Sunday Night Newsletter: 3-27-22

In This Newsletter:

New Arrival Special Feature:
2020 Burlotto Varietal Wines

New Week – New Arrivals

Raymond Usseglio & Fils Cuvee Girard

New Decanter Review
G.D. Vajra’s Sister Label: Luigi Baudana

Collector’s Corner:
Chateau Pape Clement Blanc 
 

New Arrival Special Feature

G.B. Burlotto Varietal Wines:

2020 Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera & Pelaverga

Burlotto makes some of the most coveted bottles of Barolo out there. Resolutely traditional, and made with significant whole-cluster inclusion, they pull the rare trick of being both ethereal and powerful at the same time—all while aging beautifully over decades. The insider secret, though, are the varietal wines. While the Barolos reach stratasheric pricing on the secondary markets, the varietals offer the same exacting quality and traditional styling while all retailing for under $30/bottle (at least here). 

New to you? 

We suggest a mix of the four: open the Pelaverga and Dolcetto at your summer soirées and let the Nebbiolo and Barbera sleep in your cellar for a year or two. Pelaverga is a rare indigenous variety, saved from extinction by the estate (and his cousin’s). Elisa Burlotto saw the grape’s potential and planted an entire section of the family’s Massara vineyard to the variety using material from the handful of surviving vines that were inter-planted among Nebbiolo vines. For decades, the grape remained a novelty, and enjoyed little in the way of commercial success.  But its fortunes have changed in recent years as more and more wine drinkers have come to appreciate light-bodied, food-friendly reds.  

In Stock Now from Burlotto:

G.B. Burlotto Verduno Pelaverga, Piedmont 2020 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 22 bottles in stock now
“The 2020 Pelaverga Verduno is light, airy and gracious. Crushed raspberry, mint and white pepper are nicely lifted in this ethereal Pelaverga. The personality of the year and a bit of hail yielded an unusually light Pelaverga, even within the context of this wine.” -Antonio Galloni

G. B. Burlotto Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2020 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo is laced with crushed raspberry, mint, kirsch, orange peel and spice. Effusive and inviting, the 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo is a real gem. In 2020, Burlotto did not bottle their Barolo Acclivi. The best blocks were added to this blend.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $33

G. B. Burlotto Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 89 points “The 2020 Dolcetto d’Alba is a gorgeous wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Rose petal, spice, sage, mint and lavender build nicely, lifted by a healthy dollop of whole clusters that add aromatic presence. This mid-weight, fragrant Dolcetto is all class.”

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G. B. Burlotto Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2020 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 89 points “The 2020 Barbera d’Alba is a soft, open-knit wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. In 2020, the Barbera is on the lighter side, as is typical for the year. There is lovely purity to the red berry, spice and floral notes. And of course, plenty of charm.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $28

A more serious Sauv blanc aged in acacia barrels. 
G. B. Burlotto “Dives” Langhe Sauvignon, Piedmont 2019 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 25 bottles in stock now
“This estate was the second to plant Sauvignon Blanc in the Langhe after Angelo Gaja. The first vines set root in 1986 and a second parcel was planted ten years later. The folks at Comm. G.B. Burlotto were very happy with the results, and they remain one of the most important proponents of this white grape in a region dominated by red varieties.” –Monica Larner, Wine Advocate (no reviews available)

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

Shop our Piedmont selections on our web store now.

We stock 80+ Barolos, 60+ Barbarescos and 70+ additional Piedmont wines!





New Week – New Arrivals

Oregon

Vincent Bjornson Vineyard Gamay Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24.40 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Grapelive 90 points “[Review for 2019 vintage] I just got turned on to Vincent Wine Company by a friend who has just started her label up in the Willamette Valley and was telling me of some of the up and coming and cool wineries to check out. The Gamay has loads of personality and very naturally styled with zesty pure fruits and a touch of raw savory tones with fresh strawberry, plum, cranberry and macerated cherries leading the way on the light and tangy palate. Vincent Fritzsche, who focuses on single vineyard Pinots, launched his winery in 2009 after working in both California and Oregon, is now based in the Eola-Amity Hills and has a delicious collection of wines, all of which are incredibly well priced, especially this one. This unfiltered ruby hued Gamay, best served with a chill, opens nicely with floral detail, some blue fruits, earthiness, a herbal crunch and an almost old work funk, reminding me of Clos de la Roilette Fleurie, impressive, less fruity and fun stuff that goes well with simple cuisine. Vincent does a single vineyard Pinot from the Bjornson Vineyard, as well as this Gamay, which is located in the winery’s home base Eola-Amity Hills AVA on iron rich gravelly soils, much like the prestigious Zenith Vineyard, which Fritzsche also sources, for his top Pinots.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Ross & Bee Maloof Johan Vineyard Ribolla Gialla, Van Duzer Corridor 2020 750ML ($29.95) $26 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note from the 2018 vintage “I swear to god I was there, I was like “Ribolllaaaaaa”.  First vintage of this after a Friulian grafting project at Johan two years prior, and we couldn’t be more stoked.  Passion fruit, orange peel, and celery.  Direct pressed after a short in-bin maceration, then barrel fermented. So anyways, you guys wanna make-out or what? Drink aside a tomato pie with anchovies. Grapes: 100% Ribolla Gialla. Vineyard(s): Johan Vineyard, Van Duzer Corridor AVA. Alcohol: 12.5%. Winemaking: Foot stomped in picking bins and left macerating for six hours before being pressed. Fermented and aged in neutral oak. Bottled without fining or filtration. 18ppm sulfur. Production: 24 cases.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price nationally is $28.99

Patricia Green “Helen Dusschee” Tempranillo Rosé Freedom Hill Vineyard, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($33.95) $29 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Years ago we committed to NOT making rosé because we liked drinking it too much to get into the business of crafting it. That was largely in part because of our belief that rosé should be made from red grapes that have more inherent muscularity than Pinot Noir and being up here in the Northern Willamette Valley means that access to grapes such as Mourvedre, Grenache, Carignan or Tempranillo was incredibly limited to non-existent. Little did we know that lurking within Freedom Hill Vineyard was a block of Tempranillo that they had planted in 2012 at the behest of another winery that has since left the scene.  This was picked while there were still berries that had not changed color on the cluster and accordingly this was picked at 20.3 brix (thus the 12.5% alcohol) and a TA of 7.2 which gives the wine its bright, lifted character. These gangly clusters were lightly whole-bunch pressed and racked a few times off the lees before permanently residing in a stainless steel tank for about six months before being bottled before finishing malolactic fermentation. This wine is bone-dry with plenty of acidity!”

J.K. Carriere “Glass” White Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery note “Think summer patio and a turn-of-the-century dry rosé Champagne with no bubbles.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

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 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 next best price is $38.89

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

Patricia Green Cellars Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2019 750ML ($34.95) $30.90 special, 5 bottles in stock now
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 special, 9 bottles in stock now
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 special, 11 bottles in stock now
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.”

Last call!
Goodfellow Family Cellars Temperance Hill Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2018 750ML ($47.95) $39 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94 points “Pale ruby, the 2018 Pinot Noir Temperance Hill is layered and savory, with pure tobacco and Earl Grey tea leaves, licorice and bright red berries on the nose. The palate is soft, seamlessly fresh and delicately styled, offering an array of pure spicy flavors and a very long, uplifted finish.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 93 points “Dark, vivid garnet. Ripe red and blue fruit, floral and spice qualities on the deeply perfumed nose, along with hints of musky earth and woodsmoke. Appealingly sweet and fleshy on the palate, offering concentrated black raspberry, cherry, mulberry, floral pastille and exotic spice flavors that gain energy as the wine opens up. Shows excellent clarity and floral lift on a long, focused finish shaped by smooth, well-judged tannins. Drinking window 2023-2031.”
Winery Note “Red fruited and mineral, expressive and elegant nose with cedar, cinnamon and perfume, raspberry leaf, savory, thyme, strawberries, dried rose petals and potpourri.  Violets, red cherry, gardenias, bright and clean with mid-weight fruit, nerve and pull and an amaro-esque, mineral finish. Tightly wound right now but opens beautifully with air.”

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

Last call!
Goodfellow Durant Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2019 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Glistening red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes spice-accented red and blue fruits, cherry cola, potpourri and exotic spices, all sharpened by a smoky mineral topnote. Supple and energetic in the mouth, offering sappy, mineral- and spice-inflected black raspberry, cherry pie and candied lavender flavors that spread out steadily through the back half. Shows fine delineation and finishes extremely long and spicy, with polished tannins and lingering floral and red fruit liqueur notes.”
Winery note “Supple with juicy red fruit, flowers, dark and sweet spice, loamy earth and amaro. More ethereal than the Durant typically is. The palate is boysenberry, dark cherry, and pomegranate, light bodied but structural, with a great savory finish. 13.0% abv, finished with Diam 10. 160 cases.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!


France – Burgundy / Beaujolais

Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret Echezeaux Grand Cru ‘La Grande Complication,’ Cote de Nuits 2019 750ML ($219.95) $289 special, 3 bottles in stock now
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Matured in 300-liter barrels made from oak that Mongeard selects and seasons himself, the 2019 Echézeaux Grand Cru La Grande Complication is a special cuvée that derives from vines planted in 1945 with the family’s massal selections, located in the lieu-dit of Les Treux. Unwinding in the glass with notes of orange rind, rose petals, exotic spices, cherries and berries, it’s full-bodied, deep and layered, with a concentrated, tightly wound core that shows considerable promise for long-term cellaring. Fermented 100% whole bunches, it’s one of the more reserved wines in the range.”

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Jean-Louis Dutraive is one of the hottest names in the world of Natural Wine. His Domaine de la Grand’Cour is turning out some of the most impressive wines in Beaujolais, with big, rich textures and really vivacious personalities. His father bought the Domaine de la Grand’ Cour in 1969, and Jean-Louis took over eight years later, with great success. Both the winegrowing and winemaking remain in the tradition of Fleurie, where the family owns 22 of its 26 acres (the rest lying in Brouilly). Organic viticulture has kept the vines in healthy shape for decades now, and vine age hovers around fifty years old, with some over seventy. Harvesting by hand, low-temp carbonic maceration with only indigenous yeast, and no fining or filtering round out the prized recipe. These Beaujolais offer substance, and can age for a long time.

Jean-Louis Dutraive Domaine de la Grand’Cour Fleurie “Clos de la Grand’Cour,” Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($44.95) $39 special, 24 bottles in stock now

Famille Dutraive Chiroubles, Beaujolais 2020 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 12 bottles in stock now

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $44.99


France – Loire

Light and savory, this is a very food-friendly Sauv Blanc
Domaine Michaud Sauvignon de Touraine, Loire 2019 750ML ($19.95) $17.70 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Distributor note “Very aromatic profile with a lot of citrus, exotic fruits and white fruits. A lot of depth in the palate with a refreshing zesty acidity.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Veronique Gunther-Chéreau “Confluentia” Sur Lie, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2020 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Véronique Günther Chéreau—one of the first independent female winemakers in Muscadet—is a regional ICON, and her wines are a sensation throughout France. However, as very few of her wines make it to the United States, she remains relatively unknown here. Growing up as the heir apparent to her family’s estate, Véronique was unpleasantly surprised when her father decided to pass along the estate to her brother. Not one to go along with the abrupt change in plan, Véronique immediately struck out on her own, becoming the first woman in the area to own a farm and a cellar. She faced significant pushback from the local, male-dominated wine community, with many speculating she would fail. Twenty years later, she is creating stunning wines from her organically-farmed estate, and she is working with her daughter Aurore to ensure a smooth transition to the next generation.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Veronique Gunther-Chéreau “Folie Blanche” Sur Lie, Gros Plant du Pays Nantais 2020 750ML ($21.95) $17.70 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Véronique Günther Chéreau—one of the first independent female winemakers in Muscadet—is a regional ICON, and her wines are a sensation throughout France. However, as very few of her wines make it to the United States, she remains relatively unknown here. Growing up as the heir apparent to her family’s estate, Véronique was unpleasantly surprised when her father decided to pass along the estate to her brother. Not one to go along with the abrupt change in plan, Véronique immediately struck out on her own, becoming the first woman in the area to own a farm and a cellar. She faced significant pushback from the local, male-dominated wine community, with many speculating she would fail. Twenty years later, she is creating stunning wines from her organically-farmed estate, and she is working with her daughter Aurore to ensure a smooth transition to the next generation.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

A juicy, easy-drinking Cab Franc
Domaine Fabrice Gasnier Chinon Les Graves, Loire 2020 750ML ($19.95) $17 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Importer note “Chinon Les Graves is a bright, fruity wine, redolent of cedar and fresh red fruit.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $18


France – Other 

Chateau Canadel Bandol Rouge, Provence 2016 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 91 points “The full-bodied 2016 Bandol is creamy-supple in texture, offering notes of leather, boysenberry and hints of vanilla. A blend of 70% Mourvèdre, 22% Cinsault, 5% Grenache and 3% Syrah, it’s approachable now, already harmonious and long on the finish.”
“Vianney Benoist spent four years on the winemaking team at Domaine Tempier before joining his wife, Laure, at her family’s winery. Working 37 acres of vines under biodynamic principles, they made their first Canadel wines in 2014.” -Wine & Spirits

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

Chateau Combel-la-Serre Château Cuvée, Cahors 2018 750ML ($26.95) $21.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Importer note “100% Malbec. Combel’s Château Cuvée comes from estate plots totalling 3 hectares around their home village of Cournou on the limestone plateau known as the Causse at about 320m altitude. The soils for this bottling are mainly red clay with some limestone rock. The organically farmed vines average 40 years old and are kept to a yield of 40 hl/ha. The hand-harvested fruit is destemmed and crushed, with the juice fermented with native yeasts and 20 days of maceration; the temperature is kept quite cool in the beginning but allowed to rise significantly toward the end, to promote greater extraction of tannins for this bottling. A mix of cement, fiberglass and steel is used for the vinification. The wine is then aged in 500-liter tonneaux for a year. Because of the clay-heavy terroir and winemaking and aging choices, the Château Cuvée marks a significant step up in body, tannin and complexity compared to the lighter, softer Pur Fruit bottling.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Domaine Pignier Vin Jaune, Côtes du Jura 2014 620ML ($99.95) $81.90 special, 6 bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A light and fragrant Vin Jaune with nutty aromas, zippy acidity, and delicate tannins on the finish.
No reviews for the 2014 vintage. Recent review provided for reference.
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2009 Vin Jaune from Domaine Pignier has the clarity, elegance and precision of the house style, coupled with the powerful character of the 2009 vintage, which has produced some world class Vin Jaune. The nose is very elegant, insinuating, pure and fresh, with subtle aromas and a balanced and intense palate, very precise and focused, with flavors that reminded me of morel mushrooms, curry, nuts and some toasty hints. Pignier has been certified organic and biodynamic with Demeter for 18 years. They produce a full range of Jura wines in a natural yet precise way, showing elegance and purity, some might even say they sometimes feel too perfect. They work 15 hectares of Côtes du Jura vineyards in their village of Montaigu in the south of the Jura.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $89


Italy – Tuscany

Castiglion del Bosco Campo del Drago, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2016 750ML ($169.95) $139 special, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 97 points “Another structured, layered red with blackberry, plum, walnut and cigar-box aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied with depth and intensity. Tight and structured. A wine with a long future. Fine-grained and refined. Try after 2025.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “A balanced, expressive style, offering plum, cherry, fruitcake, iron and spice flavors, which are fused to muscular tannins, but also vibrant acidity, keeping this energetic and defined. Fine balance overall and terrific length on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2048. 667 cases made, 150 cases imported. — BS”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Campo del Drago (with only 8,000 bottles made) comes from a little vineyard measuring just 1.5 hectares. It is located at a high 450 meters above sea level, and what this parcel lacks in size, it makes up for in terms of view and exposure. The entire Castiglion del Boco property is surrounded by thick shrub oak forests, as the very name of the estate suggests (“bosco” means “forest” in Italian), with wild boar, roe deer and foxes (plenty of foxes). You most certainly smell aromas of underbrush and forest floor in this wine along with dark fruit, cherry and plum.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!


Spain

A staff-favorite upgrade in the style of a Vinho Verde: refreshing and frizzanté
Avinyó Petillant Vi d’Agulla Blanco, Catalonia 2020 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 12 bottles in stock now
De Maison Selections importer note “Avinyó Petillant is a vi d’agulla, the Catalan term for a prickly wine bottled with a little natural effervescence retained from the winemaking process. This vibrant and refreshing wine is the traditional summertime quaffer of the Penedès region of Catalonia, and it’s perfect for drinking out of a porrón. Petillant is made with a blend of two organically-farmed, estate vineyards. Finca La Guardia is the highest, most rugged vineyard on the property at 350 meters; here muscat de Frontignan was planted in 2003 in the stony calcareous-clay soils. Macabeo and xarel-lo are grown in the Finca Can Fontanals vineyard, planted from 1978 to 1988.”

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2009 750ML ($49.95) $37.50 special, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “Very ripe still, with crushed berry and light jam. Vanilla undertones to the fruit. Turns to flowers, both fresh and dried. Complex cedar, tobacco and walnut. It’s full-bodied with round, soft tannins and a flavorful finish. Richer than past vintages, but turns linear and refined at the finish. Drink now.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2009 Viña Bosconia Reserva shows the ripeness of the very warm and dry year. It’s structured and concentrated, quite different from the finesse of the Tondonia. Bosconia has always been more rustic and powerful and Tondonia all about finesse and nuance. There are dark plums and baking spices, a touch of singed leather, the fruit very strong to counterbalance the aging in barrel. This is a powerful Bosconia. 80,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2016.”
Wine & Spirits 92 points “Bosconia is 80 percent tempranillo, fleshed out with garnacha, graciano and mazuelo, a smooth, chocolatey Rioja in 2009 with plump blueberry, plum and rosehip flavors. It’s riper and a little rustic, as compared to the 2009 Tondonia, with overtones of anise and peach. For roast squab with a cranberry stuffing.”


South Africa

Our favorite pet nat is back in stock!
Mother Rock ‘Force Majeure – Force Celeste’ Cuvee PN Pet Nat, Swartland 2021 750ML ($27.95) $24 special, 17 bottles in stock now
Importer note “A Pet-Nat that puts Pinotage in the spotlight. South Africa’s native grape is best known for its bright fruit and deep earthy character, which translate beautifully in this joyful rosé fizz. Slightly hazy salmon-pink in the glass, with aromas of raspberries, blood orange and earthy rhubarb. Fresh in the mouth, with crunchy cranberry fruit and a savoury edge. Delicious and dangerously drinkable at only 11%!”

This is the only listing in the USA today!
 


Raymond Usseglio & Fils Cuvee Girard

Peter Weygandt knows something about great Châteauneuf-du-Pape. He’s a partner in St. Theodoric, one of our all-time favorite producers (and as close to Rayas as you can get) and imports a fantastic and value-driven selection of wines from the Southern Rhône, including Raymond Usseglio. 

Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils has grown into one of the most respected in Châteauneuf-du-Pape since its founding in 1948. Today the family farms its 60 acres biodynamically, which ensures a healthy crop of grapes and a close relationship between grower and vine. This devoted attention in the vineyard carries through to the winery—these are stunning bottles and among the best each year in the Southern Rhône.

For those lacking in cellar space, Usseglio’s Cuvée Girard is a Châteauneuf that doesn’t require years of patience to be enjoyed. Made of 90% Grenache, with Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault, and Counoise blended in, it is one of the best deals in the region: a $35/bottle powerhouse that’s ready to go from the pull of the cork.

Domaine Raymond Usseglio on sale now: 

Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Girard Rhone 2019 750ML ($54.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Girard Rhone 2019 750ML ($324.99) $222 special (that’s only $37/bottle!) 
Case-12 Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Girard Rhone 2019 750ML ($599.99) $419 special (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “Quite different than the base cuvée (which isn’t always the case), the 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Cuvée Girard is a special blend that usually includes more Mourvèdre. Lots of red and black fruits, peppery garrigue, and spice dominate the bouquet, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied and brings lots of fruit and richness, yet it stays balanced, light on its feet, and a joy to drink. Drink it over the coming 15+ years.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Bright ruby. Fragrant red berry, cherry pit and lavender aromas are sharpened by smoky mineral and cracked pepper notes. Sappy and pliant in texture, offering ripe, spice-tinged raspberry, bitter cherry and spicecake flavors that show very good depth as well as vivacity. Finishes smoky and precise, displaying gentle tannic grip and building florality.”
Matt Walls – Decanter 92 points “Very full-bodied, concentrated but not overextracted, with considerable grip. Powerful wine, very Châteauneuf. Well balanced for a punchy style, it’s retained its freshness and energy. Unfiltered. 80% Grenache; 20% Mourvèdre, Syrah, Counoise and Cinsault.”
 
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $47



New Review

G.D. Vajra’s Sister Label: Luigi Baudana

Did you know that G.D. Vajra has a sister label? In 2009, Vajra was entrusted by Luigi and Fiorina Baudana to carry on the legacy of their cherished property after their retirement. This garagiste operation is based in the tiny hamlet of Baudana. Located north of Serralunga, the village was historically known for bold and structured Nebbiolo. Unlike Serralunga, the hamlet of Baudana has largely flown under the radar since the 1930’s. The estate’s holdings don’t exceed seven acres, making them one of the smallest wineries in all of Piedmont. As a result these are wines made in highly limited qualities and offer a wholly unique interpretation of the varietal. The technical skill of Vajra is on full display with the old vines, resulting in wines that live up to the heritage of the estate.

Newly Reviewed and In Stock Now:

Luigi Baudana Cerretta Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Decanter 94 points “Classically ‘Serralunga’ in character, the 2017 is still backward. Aromas suggest tobacco, tea leaf, hazelnut and mossy undergrowth. A steely, irony structure grips the tight, angular palate. Tannins are concentrated – as is the acidity – becoming grainier as they relent. A rush of salted black liquorice, white blossoms and granite washes across the finish. Give this time. From two plots – one on the northern slope of the Cerretta hill where Sant’Agata fossil marls meet Diano d’Alba sandstone, and the other on the east which sits on pure Lequio formation. Drinking Window 2025 – 2037.” 

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The average price nationally is $84

Also In Stock Now from Luigi Baudana:

Luigi Baudana ‘Baudana’ Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($89.95) $77 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Spectator 96 points “Macerated cherry and raspberry fruit is supported by rose, iron and eucalyptus flavors in this red, which is complex and intense, with an elegant frame and beautifully integrated tannins. Just as this feels approachable, the fine-grained tannins take hold, ending with a very long finish. Best from 2023 through 2045.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Baudana is laced with sweet red cherry, floral overtones and silky tannins, all of which make it one of the more refined, sensual Serralunga Barolos readers will come across. In this tasting, the Baudana impresses with its haunting aromatics and transparent expression of Nebbiolo. Like all of these wines, it needs time in bottle but it is super impressive, even in the early going.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Balsamic aromas of camphor mingle with pressed rose, new leather and small red berry. Firmly structured and youthfully austere, the linear palate features dried cherry, licorice, cinnamon and tobacco alongside assertive but noble tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2026–2036. – Kerin O’Keefe”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $82

Luigi Baudana ‘Baudana’ Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($89.95) $75 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Kerin O’Keefe-Wine Enthusiast 96 points “Balsamic aromas of camphor and cedar mingle with rose and leather on this full-boded, savory red. Structured and delicious, the juicy palate is still youthfully austere, delivering ripe Marasca cherry, crushed raspberry, baking spice and licorice framed in noble tannins before a black tea finish. Drink 2025–2037.”
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2017 Barolo Baudana is such a gorgeous wine. It, too conveys the power of Serralunga, but with a bit less heft than is typically the case. Sweet dark cherry, iron, cedar, rose petal, mint and white pepper give the 2017 its effusive, inviting personality. This is such a tremendous showing.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2017 Barolo Baudana has more savory and forward notes of dried cranberry, leather, and orange peel on the nose, with tangy ripe fruit on the palate. It has a rather approachable style, with the generosity of the fruit up front and well-managed tannins. Drink 2021-2040.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $86

Luigi Baudana Cerretta Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML (89.95) $77 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Cerretta is dark, virile and imposing. Black cherry, lavender, scorched earth, cloves, leather and a range of balsamic notes give the Cerretta its somber, virile feel. Ample and powerful yet also medium in body, the Cerretta captures so much of what makes Nebbiolo so captivating, specifically the ability for a wine to constantly transform in the glass.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “This is perfumed, featuring graphite, white pepper and underbrush aromas, with a core of cherry and currant flavors. Elegant and linear, with firm tannins giving support on the finish, showing fine balance and length. Best from 2023 through 2043.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $88

Luigi Baudana Serralunga Barolo DOCG 2017 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 23 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2017 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba may very well turn out to be one of the best wines of the year in its peer group. Dark and wonderfully expressive, yet also light on its feet for a Serralunga Barolo, the 2017 has so much going on. Black cherry, plum, spice, gravel, cured meats, lavender and sage all meld together in this dark yet translucent Barolo.”
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points “The 2017 Barolo Del Comune Di Serralunga d’Alba is resinous and assertive with aromas of tobacco, leather, dried cherry, and cedar. The palate is ripe with red plum, dried violet, and tar. The fruit dovetails to reveal its more powerful Serralunga structure, with building and firm tannins. Hold 2-4 years and drink 2023-2040.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 92 points “The Luigi Baudana 2017 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba reveals a robust and fruit-forward bouquet, with pressed blackberry and plum, followed by licorice, iron ore and some of the candied orange aromas that often come with fruit from Serralunga d’Alba. The wine is tight in terms of structure, and you feel its strength, but ultimately the sensations are polished and smooth. There are no rough edges to these well-managed tannins, and this is especially impressive in an unruly vintage such as 2017. About 8,000 bottles were made.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $58
 

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Collector’s Corner:

Chateau Pape Clement Blanc 

To say Chateau Pape Clement is historic seems like a bit of an undersell. The 2012 vintage at this estate is the 760th anniversary of the first recorded grape harvest. The estate is named for the 14th century owner, Pope Clement V, famous, too, for the inspiring the name of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape region. The estate was purchased by Paul Montagne in 1939 and his descendent, Bernard Magrez, owns and manages it today. Magrez rolled out improves to the estate, reducing yields and revamping the barrel-aging. Under his direction, the wines have achieved world-wide praise, including a string of 100 points from American publications. 

The 2012 Blanc arrives mid-April, a wine Robert Parker describes as a “brilliant achievement” that we’re offering less than half the price of the 100-point 2009 vintage. Due to the difficulties red wines faced outside of the Pessac-Leognan region in 2012, much top flight wine has been overlooked and undervalued. 2012 was an excellent year for dry whites in Bordeaux, described by Antonio Galloni as resulting in wines of “bright acidity and considerable textural depth” that are “remarkably beautiful.” In Pessac-Leognan, both Galloni and Robert Parker describe the reds and whites as excellent. Parker credits Pape Clement as crafting one of the “most brilliant wines” of the vintage. In his review of the red, Parker writes that “quality of the Pomerols and Graves wines in 2012 is closer to what one would consider a great vintage than the general image of 2012.” Though within its maturity window, the 2012 has an excellent life ahead. 

Arriving Mid-April:

Chateau Pape Clement Blanc, Pessac-Leognan 2012 750ML ($249.95) $189 pre-arrival special, only 30 bottles available
Robert Parker-Wine Advocate 96 points “I am not sure what the exact blend is for the 2012 Pape Clément, but it has a light gold color and is a gorgeously full-bodied, multi-dimensional wine with great texture in its notes of rose petal, honeysuckle, crystallized/caramelized tropical fruits, mandarin orange and honeyed lemon. Aged 15 months in mostly new French oak, this is another brilliant achievement for proprietor Bernard Magrez from this tiny white wine vineyard, although I would rate it slightly below his perfect 2009. Anticipated maturity: now-2030.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “[Reviewed 2016] A rich, flamboyant wine, the 2012 Pape Clément Blanc has a lot to offer. Orange blossoms, ginger, mint, lychee, spices and layers of tropical-infused fruit are super-expressive in the glass. The Blanc is voluptuous, creamy and inviting. Not much is left to the imagination. Drink this unctuous, racy white over the next decade or so.”
45% Sauvignon Blanc, 44% Semillon, 6% Muscadelle & 5% Sauvignon Gris

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