Vinopolis 3/15/2023 Newsletter

New Arrivals

Re-Arrivals

The Wines of G.D. Vajra

Markus Molitor – 3 Day Sale

March Magnum Sale

Collectors Corner:
Meo-Camuzet


New Arrivals

 

March 31st at 6pm. We’re having a huge month long sale ending

     

5% off 3-5 Magnum bottles

10% off 6 or more Magnum bottles

A magnum is 1.5L. 3L bottles will be the equivalent of 2 bottles applied to the discount. 
Champagnes are not included in this sale. 
Discount will not display online, we will adjust your invoice before charging your card.
Discount does not apply to pre-arrival wines or to case discounts. 
This is first come / first served and limited to stock on hand.

This sale applies to large format wines. That’s over 150 wines and thousands of bottles discounted! Here are a few recommendations to get you started.

Chateau Angelus, Saint-Emilion 2016 1.5L $899 special, 19 bottles in stock
Wine Enthusiast 100 points “This is a rich, perfumed wine, with dense tannins and intense layers of black plum and spice. The palate is firmly built yet broadened out by plump dark-fruit tones and honed by a solid, dry core. Drink from 2025. -Roger Voss”
Wine Advocate 98+ points “Sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2016 Angélus erupts from the glass with powerful notes of blackberry pie, ripe black cherries and juicy black plums with an undercurrent of star anise, rose petals, chocolate mint, pencil shavings and woodsmoke plus a waft of allspice. The palate is pure decadence. Medium to full-bodied, rich and generously fruited, this wine is by no means heavy—it positively glimmers with freshness and vivacity, lending an ethereal nature to all that richness and power, beautifully framed by velvety tannins and finishing with epic length. The generosity, layers and plushness make for an absolutely DELICIOUS drink right now, but I’d suggest waiting 3-5 more years for the fireworks to really begin.”
Vinous 97 points “The 2016 Angélus has an intense, powerful bouquet with copious black cherries, boysenberry, orange pith and iodine scents that threaten to overwhelm the senses. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins, a fine bead of acidity, a dash of black pepper and impressive detail and persistence on the finish. This is an outstanding Angélus that clearly requires several years in bottle to realize its full potential. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.”
Jeb Dunnuck 97 points“The 2016 Château Angélus is incredibly elegant and finesse-driven, with a soaring perfume of crème de cassis, white flowers, crayon, forest floor, and spice. Compared to the 1996 by the Angélus team, it has a deep, layered style, its oak is beautifully integrated, there are ample tannins, and despite leaning toward the finesse-driven side of the spectrum, it has thrilling depth of fruit and length. It’s a brilliant wine from this estate that will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for 30+ years or more. The blend of the 2016 is 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc, brought up all in new French oak.”
Wine Spectator 96 points “This goes for the gusto, with a deep and broad swath of well-roasted tobacco, espresso and loam out front. The core of dark currant and fig fruit will have to catch up, but this red has the energy and juicy drive to eventually do so. When it melds fully, this will be a smoky, alluring, tobacco-fueled wine. Best from 2024 through 2040. 8,333 cases made. — JM”
 

This is the only listing in the US today!

Brovia Garblet Sue Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2015 1.5L $189 special, 5 bottles in stock
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2015 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is dense and powerful in the glass. A rush of black cherry, plum, lavender, iron and sage literally burst from the glass. Ample, full-bodied and intense, the Garblèt Sue’ is another stellar wine in this range. The typically incisive Garblèt Sue’ tannins are nearly buried by the sheer richness of the fruit. Today, the Garblèt Sue’ is distinguished by its wild, feral profile and huge core of fruit. In this vintage, the Garblèt is the overachiever in the range relative to how it shows in most vintages.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “Showing some immediate softness, the 2015 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is beautifully approachable and generously accommodating, even at this early stage in the wine’s drinking window. Bring it out with a selection of goat cheeses. It’s interesting to note that, at 40 years old, the vines of this cru in Castiglione Falletto actually rank as some of the youngest held by the Brovia estate, founded in 1863, before the unification of Italy.”
 

This is the only listing in the US today!

Felsina Berardenga Rancia, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2018 1.5L $115 special, 10 bottles in stock
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia is an absolutely stunning wine. The archetype of Rancia in the past has been of a big, potent Chianti Classico but in 2018, Rancia is a wine of mind-blowing elegance and finesse. Silky, perfumed and indescribably finessed, the 2018 dazzles from start to finish. It’s a magical wine in every way.”
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2018 is an unusual vintage that shows an especially austere character. Off the bat, it must be said that the Fèlsina 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia would certainly benefit from more cellar time and a long drinking window. The Rancia is elegant and streamlined with a medium-bodied style that breaks from some of the more concentrated vintages we’ve seen in the past. The bouquet reveals a lot of dark or black character with blackcurrant, tar, resin, iron ore and a dusty hint of dry graham cracker (which reminds us of the vintage heat). Structurally, the wine offers a solid and firm footing, but it would benefit from further evolution.”
 

This is the lowest listed price in the US today!

Envinate ‘Lousas’ Vina de Aldea, Galicia 2020 1.5L $89 special, 2 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2020 Lousas Viñas de Aldea is slightly higher in alcohol and has less freshness than the 2019. It was a very early harvest (September 2nd to 14th), and they kept 20% of the wine in concrete and the rest in oak barrels and 2,000-liter oak foudres for 11 months. The grapes were very small, so the ratio of juice to skin was different from 2019. The wines from 2020 had less maceration and more stems; they have more bones but are still fluid, with some dusty tannins. 22,500 bottles and 400 magnums produced. It was bottled in November 2021.”
Importer note “Lousas Viña de Aldea: Aldea means “village” in Gallego; thus, this is Envínate’s “village wine”, produced from a combination of –minimum- 60-year-old plots located in the ancient vineyard region of Ribeira Sacra.  This cuvee is made up of 90-95% Mencía with other co-planted varietals blended in. The native vines are grown on steep slopes made of slate and sit in between 400-600 meters elevation.”

This is the only listing in the US today!
 

Collectors Corner:

Meo-Camuzet
 

We’ve received a wide variety but highly limited quantity of wines from one of the absolute top producers in all of Burgundy: Meo-Camuzet. In almost all cases we’re the only shop in the country that is currently listing these wines for an extremely competitive price. 

These wines are already being snatched up by savvy customers so do not wait!

Meo-Camuzet Bourgogne Cote d’Or Hemisphere Nord, Burgundy 2020 750ml $54.50 special, 6 bottles in stock
Burghound “An elegant and ripe nose combines notes of violet, red and dark currant and a whiff of crushed fennel. There is an appealing texture to the middle weight flavors that terminate in firm, serious and youthfully austere finish. This is really quite good for its level and worth considering.”
John Gilman “The 2020 Bourgogne “Côte d’Or” Rouge from Domaine Méo-Camuzet is a good, solid example of the appellation. The nose delivers scents of ripe dark berries, black cherries, bitter chocolate, a nice touch of soil and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is fullish, tangy and well-balanced, with just a touch of backend tannin perking up the long finish. Good juice. (Drink between 2024-2035)”
Wine Advocate  “Jean-Nicolas Méo began his harvest on August 23, and he has produced another fine vintage at this Vosne-Romanée reference point. Méo has always done well in warm, sunny vintages (as a lovely bottle of his 2003 Nuits Lavières recently reminded me), and 2020 is no exception. Indeed, for a vintage that was generally somewhat primary and frequently tightly wound this winter, Méo’s wines—habitually quite backward after 12 months’ élevage—were remarkably put together and expressive. Mostly landing at around 13.5% alcohol, they’re vibrant, concentrated and nicely balanced, showing considerable aging potential.”

Meo-Camuzet Bourgogne Cote d’Or Cuvee Etienne Camuzet, Burgundy 2020 750ml $59 special, 3 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate “Unfurling in the glass with aromas of cherries, red berries and loamy soil, the 2020 Bourgogne Côte d’Or Cuvée Étienne Camuzet is medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with excellent concentration, lively acids and ripe tannins.”

Meo-Camuzet Bourgogne Cote d’Or Hemisphere Sud, Burgundy 2020 750ml $69 special, 3 bottles in stock
Burghound “Ripe aromas of various dark berries, warm earth and a whiff of the sauvage lead to attractively textured and rich flavors that possess fine mid-palate density, all wrapped in a rustic and robust finish that offers better than average complexity for a wine at this level. *Outstanding*.”

Meo-Camuzet Marsannay, Cote de Nuits 2020 750ml $79 special, 2 bottles in stock

Meo-Camuzet Nuits-Saint-Georges, Cote de Nuits 2020 750ml $119 special, 3 bottles in stock
John Gilman 91 points “The domaine’s own parcel of vines for their Nuits St. Georges villages bottling always seem to produce a very elegant rendition of this appellation and the 2020 is no exception in this regard. The wine offers up a classy aromatic constellation of black plums, dark soil tones, gamebird, coffee bean, woodsmoke and a deft framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and sappy at the core, with fine transparency and grip, ripe tannins and lovely length and grip on the bouncy and complex finish. Fine juice. 2030-2065.”

Meo-Camuzet Vosne-Romanee, Cote de Nuits 2020 750ml $159 special, 3 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “Aromas of wild berries, plums, warm spices and loamy soil, framed by a deft touch of toasty new oak, introduce Méo’s 2020 Vosne-Romanée Village, a medium to full-bodied, lively and concentrated wine that’s bright and vibrant, built around powdery tannins and concluding with a penetrating finish.”
John Gilman 91 points “The 2020 Vosne-Romanée AC from Domaine Méo-Camuzet is again from estate grown fruit and the wine has that extra touch of refinement as is found in the Nuits AC this year. The nose is a lovely, sappy blend of cassis, black plums, coffee bean, a complex base of soil tones, woodsmoke and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and pure on the attack, with a good core of black fruit, fine soil undertow, ripe tannins, tangy acids and fine balance on the long, focused and still quite primary finish. Good juice. 2030-2065.”
Jasper Morris 91-94 points “Fine glowing deep purple. Here there is both depth and class. This is a blend from Aux Communes, ripe fruit, and north facing Barreaux, now assembled and returned to barrel. This works really well together with the plummy ripe notes kept well in check. Very long finish. I think this could be exceptional.”

 

Meo-Camuzet Les Cras, Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2020 750ml $199 special, 1 bottles in stock
John Gilman 92 points “All of the Chambolle premier cru bottlings in the domaine’s cellars this year are quite black fruity in personality, in the style of the vintage. The 2020 les Cras offers up a fine aromatic constellation of dark berries, black plums, pigeon, chalky soil tones, a touch of balsam bough, woodsmoke and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and shows off fine mid-palate depth, with lovely soil undertow, bright acids, good grip and a long, ripely tannic finish.”
Wine Advocate 90-92 points “A fine success, the 2020 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Cras (Méo-Camuzet Frère & Soeurs) exhibits aromas of raspberries and cherries mingled with rose petals and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, lively and concentrated, it’s taut and mouthwatering, with fine depth at the core and powdery structuring tannins. Jean-Nicolas Méo began his harvest on August 23, and he has produced another fine vintage at this Vosne-Romanée reference point. Méo has always done well in warm, sunny vintages (as a lovely bottle of his 2003 Nuits Lavières recently reminded me), and 2020 is no exception. Indeed, for a vintage that was generally somewhat primary and frequently tightly wound this winter, Méo’s wines—habitually quite backward after 12 months’ élevage—were remarkably put together and expressive. Mostly landing at around 13.5% alcohol, they’re vibrant, concentrated and nicely balanced, showing considerable aging potential.”

 

Meo-Camuzet Les Chaumes, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2020 750ml $249 special, 2 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 91-93 points “The 2020 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Chaumes unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet cherries, cassis and rose petals, framed by a discreet patina of creamy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and vibrant, with lively acids, powdery tannins and a saline finish, it is very promising.” 
Vinous 92-94 points “The 2020 Vosne-Romanée Les Chaumes 1er Cru has a very pure and perfumed bouquet with dark cherries, violet and hints of blueberry, the floral component emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, silky in texture with a poised and almost delicate finish. A very winsome Vosne-Romanée in the making here.”
John Gilman 92 points “The 2020 Vosne-Romanée “les Chaumes” from Domaine Méo Camuzet is another fine bottle in the making. The bouquet is bright, black fruity and nascently complex, wafting from the glass in a mix of black cherries, black plums, bitter chocolate, roasted duck, dark soil tones and new oak. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied and ripely tannic, with a good core and soil undertow, lovely focus and a long, well-balanced finish. 2035-2080.” 
Jasper Morris 92-94 points “Solid dark purple with a lighter rim. The nose is discreet but fine. The fruit expands considerably on the palate, on the cusp of red and black, somewhere between optimum and maximum ripeness but everything in harmony here.”

Meo-Camuzet Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2019 750ml $449 special, 2 bottles in stock
Vinous 95-97 points “The 2019 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru is quite closed on the nose, offering discreet blackberry, raspberry and light violet aromas that you might mistake for a Vosne-Romanée. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannins. This is a juicy Clos de Vougeot, a little savory and quite peppery on the finish, which you might misconstrue as a result of some stem addition. Sculpted with Jean-Nicolas Méo’s finest chisel, this is a wonderful Clos de Vougeot.”

Meo-Camuzet Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2020 750ml $499 special, 3 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 93-95 points ” The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru is very promising, unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild berries, cherries, orange rind, potpourri and loamy soil. Full-bodied, velvety and concentrated, it’s seamless and complete, with superb depth at the core and a long, resonant finish. It will be fascinating to compare with the 2019 rendition in two decades’ time. Jean-Nicolas Méo began his harvest on August 23, and he has produced another fine vintage at this Vosne-Romanée reference point. Méo has always done well in warm, sunny vintages (as a lovely bottle of his 2003 Nuits Lavières recently reminded me), and 2020 is no exception. Indeed, for a vintage that was generally somewhat primary and frequently tightly wound this winter, Méo’s wines—habitually quite backward after 12 months’ élevage—were remarkably put together and expressive. Mostly landing at around 13.5% alcohol, they’re vibrant, concentrated and nicely balanced, showing considerable aging potential.”
Vinous 93-95 points ” The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru had to shake off a little reduction before revealing its minerally blackberry, raspberry and cassis fruit. Wilted rose petal emerge with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, nicely focused yet surprisingly strict and linear at the moment. This will gain “shoulders” once in bottle.”
John Gilman 94 points “Jean-Nicolas Méo’s 2020 Clos Vougeot is really, really refined this year. The wine delivers a complex and very pure aromatic constellation of red and black cherries, plums, dark chocolate, gamebird, violets, a touch of fresh nutmeg, complex soil tones and a nice foundation of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and complex, with a lovely core of sappy fruit, excellent mineral undertow and grip, ripe, buried tannins and impeccable balance on the long, suave and classy finish. Fine, fine juice. (Drink between 2035-2095)”

Meo-Camuzet Aux Brulees, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2020 750ml $899 special, 3 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2020 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Brûlées soars from the glass with aromas of cherries, cassis, raw cocoa, burning embers, espresso roast, exotic spices and orange rind. Full-bodied, velvety and complete, it’s exquisitely balanced, with a deep and concentrated core of fruit framed by melting tannins and lively acids, concluding with a long, resonant finish.”
Vinous 95-97 points “The 2020 Vosne-Romanée Aux Brûlées 1er Cru is very poised on the nose, quite intense although it is a slow-build, gradually adding another layer of fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fine acidity, quite elegant and pure with a judicious touch of spice towards the finish. Great tension and quite sophisticated, this Aux Brûlées should age with style.” 
John Gilman 96 points “Jean-Nicolas Méo’s 2020 Vosne-Romanée “aux Brûlées” is another stunning wine in the making. The bouquet is pure, precise and complex, wafting from the glass in a blaze of black plums, sweet dark berries, duck, dark chocolate, a gorgeous base of soil, a fine framing of new oak and a lovely topnote of fresh nutmeg. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very suave on the attack, with a sappy core of fruit, great mineral drive, ripe, fine-grained tannins, tangy acids and a very, very long, complex and utterly seamless finish.”

*ULTRA COLLECTIBLE* Meo-Camuzet Au Cros Parantoux, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru 2020 750ml $3999 special, 2 bottles in stock
Wine Advocate 94-96 points “The 2020 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Au Cros-Parantoux reveals aromas of red berries, plums, orange rind and cherries, framed by a deft application of classy new oak. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and incisive, it’s more tightly wound and introverted than the Richebourg, as is usually the case. Patience in élevage and in bottle will be required, but the wine’s raw materials are prodigious.” 
Vinous 95-97 points “The 2020 Vosne-Romanée Cros Parantoux 1er Cru showed just a tiny reduction on the nose, but that cannot contain the layers of red fruit, wilted violet, oyster shell and sea spray aromas. The palate is silky smooth on the entry with a fine bead of acidity, silky smooth, poised and offering a kaleidoscope of red and blue fruit mixed with allspice and clove on the persistent finish. Stunning.”
John Gilman 97+ points “Jean-Nicolas’ 2020 Cros Parantoux is another stunning wine. The bouquet is pure, complex and still fairly primary, offering up a celestial combination of red and black plums, a touch of raspberry, black cherries, duck, Vosne spices, a complex base of stony soil tones and nutty new oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very deep, with lovely sappiness buried in the core, exquisite mineral drive and grip, ripe, suave tannins and a very, very long, complex and perfectly balanced finish. A simply gorgeous wine. 2038-2100.”