of blood orange and botanical herbs. Tangy and sharply focused, offering nervy red currant, bitter cherry, orange zest and licorice flavors that take a sweet turn on the back half. Closes long and smooth, with the spice and herb notes repeating. This is a distinctly savory, restrained Pinot, which is uncommon for an entry-level offering.”
Shop our incredible selection of wines from Goodfellow, including library releases and exclusive bottlings!
Collector’s Corner:
Poderi Aldo Conterno
The average price is $49
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia shows a dark but busy quality of fruit that speaks more to the power of this hot vintage than it does the nuanced side of Nebbiolo. In this respect, the wine is quite typical of the 2017 growing season. It takes a while before the wine finds focus in the glass, but it does slowly come together to reveal broad layers of dark cherry, cassis and plum. There is some tannic tightness that leads to sour berry. A bit awkward at this young stage, it needs a few more years of cellar age to flesh out and reach balance.”
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($219.59) $179 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “A solid, powerful style, this expressive red is well-marked by new oak, with plum, cherry, cigar box, menthol and sun-kissed hay flavors. Balanced and lively, with refined tannins and a long, spice-infused finish. Best from 2025 through 2042. —B.S.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Cicala reveals a deep garnet color with some dark copper. Like the other 2017 wines from this celebrated producer, I can’t help but suspect that these areas of Bussia suffered from the heat and some of the other weather challenges associated with this growing season. A clear note of overt ripeness comes across as dried strawberry or sweet crème de cassis. The finish is similarly weighed down by the fruit weight and oak tannins.”
Poderi Aldo Conterno Colonnello, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Colonnello shows good focus, structure and a sharper character that is often the distinguishing factor in this wine. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. This is not the first time that Colonnello is my favorite wine in this lineup, and I suspect it won’t be the last.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Offering plum, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and black pepper aromas and flavors, this broad red has absorbed the oak treatment pretty well already, with a dense matrix of tannins and lively acidity. Balanced and long, ending with elements of mineral and spice. Best from 2025 through 2043. —B.S.”
Shop our additional bottlings from Poderi Aldo Conterno!
Bruno Giacosa Asili, Barbaresco DOCG 2019 750ML ($319.95) $289 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $294.99
Bruno Giacosa Falletto Vigna Le Rocche (Red Label) Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
James Suckling 100 points “This is the second 100-point Vigna Le Rocche, following the 2015. What the former had in intensity of fruit and transparency, this has in structure and power. The purity of fruit is sensational in this young Barolo, offering blackberries, black truffle and iron. Rust too. This is so tannic and powerful with incredible structure. This may be the most structured Barolo from Bruno Giacosa I have ever tasted as a young wine. Speechless. Full-bodied and so intense, yet it remains fresh and agile. Traditional in every sense of the word, but this is clear and clean. A classic in the making. It will be in the market January 2022. Leave this for at least six to eight years. Try in 2027.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “The Bruno Giacosa 2016 Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche sees its fruit sourced from the oldest vines in the Falletto cru. This wine boasts all the signature touches of Serralunga d’Alba with the massive structure, density and the long aging potential that comes with Nebbiolo grown in this village. The wine spreads evenly over the palate, imparting its considerable fruit weight and generally leaving a big impact. This Barolo is really quite lovely and beautiful. The bouquet is fluid and ever-shifting, showing new sides with firm fruit, blackberry, smoke, rusty nail and mineral with every swirl of the glass. I visited this vineyard site shortly before tasting this wine and marveled at the beautiful peacocks that roam free between the rows of vines.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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Vinopolis Spring Closeout Sale:
Round One – Domestic
New Week – New Arrivals
Goodfellow Family Cellars
Collector’s Corner:
Poderi Aldo Conterno
Round One – Domestic
New Week – New Arrivals
Goodfellow Family Cellars
Collector’s Corner:
Poderi Aldo Conterno
Vinopolis Spring Closeout Sale:
Round One – Domestic!
We’re slashing prices on hundreds of wines, starting with domestic selections, and ciders, too!
Cider
El Gaiteiro ‘Pomarina’ Sidra Brut, Asturias, Spain NV 750ML ($17.95) Was $14, Now $11.90, 27 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Pomarina is produced by the Cardin family from estate grown apples in the village of Villaviciosa, Asturias. Out of 300 varieties grown locally, Pomarina is produced with 5 apple varieties that blended together exhibit the highest level of freshness and aromatic balance. The Cardin family, have been crafting the art of fashioning cider since 1890. Pomarina is a premium cider produced with the finest selection of apples coming from 45ha owned and farmed by the Cardin family. Poma means apple in Latin, hence the name Pomarina. It is fermented at cool temperatures to preserve its aromatic components. After fermentation the cider remains with its lees for 2 months to enhanced its texture and flavor. After two months, Pomarina undergoes secondary fermentation in a pressurized tank to allow for the carbonation to be natural. Soon after this process of pressurized ageing Pomarina is bottled and then release for consumption. The five varieties that are chosen to make Pomarina are as follows: De la Riega (medium Acidity), Raxao (late harvest apple, high in acidity), Verdialona (sweet), Regona (high acidity and tart) and Durona de Tresali (good acidity and medium tartness).”
Cider
El Gaiteiro ‘Pomarina’ Sidra Brut, Asturias, Spain NV 750ML ($17.95) Was $14, Now $11.90, 27 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Pomarina is produced by the Cardin family from estate grown apples in the village of Villaviciosa, Asturias. Out of 300 varieties grown locally, Pomarina is produced with 5 apple varieties that blended together exhibit the highest level of freshness and aromatic balance. The Cardin family, have been crafting the art of fashioning cider since 1890. Pomarina is a premium cider produced with the finest selection of apples coming from 45ha owned and farmed by the Cardin family. Poma means apple in Latin, hence the name Pomarina. It is fermented at cool temperatures to preserve its aromatic components. After fermentation the cider remains with its lees for 2 months to enhanced its texture and flavor. After two months, Pomarina undergoes secondary fermentation in a pressurized tank to allow for the carbonation to be natural. Soon after this process of pressurized ageing Pomarina is bottled and then release for consumption. The five varieties that are chosen to make Pomarina are as follows: De la Riega (medium Acidity), Raxao (late harvest apple, high in acidity), Verdialona (sweet), Regona (high acidity and tart) and Durona de Tresali (good acidity and medium tartness).”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The average price is $19
Did you know that Vermont and New Hampshire make some of the finest ciders in the country? This is partly in thanks to Eden Ciders and Poverty Lane Orchards. Eden works with Poverty Lane’s incredible variety of heirloom cider apples (they make their own cider under the name Farnum Hill) as well as sourcing cider apples and herbs from their estate. Widely considered two of the best cideries in New England.
Eden Specialty Ciders Imperial 11 Rose Cider, Vermont NV 750ML ($17.95) Was $11.90, Now $9, 36+ bottles in stock now
Cidery note “PROFILE: Superbly juicy without being sweet, just off-dry and gently fizzy, with bright acidity and chewy tannic structure. APPLE VARIETIES: Esopus Spitzenberg, Calville Blanc, Hudson’s Golden Gem, Roxbury Russet, Blue Pearmain, Baldwin, Mcintosh, Empire, Ashmead’s Kernel, Black Oxford, Reine de Reinette, Orleans Reinette. GROWN BY: Scott Farms, Sunrise Orchards, Yates Family Orchard and Poverty Lane Orchard. METHOD: Naturally cold-concentrated before fermentation, infused with red currant and blended with a touch of ice cider. Filtered and carbonated. TASTING NOTES: Roses, strawberry, watermelon, citrus, slate. Gluten free, vegan friendly.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $19
It’s hard to ignore the recent interest in the world of traditional ciders. New cideries are popping up all the time. More and more acreage is being grafted over or replanted from boring varieties such as Red Delicious to varieties that possess true character and a rich history. These new trees will take years to start producing so this is only the exciting beginning of a new era of American cider making.
One of these small grower producers that caught our eye is Dragon’s Head Cider, which was started in 2010 by Wes and Laura Cherry on Vashon Island in Washington. They focus on growing classic cider apple and pear varieties for their traditional method ciders and perries. Dragon’s Head grows much of its own fruit as well as buying fruit from other small orchards in Washington and Oregon. This gives them an advantage over other producers given the overall lack of true cider varieties available as the newly planted trees come of age.
Dragon’s Head Winter Cider, Washington NV 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $19, 8 bottles in stock now
Distributor note “An intense apple cider aged in bourbon barrels.”
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Oregon
If you passed David Autrey on the street, co-owner and winemaker at Westrey with Amy Wesselman, you might not notice. He’s a quiet, unassuming guy. Yet this team has had a brilliant impact on the Willamette Valley from behind the scenes, not only for their old-school, traditionally-styled wines (and Autrey’s near photographic memory of the intricacies of each vintage), but also for Wesselman’s role as Executive Director of the International Pinot Noir Celebration. The wines themselves are much like Autrey: reserved, unassuming, yet quietly brilliant. And quietly moving.
Westrey Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29, 2 bottles in stock now
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Scott Frank seems to have cracked the code to do two things that are nearly impossible for other Oregon wineries. First, he makes wines that are vibrant, fresh and delicious in a truly old-world fashion. As a result, the wines (especially the wines we’re featuring today) can be compulsively drinkable. The other major puzzle that Scott seems to have cracked is affordability. We often see wines from the U.S. marketed as ‘daily drinkers’, but priced at $35+, well north of a comparable wine from Europe. Scott Frank’s pricing seems free of ego, and we are all happy to reap the rewards of his unconventional approach.
Bow & Arrow Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($24.95) Was $21.90, Now $19.90, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winemaker Note “While this ethos of “wine for the people” infuses the entire posture at Bow & Arrow, it’s this wine, the Willamette Valley Pinot in particular, that serves as our proof of concept. You can make, in the Willamette Valley, a Pinot Noir sourced from Biodynamic and Organic fruit that is lovingly and naturally tended to form start to finish AND sell it at a price that nearly anyone can glass pour. Assembled mainly from Johan Vineyard, Walnut Ridge and Hughes Hollow fruit, this wine was handled no differently than our single vineyard, top priced Pinot Noir. Tasted blind I imagine it would hang tough with any line-up of Oregon Pinots of any price or pedigree. (“I humbly submit” keeps getting auto-corrected to this hubristic nonsense. I’m sorry.)”
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Todd Hamina wines are perfumed, elegant and site-expressive: exactly what we look for in Willamette Valley Pinot. Stylistically, Todd loves to use whole clusters and extended macerations to provide savory undertones that balance out his rich fruit.
Biggio Hamina Cellars Johnson Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($39.95) Was $26, Now $24, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid garnet. Highly perfumed red fruit, potpourri, incense and a hint of succulent herbs on the assertively perfumed nose, which is lifted by a vibrant mineral quality. Silky and energetic on the palate, offering alluringly sweet, spice-tinged cherry and raspberry liqueur and rose pastille flavors and a hint of five-spice powder. Becomes deeper with air, with no loss of urgency, and finishes with firm, spicy thrust, well-knit tannins and a floral pastille note that lingers with strong tenacity. 100% whole clusters.”
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Biggio Hamina Cellars Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($45.95) Was $27, Now $24, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Limpid red. Highly expressive aromas of fresh red berries, Asian spices and smoky minerals, plus a sexy floral nuance that builds quickly with air. Sharply defined bitter cherry, raspberry, blood orange, spicecake and rose pastille flavors show excellent depth but no excess weight. Gentle, well-integrated tannins frame a strikingly long, spice- and floral-driven finish that conveys a suave blend of power and delicacy. 100% whole clusters.”
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New York
Forge’s Rieslings are dry, with more extract and power than you’d expect. Compared to the other wines in the region they have weight that’s nearly unmatched. In short, the price to quality ratio on these wines is off the charts.
Forge Cellars ‘Les Allies’ Riesling, Finger Lakes 2015 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $18, 2 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 91 points “Rich, with good intensity to the mix of apricot, nectarine and peach flavors, lined with bitter almond and ginger notes through the lengthy finish. Has weight and zip. Drink now through 2020. 262 cases made. “
Winery notes: “Every year Les Alliés evolves naturally by “uncovering” itself. Our indigenous yeast fermentations proceed very slowly. It’s not in spring, but in the summer after the vintage that we are finally able to move toward bottling the wines. Once fermentations are complete, our team begins diligently tasting through each of our 70 barrels and two tanks, giving each a detailed rating and review, and writing personal tasting notes. When we talk about small batch and individualized fermentations, we really mean it — 70 separate, small French barriques from 10 individual vineyards, each with its own story and personality. Along the way, we decide that some very special barrels are stand-outs, and by consensus, the most exceptional of our Rieslings and Pinots. This is the consensus that makes up Les Alliés — the allies, the partners, the united ones. We don’t “make” Les Alliés, we discover it together, and it’s an easy decision because it tells us what it wants to be.”
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Washington
Charles Smith is one of the best winemakers in the State of Washington, having built and sold his labels since 2001. He clearly hasn’t been content to sit on his laurels, with bottlings encompassing both reds and whites from across Washington State. Big on character and low in price, these are wines that perfectly encapsulate the spirit of the regions production.
Charles Smith K Vintners Milbrandt Vineyard Syrah, Wahluke Slope 2018 750ML ($31.95) Was $27, Now $24.50, 11 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93+ points “Another ripe, sexy wine from this estate, the 2018 Syrah Milbrandt has a lifted bouquet of ripe plums, candied violets, chocolate, and gamey, peppery herb nuances. Rich, round, and mouth-filling on the palate, this full-bodied Syrah packs a punch yet stays fresh, balanced, and incredibly drinkable. It will benefit from a year or three in the cellar and drink well for over a decade.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $31
Charles Smith Substance ‘Bx’ Klein Vineyard Bordeaux Blend, Columbia Valley 2016 750ML ($89.95) Was $69, Now $59, 22 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Lastly, the 2016 Klein BX Vineyard Collection checks in as 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 28% Cabernet Franc, all of which was co-fermented and aged 27 months in French oak. Coming from a 3-acre parcel in the vineyard, it’s a monster of a wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, cassis, chocolate, spice box, tobacco, and scorched earth. It’s not for the faint of heart and is full-bodied, super rich, concentrated, and structured, yet it stays balanced, has a seamless texture, and is remarkably elegant for a wine of this size. It’s going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years in cold cellars.”
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California
Rombauer Vineyards Chardonnay, Carneros 2020 750ML ($49.95) Was $39, Now $34.50, 9 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 89 points “Big and broad-textured, with plenty of buttery accents to the ripe white fruit and spice flavors. Ends with buttery pastry notes on the finish. Drink now. 225,000 cases made. — KM”
“Perfumed, sweet oak and honeysuckle lead to a dense and ripe midpalate of pineapple, matchstick and honey. Lush and creamy, it finishes rich.” -Virginie Boone, Wine Enthusiast
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Rotation Wines Red Blend, Lodi 2018 750ML ($16.95) Was $11.90, Now $9.90, 15 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A lighter-bodied Bordeaux-style blend
Looking for a Cabernet Sauvignon that encapsulates both richness and elegance? The 2016 bottlings from Stonestreet remain some of the most tantalizing of the vintage, in perfect reflection of their sprawling estate in Alexander Valley. With elevation that ranges from 400 to 2,600 feet above sea level in the Mayacamas Mountain range there’s a tremendous variety of loams and volcanic tuff that contributes to the wine’s burly structure. Black fruited, savory, and spicy with just enough oak to keep everything together for another five years easily. We won’t judge you for a cracking a few bottles open now however!
Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2016 750ML ($44.95) Was $36, Now $33, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “Moving to the reds, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 19 months in 37% new French oak) offers impressive notes of tobacco leaf, damp earth, cedar, and blackcurrants. It’s look-alike for a top Bordeaux, has nicely integrated acidity, plenty of tannins, and is going to keep for over a decade.”
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The average price is $44
Continuum has emerged over the last several years as one of the most important wineries in Napa Valley. With a beautiful estate vineyard located on a prime west-facing exposure on Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessey, Tim Mondavi honors his family’s heritage while making some of the most exciting wines in the Valley. Big, bold, seductive, and hard to find, Continuum’s flagship red is sought after by collectors, enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. Enjoy in the half bottle – in addition to being perfect for gift exchanges, the smaller size allows the wine to evolve at a faster pace for sooner enjoyment.
Continuum Proprietary Red Wine, Oakville 2017 375ML ($149.95) Was $128, Now $119, 20 half-bottles in stock now
Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 97+ points “A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 9% Merlot, the deep garnet-purple 2017 Proprietary Red soars out of the glass with notions of baked blueberries, plum preserves and blackcurrant cordial, backed up by nuances of chocolate mint, wild sage, violets and pencil shavings, plus an earthy hint of Chinese five spice. The rich, seductive, full-bodied palate is jam-packed with spicy black fruit preserves, framed by wonderfully plush tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and opulent.”
Antonio Galloni 96+ points “The 2017 Proprietary Red Wine Sage Mountain Vineyard comes across as remarkably primary. Bright red-toned fruit and floral notes give the 2017 striking freshness as well as nuance. Deep and layered on the palate, with superb depth, the 2017 Continuum is easily one of the wines of the year. Even in the early going, it is truly magnificent.”
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Lou Kapcsandy’s biography reads like a Horatio Alger story in a lot of ways. Man flees communist Hungary, lands in the US and makes a name (and business) for himself. Grows to love the wines of Bordeaux, so he starts an import company before he stumbles upon a once-legendary vineyard in Napa that has been ripped up and needs to be revived.
And that’s where we pick up. In 2000 Lou Kapcsandy discovered that the old Beringer State Lane vineyard, primary source for the Private Reserve Cabernet program, was ripped out due to phylloxera and was for sale. He bought the twenty acre vineyard, replanted it and starting in 2005 began producing some of the most lauded wines to come out of the Napa Valley. The late Denis Malbec, formerly of Chateau Latour in Bordeaux, got the project up and running and served as a consulting viticulturist and winemaker, producing wines of depth and power. These are Napa wines with a Bordeaux spine and sensibility.
Kapcscandy’s grape growing philosophy involves intense cultivation, involving meticulous hedging and maintenance with continuity in the way the vines are planted, cared for and harvested. Vines are planted 4-5 times more densely than is typical for Napa Valley, showing similarities with the plantings of 1st Growth Bordeaux’s. This higher density spacing creates smaller berries with higher skin-to-juice ratios and induces natural stressing of the vines without artificial human intervention, resulting in a higher intensity of flavors, complexities and aromas.
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 1.5L ($799.95) Was $699, Now $599, 1 magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery Rapszodia Proprietary Red 2015 750ML ($479.95) Was $419, Now $349, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 95+ points “A blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Merlot, the 2014 Rapszodia has a deep garnet-purple color and wonderfully spicy nose of cloves, vanilla and cinnamon stick over a core of red and black currants, black cherries and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied with plenty of baking spice flavors complementing the ripe, expressive red and black berry flavors, it has a very fine-grained texture and plenty of freshness, finishing long.”
Robert Parker 98-100 points “Their 100% Cabernet Franc cuvee, the 2015 Rapszodia Proprietary Red, spent its whole life in 100% new French oak and is an exhilarating wine with off-the-charts richness, an exquisite bouquet of spring flowers, forest floor, rich blue and black fruits, voluptuous texture, incredibly fine, silky tannins, and, for a Kapcsandy wine, relatively elevated alcohol at 14.5%. This is a “wow” wine that should drink beautifully young and last 20-30+ years.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2012 1.5L ($799.95) Was $699, Now $599, 1 magnum in stock now
Robert Parker 98 points “The 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2012 Roberta’s Reserve State Lane Vineyard is, once again, flirting with perfection. A stunning nose of chocolate fudge intermixed with coffee bean, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit is intense, and followed by a full-bodied, gorgeously textured, opulent style of wine with stunning richness and purity. This is a brilliant wine and only represents 12% of the production, as only 300 cases were produced. It should drink well for 20-25 years.”
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 97 points “Good medium ruby; not as crystal-clear as the 2013. Knockout nose combines crushed dark berries, volcanic (basalt?) minerality and high-toned violet and lilac notes. Spectacularly dense, silky and suave, showing surprisingly firm but perfectly integrated acidity for the year. Wonderfully chewy, strong, structured Merlot with the serious tannic mass to support a long and graceful evolution in bottle–and yet it’s already utterly seamless. Really glistens on the palate and rises on the aftertaste. (14.5% alcohol; 100% Merlot, for the first time; 100% new oak)”
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Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $843.90 for the magnum!
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($499.95) Was $399, Now $349, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “Made from 100% Merlot, the 2015 Merlot Roberta’s Reserve has a deep garnet-purple color and gorgeous nose of black plums, warm blueberries and mocha with touches of anise, red roses and spice box. Medium to full-bodied and densely packed with layers of blue and black fruits and perfumed notions, it has a firm yet plush backbone to support and a very long, layered finish.”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 96 points “Saturated ruby-red. Brooding, medicinal scents of dark cherry, menthol and licorice. Boasts outstanding breadth and density of material, with its expressive flavors of black cherry, dark berries, spices and bitter chocolate complicated by salty minerality and lifted by a subtle floral quality. This distinctly soil-driven wine is showing more personality today than the ’16 and should reach its plane of peak drinkability earlier. And yet my sample tightened up in the glass to show a rather powerful tannic spine. (14.4% alcohol; 100% Merlot; from fruit harvested three weeks earlier than in 2016; 88% new French, 3% new Hungarian and 9% second-fill French)”
Robert Parker 95-98 points “Their 100% Merlot cuvée, the 2015 Merlot Roberta’s Reserve, is another fabulous product with outstanding purity, great balance, loads of chocolate, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, silky, juicy tannins and terrific concentration, depth and overall balance. It will also be approachable upon release and last 20-25 years.”
Eisele is one of the most hallowed terroirs in the Napa Valley. Tucked into the foothills in Calistoga, it has produced incredible wines since 1971 for Phelps, Araujo and now (indirectly) Chateau Latour, who bought the property a few years ago. A profound and “mysteriously compelling wine…”
Eisele Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley 2015 750ML ($279.95) Was $199, Now $169, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich, polished and densely complex, with expressive blackberry, bay leaf and smoky pepper flavors that take on intensity toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2027.”
Skurnik Imports Notes “Syrah was first planted on the estate in 1978. After making wine from the few remaining vines in 1991 and 1993, a serious commitment to this ancient and noble grape was made, increasing the plantings in the vineyard. Eisele Syrah is a profound, mysteriously compelling wine that reveals yet another aspect of the Eisele Vineyard’s unique terroir.”
Nuanced and refined, everything we love about ‘New California’
Pax Castelli-Knight Ranch Syrah, Russian River Valley 2015 750ML ($69.95) Was $59, Now $49, 10 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2015 Syrah Castelli-Knight Ranch is sensual, open-knit and quite inviting. Blood orange, star anise and spice add gorgeous aromatic nuance to the rich, layered fruit. Ample, silky and creamy, the 2015 is a real pleasure to taste today. The combination of a north-facing site with a warm microclimate yields a wonderfully complete and nuanced wine. All the elements simply fall into place in a refined, gracious Syrah that will drink well upon release.”
Winery Note “Our 15th Vintage working with this exceptional site and the exceptional people that own the vineyard and farm the land. The bright orange Haire Clay soils that cling to the slopes of this site are a godsend in warm dry vintages like 2015. Black pepper and intense black currants hold down the deep and brooding aromas. Brown spices, pink peppercorn, blackberries and black cherries show up with air. This Syrah is dense and concentrated but lifted by natural acidity and firm aromas and flavors from the stems. Not quite as fleshy as the 2012 (in a good way), but very enjoyable and approachable on release and guaranteed to improve in your cellar like every other Castelli-Knight Ranch before it.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $55
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New Week – New Arrivals
Oregon / Washington
Ross & Bee Maloof L’Eau Epicee Pet Nat, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Distributor note “Riesling and Gewürztraminer were direct-pressed and fermented separately in neutral oak. A little under a quarter of the Gewürztraminer was fermented in open bins on the skins until dry, then pressed off into barrels. When the Riesling was pressed, some must was put into 5 gallon buckets to freeze. Just after primary fermentation of the Riesling the wine was racked into tank. From there, frozen must held back from crush was thawed out, thrown into tank, stirred up and bottled. No added sulfur and a snazzy updated label to boot!”
Ross & Bee Maloof L’Eau Epicee Pet Nat, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Distributor note “Riesling and Gewürztraminer were direct-pressed and fermented separately in neutral oak. A little under a quarter of the Gewürztraminer was fermented in open bins on the skins until dry, then pressed off into barrels. When the Riesling was pressed, some must was put into 5 gallon buckets to freeze. Just after primary fermentation of the Riesling the wine was racked into tank. From there, frozen must held back from crush was thawed out, thrown into tank, stirred up and bottled. No added sulfur and a snazzy updated label to boot!”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Swick Wines ‘City Pop’ Petillant Naturel, Oregon 2021 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “American Sparkling Wine. 25% Pinot Noir, 25% Gewürztraminer, 25% Pinot Gris, 24% Riesling, 1% Niagara. Lacewing Vineyard, Columbia Gorge AVA, Oregon [Pinot Noir + Gewürtraminer]. Breckenridge Vineyard, Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon [Pinot Gris + Riesling + Niagara]. Organic farming practices. 200 cases produced.”
Swick Wines WYD? Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “A blend of Zenith Vineyard (Eola-Amity AVA) and Finnigan Hill Vineyard (Chehalem Mtns AVA). Direct pressed and fermented in a mix of older 228 liter and 500 liter French oak barrels. Aged Sur Lie. No Battonage.”
Swick Wines Nebbiolo, Columbia Valley 2019 750ML ($37.95) $31.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “From Wilridge Vineyard in the Naches Heights AVA, north of Yakima. 1800 feet elevation. Biodynamic. Loess Soils. 100% whole cluster macerated/fermented. Worked by foot and hands 1-2 times a day during fermentation. Aged 10 months in neutral French oak barrels.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
France
Billecart-Salmon ‘Cuvee Nicolas-Francois Billecart’ Millesime Champagne 2007 750ML ($199.95) $169 special, only 12 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2007 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart is positively stellar. Elegant, polished and sophisticated, the 2007 dazzles with effusive aromatics and gorgeous balance. It’s not an obvious wine, though, but rather a Champagne built for long, patient cellaring. The 2007 is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay taken from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Ambonnay, Verzenay and Verzy for the Pinots and Chouilly, Avize, Cramant and Mesnil for the Chardonnays. In other words, as good as it gets for villages. The wine was done mostly in tank with about 15% of the lots vinified in oak. Dosage is 6 grams per liter.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97 points “Disgorged with six grams per liter dosage, the 2007 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François is showing very nicely, offering up aromas of fresh bread, citrus oil, crisp yellow orchard fruit, white flowers, verbena, macadamia nut and hints of biscuity complexity to come. Full-bodied, chiseled but fleshy, its vinous core of fruit cloaks the vintage’s brisk acids to achieve real plenitude in a year that’s sometimes rather tautly austere. Long and penetrating and complemented by a pretty pinpoint mousse, this is a real success.”
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “#4 Cellar Selection in 2021. This beautiful Champagne is amazingly at its peak. Not too mature, not too young, the wine is in fine balance, showing some nervy edge as well as touches of toast. With a small amount of wood vinification, the wine has extra fullness. Drink through 2025. -Roger Voss”
Yohan Castaing-Decanter 97 points ” A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Sourced from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Ambonnay, Verzenay and Verzy for the Pinots, and from Chouilly, Avize, Cramant, and Mesnil-sur-Oger for the Chardonnays. Around 15% of the lots are vinified in oak barrels. The 2007 Nicolas François is a brilliant Champagne with astonishing aromas of dried herbs, spices, white fruits, citrus, pear, peach and camomile, with chalky hints. With air, the bouquet becomes deeper and more complex. Gorgeous in the mouth, with a chiselled texture, laser-like acidity, racy finish, and lots of charm. This Champagne is built for long ageing (10-25 years). One of the most powerful vintages for this cuvée. Fantastic! Dosage: 6g/L. Drinking Window 2022 – 2040.”
Foillard is one of the members of the “Gang of Four”, a group of young producers who catapulted Beaujolais onto the world stage with their incredible re-interpretation of traditional winemaking . Sourcing from organically farmed, old-vines with no intervention during fermentation and élevage these are among the most transparent expressions of Gamay Noir on the market. Irresistibly delicious on release, these are wines that reward the patient but won’t scold you for opening one now.
Restocked!
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py, Beaujolais 2019 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py, Beaujolais 2019 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special, 6 magnums in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Deep, shimmering violet. Powerful, spice-tinged red and blue fruit preserve and floral pastille aromas are complemented by suggestions of musky earth and licorice. Alluringly sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering sappy, mineral-driven black raspberry, cherry liqueur, lavender and five-spice powder flavors that expand through the back half. Finishes extremely long and nervy, with harmonious tannins building steadily and adding solid grip to reverberating cherry and floral notes.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The most reserved wine in the range is the 2019 Morgon Côte du Py, a terrific effort that unwinds in the glass with notes of sweet berry fruit, peonies, loamy soil and sweet spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with ultra-fine tannins and lively acids, it’s sapid and mouthwatering. Stylistically, this sits somewhere between the richer, riper register of 2018 and 2017 and the fragrant classicism of 2016. As ever, it’s one of the most dependably delicious purchases to be made in the region.”
Goodfellow Family Cellars
Marcus Goodfellow is one of the most talented winemakers in Oregon. He founded Matello wines, his original label, in 2002 and has been making wine that continually improves—both in bottle and from vintage to vintage. These are profound wines, both white and red, that are made in a style that’s distinctly savory—no fruit bombs here. We love them for their coiled power and Burgundian structure, and we stack them abundantly in our personal cellars to adore for decades to come.
“Marcus Goodfellow makes some of the most elegant and precise New World Pinot Noirs that I know of. That’s not exactly news to his numerous customers, who have helped to make his extremely well-priced wines so sought-after over the last few years. An Oregon native, Goodfellow cut his winemaking teeth with Russ Raney at Evesham Wood in the early 2000s, and also counts Cristom’s Steve Doerner as an early inspiration… the 2019s are vibrant, focused and graceful, displaying noteworthy balance and tension. Winemaking is hands-off , with native yeasts, no added enzymes and plenty of whole-cluster work; oak is barely a factor, as almost all barrels are neutral. The Pinots (and Chardonnays) are distinctly taut and precise, and they rarely hit above 13.5% alcohol. I cannot recommend them highly enough to readers who prize this style.” -Josh Raynolds, Vinous
Highlights In Stock Now from Goodfellow:
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Blanc, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($24.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: This is a field blend of Riesling, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Gewurtztraminer (all pressed off as white). Fresh, delicious and crisp, this is a perfect wine for fish and charcuterie (or by itself, if we’re being confessional).
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Chardonnay, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 22 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2018 Chardonnay Dundee Hills opens slowly to white flowers, citrus peel and nutty accents. The palate is light-bodied, delicate and lacy with bright, mineral-tinged citrus flavors and a long, uplifted finish hinting at more savory tones to come.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($69.95) $55 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Goodfellow Family Cellars Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($379.95) $309 special (that’s only $51.50/bottle!)
Winery note “Oh boy…first gravel and smoke, opening to fresh pear, hazelnuts, straw and raw grain, then lime and yuzu blossom. Old world notes of river stones, and seashells. Palate is immediately bright, stony, mineral, lime, clean, lucid, direct, and steely. Acidity runs through the wine from the front palate to the long, long, long finish. Like Corton from the mid-90s… 11.8% abv, finished under Diam 30. 155 cases.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage No. 15 Whistling Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 96 points “Translucent ruby. Expansive, mineral- and spice-accented red fruit preserve, potpourri and incense aromas are joined by hints of cola and botanical herbs as the wine opens up. Alluringly sweet and energetic on the palate, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry cola, star anise and candied rose flavors that slowly unfold through the back half. Smooth, polished tannins build slowly on the impressively long, focused finish, which strongly echoes the red fruit, floral and spice notes. This suave wine will age gracefully on its balance.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Heritage No. 16 Lewman Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($69.95) $61.90 special, 3 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Shimmering garnet. Vibrant red fruit, floral and exotic spice scents, along with hints of incense and musky earth. Sappy, energetic and penetrating on the palate, offering intense raspberry and cherry flavors and building blood orange and candied rose nuances. Delivers a serious punch but comes off lithe. The impressively long, finely detailed finish features polished tannins and reverberating floral and spice notes.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Pumphouse Block Temperance Hill Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2019 750ML ($64.95) $51.90 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Limpid violet. Vibrant red and blue fruit, floral oil, cola and exotic spice qualities on the intensely perfumed nose. Sweet and fleshy on the palate, offering concentrated raspberry, cherry, floral pastille and exotic spice flavors that tighten up and turn livelier as the wine opens up. Shows superb clarity and minerally lift and cut on an extremely long, focused finish shaped by smooth, well-judged tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
In 2015 Marcus Goodfellow produced a Syrah Reserve bottling—and boy is it fantastic. The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Deux Vert Vineyard Syrah Reserve, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($47.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
John Gilman 91+ points “Marcus Goodfellow’s 2015 Deux Vert Vineyard (Reserve) bottling of Syrah includes five percent viognier, which grows alongside these syrah vines, which were the first to be planted in the Willamette Valley in 1994. The 2015 version comes in at 13.8 percent octane and delivers a refined and red fruity bouquet of raspberries, pepper, woodsmoke, roasted meats, lovely soil tones, plenty of spice elements and a nice framing of cedary oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tangy and rock solid at the core, with excellent transparency and grip, ripe tannins and a long, focused and nascently complex finish. This will be a lovely bottle in due course, but it needs some time in the cellar to allow its backend tannins to resolve a bit. Fine juice. 2030- 2055+. 91+.”
VinopolNote: The Reserve bottling spent longer in barrel (over 30 months) and was selected for structure, savoriness and power. Like most of Marcus’ wines, there’s a lot of whole-cluster fermentation in this bottling and it definitely reads as more “serious” as a result. While the wine is rich and intense, don’t expect over-the-top fruit here. This reminds us of high quality Northern Rhone wines, with dark, fresh fruits and a distinct meaty, savory overtone. One for the table with some air or for the cellar.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Long Acre Whistling Ridge Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2018 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 7 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Vivid garnet. A highly fragrant bouquet evokes ripe red berries, potpourri and incense, along with exotic spice and subtle earth nuances that build as the wine opens up. Sappy and penetrating on the palate, offering appealingly sweet, expressive raspberry, cherry and rose pastille flavors accented by five-spice powder and black cardamom flourishes. Nicely concentrated but graceful as well, showing impressive finishing power, repeating florality and supple, well-knit tannins.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $21.50 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Bright garnet. Zesty red fruits and spices on the nose, plus hints of blood orange and botanical herbs. Tangy and sharply focused, offering nervy red currant, bitter cherry, orange zest and licorice flavors that take a sweet turn on the back half. Closes long and smooth, with the spice and herb notes repeating. This is a distinctly savory, restrained Pinot, which is uncommon for an entry-level offering.”
Shop our incredible selection of wines from Goodfellow, including library releases and exclusive bottlings!
Collector’s Corner:
Poderi Aldo Conterno
Son of the famous Giacomo Conterno, Aldo purchased his own estate in 1969, Favot, to explore alternatives to the strictly traditional methods of the family estate. He took inspiration from Angelo Gaja and from his experiences while traveling through the United States. Although he introduced some modern winemaking techniques that improved the quality of the wines, including temperature-controlled fermentation, he never fully embraced the “modern” style. He eschewed new oak on the Barolos and continued to hand-harvest the grapes, using gentle pressing and shorter macerations in the cellar. The results were polished and elegant wines with pure and bold fruit profiles. Since his passing in 2012, his three sons have run the estate. These are standard bearer wines for the region, and worthy of a dedicated spot in your cellar.
Poderi Aldo Conterno ‘Il Favot’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Poderi Aldo Conterno ‘Il Favot’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($419.95) $449 special (that’s only $37.42/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Spectator 90 points “A combination of strawberry, cherry, currant and iodine aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this juicy, complex red. Firms up at the end, with a subtle length. Drink now. 1,500 cases made, 300 cases imported. — BS”
Poderi Aldo Conterno ‘Il Favot’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Poderi Aldo Conterno ‘Il Favot’ Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($419.95) $449 special (that’s only $37.42/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Spectator 90 points “A combination of strawberry, cherry, currant and iodine aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this juicy, complex red. Firms up at the end, with a subtle length. Drink now. 1,500 cases made, 300 cases imported. — BS”
The average price is $49
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($99.95) $89 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia shows a dark but busy quality of fruit that speaks more to the power of this hot vintage than it does the nuanced side of Nebbiolo. In this respect, the wine is quite typical of the 2017 growing season. It takes a while before the wine finds focus in the glass, but it does slowly come together to reveal broad layers of dark cherry, cassis and plum. There is some tannic tightness that leads to sour berry. A bit awkward at this young stage, it needs a few more years of cellar age to flesh out and reach balance.”
Poderi Aldo Conterno Bussia Cicala, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($219.59) $179 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 95 points “A solid, powerful style, this expressive red is well-marked by new oak, with plum, cherry, cigar box, menthol and sun-kissed hay flavors. Balanced and lively, with refined tannins and a long, spice-infused finish. Best from 2025 through 2042. —B.S.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Cicala reveals a deep garnet color with some dark copper. Like the other 2017 wines from this celebrated producer, I can’t help but suspect that these areas of Bussia suffered from the heat and some of the other weather challenges associated with this growing season. A clear note of overt ripeness comes across as dried strawberry or sweet crème de cassis. The finish is similarly weighed down by the fruit weight and oak tannins.”
Poderi Aldo Conterno Colonnello, Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94+ points “The Poderi Aldo Conterno 2017 Barolo Bussia Colonnello shows good focus, structure and a sharper character that is often the distinguishing factor in this wine. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit and plum, but it also shows a solid framing of iron ore and dark stony mineral. These give the wine greater lift and contoured edges. This is not the first time that Colonnello is my favorite wine in this lineup, and I suspect it won’t be the last.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Offering plum, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and black pepper aromas and flavors, this broad red has absorbed the oak treatment pretty well already, with a dense matrix of tannins and lively acidity. Balanced and long, ending with elements of mineral and spice. Best from 2025 through 2043. —B.S.”
Shop our additional bottlings from Poderi Aldo Conterno!
Bonus Piedmont Offer:
Bruno Giacosa Arriving in April
Bruno Giacosa Arriving in April
Bruno Giacosa Asili, Barbaresco DOCG 2019 750ML ($319.95) $289 pre-arrival special, only 12 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $294.99
Bruno Giacosa Falletto Vigna Le Rocche (Red Label) Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 750ML ($999.95) $899 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
James Suckling 100 points “This is the second 100-point Vigna Le Rocche, following the 2015. What the former had in intensity of fruit and transparency, this has in structure and power. The purity of fruit is sensational in this young Barolo, offering blackberries, black truffle and iron. Rust too. This is so tannic and powerful with incredible structure. This may be the most structured Barolo from Bruno Giacosa I have ever tasted as a young wine. Speechless. Full-bodied and so intense, yet it remains fresh and agile. Traditional in every sense of the word, but this is clear and clean. A classic in the making. It will be in the market January 2022. Leave this for at least six to eight years. Try in 2027.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 98 points “The Bruno Giacosa 2016 Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche sees its fruit sourced from the oldest vines in the Falletto cru. This wine boasts all the signature touches of Serralunga d’Alba with the massive structure, density and the long aging potential that comes with Nebbiolo grown in this village. The wine spreads evenly over the palate, imparting its considerable fruit weight and generally leaving a big impact. This Barolo is really quite lovely and beautiful. The bouquet is fluid and ever-shifting, showing new sides with firm fruit, blackberry, smoke, rusty nail and mineral with every swirl of the glass. I visited this vineyard site shortly before tasting this wine and marveled at the beautiful peacocks that roam free between the rows of vines.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
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