Sunday Night Newsletter 3-20-22

In This Newsletter:

Chapelle St. Theodoric:
Rayas’ Neighbor in Vineyard & Style, But Not in Price

La Ca’ Nova

Martin Woods:
A Masterclass in WV Terroir

Patricia Green:
Ultra-Low Prices on New Releases

New Week – New Arrivals

New Reviews for Rosé

Two New Hot Grenache Reviews:
Saint Cosme & Cayuse

Vinopolis Spring Closeout: Austrian Edition

Domaine Bizot:
A Collector’s Corner Unicorn Wine
 

Chapelle St. Theodoric:

Rayas’ Neighbor in Vineyard & Style, But Not in Price

Theodoric is as close to Rayas as you can get, stylistically, without paying $400+. A personal project of Weygandt himself, these are beautiful, powerful, old-school wines.

“Chapelle St. Theodoric is a project between winemaker Baptiste Grangeon and Peter Weygandt.  There are two parcels; one in the lieu-dit La Guigasse, which is a pure sand soil and where the vines (all Grenache) range in age of from 50 to 100 year; and the other parcel at the top of Pignan, literally adjoining the vines of Chateau Rayas, also in pure sand and also pure, old vines Grenache. The vinification is traditional, that is to say, whole-cluster, such as employed by Jacques Reynaud at Chateau Rayas, Laurent Charvin, Henri Bonneau. The two parcels are vinified and aged and bottled separately, but with the exact same treatment, the experiment being to find what terroir differences one might find in pure sand, between vines less than 200 meters apart, both on sand, pure Grenache and traditional vinification. The result has been a most exciting and successful experiment: The difference between the wines from these two parcels is clear and distinct. La Guigasse is the slightly richer of the two.  The Grand Pin, perhaps because the sand is nearly pure white, perhaps the higher elevation or due to some other factor we have not yet determined, makes a wine that is lower in alcohol, more perfumed and finer.” –Weygandt-Metzler Importing

“While the Chapelle Saint Theodoric wines are made by Baptiste Grangeon of Domaine de Cristia, the wines are dramatically different in style and are mostly not destemmed (the base Les Sablons can be destemmed) and aged all in older, larger oak barrels. These are much more perfumed, floral, elegant wines and I always find a Burgundy-like character. In general, the Les Sablons and La Guigasse are the most approachable, with the Le Grand Pin always requiring additional bottle age to show at its best.” –Jeb Dunnuck

Arriving Friday, March 25th:

Chapelle Saint Theodoric Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Guigasse, Rhone 2019 750ML ($89.95) $77 pre-arrival special, only 24 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 points “The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape La Guigasse is my favorite of the trio, at least at this early stage. Full-bodied aromas and flavors of darker berries, violets, peppery herbs, and chocolate all emerge from this beauty, which is perfectly balanced and has a great mid-palate, silky tannins, and a great finish. This is 100% Grenache that was not destemmed and is brought up all in older demi-muids.”
Decanter 95 points “There’s a cooling herbal streak running through the wine, menthol and pine needles, which give a sense of freshness. The fruit itself is lively, upright and saline. A medium-bodied style that’s full of impact that will work well with food. Not hugely long perhaps but very good. 4,800 bottles made. Owned by Domaine de Cristia, this is pure Grenache grown on sand at the lieu-dit La Guigasse, aged for 24 months in demi-muid. Drinking Window 2022 – 2036.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Chapelle Saint Theodoric Chateauneuf-du-Pape Le Grand Pin, Rhone 2019 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special, only 24 bottles available
Decanter 98 points “A cooling, very fine style, a little gentler on the palate than their Guigasse, finer, but then like a peacock’s tail on the finish. Long, grippy and structural with perfectly ripe berry fruit. Saline, mineral, fresh and vibrant – highly impressive. 3,200 bottles made. 100% old vine Grenache grown on sand in lieu-dit Pignan, no destemming, aged for 24 months in old demi-muids. Drinking Window 2022 – 2041.”
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “The 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Le Grand Pin is more vibrant and complex, offering notes of juniper bush, white pepper, sappy herbs, and assorted dark fruits. Coming all from the northern part of the Pignan lieu-dit and all Grenache that was not destemmed, it’s full-bodied and has a great mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. It’s another stunning wine from this team.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $84

Chapelle Saint Theodoric Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Sablons, Rhone 2019 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 pre-arrival special, only 24 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 93-95 points “Looking at the 2019s, all of which are still aging in barrel, the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Les Sablons can be thought of as the entry level Grenache. Destemmed and aged in older barrels, this round, mouth-filling, medium to full-bodied Grenache offers lots of red and black fruits as well as some meaty, spicy nuances. It will have plenty of up-front appeal.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $54.95

Peruse our 180 in-stock Rhone reds on our webstore now!


La Ca’ Nova

“La Ca’ Nova has been one of the hottest wineries in all of Piedmont over these last few years… Stated simply, I can’t recommend these wines highly enough, especially for readers who enjoy deep, classically structured Barbarescos.”  -Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Arriving Friday, March 25th:

La Ca’ Nova Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2018 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina is fabulous. Most producers would dream of making a wine like this in a strong vintage, much less one that presented so many challenges. Rose petal, goudron, lavender, spice and blue/purplish fruit open first. The 2018 is relatively soft and supple, but that is not a bad thing for a wine from Montefico, where the Barbarescos are often searing in intensity. The 2018 finishes with real weight and intensity.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Ripe berry and dark spice aromas come to the forefront along with earthy truffle notes. On the savory, elegant palate, firm, refined tannins support raspberry compote, mature cherry and baking spice. It’s nicely balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink through 2030. -Kerin O’Keefe”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $46

La Ca’ Nova Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco DOCG 2018 750ML ($54.95) $41.90 pre-arrival special, only 24 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Cellar Selection. Forest floor, cedar, new leather and camphor aromas take shape in the glass on this compelling, earthy red. Showing a Barolo-like structure, the full-bodied, savory palate has an alluring wildness and energy to it, delivering dried cherry, blood orange, black olive and licorice framed against a backbone of tightly knit tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced. It’s still youthfully austere and needs a few more years to fully develop. Drink 2026–2038. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2018 Barbaresco Montestefano is brisk and engaging. This is an especially strict reading of Montestefano that seems to have more of Montefico-like sense of vibrancy and tension. Rosewater, orange peel, white pepper and bright red-toned fruit are all finely cut. The 2018 comes across as a touch severe today. I would cellar it for a few years and see what happens.”

La Ca’ Nova Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($41.95) $33 pre-arrival special, only 36 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Balsamic aromas of camphor mingle with blue flowers, new leather and underbrush. Full-bodied and loaded with personality, the structured palate features raspberry compote, baking spice, star anise and an earthy touch of truffle. Firm, velvety tannins and fresh acidity keep it balanced. Drink through 2030. -Kerin O’Keefe”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The 2018 Barbaresco is a fabulous wine for readers who can’t or don’t want to wait for more structured vintages here to come around. There is plenty of acidity and tannin, but the 2018 also offers lovely mid-palate pliancy. Dark cherry plum, lavender, amaro herbs and spice are all beautifully layered in the glass. The 2018 is an attractive, easygoing, delicious wine to drink over the next decade or so.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $37

We offer dozens of Piedmont wines in stock now, including highlights below:

Per the winery’s request these wines are not rated, which is fortunate as they would break the scale.
Cappellano Otin Fiorin Pie Rupestris – Nebioli, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($499.95) $379 special, 8 bottles in stock now
“This third flight comes to a rousing finish with the 2010 Barolo Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris – Nebioli. A towering, statuesque Barolo, the 2010 dazzles from the very first taste. It is, of course, too young, but is a wine I very much wanted in this tasting because I wanted Vinous readers to have a chance to experience it. When all is said and done, 2010 is the greatest young vintage I have tasted at Cappellano.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Only bottled in magnum, this is a rare, rare bird.
Roberto Voerzio Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2004 1.5L ($699.95) $599 special, 1 magnum in stock now
Antonio Galloni 98 points “Voerzio no longer makes his Barolo Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e delle Brunate. The 2004 is a great reminder of just how fabulous this wine was. A huge, vertical wine, the 2004 boasts magnificent depth and overall intensity. The flavors are boldly sketched in a dramatic Barolo built on pure muscle. A host of black cherry, cloves, smoke, menthol, tar and blackberry jam flow through to the intense finish. Beguiling and powerful, the 2004 will provide fascinating drinking for the next 10-15 years, perhaps longer. Of all the 2004s here, this is the wine that has had the most positive evolution in bottle.” 

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Gaja is a name that requires no context—like Latour or DRC, it’s understood which estate is meant and that the wines are epic, change-your-dinner-plans events.  Angelo Gaja is one of the primary reasons we care about Barbaresco today and the wines bearing his name remain the most treasured and collectible of the region.
Gaja Sori Tildin Langhe, Piedmont 2008 750ML ($499.95) $399 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2008 Sori Tildin is impressive. I confess I wasn’t quite prepared for the assault of fruit and tannins here. Sori Tildin is so often a graceful, elegant wine, but that is not the case in 2008. That’s not to say elegance is missing, but this is a big, big wine with tons of intensity and richness, all woven together beautifully. It’s tough to find a comparison with a previous vintage, as this is a singular Tildin. The flavors are familiar if a touch on the dark side, but the structure is closer than that of Sori San Lorenzo. Flowers, tar, leather and licorice wrap around the palate. This is a fabulous showing and a great wine in the making. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2033.”
Falstaff Magazine 97 points “[Translated] Bright, intense ruby-garnet. A playful and multi-layered nose shows notes of ripe cherries, some orange peel, cardamom and fresh plums. Presents on the palate as a unified whole showing lots of tightly packed tannins and a rich depth. Builds in many layers. Has plenty of elegance and suppleness on the finish.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $428

A staff favorite bottling from Produttori for its Barolo-like profile of dark minerals, bold fruit, and equally bold tannins. 
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2013 1.5L ($179.95) $149 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “This is full-bodied, displaying cherry, licorice, wild herb, iron and tobacco notes. The dense tannins take over and dominate the finish now, despite this remaining fresh and long. Full-bodied and minerally. Best from 2025 through 2040.”
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points– Editor’s Choice “New leather, camphor, forest berry, dried rose and culinary spice are some of the aromas you’ll find on this exceptional red. The firmly structured, poised palate doles out juicy cranberry, crushed raspberry, white pepper and star anise framed in tightly-knit, refined tannins while bright acidity provides energy and balance. Drink 2020–2033.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “A dark, brooding wine, the 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano comes across as quite virile today, with huge tannins and equally imposing dark fruit. Smoke, leather, licorice and game add to an impression of raw, almost unrestrained, power. There is not a whole lot of finesse here at least not now. The Montestefano is a wine painted in broad brush strokes that emphasize power over elegance. Then again, that is Montestefano. Readers should be in no rush to open the 2013.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The final wine in this portfolio of amazing single-vineyard expressions is the 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano. This is the densest and darkest of them all, and I would therefore suggest that the longest drinking window be reserved for this expression. Montestefano is shaped as an amphitheater of vines that locks in the summer heat and sees less wind compared to Montefico. This is a solid and firm wine with deep, dark intensity and solid tannins that form an unyielding backbone. You should hold onto this bottle for at least 5 more years before popping the cork.”

Shop our incredible collection of curated Piedmont wines on our webstore now!
 






Martin Woods:

A Masterclass in WV Terroir

Evan Martin, winemaker and owner of Martin Woods, is worth seeking out the next time you’re in the Valley. And fortunately, as the owner of HiFi Wine Bar in McMinnville, it’s pretty easy (and delightful) to do so. Despite his relative youth, he’s one of the most thoughtful and dedicated winemakers we’ve met. He has the poise of a master craftsman and, given his resume, it’s well earned. Our only regret is that we waited so long to share these with you. 

Fortunately, he’s the patient type. Case in point? He uses 250-350 year old fallen oak trees from his property for barrel staves. These staves must rest for several years to properly season before holding wine for its subsequent slumber. Much like Beckham Estate’s house-made amphora, these vessels offer a narrower lens through which Oregon terroir can be expressed. These don’t produce the vanilla spice impact of new French oak, but instead impart a synergy more akin to the aforementioned amphora. By building a market for Oregon oak, he’s encouraging the planting of the species for winemakers far, far in the future.

Newly Arrived:

Chablis-esque Chard crafted from tiny berries
Martin Woods Yamhill Valley Vineyard Chardonnay, McMinnville 2019 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews available for the 2019. Recent review provided for reference.
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2017 Chardonnay Yamhill Valley Vineyard was aged entirely in Oregon oak barrels, one of them new. It gives up baked apples, toasted cashews, lemon meringue, honey toast and marshmallow hints with notes of hay and warm earth. The palate is medium-bodied and rounded with rich, savory flavors and tangy acidity, finishing with great length and texture. Very classy. About 130 cases were made.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

From a vineyard shared with Hundred Suns, these are self-rooted Pommard clones on marine sedimentary soil
Martin Woods Bednarik Vineyard Pinot Noir, Tualatin Hills 2019 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Glistening magenta. Highly fragrant aromas of red berry liqueur, pungent spices and potpourri, along with a hint of botanical herbs. Concentrated yet lively as well, offering sweet raspberry, kirsch and floral pastille flavors that slowly unfurl through the back half. Fine-grained tannins add delicate grip to a juicy, sharply focused and very persistent finish that displays repeating floral and spice qualities.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Delicate and persistent from a 1989 planting
Martin Woods Hyland Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2019 750ML ($59.95) $45 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Vibrant, spice- and mineral-accented cherry and black raspberry scents take on musky earth, floral and herb nuances as the wine opens up. Juicy, appealingly sweet red and blue fruit preserve and floral pastille flavors show firm tension and spicy back-end lift. The long, energetic finish echoes the cherry note and is framed by steadily building, nicely polished tannins.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $46

A medium-bodied expression of the grape with finesse and dark aromatics
Martin Woods Syrah The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Oregon 2019 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2019. 2018 review provided for reference.
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 93 points “Medium to deep ruby-purple in color, the nose of the 2018 Syrah is super fresh, offering blackcurrants, mint leaves, dark chocolate, blueberries, violet and olive. The palate is expressive, lively and ultra fresh, with a silky frame, pure, perfumed fruits and a long, lifted finish. It’s a gorgeous, cool-climate style of Syrah.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Browse all 179 Oregon wines in stock now, including selections from Cameron Winery, Goodfellow Family Cellars, Beaux Freres, and Illahe!
 


Patricia Green:

Ultra-Low Prices on New Releases

Suzanne:
When I first joined the shop, Jeffrey from Patricia Green would stop by every so often to pour from the extensive line up and watch attentively as we plowed through. I never felt the speedy swirl, sip, and spit tastings did much justice to the extensive lineup, but they were still profound, distinctive, and full of depth. Needless to say, we’ve stocked dozens of wines over the years. Since Patricia Green’s passing, Jim Andersen has helmed the winery with aplomb. He’s a passionate individual and quick to comment on Wine Berserkers if you’re looking for witty insider insight on the state of Oregon wines. We’ve picked up some of the new releases and more on the way from the beautiful and poised 2019 vintage. They’re an energetic lot and one that we think will surprise and delight from the cellar for years to come.

In Stock Now from Patricia Green:

This is one of the largest and oldest vineyards in Oregon from which many great producers have crafted excellent wines. PGC works with about nine acres, allowing them to craft single-block and single-clone expressions, including the Wadensvil below.
Patricia Green Cellars Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($36.95) $33 special, 4 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Deep, brilliant red. Spice-accented raspberry, boysenberry and candied rose aromas are complicated by suggestions of star anise and incense. Silky, sweet and fleshy in the mouth, offering plush red and blue fruit preserve and exotic spice flavors that pick up floral pastille and botanical herb nuances as the wine opens up. Round, even tannins add shape to a long, supple finish that leaves behind sappy red berry liqueur, floral and spice notes. 5% new French oak.”

Patricia Green Cellars Freedom Hill Vineyard Wadensvil Clone Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($44.95) $37 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 95 points “Glistening ruby-red. Assertive, mineral-accented red berries, baking spices, cola and candied flowers on the seductively perfumed nose. Sappy, alluringly sweet and focused on the palate, offering juicy cherry, black raspberry, allspice and mocha flavors that flesh out slowly through the back half. Sharply focused and seamless in texture, finishing with impressive power, a resonating red fruit note and smooth, well-judged tannins. All de-stemmed fruit.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $41

This Ribbon Ridge property is neighbors to Beaux Freres and Whistling Ridge. First planted nearly 40 years ago on Wellsford soil (marine sedimentary) it now is composed of numerous blocks along its 360 degree planting.
Patricia Green Cellars Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2019 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Glistening ruby-red. Fresh red and blue fruit, baking spice and potpourri scents, along with a smoky mineral topnote. Sweet and expansive in the mouth, displaying boysenberry, kirsch, savory herb and exotic spice flavors that slowly firm up on the back half. Shows youthfully intense, fruity character and spicy lift on the persistent finish, which is framed by velvety tannins and leaves suave floral and blue fruit notes behind. 100% Pommard clone; all de-stemmed fruit and 4% new French oak.”
Winery note “This bottling has always been a powerful view of this vineyard site and we still have blocks in the vineyard in the 10-21 year-old range that have not made (will not make?) the change to the far more chic and mineral-driven Estate Old Vine style. That is fine. Our Estate Vineyard is fairly large and incredibly diverse, so having two very different wines coming off of it is great. To us, this is the exciting part of Pinot Noir and vineyard management, and the marriage of the two in winemaking… This can be a bit savage in nature when youthful but it comes around surprisingly fast and, of course, is good for many years.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $36

Arriving Friday, March 25th:

Patricia Green Cellars Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2019 750ML ($34.95) $30.90 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Vivid red. Spice-accented raspberry and cherry on the highly fragrant nose, along with hints of incense and baking spices. Silky and focused on the palate, offering vibrant red fruit and floral pastille flavors that deepen as the wine opens up. Fine-grained tannins frame a very long, spicy finish that shows repeating red fruit character and building florality. 15% new French oak.”
Winery note “Lia’s Vineyard, to us, is about the unusual (in Oregon) combination of soil types due to the change in elevation that the vineyard has over a relatively small amount of overall acreage. That is what makes this vineyard fascinating and, in our cellar, totally unique… This wine is quite integrated at a very young age which is surprising given the dispirit clones, vine ages, elevations and soil types. As we have explored more vineyards just outside the eastern edge of the Ribbon Ridge AVA we have found these incredibly dynamic, floral and simply lovely Pinots.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $34

Patricia Green Cellars Volcanic Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($41.95) $37 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Assertively perfumed aromas of fresh red fruits, cola, candied flowers and baking spices show fine clarity and minerally lift. Sweet and precise on the palate, offering juicy raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors that deepen as the wine opens up. Closes long and smooth, with rounded tannins framing a resonating red fruit note. No new oak.”
Winery note “This wine has a dynamic set of vineyards that make it up. What comes forth is pure Dundee Hills goodness. Red fruits and spices combine on an incredible textural lattice making this wine both edu-mah-cational and very difficult to not find appealing. Come for the geology, stay for the incredible taste.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $42

A youthful vineyard, by PGC terms, planted in 2012, this is one of the estate vineyards for Flaneur whose winemaker, Grant Coulter, is an alum of Beaux Freres and also makes wine under his Hundred Suns label. It’s a beautiful site with great potential, evident in this bottling and the Flaneur line up.
Patricia Green Cellars La Belle Promenade Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2019 750ML ($41.95) $37 pre-arrival special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points “Shimmering ruby-red. A hugely perfumed bouquet evokes raspberry, cherry and boysenberry preserves, overlain with building floral and baking spice notes. Shows very good depth as well as energy to the sweet red and blue fruit, candied rose and cola flavors, which betray no rough edges. Melds richness and finesse with a sure hand and finishes on a repeating floral note, with wonderful persistence and rounded tannins adding subtle grip. 8% new French oak.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

“The longer Covid goes on the more that I think Jack from The Shining actually held it together pretty well.” –PGC Fall 2020 Newsletter, attributed to “The Internet”



New Week – New Arrivals
 
Oregon

Cameron Winery ‘Giovanni’ Pinot Blanc, Dundee Hill 2021 750ML ($21.95) $19 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cameron Winery ‘Giovanni’ Pinot Blanc, Dundee Hill 2021 750ML ($129.95) $108 special (that’s only $18/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
“The Cameron Pinot Bianco (Blanc) or “Giovanni” as winemaker John Paul calls it, is fermented in cool stainless steel tanks, which, the winery notes, typically is from 3 different lots of estate grown grapes that are from non-irrigated vines with appropriately chosen cultures of aromatic yeasts, and bottled early after a short 6 to 8 months in its exuberant youth, to preserve vitality, usually in the early spring, after harvest. John Paul, who’s Cameron Winery is one of best known and admired Pinot Noir producers in the Dundee Hills AVA of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, has been influenced and inspired by the winemakers of northern Italy, especially the wines of Friuli, Alto Adige and Piedmont regions. In this case he brings a little bit of the Dolomites to us with his Giovanni. It shows the beautiful crisp details and mineral charm of some the top producers there, like Manincor and Terlano.” –Kerry Winslow, Grapelive


California

Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs, Dry Creek Valley 2019 750ML ($59.95) $44 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2019 Lytton Springs checks in as 73% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah, and the rest Carignan and Mataro. Revealing a translucent ruby/plum hue as well as beautiful cassis and red plum fruits supported by lots of savory herbs, orange blossom, cigar, and spice-driven aromas and flavors, this beauty hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, moderate yet present tannins, and a great finish. While the Geyserville Cuvee has eclipsed the Lytton Spring in most vintages in the past decade, that’s not the case in 2019.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Cellar Selection. This densely packed and deeply concentrated blend of Zinfandel with 16% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignan and 2% Mataro is practically legendary. It boasts subtle, complex fruit flavors ranging from raspberry to blackberry to blueberry, while a velvety texture of fine-grained tannins and a subtle raspberry-like tartness give it great structure. Best from 2025 to 2035. -Jim Gordon”


Italy 

Luigi Tecce Poliphemo Vecchie Vigne, Taurasi Riserva DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) $95 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Eric Guido-Vinous 95 points “A spicy mix of crushed black cherries, cloves, mint leaf and smoke form a seductive display as the 2015 Taurasi Riserva Poliphemo Vecchie Vigne slowly blossoms in the glass. It’s silky and pliant upon entry, quickly gaining a more tactile feel, as tart berries laced with sour citrus and minerals saturate the senses. The sheer mass and concentration here is something behold, yet more impressive is how harmonious it remains, as vibrant acidity battles fine tannins for supremacy. The end result is a finale that’s structured yet leaves the mouth watering for more, as violet florals, cocoa and an inner animal muskiness slowly fades. In my opinion, the 2015 vintage has firmly placed Luigi Tecce on the map in Taurasi.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Zenato Valpolicella Superiore, Veneto 2018 750ML ($19.95) $16.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 88 points “Smoky on the nose, this medium-bodied red is creamy on the palate, with lots of juicy sun-dried cherry, dried tarragon, fig cake and citrus flavors. Lightly chewy, spiced finish. Drink now. 40,000 cases made, 8,000 cases imported. — AN”

“Brunello from 2016 and Brunello Riserva from 2015 are poised for long-term success, they will undoubtedly be remembered as important highlights on a long timeline of vintages. These are career-defining wines for many estates and for the appellation as a whole.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, writing on the vintage

La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 12+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 La Fortuna Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2015 750ML ($719.95) $564 special (that’s only $94/bottle!)
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95+ points “The La Fortuna 2015 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva opens to a moment of sweetness, a tiny interval that is quickly followed by spice, balsam herb and dried cherry. That sweetness disappears after the second sip or two, and the savory components of the wine—the spice, the smoke and the earthy notes—begin to take over. This wine spreads over the palate with slow and steady consistency. This is a 7,000-bottle release made from a selection of fruit from the estate’s 18 hectares of vines.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2018 750ML ($34.95) $29.50 special, 36 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “This is a very solid, full-bodied riserva with firm and chewy yet fine-grained tannins that are nicely layered and intense. Very drinkable now, but a year or two of bottle age will soften it. Drink or hold.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva is a powerful, brooding wine. Readers will have to be patient with the 2018, as it needs time to soften. The tannins are especially potent today. Time brings out a whole range of black cherry, plum, gravel, spice, game and leather notes. The Riserva spent 16 months in oak of various sizes.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 93 points “Sporting broad shoulders and a brawny texture, the 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Berardenga is one of those wines that you can drink throughout the entire meal from antipasto, to pasta to the meat dish. This Riserva offers dark fruit, ripe cherry, plum and soft concentration throughout. Its ample textual fiber is loosened up and refreshed by the pretty vein of crisp acidity that is so characteristic of Sangiovese.”
Wine Spectator 93 points “Dusty tannins set the stage for this cherry and wild herb-inflected red. Boasts plenty of fruit, orange zest and iron, yet still has to reveal all its charms. Compact finish in the end, but be patient. Best from 2024 through 2042. 5,833 cases made. — BS”


Germany – Mosel

Winery-cellared release!
Joh. Jos. Prum Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2012 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Top 100 Cellar Selection in 2015. Pristine apple, pear and peach are marked with hints of nuts and crushed stones in this sprightly yet deeply complex auslese. It’s lacy and sheer on the palate, yet lime and lemon tones are bracing. Hold till 2020 to allow the subtleties to intensify. -Anna Lee C. Iijima”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2012 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese (AP #10 13) opens with delicate peach, ripe apricot and orange flavors on the nose. Quite sweet, lush and fruit intense, though still pure and delicate on the palate, this peachy flavored wine finishes with a piquant and racy acidity. Aromatically less complex at the moment compared to the Sonnenuhr from Wehlen or the Himmelreich from Graach, but this fine and pure wine just needs some years.”


Germany – Nahe

We stock 57 wines from Donnhoff all here now, including vintages going back to 2015!
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2020 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “Such an exotic nose with a slew of passion fruit, mangosteen and King Alfonso mango. Compact and concentrated, but the more important things are the coolness and gracefulness of this moderately sweet Auslese that turns in a dark, “earthy” direction at the powerful finish. Very limited production. From organically grown grapes with Fair’n Green certification. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2020 Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese is super clear, precise and coolish on the concentrated but highly refined and flinty/stony nose. Round and refined on the palate, this Auslese has a highly refined raisin tone intertwined with crunchy slate aromas. The wine comes across as a very complex and juicy but always highly finessed Auslese with eternal beauty. Almost zero botrytis, but the most perfect berries of the vintage made it into this adorable Auslese. 8% alcohol. Tasted at the domain in July 2021.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $103


Austria – Wachau

Winery-cellared release, this is an incredible experience that averages $214 on Wine-Searcher!
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling, Wachau 2002 750ML ($219.95) $179 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 98 points “At first deep, dark and mysterious. Just like the Nikolaihof cellar, where this dry riesling spent 16 years in barrel. Then, a minty freshness develops that leaps out of the glass at you. By some miracle, it manages to taste ancient and lively at once. The finish is very long with great herbal complexity. From biodynamically grown grapes. Demeter certified. Drink or hold.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94+? points “From the Weingebirge and bottled in July 2018 after 16 years in oak, the 2002 Riesling Vinothek is deep and complex on the elegant and spicy nose that doesn’t reveal any classic Riesling aromas but rather the coolish vintage (“flood vintage”) and the long elevage in a traditional 60-hectoliter foudre. Crystalline and refined on the palate, this is an elegant, highly complex and vital yet still firm and initially even tannic and astringent wine that needs lots of patience. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.”
 

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New Reviews For Rosé

When the clocks change, so too do our imbibing preferences. Though we may have a few more weeks to wait until it’s patio weather in the PNW, it’s far more fun to sip pink drinks now that the sun is out in the evenings. Toast spring’s arrival with these recently reviewed selections in stock now:

We love this little Rhone pink for its complexity for the money and its pairing flexibility. A must have for your next BBQ
Domaine Les Aphillanthes Nymphea Rosé, Côtes du Rhone 2020 750ML ($17.95) $14 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 88 points “Mainly Cinsault and Grenache, with traces of Carignan and Mourvèdre, this impeccably run domaine has turned out a rich, round 2020 Cotes du Rhone Rose Nymphea. Medium to full-bodied, it hints at strawberries and cherries, delivering plenty of concentration and flavor.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Bastide Blanche makes our favorite Bandol rosé for sheer drinkability and deliciousness. It’s far less serious than the collectibles coming from the region, but no less worthy of your attention!
Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé, Provence 2020 1.5L ($69.95) $59 special, 21 magnums in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 91 points “A blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette and Ugni Blanc, La Bastide Blanche’s 2020 Bandol Rose bursts with scents of sun-warmed peaches, passion fruit and strawberries. It’s medium to full-bodied, mouthfilling and concentrated, yet finishes spry and refreshing, with a burst of salinity and citrus.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $62 for the magnum

A great intro to this old-school estate. A classic!
Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone Rosé, Rhone 2020 750ML ($29.95) $18 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 90 points “Charvin’s 2020 Cotes du Rhone Rose contains a splash (10%) of Mourvèdre, but the balance is split between Cinsault (45%) and Grenache (45%). It’s a pale salmon hue in the glass, marked by scents of musk, dried spices and lavender, plus more standard notes of peach and melon. Medium-bodied and round on the palate, it maintains a steely core of acidity that lingers on the crisp, mouthwatering finish. It’s an intriguing marriage of ripeness and acids that’s sure to bring you back for sip after sip.”

This is Portland’s favorite non-sparkling pink and Bandol rosé at its crisp-est.
Le Galantin Bandol Rosé, Provence 2020 750ML ($21.95) $19.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 92 points “Vivid salmon skin. Spice-accented strawberry, nectarine and blood orange aromas, along with a floral nuance that builds with air. Silky in texture and focused on the palate, offering subtly sweet red berry, citrus fruit and lavender flavors braced by an undercurrent of bright minerality. Finishes very long and supple, with repeating blood orange and floral notes.”

A value at $16, this certified organic rosé is lush and inviting, offering no-regrets pleasure at $9
Domaine Les Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Les Trois Soeurs Rose 2019 750ML ($19.95) Was $16, Now $9, 16 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Lurid pink. Ripe red berries and a hint of blood orange on the fragrant nose. In a lush, pliant style, offering juicy raspberry and tangerine flavors that turn livelier on the back half. Smooth and seamless on the clinging finish, leaving a sappy red berry note behind.”

Lafage is our most popular Southern French estate, and their rosé is top class
Domaine Lafage Miraflors Rosé, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2020 IGP Cotes Catalanes Miraflors Rose is a blend of 50% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache Gris and 20% Grenache Noir. Light to medium pink and copper-tinged in the glass, it offers up scents of melon and peach, with hints of strawberry as well. Medium-bodied, it’s round and silky in the mouth, showing ample concentration and length on the citrus-tinged finish. With its relatively high proportion of Mourvèdre, it should drink well at least through the first half of 2022.”

Staff favorite – charming
Chateau de Manissy ‘La Belle Etoile’ Rosé, Rhone 2020 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 89 points “Pale orange-pink. Lively and focused on the nose, displaying fresh strawberry, white peach and orange zest scents, with floral and mineral nuances. Red berry and pit fruit flavors show sharp detail and a bracing hint of juicy acidity. The floral note repeats on the tight finish, which lingers with good tenacity.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Yes, yes, De Villaine of DRC makes this, but did you know it’s utterly delicious and under $15?
Domaine de Triennes Rosé, IGP Var 2020 750ML ($19.95) $14.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Domaine de Triennes Rosé, IGP Var 2020 1.5L ($39.95) $34.50 special, 3 magnums in stock now
Wine Spectator 88 points “This tangy rosé has an elegant texture, with flavors of tangerine peel, white cherry and anise mixed with chamomile and spice notes that show a hint of watermelon on the lingering finish. Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah and Merlot. Drink now. 60,000 cases made, 25,000 cases imported. — GS”

With scents like a delicate floral perfume, this is an elegant Gamay rosé
Pierre-Marie Chermette Domaine du Vissoux Les Griottes Rosé, Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 90 points “Translucent orange-pink. Lively and sharply focused on the nose, presenting ripe red berry and floral scents and a hint of botanical herbs. Smooth and broad on the palate, offering bitter cherry, red currant and candied rose flavors that firm up and become spicier with air. Closes long and silky, with resonating floral and spice notes and strong cling.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!



Two New Hot Grenache Reviews

From Kerry Winslow of Grapelive
 
We heartily agree with Kerry Winslow: this is a wine that “should not be missed!”
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2019 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2019 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $39.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas, Rhone 2019 1.5L ($99.95) $79 special, 5 magnums in stock now
Grapelive 95+ points “As readers of this website will most certainly know, Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas is one of my personal favorites and a wine I drink for my own pleasure and try to review every vintage. It always seems to get better and better. Even with such expectations this wine, especially this stunning 2019, [it] continues to thrill me and impress for the depth and quality for the price. There may not be a better wine value anywhere! I am a huge admirer of Louis Barroul’s wines, from his outstanding 100% Syrah Cotes du Rhone to his signature Grenache-led Gigondas, as well as his set of beauties from the Northern Rhone sites, including his Cote-Rotie, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage and the Condrieu. This deeply saturated 2019 Gigondas opens with a mix of dark berry fruit, spice, heady aromas and savory elements with boysenberry, black plum, pomegranate and wild strawberry fruits flowing across the full bodied palate along with lavender, pepper, anise and subtle earthy tones, gaining impact and presence in the glass with every sip, while providing immediate pleasure. This is another sensational effort from Saint Cosme with fine grained tannins, raw transparency and a lingering creme de cassis finish. [It’s]well worth aging. For those that have patience there will be tremendous rewards even though the youthful fruit intensity makes for a hedonistic experience that is hard to resist even in such a youthful wine. Best to have this wine with simple but hearty cuisine and I would, as always, suggest a 30 minute to an hour decanting here, which will bring additional joy and a more chocolatey mouth feel… This is a modern classic, very similar to the wildly good 2016, that should not be missed!”

The average price is $58

“memorable and monumental”
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($199.95) $179 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 96 points “The amazing 2018 God Only Knows Grenache from Cayuse’s legendary winemaker Christophe Baron, whose roots are from the Champagne region in France, is an absolute rock star wine and one of the most unique Grenache based wines in the world. This vintage with its deep purple/garnet hue, fruit density and a raw earthy sex appeal is close to perfection, but not over worked and with loads of umami with a sultry spicy edginess. Some Grenache fans, and maybe rightly so, compare Barron’s Grenache to Chateau Rayas, standing head and shoulders above all the rest in its own style, especially as it has such depth and truly distinct singular character, unlike almost any other wine made from this varietal. This vintage has layers of black raspberry, brambly huckleberry, creme de cassis, tree picked plum, pomegranate and kirsch all accented by an array of spices, dried flowers, minty herbs, leathery notes and woodsy elements that all make this wine incredibly compelling, along with the year’s bright acidity, stony/savory expression and cool toned mineral charm. The bouquet perks up as the wine unfolds in the glass, fading the more rustic edginess and allowing the inner beauty of this taut God Only Knows Grenache to shine through its youthful intensity with peony florals, anise, cinnamon and sweet smoke coming through. Baron, who originally came to America to make Oregon Pinot but ended up turning to Rhone and Bordeaux grapes, has an amazing touch for Syrah and Grenache, as this bottling proves. He makes riveting wines that combine power, sensuality and texture, again proven majestically in this wine and of course in his epic Bionic Frog Syrah, the flagship Cailloux Vineyard Syrah and the awesome Flying Pig, which I also tasted recently, made from a right bank collection of grapes led by Cabernet Franc, think Cheval Blanc! I was lucky to taste with Christophe before he got famous and was blown away by his En Cerise Vineyard Syrah in the early 2000s, a wine I compared to Chapoutier’s Le Meal ‘Ermitage in presence. It was an experience I didn’t soon forget and his current set of wines [is] even more memorable and monumental!”



Vinopolis Spring Closeout:

Austrian Edition

A cheap & cheerful easy-drinker
Mad Haus Marienberg Blaufrankisch, Leithaberg 2015 750ML ($21.95) Was $11.90, Now $9.90, 36+ bottles in stock now
Winery note “This wine is produced in the Neusiedlersee-Hugelland region of Austria where vibrant Jewish societies known as ‘The Seven Communities’ flourished for many centuries and constitute the foundation of contemporary Jewish history. The vineyards in this district are known for their high quality and were used by The Seven Communities to produce Kosher wine. [Labeled Kosher for Pesach (Passover), not mevushal.]… Our Kosher wines were produced under Rabbi M. Scharf – Kedassia London – in our winery with the Strictest Kosher Seal.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Leo Alzinger Ried Liebenberg Riesling Smaragd, Wachau 2015 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $39, 1 bottle in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 90 points “The deeper soil and loess influence of Liebenberg is what Alzinger credits with the relative breadth and softness of this bottling when compared with the other Rieslings of his 2015 collection. Mirabelle and apricot are shadowed in the nose by their high-toned, distilled counterparts and accompanied by equally penetrating intimations of fresh ginger and lime zest. The palate is expansive and oily, with piquant and incisive counterpoints. Happily, a briny note lends saliva-inducement to the prolonged finish. The alcohol here is around 13.2 percent, though frankly I would have guessed higher.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Weingut Hirsch Ried Gaisberg Riesling Erste OTW Lage, Kamptal DAC 2013 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $39, 2 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht–Vinous 92 points “Ocean spray-like alkalinity and salinity are signaled in the nose, along with faint struck flint and intriguingly sweaty, musky hints. Palate stoniness along with citrus pip and peach kernel piquancy make for pithiness and slight austerity to this firmly textured and impressively persistent bottling. An intriguing wafting floral element suggestive of iris and narcissus is also bitterly shaded in comparison with the effusive perfume of the corresponding Heiligenstein. There is a dynamic sense of finishing interaction between the aforementioned elements and a bright citric juiciness, with coiled energy emerging as faintly electric tingling. I hope that bottling in screwcap doesn’t lock in the bit of reduction here.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Love a good deal?
We’re offering 89 wines on our Spring Closeout Sale.
Don’t miss the hottest deals including:

Ameztoi Rubentis Rosado, Getariako Txakolina 2020 750ML ($24.95) Was $21.90, Now $19, 36+ bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Shimmering orange-pink. Pungent cherry and red berry scents take on floral and spice nuances with air. Shows silky texture and good depth to the zesty red currant and bitter cherry flavors, which turn sweeter through the midpalate. Smoothly blends heft and energy and finishes long and nervy, with a hint of bitter orange pith adding final bite.”
Importer note “The pink sibling of Ameztoi’s flagship white, this vibrant rosé is made from a mix of red and white indigenous grapes and is bottled with a little residual carbonation to give it a light spritz.”

Famille Brechet Chateau de Vaudieu Chateauneuf-du-Pape L’Avenue, Rhone 2016 750ML ($119.95) Was $99, Now $89, 21 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape L’Avenue is all Grenache sourced from a single parcel near the estate and aged 18 months in demi-muids. This deeply colored beauty boasts a huge perfume of black raspberries, blackberries, dried flowers, bouquet garni, and sandy/loamy soil notes. With a powerful, concentrated, structured style, incredible purity of fruit, and tons of tannin on the finish, hide bottles for 3-5 years, count yourself lucky, and enjoy over the following decade or more.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2016 Chateauneuf du Pape l’Avenue is entirely Grenache from the lieu-dit Vaudieu, aged in demi-muids. Loaded with black cherries, cedar and vanilla, it’s a full-bodied, plush sexpot of a wine. Velvety, intense, long and layered, this wine has it all. If only there were more than 350 cases of this elixir.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “Intense, with a gorgeous core of crushed plum, boysenberry and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors, inlaid liberally with fruit cake, licorice snap and graphite notes. Fruit pumps through the finish while a graphite edge lends support and a black tea hint checks in. Best from 2020 through 2040. 75 cases imported.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 95 points “Glistening ruby-red. Powerful red and blue fruit, floral pastille, exotic spice and incense aromas pick up a smoky mineral nuance as the wine stretches out. Fleshy and expansive in the mouth, offering spice- and smoke-inflected raspberry, boysenberry, lavender pastille and succulent herb flavors and a touch of candied licorice. Finishes seamless, sweet and impressively long, with an echo of juicy red fruit and delicate tannins that add discreet grip.”

Markus Molitor Kinheimer Hubertuslay Riesling Auslese *** (Gold Capsule), Mosel 2017 750ML ($179.95) Was $149, Now $119, 15 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2017 Riesling Kinheimer Hubertuslay Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) is clear and concentrated, on the deep and complex nose with stewed peach aromas intertwined with spicy notes of a fleeting kiss of oak and nougat. It has a highly elegant, refined and salty-piquant palate with fine grip and mineral tension. This Hubertuslay is rich, lush and sweet, with remarkable concentration but also weightless finesse and a lean, salty-piquant finish that tickles the palate. Lemon chutney flavors intertwined with the crystalline salinity characterize the long finish of this beauty. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”

Shop the complete sale on our webstore now!



Domaine Bizot:

A Collector’s Corner Unicorn Wine

The estate is essence of minimalism, before Instagram got ahold of the concept. Jean-Yves Bizot vinifies whole cluster in wooden vats at low temperature with nearly no sulfur and hand-bottled without blending the miniscule amount of barrels produced. The results? Well, you’d be lucky to meet one person in your lifetime who’s had the chance to experience these wines. So open amongst cherished friends after a long slumber in the cellar.

Domaine Jean-Yves Bizot Marsannay Clos du Roy, Cote de Nuits 2018 750ML ($2,999.95) $2,199 special, only 1 bottle available
Kermit Lynch Import Note “Jean-Yves Bizot is a rare find in Burgundy these days, and we are proud to represent him exclusively in the United States. His strict and uncompromising standards in the vineyards and his enviable old–vine parcels in Vosne-Romanée combine to give us a stellar lineup of miniscule production red Burgundies built for the long haul. Bizot is a professor of viticulture and oenology in Beaune who lives in Vosne across the street from Henri Jayer’s old residence. The two vignerons had neighboring parcels in Vosne and used to discuss vinfication from time to time while working their vines. Bizot decided to adapt some of Jayer’s techniques in his own cellar (in particular cooler temperatures for pre-fermentation), although there are many important differences as Bizot uses exclusively whole clusters, works his vineyards organically, and eschews the use of SO2 during vinification and élevage. Bizot’s top-notch Burgundies somehow still fly mostly under the radar, but the distinct and rigorous philosophy that he has forged for his domaine ensure that it will be a model for future generations in Burgundy.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
This is the lowest listed price in the world for any vintage
The next best price is $3,581.98 in Hong Kong