In Today’s Newsletter:
Cayuse Mania Continues!
New Releases & New Arrivals from Christophe Baron
New Reviews from David Schildknecht at Vinous Media
For Willi Schaefer & Carl Loewen
Trending Like Mail-In Ballots
Giacomo Fenocchio Bussia
Cayuse Mania Continues!
New Releases & New Arrivals from Christophe Baron
Cayuse is one of the most in-demand wineries in North America, producing wines from both Rhone and Bordeaux varieties that are among the finest in the world and selling them almost exclusively through their mailing list. Even if you wanted to buy their wines directly off that list, you’d be looking at a looooong wait before getting an opportunity and so every chance to sell them is special.
In Stock Now from Christophe Baron
Newly arrived!
Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Based on 50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Flying Pig sports a deeper ruby/purple color as well as rocking levels of blackcurrant and black cherry fruits interwoven with notes of tobacco leaf, cedar pencil, damp earth, and spice. Bordeaux-like on both the nose and palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a great, rounded texture, and a clean finish. It’s beautiful example of this cuvée to drink any time over the coming 10-15 years.”
Cayuse Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “The 2016 Syrah Sur Echalas Vineyard is a more meaty, savory effort that just jumps out of the glass with its ground black pepper, peat moss, cured meat, and smoky red and black raspberry fruits. Meaty, rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied, with a tight, backward vibe, hide this in the cellar for 3-5 years and it will have two decades of longevity.”
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Cellar Selection. The outrageously expressive aromas include notes of peat, firepit, black and green olive, potpourri, black pepper, crushed rock, funk, ham hock, fresh flower and tobacco. The savory flavors are palate shaking in their intensity, but still sleek and balanced, tapering toward an extremely long potpourri- and smoked meat-filled finish. It’s a complete stunner that assaults the senses. A knockout now, it should only get better with time. Best after 2025.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “From the first sniff, you know this is a special wine. The 2016 Syrah Sur Echalas Vineyard pops with a blackberry-scented nose and impressive, seductive Syrah tones reticent of the Northern Rhône, with a soft smokiness and mineral edge, warn leather and soft ashiness that lingers on with aromas of crushed violets. There are a noticeable stemmy and black pepper tones on the nose and palate that command my attention. This is a beautifully balanced expression that manages to focus on the elegant side of Syrah, without over-extracting, over-oaking or possessing screaming high alcohol, and the finish is long and contemplative with balanced tannins and structuring acidity—this will age beautifully for decades to come! There is a reason why Christophe Baron and crew are captivating the world’s attention when it comes to the Rhône varietals. Only 267 cases made.”
In Stock Now from Christophe Baron
Newly arrived!
Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 2 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Based on 50% Cabernet Franc, 39% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Flying Pig sports a deeper ruby/purple color as well as rocking levels of blackcurrant and black cherry fruits interwoven with notes of tobacco leaf, cedar pencil, damp earth, and spice. Bordeaux-like on both the nose and palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a great, rounded texture, and a clean finish. It’s beautiful example of this cuvée to drink any time over the coming 10-15 years.”
Cayuse Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 98+ points “The 2016 Syrah Sur Echalas Vineyard is a more meaty, savory effort that just jumps out of the glass with its ground black pepper, peat moss, cured meat, and smoky red and black raspberry fruits. Meaty, rich, concentrated, medium to full-bodied, with a tight, backward vibe, hide this in the cellar for 3-5 years and it will have two decades of longevity.”
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Cellar Selection. The outrageously expressive aromas include notes of peat, firepit, black and green olive, potpourri, black pepper, crushed rock, funk, ham hock, fresh flower and tobacco. The savory flavors are palate shaking in their intensity, but still sleek and balanced, tapering toward an extremely long potpourri- and smoked meat-filled finish. It’s a complete stunner that assaults the senses. A knockout now, it should only get better with time. Best after 2025.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “From the first sniff, you know this is a special wine. The 2016 Syrah Sur Echalas Vineyard pops with a blackberry-scented nose and impressive, seductive Syrah tones reticent of the Northern Rhône, with a soft smokiness and mineral edge, warn leather and soft ashiness that lingers on with aromas of crushed violets. There are a noticeable stemmy and black pepper tones on the nose and palate that command my attention. This is a beautifully balanced expression that manages to focus on the elegant side of Syrah, without over-extracting, over-oaking or possessing screaming high alcohol, and the finish is long and contemplative with balanced tannins and structuring acidity—this will age beautifully for decades to come! There is a reason why Christophe Baron and crew are captivating the world’s attention when it comes to the Rhône varietals. Only 267 cases made.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $176
Cayuse Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 special, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “Showing with a deep ruby core that fades to a purple edge, the 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard explodes from the glass with pronounced smoky aromas that waft with delicate notes of dark chocolate-covered blackberries, then show hints of roasted coffee bean, notions of petrichor, baked earth and dried herbs. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is elegantly powerful, showcasing a balanced chassis of youthful tannins that evolve with the complex nature of the wine. There is a velvety firmness to the mid-palate before moving onto an elongated finish that grows in complexity and amplitude as the expression resonates harmoniously, confirming yet another blockbuster Syrah from the ever-so-talented Christophe Baron. Only 386 cases made.”
Wine Enthsuast 96 points “[#69 TOP 100 CELLAR SELECTIONS 2020] The aromas explode from the glass, with notes of fire pit, potpourri, black olive, wet stone, dried porcini and stone. The palate is sumptuous, layered, elegant and intensely flavorful, showing abundant savory notes. A lingering black olive and earthy finish caps it off. Best after 2025.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95+ points “The 2017 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard is more wound up and tight, with backward notes of chocolaty black fruits, toasted spice, mulled plums, cured ham, and sweet mulch all developing with time in the glass. Full-bodied and concentrated on the palate, with plenty of tannins, this is one 2017 that’s going to reward bottle age. Do your best to hide bottles for 4-5 years if possible, and it should see its 20th birthday in fine form. This is certainly for those who like a big dose of funk in their Syrah!”
James Suckling 95 points “Aromas of brambleberries and wet earth with some smoke and green cloves. Full body, round and succulent tannins and a juicy, earthy aftertaste. Savory. Delicious now or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $188
Cayuse Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 special, 11 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Beautiful notes of red and black raspberries, tobacco, plum sauce, loamy earth, and loads of floral notes emerge from the 2017 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard, another tight, closed wine that’s going to benefit from bottle age. Medium to full-bodied, with notable freshness as well as plenty of underlying structure, it reminds me of Cote Rotie from the Cote Blonde lieu-dit with its incredible floral character as well as its seamless texture. Beautifully done and one of the standouts in the lineup in 2017, give bottles a healthy decant if drinking any time soon, and my money is on it benefiting from 2-3 years of bottle age and evolving for 15-20 years or more.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2017 Syrah The Tribe Vineyard begins with a firm, tight nose of rustic dark red fruit and soft aromas of worn leather, black spice and dust-covered violets. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is still tight in its youth, but it remains approachable and food-friendly now. The wine has a bolder mouthfeel than the rest of the range and is balanced with firm tannins that will ensure it will last for years to come. It concludes with a long, drawn-out finish with an essence of dark red fruit and a soft, lingering spiciness. 549 cases produced.”
James Suckling 96 points “Intense yet subtle aromas of dried strawberry and black peppercorns with some cloves. Tar as well. Medium to full body. The firm, silky tannins are integrated and poised, melting into the wine. Lovely now, but better in a year or two. Try after 2021.”
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “While I don’t think the 2017 Impulsivo matches the 2016, it’s certainly not far off. Showing the more elegant style of the vintage, it offers a gorgeous perfume of smoked black cherries, redcurrants, green tobacco, bloody meat, sandalwood, and Asian spices that opens up with time in the glass. Ethereal, medium to full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it has flawless balance, polished tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It’s just beautifully put together and one of the more approachable vintages of this cuvée. It can be drunk with incredible pleasure today (give it an hour decant) or cellared for 15+ years or more.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2017 Impulsivo begins with an expressive and aromatic nose with roasted blackberries, oak spice tones and charred cherry skin with elements of dusty purple flowers and baked earth. Full-bodied, the wine is expressive and deliciously balanced across the mid-palate before showing exotic spice elements, dried tobacco and cedar plank across the long-lingering finish. For Tempranillo lovers out there, this is a simply delicious wine that represents a New World-style expression of Tempranillo and a clear winner. Check it out. Only 262 cases were produced.”
James Suckling 94 points “The softness and caressing nature to this red is most enjoyable, delivering cherry, chocolate and walnut flavors. It’s full-bodied, yet juicy and satisfying. No reason to wait on this one. Drink or hold.”
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $125 special, 1 bottle in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “This red shows lots of smoked meat and spices, as well as dried-strawberry and raspberry character. Full-bodied, yet not overpowering, with creamy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Tightens at the end. Shows focus and intensity. Drink or hold.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “More tapenade, dried herbs, chocolate, sweet mulch, and sweet black fruits emerge from the 2017 Syrah En Chamberlin, a medium to full-bodied, ripe, powerful 2017. With building tannins, a plump, expansive mid-palate, plenty of classic Rocks funk, and a great finish, it doesn’t quite have the precision of the En Cerise yet is more sexy and opulent. It benefits from a decant if drinking any time soon and will evolve gracefully for 15 years.”
Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker’ En Chamberlin Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 5 bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2017 The Widowmaker En Chamberlin is another Bordeaux look-alike (it reminds me of a wine from the Graves region) that has loads of blackcurrant and cassis as well as leafy tobacco, cedar pencil, chocolate, cold fireplace and Asian spices on both the nose and palate. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it has a wonderfully seamless texture, ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish. This beautiful, elegant yet powerful Cabernet Sauvignon will drink well for 20-30 years or more.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2017 The Widowmaker en Chamberlin Vineyard begins with boisterous black fruits on the nose with subtleties of graphite, blackcurrant and dried violets before expressing hints of crème de cassis and smoked earth. Full-bodied, the wine is rich and round, offering a generous yet balanced structure to last about two decades. Accessible in youth, the wine ends with a silky, supple finish that continues to evolve with complexity for moments after the wine has left the palate and will surely deliver pleasure. 232 cases produced. Good luck finding some.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Cellar Selection. The aromas offer beguiling, complex notes of funk, cedar, plum, moist earth and black currant. Intensely pure, ripe, dense, palate-coating flavors follow, showing impressive staying power. It’s an outrageously pleasurable wine—a textbook example of what Cabernet can achieve in this sub-appellation of the valley. Best after 2024.”
Hors Categorie, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($379.95) $325 special, 1 bottle in stock now
Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2016 Syrah is almost shy on the nose, compact and focused, waiting to hit the palate with red fruit that is mineral and floral at the same time. The real magic happens when you taste the wine. It’s like watching a jumbo jet land for the first time and wondering how something so massive could literally appear weightless as it lands. The wine glides across the palate effortlessly with focus and precision and evolves with layers, showing depth and breadth in an instant. The Syrah quietly explodes with textural appeal and peppercorn notes that linger and linger, turning to soft smoky meat with blackberry jus. Long and drawn out, the finish is long and contemplative, continuing to wind down an ever-changing path with tones of mineral tension. I end up staring at the glass in amazement, thinking, “How did they do this with such young vines?” and was able to utter two words which I will spare our readers. The finish continues to be pulled longer and longer as if it were made of taffy. Only 1,000 bottles were produced and will be packaged into 500 two-pack cases for the serious collector. Absolutely stunning, bravo!”
Jeb Dunnuck 99 points “The 2016 Syrah is from an up and coming terroir located on the north fork of the Walla Walla River, in Oregon, and comes from two steep hillside slopes on broken basalt soils. Not destemmed and brought up in all neutral demi-muids, it has a Côte Brune-like style in its smoked red and black fruits, crushed violets, cold fireplace, bloody meats, and ground pepper aromas and flavors. Concentrated, medium to full-bodied, incredibly layered, and pure, it has an ultra-classic, mineral-laced Syrah style that’s just magical to behold. Give bottles 2-4 years of bottle age and enjoy over the following 10-15.”
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Cellar Selection. This project from Christophe Baron comes from a newly planted area of the valley on the north fork of the Walla Walla River. Brooding, tightly wound aromas of firepit, black pepper, black olive and ham hock are followed by an action-packed and layered palate. Despite this power, there’s a sense of elegance that provides a fascinating contrast. Lingering floral and saline notes captivate on the long finish. Best after 2025.”
2017 Cayuse Wines Arriving November 6th
Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “Coming from the En Cerise and Cailloux vineyards, the 2017 Camaspelo doesn’t match the stunning 2016 but still offers a gorgeous perfume of red and black currants, toasted spices, flowery incense, and green tobacco that develops nicely with time in the glass. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, with silky tannins and a great balance, it’s an ethereal, balanced Bordeaux blend (it’s mostly Cabernet Sauvignon) that’s going to develop even more complexity with 2-4 years of bottle age and have 15-20 years of prime drinking.”
Cayuse Vineyards Armada Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 1 bottle available
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The Armada Vineyard Syrah always reminds me of the Horsepower releases, as it’s a more masculine, earthy style of Syrah. Deep plum/purple-colored with an incredible bouquet of smoked plum, blackcurrants, tobacco, peppered meat, and violets, the 2017 hits the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, building structure and tannins, moderate acidity, and a great finish. It’s another wine from Baron that packs incredible richness and depth yet still just glides across the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness. It shows the more rounded, approachable style of the vintage and will keep for 20 years or more.”
Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2017 Syrah Armada Vineyard bursts out of the glass with complex and expressive aromas of blackberry, black tea, savory and umami tones of crushed black pepper, grilled meat and dried lilac and lavender. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is elegant and seamless on the palate, unfolding beautifully with precision and intention, offering up instant gratification in youth. The wine unfolds its wings across the mid-palate and takes flight, leading to the elongated and continually evolving finish, which grows in complexity and amplitude in the mouth. The 2017 is more approachable in youth than the 2016 vintage of the same bottling. If you enjoy wines in their youth, this vintage is a no-brainer. Only 613 cases were produced.”
James Suckling 95 points “A soft, savory syrah with dried-strawberry, light chocolate-powder and walnut character. Medium to full body, round and soft tannins and a delicious finish. Rich, but not overwhelming. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Cayuse Vineyards Wallah Wallah #11 Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 1.5L ($319.95) $299 pre-arrival special, only 1 magnum available
James Suckling 97 points “Soft and luxurious with plums, smoke, spice and hints of earth. Some chocolate, too. Full body, round and caressing tannins and a seductive finish. It’s a wine that develops beautifully on your palate. Drink or hold.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Made only in magnum, the 2017 Syrah Wallah Wallah Special #11 comes from some of the exceptional vineyards that go into making some of the bottlings for Cayuse and Horsepower. Displaying with a pale ruby-colored edge, the wine unfolds its wings in the glass showing the elegance of Pinot Noir but with the savoriness of Syrah. Elements of crushed violets, sweet raspberry, lavender and rose petal all capture the attention first before showing subtle savory notions of black pepper, crushed rock and worn leather. Medium to full-bodied, the wine is framed by a well-balanced structure, with energetic acidity and mouthwatering tannins, before ending with a long, lingering finish. A brilliant idea to only bottle in magnum, which forces you to select the appropriate time to open and consume the bottle. Regardless, this is a winner. 481 cases produced.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Editor’s Choice. There no mistaking that this comes from the stones of Walla Walla Valley, with its outrageous aromas of funk, earth, black pepper, peat, black olive tapenade, charcuterie plate, sea breeze and potpourri—an aromatic tour de force. A silky, plush, savory, earthy palate follows, full of saline and charcuterie notes. The supremely long, intensely rich finish grabs you and shakes you, kicking it up a notch.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
2018 Cayuse Wines Arriving November 6th
Don’t wait for the reviews. These are superb wines year in/year out and will be gone before notes are published…
Cayuse Vineyards Flying Pig, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 3 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards Impulsivo Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($179.95) $149 pre-arrival special, only 6 bottles available
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards Cailloux Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 2 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2018 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special, only 2 bottles available
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Christophe Baron Champagnes Arriving November 6th
Christophe Baron is best known as the winemaker and founder of Cayuse, in Walla Walla, where he makes a range of wines that inspire cult-like fervor and desire. It’s not well known that he hails from Champagne, and only a true insider knows Monsieur Baron has a deep passion for Pinot Meunier Champagnes. Just recently, he began producing profoundly mineral and expressive wines Champagnes from his family’s vines. We’re proud to be one of the few retailers in the country to present these latest releases from 2015.
Christophe Baron Crouttes-sur-Marne Le Dessus du Bois Marie Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 1.5L ($379.95) $319 pre-arrival special, only 1 magnum available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97 points “Disgorged in March 2019 without dosage, Baron’s 2015 Brut Nature Le Dessus du Bois Marie is showing beautifully, unfurling in the glass with a deep and inviting bouquet of red apple, clear honey, linden, beeswax and lily pollen. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, vinous and textural, with a low-pressure pinpoint mousse, ripe but racy girdling acidy and a pillowy, enveloping profile. Concentrated and penetrating, this is a beautifully balanced wine that’s showing superbly.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2015 Brut Nature Le Dessus Du Bois Marie (Magnum) shows the natural breadth and textural resonance of Meunier off to great effect. Apricot, chamomile, dried flowers, hazelnut and lightly honeyed notes all open up in a creamy, ample Champagne built on textural resonance. Rich and exotic, with tremendous depth and personality, the Dessus Du Bois Marie has so much to offer. It is another gorgeous, deeply expressive Champagne from Christophe Baron.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Christophe Baron Charly-sur-Maine Les Hautes Blanches Vignes Brut Nature, Champagne 2015 1.5L ($359.95) $299 pre-arrival special, only 5 magnums available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “Disgorged in March 2019 without dosage, Christophe Baron’s 2015 Brut Nature Les Hautes Blanches Vignes wafts from the glass with a lovely bouquet of fresh peach, crisp yellow orchard fruit, frangipane, red apple and subtle hints of mint. Full-bodied, vinous and enveloping, its satiny attack segues into an ample but beautifully defined mid-palate, displaying pristine balance and none of the sucrosity that can sometimes render the 2015 vintage ponderous at other addresses. Complemented by a delicate pinpoint mousse, this terrific Champagne concludes with a saline and precise finish. 1,597 magnums were produced.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Christophe Baron’s 2015 Brut Nature Les Hautes Blanches Vignes (Magnum) is bright, punchy and full of character. Orchard fruit, white pepper, sage and mint are some of the many notes that race out of the glass in a cool, nervy Champagne that is super-expressive today. The more taut, crystalline side of Meunier really comes through. At times, the savory quality is a bit pronounced, which is common with 2015s, and yet all the elements remain very nicely balanced. I would give the 2015 another year or two in bottle. Disgorged: March, 2019.”
New Reviews from David Schildknecht at Vinous Media!
Willi Schaefer
“For many tasters, these are the Ne Plus Ultra of Mosel wine, and they have attracted an almost religious following. Thus my most frustrating agency, as there is never enough wine. It is hard to put a finger on exactly what it is that makes these wines so precious. There is a candor about them that is quite disarming. They are polished too, but not brashly so. They are careful to delineate their vineyard characteristics, and they offer fruit of sublime purity. They are utterly soaring in flavor yet not without weight. What many of you seem to have warmed to is their clarity, precision and beauty of fruit, so maybe I’ll leave it at that!” –Terry Theise
Newly Reviewed & In Stock Now:
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 19 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “The nose hovers between fresh and jellied apple, signaling an advanced sense of ripeness typical of 2018, but there is also a whiff of lemon, which transforms itself into welcome brightness on an at once richly textured yet buoyant and juicy palate. Tang and tingle serve for invigoration on a consummately refreshing finish delightfully sensitive to crystalline stony impingements. Any slight suspicions from the aromas – or, for that matter, from studying this wine’s analysis – that it might lack for animation, delicacy and efficacious acidity are quickly dispelled.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #10, Mosel 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Very ripe but fresh pear and apple are mingled with scents of lime, wet stone and salt spray. The palate is succulent, infectiously juicy, buoyant and bright, with zest of lime and skin as well as seeds of pear and apple serving for piquant, tart-edged counterpoint. The vibrant, generously fruity and refreshing finish is mouthwateringly salt-tinged. Seeing that a mere 7.5% alcohol is present, it comes as no surprise to note residual sugar in the mid-70s, yet the sweetness is supportive rather than extraneous.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #11, Mosel 2018 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 19 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Schaefer termed this “a classic Auslese, rendered largely from tiny, golden-yellow fruits with a small share of botrytis.” Pure pear, quince and yellow cherry nectar are evoked on both the nose and the glossy palate, and suggestions of candied ginger and green herbal essences supply incisive and cooling counterpoint to the wine’s intense fruit concentration and soothing glycerol-richness. At the same time, there is a striking and by no means inharmonious juxtaposition of creaminess and subtle but animating brightness of fresh lime and grapefruit, these latter really coming to the fore on the vibrantly, intensely yet buoyantly sustained finish.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #14, Mosel 2018 375ML ($89.95) Was $79, Now $69 special, 18 half-bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 94 points ““This came from more concentrated material [than the A.P. #11] with a higher percentage of botrytis,” explained Schaefer. Quince jelly, marzipan and penetratingly pungent anise and caraway distillates inform the nose and the glossy, glycerol-rich palate. Intriguingly, though – perhaps as a function of botrytis influence – there is an underlying firmness of texture in contrast with A.P. #11’s creaminess. I was not wrong in anticipating a confectionary finish, but from somewhere the wine also manages to pull a counteracting modicum of primary pear and apple juiciness to balance its richness and sweetness. Moreover, a sense of bittersweet green herbal concentration enhances the balance and complexity of this remarkably persistent libation. It should prove especially fascinating and worthwhile to follow (though certainly you don’t have to be in a pinch to open a bottle now).”
Newly Reviewed & In Stock Now:
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 19 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 92 points “The nose hovers between fresh and jellied apple, signaling an advanced sense of ripeness typical of 2018, but there is also a whiff of lemon, which transforms itself into welcome brightness on an at once richly textured yet buoyant and juicy palate. Tang and tingle serve for invigoration on a consummately refreshing finish delightfully sensitive to crystalline stony impingements. Any slight suspicions from the aromas – or, for that matter, from studying this wine’s analysis – that it might lack for animation, delicacy and efficacious acidity are quickly dispelled.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #10, Mosel 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 6 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Very ripe but fresh pear and apple are mingled with scents of lime, wet stone and salt spray. The palate is succulent, infectiously juicy, buoyant and bright, with zest of lime and skin as well as seeds of pear and apple serving for piquant, tart-edged counterpoint. The vibrant, generously fruity and refreshing finish is mouthwateringly salt-tinged. Seeing that a mere 7.5% alcohol is present, it comes as no surprise to note residual sugar in the mid-70s, yet the sweetness is supportive rather than extraneous.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #11, Mosel 2018 750ML ($119.95) $89 special, 19 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Schaefer termed this “a classic Auslese, rendered largely from tiny, golden-yellow fruits with a small share of botrytis.” Pure pear, quince and yellow cherry nectar are evoked on both the nose and the glossy palate, and suggestions of candied ginger and green herbal essences supply incisive and cooling counterpoint to the wine’s intense fruit concentration and soothing glycerol-richness. At the same time, there is a striking and by no means inharmonious juxtaposition of creaminess and subtle but animating brightness of fresh lime and grapefruit, these latter really coming to the fore on the vibrantly, intensely yet buoyantly sustained finish.”
Weingut Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese #14, Mosel 2018 375ML ($89.95) Was $79, Now $69 special, 18 half-bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 94 points ““This came from more concentrated material [than the A.P. #11] with a higher percentage of botrytis,” explained Schaefer. Quince jelly, marzipan and penetratingly pungent anise and caraway distillates inform the nose and the glossy, glycerol-rich palate. Intriguingly, though – perhaps as a function of botrytis influence – there is an underlying firmness of texture in contrast with A.P. #11’s creaminess. I was not wrong in anticipating a confectionary finish, but from somewhere the wine also manages to pull a counteracting modicum of primary pear and apple juiciness to balance its richness and sweetness. Moreover, a sense of bittersweet green herbal concentration enhances the balance and complexity of this remarkably persistent libation. It should prove especially fascinating and worthwhile to follow (though certainly you don’t have to be in a pinch to open a bottle now).”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Carl Loewen
Carl Loewen took over the historic Schmitt-Wagner estate, with its extremely old vineyard holdings, and has elevated it to new heights, returning a slew of historic vineyards back to the esteem they were held to in the 1800’s. His wines are textural, rich and complex and often from old, ungrafted parcels within vineyards. 2018 continues the estate’s rise and plays into their strengths, as the power and richness inherent in the wines this year complement Loewen’s natural savoriness and acidity.
Newly Reviewed & In Stock Now:
Weingut Carl Loewen Leiwener Laurentiuslay Riesling Spatlese, Mosel 2018 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 36 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 93 points “Grapefruit, lime and orange mingle with Persian melon and mango on the nose and the lusciously citric, brightly juicy yet subtly tropical palate. The feel is polished and, for all of the wine’s animating brightness, also subtly creamy. The finish offers a vibrant and engaging interaction of crystalline, stony and citrus fruit elements. Allowing this wine to ferment to 9% alcohol had a salutary effect on its balance, rendering sweetness discreet (even though there are 60 grams of residual sugar), but without sacrificing a sense of levity. For my taste and from my historical perspective, this is a perfectly balanced Mosel Spätlese. Yet Karl Josef Loewen related that “in early summer [2019], this is the wine that most disappointed me. At that point I wasn’t happy with the aromatics or the integration of sweetness.” Incidentally, the wine was picked very early in October and a full week ahead of the corresponding (also highly successful) dry “Alte Reben” bottling.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Weingut Carl Loewen Thornicher Ritsch Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2018 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special, 21 bottles in stock now
David Schildknecht-Vinous 94 points “In striking contrast with its vintage 2017 counterpart, this Auslese issued from healthy grapes, even though the Loewens said that these were picked into two buckets per harvester, so as to allow for the possibility that a Beerenauslese might also result. Musky narcissus, sweetly perfumed honeysuckle, earthy passion fruit and ripe pear offer an alluring as well as site-typically intriguing aromatic display. The polished, subtly creamy palate evinces not just luscious fruitiness but also a remarkable sense of levity and wafting inner-mouth perfume. As Christopher Loewen observed, “This is not one of your opulent Auslesen, but instead a delicate, juicy, glass-clear one.” “This is my favorite wine of the vintage,” added Karl Josef. Liquid florality persists right along with the wine’s luscious fruitiness on a seductively sustained finish that is transparent to slate underpinnings and mouthwateringly salt-tinged, and does an incredible job of hiding 100 grams of residual sugar.”
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This is always our best-selling Rioja and has a massive fan base at the shop
Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ML ($34.95) $23.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “One of the flagship cuvées from this estate that’s produced in every vintage, the 2015 Reserva is a blend of 70% Tempranillo and the rest Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano that spent 24 months in used French and American oak. Blackberries, currants, cigar wrapper, cedar box, and hints of vanilla all flow to a medium-bodied, concentrated, beautiful Rioja that has ripe tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. You couldn’t go wrong with a case of this.”
James Suckling 94 points “Complex nose with ripe black cherries, deeply integrated cedary oak, baking spices, dried flowers, leather, fresh tobacco and earthy notes. This is silky and mellow with long, laid-back tannins that deliver ripe dark plum flavors into a spicy and earthy finish. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “…This was a very long harvest (similar to 2016). They started at the end of August with the Cava, and they finished at the end of October with very healthy grapes, good yields and very good quality. The wine shows very good ripeness but without any excess. It has incipient complexity, still young and undeveloped but with very good balance between power and elegance, with fine-grained tannins and integrated acidity. This has to be one of the best recent vintages of this popular bottling. There are around one million bottles of it.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Earthy black fruit aromas are warm and ripe. Befitting a reserva from a hot year like 2015, this is big-bodied and flush, with flavors of toasty oak, chocolate and mixed berry fruits. Ripeness is not lost on a finish with mild heat. Drink through 2023.”
Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2015 750ML ($34.95) $23.50 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Jeb Dunnuck 94 points “One of the flagship cuvées from this estate that’s produced in every vintage, the 2015 Reserva is a blend of 70% Tempranillo and the rest Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano that spent 24 months in used French and American oak. Blackberries, currants, cigar wrapper, cedar box, and hints of vanilla all flow to a medium-bodied, concentrated, beautiful Rioja that has ripe tannins, beautiful balance, and a great finish. You couldn’t go wrong with a case of this.”
James Suckling 94 points “Complex nose with ripe black cherries, deeply integrated cedary oak, baking spices, dried flowers, leather, fresh tobacco and earthy notes. This is silky and mellow with long, laid-back tannins that deliver ripe dark plum flavors into a spicy and earthy finish. Drink or hold.”
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 92 points “…This was a very long harvest (similar to 2016). They started at the end of August with the Cava, and they finished at the end of October with very healthy grapes, good yields and very good quality. The wine shows very good ripeness but without any excess. It has incipient complexity, still young and undeveloped but with very good balance between power and elegance, with fine-grained tannins and integrated acidity. This has to be one of the best recent vintages of this popular bottling. There are around one million bottles of it.”
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “Earthy black fruit aromas are warm and ripe. Befitting a reserva from a hot year like 2015, this is big-bodied and flush, with flavors of toasty oak, chocolate and mixed berry fruits. Ripeness is not lost on a finish with mild heat. Drink through 2023.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $27
Marcus Molitor’s wines are some of the most lauded in the world. Whether white capsule (dry), green capsule (off-dry), or gold capsule (fruity to nobly sweet), he manages to produce wines that captivate and astound.
Markus Molitor Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese, Mosel *** Goldkapsel 2016 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 99 points “The 2016 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) indicates gorgeously ripe and lush Riesling fruit with very fine flinty slate aromas that add freshness, finesse and complexity. This nose is incredibly pure and precise and doesn’t indicate any botrytis. The palate is highly elegant and fine but, at the same time, lush and salty with a highly delicate but persistent structure. The finish is mouthwatering and enormously stimulating. This Wehlener Sonnenuhr is another extremely digestible yet complex Auslese that you can drink in large amounts without getting bored or tired. The acidity is so delicate and fine here and lets this gold-capsuled Auslese dance over your palate. I just love it. Bottled September 2017; tasted March 2018.”
Isole e Olena Collezione Privata Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 19 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 96 points “A regal wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Collezione Privata from Isole e Olena soars out of the glass with tremendous aromatic and palate intensity. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure, the 2014 has so much to offer. Once again, De Marchi crafted a Cabernet Sauvignon that exudes character. Today, the 2014 is vivid but also intensely saline and clenched. Another few years in bottle should do the trick. This fruit was brought in during the last week of October and first week of November, quite late, even by the standards of the year.”
Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Le Miocene Rouge, Rhone 2017 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Domaine Grand Veneur Chateauneuf-du-Pape Le Miocene Rouge, Rhone 2017 750ML ($299.95) $219 special (that’s only $36.50/bottle!)
Wine & Spirits 93 points “This is named for the period of time when the Rhone River sluiced its way from the Alps through Chateauneuf, leaving behind a plateau paved with the baseball-sized stones as the water retreated. Those “galets” are said to help the vines ripen their fruit in this northern sector of the appellation, the stones emanating the sun’s heat. This wine reflects both a spring-like coolness in its spicy, savory herbal notes and a warmth in its lush purple fruit. It’s spicy and firm, with a little bit of grip to the tannins that suggests this could benefit from aging in bottle for a few more years.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $50
Paul Jaboulet Aine Hermitage La Chapelle, Rhone 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special, 18 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2017 Hermitage La Chapelle comes from the firm’s vineyards on the western half of the Hermitage slope, primarily Le Méal, but with substantial contributions from Les Rocoules and Les Bessards. Classic notes of cassis, black olives, mocha and roasted meat are joined by hints of baking spices in a wine that’s full-bodied, deep, dense and rich, with a velvety texture and a lingering finish. It’s lower in alcohol than the 2018, less voluptuous and maybe just a step behind that monumental wine, but it’s still a serious collectible with three decades of evolution ahead of it.-JC”
James Suckling 98 points “The icon is in dangerously seductive form. Such pristine dark cherries, blackberries and dark plums, dark chocolate, finely crushed spices and plenty of crushed dark stones on offer. The palate is very intense, very slick and fine tannins deliver an almost playfully soft impression. The oak is super integrated. Like La Maison Bleue, this approachability is an aberration, as it has immense power, concentration and length with such regal and alluring swagger at the finish. But there is so much more to come. Try from 2024, better after 2030.”
Josh Raynolds 95 points “Saturated violet color. Intensely perfumed ripe black/blue fruits, violet candy, exotic spices and smoky minerals show fine definition and lift. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering deeply concentrated yet lively black raspberry, boysenberry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors and a late touch of licorice. Finishes smooth, sappy and extremely long, with chewy tannins lending shape and grip to resonating dark berry and floral notes.”
Giacomo Fenocchio Bussia
Your second chance at this traditional estate! We blew through our first allocation and were able to secure five more cases. These are arriving mid-November. Our first offer didn’t last 24 hours, so act accordingly…
Arriving Mid-November
Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($59.95) $55 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Bussia is a wine of tremendous character and complexity. Menthol, lavender, black cherry, graphite, cloves and leather all open up in the glass. Virile and layered, with tons of depth, the 2016 Bussia has so much to offer. A few years in the cellar will help the tannins soften, but the 2016 is already quite expressive. It is also one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted from Fenocchio.”
Arriving Mid-November
Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2016 750ML ($59.95) $55 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2016 Barolo Bussia is a wine of tremendous character and complexity. Menthol, lavender, black cherry, graphite, cloves and leather all open up in the glass. Virile and layered, with tons of depth, the 2016 Bussia has so much to offer. A few years in the cellar will help the tannins soften, but the 2016 is already quite expressive. It is also one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted from Fenocchio.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Vinopolis Wine Shop Curbside Pick Up
Order Online / By Phone / By Email
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
When you’re ready to pick up, just park in our lot,
give us a call, & we’ll bring your order to your car.
(If another adult is picking up for you,
please let us know their name when placing your order.)
www.vinopoliswineshop.com
info@vinopoliswineshop.com
503-223-6002
Thanks for reading!