Socré Barbaresco: Tiny Estate/Tiny Prices/Great Wines
New Review for Domaine Collotte of Marsannay
The Best Value in the Store Right Now? It’s Certainly Trending
Don’t be an April Fool—The March Sale Ends Soon!
A Legendary Vintage+Touchstone Producer= Chapoutier’s 2016
Rosé Incoming! Spring Starts Soon with These Beauties
Pointy Pre-Arrivals: A Trio of Tasty Treats
Tiny Estate, Tiny Pricing, Great Wines
If you love to drink wine, the most exciting thing is catching a producer as they become a star. This holds doubly true if you sell wine for a living. When your discovery is in a region that’s well known—that’s the biggest prize of all and very true for the producer in Barbaresco we’re highlighting today: Socré.
Socré is an estate that’s been under the radar almost solely because of its size—they own a mere three hectares in Barbaresco, in the cru of Roncaglie, which is just below Gaja’s Sori Tilden. Three hectares doesn’t go a long way, so only the most in the know consumers have tried them. We’re excited to present two different vintages of their Barbaresco normale, which is sourced entirely from the Roncaglie cru. Both wines are exceptional, especially for the price—the other reason we love catching a producer before they become a star.
We have both the 2012 and 2013 on offer and both vintages are excellent and distinctive. The 2012, as you might expect, is a touch more aromatic and elegant (though on the whole Socré tends towards powerful Barbaresco) while Antonio Galloni called the 2013 “a terrific example of the vintage at its best.” The ’13 has power and density to spare and a long life ahead of it. Either way, these wines are no longer particularly under the radar—especially with recent scores from Galloni. So stock up and in ten years you’ll be able to say “you’ll never believe what I paid for the ‘12/’13!” to all your friends.
In Stock Now:
Socre Barbaresco DOCG, Piedmont 2012 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2012 Barbaresco is dark, plummy and absolutely delicious, with plenty of up-front fruit and pure appeal. Sweet tobacco, rose petal, mint, cherries and licorice open up in the glass. The tannins retain a touch of firmness, but otherwise, this is a hugely appealing Barbaresco, especially considering it is the estate’s entry-level wine.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Socré’s 2013 Barbaresco is a terrific example of the vintage at its best. The aromatics alone are enticing. Sweet dark cherry, plum, sage, lavender, rose petal mint and licorice give the 2013 a dark, mysterious quality that is hard to fully describe. Deep and yet also weightless as only Nebbiolo can be, the 2013 hits all the right notes. This is a vivid and impeccable Barbaresco from Socré.”
For Domaine Collotte
Grapelive 91 points “E
xploring value priced Burgundy usually ends in huge disappointment, but sometimes you find a jewel. The wines of Philippe Collotte are just that, especially his old vine Marsannay, where there are 5 parcels of 50+ year old vines that make up his excellent super-value Marsannay Cuvee Vieilles Vignes. It way over-delivers for the price… He bottles everything unfiltered per his importer’s request (Weygant Metzler). It makes for an expressive and mineral-driven Pinot Noir of wonderful delicacy, but with solid fruit intensity which forms its perception of depth flavors. While starting with classic Burgundy subtly and brightness, things gain a darker feel with air allowing layers of black cherry, strawberry and earthy vine-picked berries to come through on the medium bodied palate. The mouth-feel and length are quite impressive for a wine of this price. Rose petals, chalk dust and cedar notes along with a mixed spice note add to the whole here. There’s no question this will surprise a few people. The vintage with its concentrated ripe profile certainly helped and the old vines give a charm that with put a smile on many a face. It did mine! Drink this Marsannay over the next 3 to 5 years. It’s a no-guilt Burgundy to get by the case!”
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Les Champsalomon, Cote de Nuits 2015 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The Marsannay Champsalomon is from the village of Couchey. The 40+ year old vines are on the marl soil of the Ostrea Acuminata.”
The next best price is $32.99
Importer Note “The Marsannay Boivins is lieu-dit in Marsannay Villages, on vines over 40 years and varying limestone soil. Aged in oak, 25% new, to round the tannins.”
Importer Note “The [Fixin] Crais de Chene is from 40+ year old vines on clay-limestone soil. The vines face east to gather the sweet morning sun. Due to the old age of the vines, the grapes are very small and concentrated with flavor. Completely destemmed, the wine is aged in barrel, 30% new, for 12 months.”
The Brilliant 2011 Ciacci Piccolomini Brunello
#Trending
With as many high scores as Ciacci Piccolomini has received over the past decade, we never thought we’d see it as a best buy in the Brunello category. Ciacci Piccolomini is much more in the collectible class of wines coming out of Tuscany, but we were able to secure an incredible deal on it and now it’s priced in the value range. The result? The wine has been selling like hotcakes. This is a Brunello to drink now (It’s in a really beautiful place) and to hold onto for up to a decade longer. We have quantity on this wine now, but at the rate it’s going, we won’t for much longer.
In Stock & Trending:
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2011 750ML ($49.95) $36.60 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is fabulous. In 2011, proprietor Paolo Bianchini bottled just one Brunello. That commitment to quality comes through loud and clear. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco and licorice all flesh out in an effortless, incredibly inviting wine. The warmth of the vintage and the natural generosity of these vineyards in Castelnuovo is evident, yet the 2011 possesses remarkable balance to match all of that intensity. I don’t expect the 2011 to make old bones, but is gorgeous today. Readers should expect a flamboyant, decadently full-throttle wine built on voluptuousness and generous, racy fruit. Bianchini gave the 2011 three full years in cask.”
Monica Larner – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a very beautiful wine that shows a fraction of good things to come. Very fruit-driven at the moment, it should flesh out further with time. Evident fruit underlines the warm growing conditions of this vintage. You get dark cherry, raspberry, dried strawberry and plum. The bouquet doesn’t feel overripe per se, but you definitely get a taste of the warm growing season. Delve deeper, and this Brunello begins to reveal spice, herb, cola, tar and black licorice. These elements form the base of the wine’s budding complexity. As nice as this wine is to drink now, I look forward to trying it five years from now.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points ” Earthy and structured, this opens with aromas suggesting underbrush, grilled porcini, sunbaked earth, wild berry and dried aromatic herb. The big, bold palate doles out layers of mature black cherry, raspberry jam, licorice, sage, tobacco and black tea. Firm, velvety tannins provide structure and finesse. Drink 2019–2029.”
The next best price is $40
The average price is $51
Other Trending Wines This Week:
Chateau de Pressac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2014 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “A gorgeous wine, the 2014 de Pressac is dark, bold and voluptuous. Dark cherry, plum, bittersweet chocolate, smoke, lavender, sage and licorice all run through it. Deeply expressive, pliant and succulent, the 2014 will drink well with minimal cellaring. The dark, flamboyant style works beautifully here.The blend is 69% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon plus dollops of Malbec and Carmenère. Tasted two times.”
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Heady, mineral-accented aromas of ripe cherry and red berries, with a peppery nuance adding vivacity. At once concentrated and lively, offering intense raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a sneaky suggestion of spicecake. Picks up a sexy lavender pastille quality on the incisive, sharply focused finish, which hangs on with outstanding tenacity and building minerality.”
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Still not yet bottled (I tasted it from barrel last year as well), the 2014 Languedoc Pic Saint Loup Closerie du Pic is a blend of mostly Syrah and Mourvèdre, with a splash of Grenache. It got a big “wow” in my notes and has fabulous, fresh, lively notes of dark fruits, crushed rocks and spring flowers. There’s notable oak on the nose, but it’s beautifully integrated and lends a polish and richness to its texture. Full-bodied, with ripe tannin and a great finish, this is a sensational Pic Saint Loup that will drink well right out of the gate, yet evolve for 7-8 years or more.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2012 Muscadet Sévre et Maine Clisson has an intense yellow color and a deep, ripe yet pure and still subtle bouquet with yeasty, nutty and mineral flavors that indicate a remarkable complexity. Full-bodied, pure and elegant, with a creamy texture and an extensive mouthfeel, this is a refreshing and finesse-full, highly complex and expressive Muscadet with a serious structure and a long, lush finish. Still young in its vitality but with the maturity of almost four years of lees aging, this is a fascinating wine which I would locate between Anjou Chenin Blanc and Burgundy if you don’t have any idea about this kind of Muscadet. Would I buy it? Certainly.”
Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon, Beaujolais 2016 1.5L ($69.95) $59 special
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 93 points “Brilliant ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh red berries, cherry pit, smoky minerals and candied flowers. Offers sappy, sharply focused raspberry, bitter cherry and lavender flavors that show very good depth and pick up a hint of five-spice powder with air. Fine-grained tannins give shape to a very long, mineral-accented finish that shows excellent clarity and incisive cut. This bottling gets a sulfur addition and its back label has the letter “S” on the left-hand side.”
Grapelive 93 points “…Lapierre’s dad Marcel was a leader in organic and natural wines and Mathieu and his sister Camille have carried on his legendary example with exceptional care in the vines and in the cellar. These are wines that have always shown what well-crafted natural wine can be. They are pure, elegant and clean wines with an authentic and soulful expression of terroir and heritage. While still not taking themselves too seriously… these are wines you drink with a sense of awe and with much laughter and a huge smile on your face! This is absolutely Gamay perfection, made whole cluster from 60 years old vines and aged in well used Burgundy barrels, with no adornments, juicy, but wonderful in balance, beautifully perfumed and texture showing fine silky tannins and energy. The 2016 delivers a rich vein of bright cherry, fruity/juicy strawberry and wild black plum notes, a hint of cedar/walnut, sweet star anise, dried basil, mineral tones and violet. With air some savory tones, earth, spice and mineral add to the complex detail come through with delicious subtly, there’s no wonder why these are so sought after, I love it. This is a Gamay wonderland, not as concentrated as 2015, but joyously lively and almost crisply refreshing. Drink now.”
Grab These March Sale Wines
Before the Deals Disappear
In case you’re wondering what to get, here are a few highlights, but you can click here to see the full list on our website!
Brovia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2012 750ML ($51.95) Was $44, Now $39 Clearance Price
Antonio Galloni “Brovia’s 2012 Barolo is classy, polished and absolutely delicious. With a little bit of air, the 2012 can be enjoyed now, but it also has enough freshness and balance to drink well for at least a handful of years. I have seen Brovia’s straight Barolo age well, so I won’t be surprised if that turns out to be the case here as well. Floral and red stone fruit notes give the 2012 much of its freshness and mid-weight feel. This is an especially lifted, gracious Barolo for the vintage.”
The next best price is $45.98
Domaine Huet Vouvray ‘Le Haut Lieu’ Sec, Loire 2016 750ML ($39.95) Was $33, Now $29 Clearance Price
Wine Advocate 90 points “From the nine-hectare original vineyard of the Huet family, the 2016 Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Sec shows a citrus color followed by an intense, fresh and chalky-mineral bouquet with lemon and some blossom aromas. Aged in demi-muids and bottled in April 2017, this is a medium-bodied, round, elegant, remarkably lush and delicate Chenin Blanc from calcareous clay soils. The residual sugar of seven grams per liter gives a beautiful exotic fruitiness and balance, the fine tannins a good structure. The 2016 is truly a pleasant Vouvray that already drinks perfectly. Tasted February 2018.”
Jancis Robinson 17/20 “Already has the lanolin character very prominently on the nose, then fairly light-bodied fruit with a ripe, tropical citrus character, plus a bit of peach. Perhaps a little brief, but has lovely typical Chenin funkiness. Drink 2017-2022.”
John Gilman 90 points “The 2016 Le Haut Lieu Sec from Domaine Huet is a pretty wine and much less powerful than the 2015 version. The wine offers up lovely youthful aromatics of quince, tart pineapple, chalky minerality, orange peel, lanolin, a whisper of the honeycomb to come with bottle age and a gently floral top note. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied and nicely detailed, with good, but not great depth at the core, sound acids and very nice length and grip on the nascently complex finish. I like the shape of this wine very much, which does not have quite as much in reserve as many recent vintages of this bottling, but which has plenty of complexity and really impeccable balance. It may well age like the 1988 vintage here. 2017-2045.”
Domaine Faiveley Corton ‘Clos des Cortons’ Faiveley Monopole Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune 2011 750ML ($179.95) Was $149, Now $119 Clearance Price
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Faiveley’s 2011 Corton Clos des Corton is a fitting conclusion to this great night of wine and food. Intensely saline and pointed, the 2011 impresses for its pure energy and tension. The flavors are vibrant and impeccably delineated in a Burgundy that is all about finesse. This is a great showing from the Clos des Corton.” AG
Stephen Tanzer 94 points “Medium red. Ineffable nose and palate offer red fruits, minerals, spices and flowers, complicated by game, earth and leather. Sweet, concentrated and very intense, boasting outstanding density and a fine-grained texture, with salty minerality giving the wine a weightless impression that’s remarkable considering its density. A strong tannic spine and brisk acidity energize and draw out the finish of this sharply delineated, pristine grand cru.” ST
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Vigna Liste, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($119.95) Was $88, Now $79 Clearance Price
James Suckling 94 points “Wonderful aromas of balsamic, plum, grilled meat and spices. Full body, with round and chewy tannins. Excellent depth of fruit. The 2008 vintage shows that extra complexity to the 2009 in general. Better in 2015.”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “Cool veins of bracing minerality form the backbone in Borgogno’s 2008 Barolo Liste. Today, the 2008 is virtually impenetrable, as the vintage and the site have combined to produce a big, powerful Barolo that will require considerable cellaring before it is ready to show all its cards. Still, there is a lot to like here, especially for those who can be patient. Tar, smoke, incense and scorched earth all add gravitas on the close, but with more time in the glass some of the sweeter notes begin to emerge. The 2008 Liste is shaping up to be magnificent.” AG
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 92+ points “Medium red. Lovely lift to the aromas of redcurrant, marzipan and rose petal. Sappy, sweet and concentrated; a step up in tangy, saline intensity and inner-mouth tension from the Fossati. Wonderfully silky and lush in texture but a bit youthfully unforthcoming today. Delivers terrific verve and energy to its red berry and floral flavors. Finishes with sweeter tannins than the Fossati, an enticing light touch and excellent length and life. This should evolve gracefully in bottle for 20 years or more.”
The next best price is $99.99
Montevertine Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($59.95) Was $49, Now $44 Clearance Price
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The gracious, perfumed 2014 Montevertine is a wine of pure finesse. Silky, slender and exceptionally beautiful, it is not the most obvious or powerful Montevertine, but it impresses with its balance, poise and class. Floral notes add nuance to the bright, sculpted finish.”
Importer notes: “the standard bearer of the estate, it is aged 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels and is composed of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Canaiolo (with perhaps a hint of Colorino). The fruit for this bottling comes primarily from a 2.5 hectare parcel of vines planted in 1982 on a south – southeast facing slope.”
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett, Mosel 2015 750ML ($29.95) Was $24, Now $19 Clearance Price
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2015 Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett is deep and smoky on the very clear, refreshing nose with its bright fruit aromas and smoky flavors of crushed stones. On the palate, this is a lush and mouth-filling Riesling with great purity, super grip and lingering salinity. The Schlossberg is surely more complex than the regular Kabinett, but I wouldn’t drink it before 2025. It has 9.5% alcohol and less than 50 grams of residual sugar.”
Mosel Fine Wines 92 points “This offers a nice nose of herbs, grapefruit and spices. The wine is gorgeously fruity and elegant on the palate, with some Spätlese presence but also true Kabinett character and lightness. The wine is gorgeously long and elegant. 2023-2040”
Want to see all 64 wines on sale through the end of March? Just click here to see the full list on our website!
Meets a Touchstone Producer
2016 Chapoutier Wines Now on Offer
Chapoutier is one of the hallmark producers of the Rhone. Only Jaboulet can match them for history and breadth, though Chapoutier’s wines have been much better in the last 20+ years. Founded in 1808, the winery has grown slowly and steadily ever since, with holdings in every major important vineyard in the Northern Rhone, and increasingly in Chateauneuf, as well.
The wines are definitely powerful, the Chapoutier trademark, but with a depth and levity to them that makes them engaging and refreshing. They consistently have earned high praise (read: points) from major critics and are the benchmarks for wines in their various appellations. These are wines that have a magnetic field around them—dense and complex.
When you factor in the already-incredibly-hyped 2016, these become do-not-miss wines. They’re the vinous equivalent of appointment viewing—new Chapoutier releases are always things to stock up on and well, 2016 seems to be a hybrid of 2015 and 2005—the kind of vintage we won’t miss. These wines are a log way out, but pricing is sharp and we expect them to sell well before they arrive. If we’re out by the time these arrive (and more reviews roll in) don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Arriving ETA October:
M. Chapoutier Crozes-Ermitage Les Varonniers, Rhone 2016 750ML ($69.95) $59 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 94-96 points “One of the finest Crozes out there is the 2016 Crozes Ermitage Les Varonniers, which comes from the northern part of the appellation (right next to Hermitage) and broken granite soils. It’s a full-bodied, impressive barrel sample that has lots of minerality, ample black and blue fruits, and background spice and licorice aromatics. It shows the pure, polished, elegant style of the vintage nicely. This cuvée is also one of the longest-lived Crozes-Hermitage out there and is capable of lasting 20+ years.”
M. Chapoutier Le Clos Rouge, Saint-Joseph 2016 750ML ($149.95) $129 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 95-97+ points “Much more mineral-driven, the 2016 Saint Joseph Le Clos comes from an early ripening parcel located south of Tournon, high up on the granite slopes overlooking the Rhône River. It sports an inky color as well as a liquid rock-like character in its black and blue fruits, pepper, bay leaf and violet bouquet. Rich, full-bodied, incredibly pure, and sensationally concentrated, with fine, fine tannin and a great finish, it’s a beautiful wine that could match what was achieved in 2015.”
M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac, Rhone 2016 750ML ($119.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 95-98 points “Tasted out of tank, the deep ruby/purple-colored 2016 Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Barbe Rac (100% Grenache raised all in concrete) offers a deep, intense bouquet of smoke red and black fruits, garrigue, black pepper and exotic spice. A big, rich, incredibly unctuous tank sample, it has building tannin and sensational purity.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96-98 points “Last of the 2016-barrel samples, the 2016 Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Croix de Bois comes from a parcel on the eastern side of the appellation and is, as always, 100% Grenache brought up in concrete. It’s similarly colored to the Barbe Rac and offers the classic ripe, pure, sexy style of the cuvée. Blackberries, blueberries, crushed herbs, pepper and beautiful minerality all emerge from this full-bodied, uber-concentrated, ultra-pure 2016 and like a lot of 2016s might just be another best yet.”
Want to see all 10 wines on offer from Chapoutier? Just click here to see the list on our website.
Gotta Catch, Well, Your Favorites
Spring is coming (and is here in someplaces that aren’t the Pacific Northwest). With spring comes the new release of many of our favorite rosés. We’re highlighting a selection of wines that we sold through before the end of summer last year—these wines moved quickly and there was definitely some disappointment when we ran out. If you see some of your favorites on this list, grab them now—we can’t make any promises about how long they’ll last once they get here.
Arriving ETA May
Domaine Les Grands Bois Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Les Trois Soeurs Rose 2017 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose, Provence 2017 750ML ($299.95) $238 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Chateau de Calavon Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Rose, Provence 2017 750ML ($245.95) $179 pre-arrival special
Case-12 M Plouzeau Chinon Rive Gauche Rose, Loire 2017 750ML ($189.95) $149 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Terre de Maimbray Rose, Loire 2017 750ML ($299.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Domaine Les Aphillanthes Cote du Rhone Rose, Rhone 2017 750ML ($189.95) $138 pre-arrival special
A Trio of Tasty Treats
Podere Sapaio ‘Sapaio’ Bolgheri Superiore, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “So much fresh pressed violet and blackberry character as well as iodine, quartz, slate and tile. Full body, grippy yet linear and polished tannins, fine acidity and a long, minerally finish. So refined. Drink in 2020.”
The average price is $67
Burghound 94 points “A very mild trace of reduction does not completely hide the densely fruited and well-layered nose of red berries, plum and distinct floral notes, all of which are intermingled with mineral nuances. The rich, round and impressively intense flavors possess both excellent volume and dry extract that partially buffers the very firm tannic spine, all wrapped in a mouth coating and seriously long finish. This is a big Chapelle with plenty of underlying material that should permit this to age beautifully.”
Arriving ETA October:
Domaine Raymond Usseglio & Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Imperiale, Rhone 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Jeb Dunnuck 96-100 points “Violets, spring flowers, cassis, plums, and incense notes all define the stunningly good 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Imperiale. Made from 100% Grenache from very old vines, it’s full-bodied and powerful, yet also graceful, balanced and pure, with terrific freshness and purity. My money is on this flirting with perfection once bottled.”
Thanks for reading!