Featured New Holiday Sale!
Wine Spectator 93 points “This deep and viscous version shows good range, as warm ganache, buckwheat, toasted poppy seed, black walnut, rum-soaked raisin, sweet Turkish coffee and prune eau-de-vie notes are all seamlessly layered, while a gingerbread accent at the very end imparts lift. Thoroughly unique. Drink now.” WS
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $39.40!
Sometimes the sweetness of a low price does not lead to the bitterness of pour quality:
Read on to see more of our 2015 holiday season deep discount deals!
Wine Spectator 94 points “A fine and lacy mousse is draped over a firm frame of well-integrated acidity, belying the complexity of this elegant Champagne. A delicately woven tapestry of black currant, piecrust, chalk, spring blossom and lemon zest flavors ends with a lasting note of smoke-tinged minerality. Drink now through 2029.” WS
Friday 12/25: Closed – Merry Christmas!
Saturday 12/26: Normal hours, 10-6
– the Vinopolis team
New Week – New Arrivals
Cor Cellars Alder Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Horse Heaven Hills 2012 750ML ($29.95) $24 special
“Light and refreshing, offering a nice transparency to the cherry and spice flavors, finishing with polish. Drink now. 210 cases made.”–Wine SpectatorLong Shadows Pedestal Merlot, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Producer notes: “With its intense color and inviting aromas of dark berries, licorice, baking spice and a hint of smoke, the 2013 Pedestal is a bold wine that leaves a lasting impression. Dark fruit flavors integrated with sweetness from the barrel and richness from the tannins come together seamlessly, lingering across a structured mid-palate and lengthy finish.”
Long Shadows Pirouette, Columbia Valley 2013 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Winery note “A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the Wahluke Slope, Sagemoor’s Old Vine and Red Mountain Vineyards with Merlot from the estate Benches Vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills. Richly layered and complex, the wine is unfiltered and unfined to allow for a generous spectrum of aromas and flavors including black cherry, sweet spices and a hint of earth. The wine’s refined texture provides a seductive mouth feel and lengthy finish.”
Arrowood Saralee’s Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley 2011 750ML ($34.95) $16 special
Case-12 Arrowood Saralee’s Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley 2011 750ML ($319.95) $159 special (that’s only $13.25/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90 points “(36% new oak): Vivid ruby. Smoky dark berry and olive tapenade scents are lifted by zesty mineral and black pepper notes, with a floral nuance adding complexity. Silky and focused on the palate, offering spice-accented blackberry and bitter cherry flavors that become sweeter with air. The floral quality recurs on the persistent, smoky finish.” ST
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The average price is $32!
Case-12 Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 750ML ($319.95) $199 special (that’s only $16.58/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 89+ points “(at 13.5% alcohol, this is a full degree lower than the Pauline’s Cuvee; includes tiny bits of merlot and petit verdot): Bright red-ruby. Musky black raspberry, blackberry, licorice, menthol and oak on the nose. Distinctly tighter and less pliant now than the Pauline’s Cuvee, displaying a touch of medicinal reserve to the sappy dark berry, violet and menthol flavors. Shows serious spine without coming off as hard: I’d give this persistent cabernet a year or two to mellow in bottle.” ST
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The average price is $29!
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “The aromas of this Chardonnay are zesty and fresh yet rich, with barrel smoke, caramelized pear and vanilla tones. The integration continues on the palate, with a bit of oak followed by apple, white peach, nectarine and lime zest. It’s flavorful and enjoyable now.” WE
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Robert Parker 91 points “The 2011 Pinot Noir Far Coast Vineyard (made from Dijon clones 114, 115, 667 and 777) is sourced from a high ridge on the Sonoma Coast. With 15.2% alcohol, this powerful Pinot exhibits good opulence and richness along with lots of ripe pomegranate, black cherry and raspberry fruit intermixed with notions of spring flowers and forest floor. This complex, broad, savory Pinot should be drunk over the next 5-6 years.” RP
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The average price is $67
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright ruby-red. Complex, high-pitched aromas of raspberry, licorice, potpourri and gingerbread, lifted by an exotic bergamot topnote. Sweet, broad and generous, conveying a strong impression of spiciness and deep red berry and rose pastille flavors. Distinctly elegant and precise pinot with a sweet, floral, spicy finish that hangs on tenaciously.” ST
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Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2010 Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyard is another wine endowed with serious depth and richness. Juicy dark cherries, cola, new leather, cloves and orange rind all burst from the glass. This is a decidedly rich, explosive wine that stands out for its extroverted personality. Layers of fruit continue to blossom in the glass as the wine shows off its raciness. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.” AG
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The average price is $64
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Hartford’s 2011 Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyard stands out for its rich, ample personality. Layers of deep spices wrap around the fruit in a textured, creamy Pinot loaded with depth and pure resonance. The 2011 is generous and inviting from the very first taste.” AG
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The next best price is $59
The average price is $64
Robert Parker 91 points “From Anderson Valley, the 2011 Pinot Noir Velvet Sisters comes from a block of Dijon clones with a small amount of the Pommard clone. It tends to be one of Hartford Court’s more robust Pinots at 14.6% alcohol. It displays the classic Anderson Valley profile of blueberry liqueur, acacia flowers and raspberries. This lovely, rich, medium-bodied, dark ruby-colored 2011 is about as sexy as a Pinot Noir can be. It should age well for 5-6 years.” RP
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Champagne Hebrart Selection Premier Cru Brut NV 1.5L ($119.95) $89 special
Terry Thiese-“The SMART MONEY is on this; if it isn’t the ABSOLUTE BEST VALUE in the offering it’s in the top two or three. It’s all free-run, 70% old-vines Mareuil PN and 30% CH from Oiry and Chouilly. 75% 2010, and 25% 09-08. Deg 10/2014. More lemon and mirabelles; fantastically chalky, bright, salty, the dosage is just perfect; finish of chalk dust, jasmine, brown butter, endlessly singing. A certain tensile pull will delight lovers of bracing Champagne—but those guys never get fruit like this.”
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The next best price in the magnum is $138.99
Antonio Galloni 96 points “The 2002 La Vigne d’Antan is utterly breathtaking from the very first taste. A vivid, crystalline wine, the 2002 emerges with the essence of crushed rocks, salt and bright, citrus-infused fruit. Hints of white pepper and flowers add elements of exoticism in a striking, pure Champagne loaded with class. Readers who can find the 2002 should not hesitate as it is magnificent.”A. Margaine Rose Brut NV 750ML ($59.95) $44 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Dark pink. Ripe red berries, cherry pit and tangerine on the deeply scented nose. In a fleshy, weighty style, offering intense raspberry and blood orange flavors that gain sweetness on the back half. Shows very good clarity and power on the supple finish, which leaves a trace of toasty lees behind. Just under half of the pinot here was added in the form of still red wine.” JR
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The average price is $55
Rene Geoffroy Rose de Saignee Premier Cru Brut NV 375ML ($37.95) $33 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 92 points “(100% Pinot Noir; 10 g/l dosage; disgorged in June, 2014): Dark pink. An emphatically fruity nose evokes ripe red berries, tangerine and potpourri, with a hint of white pepper adding lift. Fleshy, seamless and broad on the palate, offering ripe raspberry and anise flavors that tighten up on the back half. Rich yet nervy, finishing with strong punch and cling and lingering florality. This Champagne could handle rich, strongly seasoned foods but it also has the nerviness to work with lighter dishes.” JRFRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine Cheveau Macon Davaye Les Belouzes 2014 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Case-12 Domaine Cheveau Macon Davaye Les Belouzes 2014 750ML ($279.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Importer note “The cellars of the Domaine Cheveau are situated in the hamlet of Solutré-Pouilly in the heart of the appellation of Pouilly-Fuissé. The domaine was established by André Cheveau in 1950. The vineyards dedicated to Chardonnay are composed of the classic clay – limestone composition that provides the perfect ambience to produce the grand wines of Burgundy.”
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Les Chenevottes, Chassagne-Montrachet Premier Cru 2013 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 89-91 points “The 2013 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Chenevottes has a very well-defined bouquet, with hints of apricot blossom and limestone coming through with aeration. The palate is fresh on the entry with crisp lime and green apples notes, the acidity sharp, but it will decrease by the time of bottling. Good tension here and very good persistency in the mouth, although it does not quite possess that “X-factor” we all seek from Pierre Yves’s wines.” NM
FRANCE-RHONE
Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2012 750ML ($89.95) $69 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “One of my favorite wines, the 2012 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvee Réservée is a classic. Beautiful on the nose, with notions of ground pepper, wild herbs, minerality and smoked plum and dark fruit, its medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated and has plenty of tannin that comes through on the finish. Similar in style to a lighter-weight 2010, drink this beauty anytime over the coming 12-15 years.” JD
FRANCE-JURA
Jean Francois Ganevat Cotes du Jura ‘Cuvee Oregane’ 2012 750ML ($69.95) $59 special
Importer note: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Savagnin. Vineyard planted in 1973 and 1977 and composed of blue marl and white marl.
Jean Francois Ganevat Cotes du Jura ‘Les Terrasses de Chalandigna’ 2010 750ML ($119.95) $89 special
Importer note: Vineyard planted in 1977 and composed of clay and marl. Made in an oxidative style, wine remains sous voile for 48 months in demi-muid.
Jean Francois Ganevat Cotes du Jura Les Vignes de Mon Pere 2004 750ML ($179.95) $149 special
Joel Payne–Vinous 95 points “Seductive aromas of quince, hyacinth, oyster shell and sea breeze. Expansive as well as viscous, this 2004 Savagnin walks a tight line between Chablis and Sherry. Although it spent 11 years in small casks with no sulfur, it is still extremely youthful, revealing subtle tropical fruits and white flowers on a saline background. I followed Les Vignes de Mon Père (the vines of my father) over three days and was surprised that it remained so fresh.” JP
Jean Francois Ganevat Vieux Macvin du Jura NV (2005) 750ML ($59.95) $49 special
Importer note: Blend of 2/3 unfermented must of Savagnin and 1/3 Marc of Savagnin. Aged in barrel for 8 years before bottling.
This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
Importer note: Vineyard planted in 1948 and composed of blue marl.
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $51.90 special
Case-6 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($349.95) $279 special (that’s only $46.50/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Advocate 96 points “The outstanding 2010 Brunello di Montalcino gives you everything you want to see in a great wine, a great Tuscan wine. This monumental expression of Sangiovese delivers top-notch intensity with seamless integration of aromas. They span from dark fruit and Morello cherry to chocolate, spice, licorice, balsam herb and rosemary sprig. The energy and vitality of the vintage is locked perfectly within. This Brunello exhibits especially soft, silky tannins with long persistence and momentum. There is nothing out of place and the price tag is certainly not exaggerated for this level of excellence.” WAAvignonesi Rosso di Montepulciano 2013 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Cherry and strawberry flavors mesh with woodsy tobacco notes and a dense structure in this version. Just a bit compact on the finish now, but opens with air. Fresh and long on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2023.” WS
Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2011 375ML ($21.95) $16 special
Wine Spectator 91 points “An opulent style, this features black cherry, plum, earth and spice flavors. Full and complex, offering fine balance and a lingering aftertaste of tobacco and spice. Best from 2015 through 2024.” WS
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Wine Spectator 90 points “Though delicate in profile, there’s no mistaking the cherry, strawberry, earth, leather and tobacco flavors of Sangiovese here. This is firm, with light yet mouthcoating tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2021.” WSITALY-PIEDMONT
Bartolo Mascarello Barbera d’Alba 2013 750ML ($49.95) $41.90 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2013 Barbera d’Alba is a gorgeous, super-classic wine. Medium in body, but with plenty of depth, the 2013 presents an intriguing combination of deep Barbera fruit, bright acidity and floral aromatics. Drink this beautifully layered, exquisite Barbera over the next handful of years. The 2013 is bound to put a smile on the face of this estate’s many fans.” AG
Bartolo Mascarello Dolcetto d’Alba 2013 750ML ($31.95) $28 special
Antonio Galloni 90 points “The 2013 Dolcetto d’Alba is striking. Violets, lavender, black cherries and sweet spices lift from the glass in a Dolcetto built on perfume, sweet fruit and compelling overall balance. Dolcetto has rarely been so refined.” AG
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Antonio Galloni – “A classic, mid-weight wine, the 2014 Dolcetto d’Alba is pretty, but also shows the limits of the year. Plum, lavender, licorice and sweet spiced notes are laced throughout. The 2014 is a bit old fashioned in its classic mid-weight feel, but very pretty just the same.”
Zorzal Terroir Unico Malbec, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Case-12 Zorzal Terroir Unico Malbec, Tupungato 2014 750ML ($199.95) $169 special (that’s only $14.08/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2014 Terroir Único Malbec was described to me as a cherry and violet juice spiced up with cracked pepper. There was a cold maceration to extract those wild fruit aromas and then the fermentation was carried out with indigenous yeasts in cement vats at low-ish temperatures. The wine matured in cement vats before bottling, and never saw any wood. Juicy, silky and very drinkable with polished, sweet tannins and very good length, the palate reveals a purity, a sense of harmony and subtle balance that is amazing for a wine of this price. Unbelievable value!” WA
Case-6 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($179.95) $119 special (that’s only $19.83/bottle!)
Case-12 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2006 750ML ($319.95) $219 special (that’s only $18.25/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(100% tempranillo; aged for 30 months in American oak): Ruby-red. Sexy smoke- and spice-accented red fruit and floral pastille scents show impressive clarity and energy. Smooth, sweet and expansive on the palate, offering intense cherry-cola and blackberry flavors and an exotic rose pastille quality. Closes very long and sweet, with sneaky tannins and lingering spiciness. These are far and away the freshest bottles from this historic bodega that I’ve ever tasted stateside.” ST
Selbach-Oster Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese, Mosel 2014 750ML ($34.95) $26 special
Importer note “BERNKASTELER BADSTUBE is a small Grosslage; the component single-sites are distinct from one another, but one can organize them thus: LAY stands alone. DOKTOR-GRABEN (at least the good parts of Graben!) stand together, and MATHEISBILDCHEN-BRATENHÖFCHEN stand together, and give us what we see now; heavier understructure, not quite as tensile, due to richer soil, and signature flavors of kirsch and almost Pouilly-Fumé flint; the piquant exotics of the Mosel. Typically, they are medium in body.”
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“Johannes Selbach, this estate’s winemaker and director (as well as Terry Theise’s man-on-the-ground in Germany) is on fire. His wines are top flight and yet his winemaking appears to be improving with each vintage. Readers should note that Selbach’s wines typically appear substantially better after a few years of cellaring.” –Wine Advocate
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Wine Advocate 94 points “Bright in color the two-starred 7.5% alcohol 2013 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ** is an intensely (noble) sweet and creamy-textured selection, which was picked on November 1 and is made for future generations. Very sweet and dense on the palate it still has to become more wine-y but the wine has definitely talent.” WA
Terry Theise notes “It’s a wonderful euphoric ’03; cox orange, waxy, pollen and chamomile; a tic sweeter than their norm but it has that lovely flavor of slightly shriveled clean grapes.”
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Terry Theise notes “Remember, Merkelbach’s Ausleses are like other growers’ Spätleses, so you needn’t worry they’ll be too “sweet” because these wines are always crisp. This ’04 is so frisky, light and dryish; a classic ’04, lime, verbena, aloe-vera and wisteria; the palate is jumpy and lively despite low-ish (7.3g/l) acidity—it was the ripest cask of the vintage here—but the salty brilliance and squeaky-clean flavors are like a balm. Still very youthful and fantastically pretty.”
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Simply call us at 503-223-6002
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Early Release from CrowleyArriving December 28th
Winery note “Comprised of Wente and Dijon clones from Four Winds Vineyard this wine demonstrates the undeniable pedigree and personality of this fantastic high elevation and old vine site. Light straw with a hint of green combine with pristine clarity to present this wonderful Chardonnay. The aromatics include slate, anise and pear, with a trace amount of barrel toast. Buoyant acidity frames a lean palate beaming with citrus, mineral and white peach, along with background sweetness provided by lees contact. Clarity and precision highlight this refreshing and versatile Chardonnay.”
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We offer flat rate shipping on any size single order / single shipment
–Washington & Idaho for $20,
-and California for $25
These rates do not apply to orders held in storage here for any reason.
Multiple orders consolidated into one shipment do not qualify for flat rate shipping.
Ports and Madiera
Arriving Tuesday, December 22nd
Wine Advocate 94 points “Pale brick colour with fragrant scents of mossy wood, potpourri, cinnamon and dried mulberry plus a whiff of espresso. A mature, well balanced Port comes through in the mouth with high acidity cutting through the lingering dried berry and spice fruit and a medium level of grainy tannins. Long finish.”Graham’s Vintage Port 1970 750ML ($249.95) $199 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 94 points “This is an extremely full-bodied, powerful wine, but it still retains a classy balance. Deep ruby, with chocolate and berry aromas, full-bodied, with anise and dried cherry flavors, full, hard tannins and a long finish…” WS
Wine Advocate 93 points “Graham is another great port house, producing one of the deepest-colored and sweetest styles of vintage port. Along with Taylor and Fonseca, Graham has probably been the most consistent producer of great port in the post- World War II era. Their tawnys are quite good rather than exceptional, but their vintage ports are truly sublime and sumptuous. The 1970 is a monumental vintage port and one of the greats of the vintage. It begs to be drunk now, although it will last for at least another two decades.”
Graham’s Vintage Port 1980 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 90 points “This is very impressive, with loads of fruit and tannins. Deep ruby, with a floral, cherry and plum nose, full-bodied, with medium tannins and sweet plum flavors on the finish.”
Graham’s Vintage Port 1983 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 93 points “A superb achievement from a very underrated year. Deep dark ruby-purple, with rich floral and violet aromas, full-bodied, with masses of strawberry flavors, full tannins and a long finish.”
Robert Parker 92 points “The 1983, like most vintage ports, seems more forward than normal but has a great depth of very ripe, viscous, unctuous, plummy, tarry fruit and significant tannin in its long finish. It is black-purple in color. I doubt that it will be either as profound or as long-lived as the great 1977, but is is certainly one of the top two or three ports of this vintage, and better than the excellent 1980.” RP
Graham’s Vintage Port 2000 750ML ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 98 points –#9 Top 100 2003–“Smells like freshly picked orchids, with loads of ripe, clean fruit. Full-bodied, medium sweet and very powerful and racy. It lasts for minutes on your palate. Yet there’s a balance and class to this young Vintage Port. This is the greatest glass of Graham I have ever tasted, young or old. Best after 2014.”
James Suckling 98 points “Aromas of dried fruits, raisins and Christmas cake. Some chocolate undertones too, plus licorice and wet earth. Full body, medium sweet with gorgeous depth and intensity of fruit. So long and beautiful. What an amazing finish already. So sexy. Drink or hold. But this will go on for decades.” JS
Graham’s Vintage Port 2011 750ML ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Wine Spectator 96 points “This offers a decadently fruity aroma, with peppery accents to the cherry, raspberry and dark currant flavors that are lithe and juicy. Grippy tannins grace the mocha- and chocolate-infused finish.” WS
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of licorice, wet earth and berries follow through to a full body, medium sweetness and a chewy finish. Real deal. Structured. 8,000 cases produced of this mechanically trodden wine. Try after 2023.” JS
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “The 2011 Graham’s comes from the five quintas that have been the source for many years (Malvedos, Tua, Vila Velha, das Lages and Vale de Malhadas). It represents a selection of the 131 pipes from a total production of 1,454 and is a blend of 40% Touriga Nacional, 31% Touriga Franca, 6% Sousao and 23% mixture of very old vines. It has a more “serious” bouquet compared to the Dow, with beguiling scents of blackberry, wild hedgerow, tobacco and cloves. Straight-laced, very well-defined and compelling, the palate is medium-bodied with very fine tannins and supremely well-judged acidity. It is utterly harmonious, with a pure core of ripe black cherries, damson, marmalade, clove and spices, and the finish lingers long in the mouth. The separation of “The Stone Terraces” vines certainly does not appear to have detracted from a great Graham’s. 5,000 cases declared. Tasted May 2013.”
Blandy’s Vintage Bual, Madeira 1948 750ML ($499.95) $359 pre-arrival special
Wine Review Online.com – “Aged 56 years in cask; bottled in 2004. Outstanding wine, with a very long finish. Rich, sweet, carmelized, with lemony acidity. A fleshy wine; its concentration and bitter orange finish makes it a standout.”
Jaw-Dropping Champagnes
Arriving Tuesday, December 29th
Bouchard took over from his father’s operation in 2000, and has since earned acclaim perhaps unrivaled considering his modest size. The influential restaurant guide Gault Millau awarded Bouchard the honor of “Champagne Producer of the Year” in 2008 and, in the years since, he has earned himself a spot in the upper echelons of Champagne producers.
We’re excited for this next delivery of Cedric’s beautiful wines, arriving here December 29th:
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The clear highlight among these new releases, the 2008 Blanc de Noirs Côte de Béchalin is deep, powerful and beautifully layered in the glass. Resonant and generous yet with remarkable translucence, the 2008 is impeccable in its balance. There is plenty of nuance in the orchard fruit flavors, but above all else, the 2008 impresses with its total sense of harmony and proportion. The exuberant, racy finish only adds to the wine’s inviting personality.” AG
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 93 points “Bouchard’s 2011 Blanc de Noirs Creux d’Enfer Rosé is fabulous. Lifted and gracious in the glass, the 2011 offers up a compelling mélange of orange peel, cranberry, autumn leaves, white pepper, blood orange and savory herbs. In 2011, the Creux d’Enfer is intensely aromatic, but also quite restrained next to some of the more overt vintages. The Creux d’Enfer is 100% Pinot Noir, crushed by foot and aged in steel. Like all the Bouchard Champagnes, the Creux d’Enfer is bottled with no fining, filtration and zero dosage. It remains one of the most compelling wines in all of Champagne. Disgorged: April 2015.”
Importer note “100% Chardonnay (five different clones) from a single lieu-dit of .12 hectare known as “La Haute Lemblee”. 1st press juice only, hand harvested and crushed by foot and fermented using indigenous yeast. Aged for 46 months on the lees in stainless steel. zero dosage.”
The next best price is $118
Antonio Galloni – Vinous – “The 2011 Blanc de Blancs La Bolorée is centered and poised on the palate, but the aromatics are more diffuse and less focused overall. The Bolorée often gives the impression it is holding considerable power in reserve, but in 2011 I am not sure those elements will ever fully emerge. Yellow stone fruits, candied lemon and white flowers are all pushed forward, while slight hints of volatility linger on the finish. La Bolorée emerges from a south-facing parcel on limestone with 50 year-old vines. Yields are just 35 hectoliters per hectare. Tasted two times with some variation. Disgorged: April 2015.”
The average price is $156
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 90 points “The 2011 Blanc de Noirs Presle is deep, powerful and resonant. Apricot, baked apple, pastry, dried flowers and lightly honeyed notes all take shape in the glass. A wine of depth and gravitas, the Presle is still tightly wound and in need of time, but it is without question one of the stronger wines in this lineup up of 2011s.”
The average price is $140
Cedric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne Les Ursules Blanc de Noirs 2011 1.5L ($319.95) $279 pre-arrival special
“The 2011 Blanc de Noirs Les Ursules is quite delicate and understated in this vintage. Crushed flowers, herbs, dried cherries, kirsch, mint and anise are all nicely delineated in the glass. The aromatics are lifted and decidedly high-toned, while the wine lacks its customary balance, which brings out some angularity..” –Antonio Galloni – Vinous
The average price is $124
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 92 points “Bouchard’s NV (2013) Blanc de Noirs Côte de Val Vilaine is quite a bit creamier and richer than normal, the result of yields of just 26 hectoliters per hectare, as opposed the more typical 45, which is already absurdly low within the context of Champagne. Orange zest, white flowers, mint, chamomile and sweet spices flesh out as this exotic, unctuous Val Vilaine shows off its distinctive personality. The Val Vilaine is often a bit reduced when young, but that is not the case in the 2013, where the level of richness is pretty much off the charts.”
Sud de France!Corbieres Wines Arriving
Tuesday, December 22nd
Russ Raney Reports: “Clos Canos is a small family operation (11,000 cases/year) situated on the edge of the village, Luc-sur-Orbieu – which is within the sub-appellation of Corbières-Boutenac, and more or less in the center of the AOC. The husband-wife owners are Pierre Galinier and Françoise Castel. Pierre is a 5th generation vigneron in Luc, but it wasn’t until the year 2000 that he discountinued selling the estate’s grapes to negociants, and began to produce wine under their own label. The soil type in their location is largely claylimestone, and like Ch. Cabriac their predominant red grapes employed are Carignan, Grenache and Syrah. For the whites they use primarily Sauvignon Blanc and the Rhone variety Roussanne. Clos Canos also makes a lovely, floral and regressing rose… produced mainly from Grenache Gris, Grenache Blanc and Grenache Noir. Canos’ wines are also in the ‘good value’ category, but they produce some excellent ageable wines as well, like their ‘Tradition,’ which is 90% old-vine Carignan with loads of character.”
Clos Canos Corbieres Rose 2014 750ML ($14.95) $11.90 pre-arrival special
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Grenache, Carignan & Syrah
90% Carignan with Grenache & Syrah
Syrah/Mourvedre/Carignan/Grenache
Domaine Jean-Philippe Padie Cotes du Roussillon Petit Taureau 2014 750ML ($21.95) $18 pre-arrival special
50% Carignan & 50% Syrah
It’s the Holiday Season – And the Sales Continue!
Falletto di Bruno Giacosa ‘Falletto’, Barolo DOCG 2005 750ML ($249.95) $138 special (was $149)
Wine Advocate & Stephen Tanzer 94 points “The 2005 Barolo Falletto offers up a gorgeous bouquet of red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is a relatively delicate, elegant Barolo Falletto yet it offers gorgeous balance, tons of inner perfume and a long, refined finish. It is one of the overachievers in 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”WA
The average price is $194
Wine Spectator 95 points “There’s wonderful perfumes in this young Barbaresco, with flowers and ripe berries, as well as strawberry. Full-bodied, chewy and long. Massive on the finish. A superb wine.” WS
Wine Advocate 94+ points “The 2005 Barbaresco Rabaja is the densest and richest of these 2005 Barbarescos. Because it is aged in a slightly smaller cask, the wine shows an explosive personality along with some oak nuances that require bottle age to settle down. This muscular Barbaresco resonates on the palate with layers of spiced, mentholated dark cherries, minerals and licorice. It remains a dense, structured and primary wine in need of serious bottle age for the firm tannins to melt away. This, too, is a sublime wine from Bruno Giacosa. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025.” WA
The next best price is $148.99
The average price is $185
Wine Spectator 94 points “A rich, sumptuous Barolo, with bass tones providing a full range of plum, earth and spice to match its more elevated floral and mineral notes. Firm, but not stiff, with a fine lingering aftertaste of tobacco and spice. Best from 2013 through 2030.”WS
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Barolo Bussia is a magnificent wine that makes a bold opening statement thanks to the high caliber and intensity of its bouquet. Power and sheer determination set the wine on course smoothly over the palate and the quality of the tannin is firm and tense. The wine presents fruit characteristics of dried cherry and cassis that are not too obvious but are soon followed by delicate tobacco, Indian spice, cola, tar and licorice. It’s a picture-perfect young Barolo for 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”
The next best price is $58.99
The average price is $72
Wine Spectator 90 points “This red is vibrant and pure, displaying cherry, raspberry, tobacco and earth aromas and flavors. Displays major grip on the finish, yet seems well-proportioned for a mid- to long-term evolution. Best from 2015 through 2028.” WS
The average price is $45
Case-12 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($419.95) $359 special (was $399) (that’s only $29.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich and velvety, yet also vibrant and complex, this red boasts floral, berry, anise, leather and mineral flavors. Harmonious, this turns slightly chewy in texture on the lingering finish. Best from 2017 through 2027. 1,000 cases made.” WS
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, spices and mint race across the palate in the 2011 Barbaresco Serra. This is one of the most intense, tannic 2011 Barbarescos readers will come across. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2011 is going to need considerable patience. Hints of sweet tobacco, mint and anise add nuance on the layered, super-expressive finish. The 2011 Serra spent two years in 50-hectoliter casks.” AGGiacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($149.95) $119 special
Case-6 Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($799.95) $689 special (that’s only $114.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Case-12 Giacomo Conterno Francia Barolo DOCG, Piedmont 2003 750ML ($1,549.95) $1,319 special (that’s only $109.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2003 Barolo Cascina Francia is soft, silky and very nicely balanced, especially in its tannins, where the wine really stands out next to so many peers. Readers should open the 2003 at least an hour in advance to allow the aromatics to open up. This is a very sexy and open young Barolo from Conterno with very little signs of the challenging growing season.” (6/2014)
Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Vigna Liste, Barolo DOCG 2008 750ML ($119.95) $79 special
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
F.X. Pichler Loibner Steinertal Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2012 750ML ($59.95) $39 special (was $49)
David Schildknecht 92 points “With his 2012 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Steinertal, says Lucas Pichler, “the aim is to showcase the vineyard, which is a cool site, whereas in Loiben, really, things are (generally) a bit too warm.” Prior to this solo debut – spurred by the acquisition of a second parcel – the Pichlers’ Gruner Veltliner from this site went into their Loibenberg (and “M”). This solo Steinertal projects delightfully luscious and exuberant pear and melon fruit along with saliva-inducing, metaphorically cooling suggestions of stalk celery. A sweet-smoky bite of Szechuan pepper lends invigoration and cut to a juicily protracted finish. A model of elegance and lift allied to fundamentally rich ripeness, it should perform beautifully through at least 2022.”
Joel Payne-Vinous 92 points “Mineral aromas of fresh apricot, mint and citrus zest. Mouthfilling muskmelon flavor is enlivened by a refreshing acid structure, making this appear lighter than it actually is. With mineral salts and wild spices on the back of the palate, this stylish wine is the coolest and most invigorating of the veltliners here.”
The average price is $60
Joel Payne-Vinous 94 points “Unctuous aromas of tropical fruit, spicy tobacco and white pepper. Opulent, juicy apricot extract emerges on the palate, where it’s joined by strong minerality. This rich wine offers a delicate interplay of sweetness and acidity interwoven with a wet stone character. Excellent potential.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “The Pichlers’ 2012 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Kellerberg boasts a luscious pear and apple fruit fundament backed by a lush, glycerol-rich texture, with complementary overtones of honeysuckle and lily of the valley perfume. Yet for all of the richness my aforementioned description implies, this also boasts a remarkable sense of primary juiciness as well as lift, leading to a finish of refined, polished, succulent length, stimulatingly suffused with crushed stone and pungent Szechuan pepper. As another demonstration of how important is the character of an individual vineyard in ways that can’t be captured analytically, this wine is well over 14% in alcohol despite its buoyancy, whereas the corresponding Liebenberg at 13.5% reminds you of its alcohol and lacks levity. “One factor,” observes Lucas Pichler “is that Kellerberg is in the shadow after mid-afternoon while Liebenberg gets sun well into the evening.” Plan to follow this Kellerberg through at least 2025.”
The next best price is $75
The average price is $86
Joel Payne-Vinous 93 points “Ripe pear, snap pea and soft herbal spices on the beautifully nuanced nose. Steely and aristocratic on the palate, showing darker fruits and more acidity than the Loibenberg, with concentrated green mango, yellow plum and celery flavors over a layer of flinty slate. Despite its impressive opulence, this is subtle, precise and pure, probably due to the extreme age of the vineyard.”
Falstaff 92-94 points “[translated] Medium greenish yellow. Attractive yellow tropical fruit, delicate pineapple and peach, with fresh wild herbs and delicately highlighted with orange zest. Powerful, a fine touch of honey, sweet extracted core, subtle acid structure, mineral reverberation, yellow fruity finish, a hint of opulence.”
Wine Advocate 90 points “A sweetly ripe tropical fruitiness of pineapple and pink grapefruit marks the F. X. Pichler 2012 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd Liebenberg, to which a positively sizzling impingement of citrus zest, pineapple core and white pepper lends counterpoint. There is a faintly soapy texture, and the aforementioned sizzle is reinforced in the finish by slightly noticeable (even though analytically only 13.5%) alcohol. Some terroirists (like myself) might anticipate a cooling and dynamic influence from the active lime in this vineyard’s soil, but it isn’t forthcoming. My explanation is that the tendency toward slight shriveling of berries in this site – also, of course, arguably a terroir factor – counteracts any such chalk influence, as well as resulting in a diminished sense of juiciness. All in all, this rich, rather static wine is likely to appeal most before 2017.”
The average price is $67
F.X. Pichler M Gruner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2012 375ML ($59.95) $41.90 special (was $49)
Wine Advocate 95 points “Pichlers’ 2012 Gruner Veltliner Smaragd M – mainly from Loibenberg, plus bits of Kellerberg, Liebenberg, Kollmutz and Muhlpoint – definitely shows the effect of Lucas Pichler’s decision to harvest earlier in recent years than his father usually did, particularly for this bottling. “I think the result is a bit more elegant,” he suggests, and I agree, however conceptually slippery or overused that word is. “I want something similar in style and quality to the Kellerberg,” he adds, “only not showcasing the character of an individual site but instead the grape variety,” and arguably, I’d add – albeit rather obviously – the synergy possible among various vineyards. Diverse floral perfumes – which then reprise inner-mouth; distilled pit fruits; and intimations of ripe pear and musk melon, all anticipate the silken-textured, lush yet remarkably buoyant and vibrantly interactive palate impression, brown spice-tinged and mingled with crushed stone, piquant fruit pit and white pepper. This misses quite the sheer length and penetration of the Kellerberg, but projects a superbly colorful and dynamic, near-kaleidoscopic complexity seldom equaled among Gruner Veltliners. (If memory serves, this is the first time I’ve rated an “M” Gruner Veltliner superior to the corresponding Kellerberg.) Plan to follow this “M” through at least 2022.”
Joel Payne-Vinous 93 points “Expressive bouquet fascinates with papaya, nougat, woodsmoke, white chocolate and orange zest. A sweet, leesy core of plum is wrapped in layers of green peppercorn, cardamom and orange. Unctuously rich and almost Burgundian in its creaminess, and carrying considerable alcoholic clout, this has the depth and intensity of flavor to carry the style, but I prefer both the Kellerberg and Liebenberg.”
The next best price for the 750ML is $89.94
The next best price for the 375ML is $51.00
David Schildknecht 92 points “The Pichlers’ 2012 Riesling Federspiel Burgstall – for more about whose site, consult my issue 197 report – succeeds brilliantly in their attempt to capture levity and refreshment along with interactive complexity. Lemon and white peach tinged with orange rind, crushed stone, almond and peach kernel inform a glossy yet refreshingly juicy not to mention buoyant palate, leading to an entertainingly oscillating finishing exchange of mineral and fruit elements. The combinations of lusciousness with levity; stimulation and soothing; rich ripeness with transparency to nuance, are memorably delicious, and I would not be surprised to find this worth following through at least 2020.”
Joel Payne-Vinous 88 points “Passion fruit, peach and lime make for an enticing bouquet. Bright, clean and crisp, with a refreshing balance and taut structure highlighting its stone and citrus fruit flavors. One more glass, please!”
The next best price is $39.99
Falstaff 93-95 points “[translated] Medium green yellow. Rather subdued, delicate orange peel, underlaid with yellow stone fruit, and a touch of minerals. Firm texture, ripe yellow fruit, crisp acidity, lemony touch, very dark minerality, still needs time.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “Pichlers’2012 Riesling Smaragd Steinertal suggests chili as well as Szechuan pepper bite and pungency, allied to rhubarb-like tartness and mouthwatering savor, all enrobed in lusciously ripe, white peach and apple on a plush palate. “This site has an effect a lot like Schutt,” explains Lucas Pichler, “because the eroded stone that form its basis followed the creases and crevices in the hillside that are precisely what conduct cool air down from the woods above the vineyards.” Wafting hints of chamomile and suffusion of crushed stone add to the interest and allure of this refined, long-finishing Riesling that should prove worth following through at least 2022.”
Joel Payne-Vinous 91 points “Cool mango, passion fruit and vineyard peach aromas are laced with flint. Immensely juicy but by no means lacking in finesse, as abundant minerality flows like a mountain stream. Crisp pineapple and mango flavors linger with wet rocks on the long, complex finish. Excellent potential.”
The next best price is $65.98
David Schildknecht–Vinous 93 points “This represents the 2014 bottling of a wine that no doubt had the right stuff for a full-fledged “Vinothek” release some years from now, but there was simply not enough cask capacity in the cellar. It’s being sold from the cellar door at the same price as the current 2013 release because, as Christine Saahs remarked with a wink, “We don’t want to do anything to discourage Austrian customers from trying this ‘old’ wine.” Lichen on wet stone; saline and alkaline sea breeze; mothball and apple jack; hazelnut and almond utterly fascinate in the nose, then ally themselves to youthful primary juiciness of lime and white asparagus on a silky palate. Head-scratching intrigue by no means precludes refreshment value on the long finish.”
Terry Theise notes: “Bottled in 2014. Pure quiet profundity here, in a markedly smoky form. Very dry, adamantly leathery, charred, nettle-y; firm and austere. But not meager nor remotely punishing – just not a “nice guy.” I see it with a sorrel soup or something in an herb sauce with pea shoots, cressy micro-greens, yet there’s also this lovely smell of old leather.”Schloss Gobelsburg Gobelsburger Riesling 2013 750ML ($19.95) $16.60 special
Wine Spectator 92 points “Offers ripe aromas and flavors of beeswax and sage honey, with kiwifruit, melon and white currant hints. This has some dried mango notes, with an exuberant finish of white pepper and lemon curd. Drink now through 2022.” WS
ARGENTINA
Bodega del Rio Elorza ‘Verum’ Chardonnay, Rio Negro 2012 750ML ($19.95) $9 special (was $10.90)
Case-12 Bodega del Rio Elorza ‘Verum’ Chardonnay, Rio Negro 2012 750ML ($199.95) $79 special (was $99) (that’s only $6.58/bottle!)
Stephen Tanzer and Wine Advocate 88 points “Bright pale yellow. Slightly liqueur-like tropical fruits dominate the nose. Bright, subtle stone fruit flavors are lifted by flowers and complicated by a touch of vanillin oak. Supple, pliant, moderately concentrated chardonnay with understated stone fruit flavors and a slightly edgy finish.”ST
The next best price is $16.34
Case-12 Bodega del Rio Elorza ‘Verum’ Pinot Noir, Rio Negro 2012 750ML ($249.95) $149 special (that’s only $12.42/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 89 points “The 2012 Verum Pinot Noir Classic shows a light translucent ruby color, and a clean, fruity nose with notes of cranberry, acid raspberry and some leafy aromas. It has very polished tannins, good acidity, persistence and length. A pleasure to drink. Drink now-2016.”
The next best price is $15.99
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We have over 130 different cuvees of Champagne available – many at the best price listed in the nation! If you need help selecting the perfect bottle for dinner on Christmas Day or for midnight on the 31st, we’re here to get you the best of the best!
Give us a call at 503-223-6002 or stop by – either at the shop (1610 NW Glisan in Portland!) or online, at www.vinopoliswineshop.com. In the meantime, we’ll be using the newsletter to highlight our unbeatable selection!