New Arrivals From Goodfellow, Westrey, Longshadows, Thivin, Pepiere and More!; Old and Rare Special Sale (featuring Colgin); New Champagne Reviews from Antonio Galloni; Staff Pick—Catalan Pride; Rare Library Wines from Castell’in Villa
New Week – New Arrivals
Goodfellow Family Cellars Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2015 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 specialVinopolNote “While the 2014 version of this was good, the 2015 represents a step up in the quality (and value) of this offering. This has held its own in blind tasting against good, village level Meursault and emulates that style—a discreet kiss of wood and bright acidity.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
VinopolNote “Durant is a historic site in the Dundee Hills, first planted in the ‘70’s. This is always the most precocious wine in the Goodfellow lineup, with big bright fruit in a redder vein. True to the house style, there’s some savoriness from the stems, but overall this is a delicious wine to drink now.”
VinopolNote “Whistling Ridge has become Marcus Goodfellow’s Cros Parantoux—a vineyard that somehow went overlooked but now produces exceptional wines in the right hands. Nestled on the ridgetop abutting the Beaux Freres Upper Terrace, wines from Whistling Ridge tend to be compact and powerful—built for aging. Lots of spice and floral notes blend with a mix of black and red fruits for a stellar wine that’s one of the best versions yet.”
Winery Note “The 2012 blend includes 12% 35-year-old Pommard clone Pinot Noir, planted on its own roots in 1977. The remaining 66% is dominated by the Dijon 777 clone but has small percentages of five other Dijon clones. With our 2001 planting (densly planted 777&115 on RG) in full production, coupled with the strong return of the old vine block, Oracle is now firmly entrenched in our winery. All lots were fermented with indigenous yeast in open-top 1,500-liter fermentors. This thirty-four barrel lot was aged in six new barrels, six one year old, with the balance in neutral wood. The wine displays the classic pure berry fruits (Marionberry, black current and red raspberry) and exceptional balance that the 2012 vintage produced from Oralce. After an indigenous malo-lactic fermentation, it was racked with inert gas in the spring of 2013, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered in September of 2013 after eleven months in oak.”Westrey Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2009 750ML ($49.95) $39 special
Library Release
Winery note “Westrey Wine Company was founded in 1993 by co-winemakers Amy Wesselman and David Autrey, along with David’s father, Robert Autrey, in Oregon’s burgeoning Willamette Valley. Amy and David focus on crafting elegant Pinot Noir wines, fruit-driven Burgundian-style Chardonnay and crisp, refreshing Pinot Gris. The wines are designed to be balanced and ageworthy, always complementing and enlivening the food with which they are served.”
Winery Note “The Reserve barrels were carefully chosen for their expression of their vineyard of origin and their aging potential. In 2012 the wine started in the vineyard. Even with the strain of a long dry spell, one block of Dijon 667 stood out. Five barrels from this block were blended with two barrels of the old-vine Pommard and two barrels from our 777 block. The wine displays intense black raspberry, red current, and spice aromas. These aromas are complemented by hints of black currents, vanilla sweetness, coffee from the oak, and a predominant floral character. On the palate the wine is mouth-filling and supple, possessing rich fruit and enough acidity in the long finish to make a balanced and complete wine. At harvest the individual lots were given an approximately five-day cold-soak prior to fermentation. Each lot fermented separately with a combination of indigenous yeast and a commercial yeast imported from Burgundy. The fermentation lasted an average of 18 days for each, and pressing occurred at dryness. At pressing, the wine was sent directly to barrel to maintain a maximum amount of lees. There it completed an indigenous malo-lactic fermentation. In May it received an inert gas racking from barrel to barrel. The finished wine was bottled in late April 2014, without fining or filtration, to allow the wine’s character to fully show through. The 2012 blend was aged in 30% new wood and 10% one-year old, with the balance coming from neutral wood.”
2014 Pirouette, 2014 Feather, 2014 Pedestal, 2014 Chester-Kidder, 2015 Sequel, 2015 Saggi
Pirouette: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Richly layered and complex, with 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.Feather: Randy Dunn selects the Cabernet Sauvignon the Feather from: the estate Benches Vineyards for dark fruit and earthiness, the Wahluke Slope for structure and ripe tannins, and two of Washington State’s oldest vineyards, Weinbau and Dionysus, for complexity. The wine is concentrated and beautifully balanced, offering spicy, dark cherry and dried current flavors that persist on the palate.
Pedestal: Michel Rolland selects the Merlot from the Conner Lee, Dionysus and Benches Vineyards to produce an unusually complex Merlot. Tapteil Vineyards Cabernet gives it its strength and extra richness. The wine shows intense, fruit-forward notes, bursting with fresh blueberries, ripe plum, cedar and spice. Good concentration adds to its pleasing mouth feel; balanced acidity enhances its appeal.
Sequel: John Duval, formerly of the iconic Penfolds Grange, uses grapes from the Benches Vineyard for its dark flavored fruit, the Red Mountain Vineyard adds structure, and Boushey Vineyards add elegance. A generous and concentrated wine of great character. Almond, dark chocolate and cherry notes fill the glass, complemented by hints of black licorice, blackberry, cocoa powder and a touch of smoke.
Saggi: Saggi is a blend from father and son team Ambrogio and Giovanni Folonari of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese (from a 1993 planting) and Syrah. Dark cherry and raspberry aromas combine with a hint of nutmeg and smoky earthiness. An elegant entry reveals refined tannins with focused concentration.
Chester-Kidder: The back bone of this wine is Cabernet from Walla Walla and nearby Candy Mountain. Its deepness and darkness is Syrah from the estate’s Benches Vineyards with a touch of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of dried figs and cocoa powder, along with hints of tamarind and toasty oak are followed by intense violent and blueberry jam flavors beautifully integrated around a spicy core.
Antonio Galloni 93 points “One of the highlights in this range, Failla’s 2015 Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch is very pretty. Gracious, floral and lifted, the 2015 shows the more refined personality of this Russian River site. The decision to pick on the early side resulted in an especially tense, nervous style for both the appellation and vintage, with plenty of bright, saline notes that punctuate the fruit.”
Wine Spectator 92 points “Firm and racy, this well-meshed version offers flavors of white raspberry, biscuit and lime blossom riding a fine, silky mousse. Zesty finish. Disgorged November 2016. Drink now through 2030. 10 cases imported.”
Terry Theise Note “Named for the archbishop who laid the cornerstone for the Reims cathedral. And – 2008! Disg. 11/2016, it has the classic assemblage (30-30-30 CH-PN-PM and 5% ea. Arbanne/Petit Meslier), and while I approached it eagerly, adoring 2008 as I do, I found the wine lovely, curvaceous, woodsy (it’s always in oak but seemed more “oaky” this time, maybe because ’08 is so slim), and while the dosage is as-always, I felt it might have been too stingy. However, I can be wrong, and hope I am this time.”
The average price is $56
Case-6 Thierry Triolet Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($179.95) $149 special (that’s only $24.83/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “(90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir; 10 g/l dosage): Light yellow. Vibrant, mineral-accented aromas of fresh citrus and orchard fruits, with suave floral and candied ginger notes adding complexity. Fleshy and broad on entry, then tighter in the mid-palate, offering juicy green apple and orange zest flavors and a touch of white pepper. Closes silky and smoky, with good clarity and length.”
The next best price is $34.98
The average price is $39
Case-6 Thierry Triolet Cuvee Grande Reserve Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV 750ML ($219.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “Pale gold. Intense citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complicated by notes of honeysuckle, tarragon and iodine. Chewy tangerine and pear skin flavors become silkier and spicier with aeration. Shows a seductive floral quality on the clinging finish, which features a dusty mineral nuance and a touch of buttered toast.”
The average price is $38
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 90 points “Light orange-pink. Ripe, spice-accented cherry and tangerine on the fragrant, vinous nose. Fleshy and broad in the mouth, offering pliant red berry and orchard fruit flavors and a hint of candied rose. Seems like there’s a lot more pinot in this blend. Closes chewy and firm, with building spiciness and a hint of bitter orange pith.”
The next best price is $45
The average price is $50
Jose Michel & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($39.95) $31.90 special
Case-6 Jose Michel & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($219.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Jose Michel & Fils Brut, Champagne NV 375ML ($21.95) $18 special
Josh Raynolds–Vinous 91 points “(70% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay; 9 g/l dosage): Light yellow-gold. Fresh tangerine, pear and sweet butter on the fragrant nose. Smooth and weighty in the mouth, offering pliant orchard fruit and melon flavors and a bracing kick of bitter citrus zest. A minerally element adds lift and cut to the penetrating finish, which leaves a suave floral note behind.”
The average price is $38
Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly, Beaujolais 2016 1.5L ($69.95) $59 special
Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly, Beaujolais 2016 3L ($189.95) $159 special
Wine Advocate “Château Thivin must be one of the prettiest wineries in Beaujolais, perched on the steep slopes of the Côte de Brouilly like something you would find on a postcard. It is always a pleasure to meet winemaker Claude-Edouard Geoffrey (still a dead-ringer for Harry Potter—apologies for keep mentioning that), and in recent years he has certainly been casting his magic over the wines that are among the finest in Beaujolais. “The 2016 season started very warm,” he told me as we tasted in his dining room, “and for one month [in early spring] it stayed around 25 degrees Celsius. This was followed by a cool period. April to June was very rainy, which made the viticulture very difficult, and then there was good weather during flowering. Afterwards it was a very good August and September, very hot and dry. Some of the young vines suffered during this period. We started the harvest around 21 or 22 September and finished 6 or 7 October. The next day the vines were freezing.” Although the 2016s faced a more challenging growing season than the previous year, Thivin’s wines performed extremely well, demonstrating freshness and satisfying fruit, not just with respect to the reds but also a wonderful Beaujolais Rosé that is one of the finest I have tasted from the region. I have bleated on about the brilliance of Thivin’s Côte de Brouilly, in my mind one of the finest offerings from Beaujolais, an exemplary expression of Gamay from one of its most propitious terroirs. In summary, it is onwards and upwards from Château Thivin. [No scored review at this time]”Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie Clos des Briords, Loire 2016 1.5L ($49.95) $39 specialOlga Raffault Chinon Les Picasses, Loire 2012 750ML ($31.95) $27 special
Joel B. Payne – Vinous 89 points “Dark ruby. Redcurrant, graphite and licorice on the nose. Suave on the attack, then vinous and firm, with black fruit flavors framed by fresh acidity and lifted by a hint of violet. Nicely perfumed on the juicy finish, which shows more acidity than chalky tannins now. This cabernet franc needs another 18 months of bottle age to mellow.”
Winery note “Cerdon is a terroir of Bugey. It’s a rose sparkling wine with low alcohol content (7.5%). It is produced from Gamay and Poulsard, following the traditional techniques of the “Méthode Ancestrale.” The “Méthode Ancestrale” is a fermentation technique that makes it possible to obtain a sparkling wine without the adjunction of any yeast nor sugar. The fermentation process is natural, and uses only the yeasts and sugars contained in the grapes. Comfortably hidden in the foothils of Jura between Lyon and Geneva, the tiny village of Merignat emerges at a bend of the road. Under its austere face of a small medieval town, it hides in its cellars a sparkling natural wine that unveils part of its mystery when the bottle is opened, revealing its color. Our family has been cultivating the vineyards of the domain for more than eight generations. The vineyards themselves have been part of the village since the Middle Ages. The family Renardat Fache also used to cultivate fruits, like apples, walnuts, cherries and strawberries.”
Case-6 Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2014 750ML ($479.95) $389 special (that’s only $64.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Antonio Galloni 95-97 points “Isole e Olena’s 2014 Cepparello is mind-blowingly beautiful. The product of a long, cool growing season with perfect weather at the end of the fall. Dark, savory and intensely mineral, the 2014 possesses remarkable depth and intensity. In 2014, the grapes reached full maturity at lower sugars than is the norm today. I tasted the 2014 from an assortment of barrels. If the finished wine is like the wine I tasted from barrel, the 2014 Cepparello will be one of the big surprises of the vintage. I love the mid-palate depth here.”
Spain – Sherry
Decanter 97 points; James Suckling 94 points “This wine is like syrup with molasses, espresso, burnt orange and toffee character. Full body, dense and oily. So sweet. Try a thimble full. Drink now.”
The next best price is $125.48
Vinopolis Super Sales
“Magnificent”
“Impressive”
Robert Parker 98+ points “From their steep hillside vineyards on Pritchard Hill, the 2014 Proprietary Red IX Estate is an old-fashioned Médoc blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, but with some Cabernet Franc (rarely seen in the Médoc these years) as well as Merlot and Petit Verdot. Striking aromatics of violets, forest floor, loamy soil nuances, blueberry, black raspberry and blackberry soar from the glass of this spectacular 2014. The acidity seems reasonable but on the lower side, the texture is magnificent, and the overall purity and equilibrium flawless. This is a wine pushing, even demanding, a three-digit score once again, but I’m holding back – at least for now. This magnificent effort from Colgin should drink beautifully for 25-30 years.”Bodegas Toro Albala Don PX Convento Seleccion, Montilla-Moriles 1929 750ML ($459.95) Was $359, Now $299, 7 bottles in stock nowWine Advocate 95 points “The extreme 1929 Don PX Convento Selección is a thick, dense and unusual, rare sweet beast. It is very dark with a green border, dense, oily and serious full-bodied palate with the profile of a PX from Jerez. With 500 grams of residual sugar per liter, it is a little monolithic, a little heavy and not so easy to drink. Still it is an impressive, very sweet wine that is really unique.”
New Reviews
New Champagnes
Newly Reviewed Champagnes In-Stock Now:
Cedric Bouchard Roses de Jeanne Les Ursules Blanc de Noirs, Champagne 2013 1.5L ($319.95) $279 special
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2013 Roses de Jeanne Blanc de Noirs Les Ursules is one of the most accessible of these wines today. Creamy, open-knit and gracious, the Ursules is graced with tremendous purity in its fruit and soft contours that make the wine easy to drink and enjoy, even at this early stage. The Ursules doesn’t quite have the pedigree of the top wines in this range, but it is hugely enjoyable right now. Disgorged in April 2017 with no dosage.”
Antonio Galloni 91 points “Alexandre Chartogne’s NV Brut Sainte Anne (based on the 2014 vintage) is brilliant. Pear, apple, spice, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes all develop. Above all else, though, it is the wine’s textural feel and total finesse that carry the day. The flavors are bright, precise and nuanced in this vivid, introductory level Champagne from Alexandre Chartogne. Don’t miss it. Disgorged: February 2016. Dosage is 6.5 grams per Liter.”
R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($49.95) $35.80 specialCase-12 R.H. Coutier Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($499.95) $399 re-arrival special (that’s only $33.25/bottle!) [Re-arriving Wednesday, December 13th]
Antonio Galloni 93 points “One of the stars in this year’s crop of new releases, Coutier’s NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is powerful, ample and flat-out delicious. As always, the Blanc de Blancs is one of the hidden gems in this range. Varietal Chardonnay notes are amped up in this super-expressive, powerful Champagne. Disgorged: June 2017. Dosage is 7 grams per liter.”
The average price is $42
Newly Reviewed Champagnes Arriving This Month
Vilmart & Cie ‘Cuvee Rubis’ Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ML ($89.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 91 points “The NV Brut Rosé Cuvée Rubis is absolutely gorgeous. Fresh, vibrant and pulsing with energy, the Rubis has much to offer. Cranberry, white pepper and chalk add to the wine’s tense, nervous personality. As always, the Rubis is a Champagne of precision and feminine grace. Disgorged: November 2016. Dosage is 10 grams per liter.”
Marie Courtin Efflorescence Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne 2013 750ML ($69.95) $58 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “A complete and wonderfully nuanced wine, the 2013 Extra Brut Efflorescence is fabulous. Bright and sculpted to the core, the 2013 exudes energy. Chalk, mint, jasmine and orchard fruit add complexity, but it is the wine’s overall balance that is most impressive. The Efflorescence offers striking translucence and energy from start to finish. The non-dosé style is especially successful here. Disgorged in April 2017 with no dosage.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Tension and energy are the signatures of the 2013 Extra Brut Eloquence. The expression of Chardonnay takes on Chablis-like dimensions, with bright, saline-infused underpinnings that give the wine its shape and overall personality. Today, the Eloquence is the most angular and reticent of these wines. Another few years in bottle can only help. Disgorged in April 2017 with no dosage.”
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2012 Brut Spécial Club Millésimé 1er Cru is a powerful, authoritative wine. Lemon peel, white flowers and orchard fruit are some of the many nuances that blossom in a rich, resonant Champagne loaded with class and personality. Creamy and ample, with terrific depth and plenty of volume, the 2012 will drink well for a number of years. The 2012 finishes just a touch dry, but there is a good deal of substance as well. Disgorged: April 2017. Dosage is 6.5 grams per liter.”Champagne Hebrart Cuvee Rose Premier Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival specialAntonio Galloni 90 points “The NV Brut Rosé 1er Cru is delicate and nicely lifted in the glass, with attractive cranberry, chalk, white pepper and mint notes that give the wine its signature high-toned aromatics. Precise and finely-sculpted, Hébrart’s Rosé will appeal most to readers who like taut, slightly nervous wines. The Rosé can be enjoyed as an aperitif, but it also has enough depth to drink well with food. Disgorged: April 2017. Dosage is 7 grams per liter.”
The average price is $55
Antonio Galloni 92 points “One of the standouts in this range, the NV Brut Blanc de Blancs 1er Cru is a Champagne of real depth and staying power. Smoke, slate, crushed rocks, orchard fruit, lime and pear notes are all beautifully delineated in this vibrant, energetic Blanc de Blancs. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s texture and broad, ample frame, along with a set of more gently oxidative aromas and flavors that suggest the Blanc de Blancs won’t be a long-term ager. Even so, the Blanc de Blancs is quite pretty and expressive today. Disgorged: April 2017. Dosage is 7 grams per liter.”
The next best price is $44
The average price is $51
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The NV Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs Pur Meunier is a fabulous wine that captures the essence of Christophe Mignon’s style. Rich and resonant on the palate, the Pur Meunier exudes creaminess. This is an especially weighty expression of Meunier, and yet all the elements are very nicely balanced. Red fruit, dried pear, smoke, menthol and hazelnut notes slowly open up in the glass adding further shades of nuance. Expressive mineral notes extend the finish while providing an attractive counterpoint to the dense, pliant fruit. The current release is a blend of equal parts 2014 and 2013. Mignon’s Pur Meunier is one of the most distinctive wines being made in Champagne today. Don’t miss it. Disgorged: March 2017 and bottled with no dosage.”
Staff Pick
Catalonia Forever
def: indigenous rather than descended from migrants or colonists
Great Cabernet/Syrah/Chardonnay/etc. seems to be easy to find and it all tastes, to one degree or another, like other wines made from the same grape more than something intrinsically of the place it’s from. So called “International” grapes make delicious wine, but for me, the chance to taste something uniquely of a place is really something exciting. Autocton, a small winery in Catalonia, is working to preserve traditional grapes and wine which is uniquely Catalan. The wine that I’m highlighting today is mostly made from a grape called Sumol, with a little bit of Ull de Llebre (which, tellingly, is the Catalan—not Spanish—word for Tempranillo). The wine itself is both dark fruited and also lively on the palate—with dusty flavors and a good spine of acidity and tannin. This is something that seems to speak to the food of fall and winter, but would be delicious with a steak or chicken off the grill, as well.Autocton Celler ‘Autocton’ Negre, Catalonia 2015 750ML ($19.95) $16 special, 29 bottles in stock nowWinery note “Autocton negre is a red wine made from indigenous, native very old vines of 80% Sumoll and 20% Ull de Llebre. Harvested and selected by hand, the wine is aged for 10 months in 300 and 400 liter French oak barrels.”
The next best price is $19.95
Winery Cellared Library Releases
From Castell’in Villa
When Principessa Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa and her husband bought their 13th century farmhouse and estate in Tuscany in the late 60’s their intention was not to become one of the leading producers of traditionally-made Chianti Classico. Rather, the goal was simple—find a place to settle down and raise a family, and the vineyards were part of the mixed agriculture that was traditional in Tuscany at the time.
Over time, though, more and more of the property became planted to vineyards (the estate currently has about 40 producing hectares out of ~300 on the property) until in 1985, tragedy struck. A large freeze decimated the olive trees on the property (oil production is an important source of income) and her husband died later in the year. She seriously considered selling the estate and moving elsewhere but instead doubled down, committing to make the best wines in the region.
Stylistically, these are some of the most old-school and age-worthy wines coming out of Chianti today—wines that make you sit up and realize why the name at one point was synonymous with Italian wine. The Chianti and Riserva are both 100% Sangiovese, aged in large casks for three years before bottling and have that slightly faded glory quality that makes the wines special. Bright fruit, present tannin and a floral, slightly dried cherry quality are all here, with more earth and spice emerging with age.
The Principessa prides herself on how long the wines age for and the winery keeps (and releases) significant library wines. They’re significant both in age and also in importance—it’s very hard to find older Chianti in the secondary market (most collectors who buy Castell’in Villa are loathe to sell it). These are reference point wines, capable of lasting decades, and being utterly profound experiences. We have some of the older stuff arriving in January and few things currently in stock, as well.
New & Winery-Cellared Releases Arriving January 2018
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany 2013 750ML ($27.95) $21.90 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1993 Chianti Classico Riserva is another stunning wine. It boasts gorgeous depth and purity, not to mention fabulous overall balance. Sweet dark cherries, licorice, mint and spices are woven together in this fleshy, supple Riserva. The firm tannins are there, but the 1993 has more than enough fruit to stand up to the wine’s structural components. Today the 1993 comes across as slightly smaller scaled version of the 1990. This is a fabulous wine with at least another decade of fine drinking ahead of it.”Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 1994 750ML ($249.95) $219 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1994 Chianti Classico Riserva is more immediate and juicy than the 1993. There is plenty of underlying structure, but it is buried by the wine’s generous fruit. Sweet dark cherries, plums, tobacco and incense meld together on the exotic, spiced finish. This is a relatively fleshy wine for Castell’in Villa. I have a slight preference for the 1993, but the truth is that all five wines from the 1990s are fabulous. I would be thrilled to own any of them.”
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 1995 750ML ($279.95) $249 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1995 Chianti Classico Riserva is another marvelously complete wine. Waves of fruit saturate the palate in this intense, full-bodied Riserva. The 1995 is another wine endowed with massive fruit and equally imposing structure. It is the first wine in this tasting that is still not ready to offer maximum pleasure. Today it comes across as a young version of the 1990. This is another tremendous showing.”
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2001 750ML ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2001 Chianti Classico Riserva is a big, layered wine bursting with energy. It possesses striking aromatic nuance and delineation from the very first taste. Today the fruit is quite vibrant and the tannins, while present, are not completely unapproachable.”
Castell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2005 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2005 Chianti Classico Riserva is an impressive wine for the vintage. It boasts a serious core of fruit backed up by considerable structure. The sheer purity and delineation is fabulous. I won’t at all be surprised if the 2005 blossoms into an even better wine than this note suggests. There is no shortage of potential. Ideally the 2005 should be cellared for at least a few years.”
Ian D’Agata–Vinous 92+ points “Good bright red. Nose began closed and brooding, but showed vibrant notes of redcurrant, mint and dried flowers with aeration, complicated by a strong mineral quality. Sweet and nicely lush in the mouth, with suave flavors of redcurrant, herbs and tobacco joined on the back end by a very strong element of gunflint. The long finish features a firm acid spine and youthfully chewy but noble tannins.” IDCastell’in Villa Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, Tuscany 2009 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “Rich, enveloping and beautifully layered, the 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva is a rare Riserva that will drink nicely with minimal cellaring. Sweet tobacco, licorice, leather, cedar and underbrush meld together as this radiant, supple Riserva opens up in the glass. More classic elements of structure emerge on the finish.” AG
Antonio Galloni 94 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 1996 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose emerges from the glass with generous fruit, which is given additional volume and richness from the French oak. The 1996 is a big, big wine, especially within the context of the vintage. Because 1996 is the debut vintage, the percentage of new barrels is higher than in subsequent years, and the wine remains marked by the oak. Smoke, licorice and tar wrap around a muscular finish supported by firm, insistent tannins.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2006 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose brings together all of the best elements of this site and house style. Firm tannins frame a core of deeply expressive, opulent fruit in this full-throttle, huge Chianti Classico. Threads of sweet perfumed fruit run through the 2006 as it shows off its class and personality. Mint, flowers and sweet red berries punctuate the explosive finish. This is a dazzling showing from Castell’in Villa.”
Antonio Galloni 93 points “[Reviewed Jun 2012] The 2004 Santacroce is silky, layered and impeccably balanced. Sweet red roses, red berries and spices are all woven together beautifully in this refined, expressive wine. This is a lovely showing. The 2004 captures the essence of the 2004 vintage in a relatively soft, supple style built for near and mid-term enjoyment.”
The next best price is $116.66
Can’t Wait? In Stock Now from Castell’in Villa
Castell’in Villa ‘Poggio delle Rose’, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2009 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 93+ points “Castell’in Villa’s 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio delle Rose captures the generosity of the vintage while retaining a gorgeous sense of freshness and energy. Red stone fruit, tobacco, menthol, sage and leather nuances are bright and nicely focused, but with the additional breadth provided by the warm vintage. A long, silky finish rounds things out in style.” AG
This is the only listing in the USA today!
New Etna Rosso
Arriving in April 2018
Sourced from 150 year old in the high altitude Guardiola district of Sicily’s Mount Etna – this intensely complex red is crafted from Nerello Mascalese, the indigenous variety offering a depth and profundity that is Mt Etna’s answer to a fine Burgundy or Barolo.
Cusumano Alta Mora ‘Guardiola’ Etna Rosso, Sicily 2014 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
James Suckling 96 points “The crystal-clear nose of jasmine, slate, quartz, wild strawberries, blueberries and tons of orange rind, not to mention chocolate shavings and walnuts, is stunning. The full-bodied palate is expansive and fruit-forward yet so minerally and uplifted by a fresh line of acidity that culminates in a long finish. Tight and refined in terms of tannin texture. So good now but better in 2019.”