In Today’s Newsletter:
New Subscriber Sale!
The Incomparable Gaja
Trending Top Deals:
Spotlight on Local Wines
Ulysse Collin &
Introspective Champagne
High Scoring, Under the Radar Chard
From Hartford Court
Francesco Rinaldi
Classically Piedmont
Collector’s Corner
Christophe Baron’s
Cayuse/Horsepower/No Girls
New Subscriber Sale!
The Incomparable Gaja
Gaja is a name that requires no context in discussion—like Latour or DRC, it’s understood which estate is meant and that the wines are epic, change-your-dinner-plans events. Angelo Gaja is one of the primary reasons we care about Barbaresco today and the wines bearing his name remain the most treasured and collectible of the region.
In stock and on sale now. Supplies on all are severely limited. Buy now to ensure fulfillment!
Subscriber Sale Ends Thursday, May 7th at 6 PM Pacific
Gaja Alteni di Brassica Langhe, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($149.95) Was $99, Now $79, 22 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “The delightful 2015 Langhe Alteni di Brassica is a pure expression of Sauvignon Blanc. This is the only white wine in Angelo Gaja’s line that does not complete malolactic fermentation. The bouquet is exuberant and bright with green notes of salvia, wild oregano and white pepper. Those sharper tones are followed by bright layers of tropical fruit and zesty citrus. Drying mineral notes give sharp contours to the overall effect.”
In stock and on sale now. Supplies on all are severely limited. Buy now to ensure fulfillment!
Subscriber Sale Ends Thursday, May 7th at 6 PM Pacific
Gaja Alteni di Brassica Langhe, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($149.95) Was $99, Now $79, 22 bottles in stock now
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 91 points “The delightful 2015 Langhe Alteni di Brassica is a pure expression of Sauvignon Blanc. This is the only white wine in Angelo Gaja’s line that does not complete malolactic fermentation. The bouquet is exuberant and bright with green notes of salvia, wild oregano and white pepper. Those sharper tones are followed by bright layers of tropical fruit and zesty citrus. Drying mineral notes give sharp contours to the overall effect.”
This was the lowest listed price in the USA today,
Now it’s even lower!
The next best price is $132.68
Gaja Rossj-Bass Langhe Chardonnay, Piedmont 2007 750ML ($99.950 Was $59, Now $49, 1 bottle in stock now
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Bright yellow-gold color. Complex aromas of yellow fruits, flowers and honey. Supple, fat and almost surprisingly sweet for this bottling, but with lively acidity guaranteeing freshness. Finishes with noteworthy persistence. I like this chardonnay’s combination of richness and verve, and prefer it to the 2006.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Gaja Sori San Lorenzo Barbaresco, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($499.95) Was $349, Now $319, 13 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 97+ points “The 2014 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo is the most virile and explosive of Gaja’s Barbarescos. Dark, brooding and powerful, with a huge spine of tannin, the San Lorenzo is utterly regal in the glass. Gravel, smoke, menthol, tar, licorice and a host of sepia-toned fruits build into a crescendo of aromas and flavors that is truly compelling. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Earthy notes lead off, followed by cherry, plum, graphite and tobacco flavors. Starts out broad and muscular, with a thick layer of tannins for support, yet gains elegance with aeration. A tad austere on the finish, but stays vibrant and long. Best from 2021 through 2036. 170 cases imported.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “Gaja’s 2014 Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo is clearly at the beginning of a long and promising aging trajectory. At its core, it shows a pinch of nervous energy and inner tightness that will surely unravel and soften as this beautiful wine continues along its magical journey in time. Angelo Gaja and his family present spectacular results in this controversial 2014 vintage. They have risen far above most of their peers and have shown a keen ability to understand their site and the versatility of their cherished Nebbiolo grape. The variety sings with a loud and exuberant voice, first offering plenty of primary fruit like blackberry and dried cherry. It then follows up with savory earth and spice. This is a bright and youthful wine that is set steady for a long aging future.-Monica Larner”
Gaja Sori Tildin Langhe-Barbaresco, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($499.95) Was $349, Now $319, 2 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96 points “The nose has it all here with fresh cranberry character, brambleberries and lavender intermingled with darker, more complex notes of cedar, nutmeg and cinnamon. Full body, so much vibrant acidity, tangy fruit, expansive yet tight tannins and a long, savory finish. Profound minerality. Delicious now but better in 2020.”
Gaja Sperss Langhe – Barolo, Piedmont 2014 750ML ($319.95) Was $219, Now $199, 16 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “More forward and in a more earthly realm than the dizzying heights of the Conteisa this vintage, but it’s so endearing and immediately delights. The aromas range from elderberries and black cherries to brambleberries and Chinese spices. Full-bodied and structured with powerful tannins that encase bright and forthright blue fruit, which is polished over by a sheen of glimmering acidity. Long finish. Delicious now, but better in 2022.”
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Underbrush, tobacco, toasted hazelnut, menthol and grilled herb aromas slowly take shape on this focused red. On the structured elegant palate, taut refined tannins and fresh acidity provide an ageworthy framework for raspberry compote, juicy Marasca cherry, orange zest, white pepper and star anise. It already has layers of depth and loads of finesse, but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2022–2030.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 points “This is a slightly more subdued vintage of this legendary wine, albeit just as sophisticated as past editions. The 2014 Barolo Sperss opens to gorgeous aromas of dark fruit, wet earth and white truffle. The vineyards in Serralunga d’Alba produced much less fruit than average and suffered from bouts of downy mildew during the rainy seasons. But Serralunga d’Alba fruit is also harvested late, and that extra time was important for achieving grape ripeness targets. The wine presents depth and complexity within the context of a thinner vintage. Having said that, the bouquet is spectacular.”
Decanter 94 points “Sperss comes from two crus in Serralunga, and like Gaja’s Barbarescos it’s aged in a combination of barriques and large barrels. As so often is the case, it’s a wine that combines power and finesse. It has a subdued cherry nose with a touch of oak, leading to a palate which is rich, powerful and tannic, but not too assertive. It’s well balanced and fleshy, with lots of velvety texture and grain, and there’s still an underlying freshness and finesse. Very long finish.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $293
Subscriber Sale Ends Thursday, May 7th at 6 PM Pacific
Shop the sale on our web store!
Trending Top Deals:
Spotlight on Local Wines
Pure joy from a joyous vintage!
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($29.95) $27 pre-arrival special, Arriving Friday!
Case-12 Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($369.95) $315 pre-arrival special (that’s only $26.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
VinopolNote: The 2018 shows more color and immediate impact than the 2017. (We’re extremely excited about the vintage.) Right out of the bottle, it’s well balanced and medium-bodied. It’s showing aromas of boysenberries, purple lilacs, and spice with a touch of black tea and a palate-cleansing astringency on the finish. John Paul declassified a few extra barrels of what would have made it into the Abbey Ridge bottling to be able to offer more Pinot at this price point (who knows where the economy is heading). Fortunately for you, we’re going deep and offering it for the lowest price in the USA. It’s the perfect case of wine for drinking now, next and later.
Evesham Wood meets a prime Dundee site for one vintage and magic happens.
Evesham Wood Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A rare, one-off bottling from Evesham Wood. Erin Nuccio crafted this wine from [cough, cough] estate fruit. A one of a kind wine and an exceptional value.
Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($29.95) $27 pre-arrival special, Arriving Friday!Case-12 Cameron Winery Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2018 750ML ($369.95) $315 pre-arrival special (that’s only $26.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
VinopolNote: The 2018 shows more color and immediate impact than the 2017. (We’re extremely excited about the vintage.) Right out of the bottle, it’s well balanced and medium-bodied. It’s showing aromas of boysenberries, purple lilacs, and spice with a touch of black tea and a palate-cleansing astringency on the finish. John Paul declassified a few extra barrels of what would have made it into the Abbey Ridge bottling to be able to offer more Pinot at this price point (who knows where the economy is heading). Fortunately for you, we’re going deep and offering it for the lowest price in the USA. It’s the perfect case of wine for drinking now, next and later.
Evesham Wood meets a prime Dundee site for one vintage and magic happens.
Evesham Wood Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2018 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
VinopolNote: A rare, one-off bottling from Evesham Wood. Erin Nuccio crafted this wine from [cough, cough] estate fruit. A one of a kind wine and an exceptional value.
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Perhaps no bottling better exemplifies St. Innocent’s style and craft than their Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir. St. Innocent has made wine from the site since 1989 (when it was known as the O’Connor Vineyard) and the slightly bowl shaped Eola-Amity Hills site has produced some of the wines of the vintage for the winery every year since.
St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($39.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2016 750ML ($243.95) $166 special (that’s only $27.67/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Deep, bright-hued red. Spice-accented cherry and black raspberry aromas are complemented by hints of woodsmoke, baking spices and pungent flowers. Densely packed and energetic on the palate, offering cherry, red berry and candied rose flavors that become sweeter as the wine opens up. Lingers with strong persistence and sneaky tannins, leaving behind sappy red fruit preserve and floral notes.”
James Suckling 93 points “This has attractive aromas and flavors of fresh red cherries with very well defined style in every regard. The oak is subtly played and delivers a swirling, spicy thread. The tannins are smooth and fine and there’s a superb sense of freshness driving the finish. Drink or hold.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Polished and multilayered, with expressive raspberry, rose petal and spiced tea flavors that gather richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2028. 968 cases made.”
Scott Frank’s Bow and Arrow Rhinestones bottling combines Pinot Noir and Gamay to make the most appealing wine from the Valley under $25/bottle. This wine is the vanguard of ‘New Oregon’ – value-driven, exceptionally crafted wines that take their cue from the Loire Valley instead of Burgundy. Juicy, fresh and slightly peppery (from the Gamay) it’s a red wine that manages to refresh with ease. We sell a lot of it, for good reason-it’s a wine that manages to pair with nearly anything, or be delicious on its own. To make a good thing even better, we dropped the price on this Vinopolis favorite-it’s now under $20. We want to move a lot of this fantastic wine to help Scott stay in business while his restaurant accounts are closed. This is a great wine to stock up on while you self-quarantine and remember-we’ve got $25 flat rate shipping to California and free Oregon shipping on orders over $120 through the end of May.
Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($26.95) Was $21.90, Now $18 Subscriber Special
Winery Note “To understand Rhinestones we have to talk about the Cheverny region of France’s Loire Valley where, by law, the red wines must be a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir. We follow this stricture with all the Pinot and Gamay fruit we source from Johan Vineyard. The blend is determined by nature and vintage. Aged in a mixture of concrete and old barriques, this wine is the flagship of the Bow & Arrow operation and communicates what we’re about as much as anything we make. Effortlessly drinkable but rewards detective work if you’re in the mood.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $24.99
The average price is $26
Shop our complete listing of local Pinots on our web store!
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About Our Oregon Shipping Special
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.)
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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
Ulysse Collin &
Introspective Champagne
Perhaps no vigneron exemplifies the New Champagne like Ulysse Collin. Born to a family of grape-growers, he worked tirelessly to free the family land from contracts selling fruit to negociants and now vinifies all of his wines as single-vineyard/vintage bottlings. His wines are profoundly introspective and challenge preconceived notions about what Champagne should be. At the forefront of the new wave of ultra-terroir-driven Champagnes, Olivier produces deeply vinous, mineral and hyper-concentrated wines. True to their terroir, these are reflections of the individual parcels.
“Winemaking as a rule here is as natural and non-interventionist as possible. All fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, which can take a remarkably long time to complete: six to eight months is not at all unusual for Collin, and even when tasting vins clairs in June or July, they are typically still in the middle of their alcoholic fermentations. Both the fermentation and malolactic are carried out in three- to six-year old barriques, and the wine is neither fined nor filtered before bottling, which takes place in the fall after the harvest.” – Peter Liem, Champagneguide.net
In Stock Now
Newly Arrived! Only six bottles available
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Rose de Saignee Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
“Winemaking as a rule here is as natural and non-interventionist as possible. All fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts, which can take a remarkably long time to complete: six to eight months is not at all unusual for Collin, and even when tasting vins clairs in June or July, they are typically still in the middle of their alcoholic fermentations. Both the fermentation and malolactic are carried out in three- to six-year old barriques, and the wine is neither fined nor filtered before bottling, which takes place in the fall after the harvest.” – Peter Liem, Champagneguide.net
In Stock Now
Newly Arrived! Only six bottles available
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Rose de Saignee Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Only five bottles available
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Enfers’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2014) ($189.95) $159 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “Disgorged with in March 2019 with 2.4 grams per liter dosage, the NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Enfers (2014) is based on the 2014 vintage, supplemented by some 10% reserve wines, and spent fully 48 months on the lees. Opening in the glass with expressive aromas of fresh pastry, green mango, waxy citrus fruit and white flowers, it’s medium to full-bodied, precise and elegantly enveloping, with superb depth at the core, racy acids and a beautifully defined, delicately chalky finish. Like all of Collin’s 2014-base bottlings, this is a tender, charming rendition of Les Enfers.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2014 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Enfers is a wine of tremendous breadth and staying power. Clay-rich soils in Congy yield a Champagne of real textural resonance. Apricot, orange peel, vanilla and tropical overtones infuse the 2014 with notable character. All the elements seem amplified in the Enfers, including a mousse that is a bit brawny. This release includes 10% reserve wines from 2013 and spent a total of 48 months on its lees. Olivier Collin has another lot in the cellar that will be released with 60 months on the lees. Dosage is 2.4 grams per liter.”
90% 2014, 10% 2013. Disgorgement date may vary from reviews.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $169
Only four bottles available
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Roises’ Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2014) 750ML ($229.95) $189 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points “The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Roises (2014) is based on the 2014 vintage, supplemented by 10% of reserve wines from 2013, and it was disgorged with 2.4 grams per liter dosage in March 2019 after 48 months sur lattes. It’s already quite open and expressive, in keeping with Collin’s other 2014-based releases, bursting from the glass with aromas of crisp Anjou pear, waxy citrus rind, green mango, blanched almonds and pastry cream. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and enveloping, with ripe but racy acids, a deep and crisply fleshy core of fruit and a long, saline finish. This is quite a textural, gourmand and charming rendition of Les Roises, and it’s exquisitely elegant.”
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Collin’s 2014 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Les Roises is a wonderfully inviting, nuanced Champagne that captures the interplay of richness and freshness that this south-facing site is capable of. Apricot, melon, mint and exotic white flowers meld together in a dense, textured Champagne loaded with class and personality. This release is mostly 2014, with just 10% reserve wines from 2013. Most importantly, Les Roises is all class. Dosage is 2.4 grams per liter. Disgorged: March, 2018.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Only eight bottles available
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2015) 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 98 points “Disgorged in March 2019 with 2.4 grams per liter dosage after 36 months sur lattes, the extraordinary NV Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons (2015) is based on the 2015 vintage with the addition of fully 60% reserve wines from 2014. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of honeycomb, minty yellow orchard fruit, dried white flowers and almond paste, it’s full-bodied, broad and vinous, with incredible depth and dimension at the core, a racy spine of tangy acidity that belies the base vintage, and a long, searingly intense finish. This is a remarkably complete and concentrated rendition of Les Maillons, but it’s also among the most elegant and vibrant that Olivier Collin has produced to date. While my expectation are always high when opening bottles from this producer, they were nonetheless transcended by this new release.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2015 Extra-Brut Blanc de Noirs Les Maillons is ample, creamy and also incredibly inviting. More than anything else, the 2015 stands out for its textural sophistication and total class. Here too, the significant presence of 2014 reserve wines (60%) works beautifully in capturing an attractive interplay of fruit richness, savory complexity and layers of texture. Gorgeous Pinot aromatics and flavors meld together in this striking, effortless Champagne from Olivier Collin. Dosage is 2.4 grams per liter.”
40% 2015, 60% Reserve wine
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
Only nine bottles available
Ulysse Collin ‘Les Maillons’ Rose de Saignee Extra Brut, Champagne NV (’15) 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94 points “Derived entirely from the 2015 vintage, the NV Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée Les Maillons (2015) was disgorged in March 2019 after 36 months sur lattes. A serious, gastronomic rosé, this is one of the more reserved of Collin’s 2015-base releases, unwinding in the glass with scents of raspberries, pomegranate, crushed mint, spices, toasted almonds and citrus rind. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a muscular core of fruit girdled by lively acids and fine-grained phenolics, concluding with a long and sapid finish. A wine that rewards reflection, this is another terrific cuvée from Collin, but it will need a year on cork to really show its cards.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
High Scoring, Under the Radar Chard
From Hartford Court
Hartford Court is a leader in top tier Pinot and Chardonnay from Sonoma—regularly making wines that out score names like Martinelli, Kosta Browne, Williams-Selyem and more. Based on scores and critical press, Hartford belongs in the conversation with names like Peter Michel—except that they do it for a steep discount over those glitzy producers.
We’ve featured high scoring wines from them in the past and they’ve always been crowd favorites—for good reason. It’s hard to find wines with this sort of quality at these prices and Hartford Court manages to deliver thoroughly California wines at very high quality for not a lot of money.
In Stock Now:
Hartford Court Far Coast Vineyards Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Far Coast Vineyard is a little youthfully closed with crushed rocks and chalk dust notes over a core of mandarin peel, Golden Delicious apples, pear tart and lightly browned toast. Medium to full-bodied, the palate simply vibrates with electric tension, offering vibrant citrus and apple layers and finishing long and stony. 323 cases produced.”
Hartford Court Jennifer’s Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Jennifer’s Vineyard displays intense notes of grapefruit, green guava, mango and pineapple with nuances of talc, oyster shells and fresh ginger. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and super intense with tightly wound layers of citrus and tropical fruits and bags of mineral notions on the epically long finish. This needs time but should emerge from the cellar gloriously in 2-3 years! 337 cases produced.”
Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 6 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of green mangoes, yuzu, mandarin peel and pink grapefruit with touches of baker’s yeast, pie crust, beeswax and oyster shell. It’s medium-bodied with a very, very taut, intense and refreshing palate, sporting incredible tension and layers and finishing very long and very minerally. 327 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “In the same league as the 2015 and flirting with perfection, the 2016 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard comes from a ridgetop vineyard located at 1,150 feet above sea-level, just west of the town of Occidental. It was fermented and aged 16 months in 30% new French oak. Salty sea breeze, lemon curd, white flowers, beautiful minerality, and hints of toasted bread all flow to a medium to full-bodied, rich, powerful Chardonnay that has awesome purity, building density and depth on the palate, and bright acidity that carries through the finish. It’s straight-up awesome.”
We’ve featured high scoring wines from them in the past and they’ve always been crowd favorites—for good reason. It’s hard to find wines with this sort of quality at these prices and Hartford Court manages to deliver thoroughly California wines at very high quality for not a lot of money.
In Stock Now:
Hartford Court Far Coast Vineyards Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2016 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Far Coast Vineyard is a little youthfully closed with crushed rocks and chalk dust notes over a core of mandarin peel, Golden Delicious apples, pear tart and lightly browned toast. Medium to full-bodied, the palate simply vibrates with electric tension, offering vibrant citrus and apple layers and finishing long and stony. 323 cases produced.”
Hartford Court Jennifer’s Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2016 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 10 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97+ points “The 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Jennifer’s Vineyard displays intense notes of grapefruit, green guava, mango and pineapple with nuances of talc, oyster shells and fresh ginger. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant and super intense with tightly wound layers of citrus and tropical fruits and bags of mineral notions on the epically long finish. This needs time but should emerge from the cellar gloriously in 2-3 years! 337 cases produced.”
Hartford Family Winery Hartford Court Seascape Vineyard Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2016 750ML ($89.95) $69 special, 6 bottles in stock nowWine Advocate 98 points “The 2016 Hartford Court Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard leaps from the glass with exuberant notes of green mangoes, yuzu, mandarin peel and pink grapefruit with touches of baker’s yeast, pie crust, beeswax and oyster shell. It’s medium-bodied with a very, very taut, intense and refreshing palate, sporting incredible tension and layers and finishing very long and very minerally. 327 cases produced.”
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points “In the same league as the 2015 and flirting with perfection, the 2016 Chardonnay Seascape Vineyard comes from a ridgetop vineyard located at 1,150 feet above sea-level, just west of the town of Occidental. It was fermented and aged 16 months in 30% new French oak. Salty sea breeze, lemon curd, white flowers, beautiful minerality, and hints of toasted bread all flow to a medium to full-bodied, rich, powerful Chardonnay that has awesome purity, building density and depth on the palate, and bright acidity that carries through the finish. It’s straight-up awesome.”
Francesco Rinaldi
Classically Piedmont
The estate of Francesco Rinaldi crafts wines from the Piedmont that are everything we love—traditionally made and affordable. These are wines that are the epitome of the Piedmont in an elegant, approachable style that blends the inherent power of Barolo (especially in a vintage like ’15) with a softer touch in extraction.
These are some thrilling wines that are always priced very attractively, an amazing feat considering the history and renown of the estate. They’re best known for their two cru bottlings, Cannubi and Brunate, which are from some of the most storied vineyards in all of Barolo, but don’t sleep on their Barolo normale. All three wines are extremely age-worthy, but the 2015’s seem to show a bit more flesh and early drinkability than usual.
In Stock Now:
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “The source of this very traditional wine is Rinaldi’s 2.2ha holding in Cannubi Boschis. It can be a very structured wine, but in 2015 there’s greater opulence than usual. Tasted from cask, it displays heady juicy raspberry aromas, discreet but perfumed. It’s concentrated on the palate but also fresh and silky, combining lush textures with tension and drive thanks to welcome acidity on the persistent finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2038.”
Importer Note “The other single vineyard bottling is the Cannubi, which is made from the single greatest vineyard in the village of Barolo, as well as one of the most famous individual crus in the entire region. Cannubi was the first vineyard name to be famous in the Barolo region, and to this day a bottle of 1752 Cannubi is still treasured by the wine-producing family of Manzone, and is considered the oldest, extant bottle of Barolo still in existence. The vineyard is most famous for the fabulously perfumed wines that it produces, for Cannubi is not the most powerful cru in Barolo, and much like Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, it is cherished for the fabulously complex aromatics and round, suave palate impression that it provides when fully mature. This is not to say that Luciano and Paula Rinaldi’s Cannubi is a delicate wine, for it is a deep, intensely-flavored and concentrated Barolo of great pedigree and elegance- once it is fully mature. Like the Rinaldi Brunate bottling, eight to ten years is required in top vintages, and the wine is really at its blazing best at age fifteen to twenty.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo Le Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The two flagship bottlings at Francesco Rinaldi e Figli are the single cru Baroli, Brunate and Cannubi. Brunate is one of the greatest vineyards the Barolo region, lying on the border between La Morra and Barolo proper, with each village sharing the vineyard (though with the lion’s share lying within the village boundaries of La Morra). Wines from the Brunate vineyard are prized for their depth, power and brilliant balance, and the example from Francesco Rinaldi e Figli is one of the very greatest examples of Brunate made. In a great vintage it demands at least a decade to really begin to soften, and generally is not in full bloom until its twentieth birthday.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($59.95) $47 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Francesco Rinaldi e Figli makes two non-cru denominated bottlings, one of Barbaresco and one of Barolo, made from a blend of different parcels. The Barolo is made from vineyards in the towns of Barolo, Castiglione Faletto and La Morra…the standard Barolo bottling is aged for three years in large cask before it is bottled and made available for sale. Both wines are built for aging, and typically will be at their best from six to ten years out from the vintage. Like all of the wines from Giuseppe and Paola Rinaldi, they are beautiful, classic expressions of their underlying terroirs, with well-integrated tannins, tangy acids and beautiful complexity and balance. Both improve immeasurably if decanted an hour prior to serving.”
These are some thrilling wines that are always priced very attractively, an amazing feat considering the history and renown of the estate. They’re best known for their two cru bottlings, Cannubi and Brunate, which are from some of the most storied vineyards in all of Barolo, but don’t sleep on their Barolo normale. All three wines are extremely age-worthy, but the 2015’s seem to show a bit more flesh and early drinkability than usual.
In Stock Now:
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Cannubi, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 12 bottles in stock nowDecanter 93 points “The source of this very traditional wine is Rinaldi’s 2.2ha holding in Cannubi Boschis. It can be a very structured wine, but in 2015 there’s greater opulence than usual. Tasted from cask, it displays heady juicy raspberry aromas, discreet but perfumed. It’s concentrated on the palate but also fresh and silky, combining lush textures with tension and drive thanks to welcome acidity on the persistent finish. Drinking Window 2021 – 2038.”
Importer Note “The other single vineyard bottling is the Cannubi, which is made from the single greatest vineyard in the village of Barolo, as well as one of the most famous individual crus in the entire region. Cannubi was the first vineyard name to be famous in the Barolo region, and to this day a bottle of 1752 Cannubi is still treasured by the wine-producing family of Manzone, and is considered the oldest, extant bottle of Barolo still in existence. The vineyard is most famous for the fabulously perfumed wines that it produces, for Cannubi is not the most powerful cru in Barolo, and much like Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, it is cherished for the fabulously complex aromatics and round, suave palate impression that it provides when fully mature. This is not to say that Luciano and Paula Rinaldi’s Cannubi is a delicate wine, for it is a deep, intensely-flavored and concentrated Barolo of great pedigree and elegance- once it is fully mature. Like the Rinaldi Brunate bottling, eight to ten years is required in top vintages, and the wine is really at its blazing best at age fifteen to twenty.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo Le Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2015 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 26 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The two flagship bottlings at Francesco Rinaldi e Figli are the single cru Baroli, Brunate and Cannubi. Brunate is one of the greatest vineyards the Barolo region, lying on the border between La Morra and Barolo proper, with each village sharing the vineyard (though with the lion’s share lying within the village boundaries of La Morra). Wines from the Brunate vineyard are prized for their depth, power and brilliant balance, and the example from Francesco Rinaldi e Figli is one of the very greatest examples of Brunate made. In a great vintage it demands at least a decade to really begin to soften, and generally is not in full bloom until its twentieth birthday.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 750ML ($59.95) $47 special, 21 bottles in stock now
Importer Note “Francesco Rinaldi e Figli makes two non-cru denominated bottlings, one of Barbaresco and one of Barolo, made from a blend of different parcels. The Barolo is made from vineyards in the towns of Barolo, Castiglione Faletto and La Morra…the standard Barolo bottling is aged for three years in large cask before it is bottled and made available for sale. Both wines are built for aging, and typically will be at their best from six to ten years out from the vintage. Like all of the wines from Giuseppe and Paola Rinaldi, they are beautiful, classic expressions of their underlying terroirs, with well-integrated tannins, tangy acids and beautiful complexity and balance. Both improve immeasurably if decanted an hour prior to serving.”
This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $54
Also In Stock Now from Francesco Rinaldi:
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Grignolino d’Asti, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 12 bottles in stock now
Winery Note “Its colour is light ruby red. The smell is subtle with scent of rose. Its taste is fresh, flowery and mild to the palate. It perfectly matches with hors d’oeuvres, soups, fish and white meat. Fermentation in steel at a controlled temperature for about 8 days. Ageing in steel goes on for some months before bottling in spring.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($29.95) $24 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($31.95) $27 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($359.95) $289 special (that’s only $24.08/bottle!)
Winery Note “The vineyards located in Barolo, in the flatter areas of the Cannubi hill, have a sandier soil; in La Morra, in the areas of Zonchetta and Boiolo, the soil is more clayey with calcareous components. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled cement or stainless steel tanks with the skins contact for at least 15 days. After racking, the various lots from the different vineyards are blended and then aged in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels for at least a year. Refinement in bottles for several months gives the wine a vibrant red ruby color with violet reflections and an ethereal and intense bouquet. The taste is dry, robust and suitable for medium-term aging.”
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2016 750ML ($34.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Vinopolnote: A bright, savory and energetic example of Nebbiolo meant for early consumption. Great value!
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($34.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Nebbiolo d’Alba, Piedmont 2017 750ML ($389.95) $315 special (that’s only $26.25/bottle!)
Winery Note “Traditional vinification is carried out in cement tanks with skin-contact fermentation for 15-20 days and automatic pump-overs. The wine is aged for one year in medium-capacity Slavonian oak barrels. This is followed by refinement in bottles for several months to enhance the freshness and bouquet of the wine. The color is ruby-red, not too intense, respecting the character of the Nebbiolo grape variety. The aroma is ethereal with scents of flowers and fresh fruit. The taste is dry with a good body.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Roussot Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont 2018 750ML ($24.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Importer Note “The lower level wines are superb examples of their genres, with impressive depth, complexity and classic structures…[like] he round, full-bodied and surprisingly serious Dolcetto d’Alba “Roussot” from vineyards located within the cru of Cannubi.”
We stock a massive selection of wines from Piedmont.
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Collector’s Corner
Christophe Baron’s
Cayuse/Horsepower/No Girls
From Christophe Baron’s Cayuse, to stalwarts like Horsepower and No Girls, these are as spectacular as always.
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Only six bottles available
Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 special
No reviews for the 2017 vintage. 2016 reviews provided for reference:
Jeb Dunnuck 100 points “From a vineyard planted in 2013, the 2016 Syrah High Contrast saw loads of stems and mostly neutral barrels. This thrilling wine has a Chave Hermitage-like purity and class as well as gorgeous notes of cassis, black raspberries, smoked earth, and graphite. It’s deep, pure and layered, incredibly layered, pure, and long, with a finish that won’t quit. This isn’t for those looking for an inky, massive wine, but it’s pure class, complete, amazingly long, and elegant. Give bottles a few years in the cellar and it’s going to shine for 15-20 years.”
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Cellar Selection. This is a new addition to the lineup, with the vineyard located at the edge of this area’s cobblestone soils. The aromas are locked up out of the gate, with notes of soot, potpourri, smoked meat, black pepper, green olive and funk. The palate is intense and layered, while retaining an ethereal sense of lightness and balance, with a texture that sets it apart from its littermates from this vintage. A rich savory and flower-filled finish that you can taste literally minutes later is the capstone. It’s a knockout, and not a TKO. Not bad for fourth leaf fruit. Best after 2025, with a good life beyond that.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2016 Syrah High Contrast Vineyard initially wafts from the glass with a rocky dustiness, then reveals an elegant black and red-fruited core of aromas, oozing with seductively bright and focused black raspberry notes, followed by red and purple flowers, a line of stemminess and dried herbs de Provence on the lifted and aromatically complex nose. Medium-bodied on the palate, the wine is ethereal at first, then compounds in the mouth with a mineral tension, the fruit turning a touch tarter across the mid-palate, showing incredible precision and balance. The wine continues to evolve with a fantastic expression and long, drawn-out finish for this young vineyard that was just planted in 2013. Only 335 cases were produced. If you can afford it and you can find it, buy it!”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $220
Only twelve bottles available
Horsepower Vineyards ‘The Tribe Vineyard’ Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $169 special
No reviews for the 2017 vintage. 2016 reviews provided for reference:
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “Cellar Selection. Aromas of ash, black pepper, rock salt, black olive, wet stone, potpourri and fresh tobacco lead to outrageously expressive, savory flavors on the palate. There is intensity to the flavors, but still a profound sense of elegance and balance. The finish lingers on accents of potpourri and smoked meat. Hold until at least 2025.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97+ points “The 2016 Syrah The Tribe is largely in the same mold with a gamy, meaty, backward profile. Smoked meats, earthy dark fruits, ground pepper, and wood smoke are all present in this medium to full-bodied, concentrated Syrah that’s going to benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 15-20 years.”
James Suckling 96 points “This has such impressive, silky black fruit with interwoven spices and subtle, meaty nuances. The intensity of fruit is dialed-up in this wine. There’s a very pure, bright fruit core here that pushes out of the mid-palate with a lot of energy and stony, graphite-like notes. This has a wealth of dark berries on offer. Such length and balance. Planted at 8,500 vines per hectare. Drink or hold. Best from 2022.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $176
Only five bottles available
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “Editor’s Choice. Aromas of potpourri, white pepper, charcuterie, crushed flowers, soot and raspberry captivate on the nose. Exuberant and outrageously flavorful on the palate, intense accents of smoked meat and earth arise alongside the fruit. An extremely long finish of earth and flowers completes it.”
Wine Advocate 96 points “Not yet released when I tasted it, the 2016 Grenache la Paciencia Vineyard has a nose that opens with a bang, boasting majestic and explosive notes of dusty red fruit—raspberries, cherries and spiced red plum—with a rocky core of minerality. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine expresses the semi-carbonic notes of sweet red fruit and dusty red flower petals with iron and lava rocks. It has expressive and silky tannins that linger on the long, ethereal finish. I am impressed! This is delicious juice and is a must-have for serious collectors. Only 338 cases made.”
Jeb Dunnuck 95 points “The 2016 Grenache La Paciencia Vineyard sports a translucent ruby color as well as a terrific bouquet of black cherries, strawberries, cold fireplace, white flowers, and spice. Seamless, elegant, and vibrant, with great tension, it’s a thrilling, Rayas look-alike to drink over the coming 10-15 years. 338 cases.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $125
Only four bottles available
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “Not yet released when I tasted it, the nose of the 2016 Syrah la Paciencia Vineyard immediately reminds me of Côte-Rôtie with the ever-present floral lift and mineral tension. The nose is silky and elegant, with a focus on quality and precision that is instantly recognizable, with hints of black truffle, orange peel and a soft smokiness to the expression. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, the wine’s mineral tension evolves into a petrichor note reminiscent of the first rain of the season over sun-baked earth. The palate continues to grow with red and dark fruits that become more expressive with each passing moment. This Syrah has an extraordinary length and texture for such a graceful wine, and the aftertaste lingers for days. This is the bottling that you will want to hide away in your cellar. Only 331 cases were made.”
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2016 Syrah La Paciencia Vineyard was fermented in concrete (60-70% stems) and brought up in used demi-muid. Blackberries, smoked earth, cured meats, violets, and orange rind notes all flow to a beautiful, seamless, thrillingly refined effort that reminds me of a top traditional Côte Rôtie. 331 cases.”
James Suckling 96 points “This has ethereal purity and depth with very fragrant, floral and red-fruited notes on the palate. Some berry pastry and a meaty, fluid edge, too. The palate has a super fine texture with a wealth of rich red fruit. Lacy and elegant. Hauntingly long finish. Drink or hold.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $127
Only five bottles available
No Girls La Placiencia Vineyard Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points “Similarly colored, the 2016 Tempranillo La Paciencia Vineyard offers an exotic bouquet of black cherries, violets, chocolate, tobacco, smoke, and candied orange rind. It’s deep, beautiful, savory, and full-bodied, with a thrilling texture. It’s another incredibly elegant, singular wine from this estate. 321 cases.”
Wine Advocate 94+ points “Not yet released when I tasted it in November 2019, the 2016 Tempranillo la Paciencia has a dusty core of dark fruit on the nose, with blackberry, wild strawberry and hints of soft leather and wet river rock. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied and shows a subtle spiciness that persists through to the finish, with building and structuring tannins. It ends with a long, mineral finish and lingering tannins that make this wine ready for food. 321 cases produced.”
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $127
Only three bottles available
Cayuse Vineyards Camaspelo, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($149.95) $135 special
Only three bottles available
Cayuse Vineyards God Only Knows Armada Vineyard Grenache, Walla Walla Valley 2016 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points “The 2016 God Only Knows saw a fair amount of stems (60-80%) and was brought up in neutral demi-muids and foudre. It’s incredibly complex, offering blackberry, smoked earth, Iberico ham, white pepper, spring flowers, and violets. It’s seamless, ultra-pure, medium-bodied, and just glides across the palate and has a Burgundian weight and richness. 535 cases.”
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Featuring a playful label, the 2016 Grenache God Only Knows Armada Vineyard is a blend of 90% Grenache, with the remaining 10% comprising unknown varieties. This has a seductive nose of cherry and wild strawberry, with a floral essence and rich minerality, tamed by soft red spices. There is a touch of black pepper here, suggesting a splash of Syrah in the blend. The wine is tight on the palate but gives pleasure on many different levels, as it has both breadth and depth. There is a focused core of rocky minerality to the wine as it lingers on the long, textured finish with good balance and structured tannins. This is impressive juice! Only 535 cases produced.-AM”
Stephen Tanzer – Vinous 94 points “Bright medium red. Knockout nose combines red cherry, pomegranate, mocha, white pepper and a sexy high-toned floral element. At once salty and juicy on the palate, savory but not particularly meaty, with a dominant flavor of crushed red cherry complicated by notes of garrigue and truffle. Finishes very long and subtly palate-staining, with terrific floral complexity. This wine struck me as a little darker in character than the No Girls Grenache made by Elizabeth Bourcier at Cayuse. And it’s still tightly wound. (13.6% alcohol; vinified with 75% whole clusters; from a crop level of just 1.5 tons per acre)”
Only two bottles available
Cayuse Vineyards En Chamberlin Vineyard Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2017 750ML ($179.95) $125 special
Winery Note “En Chamberlin Vineyard—2000 saw the planting of 10 more stony acres. Grafted on phyloxera resistant rootstock, it’s another first for our region. This vineyard produces The Widowmaker Cabernet-Sauvignon, Impulsivo Tempranillo and En Chamberlin Syrah.”
Thanks for reading!