Vinopolis May 26 Newsletter

 May 26, 2014

OREGON
Patricia Green Cellars Dollar Bills Only Pinot Noir 2013 ($17.95) $14 special
Stoller Vineyards Pinot Noir Rose 2013 ($21.95) $18 special
Lemelson Vineyards Six Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012 ($21.95) $18 special
Evening Land Blue Label Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($21.95) $18 specialAlexEli Willamette Valley Riesling 2010 ($17.95) $14 special
AlexEli Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2010 ($21.95) $18 special
AlexEli Willamette Valley Reserve Pinot Noir 2010($27.95) $24 specialTimothy Malone Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $27 special
Winemaker’s note”The TMW 2012 Dundee Hills PN went through spontaneous fermentation for both primary and malolactic fermentations.  It received 16.5% new wood and received an 18 month elevage in barrel allowing it to be bottled without fining or filtering.” Vinopolnote- Tim Malone is the long time assistant to Jay Somers at J Christopher Winery.CALIFORNIA
Byron Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2012 ($17.95) $10.90 special
From the winery “The 2012 vintage included a very cool winter and spring. These conditions led to being fruitful with small clusters and small berries with flavors of stone fruit, fig, honey; hints of brown spice and mineral. The palate is both crisp and concentrated with a mineral finish.”

Byron Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2012 ($19.95) $11.90 special
From the winery “The 2012 vintage included a very cool winter and spring. These conditions led to being fruitful with small clusters and small berries with flavors of dark berry, cherry, hints of floral and mineral. This is a forward approachable wine that displays the beautiful floral/mineral character typical of Santa Barbara Pinot Noir.”

Newton Claret 2010 ($21.95) $16 special
A blend of 2/3 Merlot and 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon. From the winery: “The fruit used to make our Red Label wines is sourced from select vineyards throughout Napa Valley, from Los Carneros to Chiles Valley. Every year, we select grapes with a specific characteristic that will allow us to achieve the desired flavor profile of the final blend and create continuity vintage to vintage. “

Stonestreet Broken Road Alexander Mountain Estate Chardonnay 2011 ($39.95) $29 special 
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(from an old Wente clone; all of these 2011s were fermented with wild yeasts):  Bright yellow.  Highly nuanced nose combines lemon custard, smoked meat, minerals and hazelnut complicated by a sulfidey quality.  Plush but very dry, with a lightly saline quality adding interest to the perfumed pineapple and mineral flavors.  Finishes stony, dry and long.  This is remarkably Burgundian for a California chardonnay in its price range.  A worthy successor to the outstanding 2010 bottling.”

Stonestreet Upper Barn Alexander Mountain Estate Chardonnay 2011 ($79.95) $59 special
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “(from a Hyde Wente clone):  Full bright yellow.  Ripe, deep aromas of lemon peel, tangerine, beeswax, crushed rock and dusty herbs, with hints of honey and tropical fruits.  Large-scaled, rich and tactile, with nearly viscous flavors of lemon, white peach and butterscotch.  Really compelling, ripe, vibrant fruit here, and wonderfully broad and dry.  Very complex and sexy wine, a brilliant rendition of this outstanding chardonnay vineyard.”

Stonestreet Legacy Alexander Mountain Estate Red 2008 ($69.95) $51.90 special
Robert Parker 93 points “A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot made by Graham Weerts, this beauty reveals a deep purple hue along with abundant notes of blueberries, black currants and crushed rocks intertwined with toast and earth. It possesses superb purity, silky tannins and a concentrated, intense mouthfeel. It should drink well for two decades or more.”

Atalon Pauline’s Cuvee Napa Valley Red 2010 ($29.95) $19.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This Merlot-based blend is a huge success. It’s a big, tannic, tight wine, packed to bursting with black cherry liqueur, cola and spice flavors. Yet it maintains an exciting balance, with the tension between acids, tannins and oak in equilibrium. Seems like it wants 5-6 years in the cellar to let it throw some tannins and mellow.”

Atalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 ($34.95) $24 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points , Wine Advocate  91 points “Atalon’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is fleshy and generous, with plenty of fruit and terrific overall balance, not to mention considerable early appeal. Hints of tobacco, dried herbs and incense add complexity on the finish. This is a very solid wine for the money. The 2010 is 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 3% Petite Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021.”

FRANCE-CHAMPAGNE
Legras & Haas Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Chouilly NV ($49.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Light, bright yellow.  Ripe citrus and orchard fruit aromas are lifted by notes of chalk and lemongrass.  Fleshy but dry and tangy on the palate, offering vibrant Meyer lemon and pear flavors and a subtle toastbereiness.  Shows impressive clarity and vivacity on the finish, which leaves dusty mineral and sweet butter notes behind.”

Bereche et Fils La Cote Grand Cru Extra-Brut 1999 1.5L ($279.95) $219 special
Bereche et Fils La Cote Grand Cru Extra-Brut 2002 ($119.95) $99 special
Bereche et Fils La Cote 1er Cru Extra-Brut NV ($89.95) $79 special
Bereche et Fils Montagne Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru Brut 2004 ($99.95) $89 special
Bereche et Fils Vallee De La Marne Extra Brut 2002 ($119.95) $99 special

FRANCE-BURGUNDY
Domaine du Chateau de Chorey Les Cras Beaune Premier Cru 2001 ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Advocate 90-91 points, Burghound 89-92 points “Always my favorite wine chez Germain though in 2001, there is a new contender below. Notwithstanding its position in the hierarchy, this is extremely classy juice displaying elegant, pure, mineral-laden fruit that merges seamlessly with dense, serious, precise, sweet, indeed even explosive, moderately structured flavors and superb length. This is flat out terrific and is the epitome of style and grace.”

FRANCE-ROSE
Domaine Berangeraie Cahors Rose 2013 ($11.95) $9.90 special
Mannissy Tavel Rose 2013 ($17.95) $14 special
Domaine Collotte Marsannay Rose, Cote de Nuits 2013 ($19.95) $16 special
Domaine de la Bastide Blanche Bandol Rose, Bandol 2013 ($24.95) $19 special

ITALY-PIEDMONT
Vietti Cascinetta, Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2013 ($17.95) $14 special

Rocche Costamagna Barolo Rocche Annunziata 2010 ($49.95) $39 special
Vinopolpick- one word: exciting. Two words: Classic and Exciting.

Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2010 ($119.95) $99 special
Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2010 1.5L ($249.95) $219 special
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2010 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a wine of breathtaking purity and finesse. The year that comes to mind is 2008, but the 2010 has a more classic sense of structure, tannic cut and intensity. Bright red berries, crushed rocks, mint and dried flowers are some of the many notes that linger in the glass. Sweet floral notes begin to emerge over time but the 2010 is a reticent, austere wine built for the cellar. Razor-precise veins of acidity and minerality support the brilliant, crystalline finish. This is an especially thrilling Gavarini, but readers are going to have to be patient. The 2010 is a wine to buy and forget about for a decade, perhaps longer. Hints of the 1989 and its extraordinary perfume linger on the finish. Gianluca Grasso adds that for the first time in 2010 he had the courage to pick this fruit a few days later than normal…98″

Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2010 ($119.95) $99 special
Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2010 1.5L ($249.95) $219 special
Antonio Galloni  97 points “Dark red cherries, plums, smoke, tar, menthol and licorice all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè. Today the 2010 is painfully young and less expressive than the Gavarini, but equally promising. A generous, resonant wine, the 2010 blossoms in all directions with seemingly endless layers of dark, balsamic-inflected fruit. Today, the Casa Matè is closed and shut down, but it has all the qualities to develop into a spectacular Barolo. The future is bright, especially for readers who can be patient.”

ITALY-TUSCANY
Felsina Chianti Classico DOCG 2011 ($24.95) $19 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Chianti Classico is absolutely impressive and is one of the best base Chianti Classicos I have tasted from 2011. You feel the ripeness and heat of the vintage, but this wine also delivers surprising finesse and complexity. Black cherry and baking spice mingle on the bouquet. Soft tannins wrap around the palate. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”

Felsina Chainti Classico Riserva DOCG 2009 ($34.95) $24 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva is stunningly beautiful. It boasts a great core of dark red fruit, licorice, spices, new leather and herbs. The 2009 impresses for its mid-palate density and sheer power. This is a great showing. The 2009 can be enjoyed today, but it is rather muscular, and is probably best suited for aging a few years. This is a terrific showing. A recent bottle of the 1995 was stunning in its beauty. The Riserva is 100% Sangiovese aged in a combination of casks and smaller French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.”

Felsina Chianti Classico ‘Rancia’ 2009 ($59.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia emerges from the glass with freshly cut roses, sweet red berries, licorice, spices and tar. This is a mid-weight, silky Rancia that impresses for its textural beauty and finesse. The Rancia emerges from a high-altitude site planted from 1958 through1982 with Sangiovese. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, but the oak is never noticeable, even when the wine is young. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029.”

Felsina Fontalloro Toscana 2009 ($69.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points  “There is a lot to like in the 2009 Fontalloro (Sangiovese). For starters, the wine is rich, broad and ample on the palate. Hints of tobacco, savory herbs, licorice and menthol all add complexity over time. The over juiciness of the fruit is nicely balanced by clean veins of underlying acidity that give the 2009 much of its freshness. This is another wine endowed with superb balance and class.”

Felsina Maestro Raro Toscana 2007 ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Felsina’s 2007 Maestro Raro (Cabernet Sauvignon) issimply beautiful in this vintage. A host of grilled herbs, plums, cassis and earthiness emerge from this distinctly Tuscan Cabernet. The fruit is soft, dark and opulent, but never heavy. A soft, caressing finish rounds things out nicely. This is a terrific effort from Felsina. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.”

Felsina Maestro Raro Toscana 2008 ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2008 Maestro Raro is beautiful in this vintage, a year in which Cabernet Sauvignon varietal character reigns supreme. Plums, cassis, wild herbs, leather and licorice all come together gracefully in this gorgeous, expressive wine. The 2008 impresses for its length and striking, pure finish. This is a great showing. Maestro Raro is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Sangiovese, Trebbiano and Malvasia vines that were grafted over beginning in 1984. The 2008 is understated and classy, but it’s all there. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.”

Felsina Maestro Raro Toscana 2009 ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Black currant, cherry, cedar, olive and coffee aromas and flavors are intense, yet match the refined structure in this classy red. The tannins are assertive and ripe, providing grip and focus. The finish evokes black currant, herb and spice notes. Best from 2015 through 2030.”

Felsina Vin Santo Chianti Classico 2004 375ml ($47.95) $36 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “The 2004 Vin Santo del Chianti Classico is fabulous. A reference point wine for the region, the 2004 captures the heart and intellect with its superb balance and pure pedigree. The style is moderately sweet and oxidative, in the best of the Vin Santo tradition. Savory herbs, dried flowers, leather and lightly burned sugar add complexity on the finish. Vin Santo? Felsina remains one of the 2-3 reference points, it’s as simple as that. As for the 2004, well, it is utterly majestic.”

ITALY-VENETO
Zefiro All’Ombra del Prosecco NV ($14.95) $11.90 special

SPAIN
Olivares Altos Hoya Monastrell Jumilla 2011 ($14.95) $10.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright purple.  Black raspberry and cassis aromas, with spicy mineral and floral elements gaining power with air.  Powerful dark fruit flavors are sweetened by vanilla and cola nuances and lifted by juicy acidity.  Impressively velvety wine, with very good finishing breadth and lingering spiciness.  Plenty of bang for the buck here.”

Alvaro Palacios Camins Del Priorat 2012 ($21.95) $18 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Inky ruby.  Aromas of blackberry, cola and spicy oak.  Sweet and intense in the mouth, offering weighty dark berry flavors complicated by Asian spices.  The fleshy, broad finish features smooth tannins and appealingly sweet black and blue fruit qualities.”

Vinopolis is pleased to extend our popular FLAT RATE SHIPPING program to customers in California.Flat Rate Shipping is applied to single orders of any size shipped to a single delivery address.

California – $25 any size single orderWashington/Idaho – $20 any size single orderOregon – $17 any size single orderFor the benefit of our customers in Eastern states,Vinopolis is now offering a discounted shipping special throughout the summer months. For all orders shipped immediately, we will provide 3 Day Select shipping for the same price typically charged for UPS Ground.

(The Fine Print: Flat Rate Shipping applies to each order of any size shipped singularly to an address within each state only, and does not include shipment of pre-arrival items or consolidation of multiple orders for shipping. Later additions, multiple order consolidations, and later arriving pre-arrival orders will be applied as separate orders, and will incur additional Flat Rate Shipping charges. Wine is shipped via UPS Ground. Adult signature is required.)

Located high above the town of Ampuis and the Rhône River, Domaine Jamet has become famous for the tiny quantity of stunning Côte-Rôtie they produce.  Jean-Paul Jamet and Jean Luc, who took over producing Jamet Cote Rotie from their father Joseph in 1991, divided the work between themselves, and for fifteen years have done much to improve estate, expanding their vineyard holdings and updating wine production.The Jamets have 6 hectares of vines averaging between 25 and 50 years old, and 3 more hectares of young vines recently planted. Yields are kept consistently low, with 75% of fruit coming from the Côte Brune and 25% from the Côte Blonde. The majority of their lieux-dits are on the Côte Brune, whose brown schist soils produce black fruited Syrah, with strong tannic structure, with just two sites on Côte Blonde granite, where the more floral, red fruited Syrah is grown, whose feminine qualities balances the robust Brune fruit when blended into Jamet’s flagship Cote Rotie. This variety of terroir in their wine is key to the balance and complexity found in Jamet’s Cote Rotie, as every year vines are carefully selected from the various sites to craft a wine of elegance and finesse that is the essence of Cote Rotie.This wine is 100 % Syrah and is partially destemmed, with the amount of whole cluster fermentation varying based on the vintage. Total elevage is almost two years before bottling, with at least 20 months in cask, after which the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. As of 2013, the Jamet family has made changes in their ownership of the winery, with Jean Paul Jamet remaining as the sole winemaker for Domaine Jamet to continue their family’s tradition of classic Cote Rotie.Jamet Cote Rotie 2010 ($149.95) $119 special 20 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 95-96 points “Opaque purple.  Heady aromas of red and dark berry preserves, potpourri, incense and Asian spices, with a bright mineral accent.  Stains the palate with intense black raspberry, blueberry and candied violet flavors and becomes sweeter with air.  Rich but lively, with superb finishing clarity, fully integrated tannins and lingering spice and floral notes.  This wine’s blend of power and finesse is remarkable; it was still in barrel when I tasted it in early November, 2012.”

Jamet Cote Rotie 2011($149.95) $119 special 2 cases available
Wine Advocate 95 points “Looking at the 2011s from bottle, the straight Cote Rotie is a knockout effort that has soaring aromas of underbrush, herbed game, green coffee beans and white pepper to go with black cherry and blackberry-styled fruit. Medium to full-bodied, textured and layered, with fantastic precision and focus in the vintage, it should continue to shine through 2026.”

Billecart-Salmon is one of the few remaining Champagne houses to be owned by the original family and was established in 1818 by Nicolas-François Billecart. The gorgeous winery and underground cellars are hidden in the small village of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, surrounded by vines. Billecart uses old techniques such as basket presses, which gently extract the finest juice, using more modern technology to create extra cold temperatures during fermentation, which extend the process, and add freshness, elegance and delicacy to the wines. With an extra-long ageing period in the dark underground cellars, the complex flavors of this delicate wine begin to unfold. Most of Billecart-Salmon’s fruit comes from their small vineyard holding, supplemented with grapes from the Marne Valley and the Montagne de Reims. Meticulous production techniques, from the use of their own cultured yeast to its long, slow, cool fermentation, ensure that the family has 100% control of production.Billecart- Salmon Champagne has a very strong ability to age and is a rare Champagne experience. The house is renowned for the quality of its delicate rosé, a beautifully harmonious and balanced wine made from Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, offered here today.Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose NV 1.5 LITER ($229.95) $199 special, very limited, 3 magnums available
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Such an elegant, ethereal wine, this orange-pink wine is dry and crisp with fruity raspberry flavor at the fore. This particular bottling could improve for a year, but makes a great food Champagne now.”

 
“This is a breathtaking set of wines. If Moreau keeps making wines like these she will soon be one of the superstars of Champagne. Do whatever you can to taste these fabulous wines.” – Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate

Dominique Moreau founded Marie-Courtin in 2005 in Polisot in the southernly Cote des Bars region of Champagne.  This oft-overlooked area is seeing a mini-revolution of small producers casting aside their former roles as nameless farmers for the Grand Marques and producing stunning Champagnes of their own.  Moreau is a true believer of biodynamics.  Her 100% Pinot Noir Champagnes are sourced from a single hillside vineyard with clay and limestone soil.  The vines are 35-40 years old and are well tended to produce low, concentrated yields.  The grapes are hand-harvested and only the best individual Pinot Noir grapes are made into her Concordance wine.  This is 100% Pinot that has been vinified with native yeasts.  The wine receives no added sulfur and or dosage.  It is an exciting Champagne that shows a rich texture with notes of saline and exotic fruits.Marie Courtin Resonance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut (2010) ($59.95) $49 special, 3+ cases available
Antonio Gallonio 94 points “Green apples, pears, mint and white flowers meld together in the NV (2010) Extra Brut Resonance, 100% Pinot Noir from 35-40 year-old vines. Citrus, lime and a host of bright aromas and flavors suggest Chablis with bubbles. The Resonance is simply bristling with energy and focus today. This is a fabulous wine from proprietress Dominique Moreau. This bottle was disgorged in May 2013.”

Marie-Courtin Concordance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut (2010) ($99.95) $79 special, 34 bottles availableMarie-Courtin Concordance Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut (2009) ($109.95) $79 special, 8 bottles available
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Concordance is 100% Pinot Noir bottled with no SO2. Pears, apples, white flowers, spices and crushed rocks burst from the glass as this powerful, authoritative wine shows off its distinctive personality. The 2009 is rich, full-bodied and totally beautiful. Mineral notes reappear to frame a deep, creamy finish imbued with tons of exoticism, Concordance is the estate’s most adventurous wine, so it must be approached with an open mind and palate!”Marie Courtin Efflorescence Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut (2007) ($79.95) $59 special, 7 bottles available
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright yellow-gold.  Dried lemon, pear skin, honeysuckle and minerals on the highly perfumed nose.  Chewy, concentrated citrus and orchard fruit flavors give way to succulent melon and nectarine in the mid-palate and pick up an exotic anise quality with air.  The dry finish shows intense mineral cut, leaving lively lemon zest and pear notes behind.”

Based in Chambolle-Musigny, Michel Digioia has stood at the helm of the smallest estate in Chambolle (4ha) since 1999, after taking on the vines of his wife’s parents. It was his wife’s grandparents who established the domaine in the 1930s, selling their grapes to negociants. Only in 2003 did Michel decide to commercialise his own wine and, by 2004, he was bottling and selling 100% of the production.All of the wines from this small family domaine come from the village of Chambolle-Musigny, even their Bourgogne Rouge, offered here today. Michel’s dedication to the single village of Chambolle-Musigny means outstanding wines with a real sense of place, his wines have consistently been in the finest league of Chambolle wines, and he has made a name for himself by reintroducing some forgotten appellations (Les Groseilles and Les Gruenchers) that benefit from his careful attention.The estate practices manual harvesting with 100% de-stemming, keeping the grapes cool for 3-4 days so the fermentations do not start too quickly.  Pigeage (punching-down) depends on the vintage, elevage (maturation) lasts on average 14-18 months, using about 20% new oak. Michel compares his style to that of a chef’s saying that it is important to follow a recipe, but to make outstanding wine and to distinguish yourself, you have to add your personal ‘savoir-faire’. The work in the vineyard is the most important. “Here you must carry out your work with purpose and passion and only then will your wine reveal the expression of terroir”. The results are surprisingly great, and importers and wine lovers alike are now lining up to buy their wines, offered here below.Digioia- Royer Bourgogne Rouge 2011 ($24.95) $21.90 special 3+ cases available
Winery notes “The nose delivers a wide vista of ripe pinot fruit. Good acidity and tannin and quite enough fruit ‘glue’ to hold everything together. Some bitter chocolate tannin towards the finish.”

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CALIFORNIA
Palazzo Cabernet Franc Napa 2008 ($79.95) $44 special 3+ cases available
Robert Parker 92 points “The 2008 Cabernet Franc, a wine Palazzo seems to have a Midas’ touch with, has a deep bluish/ruby/purple color. Notes of cedar wood, spice box, bay leaf, black currant and black cherry fruit jump from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, elegant, ethereal wine. It displays good ripeness and moderately sweet tannin. It should be better in 2-3 years and evolve for 12-15+.”

Amuse Bouche Proprietary Red Napa 2009 ($299.95) $149 special 13 bottles available
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Amuse Bouche is laced with freshly cut flowers, sweet spices and expressive red berries. Today, I find the 2009 beautifully expressive, with gorgeous aromatics, layers of fruit and lovely overall balance. This is a decidedly feminine, refined style, but it all works nicely. Layers of fruit continue to blossom through to the structured, powerful finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019.”

Au Sommet Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak Napa 2009 ($299.95) $149 special 3+ cases available
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2009 Au Sommet is a bit lighter on its feet than the 2008. Sweet, silky tannins frame the fruit. Unlike the 2008, the 2009 is not particularly wild or exotic. Instead, it is a wine that stands out for its textural finesse and understated personality. This mid-weight, gracious Cabernet Sauvignon should be cellared for another year or two and enjoyed over the following decade. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024”

FRANCE- BURGUNDY
Christian Moreau Les Clos des Hospices, Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2011 ($119.95) $75 special 20 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 94-96 points “Expressive yellow stone fruits, spices, graphite and subtle French oak flow from the 2011 Chablis Les Clos Clos des Hospices. Hints of slate, smoke and oyster shells come to life on the beautifully delineated finish. There is great energy in the glass, but this is an infant. Here, too, I have a slight preference for the 2011 over the 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2013+.”

Domaine Pavelot Savigny les Beaune 2010 ($44.95) $24 special 3+ cases available
Burghound 88 points

“Here the fruit is ripe though distinctly different as the Savigny style earth character is quite prominent on the somber dark pinot fruit nose. There is a velvety texture to the supple and relatively forward flavors that possess good concentration and fine balance on the sappy finish. This isn’t an especially elegant effort but it is certainly delicious and satisfying.”

Domaine Faiveley Clos de L’Ecu Beaune Premier Cru 2010 ($49.95) $39 special 2 cases available
Wine Spectator 93 points, Stephen Tanzer 89-92 points “Good bright red.  Reticent aromas of dark cherry and crushed stone show a building spice character with air; less exuberant than the Champs Fulliot.  Lovely definition and lift to the youthfully closed flavors of pomegranate, cherry and orange zest.  Finishes firmly tannic and closed, but with excellent energy and subtle lingering perfume.  These south-facing vines were picked at the beginning of the harvest.”

Domaine Henri Boillot Pommard 2010 ($59.95) $49 special 3+ cases available
Antonio Galloni 90-92 points “The 2010 Pommard is pure sensuality. Sweet roses, dark red fruit and spices wrap around the palate in this supple, refined wine. The Pommard impresses for its elegance and richness. It is a beautiful and highly representative 2010. Sweet floral notes linger on the finish. The Pommard is made from vines in Clos Blanc, a 1er Cru vineyard. – Henri Boillot turned out a superb set of 2010 reds. Best of all, readers won’t have to shell out a fortune to enjoy them, as a number of the more modestly priced wines far exceed the quality of their respective appellations”

 
FRANCE- RHONE
M. Chapoutier La Ciboise Cotes du Luberon 2012 ($14.95) $9.90 special 3+ cases available
Wine Spectator 88 points “A fresh, floral style, with a violet note leading the cherry and red currant fruit. Flickers of white pepper and warm stone appear on the pretty finish.”

Domaine de Boisrenard Chateauneuf du Pape 2009 ($79.95) $49 special 3+ cases available
Wine Spectator 96 points “This powerful red offers a muscular core of roasted fig, blackberry and cassis fruit framed by thick, mesquite-tinged tannins, with loads of tobacco, pepper and tar coating the mouthwatering finish. Yet despite its power, this is racy and defined. Best from 2014 through 2024.”

Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz 2009 ($109.95) $59 special 3+ cases available
Robert Parker 94 points  “The opaque ruby/purple-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Quartz is a blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah from one of the appellation’s more obscure lieu-dits. This stunning 2009 offers copious floral notes intermixed with crushed rock, wet stone, kirsch and black currant characteristics.”

ITALY- PIEDMONT
Pelissero Long Now Langhe Rosso 2006 ($59.95) $39 special 2+ cases available
Wine Spectator 95 points “Dark and brooding, featuring saturated black currant, wild herb and mineral aromas and flavors, just hinting at animal. This is backward and tightly structured with tannins, yet also concentrated and long, with sweetness prevailing in the end. Needs time. Nebbiolo and Barbera. Best from 2015 through 2040.”

Elvio Cogno Barbaresco Bordini 2008 ($47.95) $29 special 22 bottles available
Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2007 Barolo Ravera shows marvelous depth and richness, but is not hugely different from the Cascina Nuova, perhaps because the vintage has such a strong influence in both wines. It is a big, muscular Barolo endowed with layers of dark fruit, mocha, leather, licorice and smoke. A large, scaled dramatic finish rounds out this compelling, totally delicious Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.”

Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia 2009 ($59.95) $49 special 3+ cases available
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.”

ITALY- TUSCANY
Petrolo Torrione Toscana 2009 ($39.95) $25.70 special 3+ cases available
James Suckling 94 Points “Aromas of lightly stewed fruit, with hints of fresh herbs and spices. Full bodied, with soft tannins and a fruity finish. This is balanced and long, with a caressing finish. Best ever. Mostly Sangiovese, with a hint of Merlot. Better after 2013”

Ruffino Romitorio Toscana IGT 2004 (79.95) $33 special 11 bottles available
Wine Specator 91 points “There’s pleasant damson fruit and mineral character, with hints of chocolate and flowers. Full-bodied, with lots of fruit lingering on a lightly firm, velvety texture. Needs a little more bottle time. Colorino and Merlot. Best after 2009. 4,000 cases made”

Frescbaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2006 ($69.95) $39 special 3+ cases available
James Suckling 95 points “Frescobaldi’s Brunello always delivers great quality in just about any vintage. Gorgeous nose of ripe berries and slice plums with an almost peach undertone. Full bodied, with a solid core of gorgeously clean and clear dark fruits. Dense and integrated tannins on the finish. So long and fascinating. Best after 2013”

Montevertine Le Pergole Torte 2009 ($119.95) $79 special 32 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2009 Le Pergole Torte is flat-out great. Layers of fruit wrap around the palate in this flashy, seductive Pergole Torte. There are no hard edges to be found. Sweet red cherries, roses, spices and mint are layered into the silky, radiant finish. The 2009 is a wine of extraordinary elegance. Today the 2009 comes across as a smaller scaled version of the 2007. This is also the first year of biological farming at Montevertine. Despite the heat spikes in August, Martino Manetti waited until October 12 to bring the Sangiovese in.”

SPAIN
Amezola Inigo Rioja 2010($39.95) $18 special 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2009 Inigo Amezola is 100% Tempranillo. It has a super-ripe, almost Rancio-like bouquet with notes of kirsch and eau-de-vie. The palate has supple entry and is beautifully balanced with notes of allspice and a touch of sweet raisin. This is very composed and supremely well-crafted. Drink: 2012-2018+.”

Dominio Pingus Flor de Pingus Ribera del Duero 2011 ($99.95) $79 special 3+ cases available
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2011 Flor de Pingus demonstrates wonderful purity on the nose, perhaps more feminine and wily than the 2010 with luscious raspberry, blackberry and forest floor notes. The palate is full-bodied with filigree tannins and a little more volume than the 2010. It seems generous and very supple at this early juncture with a caressing, peppery finish that is extremely well focused. There 2011 has awesome potential and I cannot wait to taste this after two or three years in bottle.”

Bodega Riojanas Monte Real Rioja Gran Reserva 1998 ($59.95) $39 special 3+ cases available
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Dark red with a pale rim. Pungent, spicy nose shows pure cherry, redcurrant and plum complemented by succulent herbs, vanillin oak spice and a hint of dried flowers. Supple, lush and deep, with sweet red fruit flavors framed by gentle, harmonious tannins. Fleshy and sweet on the back end, with impressive concentration and focus. This should age well.”

Lopez Heredia Rioja Bosconia Reserva 2003 ($37.95) $26 special 3+ cases available
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(80% tempranillo, 15% garnacha, 3% graciano and 2% mazuelo):  Medium red.  Ripe red fruit, flowers and spices on the nose, with a smoky nuance emerging with aeration; very fresh for this notoriously hot vintage.  Concentrated but not at all heavy, with intense red berry and floral pastille flavors and a deeper note of singed plum.  The finish is bright and high-pitched, with lingering cherry and raspberry flavors and a hint of candied licorice.”

Mas Jullien Terrasses Du Larzac Rouge 2010 ($59.95) $49 special, 3+ cases available
“Terrasses du Larzac is a relatively new appellation, despite the area’s long history of winemaking.  It covers a small plateau in the Languedoc region.  Here, Olivier Jullien crafts his Mas Jullien AOC Rouge from small vineyard parcels scattered on the warm, high altitude area.  The wine has rich notes of inky blackcurrants, irises, and a dark minerality with soft yet present tannins.  It reminds me of California Cabernet: dark, dense, yet delightful.  I tried it alongside a Faugeres from the same vintage and found the Mas Jullien to be fuller in body and less rustic in style.  Enjoy with grilled red meats or steaks and friends.”

Chartogne Taillet Champagne Brut Cuvee St Anne NV ($44.95) $34.90 special 3+ cases available
An elegant fruit driven champagne that, for the price, is great for any special occasion you can come up with. 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims, this wine has a fresh steely character and continues to open and express to the last drop, striking a beautiful balance between toasty richness and crisp, citrus flavors.  Pairs well with the typical Champagne accompaniments, and its rich fruit character makes it a surprisingly welcome companion to spicy dishes.

Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet 2006 1.5 LITER ($249.95) $219 special 13 bottles available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is big, dark and juicy. There is an element of wildness that runs through the wine. Graphite, licorice, tar and smoke are just some of the nuances that add complexity. The 2006 boasts superb purity from start to finish. Elements of fleshiness give the impression the 2006 might drink well relatively early, until the massive tannins set in. Floral notes add freshness on the finish. This is another fabulous wine from Randy Dunn. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036.”